Overcomers Overcoming: Recent Episodes
Ron and Marty Cooper: Human Behavior and Leadership Trainers
Learn how others are overcoming or have overcome a variety of life happenings. Everyone has a story that someone needs to hear. Let those stories inspire you to, 1) know you are not alone in whatever life topic you are experiencing, 2) know there are multiple solutions all of life dilemmas, and, 3) learn about critical thinking skills to make informed life decisions.
Nothing made sense in Micah Marshall’s life until he discovered he was autistic at age 22. You might relate to that if you have been late diagnosed as well. Several tests were done when he was three due to some behavioral symptoms without explanation. Micah’s mission is to help all people with autism know they’re deeply valued and discover their potential through personal growth and success! In tis context, disability is only a mindset. Micah owns Marshall Health Insurance to help anyone and everyone find the right coverage. His passion is to serve spectrum families who struggle to navigate the healthcare system. As a John Maxwell Certified Team Member, he speaks to autism professionals and parents with kids on the spectrum, and business leaders across the United States. He is writing the book, Success on the Spectrum, which is projected to be released in August 2025. It will be the first ever personal growth book written to kids and adults with autism! Micah also blogs regularly about neurodiversity, positive attitudes, and mental health. He is a pioneer for personal growth and success for those on the spectrum. You can learn more about Micah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-marshall-311bb41a5/.
Alan Lazaros is a business coach, consultant, trainer, and speaker specializing in helping businesses maximize their growth, impact, and profitability online. He believes in a heart-driven approach to inspiring, motivating, and educating others on what is required to reach the next level. When he was two years old, his father passed away in a car accident. At age 26, after getting into a nearly fatal car accident himself, he questioned everything he was doing in life. It was a moment of comprehensive introspection to determine his worth and direction. He asked who he was and the choices he was making and had made. He was at an all-time low. Filled with regret, he searched for answers and found two of the brightest lights he had ever seen. The first bright light was a book by Bronnie Ware entitled, “The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying,” and the second was a Ted Talk by Tony Robbins. These resources helped him find his way and guided him to go ALL IN on self-improvement to design a life of meaning and purpose. On this self-improvement journey, he has learned to believe in a heart-driven approach to inspiring, motivating, and educating others on what is required to reach the Next Level. Today, he proudly says his mission is to help others create a life of success and fulfillment. He learned the hard way how empty success without fulfillment is and how to limit fulfillment without success as well. You can learn more about Alan at https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/.
Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD, is a high-energy, creative clinical psychologist and professional speaker who utilizes an eclectic approach to meet the specific needs of his neurodivergent clients. He is proud to serve the Gifted community as a consultant, a professor, an author, and a researcher. He has spoken over 400 times worldwide about supporting neurodivergent people. Dr. Zakreski graduated from Widener University’s Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology (IGCP) in 2016. He co-founded The Neurodiversity Collective, which provides therapy, IQ testing, coaching, and consulting. You bring your brain with you wherever you go, whether you're a student in school, a professional adult, or someone trying to determine your way in the world. But rarely do we get enough information to understand and process what our brains do for us and how they manifest in the world. Dr. Matt is one of the world's foremost experts in neurodivergence for people with different brains (think ADHD, Giftedness, Dyslexia, Autism, etc.) and how to meet their needs socially, professionally, and emotionally. He combines neuropsychology, clinical practice, and meaningful exercises to make educational, inspirational, and entertaining content. The Neurodiversity Collective (NDC) has been a long-time dream of this "grown-up gifted kid." Under Dr. Matt's leadership, NDC stands out as a group of informed, compassionate, and skilled specialists prepared to serve unique needs. There is a neurodiversity employment network headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. You can reach them at https://neurodiversityemploymentnetwork.org/. Auticon is an IT consulting business and social enterprise that exclusively employs adults on the autism spectrum in permanent roles as IT consultants. They are at https://auticon.com/. Aspiritech focuses on neurodiverse teamwork. Aspiritech’s donors allow that nonprofit to provide the essential support and programs that make us a leading provider of meaningful employment for autistic adults. If you can, please support our mission today. You can learn more about Dr. Matt at https://www.theneurodiversitycollective.com/ and https://ghfdialogue.org/author/drmatt/.
Dr. Fidele Sebahizi grew up in a poor African village, living and surviving an ethnically motivated massacre in a United Nations refugee camp of Gatumba in Burundi, Africa. Fidele overcame life obstacles as an immigrant in the United States to achieve the American dream. He became the first immigrant to join and work for the Abilene Police Department (APD) in Texas as a police officer and the first member of his ethnic group, the Banyamulenge, in the United States to serve the American community in such a capacity. While working for the APD, Fidele earned multiple degrees: a B.A. in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University in New Hampshire, an M.S. in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University in Texas, and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice — Homeland Security from Liberty University in Virginia. A father and a husband, Fidele likes to listen to country music during his free time. His book - Creating a Life from the Ashes: A Memoir, will be available for purchase in October 2024. will be available for sale in October 2024. You can learn more about Dr. Fidele Sebahizi at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fidele-sebahizi-1376671b6/ and https://x.com/fidele_sebahizi?lang=en.
Michaela Cox was born blind and widowed early by the love of her life in her second marriage. She is now a single mother and author. She is a multi-published author and speaker. She writes on various passionate topics and often takes from her life experience and journey. She is the author of five series, including 'Take a Sip, Take a Breath and Go...' series on motherhood, "Before the Clock Strikes Midnight" series on parenting and leaving a legacy for our babies, "Scripture, Spirituality and Our Culture" on our faith, beliefs, scripture and our culture, "We the People - Defining and Exploring Who we the People Are" as a people, society, and a nation, and the series 'Now I See.' Her other publications include "Living the Beach Life and Heartfelt Meditations." She has a passion for sharing her story and message of 38DDD: A journey of going from much tribulation to thriving in everything to help inspire and empower people on their journey. In addition to being an author and speaker, Michaela is a mother to her two children. You can learn more about Michaela at https://davidpasqualone.com/content-type-media/podcasts/michaela-cox-thriving-in-life-after-38ddd-disability-divorce-death-bonus-episode-61/ and https://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-78-my-guest-michaela-cox-speaks-about-her-38ddd-journey--47473439.
Lisa Lynch’s journey to recovery began after she was in a boating accident and suffered a spinal cord and pelvis injury that left her dependent on a wheelchair. She soon learned that sand and wheels don't mix well. She also learned that she didn’t think she could enjoy the beach life any longer. Her 13-year (as of this writing) healing journey took her on many different paths. She discovered solutions to enjoy life again and get back to the water. Lisa's Beach Highways was formed in 2019 to offer accessibility/inclusion to those who love the salt life! She is an advocate and her vision is to get the entire state of Florida accessible within the next 10 years!! The sky is the limit!! Please follow her and watch her FLY!!!!! You can learn more about Lisa at https://www.youtube.com/@lisalynch2858/about?app=desktop.
Alan Lazaros is a business coach, consultant, trainer, and speaker specializing in helping businesses maximize their growth, impact, and profitability online. He believes in a heart-driven approach to inspiring, motivating, and educating others on what is required to reach the next level. When he was two years old, his father passed away in a car accident. At age 26, after getting into a nearly fatal car accident himself, he questioned everything he was doing in life. It was a moment of comprehensive introspection to determine his worth and direction. He asked who he was and the choices he was making and had made. He was at an all-time low. Filled with regret, he searched for answers and found two of the brightest lights he had ever seen. The first bright light was a book by Bronnie Ware entitled, “The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying,” and the second was a Ted Talk by Tony Robbins. These resources helped him find his way and guided him to go ALL IN on self-improvement to design a life of meaning and purpose. On this self-improvement journey, he has learned to believe in a heart-driven approach to inspiring, motivating, and educating others on what is required to reach the Next Level. Today, he proudly says his mission is to help others create a life of success and fulfillment. He learned the hard way how empty success without fulfillment is and how to limit fulfillment without success as well. You can learn more about Alan at https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/.
Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD, is a high-energy, creative clinical psychologist and professional speaker who utilizes an eclectic approach to meet the specific needs of his neurodivergent clients. He is proud to serve the Gifted community as a consultant, a professor, an author, and a researcher. He has spoken over 400 times worldwide about supporting neurodivergent people. Dr. Zakreski graduated from Widener University’s Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology (IGCP) in 2016. He co-founded The Neurodiversity Collective, which provides therapy, IQ testing, coaching, and consulting. You bring your brain with you wherever you go, whether you're a student in school, a professional adult, or someone trying to determine your way in the world. But rarely do we get enough information to understand and process what our brains do for us and how they manifest in the world. Dr. Matt is one of the world's foremost experts in neurodivergence for people with different brains (think ADHD, Giftedness, Dyslexia, Autism, etc.) and how to meet their needs socially, professionally, and emotionally. He combines neuropsychology, clinical practice, and meaningful exercises to make educational, inspirational, and entertaining content. The Neurodiversity Collective (NDC) has been a long-time dream of this "grown-up gifted kid." Under Dr. Matt's leadership, NDC stands out as a group of informed, compassionate, and skilled specialists prepared to serve unique needs. You can learn more about Dr. Matt at https://www.theneurodiversitycollective.com/ and https://ghfdialogue.org/author/drmatt/.
Iryna Ishchenko was born in Kazakhstan and then moved to Ukraine with her family when she was one year old. She knows how it is to grieve your parents when they are still alive, but they are no longer your parents because of bodily function deterioration. They are not the ones you have known and loved for your entire life. She knows what it’s like to fear your own emotions because you have always thought it was wrong and unacceptable to have such strong negative feelings about your parents. She exhausted herself and carried enormous guilt for not being fully present in the lives of her young child and her spouse. Her plans and her professional aspirations were put on hold indefinitely. She knows how it feels to receive unsolicited advice from relatives and well-meaning strangers who tell her she is doing everything wrong. Surprisingly, they didn’t try to do it right themselves. She knows it all because she’s experienced this in her life. And while she was there, she desperately wished someone would help her survive that madness. Having learned from her past, she intends to help others in a similar situation. You can learn more about Iryna Ishchenko at https://irynaishchenko.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/irynaishchenko/.
Brittney Phillips is a certified life coach, certified stepparent coach, and founder of Blending Bravely, a coaching and education company specializing in empowering women of faith in blended families. With a heartfelt commitment to helping moms in blended families find peace, strengthen their sanity, and deepen their faith, Brittney offers a transformative approach that fosters strong connections within stepfamilies. Drawing from her own experience as a former educator and blending her own family, Brittney brings a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by women of faith in blended families. Through her tailored online courses and personalized 1:1 coaching, she guides and supports her clients to gain confidence, clarity, and resilience. These women are empowered to positively impact their blended family dynamic and all aspects of their lives by strengthening themselves. Brittney's ultimate goal is to help 1,000 blended families stay together and thrive, joining the 30% of blended family couples with successful, long-lasting marriages. Her unique approach, her journey, and unwavering faith position her as a valuable resource for women of faith navigating the complex challenges of blending families. You can learn more about Brittney at www.blendingbravely.com, https://www.amazon.com/arya/webplayer?ref_=adbl_podcast_cloudplayer_dt&asin=B0CSWM55J4&useRelativeUrl=true&amazonAsin=B0CSWLM37N&marketplaceId=AF2M0KC94RCEA&initialCPLaunch=true, and https://thestepfamilysummit.com/brittney-phillips-2023/.
Dr. Christopher Scott Wyatt is an autistic self-advocate and father of two neurodiverse daughters. He earned a doctorate researching online education and writing instruction for students with autism spectrum disorders. His experiences living with physical and neurological differences shape his parenting. Dr. Scott consults with schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations on issues of autism, neurodiversity, and active inclusion. Parenting Neurodiverse children — those with ADHD, autism, sensory processing issues, and learning disabilities — presents challenges. As a diagnosed autistic person with ADHD and physical disabilities, Dr. Scott brings his experiences as a parent, researcher, educator, and Neurodiversity self-advocacy to an audience. He and his wife chose to be parents, fostering and then adopting two daughters. Audiences ask why an autistic person would want to be a father. Dr. Scott’s experiences and academic credentials empower him to advocate for their daughters in a school system that too often fails to provide reasonable support. Even well-intentioned parents, teachers, and researchers don't always understand what Neurodiverse minds and bodies experience. As a speaker with more than 150 regional and national appearances and 15 years of consulting experience, Dr. Scott discusses autism, parenting, and education from the autistic perspective. The Autistic Me blog was launched in January 2007 when he began working for others with special needs. He completed his doctoral studies in 2010 at the University of Minnesota. While a doctoral student, he conducted two grant-funded research projects on autism and instructional technology. He publishes in academic journals, co-edited a scholarly collection, and has presented numerous conference papers. Reflecting his passion for digital media, he completed a Master of Fine Arts in film and digital technology, a Master of Arts in English composition theory and rhetoric, and undergraduate degrees in English and journalism. You can learn more about Dr. Christopher Scott Wyatt at https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/about/, https://liberalarts.tamu.edu/english/profile/christopher-wyatt/, and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EvdCzSe8zU.
Pat Wetzel is an award-winning author who has learned perseverance to get beyond the bumps she is experiencing in life. From Wharton Business School to global finance, from disability to learning to soar (Pat is a sailplane pilot with over a decade of tales to tell), from world travels to travel within, Pat has led an extraordinary life. In her book, she tells the stories of other great people, how they have navigated their bumps in the road, and the wisdom they’ve gained along the way. What’s your bump? Business, personal, sports? One of Pat’s “bumps” was learning to fly. She loved flying high-tech, single-seat, aerodynamic airplanes with no engine. She belonged to a club that owned its airport. The pilots would drink beer and tell stories about their flights. Stories of accomplishment and sometimes fear. Those stories flew with each of us. And those stories sometimes saved our lives. From that, she saw how the power of sharing stories touches, teaches, and guides us. And now, Pat is telling stories on her podcast and in her books under the Bump In The Road brand. Pat’s story includes accomplishment, disability, disappointment, and divorce. It has achievement, spirituality, and, eventually, some wisdom. Add in six years of cancer and a global quest to find her soul that wasn’t "out there," but rather it was "in here." Pat chronicles 15 Stories of Courage, Hope, and Resilience in her book. With over four years of podcast guests, their stories are part of her repertoire in a never-ending search for a better understanding of the bumps we face in this road trip called life. You can learn more about Pat Wetzel at https://bumpintheroad.us/about-3/; you can find her book, “Bump In The Road: 15 Stories of Courage, Hope and Resilience,” at https://www.amazon.com/Bump-Road-Stories-Courage-Resilience/dp/B0CHL7K2F4, you can listen to her “Bump in the Road” podcast at https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/bump-in-the-road-pat-wetzel-2Cw_ZS1vNzM/#_=_.
Janice Angela Burt is an international, inspirational keynote speaker. Her mission is to encourage, provide insight, and uplift others while continuing to work on her personal growth. She was awarded the Catalyst of Courage award by The Los Angeles Tribune and was listed as a Global Woman to Watch in the Washington DC Chronicle. Being raised in Mexico City, as well as being bilingual gives her a multi-dimensional appeal. She speaks on:
· Breaking Up is Hard to Do — 5 Habits to Leave Behind to Experience Success without Stress & Burnout
· Walking through One Fear Per Year — 7 Life Lessons Learned
· Personal Growth = Professional Excellence — Leadership from the Inside Out
· Be Brave! Building your Courage Muscle to Increase Productivity, Profits, and Peace in the Workplace
She LOVES to bring these messages of hope to audiences, companies, and organizations worldwide. She encourages others to love themselves deeply, experience mental shifts, and do the work of personal development to create a life of fulfillment, joy, and purpose. She does this through storytelling, valuable content & heartfelt connection. To book Janice, contact her at janice@janiceburt.com. You can learn more about Janice at https://www.instagram.com/spanish_janice/ and https://www.facebook.com/Spanishjanice1/.
Michelle Seguin’s son, Devin, in 2013. Devin got a stomach ache following which the medical staff found a cancerous tumor. Five weeks later, the medical staff performed surgery on Devin to remove the tumor. Within 24 hours of removing the tumor, he passed away because his body poisoned itself. His body still was trying to fight a tumor that was removed. There is nothing more painful a parent can go through than the loss of a child. Unfortunately, Michelle became a part of this group. Through her open and honest storytelling, Michelle gives the listener a heartfelt insight into the realities of losing a child, the search for acceptance, and how she created a legacy of love that transcends time. In this podcast, she documents her raw emotions around the loss of her son Devin and shares how his inspirational love for life helped her find herself and truly live. Michelle desires to help others see that a person can go through total devastation, physically, mentally, and emotionally, hit rock bottom, and still find their way to peace after the storm. Like so many others who face this unthinkable reality, Michelle’s grief and trauma affected every part of her life—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. For Michelle, the physical expression in her body showed up through chronic pain and severe fibromyalgia flare-ups that stymied her life. In this podcast, she shares her journey through the dark times and explores how other people express and handle trauma, grief, and sadness. Devin lived ‘Larger Than Life’ during his twenty-three years of life. By navigating the process of grief and seeing her son through the eyes of love and honor, Michelle has found her true, authentic self. Her book Larger Than Life: A Mother’s Love, Loss, and Her Journey Back to Living is Devin’s legacy.
Dr. Christopher Scott Wyatt is an autistic self-advocate and father of two neurodiverse daughters. He earned a doctorate researching online education and writing instruction for students with autism spectrum disorders. His experiences living with physical and neurological differences shape his parenting. Dr. Scott consults with schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations on issues of autism, neurodiversity, and active inclusion. Parenting Neurodiverse children — those with ADHD, autism, sensory processing issues, and learning disabilities — presents challenges. As a diagnosed autistic person with ADHD and physical disabilities, Dr. Scott brings his experiences as a parent, researcher, educator, and Neurodiversity self-advocacy to an audience. He and his wife chose to be parents, fostering and then adopting two daughters. Audiences ask why an autistic person would want to be a father. Dr. Scott’s experiences and academic credentials empower him to advocate for their daughters in a school system that too often fails to provide reasonable support. Even well-intentioned parents, teachers, and researchers don't always understand what Neurodiverse minds and bodies experience. As a speaker with more than 150 regional and national appearances and 15 years of consulting experience, Dr. Scott discusses autism, parenting, and education from the autistic perspective. The Autistic Me blog was launched in January 2007 when he began working for others with special needs. He completed his doctoral studies in 2010 at the University of Minnesota. While a doctoral student, he conducted two grant-funded research projects on autism and instructional technology. He publishes in academic journals, co-edited a scholarly collection, and has presented numerous conference papers. Reflecting his passion for digital media, he completed a Master of Fine Arts in film and digital technology, a Master of Arts in English composition theory and rhetoric, and undergraduate degrees in English and journalism. You can learn more about Dr. Christopher Scott Wyatt at https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/about/, https://liberalarts.tamu.edu/english/profile/christopher-wyatt/, and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EvdCzSe8zU.
Kristie Guard was raised in a toxic family, and she married into a toxic marriage. She endured nearly 27 years of life not knowing what value she had to anyone. Ten years into a marriage with her high school sweetheart, author Kristie Addair Guard admitted the “happily ever after” just wasn’t, and it didn’t show any signs of getting there. However hard she tried, the lies she’d been given in childhood held a tight grip. Those fears left her enthralled—being unwanted, unloved, abandoned, and unimportant. In a last-ditch effort, she walked away in search of healing and happiness on her own, but instead, she met Jesus, the one who would deliver her from those fears. She learned that God is always at work in hearts. Through His word, therapists, time, and always through His loving, tender, kind presence, He brought Kristie first to her own healing and then to a marriage that wasn’t what she dreamed of but was precisely the best for her. Healing Ever After shares her story of heartbreak, healing, and redemption. It’s a story of Jesus making beauty from ashes—his favorite artistry- available to you, too, wherever you are. You can learn more about Kristie at https://www.instagram.com/kristie.addair.guard/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=0e63c2a4-e868-4ad1-a017-d762662b27b6&ig_mid=16D2DAE1-5E08-465D-AF4C-D28BE5E56031.
Grace Peterson gave birth to a “rainbow baby,” which has come to be known as the child born following a previous loss from a stillbirth or miscarriage. Grace’s child was diagnosed with the rare Trisomy 18 chromosomal disease. Trisomy 18 is a disorder in which babies are born with three copies of chromosome 18 instead of 2. For an unknown reason, this accident occurs at conception, and all cells in the body will have this structure. She wrote the book Behind My Smile: A Rainbow Baby Story as a journal to work through her traumas of the first attempted birth. She had a difficult childhood due to chronic illnesses. She also suffered and courageously left an abusive relationship. She found the one person to share her life with and then tragically lost her daughter in utero through termination for medical reasons (TFMR). The incredible joy of her son's conception shortly after was shadowed by her post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) and constant fear that she would lose him. She experienced conflicting emotions simultaneously. Soon after the birth of her rainbow baby, she nearly lost him to a significant illness. She realized her story had the potential to help other women. Through her life experiences, she has found her passion for speaking and eventually determined her strength as a woman and a first-time mother to a rainbow baby. You can learn more about Grace at https://www.instagram.com/gracepetersonrbm/.
Sara Slaybaugh experienced the emotions and discouragement of a toxic marriage. Many of us want a wholesome, long-term relationship to illuminate each other. As a person of faith, Sara hoped to get healthy support from fellow believers. She experienced mixed support from various people. Sara is now remarried with a blended family. Through her life experience, she works with divorced Christian women to coach them to learn how to find a loving and supportive relationship. Based on her experience, she understands the emotions of being a divorced Christian and feeling like an outsider in your previous circles. She coaches others to navigate being a newly single mom while helping them overcome the emotion of not wanting to date again to avoid a similar experience. Many Christian women experience weariness around being vulnerable to experiencing another toxic relationship. No one wants rejection. Through her experience, she developed ways to be practical with time, energy, or emotions to find the right person for a wholesome relationship. She has learned what to look for in a relationship while knowing what and how to say “no.” You can learn more about Sara at https://www.facebook.com/groups/confidenceandconnectionforsinglechristianwomen, YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SaraSlaybaughCoaching, and My free guide: www.saraslaybaugh.com/freeguide.
Dr. Christopher Scott Wyatt is an autistic self-advocate and father of two neurodiverse daughters. He earned a doctorate researching online education and writing instruction for students with autism spectrum disorders. His experiences living with physical and neurological differences shape his parenting. Dr. Scott consults with schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations on issues of autism, neurodiversity, and active inclusion. Parenting Neurodiverse children — those with ADHD, autism, sensory processing issues, and learning disabilities — presents challenges. As a diagnosed autistic person with ADHD and physical disabilities, Dr. Scott brings his experiences as a parent, researcher, educator, and Neurodiversity self-advocacy to an audience. He and his wife chose to be parents, fostering and then adopting two daughters. Audiences ask why an autistic person would want to be a father. Dr. Scott’s experiences and academic credentials empower him to advocate for their daughters in a school system that too often fails to provide reasonable support. Even well-intentioned parents, teachers, and researchers don't always understand what Neurodiverse minds and bodies experience. As a speaker with more than 150 regional and national appearances and 15 years of consulting experience, Dr. Scott discusses autism, parenting, and education from the autistic perspective. The Autistic Me blog was launched in January 2007 when he began working for others with special needs. He completed his doctoral studies in 2010 at the University of Minnesota. While a doctoral student, he conducted two grant-funded research projects on autism and instructional technology. He publishes in academic journals, co-edited a scholarly collection, and has presented numerous conference papers. Reflecting his passion for digital media, he completed a Master of Fine Arts in film and digital technology, a Master of Arts in English composition theory and rhetoric, and undergraduate degrees in English and journalism. You can learn more about Dr. Christopher Scott Wyatt at https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/about/, https://liberalarts.tamu.edu/english/profile/christopher-wyatt/, and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EvdCzSe8zU.
