THIS IS SOUTH WEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS COMING UP, PUTTING THE BEST FOOT FORWARD TO LEARN ABOUT THE LIFE WITHOUT SIGHT.

THE HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT GIVES USERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EMPATHIZE WITH THOSE LIVING WITH BLINDNESS, THE CURTAINS OPENING ONCE AGAIN AS LOCAL PERFORMANCE GROUPS PREPARE FOR THE START OF THE THEATER'S SEASON AND WE'LL HAVE A LOOK AT THE LIGHTER SIDE OF PODCASTING, A NEW PROGRAM THAT HIGHLIGHTS EVERYDAY PEOPLE OVERCOMING LIFE, CHANGING OBSTACLES.

HELLO, EVERYONE.

I'M MIKE WALCHER, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY IS WHITE CANE AWARENESS DAY WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THE STRUGGLES FOR THE NEARLY 6 AND A HALF MILLION AMERICANS LIVING WITH THE VISION IMPAIRMENT OR BLINDNESS AS PART OF THE OBSERVATION WG ISSUES YOU WANT TO PARK VISITED THE WHITE HOUSE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

SHE LEARNED HOW FUTURE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST ARE EXPANDING THEIR SKILL SETS TO SERVE POTENTIAL FUTURE CLIENTS.

>> A GROUP OF STUDENTS TOOK TURNS BEING BLIND.

HE STAGGERED AROUND THINGS USING A WHITE CANE TO ORIENT THEMSELVES >> WHEN THEY LEFT THEIR BLINDFOLDS.

THEIR UNEXPECTED LOCATION.

LET'S TO EVEN MORE LAUGHTER.

THIS IMMERSION EVENT INVOLVED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY STUDENTS FROM THE FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR EDWIN MYERS HAS BEEN BRINGING HIS STUDENTS TO THE LIGHTHOUSE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FOR OVER A DECADE.

MYERS SAYS SIMULATION IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF HIS TEACHING >> BECAUSE DOING?

>> IT IS MUCH MORE IMPACTFUL THAN READING.

>> I HEARD SO MANY TIMES LIKE I THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE EASIER AND IT'S NOT.

AND THAT WAS JUST 10 MINUTES UNDERLYING FULL.

SO TO REALIZE THAT WHEN THEY'RE WORKING WITH A CLIENT TAKES THEM TO BE ABLE TO BE AN EPIDEMIC TO BE PATIENT TO SLOW DOWN AS NECESSARY TO REALIZE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO INSTRUCT SOMEBODY MORE THAN ONE TIME.

THE SHOW THEM SOMETHING.

>> THESE FUTURE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS.

ALSO THE SENSE TO THE EXPERIENCES OF WHITE HOUSE STAFF WHO SHARED WITH THEM.

THE OF NAVIGATING LIFE WHILE VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

>> ON TO THE ATTACK, THAT'S ENOUGH TO LET YOU KNOW, AS I THE AND TAKE A A TO THAT OF THE SEASON.

MAY SOMETHING WENT WRONG.

THING TO AN.

>> UP NEXT WAS LUNCH.

AND THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE.

TO EAT WHILE BLINDFOLDED.

>> ITS GROWTH AROUND THE TABLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW THE FOODS MIGHT BE LAID OUT IN FRONT OF THEM.

KRISTEN KEARNEY DESCRIBES HER EXPERIENCE.

>> MY HAND IS A SAUCE.

MULTIPLE POINTS WAS EATING AND I ENDED UP WITH ABOUT 4 OR 5 PIECES OF PORK IN MY LAP ACROSS THE ENTIRE MEAL.

SO IT'S A CON.

>> THE BIGGEST COMPLICATION FOR CARNEY WAS HOW THE LACK OF SIGHT.

LET'S TO THE PROBLEM OF MISSING IMPORTANT SOCIAL CUES DURING CONVERSATIONS I FOUND IT EXTREMELY CHALLENGING THE SOCIAL ASPECTS.

>> OF EATING IN A RESTAURANT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T PICK UP ON THE VISUAL CUES OF WHO'S ABOUT TO TALK, HOW PEOPLE RESPONDED TO WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

AND THAT'S JUST NOT THE SOCIAL CUES.

IT'S MORE DIFFICULT TO PICK UP ON.

>> ACCORDING TO LAUREN COMBS, THIS EXPERIENCE WAS A HUGE SUCCESS.

