Norm sits down with Lillian Lin for an intimate and wide-ranging discussion, exploring the extraordinary tapestry of her life experiences. Lillian discusses her medical odyssey, beginning with a stage four neuroblastoma diagnosis as an infant that recently led to kidney transplant surgery. She reflects on how her health journey has shaped her relationship with her teenage son, whose interest in pursuing medicine stems partly from witnessing his mother's medical experiences.

Norm and Lillian explore the complexities of organ donation, including the emotional challenges that accompany the process. Shifting to lighter territory, Lillian recounts how a chance job as a cocktail waitress became the gateway to her finance career, leading her through the high-pressure worlds of Kidder Peabody and Goldman Sachs trading floors, as well as her professional time in London.

Personal milestones weave throughout their conversation, from meeting her former husband through work to navigating the complex journey of surrogacy, complete with its legal and financial complexities. Lillian's worldview comes into sharp focus as she describes her volunteer work at orphanages across Africa, Guatemala, and Vietnam, experiences that provided profound contrast to her finance career's intensity. She talks about her transition into real estate, her move to Pine Plains attracted by a property with prohibition-era history, and her current pursuits including piano and pickleball. Through it all, Lillian's story is one of resilience, the importance of maintaining perspective, and how life's unexpected turns can lead to meaningful discoveries about ourselves and our capacity for growth.

Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org

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Norm sits down with graphic designer extraordinaire and jetsetter; Dairo Chamorro “Mayor of Amtrak.” They share Japanese vodka cocktails while exploring Dairo's colorful journey from Reuters journalist to scotch whiskey entrepreneur, discussing his global travels, family stories, business challenges including tariffs and logistics, his talent for befriending strangers from Amtrak trains to international destinations, and his surprising passion for Watford football and Kingston Stockade soccer.

Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org

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Norm chats with artist Nadine Robbins about her French-American upbringing and artistic journey. Nadine shares memories of childhood in southern France and growing up bilingual.
The conversation covers Nadine's artistic evolution from painting oysters inspired by her Charleston coastal roots to her career breakthrough when an unsolicited gallery submission launched her professional success. She discusses how an eye injury transformed her painting technique, pushing her work toward hyperrealism with enhanced texture. Nadine explains her transition from gallery exhibitions to commissioned portraits, drawing on her graphic design background to create pieces that blend realistic detail with bold colors and rebellious elements. She shares her creative influences and approach to capturing familiar subjects with unexpected twists. They wrap up with Nadine discussing her latest politically-charged series inspired by music and her upcoming participation in the Upstate Art Weekend open studio event. Throughout, Norm and Nadine explore how heritage, artistic vision, and creative process shape her evolving work.

Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org

Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org