Never Ever Give Up Hope

Tez Brooks is a multiple award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, journalist, and author who understands the pain of sexual abuse, bullying in middle school, and then unfaithfulness and divorce. As a former law enforcement officer and police chaplain Tez knows that the stressful position of first responders is often scary, unpredictable, and infuriating. Where do you go to refresh and refocus when the world expects you to be thick-skinned and independent?     As a multiple award-winning author, filmmaker, and international speaker, Tez Brooks’ work appears in Guideposts, Power for Living, The Upper Room, CBN.com, Clubhouse, Focus on the Family, Cru.org and more. His editorials are featured regularly and seen by over 30k readers each month. He is the president of two chapters for Word Weavers International.   First responders have one of the highest percentages of addiction, divorce, and suicide. As a police chaplain, Tez experienced the trauma of first responders and the need for hope. Tez' story is an e

Have you – or someone you know – had ‘working mother’ burnout?  Dr. Susan Landers is a neonatologist who worked full-time in the NICU for over 30 years and raised three children. She achieved many academic and professional accomplishments, and she encountered challenges along the way, both in her career and in her mothering. She achieved many academic and professional accomplishments, and she encountered challenges along the way, both in her career and in her mothering. Susan suffered through one difficult period during her midlife, after the birth of her third child, that propelled her to make specific choices and a career change.  She loves to share stories that reassure younger mothers to know that they, too, can become  “good enough mothers” even if they work full-time. She supports mothers with her social media posts, her blog, and her newsletter. Are you trying to be a "Super Mom" or a good mother? During her interview, Dr. Landers shares how to identify and recover from working mother burnout: Checklis

After years of being his own worst enemy, Byron Morrison knows exactly how frustrating the never-ending cycle of hard work, expectation, and minimal results can be. Maybe You Should Give Up is Morrison’s answer to the question: how can anyone achieve their dreams if hard work isn’t enough? It seems like every self-help book and personal development program is the same these days, preaching that if someone just does more and pushes harder, they can achieve the life of their dreams. This expectation doesn’t often work with long-term results, which leaves many people to face the unfortunate reality of never reaching their goals. Why? Because despite their good intentions, they get in their own way, sabotaging themselves and becoming the biggest stumbling block in the way of their success. Tired of going ‘round in circles, Byron Morrison realized he needed to do something different. He gave up—not on his goals and dreams, accepting a life of mediocrity lying on the couch—but on being controlled by fear. He gav

Have you felt lonely? Left out? Less than?  Have you ever wanted to blend in with the wallpaper so you were not noticed? Do you know how to connect with other people who fill your heart rather than drain your soul? If yes to any of these questions - Then you will relate with Cheri Strange who turned that loneliness into helping over 700,000 women redefine their worth. Cheri is a published author, national speaker, a visionary of She Yearns Ministries and a mom to eight children. Everyone wants to belong and feel loved. But what happens when we get passed over, left out, or seem invisible? How do you make new friends, navigate drama, and enjoy authentic connections? Book Trailer Start enjoying the woman God created you to be and leave the invisible you behind What Cheri thought was a problem for her is currently impacting half the population and on some points, a  majority. Her journey which spans a decade, will give you a plan to save yourself from detours, derailments, and missteps. Cheri shares som

As a parent, how would you respond when told that your young son had severe hearing loss along with other symptoms eliminating his quality of life? When Jeff Seitzer was younger, he thought he was struck with bad luck. He had encephalitis at age four leaving him with major residual effects. At ten years old he was in an accident that left him partially disabled and as a teenager was diagnosed with a congenital nerve disease that put him into leg braces. Did it stop there? No. His son was born with major internal organ defects and severe hearing loss and was tragically killed in an accident.  Later in life, he began to see how responding to such life challenges helped him grow as a person. Hyperactivity from encephalitis prompted him to be very active, which made him prone to depression. The mental and physical disciplines I developed in response to encephalitis and the degenerative condition helped him not only achieve a lot personally and professionally but made him an effective caregiver for his son's speci

"Stop Trying to Win the War in Your Mind Just Do Your Job!" In his wildest dreams, Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Bradley P. Jones never thought he would make a career out of the military. Through the setbacks, the disappointments, and the trials, there were many life-changing moments, including the death of his first wife when he was 37 years old and had 3 young children.     Bradley P. Jones (Command Sergeant Major) enlisted in the United States Army in 1984 and served until 1988 as a ground control approach radar repairman. Upon completion of his initial enlistment and a break in service, he joined the Utah Army National Guard in 1993. His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with “M” Device), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), and

Divorced after 28 years of marriage Dawn Damon lost everything, her job, friends, identity, and social status. It was painful. She felt helpless, but not hopeless. Dawn has been an influencer, pastor, global communicator, podcaster, coach, and best-selling author for over 20 years. She is the founder and CEO of the Brave Hearted Woman, a transformational coaching and personal growth development enterprise designed to awaken and cultivate the vision of women dreamers, calling them to braven-up and live their best lives.    Dawn has always been a hope believer and is now a Brave Heart Mentor. Dawn is the creator and host of The Brave Hearted Woman, a weekly podcast that encourages women to unleash their full potential to the world by discovering their inner fortitude to make needed life transformations - to live a fulfilling life without regret. She has authored five award-winning books including When a Woman You Love Was Abused and When the Woman Abused was Me. Dawn became an ordained minister with a speci

ARE YOU A SPITFIRE WHO REFUSES TO QUIT? When Stephanie Jordan’s husband passed away in Dec 2014, she had an 8-month-old, 2-year-old, 7, 9 and a 13-year-old who went into chaos. Together with her loss, she homeschooled and owned a large salon company. She was totally traumatized and felt as though she did not possess a brain cell for nearly a year and a half. She struggled with suicidal thoughts and to keep her life intact because she was completely overwhelmed and absolutely devastated.    Stephanie is an author, publisher, and cosmetologist who rides a Harley Davidson Sportster 48 (1200) and has learned that the key to survival is setting boundaries. If you don't have the time... If you don't have the energy... If you don't have the money... SAY "NO" And S T O P feeling guilty! In her interview, Stephanie shares her story and the tools for setting healthy boundaries in every area of your life to help you survive any trauma and thrive

Have you dreamed of doing something big? Something EPIC? Have you dreamed of crossing the finish line at the big race, standing on the peak of a mountain, owning your own business, achieving a career milestone, or becoming financially independent? Too often, we think of these things as just dreams. We place limits on ourselves, reducing our full potential. BRYAN GILLETTE knows what it is like to reach the peak as he has stood on the summits of many mountains and successfully completed many physically and mentally challenging ultra-distance endurance events. He’s reached several ‘summits’ in his career as well. Bryan has over 25 years of experience in Leadership and Organizational Development with executive and senior-level responsibilities in small and large companies. Before starting his consulting practice, he was on the Executive Committee as the Vice President of Human Resources for a mid-size, global-technology company.  His experience also includes coaching at all levels on a variety of issues suc

Wendy Spooner understands the pain of defeat and easily gave up when trying something new. Like many others, she did not believe in herself...or her power to succeed. But, as an adult, she learned that failures are part of success -- a crucial learning tool on the path to success. Wendy Wilson Spooner, Lic. G., LCoT, is a professional Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between. Her love of what we can learn from history compels her to write the true stories she unearths during research, and she has found that truth is indeed much more exciting and inspiring than fiction. As an award-winning family history writer, Wendy turned to novel writing to share faith, grief, art, and overcoming obstacles in life. She believes in learning from our ancestors by honoring them.  Emory University's study on children and teens knowing their family history showed that kids who knew the answers to 20 specific questions had higher self-esteem, higher grades in school, and great confidence in the suc