Seth Gehle survived substantial childhood abuse and trauma. His father nearly killed his mother when he was two years old. As a result, he grew up with a single mother of three children. When he was approximately ten years old, his mother became abusive and addicted to crack and cocaine. This led him down a path to being molested by a grown man for more than five years resulting in an estimated 400 encounters. Seth developed a resolve to report and incarcerate the abuser. Seth has moved on and done incredible things with his life. Today, he is an aspiring author of his upcoming memoir “Strength Beyond the Shadows.” Seth Gehle is a multifaceted individual whose journey embodies resilience, determination, and triumph. An accomplished ultra-marathon runner, BJJ athlete, and overall fitness enthusiast, Seth's dedication to physical excellence is matched only by his unwavering commitment to personal growth. In addition to his athletic pursuits, Seth has earned national recognition in the construction industry, garnering prestigious awards from esteemed organizations such as the National Association of Home Builders and the Home Builders Institute. You can learn more about Seth at https://www.instagram.com/gobeyondtheshadows/ and https://www.limaohio.com/top-stories/2024/03/01/a-sexual-assault-survivors-story/.
Michael Ostrolenk has been on a journey of self-discovery and is working with others through transpersonal counseling psychology. Having developed an autoimmune disease as a child and possessing divergent learning styles that the rigid educational system couldn’t handle, the conventional wisdom of doctors and educators almost robbed him of his creativity, independence, and, ultimately, his life. Michael has been on a remarkable journey of self-discovery and mastery, starting as a nine-year-old. It began with Michael discovering the power of meditation, guided imagery, and biofeedback. These practices became his way of managing internal states and overcoming challenges. This early fascination sparked a lifelong curiosity about human potential and extraordinary capabilities. His quest led him to become a licensed marriage and family therapist with a transpersonal specialization, diving deep into the mysteries of the human mind and spirit. Along the way, Michael pursued post-graduate training in somatic psychology and earned his coaching certification through New York University (NYU). As a Master Coach at SEALFIT's Unbeatable Mind Academy and Director of Human Resilience at Apeiron Zoh, Michael has the privilege of guiding others on their paths to greatness. Specializing in providing tools, practices, and support, his mission is to propel you toward the life and relationships you yearn to achieve. You can learn more about Michael at michaeldostrolenk.com.
Kelly Tuttle became a brain injury survivor in 2015 after her car T-boned another car that had pulled out in front of her. She thought she would shake off the crash and continue with her life. The next day, her co-workers said she wasn’t talking coherently. So, she saw her doctor, who said she had a concussion, and she should be better in two weeks. Months later, she was living with a stranger in her head; she felt alone and lost. She didn’t like this stranger; she was rude and impatient, had the focus and attention span of a gnat, couldn’t remember anything, was irritable, and slept a lot. She couldn’t arrive on time for appointments or even plan a birthday party. She spent too much money and got into financial trouble. It was terrible to live with her, but over time, she realized she was not a stranger, but she had gotten a “new” brain. She spent years after her car accident seeking help to recover through a neurophysical therapist and speech therapist. She discovered the role of physical medicine, rehabilitation doctors, and behavioral optometrists in caring for brain injury patients. These specialists taught her how to live and work with sound and light sensitivity and chronic fatigue. As time passed, she got better and got to know the new “me.” She is not the same person she was before her brain injury. Her personality and values changed. She became like a sloth rather than the energizer bunny she was before her brain injury. Her traumatic brain injury marked the beginning of a new life and a personal journey of self-discovery. Her brain injury led her to change her career, write a book, and become a brain injury advocate. Her brain injury recovery has been long and challenging, but she likes the new “me” and her new brain. She shares her story so others know there is hope and they are not alone. You can learn more about Kelly in her book After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury.
Jeff Pierce has experienced many devastating consequences in his life, including bankruptcy, loss of a business, his wife’s death from cancer, and recovering from a dysfunctional family. Jeff was born in Binghamton, NY, and, due to his father’s employment, attended twelve schools during his 13 years of formal education. Due to the extensive moving, Jeff was always the “tall, skinny new kid on the block” in school. Therefore, Jeff was the recipient of name-calling and belittling before it was even known as “bullying.” In addition to being an author, Jeff is a speaker and inspirational youth leader who believes in instilling positive values, beliefs, and principles in doing something that one loves, which can lead to developing habits that will create everlasting positive results in one life. Through Jeff’s life experience and 35 years as a private business owner and corporate business leader, he recognized the importance of an individual’s values and beliefs toward achieving success and reaching one's dreams, desires, and goals. You can learn more about Jeff through his book Building Champions: 7 Success Principles for Youth Sports & the “Game of Life.”
Mary G. Barlow chronicles her early life dealing with her mom’s death when Mary was seven years old, as well as her adult life in finding peace and joy. Years after her mother died, Mary learned her mom had committed suicide, possibly manifested from postpartum depression following the birth of Mary’s younger brother. Based on her life experience and the ensuing trauma of learning how her mother died, Mary wrote the book, “Home, My Story of House and Personal Restoration.” In writing “Home,” Mary blends literary and medical writing and journalistic talents. As a medical writer, Mary has written extensively for commercial organizations on numerous diseases, life sciences products, and the business of healthcare. She is an expert on how healthcare in the United States works and the challenges related to its accessibility. Before her medical writing career, Mary was a journalist, writing articles for the Blackstone Valley Tribune, a small community newspaper in Northbridge, Massachusetts. She also worked as a freelance reporter, contributing articles to the Telegram and Gazette, a daily paper circulated in Worcester County. Leveraging her journalism skills, Mary researched the historical aspects of “Home.” These include Dutch immigrant life in New England during the early twentieth century and the impact of the Industrial Revolution on a small town’s mill community. You can learn more about Mary Barlow and her book at www.mgbarlow.com.
Paul Granger describes his emotions and learning from his life experiences of enduring a job termination from a toxic ministry experience. Following the experience of stillborn childbirth, he experienced a job termination from a toxic ministry environment. Again, he and his wife are left with a “what now?” experience. Through these two life traumas, God impressed Paul and his wife with a renewal of their spirits and relationship with the God who created them and whose thoughts and ways are above ours. Through these two life experiences, Paul ministers to those experiencing similar hurting experiences. You can learn more about Paul at wheredidyouseeGod.com, www.facebook.com/wheredidyouseeGod, and instagram.com/wheredidyouseeGod
Jacques Delorme is a science educator, public speaker, life coach, and author of Driving Out of Darkness: Self-care Strategies for Trauma Recovery. He has dedicated the past 12 years to personal development, including multiple training courses. His deep interest in public speaking programs using the concepts in his book will help anyone recovering from trauma, dealing with someone who is, or those looking to create daily strategies to calm their mind. You can learn more about Jacques at https://www.linkedin.com/in/powerfulimpact/?originalSubdomain=ca.
Philip Blackett is an author, consultant, and entrepreneur with a rich background spanning prestigious roles at FedEx, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, and Chick-fil-A. He earned a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His career has been marked by sharing insights on esteemed platforms like Business Insider, Entrepreneur Magazine, Forbes, and LinkedIn. In the books Disagree Without Disrespect: How to Respectfully Debate with Those Who Think, Believe, and Vote Differently From You and Future-Proof: How to Adopt and Master Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) to Secure Your Job and Career delve into the art of respectful debate and the strategic use of AI in career security. His passion extends beyond business and technology to fostering growth—whether in God’s People, Businesses, or Kingdom. Philip is committed to reading, eating Chick-fil-A while drinking sweet tea, supporting his North Carolina Tar Heels, and raising his twin daughters with his wife of over eight years. You can learn more about Philip at https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipblackett/ and https://www.philipblackett.com/.
Denise Dielwart experienced death with the very sudden passing of her husband. Finding a path forward can seem like an impossible challenge in the aftermath of loss. Her journey began in the shadow of profound grief after the loss of her husband in 2009. It was a journey that led her to create the FLOW Grief Release Method (Feel, Let go, Overcome, become Whole) — a pathway she designed to navigate her healing while learning how to share her life experience with others facing similar heartache. Her work is devoted to guiding you through the intricate process of reimagining your life after loss. Together, she works with her clients to focus on more than just coping; we aim to nurture personal growth and develop your ability to support others. Embarking on this journey means exploring beyond the balance of home life and grief. It's about stepping into your power, offering your strength, and sharing your compassion with those who need it most. Denises’s mission is working with others to move forward while helping to maintain strong family bonds, manage the emotional highs and lows of loss, and, most importantly, empower you to become a beacon of support and strength for others. Her focus is to rediscover and reclaim your life, crafting a resilient, fulfilling future centered on well-being. This journey is about thriving in a manner that honors your loved ones, taps into your inner strength, and fosters a life overflowing with meaning, joy, and the ability to uplift those around you. You can learn more about Denise and her service at https://www.facebook.com/flowgriefcoachingacademy/ and https://www.flowgriefacademy.com/.
Tracy Slepcevic is an author, Certified Integrative Health Coach, keynote speaker, U.S. Air Force Veteran, and Pur Health, LLC founder, an integrative health and wellness business based out of San Diego that educates individuals on the incredible effects that nutrition and lifestyle choices have on your happiness and ability to lead the life you deserve to live. She is educated in the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and has dedicated over 14 years to researching various treatments and therapies for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As a child, she was raised eating packaged and processed foods daily. She grew up snacking, eating fast food, and drinking soda without understanding a healthy, whole-food diet. When she was in her twenties, she increased her awareness of her eating habits and the impact that had on her body. She was inspired to study essential nutrition, changed her eating habits, and became a personal trainer. It wasn’t until her son was diagnosed with autism over 12 years ago that she became more educated on nutrition and how it affects the body and brain. She was journeying to heal her son using integrative nutrition and a biomedical approach to medicine. Over the years, she has worked with various doctors, scientists, advocates, and researchers. She has made it her mission to educate families on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Today, Tracy runs a successful health coaching business where she assists her clients in implementing lifestyle changes to improve their overall health and wellness. She continues to support parents of children with special needs and guide them on their healing journey. Her book, Warrior Mom, is available wherever books are sold. You can learn more about Tracy and her work at https://warriormom.com/.
Joan Quinlan has overcome multiple life traumas brought about by her early lifestyle. Her family culture was one of working beyond any life adversities rather than finding anyone who could empathize with her. That culture caused her to repress many of her early life anxieties, which led her to excessive alcohol consumption. The term for this was formerly alcoholic. The accepted term now is substance use disorder (SUD). She explains she still has moments that can activate (the term more accepted than “triggered”) past recollections of behavior. Because she has primarily overcome these previous traumas, she is helping others overcome their traumatic behaviors. You can learn more about Joan and her work at https://heartcenteredgrowth.com.
Joan Quinlan has overcome multiple life traumas brought about by her early lifestyle. Her family culture was one of working beyond any life adversities rather than finding anyone who could empathize with her. That culture caused her to repress many of her early life anxieties, which led her to excessive alcohol consumption. The term for this was formerly alcoholic. The accepted term now is substance use disorder (SUD). She explains she still has moments that can activate (the term more accepted than “triggered”) past recollections of behavior. Because she has primarily overcome these previous traumas, she is helping others overcome their traumatic behaviors. You can learn more about Joan Quinlan at https://heartcenteredgrowth.com/.
Kevin Mensah’s mom passed away very unexpectedly when he was a high school senior (2024). It is very irregular for a parent to pass away before their children. All parents hope to see their children become what God created them to be. Kevin is working through his grief because of his mom’s legacy of loving the God of the Bible. Kevin draws strength from prayer during his emotional low moments. He and a friend create videos of their spiritual lives to circulate amongst his high school friends. He is known throughout his school and community as a strong character and resolve student. He is an avid track athlete with college aspirations. Kevin and his teammates advance to the Maryland State Championships in the 4x200m relay race.
Felix Poyel is a Consciousness Coach who brings a unique and personalized perspective through his transformative life story of overcoming addiction, dealing with Tourette Syndrome and ADHD, bullying in school, his dad’s death when he was young, and other challenges to spiritual awakening while pursuing his dream life. Formerly, he worked five years in Gastronomy as a cook and three years in Fitness. For as many as seven years, he developed his knowledge and wisdom in spiritual and personal development. Felix is passionate about sharing the lessons and insights he has learned through his life growth. His commitment to personal development, spirituality, and the pursuit of truth has transformed his life and inspired others to live beyond their past. His life includes insights into holistic health, consciousness, self-love, and self-confidence.
Bronwyn Schweigerdt is a psychotherapist who knows that even though feelings are invisible, they don’t evaporate. Instead, they are stored in our subconscious mind and body when they’re disowned. These feelings haunt us and cause mental illness and health issues until we externalize them into words with someone who can hear and validate them. She especially loves playing midwife this way, helping her clients – and now, her podcast listeners – externalize painful feelings. She has experienced success in assisting people to break free of depression and anxiety, as well as migraines, insomnia and GI issues, by reconnecting them to their anger and healing their relationship with anger and themselves. Bronwyn has a master's degree in counseling and another in nutrition. She is a public speaker, author, and licensed psychotherapist. You can access Bronwyn’s podcasts at https://angryattherightthings.podbean.com/ and https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-feelings-ft-bronwyn-schweigerdt/id1668454590?i=1000625538847.
Sarah Westbrook has turned an early life of complex trauma into a profession as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Sarah is passionate about mental wellness. She considers herself an eternal learner and is excited to share her knowledge and experience with her audience. As a trauma survivor, she understands the work that goes into healing. Her greatest desire is for her listeners, readers, and clients to gain the personalized wisdom needed to meet their highest growth potential, laughing along the way and becoming their most authentic selves. Through her life experiences, Sarah works with others to break the manacles of trauma bonds and find freedom. In her book, Trauma Bonded, she explains how sixteen-year-old Sarah hoped her boyfriend would save her from her dysfunctional home. When her parents discovered that they’d sinned with premarital sex, the aftermath left the two teenagers irrevocably bonded in trauma. Sarah Westbrook, MS, LPC, NCC, founded Westbrook Counseling Services and Daisy Girl Communications. As a survivor of chronic trauma and emotional neglect, she understands the work that goes into healing from c-PTSD. As a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and an American Counseling Association (ACA) member, you can learn more about Sarah at https://www.daisygirlcommunications.com, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083025745982, https://twitter.com/DaisyGirlComm?t=DnFOC55coe0EvfRhnJNHhA&s=09, https://www.instagram.com/daisygirlcommunications/, https://www.tiktok.com/@dgcsarahwestbrook?_t=8bp9TM1UwTT&_r=1, https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCLwxhOGfI9QWo40uHBgS8nw.
Content warning: There is a reference to sexual behavior without using specific language.
John A. Brink was born in 1940 in Nazi-occupied Holland during WWII. From the time he could walk, his days often consisted of foraging for food with his brother and sister during harsh warlike conditions, surrounded by death and hardship, especially during the hungry winter of 1944/45. John’s mother was left to raise her three kids alone when their father was drafted into the Dutch Army. They wouldn’t know if he was dead or alive until the liberation of their village by Canadian soldiers on April 12, 1945. This was when John determined he would one day move to Canada - the land of his heroes. He was only five years old when this decision was rendered. Like many others who lived through that time, John has lived his entire life with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from being in a warzone. After serving in the Dutch Air Force for two years, John subsequently emigrated to Canada in July 1965, arriving in Prince George with $25.47 in his pocket. John’s other lifelong dream of owning a sawmill came to fruition ten years later in 1975 with the creation of Brink Forest Products, which has since become North America’s leading secondary manufacturer of value-added wood products. At 83 years of age (as of this writing), John continues to succeed as President and CEO of the Brink Group of Companies and 10+ other companies. John authored three books and hosted the ON THE BRINK Podcast series. He is also a fierce advocate for erasing the stigma surrounding ADHD, something John has lived with his entire life. In his spare time, John enjoys riding dressage, body-building, philanthropy, writing, public speaking, and spending time with his family, wife, and animals. In recognition of John’s lifelong achievements, the University of Northern British Columbia awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree. Less than a month later, he also received the Order of B.C. in June 2019, the highest achievement a civilian in BC, Canada, can achieve. John committed to a 1-million-dollar donation to the College of New Caledonia to help support the Trades And Technology Centre. John’s vision with this donation is to create a Centre of Excellence for Northern British Columbia to enhance Northern workforces, economies, and population growth. He authored “ADHD Unlocked,” “Finding Your Passion – Living The Dream, and “Against All Odds,” which are available wherever books are sold.
Dana Diaz was born to a teenage mother out of wedlock who didn't want her but was forced to keep her. Reduced to nothing, she left home during her first year of college and immediately fell for a covert narcissist who promised her the love I never had. Dana married him, who soon verbally and physically abused her, much as her father did. She ignored her intuitive sense and married him anyway. During her 25-year-long relationship with him, he used her verbally and emotionally, drained them financially, manipulated her, cheated on her, and took advantage of her sexually. Accordingly, she did not want to engage with him. As retribution, he stalked her and attempted to kidnap their son. The trauma caused her severe illness. By the end of her marriage, she had autoimmune symptoms and lung syndrome resulting from consistently high levels of cortisol. Getting sick made her realize the self-respect and self-love she hadn't had before. Leaving the toxicity of that relationship has allowed her to heal and thrive. She has finally used her education in journalism and psychology from DePaul University to author a book about her experiences, and she is speaking out for other victims of abuse to create awareness about abuse and the need for more justice for victims. Her life of recovery and overcoming inspires others to show them it's never too late to love or live and fulfill their heart's desires. You can learn more about Dana through her book, Gasping for Air: The Stranglehold of Narcissistic Abuse, and on her website: https://danasdiaz.com/.
Avi Wolfson inspires audiences by inspiring others to re-activate the spark in their life. Confidence and success are contagious to foster that life change. A true champion isn’t someone who wins for themselves but does it to help others achieve what they have. These phrases dominated Avi’s life in words without action. Before he became a licensed realtor, professional salesperson, best-selling author, and three-time axe-throwing champion, his successes were more grounded. He enjoyed playing and watching football, ultimate frisbee, and ping-pong. In addition, he loved playing video games, watching documentaries, and solving Rubik’s cubes. Avi grew up with the impression he was a loser, which included feeling worthless and helpless. His family culture contributed to that disposition. He struggled academically, and while resilient, he felt inadequate for a long time. As a young adult, Avi was diagnosed as having Bipolar Type I (previously known as Manic Depression) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The anxiety was evident and present within my family but seldom talked about. Avi did not have permission to feel sad or express feelings besides happiness. Further, he felt pressured to take on heavily religious activities in which he had no interest. This took a heavy toll on him, leading him to drink, take drugs, and use music as a vice. He joined the US National Guard in high school to absolve himself of this shame. While he was proud and satisfied to serve his country in uniform, his problems persisted. As a self-starter, independent learner, and resilient survivor, he knew he would have to find it within himself to overcome his feelings of inferiority. With a change of mindset and the help of a mentor, he learned to accept every rejection as having a purpose. With this mindset change, Avi found a sense while discovering how to inspire others to discover their champion within. What started as writing would eventually become thirty titles about his childhood experiences that evolved into life coaching, helping others become confident and experienced, and now a career as a public speaker. You can learn about Avi Wolfson at https://www.terrificspeakers.com/avi-wolfson, https://www.amazon.com/stores/Avi-Wolfson/author/B00QZK1JRC?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true, https://www.linkedin.com/in/aviwolfson/, and https://aviwolfson.com/.
Taimi (pronounced "tie-me") Lawlor lived as a complete perfectionist in her early 20s. Plagued by panic attacks, sleepless nights, severe constipation, and excessive exercise, she was a high-functioning, anxious person who did not believe in rest, recovery, or relaxation while trying to prove that she was "good enough." Instead of spinning in her never-ending symptoms, she put all her energy into getting to the root cause to improve her mental and physical health. Through a process of self-discovery and learning how the body functions are so functionally and integrally related, she discovered she no longer had to struggle with panic attacks, sleepless nights, the inability to poop, and just accepting sub-optimal health. Through many hours of research, trial-and-error, therapy, and self-discovery, she discovered herself and the root causes of her anxiety. Through this, Taimi helps others find and overcome the root causes of anxiety. She has an outreach practice to help others get beyond where she used to be. You can learn more about Taimi at https://www.astretchbeyondyoga.com. She is also on Instagram and Facebook as A Stretch Beyond Yoga.
Mary G. Barlow chronicles her early life dealing with her mom’s death when Mary was seven years old, as well as her adult life in finding peace and joy. Years after her mother died, Mary learned her mom had committed suicide, possibly manifested from postpartum depression following the birth of Mary’s younger brother. Based on her life experience and the ensuing trauma of learning how her mother died, Mary wrote the book, “Home, My Story of House and Personal Restoration.” In writing “Home,” Mary blends literary and medical writing and journalistic talents. As a medical writer, Mary has written extensively for commercial organizations on numerous diseases, life sciences products, and the business of healthcare. She is an expert on how healthcare in the United States works and the challenges related to its accessibility. Before her medical writing career, Mary was a journalist, writing articles for the Blackstone Valley Tribune, a small community newspaper in Northbridge, Massachusetts. She also worked as a freelance reporter, contributing articles to the Telegram and Gazette, a daily paper circulated in Worcester County. Leveraging her journalism skills, Mary researched the historical aspects of “Home.” These include Dutch immigrant life in New England during the early twentieth century and the impact of the Industrial Revolution on a small town’s mill community. You can learn more about Mary Barlow and her book at www.mgbarlow.com.
Danny McCabe maintained a loving relationship with his wife for nearly twenty years before the underpinnings of their marriage, family, and world crumbled. Their foundation had always been rooted in the mantra that trust is the bedrock of a healthy relationship. Indeed, Erin (his former wife) had always claimed that things couldn’t work without trust. But one day, for reasons Danny could not fathom, Erin became suspicious of his every move. Phone calls, text messages, and work emails were manufactured into proof of infidelity, drug addiction, and a network of lies. She enlisted her mother in her efforts, and together, they forged the words of family, trust, and honesty into a metaphorical hammer and beat him into the ground. Their accusations accumulated, twisting reality and eventually resulting in Danny’s involuntary hospitalization. Danny was pushed to life's edge. He was nearly ready to jump. Then, God intervened. Erin’s shocking revelation, her Third Gift, lit the blind spots in his marriage that Danny had never been able to reconcile. Learn how the expression “You only love God as much as the person you love the least” and “May you find peace” factored into Danny’s gift of recovery. You can learn more about and purchase “The Third Gift: My Dance With The Devil (And Her Mother)” at https://www.amazon.com/Third-Gift-Dance-Devil-Mother/dp/1643073834.
