Jay's Reel World

Jay Gittleson
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Weekly

Interesting and inspirational stories, experiences, and interviews with unique people I have connected with in life.

  1. 07/18/2025

    DINA- "The Right One"

    In this intimate and emotionally layered conversation, Jay Gittleson sits down with Dina — the woman who stood beside Billy, a beloved figure in both the kidney and TikTok communities. Through her honest reflections, Dina opens up about love, loss, and what it means to walk beside someone through every season — especially as a caregiver. Jay shares how his own kidney transplant led him to a new kind of service, helping others navigate their health journeys and find emotional support through community and connection. Together, they explore the quiet resilience it takes to care for someone you love, the personal growth that often comes from grief, and the role of social media in carrying Billy’s story into something greater — a legacy that still ripples outward. This isn’t just a tribute. It’s a story of devotion, humanity, and what it means to be “the right one” in a world that doesn’t always give us perfect timing — but sometimes gives us the right people. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection 02:52 The Journey of Friendship 06:09 Dina's Background and Career 08:58 Reconnecting with Billy 11:47 The Meaning Behind the Painting 14:38 Building a Deeper Connection 17:55 Navigating Challenges Together 20:46 The Impact of Caregiving 23:34 Reflections on Loss and Legacy 26:37 Intuitive Connections and Purpose 36:37 Destiny and Manifestation: Understanding Billy's Philosophy 39:08 The Beauty of Caregiving: A Conscious Choice 42:25 The Emotional Journey of Caregiving 48:07 The Role of Social Media in Billy's Life 54:15 The Depth of Connection: Beyond Social Media 59:54 The Reciprocal Nature of Caregiving 01:08:46 Legacy of Forgiveness and Selflessness 🔁 Follow Jay’s Reel World Podcast New episodes, real stories, and sacred conversations — wherever you get your podcasts. 💌 Stay connected with JayWhether you’ve walked a similar path, have a story to share, or just want to follow along — everything lives here: https://linktr.ee/jaysreelworld Reach out to Jay at jaysreelworld@gmail.com

    1h 12m

  2. 09/20/2023

    Daily Dose of Inspiration

    In this episode we are joined by Tanaja. She is role model, especially for young women. She shares her daily doses of inspiration on Tik Tok. In her late 20s, she exudes a unique maturity and sensitivity. Tanaja took the time to read my book and shared some thoughts and insights with me.

    1h 4m

  3. 04/26/2023

    Jamie the Optimist

    Ever meet someone who is optimistic, has incredible curiosity, and is also very accepting of people? Well, I would like to introduce you to one such person. His name is Jamie Polson, aka "Jamie the Optimist." Jamie is a musician, writer, content creator, producer, and life adventurer. I reached out to him after seeing a video he made about being "free" as he danced to one of his favorite songs. Jamie did some research a couple of years ago to try and better understand himself. He discovered the umbrella word "Neurodivergent." In this episode we talk about Jamie's personal revelations and insights. Jamie's contact points: Click on the link below to find all of Jamie's social media links, his music, and his Youtube channel. https://linktr.ee/jamietheoptimistofficial

    36 min

  4. 03/30/2023

    Hope is a Survival Skill

    Today's guest is Jenn who founded an organization called Hope is a Survival Skill which is dedicated to sharing stories of hope after a lived (suicide) attempt or after the death of a loved one to suicide. Jenn, an award-winning journalist, lost her huband to suicide in 2021. Through the processing of her own pain, Jenn was "called" to make a positive impact on the community and world. Her website is: hopeisasurvivalskill.com The following information was taken from the organization's website: Suicide isn’t just a word we whisper in the darkest corners of griefis a leading cause of death in the United States. Stories surrounding the topic of suicide tend to be easily found and often deal with high-profile deaths, or deaths which were publicly visible to a community. Now, compare this to stories about other leading causes of death – think heart disease, cancer, stroke, or diabetes. Stories highlighting these issues often include risk factors, prevention tips, survival and hope. With the topic of suicide, there is a healthy fear of contagion, or, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines it, “a process by which exposure to the suicide or suicidal behavior of one or more persons influences others to commit or attempt suicide.” Having worked in media for years myself, I often heard whispers of the fears behind contagion. “We can’t publish anything about those deaths,” they’d say. “It could catch on and glorify it,” a former boss once told me. I didn’t know much about it, so I nodded and continued about my day. But now, after losing my own husband to suicide, those kind of statements upset me. Why? Because Hope is a Survival Skill. Social Media Contacts: Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/HopeIsASurvivalSkill Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hopeisasurvivalskill/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopeisasurvivalskill

