Bulldog Mom ~ A Memoir by Julie A. Story

 The first time I interviewed Julie Story was on March 11, 2009. Julie shared her story about a mother surviving the worry, the fear and trying to cope with the day to day struggles of having her son, her only child, at war.

Julies son, Casey, served in the United States Marine Corp from 2000-2003. Casey was in Iraq from day one of Operation Iraqi Freedom paving the way to Baghdad; Casey served two tours in Iraq.

Julie and Casey agreed to come on-air and talk about their thoughts, emotions, experiences and events that transpired during 2003. At the time, I didn't realize that Julie and Casey had never sat down face-to-face and discussed what we were going to be talking about live on-air. Needless to say, it was an emotional 60 minutes.

Julie and Casey provided us an opportunity to 'walk in their shoes'. What I admire the most about Julie and her story is that there's no agenda, it's purely a mother's story.  A mother trying to cope with her son at war.

Bulldog Mom - Remembering My Son's Journey from Marine Boot Camp Through the Iraq War is not only Julie's memoir, but a source of healing for Julie and her family.  Bulldog Mom is also meant to provide support to other parents with a son or daughter serving in the military. You can find Bulldog Mom at lulu.com.

100% of all proceeds from book sales go to Caring For Troops.


Listen to my interview with Julie HERE.

November 6th, 2012 - Who's it gonna be?

 

 

In less than 12 hours all the political 'sludge' will have subsided! 

Thank Gawd!! 

I swear, these campaigns are like the worst of the worst 'reality' shows...staged, manipulated, scripted, vulgar, degrading, brutal, offensive and repulsive. 

Basketball Wives ain't got nothing on these politicians! HA! ;)

All kidding aside. 

 Be heard!  Get OUT and VOTE!

 

 

Be Inspired.

We are capable of being the change we want to see in the world.

Should you have any doubts about your impact on the world around you, you MUST watch this...  Meeder's Mosaic 

 
Elizabeth Tennant, senior at the Art Institute of Portland, created this as her senior thesis.  'Meeder's Mosaic' is one of the 'student short' feature films premiering at the 2012 BendFilm Festival. 

One of Tennant's main goals in making this documentary was to "capture her (Meeder) and her story in such a way that would move and touch the hearts of viewers long after watching the film".  

www.bendfilm.org

www.crystalpeaksyouthranch.org

   

Shannon Bex - Reuniting with her true love!

Shannon stopped by Open Air and we had a chance to catch up with this powerhouse performer!

Listen here!

For those of you that need a little 'Shannon Bex' refresher...

* Born, raised and resides in Bend, Oregon
* Formerly of the multi-platinum selling group, ‘Danity Kane’
* Former Portland Trail Blazer dancer
* First runner-up on the NBC reality show “Fame”

Shannon Bex has spent the past two years working on her solo project reuniting her with her true love, her true passion of country music.

Shannon’s sound has been described as ‘rhythmic country’; a modern mix of R&B with the depth of southern soul.  Soon to be featured on national stages coast to coast, Shannon’s fans have remained fiercely loyal, loving her unique soulful-country sound.

At this writing, Shannon is currently in Nashville recording her EP! 

Get ready world, Shannon Bex is BACK!

Kelli Calabrese - "Personal Trainer of the Year"

You've seen her CBS, NBC, Fox and other media outlets. She is an author, international speaker, consultant and coach specializing in women's wellness, fitness boot camps, longevity and life management.

So...how does this international fitness, nutrition and lifestyle specialist, twice named "Personal Trainer of the Year', with over 25 years in the business feel about the growing rate of obesity in the U.S.? 

Find out HERE

FOLLOW ME!

