Episode 120: Kellie Skweres
Kellie Skweres, Teacher Support Liaison for Pittsburgh Public Schools, is a member of the district’s Office of Professional Learning. She has served in her current position for over ten years, facilitating and managing New Teacher Induction. In her more than 25 years in Public Education, she has also worked as an Instructional Teacher Leader, Curriculum Coach, Curriculum Writer, Intervention Specialist and classroom teacher for Elementary, Middle, and High School.
In addition to her current role, Kellie also works as a Racial Equity Affiliate, providing educators foundational skills to engage in conversations around race and racism and their impact on students.
Her most recent project focuses on supporting new teachers through mentorship. She has developed, implemented and is currently facilitating the professional learning of current District mentors and providing systemic approaches of support within and across schools as they engage in this work.
Kellie is a wife of twenty-seven years and mom of four children, two boys and two girls. She resides in Lincoln Place –the same town she grew up in as a child—with her two dogs and three cats. In her spare time, she loves to take walks in the woods and drink coffee on her deck.
Episode 119: Jana Dean
Jana Dean is a Master Hypnotist and Life Coach. She started her career journey working with athletes on mindset 15 years ago and expanded to hypnosis in 2020. Hypnosis opened a whole new world for Jana and her clients. By connecting to the subconscious mind, blocks that had been present for years dissolved and clients were able to take their lives to a new level, one that aligns with their true selves. Jana knows that when people connect to the authentic part of themselves, growth and expansion happen as well as peace.
Jana feels in her authentic self through this work, she spent most of her life knowing that there was something more that she wanted with her career. She tried her hat in many roles from a nurse to stay at home mom to party planner and when coaching entered her life she knew that this is what she was made to do and be. She loves her clients and being able to be a support system in their healing and growth.
Episode 118: Suzanne (Susi) Kos
The author of "Super Synchronicity: Enter the Frequency of Lucky Chances," Susi Kos likes to call herself the inventor of free time. This is her highest honor. Before this became her reality and she dove into an endless summer, she diligently completed a business academy, a communication studies degree, and everything else society deems important for career success. The result of that was an action-packed escape from the predetermined "office career." A fulfilling and successful life can also work completely differently! Patience is a virtue she doesn't have – but she has big dreams. That's why her book is about fast manifesting and achieving personal, biggest goals. Most of all, she wants to inspire you to live your life in a way that may not be great for everyone, but great for you.
She has proven how the secret ingredient "synchronicity" works and that her formula works, despite all "realistic possibilities," by manifesting her own dream life multiple times: 12 years living on an island in Bali, owning a 30-meter-long sailboat, millions in revenue from her own jewelry brand, and her current life as an author in a picturesque Austrian country house. Together with the best man, three sweet kids, a fluffy young dog, and an understandably annoyed old cat, life can be colorful, happy, successful, free, and fun.
Her book, along with two synchronicities with the reading of it are the reason why this podcast is leading a spiritual retreat in Bali in May 2026. If you'd like to come along, leave us a comment about your interest and we will send you the details.
Episode 117: Elisabeth White
Elisabeth White has traveled extensively across the United States and to different parts of the world. Her global experiences have opened her heart and mind to many paths for healing, self-reflection, and personal growth. A Reiki energy worker, plant medicine guide, and certified practitioner of Kambo, a frog medicine from the Amazon, she is also the owner of REDISCOVER YOUR CLOSET, a conscious consumer decluttering service that helps you repurpose and rediscover new ways to live life with a focus on total mind, body, soul transformation by re-discovering your wardrobe, living space, and learning to love yourself more, both inside, and out.
www.rediscoveryourcloset.co
Episode 116: Tad Brinkerhoff
Mormon, C. Tad Brinkerhoff is the Assistant Dean for Masters’ Degree Programs at the Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business and has spent the last 24 years in business school administration at schools like Purdue University and the University of Missouri. Prior to working in higher ed, Tad worked in the corporate world in the automotive and software industries. He earned his bachelor degree in Spanish from Southern Utah University and his MBA from Brigham Young University. He spent two years in Ecuador and four years in Japan and enjoys international travel and languages. He is married to a nurse, and they have 5 grown children.
Episode 115: Jose Pulido
Jose Pulido draws from 15+ years of experience evangelizing in various secular settings to inspire and equip others to share Christ. His experience includes evangelizing at universities, Fortune 500 companies, and various non-profits (in the US, Latin America, and Asia).
