by Pat Wetzel | Oct 26, 2020 | Bump In The Road, Podcast, Road Trip, The Story
Carmen Gentile is an international reporter, covering developing and war torn areas ranging from Brazil and Nigeria, to Iraq and Afghanistan where he was embedded with American troops in the Lunar Province in eastern Afghanistan.
Being in combat is frightening for anyone and Carmen admits:
“That doesn’t mean I’m not scared shitless when I do it. I just leave that part out of my stories.”
But there was one story he could not escape and it was his own. While on a reconnaissance mission with U.S. troops, an RPG (rocket propelled grenade) hit Carmen in the face. Remarkably, it didn’t detonate.
“As it raced towards me, I accepted death as an inevitability. Now, the memory of my resignation to dying has left an indelible black mark on me that permeates every moment since.”
Carmen faced numerous reconstructive surgeries and never fully regained vision in his injured eye which he details in his book, “Blindsided by the Taliban”. But his story is about more than just injury and recovery. It’s about themes that weave through all our lives, themes of finding meaning, loss, injury, hurt , romantic woes, and professional frustrations.
Blindsided by the Taliban by Carmen Gentile
Carmen Gentile: Blindsided by the Taliban
There are no rules to how we respond to life’s bumps in the road. This week Carmen shares some insights into his remarkable story.
Carmen Gentile: Embedded with the Troops
This video captures Carmen’s experience as an embedded journalist and, most remarkably, his injury:
Gewi Patrol from Brian Wagner on Vimeo.
by Pat Wetzel | Oct 19, 2020 | Bump In The Road, Podcast, Road Trip, The Story
Wendy Wagner Ph.D. is a Psychologist, Hypnotherapist and Mindfulness Coach providing holistic therapy services in Northern New Mexico. She has had a life of many bumps in the road.
Wendy Wagner at her home in Taos, NM
Wendy has been on a path of personal and spiritual inquiry for several decades. Then cancer struck and sent her even deeper into inquiry into realms she never dreamed of. But it was a gift that forced her into “the void”, that place of discomfort beyond one’s comfort zone. And it opened a door to greater wisdom and understanding.
“The void is creative and chock full of spirit.”
Wendy’s reflections on life, personal and spiritual growth have much to teach each of us. One of her basic tenets is that
“Everything comes to you for your benefit.”
Life is, after all, a road trip.
This podcast was recorded in late May, when we were still hopeful that New Mexico would be re-opening. But the re-opening never happened. Now, in mid-October, the state is essentially shut down, and many restaurants and shops are closing permanently. No one knows what the future holds. And somehow, this conversation from early this summer, addresses this and so much more.
Wendy Wagner on Bump in the Road
by Pat Wetzel | Oct 12, 2020 | Bump In The Road, Podcast, Road Trip, The Story
Luis has one of the most amazing career paths I’ve ever seen. By following his passion and his heart, he’s climbed the 7 Summits, been on Oprah and so much more. How did a young child suffering from asthma so severe that he could have been the original “Bubble Boy” transform into a leader in the outdoor industry?
Luis Benitez
Luis’ story is one of passion. Passion for climbing and passion for the outdoors. He has summited the “Seven Summits” 32 times, including Mt. Everest six times. From Everest, he has reported for ABC and National Geographic.
Luis has summited Everest six times, including once as guide to blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer.
He was also the guide for Erik Weihenmayer. Erik is an inspiration to many, particularly in the blind community. Lack of sight didn’t mean lack of vision, and together with Luis, they summited Everest.
Luis went on to work for Outward Bound and to be an international mountaineer which in turn eventually led to his position ad the Colorado’s first State Director for the Outdoor Recreation Industry, a demanding job that meant balancing environmental, commercial and corporate needs. He also founded Endeavor Consulting which focuses on leadership lesson learned from his various expeditions.
Today he works for VIF Foundation as a Vice President of Government Affairs and Global Impact.
The view from above
Luis Benitez
This week’s Bump in the Road is about challenge and accomplishment, against the backdrop of some of the world’s most daunting mountain peaks. I hope you enjoy Luis’ incredible story.
by Pat Wetzel | Oct 5, 2020 | Bump In The Road, Podcast, Road Trip, The Story
Cameron Auxer, M.A. aka @PajamaDaze on Twitter, is one of those big hearted people you’re just lucky to have in your life. In spite of dealing with chronic illness over many years, she is always giving back. Her book “When Bodies Break –How we survive and thrive with illness and disability” is a compilation of stories and an inspiration.
“Chronic illness has been a life-long companion on my meandering path. It wasn’t until I experienced multiple heart attacks, leaving me chronically fatigued, and for several months without short-term memory, that life as I knew it stopped dead in its tracks…
These stories aren’t about being cured…Instead, these are tales of digging deep down into one’s suffering soul and finding the guts to create a new life. A life with adjustments. A life lived with purpose. A life that works any way you can make it.”
Cameron Auxer’s book, When Bodies Break
Cam can be reached at her website www.pajamadaze.com.
Cameron Auxer Author of “When Bodies Break”:
Cam can be reached at her website 
