Making Space for Conversations That Matter with Laura Prisc

Get comfy and settle in for your last opportunity to eavesdrop on a new episode of Making Space for Conversations that Matter. Listen in as Host, Laura Prisc, tells and abbreviated story about how the podcast came to be and how she knew it was time to release it.   She's still very much engaged in her work and eager to see what new doors open as Ishe closes this one. You can still easily find her if you're so inclined. Just drop her a line at [email protected] or connect with her through the links below and let her know what's on your mind.   Thanks for eavesdropping and have an intentional day!  Laura's Bio  If you're not already familiar with her and are curious about who Laura is, what she believes, and what she feels called to create in the world, take a few minutes to peruse her website, read her blog, and listen to the other podcast episodes posted there. www.lauraprisc.com  You can also find her here:  Schedule a complimentary consultation  Laura by email  Request a copy of her book – Are Your Leaders Wide Awake?  LinkedIn  On Facebook 

In 2013, Host, Laura Prisc, participated in a workshop series designed to help her create or find her dream job. Part of the process was imagining and articulating what her "dream life" looked like. Eavesdrop on her today, as she takes a look back and what she imagined for her life and work at that time, and how it has unfolded.   Perhaps it will spark your thinking and desire to engage in a similar exercise. After all, wouldn't you rather be the active driver and voice in deciding what kind of life you want to live, rather than taking on the roles other people think would be best for you (and often in response to filling gaps and needs they have…)?   Laura's Bio  If you're not already familiar with her and are curious about who Laura is, what she believes, and what she feels called to create in the world, take a few minutes to peruse her website, read her blog, and listen to the other podcast episodes posted there. www.lauraprisc.com  You can also find her here:  Schedule a complimentary consultation  Laura by email  Request a copy of her book – Are Your Leaders Wide Awake?  LinkedIn  On Facebook 

It's always fun to encounter a kindred spirit – someone on a very similar journey, whose thinking and beliefs are aligned with your own… and that's exactly what host, Laura Prisc, experienced during this week's episode, getting to know MaryBeth Hyland.   MaryBeth is striving to bring the essence of what it means to be human back into our lives and work. Her desire was borne of her personal experience, working in a company that looked like it had it all together from the outside, but turned out to be a dysfunctional culture once she was immersed in it.   "I was experiencing too much internal discord to stay," she explains, going further to say that the awareness that one is out of alignment with others, or an organization is sometimes sudden and sometimes creeps up on you. Either way, it's uncomfortable and unhealthy to stay.   Having experienced something similar in more than one organization and having to work her way through releasing the guilt and shame associated with the perception of "quitting," she's taken some bold and decisive steps to take back her life and work, and to share what she's learned with the people and organizations she now works with.   Listen in as she shares her story, including how she chose to extract herself from a women's organization in which she was the 5th generation in her family to be involved. Breaking the cycle, as they say, is not easy even when it's clear it's the right decision. It comes with a lot of emotion, baggage, legacy, and expectation.   Take some time to contemplate your core values and discern whether they are truly yours, or you've merely absorbed / inherited them from others. Ask yourself, "How did I get here?" and "Is this where I want to be in my life?"   Perhaps you'll discover it's time for a change in your life, or you'll rest assured that you are in fact living a life you desire. Either way, it's a thought-provoking and engaging conversation.   MaryBeth's Bio  As the Founder and Chief Visionary of SparkVision, MaryBeth Hyland knows that extraordinary success is rooted in the vision, values, and culture crafted by purpose-driven leaders and their teams. With over a decade of experience, built on knowledge from a BA in Social Work and MS in Nonprofit Management, she's known for her ability to guide individuals and teams to know, own, and live their values.  And she does that with the understanding that we all have a deep desire to know and return to our most authentic selves – at work, home, and within.  As a certified mediator, mindfulness instructor, and values expert she engages audiences and teams all over the world with her authentic style of facilitation, coaching, and empowerment.  Her recent awards include, "Circle of Excellence," "Innovator of the Year," "Top 100 Women," "Civic Engagement Leader," and "Leading Women." She has also been recognized as a leading expert by The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and more.  Author of "Permission to Be Human: The Conscious Leader's Guide to Creating Values-Driven Culture," her personal life's mission is to create spaces where voices are heard, stories are released, and alignment is ignited.  Connect with MaryBeth:  SparkVision  On LinkedIn  Get the Book: Permission to be Human 

One of the greatest ways to build your influence and leadership abilities is to lead when you have no official authority. We most often encounter this situation when working with volunteers. Host, Laura Prisc, wasn't expecting to discover this framework within a hospital, however, that's exactly what she uncovered when she engaged in a meaningful conversation with Brent Jackson, MD, VP and Chief Medical Officer of Dignity Health, located in Sacramento, CA.   While he was a practicing physician and general surgeon for many years, he decided to step away from his practice and shift into an administrative role. While he's a member of the health center's Executive Team, the physicians he advocates for, and guides do not report to him in the typical sense. Turns out, they are contracted through the hospital, rather than actual employees.   As such, Brent had to approach leading them a bit differently than we imagine it working. As the liaison between the Executive Team and the Medical Staff, he sees himself functioning as the voice of the physicians, advocating, supporting, and serving them.   To do that, he focuses on relationship building, which allows him to earn credibility and build trust over time. They come to see him as transparent, reliable, and having their best interests in mind, and that's how it works.   Not surprisingly, these particular skills – what many would frame as 'soft skills' – were not taught in medical school. Medical school teaching was more aligned with the command & control model of leadership, which really doesn't work well long-term.   It wasn't until Brent went back to earn his MBA that he saw what he'd been missing. He built new and deeper listening skills, came to understand how much it matters for people to understand why things happen the way they do, and recognizes that each of the people with whom he interacts is having a slightly different experience, with a different perspective about how things work.   It's a powerful exploration that touches on all things leadership, embracing growth, relationship building, and self-care (hint: one of his practices, which he shares openly, is playing the guitar).   Dr. Jackson's Bio  Brent C Jackson, MD, MS, MBA, FACS — Dr. Jackson is currently the Chief Medical Officer for Mercy General Hospital, a Dignity Health facility in Sacramento, California.  He was a practicing General Surgeon for 15 years before retiring from clinical practice to pursue a career as a physician leader.  He went back to school for his MBA while working as a Medical Director for River City Medical Group, a Medi-Cal IPA.  He then worked as the Physician Advisor for Mercy General Hospital before being promoted into the VP/CMO role.  He finished his MBA in 2020.  Dr. Jackson also holds a B.A. from UC San Diego in Biochemistry and Cell Biology, an M.S. in Neuroscience from Case Western Reserve University, and an M.D., also from CWRU.  He also served for eight years in the US Air Force Reserves and earned an Honorable Discharge at the rank of Major.  In his spare time, he plays guitar, participates in high-performance driving events, and spends time with family, including his four grandchildren.  Connect with Brent:  On LinkedIn  

Wayne Mullins is a breath of fresh air; he's a marketer who focuses on human connection and understands that while the common label for what's happening online these days – "social media" – is really not social, rather 'digital.'   "People show up and throw up," he explains to host, Laura Prisc. Whatever message one feels compelled to share is thrown up on some digital media platform or channel, and the sender gets frustrated when there's no response, or the response is other than what was desired. It's not real communication; it's sound bites, snippets, and surface, rather than deep, meaningful, and real exploration and discussion about the things that are most important to us.   Based on the idea that 'people do business with people,' he focuses his work with Ugly Mug Marketing on what his clients are trying to accomplish, then designs a plan to help them achieve that specific goal. He encourages his clients to focus on the results, not the form through which the message is delivered.   Laura shares a similar perspective, learned during her time working in a small advertising agency. She explains how often a client would come looking for a particular form of advertising, and she and the team in the agency would back them up to get to the root of what they were hoping for in an outcome. Begin with the end in mind and work backwards to design the solution; she still uses that approach today with her coaching and consulting clients.   While he's busy running his business and leading people, he sees himself as a person trainer of sorts, pushing people to grow into their potential. Coming to this awareness was a stretch for him, as it wasn't addressed in business school! The academic focus was on the elements of the stuff of business, but Wayne soon discovered that the 'people ARE the business!" So, he now focuses on investing his time, effort, and energy on building relationships and nurturing them.   It's been said on this podcast before, "if you take good care of your people, they will take great care of your business!" It's truly that simple! Listen in for this, and so much more insight and wisdom.     Wayne's Bio  Wayne Mullins is the founder and CEO of Ugly Mug Marketing. Over the past 20 years, he has scaled multiple companies and helped hundreds of entrepreneurs do the same with their companies.   Ugly Mug Marketing has won the praises of some of the leading influencers in the business world, such as, Chris Voss (New York Times Best Selling Author of Never Split the Difference), Neil Patel (Founder of QuickSprout & Kissmetrics), and Ari Weinzweig (Co-Founder of Zingerman's). Wayne's work directly influences more than one hundred thousand entrepreneurs annually through his blog, books, and training programs. Wayne has personally worked with clients in over 100 industries - from every corner of the globe. And through his books and training programs, Wayne directly influences more than a quarter million entrepreneurs each year.   Connect with Wayne:  Ugly Mug Marketing  On Facebook  On LinkedIn    Instagram @uglymugmarketing   Snapchat uglymarketing   By phone: 318-290-3430 

Recently, I was facilitating a workshop for some middle managers in a health facility when something I suspected was reinforced in a powerful way… In fact, as I reflect on the conversation as it unfolded, there was definitely an undertone of anger and hostility.   They are operating within a paradigm that dictates a certain approach and commitment to work and life; choices are limited and it's not ok to step outside the lines. However, they are encountering a generation that appears to have decided the predefined box of how work and life is, does NOT work for them.   They are making different choices, choosing not the play the game. It's creating ripples, and perhaps resentment. Listen in to this brief and solo episode with Host, Laura Prisc, and consider the implications of this issue in your own life and work   Laura's Bio  If you're not already familiar with her and are curious about who Laura is, what she believes, and what she feels called to create in the world, take a few minutes to peruse her website, read her blog, and listen to the other podcast episodes posted there. www.lauraprisc.com  You can also find her here:  Schedule a complimentary consultation  Laura by email  Request a copy of her book – Are Your Leaders Wide Awake?  LinkedIn  On Facebook   

Conversation about the perils of living on autopilot and how to break the cycle of insanity!

Trite, perhaps, but true… The higher you go in an organization the more isolated you become. On today's episode, Laura explores a few of the reasons leaders are lonely, often feel isolated, and how to get the support they need to lead effectively and with confidence.   Explore your thinking about leadership by listening to this episode of Making Space for Conversations that Matter, with host, Laura Prisc.   Laura's Bio  If you're not already familiar with her and are curious about who Laura is, what she believes, and what she feels called to create in the world, take a few minutes to peruse her website, read her blog, and listen to the other podcast episodes posted there. www.lauraprisc.com  You can also find her here:  Schedule a complimentary consultation  Laura by email  Request a copy of her book – Are Your Leaders Wide Awake?  LinkedIn  On Facebook 

When someone doesn't have a clear vision for what they want or are working towards, it's nearly impossible to make progress. As a productivity coach for entrepreneurs, Todd works with a variety of clients who often have a few things in common: Lack of clarity about what they are striving to create or achieve, inability or unwillingness to make decisions, and no clear plan forward.   He is able to skillfully help his clients discern their focus, make decisions, and craft easy-to-follow action plans. In alignment with Laura's principle that "One Size Does NOT Fit All," Todd has a lot of tools and processes at his disposal, from which he picks and chooses based on each client's specific needs.   His background is as a clinical psychologist, having done significant work in trauma disorders, relationship counseling, and marital counseling, but working with business owners is his sweet spot. "I love the pace, the opportunity to help clients implement quickly, and see a real-world impact," he explained.   Laura and Todd also explore his youth and some unique experiences growing up, that sparked his interest in personal and professional development. As with any good 'travel guide,' he is able to serve his clients well because he's traveled a similar path.    Todd's Bio  Dr. Snyder has completed both a Master's Degree and a Doctoral degree at Baylor University's Department of Psychology and Neuroscience in Texas. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship in Baltimore, Maryland, he moved to Valparaiso, Indiana, (near Chicago) where he currently lives with his wife and two sons.   He has worked as a self-discipline coach, stress-management consultant, and productivity consultant for people all over the globe. Prior to developing his current specialty, Snyder worked as a clinical psychologist in private practice, as a marriage counselor, and as a relationship coach.  Due to word of mouth and a few interviews, he inadvertently became a consultant to business owners in the world of online e-commerce, especially in the areas of integration marketing, productivity, and decision making.   Throughout his career, he has been a student of what he calls "active ingredients" of success. These are the few variables that make the biggest difference when trying to accomplish a specific goal or outcome.  In his various roles as counselor and consultant, he became increasingly aware of the power of decisions to steer people's lives toward happiness or misery, success or frustration.  The problem is, when it comes to productivity, most of us don't feel in control of the decisions we make about where we focus our limited time and energy.  Fortunately, he's found a solution for that problem. As a student of peak performance, he continuously refines the key insights and mental models that can flip the switch for uncommon results.  You can find Todd here:  Todd Snyder Coaching   Todd on LinkedIn  

