Embrace This Life with Ray Andersen Ray Andersen

Julia Scotti is a nationally headlining comedian, former teacher, author, speaker, and woman of transgendered experience. She was a quarter-finalist and fan favorite on season 11 of America’s Got Talent on NBC in 2016. Julia currently has a comedy special on SHOWTIME called "More Funny Women of a Certain Age".
In 2000, Julia left comedy to begin her life altering transition, and also to begin her new career as a teacher, where she remained for seven years. She was self-employed for a time, but in 2011, after a ten year layoff from comedy, Julia returned to the stage. Her new brand of comedy is fierce, honest, and fearless.
Julia was a quarter-finalist on season 11 America’s Got Talent in 2016. She was a judge’s favorite with Simon Cowell saying “you genuinely made me laugh”, and Howie Mandel quoted as saying “you have so much to offer, you are a joy."
In 2012, Julia had been named one of the Top Five Transgender Comedians in the country by Advocate Magazine.
On June 1, a major film documentary will be released called Julia Scotti: Funny That Way, based on her life and experiences, directed by Susan Sandler, who wrote, Crossing Delancey. Hear this inspiring interview from an extremely talented, compassionate individual.

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The next guest on my Embrace This Life podcast is the incredibly-successful restaurateur/philanthropist, Tim Mcloone.

Tim McLoone is the premier definition of a renaissance human being. He was schooled at Harvard and is accomplished in music, athletics, and business.
He opened his first restaurant in October of 1987, McLoone's Rum Runner, located on the Shrewsbury River in Sea Bright, New Jersey.

From there, he touched every facet of his ever-growing restaurant business to be sure that the McLoone brand remained strong across the board, with locations like Pier Village, Long Branch, West Orange, Woodbridge, Maryland, and the amazing Supper Club in iconic Asbury Park...all a direct result of Tim McLoone's vision, passion, and enthusiasm.

He's done broadcast work for the U.S. Olympic Trials, was part of the Emmy Award-winning broadcast team for the New York and LA Marathons, directed the U.S. Men's Olympic Trials in 1996 and served as musical director of the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony for NBC.

His selfless philanthropic work includes the forming of Holiday Express in 1993....a non-profit charitable group of over 100 professional musicians and hundreds of other volunteers who create free Holiday events for 50 organizations who are in need of good cheer between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve for the past 20 years.

He performs with his band The Shirleys, as well as does a solo act.

Hear how he makes it all work, what & who inspired him, and how he keeps it all going...with passion, drive and heartfelt empathy for those in need.

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Hilary Genga is the CEO and co-founder of the successful women's swimwear company called Trunkettes, which has been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, featured in the magazine, eight times, and has been seen on the Today Show, Entertainment Tonight and many other press outlets. She's been mentored by Daymond John, the Shark Tank investor and founder of FUBU.
Her celebrity fan base, wearing her creations, includes superstars like Carrie Underwood.
She's recently partnered with super-model and business mogul, Kathy Ireland, on a co-branded designer swimwear line.
Hear her uplifting interview and what gets her creative business mind moving, and how she makes the most out of each day...including the pure joy & love she gets from her 150-pound, rare Armenian Gampr (correct spelling!) dog.

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My second guest on my EMBRACE THIS LIFE podcast, is George Anthony. George is an accomplished educator and a trained conflict resolution specialist, certified in mediation by Columbia University, the National Institute for Dispute Resolution, and the New York City Board of Education. 

He has been featured nationally on ABC News’ "20/20" and on CNN’s “Crossing Borders.” He's currently serving as the United Nations’ NGO DPI Pathways to Peace Primary Representative and the Co-Chair to the International Day of Peace “UN Education Peace Team.” 

He's also the Director of The Mater Dei Prep Global Institute at Mater Dei Prep in Middletown NJ, where he's grooming the next group of youth, destined to accomplish amazing & worthy acts of kindness & peace, in their future. 

