BTB: Jane Wilkens Michael: Expect the Unexpected

BTB: Jane Wilkens Michael: Expect the Unexpected

From Jane Wilkens Michael Better Than Before by Jane & Laurie

March 12, 2026 · 40 min

About this episode

Mary Lou Falcone discusses resilience and reinvention following personal tragedy.

Author Mary Lou Falcone on resilience and reinvention - Jane’s special guest is Mary Lou Falcone. Mary Lou is a renowned communications strategist, author, and founder of the Falcone Group, one of the nation’s leading public relations firms specializing in the arts, education, and nonprofit sectors. She has represented some of the most celebrated cultural institutions and artists around the world, such as Carnegie Hall, New York Philharmonic, and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Her celebrity clients have included Renée Fleming, Van Cliburn, Sir George Solti and James Taylor, to name but a very few. Mary Lou recently turned her attention to writing a book, I Didn’t See It Coming. In it, she reflects on the unexpected moments that shape all of our lives – in her case, the tragic and untimely death of her beloved husband, innovative illustrator Nicky Zann from Lewy Body Dementia. Mary Lou explains how she came to realize he was succumbing to this disease, and the effort and resilience it took to overcome it. On this segment, Mary Lou shares with Jane the lessons she learned about reinvention, humility, and navigating unexpected hurdles. She teaches us how to manage and…

People in this episode

Host: Jane Wilkens Michael

Guest: Mary Lou Falcone

Topics covered

  • resilience
  • reinvention
  • life challenges
  • personal growth
  • grief
  • communication strategies

Keywords

  • resilience
  • reinvention
  • grief
  • communication
  • personal growth
  • unexpected challenges
  • life lessons

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Falcone Group, Carnegie Hall, New York Philharmonic, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Books & works: I Didn’t See It Coming

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