>> THE THING THAT WAS GOOD ABOUT THE SITUATION WAS NOT THAT WE CAN LOOK AT SOMEBODY AND SAY I UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE EXPERIENCING MORE THAT WE CAN TAKE THE TOOLS THAT WE GOT TODAY AND FLY THEM THE PRACTICAL WAYS.

>> IN THESE WAYS.

>> FIELD ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE 4 WALLS OF A CLASSROOM.

>> INFUSE FUN IN THE LEARNING PROCESS FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AS THEY PREPARE TO SERVE FUTURE CLIENTS WHO FACE SPECIAL CHALLENGES JOINING ME AND THE STUDIO AS AMY PRICE.

>> SHE IS THE CEO OF LIGHTHOUSE, A SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

>> AND THAT'S BASED IN NORTH FORT MYERS.

IT'S A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SERVERS THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

>> WELCOMING ME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

SURE THAT THEY CAN.

>> PLEASE DESCRIBE FOR US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF YOUR ORGANIZATION.

ABSOLUTELY LIGHTHOUSE.

THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HAS BEEN PROVIDING VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FOR OVER 50 YEARS.

IT WAS ACTUALLY STARTED BY A BLIND WOMAN AND HER HUSBAND AND THEN EVOLVED INTO THE AGENCY THAT WE KNOW IT IS TODAY AND CREATING SKILLS TOWARDS INDEPENDENT.

OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WITH LOW VISION AND BLINDNESS TO REMAIN ACTIVE, INDEPENDENT AND PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

>> THAT'S WONDERFUL.

SO TELL ME A BIT ABOUT THE MEMBERS THAT YOU SERVE.

ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S WONDERFUL THAT WE SERVE MULTI GENERATIONS.

>> AND OUR YOUNGEST CLIENT IS 8 MONTHS OLD AND ARE MORE SEASONED IS OVER 100 YEARS OLD.

SO EVERYTHING FROM BABIES TO TEENS TO OLDER ADULTS EXPERIENCING LOW VISION AND BLINDNESS >> CAN YOU DESCRIBE FOR US SOME OF THE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE SMOOTHLY.

>> SOME OF OUR CLIENTS COME TO US BEING BORN BLIND AND OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING LOW VISION AND BLINDNESS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIVES, WHICH CAN BE A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE.

THAT'S WHY WE PROVIDE SUPPORT GROUPS.

WE HELP NEW PARENTS NAVIGATE A DIAGNOSIS OF LOW VISION OR BLINDNESS.

WE ALSO PROVIDE THINGS SUCH AS WHITE CANE AND TRAINING TO INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR SCHOOLS, HOMES AND PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT.

WE ALSO PROVIDE TECHNOLOGY IS JUST TECHNOLOGY.

THAT'S PART OF OUR EVERYDAY LIVES.

WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT.

AND WE TEACH THEM THE SKILLS THAT THEY NEED AS WELL AS INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, COOKING MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, MONEY MANAGEMENT, EVERYTHING WE DO AT LIGHTHOUSE IS TO EMPOWER THE INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE EMOTION, FINEST REMAIN INDEPENDENT THAT'S GREAT.

AMY.

>> YOU KNOW THAT OCTOBER 15TH, THIS WHITE CANE AWARENESS DAY.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT THAT IS?

AND THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ENDS OF THIS OBSERVANCE?

ABSOLUTELY.

IT MAKES CITING DAY.

>> IT'S ACTUALLY RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AS WHITE CANE AWARENESS.

STAN OCTOBER, 15TH, IT'S A DAY IN WHICH WE CELEBRATE WHAT THE WHITE CANE TRULY REPRESENTS, WHICH IS INDEPENDENT HOPE, INSPIRATION.

IT'S ALSO A DAY IN WHICH WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH LOW VISION AND BLINDNESS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIETY.

IT ALSO CREATES AWARENESS ABOUT SAFETY.

THE WHITE CANE LAW, WHICH IN ESSENCE STATE THAT INDIVIDUALS UTILIZING A WHITE CANE HAVE THE RIGHT AWAY.

SO IT'S A GREAT WAY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO HAVE LIKE AN AWARENESS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING WITH ME AND FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> AND FOR MORE ON THE EFFORTS TO SUPPORT ANYONE LIVING WITH BLINDNESS FOR VISION LOSS, YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE LIGHTHOUSE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WEBSITE.

