Never Ever Give Up Hope

David Ask states boldly that everything rises and falls on men leading well. When men fail to lead—or to love well—everyone loses. But when men lead with courage, nobility, and kindness, everyone wins.  David Ask is an entrepreneur with products in over 3700 retail stores, including giants like The Home Depot and Lowe's. David collaborates closely with Dr. Andy Garrett as the Lead Coach for the transformative True North Resiliency program. David believes that understanding who you are on a very granular level is the key to understanding why you do what you do.   "Never start with WHY; start with WHO." Today, David is going to share his story: a 15-year struggle of spinning his wheels and feeling disillusioned about purpose and joy. Many of you will relate to and appreciate his story of success.   Tune in to The Ask Experience   The Ask Experience is a bold, honest, and deeply personal podcast for people who refuse to live small, distracted, or disconnected.   Hosted by David Ask - entrepreneur, vocalist, and author of the upcoming book "The Guardians of Grit" - this show goes straight to the heart of what it means to truly know WHO'S you are and who you are and then have the courage to live from that place every single day.  

Before the COVID‑19 pandemic, Julie Marty‑Pearson spent nearly 20 years working in higher education. While she built a successful career, the demands of her work began to take a toll on her health. After being diagnosed with kidney disease, she lost her father six months later. In 2019, she stepped away from her role to undergo surgery. When the pandemic began shortly thereafter, higher education institutions shut down—leaving her unexpectedly unemployed. That pause created space for reflection and ultimately led her to pursue a new professional path grounded in purpose, flexibility, and fulfillment.       Julie Marty‑Pearson, PsyD, is a podcaster, speaker, coach, advocate, and storyteller who empowers women to share their stories through podcasting. She hosts two shows: The Story of My Pet, which features inspiring pet stories while advocating for animal rescue, fostering, and adoption; and Podcast Your Story Now, which spotlights women podcasters and guests as they amplify their voices and grow their businesses through podcasting. Julie is also the founder of the Women's Podcaster Party Networking Community, created to support and connect women, podcasters, guests, and speakers.       Julie's story will inspire you to consider your options if you have had a setback. INTERVIEW Own Your Voice. Share Your Story. Amplify Your Confidence.   Julie helps women use podcasting and storytelling to build confidence and visibility with clarity and purpose—through supportive programs and community. CONNECT WITH JULIE HERE  Julie's Website The Story of My Pet Podcast & Blog Website Podcast Your StoryNow Julie's Social links     YouTube     Linkedin     Facebook     Instagram

Ronald 'Zion' Roseboro's life was upended when he was falsely accused of assault, resulting in five years of incarceration despite his efforts to prove his innocence. At the time, he was the primary caregiver for his grandmother, who had Alzheimer's disease, and was a single father raising his daughter. The experience left him facing profound personal loss and emotional hardship.  Released from the U.S. prison system in 2004, Ronald "Zion" Roseboro went on to transform his experiences into a purpose-driven career. More than twenty years later, he is the Founder and CEO of Shame Free Life Coaching and Consulting, a certified trauma-informed and professional life coach, and the creator of the Brick Methodology—a framework for rebuilding after adversity.      Holding a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling with a focus on Crisis Response and Trauma, Coach Roseboro is dedicated to helping men restore resilience and spiritual strength in the face of life's challenges. His story offers a compelling message of perseverance and renewal for anyone seeking to move forward after hardship. Ron's story is compelling and inspiring, offering encouragement to anyone facing personal challenges. Listen to his story here:    INTERVIEW Samson was well known and hailed for his superhuman strength. However, like many men today, Samson was a He-Man with a She-weakness. Oftentimes, men suffer in the silence of their own personal midnight struggles while medicating the pain and shame within their fragmented souls. This book takes an honest look at the lives of men who have been trapped by their own desires or by some great injustice. The author descriptively takes the reader on a journey into the minds and hearts of men, while also administering the healing words from God's pre-emptive power to lead them back to restoration.       ORDER YOUR COPY HERE Still carrying emotional weight from your past? It is time to let it go and rebuild something better. If you have ever said, "I should be over this by now..." or "I just feel stuck, and don't know why," this book is for you. Maybe life looks fine on the outside, but deep down, you know something's off. You are tired. You are emotionally drained. And no matter how hard you try, you cannot seem to move forward. That is where The Brick Method comes in. It is a book about rebuilding your life- one small, honest step at a time. Let go of guilt and shame Feel clear-minded Stop pretending you are okay Replace self-doubt with confidence Reconnect with your purpose, your power, and your future. Breakthrough Resilience Identity Clarity Kickstart   ORDER YOUR COPY HERE

