Never Ever Give Up Hope

Dr. Fidele Sebahizi's powerful story of courage and perseverance will inspire you to create your own life from the ashes, no matter what giants are in front of you. Dr. Sebahizi was born and raised in a poor village in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His life was rough. He experienced lots of terrible things, including escaping a genocidal killing at least twice. When he arrived in the United States in 2007, he felt tremendously blessed to have been given such a wonderful opportunity to achieve his unfulfilled dreams, especially going back to school.    He 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 in Texas as a police officer. 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—Ho

Dr. Fred Moss felt disillusioned with the conventional approaches to mental health, particularly the over-reliance on medication. This sense of hopelessness fueled his determination to find alternative ways to help people, and it ultimately led to the creation of his unique approach to mental health and well-being through creativity and self-expression. Today, Dr. Moss will share the importance of finding and expressing one’s true voice, the challenges of overcoming mental health stigmas, and the power of creativity as a healing tool. Dr. Fred Moss is a mental health advocate, psychiatrist, keynote speaker, podcaster, and life optimization coach with over three decades of experience as an expert witness in psychiatry. He has worked with over 40K patients to help others find balance and peace. He was compelled to challenge the status quo and embrace a more holistic and humanistic approach to mental health. In his interview he will explain why he is called the UNDOCTOR - an UNDIAGNOSING psychiatrist.    

Martina Gruppo was horrified to realize how this had happened to her. She felt numb at the deceit and the stolen time out of her life. Her goal was to change the image of a hysterical, spiky harridan her husband had painted her out to be, leaving her in a crying, crumpled heap. Martina’s story may resonate with many of you who have been victims of narcissistic abuse.       Martina Gruppo’s work experience ranges from office management to running an ethical, award-winning coffee company. Her passion for education has led her to raise funds for educational resources and to build classrooms in a cloud forest community in northern Nicaragua. She has also worked as a primary school teacher.   Her journey has been marked by challenges such as infertility and breast cancer. Now living in Italy, she runs a successful Airbnb business as well as her own B&B.     In this interview, Martina explains how hidden the concept of narcissistic abuse is and how the abusers are shielded by the shame of the very pe

 "I wasn't adopted, but I remember hugging my mother at the age of four and never seeing her again for decades. When she held me in her arms once again I was thirty-nine years old."   For years, all Abigail Dominguez knew about her mother was her legal name, date of birth, and how she met her father.    Abigail's story of growing up without knowing where or who her mother has left a profound emptiness, crippling her mind and body with bitterness, anger, frustration, fear, low self-esteem, and feelings of abandonment.   "Children deserve to be seen with eyes of compassion."   This story of restoration will touch you deeply.  Abigail also shares how you can soar above any circumstance.    My Mom's Incredible Voice is a deeply moving story of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Through separation and reunion, heartbreak, and healing, the Hansons prove that true love transcends time, carrying them forward together - yesterday, today, and forever.          Purchase your

On August 26, 2020,  Christopher Cochran’s son received a terminal diagnosis, and on September 1, 2021, his son, Christian, died.  Christopher's interview will touch your heart but more importantly will motivate you to see life from a different perspective - full of hope - no matter what you may be going through. At the core of who Christopher is are the roles of a father, husband, and a friend. These purposes have profoundly shaped his journey and are the heart of his book, "What's GOOD about TODAY?"  This deeply personal work is inspired by his son Christian, who courageously battled terminal cancer. His extraordinary perspective on life is exemplified by this daily question.  Christian teaches us to embrace each day with positivity and his legacy of hope and resilience is a precious gift he committed to sharing with the world. Do life's challenges weigh you down?   Are your days filled with a sense of emptiness and a tendency to focus on the negative?   Have overthinking, anxiety, or anger consumed yo

