EPISODES

A man sits on a curb after three nights in the woods, ready to surrender. Then a familiar face appears and everything changes. That’s the spark that propels Rusty Nosser, “The Walking Man,” from rock bottom to a life driven by purpose, faith, and relentless motion.

A teenager gets dragged off the couch to volunteer, and a lifelong purpose begins. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Tom Rossignoll, a home-care physical therapist assistant with over 30 years of experience and a city councilor who leads with empathy, candor, and common sense. 

A single moment at fifteen – an apology followed by a tragic loss – sent JJ Winston on a course that would reshape her life. We sit down with the award-winning author, licensed social worker, attorney, and post-degree magistrate to trace how one grief-forged decision became a lifelong mission: defend the voiceless, dismantle stigma, and turn hard-earned insight into fiction that heals.

Cenobio Rayos II, known in the music world as "The Hare Trigga," reveals his extraordinary journey of resilience that reads like a Hollywood screenplay. Cenobio's path took him through addiction, homelessness, and profound loss before a moment of terrifying clarity changed everything.

Betsy Hammer's fall from a stepladder could have ended tragically. Yet instead of panic, she exhibited remarkable presence of mind. This composure was so striking that hospital staff initially underestimated her injury's severity until x-rays revealed her hip "hanging by a thread."

Joseph Bonanno, a New York City firefighter and cookbook author, narrowly escaped death on September 11, 2001, when an early car service pulled him away just before the firehouse he was visiting rushed to the World Trade Center, where none survived. In recounting his story, he shares both the devastation of Ground Zero and the lasting grief of losing his brother, also a firefighter, to suicide years later.

Dr. Marti Loring, a pioneering voice in trauma research and author of "Emotional Abuse: The Trauma and Treatment," shatters common misconceptions about trauma, revealing it's not just for war veterans or disaster survivors—it's something we all experience to varying degrees. "Trauma has often been called a normal reaction to an abnormal situation," she explains, offering listeners permission to recognize their struggles without shame.

After his partner's accidental opioid overdose, Louis spiraled into grief and heavy drinking. But something unexpected emerged from this darkness – insights that would transform his understanding of consciousness, trauma, and healing. This conversation goes far beyond typical discussions of psychedelics and mental health. Louis shares how he developed his "eight root fundamentals" of growth after discovering that many of our deepest struggles stem not from our thoughts, but from the automated beliefs anchoring those thoughts.

When Brian Rizzo denied entry to an unstable man at a Portland strip club where he worked as a bouncer, he couldn't have known those seconds would forever divide his life into before and after. Moments later, that same man returned with a pistol and shot Brian in the head at point-blank range. What followed defies medical explanation. Given less than a 1% chance of survival, Brian not only lived but emerged from a 31-day coma to begin a remarkable journey of recovery. The bullet had missed his brainstem by "the width of a hair," a margin so impossibly small it challenges our understanding of luck, fate, or divine intervention.

Ellen O'Brien, a talented singer and Berklee College of Music graduate, joins us to share her remarkable journey from unconscious living to profound self-awareness. She introduces us to her transformative concept of the "internal bowl" – a metaphorical vessel within each of us that can only be filled with self-love, self-respect, self-esteem, self-care, and self-compassion. With honesty, she reveals how she spent decades trying to fill this bowl with external gratifications, only to discover that they inevitably fall through what she calls the "trap door."

In this deeply moving episode, acclaimed songwriter Will Stratton takes us through his unexpected journey with testicular cancer in his early twenties—a diagnosis that arrived precisely when professional opportunities were blossoming. Will shares the crushing moment when he had to decline an invitation to perform alongside Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon because he was starting chemotherapy. But rather than dwelling on missed opportunities, Will reveals how this life-altering experience fundamentally transformed his approach to music, creativity, and purpose. He describes what he calls an "explosion of gratitude" that emerges after survival—a profound appreciation that can't be manufactured through any other means.

Meghan Johnson's story captivates from the first moment she shares her infectious laugh and wise perspective on living with cerebral palsy. As an "everyday advocate," Meghan doesn't speak from stages to thousands, but her lived experience demonstrates that people with disabilities can lead rich, expressive, joyful lives. This isn't just another inspirational tale—it's a masterclass in finding authentic joy through life's unexpected challenges.

