Episode 10: John Hoopes

Retired math teacher and spiritual seeker, John Hoopes discusses the impact that Vince Lisi and Now Creations have had on his life. Trading is his fairway time for spiritual study group and meditation time, John spends more than 6 hours a week on his spiritual growth, and it has paid off. He is now more fulfilled, centered and peaceful than ever before. He provides an inside look into his transformation.

Episode 9: Now Creations

Vince Lisi describes the founding of Now Creations with Bob Crane Jr. He then goes on to detail the various offerings of the organization and discusses the philosophy behind the growth of the study groups and other spiritual enrichment programs. Woven through the talk are many words of wisdom.

Episode 8: Vince Lisi

Episode 7: Gary Harger

Organist and retired German teacher, Gary Harger, takes us along on his journey from growing up in a German immigrant family on a hog farm in Michigan to settling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he discovered Ignatian practice. His retirement from teaching combined with the isolation of the pandemic has given him time to explore his innate sense of spirituality which is both universal and individual at the same time. He provides a look at how we can come to God while living in a fallen world.

Episode 6: Mama Arlene Brown

“Hope Made Real” author “Mama Arlene” Brown talks to us from her home in Rwanda. We learn how in retirement she left Williamsport, Pennsylvania to establish and orphanage and primary school in Muhanga. Narrowly escaping death on three occasions, she has persevered and grown her school at Urukundo from 4 students to over 1100. We learn what it means to not be in control of life and to find your life’s purpose after 65 years.

Episode 05: Sharyn Madison

Reiki Master and Intuitive, Sharyn Madison shares insights from her book, “Spirit Speaks” and her journey to becoming a certified facilitator of “The Energy Codes.” Her journey includes 30 years of teaching physical education and coaching women’s athletics in public and private schools, as well as travels to Columbia, the Dominican Republic, and Thailand. Yes, she listens and talks to the animals.

Episode 04: Laura Budde

Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and Yoga instructor, Laura Budde reveals her spiritual growth from pastor’s daughter to Reiki practitioner. We are invited to learn from her strategy for coping with her father’s suicide and the importance of kindness. She also shares with us her love for nature and her plans to walk all 2200 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Episode 03: Patricia DeMarco

Patricia DeMarco, PhD, author of “Pathways to Our Sustainable Future; A Global Perspective from Pittsburgh” and “In the Footsteps of Rachel Carson; Harnessing the Earth’s Healing Powers,” relates her spiritual journey from Catholicism to the Cathedral of the Forest. As a voice for Gaia, she speaks of the need to align the laws of man with the laws of nature.

Episode 02: Melih Demirkan

I met Melih Dmirkan at a Turkish Intercultural picnic in the summer of 2022 and was intrigued by his story of moving from Turkey to Pittsburgh and becoming the CEO of a company located in the South Hills, Rite Geosystems, Inc. I found his comments to be insightful and educational as he took us through many of the current Muslim practices.

It is important to note that our discussions in these podcasts are about personal spiritual journeys and that any comments are personal and not necessarily representative of everyone of that faith, or anyone else of that faith, particularly those living in other cultures.

Episode 01: Dr. Doug Knueven

Dr. Doug Knueven is the Chairman of the Board of the Association for Research and Enlightenment (see edgarcayce.org). He was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and received his veterinary degree from Ohio State University in 1987. He has been practicing veterinary medicine in Beaver County, Pennsylvania ever since. Dr. Knueven owns and operates Beaver Animal Clinic, a full- service animal hospital, and shares clinical duties with two associates.

After several years of conventional practice, Dr. Doug began to feel discouraged by the limitations of conventional veterinary medicine and sought to broaden his training beyond traditional approaches. He has pioneered holistic pet care in the Pittsburgh region since 1994. Dr. Knueven has earned certification in veterinary acupuncture, veterinary Chinese herbal medicine and animal chiropractic. He also has advanced training in veterinary clinical nutrition, massage therapy and homeopathy. His personal research into natural nutrition for animals has made him an authority in that subject as well.

Besides his 20 plus years of experience lecturing to kennel clubs, Dr. Knueven is a popular speaker at veterinary conferences. In the past 10 years he has lectured on holistic topics at numerous conventional and holistic veterinary conferences across the United States. He also lectures regularly at veterinary schools, helping students gain an appreciation for natural nutrition and alternative medicine.

Dr. Knueven has written for Clean Run magazine and for four years he by-lined a weekly pet health column in The Beaver County Times and The Allegheny Times. He currently writes regular Q&A columns in Venture Inward Magazine and Pittsburgh Pet Connections Magazine. Dr. Knueven is the author of Stand by Me:  A Holistic Handbook for Animals, Their People, and the Lives They Share Together and The Holistic Health Guide: Natural Care for the Whole Dog.

Episode 00: Peter Regan of Studio Me with Dr. Bob Dove

Dr. Bob Dove interviews Studio Me manager, Peter Regan and then Peter quizzes Dr. Bob about “Your Spiritual Journey.”

The journey is much easier when we do it together.