Beyond the Draft

Why do so many men who "know what to do" still can't seem to lose the weight, fix their energy, or improve their blood work?Brian Parana is a men's health coach with over 20 years of experience helping busy, high-performing men over 40 lose fat, improve their labs, and get their energy back without turning fitness into a second job. He's coached thousands of clients, including Olympians and CrossFit Games champions, but his real focus is regular guys, executives, business owners, and dads, who feel disconnected from the version of themselves they still see in their head.In this episode, Brian breaks down the biggest mistake busy men make when trying to lose fat, the first three habits he'd fix for a man with low energy and weight gain, and what "protein-first" actually means in real life. He also explains how to build consistency when your schedule is chaotic or you travel constantly, and why health should be treated as a leadership strategy, not just a personal goal.What We Talked About:The biggest mistake busy men make trying to lose fatThe first three habits to fix for low energy and weight gainWhat "protein-first" nutrition actually looks likeBuilding consistency with a chaotic or travel-heavy scheduleImproving A1c, blood pressure, and triglycerides without extreme dietingWhy health is a leadership strategy at home and at workConnect with Brian Parana:Website: thecalltorise.comPodcast: Driven For HealthFacebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads & Substack: linked on his profile

"They took my tongue, but I can't talk about it!" After surviving tongue cancer twice, and receiving tissue from both a cadaver and his own arm to rebuild his tongue, Dr. Gerald Robison, affectionately known as "Dr G," brings humor to some of Christianity's hardest questions.Having pastored churches on three continents and trained Bible teachers in over 25 countries, Dr G is the author of roughly 20 books, including 30-Seconds That Can Change Your Life and The Final Curtain: How Do You Want to Die? In this episode, he shares what it was like anticipating his own death, why he believes the question "Why?" is often an accusation aimed at God rather than a genuine question, and how he helps Christians move past knowing what they "ought" to do toward actually wanting to do it. He also opens up about writing extensively on the strange and unusual animals God created, and what that reveals about His character.What We Talked About:Surviving tongue cancer twice and rebuilding his voiceFacing his own mortality and what it taught himWhy "Why?" is often an accusation, not a genuine questionFinding real joy instead of just avoiding bad thingsThe strange and wonderful animals God createdHelping believers move from "ought to" to genuinely "want to"Connect with Dr. Gerald Robison:Website: geraldrobison.comFacebook & LinkedIn: linked on his p

"Maybe it's a you problem." That single sentence from his wife cracked something open for Leo Dulay, after 22 years at AT&T ended in a layoff right before COVID, followed by a year and a half of feeling stuck even after finding new work.Leo Dulay is a transformational coach, hypnotherapist, NLP practitioner, and author of You Are Not Your Past. In this episode, he shares how losing his decades-long career became the catalyst for reinventing his entire identity, what "The Release Exercise" is and why it creates such fast emotional breakthroughs, and the difference between changing your circumstances and actually changing your identity. He also breaks down what it means to treat identity like a design project instead of a fixed destiny.What We Talked About:Losing a 22-year career and the identity crisis that followedThe sentence from his wife that changed everythingChanging your identity versus just changing your circumstancesWhat "The Release Exercise" actually isRewriting the internal story you've been living in for yearsTreating identity as a design project, not a destinyConnect with Leo Dulay:Website: leodulay.comFacebook, Instagram, LinkedIn & TikTok: linked on his profile

Tiffany Auvil spent more than twenty years inside the U.S. healthcare system before becoming the caregiver for her own husband, Dave, through cancer. That experience revealed just how much even her professional knowledge couldn't protect them. Dave passed away at home in April 2025. She's now the author of the upcoming book, The No BS Guide for Caregivers: How to Survive the Healthcare Maze.In this episode, Tiffany shares what being on the other side of the bed taught her that two decades of nursing never did, the night a clerical error nearly cost Dave the start of his cancer treatment, and why so much feel-good caregiving advice does more harm than good. She also opens up about being with Dave when he died at home, and what the first year of widowhood really looks like.What We Talked About:What caregiving taught her that nursing never didA clerical error that almost cost Dave lifesaving treatmentA year-long misdiagnosis and what it revealed about the systemWhy "just stay positive" fails caregiversBeing with Dave when he died at homeWhat the first year of widowhood really looks likeConnect with Tiffany Auvil:Website: tiffanyauvil.comFacebook, YouTube & Instagram: linked on her profile

Nancy Ensley has spent decades as a nurse, hospice specialist, legal nurse consultant, and teacher, roles that demand deep empathy and discernment. Alongside that career, she's built a body of work spanning memoir, literature, science fiction, mystery, thriller, and children's books. Living with her husband, John, surrounded by five children and fourteen grandchildren, she says writing has always been her way of listening to life.In this episode, Nancy shares how her years in hospice and legal nursing shaped the way she began listening and eventually writing, how she moves between such different genres while keeping her voice authentically hers, and a real-life experience that unexpectedly became the seed for a story. She also opens up about what she hopes readers, from children to thriller fans, ultimately carry with them.What We Talked About:How hospice and nursing shaped her writing voiceMoving between memoir, sci-fi, mystery, and children's booksA real-life experience that became the seed for a storyWhat she hopes readers carry away from her workWriting as a lifelong way of listening and rememberingConnect with Nancy Ensley:Website: nancyjasinensley.com

What happens when someone understands their trauma completely, can name their attachment style and their triggers, and still responds the exact same way?Sally-Anne Haug is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and Certified EMDR Therapist specializing in trauma, attachment wounds, and emotionally abusive relationships. She has a particular interest in high-functioning trauma, people who look fine on the outside while carrying anxiety, perfectionism, or people-pleasing underneath. Her own life has included epilepsy, hospitalization for suicidal ideation, and having her academic potential dismissed by people who knew nothing about what she was carrying.In this episode, Sally-Anne explains why insight and change are not the same thing, what she means by "the alarm isn't always the fire," and why she believes curiosity, not judgment, is the real starting point for healing. She also opens up about her own experience with her mother, and what it taught her about legitimate needs that sometimes can't be met by the person we most want to meet them.What We Talked About:Why understanding trauma doesn't automatically change behaviorWhat high-functioning trauma actually looks like"The alarm isn't always the fire"Recovering from narcissistic and emotionally abusive relationshipsHer personal experience with epilepsy, stigma, and her own motherSafety before strategy in EMDR therapyConnect with Sally-Anne Haug:Website: mentalblocks.net

