Jane Wilkens Michael Better Than Before

Jane & Laurie

Through her books and nationally syndicated beauty, health and fitness columns, Jane Wilkens Michael has helped change the lives of millions of readers who have experienced a life-altering event by encouraging them to become Better Than Before. Now Jane’s experience and expertise can be heard on talk radio. On their journey, her listeners will learn simple steps to relax, replenish and rejuvenate — to become Better Than Before. www.janewilkensmichael.com

  1. 2 OCT

    BTB: Jane Wilkens Michael: Hail Alex

    Passing through adversity - Jane’s very special guest today is Alex Smith. And there is no better model for perseverance and success than this former star NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst. In 2018, during a Washington Commanders' (then Redskins) game, he suffered a life-threatening injury to his right leg. His triumphant return to the field less than two years later is regarded as one of the most historic moments in pro football history.  Indeed, he helped lead his team to an NFC East title while he himself earned the title of NFL Comeback Player of the Year. His story about the injury was documented in a special edition of ESPN’s E60, Project 11. Alex's arduous path to recovery set the stage for his new endeavor, speaking about the realities of pain and encouraging people to have a game plan. To that end, he is partnering with Vertex Pharmaceuticals on their Pain Game Plan campaign to empower people to develop a personalized pain management strategy to be ready for the expected, like a planned surgery, or unexpected, like an injury. On this segment, Alex and Jane talk about how he, his doctors and his family had to make life-changing decisions, his intense rehabilitation, and his new campaign. Furthermore, he shares the positive mantras that gave him the mental fortitude to keep going and can help all listeners become Better Than Before despite whatever setbacks they face.

    30 min

  2. 11 SEPT

    BTB: Jane Wilkens Michael: Beating the Odds

    Suleika Jaouad on surviving and thriving - Jane’s very special guest is author, advocate and motivational speaker, Suleika Jaouad. Diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia at age 22, Suleika was given a 35% chance of survival. Rather than simply giving up, she went on to chronicle her journey, writing the New York Times column, Life, Interrupted which was made into a video series that won an Emmy Award! And her memoir, Between Two Kingdoms, was also a New York Times best seller. Her fight against cancer is also featured in a 2023 Netflix documentary, American Symphony, about a year in her life with her husband, the Grammy, Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning musician, Jon Batiste. Now she is writing new chapters of her story through her latest work, The Book of Alchemy. Suleika is also partnering with Blood Cancer United, formerly known as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, on their expanded mission to provide information and guidance for patients and caregivers for all 100+ blood cancers. On this segment, Jane and Suleika talk about what gets her through her good days, bad days, and very bad days. She also provides advice for building community and fostering connections, starting with how journaling gives her calm and purpose. Furthermore, she shares her tips, tools and favorite mantra that will motivate and encourage all of us to be just a little Better Than Before, no matter what obstacles we face in life.

    18 min

  3. 14 AUG

    BTB: Jane Wilkens Michael: The Glucose Gladiator

    A talk with a celebrated blood sugar specialist - Jane’s special guest is Pamela Nisevich Bede, a world-renowned expert in sports dietetics. Pam’s mission is to translate the complex science of nutrition and metabolism into tangible and practical advice to inspire others to change their habits and improve their health. That's why she partnered with Abbott Labs on Lingo, a state-of-the-art, wearable device that measures how blood glucose levels respond to food, exercise, and other lifestyle factors. Important for all of us to know since glucose fuels our bodies, from our brain to our muscles. For her part, when not busy encouraging others to reach for better health and performance via better nutrition, Pam, a mother of three, writes best-selling books and has competed in twenty-nine (yes!) marathons. On this segment, Pam and Jane talk about the impact of glucose on energy, mood, and chronic disease prevention and what we should strive for to avoid “spikes and crashes.” She also imparts practical advice for eating balanced meals, anti-stress tips and tools, and the latest health and wellness research that will keep listeners looking and feeling Better Than Before.

    34 min

  4. 3 JUL

    BTB: Jane Wilkens Michael: How Sweet It Is

    Chatting with the creator of Dylan’s Candy Bar - Jane very special guest is Dylan Lauren, founder and CEO of the world’s largest boutique candy store chain, Dylans’ Candy Bar. The daughter of iconic fashion designer Ralph Lauren, Dylan is a creative and innovative genius in her own right. She took the idea to open an enchanted emporium after watching the movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory when she was just 6- years-old, staying true to her dream until eventually turning it into a real life, state-of-the-art, sweetness sanctuary. Merging all the inspirations in her life, Dylan designed her stores with a goal to combine fashion, art and pop candy culture with candy-themed lifestyle products. On this segment, Dylan and Jane discuss the highlights of her journey to becoming a super successful entrepreneur, and how naysayers along the way gave her the determination to never take No! for an answer. In addition, she shares the secrets to balancing her career without sacrificing her role as a wife and mother of young twins.  Dylan also reveals her beauty, health and fitness tips and insights and talks about her foundation, Dylan’s Candy BarN, that partners with different animal right’s organizations. All and all listeners will come away feeling Better Than Before, one divine Dylan’s candy bar at a time.

