Your Hometown Podcast

Your Hometown Podcast Woodland Park: Living with A Chronic Disease

Living with a life-threatening illness can trigger an array of emotions. Sometimes medical interventions work, and sometimes they don’t. For the past 40 years, Sam Gencarelli has navigated the highs and lows of living with chronic kidney disease. Through four decades of difficult treatment, which included three failed transplant attempts, Sam remains positive and continues his fight.  He discusses why it is important to remain hopeful and grateful, even when the odds are against you.

Your Hometown Podcast Little Falls: From Recovery to Helping Others

Volunteering your time to support a cause you are passionate about is something you will never regret. It will enrich your life, familiarize you with your community, and connect you to people and ideas that can impact you for the rest of your life. Research has shown that people who volunteer regularly are healthier, typically live longer, and have better psychological well-being. Bob Dombrowski has spent most of his life involved with some type of charitable organization. He learned the value of support after his father died suddenly leaving his mother to care for three young children, and later in life when he battled alcoholism. According to Bob, those struggles “just made me know what it's like to need help." Today, Bob devotes his energy to making sure others don’t experience the pain he knows so well. He became a counselor to help young people overcome their addiction and he frequently donates his time assisting the St. Agnes Food Pantry.

Your Hometown Podcast Woodland Park: Breaking the Cycle of Generational Trauma

What you experience in childhood and how you grow up have huge implications for how you are as an adult. Adverse childhood experiences can be passed from generation to generation as if they were genetic. So breaking the cycle of generational trauma is no easy feat. Angela Fraser’s early years were extremely challenging. Her family survived day by day, living in public housing and with the assistance of social programs. Angela decided at an early age that she would do anything necessary to have a different life. And she did. Angela put herself through college and worked for more than 34 years as a special education teacher for the city of Paterson. Her journey was riddled with challenges, but she faced every one of them head on and emerged stronger. Also in this episode, Darien Eletto, chief clinical officer of Behavioral Health Services for Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, discusses diagnosing and treating depression.
 
This episode is sponsored by:Advanced Foot Care of NJMcBride Auto Body Inc.New Bridge Medical Center
 
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Your Hometown Podcast Little Falls: Fighting for Kids with Cancer

Little Falls resident, Jessica Myers, quit her job to help care for her three-year-old nephew, Liam, who was diagnosed with cancer eight weeks after he was born. Liam passed away August 17, 2023, but Jessica’s work continues with the non-profit, Liam’s Warriors, the charity that she created in her nephew’s memory, and the Red Carpet Warriors, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness of childhood cancer. According to Jessica, “I never realized how bad childhood cancer was until I went to the oncology floor of the hospital. You see the commercials, but until you witness it for yourself, you don’t realize it.” She shares what it’s like to watch a child battle cancer, and how she works to raise awareness of this insidious disease.
Also in this episode, Dr. Gian Varbaro, the chief medical officer of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center discusses ways to achieve and maintain optimal health.
 
This episode is sponsored by:
Schumacher Chevrolet Group

Your Hometown Podcast Woodland Park: Navigating Life's Curveballs

When Lori Hinkle took her first drink in seventh grade, she had no idea that it would take her down a destructive path that would almost kill her. Battling addiction and alcoholism, and now care-giving for a child, Lori has had to overcome challenges that could destroy anyone. She talks about how we can navigate any struggle by taking it one day at a time. Lori is the president at Socks for Homeless Soles, a nonprofit she founded to provide socks and other items to homeless people.
 
This episode is sponsored by:Advanced Foot Care of NJMcBride Auto Body Inc.New Bridge Medical Center
 
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Your Hometown Podcast Little Falls: Finding Silver Linings

When we decide to have a child, we imagine all of the wonderful things that lie ahead, and we pray that everything will be okay. Nicole Gizzi had the same dreams when she was pregnant with her daughter, Marisa. But during a routine doctor visit, she learned that Marisa was diagnosed with several health issues. The doctors recommended termination, but Nicole chose to continue with the pregnancy. Nicole talks about what it was like to learn about Marisa’s diagnosis, and how she navigated the fear and uncertainty about the future. Today, Nicole and Marisa work to raise awareness and money for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the medical center that offered Nicole and Marisa hope. 
Also in this episode, Carlye Gilbert, director of Infection Prevention at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, discusses ways to prevent disease and maintain well-being.
 
This episode is sponsored by:
Schumacher Chevrolet Group

Your Hometown Podcast Woodland Park: Angel Guidance

If you’ve ever wondered if there is more to life than meets the eye, Cathy Pagano would answer with a resounding yes! Cathy experienced what she calls a miracle when her mother passed away. That experience led Cathy on a journey that brought her to surprising places. She discusses how you can renew your levels of trust and love in yourself and God, and how angels will offer you positive reinforcements and give you the tools to work through life's challenges. Cathy was a high school teacher for 44 years. She is the author of the book, Heavenly Messages from Above: A Practice guide to handling Life’s Challenges and Finding Your Inner Peace and Truth.
 
This episode is sponsored by:Advanced Foot Care of NJMcBride Auto Body Inc.New Bridge Medical Center
 
Show Website

Your Hometown Podcast Little Falls: Never Give Up

Over the past few decades, the landscape for women in the workforce has been very different from what it is today. Women have been fighting for equal pay, breaking through glass ceilings, and challenging societal norms. Judith Schumacher Tilton entered the male-dominated automotive industry and has emerged as a leader. She talks about why we should never give up, no matter what obstacles we may face. Judi is the president of Schumacher Chevrolet Auto Group. She has built her family's original single dealership into six stores around the state.
Also in this episode, Dr. Greg Sorkin, the chair of Emergency Medicine at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, discusses Summer health and safety.
 
This episode is sponsored by:
Schumacher Chevrolet Group

Your Hometown Podcast Woodland Park: Turning Pain into Purpose

No matter what we experience in life, we have the opportunity to choose how we respond and what we will do with those circumstances. It isn’t always easy to transform pain, but it is possible. With resilience, there is a path to wisdom, to strength, and to courage. Christine Tiseo survived two suicides in her family and has served as a member of the United States Army. She has navigated situations that would challenge anyone. Today, Christine works as an advocate to raise awareness of mental heath issues. She talks about how we can turn our pain into purpose.  Christine, a Woodland Park Councilwoman, is married to her high school sweetheart, Jason, and is the mother of two daughters.
Also in this episode, Dr. Greg Sorkin, the chair of Emergency Medicine at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, discusses Summer health and safety.
 
This episode is sponsored by:
Advanced Foot Care of NJ
McBride Auto Body Inc.
New Bridge Medical Center

Your Hometown Podcast Woodland Park: Coping with Life's Challenges

Learning that you have a serious illness can be devastating. It can disrupt all aspects of your life. You may feel overwhelmed by waves of difficult emotions or frozen by the belief that you may not be able to cope. Whatever your diagnosis or emotional response, it’s important to know that you’re not powerless.
Dr. Mark Salemi was given the gift of life when he received a kidney transplant. He talks about his healing journey and the steps we can take to better cope with whatever challenges life throws at us.
Dr. Salemi is the owner of Northside Animal Hospital located in Staten Island, New York. He was heralded for his volunteer work with rescue dogs after the September 11th attack. He’s a member of the Woodland Park Board of Education, Office of Emergency Management, Stigma Free Task Force, Educational Foundation, and vice president of the Woodland Park Board of Health.
Also in this episode, Deborah Visconi, president & CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center discusses the state of health care and how consumers can obtain optimal health services.
 
This episode is sponsored by:
Advanced Foot Care of NJ
McBride Auto Body Inc.
New Bridge Medical Center