He's also advised numerous organizations and parishes on evangelization and catechesis through staff trainings, public workshops, & retreats. He started evangelizing for the Lord at George Washington University's Newman Center, where he was the first disciple of FOCUS when they joined the campus. He’s worked with Georgetown University on Young Adult Latino Ministry, having founded Catholic Latino Leadership Initiative, while working as a young adult in Washington, DC. He is a spokesman for The Mary Foundation - A non-profit dedicated to the distribution of sacramentals and evangelization materials (www.catholicity.com).
He has appeared on ESNE TV, doing a three-part series on Evangelization for the segment Mujeres De Encuentro. He is also a Senior Advisor at Omnia Catholic, a social media ministry aimed at supporting young adult ministries. Jose Pulido is a member of the Catholic Speakers Organization. This is the leading resource for faith-based speakers. He is a frequent presenter on the University Series in Ventura County, a series aimed at supporting faith formation for adult Catholics. He is also a member of Fruitful Futures Project, a non-profit dedicated to helping others find fruitfulness in their callings. He is part of the leadership team for That Man Is You (TMIY) at his parish.
He has a Masters from Yale University and a Bachelors from George Washington University. He speaks English, Spanish, Japanese, and is hilarious in Korean & Tagalog. He is most relaxed when reading Sacred Scripture, doing origami, going for a nice walk, or showing others how to engage in life-giving evangelization.
Episode 114: Jessica Coulter
Jessica Coulter is an artist, healer, and visionary, deeply committed to sharing a message of love and inspiration through her music, art, and spiritual work. With a heart full of compassion, she believes in the transformative power of love and its ability to create change. Through her heartfelt creations, Jessica encourages others to recognize that even the smallest act of love can ripple outward, sparking a wave of healing and connection.
As a Reiki Master and Spirit Medium, Jessica dedicates herself to guiding others on their journey back to love. Jessica is the frontwoman, vocalist, and guitarist for the rock band Dematus, where she is the songwriter. In addition to her musical pursuits, she channels her creativity into her own clothing line, Not A Fairytale Clothing, where her original designs serve as expressions of authenticity and love.
She is also the founder of Rootfull Love, a greeting card company with a purpose—each card is infused with love and intention, and a percentage of proceeds goes to supporting animal shelters. Furthermore, Jessica created the Animal Connections Deck, a tool designed to help others tap into their intuition and strengthen their bond with the animal kingdom.
Currently studying herbalism under Dr. Patrick Jones, Jessica continues to deepen her connection with nature and holistic healing practices, always expanding her knowledge to better serve others on their path to love, healing, and self-discovery. Through her diverse passions and endeavors, Jessica Coulter is a true embodiment of love in action, constantly striving to uplift and inspire those around her.
Episode 113: Howard Falco 2
Howard Falco returns after his interview in 2023 on episode #45. He is an author, spiritual teacher, and mental strength coach. He teaches next-level mindfulness and empowerment to a variety of diverse individuals, including CEOs and corporate executives, everyday people, and college and professional athletes and coaches in all sports.
Howard has authored two books on self-awareness and inner power, titled I Am: The Power of Discovering Who You Really Are(Tarcher/Penguin, 2010) and Time in a Bottle:Mastering the Experience of Life (Tarcher/Penguin, 2014). He is the Founder of The 8 Wisdom Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to raise self-awareness and alleviate mental suffering, and the host of The Guru podcast. Over the last twenty years, his work and insights on the power of the mind has produced groundbreaking, positive results in thousands of people.
With anxiety, depression, and addiction issues at an all-time high, finding new insights and solutions to help turn this trend in mental health around has never been more important. Many dealing with these issues are desperately asking how they can navigate their day to day mindset and take back control of their lives. As a leading expert in mental strength and mindfulness, Howard has the answers in his book, Invincible: The Mindset of Infinite Potential and the Secret to Inevitable Success (March 2025) It empowers readers to transform their mindset with a new dynamic shift in perspective on themselves and life.
Drawing from his 20+ years of experience coaching top athletes, business leaders, and individuals from all walks of life to positive shifts of mind and breakthrough results, Falco offers real-life examples and practical strategies in his new book. He has combined these strategies with the principles of psychology, quantum physics, and spirituality in Invincible to create a proven blueprint for a new transformation of mind and lasting change.
Episode 112: Cheryl D. Beller
Cheryl Beller, MBA, is a certified clinical aromatherapist with a career background in both the medical and finance fields. She has been engaged in a lifelong exploration of the worlds of energy work, spirituality, quantum physics, and multiple healing approaches. As an aromatherapist, she specializes in blends for the emotional and behavioral challenges of dogs, horses,, and cats. Through her business, Well Scents, she compiled more than Twelve yeears of hands-on experience into a succinct offering of easy-to-use effective blends that address pets' needs in her book, "The Six Steps for Making an Aromatherapy Blend for Your Dog."