VISIT WHITE HOUSE S W F L DOT ORG.

COMING UP, TAKE A TRIP BACK TO A CENTURY AGO FOR A PERFORMANCE THAT CAPTURES THE DANGERS LURKING FOR WOMEN TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING IN THE WELL, IT IS SUMMER HEAT AND HUMIDITY FINALLY ARE BEGINNING TO SETTLE DOWN JUST A BIT.

AND WITH THE RETURN OF AUTUMN COMES THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA THEATER SEASON, MANY COMPANIES TROOPS AND OUR CUSTOMERS ARE GEARING UP FOR AN ABUNDANCE OF AMAZING ARTISTIC PERFORMANCES RIGHT IN OUR BACKYARD.

AND THAT INCLUDES THE FOLKS AT THE CULTURAL PARK THEATER LOCATED IN CAPE CORAL.

NOW THEY KICKED OFF THEIR 26 27 CAMPAIGN WITH THE PERFORMANCE THAT WILL TAKE YOU BACK 100 YEARS OF IT IS A SOBERING, A STORY ABOUT AMERICAN INDUSTRY.

>> TOM HALL, A MAESTRO OF ALL THINGS.

ARTS JOINS US NOW IN THE STUDIO AND TIME.

YOU'RE TELLING US THERE.

>> WAS 18 SHOWS ON THE STAGE AT OUR REGIONAL SOUTHWEST FLORIDA THEATERS.

TELL US ABOUT RADIUM GIRLS THANKS, MIKE.

I'D LOVE TO.

>> SO RADIUM GIRLS IS ON STAGE SHOW THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT AT CULTURAL PARK THEATER.

IT'S BASED ON THE BEST-SELLING 2017 BOOK RADIUM GIRLS TO DARK STORY OF AMERICA SHINING WOMEN BY KATE.

MORE.

THE PLAY TAKES PLACE IN THE NEW JERSEY FACTOR IN THE 1920'S WERE WOMEN EMPLOYED BY THE U.S.

RADIUM CORPORATION PAINTED WATCHING CLOCK DIALS WITH RADIUM LACED GLOW IN THE DARK PAINT.

NO SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WERE TAKEN.

AND SAYS PRECISION WAS THE KEY.

THE GIRLS SOME AS YOUNG AS 13.

WE'RE TAUGHT TO CREATE A FINE POINT OF THE BRUSH.

WITH THEIR LIPS.

WITH EACH LICK, THE INGESTED RADIUM.

THEIR BOSSES SAID IT WOULD HURT THEM THEY TOLD THE GIRLS WHO WOULD EVEN MAKE THEM BEAUTIFUL.

THE RADIUM BECAME A TOY.

IT.

>> RADIO WILL MAKE YOUR LIVING ROOM AND THAT MEANT YOU COULD PAINT ISSUES AND GET PAID EYELASHES TO GET IN AND GET DRESSED TO GO TO THE BY.

YEAH.

>> WANT TO FLY TO LOVE THE WAY >> ZAHN'S IT SPREAD ITS LIKE THE KIND OF SCIENCE, RIGHT?

YEAH.

YOU WHAT THEY DO IS WE TAKE.

>> THEY SIMPLY PAY CREST IF IT IN THE PAINT THE MOVEMENT'S OURSELVES FROM DEBATING HOW TO AND YOU WANT TO GET A NICE.

>> GOOD POINT.

YEAH.

WHAT YOU'VE BEEN IN AN INSTANT WHEN A BUCKET LIST THEM AND THEN YOU IT ALREADY HAS IT THAT NOW.

SO YOU JUST GO.

OH, YEAH.

>> NICE THING.

CAREFUL.

YOU DON'T WANT TO MAKE ANY MISTAKES BECAUSE IF YOU DO, YOU DON'T GET PAIN ON THAT.

ONE.

AND YOU KNOW THAT, NO, WE DIDN'T KNOW.

THAT'S WHAT THE MOTION ON RENT.

>> THE COMPANY KNEW FOR YEARS WHAT THE RATING LACE PAINT WOULD DO TO THE GIRLS.

BUT THEY WERE MAKING A FORTUNE AND THE GIRLS WHO MOSTLY CAME FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

WELL, THEY WERE DISPOSABLE.

