Category: books

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Words are Powerful & Meaningless on Tola Talks # 201

In today’s episode, we talk about the recent elections in NJ, VA and New York City, emphasizing the importance of local governance and the need for cleanliness and safety in urban areas. I also discuss yesterday’s Gallup poll revealing public fears about safety and walking a mile at night, share personal experiences from various cities I’ve lived in over the past 40 years, plus highlight the significance of words in communication. I also delve into insights from my book, The Sub: Tales of an Inner-City Teacher, addressing challenges in America’s broken educational system and the need for accountability in schools. I conclude with a call for politicians to stand behind their words and make meaningful changes.

And for everyone who says they workout, do what you say today and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Police Work is Hard on Tola Talks # 196

Today I interview my longtime friend, Guy LiMato, a retired police officer with a rich background in law enforcement and education. We discuss Guy’s journey into policing, the stress and challenges faced by officers today, and the realities of domestic violence calls. The conversation also touches on Guy’s transition into education, working with special needs children, and the importance of family dynamics in shaping behavior. We also explore the differences between policing as portrayed in the media versus real life, and delve into the roles of the National Guard and ICE in current law enforcement.

And since Guy is all too familiar with K-12 teaching – instructor’s aid for 10 years – we reflect on my new book, The Sub: Tales of an Inner-City Teacher and the challenges of classroom management and the future of education.

Thanks for tuning in, and as always, get your workout in! Peace – R

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Word of the Day: Enough on Tola Talks # 194

In this episode of Tola Talks, we discuss the theme of ‘enough’ in various contexts, including media confidence, the US government shutdown, the Gaza war, plus societal standards. We also highlight the recent Gallup poll titled, “Media Trust Falls Again”, that details how trust and confidence in mass media has declined to a low of 28% (down from 72% in the late 1970’s).

And of course there’s some inspiring talk about the commitment to fitness (and of course my favorite, weightlifting), personal motivation, and the importance of adhering to a daily fitness program. I also reflect on personal heroes like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Joe Dodd, including cool movie nostalgia (Pumping Iron, The Italian Job, The Breakfast Club) as well as encouraging everyone to maintain a positive outlook and to stay active.

Finally, there’s some fun talk about me binging on the 1997 series, Law and Order, plus the 12 Hollywood myths that are totally fake. Check it out and Subscribe to watch us LIVE! Peace – R

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Baby Boomers Beware on Tola Talks # 193

In this episode of Tola Talks, we discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by baby boomers, emphasizing the importance of purpose in life. We also explore health concerns, particularly strokes, and share the Top 10 preventive measures. There’s also a quick movie review of the 1997 thriller ‘Con Air’ starring Nicholas Cage, plus a shout-out celebration of Taylor Swift’s new 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, highlighting the impact her of music across generations – especially the Elementary School kids I taught.

Thanks for tuning in, and as always, get your workout in! Peace – R

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AI Actors are Here to Stay on Tola Talks # 192

Today on Tola Talks – Live we’re talking about AI actor Tilly Norwood and the uproar she’s causing in Hollywood, the 2009 sci-fi classic, Star Trek, RIP shout-outs to Jane Goodall and Tom Petty, fitness tips for folks like me with major back problems, some talk about the US government shutdown, plus the Autistic kids in my new book, The Sub: Tales of an Inner-City Teacher.

Thanks for tuning in everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Live-streaming and More on Tola Talks # 191

Hey everyone, Tola Talks is back!

This time around it’s all LIVE, so hope you can join us on YouTube or LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter) or Twitch. For today’s Episode #191 we kept it short and sweet while discussing my new book, The Sub: Tales of an Inner-City Teacher, plus some excellent teachings from the Chinese philosopher and humanitarian, Confucius.

Have an awesome day and as always, get your workout in! Peace – R

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The Sub: Tales of an Inner-City Teacher

Hey everyone! If you’re concerned about everything that’s wrong with our inner-city public schools – as you should be – then check-out my latest book, The Sub: Tales of an Inner-City Teacher. (click to view on Amazon)

Based upon my real life experiences as a K-12 substitute teacher, The Sub gives you an outsider’s view inside America’s troubled educational system.

An historical fiction novel that’s based upon true encounters, The Sub shines a much-needed light on the challenges facing our beleaguered (and burnt out) inner-city educators. There’s everything from lockdowns and school shootings, to Autistic children with a penchant for changing lives, to fighting 5th graders and discourteous kids dropping F-bombs, to Middle School girls with their own school-specific gang. Not to mention a sweet and sexy romance that’s fit for a Hallmark movie! Most of all, is our insightful protagonist’s (Eddie Cruz) ability to address all the brokenness with concrete solutions to fix them.

A must read for all High School students and K-12 educators everywhere!

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Old Town, New Beginnings

Who says you can’t go home after pursuing your dreams for more than 15 years in America’s most storied town, aka, Tinseltown. And why not add a little bit of new beginnings to the mix and make it an amazing homecoming for “a hometown boy born a rolling stone”, just like Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles sing in their 2005 rendition of “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”

The good news is I’m super excited to begin again in New York City with my new talent agent, Katherine and the Made Worldwide Agency (click HERE to visit my profile). No doubt the future is looking brighter than ever as my years of production experience and insights will serve me well. Just like my years of teaching Tola Yoga to thousands of students throughout the United States.

On a more personal note, today also marks the 15 year anniversary of my sobriety. For those of you who’ve read my memoir, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood, you may recall this excerpt from Chapter 56 – No Mas, when I got drunk for the very last time:

“I woke up a few hours later and felt like I just got run over by a Mack truck. No worries, because I no longer drank and I was free from that liquid noose around my neck I wore for the past 20 years. Although it would take another month before I was completely free from beer and alcohol cravings of any sort, I would never drink again. And I haven’t.”

The same holds true for today – I haven’t, and I’d like to give a special shout-out to my hypnotherapist, Laura, who made it all possible. Simply the best and simplest treatment for me, with no program to follow other than Laura’s weekly dose of hypnotherapy combined with my strong desire to succeed in Hollywood.

Like I’ve been saying since I began this journey from the lovely confines of my Upper East Side apartment, anything is possible if you set your sights and try. So keep rockin’ your goals and dreams and perhaps your desire to quit drinking alcohol altogether. And never say “I can’t”, because you can if you really want to.

Have an awesome December everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Never Live in Fear – Ep 20 – Tola Talks Texas

Today is all about doing whatever it takes to never live in fear. Because during the past two years of this COVID pandemic, the powers to be have done their best to control you by instilling fear in your mind, body and spirit. No doubt fear controls – so never let it happen. In our last Tola Talks Texas, at least for now while I travel and spend time with family, I do my best to communicate why we need to get rid of the divide between the vaccinated and unvaccinated. Plus kudos to Bill Maher for his recent monologue about not wanting to live in a masked, paranoid world and never being scared of COVID, but rather the reaction to it. Not to mention this particular comment that I totally agree: So, the fact that America, the medical establishment never even attempted to get people to live a healthier lifestyle as response to this pandemic is a giant scandal to me. Right on Bill, because everyone needs to get with the program and Drink from the Fountain of Youth, like I do. And no matter what, stay strong, stay positive, stay true to your dreams…and get your workout in.

Peace – R