Pat Wetzel is an award-winning author who has learned perseverance to get beyond the bumps she is experiencing in life. From Wharton Business School to global finance, from disability to learning to soar (Pat is a sailplane pilot with over a decade of tales to tell), from world travels to travel within, Pat has led an extraordinary life. In her book, she tells the stories of other great people, how they have navigated their bumps in the road and the wisdom they’ve gained along the way. What’s your bump? Business, personal, sports? One of Pat’s “bumps” was learning to fly. She loved flying high-tech, single-seat, aerodynamic airplanes with no engine. She belonged to a club that owned its airport. The pilots would drink beer and tell stories about their flights. Stories of accomplishment and sometimes fear. Those stories flew with each of us. And those stories sometimes saved our lives. From that, she saw how the power of sharing stories touches, teaches, and guides us. And now, Pat is telling stories on her podcast and in her books under the Bump In The Road brand. Pat’s story includes accomplishment, disability, disappointment, and divorce. It has achievement, spirituality, and, eventually, some wisdom. Add in six years of cancer and a global quest to find her soul that wasn’t "out there," but rather it was "in here." Pat chronicles 15 Stories of Courage, Hope, and Resilience in her book. With over four years of podcast guests, their stories are part of her repertoire in a never-ending search for a better understanding of the bumps we face in this road trip called life. You can learn more about Pat Wetzel at https://bumpintheroad.us/about-3/; you can find her book, “Bump In The Road: 15 Stories of Courage, Hope and Resilience,” at https://www.amazon.com/Bump-Road-Stories-Courage-Resilience/dp/B0CHL7K2F4, you can listen to her “Bump in the Road” podcast at https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/bump-in-the-road-pat-wetzel-2Cw_ZS1vNzM/#_=_.
Jenny Alexander overcame the trauma of divorce. She recently found love and a new marriage again. She overcame the fear of starting over in a new province and leaving my 25+ year career. Are you trapped in the aftermath of a divorce, desperately seeking a path forward? Is your quest to find the spouse you deserve an elusive dream? Are your friendships causing you distress? Perhaps you're facing a crisis of faith or seeking to enhance your family's devotional journey. Jenny understands your struggles no matter where you are on your relationship journey. She has walked the path of healing after divorce, navigated the dating maze, experienced distressing friendships, and overcame a faith crisis. She has a master’s in human services counseling from Liberty University and has shared her wisdom and experiences on numerous podcasts. You can learn more about Jenny at https://www.jennyealexander.com/.
Dr. Kathryn Vecchio was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to a Sicilian family. Her family traditions and culture became the rhythm of her soul. Her father played jazz trumpet and infused the arts into their family experiences. She was blessed to explore all aspects of creative and expressive art forms. Throughout life, she was touched by addiction, adoption, and complex trauma. As an athlete, she had to overcome extraordinary obstacles while applying her life lessons to her programs. Through her life experiences, she integrates her evaluated life experiences and education to develop her unique intervention and program. She awakens people's imagination and creativity by combining art, personal development, and spiritual and mental health principles. Her primary intervention is through individual and group therapy. The opportunity to build on social and relational skills in group therapy sessions is enormous. She also offers the Art For The Heart © program for individual family coaching and training in her system and programs. Groups meet weekly for an hour in person or through Zoom for those who travel or have health concerns. Art group projects have included acrylic painting on canvas, watercolors, drawing, decoupage, beading, and incorporated music, photography, and poetry. Previous groups have been resoundingly successful (with a high return rate) and provided measurable benefits in socialization skills, executive functioning, self-awareness, creativity, self-confidence, and other problematic symptoms. You can learn more about Dr. Kathryn Vecchio at https://www.artwithaheart.net/ and https://artfortheheartfoundation.org/, and https://rewriteyourlifestory.podbean.com/e/episode-15-rewrite-your-life-story-dr-kathryn-vecchio-bringing-imagination-and-creativity-to-life.
Natalie Riede had a near-death experience from surgery complications, causing her to spend a month quarantined in a hospital, hanging between life and death. This experience set her on the path to discovering and harnessing the power of the subconscious mind. She learned different tools and techniques to overcome everything and move forward with her life instead of being crippled by fear and anxiety. Through her life experience, she empowers women to navigate their cancer journey with a positive mindset. She focuses on mental health, self-care, self-love (especially loving your scars), emotional resilience, and stepping into a new version of you after a cancer diagnosis. Natalie is a certified life coach, Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) practitioner, clinical hypnotherapist, and Stage IV cancer survivor. You can learn more about Natalie Riede at https://www.newinspirationmedia.net/post/thriving-through-adversity-a-cancer-survivor-s-journey-to-positivity-natalie-riede and https://www.instagram.com/natalieriede/.
Amanda Blackwood survived human trafficking and child abuse. Those with a nefarious intent to exploit vulnerable people do so through cell apps and internet means. Through her life experiences, she is a public speaker, published author, and trauma recovery mentor for those seeking ways to combat PTSD and trauma responses. Amanda’s mission is to be a catalyst to work with as many people as possible to lead them to live a fulfilled life through Christ. She’s a woman who transformed her trauma into resilience and strength. Now, Amanda uses her knowledge of growth and healing to inspire trauma survivors everywhere so that they can become anything. On a cold day in 2018, she saw formerly trafficked people standing firm and showing their beautiful resiliency on a stage at an anti-trafficking event. At that moment, she finally knew her life’s purpose. Since then, Amanda has spoken on many stages, international summits, and radio programs and had over a dozen books. Trafficking is becoming an increasingly prevalent problem. Through awareness, we can take appropriate action to become involved to stem the flow of this invasive activity. We can engage at the grassroots level to be effective in identifying those involved in all aspects of trafficking. She launched two podcasts - one that focuses on interviewing other authors of trauma and the other that discusses the long-term consequences of trauma and how to fight back for a better life. You can learn more about Amanda and her books at https://www.facebook.com/profile/100063483876426/search/?q=Amanda%20Blackwod.
Katie Selby began her extraordinary education journey at the age of three, which continued through high school. She was diagnosed with language impairment at the age of three. At that age, she communicated by using gestures and pointing to meet her needs. She didn’t say her first sentence until She was 5. To this day, she wishes she knew what her first complete sentence was. She doesn’t remember, and neither do her parents. After she started kindergarten, she was diagnosed with learning disabilities. Her learning disabilities are in reading comprehension, written expression, and math. She takes time to understand what she’s reading and sometimes needs clarification from others. As she reads a book, she takes her time to comprehend what she reads. She also has her phone nearby to look up word definitions. With her written expression, developing the right words to form sentences takes her time. With her math disability, she needs lots of support to understand math concepts, especially algebra. If she didn’t understand the assignments in elementary school, she typically waited for her teachers to notice her facial expressions. She was afraid to ask for help. She didn’t believe that asking for clarification would help. She didn’t learn self-advocacy skills until she was in high school. That was when She learned to ask for clarification if she didn’t understand an assignment or test question. Through this learning process, she identified others who adapted to her learning style, leading to her getting a college degree. She proved her naysayers wrong.
Jillie Maria is a Certified Akashic Records Practitioner who has overcome and is learning to be aware of “trigger points” that can invoke the past to create dominant thoughts to control our current and future thinking. She has spent many years doing her deep inner work, which enables her to connect with her clients to help them gain clarity and heal on a deeper level. She uses a variety of modalities in her work. She is passionate about holding space for her clients to feel the emotion and heal their wounds to uplevel and perform at their maximum potential! You can learn more about Jillie at https://www.transformationtalkradio.com/guest/jillie-maria,8088.html and https://jilliemaria.com/.
Paul Zolman has created a new way to demonstrate the principles of love languages. It's a profound way to learn all five love languages to give them away. By giving them away, your vision will improve so that you can see them coming your way and respond appropriately. Paul developed a system for training young children in this love-giving system. Spoiler alert: it's a game where everyone wins. Paul is the international bestselling author of The Role of Love, but God is the author of love. In His wisdom, He placed us in various circumstances that require us to find our way back to His pure love. God worked through Paul’s childhood experience of the opposite of love to transform the austere beginning and distaste it formed in him to create a method that changed his life of anger into loving everyone. Growing up in a family of abuse, physical touch became his preferred love style because of the regularity demonstrated in his family. He wanted a better life for himself and those within his influence. That is why he created a paradigm shift that works. In his book, you’ll find what helped him move from a childhood boot camp of abuse to someone who loves everyone and can find good about anyone in any circumstance. You can learn more about Paul and the role of love at https://roleoflove.com.
Marissa Levin chronicles her 30+ years of entrepreneurial experience and how she transitioned through this period. In 2012, she launched Successful Culture, a leadership consulting organization that helped CEOs master the 3 most critical aspects of business growth: leadership development, strategy formulation and execution, and corporate culture creation & improvement. She developed a global C-level coaching and consulting practice based on her successful experience building a multimillion-dollar consulting firm and her strength of connecting with leaders to help them move beyond the barriers impeding their personal and organizational growth. In 2012, she joined “Washington Business Report” on ABC as the region’s Small Business Expert, alongside anchor Rebecca Cooper. In her weekly segment, she addressed the challenges of small business growth and invited leaders to join her to share their business experiences. In 2023, she co-founded i5 Conscious Leadership, a leadership education, coaching, and consulting firm, with her long-time friend. Guided by a mission to elevate the world's consciousness through leadership, I5 Conscious Leadership bridges self-consciousness and organizational consciousness for leaders ready to embrace higher-level leadership to achieve exceptional employee engagement and business growth. I5 strengthens and elevates leaders throughout organizations to a higher level of presence, consciousness, and performance through developing and strengthening their Identity, Intention, Integrity, InSight, and Inspiration. You can learn more about Marissa at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissalevin1/ and https://marissainternational.com/.
Dr. Frank L. Douglas grew up in British Guiana. Despite being exiled from his home country and experiencing discrimination, his critical thinking and problem-solving skills have earned him international acclaim. His love of education earned him a Fulbright Scholarship. He worked at Ciba Giegy and Aventis and was involved in the pharmaceutical industry, where he spearheaded the research and development of drugs that treat tuberculosis, arthritis, diabetes, seizures, cancer, and pulmonary embolism, among others. He received the Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development Director of the Year Award in 2001 and 2004; the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers in 2002; the Black History Maker Award in 2007; the Geoffrey Beene Foundation and GQ Rockstar of Science, and the Odyssey Award from the Center of Medicine in the Public Interest in 2010; and the Caribbean Heritage Award for Entrepreneurship in 2011. He authored the book, "Defining Moments Of A Free Man From a Black Stream," to honor those who have helped him along his journey. He shares insights from his latest book originally entitled, "Addressing Systemic Discrimination By Reframing the Problem." He retitled the book, “Until You Walk in My Shoes: A Reframing Methodology to Overcome Systemic Discrimination. In this thought-provoking book, Dr. Douglas introduces three concepts crucial to addressing systemic discrimination - Focus on the Individual, Equity, Inclusion, and Individual Engagement (EIIE), and Safe Haven Dialogues (SHD) Reframing Process. Dr. Douglas also highlights the importance of Equity and Inclusion in creating a psychologically safe environment within organizations and presents the Equity-Inclusion Culture Matrix as a tool to assess these cultures. The book's second section features real-life case studies of individuals from diverse professions who have experienced systemic discrimination. Dr. Douglas uses the SHD Reframing Process to objectively determine the aspects of systemic discrimination depicted in these cases. The VIP panel, comprising Victors over Injustice in their Professions, reviews issues of Equity and Inclusion and seeks to find a Better Problem to Solve by Reframing the Problem. You can learn more about and follow Dr. Douglas at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-frank-l-douglas/ and https://www.facebook.com/BooksbyDr.FrankDouglas/.
Grace Tran lived much of her early life being self-critical while holding herself to unrealistic expectations. Through a reflective review and her accepting husband, she discovered she was living the life of an imposter. Because of previous interactions, she realized she was impersonating someone she wanted to be but was not. This discovery helped her discover the root cause of her high-functioning anxiety and chronic stress. She found through various therapy sessions she was very hard on herself. She assumed her critical nature was expected because she knew nothing different. Multiple health scares caused her to address the root of her problem. She learned to embrace her flaws and weaknesses through deep self-assessment and practice self-compassion. Previously, she had known through rote behavior traits to suppress and accept self-deprecating thoughts while attempting to overcompensate. She is now on a journey to unlearn the past and learn new thought patterns, leading to healthy self-confidence. She is passing forward her evaluated life experiences. You can learn more about Grace at https://withthetrans.com, instagram.com/gracellence, and instagram.com/withthetrans
Constantin Morun was born and raised in Eastern Europe during the communist era. He moved to Canada at the age of seventeen to pursue the "American Dream," yet found himself grappling with his vulnerabilities and the struggle to remain authentic amidst changing landscapes. With over 15 years of experience in personal and professional development, he honed his skills as a Holistic Life Empowerment Mentor, providing invaluable guidance and support to those seeking to unlock their full potential. His spiritual journey has been an integral part of this process, blending with my professional life in a unique way. Starting the Unleash Thyself ministry and website are a manifestation of his enthusiastic advocacy for personal growth, self-discovery, and professional development. Through his journey from a fear-ridden man hiding his authentic self to embracing vulnerability and authenticity, Constantin demonstrates that self-discovery can unlock the keys to personal and professional success. As a Holistic Life Empowerment Mentor, he inspires and empowers others on their unique journeys toward growth and self-discovery. Integrating his passion for technology, spirituality, and mentorship, Constantin helps individuals unlock their full potential, fostering a positive impact on the world around them. You can learn more about Constantin on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB8KxLtRJ7ucLZTqZeuc6Bw and through his podcasts Unleash Thyself.
David Pearce is a Doctor of Dental Surgery who started a dental business from nearly scratch but then had to decide to sell that business or have his young family and marriage split. After selling his practice, he and his wife moved from Syracuse, NY, and divided their time between my wife's "dream come true" newly completed Florida contemporary beachfront home and our custom Montana mountain home. During this relocation, he started another dental practice. During this time, he experienced the 3-month premature birth of their son and the emotional roller coaster of all the disabilities that could have led to their son’s death. Later, he helplessly watched from afar when he learned his son who had survived the pre-mature birth stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan. That led to emotional trauma and associated medical issues while he was on the other side of the world. Later, his biological daughter experienced gender dysphoria resulting in her being transgendered. That caused parental pain that accompanies watching a child suffer with little to nothing the parent can do except provide unconditional support and love. Since then, he has authored two books and begun collaborating with clients to share with them the secrets and processes he learned through his business experiences. You can learn more about Dr. David Pearce at https://www.ultimatesuccess.dentist/ while getting access to his two books.
Marko Kasic is a profile of learning that education can come in many forms. "You’re lucky to have been educated in London - don't waste your chance at a better life." He heard this from his parents, who sacrificed their lives when they moved to the UK. Marko got a corporate banking position following graduation - not by following rules, but by breaking them. After six months in this position, he learned two things quickly; 1) He does not ever want his life/career to only be about money, and 2) He has the skills to make as much money as he wants. People like Richard Branson, Seth Godin, and Napoleon Hill (amongst others) inspired him to a sense of adventure and meaning. He moved to the Philippines where he volunteered his skills for three months in the slums of Manila. That experience, while not bringing an income, gave him an education on life, poverty, potential, and purpose. By fate, he witnessed the world's strongest typhoon that compelled him to stay and help people who had lost absolutely everything - except their humility and sense of humor. During this time, he observed corruption by leaders and other events that inspired him to start the FundLife organization. For two years and with no income, he learned valuable life lessons. His parents cut him off when he said he would stay in the Philippines. He was alone without feeling lonely. Through this, he learned that isolation can be a gift when you have a dream and conviction to pursue that dream. His story is not one of great skill, ability, connection, or opportunity. Rather, he operated on faith and commitment to what he believed. Marko is also a resolute runner and a child refugee who was displaced during the Ex-Yugoslavia War. You can learn more about Marko at https://www.fundlife.org/.
Amanda Blackwood survived human trafficking and child abuse. Through her life experiences, she is a public speaker, published author, and trauma recovery mentor for those seeking ways to combat PTSD and trauma responses. Amanda’s mission is to be a catalyst to work with as many people as possible to lead them to live a fulfilled life through Christ. She’s a woman who transformed her trauma into resilience and strength. Now, Amanda uses her knowledge of growth and healing to inspire trauma survivors everywhere so that they can become anything. On a cold day in 2018, she saw formerly trafficked people standing firm and showing their beautiful resiliency on a stage at an anti-trafficking event. At that moment, she finally knew her life’s purpose. Since then, Amanda has spoken on many stages, international summits, and radio programs and had over a dozen books. Trafficking is becoming an increasingly prevalent problem. Through awareness, we can take appropriate action to become involved to stem the flow of this invasive activity. She launched two podcasts - one that focuses on interviewing other authors of trauma and the other that discusses the long-term consequences of trauma and how to fight back for a better life. You can learn more about Amanda and her books at https://www.facebook.com/profile/100063483876426/search/?q=Amanda%20Blackwod.
Chelsey Brooke Cole grew up feeling "not enough." She desperately wanted to feel whole — to be seen and heard. To know that she didn't have to earn love. Her early relationships reflected her mindset then. She was used to try to "win" someone's love. She felt she was fundamentally flawed — that even though other people could have healthy relationships, the best she could do was find someone else who was broken and help them heal. This made her more susceptible to highly narcissistic people who saw second chances as a way to keep hurting her. Those who took advantage of her patience manipulated her kindness and ignored her needs. Realizing she was experiencing narcissistic abuse was a process. She felt shame, guilt, and self-judgment for being in those relationships. For not seeing the signs sooner. For ignoring her intuition and abandoning herself. She found her life's mission through intentionally building herself: helping people heal from narcissistic abuse. Today, her life looks very different than it used to. She sets better boundaries, listens to her gut, and cares for herself. She is a self-described work in progress. Because of everything she has experienced, she has the motivation, courage, and fortitude to advocate for narcissistic abuse survivors. She is a psychotherapist, coach, speaker, and author. You can learn more about Chelsey Brooke Cole at https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/ and https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/chelsey-brooke-cole-narcissistic-abuse-expert-nashville-tn/747720. You can purchase her book, "If Only I'd Known: How to Outsmart Narcissists, Set Guilt-Free Boundaries, and Create Unshakeable Self-Worth" wherever books are sold.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sacitharan has an extraordinary life story to share. He went from a war refugee, teenage gangster, and high school dropout to an award-winning scientist at Oxford and Harvard in 7 years. He went on to discover drugs as a professor and become Vice President of a Biotech with a revenue of 1.6 billion USD. He challenged the system, quit his career, and founded his 8-figure company in China during the pandemic. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sacitharan is a competitive weightlifter, runner, and CEO of Donsfield. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Oxford in Molecular and Cellular Medicine and then trained as a Fulbright scholar at Harvard University. He gained international business networks (UK, USA, China, France, and Israel) as the Vice President of Business Development for a leading global biotech company. His expertise in identifying and capitalizing upon market opportunities to introduce new product lines and reposition existing products and his zest to excel in international trading provoked him to establish Donsfield. The company's first year of e-commerce revenue was 1.5 million USD and is projected to grow due to rapid expansion and mergers. You can learn more about Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sacitharan at https://amzsummits.com/speakers/pradeep-kumar-sacitharan/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/pksacitharan/?originalSubdomain=uk. He authored the book, "99 Trillion Helpers To Improve Your Gut Health: How To Boost Your Metabolism, Productivity, And General Wellbeing In As Little As A Month Without Popping Any Pills.”
Marie Lesaicherre is the founder and CEO of Akesa Health, a startup offering a self-guided therapy app helping people transform anxiety and distress into resilience. She is a global entrepreneurial executive with 18 years of experience launching tech businesses for General Electric and startups in the US, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Marie holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Biology from the National University of Singapore and an executive MBA from Columbia Business School and the London Business School. She devoted twenty years to getting degrees, climbing the corporate ladder worldwide, and running away from long-forgotten childhood trauma. The traumas resurfaced and derailed her career. She experimented and trained in numerous therapies (talk therapy, psychedelics, energy, and holistic healing) and eventually found therapies that saved her life. Through her life experiences, she got very interested in neuroscience, mind-body connections, holistic health, and spirituality. This experience caused her to get frustrated with the lack of affordable and scientifically-validated mental health solutions. While researching therapies that had helped her, she realized the brain has innate self-healing potential. This self-healing potential will transform anxiety and stress into resilience - the ability to face life's setbacks without needing a therapist.
Jennifer Dawn Robbins overcame her family's toxic culture to find the passion that drives her today. She sold apples off my grandfather's tree when she was eight. She then launched a cake decorating business in high school, worked for the Governor of Florida, and IBM in my early 20s. Always wanting to improve and do things her way, she founded her first software company at 23. That company developed point-of-sale systems for amusement parks, and she traveled the world while growing the business from nothing to over $1M in annual sales. After 13 years, she sold the company and purchased a construction company. The construction industry crashed along with her business the year she bought that company. Undaunted, she knew even the best entrepreneurs fail – it's the getting back up that makes you great. It is the journey to recovery that defines us - not the failures. Through her life experiences, Jennifer knows that developing the person leads to healthy businesses. You can learn more about Jennifer Dawn Robbins and her coaching business at https://jenniferdawncoaching.com/.
Pastor (retired) James W. Smith shares his life-evaluated experiences to benefit others. He encourages, inspires, and transforms through his life experiences. He shares important lessons on how to get out of the ditch and succeed. Confronting was one of the most valuable life lessons he learned. Whatever you are going through, confronting it helps. Don't let your circumstance be an excuse. Don't be afraid of failure. Practice humility. The darkest hour is just before dawn. These are some of what he learned through his life experience as a lawyer, gambler, ex-offender, and pastor. Being ethical, honest, and trustworthy are valuable components for individuals. Pastor Smith served five years in Federal Correctional Institution for armed bank robbery. A former NC State Bar Approved Sponsor of Continuing Legal Education for 11 years. He is now retired from the pastorate and serves in the historical Missionary Baptist Church, Durham County, NC, where he pastored for nearly 32 years. He authored three books, "Deal By Me, A Golden Opportunity Blown," Deal By Me 2nd Edition, Self Evaluation," and "Come, Let Us Reason Together." He believes in second chances. Consulting, inspirational speaking, and seminars/workshops provide life fulfillment for him now. You can learn more about Pastor James W. Smith at www.dealbyme.com.
Johnathan K. Drayton is a Christian philosopher and aspiring lawyer. He triple majored in his college education in Philosophy, History, and Political Science. In college, he desired to know God's purpose for his life. He knew he loved God. However, he had difficulty applying God's Word to his life. That changed when he took a philosophy class and continued reading God's Word. He allowed God to speak to him in a way he would know his voice while determining how to return to God for continued guidance. Through his learning, he is equipped to point others to His Word. He and his brother have a biblical podcast called "The Truth of the Matter Is." They believe Christians should always be ready to evaluate how we can use God's Word to maneuver through life. Johnathan believes we live on levels that arrive in stages that come in seasons. Therefore, we should pursue being like our Lord Jesus Christ every day while willing to learn from others and hear what they say. "The Truth Of The Matter Is" podcast provides an honest, contextual, historical, psychological, sociological, political, and philosophical view of the Bible through the use of Hermeneutics and, from time to time, personal experiences. Their goal is to help listeners obtain knowledge, open perspective and give practical ways of applying the teachings to everyday life through the inspiring word of God. You can learn more about Jonathan on TikTok at Thetruthoftmis and on the Facebook group: "I'm a believer."
Erin Clements expresses her need for empathy through the church to have others bear the burden of her recent experience with her sexually addicted former husband. She had experienced a life trauma contrary to her Christian upbringing and what she knew to be God’s desire for marriage. Her life was in six months of turmoil and chaos. She turned to the church to engage others who would empathize with her need for emotional support. Erin found her greatest asset came from those outside the church. Her testimony explains her emotional needs while engendering an appeal for others in the church to engage through listening, which demonstrates care. Larger churches can benefit smaller churches through effective collaboration.
