In today’s Tola Talks, Rich Tola reflects on the recent tragedies at Brown University and Bondi Beach in Australia, pays tribute to the tradition of Hanukkah, discusses cultural observations related to In-N-Out Burger, and shares insights from the world of sports, particularly focusing on resilience and the lessons learned from volleyball competitions.
Watch now and discover: → 5% of the year is gone, time to reflect. → Thoughts and prayers for recent tragedy victims, including Hollywood legend, Rob Reiner. → Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the temple of Jerusalem. → Adam Sandler’s Chanukah song is a cultural staple. → The best team doesn’t always win in sports.
On today’s Tola Talks, we discuss various controversies dominating the news including Russian sanctions, White House construction projects, and the Gaza cease fire, before shifting to a nostalgic celebration of Major League Baseball – the 1989 movie starring Tom Berenger and Charlie Sheen, Major League – plus a good luck shout-out to the former New York Yankee and bench coach for the Toronto Blue Jays, Don Mattingly, aka, Donnie Baseball. We also reflect on the decline of Hollywood and the impact of the 1980s on film, sharing my Top 30 movie picks from that era, highlighting their cultural significance as well as my personal memories associated with them.
Have a great day everyone, and as always, get your workout in! Peace – R
As many of you know, I put my life on hold three years ago so I could return home to care for my ailing parents. Both were battling cancer that had unfortunately metastasized, while my Dad was the first to leave us.
To the sweetest and kindest and most beautiful woman in the world – at least to me she was – here’s a tribute to my biggest fan – my Mom:
Rose Mary DiStefano Tola (1941-2025) passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on Monday, May 25, 2025. Born on March 10, 1941, she was 84 years young when she passed. For those who knew Rosie, as she was known to her beloved family and friends, she was the sweetest and nicest and prettiest yet strongest gal from North Trenton, who first appeared on American Bandstand with Dick Clark live from Philadelphia in 1957. Born and raised in Trenton, NJ, and a graduate of Trenton Central High School, she worked as a licensed beautician for several years before marrying Francis “Richie” Tola, a legendary barber and baseball mentor who recently passed away in October. Rosie also retired after 20-years of service with the Department of Education for the State of New Jersey. She was a caring and supportive wife of 65 years, as well as a mother to three wonderful children and four loving grandchildren. She is survived by the following: her son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Pam Tola, her son Richard, her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Patrick Tuffy, her grandchildren Matthew and Samantha Tola, and Riley and McGwire Tuffy, plus numerous nieces. She is predeceased by her brother, Benedetto “Benny” DiStefano, and sister, Philamena “Phyliss” Wilson. Per her wishes, there will be a private family service only. To everyone she was blessed to have met, Rosie was a compassionate and kind soul, and above else, a proud mother and grandmother, beautiful friend, aunt, co-worker, client, patron and forever baseball and soccer fan – until recently, when she fell in love with women’s basketball. For her 84 memorable years of life, Rose Mary DiStefano Tola was a beacon of light and a wonderful listener who will surely be missed.
And here’s a picture of us a few weeks before she passed. Love you Mom!!
For those who knew my father, he was a man like no one else. I guess you could say my own uniqueness, and passion, and desire to go my own way was just like my Dad’s. RIP to a local legend who was arguably the best barber in the world – and best hitting instructor! Below please find his obituary and Celebration of Life event this Sunday.
