126 episodes

Exploring community issues and current events discussing things that have you wondering, What’s The Story behind that? From Health and Science to Technology and Politics, Innovations, Social Issues, Family, Books and Business. Together we’ll learn something along the way.

What's The Story‪?‬ Toni Reece

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.5 • 4 Ratings

Exploring community issues and current events discussing things that have you wondering, What’s The Story behind that? From Health and Science to Technology and Politics, Innovations, Social Issues, Family, Books and Business. Together we’ll learn something along the way.

    What's the Story? with Jo Painter | Meet Cara Wojciechowski

    What's the Story? with Jo Painter | Meet Cara Wojciechowski

    Oh, the places you will go …. when you let the music take you there!
    For many young musicians, the musical dream is big. It was no different for Cara Wojciechowski. Cara started playing and singing at a very young age.

    For many of us loss gives us the opportunity for perspective. Cara lost a dear friend, also at a very young age. Cara’s parents encouraged her to volunteer hoping that would help her work through that loss. Find out how the experience became the seeds that blossomed into a career decision years later. Today Cara is a Music Therapist at Tower Health.

    She thought she would be working with terminally ill patients. Instead, she finds herself working with children, using her music to ease their stress in hospital situations. Turns out the whole family learns how to use music to visualize and lower stress levels. It’s no wonder when you hear her sing. Relax a little and enjoy Cara’s story.

    • 15 min
    What's the Story? witH Jo Painter | Meet Sue Lange

    What's the Story? witH Jo Painter | Meet Sue Lange

    Sue Lange’s ’The Traffic Opera’ is just a part of her story. It’s one of many successes in her journey. Have you ever been stuck in a traffic jam? Sue Lange was stuck in one on her way home from Harrisburg. The experience became the seed for ‘The Traffic Opera.’ Wow did that seed blossom! The Comedy Short has been nominated for multiple awards at the Southampton Film International, the Nice International Film Festival and the London-Worldwide Comedy Short Film Festival to name a few. Sue Lange is the writer, Andrew Pochan is the director, and Chris Heslop wrote the score for this wildly successful project. Sue is most surprised by the numbers of people in the Berks County area who are familiar with ‘The Traffic Opera,’ and she calls it a gift card to Reading as it was filmed at 6th & Court Streets in downtown Reading and nearly everyone involved in the project is from the Reading / Berks area. Asked if she is surprised by the success of this show, Sue says, “It’s unique. And that’s what gets attention.” You can watch the Comedy short here https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7374490/?ref_=rvi_tt


    Sue talks about how it all comes together and which comes first, the writing or the music as she discusses the process from inception to completion. ‘The Traffic Opera’ is part of a larger initiative by The Film Commission and the Reading Theatre Project to make Reading THE Destination for filmmaking. Not one to rest on her laurels, Sue is already onto the next project, ‘Dust Nuggets’ which is also based in the Reading-Berks area. Sue Lange’s story underscores the amount of opportunity available in this area and the numbers of people using their talents to put Reading on the international filmmaking map! Can’t wait to see the release of ‘Dust Nuggets’!

    • 16 min
    What's the story? with Jo Painter | Meet Cindy Ross

    What's the story? with Jo Painter | Meet Cindy Ross

    Education isn’t just about a body of knowledge, its helping kids learn how to be kind, caring and good citizens. A tall order that can be accomplished by helping them develop a connection with the natural world. Cindy Ross is an Author, Journalist, Blogger, and World Traveller. She talks about her latest book ‘The World is Our Classroom.’ This book is the culmination of lessons learned in 25 years of raising and educating her children outside in the natural world. Cindy’s kids were homeschooled, attended public school and taught themselves!

    Senses are awakened, and creativity is stimulated when learning takes place beyond the classroom. Cindy watched her kids discover what is really important to be happy. Opportunity presents itself time and time again to differentiate between a ‘want’ and a ‘need.’ Her kids always wrote about all their adventures, and there are excerpts from their journals in the book. When reading the excerpts, it becomes very clear how their outdoor excursions helped them develop empathy, compassion and a true love of learning.

