Dr. Allen Lycka’s Interview with Geri Jewell

Introduction

• Host: Dr. Allen Lycka
• Guest: Geri Jewell, actress, comedian, and motivational speaker
• Notable Achievements: Best known as Cousin Geri on The Facts of Life, Geri was the first person with a visible disability in a prime-time role. She is a sought-after speaker on disability, diversity, and GLBT issues.
• Topics Covered: Geri's groundbreaking career in Hollywood, overcoming adversity, and her motivational book.

Episode Summary

Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes Geri Jewell, a pioneer in the entertainment industry as the first actress with a visible disability in a prime-time television role. Geri discusses her journey from stand-up comedy to landing the role of Cousin Geri on The Facts of Life, the challenges she faced in Hollywood, and how she used her condition, cerebral palsy, as a strength. They explore the power of resilience, the importance of taking risks, and Geri's recent projects, including her inspirational book based on her columns in ABILITY Magazine.

Key Takeaways

1. Breaking Barriers in Hollywood: Geri Jewell made history as the first actress with a visible disability to star in a prime-time TV series. Her role on The Facts of Life opened doors for others with disabilities in the entertainment industry.
2. Using Adversity as Strength: Geri shares how her cerebral palsy became a creative force, inspiring her career in comedy and acting. Her journey emphasizes the power of resilience and using one's challenges as a superpower.
3. Importance of Risk-Taking: Geri highlights the importance of creating opportunities and stepping out of one's comfort zone, illustrated by her experiences with Norman Lear, a key mentor, and her involvement in major events like I Love Liberty.
4. Humor as Healing: Comedy has been a key part of Geri’s life, allowing her to rise above personal and professional challenges. She discusses how humor helped her navigate difficult situations and connect with her audience.
5. Writing During the Pandemic: During the 2020 pandemic lockdown, Geri compiled her columns from ABILITY Magazine into a coffee table book, which still resonates with readers today. She reflects on the timelessness of the articles and how they apply to current societal challenges.
6. Spirituality and Life Values: Geri emphasizes the importance of spirituality and valuing the positive aspects of life. She believes that everyone is shaped by what they value and that these values guide our actions and attitudes.

Memorable Quotes

• "If I hadn’t been born with cerebral palsy, I probably would have been a professional tennis player." – Geri Jewell
• "We must create our opportunities. We must take risks." – Geri Jewell
• "What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger." – Dr. Allen Lycka
• "Get out of your own way and let God walk through you and guide you." – Geri Jewell

Geri Jewell’s Book

• Title: Cherries, Jewels, and Gems
• Description: A collection of Geri’s writings from ABILITY Magazine, blending humor, depth, and personal reflections on life’s challenges and joys.
• Where to Buy: Available on Amazon and through Geri’s website, www.gerijewell.com.
• Foreword by Norman Lear: Geri shares the touching story of how Norman Lear, at 101 years old, contributed to the book by writing its foreword.

Dr. Lycka’s Final Thoughts

Dr. Lycka praises Geri for her courage, perseverance, and ability to inspire others. He encourages listeners to embrace their challenges and find joy in the journey, just as Geri has done throughout her life.

How to Connect with Geri Jewell

• Website: www.gerijewell.com
• Book: Cherries, Jewels, and Gems on Amazon
• Watch: Geri’s performance on I Love Liberty by searching "Geri Jewell I Love Liberty" on YouTube.

Welcome to today’s episode, where we have a very special guest, Dr. Gary Sprouse. Dr. Sprouse is a retired primary care physician, having practiced in Maryland for 38 years. He graduated at the top of his class from George Washington University Medical School and is a member of Mensa. Dr. Sprouse has dedicated his post-retirement life to helping others manage stress and find happiness, which he shares through writing and speaking engagements.

The Stress of Practicing Medicine

Dr. Allen Lycka

Medicine is one of the most stressful professions. Did you experience any stress-related health issues due to the pressures of being a physician?