Marshall Zweig survived sexual, emotional, and psychological traumas. He spent decades, and hundreds of thousands of dollars, learning to feel again. Through all this, he transformed his relationships with his wife and mother, who gaslighted him. The experience took him to the edge of sanity, but his relationship with his wife and mother is thriving, loving and respectful. Many years ago, his father's confession to Marshall started his journey of truth and healing. Over the years, Marshall realized he is simply a person with whom many can feel safe to be vulnerable to express themselves in truth. Marshall turned these evaluated life experiences into a successful coaching business.Simply put, coaching others in relationships has been his destiny. Marshall is a Featured Life Coach for Ingomu, where he live-streams with a nationwide interactive community, sharing his life-changing Truth-Empowered Relationships℠: Healing Through Feeling method. Marshall coaches trauma survivors through Rebuilding Thoughts. For organizations, Marshall coaches Authentic Leadership principles using his method. He also develops high-potential employees' EQ (emotional quotient) that unlocks their true potential. In couples coaching, he devotes the first set of sessions to getting grounded in Truth Empowered Relationships℠ rules (called TERms). Employee coaching includes a deep immersion into the TERms benefits, including actionable methods to enhance their careers and lives.
Justine Martin is known as the Queen of Resilience. She has endured more medical challenges than most people. She faced mortality and built a few successful businesses along the way. With the pinnacle of obtaining international and national business awards recognizing her speaking and coaching. In 2011, medical personnel diagnosed her as having Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS).Consequently, medical personnel told her she would never work again. Her world crashed, and she questioned her purpose. Then she underwent three heart surgeries in 2013, 14, and 15, followed by pericarditis. In 2016, she developed a purple rash known as Livedo Reticularis on her extremities. That resulted in medical personnel diagnosing her with melanoma, ending that year with Mixed Cryoglobulinemia. In 2017, medical personnel diagnosed Justine with stage 4 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL), causing her to undergo chemotherapy. She had to become pliable and persistent with what life presented while trying to remain positive. You can learn more about Justine Martin at https://www.facebook.com/Justinedeborahmartin/, https://www.juztart.com.au/, and https://www.justinemartin.com.au/.
Rich Lamonica is the MisFitNation Show CEO, and the host. The show originated through the efforts of a U.S. Army Veteran and is hosted by two veterans and a military spouse. The show’s goal is to inspire everyone to be better humans. The MisFitNation does this by having guests with stories of grit and resilience while adding in experts in many fields, such as authors, entrepreneurs, coaches, motivational speakers, health and fitness professionals, and many more. Besides being the host of The MisFitNation, Rich is the Chapter lead for the Clarksville Chapter of The Travis Manion Foundation (TMF). The TMF develops programs, training opportunities, and events designed to empower veterans and families of the fallen and then inspire them to pass on their values to the next generation and the community. You can learn more about the MisFitNation at https://www.themisfitnation.com/ and more about the Travis Manion Foundation at https://www.travismanion.org/.
Susan Gold was raised in a small rural town in central Pennsylvania and faced trauma as the middle child in a violent and chaotic household. Her brilliant, alcoholic, astrophysicist father and equally ingenious, mentally ill, homemaking mother collided in dysfunction. As a sibling in a family of five children in short succession, she experienced rampant covert and overt abuse. Hurt and damaged children frequently raise more hurt and damaged children. Susan chose, instead, to be a chain breaker. She determined how to gain benefit from the somatic approach to learning how the mind and body function in concert with stimuli. You can read more about her upbringing in “Toxic Family: Transforming Childhood Trauma into Adult Freedom,” available everywhere books are sold. You can schedule a consultation with Susan at http://susangoldconsulting.com/.
Business owners hire Julie Delucca-Collins to build and grow a successful business and life using simple habits, a strong mindset, and increased confidence to achieve their goals. When she started her business, she knew the satisfaction of everything her business would bring to her - freedom, Impact, Flexibility, and Income. Having dealt with and overcome some shortcomings early in her life, Julie became passionate about working with other business owners. Julie knows growing a business can be confusing, tiring, overwhelming, and frustrating. Julie authored the book "Confident You: Simple Habits to Live the Life You Have Imagined" available through Amazon. You can learn more about Julie and her Go Confidently coaching business at https://www.goconfidentlycoaching.com/. Catch the Casa-DeConfidence Podcast to be inspired and entertained.
Owen Santos was born with an asthmatic condition that limits his lung capacity. Motivation to succeed can come in various forms. Some people need positive inspiration, while others can achieve stimulation through negative means. Owen wanted to prove the doctor wrong, who said Owen would spend much of his life in hospitals because of his asthmatic condition. He was determined to prove him wrong. To do so, he started a fitness business to encourage others to follow his example. He coaches others to achieve fitness tailored to their desires. You can follow Owen on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/owensantos/, and you can schedule a fitness profile appointment with him at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhzfyYZ6OLAEjhNJkZfxRyuoZII6ZKkyl0cVYGwBWzgmRb-g/viewform.
Dr. Frank L Douglas grew up in British Guiana with his mother and four siblings. Despite being exiled from his home country and experiencing discrimination, his critical thinking and problem-solving skills have earned him international acclaim. His love of education earned him a Fulbright Scholarship, and he came to America during the turbulent 1960s. He worked at Ciba Giegy and Aventis and was involved in the pharmaceutical industry, where he spearheaded the research and development of drugs that treat tuberculosis, arthritis, diabetes, seizures, cancer, and pulmonary embolism, among others. He received the Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development Director of the Year Award in 2001 and 2004; the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers in 2002; the Black History Maker Award in 2007; the Geoffrey Beene Foundation and GQ Rockstar of Science, and the Odyssey Award from the Center of Medicine in the Public Interest in 2010; and the Caribbean Heritage Award for Entrepreneurship in 2011. He authored the book, "Defining Moments Of A Free Man From a Black Stream," to honor those who have helped him along his journey. He shares insights from his latest book, "Addressing Systemic Discrimination By Reframing the Problem." In this thought-provoking book, Dr. Douglas introduces three concepts crucial to addressing systemic discrimination - Focus on the Individual, Equity, Inclusion, and Individual Engagement (EIIE), and Safe Haven Dialogues (SHD) Reframing Process. Dr. Douglas also highlights the importance of Equity and Inclusion in creating a psychologically safe environment within organizations and presents the Equity-Inclusion Culture Matrix as a tool to assess these cultures. The book's second section features real-life case studies of individuals from diverse professions who have experienced systemic discrimination. Dr. Douglas uses the SHD Reframing Process to objectively determine the aspects of systemic discrimination depicted in these cases. The VIP panel, comprising Victors over Injustice in their Professions, reviews issues of Equity and Inclusion and seeks to find a Better Problem to Solve by Reframing the Problem. You can learn more about and follow Dr. Douglas at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-frank-l-douglas/ and https://www.facebook.com/BooksbyDr.FrankDouglas/.
Business owners hire Julie Delucca-Collins to build and grow a successful business and life using simple habits, a strong mindset, and increased confidence to achieve their goals. When she started her business, she knew the satisfaction of everything her business would bring to her - freedom, Impact, Flexibility, and Income. Having dealt with and overcome some shortcomings early in her life, Julie became passionate about working with other business owners. Julie knows growing a business can be confusing, tiring, overwhelming, and frustrating. Julie authored the book "Confident You: Simple Habits to Live the Life You Have Imagined" available through Amazon. You can learn more about Julie and her Go Confidently coaching business at https://www.goconfidentlycoaching.com/. Catch the Casa-DeConfidence Podcast to be inspired and entertained.
Ron and Marty discuss the life-affirming value and practice of “I am” statements. Self-affirming statements have a therapeutic value of talking positively to and about yourself. Many times, we become what we think of ourselves. Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or cannot – you are right.” Too often, we can think ourselves into depressive moods. As frequently, we can talk ourselves out of a slump to become positive by talking and thinking positively. When verbalized in a positive context, self-talk can add value to our countenance while inspiring us to interact positively with others.
Dallin Candland knows there is not enough compassion in this world. People are suffering everywhere, and many don't feel their story and struggle is worth hearing. Receiving compassion from others in his life struggles changed his life. Having someone listen to you in dark moments can help you feel new light and perspective. Through his life experiences, Dallin wants to be a light source to advance others through whatever darkness they are experiencing. Dallin knows compassion is a skill anyone can develop. Developing compassion/empathy will change your life and conversations - even if you are newly meeting the person. Dallin shares his life experiences and journey through his YIELD (Yes, I, Envision, Love, Demonstrated) Today podcast. Dallin hopes to build others up to help them know their voices are heard.
Amanda Blackwood survived human trafficking and child abuse. Through her life experiences, she is a public speaker, published author, and trauma recovery mentor for those seeking ways to combat PTSD and trauma responses. Amanda’s mission is to be a catalyst to work with as many people as possible to lead them to live a fulfilled life through Christ. She’s a woman who transformed her trauma into resilience and strength. Now, Amanda uses her knowledge of growth and healing to inspire trauma survivors everywhere so that they can become anything. On a cold day in 2018, she saw formerly trafficked people standing firm and showing their beautiful resiliency on a stage at an anti-trafficking event. At that moment, she finally knew her life’s purpose. Since then, Amanda has spoken on many stages, international summits, and radio programs and had over a dozen books. She launched two podcasts - one that focuses on interviewing other authors of trauma and the other that discusses the long-term consequences of trauma and how to fight back for a better life. You can learn more about Amanda and her books at https://www.facebook.com/profile/100063483876426/search/?q=Amanda%20Blackwod.
What can keep a relationship together even when people are very different? Character and values are defining attributes of each person. Our personality defines who we are or how we are “wired.” Our personality will largely explain how we express our values and character. Those values and character traits will largely determine how we respond to life encounters. In the context of a lasting relationship, we need to determine our values and those attributes we value most. We must learn our strengths and vulnerabilities as we learn who we are and what defines us. Ron and Marty will have been married 55 years on 7 September 2023. We can help you with DISC assessments while offering to speak with your group(s). Contact us at ron@thecooperculture.com or marty@thecooperculture.com. You can also contact Ron for a speaking engagement at https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/profile/45012/simple.
Susan Gold was raised in a small rural town in central Pennsylvania and faced trauma as the middle child in a violent and chaotic household. Her brilliant, alcoholic, astrophysicist father and equally ingenious, mentally ill, homemaking mother have collided in dysfunction. As a sibling in a family of five children in short succession, she experienced rampant covert and overt abuse. Hurt and damaged children frequently raise more hurt and damaged children. Susan chose, instead, to be a chain breaker. You can read more about her upbringing in “Toxic Family: Transforming Childhood Trauma into Adult Freedom,” available everywhere books are sold.
Sammy Joe Ferrens has a life story of gratitude. His mother had polio and lived her life in a wheelchair. Throughout her life, she taught Sammy strength, happiness, endurance, and love. Her gift to Sammy as she passed away was one of gratitude. Sammy’s purpose is to help others live a life of gratitude and obtain their greatness. By expressing gratitude, some people have reversed thoughts of suicide and depression to having a life of meaning and purpose. The inspiration for writing his book Broken Gratitude scheduled for Summer 2023 publication, came from his Tik Tok followers. You can learn more about Sammy Joe Ferrens at https://www.discovermentaledge.com.
Michaela Cox was born blind, widowed early by the love of her life in her second marriage, and is now a single mother and author. She is a multi- published author and speaker. She writes on various passionate topics and often takes from her life experience and journey. She is the author of five series, including 'Take a Sip, Take a Breath and Go...' series on motherhood, "Before the Clock Strikes Midnight" series on parenting and leaving a legacy for our babies, "Scripture, Spirituality and Our Culture" on our faith, beliefs, scripture and our culture, "We the People - Defining and Exploring Who we the People Are" as a people, society, and a nation, and the series 'Now I See'. Her other publications include "Living the Beach Life and Heartfelt Meditations." She has a passion for sharing her story and message of 38DDD: A journey of going from much tribulation to thriving in everything to help inspire and empower people on their own journey. In addition to being an author and speaker, Michaela is a mother to her two children.
The U.S. Army investigated LTC Jason G. Pike, arrested him, and tried to break him. He is A Soldier Against All Odds. Diagnosed at age seven with an acute learning disability and failing first grade that year, Jason was sent back to repeat it. At age nine, he was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a crippling bone disease dissolving the bone of his knee that added to his academic challenges and a significant physical disadvantage. With more than three decades of national guard and active service, after starting his military career at seventeen and retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel, he was told that none of it would be possible. For that advice, there were indeed excellent grounds. His story, therefore, is one of survival, perseverance, and a refusal to quit, no matter what, a characteristic gifted to him by his father. His book, “A Soldier Against All Odds,” is on Amazon.
Jon Katz made a major lifestyle change to discontinue the drugs, alcohol, and eating habits that had consumed him to take on a healthier lifestyle. He realized his habits were adversely affecting others, and he decided not to continue doing what he was doing and become what he was becoming. One of the inspirations to change this mindset was the realization that his perspective was adversely affecting others. That reality was the impetus to make a change. You can learn more about Jon at instagram.com/nycfoodways.
Jon Katz made a major lifestyle change to discontinue the drugs, alcohol, and eating habits that had consumed him to take on a healthier lifestyle. He realized his habits were adversely affecting others, and he decided not to continue doing what he was doing and become what he was becoming. One of the inspirations to change this mindset was the realization that his perspective was adversely affecting others and that reality was the impetus to make a change. You can learn more about Jon at https://www.instagram.com/nycfoods
Nearly everyone experiences anxiety of varying degrees throughout life. Allowing fear to go unchecked can lead to health problems, and stress is one of the leading results of anxiety. We need to learn how to manage (or cope with) anxiety while also knowing those factors in our life that cause fear of the unknown. We need to know how to reduce or even eliminate those factors that cause uncertainty in our life. As we learn about ourselves, we function best with a support person or group of some number. Those are the ones who know us and genuinely care about us. Ron and Marty are certified life performance coaches through the John Maxwell Leadership Certified Team while also being keynote speakers. You can learn more about Ron and Marty at www.thecooperculture.com. You can learn more about Ron’s keynote speaking topics at https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/profile/45012/simple.
Pastor Greg Jackson, Jr. was a division one college basketball player who was born with Sickle Cell Disease. Having to endure a bone marrow transplant, multiple collapsed lungs, and a double lung transplant, Greg relied on his faith in Jesus to carry him through each trial. Listen to how his life and faith were shaped by his family’s love and support. “There were times I thought it didn’t matter what happens to me, anything was better than waiting and the pain.” A life restored, faith tested, and purpose found! This episode describes the early diagnosis and the following actions. This episode describes what the medical staff discovered with the birth lungs and what had to be done for follow on actions.
Harjeet immigrated to Canada from the United Kingdom in 2001. She is the mother of four children. She separated from her husband in 2009 and was hospitalized with bipolar disorder in 2010. Her work performance between 2010 to 2015 was up and down, and she published a romantic fiction novel in 2015. She has not had physical or verbal contact with her first two children through manipulations. She has grown through her life experiences while managing a Quora space to allow others to share their stories. Her mental health has suffered, but she has found a way to move forward. As a mother, there is a fear of judgment to speak out, so she is a voice for those enduring a similar life experience.
Jimmy Clare is a motivational speaker, autism advocate, author, and fitness advocate. He is autistic but likes to refer to it as "slightly autistic" because he is not as severe as others. Doctors told Jimmy's parents he could not walk without braces or crutches. Irrespective, his Mom and Dad loved him for who he was. He was also bullied in school from elementary school through high school. He stood up to all the bullies and got some of them expelled. He endured nine ear surgeries, three of which were on one day. He lives with spinal stenosis, where the spine is pressing tight on the spinal cord, which makes it difficult for him to turn his head from left to right or up and down. Every day he continues to better himself by working out as many as nine times weekly. Three days a week, he practices kickboxing, while on the other days, he works out on Beachbody on Demand. He continues to prove people wrong with his persistence. You can learn more about Jimm at https://www.crazyfitnessguy.com/.
Elizabeth Bennett has over 35 years of teaching, administration, and coaching experience. She offers a unique blend of leadership, vision, and knowledge. As a retired, award-winning principal, she is passionate about empowering people to take on their lives with joy and love. She is dedicated to sharing her desire to create positive, connected relationships, focusing on community and business leaders, educators, and parents. She helps parents navigate the world of 'teenager.' If parents are dealing with yelling and screaming, defiance, door slamming, or her favorite, 'eye rolling,' she can help parents with strategies and skills to go from chaos to conversation. You can learn more from her book at https://courageousconversation.com/.
Pastor Greg Jackson, Jr. was a division one college basketball player who was born with Sickle Cell Disease. Having to endure a bone marrow transplant, multiple collapsed lungs, and a double lung transplant, Greg relied on his faith in Jesus to carry him through each trial. Listen to how his life and faith were shaped by his family’s love and support. “There were times I thought it didn’t matter what happens to me, anything was better than waiting and the pain.” A life restored, faith tested, and purpose found! This episode describes the early diagnosis and the following actions.
Aaron Shelley explains the meaning and application of momentum and values to families and businesses. He and his friends always seemed to be primed for success. He grew up in a suburban neighborhood with ten boys who became his friends. They went to the same church and schools while also participating in the same scout troop. He played sports in the street almost every day. He regularly played video games and board games together. Each family had about the same amount of money and had two parents at home. He and his friends were living the American middle-class lifestyle. After high school, each went their separate ways. He learned his best friend's parents divorced two years after high school. As he grew older, he went to college, got married, got an engineering and business degree, had four kids, and started a business. One friend became a lawyer, got married, and then got divorced. One had six kids, serious health issues, and worked a blue-collar job for a logistics company. One started his own construction company and had four kids. And one was sentenced to life without parole for the rape and attempted murder of a twenty-year-old woman. How can lifestyles be so different when they seem to be the same?
Ron and Marty discuss their life experience and marriage of trust. Some people immediately trust others, while others "cogitate" over trust in relationships. It is a matter of personality in combination with life perspective and experiences, and trust is essential in a connected relationship and being an effective leader. An organization's people feel comfortable knowing they can trust their leaders. Dating and marriage can last when you know you can trust your mate. So, how can you know if you can trust a potential mate? Ron and Marty have a digital relationship course grounded in their marriage journey that began 7 September 1968. It is fulfilling. However, we know the best is yet to come.
Jon Katz has a story of overcoming a horrendous breakup after his fiancée identified herself as a lesbian. The breakup drove him to temporary pleasure-seeking, catalyzing him to turn his life around after intense pain. He became obese and experienced an apartment fire on August 1, 2022. This was a massive blessing in disguise--by stripping me of "everything." He learned, with the proper perspective, nothing of value can ever be taken from us. What is truly valuable are our internal assets. Accordingly, he decided to change the past and make a new future. Since getting healthy, he established a citywide food rescue program to feed thousands of families a week. The greatest high comes from helping others to absolve their pain - the same pain I managed to absolve myself. This is his life's mission, calling, and purpose. You can learn more about Jon at www.nycfoodways.com and https://www.instagram.com/nycfoodways/.
Clay Boatright lost his wife of 35 years to ovarian cancer, and his two daughters were born non-verbal with special intellectual and physical needs. How can we overcome life's traumas that seem insurmountable? Clay has learned through life experience if God is involved, everything can be an opportunity. Does God cause events or allow them to happen in the life of those who can endure the trial? Over the years, Clay developed a deep understanding of the disability industrial complex and served on various health and education advisory committees, including Board President for both The Arc of Dallas and The Arc of Texas. In 2011, President Barack Obama appointed Clay to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities in Washington, DC. In 2013, he was appointed Founding Chairman of Texas Health & Human Services' IDD System Redesign Advisory Committee, which he held for six years. Clay writes about his life experience and dedication to God in his book "God's Plan – Our Circus," available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Erin Clements continues her life story of marriage betrayal and her recovery. Her emotional recovery required about six months of healing. During that time, she hoped she could share with and garner empathy from those inside her church. She was uncertain if she could share her innermost feelings within her church for fear of judgment or ridicule. She felt the emotional support she needed came more from outside the church than inside. She explains many of the emotions she experienced during this life trauma recovery period.
The U.S. Army investigated LTC Jason G. Pike, arrested him, and tried to break him. He is A Soldier Against All Odds. Diagnosed at age seven with an acute learning disability and failing first grade that year, Jason was sent back to repeat it. At age nine, he was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a crippling bone disease dissolving the bone of his knee that added to his academic challenges and a significant physical disadvantage.With more than three decades of national guard and active service, after starting his military career at seventeen and retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel, he was told that none of it would be possible. For that advice, there were indeed excellent grounds. His story, therefore, is one of survival, perseverance, and a refusal to quit, no matter what, a characteristic gifted to him by his father. His book, “A Soldier Against All Odds,” is on Amazon.
Christel Owoo went to Ghana to do research. She left the Netherlands as an atheist and returned to Holland as a believer in Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. God, the Holy Spirit, works in the lives of all people – even atheists. It is a matter of if and how we respond to His leading. God led Christel to have an encounter with several God-believing people in Ghana. Through those encounters, she knew the God of the Bible existed. You can learn more about Christel at www.christelowoo.com and through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/christel.owoo.
Erin Clements continues her life learning experience by describing her emotions, including, “Why me, Lord?” We might wonder if we deserve something as devastating as we are experiencing because of something we did. Erin experienced many of these emotions. However, after reckoning with our Lord, she knew her life experience could be a learning opportunity and possibly even a ministry to others. She is at the point of getting beyond the initial emotions to where she can now learn from her past and advance herself and others through her evaluated life experience. God is the strength in her life to overcome any challenge. He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. (I John 4:4)
Mary Henderson transitioned from a seven-figure business she founded to her current coaching business. From her life experience, she coaches and inspires others to make life decisions that might seem very difficult to make. Some people are facing life transitions by choice or chance, possibly resulting from the COVID pandemic, and life change might be most difficult for those who need life stability. However, fulfillment can motivate the difference for a better life that is yet to come. You can learn about Mary at www.maryhendersoncoaching.com or on LinkedIn.
Erin Clements continues her life-evaluated testimony by sharing statements that sometimes trigger emotions that dominate our current thinking. Comments that are meant to encourage others can be processed negatively. We do not know why we think and feel the way we do until we assess our life and statements that impact our thinking. Too often, we make impulsive statements with negative connotations that stay with the person we speak to for a long time. Through coaching and counseling, we can overcome low confidence and self-images resulting from these statements.
Erin Clements continues her evaluated life experience by discussing life boundaries. When her counselor asked her to define her life boundaries, she was taken aback without a response. As she reflects on her life, she now realizes her failed marriage was due, in part, to her lack of boundaries and her confidence to confront her former husband. Facing others remains an area of growth in her journey, moving forward and upward. She is passing along her positive life learning experiences as she grows through this journey.
The Cooper Culture is a catalyst to transform a person’s mindset of quiet desperation to one of confident assurance. A catalyst in this context inspires action. We do this through:
· Public speaking
· Partnering with principle-based organizations
· Our “Overcomers Overcoming” podcast series
Many people of all socio-economic strata are experiencing varying degrees of quiet desperation as manifested by expressing or feeling anxiety, loneliness, uncertainty, unworthiness, and other forms of low self-image.
Ron experienced this in his early life. As he reflects on how things were, he determined why his mindset was what it was. In a brief expression, words matter.
God created us to function best with connected relationships. We all need to be accepted by some people; some need many, while others need fewer. Irrespective of that number, we will likely feel rejected if we do not feel accepted. That rejection can lead to an unworthy feeling, leading to the question, “does anyone care if we are even here?”
Some people are confident enough in themselves to ask for help. Others, however, like Ron, would never ask for help, and to do so would reinforce his inadequacies of low confidence, stupidity, and unworthiness. Therefore, we will remain silent, hoping someone will accept us.