When I think about leadership, it's clear to me that I need to lead myself first before I can hope to influence and lead others. Part of leading myself first means being awake enough to know that I'm the causative force in my life. What I'm experiencing is the direct result of my best thinking, decisions, actions, and behaviors before today.   For years, decades even, there was a lot of talk of 'work-life balance.' Personally, I think it's a bunch of hooey! By simply thinking about the number of hours each day holds and the basics of how we typically spend that time – sleeping, working, traveling, eating, spending time with family and friends – we know it's not possible for that scale to balance!   What I've discovered is the concept of Life-Work Integration… I've learned to ask myself the question: How can I design and create my whole life – making room for all the pieces-parts I want to fit into it – and feel healthy, rested, creative, and fulfilled? It will require thoughtfulness, intention, awareness, and flexibility… sure! But I think it's possible.   Discover more about how this works and how it might work for you by listening to this episode of Making Space for Conversations that Matter, with host Laura Prisc.   Laura's Bio  If you're not already familiar with her and are curious about who Laura is, what she believes, and what she feels called to create in the world, take a few minutes to peruse her website, read her blog, and listen to the other podcast episodes posted there. www.lauraprisc.com  You can also find her here:  Schedule a complimentary consultation  Laura by email  Request a copy of her book – Are Your Leaders Wide Awake?  LinkedIn  On Facebook 

Every day, we are faced with numerous choices… who we're going to be, how we're going to show up, what we'll do or not do, what to wear, what to eat, where to go… some days it literally feels endless, and perhaps even overwhelming.   But it's important, sometimes crucial, even, for you to recognize that the choice truly is yours.   In this week's episode, Laura shares some personal stories, insights, and ideas on how many choices we are faced with daily and how even indecision is a choice. The consequences may be minimal or monumental, but it's hard to choose correctly when operating on autopilot.   Truly, the choice is yours… and I hope you'll make it, purposely, thoughtfully, intentionally… with consideration for the potential outcomes, choosing that which is most desirable and aligned with what you are hoping to create in the world.   Laura's Bio  If you're not already familiar with her and are curious about who Laura is, what she believes, and what she feels called to create in the world, take a few minutes to peruse her website, read her blog, and listen to the other podcast episodes posted there. www.lauraprisc.com  You can also find her here:  Schedule a complimentary consultation  Laura by email  Request a copy of her book – Are Your Leaders Wide Awake?  LinkedIn  On Facebook 

Wise advice: Learn from those who have actually experienced what you're experiencing and have successfully found a path forward. When it comes to loving yourself and your body – exactly as you are, and it is, today – Teddey has been there and done that!   As she shares her story with Host, Laura Prisc, Teddey says, "I used to think: There's something wrong with me and my body." She didn't fit the cultural expectations for who she was supposed to be. "I felt like I couldn't get my life started… I was dancing around opportunities and doing all the things I 'should' do to change my body, but it wasn't working."  Teddey was on a destructive 'binge-restrict' cycle, filled with shame and guilt, when she heard someone speaking about what she had been experiencing, realized it was something 'real' that others were struggling with, as well, and she began her path to healing through an intensive therapy program.   She learned to be kind to herself; to develop and follow more nourishing eating habits and other ways of taking real care of herself. In the process, she worked through and healed a lot of old trauma.   Today, she works with women experiencing similar challenges. She uses Reiki, Tapping, and other energetic work along with coaching to help her clients heal themselves.   Laura and Teddey discuss how our culture has normalized a lot of insane beliefs and practices that are so damaging. It's a deep and rich conversation and hopefully will inspire you to want to come back into yourself and live a more purposeful life.   Teddey's Bio:   Teddey Hicks is the Food & Body Love Coach. She runs a membership for ambitious women who want an easy and affordable way to stop battling food and develop the confidence to live their best lives and make the money they deserve in the bodies they have right now. Teddey is an intuitive eating coach trained in Reiki, EFT, and hypnosis, and uses all these tools to help her members achieve peace with food and self-confidence.  Connect with Teddey:  Teddey Online    Teddey's Group on Facebook  

Begin with the end in mind. This is sage advice: Discern what it is you are trying to create. Cast a vision and articulate it clearly. Once you've done that, you can craft a plan that culminates in the achievement of that goal and one that allows you to "start well."   This is the jumping off point for today's episode, a meaningful conversation with Consultant, Don Davis. Davis worked for many years in GE, helping start-ups come to life. As he was contemplating what he wanted to do with his life and work long-term, he recognized he is energized by the entrepreneurial geniuses – people with high energy, curiosity, and a strong growth focus – and wanted to continue working with them. Hence, his consulting firm.   He notes that 90% of businesses die within their first 10 years and goes on to share some of the wisdom he's accumulated over the course of his career. He and host, Laura Prisc, dive deep into some of those areas, including casting vision, knowing your own strengths, how to build a thriving team, knowing how and from where to receive sound advice, and more.   This is the kind of expertise and insight he offers his consulting clients… and you can benefit from it simply by listening to today's episode, then follow the links below to get connected with Don.   Don's Bio:   Don Davis, president and principal of 5280 Life Sciences Consulting, is an expert operations leader with a 30-year career in healthcare and life sciences. After decades of working for companies like GE, BD, and Roche, Don now helps others improve their operational excellence, program and project management, analytics and KPIs, and IT systems and infrastructure, resulting in increased profitability and improved ability to scale their organizations.  Connect with Don:  Don on LinkedIn   Don Online    Don's Podcast 

For Laura McRae Hitchcock, art is a shared experience. The artist begins with a blank canvas (whatever that material or medium might be) and pulls in his or her creativity to create something from nothing. "It's all energy," she explains. "I use my whole body when I paint, and my paintings are infused with my energy." And if you had a sneak peek into her studio as she's preparing canvases, you'd see she's also infusing them with prayers for the viewers – and eventual owners – of her paintings. On the blank canvases, she writes prayers for safety, blessing, joy, love, and more… and then she preps for paint. You may not know it's there, but you'll feel it when you see it! For her, making art is a deeply spiritual act and it's her way of getting out of herself. She grew up feeling shy and sensitive; recognizing it was getting in the way of her being more fully in the world – to experience it and to impact it – and art has been her way of breaking through those barriers. Through this conversation, Laura and Laura also dive into the idea and experience of "thin spaces" – the places where it feels as if heaven and earth are both right there and you have this heightened awareness of there being so much more than what you see. Laura shares the inspiration of her Nest Series of paintings as being her recognition she could no longer directly control how safe her children are in the world, as they've grown and moved out. If you've ever had a heartfelt or truly visceral reaction to a piece of art, you'll appreciate this conversation and a view into the heart and thoughts of the artist. Laura's Bio Laura McRae Hitchcock is an award winning, internationally collected visual artist living and working in the low country of South Carolina. She is also a partner and founder of Wild Hair Adventures, a travel company specializing in art workshops and retreats and "traveling like girls." Her paintings move between realism and the abstract, in much the same way she moves between the physical experience of being human and remembering who she is as spirit. She believes that artwork creates a portal in which the artist holds space for the viewer to experience the energy of the intention of the art. Through those shared experiences, art heals the heart and soul...whether one does the creating or the looking and appreciating. Laura lives on a barrier island near Charleston, SC, with her husband of 35 years, and a sweet cocker spaniel named Gunner. She enjoys painting (of course!), spending time with her grown children and 1st grandchild, travel, exploring new places and ideas, collecting lovely sticks, rocks and shells, and gathering with other people for collaboration and celebration. Connect with Laura: Laura's Art Online Laura on Instagram Laura on Facebook Wild Hair Adventures ("travel like girls"!)

While Jeff poses that very question at a later point in today's Conversation, first Jeff and Laura explore one of the more common threads of discussion around leadership, which starts with the fundamental question: What's the difference between management and leadership? Today's conversation dives in with this and an insightful discussion about the activities, tasks, nuances, and expectations for leaders unfolds as Jeff and Laura explore and share their ideas and experiences. As Jeff has depth of expertise and experience working with CEOs in Healthcare start-ups, the two also dig into the struggles many entrepreneurs face, and both work through with their respective clients – the truth that sometimes the creative genius that conceives and idea for a product, service, or enterprise is not the person who is actually best equipped to carry that idea forward and build a solid, thriving business around. It's important to recognize one's unique gifts, strengths, and contributions… to do the work only you can do in whatever enterprise you're engaged in, and know that sometimes the best next thing you can do is hand it off to someone else to manage the day to day, or do the marketing and promotion that will allow your creation to shine in the marketplace. This is a tough realization for many, and others understand it intuitively. Jeff shares some of the questions he asks his clients to allow them to work through their own thinking with greater clarity about what roles they play, how they want to show up in those roles, what others need or want from them. Truly, this is the fundamental work for all of us, and crucial to effective, powerful leadership. Laura and Jeff discuss life, work, authenticity, Lego, stress-relieving practices, and much more on today's episode. Jeff's Bio Before becoming a full-time coach and consultant, Jeff spent over 25 years working for some of the most innovative organizations in health care, financial services and employee benefits as both a lawyer and executive. He started out as a hard-charging law firm lawyer and chronic overachiever who had to be the smartest and most accomplished person in the room. Jeff recognized he needed to change when a series of panic attacks threatened to derail him. In the mid-90s, he began to practice meditation, and later yoga, as a way to cope more effectively with his high stress career. As his practices began to take root, he began a path of deep psychospiritual study that continues to this day. Jeff discovered to his great surprise that his stress nearly vanished as he got more present. He also saw that as he let go of his need to be the smartest person in the room, the people he led somehow became more responsive and capable! As he continued to work on his own development, he dedicated himself to learning to teach others the leadership skills that he had considered innate (and at one point, beyond him). His Creating Extraordinary Futures process is the culmination of his learning thus far. Jeff has worked personally with internationally known spiritual teachers and coaches such as Peter Fenner, Jack Pransky, Rich Litvin, and Doug Silsbee. He is a Certified Presence-BasedTM Coach and has been awarded ACC certification with the International Coach Federation. After 13 years in Chicago and almost two decades in Washington, DC, Jeff now lives near Aspen, CO, with his wife and family. Connect with Jeff and Other Resources: Jeff Munn Online Jeff on LinkedIn Understand Your Builder Profile Connect with Laura to Understand Your Builder Profile! The Art of the Brick – Nathan Sawaya

