Together, We Shall – Details, episodes & analysis

Bantering through tangents and running the thoroughfares, Kelley Brandon, a special soul, and mother to her precious athlete rider turned angel runner Connor, joins Joe and Rooster to discuss and educate us on topics ranging from Lupus and Special Olympics Torch Runs to being a mom and her Ainsley’s Angels journey of strangers yesterday, friends today, family for life. We dive and laugh together, for when we are with our family, it brings us joy and gives us a way to navigate through our darker days. Knowing if I call, my family will answer to help find or open an outlet to recharge our batteries. Together, We Shall!  

Audio version of the Together, We Shall Podcast can be found on Buzzsprout (link below), on the Apple Podcast app, as well as on Spotify, Amazon, and the Ainsley’s Angels YouTube channel for those seeking closed captioning or just like to watch vice listen to podcasts. https://twspodcast.buzzsprout.com 

Together, We Shall Podcast is hosted by Kim ‘Rooster’ Rossiter, President and Co-Founder of Ainsley’s Angels of America, and Joe Orth, Executive Vice President of Ainsley’s Angels. This inclusive podcast takes you into a world of tangents and thoroughfares, focusing on a conversation to be determined. Highlighting current events, insightful antidotes and life lessons with banter, sit back and listen to a little bit of humor and a few emotional deep dives during each episode. Let’s roll! If you would like to join us on the podcast, place to share/tell stories and connect, or nominate someone to join us on the podcast, email us at Podcast@AinsleysAngels.org

On episode 43 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster kick off the new year reminiscing with Tracie David, Ainsley’s Angels of America Executive Assistant, about how her acceptance of an invitation to be part of a “running organization” as a non-runner evolved into a beautiful sense of belonging well beyond her imagination.

On episode 42 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster had a duo dance while reflecting on previous episodes with an emphasis on being thankful as we approach Thanksgiving. We also discuss the upcoming AinsGiving period, Giving Tuesday deals with Spartan, and a little challenge to close out 2023.

On episode 41 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with father/son duo, Michael and Donald Harms. When Michael and his wife, Hope, traveled to Jamaica in Spring 2010 to volunteer at a facility for people with special needs, they met a young man named Donald. What transpired since then is an amazing story of trust, triumph, and togetherness generally only encountered on the big screen.

On episode 40 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with two special physical therapists. These are not just any physical therapists. Peggy was Ainsley’s physical therapist and Laura interned with Peggy during her last year of Doctor of Physical Therapy school.  Join us as we reminisce and reflect on a few never-before-shared moments from the last 15 years. 

On episode 39 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with ASISCS professional athlete Makenna Myler about topics ranging from running a 5-minute mile while 9 months pregnant to acknowledging the impacts a menstrual cycle has on training and diet. Makenna also shares multiple messages aimed at different age groups of women on how to intentionally create environments to make daily decisions easier.  Great episode for women of all ages and for those with women in their lives…hence everyone!

On episode 38 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with High School Class of 2023 graduate Kamden Rossiter about how America’s Gen Z population perceives life and other generations. Kamden also shares his intimate perspective on living with and then grieving the loss of his sister, Ainsley. His keen insight into the strong influence that technology and politics have shaped his generation and why he has volunteered to serve America in the United States Coast Guard.

On episode 37 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with fellow Marine Corps Intelligence professional Kelly O’Clair. We talk about the burden of carrying secrets and how suppression can lead to fear, anxiety, and depression. Kelly shares his revelation of how embracing his true authentic self allowed him to escape his perceived need to blend in and to hide in the shadows as a gay man on active duty, married to a woman during and after the days of America’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. 

Episode 36 acknowledges Mental Health Awareness Month through conversation aimed at demonstrating how our connection to one another can be formed with sharing and listening.  Joe and Rooster chat with fellow Marine Corps Veteran Lupita Hernandez.  Lupita started running to improve her mental health to fight her depression and PTSD, but what grew from it was “Run for Their Lives,” a yearly ultra-marathon for PTSD awareness.  Parts of this conversation might make you feel a certain way; you are not alone; we believe to break the stigma associated with mental health requires discussion, sharing, and feeling all the feels.