World of Wishes
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida invites you into our “World of Wishes”. This podcast will give you an insider’s perspective on how wishes are granted and those that play a significant role in granting them. Serving children and families in 22 counties in Southeast and Southwest Florida, the Tampa Bay and Suncoast regions and the U.S. Virgin Islands, it is our mission to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. To learn more about how you can help make wishes come true, visit us on the web at sfla.wish.org. You can also connect with us @makeawishsfla on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Episodes
On this special episode of World of Wishes we meet with Michelle Langlois. When Michelle's son Noah, who has spent his entire life in a hospital, wished for a backyard playset, it was more than a request — it was a path to freedom.
Michelle opens up about the impact of Noah’s wish: a playset tailored to his needs, providing therapeutic movement, age-appropriate fun, and a much-needed escape from hospital walls. She reflects on how ...
Join us as we dive into Delaney Eaves’ unforgettable journey from Chi Omega sorority member to swashbuckling wish granter with Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.
When Mason, a young boy from Minnesota, wished to be a pirate, Delaney stepped in to bring the high-seas fantasy to life. At Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys, Mason explored a pirate ship, dueled with swords, found buried treasure, crafted pirate hats, and spied on the horiz...
Join us for this episode of World of Wishes, where we meet with Andy Cunningham, wish dad and member of the Tampa Bay Advisory Board.
Andy's daughter Kennedy had a dream come true when she met Joanna Gaines on the set of Magnolia Table. While battling leukemia, Kennedy’s wish brought back the joy, love, and energy that cancer and treatment had taken away. Andy shares the profound impact of Kennedy’s experience, the kindness of Joan...
In the 36th episode of World of Wishes, we sit down with Elyse Miller, a rockstar volunteer of over 30 years!
From meeting celebrities to traveling the world, Elyse has helped make dreams come true by granting over 400 unique wishes in the Tampa Bay area. As a dedicated volunteer, she has spent countless hours working closely with wish kids and their families, listening to their stories, understanding their hopes, and turning their ...
In our 35th episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Sara Faella, a devoted Wish Mom, about her daughter’s inspiring journey to receiving a Disney Cruise wish after facing a challenging diagnosis. Sara opened up about the emotional highs and lows of their experience, the impact of the wish on their family, and how Make-A-Wish provides a beacon of hope for families navigating difficult medical journeys. She shared heartfelt mo...
In our 34th episode, we spoke with Chuck Stauffer, a Wish Dad and Chair of the Southwest Florida Advisory Board.
Chuck shared how his son's Make-A-Wish experience has had a lasting impact on his family and holds a special place in his heart. Chuck also talks about the importance of a wish and how donors and sponsors help create the magic of wishes.
Learn more about how YOU can make an impact at https://wish.org/sfla!
Be sure to follow...
In our 33rd episode, we welcomed Sherri Gutierrez, a dedicated volunteer and leader who served as Chair of Walk For Wishes Broward and a board member for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida since 2015.
Sherri shared how she brought joy and hope to countless lives as a wish granter, fundraiser, and the lead architect of the Finker-Frenkel Wish House in Miami. She reflected on her journey, what motivated her, and how rewarding it was to make...
Join us for Episode 32 of World of Wishes, where we hear the heartwarming story of Wish Mom Becky Kight and her son Pierce, whose dream of becoming a candymaker brought sweetness to a challenging journey. Becky shares how Pierce’s wish arrived just when they needed it most, bringing joy and resilience to their family during a critical phase of his treatment.
Learn more about how YOU can become a wish granter and make wishes come tru...
"After so long in the hospital, it's really nice to let go and let yourself feel pampered and feel special." - Maia Diaz
In Episode 31 of World of Wishes, host Richard Kelly sat down with Wish Alumnus Maia Diaz, who reflected on her 2014 wish to go on a Mediterranean cruise.
Maia opened up about her journey living with a chronic illness, how her wish inspired her career, and her passion to help bring more wishes to life for others.
"For me, in my heart, I truly believe there is no cancer-free if there is no Make-A-Wish." - Marina Diez
In our 30th episode of World Of Wishes, we celebrate the start of Wimbledon with a special guest, Wish Alumnus Marina Diez, who wished to go to Wimbledon back in 2008.