Shannon Pickering is a warrior, a bright light in the world, a wise woman, and gifted coach in numerous areas. Laura and Shannon met when they were both in DC for a week, earning their Gallup Strengths Coaching Certifications several years ago. Since then, Shannon's life has been a bit of a roller coaster ride, and the two women dive deeply into what happened, how it happened, and how we all might learn something from Shannon's story and not have to experience the same things.    Shannon began her professional life as a Psychologist, which was great in some ways and destructive in others. Feeling lost and longing for something she couldn't quite define, she shifted into corporate life, ending up in sales. Each of these roles and experiences fed some things, filled some needs, and cut off others.    "My mind, body, and spirit just got sicker and sicker, and yet I continued to ignore the signs," she explains. "Even after I was diagnosed with several autoimmune diseases, I ignored it and denied it." Until one day, Shannon was leading a full-day workshop and some of the participants expressed concern as they thought she looked unwell. She denied it, eventually collapsed, and was transported to the Emergency Department in an ambulance!   "I wish I'd listened sooner," she said. "I very nearly died before I was willing to listen…"    Laura explains the idea that our bodies, minds, and spirits are always whispering to us, guiding us, expressing needs and concerns… and if we don't tune in, don't listen, don't heed what we are hearing, we will eventually get walloped with the proverbial 2x4 upside the head!    What Shannon experienced is not uncommon. Our inner talents and unique gifts long to be expressed in the world, allowing us to add value and be of service. When we don't find healthy outlets in which to contribute, we shut ourselves down and a destructive cycle begins… which eventually plays out in very real mental, physical, and spiritual illness.    Gallup training was the catalytic experience for Shannon; she finally found a place where her passion and talent collided: She could step into her giftedness, serve at a high level, and move forward with greater clarity about her life and work.    And then she experienced some very real and significant resistance: Systemic Lupus – attacking her entire body, including her DNA! At 43 years old, she received what is commonly a death sentence, but she was determined to fight. Learning everything she could about how to heal and nurture her body, her being… she re-emerged and began building a thriving coaching practice. Only to be walloped again with a cancer diagnosis – Stage 3!    Laura notes that it's consistent with doing powerful work in the world; the closer we get to expressing that thing we are called to bring forward, the more resistance we experience. Its explained in Steven Pressfield's The War of Art.    The conversation shifts somewhat to more depth into the natural hard-wired strengths both women work to uncover, define, and bring to life in their clients. Shannon expresses the idea that the thing we are criticized the most for, is likely the thing we are meant to share with the world.    To hear their deeper insights and encouragement for how you can show up more fully and authentically in your life, listen in and then check out these links:    Shannon on Facebook and Instagram @AutoimmuneFoodie Shannon's Website  Online health and wellbeing classes for women The War of Art The Freak Factor Laura's Strengths Coaching    Shannon's Bio   My life has truly been a journey. I am hard-wired for achievement and for many years I worshiped at that alter. I reached every goal I set my sights on attaining, achieving great success in both the clinical and corporate worlds. On the clinical side, I have been a practicing psychologist and career counselor, and I taught psychology at a university. While this was a fulfilling career in many ways, it wasn't satisfying enough in terms of achievement. So, I jumped into corporate life and for the next 15 years, I held roles in sales, national training, and management for a Global Fortune 500 company. While my inner Achiever was being fed, my inner Empath was suffering.    And what no one knew was that I had been suffering with very serious illness for 30 years. You see, by the time I was 44, I had been diagnosed with 7 autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus. I had endured many surgeries, hospitalizations, and procedures, and I had too many doctors and prescriptions to count. My defining characteristic is perseverance: My motto has always been "obstacles fear me." I prided myself on pushing through any adversity. So, I just kept pushing my way through illness after illness, living in fear of anyone finding out that I had a weakness in the form of health issues.    What I discovered the hard way is that if you don't take care of your mind and body and soul, your body will shut you down for maintenance. And by 2014, my body was trying to shut me down permanently. Lupus was attacking my GI tract, my heart and lungs, even my DNA (which is terrifying because you can't get a DNA transplant). I was completely disabled, I had to retire from corporate life, and I was convinced I would die soon. I was told I needed to start taking chemo and steroids for the rest of life and I needed to accept the relentless progression that lupus was going to make through my body.    And do you know what happened next? I said, "To heck with that!" If there was a way out of the inevitable, I was going to find it. So started the next chapter of my life: I spent the next 5 years studying mind-body-spirit wellness and I successfully clawed my life back from the abyss. After 4 years of healing, I was ready to begin a new career. Which is when I was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. And the rug was once again yanked out from under me.   But I accepted the challenge and I am happy to say that as of the end of 2019, I am free of both cancer and autoimmune disease. I don't even have autoimmune antibodies, which is truly a miracle. And what I treasure today is very different than what I treasured in the past. I am truly grateful for my journey. Facing death has allowed me to truly blossom and release my gifts to the world. During my illness, I obtained several life and health coaching certifications and I am now in my third and final career as a Performance & Wellbeing Coach, the magical career where my strengths and passion collide.    My mission is to help people reach greater levels of performance and wellness in their critical work and life roles through improved self-regulation, interdependent communication, and radical heath restoration. My passions include helping people unleash their authenticity, transform suffering into purpose, and achieve true mind-body-spirit wellness so they can release their unique God-given genius into the world. My journey has taught me that having mental, physical, or spiritual illness will prevent you from becoming who you were created to be.    I have learned there is something of a blindness in our society to the rich variety of human talents. I meet people every day who believe they have no special abilities or genius talents. Well, I am here to tell you, definitively, that you are unique among all people who have ever lived or ever will live. You have genius talents that are both easy to use and obvious to see if you only know where to look. You are, indeed, a very special snowflake. My passion and purpose is to help people achieve holistic wellness so they are free to pursue their passion and their purpose - because the world craves each of our unique contributions.

"You can't do that." "You have to do it this way!" "You can't be good at all of that, you have to choose just one…"    While he doesn't come out and say it that explicitly, these are all messages Christian Del Rosario likely heard – and, thankfully, ignored – on the way to developing the artistry he creates with his cameras. You see, Christian is one of those rare photographers who is able to apply his unique vision and ability to capture the true essence of his subject – be that a person, animal, object, landscape, or structure – and share it with others in the resultant photo.   Truly, he is an artist. And his joy and gratitude for being able to combine his three major passions into his life's work is evident in his smile, his voice, and the energy he exudes, whether in person or on a podcast recording line.    Today, Laura invites Christian to tell the story of how he showed up, said "yes" to opportunity, and created his dream life – traveling the world, working with interesting and fun people, taking breathtaking photographs, and spending time with and supporting animals along the way.    Like many other entrepreneurs – and especially in the artist's arena – Christian didn't fully grasp the value of what he creates, early on in his work. He often shared his expertise for free, because it came so easily to him and he simply loved to get to do it. He also was wise to continue upgrading his skills, expertise, and tools, so he was able to continually upgrade his offer to those who saw the value he created through his lens.    "I try to interpret the view… to see the shot and understand the experience someone else will have when they see the photos I produce," explained Christian, when Laura asked him to share what he sees and feels as he frames a shot. And if you've ever seen his photos, you know he's truly gifted at it; his intent is evident in his results.    While he's been working as a professional photographer for 11 years, it was only a few years ago when he really gathered his thoughts, got strategic, and focused more clearly on how to continue building the life he desires and that allows him to feed and support his three passions.   To-date, he's experienced 75 countries around the world doing work for a variety of individuals and organizations, including the national travel bureaus in several countries, the United Nations World Tourism Assembly, and other organizations near and far. In fact, just after finishing recording this episode, he was headed for the airport and jetting off to Dallas, Madrid, and London for work (play?!).    Listen in on today's conversation, and you'll be intrigued to take a look at life through Christian's lens:    Instagram at thechristiandelrosario.com Facebook at Christian Del Rosario and Christian Del Rosario Photography Websites Christian Del Rosario / Attreo Studio Galleries and African Safari 2020   Christian's Bio   Christian combines his passion for photography with his love for travel, animals, and inspiring people. In 2008, Christian decided to follow his passion and make a career shift from the corporate world into professional photography as a full-time career. What started as a pastime has progressed into a very successful business serving clients of industry sectors.    Christian has had the distinct honor to work with the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Tourism Boards of several countries, well known restaurants, coffee companies, magazines, top self-development companies, charitable organizations, and of course -- all his friends who have pets.    When he's not writing about himself in the third person or not carrying a camera, Christian likes to go walking with his three dogs, growing Japanese maples in his backyard, and advocating for animals.    He's most proud of his experience in learning many different cultures and loves to encourage people to travel through his photographs. He lives in California and wants to have an animal rescue farm one day.

Leading others isn't easy, nor is it always a comfortable experience, hence not for the faint of heart. In today's episode, podcast host, Laura Prisc, shares some insights about and one example of when a leader actively – but most likely unintentionally – undermines his or her position, perhaps because their insecurities have gotten the better of them.   Laura's Bio  If you're not already familiar with her and are curious about who Laura is, what she believes, and what she feels called to create in the world, take a few minutes to peruse her website, read her blog, and listen to the other podcast episodes posted there. www.lauraprisc.com  You can also find her here:  Schedule a complimentary consultation  Laura by email  Request a copy of her book – Are Your Leaders Wide Awake?  LinkedIn  On Facebook 

Over the course of his adulthood, Dave Dean has owned, built, been involved with, bought, sold, or closed 37 businesses; ~11 of them are still in his care today. It all started when as a young man, Dave bought the company his dad started but lost through receivership when it failed. He 'arrogantly' (by his own measure!) thought he could do it better. The experience was the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of learning, exploring, discovering, building, and releasing numerous businesses.    Fueled by his strengths (Laura is certain he has Input, Learner, Futuristic, Strategic, Connectedness, and Relator in his top 10!), he thinks of himself as a "business butterfly," preferring the idea of being a 'business explorer – builder' to the term 'entrepreneur.' When he becomes intrigued by an idea, he dives in and becomes immersed until his curiosity is satisfied. Often, what that means is his giftedness is in seeing opportunity, crafting a vision, designing the big picture concept of how something can be, and then handing off the daily operations and detail work to someone more interested and gifted in handling those aspects of the process.    He says he was blessed when he met the man who would become an invaluable business partner while dropping off and picking up his young twin sons at school 20+ years ago! Darren's skills and interests complement Dave's nicely and together they are supremely more productive and effective.    It's a perspective and process they share with clients in the Mastermind groups they facilitate, teaching other business owners how to think bigger, explore new ideas, expand their reach, and build satisfying work. Having experienced mentors has been another key to Dave's success over the years; one has to be aware of those who are achieving the success you desire and be willing to learn from their experience, adapting it to your own needs and situations along the way.    Today's conversation covers a broad range of ideas and topics associated with business including using style and strengths assessments (DiSC, StrengthsFinder, Gallup Builder Profile) within your team, the difference between having a business idea and actually being able to bring it to life (understanding the strengths of the team you need to bring along with you), and how to create real freedom in your life.    Nearing the end, Dave shares a story of a current endeavor – working closely with an artisanal chocolatier who is brilliant within his craft, but not as aware of or skilled with the numerous daily tasks and responsibilities of running a growing business.    When I asked Dave for his Bio, here's what he shared with me… "What the hell have you done?" my wife was a little suspicious as I handed her the bunch of flowers...   As it turns out her suspicions were correct, I'd just quit my job as a systems analyst and borrowed £13,000 to buy my father's failed print finishing business from the liquidators. If I'm honest, that may well have been the first nail in the coffin of my first marriage.   That was the start of my entrepreneurial journey, now fast forward to today...   As a visionary and strategist, I enjoy starting and working with others to start new ventures from the ground up and then handing them over to my management teams to run day-to-day because they're usually better than me at doing that!   I've started, developed and grown over 30 small businesses in many different sectors! Fact is, I love doing what I do and was once described as a "serial entrepreneur"... though I'm not sure whether that was a compliment or not?   One of my mentors, John Maxwell, says "Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn!"   Well, that's certainly been the case for me. I've had several failures in business - some of them catastrophic, but every one of them provided valuable lessons and helped me grow and develop. This development led me to realize I had experiences valuable to others in similar situations, but I didn't know how I could help them.   The solution presented itself in 2011, when I joined LEAD Wales and experienced coaching for the first time. My coaching journey progressed and led to my earning ICF accreditation then Certification by the US-based, John Maxwell Team.   The result: My team and I have launched an exclusive co-working space and business club for entrepreneurs who want to develop themselves so they can, in turn, develop their staff and their businesses.   Come visit us in Llantrisant (UK) and see what all the fuss is about - contact me to arrange a visit.    Resources discussed and connect with Dave here:    Dave on Facebook Dave on LinkedIn 729 Renegades Mastermind Groups Priority VA Culture Wins

We don't always know whom we are meant to be when we are young, but if we are observant, there are clues everywhere. For Libby Scheele, they were obvious in her fascination with color and texture and a variety of materials that could be used in artistic endeavors. When she didn't have 'real' art supplies, she expressed her creativity by arranging rocks and sticks.    Today, her work is much more sophisticated, as are her tools… even though they are the basics of an artist: high quality pigmented paints, good paper, sharp pencils, brushes, and permission to take the time required to allow the vision in her mind to emerge.    Libby studied art at university, but then was married and had three small children at home; there wasn't time or space for art. But then she was introduced to the concept of an 'artist's date' by a friend who further encouraged her to carve out some space in her home that was just for her. She did; it was in the furnace room! Not ideal, but it worked… and today she has a more spacious studio room in the home she shares with husband, Paul.    In today's episode, Laura and Libby have an animated and sometimes emotional conversation about how their inner artists called to them, spoke to them, and finally drew them out into the act of creation, even though in the beginning you sometimes have to 'do it afraid.' It was also one of the things that drew them to each other at their first meeting. Libby describes it as a "spark when you're in space with another artist."    Libby shares the story of wanting to create art so badly that she called an artist and asked for a job as her assistant even though she had no experience, no portfolio… just an undeniable desire to learn and a willingness to do whatever it took to move forward.    You'll want to listen in as she shares stories of pivotal moments in her growth and awakening as an artist, of the investments she continues to make in working with artists further along the path who are doing work she admires and longs to do herself, and of how important it's been to find her own creative style, rhythm, and arena.    While Libby would feel compelled to sketch and paint regardless, she is currently driven by an altruistic impulse to create a body of work for her collectors that will, in turn, help to pay off the medical bills of a family member.    If you're interested in learning more about Libby and the things she and Laura discussed today, check out these links:    [email protected] The Artist's Way  Jeffrey Hurinenko – Old Master Techniques Joe Paquet – Plein Air Landscape Painter   Libby's Bio   By age 5, it was obvious that Libby was fascinated with color and the world around her.  Her parents would often find her sitting outside, patiently watching the sunset, exclaiming that "indigo was the next color."    A retired art teacher, Neola Johnson, became her first mentor at age 8. Neola would ask her questions such as "what is beauty?" and "what is art?" These questions became the start of a passionate search for answers, which of course always led to more questions.     Libby attended the University of Minnesota, majoring in Art Education. She spent many years sharing her love of art with children in schools and summer camps. In 1995, she began a career as a mural painter having been trained by muralist Tricia Farrell. It was a joy to bring her client's artistic dreams and wishes to life.   In 2007, she continued her fine art studies at the Hurinenko & Paquet Studio, learning Old Master portrait painting and plein air painting.      Libby is a member of the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota and the Minnesota Figure Study Collaborative.  