What happens when you've built the career, the life, everything that's supposed to feel like success, and it still doesn't feel like yours?Nicole Marquardt is an Alignment Strategist, TEDx speaker, and author of Success That Includes You. Known as The Adventurous Executive, she spent three decades leading major IT and corporate programs before turning to this work, helping successful people close the gap between a life that looks right and one that actually feels right.In this episode, Nicole shares the moment she realized something essential was missing despite years of outward success, what being "out of alignment" actually feels like day to day, and why she believes people don't necessarily have to leave their careers to feel like themselves again. She also offers one small, practical step listeners can take this week to start trusting their own decisions again.What We Talked About:The moment she realized something was missing despite successWhat "being out of alignment" actually feels likeWhether you have to leave your career to feel like yourself againOne small step to start rebuilding self-trustHer book, Success That Includes YouHer free 7-Day Alignment ExperienceConnect with Nicole Marquardt:Website: createmynewfuture.comFree experience: 7dayalignmentexperience.createmynewfuture.comInstagram & LinkedIn: linked on her profile

What happens when a cancer survivor turns performance art into a lifeline, painting portraits while riding a skateboard?Brett Ashby is an Australian contemporary visual artist with more than two decades of international practice, known for his live "painting while rolling" performances that blend balance, fear, and storytelling into a single physical act. He's painted figures including Barack Obama and Princess Diana, and today speaks openly about surviving cancer, men's mental health, and how art became more than decoration in his own life, it became survival.In this episode, Brett shares how surviving cancer reshaped his relationship with time, clarity, and creative urgency, what fear and flow reveal about emotion and trauma when combined with skateboarding and painting, and why he believes art can genuinely save lives. He also opens up about the role creativity can play in suicide prevention and men's mental health more broadly.What We Talked About:How cancer reshaped his physical body, mindset, and clarityFear versus flow in skateboarding and performance paintingPainting while rolling as a metaphor for staying aliveArt as a tool for men's mental health and emotional expressionBuilding an unconventional, global creative careerUsing public art for suicide prevention awarenessConnect with Brett Ashby:Website: brettashby.comFacebook, Twitter/X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn & TikTok: linked on his profile

What does it actually take to bring AI into a business without creating a legal minefield?Rory O'Keeffe is a commercial and AI lawyer, founder of RMOK Legal, and co-author of AI Advantage: Thriving Within Civilization's Next Big Disruption. Based in London after building his early career in criminal and business law in Ireland, he now advises high-growth tech companies and established enterprises on navigating AI, cybersecurity, and data risk.In this episode, Rory breaks down the biggest legal blind spots tech founders often miss, how in-house legal teams can move from gatekeepers to strategic influencers, and what companies actually need to understand about AI explainability and auditability before deploying it across their business. He also shares his perspective on the role legal plays in shaping a company's public narrative around AI and data ethics.What We Talked About:Biggest legal blind spots for tech foundersMoving in-house lawyers from gatekeepers to strategic influencersAssessing legal risk in AI deployments across a businessAI explainability and auditability, explained simplyLegal's role in shaping a company's AI and data ethics narrativeConnect with Rory O'Keeffe:Website: rmoklegal.comPodcast: Beyond The Fine PrintYouTube, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on his profile

It all started with her youngest child calling her "jobless." That single comment sparked mornings spent reading with nothing but coffee and a stack of books, eventually leading to her debut book, Cheers for a Good Life, an Amazon #1 New Release in Philosophy, Ethics & Morality and #1 Bestseller in Interpersonal Relations.Kirana Sidin is an author and strategic life coach based in Jakarta, exploring one central question through writing, coaching, and speaking: what does it really mean to build a good life? In this episode, she shares how those quiet mornings became a framework for intentional living, why she believes a good life is built rather than found, and how timeless wisdom from Stoicism applies to something as ordinary as parenting or everyday decision-making.What We Talked About:The comment that sparked a completely new chapter in her lifeWhat it really means to build a good life, one choice at a timeApplying ancient philosophy to modern, everyday decisionsStaying intentional in a world built to distract usRaising grounded children in a high-pressure worldThe relationship between money, purpose, and living wellConnect with Kirana Sidin:Website: cheersforagoodlife.comFacebook, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on her profile

At two years old, Bradley Gabbert was struck by a car, spent two weeks in a coma, and came home having lost the ability to walk and speak. He physically recovered, but it would take more than sixty years to understand that survival and healing are not the same thing. He's the author of the memoir The Agreeable Child: A Yogic Journey from Tragedy to Triumph.In this episode, Bradley shares when he first recognized that being "the agreeable one" wasn't just his personality, it was a survival strategy, how a simple 4-7-8 breathing exercise unexpectedly unlocked emotions he'd carried for decades, and what he's come to understand about how "the body remembers" experiences we can't consciously recall. He also opens up about what he'd tell someone in midlife who believes it's too late to change.What We Talked About:Recognizing "agreeableness" as a survival pattern, not a personality traitThe 4-7-8 breathing exercise that unlocked decades of buried emotionHow the body holds onto experiences we can't consciously rememberWriting his memoir as a tool for reclaiming his own voiceWhy meaningful change doesn't have an expiration dateConnect with Bradley Gabbert:Book: theagreeablechild.comAuthor website: bradleylgabbert.com

At 23, Dom Brightmon became the youngest Area Director in Toastmasters International and published his first book the same year. Known as the Positive Thought Catalyst, he's now a certified trainer with the Maxwell Leadership Team, bestselling author, and host of the Going North Podcast, where he's interviewed over 1,000 published authors.In this episode, Dom shares what drove him to move so fast at such a young age, a life lesson that came up again and again across 1,000 author interviews, and what his motto, "Advance others to advance yourself," actually looks like in practice. He also explains why he believes libraries are still filled with gold in the 21st century.What We Talked About:Becoming the youngest Area Director in Toastmasters at 23Recurring life lessons from 1,000+ author interviews"Advance others to advance yourself" in practiceWhy libraries remain relevant in a digital ageBuilding a career around the power of the written wordConnect with Dom Brightmon:Website: dombrightmon.comFree eBook: 21 Lessons Learned From PodcastingPodcast: Going North PodcastFacebook, Twitter/X, YouTube, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on his profile