There were times in Courtney Koh's life when she could have given up. One time in particular was when her father left the country because her mother did not want to live with him anymore. Then her brother left so he would not have to deal with the situation - he was a meth addict and she has not heard from him since. Courtney is a Korean-American with a wide range of experiences, personally and professionally, which allows her to understand people from various walks of life.  Courtney is a health and wellness coach focusing on adults who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Her passion is to help adults overcome their ACEs to break the cycle and create a life they truly love and enjoy every single day. ACEs impact families, communities, schools, and workplaces. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults have experienced one or more ACEs according to the CDC-conducted survey. The highest ranking categories are Emotional, Parental separation/divorce, and Household substance use out of eight total catego

When the pediatrician placed the measuring tape around her infant’s head and noted, “His head is a little small,” Joanne De Simone knew that motherhood wouldn’t be as she had dreamt. After a devastating diagnosis, she was not prepared to raise a child with life-limiting brain malformation – and then her second child was diagnosed with autism. Joanne De Simone is a graduate of Hunter College with degrees in dance and special education. After dancing professionally, she dedicated her life to teaching children with disabilities and supporting families. “It’s realizing that we live simultaneously in love and grief. In the end, dance teaches us not only how to move freely through pain but also how to fall and recover.” Her story will grip your heart as she shares how this struggle drove her to reconnect with the lessons she learned as a modern dancer.   Special educator Joanne De Simone bears all in this raw and transformative memoir that captures how she used lessons of modern dance in her journey through mo

When Kim Rehir was in the hospital, paralyzed from the hips downwards, she felt like she had lost her power, dignity, and humanity. This totally shifted her perspective on what she valued in life.    Kim is a 60-year-old mother of three who was diagnosed with MS ten years ago and decided to ignore her doctor's advice and muscle her way back to a happy life. Last year she became European Champion in Masters Weightlifting in her age and weight category. Her journey inspired her to leave her career in journalism in her 50s and become a health coach for middle-aged women - with a big focus on reactivating and rebuilding muscle.   Today, she helps women tap into an abundant source of vitality. It works by reactivating and maintaining muscle and eating to nourish and flourish.       Listen to her interview and start the Fabulous in 15 approach. Just fifteen minutes a day can change your life. Her approach helps women become lean, strong, and fabulous in fifteen minutes daily.

For much of Janet Sherlund's young life, she felt helpless.  She thought it possible to discover who she really was or find a way to fill the big, black hole at her core. She believed finding her birth mother would heal the deep loss and grief, but with absolutely no information, and before the era of DNA testing, she was helpless to do so and thought her only choice was to live with the pain.  The title of Janet's book, Abandoned at Birth, Searching for the Arms That Once Held Me, sent shivers up my spine as I knew many who had lived in that pain.     If you are adopted or know someone who is, this interview could change the way you look at adoption. We adopted our son when he was three days old and nothing has impacted me more than this interview.  No matter how much you love your adopted child or have been loved as an adoptee, this interview will reveal your emotions at the core and answer those deep questions you may have. It is an unflinching examination of the grief and trauma caused by this primal se

On Aug. 23, 1987, 26-year-old Selonia Reed was found dead in the parking lot of a gas station in Hammond, Louisiana. Nearly forty years after her death, on Jan. 30, 2023, her husband Reginald Reed was sentenced to life in prison for her murder.   But that’s far from the entire story.       In this interview, Reggie Reed shares his tragic and unbelievable story that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat. The events surrounding the unsolved murder of his mother and the subsequent indictment and trial of his father are heart-wrenching. Several times, he faced difficult situations and felt like there was no solution or way out. Personal struggles, failures, and challenging circumstances caused him to feel overwhelmed and powerless.   Reginald L. Reed Jr. is an author and an accomplished professional in the pharmaceutical industry. He holds a master’s degree in business and global marketing. Reggie will show you that feeling helpless or hopeless is a normal part of the human experience, and it’s