Episode 111: Andres Schabelman
Andres Schabelman was a successful tech entrepreneur, having been one of the first thirty Airbnb employees. He built a notable career helping expand businesses internationally, and that part of his expression culminated with him being on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange as the VP of International Expansion at Fiverr when they went public in 2019. He has a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a BA from Williams College.
These accolades, among others, matter less to him now than his current dream of showing the magic and power of human connection around the world. Born and raised in New Orleans to Argentine-Jewish parents, surrounded by a broader Colombian-Catholic community in the South, Andres carries with him many identities and cultures. Those identities have allowed him to wear many masks and, as such, he has a keen awareness of how to strip himself down to a core. His story includes being held captive by gorillas. This is his first book and attempts to show a possible map of how to get back to that core. Andres lives in Miami.
Episode 110: Jasa Johnson
Jasa Johnson, The Mystic Priestess is a Pittsburgh, PA. based Shamanic Energy Healer. Her depth, breadth of study, and extensive global travel have enabled her to offer a unique blend of healing skills and modalities. Her broadened Shamanic and cross-cultural perspectives make her uniquely capable of supporting, enhancing, and guiding individual transformational needs.
Calling on the client's "spiritual support team" to generate healing, Jasa summons Ancestors, Ancient Ones, Healers, Guides, Teachers, and evolved beings from across time. During each session, she guides clients to a deepened awareness of the presence of Spirit, Light, Inter, and Higher-Dimensional Helpers, Spirit, and Mythical beings, along with the elemental energies of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Ether.
Initiated as a Shamanic Priestess of Isis, and also as a Dragon High Priestess, the power and presence of Dragon and Naga helpers are an active part of most healing sessions. Jasa speaks, sings, and chants using "Light Language", a dynamic, non-linear encoding of sound, light, and vibration that bypasses both thought and form to usher in deeper healing. She has studied and been a student of cross-cultural healing modalities for many years. Her teachers come from a variety of disciplines.
When you work with Jasa, her approach is dynamic, deeply spiritual, and shamanically focused. She expertly guides clients into, and through, things that rob them of their joy, and traps them in a vortex of suffering. By weaving together Sacred Psychology; Touch/Body/Energetic Therapies; Shamanic Cranio-Massage; Sound and Vibrational Healing; "Light Language"; "Light Code and DNA Activations"; Creative Harmonics; Core Shamanic practices; and more, Jasa becomes your Teacher, Facilitator, Initiator, Activator, and holder of possibilities. Her focused goal is to create healing that focuses on you and your specific needs.
If you've thought about "it", worried about "it", talked about "it" until you just can't listen to your own voice, thoughts, or worries anymore, contact Jasa to discuss how she might be of service to you on your journey into wellness, wholeness and expanded aliveness.
Episode 109: Liddy Barlow
The Rev. Liddy Barlow is a creative and passionate servant of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church in all its complicated diversity. She works to bring Christians of all traditions together to make visible our true unity as the Body of Christ.
In April 2014, Rev. Barlow became the first woman to be installed as Executive Minister of Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania. She reports to the Council of Bishops and Judicatory Executives, who represent 28 Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox church bodies throughout greater Pittsburgh. As Executive Minister, Rev. Barlow sets a vision for Christian Associates and manages all of the organization's projects and relationships.
Rev. Barlow is a key organizer of public worship services and events, including interfaith services after the earthquake in Turkey, the outbreak of war in Ukraine, and standing against bigotry after the demonstrations in Charlottesville, VA. She edits Christian Associates’ publications, including The Call newsletter, The Word in Our Voices series of sermon collections, and worship resources produced in partnership with community organizations.
In the aftermath of the anti-Semitic massacre at Tree of Life Synagogue on October 27, 2018, Rev. Barlow offered a clear voice of compassion and hope, representing the Christian community at numerous interfaith and civic events. With partners of many faith traditions, notably the Center for Loving Kindness and Civic Engagement at the Jewish Community Center, she convened interfaith spiritual leaders from 9 world religions and 24 Christian denominations for the "We Have to Talk" initiative, which continues to promote collegiality and healing.
Through Christian Associates' ministry of connectedness, Rev. Barlow holds a variety of leadership roles in local organizations, serving as a member of the City of Pittsburgh's Commission on Human Relations, chair of the Allegheny County Emergency Food & Shelter Board, and board member for the Foundation of HOPE. She formerly served as secretary of the Western PA Regional VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters), steering team member for All for All, and board member at Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute. She has been active in the International Association of Women Ministers since 2007, and served as Program Chair for the 2019 Centennial Assembly. In 2015, she traveled to Israel and Palestine in the inaugural journey of Interfaith Partners for Peace.