THERE WERE OTHER PLANTS AND THOUSANDS OF DOUBT PAINTERS BECAME DISFIGURED AND DIED FOR RADIUM POISONING.

THE PLAY TELLS THE STORY OF HALF A DOZEN OF THESE YOUNG WOMEN, INCLUDING GRACE FRYER AND KATHARINE SCHWAB, WHO SUED US RADIUM NOT JUST FOR COMPENSATION BUT THE WHOLE THE COMPANY'S OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE AND EXACT A SMALL MEASURE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE.

THIS PLACE POWERFUL, POIGNANT, WELL CONSTRUCTED AND WELL ACTED AND IT'S AN INDICTMENT.

A SENSATIONALISTIC JOURNALISM.

A PUBLIC THAT VALUES JOBS OVER SAFETY AND CORPORATIONS WHO HIDE BEHIND HIGH PRICED LAWYERS AND MISLEADING MARKETING AND PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS TO COVER A TO THEIR WORKERS AND THE PUBLIC.

THIS IS THE TYPE OF FEAR THAT WILL NOT JUST MAKE YOU THINK.

IT WILL LEAVE A NASTY, EMOTIONAL SCAR.

>> WOW.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS REALLY SOMETHING WE'RE SEEING.

>> IT REALLY IS.

AND THEY'RE REALLY A LOT OF MODERN-DAY ANALOG.

SO IT'S IT'S REALLY SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE AN YEAH.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, TOM, ALL FOR JOINING US.

>> AND WORK ON A MORE SHOWS ON THE DOCKET.

KEEP UP WITH ALL OF THE ART HAPPENINGS BY VISITING OUR WEB SITE WGCU DOT ORG.

AND AS WE CROSS OVER THE CAPE CORAL BRIDGE INTO FORT MYERS, ANOTHER PRODUCTION COMPANY IS KICKING OFF ITS NEW SEASON THIS WEEK SINCE MOVING INTO THE NEW LOCATION OFF MCGREGOR BOULEVARD THE PEOPLE OF PLAYERS CIRCLE THEATRE HAVE USED THEIR AND AMID LOCATION TO LAUNCH A VERY BIG PRODUCTIONS.

AND WGCUS JENNIFER CRAWFORD LEARNED ABOUT THERE UPCOMING SLATE FEATURING SHOWS THAT ACROSS A VARIETY OF GENRES.

>> WITH A PREVIEW OF THE 2026 2027 THEATER SEASON.

I'M NOW JOINED BY ROBERT CASTILLO PO AND TED MINDSET OF THE PLAYERS CIRCLE THEATER IN FORT MYERS.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU.

>> ON SEPT.

GREAT TO BE HERE.

JENNIFER.

>> AND THE THE SEASON KICKS OFF OCTOBER.

20TH.

>> SURE DOES LIGHT ON THE SCHEDULE.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, FIRST OF ALL, I COULDN'T BE MORE THRILLED ABOUT THIS 6 THIS SEASON.

THE 7 SHOWS ARE SO VARIED AND EXCITING, BUT WE'RE OPENING UP WITH A COMEDY CALLED THE NERD AND THEN OR DOES A BRILLIANT COMEDY.

THAT WAS FIRST IN LONDON WITH ROWAN BECAME THIS TO BE.

BUT HE WASN'T MISSED A BEAN AND TO LEAD IN THIS.

HE DID.

THIS PLAYS AN ACTOR AND HE WAS PLAYING A NERD AND WAS SO SUCCESSFUL.

IT WAS ALMOST THE START OF MISSED THE BEAN AND THEN WAS DONE ON BROADWAY.

AND I SAW THAT BROADWAY PRODUCTION AND IT'S JUST A BRILLIANT PLAY BY GOING IN LARRY SHUE AND LARRY SHUE WAS A COMIC BRILLIANT PLAYWRIGHT WHO DIED IN A PLANE CRASH WHEN HE WAS 39 YEARS OLD.

SO THE REAL BLOW TO THE THEATER.

BUT WE ARE IN REHEARSALS AND IS REALLY NICE ARCHITECT WHOSE LIFE WAS SAVED IN VIETNAM BY A GUY.

HE NEVER BET.

AND THE GUY APPEARS AND HE'S THE COMPLETE A NERD AND DESTROYS THIS GUY'S LIFE.

