Rise

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Dionne Poulton, an award-winning, nationally recognized HR and DEI expert, educator, executive coach, and conflict resolution specialist with more than 25 years of experience. She serves as Organizational Ombudsperson and Head of Diversity, Equity & Belonging and Organizational Learning & Development. She will share how to navigate in a workplace of conflicts and promote an environment of decency and accountability.  She will explain certain behaviors that quietly fuels workplace conflict and how to rise above it all!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Janet Tonkins, the "Cash Flow Diva," a powerhouse real estate developer, investor, coach, international speaker, and philanthropist who transformed from poverty to prosperity through faith and determination. With over 900 residential properties, Dr. Tonkins has orchestrated $900+ million in transactions across Baltimore, Atlanta, and Paterson, NJ. She will talk about her faith and determination, and discuss the biggest financial mistakes new grads make and ways you can start today to build a better future and rise!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Eileen Isola, a former US Air Force commander and decorated combat pilot who now flies internationally, and author of the book NECESSARY TURBULENCE.  She was the first woman to serve as an Advance Agent to the President of the United States. She has flown high-performance jets, trained combat pilots, invaded other countries, airlifted humanitarian relief, and resupplied Amazon jungle radar sites, commanded an Air Force squadron, and crumbled barriers for women who wanted to serve their country.  She will share about becoming a pilot and being a woman in the US Air Force Academy.

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Lady Jeannie Simmons, who is a lifelong learner, passionately committed to personal growth and meaningful impact.  She also serves as the Founder and editor-in-chief of The Live Life Better Movement Magazine. She will talk about her journey, healing, and how she triumphs over trauma. She will talk about her strength and how to continue to be strong.

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Natassia Wright, founder of Mind Food International along with her husband. Globally recognize speaker, leadership & HR consultant, United Nations Ambassador for an NGO, and author, she talks about her current role, training and support her company offers, shares insights for leaders, provides examples of the importance of training, and knowledge necessary to be a successful organization!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Antoinette Glenn, the CEO of Impactful Educational Consulting, LLC,  who is committed to educational equity, empowerment, and transformation. With 24 years of experience in education, she is a published author, sought-after speaker, and consultant. She is the creator of the Empowerment Principles—a signature program designed to transform professionals through actionable insight and inspiration. She will share her story and share how change in one's life is possible!

Dr. Saran talks with Mary Keating, a lawyer, disability advocate, and three-time Pushcart Prize nominated poet. After a car accident at 15 changed the trajectory of her life, she went on to Yale Law School and worked as an attorney at IBM. She will share about finding your balance when life turns upside down, despite challenges, and ways you can learn to navigate a life worth living with faith.

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Sam Daley-Harris, who started as a symphony musician and then founded the anti-poverty lobby RESULTS in 1980, co-founded the Microcredit Summit Campaign in 1995, and founded Civic Courage in 2012. An activist and author, he has spent decades studying why engaged, well-meaning people eventually go quiet. He will share about transformational advocacy, reasons why people go silent, ways you can make a difference, and how you can take steps today to make a real difference!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Alicia Swaby-Spencer, a medical doctor at Mandeville Regional Hospital in Jamaica, West Indies and a proud native of Montego Bay, Jamaica. A graduate of the University of the West Indies, Mona, she is also the founder alongside her husband Dr. Andrew Spencer of A&A Medical Office, A&A Optical in Mandeville and Christiana, A&A Sweet Dreamz Café, and A&A Service Solutions and Consultant Limited.  She will share her journey to becoming, proving despite the setbacks, how her faith has allowed her to rise above the odds.

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Adrian Woolfson, the co-founder of Genyro, a California-based biotechnology company specializing in synthetic genome design and construction. He studied medicine at Balliol College, Oxford. He will share about how to synthetic genome and construction, and discuss biology being programmable and share what this may mean for the future of science!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Ellen Bassuk, a psychiatrist, researcher, clinician, and advocate whose five-decade career has focused on mental health, homelessness, and vulnerable populations, especially families and children. She served as Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School for nearly 40 years. She will share personal experience with her son, as a parent, and importance of advocation for your loved ones.  She believes you should protect those who are vulnerable and different, while helping them to rise!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Victoria Vaughn, a a life-long learner who holds a doctorate in education and is a retired educator and college administrator. After a thirty-year marriage, she found herself amicably divorced and single at the age of fifty-five. She will share her experiences, red flags and provide sound guidance for all who are trying to navigate the dating world today. Learn how to make better choices and find the partner you deserve!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. William Lanting, a physician who has helped tens of thousands of patients over 43 years. He has given lectures on allergies and asthma to hundreds of physicians locally and nationally. He has been seen on Good Morning America discussing cold urticaria, an allergy to cold. He will share about self-awareness and how important it is to a meaningful life. He will share how you can begin to live a fulfilling life!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Marcel Vögeli, the spokesperson for “The Key to Self-Liberation” by the late Christiane Beerlandt, an encyclopedic work on the psychological and emotional roots of more than 1,000 diseases and symptoms. He will talk about your body, and if our bodies could be trying to tell us something. He will share his personal experiences, and how he dealt with his condition by listening to his body.