On June 24, 2019, she received an Antoinette Brown Award for trailblazing leadership in the United Church of Christ. She was recognized as "40 Under 40" leader by Pittsburgh Magazine. She received a Circle of Courage award from BCC Ministries, a Dialogue Award from the Turkish Cultural Center, and the Volunteer Mitzvah Award from the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh recognized her as one of the “Righteous Among the Neighbors.”
She is ordained in the United Church of Christ, and is a member of the national Manual on Church working group and the state-wide Keystone Working Group. She is the Assistant Moderator of the Penn West Conference Board of Directors. She also served six years as chair of the Pittsburgh Association Committee on Ministry, and was a member of the Habakkuk Group, a national United Church of Christ task force that rewrote the church's Manual on Ministry.
Rev. Barlow grew up in Keene, New Hampshire and attended Mount Holyoke College. After teaching sixth grade in Rocky Mount, North Carolina with the Teach for America program, she earned a Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School. Prior to her ministry at Christian Associates, Rev. Barlow served congregations in downtown Pittsburgh and North Huntingdon. She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband Gregory, a robotics entrepreneur, and their two children.
Rev. Barlow welcomes invitations to preach, teach, and speak about the ministries of Christian Associates. Click here for more information.
Read Rev. Barlow's most recent "Reflections Along the Way" column here.
Episode 108: Lee Ann Heitzel
At an early age, Lee Ann Heitzel could assist those crossing over, creating a safe and loving space for the death experience to unfold. She fostered this natural esoteric ability for decades, working from the ‘side of spirit’ to support both loved ones and strangers who would ask for assistance.
Years of this work revealed to her how to access higher dimensions of awareness, which she organically integrated into her branding and marketing work and channeled frequency MetaArt paintings, some of which you can view on the YouTube version of this podcast.
Lee Ann is a grandmother of four, mother of three, and a passionate Pittsburgh Steelers fan. When not traveling and sharing her work, she is nestled in her art studio in the hills of Western Pennsylvania.
Episode 107: Lindsey Van Wagner
Lindsey Van Wagner is an author, speaker, instructor, and wellness advocate from the Washington, DC area, known for empowering clients to live with intention and purpose. Drawing from a deep understanding of transformative change, psychological well-being, and her own journey through personal challenges and healing of the mind, body, and soul, she has written a book that guides readers to break free from limiting patterns and embrace their truth.
She educates and inspires clients to live with purpose, confidence, and courage. She develops a personalized plan to fit your lifestyle. Subtle mindset shifts and habit change, supported by scientific and anecdotal evidence, guide you on your health and wellness journey. Begin tapping into your full potential, reclaiming your power, and spreading your gifts with the world!
You can take a transformative journey of self-discovery with her book Spirit Vigilante: Telling My Truth to Help You Live Yours. This compelling narrative, interwoven with personal anecdotes and grounded in health psychology and behavior change theory, provides a clear and concise framework for personal growth. Her compassionate and courageous voice guides you to break free from detrimental patterns, overcome internal obstacles, and embrace your most authentic self.
Her educational background includes an M.S. Nutrition Education - American University, a B.A. Psychology - University of Maryland, College Park, and Yoga Teacher's Training - Marianne Wells Yoga School.
Episode 106: Janet Roberts
Janet Roberts writes character driven, contemporary fiction set wholly or partially in Western Pennsylvania, where her roots run deep. Its lush green mountains, warm sunny beaches, and salt of the earth kind of people populate her writing as they do her life. Her readers know to expect a female character that is on a journey of self-discovery resulting in the awakening of her own inner strength and power through facing adversity. Reviews have termed her writing “cinematic”, “brilliant and fresh prose”, and “authentic and relatable characters”, with themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the unleashing of personal power that readers can relate to.
Janet is the award-winning author of What Lies We Keep, a cybersecurity thriller with domestic suspense which was a Finalist for the 2024 Hawthorne Award and winner of the 2024 Silver Medal for Fiction from Literary Titan. Her first two novels, The Narrow Gate and The Leaf Queen, won 1st Place - Fiction from Pittsburgh's The Author Zone (TAZ). Her memoir Seven Thin Dimes (2015) received a TAZ Honorable Mention. Her poetry has been published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and in San Fedele Press’ Art in the Time of COVID-19. She is a member of Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA) and Pennwriters.
A former global leader in cybersecurity education and awareness with over a decade of experience, she lives in Pittsburgh, PA, where Frick Park is her favorite place for a hike. She loves to travel and has never met a library, bookstore, or ice cream shop she didn’t like.