Twitter: twitter.com/Newton_Dawn

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/OpenAirwithDawnNewton

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/DawnNewton0318

Keenan Cahill - YouTube Lip Synching Sensation

When I first viewed Keenan Cahill's 'lip synching' videos I was little puzzled as to what exactly had earned Keenan the title 'YouTube Lip Synching Sensation'. I mean...he's not particularly good at it. Yet, some of the biggest names in Hollywood have sought out collaborating with Keenan appearing with him in his self-produced videos catapulting Keenan into international superstardom. After watching a few of Keenan's videos I began to notice something different about Keenan but couldn't quite identify the 'difference'. Then I came across a video that told Keenan's story. Keenan has overcome incredible adversity, suffering from a rare genetic disorder called Mucopolysaccaridosis (MPS-6) since birth. He's had over 10 surgeries and more may follow. Keenan endures weekly enzyme transfusions to slow the progression of the disease. Keenan is a boy how has spent the better part of his childhood shuttling between hospitals and suddenly now has no limits on who he could become and what he can achieve. I understood now how Keenan Cahill has earned the title "YouTube Lip Synching Sensation". His is an inspiring and uplifting story. Keenan has touched the hearts of millions, mine included. A few days prior to our interview, Keenan celebrated his 17th birthday, guests at his birthday party included Jason Derulo and Jordan Sparks. I'm so jealous!

Listen to my interview with Keenan Cahill HERE

Sasha Gradiva - International Pop Star

Artist, songwriter and actress, this Russion-born power house has made her way Stateside!  MTV Russia includes her in the 'Best Top 10 Artists on the Rise'. She's graced the covers and pages of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Maxim and OK.  She is a frequent guest on TV shows and award ceremonies.

You may remember seeing her at the 2012 Grammys...

'Wanted', her latest single, can be heard at
 www.SashaGradiva.com

Watch for tour dates later this summer!

I recently met Sasha, listen to our interview here.

Go The F**K To Sleep

Not gonna lie...I LOVE this book!

If you've ever struggled getting your little one to sleep...this is a must read! 

I had the pleasure of talking with author, Adam Mansbauch, about his #1 New York Times bestseller. Listen here...

1961 Freedom Riders

For many of you, this may be the first time you're even reading about the Freedom Rides.  I, myself, first became aware of the Freedom Rides just weeks prior to my interview with Freedom Riders, Carol Ruth Silver and Claude Albert Liggins on January 22nd, 2012.

        In the spring and summer of 1961, more than 400 people came together to travel into the Deep South, defying Jim Crow laws and putting their welfare-even their lives-on the line in support of racial justice.  Carol Ruth Silver and Claude Albert Liggins were among those who stepped forward to join the Freedom Riders.  Theirs is a story of sacrifice, terror and -ultimately- triumph. 

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/freedomriders/

Hear their story... 1961 Freedom Riders - Carol Ruth Silver & Claude Albert Liggins

The Help - Kathryn Stockett & Myrlie Evers-Williams

I first met Myrlie Evers-Williams on May 14th, 1999. (see my 12/5/11 post)

Ten (10) years later, on November 7th, 2009 at the Nature of Words Author Dinner held at the High Desert Museum, where Myrlie was the guest speaker, we would meet again.

It was at this event that I invited Myrlie to be my guest on my talk show, Open Air.  She graciously accepted my offer.  This was a dream come true for me! Not only was I going to be interviewing the most courageous woman I know, but I was also going to be able to express to her how, 10 yrs prior, she had touched my life.

During our many phone conversations leading up to our interview, Myrlie asked if I had read the book "The Help". Myrlie stated that she would love to talk with the author, Kathryn Stockett. She said she would love to 'get in her mind'. The reference to the brutal murder of Myrlie's husband, Medgar Evers, was very accurate and Myrlie was very impressed and honored.

Well...that was all I needed to hear.  Myrlie wanted to talk with Kathryn Stockett and I was going to make it happen.  And I did.

Initially, I emailed Ms. Stockett's publicist telling her of Myrlie's praise for The Help and asked if Ms. Stockett would be available to join us for an interview.  I made the mistake of assuming that the publicist would inform Ms. Stockett that Myrlie Evers-Williams had read her book and would like to talk with her.  Wrong.

A rep for the publicist emailed the following response...