"When Source does not call the qualified, it qualifies the called." Justin L. Shaw is a former stand-up comedian, mystical comedian, and self-described Sourcerer, who found the redeeming power of Source energy after surviving a long battle with substance abuse, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. He's the author of Sourcery 101: 13 Rungs to a Higher Elevation of Consciousness.In this episode, Justin shares the experience that changed everything for him, why he intentionally misspells "Sourcery" to distinguish it from casting spells, and how his 13 rungs of healing were inspired by the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous while going further, addressing addictions to phones, materialism, and more. Expect humor, pop culture metaphors, and real insight into trauma and spiritual healing.What We Talked About:Surviving addiction, PTSD, depression, and anxietyThe experience that led him to "Source energy"The 13 rungs of Sourcery, inspired by AA's 12 stepsWhy modern addictions extend beyond drugs and alcoholSpiritual bankruptcy as the root of "soul sickness"Using comedy to make deep healing accessibleConnect with Justin Shaw:Book: Sourcery 101, available on AmazonWebsite: linked on his profile

Houston Pierce has held nearly every job imaginable, tour guide, mascot, Uber driver, couch delivery man, and even a janitor at an industrial bakery, before landing in construction, DJing, and eventually hosting the podcast 1000 Crazy Questions.In this episode, Houston shares which of his many past jobs taught him the most unexpected lesson about people, what he's learned from asking guests silly, off-the-wall questions instead of standard interview ones, and where he personally lands on the future of AI versus original human creativity. Expect deep conversation with a healthy dose of humor throughout.What We Talked About:Lessons in humanity from an unusually eclectic job historyWhat silly questions reveal that "normal" questions never doHis take on AI versus human creativityBuilding 1000 Crazy Questions around genuine curiosityBalancing lighthearted humor with deeper conversationConnect with Houston Pierce:Podcast: 1000crazyquestions.comTwitter/X, YouTube, Instagram & TikTok: linked on his profile

What if the less you believe, the closer you actually get to genuine religious experience?Joshua Pritikin, PhD, is an Internal Family Systems Certified Practitioner and author of Religion Unburdened by Belief. Before counseling individuals and couples in Oregon, he spent years building financial software on Wall Street and earned his PhD in Quantitative Psychology from the University of Virginia. He's also the grandson of Nathan Pritikin, creator of the Pritikin health program.In this episode, Joshua unpacks the paradox behind his book's title, how trauma and dissociation show up inside both religious and psychedelic experience, and why sequencing matters as much as substance when it comes to psychedelic readiness. He also brings a therapist's lens to the AI conversation, exploring why so many people intuitively grant AI the status of "someone," and what that impulse reveals about human worth.What We Talked About:What's left when you subtract belief from religionHow trauma and healing show up in religious and psychedelic experienceWhy sequencing matters more than substance in psychedelic readinessUsing Internal Family Systems to understand our relationship with AIA structured pathway toward realizing human potentialConnect with Joshua Pritikin:Website: unburdened.bizYouTube: linked on his profile

What does it look like to live two full lives, one as a celebrated literature professor, and one as a spiritual teacher guiding others toward joy and freedom?Swami Nityananda is the spiritual teacher of the Awake Yoga Meditation community, consecrated as a Swami in 2014. As Juniper Ellis, she spent over 25 years as Professor Emerita of English at Loyola University, holding Fulbright grants and national awards, and publishing scholarly work through Columbia University Press. She's the author of Awake: The Yoga of Pure Awareness.In this episode, Swami Nityananda reflects on the thread connecting decades of literary scholarship with her path toward spiritual teaching, what it actually feels like to experience "Awakeness" in an ordinary moment, and how pain, fear, and suffering can be transformed into joy and freedom. She also explains why Thich Nhat Hanh called meditating in community a miracle.What We Talked About:The connection between literary scholarship and spiritual teachingWhat experiencing "Awakeness" actually feels likeTransforming pain and suffering into joy and freedomWhy meditating in community is described as a miracleLiving beyond limitation through nondual awarenessConnect with Swami Nityananda:Website: awakeyogameditation.orgYouTube & Instagram: linked on her profile

"You're not enough. You'll never amount to anything." Those words followed Jay Stefanson for years, until a serious stroke scare forced him to confront just how much power he'd given them.Jay Stefanson is an international podcast host, best-selling author, spiritual teacher, and motivational coach, hosting three podcasts: Life Theories, Divine Journeys, and A Chat with Jay. Despite significant success, he carried limiting beliefs planted in childhood until a health scare became his turning point, leading him to develop what he calls the Undisputed Purpose Mindset.In this episode, Jay shares how those early words shaped his beliefs around scarcity and self-worth, what his stroke scare taught him about purpose and legacy, and what it actually means to "remove the mask" and stop performing for approval. He also opens up about building the WWH Motivational & Hype App, born directly from his own journey out of self-doubt.What We Talked About:How childhood words shaped years of self-doubtThe stroke scare that became his turning pointWhat "removing the mask" actually meansDeveloping the Undisputed Purpose MindsetBuilding the WWH Motivational & Hype AppWhat he'd tell the boy who was once told he wasn't enoughConnect with Jay Stefanson:Website: linked on his profileApp: WWH Motivational & Hype AppFacebook, Twitter/X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok & Threads: linked on his profile

He was once told he was good for nothing. His first business failed, and he failed right along with it. That was more than 25 years ago.Tom Meyers is an osteopath specializing in stress-related conditions, founder of The Reset Approach, and author of Futurize Yourself and The Futures Effect. After hitting rock bottom decades ago, he developed a four-step method for consciously designing his future rather than simply reacting to it, and the future he envisioned 26 years ago is now his ongoing reality.In this episode, Tom shares the lifeline moment that changed everything after his first business collapsed, what it actually means to create a "DNA and vision" for your future with purpose, and why he believes the future itself can become an asset for our health and wellbeing. As an osteopath, he also breaks down how stress physically changes the way we think about what's ahead.What We Talked About:The lifeline moment after his first business failedCreating a "DNA and vision" for your future on purposeHow stress changes the way we think about the futureWhy what doesn't change matters more than what doesPractical steps to stop leaving your future to chanceConnect with Tom Meyers:Website: futurizeyourself.comFacebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn & eSpeakers: linked on his profile