Do you ever wonder why you or someone you know does the things that they do? In this episode, Maureen Craig Mcintosh explains how all behavior is purposeful. It's our best attempt to satisfy one of our five basic needs. Hear as she describes what those needs are, the choices we make to fulfill those needs, and what it means to be demonstrating or receiving caring habits or deadly habits.  Maureen shares examples of the deadly habits, and explains how they are used to control someone else to get what you want, instead of controlling your own actions. She also speaks about 'first date' behavior; putting your best self forward to get what you want, until it is too hard to continually maintain.  Laura speaks to the thought that love and kindness are behaviors that we choose – and it seems that they are now principles that businesses need to teach. She mentions a book called Love Does, and describes how love is an action. The author, Bob Goff, followed up with another book called Everybody Always, which shares the idea that we should always love everyone even when it's difficult.  Listen as they discuss how all actions are a means to an end, but certain behaviors and habits bring more success than others. Laura and Maureen give examples from their own lives of needing to make a conscious change to the caring habits in order to become the person she wanted to be.  Scientifically, we learn how to externally control our environment at birth. And through life, we have to adapt our behaviors to get what we want. They discuss how we have to change our behaviors and adapt in order to be our most authentic selves.  Maureen dives into the toxic triangle, and describes the negative actions we should avoid. She and Laura also discuss relationships and how to properly navigate these difficult situations.  Hear how these concepts can be shared with today's youth to cultivate a happier society. Maureen and Laura speak again to the importance of shifting habits to create better, healthier reactions that help us succeed.  Choice implies responsibility. Listen as Maureen and Laura discuss emotions and actions, and how becoming more self-aware can allow us to take control of our lives and become more empowered.  Hear about our Five Basic Needs and how we should change how we go about achieving them as we go through life:  Survival Belonging/Love Power Fun Freedom  Maureen helps us clearly define Caring vs. Deadly Habits and provides examples of associated behaviors. She explains how we should display the Caring Habits, and how we should cope, even when people are displaying Deadly Habits. She helps listeners reframe their thinking: What am I getting when I act this way? How can I behave to get a more favorable outcome?  Caring Habits: Supporting Encouraging Loving Caring Negotiating Differences Respecting Trusting Accepting  Deadly Habits: Blaming Complaining Nagging Criticizing Threatening Punishing  Resources:  Monctonrealitytherapy.ca  Love Does  Everybody Alway  About Maureen:  Maureen is a former registered nurse with a 20+-year history of working with youth in the field of healthy sexuality, a licensed counseling specialist, certified professional coach, and Senior Faculty Member with the William Glasser International Association, not to mention a great friend of Laura for the past several years.      

Isn't it interesting that, often in our younger years, we feel as if we should be able to "Win the World in a Weekend!" Many of us get caught in the thinking that we have to really make a difference, make our lives count, and so we work, work work. Becoming workaholics, we disguise it as "passion," and neglect or take for granted the things and people who really matter most.  If we are fortunate, and paying attention, as we grow and experience new things, we come to understand there's more to life than the work we are doing. This is one of the personal stories Ed shares during this episode with Laura.  As a younger pastor, with a young and growing family, Ed had a sense that his family life was important, but more in the way of having responsibility for it rather than truly understanding it was intended to be a higher priority for his time and energy than his work in the church.  Laura asks him about a particular story he told in his book, One Small Barking Dog, about a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit while tending to his wife who was not feeling well. The experience was beyond his imagination at the time but turned out to create a significant shift in his perspective on his "work" and what he was called to do in the world.  Ed goes on to share several nuggets of wisdom he has gleaned along the journey, including these: Learning is like seeds; we need to nurture them and allow them to grow within us first, before passing along what we've learned. A few minutes of stillness and quiet would re-energize him after a long day at work and before engaging with his wife and children. God is everywhere all the time, and often his work is hidden; we don't get to see what's really going on in all things around us, but there is definitely more afoot than what we see.  As Laura and Ed near the end of a conversation filled with laughter, insight, and a few Bible verses, Ed shares this thought: "Everyone is in a battle. We have no idea what other people are going through, afraid of, challenged by, or working on… Simply be kind."  He and Laura both share stories of when an opportunity to be kind presented themselves in their respective lives and how they responded. It doesn't take much to change the course of someone's day if we are paying attention to what's happening around us and who we are with. And, in fact, those simple actions may actually change the course of someone's life for generations into the future!  Resources Mentioned: One Small Barking Dog  Other books by Ed Gungor  The Order of St. Anthony    About Ed: Ed Gungor is a veteran pastor who focuses on philosophy, church history and current trends. He became a follower of Christ as a teenager in the early 1970's and has been deeply involved in the spiritual formation of others for over forty years. Ed has a passion for authentic transformation; a phenomenon he feels is all too rare in today's church. As a kind of "church futurist," he is constantly aware of the changing needs of the next generation of Christians, the ones who haven't yet experienced spiritual formation. To effectively communicate the gospel to this group, he believes our notion of "destiny" in the American church needs to be re-imagined. Ed longs to see believers willing to abandon their Christianized versions of the self-important American Dream, embracing instead the miraculous, surprising, and contagious Christianity that comes when they see themselves as the servants of God who find their home with Messiah and his people, as they participate in the mission of God (missio Dei). Ed is known for his down-to-earth, engaging communication style. With transparency and his own unique brand of wry humor, he cuts through the usual "church-speak", gleefully slaughtering any sacred cows that distort the true message of Christ. He is the author of several books, including: Religiously Transmitted Diseases: Finding A Cure When Faith Doesn't Feel Right; The Vow: An Ancient Path Of Spiritual Formation That Still Transforms Today; the New York Times bestseller, There is More to the Secret; and One Small Barking Dog. Ed and his wife Gail have been married forty-two years. They have four children, eight grandchildren and live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ed currently serves as the Bishop of the Diocese of St. Anthony (dicoceseofstanthony.com).  

Leading others can be described and defined in a variety of ways. In today's episode, podcast host, Laura Prisc, shares her thoughts on what it means to lead and shines a light on one of the most prevalent mistakes organizations make when promoting or hiring someone into a leadership position – especially if it's that person's first time becoming responsible for the people on their team.   Laura's Bio  If you're not already familiar with her and are curious about who Laura is, what she believes, and what she feels called to create in the world, take a few minutes to peruse her website, read her blog, and listen to the other podcast episodes posted there. www.lauraprisc.com  You can also find her here:  Schedule a complimentary consultation  Laura by email  Request a copy of her book – Are Your Leaders Wide Awake?  LinkedIn  On Facebook

If you're in business, especially a smaller business, you are likely always in pursuit of new prospects and effective methods for connecting with and drawing them into your circle so you can offer your products and services. You've also likely discovered there are a variety of marketing methods to use, and the practitioners of each approach will enthusiastically assure you their approach is THE BEST!   The truth is every method has some merit and some will work better for you than others. The key is finding the right approach for you and your business, and the right practitioner or firm that is a good fit for you. Enter, Deb Monfette.   Deb worked in corporate for 2 decades, ranging from product development to customer service and along the way mastered her craft of discovering what matters to customers, honing her skill at discerning what they really needed, beyond the features and benefits most businesses focus on in their marketing efforts.   When she chose to start her own business, she focused her efforts on content marketing because she deeply understands some foundational principles embedded in the decision to buy. During this episode, she shares those principles with Laura, as well as the roadmap she uses with her clients.   Keeping the customer at the heart of the effort, she has created what she calls the Irresistible Content Code and it's built on the process of C-E-N-T-E-R-ing your efforts, stories, and materials in a way that will powerfully connect with prospects and draw them to you.   She also discusses the stages prospects go through when they are looking for resources to potentially meet a need or solve a problem. Understanding these stages and the principles behind the buying decision will help you discern what steps you need to take in your marketing process to grow.   Here are a few hints: Words matter! Stories are so powerful. Deciding who is the Hero of the story is crucial. Listen in and take advantage of Deb's experience. And, click the link below to access her Free Offer!   Deb's Bio:   Deb began her career in a startup at a tech company and worked in technology for over two decades in marketing, design, product development, and training directly with customers. She had to understand them, figure out new possibilities to guide them, earn their trust, and simply help them buy. But instead of digitally, LIVE.    After she left corporate, she became a content marketing writer and consultant working with small-to-large tech companies, soon experiencing one overwhelmed client after the next… Frustrated uncovering ideas, strapped for time without a roadmap, and finding it difficult to attract customers along the sales cycle with content.    So, by combining her content and customer experience, she designed an easy-to-use content framework with the customer at the heart or center. It's even more critical with the changes sparked by the pandemic.    She now empowers small to mid-sized, growing, B2B businesses to build relationships, trust, and influence digitally with content.      This framework doesn't rely on bright shiny objects, new trends, and tech. Instead, it allows businesses to get back to the basics and adapt to the changes going on around them in a virtual world. It's a real strategy for real people.    Her framework is called The Irresistible Content Code.  Connect with Deb and Resource:  Deb on LinkedIn:  Deb on Instagram   Get her Free Resource:   Free Lead Magnet – How to Inject Your Case Studies with Action Power       Uncover the 3+1 Formula and powerup your case studies using the Mighty Workbook 

In 2011, Valoria Walker's mother was nearing her end of life. While Valoria's sister was her primary caregiver, Valoria provided respite care when she could. There was a point when her mother's health was in serious decline and she was moved from the hospital to hospice. She had chosen to end her dialysis treatments and did not want to be on a ventilator.   Valoria was there with her. Within a couple of hours, her mother was started on powerful anti-anxiety meds and soon slipped into unconsciousness. Hospice staff explained that "sometimes, they don't awaken, again."   While her actually passing wasn't immediate, essentially, her mother was gone and Valoria and her sister would not have another chance to have those final, oh-so-important conversations with their mother. There was no closure. No goodbye. Valoria's brother missed the whole experience!   Not surprisingly, this was a powerful turning point for Valoria; one that would change her life and the course of her work. She began working on Advance Planning Directives, to help others in similar situations have a different experience, to help those who were anticipating their own passing to have a say in what would happen and how the process would progress.   Eventually, she found "Doula" training, jumped in, and formed her practice: Doula by Destiny! Her mission is to ensure others don't have the same kind of experience her family had.   Her time now is spent helping others plan for their transitions thoughtfully, so that the individual's wishes are known and honored. She gets to know and support whole families. She is able to have potentially uncomfortable conversations that loved ones may avoid.   She notes that while we seem to be getting better about talking about death – before it happens – there's still a lot of fear and discomfort associated with it. She wants to reframe how we think about, talk about, and experience it.   Listen in as Valoria and host, Laura Prisc, share experiences, insights, and resources that may help you have a different experience when the time comes.   Valoria's Bio:   Valoria Walker is an Advance Care Planning Trainer and End-of-Life Doula. She is the founder of her private practice called Doula by Destiny. As COVID-19 continued to spread, Valoria pivoted her business to serve patients and caregivers by providing companion calls and virtual meetings.   Valoria partners with organizations to promote the significance of advance care planning for medical emergencies and holistic care at the end of life. Serving as a speaking ambassador to bring awareness of The End-of-Life Doula Movement, her desire is for everyone to achieve comfort and peace at the end of life.   Her recent accomplishments include her interview, Parting Gift, published in the October edition of The Oprah Magazine. She is the reigning Grand Prize winner of the 2019 Boom Competition sponsored by AARP.   Her plans are to continue supporting individuals in various care settings to stay connected to her calling and the community. She sits as an Advisory Council Member, International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA), and End-of-Life Doula Advisory Council Member for NHPCO.  Valoria holds a Master's in Management of Aging Services. She believes receiving a degree is an accomplishment, but having compassion is a gift.   Connect with Valoria + Resources:  Oprah Magazine – Parting Gift  What is a Doula? Article  Let's Talk Aging Article  Human Composting? Article  Recompose Life – Composting Service  