Dr. Gary Sprouse

Absolutely. Being a physician is inherently stressful, but it really hit home for me during an incident where I was talking to an insurance agent. In the middle of our conversation, I took a call from a nurse about a patient with chest pain. I gave some advice and then continued with the insurance conversation as if it was normal. The agent was shocked, and it made me realize that what I took for granted was actually quite stressful. Beyond patient care, factors like malpractice, board actions, and politics add even more pressure.

Practicing Solo: Added Stress

Dr. Allen Lycka

Were you part of a large group practice, or did you work solo?

Dr. Gary Sprouse

For most of my career, I worked by myself, sometimes with a nurse practitioner. In the last 10 years, I was entirely solo, which added stress due to financial pressures. However, I supplemented my income by doing nursing home work, which had lower overhead but came with its own risks, like increased malpractice suits.

BIO:

Dr. Gary Sprouse is a retired primary care physician who practiced in Maryland for 38 years. He graduated from George Washington University Medical School in the top 10% of his class and is a member of Mensa. He has taken everything he has learned about stress reduction and crafted his first book, Highway to Your Happy Place: A Roadmap to Less Stress. He aims to have everyone living in their Happy Place.

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lessstressdoc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lessstressdoc/?next=%2F

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-less-stress-doc

Website: www.theLessStressdoc.com

Email: LessStressDoc@gmail.com

Moving with Confidence: Insights from Devra Jacobs' 29 Moves

Guest: Devra Jacobs

Host: Dr. Allen Lycka

Introduction

Dr. Allen Lycka introduces Devra Jacobs, a seasoned mover with 29 moves under her belt. Despite not serving in the military, Devra has moved across the United States and even to Korea, largely due to her marriage to an army man. She shares her extensive knowledge and valuable lessons on moving, which led her to co-author a book on the subject.

The Journey to Writing a Book

Devra Jacobs, a literary agent by profession, recounts how her book on moving came to be. She was approached by a major publisher after discussing her extensive moving experiences. Recognizing her lack of writing skills, she collaborated with a professional writer to bring the book to life. Devra highlights the importance of recognizing one's strengths and leveraging the expertise of others.

Moving with the Military

Devra shares her experiences of moving while married to a military man, including a challenging move to Korea. She discusses the lack of support from the military at the time and the difficulties of adapting to a new country without proper resources or knowledge. The importance of learning about the culture and language of the destination is emphasized.

Adapting to New Cultures

The conversation shifts to the cultural differences Devra encountered during her moves, both within the United States and abroad. She talks about her experiences with food and customs in the South and how embracing these differences can make moving a more enjoyable experience. Dr. Lycka and Devra agree on the importance of learning key phrases in the local language to facilitate smoother transitions.

Making Moving an Adventure

Devra encourages listeners to view moving as an adventure rather than a burden. She suggests turning the moving process into a vacation by exploring new routes and destinations along the way. Both Dr. Lycka and Devra stress the importance of planning and being open to new experiences.

The Challenges of Moving

Devra and Dr. Lycka discuss the practical aspects of moving, including packing tips and the importance of organization. Devra shares anecdotes from her own moves, highlighting the need for proper planning to avoid common pitfalls, such as overpacking or forgetting essential documents.

Adjusting to a New Home

The discussion continues with tips on settling into a new home. Devra advises doing thorough research before moving to avoid scams and to ensure a smooth transition. She also recommends taking time to familiarize oneself with the new area before starting a new job, including finding essential services and joining local communities.

The Stress of Moving

Dr. Lycka and Devra acknowledge that moving is one of the top stressors in life, alongside death, illness, and divorce. However, they agree that proper preparation and a positive mindset can significantly reduce the stress associated with moving.

Conclusion

Dr. Lycka wraps up the episode by asking Devra how listeners can obtain a copy of her book, A Happy Move. Devra provides details on where the book is available and encourages listeners to visit the associated website and YouTube channel for additional resources.

Book Mentioned:

• A Happy Move by Devra Jacobs

Website:

• A Happy Move

YouTube:

• A Happy Move Book

Thank you for listening!

Author name: Devra Jacobs

Book title: A Happy Move

Phone Numbers:

(928) 310-8459

Email: devra@dancingwordgroup.com

Website: https://AHappyMove.com

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AHappyMove/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/934411/admin/feed/posts/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahappymovebook/