Celebrate Happiness Roadshow with Sandra M

Episode 33: “Happiness as a State of Being with Othman Ouenes” Music by Todd Lowry

In this episode we are talking with Othman Ouenes, a Stanford University graduate currently living and working in Santa Fe NM. Othman is a compassionate digital health innovator, part-time firefighter, and social entrepreneur whose work is driven by a deep commitment to love and social good. As the CEO and co-founder of Fidari, Othman leads with purpose, blending cutting-edge technology and human-centered care to support cancer patients and their families. His mission is to transform oncology care into a more equitable and connected experience.
In addition he serves as an advisor to Peabody Health philanthropies, focusing on improving healthcare quality in low- and middle-income countries and as a board member of the Raymond Wood Foundation, fostering resilience and hope in underserved communities.
 
Whether in the boardroom or as a part-time firefighter with the Eldorado Fire Department his life and work reflect his steadfast belief in service and community care and are defined by empathy, collaboration, and an unwavering desire to create a world where every individual feels seen, valued, and supported.
Check out this joyful episode in which Othman shares many powerful insights into gratitude, presence, creativity, play, and meaningful connection—with people, animals and nature.

Episode 32: “Happiness as a Way of Living with Deb Bissonette” Music by Todd Lowry

Today we are talking with Deb Bissonette, who lives in rural Vermont with her kind and loving husband of 40 years. Together they raised two wonderful daughters, who have given them 4 beautiful grandchildren ranging from age 5-11 years old, who are a constant joy in their lives and keep them very busy with a wide range of sports and school activities.
Deb has been retired for 3 years and finds retirement busier than working a full time job, and that it has so many redeeming qualities. Such as being able to spend more time with her family and wonderful friends. Deb says that longer lunches are a wonderful part of her happiness as is being free to travel when she wants to.  Retirement is a piece of the pie towards happiness, says Deb. Enjoy life, smile a great deal and be happy as much as you possibly can.
Join us for this heartwarming episode in which Deb discusses her joyful family life, shares powerful stories from the Spark Happiness tour, and explains what happiness as a way of living means to her.

Episode 31: “The Courage to Be Kind with Michael Riordan” Music by Todd Lowry

In this episode we are talking with Michael Riordan, the founder and president of the Jennifer Riordan Foundation. Michael and Jennifer were married for 21 years and have two beautiful children. When Jennifer was unexpectedly and tragically taken from the family, the family knew that they must keep her mantra to always be Kind, Loving, Caring, and Sharing alive in their community. The Foundation has 4 primary pillars; Women's Empowerment, Childhood Education, Financial Literacy and Community Vitality.  The mission of the foundation is to support and create acts of kindness. You can learn more at thejenniferriordanfoundation.org.
In this episode, Michael shares his personal journey with happiness, inspiring stories of kindness, and why it takes courage to be kind. I hope you will join us for this uplifting and heartfelt episode.

Episode 30: “Curiosity & Lifelong Learning with Rashel Rogers” Music by Todd Lowry

Today we are talking with Rashel Rogers from Irving Texas. Rashel has been developing leaders for 25 years, having studied at the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership And she has worked with more than 40 organizations worldwide in 15+ industries delivering breakthrough moments for over 3,000 leaders. In addition to Rashel holds degrees in business, economics, and instructional leadership, and is a certified Life-Cycle Celebrant®
She received a GOLD Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Award and published a case study through the ROI Institute for her work with healthcare practitioners.
In her current role at Park Place Dealerships, Rashel provides growth opportunities for leaders through skill building, executive coaching, peer mentoring, leadership continuity planning and change management.
Rashel, an avid reader also can: write in cursive, drive a stick shift, launch a motorboat to pull a skier, make correct change without a calculator, popcorn without a microwave, build a case for both sides, look you in the eye and have a conversation about any topic, take responsibility for her part of any situation, tap dance, stand on her head, and march 8-to-5 stride while playing the saxophone.
In this delightful conversation, Rashel shares how living a life of learning and trying new things contributes to her happiness. We also discuss other factors of happiness including mindset, gratitude, kindness and more!

Episode 29: “Happiness Through Helping Others with John Gravel” Music by Todd Lowry

Today we are talking with John Gravel, a longtime resident with deep roots in the community of Santa Fe, New Mexico. John has a wealth of experience across multiple fields, including website design, development, social media marketing, and graphic design.As part of the Red Cross, he has supported military service members,veterans, and their families throughout New Mexico, notably establishing a communication station at Holloman AFB during the Afghan refugee crisis. He also served as a First Aid and CPR instructor, reflecting his commitment to emergency preparedness and community safety.In addition, John has been an active volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol,since 2001 holding positions which include pilot, cadet leader, and emergency services coordinator, all while also serving on the New Mexico Governor's Board for Search and Rescue.Currently, John collaborates with Sandra McKnight, with whom he has worked for 25 years, on producing the "Celebrate Happiness Roadshow" podcast, continuing his dedication to both creative and community endeavors.
Join us for this inspiring and uplifting discussion in which John shares his insights into how service, compassion and community connect to happiness.

