Life 2.0

Remembering John Denver

For the past 22 years, thousands of people have converged on Aspen, Colorado to celebrate the life and legacy of the late singer/songwriter and humanitarian, John Denver. Jim Horn, legendary sax player and a member of the elite studio musicians known as the "Wrecking Crew" has backed up everyone from Duane Eddy, to Frank Sinatra to George Harrison, and spent 18 years on stages around the world, with Denver. I had a great conversation with Jim from Aspen, and we share some insights, stories and thoughts (and music) from our late, great friend, who's impact in the world is still felt all these years later.

The Power of Mindful Choices

Dr. Kathleen Hall just might be the most authentic human I've ever known, overcoming severe childhood trauma, to become one of the preeminent stress experts in the world.  She is a pioneer in the Mindful Living movement of the 21st Century and is the founder, CEO, fearless leader & driving inspiration of the Mindful Living Network® and the Stress Institute®. Dr. Hall is an internationally recognized lifestyle expert in stress, work-life balance and Mindful Living, and has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, FOX, USA Today, New York Times, Washington Post, Money Magazine, Business Week, Huffington Post, ESPN, Parents, Cosmopolitan, Real Simple and Woman’s Day. Dr. Hall is an award-winning author of four books: Mindful Living Everyday, Uncommon HOPE, A Life in Balance and Alter Your Life. 

Its a rousing conversation about keeping the bubble in the middle of the level of life, come what may, no matter what, and the power of making mindful choices. 

TBT- Chris Reeve

Christopher Reeve would have turned 67 yesterday, September 25th 2019.

In 2018, I posted this interview with him that originally aired on my Michigan talk show in May of 2002, the day before the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) opened its doors 17 years ago for subscribers only, but I am moved to re-post the episode as an "all skate" on Throwback Thursday.                                                                  

It's a chance for anyone who needs a serious perspective shift from "The Man of Steel." His insights, inspiration and strength are timeless. 

Wouldn't be great if superheroes could save the world just like in the movies?

Music this week from another "Super-Man" who left us too soon... Pete Huttlinger. 

THE WEDNESDAY RANT

"On the road again...just can't wait to get on the road again..." A short road trip from Chicago to Pittsburgh to Lancaster and back, just enough of a break from unsocial media to clear my brain bucket. Nothing like spending time with Trudy Gronning who survived WWII as young girl in Germany to put things in perspective. Add to that Prof. Peter as my sidekick on the journey, a few libations, and celebrations along the way and its another exercise in going past the headlines, to the lifelines.

The Monday Memo

Full disclosure: My co-host for this episode of the Life 2.0 Podcast...is beer, Moosehead Beer to be exact. I've been busier than a one-eyed cat watching nine rat holes. But fear not, I just did a "Week In Review" including the honor of attending the unveiling of the Walter Payton (and George Halas) bronze statues at Soldier Field and then even more honored to be back at my high school as the brand new multipurpose field was dedicated as well. In between I found time to hang out at a bar and stuff three hours of live radio in as well. Don't miss another segment of "Earth Matters with Bill Kurtis."

WINNING THE HUMAN RACE PT. 1

Part 1 of my conversation with Capt. Paul Langlois, United States Coast Guard (Ret.) a highly decorated helicopter pilot, who has endured more physical challenges than can be counted. Cliff Bayuk, former Navy and Coast Guard veteran, is the man responsible for putting this podcast in place, he joins us as well. We are all running the human race, however, Paul Langlois is actually winning in his lane despite a heart transplant, and losing his arms and legs, and continues to move forward no matter what.

Semper Paratus.

WINNING THE HUMAN RACE PT. 2

This is part two of my conversation with Capt. Paul Langlois, United States Coast Guard (Ret.) a highly decorated helicopter pilot, who has endured more physical challenges than can be counted. Cliff Bayuk, former Navy and Coast Guard veteran, is the man responsible for putting this podcast in place, he joins us as well. We are all running the human race, however, Paul Langlois is actually winning in his lane despite a heart transplant, and losing his arms and legs, and continues to move forward no matter what.

Semper Paratus.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY WITH ROYCE ELLIOTT

The year was 1993, it was my first paid writing gig for Chicago Sports Magazine, covering the Randy Hundley Chicago Cubs Fantasy Camp at Wrigley Field. I had a stellar outing at the camp, hitting a grand-slam homer the day before we actually played at "The Friendly Confines." My luck changed for the worse when I had to face a real MLB pitcher, "The Hook" lefty Rich Nye, who was one of the aces on that vaunted 1969 Cubs team. But it all got better at the banquet after the game, when we roared to the onslaught of jokes and one liners by the late, great Royce Elliott- American's Funniest Clean Comedian. 

 This Flash Back Friday made possible by the Life 2.0 Subscribers. 

WTF FRIDAY WITH STEVE RIZZO

At the age of 14, a guidance counselor told him he wasn't college material, as a senior in high school he was voted "Least Likely to Succeed" and he proudly wore the label of "loser" because he believed that other people's opinion of him, was who he really was. Eventually, Steve Rizzo would go on to become one of the most sought after comedians in America, and had some of today's biggest stars like Drew Carey and Ellen DeGeneres as his opening act. With his own SHOWTIME special, he was destined for sitcom stardom, but instead of heading to Hollywood, he began a quest to find his true calling in life, and along the way became a best-selling author, and the funniest motivational speaker on the planet. If laughter is the best medicine, Steve Rizzo is a master healer, and he shares his triumphs and tragedies on the Life 2.0 Podcast.

The Politics of Hate.

Christian Picciolini was an architect of the white-supremacist skinhead movement in America during the 1980s and 90s. He had a couple of life changing moments, left the movement and earned a degree in international relations from DePaul University and went on to launch Goldmill Group, a global digital media and counter-extremism consulting firm. In 2016, he won an Emmy Award for his role in producing an anti-hate advertising campaign aimed at helping people disengage from extremist groups. His life since leaving the white-supremacist movement over two decades ago has been dedicated to helping others counter racism and violent extremism by co-founding the organization Life After Hate. Picciolini now leads the Free Radicals Project (freeradicals.org), the world's first global disengagement platform.  

While everyone on television talks about the politics of hate from the outside in, Christian addresses this infection of the human spirit from the inside out.