Today is my second podcast with David Singer. If you want David's full background please go to Podcast #139. David has had an exceptional musical career playing for decades on world-class stages, but his life's story is one of humble roots, grit and determination, and at one time, he had three jobs to provide for his family. David Singer has performed many times in Carnegie Hall including a chamber music performance, a trio, with the iconic violinist Yehudi Menuhin, and pianist Gyorgy Sandor. He was a principal member and soloist with the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra for 36 years and is featured on many of the group's 70 CDs on Deutsche Grammophon.

He also played at the White House in separate performances for Presidents Carter and Clinton. His story-filled book, "From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall", is more than a musician's memoir; it is an inspiring narrative that resonates with anyone who has faced life's challenges head-on. An ode to the power of never giving up and giving oneself every chance to succeed. David shares in his book stories of performing with: Yehudi Menuhin, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Rudolf Serkin, Andre Previn, actress Stockard Channing, Pablo Casals, Branford Marsalis and more. To learn more about David: https://singerclarinet.com

Today's podcast is all about Davon Patterson. He is a powerful example of transformation, resilience, and the human capacity for change. After being sentenced to 38 years in prison, Da'Von's life took an unexpected and defining turn while incarcerated at the California Institute for Men. Through Canine Support Teams' Prison Pup Program, he became involved in the training of service dogs—an experience that would reshape his sense of purpose, responsibility, and connection. He discovered patience, empathy, trust, and the discipline required to care for another life. The program became a catalyst for personal growth, grounded in faith, mentorship, and accountability, offering Da'Von a path forward when few believed one existed. Today, Da'Von's story reflects the broader mission of Canine Support Teams: changing lives through service, partnership, and second chances. His journey highlights the profound impact that service dogs can have—not only for Veterans and individuals with disabilities, but also for those entrusted to help prepare these dogs for their future roles. Da'Von Patterson's life stands as a reminder that redemption is not defined by where someone begins, but by the choices they make when given the opportunity to grow. His story continues to inspire conversations about rehabilitation, purpose, and the transformative power of compassion. To learn more about Davon: https://caninesupportteams.org/about-us

Today's podcast is all about Henry Jenkins. He is the author or editor of 25 books on popular culture, including "Textual Poachers: Television Fans" and "Participatory Culture, Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide", "By Any Media Necessary: The New Youth Activism" and the "Frames of Fandom" book series. He is the Provost's Professor of Communication, Journalism, Cinematic Arts, Education, and East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Southern California. To learn more about Henry: https://annenberg.usc.edu/faculty/henry-jenkins

Today's podcast is all about John Franklin. He is a fitness trainer who coaches personalized strength and conditioning sessions at Dogpound Gym in West Hollywood, California. A recent reconnection with running lead John to the goal of completing the Los Angeles Marathon in early 2025. Learning from the mistakes and missteps made during his training for his first marathon, John geared up for a second training block to prepare for the Honolulu Marathon in December of 2025. To learn more about John: https://www.instagram.com/prettyandbored

Today's podcast is all about Samuel Kronick. He is born and raised in Beijing, China and has focused his role has an entrepreneur and investor focused on early-stage FinTech and Digital Assets. Samuel got involved early in this field with his the United States with his work at Greycroft, a venture capital firm, before transitioning to angel investing himself where he backed successful companies and funds at their earliest stages including Mysten Labs and Browder Capital. Samuel then decided to shift his focus back to China and worked at Tencent, investing in gaming companies; but eventually he returned to the US and joined Bags as Head of Business Development, a crypto fundraising platform that has processed over $2B in volume and helped creators raise $20M+ in the past four months covering late 2025 and early 2026. To learn more about Samuel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-kronick-65a579126

Today's podcast is all about Laila Aitken Ali. In her own words:

"My story began with a ten-year divorce that unraveled everything: my identity, my confidence, my sense of safety. I was pregnant, heartbroken, and standing in the rubble of a life that no longer made sense. I knew how to function, to plan, organize, hold it together, but I didn't know how to feel safe in my own body again. Every text from my ex sent my nervous system into overdrive. Every decision felt loaded. And the people around me, though loving and well-intentioned, couldn't understand what it meant to look strong while silently falling apart inside. So I learned. I learned how to regulate my body, how to separate strategy from emotion, and how to rebuild a life rooted in peace instead of panic. And once I did, I couldn't help but teach it. Now, with over a decade of experience supporting individuals and families through divorce and major life transitions, I've guided hundreds of clients toward emotional steadiness, confident communication, and clear decision-making. As a Certified Divorce Coach®, Accredited Mediator, and Communication Strategist, my work blends lived experience with professional training — helping people not only navigate the practical side of divorce but also rebuild the relationship they have with themselves."

To learn more about Laila: https://thesplitcoach.com/about

Today's podcast is all about Charlotte Jackson. A former Actress and Singer, Charlotte has become a power player behind the scenes in the luxury fashion world. She's also a regular staple at Paris Fashion Week, and a familiar face in the tight knit circles for the likes of McQueen, Stella McCartney, and many others. As one who challenges outdated industry standards, she is an advocate for inclusive representation in fashion proving that personal style doesn't come with size, tags, or age limits.

As founder of The Curve Authority, Charlotte has privately consulted with some of the biggest brands in fashion to help navigate what is missing in today's market. With an ever-changing landscape leaving many fashion houses feeling the financial strain of the economy, Charlotte's voice and feedback is aimed at helping them reach more buyers. Her platform was birthed from her experience as a woman with curves navigating Fashion Week, personal travel, and entertainment, while realizing the world hadn't fully made room for plus-sized women. As she became more deeply immersed in fashion, she noticed how challenging it was to find fashion-forward, luxury designer clothing for women of her size… women who deserve more than just extended sizes.

Apart from working closely with the brands, The Curve Authority will also evolve into its own lifestyle brand encompassing clothing and media.

To learn more about Charlotte: https://bit.ly/m/TheCurveAuthority

Today's podcast is all about Keri Lee. Having spent her formative years pivoting between life with her Mormon single mom in Utah and her world-traveling, hard-partying dad in California, Keri Lee developed a passion for the wildly diverse people and worldviews that fuel her writing to this day. As a screenwriter, she writes provocative, character-driven genre comedies that explore everything from social alienation to ecological collapse. Her eco-horror-comedy feature RAT BASTARDS was Best Comedy Screenplay at Nashville Film Festival, and her MMA comedy CAGE LIFE was a Writers Lab finalist and a top-10 comedy finalist in Final Draft Big Break.

As a newspaper and magazine journalist, Keri profiled everyone from award-winning authors and artists to an 11-year-old county fair livestock champion and an eerily accurate tarot reader named Taco. Today, she works as a freelance writer for nonprofit and film industry publications, including the P.G.A.'s flagship magazine ProducedBy. Keri has a master's degree in English from Claremont Graduate University and has taken film, writing, and acting courses at UCLA and UC Irvine. To learn more about Keri: https://keri-lee.com