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Out of the Blue

The Podcast

EPISODES

Healing Grandparent Alienation Through Surrogate Bonds with Donna Skora

Ep 26 | December 22, 2025

On the day her grandson was born, Donna Skora received a single text message that would end all contact and bring years of quiet grief. From that rupture, Donna created Surrogate Grandparents USA, a nationwide community where elders and families build trusted, intergenerational bonds.

How Hitting Bottom Became a Calling with Dr. Nicole Labor

Ep 25 | December 11, 2025

Dr. Nicole Labor takes us inside the real mechanics of addiction and recovery, from the double life of a high-achieving medical student using drugs to the slow, steady rebuild that turned a bottom into a calling.

Freedom, Faith, And Justice System Reform with Christopher "Life" Willars

Ep 24 | December 5, 2025

Christopher "Life" Willars discusses how he rose from a 144-year prison sentence to becoming a national voice for justice system reform. His story reveals how systems harden people, how mentors and faith can redirect a life, and why real public safety starts with real rehabilitation.

Instinct and Inspiration Behind Music with Sal Baglio

Ep 23 | November 11, 2025

A song can change a life, and sometimes it waits decades to do it. Sal Baglio, the lead vocalist and guitarist behind Boston legends The Stompers, traces his creative path shaped by family, grief, grit, and a Hollywood surprise that rewired his future.

76,000 Miles and Counting with Rusty "The Walking Man" Nosser

Ep 22 | October 29, 2025

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.

Compassion, Community, and Calling with Tom Rossignoll

Ep 21 | October 21, 2025

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 and a city councilor who leads with empathy, candor, and common sense.

Behavioral Health and The Power of Story with JJ Winston

Ep 20 | October 14, 2025

We sit down with JJ Winston, 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.

How Rap Defeated Addiction with Cenobio Rayos II a.k.a. The Hare Trigga

Ep 19 | September 30, 2025

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.

When a Fall Becomes a Catalyst for Transformation with Betsy Hammer

Ep 18 | September 16, 2025

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."

Life After 9/11: A Firefighter's Journey with Joseph Bonanno

Ep 17 | September 3, 2025

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.

Healing the Trauma That Shapes Us with Dr. Marti Loring

Ep 16 | August 19, 2025

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.

The Psychedelic Path with Louis Dorian

Ep 15 | August 5, 2025

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.

A Shot at Second Chances with Brian Rizzo

Ep 14 | July 22, 2025

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. Moments later, that same man returned with a pistol and shot Brian in the head at point-blank range.

How to Responsibly Fill Our Internal Bowl with Ellen O'Brien

Ep 13 | July 8, 2025

Ellen O'Brien joins us to share her remarkable journey from unconscious living to profound self-awareness. She introduces us to the concept of the "internal bowl" – a metaphorical vessel that can only be filled with self-love, self-respect, self-esteem, self-care, and self-compassion.

Harmony After Cancer with Will Stratton

Ep 12 | June 24, 2025

Acclaimed songwriter Will Stratton takes us through his journey with testicular cancer – a diagnosis that arrived precisely when professional opportunities were blossoming. Will reveals how this life-altering experience fundamentally transformed his approach to music, creativity, and purpose.

Everyday Advocacy: Meghan Johnson on Living Fully With Cerebral Palsy

Ep 11 | June 10, 2025

Meghan Johnson's story captivates from the first moment she shares her wise perspective on living with cerebral palsy. Meghan doesn't speak from stages to thousands, but her lived experience demonstrates that people with disabilities can lead rich, expressive, joyful lives.

Collaboration in Healing and Creativity with Kevin Carey

Ep 10 | May 27, 2025

Despite recognizing the seriousness of his symptoms, Kevin Carey was almost sent home from two different hospitals. It was only due to his wife's persistent questioning about his fever that doctors finally discovered a life-threatening bacterial blood infection that had sent fragments to his brain.

