When we first meet a person, or even after we have become familiar with them as they currently “are”, we usually have no idea what came before. How did they get to where they aretoday? What other experiences played a role in their current selves? That’s what is so fun for me in doing these podcasts; hearing the life experiences that build the people around us.

Today’s guest is a good example of this. Everyone in Princeton certainly knows who Michelle Pirone Lambros “is”;she’s one of our Council Members. We know what she strives for: strong businesses, better transit and accessibility,creating a more livable community, and on and on. And we see her at countless events, supporting local organizations. But that is her public persona. I was delighted to learn about the historic Michelle, and an impressive history it is!

From her Italian roots, growing up in Princeton, to building political connections and businesses in California and Florida, and creating unbelievable entrepreneurial endeavors (food festivals anyone?) in Mexico and Kuwait; her story is one of energy, ideas and purpose! Very inspiring!

I am so glad Michelle went full circle, ending up back here in Princeton, and using that “Type A” energy to tirelessly serve our community!

Please join us in our conversation!

I am very excited to share my latest conversation with all of you! Today’s guest is Marc Uys, Executive Director of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra. To be honest, I am a music appreciator, but one with zero musical talent myself. So, talking with Marc was a bit intimidating!

But we had a wonderful conversation, and I could have talked with him for hours! (I think perhaps I did…) I learned of Marc’s origins in South Africa and his passion for the violin from the age of three! My listeners will learn, as I did, of Marc’s fascinating and “dogged” (you’ll get the reference when you listen) musical path through university. Marc tells us of the importance of his time with the South African Youth Orchestra, and later his formation of the Sontonga Quartet. You need to check out some of their recordings at Soundcloud.com. Beautiful! (Google it)

Marc shares how he ultimately ended up in the States, not only performing as a violinist, but as a sought after “harp hauler”! Through joining Symphony in C, a high caliber training orchestra in Philadelphia, Marc met Rossen Milanov, PSO's Music Director, which is how he ended up at the Princeton Symphony Orchestra. We are so glad he did!

Of course, you’ll have to listen to hear the rest of the story...so please join us in our conversation!

To find out more about the Princeton Symphony Orchestra and its programs, go to www.princetonsymphony.org.

Along with listening to the Sontonga Quartet as mentioned above, I also recommend you look for Buskaid. This is a music school dedicated to teaching less privileged musicians in South Africa. During COVID, Marc and the PSO introduced the Princeton community to this wonderful organization through a series of remote concerts. Brilliant! You can find information at www.buskaid.org.za. You can find performances on YouTube.

Once again, my connections have come through with a wonderful guest! A previous guest, Carol Golden, and friend Shelly Yedlin, both had a role in my meeting up with Liz Lempert. Of course, I already knew a bit about Liz because she had been the mayor of Princeton a few years back.

I discovered that, of course, there is so much more to Liz’s story than her stint (albeit great for Princeton!) as Mayor. Liz shares with us her path from California, including Stanford, Oxford, the New York Times DC bureau, Cyc (early AI), NPR’s “Living on Earth”, Princeton Township Committee, Camp Obama and of course, her tenure as Mayor of Princeton Municipality. We learn of her care for the wellbeing of all, with a particular focus on affordable housing. Of course, the story doesn’t stop there and ultimately our paths crossed. (Thank goodness!)

Liz says she’s been so fortunate over the years as each step of her journey seemed to lead to something amazing. I imagine she has lots of bruises because she often said she needed to “pinch herself” to make sure she wasn’t dreaming!

But you’ll have to listen to hear the rest of the story...so please join us in our conversation!