Zuzu All Grown Up

Zuzu: All Grown Up – Phillip Erklen Returns

In this joyful follow-up episode of Zuzu: All Grown Up, Karolyn Grimes and Dr. Chris Brunell welcome back beloved composer and friend, Phillip Erklen. Known for his heartfelt surprises, Phillip shares more stories, laughter, and the lasting magic that music brings. It's a celebration of friendship and the simple moments that leave a lasting impact.

Zuzu: All Grown Up – The Gift of Music, The Bond of Friendship with Phillip Erklen

In this special episode of Zuzu: All Grown Up, Karolyn Grimes reconnects with her longtime friend and composer, Phillip Erklen. For over 25 years, Phillip’s music and kindness have been woven into the heart of the Zuzu community. Together, they look back on their decades-long friendship, share touching stories, and reflect on how creativity and music can make life more meaningful.

Zuzu: All Grown Up – Walking Toward Hope with Mona Purdy & Share Your Soles

In this uplifting episode of Zuzu: All Grown Up, Karolyn Grimes and Dr. Chris Brunell sit down with Mona Purdy, founder of Share Your Soles, an organization whose mission is changing lives around the world. Share Your Soles has provided hundreds of thousands of gently used shoes to people in need, from nearby neighborhoods to faraway villages. Mona shares her journey, the challenges her team has overcome, and the powerful impact of turning something as simple as a pair of shoes into a symbol of hope.

Zuzu: All Grown Up – The Golden Rule in Action with Project: St. Nicholas Returns

In this uplifting episode of Zuzu: All Grown Up, Karolyn Grimes and Dr. Chris Brunell welcome Jeffrey Reale and Mike Seman, the inspiring team behind Project St. Nicholas Returns. What began with a Wall Street Journal article and a simple idea in 1993 has grown into a powerful holiday tradition rooted in kindness, anonymity, and the Golden Rule. Join us as we explore how a small group in Canton, Ohio, turned heartfelt Christmas letters into real-life miracles - and how their mission continues to brighten lives each year.

Zuzu: All Grown Up – Why Bad Things Don’t Happen to Good People with Rabbi Shaul Rosenblatt

In this thought-provoking episode of Zuzu: All Grown Up, Karolyn Grimes sits down with Rabbi Shaul Rosenblatt, author of Why Bad Things Don’t Happen to Good People. With wisdom rooted in spiritual reflection and personal growth, Rabbi Rosenblatt explores what it truly means to be “good” and how challenges in life can lead to deeper meaning, strength, and transformation. This powerful conversation will leave you rethinking how we define suffering - and how we rise above it.

Zuzu: All Grown Up – 500,000 Toys and Counting: The Pirate Toy Fund Story

On this special episode of Zuzu: All Grown Up, Karolyn Grimes and Dr. Chris Brunell sit down with Dave and Lorrie Simonetti - key figures behind the Pirate Toy Fund, an initiative co-founded with local entertainer Gary the Happy Pirate - and Otto Harnischfeger, the organization’s Executive Director. Together, they share the touching story behind this mission born from personal loss, and how it has since brought joy and comfort to hundreds of thousands of children in crisis.

Zuzu: All Grown Up – A Broadcast Legacy with Don Alhart

In this special episode of Zuzu: All Grown Up, Karolyn Grimes sits down with broadcasting icon Don Alhart. With an astonishing 58-year career at the same news station, Don holds a world record and has become a beloved figure in journalism and public service. He reflects on the evolution of news media, the powerful stories that shaped his path, and how community connection has always remained at the heart of his work.

Zuzu: All Grown Up – When the Chair Is Empty: Grief and Healing with Dr. Yvonne Kaye

In this episode of Zuzu: All Grown Up, Karolyn Grimes and Dr. Chris Brunell sit down with Dr. Yvonne Kaye - a renowned storyteller, humourist, veteran radio host, interfaith minister, and thanatologist. With decades of experience in grief counseling and human connection, Dr. Kaye brings wisdom, humor, and heart to life’s most difficult conversations. From working with families who have lost children to speaking on corporate stages, she’s spent her life helping others find meaning, healing, and strength.

Zuzu: All Grown Up – The Foundation of It’s a Wonderful Life Festival

In this special episode of Zuzu: All Grown Up, Karolyn Grimes and Dr. Chris Brunell explore the origins and legacy of the beloved It’s a Wonderful Life Festival in Seneca Falls, New York—a town many believe inspired Bedford Falls itself. 
 
Now more than two decades strong, the festival continues to unite cast members, fans, and a close-knit community each year in celebration of the film’s timeless message. Guests Fran Barbieri, Fr. Jim Fennessy, Michael J. Mirras, and Laura Jacuzzo join to share the incredible journey behind this cherished event and how it keeps the spirit of It’s a Wonderful Life alive for generations to come.

Zuzu: All Grown Up – A Conversation on Hope with Kathy Coady & Shannon Shepherd

In this inspiring episode of Zuzu: All Grown Up, Karolyn Grimes welcomes Kathy Coady and Shannon Shepherd from Hope Ministries. Since 1915, this Iowa-based organization has offered life-changing services to those experiencing homelessness, hunger, abuse, and addiction. Kathy and Shannon share powerful insights into how rescue, recovery, and restoration are made possible—one person at a time. Tune in to learn how you can be part of their mission to create hope and healing in your own community.