At twenty-two, Jennifer Cramer-Miller was thrilled with her new job, charming boyfriend, and Seattle apartment. After she received a devastating autoimmune diagnosis, she soaked a hospital pillow with tears and grappled with words like “progressive” and “incurable.” Unwillingly, she crossed over from thriving to kidney failure. Her chances of survival hinged upon the expertise of doctors, the generosity of strangers, and the benevolence of loved ones. But what kind of life would that be? Jennifer Cramer-Miller is an author and speaker who focuses on stories of hope. Her new memoir, Incurable Optimist: Living with Illness and Chronic Hope, received an International Impact Book Award, a Book of Excellence Award, and a starred review from Publishers Weekly. She serves as the Board Chair for the Minnesota National Kidney Foundation (NKF), an NKF PEER Mentor, and a Donate Life ambassador. As a patient advocate, she helps others manage uncertainty, move forward with hope, and find some joy.  Everybody has som

Allan had hit rock bottom after eight years of trying and failing. He had never felt more miserable. But a phone conversation with my daughter got me thinking differently. Coach Allan is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer, a Precision Nutrition Level II Master Health Coach, and a Functional Aging Institute (FAI) Certified Functional Aging Specialist. He has earned specialties in Fitness Nutrition, Corrective Exercise, Behavior Change, Performance Enhancement, and On-line Personal Training. When Allan was looking for resources to fix his health and fitness, he was frustrated that there were no podcasts or books for people over forty except for chair yoga and stretching. He started working on earning various certifications to fix himself and publish his findings.  In his interview, Coach Allan shows us how to make getting fit easier. He is the host of the 40+ Fitness Podcast, the largest and longest-running health and fitness podcast for people over forty.  It is practical,

Several times throughout Carrie Pierce’s life especially the last three years – there were moments of despair. Without any warning, as she and her mother were moving to Idaho to start a new life, her mom went into kidney failure overnight. She was diagnosed with a highly advanced multiple myeloma.  You may be able to relate to the trauma and the strength it takes to push through, stay focused, and win like Carrie had to due to her being alone in a new community and devastated after losing her parents. Carrie E. Pierce has written professionally for more than twenty years, most of them spent writing acclaimed health and wellness articles and books for midlife readers. She attained her dream of working in the film, radio, and television industry. She has been published many times and co-hosted two acclaimed, internationally syndicated radio shows. She is the co-director of Morgan Pierce Media & Publishing. During her writing career, Carrie discovered the need for quality children's literature that could b

At two years old, Alan Lazarus lost his father in a car accident. Twenty-four years later Alan was in a near-fatal car accident and questioned his life choices as he reached an all-time low. Through his search, he found the answers he needed and how this turned into helping multitudes of people find meaning and purpose. Alan saw a scary pattern in the world. He worked in Industrial Automation as an Outside Sales Engineer and it scared him.  He recognized that due to automation, the jobs available to the less educated population were getting exponentially less available as technology continued to innovate, improve, and proliferate exponentially. Alan used to sell equipment that took away jobs, which was going to happen with or without him. But he realized that if we are not a part of the solution, we’re a part of the problem.   Alan's mission is to help others design fulfilling lives, maximize their unique potential, and build aligned businesses they love on their own terms.  Now he helps to empower p

The year 2018 marked a pivotal year in Steven Foster's life amid despair and loss. He watched as his marriage dissolved, his thriving church slipped through his fingers, and a promising book deal crumbled before his eyes.   Steven was at rock bottom teetering on the edge of giving up entirely. Yet, in that dark hour a word pierced through the chaos, "You're right on schedule!"     He had walked through three years of numbness and felt both helpless and hopeless. He could not understand why this was happening. Then he realized it was not happening to him but FOR him. As a result, he has emerged stronger and wiser with a passion to help you experience the same.   Steven is a devoted father, coach, author, and pastor from Maryland. Despite encountering a plethora of obstacles, he managed to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Education from Morgan State University. He founded two companies B3 Community and Your Next Step. In his interview, he shares how to overcome fear, failure, and sel