Episode 28: “Joy and Travel with Paul Gillmore” Music by Todd Lowry

Today we are talking with Paul Gillmore, manager at Artful Tea, a specialty loose leaf tea store residing in Santa Fe NM for 17 years. Paul's passion for cooking started as a small child which lead to over 20 years working in fine dining restaurants. In his early 20's while working alongside Japanese chefs Paul was introduced to green tea and has been following his twin passions of tea and cooking ever since. Paul's interest in culinary and anthropological history led to traveling extensively in Latin America. Paul and his wife Jennifer were married in the Galapagos at Tortuga Bay, and have traveled together in Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, Oaxaca and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. In each of these locations, Paul has sought out culinary experiences to further his connection to his culinary heritage, and to broaden his understanding of pre-Hispanic cultures in the Americas.
In this rich and uplifting conversation, Paul shares how his travel experiences have shaped him and expanded his world view. We also discuss the power of gratitude, beauty, nature and more.

Season 2 is Here! Episode #27: "On Purpose with Stacy Sacco” Music by Todd Lowry

Today we are talking with Stacy Sacco, a well known and respected New Mexico management consultant, and active New Mexico community volunteer, hosting a free website www.nmnetlinks.com with 3,600+ links to local business resources and serving as the chair-elect for the Workforce Connections of Central New Mexico board.
Stacy has been recognized as a Power Broker (one of the 100 most influential people statewide), one of the six Most Connected Businesspersons in Albuquerque; and one of the Best Locals to Have Lunch With.
 
In addition to earning his MBA at Pepperdine University, and his bachelor's in marketing from the University of Arizona; Stacy toured world-wide singing and performing for two years with the global leadership program "Up With People".  
Previously he taught entrepreneurial studies at UNM Anderson School of Management for the past 20 years and served as the director of the UNM Small Business Institute.  Outside of NM Stacy held national marketing management positions at AVCO Financial Services, Hyundai Motor Finance Company and Transamerica Insurance Services in Southern California; and, locally, management positions at the CNM Workforce Training Center, Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Kirtland Credit Union and WESST.  
In this fun and uplifting conversation, Stacy shares his passion for contributing to a better world, living on purpose and pursuing your goals.

Season 2 is Here! Episode #26: “Happiness with Circle Wisdom and Marc Choyt” Music by Todd Lowry

Welcome to the second season of the Celebrate Happiness Roadshow Podcast! And don't forget to catch up on any episodes from season one that you might have missed. Also, check out our new YouTube channel and help us to build our subscribers by taking a couple minutes to click on this link and push the subscribe button.
In this episode, we are talking with Marc Choyt, a social entrepreneur, activist and writer living in Santa Fe NM. Marc is dedicated to fostering the dynamic rebirth of Circle wisdom to help us make decisions based on the coherence of Nature. He Is completing his book, Think Like A Circle: Centering in the Gravity of Grace.
To quote Marc, "The "Circle Think" approach, based in the principles of wholeness, the right to be and radical equality, is both accepting of all that is, and lovingly disruptive." His book explores "Circle" as a teacher for both societal and personal transformation. With awareness of our center point as a portal to the gravity of grace, we can find our own unique, beautiful expression of coherence. Previously, as president of Santa Fe's Reflective Jewelry, he drew upon this wisdom to pioneer ethical sourcing/fair trade in the jewelry sector.  
Marc is grateful to have been mentored for decades by indigenous wisdom keepers, along with being classically trained in Tibetan Buddhist meditation. He draws on both of these traditions, along with a depth mythic and archetypal perspective, for all who are seeking to understand the deep structures necessary to bring about a regenerative economy and more vibrant, resilient individuals and communities.
Join us for a deep exploration of spiritual richness, continuity with the universe, and the "Circle Think" approach.

Episode #25: “Consciousness and Nourishment with Kenny LaCome” Music by Todd Lowry

In this episode, we are talking with Kenny LaCome who grew up in Taos, New Mexico. Graduating from Taos High School in 1978. As a teenager Kenny followed his passion for motorcycle racing by working in a local motorcycle shop, which led to motocross motorcycle racing and becoming a professional motorcycle road racer. A motorcycle crash while racing in Aspen, Colorado 1983 left him a paraplegic with a spinal cord injury.
Kenny transitioned into pioneering in the world of adaptive sports and developing adaptive skiing equipment. He was granted a U.S. Patent on a sit-ski device for alpine skiing which he competed on at the Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah 2002 representing the United States.
Kenny has been advocating for health and wellness for the last 35 years and is currently a certified Living Foods Health Educator. Over the last 10 years he has been studying and practicing personal development with the goal of servicing humanity as a personal development coach.
Join us for this beautiful conversation in which we discuss how consciousness relates to the growth of joy and happiness and how a place of self-care connects us to practical, emotional and spiritual nourishment.

Episode #24: "Wellbeing for People and Nature with Beth Allgood" Music by Todd Lowry

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Beth Allgood, founder and Executive Director of One Nature Institute, a non-profit that develops innovative approaches to measure and support community wellbeing in biodiversity and climate projects. Beth was recently named one of the Explorers Club "Fifty People Changing The World" in recognition of her innovative work and vision for transforming conservation.
Beth's work to create more sustainable outcomes for people and wildlife draws upon 25+ years of experience in conservation and community development at organizations such as the Peace Corps, United States Agency for International Development, World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and International Fund for Animal Welfare. She is as a consultant/advisor to several organizations and serves on three IUCN commissions. Beth is an experienced and inspiring speaker who has presented on Capitol Hill and at the United Nations, as well as to diverse publics at special events and conferences around the globe. She has been quoted in The Washington Post, USA Today, the Boston Globe, and NPR.
Join us for this fascinating conversation exploring the many ways in which the wellbeing of people and nature are deeply interconnected.