An Intention to Heal - Alison Bonds Shapiro
October 8, 2011
Hosted by Marianna Cacciatore
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Episode Description
Join Marianna Cacciatore as she interviews inspiring author Alison Bonds Shapiro. At age 55, Alison suffered two devastating brain stem strokes. Profoundly disabled, she believed she was without a productive future. Today, Alison is no longer disabled. She is an accomplished speaker, author, artist, and business consultant. “But most of all,” she says, “I love supporting survivors and their families.” During her remarkable recovery, Alison discovered that it’s not what happens to us that makes the difference. It’s how we deal with the challenges of our lives that can change everything. And she learned about the brain’s astonishing ability to remake itself in the aftermath of great damage. In her book Healing Into Possibility: the Transformational Lessons of a Stroke, Alison’s story attests that “through the power of intention, attention and awareness we can actively promote our own healing and develop the creativity needed to shape a new life.”
Bread for the Journey Radio
Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Variety Channel
Today’s news is filled with stories that break our hearts. On Bread for the Journey Radio, you’ll hear stories that help mend it back together. Join Marianna Cacciatore as she interviews ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things, often small and always meaningful, to make our world a better place. Some, like Marianna, have suffered a tragedy, and, as a result, have created something beautiful to bring others healing. Others are helping women in crisis, making life better for children living in poverty, greening their neighborhood, or any number of creative things that make their community more beautiful, healthy, and connected. These women, men and young people inspire us to think about our own lives, and what we can do to make a difference in the world. Their stories become Bread for our Journey, inspiration and nourishment for a life well lived.
Marianna Cacciatore
Most would agree Marianna Cacciatore’s life has been one well-lived. Through her work over 25 years with people who are working to bring about a better world, she has a unique vantage point from which to tell the stories we don’t generally hear in the media today. Marianna possesses the rare gift of presence, a deep listening which evokes in people the desire to tell their story.
Having suffered a childhood tragedy that spiraled downward into her teens and young adult years, she eventually turned things around and created a grief center that has brought healing to thousands of people. She recounts the full story in her book, Being There for Someone in Grief. Today, she serves as a Lifetime Emeritus Board Member of Tu Nidito in Tucson, Arizona, the parent agency for the organization she founded in 1988 called Children to Children, a Center for Children and Families in Grief.
Everyday Marianna meets ordinary people doing extraordinary things through her work as Executive Director of Bread for the Journey, a philanthropic organization with 20 locations nationally. Each volunteer-run chapter practices neighborhood philanthropy in their respective communities, helping everyday people bring their community-minded ideas to life. The Bread for the Journey vision is to nurture the seed of generosity in every human heart and Marianna’s life is a living expression of just that. Join her as she ignites the heart of generosity in you.