We live by the principle, “we would rather apologize than have to eulogize.” We aim to empathize with you so we can recognize and meet your unspoken needs, and we do that by listening to you. we want to be aware of statements we call “data points.” Enough of those data points could be appropriate descriptors from which we discern your pain points without you directly expressing and possibly intimidating yourself.
We adapt to your most intimate need for a connected relationship by listening and appropriately assessing without labeling or stigmatizing you. When people know you care and represent a safe space, meaningful communication always follows.
We advance people through three venues:
· Public speaking, where we integrate
o My life story of overcoming
o My appropriate vulnerabilities
o Inspiration to others through aviation, military, and other life stories
· Working with organizations to establish and maintain a workplace culture of trust and loyalty
o Assessing the current work culture and relationships
o Identify the organization’s defining/core values
o Interviewing and hiring the right people
· Our Overcomers Overcoming podcast with three main objectives:
o Assure you we are standing with and walking beside you
o Assure you there are multiple solutions to overcome any challenge(s)
o Establish good critical thinking skills to make informed decisions
Our target market for each venue is entrepreneurial-thinking people who learn best through evaluated life experiences. We do not teach. Instead, we explain how we think. Our thoughts always precede our actions, and impulsive thinking sometimes leads to irrational decisions.
We evolved into this passion through life experiences. At one point in Ron’s life, he could not even think about doing what we now do because of his inherent insecurities about how he processed various statements.
We have learned that the letters included with your name on a business, the “shingles” you have on your wall representing diplomas, and the trophies you might have on display might mask your feelings. That “mask” too often leads to lives of quiet desperation. We must have the courage to discern and then take appropriate action.
Some of our guiding principles are grounded in the following:
· “A Setback is a Setup for a Comeback,” a book by Willie Jolley
· “we would rather apologize than have to eulogize.”
· We are “prisoners” of our past only by our choice
We advance others by partnering with others. Mutual support and a surrendered relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior, is our hope that the best is yet to come.
Erin Clements continues to chronicle her life testimony of recovering from a traumatic divorce. After several months of experiencing grief and emotional turmoil, Erin purposed to seek forgiveness to begin her journey to recovery. Initially, she wasn’t sure what forgiveness “looked” or felt like. Might forgiving the offender marginalize the hurt and sin? Through prayer and therapy, she experienced freedom from the stress of harboring bitterness. After all, Jesus felt the ultimate agony with His death on the cross.
Charles Smith felt overwhelming grief from his father's death when he was 11 years old, followed by the deaths of his grandfather and uncle. He did not have an inner circle of friends in whom he could confide. As a result, he bottled up his emotions to the point of thinking ending his life might be the best solution. Thankfully, his friends engaged in his life at the right time to avert this outcome. Charles was very quiet and subdued at the time. His friends merely chose to be with him for no reason beyond being with a friend. That "random kindness" response kept Charles from making a regretful decision.
Ron and Marty Cooper discuss taking action in the context of the account of the man wanting to go into the pool of Bethsaida. Jesus healed the man and told him to begin walking. We cannot continue doing what we have done in the past and expect different results. If we are not getting fulfillment with what we are doing, we must take action to do something different. God promises to direct the path of those who surrender to Him, and submitting to Him is the first action to bring about better results.
Erin Clements continues her life testimony with a focus on trust. Trust requires a lifetime to build, a moment to lose, and forever to repair. Enduring trust is earned – it is never demanded, and it is an essential value and character trait. So, how can you know if a person is trustworthy? Erin shares her experience while offering consideration for others to consider. The axiom “pay me now or pay me later” as relates to time to establish or reestablish trust applies. There are no shortcuts to establishing trust.
Erin Clements continues her life journey of recovering from her marital trauma. She evaluated her life experience and shares her lessons learned. As a Christian, this life experience devastated her. However, God brought her through this and has made her a better person despite the devastation. She explains how God can strengthen and provide opportunities through life experiences. Through her life experience, we can learn about God’s desire for us to have meaningful, lasting relationships.
Ron and Marty discuss empathy and how we can effectively relate to others without enabling poor behavior. Empathy is identifying with a struggle or pain a person is experiencing. While doing so, we want to help them with a hand-up without being the handout. The handout mindset could enable a person to continue with poor thinking or behavior that brings them despair or anguish. We should want to inspire people to become self-sufficient and not dependent on others. There is an art to discerning the person to apply empathy and/or sympathy such that we do not enable continued poor decisions that may be the reason for the current situation.
Anthony Davis is on a life journey to transition (aka pivoting) to a new life experience. It is a matter of determining what provides fulfillment and income to sustain his desired lifestyle. His journey considers his commitment to his wife, who has multiple sclerosis. He candidly describes some perceived limiting beliefs that can keep him from pursuing his passions. Even with 62 years of life experience, retirement and pursuing an easy path are not options.
Damian White is a poetry writer who has pivoted through various life encounters to identify and refine his strengths and fulfillment.. He authored the poetry book I Made A Place For You, which is his debut collection. It is available at https://www.amazon.com/Made-Place-You-Damian-White/dp/1639885706/. After battling two bouts of homelessness, he channeled those experiences into poetry to heal a fractured identity. When not writing, he will likely be exploring art galleries, playing tug-of-war with his pups, traveling, and finding the best coffee in every city. You can learn more about Damian at https://www.damianwhitewrites.com/
Ron and Marty begin a weekly solo podcast with thoughts to consider based on evaluated life experiences. Ron and Marty have experienced thoughts resulting from statements made to and/or about them that have, through trigger statements, evoked thoughts of the past. The words may have been meant well; however, our personality or disposition at the moment of those statements caused us to process those statements negatively. Those negative thoughts can dominate our conscious thinking unless we are aware of that possibility.
Erin Clements continues sharing her life journey of overcoming the trauma of learning her former husband was sexually active with women outside of their marriage. This revelation was devastating, uprooting nearly everything she had believed about God, life, and marriage. Through her devotion to God, He gave her the confidence to advance her life and the courage to develop a support team to help her cope with what would necessarily be a new life. God is equipping her to start a support ministry for those experiencing similar trauma.
Amanda Kirby experienced the hanging suicide of her 10th-grade son, Tyler Matthew Bland. For those who might say, “I have no idea what to say to him/her,” Amanda shares her life experience with the desire to help; others cope with this type of life trauma. She speaks candidly about her emotions, having experienced her son’s life trauma on May 12, 2016. Everyone has their process of overcoming grief, and empathy is one of the most helpful factors. Tyler’s life and remembrances are documented in the video at https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FirqI7WuraGY&data=05%7C01%7C%7C70cd7429909b4b76dfe108daed0719a2%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638082911990552093%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=X0JDiFxDPZQ4hgRwyHh02n0oxkA3GJFuxJPEfT8h1dA%3D&reserved=0
Erin Clements was committed to marriage permanence when she learned of her husband’s sexual infidelity. The revelation stunned Erin to the point of total devastation. For a while, she felt she had lost her life purpose. She felt betrayed. She wondered if God still loved her because He allowed her to experience this break in trust. “How can I possibly recover from this?” Through therapy and the trust of close friends, Erin is now purposing her life to help others overcome similar experiences. Knowing how to apply boundaries in the context of God’s Word was integral to her continuing recovery.
Charles Smith experienced and overcame several life setbacks but is now dedicating his life to passing forward how to become resilient and advance beyond those setbacks. His father owned multiple Nursing Homes in the Worcester, MA, area, which would become his legacy. His family lost everything for reasons he never determined when he was three years old. His mother died when he was five years old, and his father died when he was 11, leaving him as an orphan. His father's death caused a shock resulting in deep-seated hatred and resentment, causing him to hate the world. He went through most of his young adult life addicted to cocaine, alcohol, and marijuana. After a brief time with the military, his uncle, who raised him and his grandfather, died a month apart from each other. This resulted in Charles taking up the habit of cutting his skin to relieve his pain. He found martial arts and exercise to be helpful coping skills. He learned through his life experience that telling his story was also very therapeutic.
We continue our journey to learn the positive attributes of Nicholas through his parents, Chris and Loise Letchford. Each of us has a learning style, and our learning is best advanced by learning and adapting to our and others’ learning styles. Nicholas had a negative first-grade experience when a teacher described him as having learning difficulties. Through perseverance and understanding, Chris and Lois adapted to Nicholas and inspired him to learn. He, Christ, and Lois had a transformational experience with a new environment and teachers who adapted to him. Nicholas earned his Ph.D. from Oxford University and is thriving despite a negative encounter at an early age.
Gina Urrichio continues her insights and life-learning experiences with Ally, her autistic and artistic daughter. Each person advances with a customized mix of flexibility, regime, interaction, and connected communication. Everyone seems to understand love and care when those attributes originate from the heart. Gina documented some of her experiences in the books, “The Art and Voice of Autism,” and. “Through the Seasons.” You can learn about these books at https://www.motherasana.com/.
Janna Macik, through her persistence, relentless passion, and strong faith in God, learned to communicate with her non-verbal daughter (Sharalene) through sign language and other sensory receptors. The communication journey began with determining an effective communication method. After some study, sign language seemed to become the best communication method. Every family member learned sign language. However, does Sharalene understand to engage in dialogue? Learn how, through sensory receptors, how conversation became normal.
Lin Hapner continues her life testimony in this episode by explaining other aspects of her past that led to her increased reliance on God to bring her to a healthy self-image and confidence. David, Lin’s husband, was her human catalyst to increase her reliance on God to overcome her past feelings. For some, her life choices could have led some to give up on their marriage. Instead, she and David chose to work through and allow God to transform each of them and lead them on a journey of reconciliation. They now have a stronger marriage and reliance on God as they have each surrendered their lives anew to God. It is a great testimony of hope when many others have chosen to terminate their marriage.
Dominic “Slice” Teich chronicles his journey of overcoming doubt and other limiting beliefs to become one of today’s F-16 pilots. Through his life experiences, he has determined his purpose and why. Having that mindset (personified as the single-seat mindset), we, too, can determine our purpose and why. Coaching, mentoring, and fellowship with others with the attitude of advancing others helped Slice refine his life purpose. You can learn more about Dominic “Slice” Teich at https://www.singleseatmindset.com/, through his book, “Single Seat Wisdom: Practical and Valuable Life Advice From America’s Fighter Pilots (Single Seat Mindset), available at https://www.amazon.com/Single-Seat-Wisdom-Practical-Valuable/dp/1735112925, and through his website at https://viperventuresllc.com/.
Lin Hapner describes a portion of her past in the context of the church people’s response to her previous life. She was and still is recovering from some of her past decisions,. Her hope was and is to be wholly accepted to feel worthy. Some in the church did not accept what she acknowledges were poor decisions of her past. Her desire to be accepted nd have others bear her burden for transformation was dashed when people judged her instead. Rather than be the target of criticism, she chose to leave the church for 15 years. We can each learn from her life experience how to walk with others to be an effective catalyst to restore another person.
Diana Indries and Scott Allen discuss how we can know a person before we start dating. Too often, we focus on the physical attributes of a person, and the physical will likely change with time. However, our values tend to remain constant throughout life, and we can adapt to physical changes more quickly than we can cope with disparate values. Scott devised an innovative game to help us learn each other’s values. It is very interactive to help the participants become aware of topics they would not encounter until later in the relationship. Diana adapted Scott’s creation and is making the game available for purchase beginning September 2022 through https://www.bettertopics.com.
Lois Letchford is a model for transforming a negative into a positive. She became aware of her abilities which inspired her to learn her son’s abilities to achieve what others thought was unachievable. Learning can be very laborious when teaching and learning are “forced” onto a person without adapting to their learning style. However, learning can be fun when we learn our and others’ learning styles. Lois and her husband dedicated themselves to learning their son to help him achieve a doctorate when others thought he was incapable of learning. With the right mindset, we can turn negative portrayals into positive actions. Lois did. You can learn more about Lois and Nicholas (her son) at DisruptED TV Education at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8eHLdGBjVg “When Learning is Trauma” podcast https://www.loisletchford.com/when-learning-is-trauma#:~:text=This%20free%2C%2010%2Dweek%20series,August%2028%20to%20November%202 and at https://www.loisletchford.com/.
James Ortiz was born in Nicaragua in poverty without a dad in his life. As he reflects on his life, there are aspects he wishes weren’t so. He knew there was something more to life than what he was living. There was a portion of his life when he felt very unworthy. However, he decided to commit his life to Jesus Christ, who has given him a new life purpose and fulfillment he had been seeking. James is now living a transformed life with a new purpose and vibrance he wants to pass on to others. Through Christ, James has learned how to add significance to others’ lives. James is now coaching others to live the life God created them to have.
Brad Carlson describes how he is living a transformed life having overcome a divorce, home foreclosure, obesity, and a very unhealthy lifestyle. His book “MindStrong: A Step-by-Step Guide for How to Transform Your Life, Raise Your Success, Go Beyond Mental Toughness, and Power Your Way From Ordinary to Extraordinary.” Brad acknowledges he is on a life journey. That journey is a marathon rather than a sprint. He has repurposed his life by taking the good of the past and looking to a brighter future. He is living the life of “Brad 2.0”
Through expressive writing, David Richman can transform a mind that has been traumatized through any means. David joins us for a third episode to pass forward his life experiences to advance people to get beyond trauma. David is an award-winning author, motivational speaker, trainer, and consultant. Numerous studies document the benefit of stress relief and consequent health benefits. David wrote the books “Cycle of Lives” and “Winning in the Middle of the Pack.” You can learn more about David and request an invitation to one of his expressive writing seminars at www.david-richman.com.
Janna Macik continues her life learning experience in this second episode by sharing her experience of raising eight children, two of whom have different learning styles. Her daughter, Charalene, was born non-verbal and largely continues that way today. Janna’s and her husband learned to communicate with Charalene through sign language. Learning how to adapt to Charalene while learning sign language and a different communication method was a trying experience. With prayer and God’s wisdom, Janna and her husband devised a communication method with Charalene. Singing in her church choir has also become a special communication means for Charalene. Through God, everything is possible.
Kevin Palmeri has a backstory that could have kept some people from achieving their best. Rather than focus on what could have been, he has chosen to adopt a life journey that focuses on his unique strengths. His failings have become his railings to a new future. Despite his past and life’s setbacks, Kevin has learned to overcome limiting beliefs and look at everything as an opportunity. After hitting his six-figure income goal, Kevin realized there had to be more. He had the car, the money, the typical ‘American dream. It took getting it all to realize that what matters most is your thoughts. And that’s how Next Level University was born. Kevin is committed to helping you get to the next level of your life, love, health, and wealth. No matter where you are in life, there is always the next level. Through podcast episodes, weekly meetups, and one-on-one and group coaching, we share tips, strategies, and lessons we’ve learned along the way to help you get to the next level! You can learn more about Kevin and his life at https://www.nextleveluniverse.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160.
Kristy Marie Houle has learned to accept her abusive past without having those hurts define her future. She acknowledges she is on a long-term journey. \Various events or statements can trigger memories of the past. However, she has learned how to process those negative thoughts so they do not dominate her current thinking. She has valuable life experiences to pass on to help others who may be living their past hurts. Kristy acknowledges her relationship with her father and grandmother as two defining influences to help guide her future. God is the largest influence in her life to help her provide order to an otherwise hurtful past.
Lois Letchford is a model for transforming a negative into a positive. She became aware of her abilities which inspired her to learn her son’s abilities to achieve what others thought was unachievable—words matter. Some people believe how others characterize us, but some consider such characterizations unwarranted labels. With the right mindset, we can turn negative portrayals into positive actions. Lois did. You can learn more about Lois and Nicholas (her son) at DisruptED TV Education at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8eHLdGBjVg “When Learning is Trauma” podcast https://www.loisletchford.com/when-learning-is-trauma#:~:text=This%20free%2C%2010%2Dweek%20series,August%2028%20to%20November%202 and at https://www.loisletchford.com/.
Gina and Johnny Uricchio (mother and son) advance our focused series on autism by sharing their life experience with Ally (daughter and sister), who is, as of this writing, 25 years old and on the autistic spectrum. Ally is a very talented artist with a photographic memory for some of life’s details. This episode chronicles a brother’s and mother’s perspectives of life’s lessons of learning autism. God created everyone in His image with a specific purpose. As we learn how the autistic mind functions, we can learn how to adapt to and accept others. Gina is writing a journal entitled “The Art and The Voice of Autism: A Family Journal.” She forecasts the book will be published in Fall 2022.
Robin Stoloff chronicles several setbacks in her life that caused her to pivot to new ventures. She encourages others who are experiencing setbacks to discover their passion and strengths. With that, determine to overcome any setbacks. Get with those who share your values and enthusiasm and vow to take action to move beyond whatever you encounter. Overcoming setbacks is rewarding; however, nothing of value will be handed to us. You can learn more about Robin at https://www.livingwellwithrobinstoloff.com/ and on YouTube at Ageless Fitness with Rich and Robin Stoloff, Living Well with Robin on Instagram, and Health Update with Robin Stoloff on Facebook.
Candace Mae Gruber further develops a portion of her life story by describing mental health. The COVID period caused and/or revealed several aspects of relationships and our self-awareness. God created us to function best with connected relationships. Many relationships have been severed or altered because of isolation and other COVID-related factors. Too many people have resorted to other forms of activity to substitute for relationships. You can learn more about Candace’s life experiences through her co-authored book, “Powerhouse Women: Survivor to Thriver,” her book “Heaven Within: Restoring Wholeness for Better Leadership.” And her website https://candacemae.com.
Cat Sharp describes the impact of depression on her life and her actions to improve her mental health. For some of us, others will recognize depression symptoms before we will. Poor mental health is sometimes insidious such that others close to us recognize the effects before we do. We need to be confident to ask for help from a certified therapist or other trusted person. It is becoming easier for some of us to acknowledge we need help with our mental health. As we work together to eliminate the stigma and labeling of mental health, we can improve our outlook on life. Learn how Cat overcame her initial reluctance to ask for help. You can learn more about Cat Sharp and her ministry to women at https://catsharp.com/.
Bernie "Bernardine" Dowell describes her perspective as her husband's caretaker when they suddenly discovered he was experiencing major kidney failure. The discovery occurred following a meal which they both assume might be indigestion. After a few days of diagnosis, beginning with admission to the emergency room, the medical staff determined John (her husband) had kidney failure. Bernie worked with John through peritoneal dialysis (in-home treatment), which uses your abdomen's lining to filter your body's blood. She also helped him through hemodialysis, which filters wastes and water from your blood, as your kidneys would when they were healthy.
Dr. Lance Knaub treats people with sports medicine, orthopedic, and musculoskeletal problems and specializes in transitioning clients from injury to health, fitness, and return to sport. He is a certified physical therapist specializing in total mental and physical fitness. Lance is passionate about Breakthru’s model of bringing physical therapy together with fitness, which allows his trainers to help create a “balanced body” with adequate strength/flexibility/mobility to function optimally and prevent injuries. He authored the book, “The 4% Break-Thru: 96% of Small Business Owners Fail Within 10 Years. Entrepreneurs: Outlast the 96%, Avoid Burnout, and Create the Life You Love.” You can learn more about Dr. Lance Knaub and his practice at https://www.breakthruptfitness.com/our-team/lance-knaub/.
Veronica Williams co-founded the veteran-owned Alliance Seminars Coaching faith-based organization. She leverages her life experiences to provide coaching services, motivational speaking, and certified workshops. Alliance Seminars Coaching shares strategies and skills to strengthen personal and professional relationships through collaboration. She is dedicated to equipping today’s women for tomorrow’s challenges. She empowers single and married women through workshops, retreats, conferences, and roundtables. She connects with others through her life journey of overcoming various life encounters. You can learn more about Veronica Alliance Seminars at https://www.allianceseminars.org/.
Mary (mother) was crushed as she endured Gabi’s (daughter) job rejections for a host of reasons. Mary realized no one would hire Gabi despite her love of service, hard work, and effervescent personality. This discrimination is all to common for adults with special abilities. Only 18% of adults with a special ability are employed. This presented the opportunity for Mary and Gabi to focus on employing more people with special abilities. Gabi’s Grounds is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with special abilities. This opportunity focuses on coffee-related merchandise through which they provide meaningful employment and workplace training for individuals to become self-reliant and self-supporting. In addition to Gabi’s Grounds (https://gabisgrounds.com/), Mary and Gabi launched Gabi’s PALS! (Packaging, Assembling, Labeling, and Shipping!) Gabi’s PALS employs 42 people with special abilities! This warehouse operation at the Loading Dock, 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Road, Raleigh, NC 27604. Send an e-mail to gabisgrounds@gmail.com for more information.
Lisa Pachence describes her journey beyond being an over-achiever focused on success to achieve a sense of safety and security. She learned through her life experience she was under fulfilled. With the help of a life transformation coach, she learned the value of trust in partnerships. She also learned through coaching that some of her inner beliefs were controlling her conscious thoughts. Her journey of transformation is the impetus to advance other high achievers through a process of overcoming various tenets of anxiety and depression to live a fulfilled life.
Janna Macik describes how she overcame the grief of death, $175K of debt, a failing marriage, and life habits that caused stress in her life. She is the epitome of hope. She credits Jesus Christ and her commitment to Him as her Lord and Savior for helping her develop a very healthy self-awareness through which she made many positive life changes. There was a point in her life she had nearly lost hope. However, she learned that relationships are all important, and the most important relationship is that with her Lord and Savior. Through His wisdom and guidance, she is leading a fruitful life while having a vibrant marriage.
Nancy Pickard coaches others to step out of fear and into bigger versions of themselves. In 2017, she traveled alone in Thailand and Vietnam and undertook her biggest challenge, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro at 61 years of age. She is a Certified Integrative Coach through The Ford Institute for Transformational Training and the Levin Life Coach Academy. She is also certified as a Breakthrough Shadow Coach, Empowered Parent Coach, Courage Coach, Healing Your Heart Coach, Leadership Coach, Holistic Lifestyle Coach, and Bigger Better Braver Coaching. She authored the book “Bigger Better Braver: Conquer your Fears, Embrace your Courage, Transform your Life.” She helps people achieve big goals. You can learn more about Nancy at https://nancypickardlifecoach.com/.
Dennis Volpe returns for a second episode to discuss emotional intelligence and its application to learning more about ourselves. We all respond to various stimuli, which can be somewhat predictable based on knowing our emotional “triggers.” We can know the influence an external factor will likely have on us as we know our emotions. We can learn more about Dennis Volpe at https://dennis-volpe.com/ and https://www.lri.com/.
Robert Riopel returns for a second episode for a very upbeat application of being available at the right time in a person's life. Don't give up if you have offered wisdom to a person who is not yet ready to accept your life experience. However, do be ready whenever they are ready. "Not yet" is frequently a non-verbal expression of acceptance, but not now. We need to learn how to discern a person's emotions and logic while always being ready and prepared to respond at the right time. You can learn more about Robert Riopel at https://successleftaclue.com/.
Dai Manuel overcame morbid obesity through a journey that began with a decision. He learned that mental and physical health are integrally linked. The change he made in his lifestyle was and is a journey. Through this journey, he realized that we must ultimately respond to three questions, 1) Can I do this? 2) Will what I want to do work? 3) Is the decision, and am I worth it? Our response to these questions will primarily be a manifestation of our belief systems resulting from our upbrining and belief systems. We must develop non-negotiables as part of our life principles. You can learn more about Dai at https://www.daimanuel.com/, https://www.instagram.com/daimanuel/?hl=en, and https://www.linkedin.com/in/daimanuel/?originalSubdomain=ca.
