Books and Brews Podcast Episode #35: Ilona Parunakova

Ilona Parunakova is an author, diversity and inclusion speaker, and founder and CEO of IP Resilience Global and Identity Guru. She penned the best-selling books Opium of the Almond Tree, Am I Godfident, Unfiltered, Unleashed, Unapologetic, Royal Grand Berries, Success without Apology, and In the Front Line with Royal Warriors. Additionally, she has published the International Project book Godfident Voices and the children's book Bella's Butterfly. Parunakova is a TEDx international speaker who brings encouragement to audiences whenever she walks on stage. Parunakova is a direct descendant of survivors of the Armenian Genocide during World War I. She herself survived wartime in the Republic of Georgia after the collapse of the USSR. Parunakova also endured ethnic discrimination, experiencing mocking and rejection by family members, and denied admission to universities.  Through it all, she has succeeded in transforming the obstacles of war, loss, and the struggle to fit in into her superpowers. Parunakova's Christian faith has been instrumental to her survival. It allowed her to see things from a positive perspective—that no matter what happens, God will always be in control of her destiny. She introduces herself unapologetically as God's Masterpiece and puts God as a CEO of her life. IP Resilience Ilona's Readings: Not Naturally Ambitious – 10:50 Beauty of the Woman – 29:02 Identity and Society – 45:29 Michael's Beer Pairings:  90 Shilling, Odell Brewing Company (paired to Not Naturally Ambitious) – 7:34 Pilsner Urquell, Plzeňský Prazdroj (paired to Beauty of the Woman) – 25:55 Chimay Grande Réserve, Abbaye de Scourmont (paired to Identity and Society) – 41:10 Interview Highlights:  Optimism after war, earthquake, cold, hunger, and discrimination – 20:22 Beauty pageant won and yet there are obstacles! – 30:41 What is inner beauty? – 35:35 A mother's influence – 38:56 Identity and Legacy – 47:20 Keys to Success/Building a strong identity – 51:04 COMING NEXT MONTH: Marian McCarthy, novelist, memoirist, short story writer. UPCOMING EVENTS: Gabriel's Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.