In this first episode of 2021, host Laura Prisc, shares her reflections on and gratitude for 2020 and shares her hope for how 2021 can unfold if we're all in it together. She also invites you in to get connected, get acquainted. After all, if you're going to eavesdrop on her conversations, shouldn't she get to know who you are?! (wink wink!!) Laura's Bio If you're not already familiar with her and are curious about who Laura is, what she believes, and what she feels called to create in the world, take a few minutes to peruse her website, read her blog, and listen to the other podcast episodes posted there. www.lauraprisc.com You can also find her here: On Facebook LinkedIn Conscious Leadership Partners

One would think that wanting to offer solutions one's client actually needs – rather than what the business thinks they should have – is the way business works, but we all know that's not necessarily the case. So, when I stumbled across today's guest, Max Kabat, and heard about his approach to business, I had to hear more.  Max and his partner own and operate the goodDog agency, providing business strategy and support designed to help their clients get what they actually need, while being conscientious of their collective impact on people and planet. Their approach begins at the beginning – ensuring their clients are clear about the foundations of their business, what they are trying to create, and how to grow strategically based on where they are now.  It's not unusual these days for entrepreneurs to be involved in multiple business endeavors, and Max is one example of this. He and his wife, a documentarian and photojournalist, also own and operate The Sentinel, which is a multi-dimensional business, as well. The Sentinel produces two local newspapers, one in English and one in Spanish, covering the goings-on of the local Marfa, Texas, region, as well as providing the local perspective on stories from other areas – regional, national, and global.  The Sentinel is also an eclectic gathering place and boutique. They serve coffee, cocktails, taco's… and sell a variety of carefully curated items, including a custom blend of coffee they've developed in partnership with a small roaster from New Mexico.  This conversation spans many thoughts, from storytelling to business, from what it means to build real relationships to why a local news source is important, and from why socially conscious purpose-driven businesses matter to how we can intentionally create space for creativity, collaboration, and innovation.  Listen in as Max and Laura explore a lot of interesting themes and Max shares some really insightful data that will make you think differently about the news and business and the questions each of us should be asking…  Max's Bio Max Kabat is co-founder of goodDog, which helps category creating, conscious consumer brands break through plateaus by realigning the business around one core concept and growth consumer. They call themselves Brand Idea Finders & Growth Engineers. With his documentary filmmaker wife he co-owns The Big Bend Sentinel newspaper and The Sentinel gathering space in Marfa, TX. A real-time experiment into how to evolve the business model of local, independent journalism with the community.  Connect with Max:  goodDog   Max via email Coffee, Cocktails, and The News

Self-limiting beliefs are a universal phenomenon and something that holds too many of us back from fully living into our potential and creating and contributing at higher levels. Host, Laura Prisc, has been exploring the foundations of this challenge – and a variety of methods of releasing or transforming them – to help herself and her clients live fuller, richer, more meaningful lives.  When she first heard of Psych-K, it was while reading Dr. Bruce Lipton's Biology of Belief. Dr. Lipton explains that our beliefs are embedded in the cells of our bodies. If we are unaware of or unable to examine, change, or release them, we will be victim to our limited thinking about what we are capable of… and the world will be poorer for it. However, there are ways to make the exact shift we need to.  One of those ways is Psych-K, which Patti Lustig has been practicing personally and sharing with her clients for many years now to great effect. It's a facilitated process seeking first to discern where we are out of alignment, test what beliefs we hold strongly, and which are weak. Through a process of realignment, we can release those beliefs that don't serve us and emerge stronger, feeling more confident in ourselves and our abilities, which translates to higher levels of performance and achievement in whatever we choose to invest our time and energy in.  It's a fascinating concept and conversation. Listen in, take notes, then take Patti up on her offer of a complimentary session.  Patti's Bio Patti has coached 100's of individuals and business owners for the past 21 years. She has a degree in Special Education and Psychology, a master coaching certification, a time management certification, and is a trained Psych-K facilitator.  More importantly she has a remarkable life. She lives in her dream home in Florida, 5 miles from the beach with the love of her life, her poodle, Jasper, and her daughter - who lives 10 minutes away. Over her lifetime she has learned, grown, and transformed many times - and loves making a difference for others. However, 7 years ago and at the height of her business, she was diagnosed with a rare blood disease and told that she could bleed to death easily. She was shocked and unsure how to live her life going forward and spent 6 months depressed, while her business suffered. She didn't drive anywhere for fear she would have an accident. She didn't cook for fear she would cut myself. She kept herself very small and isolated, a victim of her circumstances. She wasn't even sure she wanted to go on. Then one day on Facebook, she read that Roger Ebert had died; he was a famous film critic who lost his ability to speak and move, yet he remained a functioning film critic for the rest of his life. It was that day, she said to herself, "If he can contribute in his state, I can get up and start living again!" She redesigned her business and has grown it steadily ever since. Now she has exceeded where she was 8 years ago and is loving every minute. Connect with Patti:  SageThink  Schedule a complimentary session  Patti via email Call Patti:  612-363-7605 Learn more about Psych-K Dr. Bruce Lipton 

Adam Jones was living in California and doing his dream work as an actor. He moved back to Pennsylvania to spend time with his aging grandmother and got active in creating and promoting events and festivals. During the 2016 election cycle, following a candidate event, he experienced a horrific and life-changing assault. As Adam shares his story, you'll have no doubt that our justice system failed in a way that will leave your mouth hanging open in total astonishment and confusion. To say it was a turning point for him is an understatement. While he's still on his own journey of recovery and living daily with the after-effects of a traumatic brain injury, Adam is not sitting around idly passing the time. He's now on a mission to create an active, real-time safety net for the rest of us, which also creates an inalterable evidence trail should something happen that would require police intervention or end up in a courtroom someday. I won't spoil the impact of hearing Adam's story directly from him by sharing more details. Listen in and I guarantee you, you'll be inspired to help him and his team bring Zeer to life! Adam's Bio Adam David Jones was an actor from NY and California before a man brutally attacked him and tried to rape his friend. A year later, the perpetrator was acquitted by a jury though he was caught immediately covered in Adam's blood and with Adam's money in his pocket.  Adam chose a different career path after his coma. He has dedicated his life to preventing this from happening to someone else. To do so he started a technology company whose mission is to create a world where strangers no longer have to fear one another, and we are all free to be ourselves; a world where the truth is indisputable and powerful people are held to the same standards as the rest of us. Resources and Connections: Zeersafe.com @ZeerSafe linkedin.com/in/adam-jones-zeer The noosphere Adam via email  

We've all heard of work-life balance, and it's the thing we are supposedly longing to attain. But given how one's typical day actually unfolds, is that even possible? And if it was, is it something we actually desire?  Listen in as host, Laura, dives into a different way of thinking with guest, Keith Campagna, who is on a mission to introduce the idea of Lifework Integration to others. "It's the free-flowing exchange of ideas and energy between life and work," he explains. Through his personal journey – from an often on-the-road sales guy, husband, and father of two boys, Keith found himself in a nearly 180° changed situation! His wife left him, he took on a new job that allowed him to be home with his boys and pay his bills… and found himself immersed in a deep examination of his life, work, and dreams.    With a background in music, he applied a basic truth about stress and creation to his study of how life, work, satisfaction, and creativity all come together. He explains that musical instruments have to be put under a certain degree of stress in order to actually produce the music that moves us.    The same principal can be at work in our lives, and in fact is more likely to produce a life we are actively engaged in, finding fulfillment, and feeling creatively alive. It doesn't just happen, however; there's a process involved, and Keith has the tools to help others through it.  Listen in as Keith and Laura explore life, work, creativity, the idea that COVID is an opportunity reframe everything, the concept of money as energy, what it means to be 'in flow,' and why we proclaim "Here there be dragons…" when we reach of point of turning back.  Keith's Bio As the Chief Sales Officer at The ROI Shop, Keith Campagna spends his time talking with Sales Executives, sales leaders, sales professionals, and sales enablers inside companies of all shapes and sizes. Since 2006, Keith has sold "software as a service" on behalf of globally recognized companies such as ADP and SAP Concur. Keith's primary focus is on growing the 8-year-old, ROI Shop.  At a time when "no-decision" is every sales organization's #1 competitor and selling "value" is most sales rep's #1 challenge, The ROI Shop's value calculators make it easy for sellers to have financial discussions with their buyer champions.   Keith keeps busy as a single father of two boys, 12 & 13, and he is also building out his passion project, called "Lifework Integration."  Lifework Integration is a progressive employee development program helping CEOs, Sales and HR leaders, as well as anyone else turn stress into a competitive advantage.  Resources and Connections:  Keith on LinkedIn  Keith online  Talk to Keith  The ROI Shop Learn from Napoleon Hill Learn from Dr. Joe Dispenza Learn from Dale Carnegie Learn from Deepak Chopra  Flow Flow Book  Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

For decades, companies large and small, near and far have been using behavioral-based interviewing processes when seeking to fill positions. The results have been great, good, and sometimes simply awful! Certainly, past behavior is a good indicator of future performance, but it doesn't answer the question of whether the candidate you're talking to is actually interested in or motivated to do the work you need done!  Destiny Quinn has been on the hiring end of this equation for many years – doing direct recruiting and working with teams tasked with interviewing and hiring to fill positions. Her insights into how poorly this process is handled most of the time are eye-opening and provide a clear path forward for how to do it better.  Because most companies don't invest in training internal interviewers how to interview well, and really get to the heart of what's needed for a particular role, and how to screen for it, interviewers are kind of "winging it." They want to do it well but aren't sure how.  In these cases, interviewers tend to ask easy questions and often make hiring decisions because the candidate seems a lot like them. That may seem like a good plan, but you will end up with a team – or organization – filled with people who share skills, approaches, and thought processes, when what would be more powerful is a team of people who share your values, fit in your culture, but have different skill sets and think different thoughts; this builds your ability to do critical thinking, problem solving, innovate, and create.  The bottom line to success: Hire people who are already highly motivated to do the work you need done. Ensure they have the resources and support to do the work. Then get out of their way! Destiny's Bio Destiny is a Talent Acquisition Leader offering strategic top talent acquisition processes, management and organizational development expertise; proven to create employee-oriented, high-performance cultures emphasizing goal attainment, diversity, productivity, and superior workforce optimization. She utilizes a process-oriented approach to improve various organizations in cross-cultural, rapid-growth environments and facilities with leading-edge staff training programs.Currently leading the Talent Acquisition department at PlanSource, a SaaS organization headquartered in Orlando, FL, Destiny provides situational coaching, managing all aspects of delivery to ensure individual and team goals align with broader HR and overall company strategies and goals. She is committed to delivering continuous improvement based on internal and external best practices, while adhering to standard processes and policies. In addition, working collaboratively with select hiring teams throughout the organization to fill key senior-level positions. In her downtime, Destiny loves to learn, be with family and friends, and is a huge NY Giants fan (which obviously makes her a bit sad these past few years)! Resources and Connections:  Destiny on LinkedIn  PlanSource on LinkedIn  Destiny by email  Motivational Based Interviewing Book – Carol Quinn 

 One might imagine significant differences in how people learn across different global cultures. That was the starting point for Laura's conversation with Daniela Sebova, who completed her doctoral work earlier this year having researched that very question. Interestingly, we share more similarities than we might think. Daniela set out to discover what it was in a learning experience that actually created a mental shift – a noticeable change in our mental models and mindsets – making the learning both meaningful and memorable. Her research was thorough, involving a global company with locations and employees in North America and Southeast Asia. She conducted interviews, observed training experiences, and tested theories. Along the way, she was reminded of how we have to get out of our comfort zones in order to learn and grow, willingness to be vulnerable requires a sense of psychological safety, and if we are willing to truly engage in meaningful conversations, we can shift our thinking and come together to connect and create something larger than ourselves. Listen in to discover what she learned and how you can apply it in your life and work. Daniela's Bio Daniela is the founder of Agilita Global, a leadership consulting company. Agilita Global provides leadership consulting and coaching services to help organizations and individuals assess, develop, and leverage their leadership capacity. AG's services are based on the concept of Functional Leadership Development™. Daniela developed the concept of Functional Leadership Development™ based on extensive research of the leadership construct, leadership development, and transformational learning. By applying a functional approach to leadership development, she helps her clients unlock the leadership capacity in themselves and in their organizations. Daniela holds BA in Political Science from Purdue University, MSc in International Banking and Financial Studies from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, and a Doctorate in Education in Organizational Leadership Studies from Northeastern University. Her doctoral research was focused on understanding the process and the outcomes of leadership development programs in global contexts. Originally from Slovakia, Daniela has lived, studied and worked internationally and considers herself to be a global citizen. She is passionate about building "bridges" between people in her personal and professional life, understanding that while we are all unique, at the core, we are much the same regardless of where we come from. Daniela loves to travel and explore new places, but one of her favorite places is her home country of Slovakia where all her family still lives. Connect with Daniela: Daniela on LinkedIn  Agilita Global Daniela on Facebook  By phone: (704) 942-5665 By email [email protected]

