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What if the words “life is long” meant something deeper?

In this powerful and important episode of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast, Jodi Hope Grinwald sits down with:

• Tom Peregrin, Founder of Life Is Long
• Liz Menges, Chief Operating Officer, Ocean Partnership for Children
• Jess Pepe, Development Coordinator, Ocean Partnership for Children

Together, they have an honest, courageous conversation about suicide prevention, mental health, warning signs, stigma, and why connection is one of the strongest protective factors we have.

Tom shares the heartbreaking story of losing his best friend to suicide and how that loss inspired him to create Life Is Long — a mission-driven apparel brand raising awareness and donating 17% of proceeds to youth mental health services in his friend’s honor.

Liz and Jess provide clinical insight into:
• Warning signs of suicide
• The danger of dismissing comments as “just for attention”
• Anxiety and depression as major risk factors
• The importance of monitoring social media
• Why talking about suicide does not cause suicide
• What actually happens when someone seeks help

One powerful statistic shared in this episode: Over 49,000 people in the U.S. died by suicide in 2023.
In Ocean County alone, over 350 youth currently being served have experienced suicidal ideation or risk.

This conversation is not meant to create fear. It is meant to create awareness.
And most importantly — connection.

If you are a parent, friend, teacher, coach, mentor, or someone quietly struggling — this episode is for you.

💛 If You or Someone You Know Needs Help

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

For immediate support in the United States:

📞 Call or Text 988
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7, free, confidential)

📱 Text HOME to 741741
Connect with a live crisis counselor via text.

For families in New Jersey seeking youth services:

📞 PerformCare: 1-877-652-7624
Access care management services in all NJ counties.

Ocean Partnership for Children serves Ocean County families directly.

Learn more about Life Is Long:
Instagram: @LifeIsLongSo

A Message from Jodi

Connection is not a throwaway word.
It is a lifeline.

You never know who needs the phone call, the text message, the conversation, or the safe space.

Today is the day to reach out.

⚠️ Content Note

This episode discusses suicide and mental health. Listener discretion advised. Resources are listed above for support.

💬 About the Host

Jodi Hope Grinwald is a Leadership & Connection Strategist, Certified Professional Coach, Speaker, and Author of Today is the Day. LIVE IT!

Her book — available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble — is a powerful collection of voices centered on courage, resilience, leadership, and motivation. It invites readers to move from the edge of comfort to the center of impact by embracing authentic connection and bold action.

Through keynotes, workshops, consulting, and executive coaching, Jodi helps:

• Organizations strengthen internal culture through connection
• Teams navigate burnout and transition
• Leaders communicate with courage and clarity
• Businesses better connect to clients and customers
• Individuals find their voice and build their own table

To inquire about speaking engagements, workshops, or coaching services:
📧 jodi@todayisthedayliveit.com

📲 Stay Connected

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram: @todayisthedayliveit

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Send us a text

Welcome to Season 6 of the Today Is the Day Changemakers Podcast — part 2 of a special multi-part series featuring authors from the soon to be released book:

Today Is the Day. LIVE IT! — Edge of Comfort to Center of Impact

The book is currently ready for pre-orders online on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart to name a few sites.

In this episode, I’m joined by nine incredible author-voices:

• Heather Mistretta - Writer/Former Reuters Journalist; President, Women & Girls Education International; Board Member, Native American International Caucus; Certified Health Coach
• Fred Wasiak - Owner/Founder, Humanics Consulting and Creator of Outdoors with Papa
• Catherine Curry-Williams - Cofounder, She Angels Foundation; Founder, Shane’s Inspiration; TEDx Speaker & Best-selling Author
• Debra Rizzi - President & Partner, Rizco
• Deborah Baker - CEO, Beyond the Uniform, LLC; U.S. Air Force Veteran; CEO Women Operating in Overflow
• Janet Kotsakis - Chief People Officer, Food Bank of South Jersey
• Mohan Metla - Founder & Owner, Mohan Group LLC
• Steve Cohen - Author of Leading from Within; Cofounder & Chair, Meditation4Leadership
• Terese Rolke - Former Executive Director, Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce, Entrepreneur

What unfolds is a living, breathing conversation with nine contributing authors.