 Dear Dawn,
Thank you so much for requesting an interview with Kathryn Stockett for Open Air.  It sounds like  

a wonderful opportunity.  Unfortunately, Ms. Stockett is at work on her second novel and we are

not setting up interviews for her at this time.  Thank you again for sending along the request and if  

anything changes, I'll be sure to let you know!

I was NOT happy with that response and I was NOT goin to go away quietly! So..I did what I do best.I did my research, utilized my resources and I called Kathryn Stockett at her home in Atlanta, Georgia.

When Ms.Stockett answered the phone I introduced myself and explained the reason for my call. Ms.Stockett was almost speechless when I told her that Myrlie Evers-Williams had read her book, loved it and would like to meet her (via the phone). Ms.Stockett said she would love to do the interview and for me to call her publicist the next day and have them work with me on the dates for the interview.

On April 7th, 2010, Kathryn Stockett, Author of The Help and Myrlie Evers-Williams met for the first time on my show, Open Air w/ Dawn Newton. 


 Listen to Kathryn Stockett and Myrlie Evers-Williams here...

Ed Asner

I had the pleasure and opportunity to interview and meet Mr. Asner in October, 2009, as he was appearing in the one-man show, FDR at our own Tower Theater in downtown Bend.

I remember his assistant requesting that I keep the interview to 15min max, however, if Mr. Asner likes you he'll keep talking. Ed liked me, our interview lasted 27:19min. Oh...and he said I was very thorough. ;)

 This is one of my favorite interviews.


Listen to Ed Asner here...

OPRAH! Your OWN Show!

Oprah's Search For The Next TV Star - Your OWN Show
I was 1 of  more than 15,000 people who auditioned for my OWN show.

I wasn't selected. Was I disappointed. Sure.
Was I disappointed that the perception of what I thought OWN was searching for (..an unknown) wasn't what was selected? Absolutely.

Did I mention that Mark Burnett, reality producer extraordinaire (Survivor, The Voice, Shark Tank), was working with Ms. Winfrey on this and several other OWN shows???  I didn't realize at the time that I was actually auditioning for a reality TV show, nor was there any guarantee that the 'winner' would actually receive their 'OWN' show.

Ten (10) contestants were chosen from 'obscurity', to compete for the opportunity to host their OWN show.  Obscure? Hmmmm...  Maybe 4 of the 10 contestants could be considered 'obscure'.  One contestant was already a TV news reporter, the husband of another contestant is an actor who has appeared on the big screen along side the likes of Will Ferrell, Seth Rogen, and Sigourney Weaver, another contestant had previously been on the Martha Stewart show and another had already completed a pilot for her own show prior to learning of Oprah's OWN Show.

Regardless of the 'reality', or lack thereof, associated with the OWN Show experience, I am truly grateful that I chose to participate.  My video is an authentic and true representation of Dawn Newton. It's true, I would love to add video to the audio of what I do so that the listener/viewer can meet the incredible people I get to talk to each week. I love to have fun, to push those 'proverbial' human buttons, to challenge perceptions, to educate, to inspire and empower. Everyone has a story to tell, a celebration to share and wisdom from which we can all grow...and I feel darn lucky that I get to bring these people to the airwaves!

A big Thank You is owed to my friends, Shannon Bex, MTV's Making the Band, Danity Kane, and Kyle Will, Owner/Personal Trainer of WRP Training Studio who were willing participants as my 'guests' in the video.  Shannon is a frequent guest on my radio show, Open Air, and Kyle is a regular on Open Air with his health & fitness segments...so...what you see on the video is the 'reality' of what you hear on my weekly radio show, Open Air w/ Dawn Newton each Wednesday at 5:00pm on 88.9fm KPOV.

I'm so proud of the video and I'm so proud of me for filming, editing (2hrs of video down to 2.31min), producing and submitting the finished product. The support, encouragement and willingness of both Shannon and Kyle to participate in my OWN audition video was humbling.  Not only was I putting myself 'out there' for the world to see (dang scary!!!) but Shannon and Kyle were willing to put themselves 'out there' too...in support of me.