FRANCIS “RICHIE” TOLA (click HERE to visit the Obituary)
Francis “Richie” Tola (1938-2024) passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on Monday, October 28th. Born on July 7, 1938, he was 86 years young. For those who knew him, Richie was the greatest guy who had passion in everything he did. Born and raised in Trenton, NJ, he was a legendary barber for nearly 68 years beginning in 1957, one year after graduating from Trenton Central High School and serving in the National Guard. He was also a motivational mentor and hitting instructor to scores of kids and adolescents who ever played the game of baseball. He was revered for helping anyone and everyone who wanted it. The beloved “Richie the Barber” was also a terrific storyteller as well as an infinite source of knowledge, recounting true tales about the Mafia, baseball, Sicily (his home country), movies and anything medical related. As one longtime friend and customer tells it, “before there was Google, there was Richie.” He is survived by his wife, Rose Mary, son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Pam Tola, son Richard, daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Patrick Tuffy, four grandchildren, Matthew and Samantha Tola, and Riley and McGwire Tuffy, brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Carolyn Tola, his four nieces, and pre-deceased sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Joseph Pallotti. Per his wishes, there will be no funeral services. There will, however, be a Celebration of Life held in his honor on November 10th from 4-6pm, in the main batting cage at Nottingham Little League. In remembrance of Richie’s life and love, the family requests any donations be made to “Nottingham Little League”, P.O. Box 2521, Hamilton, NJ 08690. Thank you for being his friend, patron or baseball player he influenced throughout his wonderful life.
Thanks for your enduring impact on the world Dad, and with love and light, I’ll see you on the other side. RIP – R
Today we’re talking Omicron (again) and how antibody treatment plagues government bureaucrats even though it cuts the risk of death by 80% (with quotes from Rep. Rand Paul); the comparison of the virus narrative, testing and positive cases to several examples including 1) the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s as well as the shrouding of the marijuana plant with politicians touting a “War on Drugs” and 2) baseball’s batting averages, slugging percentages and on-base percentages. Plus there’s wackiness and wackos in the air with an ex-Raiders cheerleader punching an 80 year-old man over wearing a mask, and on a better note, a special shout-out to a British woman for losing 118 pounds in 11 months – inspired by last year’s Christmas photo of herself wearing pajamas. Not to mention more talk about feeling discouraged as cryptocurrencies plummet 6% after yesterday’s show.
Rich Tola – Filmmaker | Author | Creator, Tola Yoga
Since my childhood summers playing baseball at Nottingham Little League, I’ve been taught that the best hitters always perform in the late innings. So finish strong everyone, and have a happy and safe holiday season!
I also hope this decade has been as good to you as it has me, as this marks my most amazing one yet beginning with my film, Boulevard Zen. Exactly 10 years ago this week we premiered at the Silent Movie Theater in Hollywood. Thanks to everyone who supported me, i.e., watched or read or listened to any of my creations since the film. And a special thanks for taking my Tola Yoga classes.
No doubt I’ve built an awesome foundation in developing and producing original content as well as successfully crossing the finish line – on time and on budget – more than 15 times. Not to mention teaching my modern-day fitness style of yoga to more than 20,000 students throughout the US.
I love LA! And here’s my Top 10 Reasons to Live in LA. Plus, celebrity shout-outs to Angelina Jolie for her latest surgery, and to Little League icon Mo-ne Davis for having a heart and offering a second chance to the college baseball player who got kicked off his team for a racial tweet. Thanks for tuning in – R. Watch weekdays on youtube.com/tolatalks and all social: @richtola
Here’s one of my favorite Tola Talks…the 6 Rules to Success by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Because who doesn’t want to be their best and find success in whatever you do! Peace – R
Tola Talks about the comedic brilliance of Jon Stewart and his legacy at Comedy Central, the 2014 US Little League baseball champions getting stripped of their title, and it’s WTF Wednesday so check-out the 5 Tasty Ways to Eat Snow…plus some inspiring talk about yesterday’s weight loss show. Weekdays at youtube.com/tolatalks. Social: @richtola
Tola Talks about Eminem, Clayton Kershaw, Dwight Gooden (aka Dr. K), Mariano Rivera, Evander Holyfield, Paget Brewster, Gerald Butler, Whoopi Goldberg, Warren Buffet (buying Duracell Battery), Kim Kardashian (nude pictures), Walmart, Black Friday, and Takata (exploding airbags). On Throwback Thursdays, Rich takes us back to 2006 – the year he entered the Entertainment Business and became a Yoga teacher – and gives the Get Your S#!T Together Award to a Polish woman for having a threesome with her two lovers she hired to kill her husband. Watch weekdays on youtube.com/tolatalks.
