B Inspired

At the request of a dear friend, Jane shares pieces of J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye and Franny and Zooey that served as formative in her self-discovery as a 20-year-old beginning her teaching career. Like Franny, Jane found teaching as service to a high calling. Salinger gave her the words to express her intention. Alert: the episode is long and perhaps of interest to literature lovers only.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! In this episode, host Jane Stahl shares her favorite "Christmas specials": Albert Brooks’ movie "Defending Your Life" and Shakespeare’s play "King Lear." Both begin with the ultimate life challenges--death and/or grief and suffering--yet end with love. "Defending Your Life" delivers a meaningful message wrapped in a delightful comedy. "King Lear," on the other hand, is Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy addressing major life issues that test our resolve, our faith, and our resilience. In both, love is the answer and, as Christmas specials, remind us of the "reason for the season."

Host Jane and son Jeff acknowledge the season of celebrations. In exploring one of Jane's "favorite things" throughout her lifetime, they encourage listeners to remember things in their lives that give them continued inspiration and also to celebrate themselves as a means to recognize and appreciate the miracles around them that occur to us or through us during this holiday season.

Julie Longacre can't quit creating--in paint, in words, in music. The projects never stop in her efforts to preserve memories of historic buildings and her own visions. The episode provides insight into this tireless artist--one of Boyertown's icons.

Michele Barrett and Diane Hallman are two mothers who have been given extraordinary challenges raising children whose gifts include diagnoses of ADHD, AUDDHD, and autism. Today, recognizing the unique needs of children on the spectrum—particularly those on what they term the “autism cliff”—and eager to help them smoothly transition from secondary educational placements to college and beyond--they are creating a residential transition program called Pathways to Purpose. The program is different than other programs in its approach to empower high-masking, neurodivergent young adults (18-26) in Pennsylvania—who are typically overlooked and “assumed fine”--with skills, support, and structure before burnout and other mental and physical health issues develop. Joining them on the episode is Nicholas Myers, Michele’s son, who gives voice to the need for such a program. They are inviting help in establishing a steering committee to develop the program—financial advisors, counselors, educators--and they welcome you to connect with them: dhallman@approachadvisors.com, mbarrett132@comcast.net.

Quilts--for those who need, for those who celebrate, for funding future projects—are created by a group of women of the former Boyertown Mennonite Church, now also the home of the 2/42 Community Church. Edith Freed and Gerry Grabias shared a bit of history of the church and the dozens of women who meet bi-weekly as a group...and in-between on their own, their involvement over the years, their knowledge of the art, and their shared mission to serve others, donate to those in need, and enjoy the bonds that evolve from working together.

When Maddie Bowman saw a need to assist in creating (finally-- after 20 years) a Facebook page for Boyertown's community art project Bear Fever, she made herself immediately available. Her skills have resulted in attracting hundreds of followers within days. Bear Fever fans are grateful as are the many others she serves as volunteer in American Legion's baseball world and in her social work for Montgomery County.

"Coach Jena is a coordinator for the Healthy Kid's running series in Boyertown which has grown to be THE largest running series in the country! In addition, Jena and her husband Jeff have owned Bear's Den Fitness for three years, but the untold story is her role with the foreign exchange program "Academic Year in America" (AYA) that Jena and her father have been with AYA for more than 30 years, hosting dozens of the students themselves over the years and coordinating placements for dozens more. They understand the importance of creating empathy through experience and making our world a little bit smaller, by bringing people together." ~Amy Muzopappa