    52 min

  5. 03/14/2023

    "Dialing From Dialysis" with Cornelius Lee Barker

    This episode consists of a never before heard interview with Cornelius Lee Barker recorded on September 28, 2017 from my dialysis chair. It was part of my series called "Dialing From Dialysis." I had reached out to some of the people in my life who had been through major adversity and came out the other side to do great things and help others. What had they been through? How had they overcome their challeges? Cornelius Barker suffered from the lack of parental love. He joined a gang to gain acceptance and experienced more than his share of physical and mental abuse. The horrific treatment by the adults in his life played a large part in the bad life choices made. His gang membership alienated many adults in his life. They misunderstood and often punished him unfairly. He tried repeatedly to prove his intelligence and natural gifted talents, but met with disapproval and discouragement. For the most part, his life was one of searching for acceptance, recognition and respect. Cornelius served as a classroom teacher and as administrator in both elementary and secondary schools. He has spoken to groups acrross the country and has visibly touched the hearts and minds of students, parents, teachers, PTAs and more. In his retirement, he works with juveniles and young adults in an urban prison system using his extensive experience in research and lecture with that population to reach, teach and motivate his students to embrace education as a catalyst for restored hope and adoption of an altered perspective, and hopefully, a changed life.

    52 min

  6. 03/02/2023

    Ruff Road to Glory

    Our guest on this episode is Rich Ruffalo.  Rich is a dynamic motivator, author, educator, and internationally recognized athlete who inspires a wide range of audiences everywhere, from children to adults and students to business gurus. Ruffalo is a true role model for all ages. At age 32, Ruffalo lost his eyesight but never lost his“vision.” At the Walt Disney Company/McDonald’s American Teacher Awards, Ruffalo was named both the Outstanding Coach of the Year and the Outstanding Teacher of the Year of 1995. Vice President Al Gore presented the award to him on nationwide television. Ruffalo continues motivating every audience to a high level of inspiration while speaking to Fortune 500 companies, schools, and conventions. In 1994 he was selected as one of five educators from the United States to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. In addition, Ruffalo has won numerous honors and awards for his athletic ability. He is the winner of four different world titles in shot put, discus, javelin, and powerlifting. He has earned 17 international gold medals, won 32 national titles, set 9 world and 15 national records, and has won 13 USA Track and Field Master’s State Titles against sighted competitors. In 1988, the United States Olympic Committee named Ruffalo as the Disabled Athlete of the Year for athletic, civic, and professional accomplishments. He is a three-time winner of the coveted Governor’s Cup Award and winner of the Victor Award, the Academy Award of Sports, as the nation’s most inspirational athlete of 1989. In 1994, he was also inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Rich is the author of  "Ruff Road to Glory" and "The Seven P's to Positively Enhance Performance."

    52 min

  7. 02/23/2023

    Scroggie's Southern Comfort

    In this episode we meet three amazing people in Marrissa Kooser, David Scroggins and Bryce Finkeldei.   Marrissa Kooser donated a kidney to her friend David Scroggins in August 2019. Tragically, they were only able to celebrate for one day after surgery. David had major complications, lost his gift of life and was soon fighting for his life.  David is a double amputee and wheelchair-bound. However, he isn't letting that obstacle stop him from pursuing his dream. He needs your help to fund a custom wheelchair-accessible food trailer to allow David to serve you his best creations! Find out ways you can help on his website, www.scroggies.wixsite.com/scroggies. GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-scroggies-open-a-food-truck David has partnered with Bryce Finkeldei to create Scroggie's, and is ready to "Bring a little Southern comfort" to Topeka! With over 20 years of experience in the kitchen, chef David has perfected the flavors of your favorite Southern food dishes. From Jambalaya and Gumbo to a Scroggie's special, fried collard rolls, his menu will have your taste buds wanting more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scroggiessoutherncomfort Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scroggies_southern_comfort/

    1h 2m

  8. 08/04/2022

    Success Hotline

    This episode is a conversation with Dr. Rob Gilbert. He is a distinguished professor of Sports Psychology at Montclair State University in New Jersey. Dr. Gilbert is also a renowned motivational speaker and author.  His "Success Hotline" has been going strong for thirty years. Each day he records a new motivational or inspirational message for his thousands of loyal listeners. Call (973) 743-4690 to reach the Success Hotline. I have known Dr. Gilbert for twenty years. He is a legend. Success Hotline is also available as a podcast on Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/success-hotline-with-dr-rob-gilbert/id1532154557

    29 min
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out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Interesting and inspirational stories, experiences, and interviews with unique people I have connected with in life.

Information

  • Creator
    Jay Gittleson
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jay Gittleson
  • Show Website
    Jay's Reel World