TV weatherman Spencer Christian had it all:  A great job, a great family, a great life.  But he nearly lost everything to compulsive gambling, before he found the courage to change his life.  BJ and Spencer discuss Spencer's new book, "You Bet Your Life: How I Survived Jim Crow Racism, Hurricane Chasing, and Gambling."

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You Bet Your Life: Spencer Christian's Story of Fame, Fortune, Desperation and Redemption

BJ attends the annual commemoration for the USS San Francisco, which was involved in one of the most hellacious, courageous battles  in American military history 76 years ago at Guadalcanal.

USS San Francisco Memorial Day Commemoration

Benjamin Zander, Founder, Music Director and Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestras, discusses the world's greatest music; how it uplifts mankind and teaches us all about love, life and humanity.

Benjamin Zander and The Art of Possibility

Former NFL player and now local news anchor Vai Sikahema recounts his transition from the NFL to TV, coming to America at the age of 8, and the important role religion plays in his life. Second of two parts.

Vai Sikahema Part 2: From Tonga to the NFL to the World of Local TV News

Vai Sikahema forever won the hearts of Philadelphia Eagles fans more than two decades ago.  He's now a television news anchor, whose front row seat to history includes an impending nuclear attack heading right for him (well, not really) and the incredible and improbable Super Bowl Run by the Iggles. BJ talks with his old pal Vai about the attack that wasn't, the championship that was, and his jarring introduction to live TV news during an infamous chase on the freeways of Los Angeles.

Vai Sikahema: From the NFL to the local TV news desk

Bill Finch has spent his most of his life in public service; State Senator, Mayor of Connecticut's biggest city, Executive Director of the New York State Turnpike Authority.  But now, Bill is using his love of science and optimistic view of the future to lead the Discovery Museum and Planetarium in Bridgeport, a place where kids age 1 to 100 can experience the thrill of the daily miracles around us.

A World of Discovery Happening Every Day in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Training teenagers to be ready for the next disaster my not be part of a regular school curriculum, but two Connecticut high schools are doing just that. Fox 61 reporter Jim Altman joins BJ to talk about an extraordinary program at one school and an extraordinary gift to another. Plus, being the hockey heads that they are, BJ and Jim can't help but throw in a third (and unrelated) story; how Hartford Whalers fans are keeping hope alive, 20 years after the Whale shoved off for Raleigh, NC.

Ready for Disaster. Teenagers Tackle the Reality at Two Connecticut High Schools

Fires. Murders. Corruption. Bad Weather.  Each among the storylines we expect every day when we tune into the local television news. But the TV news operations that stand out, take the time and make the effort to also tell stories of human triumph and hope in a memorable and impactful way.  BJ sits down with Fox 61 reporter Jim Altman to listen to and discuss three of Jim's recent stories.

One tragic. One heartwarming. One inspiring.

FDR was one of our great presidents.  Eleanor was our greatest First Lady. In many ways, it all started when Franklin's mother built them a grand home in midtown Manhattan, a home that still stands today, not just as a museum, but as a beacon of education, freedom, and human rights.

Franklin and Eleanor: Their Work Continues Today at Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College

Should we return to the Moon?  Plan a mission to Mars? What is the impact and risks of long term human space travel? In this Best of 2017 episode of Take Me Through It, B.J. and Mike (producer of the movie "Inner Space") go deep into the galaxy for a probing interview with Dr. Mark Shelhamer, NASA's former chief scientist for human research.

Best of 2017: How Outer Space Affects Man's Inner Space

One of the greatest Christmas movies of all time has a back story as funny and interesting as the film itself.  Check out the story behind "Gremlins" in a Take Me Through It episode from the 2017 archives.

Best of 2017: How a Dark Violent Script was Transformed into a Horror Comedy Classic

B.J. continues his Best of 2017 episodes with a look back to summer, and the story of how a young boy raised in the heart of Red Sox Nation became (gasp!) a fan of the New York Yankees.

Best of 2017: The New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox and a Love Story for the Ages.

"Decency Wins."  That two-word tweet from a Republican U.S. Senator reacting to Democrat Doug Jones' victory in the Alabama U.S. Senate race, brought to mind one of our favorite 2017 episodes of Take Me Through It.  How the word "decency" changed the course of history more than six decades ago.

Best of 2017: Decency Wins

B.J and the Take Me Through It team count down to 2018 by looking back at some of the more memorable episodes from 2017.  This time, B.J. recounts the time he bumped into the President of the United States on his 145th birthday.

Best of 2017: Calvin Coolidge Birthday Celebration in Plymouth Notch, Vermont.

B.J. talks with four journalism students from the University of Connecticut to get their take on the future of their chosen profession. In this era of the Great American Polarization, can the truth prevail in an atmosphere of mistrust, lies, ignorance and mis-information? 

The Future of Journalism: Today's Students Answer the Call.

Award winning broadcast journalist B.J. Finnell travels the U.S., exploring the unique, amazing, odd, hilarious and compelling stories from people in cities, towns and villages across America.

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