Acknowledging my many years on behalf of my musical work and message of kindness, anti-bullying, diversity and inclusion, with children & families....in January of 2021, I had the distinct honor of George personally asking me to be a United Nations’ NGO (non-governmental organization) Pathways to Peace Representative. I am deeply humbled & grateful to do my part, as an ambassador of peace, thanks to George for reaching out to me... Please join me for an inspiring interview with a very special human being. 

Thanks, folks. 🌎☮️💙🎤


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My first guest is singer, actor, multi-instrumentalist, dancer, composer, producer...Everett Bradley. He's kinda like a modern-day Sammy Davis, Jr. He does it all, in this business of entertainment....making it look so easy with his unparalleled talent, meticulous devotion to his art, and the friendly warmth he exudes.... He's toured with Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Hall & Oates, does Broadway, TV....and so much more. I hope you tune in for his fabulous interview. Thank you.


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RAY ANDERSEN BIO

Ray Andersen grew up in West Orange, New Jersey in the home that legendary songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin lived and where some of the masterpiece, "Tapestry" album was written. Ray's love of music was apparent at an early age when he was introduced to The Beatles. Eventually the bug of songwriting hit him hard. Along the way, he went on to the famed American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, which further emboldened his love of the arts.

80s - STONE PONY HOUSE BAND

In the 80's, Ray went onto a very important journey in life as a member of the notable Asbury Park NJ, Stone Pony house-band, Cats On A Smooth Surface. Bruce Springsteen played with Ray and the band so much, he often raved to the press that they were his favorite group of musicians to jam with when he was off tour.

90S - ORIGINAL INDIE BAND, TOURING WITH MATCHBOX TWENTY

In 1995, Ray formed an indie rock band called Blue Van Gogh, and they released an album called Hi-Fi Junkie Sonata. The music was met with international acclaim. They toured throughout Germany as the opening act for matchbox twenty in April of 1998.

GUITARIST/KEYBOARDIST BACKING VOCALIST w/MEAT LOAF

He also toured for 3 years, with Meat Loaf as his guitarist/keyboardist/backup singer, appearing on The Tonight Show, The View, VH1's Storytellers and many more. Along with Bruce Springsteen, he's performed with Jon Bon Jovi, Chuck Berry & many others.

mr. RAY - MUSIC FOR KIDS

Ray has been writing and performing for kids from pre-K to 6th grade for 26 years as mr. RAY. The undertow & message of all his originals is Kindness, Anti-Bullying, Inclusion & Diversity. He’s appeared, performing his songs for kids, on Good Morning America and has been featured in the New York Times, Parenting magazine & the Wall Street Journal.

mr. RAY was 2013 & 2014's 10th best-selling kids' artist according to Billboard Magazine...and in 2020 his kids music streams were well over 1,000,000.

In 2009, Ray performed at the UN at an event called Seasons Of Non-Violence with 12 handpicked kid singers, singing his originals, as well as John Lennon’s Imagine & Give Peace A Chance. In 2015, he created the No Room For Bullies project – a series of songs and talks, after hearing about the suicide of Rutgers student, Tyler Clementi, who look his life after being shamed by another fellow student, for being gay. The Tyler Clementi Foundation endorsed & provided a testimonial for the entire project.

MUSIC FOR NATIONAL TV COMMERCIALS

He's recorded music for many national TV commercials, including twelve Publishers Clearing House commercials. He has a loving live tribute to the masterful music and theatrics of David Bowie, with an 8-piece all-star line-up of some of New Jersey’s finest singers and musicians. Also performed are songs Bowie  produced and co-wrote with artists like Queen, Lou Reed, Mott the Hoople and other choice glam songs from other artists.

UNITED NATIONS REPRESENTATIVE

In January 2021, Ray became an Official United Nations NGO (non-governmental) Representative of Pathways To Peace, on behalf of his musical work and message of kindness, anti-bullying, diversity and inclusion, with children...an ambassador of peace.


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