World of Wishes

Our guest on the newest episode of World of Wishes is Michele King, Director of the Child Advocacy Program at Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida at Lee Health. Michele has spent her career supporting children and families through some of their most challenging moments, and she has also been one of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida's most passionate and dedicated advocates.

Michele shares a unique perspective from inside th...

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of World of Wishes, we are honored to welcome Raymond Rodriguez Torres, wish dad, cancer research leader, and Co-Founder and Chairman of Live Like Bella—one of the most impactful pediatric cancer support organizations in the world.

Raymond shares the story of his daughter Bella, a Make-A-Wish kid whose life was marked by extraordinary courage, faith, and joy in the face of overwhelmi...

In this heartfelt episode of World of Wishes, we are joined by Abby Lindenberg, a devoted wish mom whose daughter Layla’s journey is defined by resilience, hope, and a powerful transformation from uncertainty to light.

Layla was diagnosed with an ultra‑rare genetic condition called alpha‑mannosidosis, a disorder that affects muscle strength, balance, hearing, cognition, and overall development. For years, Abby and her family ...

In this deeply moving episode of World of Wishes, we are honored to welcome Bryan DeCobo, a Wish Dad whose journey with Make‑A‑Wish has been shaped by love, loss, resilience, and extraordinary courage.

Bryan shares the story of his two sons, Ethan and Liam, who were both diagnosed with a rare, life‑shortening condition known as Coats Plus Syndrome. He opens up about the unimaginable reality of parenting two medically fragile childr...

In this special episode of World of Wishes, we chat with Mikayla Beatty, a wish alum whose journey represents a historic milestone in Make A Wish history: Mikayla was the 150,000th wish ever granted by The Walt Disney Company.

Now a college sophomore studying theater, Mikayla reflects on her path from a creative, faith driven childhood to a life altering cancer diagnosis at just 13 years old. What began as a lingering cough quickly...

In this powerful episode of World of Wishes, we are joined by wish alum Aniyah Simmons - a vocalist, performer, and advocate whose story is filled with resilience, gratitude, and unforgettable music.

Aniyah grew up in a small town in North Carolina, discovering her love for singing in church and dreaming of a future on stage. As a teenager, her life changed when her mother noticed something wasn’t right and advocated for furt...

In this episode of World of Wishes, we are joined by Tara Diaz, a devoted wish mom whose daughter Christina—a true warrior—experienced the wish of a lifetime: attending one of the biggest events in sports entertainment - Wrestlemania.

From the very beginning of her life, Christina faced medical challenges that no child should have to endure. As an infant and young child, she experienced repeated hospitalizations befor...

In this special episode, we chat down with Linda Pauling - Make‑A‑Wish co‑founder and the mother of Chris Greicius, the 7‑year‑old whose wish to be a police officer helped inspire the founding of Make‑A‑Wish. Linda shares the story with vivid detail and deep heart: how Chris became Arizona’s first and only honorary Department of Public Safety officer, and how that wish brought him pride, joy, and a renewed spark at the most d...

For more than a decade, Jackie Parisi and her mother Mary Ann Platt have been turning hope into reality - one wish at a time. Together, they form a remarkable mother–daughter wish‑granting team whose shared passion has helped change the lives of more than 200 wish kids and their families across Southern Florida. In this episode of World of Wishes, they reflect on how volunteering with Make‑A‑Wish became a defining part of who...

In this special episode of World of Wishes, we sit down with Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of Make‑A‑Wish® Southern Florida, as he reflects on a 20‑year journey leading one of the organization’s most impactful chapters. Norm shares key moments from his tenure, the accomplishments that helped shape the chapter’s growth, and the values that have guided his leadership along the way—from expanding community par...

In this episode, Zoo Miami legend and Make‑A‑Wish champion Ron Magill joins us for an unforgettable conversation about animals, empathy, and the transformative power of a wish.

Ron reflects on his 45‑year journey from zookeeper to global ambassador for wildlife, sharing how early encounters with animals shaped his life—and how those same connections now help wish kids momentarily escape illness and rediscover joy. From feedin...

In this episode, John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Pulmonary Hypertension Coordinator Shelly Screen shares why she considers a wish as essential as any medical protocol. With over two decades of experience, Shelly has referred hundreds of children - and witnessed firsthand how a wish can reduce stress, improve compliance, and bring families back together.

Hear stories of remarkable wishes: a teen who met Lionel M...

In this heart lifting episode, wish alumnus PJ Ragin shares how his 2019 wish turned into a full day of Hollywood magic on the set of Black-ish. From a limo pickup and welcome swag to watching scenes with the directors, recording a one take opening monologue, and dancing onto the living room set, PJ’s story is brimming with joyful surprises—like Anthony Anderson personally making him a tuna sandwich and Tracee Ellis Ros...

In this episode of The World of Wishes Podcast we meet wish alumnus Lauren Potter. A top junior Olympian at 13, Lauren was a relentless competitor—until a rare, unnamed autoimmune disease left her gasping for breath. After months in Boston Children’s Hospital and six rounds of chemotherapy, she chose hope over fear. When her doctor recommended Make‑A‑Wish, Lauren celebrated her recovery with an active, adventurous wish...

In this episode of The World of Wishes Podcast, Julie Torsiello shares her family's inspiring journey through her daughter Gemma’s unexpected leukemia diagnosis just before her fifth birthday. Julie’s candid reflections offer listeners a glimpse into the emotional challenges and resilience that shaped their experience, painting a heartfelt portrait of Gemma—an energetic six-year-old with a deep love for animals wh...

In episode 45 of “World of Wishes”, we chat with wish alum Courtney Priede, whose journey from chronic illness to a life-changing adventure will leave you inspired. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at just 12 years old, Courtney endured years of hospital stays, surgeries, and emotional challenges during some of the most formative years of her life. But through it all, she held onto hope—and when her doctor referr...

In this inspiring episode of The World of Wishes, we sit down with Shareef Malnik - Board Chair Emeritus, Chairman of the Capital and Endowment Campaign, and the 20-year Chair of the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. Shareef opens up about his deep-rooted connection to Make-A-Wish, describing the mission as part of his DNA. From leading one of the most iconic philanthropic events in South Florida to spearheading transformati...

In episode 42 of “World of Wishes”, we visit with Alex de Armas, longtime morning anchor on WSVN Channel 7 in Miami and a passionate Make-A-Wish Southern Florida ambassador, volunteer wish granter, and event host. Born and raised in Miami, Alex shares her deep connection to the community she serves both on and off the air.

For Alex, giving back isn’t just a responsibility—it’s a calling. “When yo...

When Quinton, an energetic young boy, was diagnosed with leukemia, his world changed—but his spirit never dimmed. In this moving episode of World of Wishes, we hear from Quinton’s mom, Lorna Swett, to hear how a single wish brought a spark of joy, adventure, and healing to their lives. Quinton’s dream was to meet the Bucket List Family—famous travel journalists based in Maui—and what followed was nothi...