Insight with Mark Farrell

Insight - CYCLE FOR SIGHT, AMERICAN IDOL VOID, IN THE WAKE OF SUICIDE - 04.07.16

The San Francisco Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired present Cycle For Sight to benefit their Enchanted Hills Camp for the blind. Director , Tony Fletcher shares with Mark how this vital event gives both visually impaired and blind cyclists the opportunity to experience one of the most liberating events - riding a tandem bicycle with the guidance of a sighted pilot. To register, volunteer, donate: www.cycle4sight.com Peggy Farrell, or as Mark calls her - Mom, talks about her introduction to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in 1992 when her son Michael (Mark's brother) died by suicide and how AFSP provided invaluable support services and how Peggy realized that she could be a source of hope for others. Hence being the recipient of the inaugural Peggy Farrell Survivor award. My Mom ROCKS! American Idol contestant, Dalton was voted off though in Mark's eyes he's the winner for sharing that he's bi-polar with the world! Way to end stigma and be proud of who you are.
To have Mark speak at your school, college or company on vital topics, visit: www.markfarrellmotivation.com

Insight - FASHION MODEL BREAKS THE MOLD, FDA'S PERCOCET COMA AND AUDIBLE EGGS FOR THE BLIND - 03.24.16

International fashion model - Shaholly Ayers (www.shahollyayers.com) shares with Mark her vast experiences of growing up with a disability that propelled her to show the world via magazine covers, runways and now Ambassador for Global Disability Inclusion - that her difference makes her stronger (and prettier)! Aslo - an obituary that has everyone talking about how suicide is perceived and learn how the FDA is finally addressing percoct - the widely over use, over prescribed "fun" drug.

To have Mark speak at your company, school or organization on: overcoming adversity, drugs/alcohol, mental illness, anti-bullying and more - visit: www.markfarrellmotivation.com

Insight - FILM FOR ALL, NFL ADMISSION AND THE GREEN APPLE - 03.17.16

Independent Producer, Interpreter and indomitable force Jo Ann Dean (www.signmation.com) shares her multi-prong work that will ultimately have all films accessible for everyone.  A mission equally significant to Michele Spitz (www.womanofherword.com ) – voice-over artist, philanthropist and trail blazer, to also have films and more accessible.  These two remarkable woman share with Mark how their life experiences shaped their goals, how their lives intersected and through their tireless effort the movie industry will be inclusive.  

Plus, the NFL’s long overdue admission that constant blows to one’s noggin while playing America’s most dangerous sport is hazardous and why this statement comes now.  This and more all while Mark sports his new kilt during one of the most beloved and despised days in NYC.

Have Mark speak at your school, college, corporation on overcoming adversity, resiliency and much more.  Info at: www.markfarrellmotivation.com

Insight – FOUR BLIND TEENS LIVE THEIR DREAMS, COURTSIDE ONLY FOR MARIA SHARAPOVA AND HILFIGER CLOTHES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES – 03.10.16

"Do You Dream In Color", new riveting documentary film by Director Abigail Fuller is about four driven teens navigating school, life and blindness! This exceptional film is being shown at the Reelabilities Film Festival NYC, Sunday March 13 @ 2 pm at JCC Manhattan (www.reelabilities.org for complete info). Hear how Tommy Hilfiger launched his new spring line complete for children with disabilities through the vision and tireless efforts of a mom, Mindy Scheier with a son with a disability. To have Mark speak at your school, college or corporation on vital topics including overcoming adversity, mental health, drugs/alcohol and more - visit www.markfarrellmotivation.com

Here is the Trailer for : "Do You Dream In Color" - https://vimeo.com/113313192

Insight – REELABILITIES NY DISABILITY FILM FESTIVAL, BULLYING N BASEBALL, THE STONES AND EDDIE VEDDER – 03.03.16

The 8th Annual Reelabilities NY Disabilities Film Festival is happening in numerous venues throughout the city March 10-16. Director of Reelabilities, Isaac Zablocki joins Mark to talk about the incredible lineup of feature films, documentaries, shorts and more. www.reelabilities.com for complete NYC festival lineup.

The wrong precedent was set by the South Orange Maplewood School Board to keep baseball coach Fischetti of Columbia High School in Maplewood NJ on the field regardless of his alleged bullying tactics. But hey - they won the championship last year so the well being of students does not trump winning streaks! And hear how Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder rocked out at his former high school and how the Stones go for Brown Sugar in Cuba.

Mark speaks on vital topics from vast personal experience to k-12, college and corporate audiences on: overcoming adversity, mental health, celebrating differences, anti-bullying and more. To book Mark and for more info: www.markfarrellmotivation.com

Insight – GRAMMY'S GO BRAILLE, SHE'S GOT GRIT AND SELFIE SOCIETY – 02.18.16

At the Grammy's, Stevie Wonder made a bold statement about accessibility for people with disabilities prior to announcing song of the year and singing "na na na na na" when holding up the winners name in braille to the audience. Ready, set...get your grit on... award winning writer, producer and director - Dara Padwo-Audick, joins Mark to discuss her new series "She's Got Grit" - riveting show on female athletes with disabilities who compete at the highest levels. See for yourself just how talented, determined and passionate these athletes are: www.shesgotgrit.com
www.markfarrellmotivation.com for information to have Mark speak on overcoming adversity, mental health, drugs/alcohol, self-entitlement, anti-bullying, celebrating differences and more at schools, college and corporations.

Insight – EQUAL TREATMENT FOR DISABLED, YOUR BRAIN ON MUSIC, MOVE OVER PRO BOWL PIGSKIN PENITENTIARY HAS ALL-STAR TALENT – 02.11.16

Mark discusses double standard on how some people with disabilities want the same treatment as others when it comes to the media. Learn how social media gets it all wrong by saying that by befriending or dating a person with a disability means lowering one's standards. Wrong! Quarterback Johhny Manziel, is the latest NFL player to be in the web of trouble that the league can't shake though gives Mark an idea that puts all NFL players with arrests on a different gridiron. What does music do for you? New MIT research proves new pathway in brain dedicated for music stimuli.

Have Mark speak at your school, college or workplace on vital topics that impact most. www.markfarrellmotivation,com for more info.

Insight – SUPER SEX BOWL AND LEGOS NEW DISABLED FIGURE – 02.04.16

NFL players are know for their toughness, on-field antics and yes - arrest records. In 2015 alone, 31 players were arrested for dui's, domestic violence, guns/weapons charges and most recently - Bronco's Ryan Murphy was detained in a prostitution sting. On a positive NFL note - yes, the term positive and NFL can coexist in a sentence. A parody video of Seal's "Kiss From A Rose" features Super Sex Bowl babies (spanning all the way back to 1967) that were reprtedly conceived on game day. Data refelcts that winning cities see a rise in births 9 months after the Super Sex Bowl. Gives pigs in a blanket a whole new meaning. And Lego finally gets with the time and unveils disabled minature figure. Next, there should be a maimed Barbie figure - only then will Barbie be perfect.

Insight – AMERICAN IDOL REJECTS TALENTED SINGER WITH DISABILITY - HOW NYC'S RECYCLE A BICYCLE GOES FULL CYCLE – 01.21.16

Singer, songwriter and entertainer - Mario Bonds was floored (along with most of America) Wednesday night when all three American Idol judges thought he didn't have what it takes.  For the first time, Mario talks with Mark about his performance, the judges criticism and you won't believe what one incredibly insensitive American Idol Producer said to Mario regarding his blindness!  

Not only does Mark start most of his days on a bike before sunrise - today Mark talks with Emily Piccone from Recycle A Bicycle on the numerous programs that serve both NYC youth and adults through education programs to learning bike mechanics.  And Emily and Mark share why they're passionate cyclists and the numerous positive ramifications biking and Recycle A Bicycle have on the public.  www.recycleabicycle.org

Have Mark Farrell speak at your school (K-12), college, corporation on vital topics including overcoming adversity, self entitlement, mental health, drugs/alcohol, anti-bullying-anti-teasing and more vital topics that all stem from Mark's varied life experience.www.markfarrellmotivation.com

Insight – LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE RIGHT TO WEAR JEANS FOR THE DISABLED – 01.14.16

At age ten, when Stephanie Alves started sewing she had no concept that one day she would revolutionize the clothing industry by designing clothes for people with special needs.  ABL Denim, Stephanie’s company ( www.abldenim.com ), is producing jeans – yes jeans for various needs in different fabrics and styles to accommodate various needs and desires and is making consumers with disabilities elated because wearing jeans is an inalienable right.  You’re probably wearing them now and jeans are the only reason I ventured into broadcasting since my chosen field could care less what one sports in an on-air environment.  I even have my jeans categorized - my “nice jeans” are reserved for my talks at schools (k-12 and college) though I have to abandon them for corporate talks.  So, on behalf of a society that loves all things comfy, thank you Stephanie Alves for creating jeans for consumers with disabilities who like everyone – deserves the right to be comfortable and look cool!   

