Life 2.0

Acts of Beauty-Hillary Raimo

When it takes me an hour to come up with the name of an episode, because my guest covers so much ground in such an incredible way, you know its gonna be a great conversation. Hillary Raimo is a renaissance woman in every sense of the word. Best-selling author, award winning photographer, vaunted artist and enduring presence in the world of digital radio. As a multi medium artist, Hillary creates "acts of beauty" across all her platforms, and we cover some heavy duty topics ranging from the challenge of dealing with alternative media information to personal responsibility in the digital age to the importance of having conversations that can lead to transformations. Click to purchase her book "The Hillary Raimo Show Transcripts."

My Dad - Jarrett Payton

20 years ago today, November 1st 1999, Walter Payton passed away at the age of 45. His death sent shock waves throughout the world of sports, but his legacy is intact and lives on through his son, Jarrett and daughter Brittany. I've watched JP grow up from the 12-year-old who gave the Hall of Fame induction speech for his father in 1993, to his time at the University of Miami (2004 MVP of the Orange Bowl) to his stint in the NFL to becoming an entrepreneur and father, and now as the afternoon sports anchor on WGN TV in Chicago. Its a very powerful and provocative conversation with Jarrett Payton as he shares his memories and moments of his dad-Sweetness.

Halloween TBT

Halloween comes in a close second to Christmas for the holiday Americans spend the most money on for decorations. When I was growing up, the ghoul filled scare-fest was always in the #1 slot around our castle...er...house. My dad was a banker for about 11 months a year, but then came the ramp up to Halloween and he transformed (with some help from my mom) into a mashup of Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee as "Dracula" and for twenty years, our basement became a maze of horrors. Wonderful memories in this episode including an insightful and frightful TBT conversation with the original "Ghost Hunter" and historian, the late, great Richard Crowe from 1999. 

Author's Proof

It's been nine years since I wrote "Every Moment Matters" and thirteen since my first book "Living An Uncommon Life" was released, so why in the world would I go through the maze of publishing a third book? I call it..."The Nudge." I've learned over time that if I don't follow that "inner push" I come down with a serious case of "spiritual constipation" (for lack of a better term.) My latest book is "Pheonmena: Sacred Moments, Messages, Memories & Other Sh*t I Can't Explain" wherein I share many true-life events, the most incredible, humbling and awe inspiring experiences of my life. Like the desk drawer in an empty classroom that revealed hope for a little girl with terminal cancer, the mysterious voice that spoke the name of a man who died tragically over a century ago, the "visits" from a powerful Native American chief and the daughter who reached past the veil of death, to ease the pain of her grieving father, and more phenomena that I absolutely cannot explain.

You can pre-order the book by clicking the title.

Travels with Charlie

Any guy that is an aficionado of the animated series "Beany & Cecil" is okay in my book.

Charlie Meyerson not only has a beanie copter hat to prove his loyalty to the classic cartoon, but an Edward R. Murrow Award (which is nearly as important) on the shelf as well. Charlie has delivered award-winning Chicago-area news for a long time — including more than 10 years at the city’s legendary progressive rock station, WXRT-FM 93.1; almost nine years at pioneering “smooth jazz” station WNUA-FM 95.5; almost 13 years at Tribune Co., as senior producer and Daywatch columnist  and then as news director at Chicago’s premier news/talk station, WGN-AM 720.

Its a dive into the deep end of journalist integrity, the importance of being relevant and the ongoing, uphill climb to uncover the truth, in an unprecedented era of fake news.

You can connect with Charlie at www.chicagopublicsquare.com 

Photo credit: Steve Ewert 

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."