Choose Positive Living with Sara Troy and her guest Graham Connolly, on air from February 11th
Discover mindset shifts and practical strategies to reap the benefit of a plant-based lifestyle without the heavy sacrifice. Graham Connolly shares his journey and approaches to making plant-based cooking and lifestyle sustainable and easy. From keeping daily meals simple, satisfying, and exciting to creating potluck favourites that impress, learn how to lead a plant-based diet without the overwhelm, restrictions, and isolation. Whether you lead a plant-based lifestyle yourself and want to explore more in the kitchen or if you simply want to accommodate friends and family with food they will love, join us as we explore simple mindset shifts and strategies to making plant-based easier.
Graham is a business consultant with a passion for doing things in sustainable ways while also pushing the limits of potential. This passion tends to permeate most aspects of his life, including leading a plant-based lifestyle. Graham has loved cooking from a young age, from cooking at home, and working in restaurants, but has always maintained a focus on simplicity. “From leaving the typical Western diet, I knew that to really make this sustainable and work for me, it couldn’t come with a heavy sacrifice. And that’s the lens through which I made it work and wonderful.” “Now, I just love helping people live the lives they want without the heavy burden of sacrifice.”
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Sara’s View of Life with Sara Troy, on air from February 11th
Rich or Poor: Who is Truly Abundant?
When we look at poverty, we often equate it with a lack of money—the inability to afford a better quality of life, to meet basic needs, and to live comfortably. Conversely, when we look at the wealthy, we see power, opulence, and privilege. But who is truly rich, and who is truly poor?
Across the world, many people live in what is deemed poverty—crowded homes, mud huts, and minimal material wealth. By North American standards, they have little. Yet, they are often rich in joy, gratitude, and community. Their abundance is found in their relationships, their laughter, and their appreciation for life itself.
Meanwhile, I have encountered countless wealthy individuals who, despite their immense financial success, live in constant fear—fear of losing money, of being manipulated, of being valued only for their wealth. Their paranoia dictates their lives, making them question who they can trust, how they can protect what they have, and how to accumulate more. In their relentless pursuit of power, they lose sight of true enrichment.
The Moral Compass of Wealth
A select few control vast sums of money, believing it grants them the ability to buy anything and anyone. Many have lost their moral compass, consumed by greed, manipulation, and an insatiable hunger for control. But in their endless pursuit of wealth, they reveal the greatest poverty of all—a poverty of spirit, of purpose, and of true connection.
Real enrichment has nothing to do with money. It is found in love, kindness, and understanding. When wealth becomes a dictator, a force that governs one’s sense of worth and purpose, it exposes the emptiness within. The wealthiest among us are not those with the most money but those who give, who uplift, who invest in the well-being of others.
The Struggle of the Poor and the Fear of the Rich
I have met people who live on the poverty line, struggling each month to afford basic necessities—housing, healthcare, and food. Their struggles are real, but so is their appreciation for what they do have. There is joy in the small pleasures of life: a meal, a warm home, a shared laugh with loved ones.
Interestingly, it is often those with the least who are the first to give. Experiments have shown that when a struggling person asks for help, few respond. Yet, when the message is changed to “need money for drugs,” people contribute. What does that say about our perceptions of poverty? Do we turn away from those in need because it reminds us of our own vulnerability?
I have interviewed people who once had it all—wealth, power, status—only to lose it. And in that loss, they found something far more valuable: humility, compassion, and a deeper understanding of what truly matters. Their reset, their realization, made them richer than ever before.
A Broken System
We live in a world where wealth is hoarded, where the rich manipulate laws and governments to serve their interests. Money dictates policies, buys politicians, and erodes ethics. Meanwhile, the poor face cuts to essential services, higher costs of living, and fewer opportunities to rise.
There is no reason for homelessness to exist in a world of such vast wealth. No reason for people to freeze in the streets while billionaires build superyachts. No reason for a system that forces people to choose between food and medication while pharmaceutical companies rake in obscene profits.
We need to tax the rich—not out of spite, but out of necessity. Imagine if even a fraction of their wealth was used to support education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The money that billionaires hoard could feed and house millions. The disparity is not just unfair; it is a failure of humanity.
True Abundance is in Giving
I do my work by donation. The interviews I conduct, the stories I share, and the insights I provide—these are my contributions to the world. If everyone gave just a little, the impact would be enormous. But I do not beg. True giving must come from a place of free will and gratitude, not coercion.
The real rich are those who share their wealth—whether it be financial, emotional, or intellectual—with others. Those who empower, uplift, and create opportunities. The real poor are those who hoard, manipulate, and measure their worth by numbers in a bank account.