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Taj Simrit, who was born and raised in the South of France. He earned a degree in photography but spent 25 years working in a variety of commission-only sales positions.  He is the author of 'Behold My Soul,' a memoir written to inspire readers to reclaim their power and regain control of their destiny through forgiveness, love, and resilience. He will share healing practices, the importance of forgiveness, and how important it is to work on yourself and rise!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Elaine Brown, DNP, WHNP-BC, RN is a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner in a New York urban clinic serving diverse women across the spectrum. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Women’s Health and a master's degree from Stony Brook University, specializing in Women's Health and Perinatology. Almost 25 years in women's health, and CEO and founder for Ever Integrative Women’s Health NP- PC. She will discuss importance of women’s health, treatments, services she provides and share helpful information about pre-menopausal, and menopause.

Dr. Saran Heron talks with C. Lynn Williams, a transformational author, educator, speaker, and parent coach who specializes in bridging the relational gaps that often exist within families. She spent her 13-year professional career as a high school and college educator, where she witnessed the critical role of family in shaping long-term success.  She has an MBA and over two decades in corporate America. She will share the practical ways boys are taught, offer advice on how to raise sons who are emotionally aware, resilient, and more confident!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Toni King, a nationally recognized Medicare expert, columnist, and author of The Medicare Survival Guide. She has helped over 25,000 Americans navigate Medicare successfully. Toni explains how common enrollment mistakes can limit access to doctors, prescriptions, and treatments, which directly affect health outcomes. She will help bring about awareness of Medicare, mistakes, current issues related to fraud, how critical it is to be informed for your loved ones and yourself.

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Robin Blackstone, a physician, and health-systems writer based in New York who has trained and practiced as a surgeon, held senior leadership roles in academic medicine, global health organizations as well as a senior medical affairs role at Johnson & Johnson. She believes artificial intelligence and systems redesign could fundamentally restructure American healthcare. She will discuss AI importance, the ways it can be used and rise above the fear of AI.

Dr. Saran Heron talks with George Lee, a Vancouver-based divorce lawyer, author, and life coach who helps parents raise confident, future-ready children. Drawing on years of family-focused legal practice and coaching, he translates psychology and neuroscience into practical tools for everyday parenting. His latest work is Smart Parenting 5.0.  He holds a master's in English literature and a Juris Doctor, along with a life-coach certification.  He will share importance of raising children to meet the current technology and world and explain how to rise to AI and learn ways to adjust.

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Suzanne Liff, Emeritus Professor of reading at Nassau Community College, and a former teacher and district chairperson of special education. She has been published in several professional journals and is the author of three groundbreaking developmental reading textbooks for college students for McGraw-Hill. Her latest work is Smarter Than You Think: Accessing Your Personal Powers to Triumph in College. She will share about one's personal power to triumph in college, explain how important it is for students, and encourage you to rise!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, who is also a registered nurse who represents the 46th Council District in Brooklyn. Her community office has notably become one of the highest in serving constituents in NYC.  She secured millions of dollars in city funding to upgrade and renovate parks, libraries, and schools across the district. She championed legislation including a bill to enhance health outcomes. She will share how to become a council member, her role, responsibilities and how you can rise and serve in your community!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Jeremy M. Liff, a board-certified neurologist specializing in stroke, brain aneurysms, and venous outflow conditions, with expertise in medical and catheter-based treatments. He earned B.A. from Johns Hopkins, M.D. from SUNY Upstate, and completed his residency at Albert Einstein/Montefiore, serving as Chief Resident. Dr. Liff is proud to serve patients across the Tri-State Area. He will share about the rising of stroke in young adults, warning signs, complications, and discuss ways to prevent this from occurring.