>> AND THAT OPENS OCTOBER 2 AND OCTOBER HAS REALLY GOOD SIGN BECAUSE WE'RE IN REHEARSALS FOR A WEEK AND A HALF AND WE ARE CRYING LAUGHING EVERY SINGLE.

>> YEAH, IT IS JUST TOO TOO FUNNY.

I MEAN, IT'S BUILT FOR ALL AUDIENCES AND I ACTUALLY GET TO PLAY THE NERD, WHICH IS GREAT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN PROMISING FOR 41 YEARS.

THAT'S ALL I GOT TO MAKE IT ON THE LINE.

YEAH, NO, IT'S IT'S IT'S JUST GREAT.

FINALLY GOT EVER LEFT AS MUCH AMERICA ALL.

IT'S REALLY CRY.

REALLY.

AND YET WHEN YOU READ IT, IT'S NOT, YOU >> THERE'S SO MUCH PHYSICAL BUSINESS.

BUT NOW THAT WE GOT THINGS UP AND TED IS JOINED BY 6 PROFESSIONAL ACTORS.

WE'VE FLU AND SOME OF FROM NEW YORK TO PLAY ONE OF THE ROLES AND SOUNDS LIES IN ITS GOING TO BE AMAZING.

AND YOU HAVE 6 OTHER SHOWS.

>> WE SURE DO ON THE FULL LIFE.

WONDERFUL LIFE DONE AS A RADIO PLAY.

YEAH.

SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY AROUND THE HOLIDAY SEASON, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE.

A RADIO PLAY.

IT'S DONE WITH LIVE FULLY SOUND EFFECTS.

JUST LIKE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BACK IN THE 1940'S.

AND OUR AUDIENCE IS ACTUALLY A PART OF THAT LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE TO NOT ONLY GET TO EXPERIENCE A HOLIDAY CLASSIC.

YOU GET TO ACTUALLY INTERACT AND BE A PART OF BURST OF.

>> IMMERSIVE TO SAY THE LEAST AWESOME.

AND THEN WHAT'S NEXT?

>> THEN WE'RE DOING A COMPANY CALLED SOCIAL SECURITY.

THIS WILL BE THE 4TH TIME GETTING.

SO ALL OF DIRECTING PLAYS COURT THOUGHT AT SOCIAL SECURITY IS WRITTEN BY THE GUY THAT WROTE BLAZING SADDLES AND THE IN-LAWS.

SO THAT IS RIGHT ON THE BATTERY CELLS.

YOU HOW ABSOLUTELY CRYING FUNNY IT IS.

I'M DIRECTING IT.

MY WIFE CARE.

ELON IS STARRING IN IT.

AND SO IS TED AND HIS WIFE.

WE HAVE AN ENSEMBLE COMPANY.

SO WE HAVE A A GROUP OF 6 OR 7 ACTORS THAT ARE IN A LOT OF OUR PLAYS.

AND WHAT'S FUN ABOUT THAT IS YOU SEE THEM DO A DRAMA AND THEN YOU SEE THEM DO A COMEDY.

THE NEWS, SEE THE DEW, A FARCE.

SO YOU GET A REAL APPRECIATION OF ACTING WHEN YOU WATCH AN ENSEMBLE COMPANY WHEN YOU HAVE A VERY INTIMATE THEATERS.

WELL, THAT'S RIGHT.

WE LIKE TO SAY THAT WE'RE BIG ENOUGH TO SERVE YOU SMALL ENOUGH TO KNOW YOU.

>> AND HAVING THAT ENSEMBLE OF ACTORS, WE ACTUALLY DO KNOW EVERY ONE OF OUR GUESTS IN THE AUDIENCE, EVERY ONE OF OUR PATRONS, THEY'RE LIKE FAMILY TO US.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE SAY.

WE SAY COME JOIN THE FAMILY, JOIN THE CIRCLE AND PART OF THAT INTIMACY IS WHAT MAKES THAT COME TO LIGHT.

>> WE'VE GOT A COUPLE MORE WE WANT TO TOUCH ON A FLORIDA ROUNDUP.

>> WELL, MARJORIE FOR ALL THE SHOWS THIS YEAR.

THAT'S THE ONE I'M MOST EXCITED.

MARJORIE PRIME IS A SHOW ABOUT AI.

IT'S ABOUT AN ELDERLY WOMAN AND SHE'S AT THE END, THE REAL LIFE AND A DAUGHTER AND SON LAURA TAKING CARE OF HER AND THEY HIRE THEY.