Why do so many successful people feel like they're winning at work but losing themselves?Tony Tenaglier is an aerospace Quality Manager, PhD researcher in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher who hosts two podcasts exploring opposite sides of the same coin: Work Sucks, But I Like It and Yoga is a Practice, Not a Performance. His upcoming book, In a Rush to Go Nowhere: Finding Savasana, releases this fall.In this episode, Tony explains why burnout is less a personal weakness and more a design flaw in how we approach work, why people are so afraid to slow down, and what yoga philosophy can actually teach us about leadership and living with intention. He also breaks down the paradox of work, and why meaningful external work has to start with meaningful internal work.What We Talked About:Why burnout is a design flaw, not a weaknessWhy people are afraid to slow downWhat separates surviving work from truly thriving in itWhat yoga philosophy teaches about leadership and intentionThe connection between internal work and external workA preview of his upcoming book, In a Rush to Go NowhereConnect with Tony Tenaglier:Website: inarushtogonowhere.comPodcast: Work Sucks, But I Like ItYouTube, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on his profile

What do 80 business acquisitions in 18 months and years as a courtroom attorney have in common with writing a murder mystery? More than you'd think.AJ Tyler is a former CPA, attorney, and business turnaround expert who spent decades reading people in high-stakes negotiations before becoming a fiction author. His novel, Death Insured, follows hero Allen Miller through plot twists drawn directly from AJ's years navigating complex business transactions and the restaurant industry.In this episode, AJ shares what inspired him to trade a career in accounting, law, and turnaround consulting for fiction writing, how decades of reading people in negotiations shaped the way he crafts characters, and where his plot ideas actually come from. He also opens up about the personal experiences fueling his next novels about life and dating later in life.What We Talked About:From CPA and attorney to turnaround expert and novelistAcquiring 80 companies in 18 months, and what it taught him about peopleHow business negotiation skills shaped his character writingWhere his murder mystery plots actually come fromWriting his next novels about dating and life after 50Connect with AJ Tyler:Website: linked on his profileBook: Death Insured, available on AmazonFacebook, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on his profile

What happens when someone spends decades mastering the human body by hand, long before ever picking up a piece of wellness technology?Andrew Scheim is an advanced bodywork practitioner, holistic health consultant, and integrative wellness educator who approaches technology through his understanding of the body, not the other way around. A former professional blues saxophonist, he now specializes in high-gauss PEMF therapy and molecular hydrogen/Brown's Gas, always within a larger, integrative wellness framework.In this episode, Andrew explains his Jimi Hendrix amplifier analogy for understanding high-gauss PEMF, why dose, duration, and delivery matter more than simply asking if hydrogen "works," and why he believes chronic illness requires a 24/7 strategy rather than a single magic bullet. He also shares how his background in music shapes the way he thinks about rhythm, tension, and release within the body.What We Talked About:Why decades of bodywork came before any wellness technologyThe Jimi Hendrix amplifier analogy for understanding PEMFWhy dose, duration, and delivery matter with therapeutic hydrogen"Microbes work 24/7, so chronic illness requires a 24/7 strategy"Why Andrew avoids relying on any single "magic bullet"How his background as a musician shapes his approach to the bodyConnect with Andrew Scheim:Website: andrewscheim.comEducational resources: bluezwater.comYouTube: @bluezwater

What does it actually take to stop surviving and start becoming who you were created to be?Crystal Bean is an international keynote speaker, breakthrough strategist, and bestselling author, creator of the proprietary U.N.L.E.A.S.H.E.D.™ Framework. With more than two decades of experience in executive leadership and financial services compliance, she now helps individuals and organizations break through fear, self-doubt, and limiting beliefs to build lasting confidence and purpose.In this episode, Crystal explains what she means when she says people feel "stuck," breaks down the biggest confidence killers she sees, and shares three actionable tools listeners can start using immediately. She also opens up about her own journey of losing herself while trying to be everything for everyone else, and finding her way back.What We Talked About:What it really means to feel "stuck"The U.N.L.E.A.S.H.E.D.™ Framework explainedThe biggest confidence killers, and how to rebuildThree actionable tools for lasting transformationA personal breakthrough story from her own journeyThe first step to take today if you feel lost or unsure of your purposeConnect with Crystal Bean:Website: crystalbean.comWarrior Community: crystalbean.com/warrior-communityFacebook, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on her profile

What started as therapy for "hyperactive" young boys turned into 50 years of work helping men access emotions our culture taught them to hide. Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst is a psychologist and the author of the New York Times best-selling journal book, Read, Reflect, Respond: The 3 R's of Growth and Change.In this episode, Gloria shares the moment she realized her work with boys was really about generations of men who'd never been given permission to feel, what the emotional "desert" so many men live in actually looks like day to day, and what it means to start "reading" your own emotional life. She also opens up about how fathers can help their sons avoid that same trap.What We Talked About:Why "problem" boys are often just misunderstood, not hyperactiveThe emotional "desert" many men live in without realizing itHer Read, Reflect, Respond framework for growth and changeHelping fathers give their sons emotional permissionInternal Family Systems and Emotion Focused Therapy in her practiceConnect with Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst:Website: drvanderhorst.comSubstack: linked on her profileFacebook, YouTube & LinkedIn: linked on her profile

What if ghosts aren't meant to be feared, but helped?Tina Erwin is a "Ghost Helper" and author of nine books on metaphysics, whose mission is teaching the living how to assist spirits who haven't crossed over. A retired Navy Commander with 20 years of service in the U.S. Submarine Force, she created The Crossing Over Prayer™ to help everyday people offer compassion and assistance to lost or confused souls.In this episode, Tina explains what actually happens after someone dies, how to help a ghost you don't know or didn't even like in life, and how crossing over a spirit can support the living through their own grief. She also breaks down how to use The Crossing Over Prayer™, and what to do when it's someone else's, or your own, time to die.What We Talked About:What happens after someone diesHow to help a ghost cross over, even one you never knewRemoving the fear from encountering spiritsHow crossing over a soul supports the grieving livingUsing The Crossing Over Prayer™Navigating grief after suicide, murder, or sudden lossConnect with Tina Erwin:Website: ghosthelpers.comYouTube & LinkedIn: linked on her profile

How does someone go from a childhood defined by abuse to becoming a person who can find good in anyone, in any circumstance?Paul Zolman is the international bestselling author of The Role of Love and creator of a practical, teachable system for giving and receiving all five love languages. Growing up in a family of abuse, physical touch became his default way of understanding love, something he later recognized as a twisted, distorted belief. From that painful beginning, he built a paradigm shift that transformed his life from anger to genuine love.In this episode, Paul shares his story of growing up in what he calls a childhood "boot camp" of abuse, how he came to realize the love he learned as a child wasn't real love at all, and the system he created to help people, even young children, learn to give love languages away so they can start recognizing them coming back. He also breaks down how this approach could reduce violence in schools and improve cohesion in the workplace.What We Talked About:- Growing up in a childhood shaped by abuse- Recognizing that physical touch wasn't actually love- The paradigm shift that transformed anger into genuine love- A simple, teachable system for giving all five love languages- Applying this approach in schools and workplaces- Why the system works for singles and couples alikeConnect with Paul Zolman:Website: roleoflove.comFacebook, Twitter/X, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn & TikTok: linked on his profile