    Cindy helped her children cultivate their own learning, and in this book, there are a wealth of resources to help you make classroom lessons come alive for your children and grandchildren in the great outdoors. Learning like this can happen right in your own backyard and neighborhood. You can teach them through experiences how to disconnect from technology. You will provide opportunities to talk more and get to know each other better. When you share adventures outside a very special bond is formed that can’t happen sitting around watching tv together.

    Adrenaline rushes and taking risks are part of growing up. Mountain climbing, kayaking, and outdoor adventures are much better alternatives to reckless driving or doing drugs. Show your kids how to network with others, learn through experiences and take calculated risks. How do you start? Get the book ‘The World Is Our Classroom’! It’s a great inspiration and resource to help you connect to the natural world and bond with your kids and grandkids outdoors. Find out more at www.cindyrosstraveler.com.

    • 15 min
    ‘Ghost Train’ Bringing The Past To The Present As We Look Toward The Future

    ‘Ghost Train’ Bringing The Past To The Present As We Look Toward The Future

    A walk on the Highline in Chelsea District of New York prompted a discussion of its history and how the convergence of trains, people, cattle and goods in this area of New York shaped the neighborhood. The elevated line has been preserved and is now a beautiful linear park.

    This story with Jane Runyeon and Valerie Boom explores how the effort to reframe the space in order to preserve the history and impact of trains in America has evolved. The result of the evolution is the ‘Ghost Train’ project.

    Jane Runyeon, a lifelong artist and educator, is from Reading. Reading is home to the Reading Railroad, and it is only natural that Jane stepped up to be the executive director of this important artistic collaboration that brings the past to life in the present. Valeria is an architect and artist, and Lynn Redding is a lighting designer and artist. You will meet Lynn in part two of this story.

    Trains of the past come alive in the Ghost Train project in the most magical of ways. People’s lives centered around the railroad. The Ghost Train will enable us to imagine through art what life was like 100 years ago. An array of different mediums will be utilized to make the past come alive in the rail areas that are being preserved.

    Imagine what life was like 100 years ago, alive and bustling in the rail areas that are being preserved. Find out how you might look at some specific areas of Reading as the rail areas are being re-imagined and preserved through art. Trains of the past come alive in the Ghost Train project in the most magical of ways.

    • 12 min
    What's the story? with Jo Painter | Meet Anne Desjardins

    What's the story? with Jo Painter | Meet Anne Desjardins

    Anne Desjardins experienced crippling fatigue about 7 years ago and that was the start of a journey through a medical quagmire trying to find out what was wrong. A series of mis-diagnosis and lots of misunderstanding led to a great deal of frustration and no relief from symptoms. The journey was expensive and extremely frustrating yet the cause remained a mystery. Sound familiar? As it turns out Lyme Disease was the final destination on this medical search. With the proper diagnosis she has been able to get a handle on her health again and is determined to help others get off the medical mis-diagnosis train. Find out how to improve your quality of life. Senator White has a pending piece of legislation in Harrisburg right now to help untangle with medical web. In the meantime Anne has started a support called Berks County Lyme Support Group. It’s a way for you to connect with others dealing with similar issues, share successes and help each other on the way back to good health. Connecting People with information. The Facebook Page is Berks County Lyme Support Group.

    • 19 min
    What's the story? with Jo Painter | Meet Dr. Pam Ellenberger

    What's the story? with Jo Painter | Meet Dr. Pam Ellenberger

    Life sure is interesting! Dr. Pam Ellenberger spent her life as a successful plastic surgeon. Yet she closed her practice and embarked on a farming career. She jumped right in and today she operates Bent Limb Farm in Shoemakersville. Why such a drastic transition in her 50’s?

    Well Pam says she likes to knit and wool is itchy. Truth is she didn’t want to drift through her 50’s so Pam sought direction and guidance about her next life chapter with a life coach. That conversation gave her clarity and she knew she was ready for something different. This new incarnation for Dr Pam Ellenberger is another success.

    Check out www.bentlimbfarm.com Visit the farm and the shop. The beautifully crafted items don’t itch! They are incredibly soft! Dr Pam Ellenberger’s story is a salute to change, growth and new beginnings. After all, isn’t that what life is all about!

    • 12 min

Customer Reviews

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4 Ratings

Teach!This! ,

Very helpful

I listened to your story on lung transplant and as a candidate,myself,I appreciate your details on the experience and positivity you now exude.

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