This bonus episode is a live recording from our spring event, the SouthCentral PA Premiere of the documentary Friends & Neighbors. It is not necessary to have watched the documentary, however, it does add to the richness of the conversation.

If you haven't watched the documentary yet or would like to rewatch it click on the links below.

AMAZON | APPLE | PBS

In this bonus episode of Season 8 of the Someone To Tell It To Podcast, Michael, Tom, and Angie discuss the themes and learnings taken from the recently concluded season.

Brice Sanders has dedicated his life to service. First in the United States Marine Corps and active deployment to war zones, then as the pilot of Marine One and Marine Two, the helicopters that fly the President and Vice President of the United States, and now as the Director of Flight Operations for the helicopters that provide emergency transport for patients of the Penn State Hershey (Pennsylvania) Medical Center. In each of these extremely high-intensity and high-stress roles, he talks with us about the importance of listening acutely and deeply, because others’ lives absolutely depend on it.

Heather Hockenberry has a strong passion for teaching, training, and coaching. She is deeply passionate about optimizing individual and organizational performance. She loves to guide executives and teams to reach their full potential, through her unique approach and unwavering commitment to their success. Heather values listening as the top skill to ensure that trust is built, connections are deepened and strengthened, and people live to be their best selves in everything they do.

Connect with Heather and Hockenberry Coaching & Consulting: https://www.hockenberryconsultants.com/

Sandi Smith is one of Someone To Tell It To’s trained compassionate listeners. We can attest that she is a tremendous example of one who embodies the values and virtues of what good, intentional, and compassionate listening is all about. Sandi lives out those values throughout every aspect of her life. Most publicly, she founded, along with her husband Tom, Sandi’s Breads, offering a thoughtfully curated menu of artisan breads, pastries, and desserts, all baked in small batches with quality ingredients. Just as importantly, Sandi offers her staff and customers an atmosphere of kindness, excellent service, attentive listening, and a very real sense that her business is not transactional, but is connectional, showing everyone that they are truly valued and cared about.

Over the past thirty years, Benjamin Wagner has worked at the intersection of media and technology as an award-winning journalist and documentarian. In May, Benjamin’s new documentary, Friends & Neighbors, premieres nationwide. The film weaves together moments from his own life and career with the broader social forces around us, asking what’s broken, what it costs us, and what real healing could look like in an anxious and uncertain world. We discuss the film in this episode.

On April 23, Benjamin will be with Someone To Tell It To, to premiere the film in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, before the nation-wide premiere. Fred (Mister) Rogers provided personal support to young Benjamin during a traumatic period in his life. Because of Someone To Tell It To’s co-production of the play, I’m Proud of You, in the spring of 2025, Benjamin connected with our mission and invited a collaboration with us. We are honored to be connected with him and this beautiful film. Get tickets here: https://secure.givelively.org/event/someone-to-tell-it-to-inc/the-friends-neighbors-southcentral-pa-premier-presented-by-sttit

In this Women’s History Month, Pennsylvania State Senator Patty Kim made history when she was the first Asian-American woman to be elected to the upper chamber of the state legislature, in November 2025. She talks about her inspiration to be a public servant and the issues that motivate her to make Pennsylvanians' lives better. In the course of the conversation she also talks about her natural introverted temperament and how it can be a struggle for her to be an introvert in an extroverted job and world. But she also believes that the inherent gifts of introverts to be attentive listeners - noticing the feelings and demeanors of others, and being sensitive to their needs - can be a great strength for a leader.

What if one of the most important parts of our health isn’t physical or mental—but social? In this episode, we’re joined by Kasley Killam, Harvard-trained social scientist, two-time TED speaker, and author of The Art and Science of Connection. Kasley is a globally recognized expert on social health—the dimension of well-being rooted in meaningful relationships, community, and belonging.

Kasley shares the powerful research behind why strong relationships help us live longer, healthier, and happier lives, and why our society has historically overlooked connection as a core pillar of health. Together we explore how to recognize when our social health may be suffering, and simple ways we can begin strengthening our “social muscles.”

We also talk about the power of listening, the courage of vulnerability, and how organizations and communities can move from being transactional to truly relational. In a time when many people feel isolated, Kasley offers both insight and hope—reminding us that flourishing is something we do together.