After more than a decade on a merry-go-round, nine long-term treatment visits wondering if he would ever get it right, Bill Nielsen realized that we can misuse anything externally to fill a void internally. Drugs and alcohol are merely symptoms.   "No more Band-aids on bullet wounds." This was a statement made by today’s guest, Bill Nielsen. He will share his years of experience as a high-functioning and high-performing sales representative while using substances to cope with stress.   His journey has taken him from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the valley.  Bill Nielsen, the founder of nascent24, is a Recovery and Life Coach who supports executives and professionals who struggle with substance misuse to find freedom from dependency without having to leave their jobs, homes, or families. He combines his lived experiences with his knowledge, training, and certification as a CRSW (Certified Recovery Support Worker) to walk his clients through his proven three-step process. It is designed to get

Julie McLaughlin was 18 and pregnant - labeled as a 'good Catholic girl' from a good family. She sang in a group at church and was president of the Catholic Youth Organization. She was embarrassed, ashamed, and felt helpless. That was during an era when teenage pregnancy was not easily accepted. The lesson she learned from that experience has supported her throughout life.     Julie is a retired paralegal and first-time author who won numerous awards as a writer. During her interview, she shares how writing can be a healing tool for each of us. Her story may make you laugh and cry but also give you hope. Her book, The Gift of Time has allowed her the opportunity to meet adoptees, adoptive parents, as well as other birth mothers.  There is a twist to this story you never saw coming and will certainly give you the courage to never ever give up hope.   CLICK HERE TO BUY "Do we have any skeletons in our closet?" That was the question posed to the author's mother-in-law by a niece after receiving a private me

Cynthia Encinas-Concordia’s abusive husband of 23 years died of a massive cardiac arrest just four months after his second restraining order.  The worst part was any contact was blocked by his family and she was blamed for his death. Cynthia lived in that dark bubble for six years. She stopped engaging with people because of fear of rejection, failure as a mom and wife, depression, and lacking value. Her guilt impacted her health, well-being, and relationships.  Many will relate to her story, and Cynthia wants you to realize that you have value and can live the life of your dreams, regardless of your past. Cynthia Encinas-Concordia is a transformational life coach, published author, international speaker, podcaster, mother, and grandma.  As a Human Resource practitioner at the World Bank in Washington D.C., her job involved dealing with diverse groups of people. Her professional knowledge, experience, and skills coupled with her personal life journey led her to share and work with others to create the lives

During Ann Bancroft's first cancer treatment, which consisted of two surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, she reached the point of being too weak to lift a light wastebasket or to walk further than a few yards. She was bald, her skin looked gray, smelled like chemicals and her mouth tasted like metal. It felt as if her life was draining away, and she could not imagine a time when she’d look and feel healthy again. Ann Bancroft is a 71-year-old, two-time breast cancer survivor with a degree in journalism. Her debut novel, Almost Family, was recently published. Ann began writing fiction after a career in journalism and communications. Cancer prompted her to retire from a demanding full-time job to become a writer.  Ann has been a volunteer mentor to dozens of cancer patients. Many will relate to her story, and everyone will be encouraged. She shares how a second cancer diagnosis, thirteen years later, did not bring the fear that dominated her life the first time.      CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE    

Yvette Walker left a failed marriage to a man with bipolar disorder but emerged to find joy greater than she had hoped for. She is an author, speaker, journalist, and educator who knows how to experience joy in all circumstances.  Yvette's podcast, Positively Joy, has been an inspiration to many, especially those who relate to loss, a failed marriage, and disappointment.    Yvette's story is a testament to the power of faith and how it can restore and heal even the deepest of wounds. Yvette speaks of struggles and her journey to finding the faith she had been searching for all her life. Her story is a testament to the power of grace and love that can be found in the Lord, and how faith can bring an even greater sense of peace and joy when all else fails. Yvette's story is an inspiring reminder that even in our darkest moments, faith can lead us to a brighter and more fulfilling future.        CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE BOOKS This is a great book for anyone looking to draw closer to God, whether you are a