"Fundamentally, we are sense-makers… looking for patterns in what's going on… which we use to create our models of the world," Marc explains, as he and Laura jump into a conversation about the lenses we use to view and experience the world through.   We have two agents at play in our minds – one is the creative storyteller, and the other is the editor – that selects the stories that make the most sense. But it's important to understand that many of the lenses – values, beliefs, stories, ideas, thoughts – we use are biologically inherited and/or absorbed through our early childhood influences and experiences. We may not be consciously aware of the filtering those various lenses provide and what that means for how we move through our lives.   If we are willing to expose ourselves to others' lenses, perspectives, experiences, and stories, we may recognize two key truths: We have more in common with others than we imagine, and our experiences/lives will be much fuller, richer, healthier, and creative when we are open to including, listening to, and engaging with others who appear to be different than us.   The effectiveness of this approach is evident in work and at home, researched through team science studies, as well as in business operations. Marc shares an insightful – and somewhat frightening – story about some catastrophic events in the airline industry.   The bottom line: There's value in bringing different perspectives to the table, whether that's in someone's home or in a boardroom. Each of us has something of value to contribute and there's power in sharing the cognitive burdens of life and work with others.   Listen in for deeper insight into the greatest waste on the planet, why psychological safety is crucial, what Agile processes are and how they are used in business, and how to build learning into the foundations of whatever projects we might initiate.   Marc's Bio  Marc says: "I'm a native Californian, who like many in the history of our state has been lucky enough to find new and interesting ways in which what I find interesting has turned out to be what some folks find useful. That's how our state has reinvented itself so often.  I'm currently leading groups that do what is called "agile transformations" in organizations - which, to me is simply a way to put people and common sense front and center. I'm exploring ways of making procedural change in organizations tie to behavioral, and, ultimately, mindset change.  For me, the most I've learned about dealing with people has come from raising my sons. They've taught me patience, empathy, and how to decide that if no one is bleeding, it's not really a crisis."    Connect with Marc and other resources:   Marc on LinkedIn    Sociocracy  Embracing Agile Article 

We are Spiritual beings having a physical experience!    If you're like host, Laura Prisc, you've wondered, and maybe even asked, what your purpose is in being here – on the planet, living this life. Much of Laura's life has been lived in search of the answers to those and other big questions. So, it's no surprise that when she and guest, Jennifer Urezzio, met, they hit it off and jumped right into this conversation.    When Jennifer began asking those questions, she received deep insight into her work, which is helping others tune into themselves, recognize their personal Soul Language, and use that knowing to frame how they show up in their lives and work.    "This makes Soul tangible, in yourself and in your business," she explains. "It allows us to put words to that thing we know deep within…" it's what's true about and within us… and it's speaking to each of us all day, every day, if only we'd tune in and listen!   Soul Language helps us understand our mission in life – what we'll be known for here, and our 'soulful personality,' how we show up and use our unique gifts with others.    As Jennifer aligned more and more with her inner voice, what she calls Divine Voice, she was able to clearly articulate the concepts of Soul Language and how it works in life and in business. She went on to (literally) write the book and develop a program to expand this knowing and way of living with others. Today, there are a number of certified Soul Language practitioners helping others connect more deeply with themselves.  One way to do this is to create a daily sacred practice that works… When we feel separate from our higher power, that separation shows up in our lives as lack, pain, and suffering. Participating in a daily sacred practice that fits who you are will allow you to create in a more powerful way, feel more at peace, and know that you are safe no matter what challenge may appear in your experience. As a spiritual renegade, your sacred practice needs to be flexible. This conversation will have you asking some of those big questions, if you aren't already engaged in that exploration. And if you're ready to discover and align with your Soul Language, Jennifer is ready to help!    Jennifer's Bio Jennifer Urezzio is the founder of Soul Language – a paradigm that puts tangibility to Soul so a conscious connection can be established to enable crystal clear decisions for success. Jennifer is also a master intuitive and the author of two best-selling books. Currently, she has trained over 30 practitioners worldwide in Soul Language. At this time there are over 5,000 individuals all over the world connecting to their Soul Languages.   Jennifer has worked with and supported hundreds of successful, highly creative individuals with resolving blocks in their creative process so that new opportunities can be received and created.   Her clients consistently relate how Jennifer provides an environment where they feel safe to open up and be vulnerable. She helps them regain their strength and express their big purpose and mission. Jennifer has even been described as "liquid nitrogen" because she has the ability to see the core of possibilities within each individual's energy field. She is a master at asking the soul-searching questions that allow individuals to understand and perceive new pathways of success and greatness in their lives.   In just one session, clients report that new possibilities open up for them which allows them to express their creativity, stardom, and greatness in whole new ways to the world. Many of Jennifer's client reviews can be found at: https://bit.ly/2Ec2MOd.    Connect with Jennifer:  https://www.facebook.com/jenniferurezzio https://www.facebook.com/SoulLanguage/ https://www.instagram.com/soullanguagefounder/ https://twitter.com/SoulLanguage https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferurezzio/ http://www.youtube.com/c/JenniferUrezzio www.soullanguage.us By Phone: 862-368-5877   FREE GIFT: https://www.soullanguage.us/sacredpractice/

Paul Scheele is on a mission to unleash your personal genius, to reintroduce you to your natural brilliance. He does that work through a multitude of vehicles – live and digital programs, the written word, in small groups and one-on-one.    One of his tools is called a Paraliminal. Literally, that means Para = Beyond and Liminal = threshold of your conscious and nonconscious mind (nonconscious = everything beyond our conscious awareness). Paraliminals are digital recordings that allow listeners to reconnect with the internal resources and knowing that will allow us to be, do, and have more of what we long for in our lives.    Host, Laura Prisc, has been using a library of Paraliminals for several years as part of her personal growth, vision casting, and goal achieving efforts. Based on the power they've held for her, she wanted to share them with you.    If you've never listened to one, it's a unique experience, indeed. Each recording focuses on a specific topic, like weight loss or memory or creativity. There are two voices – each one speaking (separately, and in an intriguing way, together) to the left and right hemispheres of your brain.    Paul shares his process for developing and recording them, and introduces a new tool he's developed, which is in its "soft launch phase" at the time of recording. The JoySpring App is designed to create a habit of betterment for users, through several brief interventions throughout the day.    JoySpring combines mindfulness, meditation, hydration, and tapping to effect shifts in emotion; in addition, there are several short "sleep induction" tracks that allow you to shift from the busyness of your day into a sound and restful sleep state.    This is truly a Masterclass in how your mind works; have a pen and notebook handy, so you don't miss any of the wisdom shared.     Paul's Bio Paul R. Scheele, Ph.D., is the CEO of Scheele Learning Systems, a company dedicated to helping leaders create more brilliant results through transformative learning. His expertise in human development, leadership, and transformational change has influenced leaders around the world for more than 35 years.    Dr. Scheele's programs in accelerated learning, problem solving, creativity, communications, and leadership development have been used by individuals and organizations worldwide. He is the author of the bestselling books, PhotoReading, Natural Brilliance, and Drop into Genius.   Dr. Scheele is also the founding partner of Learning Strategies Corporation, a premier publisher of personal development programs. His published work includes over 70 learning programs that have been translated into more than 19 languages and purchased by enthusiastic clients in 185 countries.    Connect with Paul:   Scheele Learning  Find Paraliminals Paul's Programs JoySpring App Learning Strategies

 As we grow in our careers and expertise, we develop certain behavioral patterns and routines and come to rely on certain skills we've invested a lot in developing because they've served us well -- in a number of situations over a number of years... and then one day, not only do they not only NOT work, they've actually become destructive!    Making it worse is our inability to recognize what it is that's causing us to stumble. We often make assumptions about how others are experiencing us or what they know about who we are and what we're capable of. What if our assumptions are wrong?    Knowing that we "can't see the picture when we're in the frame," we need some way to discover what's really going on and how we can make adjustments that will get us back on track.    In today's episode, host, Laura Prisc, walks through the 20 behaviors that consistently get us stuck in our career growth, as defined by Executive Coach, Business Leader, and Author, Marshall Goldsmith, and discussed in his best-selling book, What Got You Here Won't Get You There.    Laura also offers insight into some of the behaviors that threatened to get her stuck along her career path. Get ready to take notes… This episode will be eye-opening, for sure. 

Today's episode is a reading of this previously published article, by the author and your host, Laura Prisc. Following is the text, although Laura may have strayed from it a time or two in the recording! Leave a comment and let her know what you think… Sticks and stones may break my bones, but the long-term impact of that is likely far less significant than that from the words we use against each other! Yes, I've taken some liberties with that old childhood chant, devised by some well-meaning adult, no doubt, and implanted in the minds of countless children across the globe as a talisman against hurt, pain, and suffering.

I LOVE books; they make me feel rich! So, you can imagine my joy at getting to spend time in conversation with someone who shares my love of books! Like so many arts and crafts, bookbinding, restoration, and conversation is a dying art. Fortunately, there's Heather Rudolph. Formerly a middle school art teacher, Heather learned bookbinding because she wanted to teach her students how to craft their own sketchbooks and journals. That effort led to a newspaper story on her unique approach and lesson plan. The article sparked a phone call from a retiring bookbinder – restorer who wanted to pass on her supplies and expertise, as she was retiring. Heather jumped at the chance; her first lesson in the binding process was powerful enough that she knew she wanted to know more. The retiring pro also passed along her client base… and Heather's new profession was off to the races, as they say, even if she didn't fully appreciate what was unfolding. Wanting to learn more and deepen her expertise, she took another, longer class the understand more about restoration and conservation. "It's much more than just taping torn pages, or regluing covers," she explains – in case you were wondering! Another newspaper article was written, picked up by the AP, and splashed across newspapers around the US. New clients started calling, bigger projects came along… and eventually, Heather's newfound passion became her full-time job! She now lives and works in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, who is picking up the trade. "He's a restorer, as well," she explained. Although, his first love was old motorcycles. There's so much involved in real restoration and conservation; and so much more at risk. Many of her clients are bringing her treasured family heirlooms, books with deep sentimental value that have been passed through several generations and need a lot of meticulous and gentle work. She's a detective, researcher, historian, artist, caretaker, teacher, and so much more… Listen in and see what you learn from Heather. Heather's Bio Heather Rudolph has a Bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture and a Master's in Art Education. She taught visual arts for 15 years, including two years abroad in Thailand, teaching elementary art at a private American school. During her period as a teacher she started taking classes on bookbinding to share with her students. Shortly thereafter, she was introduced to retired bookbinder, Julie Schleier. Their relationship developed into a mentorship, educating Heather on the many aspects of book conservation and restoration. Heather opened her West Virginia business A Stitch in Time Bookbindery in 2018, and just recently opened Armaria Bookbindery with her husband, Robert Rudolph, in Columbus, Ohio. The ancient trade of bookbinding is a dying art. Not only does Heather protect the history of books but she is preserving the lost art of bookbinding. She believes it is important to remove the automatic methods of machine and go back to using one's hands. Manufactured products lose the human touch, creativity, and quality. They are artificially mass-produced, lacking in originality. Heather and Robert want to produce unique handmade work with superior quality.  "I discovered a new passion and craft in bookbinding. My appreciation for the process to build a book by hand forces me to slow down, be present, and focus. Each book comes with a personal story. I always enjoy hearing the history of the person's book and sentiment it has to them." Connect with Heather: A Stitch In Time Bookbindery – West Virginia Armaria Bookbindery On Facebook By Phone: 304.916.8008

