Co-hosts Cheryl Benton and Anne Akers set the stage for an inspiring and engaging day at the Renewal Summit, welcoming attendees with enthusiasm and purpose. Cheryl highlighted The Three Tomatoes’ mission to celebrate and uplift grownup women, sharing recent achievements and community highlights. Anne provided an overview of the exciting agenda ahead, promising thought-provoking discussions, transformative insights, and moments of connection. It was the perfect start to a summit designed to empower, educate, and inspire!

Watch the videos below, and see more highlights of the day here.

The Three Tomatoes Renewal Summit 2025: Sonia Satra Keynote

Sonia Satra, our keynote motivational speaker, is an award-winning mind body coach and founder of Moticse and author of What If It Were Easy, using mindset and movement to create success in life, love and business. She emphasized the importance of vision and gratitude and took us through her process of identifying strengths, overcoming fears, and taking actionable steps. The audience participated in exercises to visualize their goals, affirm their abilities, and commit to actions, culminating in a collective affirmation of “Yes, I can.”

 The Three Tomatoes Renewal Summit 2025: How to Use AI as Your Personal Assistant

This segment was sponsored by OsteoStrong Park Avenue.

Roni Jenkins interviewed Megan Harnett, who shared her experience in AI-driven transformations. Megan demonstrated AI tools like ChatGPT and MidJourney, emphasizing their practical applications in creating documents, investment strategies, and even children’s books. She also discussed AI’s potential in career matching and interior design. The session concluded with a Q&A, encouraging the audience to explore AI’s potential in enhancing daily tasks and decision-making. Thanks to our AI sponsored panel, OsteoStrong Park Avenue.

 The Three Tomatoes Renewal Summit 2025: AI In the Medical Field

Roni Jenkins interviewed Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, a leading preventative cardiologist, who discussed the use of AI in women’s heart health. She highlighted that AI can accurately diagnose and assess heart conditions faster than traditional methods, which often miss 50% of personal risks. Steinbaum emphasized the importance of personalized risk assessments, including factors like menopause and family history, which standard assessments often overlook. She introduced the Adesso app, which integrates AI with wearable data to provide tailored health insights. Steinbaum also mentioned collaborations with Samsung Health and the Oura Ring, which tracks health metrics specific to women’s needs, stressing the importance of using data proactively for better health management.

 The Three Tomatoes Renewal Summit 2025: Woman of Purpose Award and Giving Circle Grant

Liz Abzug, a distinguished public affairs consultant and daughter of the late Congresswoman Bella Abzug, was honored for her work with the Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI). BALI empowers underrepresented youth in New York City through workshops, mentorship, and leadership training. The institute has trained over 4,000 young women and girls, providing critical skills and support. Abzug emphasized the importance of mentorship and community building. The event also highlighted the contributions of the Three Tomatoes and Glow Magazine Giving Circle, which has raised over $10,000 to support female-led charities, awarding grants to BALI and Hearts of Gold.

 The Three Tomatoes Renewal Summit 2025: Special Performance, Singer Songwriter Steve Shachalin

Steve Schalchlin, an award-winning songwriter and musician, performed original music and shared his experiences. He writes a song a week and performs at Strawberry Fields in Central Park on Wednesday mornings and Saturday evenings. Steve recounted his journey with HIV, diagnosed in 1993, given one year to live in 1994, and saved by a new medication in 1995. He emphasized the importance of support and mentorship, highlighting his online blog from 1996 that reached people globally. Steve concluded with a heartfelt love song, reflecting on his life and the impact of his music and mentorship.

The Three Tomatoes Renewal Summit 2025: Our Brain Health

This segment was sponsored by Karen Ballou, Founder of Immunocologie Skin Care

Sonia Satra interviewed Amybeth Whissel from Sharp Again, a nonprofit that focuses on brain health and dementia prevention. Amy emphasized the importance of nutrition, fitness, sleep, and stress management. She highlighted the role of functional medicine in addressing individual health factors, such as mold exposure and environmental toxins.  Key takeaways were also included Incorporate more joy and happiness into daily life, as “vitamin J” can be beneficial for brain health. Also consider getting a brain scan or test to check for early signs of cognitive decline.

