Right Now With CVD

17/11/2022

Yesterday at 10:38am heaven gained another angel. 🕊️

I met the lovely Maria at my hair salon when she was being fitted for a wig back in 2019. There are no coincidences in life, Maria and I were supposed to meet. We immediately hit it off and she opened up to me about her battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I promised her right there and then, that her story would be heard. Maria was my first guest on Right Now With CVD. Our bond continued past the interview and we often caught up through FaceTime and text messages. I was lucky to spend some time with her two months ago, before she left for her trial treatment in Texas. Unfortunately her treatment failed and she was airlifted back home. My husband and I had the chance to be with her on Saturday, just days before she passed, and what a beautiful moment that was. All her friends and family were there. We celebrated Christmas early with her. Cards Against Humanity was played, because why not, and although there were many tears there was also lots of laughter. At the end Maria was scared of just one thing…not being remembered. Not only will she NEVER be forgotten, her legacy will live on forever through all those that loved her. Before we left her on Saturday she said this to us…whenever you see a blue butterfly just know that that’s me saying hello. Well, I’m already looking forward to spring. 🦋

Sending all of my love to her beautiful Mom Elsa, her amazing stepfather Rick, her family and all of her amazing friends. We love you Maria!! 🦋

10/12/2020

When I was 7 months old I was adopted into a loving family and will forever be grateful for that. Did I luck out? I often think of what would have been, had I not been adopted. Would I have gone to foster care? Would I have aged out of the system? I still live with these thoughts.

One year ago I sat down with Frank Roda to discuss what his foster care journey was like. He was candid, he was angry and he was hurting. Did the system fail Frank or did Frank fail the system? This is Surviving Foster Care.

"To be safe. To be home. To belong. When the system can’t deliver, exploiters step in."

A special thank you to Elisabeth Wolbersky and Perfit Moms for all the love and support.
JED Lab

18/11/2020

Imagine having to leave your family home at 5 years old because of a violent fight between your parents. You end up in the system, with a foster family that makes your life a living hell. Did the system fail Frank or did Frank fail the system? Find out on the next episode of Right Now with CVD.

📸JED Lab
Frank Roda

10/09/2020

"Trans people are extraordinary, strong, intelligent, persistent and resilient. We have to be. And we will not stand for the picking and choosing of rights. We still have hope." - Grace Dolan-Sandrino

It's not a trend nor a phase and it's certainly not about trying to be different. It's about acceptance, respect and understanding. But more importantly, it's about being true to who you are.

Interview also available here: https://youtu.be/rl4iT20zLeQ



Director JED Lab
Ben Zion
CVD's Clothing - Joseph Ribkoff

02/09/2020

What do you do when what you see in the mirror doesn't reflect who you truly are? Find out on the next episode of Right Now with CVD.

📸 JED Lab

21/08/2020

So many of you have reached out to me regarding Maria Muscari's recent interview. Is her body responding well to her treatment? How has she been handling her illness during a pandemic? Is her confidence back? Find out now!

18/08/2020

It's been almost four years since the death of 17 year old Darius Brown. Was justice served? How is the family doing? Can you heal from such a tragic death? Find out as I discuss justice & healing with Darius' parents.
Interview is also available here - https://youtu.be/EbesmDgsRDo

JED Lab Ben Zion Dominic Caterina Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth Joseph Ribkoff

04/08/2020

It's been more than 3 years since Darius Brown's death. How are his parents healing? Was there justice for Darius? Find out on the next episode.

📸 JED Lab
🏨 Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth
Stephen Hennessy


Westhaven Community Center

10/07/2020

My wigs are an accessory for me, but I realize that for others they might be a necessity. In my interview with Maria it was important for me to express to her the importance of self-love with or without that damn wig. History shows that hair is a sign of femininity. Some feel they have no identity without it. The negative implication of a woman with a bare head is apparent in today’s society. Long hair = feminine, sexy, powerful...WRONG!! I said this to Maria in the interview and I sometimes have to convince myself of this. But we are not defined by the hair on our head. We simply aren’t. Maria’s mom has reached out to me often since our interview to say how much I have changed her self-perception. And for that, I am proud. Would you feel like yourself without hair on your head???


Maria Muscari Elsa Moritis

🏨 Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth
📸 Jack Lafortune
👗 Joseph Ribkoff

09/07/2020

Death is scary but so is the loss of femininity. What do you do when you are a 20 year old who gets diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and one of your main concerns is your appearance? This is Maria’s story.