Have Mark speak at your school, college/university or workplace on “Overcoming Adversity” and more – info at www.markfarrellmotivation.com

Insight – SPEEDOMETER FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED DRIVERS (really), 100 YEARS OF THE NYC PAL PROTECTING AND SERVING COUNTLESS INNER CITY YOUTH ...ALL DONE LIVE WHILE MARK MANUVERS HOVERBOARD – 01.07.16

Mark speaks with NYC Police Athletic League's Executive Director, Fred Watts on the numerous programs benefitting 35,000 kids annually in the five boroughs and how Mr, Watts upbringing resulted in serving the public for 30 years with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office as a prosecutor and finance director and now taking PAL to new levels. Mark also shares examples of how as a kid he found trouble and how it could have changed his life trajectory since he wasn't part of PAL or similar organization.

Have Mark speak at your company, school or college on vital topics that stem from Mark's vast life experience. Info: www.markfarrellmotivation.com

Insight – NEW YEARS EVE - EMBRACED OR DREADED – 12.31.15

What made 2015 special? Will 2016 be a year of change? What events, people, etc. are you hoping will not trend in "16"? Mark reveals personal feats planned for the new year and muses possible life changes you're considering. 

www.markfarrellmotivation.com

Insight – PRINCETON UNIV. EMBRACES “MY DIFFERENCE MAKES ME STRONGER”, BACKLASH FOR COMMENTS ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS AND GOLDEN GATEBRIDGE NEAR FATAL JUMP SAVES KEVIN HINES – 12.10.15

The National Education Association President, Lily Eskelsen Garcia referred to special needs students as “chronically traded and the medically annoying” hear the unthinkable statement and the backlash that has ensued.  Fate saved Kevin Hines after the then 19 year old jumped from the Golden GateBridge and realized the millisecond he leapt over the railing that “it was an instant regret”.  Hear how Kevin has accepted that his battle with mental illness will be life long and that his work with national mental health organizations along with his book is helping countless people.  Mark also muses about how parents might address speaking with their children about school lock downs and why their needed. 

Have Mark speak at your school, college/university or workplace on “Overcoming Adversity” and more – info at www.markfarrellmotivation.com

Insight – Actress Sonia Satra on her Life and Moticise -Laugh for Sights 10th Anniversary Show – 11.19.15

Sonia Satra, former Guiding Light star, National Speakers Association / NYC President, Life Coach and founder of Moticise (www.moticise.com), joins Mark and reveals how her childhood eating disorder, passion for helping people and love for sport lead her to conceive what fitness and yoga experts are speculating what could be the next big fitness craze – Moticise.  Hear how the 10^th anniversary of Laugh for Sight was a huge success and meet budding comic Zaine Birnie whose lack of life experience won’t short change you on laughs.  

Insight – Concert Pianist, MIT Professor and Fit Model – The Indefinable Elaine Kwon and “Modern Families” author and Sociologist Joshua Gamson – 10.29.15

Concert Pianist, MIT Professor and Fit Model – The Indefinable Elaine Kwon and “Modern Families” author and Sociologist Joshua Gamson’s Insight on Unconventional Family Creation Tales PLUS the 26.2 Mile Life Changing Journey that Transforms NY.   

Oprah loves her for all that she’s accomplished and it’s no wonder as this former child prodigy is a force to be reckoned with as Elaine holds a 2^nd degree black belt that earned her 5 U.S. National Tae Kwon Do Championships.  And when Elaine isn’t flying through the air she’s storming the piano with a full orchestra accompanying her at Carnegie Hall or other legendary performance venues.  Listen to learn about her newest endeavor, “Savor Your Senses”, an innovative concert series where wine and food are paired with live music by Elaine and other greats: http://www.savoryoursenses.com/

Shattering yesterday’s conventions about what makes a family is Sociologist and author Joshua Gamson and his stories of extraordinary journeys to kinship.  This very proud and loving gay father of two daughters shares personal stories that further depict how the landscape of the nuclear family has changed.  Modern Families – Stories of Extraordinary Journeys to Kinship – published by NYU Press and available everywhere.

Have Mark speak at your school, university or workplace on “Overcoming Adversity” and more – info at www.markfarrellmotivation.com