Wanna see my video?  Here it is... Dawn's OWN Audition Video

Dawn Newton: Shannon Bex - MTV's "Danity Kane"

Dawn Newton: Shannon Bex - MTV's "Danity Kane": Have you heard this girl sing? Have you seen this girl dance? UH-mazing!!! Don't believe me?? See for yourself at www.shannonbex.com . O...

Shannon Bex - MTV's "Danity Kane"

Have you heard this girl sing?  Have you seen this girl dance?

UH-mazing!!! Don't believe me?? See for yourself at www.shannonbex.com.  Oh...and while you're at check out those platinum-selling, chart topping albums of Danity Kane...Danity Kane and Welcome to the Dollhouse.

Shannon, along with the rest of the members of Danity Kane, auditioned for and were selected by Sean "Puffy" Combs (aka P. Diddy, Puff, Puffy).  Danity Kane was HUGE! These incredibly talented girls were the opening act on Christina Aguilera's Back To Basics Tour, they worked with Janet Jackson, presented at the MTV Music Awards and walked many a red carpet!  Much to their fans dismay, Danity Kane officially disbanded in January of 2009.

Since then Shannon has returned to her true passion of country southern soul with the roots of R&B by forming her own band, BEX.  She's a country powerhouse!  I can't wait for BEX to hit the airwaves!

Aside from Shannon's musical career,  I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for Shannon.  After all that she's experienced; the fame, the red carpets, the celebrities, the glitz, and the glamour, she has remained an incredibly grounded, humble, gracious, and giving young woman. She doesn't compromise her values or priorities. She's a role model for females of all ages.

Shannon has been on my show several times and we meet for coffee or lunch every so often and I always ask "Can we call Puff??" (aka P. Diddy, Puff, Diddy) ...and Shannon always smiles and says "No, Dawn, we're not calling Puff".
 *sigh* 
I'm not giving up tho...one of these days she'll give in...I just know it!!


www.shannonbex.com Check it out!



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Kyle Will Workout!! (be afraid...be very afraid!!)

While it may appear that the following is a shameless 'plug' for Kyle Will, Personal Trainer/Owner of WRP Training Studios...well...ok...maybe it is...it's really my way of thanking Kyle for sharing his time and knowledge with my listeners.  www.wrptrainingstudio.com

Kyle's knowledge, passion and commitment to 'life training' is unquestionable. Whether training his own clients, professional athletes, local high school athletes or coaching one of the high school track or cross country teams, Kyle has the unique ability to get these adults and students to reach peak performance.  A 'Kyle Will workout' packs a lot of punch around Bend!  One just has to say those 3 little words..."Kyle Will workout"...and we all know what that means. Someone just got one serious workout!  I, myself, have not succumbed...or sacrificed myself...to a 'Kyle Will workout' and I'm pretty sure I never will. Seriously. I'm not kidding. :|

What is a 'Kyle Will workout'? Just ask any of the local high school athletes and they can describe a 'Kyle Will workout' in great detail.  A 'Kyle Will workout' is the measurable for all other workouts.  Very few, if any, measure up.

I've known Kyle since around 2010 and we've been recording health and fitness segments ever since that time. You'd think we would have run out of topics in 2 years time.  Nope.  The topics are endless and so is Kyle's knowledge and experience!

Here are just a few of the MANY topics we discuss...

Getting Started * Gettin Past a Weight-Loss Plateau * Heat & Exercise * Calories: How to Know if You Go Too Low * Using Exercise to Beat Stress * Exercise and Physical Activity: What's the Difference * Cardio vs Weights * Red Carpet Ready * When Dieting Becomes Dangerous * Making Your Health a Priority * Kids & Exercise * Barefoot Running *

Also, Kyle is also the ONLY coach in Central Oregon with RCSS distinction! Recently awarded the RSCC Certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the NSCA affords coaches the most prestigious distinction in the field of strength and conditioning. Congrats Kyle!!!

Do you have a question for Kyle?  Email me at openair@kpov.org  and tune in each Wednesday and get inspired!