Tess Scott grew stronger through multiple divorces while twice marrying her current husband. She raised a brood of boys that proves God is full of grace and mercy, and she is a breast cancer survivor. Tess wants to inspire women of all ages to help them know they are not alone. As a former black sheep turned "Jesus girl," her redeemed life models the prodigal daughter unmistakably chosen. Through this hope, this story of redemption, and God's indisputable faithfulness, Tess brings encouragement to women. Her first book, "Listen, Sister! Finding Hope in the Freakshow of Life" (Morgan James Publishers), will publish on June 14, 2022. This book is a collection of short, embarrassing yet true stories that reveal how God teaches through every experience, reminding us where our hope lies.
Andrea Pollack became a homeschooler for her 23-year-old autistic son after serving 19 years as a litigator. Following eight years of homeschooling, he returned to public school. Andrea is now sharing her parenting experience with other parents in a way that does not exist in the industry. Andrea's observation is too many therapists are not parenting guidance. Andrea developed an education and coaching program that teaches parenting strategies while helping parents develop the mindset to implement learning strategies effectively. She earned a Master's Degree in Education to have the greatest impact in helping other parents. You can learn more about Andrea and contract her services through https://www.autismparentsconnect.org/andreas-mission/ and https://autismparentsolutions.com/.
Barbara la Pointe passes forward her life experience of overcoming a narcissistic divorce. Can you become and attract that which you do not want? Barbara learned we could do that insidiously. Through Barbara’s life experience, she coaches others to avoid and get beyond toxic relationships. You can learn more about Barbara at https://www.barbaralapointe.com/ and schedule a complimentary session with her.
Robert and Diana Indries devised an innovative and entertaining way of learning about a potential life mate through a card game. We can learn about another person through a series of questions designed to stimulate conversation. Research shows that people have an increased chance of having a lasting and meaningful relationship when values are aligned. You can access the card game and app at www.bettertopics.com. We have an alarming worldwide trend of a high divorce rate. This card game is one method of reversing this trend to help establish meaningful relationships.
Gina Uricchio chronicles her life of raising Ally, her daughter, through her autistic life and life experiences. An increasing number of people are diagnosed with autistic characteristics, and God created each person with special talents. It is incumbent on us to understand and adapt to those who process information differently than those who do not have autistic characteristics. As we learn from and share, we can better understand and learn how to adapt to other people. Gina is writing a journal entitled “The Art and The Voice of Autism: A Family Journal.” She forecasts the book will be published in Fall 2022.
Kelly Price has grown through a wide array of life experiences. She acknowledges she would not be the person she is today without experiencing her past. However, her past will never define her future, and her resilience seems to have grown because of her past. She is an opportunity optimizer, and that is, she can see opportunity even in adversity. You can learn more about Kelly at https://kellyjoprice.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyjoprice/.
Christian de la Huerta has a unique perspective of power and its utility for each of us. We can abuse power. However, power can be thought of as potential, and not everyone develops their full potential or power within each of us. Through self-awareness, we need to know our power and how to harness that power to advance others effectively. Christian’s book, “Awakening the Soul of Power: How to Live Heroically and Set Yourself Free” addresses how to awaken power within us and not misuse that power. You can learn more about Christian at his website https://soulfulpower.com/.
Dr. Danny Brassell chooses to enjoy life to be positive. He explains that children likely laugh 300 times daily, and older people laugh much less. Being optimistic about life is essentially a matter of our choice, and laughter releases tension and reduces stress. So, let's join in the laughter. Let's choose to be positive. It is contagious. You can access his information, a complimentary reading course, and his book at https://freereadingtraining.com/frt.
Aaron Tagert describes the reasons for and how he overcame a dalliance with pornography that had its genesis in a mental life trauma. This trauma became a dominant influence in his life until he dealt with its root cause. Through counseling and coaching, he reconciled the assortment of integrally linked factors. Aaron gained a valuable awareness of himself and those who contributed to his life trauma through this process. Aaron’s wife’s acceptance and understanding of his situation were significant in helping Aaron reconcile with his past. Aaron is now passing forward his life experiences.
Donna Chacko, MD, describes her transformation through faith and surrender to God. She overcame a crisis in her marriage by returning to her faith and trusting God with her family. With prayer and reflection, she eventually understood how her habit of not speaking up to avoid conflict and her drive to work all the time contributed to the stresses in her family. Through her faith in God and her transformed prayer life, she now has a more healthy self-image and knowledge of the purpose for which God created her. She remarried following the death of her first husband and now promotes abundant health in her ministry, Serenity and Health. Read more about her journey in her book, “Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing journey.”
Dr. Irvine Nugent discusses emotional intelligence. Many have heard the term without knowing what it is or how to apply this intelligence in our lives. While our intelligence quotient (IQ) might be formed in our 20s, our EQ (emotional quotient) increases with life experience. Self-awareness is largely a part of our EQ. Said another way, our EQ helps us determine how we are “wired” to better adapt to and relate with others. You can learn about Dr. Irvine Nugent, schedule an appointment with him, and get information from him at https://irvinenugent.com/ while also signing up for his weekly EQ exercises.
Susan Johnson chronicles her bi-polar journey from diagnosis through treatment. She is a product of genetic traits traced through her family, and her mother made her aware of her potential condition, a psychiatrist and sociologist later affirmed that. Through customized medication, Susan is living a balanced life. Before treatment, she was experiencing swings of depression and manic behavior. You can follow her journey at http://www.sjohnsonauthor.com, book her for speaking engagements, and read of her journey in the book “Some Dreams Are Worth Keeping: A Memoir of My Bipolar Journey.”
Kelly Paiz is exploring opportunities beyond her 20 years of financial experience to gain fulfillment to advance others. She is voluntarily making this transition, having accomplished her financial planning goals. She is going through a mental transformation process to leverage her experience for new opportunities. She addresses how she would respond to the question, “What experience do you have in [whatever venture you are pursuing].” She discusses how she leverages her past experiences to search for a new chapter in her career.
Bill Humbert is recruiting coach who helps people with job and life transitions. Some job or life transitions are forced through the COVID pandemic. Transitioning to a new career can be a daunting task if we do not know how to leverage our experience. Being aware of our strengths and having the confidence to talk with four or more new people daily will bring about the desired transition. Taking action is required even when doing so might be uncomfortable. You can learn more about Bill Humbert, access his services, and get a complimentary download at https://recruiterguy.com.
Roy Osing speaks from his life and work experience to help others develop and act on their commitment, drive, determination, and hunger to succeed. This includes being a differentiator who knows he/she is the only person who can do something positive for the person with whom they are interacting. These entrepreneurs project a compelling persona that attracts others. You can learn more about Roy at https://www.bedifferentorbedead.com. You can access his blogs, learn more of his seven books, and complete a business awareness quiz.
Elaine Poland has had a very positive experience with her approximate 15 months of treatments as of this recording. She was apprehensive before the treatments, not knowing what to expect. While she entered the dialysis treatment process with apprehensions, she encourages those who need dialysis to get the treatments to improve their quality of life. Through dialysis, she has reduced her blood pressure medications. While there is no guarantee others will have similar experiences, she has had that positive result with dialysis.
Rollins Walkers returns for a fifth episode to discuss his life journey from the ‘hood to rise above his past. He was raised in a poverty-stricken neighborhood around others who were living a lifestyle that did not fit his aspirations. He surrounded himself with positive thinking people while also reading positive books. He had people who believed in him more than he believed in himself. He went well beyond what he initially thought he could accomplish through that association. He is passing forward his life lessons to advance others.
Kareemah Emordi discusses relationships in and God’s purpose for His creation. God created each of us to function best with fellowship through connected relationships. But, can we know if a person of intense interest is a lifetime keeper!? Inspired by Ron and Marty Cooper’s work on relationships and their relationship course, Kareemah discusses applying values and “Red Flags” to discern if a connection can potentially last a lifetime. Her book, “Get Him & Keep Him: Biblically inspired wisdom for wives and wives to be!” is available through Amazon.
Lee Atherton addresses grieving from a personal perspective. Grief can result from many different life facets – job loss, stolen money, car damage, medical trauma, and death –to name a few. Do we know how to empathize with and relate to a person experiencing grief? Many of us do not. Accordingly, we tend to avoid those grieving because of the various forms of our insecurities and lack of awareness. Through awareness and preparedness, we can learn how to empathize with and effectively relate to those grieving from any life event.
Dennis Volpe chronicles some of his difficult evaluated life experiences to become who he is. He passes forward his life experiences to help others be the best person they can be. He explains how the mental, physical, social, and purpose integrate to gain clarity on our “why” for who we are. Defining our “why” helps us determine our vision for and version of success. Change is what happens to YOU. Transition is what YOU DO about it. We can learn more about Dennis Volpe at https://dennis-volpe.com/ and https://www.lri.com/.
Sabrina Hyman recounts her life of being raised in a home without her biological father. At the time, that met her expectations. Her culture defined her expectations then, and her stepfather functions as her Dad now. Through her relationship with God and His transforming power, she resolves her past by not carrying forward the cultural “norms” in which she was raised. Sabrina acknowledges she has the ability and resolve to accept her biological father through her forgiveness and his repentance.
Douglas Robbins discusses how he grew into resiliency and became better through evaluated life experiences. The old adage of “sticks and stones might break my bones, but words can never hurt” has proven false. Many lives are adversely affected because of words said to or about us, and those words can sometimes be a major setback. Resilience is the ability to continue to get up when we are down. Douglas deftly uses the example of a young infant who gets upright after falling. They are too young to know they cannot get up. Unlike some people with life experience, we have sometimes been told we cannot do something. Resilience is the ability not to accept that. We get up and move onward.
Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge discusses mental health from a certified mental health professional perspective. Mental health is too frequently stigmatized and misunderstood, resulting in undiagnosed and untreated symptoms that can easily be identified and treated. There is no stigma or weakness in asking for help. It is becoming easier to ask for help as we become more familiar with the symptoms. When we discern the symptoms, we need to learn how to address someone needing mental health. As we increase our comfort in knowing the symptoms and how to effectively approach people, we can help those who would be reluctant to ask for help.
Anna O’Connor is a certified Emotional Brain Training expert and a Christian Coach. We sometimes experience and carry chronic trauma from our past into our future life. Through awareness, we can learn the symptoms and the call to action to retrain our brain to be a “chain breaker” to avoid carrying our past into our future. Do not go alone. Courageous people ask for help, and everyone needs a safe space to have emotional security. You can learn more about Anna O’Connor at https://annaocoaching.com/ where you can also get access to Anna’s complimentary gift.
Barby Ingle tells us about the positive benefits of listing “I am…” statements that reflect our God-designed attributes. Too many of us speak of things we do, such as our jobs, diplomas, certifications, etc. Those qualities are temporary, and our God-designed attributes are permanent. When affirmed often, the “I am…” statements become the foundation of our being such that we exude positivity and confidence in our demeanor. Reviewing the “I am…” statements frequently helps affirm God’s presence in the believer’s life while also showing in our countenance. Barby’s “I am…” statements helped her overcome her severe accident requiring a life transition. Through this life transition, she affirmed God has a definite purpose for her life.
Alicia Ober sees many people in various situations in her role working in an emergency room. COVID has caused many different problems where people have reacted in various ways. Some people became isolated from state and/or government mandates, while others lost their jobs. Some people turned to various forms of relief through drugs or alcohol. Some people enter depression or other conditions of despair. This podcast is a call to encourage others to engage in other people’s lives to help others realize they might need help. We want to encourage our listeners not to go through life with any feelings of unworthiness. Let’s work together. Websites such as https://psychcentral.com, https://www.betterhelp.com, and https://www.psychologytoday.com/us can be useful to help people determine their mental health state. Mental health hotlines include (800) 662-4357, (800) 273-8255, or (800) 950-6264. Listeners can contact Alicia Ober at https://www.alicialindseyober.com or at https://www.instagram.com/ready4adv/
Frank Bryant chronicles his life of being raised in various economic conditions with multiple family members. Some of his life experiences are good, while others are ones he is choosing not to carry forward into his married life. Frank explains how he, through his relationship with God, was able to separate the good from what he did not want to carry forward without bringing forward any grudges from his past. He credits that to his relationships with Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior.
Fred Rutman has experienced numerous near-death experiences because of heart anomalies that required several trial and error diagnoses through which medical professionals discovered a long-term solution. He was clinically obese at 340 pounds at one point, and he also had type 2 diabetes. He significantly reduced his need for medication through intermittent fasting while overcoming the diabetic condition. He is passing forward his life experiences. Interested people can ask Fred about intermittent fasting through his repeatedly dead Fred Instagram account.
Jenny Toh is a certified coach through the International Coaching Federation. She helps introverted women find and maintain harmony between home and work life. Some women want a professional career while being effective parents. That harmony can be difficult to determine at times, and a certified coach can be the catalyst to help others determine that harmony. Jenny is a strong proponent of mental fitness for her clients to achieve their highest level of success with sustained happiness.
Shelly Houser is a congenital hemi amputee who was born without her right hip and leg. With this birth anomaly, she has endured different forms of scorn throughout her life from some people. Some people are helpful with their curious conversation, while some will shun people with these anomalies. Shelly wants everyone to know how to communicate with people like her effectively. She is passing on her life experience through her podcast series Life Beyond the Label while also educating nursing students at Villanova University on how to communicate with amputee patients openly.
Jenna Noelle Porter is in the process of recovering from multiple suicidal attempts. She experienced emotional abandonment, rejection, and isolation. Her therapist helped her discover some of her anxieties by documenting her innermost feelings. Her encouragement to others is to document your thoughts. She is being helped through the books “When the Body Keeps Score” and “When the Body Says No.” Engage with others who might be experiencing isolation and sleepless nights.
Dr. Danny Brfassell is an author, speaker, coach, and results leader who brings JOY back into the workplace. He believes leadership begins with motivation. He is a former inner-city teacher who is on a mission to restore joy to education and the workplace. He shows audiences how to make reading a life-long habit. He also trains teachers to communicate their messages through effective and inspirational storytelling. His humorous and engaging demeanor is contagious.
Dr. Joe Sherman experienced burnout. He also experienced life revival through focused introspection. He is passing forward his life experiences to help others renew the experienced of having a fulfilled life purpose. What gave us fulfillment in the past will not necessarily carry us through our future. By introspectively determining our values, strengths, and what brings life satisfaction, everyone can benefit. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Joe Sherman through his website at https://joeshermanmd.com.
Dr. Debi Silber addresses betrayal from her life experience and doctoral studies. Some people live with the effects of betrayal that tend to erode us, similar to untreated cancer. Broken trust can take much longer to restore than the time to originally establish that trust. “I will never trust you again” is a familiar expression of betrayal. Dr. Silber and her husband’s marriage ended because of betrayal, and she married him again because of his and her respective transformations. Dr. Silber has discovered the research-based and proven Five Stages from Betrayal to Breakthrough we go through if we are to fully heal physically, mentally and emotionally, from betrayal. When we do, we can love again, feel safe again, trust again. She has two quizzes at https://thepbtinstitute.com/ that can help us determine if betrayal is adversely affecting our life and mental health.
Crystal Baptiste chronicles a portion of her life where she wanted to know why she was treated the way she was at an early age. Nearly 35 years later, she gained a new perspective based on her indigenous parentage. A historical recounting of how things were for her Plains Cree enrolled tribal upbringing provided the perspective she needed to understand what her mother endured during her childhood. That new perspective was the impetus for Crystal to restore her relationship with her mother.
Sammy Warrayat lives a life of choices as he pursues his life fulfillment. He transitioned out of corporate life and is pursuing other life options. He knows his strengths which have propelled him beyond life’s setbacks. Not everything he has pursued resulted in achieving the original goals. However, he persisted through what might be considered shortcomings to advance himself to greater fulfillment. He is passing forward his life experiences to help others live fulfilling lives.
Bryan Klein, Max Challenge Founder and CEO, chronicles his life story of gaining 100 pounds from the stress of not knowing if he might lose his wife and unborn child. The stress caused him to go into binge eating. Because he wanted to be an example to his children, he determined to learn how to lose weight while learning how the body reacts to various stimuli. By eating the right foods at the right time and in the right quantities, we can transform our lives. You can read about him and the Max Challenge in his complimentary book, “You Know You Are a Maxer When…” available on his website. Through fitness, nutrition, and motivation, everyone will get positive results. Learn how he applies the principles of conceive, believe, achieve, inspire, and legacy to his life and business.
Ryan Horn joins Marty (my wife) to give their perspective of men being the rock of our respective families. God’s design for a nurturing family is for the father to lead his family with love and care. This role includes the responsibility and accountability to provide monetarily, spiritually, and morally while caring for our family’s total welfare. Marty adds a lady’s perspective of the balance between leading well and being an autocratic leader. When there is harmony in the home, our children and others within our circles of influence can see that harmony through kindred relationships.
Jamie Sherling chronicles her life of cancer diagnoses and treatments. At one point in her journey, she had reason to believe her cancer was in remission. However, a back pain she had encountered indicated the invasive ductal carcinoma cancer had metastasized to other parts of her body. Jaime is very upbeat despite the cancer diagnosis. She encourages those with a similar diagnosis to briefly withdraw only long enough to assess her situation and make appropriate adjustments. Through this life experience, she passes forward her life experience to encourage others with a similar diagnosis.
Ann Hince chronicles a portion of her life in which she discovered how to achieve inner peace from previous life trauma. She recognized she was too reactionary, which led to negative thinking. She was born with her right foot up against my right shin. She was adopted and was teased mercilessly as the first girl boarder at a boy's boarding school. She grew up with two adoptive alcoholic parents. When she was 19 years old, she found her mother dead in the bathroom. She carried these traumatic events with her for nearly 38 years. She discovered the Emotional Freedom Technique that helped her peel back the layers of suppressed emotions. She expanded her awareness to discover and deal with her emotions that caused physical and emotional distress. After using EFT for several years, X-rays confirmed the stress relief transformed her bone structure.
Allison Liberman describes some of the lesser-known aspects of postpartum anxiety. Many men do not know what a woman experiences following childbirth, and Allison discusses symptoms to increase our awareness of the hormonal changes ladies encounter from childbirth. Men need to become aware of these “data points” to help their wives through a potentially difficult albeit temporary part of their post-birth life. Together, husband and wife, we can and will overcome the hormonal changes to restore a ”normal” life. Books such as “Post Partum Husband” and “Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts” can be helpful. Local support groups can also be very helpful. Those who want virtual assistance can arrange an appointment at https://rootedharmonycounseling.com. Help is also available at https://www.postpartum.net.
Florian “Flo” Horning decided to leave the paved road and start an adventure into the unknown. After living in a Berlin-based rooftop penthouse, he began an 8-month journey in a van that led him into the Sahara Desert for a 4-week solo food walk. After experiencing another way of life, he continued traveling to embrace the simple life. He constructed and supervised a lodge in Zanzibar near lions in Africa’s largest national park. He climbed several of Africa’s highest mountains and sailed in a tiny historic wooden boat for six months. He coached and accompanied his clients on adventurous coaching journeys during this time, including Kilimanjaro. He helps his clients discover there is no default option to life through this. You create your life by dreaming, focusing, and learning when to say NO to everything unimportant or distracting in your life.
Amy Nordhues chronicles a part of her past while passing forward how God is using her past to build a greater future. Despite her physical and sexual abuse as a child, she is assimulating positive information to benefit others. She is very transparent in describing the hurt she experienced. However, God has strengthened her through this to give others hope of overcoming a similar life experience. Read more of her life experience in her book, “Prayed Upon: Breaking Free from Therapist Abuse.”
Ryan Horn chronicles a portion of his life of financial stress resulting in living with his Aunt for a time. Through coaching and being a mentee, he overcame that, which caused him to pivot his life. Never go alone through life adversity. Work with a person who believes in you and sincerely wants for you to advance. Find that person who wants you to achieve your life purpose while working through your strengths. You can learn more about Ryan and benefit from his coaching by going to https://www.coachryanhorn.com/home1637901533384. You will also learn about the Extraordinary Man Movement, Extraordinary Man Podcast, and the Extraordinary Man Masterclass.
Phil Cohen experienced the loss of his 14-year old son at sea in a boat due to an apparent storm. Very little in life can prepare us for the loss of our children. However, through this experience and God working with Phil’s life, he overcame his extreme grief and is passing on his life experience to others through his Grief Continuum Ministry. Can something good happen from a devastating life tragedy? God can work through us to provide order to what might seem to be chaos. He will accomplish His greater good in each of us as we allow Him to work through others as we bond in fellowship. Phil is an example of overcoming a devastating life storm.
Diana Indries and her husband devised an innovative and entertaining way of learning about a potential lifemate through a card game. We can learn about another person through a series of questions designed to stimulate conversation. Research shows that when values are aligned, people have a good chance of lasting and meaningful relationships. You can access the card game and app at www.bettertopics.com. We have an alarming worldwide trend of a high divorce rate.This card game is one method of reversing this trend to help establish meaningful relationships.
Diana Indries and her husband devised an innovative and entertaining way of learning about a potential lifemate through a card game. We can learn about another person through a series of questions designed to stimulate conversation. Research shows that when values are aligned, people have a good chance of lasting and meaningful relationships. You can access the card game and app at www.bettertopics.com. We have an alarming worldwide trend of a high divorce rate.This card game is one method of reversing this trend to help establish meaningful relationships.
Stephanie Olson shares with us in Episode 3 how she developed the resilience to progress beyond sexual and physical abuse. Resilience is developed through a process that might require several years. A determined attitude can be a large part of taking the actions necessary to overcome the latent thoughts that keep us from performing at our full potential. While Stephanie has momentary setbacks, she has learned to manage the negative thoughts that trigger negative reactions and reflections of her past.
Douglas Robbins experienced several years of his life of less than total fulfillment. After pursuing different ventures, he was left with the sense of “not that.” After several years of writing, he experienced the satisfaction he sought. His wife helped him define and refine his life’s fulfillment. You can follow Doug’s life by explaining different pursuits and his process of learning and living his passion. He persevered for several years through evaluated experiences until he determined that writing was his “sweet spot.” We can learn from and be inspired through his life pursuit.
Scott Maderer knows limiting beliefs hold some of us from achieving life fulfillment. Some of these limiting beliefs result from our life experiences, statements made to or about us, or our view of the world. Limiting beliefs will frequently cause us to feel stuck in life, and they can hold us back from greater achievements. Overcoming life’s limiting beliefs is a process of self-awareness by identifying our strenghts and what provides life fulfillment. Life performance coaches can help people achieve their greatest potential.
Stephanie Olson progresses her first episode with the next step of restoring her life. She acknowledges having held bitterness in her life for some time, and she first felt God speaking to her to seek forgiveness for her anger first with Him. His forgiveness equipped and empowered her to forgive those who had previously offended her. Stephanie acknowledges this forgiveness was a journey of perseverance. However, having achieved forgiveness, she realizes, expresses, and passes forward the total freedom she now has. She also acknowledges her mother was the rock of her life, whom she credits for understanding and living His value in her life.
Phil Barth discovered the power of expressing gratitude and its effect on stress relief, positive attitudes, and physical recovery. As with many of us, we go through life at a hurried pace without regard to the health and well-being of ourselves and others. A life-altering experience sometimes adjusts and adds a helpful perspective to the greater good in our lives and the impact on others. Can we recognize the potential stress producers in our life while discerning those stress producers in others? If we can discern stress in our lives, we can possibly help others reduce or eliminate stress. Through awareness and courage, we can reach out to others.
Rollins Walker chronicles a portion of his life experience in this fourth episode. Based on his life experience, he makes an impassioned appeal of the importance of men being the rock of their respective families. Nearly 25% of today's children live with one parent, and women are frequently awarded custody in divorce cases. God calls men to be courageous. Rollins addresses his life as a chain breaker. We are all a product of our respective environments. However, we are only "prisoners" of our environment by our choice. Let's work together to help create the nurturing families our children want and deserve.