The Power of Unity
For too long, we have allowed wealth and power to dictate the rules. But when people come together—when hearts, voices, and actions unite—the tide shifts. No amount of money can stand against a movement built on love, kindness, and justice.
History has shown that those who underestimate the power of the people ultimately fall. They believe they can buy loyalty, manipulate truth, and control narratives. But they cannot control the collective strength of humanity when it chooses to stand together.
The Choice is Ours
I am financially poor by society’s standards, living on a pension that barely covers my needs. And yet, I feel incredibly rich. My wealth is in the conversations I have, the stories I share, and the lives I touch. My abundance is in my purpose.
So, I ask you: Who is truly rich? And who is truly poor?
If we come together, if we choose to invest in humanity rather than in greed, we can create a world where wealth is not measured in dollars but in kindness, in impact, and in the legacy we leave behind.
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation; if you enjoyed this show, please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support; thank you. And please support Our Forgotten Senior’s anthology and help to bring this book to awareness.
Authors Kiss with Sara Troy and her guest Wendy Horwitz, on air from February 11th
In Milkweed and Honey Cake: A Memoir in Ritual Moments, Wendy A. Horwitz shares essays about ritual can exalt ordinary moments and the best way to open a pomegranate.
Holidays delight – and disappoint. A couple marrying during the pandemic finds a surprise after a rainstorm and a topsy-turvy search for a gravestone that honors her ancestors. Horwitz serves pomp and circumstance on the front porch when a graduation is canceled. Through the shifting seasons of life, amid the scramble of pet guinea pigs and birthday parties, her children add wonder and comedy to tradition.
Horwitz explores how ritual can exalt ordinary moments and frame the extraordinary – a blue heron, an old cupboard’s scent, and the lingering feel of an engagement ring long gone prompt reflections laced with yearning and humor. Guiding us along a wooded path, to the kitchen table, in a messy garden, and under a tent reverberating with song, she traces the boundaries of ritual, considering what we do when ritual falls short, and how we might adapt to each other’s practices. And when the wider world seems broken, new rituals provide hope.
Lyrical and funny, thought-provoking and deeply moving, Milkweed and Honey Cake is at once a meditation on our desire for meaning and the story of a woman’s lifelong efforts to create it.
Wendy A. Horwitz’s essays have been published in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Afterimage, Neurology (Humanities Section), Jewish Literary Journal, Intrepid Times, and McClatchy-Tribune News Service, among others. Originally trained as a pediatric psychologist, she lives in Philadelphia, where she teaches writing and health, and humanities.
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation; if you enjoyed this show, please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support; thank you. And please support Our Forgotten Seniors anthology and help to bring this book into awareness.
Choose Positive Living with Sara Troy and her guest D.C Copeland, on air from February 4th
I’m a millennial speaker/dramatist/disruptor who’s written a book entitled Societal Dropout: A Cultural Manifesto. Each chapter is a standalone essay, inspired and informed by my experience answering questions on Quora (888,800 readers). The book gives voice to truths many of us feel but don’t know how to articulate. Topics I explore include mental health and happiness, critical thinking, creativity, gender, sex, suicide, drugs, art, etc.
I am writing for those who need a witness to testify that we do live in a dark time and that the hackneyed methods used to motivate us out of it are not working. I write for readers who want to listen to a story about overcoming the conventions of contemporary culture and the psychological and spiritual illnesses fostered by it. My manifesto is for college-age students who are looking for fodder to feed their own inner rebellions and revolutions, artists and those who love art and academics, those who love and are immersed in academia, mental health who feel their voice is underrepresented in contemporary culture. My work is for the normal, everyday person who experiences society not giving a rat’s tail about themselves as individuals and for the individual who is simply unsatisfied with the care that society provides.
D.C. Copeland, a Yale graduate, began her literary journey as Harold Bloom’s assistant, working on notable works like The Best Poems of the English Language and Where Shall Wisdom Be Found. Bloom praised her as a voice of her generation, lauding her originality in Kafkaesque parables and avant-garde plays influenced by Beckett and Ionesco.
An accomplished playwright, Copeland’s works have been showcased in prestigious venues like Manhattan Repertory’s One Act Festival and Alex Timbers’ The Tank. Her plays have premiered across New York and Portland, with notable titles including Forget-Me-Not, These Foolish Things, and The Truth According to Rose. Her screenplay Angie has garnered interest as a potential Netflix pilot.
Copeland’s poetic collaborations with Joronne Jeter have been featured in publications like The Gravity of the Thing and Aaduna. William E. Very Jr., publisher of Aaduna, described her as a “gem” whose diverse works resonate deeply with readers.