How do you keep believing in God's love through two divorces, the loss of a son, and nearly losing a daughter to cancer?Sharon Williams is a Christian author devoted to sharing the love of Jesus Christ through Scripture-based books that encourage faith and a deeper relationship with God. She's the author of Because He Loved Us and God's Whisper: Be Still and Know, drawing on decades of Bible study, ministry, and hospice volunteering.In this episode, Sharon shares how her faith carried her through childhood hardship, two divorces, and the loss of a son to addiction, and why she believes the Bible isn't a confusing, outdated text but a life-giving guide filled with hope and truth. She also opens up about how God's presence shows up in daily life, even when we're not aware of it.What We Talked About:Walking through divorce, addiction loss, and cancer with faith intactWhy the Bible is a life-giving guide, not a confusing textRecognizing God's presence in everyday lifeThe grace and hope found in Jesus as a personal SaviorWhat she hopes readers take from Because He Loved UsConnect with Sharon Williams:Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn & Threads: linked on her profileon

What happens to creativity when it goes unused for years, and how do we get it back?Mari Reisberg, LPC, is a therapist, former trapeze artist, and creativity cultivator with 25 years in the performing and healing arts. She's the host of the Sustaining Creativity Podcast and splits her time between her therapy practice, Courage to Create Counseling, and her Sustaining Creativity business, helping performers and non-performers alike spark, grow, and sustain creativity in their lives.In this episode, Mari explains what it actually means to be creative, even for people who don't consider themselves "creative types," what happens to unused creativity over time, and how the performing arts and healing arts connect more than people realize. She also shares practical ways to spark creativity today, and how it can help manage stress and increase self-confidence.What We Talked About:What it means to be creative, even if you don't think you areWhat happens to creativity when it goes unusedThe connection between performing arts and healing artsSimple ways to spark creativity todayUsing creativity to manage stress and build confidenceHer 17 years as a trapeze artist and aerial dancerConnect with Mari Reisberg:Podcast: sustainingcreativity.buzzsprout.comFacebook, Instagram & TikTok: linked on her profile

What does it take to survive cancer, Lyme disease, a stroke, diabetes, a heart attack, and hypoxia, and come out the other side as a practitioner helping others find true root-cause healing?Magic Barclay is a single mother of two, a Mould Toxicity Master Practitioner, and an expert in the PNEI of Trauma. After surviving a harmful childhood, disordered eating, alcoholism, and an abusive marriage, she rebuilt her health and her life from the ground up, and now leads Wholistic Natural Health Australia and hosts the podcast A Magical Life.In this episode, Magic shares how years of unresolved childhood trauma manifested as serious physical illness, what the PNEI of Trauma actually means and why it matters, and how she learned to treat the root cause of illness rather than just its symptoms. She also opens up about escaping an abusive marriage and rebuilding her health and self-worth from nothing.What We Talked About:Surviving cancer, Lyme disease, stroke, and moreHow childhood trauma showed up as physical illnessWhat the PNEI of Trauma actually meansTreating root cause instead of just symptomsEscaping an abusive marriage and rebuilding from scratchLearning to love herself after divorce and traumaConnect with Magic Barclay:Website: wholisticnaturalhealth.com.auPodcast: A Magical LifeFacebook, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on her profile

What does it take to hike 2,200 miles at 72 years old, with an artificial knee, alongside your 71-year-old brother?Rand Timmerman is a retired attorney, recovered alcoholic, and combat veteran who did exactly that, hiking the entire Appalachian Trail with his brother Ron. He documented the journey in his book, A Spiritual Passage, filled with 500 photographs and stories of grief, addiction recovery, and spiritual growth along the way.In this episode, Rand shares what prompted him to attempt something he once thought was impossible, the hardest and most rewarding parts of the 2,200-mile journey, and how the hike became intertwined with his recovery from alcoholism and his brother Ron's grief over losing his wife. He also opens up about the most unusual spiritual moments and wildlife encounters along the trail.What We Talked About:Hiking the Appalachian Trail at 72 with an artificial kneeThe hardest and most rewarding parts of a 2,200-mile hikeHow the journey intertwined with recovery from alcoholismProcessing grief on the trail after losing a spouseUnusual spiritual encounters along the wayAdvice for anyone considering a similar challenge later in lifeConnect with Rand Timmerman:Website: randtimmerman.com

From Blocked to Bestselling: Liz Mugavero on Cracking the Mystery Novel CodeWhat happens when a writer loses her creative spark for nearly two decades — and then finds her way back to not just one, but three bestselling mystery series?In this episode, I sit down with Liz Mugavero (who also writes as Cate Conte), author of the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries, the Cat Café Mysteries, and the Full Moon Mysteries. Liz opens up about her decades-long journey from an Agatha Award–nominated debut to becoming a creativity coach who now helps other writers reclaim their own creative mojo through her membership community, The Creativity Lab.WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT- Liz's lifelong obsession with writing — and the grandfather who sparked her fascination with crime and murder- The 17-year creative block that nearly derailed her writing career- How she built three distinct mystery series across two major publishers- The difference between plotting and "pantsing" — and how to craft a compelling mystery- What "creative recovery" actually means, and how any blocked writer can begin- Why community is essential for writers at every stage- Inside The Creativity Lab and how she coaches writers to finish what they startCONNECT WITH LIZ MUGAVERO- Website: https://cateconte.com/- Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | LinkedIn (linked via her website)

What if some children identified as needing speech therapy could actually thrive with the right support at home first?Jeaneen Tang is a speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience working with children from early intervention through the elderly. She's also a mother whose son, Che, suffered a traumatic brain injury and stroke at just 13 months old after a fall, doctors told her he might never walk or talk. He proved them wrong, and Jeaneen credits her professional expertise in early language development for playing a major role in his progress.In this episode, Jeaneen shares Che's story and how her clinical background shaped the way she supported his recovery, why she believes a significant number of children identified as needing speech therapy could be helped through better parent and caregiver training, and the practical strategies families can start using today to support language development at home. She also opens up about what inspired her book, Play Dumb and Sabotage.What We Talked About:Her son Che's traumatic brain injury and stroke at 13 monthsHow her expertise shaped his recovery and developmentWhy some children may not need formal speech therapy with the right supportPractical strategies parents can implement todayWhat inspired her book, Play Dumb and SabotageConnect with Jeaneen Tang:Website: playdumbandsabotage.comFacebook, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on her profile

