Yesterday on the Living Strong Radio Show, we stood on the shoulders of wisdom. Inspired by Chapter 4: What Grandpa John Taught Me from my book Living Strong: The Power of Defining Moments, we honored our elders — the ones who paved the way, who carried burdens we may never fully know, and who handed us the gift of their love and lessons. It was a show filled with light. Shine On honored my mother-in-law, Mom-Mom, who embodied quiet strength. Brand New Day lifted up the spirit of my Grandpa John, who taught me that life is not about how many years you live, but how much life you pour into those years. Yesterday’s show reminded us that we do not walk alone — we are guided by those who came before us. We also spotlighted the very first Defining Moment Interview with Ms. Amanda Tagliavia. Amanda is not yet an elder, but she is a mom, a military veteran, and a black belt at our school in Mount Laurel. Her story of sacrifice, resilience, and determination — raising her son as a single mom while carrying the weight of service and community leadership — struck a chord. Out of her story came the song Fight in the Heart, written to honor moms like her who face battles most never see, but still show up with strength and love. Amanda’s story is a reminder that defining moments don’t belong only to elders. They belong to anyone who chooses to face life’s challenges with courage and conviction. The Hardest Chapter to Write This week, we move into Chapter 5: Facing the Real Fight. This is one of the hardest chapters in my book — not just to write, but to read aloud or hear on my audiobook. Every time I revisit it, I feel the weight of the Bronx in my chest. It takes me back to the night I stood at the Gunhill Road train station, a kid with a machete in my hand, surrounded by a hundred members of my gang. My heart was pounding. My soul was screaming. And I remember asking myself: “Is this really my life?” That moment didn’t just shake me — it carved something deep inside me. It was the beginning of realizing that my fight wasn’t with a rival gang, or even the system that told me I’d be dead or in prison before adulthood. My real fight was with myself — against the part of me that believed I was nothing more than a statistic.

Show starts at time stamp: 11:55 https://www.youtube.com/live/mmo9J3yQFQw?si=TggDZ-AYO3aP2bW_&t=716

Family, today is a very special day for us. It's my wife @Renee Chambers-Liciaga’s mom’s (Sandra "Mom-Mom" Pratt) birthday — the only grandparent still with us, and a woman whose faith, wisdom, and steady love have shaped generations. To honor her, I created a brand-new song called “Shine On.” This track was written and produced as a reflection of the light that elders bring into our lives. It’s not about age or years, but about presence, faith, and the kind of love that continues to shine long after the moment has passed. The music blends Gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop, Soul, and even touches of Doo-Wop — a sound that bridges generations, just like she does. 👉 I’ve released the official Shine On video on YouTube today, in honor of her birthday. (Link in the comments) I’d love for you to listen, and as you do, take a moment to reflect: 💭 Who in your life shines with that steady, faithful light? This is more than a song. It’s a celebration of legacy, faith, and Living Strong. Living Strong, Peter

Right now, Scars Ain’t Shame is the number one song on my Living Strong Radio Show channel. And I want to bring it here, to our Living Strong community, because this song isn’t just about me—it’s about all of us. The words came out of my own journey—the battles I fought, the scars I carry. For years, I thought of those scars as stains, reminders of pain. But over time, I discovered something else: every scar is proof that I showed up. Proof that I endured, learned, and lived to tell the story. That’s why the chorus declares: “These scars ain’t shame—they’re proof I showed up, Each one a battle, now I toast with my cup. From ashes, I rise, with wisdom I’ve gained, I wear them like medals, my soul unchained.” The song’s analysis says it best: “The lyrics convey a powerful narrative of resilience and self-acceptance, illustrating the journey of overcoming past struggles and embracing one’s scars as symbols of strength rather than shame. The protagonist reflects on battles fought, emphasizing that each scar tells a story of survival and growth. Emotions of pain, doubt, and hope intertwine, showcasing a transformation from feeling trapped to reclaiming one’s identity. The imagery of toasting with a cup from ashes symbolizes triumph over adversity, while the overall tone is one of empowerment and celebration of life’s journey, encouraging listeners to embrace their own stories.” 🎶 The Sound & Vibe The production of Scars Ain’t Shame was intentional. I wanted the music to feel like resilience—layered, textured, strong yet soulful. That’s why it blends Pop, Hip Hop, R\&B, Electronic, and Indie Pop elements. The subgenres—Chill Pop, Synth-pop, Acoustic Pop, Mellow Hip Hop, and Lo-fi Hip Hop—give it that smooth, reflective vibe. It’s music that breathes, letting the lyrics speak while wrapping them in atmosphere. 💬 Join the Conversation I’m dropping the link to the track below and the full lyrics in the comments. I’d love for you to listen and then share your thoughts here in the group:

It started with a simple quest: to get 100 subscribers to the Living Strong Radio Show channel. I thought it would just be about numbers. A milestone to reach. A marker of progress. But it became something much deeper. People supported. People shared. People asked questions. And many reached out — calls, texts, messages — to tell me how much the show resonated with them. Some said the music spoke to their soul. Some said the words carried them through a dark week. Some simply said it reminded them they weren’t alone. That’s when I realized: this show isn’t just content. It isn’t just music and stories. It’s connection. It’s resonance. It’s purpose. But if I go back to the very beginning, to the initial spark, the answer is simple: I needed to give spirit to the words of my book. Living Strong: The Power of Defining Moments was born in ink and paper — but I wanted it to breathe in rhythm, melody, and sound. To give the words not just voice, but musical spirit. And that spirit couldn’t be confined to one style. It had to carry the full tapestry of my soul: hip hop, salsa, gospel, merengue, jazz, Latin hustle, rock, theater, standards. All the genres that shaped me, that live in my bloodstream, that make me me. The show began as the sound of my book. But it grew into something larger — the sound of all of us. Scene One: The Invitation Yes, the show is for lovers of music — hip hop, jazz, gospel, country, rock, musical theater. Yes, it’s for mental health and fitness buffs, word nerds, lovers of family and community. But it’s also born of something deeper in me: my Latin spirit. I grew up Puerto Rican in the Bronx. Salsa, merengue, the Latin hustle of the 70s — they weren’t just sounds, they were survival. They were movement, rhythm, soul. The pulse of the street and the beat of my people. Dance taught me discipline. Rhythm taught me resilience. Latin soul gave me joy when life felt too heavy. So yes — the show is for us. Parents, grandparents, great-grandparents — the ones who carry the weight of raising the next generation. The ones who “get the job done.” The ones who know the struggle of life and still keep showing up, equipping our youth to handle the hard of life.