Barby Ingle chronicles her life of “pebbles and rocks” resulting from a severe automobile accident. Barby’s life fulfillment came through her dream of cheerleading and dancing. However, the accident was the genesis of her life repurpose. Through three years and 42 medical misdiagnoses, she determined the cause of and treatment for her chronic pain. Through this ordeal, she defined her life purpose through God’s leading to help her define who God created her to be through “I am” statements. Her testimony is a wonderful accounting of how God works through life’s adversities to greater opportunities. She is now cheerleading as a patient mentor.
God worked providentially in James Newbie’s and Jamal Hyman’s lives to affect a reconciliation between the biological father and biological son. They each overcame a period of estrangement and abandoned feelings to allow God to work in James’ life to allow him to overcome some family traditions. Jamal was a leading influence in James’ life to help him let go of the past to live their current and future lives. Through God’s intervention, James and Jamal now live the fulfilled life they had wanted, even during estrangement. This father/son reconciliation is a testimony to how God can condition our hearts to hear His message to achieve the greater good in our respective lives.
Scott Maderer is a servant leader who coaches others through times of self-doubt or low confidence. Many people do not know their life value, and some people live a life of masking their insecurities of limiting beliefs by living in silence. We need to discern these traits in others and interact with them to advance people to live their God-designed potential and calling. Achieving wholesome satisfaction is a journey resulting from intentional actions. You can learn more about Scott and get information from him at https://natebailey.org.
Nate Bailey experienced his life and marriage drifting from what he had wanted. Following a 15-month military deployment and the commensurate adjustments needed to pick up where they left off in their marriage, Nate became aware of how far he had drifted from the life he had envisioned. He now knows he was cavalier about the life adjustments he needed to make. He passes forward his life lessons learned while adopting the integrity bank principle that your word is your bond. You can learn more about Nate and his coaching practice at https://natebailey.org.
Stephanie Olson experienced several forms of trauma in her life that could have controlled her future. However, she overcame low self-worth and a feeling of low self-esteem through friends intervening in her life through whom she learned about God. Through the connected relationship of friends who genuinely cared about her while accepting Jesus as her Lord and Savior, she reconciled her past to live her life at God’s designed potential. She acknowledges you always deal with past traumas. However, they do not have to control your life to affect your future. Stephanie is the epitome of resilience. You can learn more about Stephanie and book her for a speaking engagement at https://www.stephanieolson.com.
Dan Bleu overcame substance abuse and feeling abandoned because of his father's choices. However, he overcame his past through poignant moments that he chronicles in this podcast to become today's success. Close relationships of people while being intentional to express gratitude were turning points in his life. The birth of his daughter while not being at her bedside during her birth was also a defining moment. As CEO of Quest (Quickly Utilizing Everyone's Special Talents) Education, he teaches people how to access and control retirement accounts penalty and tax-free, how to reap the benefits of being your own bank, and how to have freedom outside of the stock market.
Joshua Washington overcame the “hood" culture of one of the poorest cities in the United States. He now passes forward the mindset required to develop the mentality to overcome any life encounter. His experience with a “Dead End” sign was a transformational moment in his life. Transforming the mentalities of today’s men leads to building up great leaders that will restore the impact and value of family in our communities. Joshua does this by helping those he encounters to focus on four core areas to help young men maximize their purpose and accomplish a greater sense of value in this world.
Maribel Ortega describes how she overcame low confidence by developing a healthy self-awareness. She advances women as a coach, podcaster, keynote speaker, and mentor. She inspires, empowers, and motivates professional women to uncover their worth and be confident to use their voice, speak up, take new opportunities and ultimately lead fulfilled lives. She has a special interest in emotional and cultural intelligence and is committed to helping create a new type of leadership based on collaboration. You can learn more about Maribel at https://www.maribelortega.com.
Candace Mae Gruber further develops a portion of her life story by describing life boundaries. This is a matter of discerning safe people through trusting relationships. God designed and created us to function best with connected relationships. After being deeply violated, we might tend to develop a wall with people, which can cause us to become what we are trying to avoid. Establishing personal boundaries in the context of refining our values and purpose can be healthy. You can learn more about Candace’s life experiences through the book she co-authored, “Powerhouse Women: Survivor to Thriver” and through her website at https://candacemae.com.
In this episode, Eric Coon, Financial Planner, discusses efficiency factors to develop the financial discipline to overcome procrastination. Financial discipline with consistency requires intentional action to determine your risk tolerance while considering the array of options to meet your long-term financial needs. The array of choices is overwhelming and bewildering for some, causing some people to delay or procrastinate. The disciplined person prioritizes their life to provide for options throughout life involving finances. Seek financial assistance and advice to overcome being overwhelmed.
Maureen Ross Gemme chronicles her life lessons to make good, informed decisions. She lived the consequences of poor choices during ten defining years, and she has taken the best of those consequences and developed a process where others can make good decisions. She captures her life experiences through her course of imagination, intuition, memory/senses, reason/logic, perception, and willpower. You can also read of her experiences in her book, “Emerge: 7 Steps to Transformation (No matter what life throws at you!), through her website https://emergeleadershipacademy.com, and her podcast “Emerge, evolve, lead” at https://emergeleadershipacademy.com/podcast.
Paul Henderson chronicles several adversities in his life for which he overcame through mentoring and positive relationships. The most significant relationship is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through others who patterned their lives after Jesus, he established relationships that manifested themselves as genuinely caring. He passes life’s lessons to help others live their full, God-designed potential. His book, "Slave No More: Conquering the Master Within,” accounts for positive mentoring relationships.
Candace Mae Gruber describes some of the hurt and pain she carried in her life from some of the traumas she experienced during her earlier life and how she gained relief through forgiveness. Achieving forgiveness does not pardon those who do others wrong. Forgiveness frees the person who was done wrong from the stress and anxiety of bearing the burden of the thoughts that sometimes dominate a person’s life. Through forgiveness, the offended person is freed of the stress and anxiety of their past hurts to live their God-given potential. You can learn more about Candace’s life experiences through the book she co-authored, “Powerhouse Women: Survivor to Thriver” and through her website at https://candacemae.com.
Rollins Walker chronicles a portion of his life in the “hood” and the positive he gained from that. He articulates the need for being a role model. Being a role model (or mentor) sometimes requires overcoming the past and looking for the positive for our future. Having a relationship with those socioeconomically where we want to be in life can inspire us to achieve the best for ourselves and others. Everyone needs and deserves a mentor and role model.
Laurie Weiss has experienced being “pigeonholed” through stereotypes. There was a period of her life where she functioned below her potential because of the limits others placed on her. Through her determination and relationship with others of similar gravitas, she discovered her strengths and advanced with others who believed in her. She earned her doctorate degree when she was 54 years old. You can learn more of her passion, her practice, and the 13 books she authored at https://laurieweiss.com.
Erin Coon emphasizes the efficiency of money as it relates to wealth accumulation and personal financial needs. Long-term gains are realized through disciplined spending and saving/investing. This podcast focuses on investing and the benefits of interest compounding. Every financial plan should be developed around your needs and risk tolerance. Consult Eric Coon at (443) 975-7522 or ecoon@lefinancialservices.net or visit his website at https://lefinancialservices.net.
A very successful businessman, Brian Kreeger expresses our profound need for meaningful relationships from his heart. We sometimes mask insecurities through our persona that keep some people from knowing how to relate to others effectively. Through our inaction, we can cause others to feel isolated. Brian empowers everyone to “just do something.” You can read more about his passion in his book, “The Courageous Ask” and his website https://www.briankreeger.com.
Rollins Walker continues his life story about finding the positive even in many negative life encounters. Relationships played a huge role in his demeanor as he learned through others. His adopted parents had a major, positive impact on his life to help him develop a positive mindset to get through many difficult life experiences. He chose not to react to anything spontaneously. Rather, he carefully thought into every life experience to determine the positive and benefit even from negative experiences.
Sara Im chronicles a portion of her earlier life when the Cambodian Khmer Rouge regime held her captive for four years. She walked many miles barefooted at night to gain her freedom. She escaped that oppression through God’s help that gave her perseverance while being inspired by a kindred relationship of a sisterhood of like-minded friends. Her heart desires to inspire others to overcome any life encounters. The best is yet to come.
Dominic Pedrotty experienced a brain aneurysm while driving, resulting in a severe accident with a fatality on May 31, 2018. His Mom and Dad learned of the accident while being eight hours away. His memory, walking, and speech are returning to normal as his brain experiences a transformational recovery. You can join a team of prayer warriors by going to https://www.caringbridge.org/public/dominicpedrotty to follow his progress.
Sheila Doerfler chronicles a portion of her life story of overcoming and dealing with previous life traumas. Healing is a process that requires a measured approach that includes self-awareness. Therapy and life coaching can be a useful part of the healing process. Sheila explains, based on her life experience, healing can occur with the right attitude and processes. We can learn to manage past traumas and live a transformed life.
“Ironman” David Richman addresses how he overcame negativity in his life and how we can also. Changing negative thoughts to positive thoughts can happen. However, we must be motivated to do so. Motivation to change ourselves is personal and requires an introspective view of the “child” in us that might be causing negative thinking leading to negative actions. While making this change starts with us, it is sustained with other positive thinking people in our lives.
Tricia Roos experienced dissatisfaction with her job leading to anxiety and stress in her life. She did not feel valued, which was the impetus to evaluate her life purpose and what brings wholesome satisfaction to her. She describes part of her life story in her book, “She also chronicles her journey in her book, “When Wishes Change: What If the Thing You Feared Most Brings More Than You Dreamed?” She explains that life fulfillment includes knowing who God created you to be while knowing your strengths and passions. Her second book is forecast to be available in 2022.
The Karchner family (Rick – Dad, Carole – Mom, and Matt – son) worked through a season of Matt’s life when he had a dalliance with homosexuality. Through devoted prayer, fasting, and unconditional love, Rick. Carole, and selected other dedicated, God-fearing friends prayed Matt out of a season of his life such that he can now tell his ExGay prodigal story that he chronicles in two books he authored, “Straight,” and “Straight 2.” Matt is now serving our Lord as a missionary in Cambodia.
Candace Mae Gruber chronicles her life of experiencing and overcoming several life traumas. The book “Powerhouse Women: Survivor to Thriver,” of which she is a co-author describes how she survived and is thriving these life traumas. She credits her transformation and new life of overcoming to her relationship with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. Her relationship with her Lord and Savior, alongside the relationships with those of like values, helped her overcome several life encounters that caused her shame and doubt.
Linda Bjork chronicles her life experiences of the feeling of abandonment and low worth early in life. She has experienced many “mountains” in her life. However, through her perseverance and resilience, she has and will continue to overcome on her journey to significance. You can read about her life experiences in her books, “Crushed: A Journey Through Depression,” “You Got This! an action plan to calm fear, anxiety, worry, and stress,” “30 Days to Alleviate Depression: Backed by Science. Verified by Experience,” “Pathway to Happiness,” “30 Days to a Better Marriage,” “You Are Good Enough and I Can Prove It!,” and “Beauty in Art,” Her websites are hopeforhealingfoundation.org and lindascornerpodcast.com
Eric Coon draws from his life experience while also illuminating financial principles from the book “The AND Asset: The secret way to save and use your money at the same time” by Caleb Guilliams. This episode aligns with Episode 4, where Eric discusses the “why” that helps define our need for our financial discipline. The “why” of our financial life can help us think and plan long term. Too many of us are engaged in activities that are not necessarily productive and efficient.
Confronting others is daunting to some people. Some “underdo” the conversation because they do not want to lose a friendship. Some people overdo the conversation by talking condescendingly to others. So, is there a right mix? Maureen Ross Gemme shares her life experience of helping others raise their standard of behavior by effectively confronting others. There is an effective mix of compassion, resoluteness, empathy, and living the example of behavior we expect of others.
Eric Coon devotes this continuing podcast series to address the investor’s future goals related to your “why.” Defining a purpose and why customized to your financial goals will help you tailor and specify what you are working to achieve. We should compete against and work toward our future goals – not compete with someone else or a financial indicator. What constitutes life fulfillment? Everyone needs to define that. You can contact Eric at ecoon@lefinancialservices.net or call him at (443) 975-7522 to discuss your financial future.
Cat Sharp has a very transparent testimony about her early life of depression, shame, anxiety, and the effect of toxic relationships despite being raised in a very religious home. She explains how her relationships with our Lord and human relationships helped her overcome her life “mountain.” She addresses her former binge eating habits and how she can help others overcome similar habits in her online course, “End Emotional Eating,” available at https://catsharp.com/endemotionaleating.
Rollins Walker lost his two-year-old sister to burns resulting from a firebombing. He later lost his mother from a homicide that was a follow-on to that firebombing. He was raised under the influence of drugs and alcohol. However, he knew intuitively and through critical thinking that that lifestyle “would not end well.” Despite the negative influences in his life, he focused on the positives he had. One of those was his grandmother. Because of his positive mindset, he is living a very successful married life following a 20-year career with the U.S. Navy.
Juli Geske-Peer shares her life and leadership experiences and expertise to help the hiring manager and interviewee perform at their respective potential. Replacing an employee can cost $65K or more. The most effective interview is one in which the hiring manager and interviewee know if each is the best match to advance each other. Learn from her life experiences in her book, “5 Senses for Success: Strategies to Thrive in Any Arena.”
Kimberly Bell advances her story of living a very dysfunctional childhood that includes having a biological mother who does not accept her. She is experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder because of this experience. However, through effective mentoring and other relationships, she is on a journey of overcoming and living with the past. She is passing on her life experience and wisdom by helping others overcome their past. She chronicles her life story in her book, “The Epitome of Kimmy: Accept and Embrace It All.”
Michelle became a widow at age 27 through her husband's aneurism. This was a devastating life event. However, life is a choice point. Become an influencer and join those who have the power to lead and set directions for themselves and others. Michelle earned her doctorate at age 50, 23 years after her husband's life-changing passing. She opted out of the "C"' suite position she had earned to start a social enterprise law firm. Despite her past, she is flourishing and sharing wisdom in authentic ways.
Erin Diehl is an 18-year old at the time of this recording who had the temerity to ask her Dad for mental health assistance. Erin was very generous and inspirationally vulnerable to explain her anxieties that led to request help. Become One is a project designed to provide a safe place to listen while expressing care. Those with a passion to help those in need can get more information at https://www.facebook.com/BecomeOneProject.
Juli Geske-Peer discusses an aspect of self-confidence as we work with those within our circle of influence. This discussion applies to parents, friends, associates, and those we supervise. We can overcome anxieties associated with confronting people by approaching them with an attitude of wanting to understand them to determine the reason(s) they are not meeting our expectations. Do they know our expectations? Do they need some training to equip them to meet our expectations? You can learn more of Juli through her book, “5 Senses for Success: Strategies to Thrive in Any Arena.”
Juli Geske-Peer relates in this second episode how she overcame a dysfunctional family relationship in which she felt inadequate with low self-confidence. It is through the value of encouragement from relationships that she “energized” her innate but latent determination trait. While she is on a continuous journey to overcome some reminiscent events that evoke thoughts of the past, she is now helping others perform at their potential. She chronicles lessons learned in her book, “5 Senses for Success: Strategies to Thrive in Any Arena.”
Tricia Roos addresses how she confronts her women’s volleyball team to achieve higher performance standards. Confronting others can be intimidating and, for some, a reason to accept lower standards. Tricia adheres to having to reasoned “why” that a performance standard is needed. She explains some of her life story and personal standards in her book, “When Wishes Change.” We encourage everyone to read her story. Tricia is an example of leading by her example.
Eric Coon, Financial Planner, explains how to overcome habits of near-term thinking to transition to long-term thinking for financial success. Statistics show too many people are not planning for long-term fiscal choices. That is, not enough people are saving for emergencies and retirement. This is a result of being fiscally out of balance. A budget listing all fixed and variable expenses along with long-term savings while living on approximately 70% of your income is one model to help overcome short-term planning.
Danny: Can you, or can you recommend someone, who can remove the hollow sound of this recording. I recorded this session with four people and one microphone using Audacity to record. I passed the single microphone around to try to improve sound quality.
Pastor Jamal and Sabrina Hyman chronicle their life together to overcome all of life’s adversities. Sabrina married Pastor Jamal in a state of needing encouragement from a combination of job failings, double open-heart surgery, an absentee father, and deaths in the family. By some measures, Pastor Jamal has experienced more life adversities in his young life than most people experience in a lifetime. However, their marriage is a model of working together.
Matthew Karchner chronicles his life of being raised in a Christian family. However, there was a period of his earlier life that he did not feel as masculine nor adequate as his male counterparts. That resulted in him withdrawing from others and “exploring” avenues of feeling better about himself. Through a brief exploration period, he entered into the gay lifestyle that included drinking that provided a “counterfeit freedom.” Through a series of events, the reality of his devious life culminated in a letter of admission that started his journey to recovery.
Alex Brueckmann chronicles his family move from Germany to Canada during a period of COVID, which introduced many vagaries. Complicating this series of events was his son’s birth and his father’s passing away. Because of COVID and the inherent global uncertainties that engendered, he was uncertain even as he boarded the aircraft to depart Germany if the passport and visa requirements might change to interrupt his move. He describes his mental preparation, a legacy his father left for him and others to overcome these “mountains.” Visit his website at www.alexthestrategist.com.
Kareemah Emordi returns for a fifth episode to discuss marketplace ministry. Some people think of marketing as strictly a business term that has no place in the church. People frequently want what we have or who we are. However, if we think of marketing as simply telling others about what we have that they might want, we are merely passing on a recommendation or referral. Do people want what you have in Jesus because of what they see or your recommendation/referral?
Jerry Fu chronicles his professional work life that includes making several pivots. Those pivots resulted in him viewing everything as an opportunity. Jerry explains that evaluated experiences are the best examples to fail forward. He has overcome some challenging life experiences. He explains the process, books, and mentors from whom he learned some valuable life lessons to progress beyond those problematic events. He is passing forward his experiences. Remember, you are not alone in whatever you might be encountering.
Ron and Marty Cooper pass forward their life experiences of overcoming. What are the major areas of value we will deliver through this podcast series?
- You have value and worth
- We are here together to help you overcome any life encounter
- We care about you, and we want to advance you to reach your full potential
- You are not a failure
- You matter very much
Truth: Everyone has a story someone needs to hear. Let’s listen, learn, and work together to advance others.
Eric Coon, Financial Planner, talks with us about credit cards and financial discipline. Many people have a debt load through credit cards that place them in a high-risk category. Too many people make minimum payments on a credit card for items that might be a luxury rather than a necessity. That can lead to undisciplined spending habits. This podcast can help everyone take an introspective look at their finances and take action to have financial freedom.
Ron and Marty Cooper pass forward their life experiences of overcoming. Some of the frequent pain points we address are:
- I no longer know if anyone cares what I am experiencing
- I don’t fit in with anyone
- I feel isolated
- I look and/or act differently from some others
- I don’t feel accepted by anyone of my age or gender
Truth: Everyone has a story someone needs to hear. Let’s listen, learn, and work together to advance others.
Ron and Marty Cooper pass forward their life experiences of overcoming. What are common questions we encounter?
- Why is this happening to me?
- Am I alone with what I am encountering?
- Does anyone care enough to share with me and help me through what I am experiencing?
- Can’t you see I am hurting? Do I have to ask you for help?
Truth: Everyone has a story someone needs to hear. Let’s listen, learn, and work together to advance others.
Ron and Marty Cooper pass forward their life experiences of overcoming. Why do we do this? Why are we passionate about this?
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected.” (Luke 12:48
We apply this Scripture to mean we are held responsible and accountable for what we have. Because we have been blessed with talents, wealth, knowledge, time, and the like, it is expected that we benefit others. Our heart desire is to advance others through any life encounter.
Truth: Everyone has a story someone needs to hear. Let’s listen, learn, and work together to advance others.
Ron and Marty Cooper pass forward their life experiences of overcoming. Why are we doing this podcast series? We want to:
- Let others know they are not alone in whatever life encounter they are enduring
- Help others determine with a resolve there are multiple solutions to any life encounter we are experiencing
- If what you are experiencing is a result of a wrong decision you made sometime in the past, we want to help you with critical thinking skills such that you can identify the facts and factors needed to consider to reach an informed decision
Truth: Everyone has a story someone needs to hear. Let’s listen, learn, and work together to advance others.
Maureen Ross Gemme chronicles her early life of not knowing how and if she fits into others while uncertain of her identity. That led to a life of drug and alcohol addiction that followed a family tradition. However, through relationships through her mother, friends, and God, she determined her healthy identity and surrendered her life from the past to live the current and future. Go to her website www.emergeleadershipacademy.com to learn more about Maureen and her leadership and personality business to advance others. While you are there, take the leadership quiz to determine your leadership style.
Juli Geske-Peer experienced an early life of profound family dysfunction that she carried for several years into her adult life. However, she chose to be a chain breaker through self-awareness and therapy. Through several years of treatment and counseling, she now has a very healthy self-awareness. While she can deal with her past, she knows various events can trigger negative thoughts. She has learned how to deal with ideas that she documents in her book, “5 Senses for Success: Strategies to Thrive in Any Arena.”
Peter George overcame a lisp and stutter early in life through his sports prowess and Dad’s encouragement. He developed courage through his Dad’s relationship then while adding his wife’s encouragement through their connected relationships. While we may not aspire to public speaking, Peter encourages us to think about others in whatever we are doing. When we focus on others, we can overcome inhibitions about our effectiveness to achieve any endeavor we pursue.
David Richman is an ironman triathlete who speaks with and through his heart. He has a passion for reaching those who are battling cancer. David has more endurance than most people can even think about. His book, “Cycle of Lives” chronicles his passion to reach people in person to “hear” their heart. He wanted to speak with each person diagnosed with cancer in person and profile them in his book. In doing so, he learned about each of them while giving each of the 15 hope for the future.
Kareemah Emordi engages us in this Episode #4 about a biblical worldview of finances. Do we think of money the way God does? Do we have a healthy view of money? Are we in financial balance with our lifestyle? The more we have the more we can give. What is your reaction to that statement? We know the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. It is a matter of whether we choose to horde money to bring attention to ourselves. Or, do we want the resources to benefit others?
Tricia Roos chronicles her journey of overcoming Annabelle’s death (their daughter) from Trisomy 18 after six days of life. She also chronicles her journey in her book, “When Wishes Change: What If the Thing You Feared Most Brings More Than You Dreamed?” which is available through Amazon. Some life events seem to bring life to a halt. However, through therapy, counseling, and coaching, we can develop a healthy awareness and outlook on life-changing events. Learn from Tricia how she overcame a “mountain” in her life. December 29 is now a celebration of life.
Jerry Fu chronicles his life and leadership experiences of working with people to up-level their behavior. Some people are low performers because of habits that keep them from performing at their potential. But, how do we correct poor performance or bad habits of those within our circle of influence without alienating them? This podcast offers suggestions to overcome those anxieties that many of us have. Let’s share while being willing to be vulnerable about what has not worked.
Eric Coon, Financial Planner, helps others overcome the mindset of being financially undisciplined to develop new habits and disciplines to have a life of choices. It would be best to transition from thinking near-time (i.e., now) to long-term (i.e., then). Too many of us need instant gratification that is possibly driven, at least in part, through an image. Do I need a new XXXX? Or, can I be satisfied with the functionality? It is a matter of discipline that leads to life choices. Contact Eric Coon at L & E Financial and ecoon@lefinaicialservices.net.