THEY CREATE AN AI ROBOT OF AI 2.

BE HUSBAND WHO DIED 30 YEARS EARLIER TO KEEP A COMPANY.

SO THEY FEED IN MEMORIES.

BUT IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLAY.

I CANT BELIEVE WE HAVE THE RIGHTS TO IT BECAUSE IT JUST CLOSED ON BROADWAY IN FEBRUARY WE APPLIED FOR THE RIGHTS AND I CAN'T BELIEVE NO OF THE THEATER GOT IT AS IT'S SEE IT IN THIS SUMMIT.

>> THE TIMING IS PERFECT.

YEAH, OH, IT COULDN'T BE MORE TIMELY AND IT'S INCREDIBLY INNOVATIVE.

AND AS YOU KNOW, WE ALWAYS PRODUCE A WIDE VARIETY OF ON THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM WILL BE DOING STEVE MARTIN'S BLUEGRASS MUSICAL BRIGHT STAR, WHICH IS REALLY I MEAN, LISTEN, WHO DOESN'T LOVE STEVE MARTIN, RIGHT?

BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT HE WAS A GREAT PLAY, RIGHT?

AND HE LOVES BLUEGRASS MUSIC.

I'M SURE YOU'VE SEEN HIM WITH THE BANJO.

WILL THIS PRODUCTION TAKES PLACE IN THE ROUND AGAIN, SLIGHTLY IMMERSIVE.

THAT WAS REALLY COOL AS WE HAVE ACTOR MUSICIANS INVOLVED AS WELL.

THE MUSIC IS JUST CERTAIN.

THE STORIES VERY TOUCHING, ITS TOLD ARE 2 DIFFERENT TIME PERIODS.

VERY UNIQUE.

BUT WHAT I LOVE ABOUT AS YOU LEAVE UPLIFTED, I MEAN, YOU CAN'T HELP BUT WANT TO RISE TO YOUR FEET AND CLAP ALONG TO THE MUSIC.

IT'S REALLY SPECIAL LOVE.

IT MAY NOT.

>> 2 OTHER.

AND THEN WE EXAMINE A GREAT REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT MAY BE ONE OF THE GREATEST DWIGHT D EISENHOWER.

AND THIS IS A PLAY THIS.

BUT VERA, ANOTHER HOT PLAY THAT'S JUST BEEN PERFORMED IN AMERICA OVER THE LAST.

YEAR.

AND WE ARE BRINGING THE SHOW WITH THE INCREDIBLE BROADWAY ACTOR DAVID SIGLER PLAYING DWIGHT D EISENHOWER.

>> AND ONE FINAL.

>> AND OF COURSE, HE WAS STILL DEAL, WHICH IS ONE THAT WE BOTH ABSOLUTELY OUR GRANNY.

I MEAN, IF YOU DON'T KNOW OF, BELIEVE ME, YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT.

PROBABLY WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT IT IS.

WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S IT'S A COMEDY ABOUT.

>> A COUPLE THERE AT THE END OF THEIR CAREER, HE'S RETIRED.

THEY MOVED TO NEW YORK FROM LONG ISLAND AND HE FINDS A STRAY MOTT IN CENTRAL PARK AND HE BRINGS THEM ON HOLD WHILE THE MUD RIDGLEY WAS PLAYED BY SARAH JESSICA PARKER FROM AND THE CITY LOVE FOR ED.

SO THIS IS LIKE JEALOUSY GOING ON BETWEEN THE WIFE, THE MOTT AND THE HUSBAND.

IT'S JUST AGAIN, A VERY, VERY FUNNY PLAY.

THE THEME OF THE SEASON IS LOT LAUGHED AND LEGACY.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE LEFT A WITH A NERD AND SOCIAL SECURITY.

AND STILL WE HAVE LEGACY WITH MARJORIE CRIME AND EISENHOWER AND AND WE HAVE A LOVE IN SO MANY OF THE PLAYERS LOVE OF A DOG, OF COURSE.

AND HOW CAN PEOPLE GET TICKETS AND FIND OUT MORE?

THEY GO TO A WEBSITE PLAYERS, CIRCLE THEATER T E R DOT COM AND YOU CAN BUY SINGLE TICKETS OR SUBSCRIBE TO THE SEASON.

>> WHAT AN EXCITING SEASON COMING UP.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> AFTER THE BREAK, FINDING THE LIGHT IN THE SUNSHINE STATE.