What do you do when life sends trauma and pain where you hoped for love and kindness?  Have you felt broken? Betrayed? Traumatized? Rena Groot endured years of abuse that could have destroyed her. But she realized she had a choice to allow it to make or break her spirit.  Rena was abandoned, rejected, and unloved during her entire childhood while being tossed into horrific foster care homes repeatedly. By the time she was 21 years old, she did not know if she wanted to live another day and then a miracle sprung into her life.    As a little girl walking into her first-grade classroom, she was awestruck and knew she wanted to be a teacher. She was able to realize that dream and earned a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Religious Education. She taught in Canada and China where she wrote her memoir under a mosquito net and became addicted to writing.  Rena became an ambassador with "The Department of Eternal Affairs" for Haiti, Belize, the Ghetto in New York City, behind the Iron Curtain in Poland and Rom

Todd Christianson is an author, podcaster, speaker, Accredited Financial Counselor®, certified HUD housing counselor, and education manager at Money Fit by DRS. Todd has facilitated thousands of personal finance workshops and one-on-one counseling sessions since 2004, helping consumers of all backgrounds and income levels regain control of their finances, get out of debt, rebuild their credit, and create a brighter financial future. He published Everyday Money for Everyday People in 2014 and 50+ on FIRE in 2021. Todd maxed out his first credit card in less than 36 hours and was in credit card debt for nearly a decade before making changes. Now he is an award-winning author and creator of personal finance resources.  Todd Christenson understands despair including financial despair and the difficulty of raising his two-year-old son after his wife lost the battle with cancer. His story will touch you, encourage you, and motivate you. Since 1996, the 501 (C)3 nonprofit Money Fit by DRS (Debt Reduction Services

Until the age of 35, Barry Braun’s life was all about money. He had made lots of money and lost lots of money. Then something happened which made him wonder what the purpose of life really was about. Barry’s story helps us understand some of the struggles we often go through while achieving success.     After Barry experienced a deep self-reflection exercise lasting 18 months, he concluded that life was about service to others. He created a successful coaching practice that focused on entrepreneurs connecting to their sense of purpose. This became a competitive advantage by bringing social purpose to their businesses.   Looking forward to his grandchildren's future, he shifted focus to mitigating the outcomes they would likely experience by changing how we relate to our communities.        Barry Braun founded Happy Community Project to help communities realize the support the next generation will need and make them happier places to live.   HappyCommunityBuilders.com is bringing community developers toget

Bob DePasquale was diagnosed with cancer and experienced a terrible act of terrorism within a few days.  He thought the world was coming to an end.   Bob had always believed in taking care of the things he had been blessed with by helping others do the same. His perspective derived from his battle with cancer and his life threatened at the age of 18. After this experience, Bob realized the powerful force that the giving mindset is after experiencing his life-threatening illness and the terrorist attacks. He spent 15 years learning how to apply giving principles in his own business and it is now his mission to help others do the same. Organizations that have a generous culture are bound to attract better employees and better customers. Bob would not be around to speak if it were not for some amazing acts of generosity. Generosity is a Lifestyle Are you aware we tap, swipe, and click our devices an average of 2,617 times per day? Online advertising has rapidly increased and is now almost everywhere - from

Jim Barnard has dealt with disappointment and distress many times which led to significant depression. His wife, Alisha, had two near-death experiences and was not able to carry a pregnancy to term - adding to Jim's severe anxiety. But this is only the beginning of the story of how Jim and Alisha turned the impossible into the possible.     When Jim Barnard and Alisha planned their future together as husband and wife, they had no inkling that three months later Alisha would be fighting for her life. Their story will touch you but it will also change you as Jim shows us how to deal with any type of suffering you may encounter. Three months into their marriage, Alisha was not able to keep any food down and was diagnosed with a rare chronic illness - Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She suffered greatly in a downward trajectory.  Jim has great insight into coping with tragedy as Alisha went through countless surgeries, tests, treatments, and therapies which failed to solve the rapid downfall she continues to experience