Alyse Snyder is one of those people we hear about who knew from a very young age what she wanted to do when she grew up; she felt called to healing, medicine, and helping others. This was, at least in part, because of her walking through her mother's experience of having a back injury when she was young, and the journey they went on in search of treatment options beyond surgery. Along the way, they discovered Acupuncture, which provided amazing outcomes – both emotionally and physically – for her mom, and sparked Alyse's curiosity about Chinese Medicine. Upon entering college, she finished her Bachelor's in two years, her Master's in four, and went straight into training for her Doctorate in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. She explained to Laura how we are energetic bodies and when we have physical and/or emotional traumas, there is residue from the experience embedded in our cells, which eventually present as illness in some form. Functional Medicine is a more holistic approach to treatment, as it takes into account the body as a whole, and practitioners map treatment plans based on that holistic approach with a focus on getting the body's systems back into homeostasis or healthy stability. As all things evolve over time, today her practice is centered on what's officially called Advance Allergy Therapeutics (AAT), or what she says is really more closely defined as "Sensitivities," as an individual may experience a sensitivity to a specific substance, but not actually be "allergic" as it's strictly defined. AAT is a non-invasive, precision-based practice incorporating acupressure, muscle testing, and kinesiology. Using a specially designed USB arm-cuff, she is able to test for sensitivities that don't necessarily show up in bloodwork. The treatment protocol using a tapping process that repatterns the body's electrical signals, rather than relying on pills, shots, or supplements. Essentially, it's very individualized diagnosis and treatment. It's a fascinating conversation, that just skims the surface of Dr. Snyder's expertise and experience. It will leave you wanting to know more. Dr. Snyder's Bio Dr. Alyse Snyder is a licensed acupuncturist in the states of Texas and California with more than a decade of wellness experience.  She is a board-certified Diplomate of Oriental Medicine, the highest designation given by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).  Alyse's practice includes Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT), acupuncture, neurotransmitter testing, targeted nutritional therapy, and sound healing.  She completed her doctorate in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and is obtaining her certification in functional medicine from the Institute of Functional Medicine. Alyse received her undergraduate education in North Carolina where she studied Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Eastern Studies, and Chinese Language. Using this strong science and eastern education, she went on to earn a Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (MTOM) at the prestigious Emperor's College in Santa Monica, California, and graduated in 2005 with Magna Cum Laude honors. During her clinical internships at University of California at Los Angeles and the Venice Family Clinic, Alyse treated both children and adults struggling with mental health issues. Alyse studied under world-renowned expert and practitioner of Chinese Medicine, Giovanni Macciocia, and began to specialize in treating psycho-emotional disorders such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, and attention disorders. Her passion for working with these disorders and love for treating children naturally led to helping children diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety issues. She advanced her training with the addition of Acutonics, a treatment that utilizes sound vibration for healing and offers Acutonics treatments in conjunction with her acupuncture sessions. She has adopted a style that incorporates Japanese acupuncture techniques: gentle insertion and very thin needles that allow for practically pain-free treatments. In 2012, Alyse moved to Austin, Texas. During her first two years in the state capital, she suffered from debilitating respiratory allergies. Her search for relief ultimately led her to Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT). AAT uses muscle testing to see what items might be causing stress to the body. After 8 non-invasive, individualized sessions, her allergies dissipated and she was able to resume a normal life, free of the flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and fatigue that she had experienced for two years. So compelled by the success of the treatment, in 2015, Alyse incorporated it into her own practice and became the second AAT practitioner in Austin. She is ecstatic to offer her patients and all allergy sufferers with this unique therapy that provides rapid, long term results without the use of drops, shots, needles, or supplements. Alyse is a highly intuitive and heart-centered wellness advocate who believes in the power of energy, intuition, and self-healing. When not in the clinic, Alyse enjoys traveling, writing, yoga, seeing music. and being outdoors with her children. Connect with Dr. Snyder: Dr. Alyse Snyder Online On Instagram 

"We walk through life together with people who've been dealt a difficult hand," explained Dan Fowler. It was such a simple thing, so humbly stated, it stopped podcast host, Laura, in her tracks! This simple sentence personifies who Dan Fowler is, how he thinks about and cares for people, and how and why he's building his business, Reunion Shoes, in New Orleans. Reunion Shoes happens to make and decorate (for lack of a better description of the artwork his team sends into the world) simple canvas sneakers. That's the outer expression of what's going on. Inside, however, lives are changing. Dan is working under the umbrella of the Restoration Initiative, a non-profit incubator, providing space and support for small businesses committed to creating social good before other, more common business goals. Specifically, he's working to support people who don't live in traditional housing, who need access to certain kinds of support services (drug and alcohol rehab, counseling, medical care, and faith support, just to name a few). The idea is to meet the needs of people – as they define them, rather than having services pushed upon them – and support them as they create the life they desire, learning to become self-sufficient, building dignity and respect along the way, and contributing to their communities in new ways. It's a deep and heartfelt conversation that touches on the ideas of asking, "How can I help?" as opposed to assuming we already know what's best for someone else. It's about taking baby steps that grow into considerable waves of change in a neighborhood or community. And it's the personification of creating something with a great deal of consideration and intention. If you thought your ideas were too insignificant to make a difference, I dare you to eavesdrop on this episode and walk away with that thought unchanged! Dan's Bio Dan Fowler is the founder and director of Reunion Shoe Company, a social enterprise focused on hiring and supporting folks coming out of homelessness. He has worked in the homeless community in a variety of capacities, including advocacy, one-on-one ministry, and working alongside various systems of care. Dan graduated with a bachelor's degree from Loyola University New Orleans. Dan grew up in Florida and has lived in New Orleans for the past 6 years. He loves tacos, old cars, and his wife, Audrey. Connect with Dan: Buy Some Shoes! Reunion Shoes on Facebook The Dream Manager Book  

If you're familiar with the concept of Adverse Childhood Events (ACE score) and their impact on how children navigate life and become adults, you'll be astounded by Tabitha's story. She's been through too many of those experiences one would hope to never encounter: Abusive father, divorce (her parent's, and later, her own); raised by a single mom, who passed when Tabitha was only 15; dropped out of high school; teenage pregnancy; loss of faith… the challenges sound so overwhelming. And yet, they do not define who Tabitha Holliman is today. She's not only survived, she's thriving. She truly is the personification of resilience and is on a mission today to help other women grow into their personal resilience, as well. Today, she's a happily married mother of four. She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Accounting, and has a busy Tax Accounting practice. She's learning to homeschool. She helps small businesses implement systems that allow them to grow and thrive. She coaches women through some really difficult times in their lives. And she recently developed and presented a multi-week online program – The Resilient Woman Series. Listen in as Tabitha shares her story, the lessons she learned along the way, the support she encountered, and some powerful words of wisdom. This episode will allow you to reframe the way you view, attach meaning to, and experience a multitude of events in your own life.   Tabitha's Bio Tabitha Hollimon is a Georgia native, a Georgia Peach! She is married to Joe and they have 4 children.  She has a Masters's Degree in Accounting and more than a decade of tax accounting experience. She specializes in working with small business owners and entrepreneurial individuals who seek to expand their financial business knowledge.    She also has a passion to support families, especially women, whether stay-at-home moms or career women.  She has dedicated 10 years to women's ministry and children's ministry.  Tabitha has made a stride to facilitate community and networking as one of her superpowers.  She has a heart for people! Connect with Tabitha: Resilient Woman Series Tabitha via email Tabitha on Facebook Tabitha's Tax Accounting Services  

When you talk with Cesar, you recognize quickly he's an expert in his field. He's worked in the Oil & Gas industry for decades and he has the technical side of his work down pat! But he hasn't rested on that expertise. About halfway into his tenure, he realized there was a lot more going on in his workspace that hadn't been addressed in his education or work experience to that point. With a desire to help his colleagues understand the real implications of all the data they all collected, studied, and made decisions from, Cesar started studying, again. The missing pieces were connected to sociology and psychology; essentially, the insight into understanding the human dynamics and how to use that to improve work environments and outcomes. Laura and Cesar explore a number of ideas, including some of the universal truths Laura has discovered over the course of her work and learning journey: Intent does NOT Equal Impact, One Size does NOT Fit All, Self-Awareness is the foundation of Emotional Intelligence… and one of Cesar's favorites: Sometimes we don't know what we don't know! If you've been wondering what you might not know, you'll definitely want to listen to this episode carefully, and likely more than once; it's a mini-masterclass in emotional intelligence. Cesar's Bio Cesar Ramos is a Subject Matter Expert in Project Controls, also providing Oracle P6 & Risk Training & Consulting for the Oil & Gas industry. His career began in construction, then shifted into engineering and front-end engineering of Onshore, Offshore, and Subsea work. He's been responsible for Project Controls, Planning/Scheduling, Risk Analysis, Progress Measurement, Earned Value, Cost Control, Procurement, and Estimating over the course of his 20 years in the field.  He dedicated the half of his career pursuing the expert level knowledge of advanced Planning/Scheduling methodologies & the future of Earned Value, before beginning to explore the human element that is present in all roles, industries, and businesses.  Connect with Cesar: Advanced Planning Analytics Cesar via email

Joe Sinnott has led and interesting life, and it's early, yet! Originally from New Jersey, he found himself living on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, as an engineer fresh out of college! While it wasn't just as he'd expected, the experience gave him several significant blessings. First, the company he worked for very serious about safety, as one would hope, especially in that line of work. But the training Joe went through instilled some foundational thinking practices within him that extend far beyond just safety and still impact who he is today and how he shows up. Second, he has one of those great "How I Met Your Mother" stories to share with his children! Because his job required that he be geographically distant and somewhat isolated, he was surrounded only by people there to do a job. So, when he decided he wanted a romantic relationship, he had to get creative. He and his wife connected online and spent a lot (A LOT!) of time exchanging long and deep emails about the more significant issues in life – building intimacy through vulnerability. Third, as the company was preparing for internal leadership changes, Joe recognized opportunity coming and used that awareness – plus time and space – to imagine what his next phase of work might look like. Because he was open to possibility and not in a pressure situation, he was able to step into his current work from a place of resourcefulness, possibility, and creativity. Listen in for more about Joe's journey, the work he's doing today – Coaching emerging leaders in Oil & Gas, so they can live and lead more meaningful lives. Joe's Bio Joe Sinnott is an executive coach and the founder of Witting Partners, where he equips emerging energy industry leaders with the practical tools needed to successfully navigate the ever-present volatility, intensity, and generational gaps that can quickly rob them and their stakeholders of motivation, engagement, and productivity. Joe also hosts The Energy Detox podcast, where he helps listeners sustainably produce the figurative energy needed to lead themselves, their organizations, and their families toward a more satisfying future by identifying and flushing away the hidden—and often toxic—barriers to peak performance. Joe's coaching leverages his technical background and his 14 years of energy industry experience, first as an offshore field engineer for global oilfield services company Schlumberger, followed by a variety of leadership positions at EQT, America's largest producer of natural gas. A twin dad, chemical engineer, and 2005 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Joe currently resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his wife Becky and their 4 children. Connect with Joe: Witting Partners: Fueling Sustainable Leaders The Energy Detox Podcast Joe on LinkedIn

I haven't met a person yet who hasn't had some kind of struggle with developing and sustaining healthy eating practices, and Ricki Heller is no exception. As she describes it, she grew up with the ultimate junk food diet – TV dinners, mac & cheese, and lots of baked goods. Which was fun until it wasn't! Eventually, she developed Candida, which is an overgrowth of a naturally occurring yeast we all have in our bodies. At normal levels, this is ok… overgrowth, however, can make you very, very sick, as Ricki experienced and describes in today's episode. It was truly debilitating. Her path forward was either an extremely restricted diet or be very, very ill. What would you choose? Surely, this is one of those "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" experiences. Ricki learned to cook with healthy, nutritional, whole foods from scratch and has developed significant expertise in developing recipes that she's published in cookbooks and through her blog. Taken a step farther, she's shared what she's learned about how one can create and sustain a healthy eating plan through one-on-one and small group coaching programs. She says it's important to create boundaries and stick with them. The key is to make the choices for the healthy options so routine, so habitual that they simply happen in the moment and you don't even have to think about them; this is an auto-pilot program that works in our favor! The key, however, is getting to the root of our thinking about food, the relationship we develop with it over the course of our lives and understanding what triggers we encounter that can send us down unhealthy paths. In her mind there are three key ideas or actions to take: Address the food itself and eliminate what is bad for you; become aware of the habits we form around eating and certain foods; and learn to recognize the emotions we have around eating and certain foods. When you understand the triggers or initiating events, then you can make more mindful choices about what will truly feed and nourish you. Ricki is a wealth of information on this topic, so settle in and get ready to learn! Ricki's Bio Ricki Heller, R.H.N, PhD, is a healthy eating coach, educator, writer and whole foods recipe developer. She helps people with dietary restrictions love food again without feeling deprived, so they can focus on healing and focus on living their best lives. Through her coaching and online programs, Ricki shares her passion for living well without sugar, gluten, eggs, or dairy and teaches people how to thrive no matter their dietary restrictions. She is also the author of four books, including Sweet Freedom, which was recommended by Ellen DeGeneres, and the bestselling guide and cookbook, Living Candida-Free. She contributes frequently to various magazines and websites, as well as appearing regularly on TV and podcasts. Ricki is also a dog mom, pop culture fanatic, and die-hard chocoholic. She lives with her husband and two fur babies, Chaser and Zoey, just north of Toronto. Connect with Ricki: Ricki Online Get her Free Tool here Subscribe for weekly emails with recipes and health info!  Coaching with Ricki Join the Sweet Life Club