What happens when a single mother of eight, working full-time in high tech while finishing her degree, finally stops trying to prioritize her way out of overwhelm?Margaret Agard is an award-winning author, former high-tech executive, and mother of eight, sleeping less than four hours a night while juggling work, school, and family. When her old strategy of prioritizing tasks stopped working, she began turning her daily to-do list over to God, and found she got more done, slept more, and felt less stress.In this episode, Margaret shares the daily practice that transformed her overwhelming schedule into a life of greater peace and purpose, how she knows when God is speaking to her, and a simple prayer that can improve almost any relationship. She also opens up about writing her third memoir, Love: Becoming One with Parker, from her home in the North Carolina woods.What We Talked About:Being a single mom of eight while working full-time and finishing collegeThe daily practice of turning her to-do list over to GodHow she recognizes when God is speaking to herA simple prayer that can transform relationshipsLiving with more joy and less busynessConnect with Margaret Agard:Website: inhisfootsteps.comFacebook, Twitter/X, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on her profile

Why do some team members act like gold medal winners while others behave like aliens from another planet?Sheila Glazov is a best-selling author and personality expert whose book, What Color Is Your Brain?®, has sold over 41,000 copies. A former elementary school teacher, she developed her color-coded framework while facilitating creative problem-solving sessions and watching talented people dismiss each other's ideas instead of listening.In this episode, Sheila explains what inspired her Brain Color framework, why her approach is built on acceptance rather than mere tolerance, and what causes a "Soul Mate" to become a "Cell Mate" over time. She also breaks down how understanding someone's Brain Color can transform communication at home, at work, and in the classroom.What We Talked About:The moment that inspired the Brain Color frameworkAcceptance versus tolerance in relationshipsWhat causes a "Soul Mate" to become a "Cell Mate"Personal vs. professional Brain Color perspectivesHelping children and students understand their own strengthsConnect with Sheila Glazov:Website: sheilaglazov.comYouTube, LinkedIn & Substack: linked on her profile

What if most people are settling for the back row in life, when there's a front parking spot waiting for them?Jennifer Bosma is a Christian children's book author and host of the Front Parking Spot Podcast, ranked among the top 100 Christian family podcasts. Married for 36 years and a former elementary school teacher known as "Mrs. Bosma" to over 500 students, she's the author of three award-winning children's books, including God is Three in One and I Know the Plans.In this episode, Jennifer shares the story behind her "Front Parking Spot" life motto, born from a simple decision to skip the long line at a kids' theme park, and how it connects to living out Ephesians 3:20. She also opens up about praying with young children throughout the day, growing a marriage rooted in faith, and how she brings scripture to life for kids through her books.What We Talked About:The theme park story behind her "Front Parking Spot" mottoLiving out Ephesians 3:20 instead of settlingWays to pray with young children throughout the dayFive tips for a marriage anchored in faithBringing scripture to life through children's booksConnect with Jennifer Bosma:Website: frontparkingspot.comPodcast: Front Parking Spot PodcastFacebook, Twitter/X, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn & Threads: linked on her profile

What does it take to film in Iraq, Cuba, the Congo, Burma, and over 100 other countries, covering everything from voodoo rituals to sex trafficking to divine miracles?Craig D. Forrest is an award-winning TV director and documentary filmmaker who has traveled to 160 countries across 6 continents, producing content for CBS, ABC, Discovery Channel, HBO, and dozens of other major networks. He was part of the production team for The Amazing Race, which won a Primetime EMMY, and he's the author of the memoir Night Train to Cairo, with an upcoming historical novel, Through the Wire, based on his grandfather's experience fighting in the trenches of WWI at the Battle of the Somme.In this episode, Craig shares stories from over 250 overseas assignments in some of the world's most dangerous and remote places, how covering subjects like terrorism, cults, and the occult ultimately deepened his own faith, and what he's learned about bridging the secular and spiritual through storytelling. He also breaks down how digital media, mobile phones, and AI have transformed visual storytelling, and why he believes the world needs more redemptive stories today.What We Talked About:- Filming in war zones and 250+ overseas assignments- How covering voodoo, cults, and terrorism deepened his faith- Bridging the secular and spiritual through storytelling- The shift from traditional filmmaking to DSLR, mobile, and AI- Why redemptive storytelling matters in today's broken world- The story behind his memoir, Night Train to CairoConnect with Craig D. Forrest:Website: linked on his profileFacebook, Twitter/X, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads & Substack: linked on his profile

What if the chapter you thought was the end of your story was actually the beginning of something beautiful?In this episode of Beyond the Draft, I sit down with author, storyteller, podcaster, and adventurer Teri M. Brown to talk about starting over, discovering your worth, and having the courage to pursue a dream later in life.Teri shares her journey through an emotionally abusive marriage, rebuilding her life, riding more than 3,000 miles across the United States on a tandem bicycle, and finally pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a fiction writer.We explore why people often underestimate their own stories, how to find courage during major life transitions, and why it's never too late to create a new chapter.If you've ever felt too old, too late, or too far behind to start again, this conversation is for you.Connect with Teri:🌐 [terimbrown.com](http://www.terimbrown.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com)Listen, follow, and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder: your story isn't finished yet.

What happens when the world isn't built for you, and instead of waiting for it to change, you teach yourself how to build it differently?Maxwell Ivey, known around the world as The Blind Blogger, lost his sight at age 12 due to retinitis pigmentosa. Rather than let it define the limits of his life, he taught himself HTML to build an online business brokering used carnival and amusement park rides, back when accessibility online was nearly nonexistent. Since then, he's become a life goals coach, published author of four books, host of the podcast The Accessibility Advantage, and the accessibility advisor to PodMatch.In this episode, Maxwell takes us back to the moment his world changed at 12 years old, and how other people's assumptions about him often became a bigger barrier than blindness itself. He shares how growing up in the carnival world shaped his relationship with risk and opportunity, what it was like building an online business with tools that weren't designed for him, and why he eventually embraced the name "The Blind Blogger" instead of resisting it. He also breaks down what most people misunderstand about accessibility, practical fixes small business owners can make today, and whether AI represents an opportunity or a new risk for the disability community.WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:- Losing his sight at 12 and rethinking his entire future- Growing up around carnival rides and how it shaped his view of risk- Teaching himself HTML to build an inaccessible internet around him- Becoming "The Blind Blogger" and normalizing disability online- What accessibility actually means, and common mistakes businesses make- AI, technology, and the future of accessibility- Interdependence, self-determination, and determined positivity as life toolsCONNECT WITH MAXWELL IVEY:Website: theaccessibilityadvantage.comPodcast: The Accessibility AdvantageFacebook, Twitter/X, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on his profile

