Seeking the Extraordinary

Inclusion and Independence: Jim Langevin

At the young age of 16, Jim Langevin was working with the Warwick, Rhode Island Police Department in the Boy Scout Explorer program. A gun accidentally went off and a bullet struck our guest, leaving him paralyzed. But something happened after that. The outpouring of support from his community inspired him to change the world by becoming a public servant. He attended Rhode Island college and earned a Master's degree in public administration from Harvard University. About eight years after his injury, he was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 1988 and was elected in 1994 to be the youngest Secretary of State in the nation, serving Rhode Island in that capacity until 2000. In 2000, he successfully ran for a seat in the U S Congress becoming the first quadriplegic in history to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.20 years later, he is a senior member of the House of Representatives where he now serves in several leadership roles. He is a senior member of the House Armed Services committee through which he serves as chair of the emerging threats and capabilities subcommittee. He's also a senior member of the House committee on Homeland security and the co-founder and chair of the bipartisan congressional cybersecurity caucus. He's been a powerful advocate for inclusion and independence for people with disabilities. Co-chairing the bi-partisan disability caucus and for medical research in all its viable forms.

Broadcasting to the World: Cynthia Hudson

Cynthia Hudson saw through the very fabric of broadcasting and journalism, as well as the causes of democracy, inclusion and human compassion, not just in the United States, but internationally as well. She's won eight Emmy awards; been named one of People en Espanol's most powerful women; and been recognized by fortune magazine as one of the 50 most powerful Latinas running a leading global company. She won the Lake Valencia Media Award for her dedication to the cause of democracy, and the Palma University of Peru recognized her with the human merit award for a cause of peace for her anti-discrimination campaign.The Latin Recording Academy has distinguished her with the Leading Ladies of Entertainment Award. And the National Association of Hispanic Journalists recognized her with a presidential award for her unwavering commitment to journalism, the pursuit of the truth and her leadership in journalism. She currently oversees all aspects of CNN Spanish language media businesses, including news gathering, editorial content, programming, production, operations, and personnel of the CNN en Espanol 24/7 television news networks, cnnespanol.com, and CNN en Espanol radio. Her community efforts are equally impressive and include being on the boards of the national epilepsy foundation and the Nicholas Children's Hospital Foundation.In her own words, she comes from a lineage of "strong warrior women."More on Cynthia: https://www.cnn.com/profiles/cynthia-hudson-profileSeeking the Extraordinary is sponsored by The Colony Group. For more information and to contact Mike Nathanson visit www.thecolonygroup.com

The Bonds of Basketball With Nikki McCray

After an exemplary college basketball career at the University of Tennessee in which she was an All-American twice and let her team to four NCAA tournament appearances, Nikki McCray was an American basketball league MVP and champion. She played eight seasons in the WNBA and was a three time WNBA All-Star. She won two Olympic gold medals and a world cup gold medal. She coached basketball as an assistant at Western Kentucky and the University of South Carolina, where she won a national championship, and as head coach at Old Dominion, and now the Mississippi State women's basketball team, which is currently ranked number six in the nation. A member of the women's basketball hall of fame she was personally selected by President Clinton to serve on the president's council on physical fitness and sports. Seeking the Extraordinary is sponsored by The Colony Group. For more information and to contact Mike Nathanson visit www.thecolonygroup.com

Why Ty Law Is Still Betting On Himself

Mike's guest is Ty Law, the founder of the highly popular Launch trampoline parks, a serial entrepreneur.He's now an equity owner of V1 vodka, but you may know him better for his 15 years in the NFL. He won three super bowls. As part of the New England Patriots he was selected for five pro bowls and was a pro bowl MVP. His 53 career interceptions are among the best in NFL history, making him one of the best cornerbacks of all time. He's a member of the 2019 class of inductees into the NFL Hall of Fame, joining only 325 other members in this most special achievement.Seeking the Extraordinary is sponsored by The Colony Group. For more information and to contact Mike Nathanson visit www.thecolonygroup.com

Delivering Smiles: Jim McCann of 1-800-FLOWERS

After graduating from college with a degree in psychology, Jim McCann became a bartender, a social worker, the owner of several flower shops in New York city and ultimately the founder of something much larger and much more impactful, what we now know as 1-800-FLOWERS. In 1995, he launched 1-800-flowers.com, becoming one of the early leaders in e-commerce. When the rest of us were still trying to figure out what e-commerce ultimately might be, his company did an initial public offering in 1999 and his business model not only changed the way we shop, give gifts and express our emotions and appreciation, but also the way other businesses now operate.He's been entrepreneur of the year, retailer of the year and direct marketer of the year. He's now a celebrated philanthropist, board member, author, speaker, and even professional baseball team owner. Please enjoy this discussion with the extraordinary Jim McCann.Seeking the Extraordinary is sponsored by The Colony Group. For more information and to contact Mike Nathanson visit www.thecolonygroup.com

Boomer Esiason: The Ex-QB who is Changing the World

Boomer Esiason is the founder of one of the most impactful nonprofit organizations in the world (https://www.esiason.org/). He's changing the world as it turns. Esiason has made a difference in the lives of thousands and in doing so has made a difference in the lives of millions of others.He also happens to be a national TV and radio celebrity, the 1988 NFL MVP, a Super Bowl quarterback, a four time NFL pro bowler, the first quarterback selected in the 1984 NFL draft, the Walter Payton man of the year in 1995 and the all-time leader among left-handed quarterbacks for touchdown passes, passing yards and completions.He's the husband of Cheryl and the father of Gunnar and Sydney. He is extraordinary, though he'd probably never admit it. Find the Esiason Foundation at https://www.esiason.org/Seeking the Extraordinary is sponsored by The Colony Group. For more information and to contact Mike Nathanson visit www.thecolonygroup.com