    30 min

  5. 5 JUN

    BTB: Jane Wilkens Michael: Celebrate Every Day with Babs

    Talking to everyone’s favorite internet Grandma - Jane’s special guest is Barbara Costello, now known, like all superstars, by just one name: Babs! From her Facebook posts, and @BrunchwithBabs posts on Instagram and Tiktok, this remarkable woman, a grandmother of nine, has become the adopted grandmother of her millions and millions of followers on social media.  She’s the New York Times bestselling author of Celebrate with Babs and has just released her second cookbook, Every Day with Babs. You have also seen her on the Today show, GMA and Drew Barrymore, and as a regular guest on Access Hollywood. But with all her success and unceasing on-line smiles, she has suffered through her beloved mother's Alzheimer’s Disease. That is why she is partnering with Eli Lilly & Co. on their MoreThanNormalAging campaign to help older adults better understand when memory and thinking issues may be more than just “normal aging,” to help them proactively address their concerns with their healthcare provider. On this segment, Babs talks about how it all began for her (spoiler alert: her daughter simply posted a recipe on TikTok during Covid). Her advice for living a longer and more fulfilled life will inspire all our listeners to appreciate that it is never too late to start a whole new path to becoming Better Than Before.

    21 min

  6. 8 MAY

    BTB: Jane Wilkens Michael: Game Changer

    Legendary sports agent on bettering brain health - Jane's special guest is Leigh Steinberg, the greatest and most successful  sports agent of all time, representing star athletes and coaches in football, basketball, baseball, hockey, boxing, and golf, including the number one overall pick in the NFL draft for an unprecedented eight times.  He is also an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and founder of the Leigh Steinberg Foundation. Furthermore, Leigh was the real-life inspiration for the Oscar-winning film Jerry Maguire, his character being played by none other than Tom Cruise. And he recounts how he schooled Cameron Crowe, its creator and director, on the ins-and-outs of the sports agent world. But for Leigh, it's not only about showing him the money. He is also known as the Agent of Heart, as he was responsible for more than $750 million being given to various charities around the world. To continue on that path, he just founded the Leigh Steinberg Foundation to educate parents and fund research for advancing the understanding, prevention and treatment of concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and other brain health challenges. On this segment, Jane and Leigh discuss his foundation, as well as what listeners can learn from his ultra-successful, multimillion dollar negotiation strategies to help navigate the inevitable conflicts, large and small, in our personal lives, on our journey to becoming Better Than Before.

    29 min

  7. 3 APR

    BTB: Jane Wilkens Michael: Touchdown!!

    An NFL Superstar on being Better Than Before - Jane’s special guest today is Brian Dawkins, a football legend as one of the greatest NFL Safeties of all time. Brian, viewed as the leader of the Philadelphia Eagles' defense, was named to an astonishing nine Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams during his career, including thirteen 13 seasons with the now World Champs. It is therefore not surprising that in 2018 Brian was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In a nutshell, his impact on the Eagles and the NFL as a whole will never be forgotten. Currently, he’s also bringing his knowledge and wherewithal to the health arena, by using his platform to help spread awareness and education about chronic kidney disease. To that end, he is representing Boehringer & Lilly’s It Takes 2 health initiative. On this segment, Jane and Brian discuss this campaign, as well as who inspired him to have a career in sports, the importance of sports, including having an outlet for getting rid of negative energy, and how his love of the game created a drive for mental toughness. Brian also talks about how  the concept of wellness has changed over the years, and his personal health and nutrition program. Finally, he shares the life lessons he learned throughout his career that will help all our listeners become Better Than Before.

    25 min

  8. 20 MAR

    BTB: Jane Wilkens Michael: Screen Test

    Kate Walsh Finds the GRAIL - Jane’s special guest today is the renowned and multi-talented Kate Walsh, who we are delighted to have back for her third appearance on the show. Kate has starred in such blockbusters as Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Emily in Paris and 13 Reasons Why, and can also be seen as a villainous handler in The Umbrella Academy on Netflix. But as with so many of our superstar guests, it was for personal reasons, which she shares with us, Kate has currently partnered with GRAIL, a healthcare company that recently launched Generation Possible, a game-changing educational initiative that raises awareness of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing. These revolutionary new blood tests screen for some of the deadliest cancers before they become symptomatic. On this segment, Kate and Jane talk about her career, as well as her passion and commitment for living a healthy lifestyle and helping others do the same. Furthermore, she imparts her personal beauty, health and fitness tips, tools and mantras. All in all, listeners will be inspired to become Better Than Before, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

    18 min
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About

Through her books and nationally syndicated beauty, health and fitness columns, Jane Wilkens Michael has helped change the lives of millions of readers who have experienced a life-altering event by encouraging them to become Better Than Before. Now Jane’s experience and expertise can be heard on talk radio. On their journey, her listeners will learn simple steps to relax, replenish and rejuvenate — to become Better Than Before. www.janewilkensmichael.com

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