Fill To Capacity (Where Heart, Grit and Irreverent Humor Collide)

Fill To Capacity (Where Heart, Grit and Irreverent Humor Collide)

Podcast for people too stubborn to quit and too creative not to make a difference!Join visual artist Pat Benincasa in conversation with a riveting roster of guests to uncover extraordinary stories of everyday people. Listen as they share their quirky wisdom, unlikely adventures, and poignant life lessons! Fasten your emotional seatbelt for this journey of heart, humor and grit!

Episodes

May 11, 2024 34 mins

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In this episode, Joanne DiCamillo and Nikki Puzzo, founders of befree, an innovative adaptive clothing line designed for people with limited mobility share their unstoppable journey! Inspired by Nikki’s daughter Stella’s post-surgery needs, Joanne and Nikki transformed a simple idea, zipOns into a groundbreaking solution that offers comfort, ease, and dignity to those who need it most. But zipOns quickly caug...

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In this episode, Paul Gaines, talks of the wild beauty and daunting challenges of Alaska's mental health scene. In candid conversation, Paul recounts his work at the College of Visual Arts (St. Paul. MN) to becoming a Behavioral Health Director in Fairbanks. Alaska’s tough environment requires mental health professionals who can handle extreme seasons and the deep emotional impacts of isolation and traum...

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Orna O’Reilly, accomplished interior designer shares her journey from Ireland to thrilling days in South Africa, where she queued 5 hours to vote for Nelson Mandela to perilous times dodging danger in Mozambique. 
Once back in Ireland, she felt the irresistible pull to the place of her dreams: Italy. Her passion for Italian landscapes and culture reveals her decade-long affair with the heart of Europe and...

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“ Never seen but always heard!”  Jump headfirst into the high-stakes world of 911 dispatch with Marlis X with who navigates rapid-fire decisions and vital communications. Discover the daily work of emergency dispatch, where  multitasking and calm coexist.  Marlis talks about the mental gymnastics required to balance incoming calls, coordinate with first responders, and provide life-saving instructions, all wh...

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In this episode, Natalie Zett shares a riveting narrative where she goes from storyteller to conduit for the voices that time almost silenced. She scours ethnic and neighborhood newspapers, offering an intimate look into the lives of immigrant families. Her translations of  historical documents, reveal the rich, culturally diverse voices silenced by the Eastland Disaster and opens a window into 1915 Chicago.

N...

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February 23, 2024 43 mins

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El baile no es solo movimiento al ritmo de la música; es la celebración de Liz Pimentel-Gopal de la identidad cultural y la autoreinvención. Desde las vibrantes calles de México hasta el foco de la NBA, la historia de Liz es un vívido bis de la vida a más de 55 años. Este episodio rastrea su resiliente ritmo desde una recién encontrada identidad americana hasta romper estereotipos con el equipo de baile Hardw...

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February 20, 2024 43 mins

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Dance isn't just movement to music; it's Liz Pimentel-Gopal's celebration of cultural identity and self-reinvention. From Mexico's vibrant streets to the NBA's spotlight, Liz's story is a vivid encore of life at 55+. This episode traces her resilient beat from a newfound American identity to breaking stereotypes with the Golden State Warriors Hardwood Classics Dance Team. Liz sha...

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February 16, 2024 2 mins

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Objects that anchor us - do you have one? I’ve journeyed with an etched stone for 20+ years. It's been a silent guide through change, a puzzle in constancy, and a testament to life's irony.

Joan of Arc Scroll Medal
This brass alloy medal can be worn on a necklace, a keychain, dogtags, on a bag, or in your car.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may rec...

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Explore the wisdom, humor, and focus of strategic change-making with Shaun Floerke. As a judge, he shaped innovative specialty courts and programs fostering family unity within the legal system, but at the helm of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, he has shaped a proactive, compassionate outreach, highlighting the power of collective action and shared purpose.