A special thank you to Dr. April Shamy from the Montreal Jewish General Hospital for providing Maria with the best care.

Please like our page and share. You can also find us on Instagram and on YouTube.

Sponsored by:
Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth (filmed on location)
Joseph Ribkoff
Billy Vourakis - Royal LePage

Jack Lafortune
Maria Muscari

09/07/2020

N = Now
When I started looking for a title for my web series, SO many different names came to mind. I was seeking advice from anyone who would help me out on my quest for the perfect name. The obvious titles were those with my name in it (The Catherine Verdon-Diamond Show, Catherine, etc. ), but I felt no attachment to them. I’ve always felt that this show is not about me! I’m simply giving people a platform to tell their stories. I’m empowering people by allowing them to be heard and understood.

So when my friend suggested Now and Right Now, I immediately felt a connection to it. We need to live in the present! We need to stop putting our aspirations and dreams on hold because of self-doubt. If not NOW then when??? When I started working on this project so many people told me it would be difficult. So many people told me “I am one out of millions trying to do this”. Well sh*t,(Leslie Jordan voice) it was hard, it was long, but I did it!! My first season is finally ready for your viewing. It may be three episodes shorter than what I had planned (COVID-19), but it’s here nonetheless. I hope you’ll join me on this journey. First episode airs TODAY!!! Stay tuned. Follow here and like the Right Now with CVD FB page. 😘

08/07/2020

No one is going to hand me success. I must go out and get it myself. That’s why I’m here. To dominate. To conquer. Both the world and myself.



📸
MUA
Branding

07/07/2020

THREE SIMPLE RULES IN LIFE
1. If you do not go after what you want, you will never get it.

2. If you do not ask, the answer will always be no.

3. If you do not step forward and try, you will always be in the same place.

First episode in 2 days...LET’S GO!!!



📸
MUA
👗

06/07/2020

The countdown begins NOW!! 3 days left until the launch of Right Now With CVD!!! Let’s Go!!!!!!

05/07/2020

Trust The Wait
“Embrace the uncertainty. Enjoy the beauty of becoming. When nothing is certain, anything is possible.” - Mandy Hale

#2020

04/07/2020

Next week you’ll get to meet my first guest on Right Now with CVD. We sit down for a candid interview you won’t want to miss.
📸 Jack Lafortune
🏨 Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth
👗 Joseph Ribkoff

16/06/2020

IT'S TIME! Here's a sneak peek of Episode 1 - "No Hair, She Cares".
You'll meet Maria Muscari, a 20 year old who is not only fighting for her life, but fighting to regain the self-confidence she lost along the way.

Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth Thank you for supporting me and being my sponsor. 🙏🏾

29/05/2020

Now that we’ve got your attention, let’s start a real conversation. Tune in tonight at 8pm right here as the incomparable and I talk racism in 2020.

28/05/2020

Lately I have witnessed too many tragedies that have disturbed me to the core.

What can we do as a society to ensure progress?
We need to find ways to be more compassionate towards the ongoing struggles of black men.

As a mother of two young black boys and the wife of a black man, I look to you, my friends, my neighbours, my colleagues, to stand up, to speak out and to create change, because we can't do it alone. This is not just our battle, it's EVERYONE'S battle.

I am grateful to have this platform to send out this very important message.
Thank you to my beautiful community for lending me your son's voices.

27/05/2020

This. Is. Coming. Soon. Are you ready? We are! 🔥

25/05/2020

Just like the rest of you I've been navigating these uncertain times with my family. But now with life regaining some sense of normalcy, it feels like the right time to launch this project that is near and dear to my heart. Here's the promo for what's to come on this season of Right Now with CVD. Thank you so much for your continued support. Can't wait to share this with you. First episode on its way next!!

25/05/2020

06/03/2020

I’ve had the chance to interview really interesting people for my project. Can’t wait to share it all with you.

22/02/2020

The little team that could! This is my team, my crew, the people helping me make this passion project come to life.
Dominic- my sound mixer. Benjamin - Gaffer operator. Jack Lafortune - camera operator and creative director. Chelsea - editor.
Teamwork makes the dream work!
Follow

15/02/2020

Many of you have been asking me about my branding. This was not something that happened overnight and I knew I needed help with it. I had the title of the show and a vision for it, I just needed it to come through on paper. Meetings, emails, phone calls, revisions...check out the process in my story.
Will, you killed it!!


📸 by
MUA
Branding

12/02/2020

Behind the scenes pics of Right Now with CVD!! Can’t wait to share it ALL with you.