Episode 105: Sven Hosford
Sven Hosford is best known in the Pittsburgh region as the publisher of Point of Light Magazine. Starting in 1994, Point of Light covered the holistic and metaphysical activities in the region, along with interviews with local, national, and international experts, researchers, authors, and thought leaders in spirituality, energy medicine, nutrition, and many other topics.
His spiritual journey began as a teenager. After rejecting the Methodist church at age 15, he sought to experience God, not just read about the mysteries of the Divine. At 17, he had his first genuine psychic experience. By age 20, psychic events were common. Then, he was given a book called Being A Christ by Ann and Peter Meyer, which taught that the word “Christ” does not refer just to Jesus but to a state of consciousness within all humans, one that we all can communicate with. That launched a lifelong mission to do just that.
He went on to study Eastern philosophy, sacred geometry, yoga, and especially the connection between consciousness and science. During an interview with Dr. Edgar Mitchell in 2008, he learned that even though science can prove it, most traditional scientists don’t believe that consciousness alone can affect matter.
Now retired, Sven has been collecting the best wisdom from all the interviews he’s done over the last 30 years. The book and corresponding Substack are titled Choose a Better Truth, a series of interviews and lessons on the top eight “Better Truths” we can choose to help us deal with the relentless drumbeat of Cognitive Dissonance we face each day.
He believes that the first step in the spiritual journey is to decide, based on science and personal experience, exactly what you believe is true.
Episode 104: PMH Atwater
P. M. H. Atwater, L.H.D. is one of the original researchers in the field of near-death studies, having begun her work in 1978 and completing 27 books on her findings – some of which have now been verified in clinical settings. Her, The Big Book of Near-Death Experiences, was featured in the online version of Newsweek Magazine. Near-Death Experiences: The Rest of The Story is one of her most complete and controversial books. She has won many awards, appeared on numerous TV shows, and spoken around the world – always inviting people to look past appearances for the truth that underlies what we think we know.
An international authority on near-death states, Dr. PMH Atwater, L.H.D. uses the culmination of her research to establish that the near-death phenomenon is not some kind of anomaly, but is rather part of the larger genre of transformations of consciousness. She combines her 38 years of near-death research with what she was doing in the 60s and 70s, experiencing, experimenting with, and researching altered states of consciousness, mysticism, psychic phenomena, and the transformational process, to reveal what transformations of consciousness really are, why we have them, and where they lead us. This lifetime endeavor covers over 43 years of work, involving nearly 7,000 people. Her meticulous and unique protocol gives validity to what she has discovered, and verified, about the percentage worldwide of people who have undergone near-death experiences.
Episode 103: Jessica Grecco
Jessica Grecco is an evidential Medium from the Greater Pittsburgh area. She currently resides in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania and is originally from a small town called Clymer in Indiana County. Jessica holds many certifications in the holistic and metaphysical realm. Having studied at the Dr Lillian Ronzio School of Holistic Health. Jessica is a Reiki Practitioner, Chakra and Energy Healer, and has studied in Aromatherapy and Reflexology.
Jessica founded the Soul of Light Academy in 2021, teaching online metaphysical classes. She then focused solely on readings and building her clientele. Changing everything over to the Jessica Grecco LLC. She travels and does readings and shows on small and large scales. She also does private readings with Mediumship and Tarot cards. As well as home parties, Paranormal Investigations, and House Blessings.
Jessica also partnered with Starfelt Creation Productions out of West Newton, Pennsylvania to create a docu series about her paranormal cases, readings and shows titled, Life As A Medium; The Veil Between Us. You can find the episodes on YouTube, Tik Tok and Facebook.
Episode 102: Ed West
Raised Irish Catholic, Pittsburgh-born Ed West, after many years in show business, left the area to become a charter boat captain for 20 years in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He started reading about Edgar Cayce in 1982, and now fully embraces the spiritual concepts contained in the Edgar Cayce readings. He is a graduate of the Point Park University Theatre Department and a Charter Captain 100-ton Master. He returned to Pittsburgh in 2020 during the pandemic to be closer to his three grown sons. His story takes us on quite an adventure of self-discovery.
Episode 101: Phil Fassett
Phil Fassett, ALCOA retiree and lifelong church choir member had no spiritual life or personal connection to God until he experienced a miracle while in a joint rehearsal with a gospel choir. The experience brought him a life of peace, acceptance, patience and gratitude. He now prays daily, asks Jesus for help when he needs it and has become a better person. Listen and experience along with him, this life-changing miracle.