As a rising tennis star on her journey to becoming a world champion, Marina opens up about her second chance at life, her newfound purpose, and how her wish gave he...
"I look back and I see a kid really stoked about some science...and I'm still that kid." - Juliana Bach
In episode 29 of World of Wishes, Wish Alum Juliana Bach, who wished to be a scientist back in 2007, talked about her life-long love of science. Her wish led her to visit MIT, sparking a passion that has stayed with her ever since. Today, she is pursuing her bachelor's degree in science, continuing to follow her dream.
"It's amazing to be able to impact other people's lives that haven't been through what I've been through." - Grace Lightbody
In episode 28 of World of Wishes, Wish Alum Grace Lightbody, who wished to go to Hawaii back in 2013, talked about how her wish saved her life. She is a fixture at Make-A-Wish events here in South Florida and is currently in her "giving era."
To make a donation that impacts a child's life like Grace, click here...
In Episode 27 of World of Wishes - Wish Dad Adam Peacock, whose daughter Kinsley wished to go on a Disney cruise in 2020, talks about how she spent her 6th birthday in style with Mickey, Minnie and their friends.
Adam speaks about Kinsley's brave battle with retinoblastoma, the impact of the wish experience, how their charity - Kinsley's Cookie Cart - was born, and the impact they're making on child warriors battling cancer.
Learn mo...
"Being able to watch a basketball game that close will forever be one of the coolest things in my life." - Tyler Gutzmer
In episode 26 of World of Wishes, Wish Alum Tyler Gutzmer, who wished to be a Miami HEAT Broadcaster back in 2012, talked about how his real-life heroes treated him like family. Tyler spoke about how his wish still resonates with him today - more than 11 years later!
In Episode 25 of World Of Wishes, Make-A-Wish Board of Directors - Gal Bensaadon and Brian Exelbert - discuss founding Wings For Wishes - a chicken wing competition and premiere block party in its' 10th year.
They also talk about what's in store for this years' event and how they've turned their passion into granting hundreds of wishes for children throughout their communities.
It's been 1 Year of World of Wishes!
In Episode 24 of World Of Wishes, we’re calling back to our first episode and sitting down with our chapter’s President & CEO, Norm Wedderburn. He discussed the state of our chapter - Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, running a non-profit in today's world, the opening of the Finker-Frenkel Wish House in Miami (coming soon!), and much more.
Thank you for supporting this podcast by listen...
In Episode 23 of World of Wishes, Wish Granter and Volunteer - Shelby Ruebens, talks about her decade-long tenure of volunteering for Make-A-Wish where she has granted over 125 wishes! Listen now to hear stories on her favorite wishes and her perspective on how wishes are so powerful and long-lasting for the children that receive them.
Learn about how YOU can make wishes come true like Shelby at https://wish.org/sfla!
Be sure to fol...
"I was blown away by the entire experience." - Tajhira Omphroy
In episode 22 of World of Wishes, Wish Alum Tajhira Omphroy, who wished to meet Miami Dolphins legendary quarter-back Dan Marino in 1994, spoke about how her wish helped get her through some dark days following her transplant.
Tajhira's entire family joined her for her wish and she explains how that enhanced the entire experience for her.
"It [my wish] was a push in life that I needed, being so sad and depressed of being so sick, to tell me - I have a purpose in life, I'm meant to do this just like he is, and I'm going to do it because I have somebody behind me in my corner telling me 'you got this!' and 'you're gonna make it happen.'"
In episode 21 of World of Wishes, Wish Alum Jill Sharkey - who wished to meet celebrity make-up artist Gregory Arlt, spoke about goin...
In Episode 20 of World of Wishes - Wish Dad, volunteer, and Wish Granter - Joel Nagelbush, whose son Justin wished to meet Spiderman at Disney World many years ago, talked about how the wish created a spark to do more.
In the year since - Joel has helped grant dozens of wishes that created memories for wish kids and their families that they'll remember forever!
Learn more about how YOU can become a wish granter and make wishes come t...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com