What happens when the mental toughness built for one race unknowingly prepares you for the fight of your life?Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds is an Ironman triathlete, two-time cancer survivor, and nonprofit executive from Long Island, NY. When cancer struck twice in two years, prostate cancer followed by Stage 3B colorectal cancer, he discovered that every early morning swim, every grueling bike ride, and every mile run had quietly prepared him for 27 rounds of radiation and 35 rounds of chemo. His Amazon bestseller, Every Mile Matters: Turning Triathlon Training Into Cancer Triumph, tells that story.In this episode, Jeffrey shares the moment he found out about his first diagnosis while stopped at a traffic light, how his athletic mental training actually showed up during chemo and radiation, and what it took to find the strength to fight again after a second diagnosis, like being told "just 12 more miles" after crossing what he thought was the finish line. He also opens up about how cancer changed his relationship with vulnerability, and what he learned about caregiving through his wife, Jillian.What We Talked About:- Finding out about his diagnosis at a traffic light- How athletic mental training carried him through chemo and radiation- Facing a second cancer diagnosis after already surviving the first- How cancer reshaped his relationship with vulnerability and strength- Advice for caregivers supporting a partner through illness- Finding meaning in smaller victories, not just finish linesConnect with Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds:Website: everymilematters.com/every-mile-matters/Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on his profile

Can AI make a logo in four seconds? Sure. So what exactly are you paying an agency for?Cat How is the founder and Executive Creative Director of How&How, a B-Corp certified global branding agency with studios in London and Los Angeles. A former award-winning journalist and design critic, she later studied Communication Design at Central Saint Martins before launching the agency in 2020. She's also the founder of the pro-bono climate initiative GetSet and the female leadership mentorship program GetEven, and serves as an Ambassador for UN Women and Clean Creatives.In this episode, Cat breaks down why most brands are telling their story wrong, what it actually means for a brand to "live in the product" rather than in a slide deck, and why she gives naming and verbal identity equal weight to visual design when most studios treat words as an afterthought. She also makes the honest business case for spending six figures on branding instead of growth marketing, and shares why she publishes everyone's salary at her own agency.What We Talked About:- Why most brands get their story wrong- What it means for a brand to live in the product, not the deck- Why words deserve equal weight to visual identity- The real business case for investing in branding over growth marketing- Why she publishes everyone's salary at How&How- Repositioning legacy companies without alienating existing customersConnect with Cat How:Website: how.studioInstagram: instagram.com/how___studio/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/howandhow/

Can you really buid a real business in just two hours a week?Ken Chester is a nationally syndicated automotive journalist, tech communicator, and CEO of TechMobility Productions, with a media career spanning over three decades. In 2026, he published Two-Hour Entrepreneur: Build a Real Business in Two Hours a Week, a step-by-step system drawn from 35 years of building companies from scratch, most of them while holding down a full-time job.In this episode, Ken breaks down why millions of Americans want to start a business but never do, why "finding time" is actually the wrong problem to solve, and what someone can realistically accomplish in their first month using his two-hour approach. He also shares insight from his career at the intersection of mobility, AI, and climate impact as founder of the Black Automotive Media Group.WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:Why most people never start the business they dream aboutWhy "finding time" is the wrong problem to solveThe biggest myth about launching a businessWhat's achievable in your first month, two hours a weekHis three-decade career in automotive and tech mediaCONNECT WITH KENNETH CHESTER:Website: kennethjchester.com/two-hour-entrepreneurPodcast: The TechMobility PodcastFacebook, Twitter/X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok & Substack: linked on his profile

What does holding a paratrooper unit together under pressure have to do with holding a marriage together?Eric Williams spent five years as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne, serving through 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, before earning his master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. He's the creator of Origin Code and DCIA, Done Carrying It Alone, a coaching framework built to identify the root cause of relational disconnection rather than just managing surface symptoms. He's also the author of Marriage Communication Guide for New Couples: From "Me" to "We."In this episode, Eric breaks down the difference between "building" a healthy relationship and "restoring" one, the biggest myth about communication that's quietly sabotaging couples, and what it's actually like parenting as both an "autism dad" and a "girl dad." He also shares what a healthy fight looks like versus one doing long-term damage.WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:What the Army taught him about holding relationships togetherBuilding vs. restoring a relationshipThe biggest communication myth sabotaging couplesParenting as an "autism dad" and "girl dad"What a healthy fight actually looks likeOne thing to do this week to improve your relationshipCONNECT WITH ERIC WILLIAMS:Free quiz: whywefight.coastalfamilymedia.com/quizWebsite: linked on his profileFacebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok & Threads: linked on his profile

What's really stopping most fiction writers from finishing their novel, and is it actually the story itself?Elyse Seal is a fiction book coach trained by Author Accelerator who helps sci-fi and fantasy authors get unstuck and finish their novels without spending years rewriting the same draft. She helps writers build solid story foundations before they write, and coaches authors through revision in layers, big-picture problems first, then scenes, then language.In this episode, Elyse explains the most common mistakes she sees in fiction manuscripts, what "procrastilearning" is and how it quietly stalls the writing process, and why an outline is actually a writer's greatest tool rather than a creative limitation. She also breaks down how knowing your personal "why" and your story's point can be the key to finally getting unstuck.WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:The most common mistakes in fiction manuscriptsWhat "procrastilearning" is and how it stalls writersWhy outlines are a writer's greatest tool, not a limitationKnowing your "why" to get unstuck and finish your bookIdentifying your target reader before you start writingCommon patterns that keep authors from finishingCONNECT WITH ELYSE SEAL:Website: linked on her profileFree resource: dashing-avocado-34366.myflodesk.com/rahnxgef8cFacebook & Instagram: linked on her profile