WE'RE GOING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT A NEW PODCAST.

THE CHINESE, A LIGHT ON THE UPLIFTING STORIES OF SOM PODCASTING IS PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE FOR MANY AMERICANS, ACCORDING TO FORBES, THE GLOBAL REVENUE FROM PODCASTING REACH 9.2 BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE PAST YEAR.

WELL, LAUNCHING A PODCAST, THOUGH, CAN BE PRETTY DAUNTING.

BUT WGCUS JENNIFER CRAWFORD LEARNED ABOUT A NEW PROGRAM THAT LOOKS TO SEPARATE ITSELF FROM THE CROWD BY FOCUSING ON POSITIVITY.

>> WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE WILL GET OUT OF THIS CONVERSATION TODAY IS I KNOW YOU'RE DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB AND YOU'RE REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT EDUCATING EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY WOMEN ABOUT CANCER.

WHAT DO PEOPLE GET OUT OF OUR CONVERSATION TODAY?

>> I THINK THAT IF THEY CAN REALLY WHETHER IT BE PHYSICAL HALLS ELEMENT THAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH OUR MENTAL HEALTH OR AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH A SITUATION WITH THEIR JOB OR WITH THEIR FAMILY, THAT THEY CAN SEE THAT PUTTING ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER AND MAKING SURE THAT YOU EDUCATE YOURSELF ON WHATEVER THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE THAT YOU'RE NAVIGATING AND YOU CAN MOVE FORWARD.

SANDRO VICTORY OVER JOINS US NOW IN THE WGCU STUDIOS.

>> AND WELCOME BACK, SANDRA.

I AM SO EXCITED, JENNIFER, TO BE HERE WITH NO LONGER HAVING YOU AND YOU HAVE BEEN SO BUSY SINCE YOU LEFT YOUR ROLE HERE IN THE SPRING.

YOU HAVE BEEN HOSTING FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS AND IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK.

BUT YOU'VE BEEN VERY BUSY AS WE JUST SAW IN YOUR SIZZLE REEL.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW PODCAST.

>> I AM SO EXCITED.

THESE ARE INSPIRATIONAL CONVERSATIONS.

>> WITH AMAZING PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN THROUGH SOME REALLY DIFFICULT STORMS IN LIFE.

AND THEY'VE REALLY TAKEN SOME INCREDIBLE LIFE LESSONS.

THEY'VE TRANSFORMED THEIR LIVES IN POSITIVE WAYS AFTER THOSE REALLY DARK STORMS.

AND SO WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS SOMETIMES WITH PUBLIC FIGURES, SOMETIMES WHAT PEOPLE YOU'LL MEET FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

BUT WE REALLY LEARN FROM THEIR JOURNEY BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS THAT.

YOU KNOW, LIFE CAN BE HARD.

SOMETIMES WE ARE ALL GONNA PASS THROUGH.

IT MAY BE A A LOSS, A DEATH OF A LOVED ONE.

IT MAY BE GETTING LAID OFF.

IT MAY BE A RELATIONSHIP THAT ENDED THAT WE DIDN'T EXPECT.

THESE ARE MOMENTS THAT YOU DON'T ANTICIPATE, BUT THEY HAPPEN TO YOU.

AND YOU KNOW, IN MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, IF I CAN, I MEAN, A SHARE MOMENT WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS BORN, I DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS GOING TO SURVIVE.

SHE WAS BORN VERY PREMATURE.

AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DOCTOR, SHE'S GOT A 50, 50 CHANCE OF SURVIVING.

I WAS IN THE NICU NEVER IMAGINED.

I'D BE IN A PLACE LIKE THAT.

AND I WAS TERRIFIED DAY AND NIGHT WHETHER SHE WAS GOING TO MAKE IT.

SHE WAS WAY LESS THAN A POUND AND A HALF.

THE ONE THING THAT I HUNG ONTO THAT GAVE ME HOPE.

I WAS SEEING THE PHOTOS OF ALL THE OTHER BABIES IN THE NICU THAT'S SURVIVED AND MADE IT.

AND I REALLY THINK THAT'S WHAT IS, YOU KNOW, SO LOVED ABOUT SOME PODCASTS OUT THERE.

IS THAT YOU'RE HEARING ANOTHER PERSON'S LIFE STORY THAT YOU CAN RELATE TO THAT CAN HELP YOU THAT CAN INSPIRE YOU.