Copeland has appeared on podcasts, television, and panels as a speaker, including her recent feature on Hard Girl, Soft Life, with over 1.5 million subscribers. On Quora, she engages 732,300 readers on topics like mental health, Jungian archetypes, and embracing the shadow self.
Her early achievements include winning national contests, directing high school plays, and acting at the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival alongside Chris Pine and Jeremy Strong. At Yale, she directed productions like Angels in America and Die Fledermaus while excelling academically with a thesis on Gertrude Stein.
Copeland’s manifesto An Artist’s Manifesto and its evolved version, Societal Dropout: A Culture Manifesto for the New Millennium, articulate the struggles and truths of modern life, resonating with millennials, artists, and those seeking cultural critique. With over 50 five-star ratings, her works inspire readers to defy societal conventions and embrace individuality.
Through her writing, plays, poetry, and public engagements, Copeland continues to establish herself as a powerful voice addressing contemporary culture, mental health, and the millennial experience.
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation; if you enjoyed this show, please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support; thank you, and please support Our Forgotten Senior’s anthology and help to bring this book into awareness.
Sara’s View of Life with Sara Troy, on air from February 4th
How to Stay Positive in Today’s World
Staying positive in today’s world starts with intentional choices. Begin by limiting your exposure to negativity—switch off social media and TV, if they overwhelm you. Focus on positivity, as what you engage with shapes your mindset. Stay informed, but don’t let the weight of the world consume you.
Gratitude and joy are powerful tools. Start each day by saying, “Thank you for this new day.” Speak affirmations like, “I can, I will, I am capable,” to set a positive tone. Engage in uplifting activities, surround yourself with things that inspire you, and approach challenges with resilience and optimism.
Joy grows through connection and kindness. Take small steps—greet strangers with a smile, help a neighbor, or support a cause. Acts of compassion, no matter how small, create a ripple effect of positivity.
Choose joy over fear. Focus on what you can contribute rather than what you cannot control. We strengthen each other and create lasting change when we come together with love, hope, and a purpose. Be the light that inspires others, and let joy lead the way.
Staying positive in today’s atmosphere can be challenging, but it starts with intentional practices that help maintain balance. First, limit your intake of negativity by switching off social media and TV. Social media operate on algorithms, feeding you what you engage with. Focus on the positive; the platform will reflect that back to you. However, don’t completely ignore what’s happening around you. Awareness is crucial because neglecting the problems allows negativity to win. Instead, strike a balance by limiting how much you absorb while staying informed.
We live in a world in transition, and though it’s being shaken up, this is a chance to ask yourself: Do you want to repeat the past, or do you want to shape your future actively? The answer should be no to passivity and yes to taking charge of your life. Start each day with affirmations, gratitude, and optimism. Whether writing something uplifting, speaking affirmations aloud, or watching something inspiring, this positive energy can set the tone for the day.
Gratitude is transformative. Begin each morning with, “Thank you for this new day,” and embrace challenges with a mindset of resilience. Remind yourself, “I can, I will, I am capable.” Even when the day throws difficulties your way, remember to breathe, trust, and allow solutions to emerge naturally.
Despite the chaos in the world, including political strife and economic pressures, we must not let despair consume us. Instead, focus on what you can control and contribute to solutions, whether by being a voice for change, supporting others, or simply showing compassion and love. This unity is our strength, starting with small, consistent acts of kindness.
When life feels overwhelming, don’t spiral into anxiety or despair. Take proactive steps to resolve issues and ask the universe for guidance: “Show me how, show me whom, show me where.” Staying calm and optimistic prevents you from sinking into hopelessness and allows you to take empowered actions.
Engaging in meaningful activities brings joy and purpose. Whether it’s volunteering, helping a neighbor, or supporting a cause, giving to others fills your heart with joy and creates a ripple effect of positivity. Prioritize self-care, but remember that your self-fulfillment enables you to serve others. Acts of kindness—small or grand—uplift both the giver and the receiver.
Connection is vital. Look others in the eye, greet them warmly, and create moments of human interaction. Especially in challenging times, we must resist isolation and foster community. We combat negativity and bring light into the world by feeding joy, kindness, compassion, and solutions.
Ultimately, staying positive requires balancing awareness of the world’s problems with an intentional focus on solutions, love, and hope. Embrace life’s beauty, engage in acts of kindness, and find ways to contribute to your community. We can create a powerful force for good together, arm in arm.
So, start today with gratitude and a smile. Spread joy and love, and remember that even small actions can make a big difference. Let’s be the change we want to see and inspire hope in others along the way.
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation; if you enjoyed this show, please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support; thank you. And please support Our Forgotten Senior’s anthology and help to bring this book to awareness.
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