What actually separates a book that builds real authority from one that just sits on a shelf collecting dust?Kristin Clark is the founder of Elite Content Creation and its publishing imprint, Cheval Press, and the best-selling author of [Your Book] Written, Published, and Sold: A Complete Guide to Bringing Your Big Idea to Life. Her ghostwriting has appeared in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Rolling Stone, and she's guided dozens of founders and executives from a good idea to a published book that actually builds authority.In this episode, Kristin breaks down the biggest myth people believe about working with a ghostwriter, how she helps someone find their authentic voice even without much writing experience, and why she believes AI can never be a substitute for a book's real voice or champion. She also shares the clear signs that separate someone who's actually ready to write a book from someone who just likes the idea of having written one.What We Talked About:- The biggest myth about working with a ghostwriter- Finding your authentic voice, even as a first-time writer- Why AI-written books struggle to build real authority- Choosing between self-published, traditional, or hybrid publishing- Knowing if you're ready to write, or just like the idea of it- What actually changes for founders after they publishConnect with Kristin Clark:Website: elitecontentcreation.netLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristin-clark-content/

What happens when someone who wasn't raised around horses decides their dream job is becoming a horse veterinarian?Matt Evans is a horse veterinarian, stand-up comedian, and author of Chomping at the Bit: How I Became a Horse Vet (Against All Common Sense), a comedic memoir publishing through Simon & Schuster's Permuted Press. Inspired by reading too much James Herriot as a child, Matt chased a dream he was, by his own admission, wildly unqualified for, and found no shortage of laughs along the way.In this episode, Matt shares when he first realized real veterinary life looked nothing like the books that inspired him, how not growing up around horses shaped his imposter syndrome as a young vet, and how stand-up comedy and painting sustain him in ways veterinary medicine can't. He also opens up about the emotional toll of equine medicine and what helped him stay certain this was still his dream job.What We Talked About:- How James Herriot's books sparked a wildly unlikely dream- Overcoming imposter syndrome without a horse background- The real emotional toll of equine veterinary medicine- Balancing stand-up comedy, painting, and veterinary work- What he hopes readers outside vet medicine take from his storyConnect with Matt Evans:Website: mattevanscomic.comInstagram & TikTok: linked on his profile

Fiction Born from a Search for a Birth Mother

What happens when a search for your birth mother turns into a historical novel spanning generations?Mark Jamilkowski is a historical fiction author, co-founder of a healthcare start-up, and the author of The Road to Moresco, inspired by his personal search for his birth mother, and Mask of Romulus, exploring the relationship between ancient Rome and India. Critics have praised his deep research and immersive storytelling, drawing comparisons to The Remains of the Day and the works of Conn Iggulden and Mary Beard.In this episode, Mark shares how researching the real women behind The Road to Moresco became one of the most emotional and vulnerable projects of his life, how he balances historical accuracy with narrative imagination, and what drew him to explore ancient Rome's connection with India in his second novel. He also opens up about how his passions for music, photography, and cooking shape his literary voice.What We Talked About:Discovering his birth mother's story through researchTurning real historical events into emotional fictionBalancing historical accuracy with imaginative storytellingExploring Rome and India's relationship in Mask of RomulusHow music, photography, and cooking shape his writingConnect with Mark Jamilkowski:Website: mark-jamilkowski-author.comTwitter/X, Pinterest & LinkedIn: linked on his profile

What happens when you return to teach at your own high school nearly thirty years later, and it's been transformed from nearly all-white to one of the most diverse schools in Virginia?Lee Knapp is an award-winning history educator and author of the memoir I'm History...but do I repeat myself?, which weaves her own fraught Southern history into America's complicated story of race, religion, and reinvention. The book moves through her spiritual journey out of a controlling evangelical church, the collapse of a 32-year marriage followed by an unexpected late-life romance, and the reckoning of confronting her beloved grandmother's participation in a 1921 lynching viewing.In this episode, Lee shares what it was like teaching students like Abdul, Kosal, and Farid, whose immigrant stories reshaped how she saw the Richmond she grew up in, how she came to terms with her grandmother's history of white supremacy, and why she believes loving your family or your country requires honestly confronting what they've done. She also opens up about her exit from a controlling charismatic church and the late-life romance that began by skipping a pep rally.What We Talked About:Returning to teach at her newly diverse alma materStudents whose immigrant stories reshaped her worldviewConfronting her grandmother's history of racismLeaving a controlling evangelical church behindAn unexpected late-life romance after divorceWhy history repeats, and how individuals can break the patternConnect with Lee Knapp:Website: linked on her profileBook: available on AmazonFacebook, LinkedIn & Substack: linked on her profile

What does it take to keep multiple creative projects alive while working retail and caring for a grandmother full-time?Michael Stangeland is the author of the science fiction novel Junkworld: The Ballad of Leroy Brown and the children's fairy tale The Taming of the Moon Dragon, both published through hybrid publishing services. Beyond his published work, he has a growing folder of unpublished books, scripts, and potential projects always in some stage of development, all while balancing a day job in retail and serving as an in-home caretaker for his grandmother.In this episode, Michael shares where his inspiration for Junkworld actually came from, how he decided to become a writer in the first place, and what it's like juggling creative ambition with the real, unglamorous demands of everyday life. He also opens up about the biggest challenges he faces when writing, and offers advice for other writers trying to create amid life's competing responsibilities.WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:The inspiration behind Junkworld: The Ballad of Leroy BrownWriting a children's fairy tale alongside science fictionBalancing creative work with retail and caretaking responsibilitiesThe biggest challenges he faces as a writerAdvice for other writers juggling life and creative ambitionWhat's next in his growing folder of unfinished projectsCONNECT WITH MICHAEL STANGELAND:Substack: mkstangelandjr.substack.com

Co-author Section

Darlene Franklin Campbell is a Kentucky author, artist, and national award-winning poet whose work explores the intersection of mythology, philosophy, religion, and psychology. She's the author of The Zhandarian Chronicles, an epic fantasy series that uses an imagined world to explore deeply human questions of identity, belonging, memory, and transformation.In this episode, Darlene shares what first drew her to exploring timeless human questions through fantasy, why her stories focus so heavily on internal struggle rather than just external conflict, and how her background as a visual artist shapes the way she builds fictional worlds. She also opens up about the power of "found family" in fiction and why readers connect with it so deeply.WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:Exploring identity and belonging through fantasyWhy her stories prioritize internal struggle over external conflictHow power reshapes the people who carry it in her novelsWorldbuilding inspired by real history, culture, and languageThe pull of "found family" themes in fictionWhether visual art and storytelling come from the same creative placeCONNECT WITH DARLENE CAMPBELL:Website: darlenefranklincampbell-author.comFacebook, Instagram & LinkedIn: linked on her profile