AND THAT'S REALLY MY MOTIVATION IS TO GIVE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE SLICE OF SOMEBODY ELSE'S LIFE.

HE'S BEEN THROUGH A REALLY DARK STORM AND HOPE THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN REALLY RELATE TO THAT IN AND WE'LL GET A LIFE LESSON OUT OF IT BY LESS ABOUT THE CONTENT OF THE FIRST ONE.

SO THE FIRST ONE IS ABOUT A GORGEOUS MODEL.

JOCELYN BINDER WHO HONESTLY, I I IM IN AWE OF HER.

SHE FELT A LUMP IN COLLEGE WAS SAYS THAT SHE WAS BLOWN OFF.

SHE WENT SEVERAL TIMES FEELING LIKE SOMETHING WAS, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS SOMETHING NOT RIGHT FOR A LUMP IN HER.

AND IT WAS UNTIL SHE WAS 28 THAT THEY DISCOVERED THAT SHE HAD UNFORTUNATELY STAGE 3 CANCER VERY QUICKLY BECAME STAGE 4.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAS SPREAD TO OTHER PARTS OF HER.

SHE WAS TOLD, YOU KNOW, IT WAS, YOU KNOW, THE PROGNOSIS WAS 2 YEARS BECAUSE THE CANCER HAD METASTASIZED BUT IT'S 9 YEARS.

SHE IS MODELING.

SHE'S TRAVELING.

SHE IS LIVING HER BEST LIFE.

SHE'S SHARING HER JOURNEY PUBLICLY TO HELP OTHER WOMEN.

AND IT'S REALLY NOT JUST ABOUT CANCER, BUT ANYONE GOING THROUGH, YOU KNOW, SOME SORT OF PHYSICAL CHALLENGE OR MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGE AND SHE'S FOCUSED ON LIVING HER EVERY DAY AS BEAUTIFULLY AS SHE CAN.

AND SHE'S JUST SUCH AN INSPIRATION, INSPIRED AND TOUCHED MY HEART.

>> AND YOU'VE GOT 2 OTHER EPISODES.

I BELIEVE WE ARE ROLLING UP A SODA FOR.

WE HAVE 4.

>> WE'LL BE INTERVIEWING FLORIDA PANTHER STAR AARON EKBLAD WHO TALKS ABOUT HIS SUSPENSION IF FOR USING A BANNED SUBSTANCE FROM THE NHL FOR 13 GAMES.

HE TALKS ABOUT INJURIES.

BUT YOU KNOW HIS STORY SO INTERESTING MADE SOME MAJOR INJURIES, BUT HE TALKS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S THAT DOUBT OF WILL I BE WILL I BE PHYSICALLY ABLE TO DO THIS?

WILL I BE OK?

HE TALKS ABOUT, YOU KNOW WHAT HIS HIS ANKLE IS IS STIFFER THAN IT'S EVER BEEN.

BUT IT'S ACTUALLY STRONGER.

AND SO IT'S ABOUT TURNING THESE BIG LIFE CHALLENGES INTO SOMETHING POSITIVE IN OUR LIFE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE EPISODES.

WE ALSO TALK WITH A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS WRONGLY CONVICTED OF MURDER AND SPENT NEARLY 2 YEARS ON DEATH ROW.

AND HE TALKS ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE MAKING HIM A BETTER MAN THAN HE COULD HAVE EVER BEEN.

WITHOUT THAT EXPERIENCE.

SO THEY'RE REALLY REMARKABLE PEOPLE WITH SOME GREAT STORIES.

AND I I HOPE THEY REALLY BRING SUNSHINE TO EVERYONE WHO WATCHES AND LISTENS.

>> I LOVE IT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

I WOULD END OR TO SEEING YOU ALL OF THE ALL OF THE EPISODES.

IT'S WONDERFUL TO BE BACK.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> AND COMING UPON OUR NEXT BROADCAST, SOCIAL SECURITY ANNOUNCES THAT PEOPLE WILL BE RECEIVING ONE OF THE LARGEST COST OF LIVING INCREASES THIS DECADE.

BUT WILL THE BUMP IN BENEFITS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE FINANCIAL BURDENS FOR MANY STRUGGLING OLDER ADULTS?

WELL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND MAKE SURE YOU HAD THE WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.