Bob Gardner, Author, “Built For Freedom”

Deborah Kobylt Live

Please welcome to our show Bob Gardner, author, “Built For Freedom: Adventures Through Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, Trauma, Pain, and Our Body’s Innate Ability to Leave Them All Behind.” Bob has what appears to be a blueprint on how to get out of negative thinking, and reframe how we think of ourselves. And his approach works, incorporating specific
physical activity with mind-strengthening exercises. And in our interview, he shows us how. We will also speak with Bob on how to get through the holidays which can often be a trigger point for so many, but he’s got tips on how to manage all of that. And not a moment too soon!

Please find our full interview with Bob on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends to join the conversation, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and thanks for joining us.

Raffaella Valentini, Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

We are pleased to welcome to our show, Raffaella Valentini, esteemed Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles.

Raffaella has years of experience having worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, overseeing projects promoted by Italy in the Balkins, North Africa, and Middle East. She’s also worked at the Embassy’s economic office in Albania and Cairo before coming to Los Angeles. Raffaella has keen ideas on how she sees her position here, as it covers a large territory from California to Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada, and she wants to make sure to serve the various economic and cultural groups in each region.

For example, Los Angeles is so vast,
and she sees her job as serving the many Italians and Italian Americans from each area in a variety of capacities including science, technology, film, food, travel, and more. And as a woman in such high office, she also knows how important it is to set an example for other women looking to leave their mark in political office.

We will talk with Raffaella about her role with the cultural institute, as well as delve into her early life. Did she always want to be a diplomat? Were her parents in public service? What is perhaps the greatest challenge she sees serving the Los Angeles community? What are her immediate goals here? And for those Americans asking, the Consulate can guide on how to apply for an Italian passport, but it is not necessarily their job.

I can tell you Raffaella has already left her mark. She is poised and a sharp learner. Diplomatic and effective. But there’s lots of work she wants to get done, and we’ll talk to her about that, too.

Please join me on my #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, and #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, a proud Italian-American whose family is from Avellino. Thank you for joining me, and please invite your friends as well.

Susan Bartz Herrick and Jacob Taylor, Author, “Slow Dancing with the Devil” and Actor

Deborah Kobylt Live

Please welcome to our show Susan Bartz Herrick, whose memoir, “Slow Dancing with the Devil: A Son’s Substance Use Disorder, A Mother’s Anguish,” follows the story of her only son, Luke, through his struggle with opioid addiction, recovery, sobriety, and untimely death. Susan is joined by Luke’s closest friend, actor Jacob Taylor, who is seeking to bring Luke’s story to life as a film. Jacob was recently in the movie, “Oppenheimer.”

Speaking with Susan, I was taken how determined she is – even through her gut-wrenching grief – to to expose how so many continue to struggle with opioid addiction, how the medical community continues to prescribe the drug, and what can be done to keep the drugs from being overprescribed, and how best to help a person once they become addicted. And it’s very difficult.

Please join our full interview on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and please invite anyone you know who can benefit from this conversation. Susan is a professor, and her book is well researched with documentation from authorities in the medical profession. We look forward to having you join us. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt.