The 'Mane' Event Podcast

Tommy Mazur was a healthy 7th grader when he contracted leukemia. How his family, friends and faith helped him rally to a full recovery, 5 years later, is a motivator for us all.

Aimee Mullins has set three world records in track and field. She has a recurring role in the Netflix hit, "Stranger Things." Aimee is a runway model and served as the face of L'Oreal Cosmetics in 2011. She is a Ted Talks All Star - with one of her episodes being viewed 5 million times. She was also born with no fibulas and has achieved all of this on a pair of (very ornate!) prosthetic legs. Her memories of time spent in children's hospitals is inspirational!

Like many, at the age of 4, Richard Torrey started doodling with a sketch pad and pencil. Unlike most, he parlayed that love for illustrations and story-telling into an award-winning career as a syndicated cartoonist, children's author and illustrator. His story of meeting the immortal Charles Schulz, of providing illustrations for Disney, King Features and The National, and even drinking from the Stanley Cup are brilliant!

Jimmy Tubbs is part of the puppy-raising team at the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind. His latest prodigy is a lab named, "Radar." The story of how Radar came in to Tubbs' life, and who the pup is helping now, is heartwarming and uplifting!

Born with a congenital heart defect - hypoplastic left heart syndrome - 10-year-old Jack Foley essentially has half of a heart. Doctors cautioned his parents that Jack might not survive, and that he likely would be VERY limited in his physical activity.
But with the support of a great network of doctors and family, "Super Jack" has proven them all wrong!

Robert Anthony Rodriguez was born with fibular hemimelia and had his right leg amputated below the knee at just 10 months old. Additional personal tragedies did not deter Robert as he grew up as a gifted athlete and positive role model.He plays for the USA Amputee soccer team, is a sled hockey player and now a Paratriathlete!

Daniela Ciriello is a 9-year-old from Plainfield, CT who requires monthly transfusions to treat her Cooley's Anemia. Through an extraordinary group - Team Impact - she was 'adopted' by the women's basketball team at the University of Connecticut. Enjoy their inspirational story!

Alena Galan was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease (MPS – Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome) at the age of 3. She has overcome her diagnosis to sing at Radio City and Carnegie Hall, and appear on the TLC reality show, “sMothered.” Enjoy a few minutes with this amazing dynamo!

Jesse Buchanan is a senior visual FX artist at SONY Video in Los Angeles. He has worked on some of the most popular video games over the last decade, including "God of War" and "Call of Duty." Many pediatric patients rely on video games to get them through lengthy stays.
Global video game revenue skyrocketed during the pandemic to almost $180 billion — making it larger than the $100 billion global film industry.

Heather Simmons is an authority on all things Lewis Carroll and "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Enjoy this review of all 12 chapters of the book and Heather's assertion that "Alice is Everywhere!"