This episode explores:

• Why numbers, titles, and followers do not define impact
• How one decision—starting a podcast—created a ripple effect leading to a book, a forum, and a growing ecosystem
• What it means to lead with humanity, courage, trust, and vulnerability
• Why change doesn’t require permission—it requires alignment
• How kindness, collaboration, and presence create lasting transformation

Each author shares:

• Why they said yes to this project
• What inspired their chapter
• What they hope readers take away
• One word describing how it feels to become a published author

You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how the book is structured:

• Each chapter opens with a personal dedication and original quote
• Each chapter closes with “Embrace the Moment” reflection questions—inviting readers to pause, reflect, and take action
• The book is designed not just to be read, but to be shared, discussed, and lived

📌 Follow along and connect with the authors:
Instagram & Facebook: @TodayIsTheDayLiveIt
Website: todayisthedayliveit.com

🎧 Available on YouTube and all major streaming platforms.

About the Host

Jodi Hope Grinwald is an Integrative Success & Leadership Connection Strategist, coach, speaker, and author with over two decades of experience working with leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and mission-driven organizations. She specializes in helping individuals and teams navigate career transition, leadership growth, and team development while strengthening culture and alignment at every level of an organization.

📩 Now booking speaking engagements, author talks & signings, and coaching opportunities.

Learn more at todayisthedaylivei

Support the show

Send us a text

Welcome to Season 6 of the Today Is the Day Changemakers Podcast — and our first episode of 2026.

This episode kicks off a special multi-part series featuring authors from the soon to be released book:

Today Is the Day. LIVE IT! — Edge of Comfort to Center of Impact

The book is currently ready for pre-orders online on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart to name a few sites.

This conversation brings together leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit founders, creatives, and visionaries — from California to Uganda — who each share how one decision, one moment at the edge of comfort, created a ripple of impact far beyond themselves.

In this first episode, I’m joined by five incredible author-voices:

• Lenny Dave – Comedy historian and speaker bringing joy and human connection to senior audiences
• Charlene Gorzela – Former CEO turned executive coach helping leaders listen to their inner nudge
• Amy Delman – Publicist and entrepreneur sharing the courage it takes to take risks while afraid
• Sarah Jakle – Advocate, nonprofit founder, and resilience researcher redefining hope and self-compassion
• Chaya Pamula – Tech CEO and nonprofit founder transforming ideas into action through purpose-driven leadership

Together, we talk about:

• What it really means to step into visibility
• Why connection — not titles — creates impact
• How ideas become action when we stop waiting for permission
• And why none of this happens alone

This book — and this podcast — are not about ego, trends, or perfection. They’re about voices, belief, and the power of building an ecosystem where people rise together.

As we begin Season 6, I invite you to listen not just for inspiration — but for the small step you might be ready to take.

Because today is the day.

📌 Follow along and connect with the authors:
Instagram & Facebook: @TodayIsTheDayLiveIt
Website: todayisthedayliveit.com

🎧 Available on YouTube and all major streaming platforms.

About the Host

Jodi Hope Grinwald is an Integrative Success & Leadership Connection Strategist, coach, speaker, and author with over two decades of experience working with leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and mission-driven organizations. She specializes in helping individuals and teams navigate career transition, leadership growth, and team development while strengthening culture and alignment at every level of an organization.

Jodi's approach centers on integrative success: aligning values, communication, and leadership behavior with organizational goals so teams operate more effectively, reduce internal friction, and stay focused on the bottom line.

Jodi is the creator of the Today is the Day ecosystem, which includes a globally streamed podcast, a national speaking platform, leadership programming, and a collaborative forum that brings together business and nonprofit leaders during times of change. She is also the author of Today is the Day. LIVE IT! — featuring stories from leaders and changemakers from California to Uganda.

📩 Now booking speaking engagements, author talks & signings, and coaching opportunities.

Learn more at todayisthedayliveit.com.

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