Kimberly Bell chronicles her early life of having her biological parents reject her from birth. She always wanted to be accepted and loved. That never happened with her biological parents. The acceptance she longed for did happen through her adopted parents and her relationship with Jesus Christ. Through self-awareness and being mentored, she is overcoming feelings of inadequacy that she could have taken into other relationships in her adult life.
Kareemah Emordi joins us for a third episode to address faith in action to achieve the seemingly impossible. “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1) God frequently works growth in us that we sometimes do not see. Some “God-sized” projects involve other people through whom God is working. Again, sometimes progress is not as visible as we hope. Therefore, sometimes we waiver and doubt. Let’s put faith into action and give God the glory for what He is working in us and others.
Jerry Fu has accepted overcoming life's encounters as a lifelong journey. He has learned never to accept criticism from a person from whom he would not seek advice. That isn't easy to do when you are building self-confidence. Jerry increases his self-confidence through life experiences by associating with those who are where he wants to be in life. Through connected relationships, Jerry has learned to feed positivity into his life to overcome his limiting beliefs. He acknowledges he is on a lifelong journey.
Lois Wagner was subjected to rape while losing her interest in a business in quick succession. Together, these two events caused her to harbor profound anger for 14 years. Her life was largely unsettled until she became resolved that she needed relief from the stress and tension from those years of harboring anger. She got her life back when she sought and received forgiveness for her feelings. Lois’ resolved approach to forgiveness is that she did not exonerate her perpetrators. Rather, she sought forgiveness for her mental health and well-being.
Kareemah Emordi addresses connected relationships from a biblical perspective using the example of the relationship lessons of Boaz, Ruth, and Naomi. God’s account of their relationship can serve as a model for connected relationships. Finding the right life partner can seemingly be an arduous process. However, as we know what to look for from God’s perspective and His design for creation, we can know who aligns with His criteria. Life fulfillment can come through connected relationships.
Casper Awad was born into this world as an albino. He had to learn to deal with life’s adversities with that characteristic while acknowledging he is unique but different from some others. Through Napoleon Hill’s book, “Think and Grow Rich,” he began to build self-confidence that helped him overcome several of life’s failings. He has learned through various failings that evaluated experience is one of life’s greatest lessons. Casper has learned that everything in life can be an opportunity dependent on our attitude toward failings.
Kareemah Emordi was raised in the nation of Islam, being surrounded by those of the Muslim faith. For much of her life, she knew only the Muslim faith while not having any need for “your Jesus.” It was through Rose’s life and Lee Strobel’s book, “The Case for Christ” that she questioned the Muslim religion. God spoke to her definitively to assure her that God, not Allah, controls all of our existence. He sent His Son to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Kareemah committed her life to Christ on November 17, 2010.
Ron and Marty Cooper talk about mental health in the context of wellness and their life experience. Ron and Marty each were candidates for getting help with mental health issues. However, they didn’t know what the term was, nor did they know how to ask for help. Asking for help would have affirmed their thought of having a mental disability. However, mental health means something very different in the context of wellness. We hope you will share your experiences and reach out to others who might be reluctant to ask for help.
Donna Tashjian joins us to discuss her Life by Design – Not by Default course. This 12-month course helps you know your spiritual intelligence. This course can help those who need to determine and focus on achieving their life purpose by employing their spiritual gift(s) and concentrating on their passion and purpose. This course will be taught weekly through virtual means and will nominally have eight participants in each session. Interested or potentially interested people can get more information at https://www.ivibrantliving.com/lifebydesign.
Ben Baker is a skilled communicator who emphasizes several aspects of effective communication. Eye contact, body language, being in the moment, engaging with and similar terms are all part of effective communication. Do you possibly feel you are not communicating unless you interject your point in the conversation? Listen to this very conversational dialogue to assess where your communication skills are. Are you aware of your and your organization’s communication effectiveness? You will learn some helpful takeaways you can immediately apply.
Tyler Foley, a 17-year old aspiring stage and screen actor at the time of this reminiscent podcast, experienced a major medical anomaly on New Year’s day 1997 when he awakened. Even after several diagnoses, medical technicians could not identify the cause of what he was experiencing. Symptomatically, he was experiencing something similar to palsy. While Tyler has largely recovered, as of this podcast, from the medical anomaly, you will learn how he overcame the mental challenge of possibly having to pivot to another career choice.
Sharon Hughes briefly describes a portion of her previous life where a “date” treated her as a valueless commodity. Seven hours after being drugged, a friend discovered her in a garage. Hoping for compassion, she did find what she needed in others. Through a committed relationship with the God of the Bible with whom she confirmed her value, she began the process of developing a healthy self-confidence while providing hope to others through her recovery journey. Her book “The Girl in the Garage - Three steps to letting go of your past” is available on amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. Sharon is also available for speaking engagements.
Anita Santoyo describes a part of her past life where she felt she could not express her true inner feelings candidly. Through a combination of life factors, she did not have the confidence to respond candidly to questions involving her inner feelings. Through a self-affirmation process and support from friends, she defined a life purpose through which she discovered her value and healthy confidence. Through this life discovery journey that will continue throughout her life, she developed a healthy self-confidence, resulting in several not-for-profit organizations.
Kawan Glover joins us for episode #4 and shares his life experience of finding and affirming life passion and purpose. This is a process that could require several years to affirm while enlisting a group of accountability partners who believe you in and want to help advance you and others. Your life goals and pursuits might, and likely will, change as you gain life experience. Life experience will change your perspective of various pursuits as it relates to personal value and fulfillment. Be willing to engage others who share your values and desire to advance others. Listen to Kawan’s life experience and how he pivoted through various pursuits to find his life passion.
Anita Santoyo and Antoine White are at the inception of building an organization of those with shared values to provide a listening forum. This group is an adjunct to Evoke Purpose, Inc. This listening forum can help others overcome any life challenges. The primary (but not exclusive) focus on this group is teenagers. This group is apolitical and multi-ethnic to promote the greater good of those they serve. Those with a heart and passion to serve others can be considered to participate in this group.
Emiley Bargo is a relational person who had an emptiness that only Jesus could completely and permanently fill. We encourage everyone to listen to Episode 76 in conjunction with this episode to get a complete understanding of a father-daughter relationship and to know how Jesus fills our ultimate need for a covenant relationship. Emiley was six years old when her father, Steve Lane, was incarcerated. She knew, even at that young age, that her father loved her unconditionally. Jesus loves us unconditionally. We just need to accept the relationship He made available to us through His death on the cross.
After spending several years blaming “god” for many things that were not right in his life, Steve Lane found a new life in Christ. Steve learned that the “god” he blamed in early life was not the God of the Bible. After spending many years incarcerated for his alcohol addiction, he found a friend who invited him to church. Through his friend’s persistence and friendship, Steve learned about the God of the Bible and what His Son did on the cross to pay for our sins. It is through that relationship that Steve found his life. Click here to see a video of Steve’s story. Click here to view Steve’s art.
Anita Santoyo is a successful person who overcame several life challenges. One of her greatest challenges was overcoming the thought of not having value because she did not fit a “stereotypical” life of college degrees, marriage, number of children, and several other images some people have of success. Anita has an entrepreneurial spirit in that she has ideas that meet other people’s needs. As she explains, she sometimes reaches a low point in her thoughts because she is uncertain if she can make good on her ideas. However, she has learned that positive thoughts will overcome any negative thoughts.
Kawan Glover is an African-American who has experienced various forms of discrimination. He is confident enough to know who he is while striving to help others achieve their greatest potential. Kawan’s remedy to most relational problems is to try to establish a meaningful dialogue. If possible, have that dialogue in-person to know and experience each other’s facial expressions. Listen more than talk to understand the other person. Frequently, people will know your true intent for a genuine relation through the tone of your voice. Let your genuineness show.
Kawan Glover joins us for a second episode during his recovery from a third surgery to remove a cavernous malformation. He developed resiliency after a seven-year period that he describes as being latent in his youth. How can we be resilient to 1) Negative statements made to or about us, 2) Recovering from failures, 3) A dysfunctional upbringing, or 4) Failed relationships? Everyone’s situation is unique. However, resilience has some common traits. Let’s learn from Kawan.
Coach James Johnson is the defensive line coach for the Calvert High School football team. He came from a broken family in which his parents divorced when he was 12 years old. Raised in the “hood,” he could have followed others to a life of drugs and other illicit activity on his street. However, his mother’s values prevailed along with a teacher and his police officer football coach, who were all three instrumental in his life to instill values and courage. He is passing forward his life experiences with high school students and student-athletes.
Donna Tashjian joins us for the sixth episode, where she explains the impact the Apostle Paul made on her with his message to the Church of Corinth in his second letter to the Corinthians. In this verse, he encourages his readers to focus on positive matters. The unseen influences on people’s lives are frequently negative. Those negative influences can include the media, people whose values are extremely aberrant from ours, toxic people, and those people who are fundamentally unhappy. As we are intentional to take an introspective look at our life, we can determine our habits that might be negative influences. Donna can be reached at www.ivibrantliving.com.
Kawan Glover describes the inception of and his current progress of overcoming the effects of three surgeries to correct and recover from a cavernous malformation of the brain. At the time of this recording, the left side of his mouth is numb while having about 40% mobility with his right side. Some people might declare themselves a victim of this type of surgery, its effects, and the recovery time. Kawan has chosen to have a very positive attitude. Listen for the resolve of his resilience. His attitude, prayer, and accountability partners might be the holistic approach to a full recovery.
Rick Bradley had an early life of feeling inadequate in many areas of his life. He turned to substance abuse to overcome these inadequate feelings. He learned that drinking was merely temporary relief. His mother had the temerity to ask for professional help because of her father’s alcoholism. Through her efforts and perseverance, Rick is now free of his past. He is passing forward his life experience by encouraging other families to seek professional help early. Do not feel ashamed, and never assume substance disease will cure itself.
Donna Tashjian describes her life journey of forgiveness. As she details in Episode #1, she had a traumatic childhood that robbed her of what would consider a normal childhood. She describes her feelings of and journey to achieve a life of freedom. She describes forgiveness as freeing yourself of the past without feeling the person who wronged you is held blameless. She also describes the freedom of the past as being a life journey. That journey to freedom is very personal. That is, she admonishes others not to compare themselves with anyone else’s journey of forgiveness. Donna’s website is www.ivibrantliving.com
Donna Tashjian experienced a major trust betrayal early in her life. For a period of her life, she could not trust males or females. Through this very difficult part of her life, she has learned the journey to re-establish trust. She is helping others establish and re-establish trust through her life experience. Trust is established through a life journey that involves working through emotions while learning to believe in people. Establishing trust requires time. Re-establishing trust requires more time and faith. Our faith in God can bring us through difficult times.
Donna Tashjian discusses in this episode emotions that become feelings. Do those feelings accurately define who we are? Not necessarily. Those feelings may not accurately represent our values. Listen closely to the four aspects of gratitude, self-talk affirmations, self-care such as talk with God, and inspiration as it relates to our feelings. We must be intentional about our self-awareness to ensure we know if our emotions accurately reflect our values. Contact Donna at iVibrantLiving.com.
Donna Tashjian, ordained Pastor and certified coach, has taken the best of her storied past and is applying life lessons to her and other’s future. Awareness is an important aspect of our lives, as Donna explains. Being aware of who we are and what inspires us to action are very important aspects of determining if we are performing at our full potential. Some of us allow past events to dominate our thoughts when circumstances provoke those thoughts. Those thoughts, at times, can negatively dominate our actions. Donna is very inspirational in explaining how she has overcome a traumatic event in her past to live a very positive future. Contact Donna at www.iVibrantLiving.com.
Donna Tashjian became pregnant when she was 14 years old through an unfortunate circumstance. Because of this, she was socially shunned and left partially to defend herself. Rather than choose to be a victim of her circumstance or rely on others to support her, she became determined to become self-sufficient while overcoming many of her self-assessed inadequacies. Through her relationship with God and Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, she gained strength knowing He is with her through this life encounter. Take a fear and find a promise from God. “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25)
Matt Koroncai was in third grade when he started a drug habit. He thought drugs would help him overcome the empty feeling of no relationships or connectedness. He longed for acceptance. For a time, drugs helped him overcome those feelings of deep inadequacies. That, combined with a strong will of defiance, led to a life of addiction. Through a friend he didn’t even like, that person chose to invest in Matt’s life and lead him out of his life of dependency. As of this writing, Matt is celebrating six years of being clean. Can we help others avoid Matt’s story by engaging effectively in other’s lives?
Dan Bartol felt disconnected as a teenager. To gain acceptance, he turned to alcohol and drugs that led to a life of dependency. He endured this dependency for nearly 16 years. As of this recording, he is celebrating nine years of freedom from chemical dependency. He is now serving at one of the Recovery Centers of America, dedicating his life to showing he cares by serving others to help them overcome a similar dependency. Dan describes himself as a new man because of his freedom and relationship with God.
Chris and Jessica met each other through the Friend of Sinners Ministry. They met there because of their respective chemical dependency addictions. As with everyone, each of us has a unique background and upbringing. However, each of us needs acceptance and genuine relationships. Chris and Jessica describe their respective childhoods and what brought them to the point of decisions they would reverse if they could live life again. Listen to their inspiring story and pray for their life together through marriage beginning July 17, 2021.
Kathy Green is Seth Barnhart’s mother who had persevered nearly 30 years of her son’s substance abuse. Seth’s podcast is available to download in a previous episode. Kathy exercised tough love by knowing what would enable her son to continue substance abuse. She agonized with sleepless nights while relying on God to assure her that God is always with her and will never leave her. While feeling confident he and she will overcome, the timing of when that would happen remained a mystery. Kathy and Seth each experienced an uplifting transformation through this ordeal. You can communicate directly with Kathy at kathy.green99@yahoo.com.
Seth Barnhart is living a life helping others overcome addictions. He describes his former life of addiction and how he overcame his past of not feeling friendly even while having a good home life. He speaks with a confident resolve that through a relationship with Christ our Lord and Savior, anyone can overcome a life of addiction. It is a matter of resolve, relationships, perseverance, accountability, along with a process administered by those who passionately care. The Friend of Sinners ministry has a program of helping overcome addictions.
Raj Kapur immigrated to the United States from India with $20 and the hope to take advantage of opportunities. Through a multi-year discipline, he developed the mindset to overcome bankruptcy, distrust, and similar obstacles to get a Masters's Degree and become a very successful and well-known Chief Financial Officer. He is now coaching others to pass forward what he has learned through his life and work experiences. He has developed the Guidance to Wealth program based on these experiences to help others develop a disciplined financial mindset.
Pastor Bryan Lloyd is the Live Venue & Recovery Pastor, Oak Ridge Baptist Church. He shares his life experience of drug-disease with the hope of helping those who are engaged in active addiction. His message also applies to those who have the propensity to engage in this life-altering activity. Addictions come in many forms. They are frequently symptoms of deeper problems. Loved ones who want to help must be discerning to be appropriately helpful without enabling the behavior.
Dan Hall has a very inspiring life story of overcoming a very dark time in his life. Through his focus, resolve, dedication, structure, mental toughness, and life discipline, he overcame his past to be an inspiration for his future. He is passing on to others what he has learned from his life experiences. Intentionality and consistency are required to maintain a focus. Feeding your mind with positive information is required to develop mental toughness and consistency.
Jordan Wilson overcame an early life of substance abuse. He needed recognition that manifested itself in substance abuse. That became an overpowering influence in his life for a period of time. His Mom and Dad cared enough about him to take him to the church where he committed his life to Christ. While Christ transformed his life away from substance abuse, it was a process that took time and perseverance. He is now passing forward his life experiences to help youth through his youth director ministry. His message – get involved in people’s lives. Do not pamper those by acquiescing to what troubled people ask for, resulting in enabling the current behavior.
Jack Beavers speaks with a resolve about being focused, having a life purpose, knowing your passion, and thinking positive thoughts to lead a positive life. These life qualities are the attributes that will help us process thoughts that could lead us to distraction. This is a faith-based perspective of how we are continuously encountering spiritual warfare with an adversary who wants us to be distracted. While we will never live a life free of distractions, it is a matter of how we stay focused.
David Norris is Senior Pastor of Free at Last Ministries. Episode 1 describes his past life as profiled in his book Free At Last. His ministry helps others through what he has encountered and overcame in a past life. He describes some in his circle of influence who are without life purpose and while being pampered through at least part of their life. Have we gone too far in sheltering others from hard work, struggling, and possibly failing? Are we possibly the cause of some of those coming behind us for being distracted?
Patrick Clark speaks resolutely about a before and after “picture” of his life characterized by past distractions. He now has a life focus that brings him total fulfillment. Through a dedicated process focused on a positive life change, he developed his self-esteem of who he is while developing a spiritual awareness that helped positively define his life. Through his life transformation, he now makes life choices focused on his life purpose and fulfillment. The result is total life satisfaction.
Ron and Marty Cooper discuss a part of their life story and how they overcame “mountains,” “troubled seas,” and “spiritual deserts.” Are you a victim or a victor? Are you an opportunity optimizer? Do you believe there are multiple solutions to any life dilemma? Religion sometimes manifests itself as a plastic, artificial façade that, for some people, as they explain the value of a relationship with Jesus Christ. What value and priority do you place on biblically-based values?
Corey Green describes in previous episodes many life challenging events that could have caused him to give up on life. Rather, he developed determination and purpose to focus on overcoming every life topic he encountered. He and his wife, Michelle, are each an inspiration to focus and overcome every life challenge. Having a disciplined mindset, perseverance, mental toughness, and a positive attitude all contributed to his very positive, inspirational, in-progress life journey.
Kathy Kasten discusses the need for and value of accountability partners in our life. But, how do we know who is best for us? How can we determine those who align with our best interests? Should we surround ourselves with those who think like us? Having the right accountability partners in our life can help us identify blind spots while helping us identify talents and traits we need to emphasize. The right accountability partner has our best interests in mind.
Kathy Kasten describes many of the reasons (aka excuses) we use to justify being a workaholic. Everyone needs time to recharge and energize. Without these intentional periods of rest and recuperation, we set ourselves for the propensity for burnout. To avoid burnout and work toward recharging ourselves, we need to determine what provides life fulfillment. This is very personal. What works for one will not necessarily work for another. Whatever provides life fulfillment, we must develop the discipline to be intentional to schedule recharge time.
Kathy Kasten describes some of her life experiences of identifying and avoiding life distractions. It is easy to become distracted by becoming insidiously involved in activities that do not align with our life purpose, talents and/or spiritual gifts. Some people have the propensity to fill life with activities while justifying what they do as being useful. While activities can be very useful, they are not necessarily the best use of our resources. How can we determine our life focus and priorities? Let’s listen for insights.
Pastor Greg Jackson gives us his perspective of distractions and how they can sometimes insidiously invade our lives and cause wasted time and resources while causing unnecessary stress. He explains that living a life of purpose can be fulfilling while avoiding the “shiny object” syndrome that can cause us to lose focus. He encourages us to take an introspective look to determine if we have the propensity to live an undisciplined life. This faith-based message helps us assess where we are in life while inspiring us to take action to live with greater purpose.
Kathy Kasten explains in Episode #1 how she overcame her Mom’s sudden passing and, in Episode #2, she explains about living a legacy. In this episode, Kathy explains how she pivoted her life and career aspirations due to these and other life-changing events. You can hear resilience in Kathy’s explanation of how she rose above the adversity while experiencing a “season” of mourning. Developing meaningful relationships with people of like values was one key factor to Kathy’s resilience.
Jack Beavers explains, in this episode, his experience with three daughters who were bullying targets. He describes his perspective of this near-epidemic societal topic where the bully focuses on denigrating and intimidating others. While we may have little control over the bully, we do have an adult responsibility to nurture our children and/or grandchildren to ensure they have a healthy self-image. What perspective do you have on bullying?
Dan Hall is a successful, problem-solving entrepreneur. He established a very financially sound business at a young age. However, that business failed. Rather than proclaim himself to be a victim and possibly blame others, he assessed everything of his situation and determined to take action to do whatever was necessary to rebuild his life, marriage, relationships, and his business. Dan had the mindset to overcome the past without living there. Listen to this inspiring “true grit” story of hope.
Keyboard combatants and verbal assailants. Our world seems to be full of those who need to win or even crush the “competition.” Some people look for opportunities to engage in a debate because winning is all-important. However, with life and work experience, and mentors who have great people relationship skills, we can change a combative mindset. Let’s consider, 1) What are your values”, 2) What is the greater good of the encounter, 3) Listen for underlying clues, 4) Throttle back the rhetoric, and 5) Determine what is more important – being right or having a relationship?
Kathy Kasten continues her journey of overcoming her Mom's very unexpected passing. Her Mom left a legacy that is a model for Kathy in shaping her life. We can learn from Kathy's Mom about the importance of building a legacy while we are living. Kathy took on her mother's role with her father, which is an example for others. We learn how Kathy adapted to this devastaying situation while adjusting to family matters and continuing with her personal affairs. Kathy shares with us how she continues a family legacy by incorporating all family members' timeless values.
Kathy Kasten was the keynote speaker at women's conference in which her Mom was present where she paid tribute to her. Kathy's Mom was her best friend in many respects. She lost her Mom very unexpectedly the next day. How do you recover from this type of devastating event? We learn from Kathy how she coped with and overcame this tragedy. Further, what can we learn from Kathy about helping someone else through a similar situation? Kathy has a very heartfelt story from which we can learn.
Emily Eskridge describes her early life of not knowing her purpose while also feeling she was not accepted. This despair led to a life of substance abuse that allowed her to feel accepted, albeit temporary and with the wrong crowd. She explains how she had to go through several pain points until she realized she had to change. Listen to how tough love and her actions she took worked to overcome her substance abuse.
Jack Beavers served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps and is now serving others as a Pastor. His military experience helped him develop a confident resolve, and his faith gave him the foundation on which he relies to overcome any life topic. Jack describes the true grit mindset, attitude, and perspective that is the manifestation of his faith. You will hear and know Jack’s resolve to overcome any life topic.
Michael Bradley has a story of entering and recovering from substance abuse. He relates a compelling accounting of his life by expressing the value of and need for connected relationships and respect. During his substance abuse, he was living with his mother who made a very difficult decision to ask him to leave her house because of his substance abuse. However, that decision began a moment of clarity that led to a better life through a mental transformation. The better life included “upleveling” his circle of friends. This began a journey of recovery for which he is celebrating (as of this recording) nearly six years of substance abuse freedom.
Interviewing can invoke fear for the applicant while also instilling uncertainty for the interviewer. Each person hopes for a “perfect” match. Developing confidence for each person can overcome uncertainties. Preparation and due diligence is the key for each person in this process. Listen to techniques for each person to increase their confidence in the interviewing process. Coaching and practice can increase the person’s presence and persona to create a very positive impression for the applicant and interviewer.
Corey and Michelle have a compelling story of a marriage that is being “tested” with medical and financial challenges. How do you make major life changes at a point in your life and marriage when careers are important, finances can be stretched, and stress of multiple types can put a strain on your marriage. Listen to the commitment Corey and Michelle have to each other. Together, they are on a life journey that will have a great testimony.
David Norris describes how he overcame substance abuse and a rebellious life to become the Senior Pastor of Free at Last Ministries. He published the book "Free at Last – A Disciple's Journey" available through Amazon. In the book and this podcast, David describes his future of living for God as a result of the Holy Spirit's working and the relationship of a person who was very instrumental in his life. Helping others through substance abuse can be a long-term journey.