Heather Mistretta

Check out my CV, which delves into more detail about what I do and why I do what I do.

I secured a radio spot for Elizabeth Mikotowicz, who once again mustered up the courage to share her harrowing story from domestic violence, addiction and incarceration to advocating for human rights and better prison policies for women. She spoke with Dave Delaney on the radio station, WOND in Atlantic City, NJ. Elizabeth is also a talented artist with her own clothing line on Le Galeriste and is writing a book. She has since been asked to speak for two other podcasts, only two days after airing.

Each day for 12 consecutive hours, Megan Delaney is attached to a long plastic tube so that she can stay alive. It was an honor to highlight the plight and story of this wonderful woman who literally fighting for her life.

As Hurricane Ida ripped apart houses in southern Jersey and flooded out cars and buildings in the north, many others slept peacefully never knowing what destruction the storm had caused overnight.

The once beautiful open-air courtyard in the entrance of a New Jersey hospital has been replaced by locked doors, warning signs and a police officer. Reflecting and radiating the hope and courage that lies within, however, are sporadic sounds of The Beatles song, “Here Comes the Sun” played over the PA system to signal that a COVID-19 patient has recovered as well as sporadic “clap-outs” and signs everywhere showing the previous day’s recovery numbers.

As National Mentoring Month nears its end, I am reminded of the countless mentors I am grateful to have had throughout my life, those vehicles of knowledge both big and small.

The Oompa Loompa and golden ticket creator, Roald Dahl, celebrated his 100th birthday in 2016, just a couple weeks before the man who portrayed his character of Willy Wonka so well, Gene Wilder died. Dahl, born in Wales to Norwegian parents on September 13, 1916, was a successful British novelist, having sold more a quarter million copies of his books. But what do Dahl and kindness have to do with each other?

Last week I guess I was feeling a little empowered. That sense of empowerment came in the form of some encouraging words to my fellow networkers to step outside their comfort zones—not in a bold way but in a rather affable way with a tinge of conviction.
No, I wasn’t like General Patton rallying the troops with a battle cry nor was I Mother Theresa pleading for good will for all including the street children. And I was definitely a far cry from Norma Rae—I wasn’t even standing up.

So I did it. As promised, I said I would report back as to how successful my forays into enlightenment were last week. Ok, maybe the usage of enlightenment is a bit strong, but I challenged some of my colleagues to step outside their own comfort zones in the ensuing 10 minutes, whether that meant striking up a conversation with a stranger, taking a kickboxing class or venturing into a new environment.

Today, amid the flurry of technology muddled with a flood of social media and a disconnection that no longer exists, we are constantly telling everyone how busy we are. What's the solution?

Ninety-five years ago a fuzzy yellow bear was born, appearing in an issue of the satirical British Punch magazine and then a year later on Christmas Eve in the London Evening News. Now nearly a century later many are still reciting the words penned by A.A. Milne and later popularized by Disney. A new sequel was even released this in May 2016 in England to celebrate Pooh’s 90th anniversary this October and honor the Queen’s 90th birthday. I’m sure even Milne and Pooh’s illustrator, E.H. Shepar...

It is said that in the Native American culture, the natural world is sacred in both life and death. To harm a place of this sanctity, like a burial ground, would crush their beliefs. At a Native American ceremony, sounds of a steady rhythm played on a hand drum are heard, rocks are formed as a medicine wheel to honor the life, the smell of sage bundles burning wafts the air, and a willow branch or rosemary is laid sometimes with a ribbon tied to it for prayer. The word loss is never used, but...

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”—Margaret Mead
In Ibram X. Kendi‘s How to Be an Antiracist, he writes, “One either allows racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial inequities, as an antiracist. There is no in-between safe space of ‘not racist.’ The claim of ‘not racist’ neutrality is a mask for racism.”
The son of two Methodist ministers goes on to say, “Like fighting an ...

Photo taken by Myrna’s son, Daniel.
Throughout her life, Myrna made friends all over the world, from her days following the untimely death of her brother on 9/11 when she traveled to Afghanistan to promote peace to the multitude of smaller acts of kindness that encouraged others and gave them hope and often a chuckle…or sometimes even a pie in the face.
Myrna’s impromptu cartwheels were legendary. Her effortless ability to propel her body into the air was only matched by the courage and resil...