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Kooch Daniels, who holds an MA in psychology and over four decades of experience teaching tarot, astrology, chakras, and transformational practices. She will talk about show to feel aligned, supported, and clear with the help of intuitive professional and mind–body guide and share how tuning into intuition strengthens confidence, discuss decision-making, and help you rise to set intentions that feel more connected to the direction you're choosing for your life!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dwayne J. Clark, who argues that for people 50+, the real “new you” starts with three things: how you wake up, how you care for yourself, and how prepared you are for a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. He is the CEO/Founder of 39 Aegis Living communities across the West Coast. A longevity expert and co-author of “The Miracle Morning After 50,” he will share the science of the first hour, why burnout accelerates aging, and how purpose and presence protect health!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Eric Oliver, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, who studies American politics, public opinion, political psychology, local politics, racial attitudes, and the politics of science. He spent two decades teaching The Intelligible Self a class that blends Buddhism, psychology, cognitive science, and evolutionary theory to help students understand the hidden machinery of their own minds. He will explain how to know yourself and explore ways you can change your mindset to understand your own being!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Lindsey Glass, who grew up in New York City, and holds her B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and her M.A. from New York University. She is an author, screenwriter, and co-founder of Reach Out Recovery. Lindsey has written screenplays, TV shows, and co-produced award-winning documentaries, including The Secret World of Recovery and The Silent Majority. She will share about relationship/wounds and how she got help, learning how to rebuild trust and rekindle a genuine relationship between mother and daughter, who were able to find purpose and rise above their past!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Marlene Lofters-Dinham, DNP, RN, who grew up in Jamaica, West Indies. Pursuing a degree in Computer Science at Brooklyn College and worked for several years in banking before nursing. Her current role is Associate Director of Nursing Education Research and president of Jamaica Nurses Group NY, Inc. (JNGNY) since 2012. She will share about the forming of Jamaica nurses' group, its mission, services, ongoing efforts and share future goals.

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Emilio M. Justo, a Cuban refugee turned trailblazing ophthalmologist and cosmetic surgeon for over three decades.  As a TED X speaker with a mission to inspire others, he shares the principles of resilience, patience, and purposeful passion.  He will discuss how the importance of success isn’t about the hustle;  the pause is more important, and give advice as it pertains to the pause, his book, and how you, too, can continue to rise!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Nick Stevens, who made a hobby of fatherhood and family. When he lost a daughter to an avalanche in 2008, he realized he wanted to spend the rest of his life sharing his knowledge and experiences as a dad with other men. Over 18 years now, he has led his own men’s ministries and spoken publicly about fatherhood.  He will share the true value of fatherhood and how to help other fathers to rise!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Andy Roberts, one of the Directors of the Jah Jah foundation. He has been on the board of directors for the past 10 years.  The Jah Jah Foundation is a nonprofit organization that has been participating in uplifting of Jamaica since 2007 through the vision of Dr. Trevor Dixon, CEO and Founder. He will share about the forming of Jah Jah Foundation including its mission, services, ongoing efforts, and future goals of the organization.

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Chris Capuano, who is living proof that your starting point doesn’t define your finish line. He walked away from a stable six-figure career in the trades to chase something bigger: freedom, ownership, and impact. He didn’t have investors or shortcuts. What he had was drive, grit, and the unshakable mindset that there is no ceiling on what you can build. He will share his journey and how you too can start building your life!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Beverly Tatum who was the president emerita of Spelman College. She served as the ninth president of Spelman from 2002–2015. Her visionary leadership as president was recognized in 2013 with the Carnegie Academic Leadership Award. In 2014 she received the Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Psychology, the highest honor presented by the American Psychological Association. She shares ways to support college students, connect, and develop programs to address mental health crisis and provide advise how to rise above it!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Anne Hand, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree from McGill University and a Master of Education degree from Harvard University. She has spent her career blending research, policy, and practice to create social impact in the Americas and beyond. She will share importance of belonging, and how family history defines us.  They discuss her book and empower others that we cannot change the past but instead live in the present!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Jack Gindi, known as Papa Jack, who has lived a story of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. Through his online I Believe In Me, Four Pillars, and LIFE framework programs, he offers practical tools for parents, teens, and young adults to thrive. He proves that our greatest losses can become our most meaningful contributions to life and rise above!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Bobby Hoffman, a University of Central Florida (UCF) professor, researcher, and author who specializes in motivation science and solving the mysteries of human behavior. Performance consulting for some of the world's most successful companies including General Electric, NBC, KPMG, and the NBA, he shares about societal pressure to find your passion, share his expertise, explore motivation, and get a better understanding of what drives passion. He will share tools that are research based to help YOU become your better self and rise!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Dr. Philip Agrios, a Self-Sabotage Expert, Business Consultant, Best-Selling Author, and International Speaker who is a retired board-certified sports chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner who specialized in autoimmune disease. He explains self-sabotage, share the T-NOW Method, how to stop self-sabotage, and provide examples as he has his own experience. Learn how to prevent self-sabotage and overcome!

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Sharon Gordon, an award-winning producer and actress, storyteller, audio book narrator, acclaimed journalist, publicist, promoter and special event coordinator whose exemplary talents are represented in print, on radio and within the Jamaican Diaspora as a community leader and cultural influencer.  Today, they talk about her movie, book and share the importance of preserving cultural heritage. It’s never too late to get involved and serve in your community, while promoting your culture.

Dr. Saran Heron talks with Alla Kaluzhny, a licensed therapist, certified hypnotherapist, and award-winning author. She will talk about how who we were before shapes who we are now our relationships, fears, patterns, and choices. Her book “Turning the Pages” won a silver medal in the 2024 International Book Awards. Alla shares the importance of self-discovery. It can help you overcome and rise above past life impact when you focus on the positives!