Do you recognize this person? Relentlessly driven, often exhausted, setting extremely high expectations for herself (himself), never quite meeting them, unhappy, frustrated, short, and at the end of it?!! That's close to how Jen Sherwood describes her previous existence. In this episode, Laura and Jen dig into some of the pressures we all seem to face in life, and those particularly experienced by women – media representations of what it requires to be beautiful, healthy, young, attractive, polished, professional, etc… It's unrealistic, sometimes damaging, and not conducive to living a healthy, satisfying life if we allow ourselves to get caught up in those expectations, measures, practices. While Jen was that perfectionist, never-quite-meeting-expectations, young mom twenty years ago, she finally woke up one day and decided she wanted to feel better. Her journey started with a therapist, expanded to a coach who "rocked my world," she says… and eventually brought her to a place of discovering what fills and feeds her at a deep level. Choosing to invest in herself, her sanity, and her future, Jen earned her coaching certification and left her job as a Pediatric Audiologist and how helps women reconnect with themselves and live better lives. "I've had so much self-doubt," she explains. "When I'm vulnerable, there are so many more rich experiences…" She goes on to blast the myth about our practice of "armoring up" to go out and face the world as if we are all powerful, have it all together, and cannot be hurt by others. The truth is, we carry this heavy armor, but it doesn't actually protect us; we still experience the hurts of life. Jennifer's Bio Jennifer Sherwood works with women who are overwhelmed, feel pulled between the demands of work and home, rarely make time for themselves, and worry that this is as good as it gets. She helps them move themselves up on the priority list so can build a life they LOVE, not just tolerate.  Jen is a certified coach, speaker, and blogger. She is passionate about women making time for themselves so they can show up in their lives the way they want to...not stressed and resentful. Jen holds a master's degree in Audiology (aka hearing science) and her previous career focus was in pediatrics, which means she knows a thing or two about working with women, moms, and families in times of stress or uncertainty.  Connect with Jennifer: Jennifer Online Jennifer on Facebook Jennifer on Instagram -- @jensherwood22

Discovering your "superpower" and finding your perfect niche – that sweet spot where you get to do really good work and have a lot of fun doing it – is often an iterative process. We try, learn, shift, learn some more… and along the way we narrow, redefine, explore, and discover what we're good at and what we enjoy doing. At least if we are in the process of exploring and seeking. And that's what happened for Jen Liddy. Born curious, she loved learning. The first in her family to attend college, she thought there was only one recipe for success and she seemed to be missing "the" elusive magical ingredient. By allowing herself the freedom to 'dip her toes in and see how it goes…' she eventually realized the truth. There isn't just one recipe for success; as unique individuals, our paths will be different and our niche's will be, as well. And she's tried a few… from HS English Teacher to partner in a fitness studio, into Life Coaching, and now in her sweet spot – Business Development Coaching. Serving women business owners who are in the middle of their business and feel like the business is running them instead of the other way around. Her unique gifts allow her to deeply listen and pull out the core language we use to express what we need and then how to create the powerful messaging in response. The ideal outcome is helping a client craft that messaging that allows her to connect with her ideal clients, so they can do powerful work together. Jen shares some of the challenges and lessons encountered and learned along her journey. She shares insights into what she's learned that has been helpful for her. Together, Jen and Laura discuss some of the tools they use in their coaching practices to help those who come to them. Jen's Bio After making the terrifying leap into entrepreneurship from education, Jen Liddy learned how grow a business from the inside out via a brick & mortar fitness studio.  She learned all. the. lessons. the hard way… so much so that eventually her business ran her instead of her running it! Now, as a Business Development Coach, Jen teaches women how to grow businesses that work for them and their life. Learn more and connect with her below. Connect with Jen: Jen Online Instagram -- @JenLiddyCoach Jen on Facebook Donald Miller's Storybrand

It's inevitable; no one of us is immune to this experience. At some point, our lives will be turned completely upside down… sometimes because of a decision we made or an action we took and sometimes due to circumstances beyond our control. As the saying goes: We don't get to choose what happens to us; we get to choose how we respond to what happens to us. And that makes all the difference! Maria has experienced a few upheavals in her life and today she shares some of what she's learned through the process. For her, it's actively attending to "how we bounce!" She encourages her clients to take stock of the tools in their possession: Assess your core values – they will guide you to make decisions based on what matters most. Take time in solitude to listen to your own inner wisdom. Learn through experience by adjusting, adapting, and innovating along the way. Laura and Maria also dig into the idea that sometimes the stuff we pick up and carry through our lives isn't "our" stuff, isn't our responsibilities; recognizing and releasing is key here. Their collective wisdom and insight guides you to this: Do the best you can in the moment. Reserve the right to be smarter tomorrow. Make new choices when you know better. Find an experienced guide to help you grow through the upheavals and transitions in your life. Maria's Bio María Tomás-Keegan is a Career & Life Coach for Women, specializing in transitions—what she calls "the Upside Downs of Life." Her 30-year career in corporate management, coupled with her experience navigating many personal life-changing events along the way, has evolved into compassion for women who feel they need to be super-human. Family, friends, community, and career make for a full plate, and many women feel the need to be perfect at all of it, all the time. You're not alone! She is an award-winning author of Upside Down to Right Side Up: Turning Transition into Triumph, speaker, and producer and host of an international TV podcast on VoiceAmerica TV called Tips for the Transition. Connect with Maria: Maria Online Maria's Podcast Maria's FREE ebook Maria's other ebooks

If you've not heard the term, "Headtrash," before… you'll recognize it as "stinkin' thinkin'" or the voice in your head that tells you you're not good enough, not able, not worth it… what have you. Laura thinks of that voice as a personal Gremlin and it taunts us with self-limiting beliefs far too often. It's the stuff that keeps us smaller than we are meant to be, and from taking risks, exploring new things, and going on adventures. Jon jokingly says, "If you're going to make excuses, as least make them World Class!" He shares the story of how he recognized his personal headtrash and over time was able to overcome and release much of it. It starts in numerous ways, but shows up when we compare ourselves to others, berate or belittle ourselves and accomplishments, use words like "never" and "always…" anything that turns into negative self-talk. Looking back, Jon recognizes his intense experience with it began when he was only 11 years old. His belief that no one could possibly like him if they knew what he was really like shaped his thinking, his behaviors, and his actions over much of his life. He spent an enormous amount of time, effort, and energy in building just the right persona – wearing the right clothes, doing the right kind of work, having the right address, driving the right cars, and belonging to the right groups. As you can imagine, it was exhausting and hard to maintain. It wasn't doing much for his personal relationships, either. Listen in and learn how Jon discovered his personal headtrash, the practices he's put in place that helped him release that line of thinking and step into his life in an authentic way, and which allow him to do the work he does today – helping businesses increase revenue. Jon's Bio Jon Keel has developed a reputation as a results-oriented Business Advisor, having been involved in this arena since January 1997. In addition to being CEO and Founder of Improved Results (www.Improved-Results.com), which he founded in 1997, he co-developed the Xavier University MBA E-Business program, where he taught Online Marketing and E-Commerce. He frequently speaks to audiences about performance-based marketing for online and offline businesses. He has written numerous articles and has appeared on several TV and radio news and talk programs. He co-developed the first pay-per-click search engine bid management software and wrote the first book on pay-per-click search engines, "Instant Web Site Traffic."  With bachelor's and master's degrees in Engineering, Jon moved to Cincinnati in 1971, with the Procter and Gamble Company. He left P&G in 1973, to work for The Henry P. Thompson Company, and over a 22-year period became the owner and President/CEO.  He sold his interest in the company in 1995. In 1987, he received an MBA from Xavier University.  He currently resides in Dublin, Ohio, with his wife of 48 years, Colleen. Connect with Jon: Jon online The 14-Day Slingshot Challenge 5 Marks of a Man – book

The term "Mastermind" is used in a lot of different ways by a lot of different people, which makes it hard to know what someone really means when they say it. Laura asking Dave to define it from his perspective is the start of another engaging conversation on this week's episode of Making Space for Conversations that Matter. Dave references Napoleon Hill's work, from Think and Grow Rich, which says that a mastermind is a coordinated effort toward a definite purpose; a group of like-minded individuals coming together to think, explore, learn, grow, maybe even solve a few problems along the way. And says his thinking about what structure it takes has loosened up a bit over time. These days it could be a group of people engaged in a book study. It might be a group of people who engage in deep discussions on a consistent basis, exploring the meaning of life or other such topics. It might be a focused group of business owners who come together to grow themselves, their businesses, and each other's businesses in the process. Whatever the details of the members and the focus, it's often marked by deep bonding between members and the development of a safe space in which to be vulnerable. There's also an element of accountability built in, which creates an environment of real progress over time. "We all have flaws and challenges," he says. "We need to know we're in an environment which is safe for growth." Laura and Dave dive deeper into how a mastermind might function and Dave shares a process and format he's used in groups he's facilitated and participated in. That leads into some discussion about online marketing strategies and tactics, values-based behaviors, and more. When I asked Dave for his Bio, here's what he shared with me… "What the hell have you done?" my wife was a little suspicious as I handed her the bunch of flowers... As it turns out her suspicions were correct, I'd just quit my job as a systems analyst and borrowed £13,000 to buy my father's failed print finishing business from the liquidators. If I'm honest, that may well have been the first nail in the coffin of my first marriage. That was the start of my entrepreneurial journey, now fast forward to today... As a visionary and strategist, I enjoy starting and working with others to start new ventures from the ground up and then handing them over to my management teams to run day-to-day because they're usually better than me at doing that! I've started, developed and grown over 30 small businesses in many different sectors! Fact is, I love doing what I do and was once described as a "serial entrepreneur"... though I'm not sure whether that was a compliment or not? One of my mentors, John Maxwell, says "Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn!" Well, that's certainly been the case for me. I've had several failures in business - some of them catastrophic, but every one of them provided valuable lessons and helped me grow and develop. This development led me to realize I had experiences valuable to others in similar situations, but I didn't know how I could help them. The solution presented itself in 2011, when I joined LEAD Wales and experienced coaching for the first time. My coaching journey progressed and led to my earning ICF accreditation then Certification by the US-based, John Maxwell Team. The result: My team and I have launched an exclusive co-working space and business club for entrepreneurs who want to develop themselves so they can, in turn, develop their staff and their businesses. Come visit us in Llantrisant (UK) and see what all the fuss is about - contact me to arrange a visit.  Resources discussed and connect with Dave here: Dave on Facebook Dave on LinkedIn 729 Renegades Mastermind Groups

It's been many years ago, but once upon a time, Sherrie Dunlevy had a baby boy named Brandon. He lived just 29 days. "He made a greater impact on so many lives in just 29 days than some have in a lifetime," she explains. The aftermath of Brandon's passing was unexpected in so many ways. Lifelong friends vanished. People they would never have imagined would, showed up. Instead of allowing herself to get caught up in the obvious question of "Why did this happen to us, to me?" Sherrie moved on to asking: "What now?" She took a close look at her life, her work, her marriage, her relationships, and decided she wanted to live a life of purpose and passion. And she wrote a book – How Can I Help? – to offer others insight into how they might help someone in grief, or going through difficult times, when the right words are elusive. She's since done a lot of work helping others understand, sit with, and move through grief. "Grief is the loss of anything we hold dear," she explains. "It might be death, a divorce, loss of a job, a medical diagnosis… and we need to learn that it's ok – healthy – to talk through these things, even when it's hard or the words fail us." And, feeling called to be an inspirer, she's focused on being what she calls an "Inspirationista"! Not only does she share the "inspiration strikes" she receives, but she seeks out other sources of inspiration and shares them, as well. Striving to live an authentic life – who she was truly meant to be – and hoping to model that behavior for others, Sherrie is a dynamic force of energy. Sherrie's Bio What is an "Inspirationista"? Well, for Sherrie Dunlevy, it's a way of life. A calling. A symbol for stepping into greatness and helping others to be their best selves despite what might have happened in the past.  Sherrie is a bereaved mother, author of the book, "How Can I Help?"  and has leaped headlong into this vocation following a lengthy career as a Radio and TV news personality. Sherrie now spends her time putting good into the universe and bringing positivity to people through her Facebook Group All Things Awesome, as host of the Grief Anonymous Podcast, and through her talks and workshops. She believes all of us have the power to make a positive impact in this world if we choose to step into love! Connect with Sherrie: Sherrie Online Sherrie by email Sherrie on Facebook Sherrie on LinkedIn Get the Book – How Can I Help?