The Three Tomatoes Renewal Summit 2025: Our Sexual Health

Dr. Barbara Bartlik, an expert in integrative psychiatry, discussed her holistic approach to mental health and sexual wellness, emphasizing the use of nutritional supplements, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications. She highlighted the prevalence of urinary incontinence, affecting 75% of women over 65 and 43% of those over 50, and the benefits of Kegel exercises and pelvic floor physical therapy. Dr. Bartlik also addressed the decline in men’s testosterone levels, suggesting exercise and supplements like Tribulus and Ashwagandha. She advocated for lifestyle changes to mitigate the side effects of psychiatric medications and stressed the importance of self-education and proactive health management.

The Three Tomatoes Renewal Summit 2025:Total Body Wellness

Dr. Dana Cohen, a leader in integrative and functional medicine, emphasized the importance of proper hydration, advocating for “eating your water” rather than just drinking it. She highlighted the negative impact of ultra-processed foods and stressed the benefits of consuming real, plant-based foods. Cohen also discussed the role of movement in hydration and the significance of starting the day with a big glass of water. She debunked the myth that caffeine is a diuretic, noting that up to four cups of coffee can be beneficial. Cohen’s new book, “Fuel Up,” focuses on sustainable eating habits without deprivation, including practical tips like daily green smoothies.

The Three Tomatoes Renewal Summit 2025: Your Feet

This segment of Your Body from Head to Toe was sponsored by Brett Cotter, Stress Is Gone.

Dr. Risa Ryser interviewed Dr. Amnon Barnea, a top podiatrist. Dr. Barnea discussed the importance of foot health, noting that 87% of women wear unsupportive shoes, leading to long-term foot and posture issues. He emphasized the significance of wearing supportive shoes for stability and overall body alignment. Dr. Barnea also clarified that deformities like bunions and hammertoes do not always require surgery unless they cause debilitating pain. The conversation highlighted the interconnectedness of foot health and overall well-being.

The Three Tomatoes Renewal Summit 2025: Your Hearing

Nicole Capach, a research audiologist from NYU, discussed the early signs and impact of hearing loss, emphasizing the importance of preventative care. She noted that untreated hearing loss can lead to depression and isolation, citing a study showing women with untreated hearing loss are twice as likely to experience depression. Capach recommended baseline hearing tests to monitor changes and highlighted the benefits of using hearing aids, including improved social and emotional well-being. She also addressed the misconceptions about over-the-counter hearing aids, advising individuals to explore options and seek professional care for optimal results.

The Three Tomatoes Renewal Summit 2025: Our Eyes

Dr. Rudrani Banik, an integrative neuro-ophthalmologist, discussed vision health, particularly for women over 40, who are at risk of vision impairment. She emphasized the importance of proactive eye care, including annual dilated eye exams, and highlighted the impact of digital eye strain from prolonged screen time. Bannock noted that the Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of macular degeneration by 47%, stressing the role of nutrition in eye health. She also underscored the significance of clear vision for daily tasks, communication, and overall quality of life, urging women to prioritize their eye health for better agency and self-care.

The Three Tomatoes Renewal Summit 2025: Living Abroad

The discussion, moderated by Phyllis Haynes centered on the experiences and challenges of living abroad. Panelists, travel journalist Laura Begley Bloom, women’s travel expert Phyllis Stoller, and globalist Jim Akers shared insights on the practicalities of moving overseas, including visa issues, healthcare costs, and cultural differences. They highlighted countries like Portugal, France, and Spain as popular destinations, citing affordable living costs and quality of life. Laura Begley Bloom emphasized the rise in Americans considering expatriation, with companies like Ex Patsy seeing a 504% increase post-election. Phyllis Stoller warned of the complexities, such as obtaining visas and healthcare. Jim Akers and others discussed the emotional and logistical aspects of relocating, including the benefits of house swapping and the impact on personal growth.

A Broadway Press Agent Tells All

The day ended with a lively and entertaining discussion featuring Josh Ellis, a renowned Broadway press agent, interviewed by Randie Levine Miller, known in NYC as the “hostess with the mostess”. Ellis shared anecdotes about his work with notable figures like Yul Brynner, Ethel Merman, and Bernadette Peters. He recounted Brynner’s specific theater demands, Merman’s eccentricities, and the challenge of last-minute song changes for “Into the Woods.” Ellis also highlighted his experiences with David Merrick, including a successful press stunt involving preteen tappers for “42nd Street.”