After being Dream Crushed by Corporate America, Debra Krusz listened to her inner voice which said “Leave this place” and she started writing. She is now a published author, blogger, coach, and consultant. Following the wrong dreams got her to low depressed areas in her life. Then she found the solution.     Debra is a survivor of crushed dreams and an expert in dream rescue. If your dream is a long-buried seed or a squashed bud, Debra can help you replant it, nurture it, and bring it to full bloom. Her program is ideal for employers who want to make an investment in their employees by making them the most successful version of themselves. Your employee morale will rise, productivity will increase, and turnover will decrease as a result of this dream pollination.  Your dreams are uniquely made for you for a reason This novel is told through the perspective of a young man named Maximo, who was a dream in his mother Maria's eyes. She did all that she could for the love of Maximo before he was even born

Dr. Tara Hines-McCoy is a compelling communicator and educator who uses her gifts, her experiences, and her faith to inspire women to take action and awaken their careers. Dr. Tara has been a rising thought leader in corporate America for over 15 years specializing in Human Resources. She has worked for Fortune 500 and multinational companies with multi-state and regional leadership roles. Her professional approach equips leaders with the tools needed to improve business performance and increase employee engagement.   Her vibrant personality aids in her ability to connect with people on all levels by encouraging them to move past their failures, define their character, and turn uncertainty into passion. As a former Global HR Professional, Dr. Tara founded DRTARASPEAKS: Up or OUT program to help women awaken their careers. Too often women overstay their welcome in organizations because they are waiting for someone to make the decision for them to leave and move forward.   Get Your Copy Here This handwri

"You will never conceive naturally." Those words are harsh, painful, and heard too often by women who want nothing more than to be a mom. It can leave a woman feeling helpless and ashamed. Christina McClelland is an Atlanta-based author and supporter of women's health advocacy. Christina grew up in Alabama, attended the University of Alabama with a B.A. in English Literature, and became one of the youngest art gallery directors in Atlanta at age 28 before committing to her writing career full-time in 2014.  Christina shares her story as an encouragement to women everywhere. Feeling alone is the worst feeling that exists. It is isolating, and depressing, and lends itself to hopelessness. The beauty of discovering that you are NOT alone can be life-changing.    Christina introduced an exciting and effective method to help you and your family (especially teens) express their core feelings in a safe place. She shares the Core Feelings Board in her interview.      And...she shares TWO important words that wi

Ryan Lindner had two sudden unexplained cardiac arrests at a young age. This forced him to explore different perspectives from profound, life-changing events. Priorities change when time becomes precious. Problems look different when you have no energy left to give them.  "If you are not living, then you are dying." - Ryan Lindner You CAN start living. Every. Single. Day.  Ryan Lindner is a personal development specialist who has worked as a behavioral coach for clients and top organizations all over the world. After two sudden, unexplained cardiac arrests at a young age, he began to explore different perspectives with clients that come with any profound, life-changing event. It was not uncommon for Ryan to teeter on unconsciousness even while working with a client, requiring him to prioritize his own energy and time masterfully, and assisting clients to do the same.  Marathon runners do not talk much on mile 20 - they choose to breathe Ryan has conducted thousands of coaching sessions, has led operations f

After being a primary caregiver for her mother for over six years, author Lynn Abate-Johnson understands the typhoon of emotions and responsibilities that come with caring for a loved one. However, she discovered how to blossom through (and after) caregiving rather than let it drown her.  By using her natural organizational skills and her solid work ethic, she developed systems and processes to help navigate the difficult journey of caregiving, which allowed her to go from “What am I going to do without my mom?” to “I know I can thrive after she’s gone–just as she would want.” Like most caregivers, Lynn juggled caregiving duties with a full-time career. In her daily life, she’s a business consultant and global community builder.  Caregivers are worthy of the same love, care, and attention they give their loved ones, which means they need emotional and logistical support to help them thrive. Unfortunately, it can take copious hours of research to find the resources they need, which leaves them feeling drained,