Life, Love and Insights

Welcome to the blog of Shirley Russak Wachtel, author, professor, and guest-lecturer. Among others, Dr. Wachtel has written a series of interactive mystery books for children, In the Mellow Light (a poetry collection), The Story of Blima — A Holocaust Survivor, the memoir My Mother’s Shoes, The Music Makers, and Three for a Dollar, a collection of short stories.

Meet Gert Coleman–Gardening Guru
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Meet Gert Coleman–Gardening Guru

Meet Gert Coleman–Gardening Guru

shirleywachtel2022-11-28T12:25:55-05:00April 5th, 2021|

Happy Spring!--Back to outdoor living? Meet Gert Coleman, a Gardening Guru featured in my latest podcast, at shirleywachtel.com. Passionate about [...]

Meet Julia Gaona–Parent, Teacher, Role Model
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Meet Julia Gaona–Parent, Teacher, Role Model

Meet Julia Gaona–Parent, Teacher, Role Model

shirleywachtel2022-11-28T12:26:37-05:00February 21st, 2021|

HELLO!--Our latest podcast, EXTRAordinary People, features JULIA GAONA. During the pandemic crisis, parents and teachers have faced a variety of [...]

Benjamin Marshall–Professor and Playwright
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Benjamin Marshall–Professor and Playwright

Benjamin Marshall–Professor and Playwright

shirleywachtel2022-11-28T12:29:49-05:00December 15th, 2020|

HELLO!--Meet Benjamin Marshall, professor, playwright, and modern Renaissance man. B. V. Marshall’s plays have earned recognition from HBO New Writers [...]

Eva Wiener–Holocaust Survivor
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Eva Wiener–Holocaust Survivor

Eva Wiener–Holocaust Survivor

shirleywachtel2022-11-28T12:30:26-05:00November 2nd, 2020|

Hello Everyone!-- Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Eva Wiener, a Holocaust survivor and frequent speaker regarding the [...]

A Poem
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A Poem

A Poem

shirleywachtel2022-11-28T12:32:00-05:00October 11th, 2020|

Hello Everyone--Sharing a recent poem of mine--I hope it speaks to you.--Shirley I THOUGHT I thought I knew the world [...]

Amy Dagliano–Business Leader
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Amy Dagliano–Business Leader

Amy Dagliano–Business Leader

shirleywachtel2022-11-28T12:33:01-05:00September 14th, 2020|

HELLO!--As we weather the Covid19 storm and look forward to sunnier days ahead, meet Amy Dagliano, the founder of Rowan [...]

Meet James Gaffigan
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Meet James Gaffigan

Meet James Gaffigan

shirleywachtel2022-11-28T12:36:29-05:00August 3rd, 2020|

Hello Everyone--Please tune in to my latest podcast, an interview with world-renowned orchestra conductor, James Gaffigan. James Gaffigan is currently [...]