Finding Joy After Flagyl Toxicity with Taylor Downs

Ep 9 | May 15, 2025

After experiencing neurological symptoms from the commonly prescribed antibiotic metronidazole, Taylor Downs was left searching for answers in a system that often overlooked or dismissed her condition. What followed was a journey of healing, self-advocacy, and reinvention.

From Homelessness to Hope with Anthony Brown

Ep 8 | April 29, 2025

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", Anthony describes his journey from disfunction and homelessness to recovery and triumph.

Susan Goldberg

Ep 7 | April 17, 2025

Susan Goldberg 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.

Gary Langis

Ep 6 | April 8, 2025

Gary Langis's 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.

Liz "Lizzie Sunshine" Michels

Ep 5 | April 1, 2025

Liz Michels 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. At 35 years old, she’s living a full life and has become an outspoken autism advocate.

David Wiener

Ep 4 | March 25, 2025

A successful real estate developer and devoted husband and father, David Wiener shares his inspiring story of finding the way forward. David and his family were enjoying a joyous day on the slopes when David hit a patch of black ice. And just like that, his life changed forever.

Judy Greiman

Ep 3 | March 11, 2025

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.

Michael Scott

Ep 2 | February 25, 2025

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

Ep 1 | February 11, 2025

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.

Introducing Out of the Blue

Ep 0 | January 11, 2025

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.

Groove And Gratitude with Steve Thoma (Part 1)

Ep 34 | May 7, 2026

At six years old, playing piano duets with his grandmother was the first step toward the music industry, Hollywood, and even Frank Sinatra for musician Steve Thoma. Since then, Steve serendipitously found himself in “right place, right skill, right attitude” moments you can’t plan.

Reconstructing After Addiction with Dr. Nicole Labor (Part 2)

Ep 33 | April 29, 2026

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Nicole Labor, we discuss practical healing from trauma and why the "survive, strive, arrive, and thrive" model can work for anybody, not just those who are recovering from addiction.

Reconstructing After Addiction with Dr. Nicole Labor (Part 1)

Ep 32 | April 23, 2026

Dr. Nicole Labor returns to Out Of The Blue The Podcast to talk about what “reconstruction” really means after addiction and why recovery is about building a life that can hold happiness, connection, and purpose.

Pushing Forward Parkinson's Awareness with Dr. George Ackerman

Ep 31 | April 8, 2026

Dr. George Ackerman lost his mother to Parkinson’s disease and refused to let her story end there. His promise became Together For Sharon, a family-driven platform for Parkinson’s awareness, caregiver support, and education that now reaches thousands of people searching.

Turning Trauma Into Art and Mentorship with Ashshahid Muhammad (Part 2)

Ep 30 | April 1, 2026

Our conversation with Ashshahid Muhammad continues. One moment he’s describing the shock of walking into art college, the next he’s explaining why he refuses to “sugarcoat” what addiction, homelessness, rehab, and relapse actually feel like.

Turning Trauma Into Art and Mentorship with Ashshahid Muhammad (Part 1)

Ep 29 | March 25, 2026

Ashshahid Muhammad lost his eye from a bullet, which also ripped away the life he thought he understood. Surrounded by crime and addiction, he built an identity in the streets, then watched it collapse into homelessness, relapse, and pain. His comeback story is not polished, but real.

Out of the Blue-ness with Wendy Liebman (Part 2)

Ep 28 | March 18, 2026

Consciousness, comedy, and AI collide in a way we didn’t expect. The conversation continues with Wendy Liebman as we discuss the future of intelligence, from quantum consciousness theories to the provocative idea of the universe as a kind of eternal information system.

Out of the Blue-ness with Wendy Liebman (Part 1)

Ep 27 | March 11, 2026

Wendy Liebman returns to help kick off season two of Out Of The Blue, and the conversation moves from punchlines to lifelines – how care, coincidence, and commitment can rewire a creative life.

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