Forget the status quo, for Shaun it&a...

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When Alice Grasset faced breast cancer at 40, her world was upended, leaving a corporate career to co-found the Yapura Wellness Center in North Carolina. This personal and professional collision led to the creation of 'Sparkles of Grace' – a holistic program guiding women through the emotional and physical labyrinth of cancer recovery emphasizing the power of yoga, meditation, and coaching in managi...

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In this episode, we set sail on a voyage into the heart of storytelling and sea-bound living with Liz Shipton, an indie author who has carved out a life that's as unconventional as it is inspiring. Living with her boyfriend Trevor, and their dog Aloy on their 43’ sailboat, Liz gives us a glimpse into the realities of her day-to-day life at sea and how it feeds into her creative work.

We explore her book s...

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Explore the power of creativity in self-discovery and healing with Kris Frykman, an acclaimed artist, educator, and art therapist. In this engaging podcast, Kris unveils how art therapy goes beyond aesthetics, becoming a vital tool for self-expression, healing, and coping with life's complexities. 
Discover her transformative work with the Suicide Survivors Club, where art therapy fosters hope, emoti...

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What if resilience and compassion were life tools forged  in a violent childhood where poverty, alcohol and illness were constants? Could they pave the way for an unshakable sibling bond that becomes a journey of purpose and connection? 

Listen as Mick Cochrane, acclaimed writer and professor answers this question in his captivating narrative of growing up alongside his remarkable, humorous, and creative siste...

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Get ready for this electrifying episode with Lori Grace Bailey, professional photographer, and storm chaser who not only survived being struck by lightning but has an incredible story to tell! 🌩️ 
In this eye-opening conversation, we delve into Lori's incredible journey, from chasing tornadoes and capturing lightning strikes to facing dramatic dust walls in the Southwest. Her passion is as fierce as...

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October 11, 2023 39 mins

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Join us on a journey of cultural exploration with Vesna Kittelson, a tri-located citizen of the world, gracefully navigating Croatia, Cambridge, and Minneapolis. Raised in Communist Yugoslavia, her compelling life story reflects the power of curiosity, offering unique perspectives on the world. Vesna’s artistic journey transcends not only borders but also linear time, weaving ancient Croatia, scholarly Cambri...

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Ready to ride the winds of innovation? Explore Windswept Kite Turbines, a game-changing technology led by visionary CEO Rod Read, located in the Shetland islands. Discover how these trailblazing kites are reshaping renewable energy by harnessing high altitude winds and their adaptability to various land or ocean locations. Rod shares insights on DIY kite turbine construction, safety, AI integration, and the p...

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Ready for takeoff? Join us as we soar into the captivating world of aviation with Mina Carlson. From high school dreams to becoming a certified private and commercial pilot, flight instructor, and serving in the Air Force Reserves as a flight engineer, Mina shares her remarkable journey while balancing multiple roles.

Explore the future of women in aviation, the pilot shortage and Mina’s vision for equality. D...

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September 9, 2023 37 mins

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Peter Hurley’s journey to Mangone is where roots meet route. It's a trip where genealogy and family research become a roadmap to understanding. He proves that when you dig deep into your family tree, you don't just find names and dates—you find destinations.

Peter sets off on a 28-day odyssey to Mangone, his mother's ancestral village in Southern Italy. Though his local guide bails, Pe...

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Step into the world of equine therapy, guided by the inspiring Lynn Moore, CEO of Acres for Life Therapy & Wellness Center. Listen to Lynn’s own transformative tale, one marked by mental health struggles and search for meaningful connection.

Take a virtual tour of Acres sprawling, verdant pastures where horses - each with a personality as diverse and layered as the humans they help- become mirrors to the s...

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Ever feel trapped in the same old routine, and everything becomes a chore? Discover the delicate balance between comfort and creativity and decipher what a rut really means.



Please Note: The views expressed by our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcaster.

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