One ordinary Thursday in 2019, while preparing to teach a class, Kevin Carey – coordinator of creative writing at Salem State University and author of seven acclaimed books – suddenly experienced distorted vision and temporary blindness in one eye. What followed was a harrowing medical journey that nearly ended in tragedy—twice. Despite recognizing the seriousness of his symptoms, Kevin was almost sent home from two different hospitals without proper diagnosis. It was only due to his wife's persistent questioning about his lingering fever that doctors finally discovered a life-threatening bacterial blood infection that had sent fragments to his brain. But Kevin's story isn't just about survival—it's about transformation and creative resilience. With disarming honesty and humor, he shares how his journey as a writer has been marked by persistence through rejection and an openness to unexpected directions.

This episode shines a light on a hidden danger in modern medicine — and the power of personal transformation. After experiencing severe neurological symptoms from the commonly prescribed antibiotic metronidazole, also known as Flagyl, Taylor Downs was left searching for answers in a system that often overlooked or dismissed her condition. What followed was a journey of deep healing, self-advocacy, and radical reinvention. Now a certified health coach, she helps others reclaim their well-being and trust their bodies after medical trauma. Please welcome Taylor, a powerful voice in the growing conversation around metronidazole (Flagyl) toxicity and holistic recovery.

This episode’s inspiring guest, Anthony Brown, tells us his dramatic life story that led him to many dark and often dangerous places. Author of the award-winning book, "From Park Bench to Park Avenue", join us as Anthony describes his journey from disfunction and homelessness to recovery and triumph – pursuing his ultimate passion of giving hope and help to those still imprisoned by destructive behaviors and substance abuse. An inspirational and unforgettable episode you’ll never forget!

Susan Goldberg, our inspirational guest for this episode, was living an active and productive life as a professional musician in New York City when, in the middle of a typical busy day playing piano, out of the blue, she suddenly lost the use of her left hand. Join us as Susan, a permanent resident and fixture in the vibrant music, theatre and arts scene of Provincetown, Massachusetts, tells us how she found her way forward from surviving to thriving!

Meet Gary Langis. His inspirational journey took him from saving lives off the streets of Boston to lobbying for lifesaving programs in Washington D.C. It all began with an out of the blue event that could’ve destroyed his life, but instead led him to saving the lives of countless others.

Meet Liz Michels of Ocean View, Delaware. Liz was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old, but it wasn’t until her early teens that her first symptoms appeared out of the blue. Although doctors told her parents she would never be able to graduate high school or go to college, Liz has not only done both, but at 35 years old, she’s living a full life and has become an outspoken autism advocate. Join us as Liz tells us the inspirational story of how Liz Michels became Lizzie Sunshine. Learn how someone with autism can not only bring sunshine into the lives around them but also how autism doesn’t stop people like Albert Einstein and others from changing the world. Join us on this special episode as we celebrate Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month with our amazing guest, Liz “Lizzie Sunshine” Michels. 

A successful real estate developer and devoted husband and father, our next guest on the fourth episode of Out of the Blue - the Podcast, David Wiener, shares his inspiring story of finding the way forward. David and his family were all enjoying another joyous day on the slopes when, out of the blue, David – an avid pro-level skier and expert at handling the toughest black diamond runs – hit a patch of black ice. And just like that, his life changed forever. Join us as he shares his experience, strength, and hope – as one challenge after another, David not only survives, but thrives – all here in this phenomenal episode of Out of the Blue - the Podcast. 

The 2024 winner of the Presidential Award for extraordinary service to Stony Brook University, Judy Greiman shares her inspiring story of resilience when after years of perfect examinations, out of the blue, her test results showed stage four metastatic breast cancer. Her inspirational way forward is as extraordinary as she is, and a beacon of hope for many others.

No doubt about it, Michael's a Miracle. When diagnosed with cancer, the doctor's prognosis was 6 months to a year. Four and a half years later and Michael is still finding a way forward. His truth is powerful and his resilience is off the chart. An unforgettable story of courage.

Wendy Liebman is a nationally known standup comedian and has been touring and appearing on television since the 90’s. Her career was about to take off with an upcoming Netflix special when Out of the Blue, she was struck by a car and her life was turned upside down. How she emerges victoriously is something best described in her own words, “I was healed at the speed of love!” Get ready to hear her inspiring story as she recounts her Out of the Blue event and how she found the way forward!

This Season One preview features highlights from interviews with inspirational survivors of traumatic out of the blue events who have overcome unimaginable challenges, sharing stories of resilience and triumph. Together, we find the way forward.