John Graham graduated from college with no real training, no direction, and no one to help him. As a result, he went through eight career detours, moving from state to state, feeling helpless, alone, and not knowing what to do or where to go much of the time.   It was not until he and his wife committed to helping others who were struggling more they were and founded Good Samaritan Home that he found his place and a sense of purpose.     John Graham had gone from homelessness, a series of career restarts over the years, to a business owner and a published author. He was a door-to-door salesman, children's home counselor, substitute schoolteacher, truck driver, fireman, building contractor, minister, and journalist. At 75, he published his debut novel called Running As Fast As I Can, which had been rejected nearly 200 times. John is familiar with second, third, and fourth chances that many of us need to reach our goals. It is in developing what he calls calloused hands and a tender heart, along the journey.     Click HERE to buy book     For Fans of WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING, A LITTLE LIFE, and FORREST GUMP "... often profound historical novel. Our verdict: GET IT!" - KIRKUS REVIEWS Growing up in the mill slums of Pittsburgh, Daniel Robinson was a punching bag for his drunken father, ignored by his mentally ill mother, and trapped in the grip of poverty. He's finally freed from the torture of that home, only to crash land in another hell when he's abused by the pastor who takes him in. Daniel escapes once again, spending the next decade wandering homeless throughout the country during the turbulent 1960s. On his journey, he gets caught up in the hippie drug invasion in San Francisco, racial violence in Cleveland and Detroit, and especially a deadly anti-war protest at Kent State. Daniel finally finds love with someone who was running from her own demons. Together, they get a second chance at happiness and the family they both want. Because of his experience on the street, Daniel is offered a job helping men coming from prison. When asked to find housing for Charles Vickers, a black man who spent twenty years in prison for a rape that Daniel is convinced he never committed, he and his wife open their own home to him. This enrages the community, especially when a local girl disappears. Violence erupts—with Daniel as the focus of their rage. Should he stay and fight for Charles—and put his family at risk, or run away again? RUNNING AS FAST AS I CAN is an unforgettable, multi-award-winning story about overcoming childhood abuse and the generational trauma of poverty to find love, forgiveness, and redemption. Daniel's story, with its harrowing social themes conveyed through an intense personal odyssey, vividly portrays a traumatic period in our history, while grappling with intense emotional and social issues we still face today.   CONNECT WITH JOHN HERE Website Good Samaritan Home Website Personal Amazon Substack Instagram Facebook

Jenn Todling had a mental breakdown after caring for her chronically ill spouse for five years. She felt trapped and hopeless, assuming she would never be able to leave the situation or have a fulfilling life. This was a turning point for her to realize that her mental health was at risk, and she needed to seek help and support. With a past life as an audit partner at Ernest and Young, a stint at the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and an adjunct faculty coach at the University of Denver, Jenn's journey to become an author, speaker, and coach embodies the power of transformation.      Jenn kept a journal of ideas she needed to share with the world - life lessons and guiding principles led to publishing her journey to help support people through transformation and help them become their most authentic selves.   In her interview, Jenn shares: - The power of mindset in looking for hope in challenging situations. - How creative expression can help support us in getting unstuck from sticky situations. - How we can go after our dreams no matter our age or circumstances.   "If you think you can or can't - You are right" - Henry Ford   An inspirational book club read of one woman's journey of taking the bold step to leave her disabled and volatile spouse and moving across the country in search of adventure, tango, and love. At the tender age of twenty, Jenn faces a pivotal moment when her boyfriend, Morey, proposes marriage after only a few weeks of dating. Her intuition urges her to say no, but she's spent the entirety of her teenage years caregiving for family; she yearns for adventure, and she thinks relocating to California with Morey will give her the freedom she craves. So, she says yes—only to find herself back in the caregiver role after he becomes disabled a few years into their marriage. But it's Morey's volatile personality that ultimately leads Jenn to make a brave decision: it's time to leave. Dancing on My Own Two Feet takes a poignant turn as Jenn relocates to New York City after her divorce. Here, she rediscovers a long-forgotten passion for dance and embarks on a transformative journey that transcends the physicality of movement. Each dance becomes a channel to tap into her inner wisdom, providing the courage to explore the world and embrace new adventures. Then Jenn encounters Gable, a potential suitor, prompting new questions to arise in her: Is she better off on her own? Or could Gable be the love and dance partner she's been longing for?   CLICK HERE FOR YOUR COPY  CONNECT WITH GINA HERE Website Facebook Amazon Linkedin Substack Instagram

From her humble beginning as a bartender to the sacred halls of the convent and through the trials of tumultuous relationships and alcoholism, Gina Economopoulos grapples with loss, grief, and the pursuit of self-discovery. From the agonizing decision to leave the convent behind to the numbing embrace of alcoholism, every step of her journey is fraught with uncertainty and pain. Yet, through sheer resilience and unwavering determination, she begins the process of healing, learning to let go of the past and forge new connections in the present.    Gina Economopoulos was born in Syosset, NY, to a strong Italian and Greek-loving family. She graduated from Eastern CT State University and bartended before embarking on a 12-year convent journey after her mother's passing. Settled on the Jersey Shore, Gina now works as an End-of-Life Doula, extending her compassionate heart to those in their final chapter. She found solace in sobriety as a proud Alcoholics Anonymous member, and her story of resilience through tragedy and faith inspires others to face life's challenges. Gina found her fiancé dead from alcoholism a month before her wedding day. Her story is raw and passionate. It will inspire you to never ever give up:   INTERVIEW       CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK   From bartending to the nunnery and back again. Embark on a transformative journey with Shake the Dust Off Your Feet and Walk, a stirring memoir that traces Gina Economopoulos's path from despair to redemption. From her humble beginning as a bartender to the sacred halls of the convent and through the trials of tumultuous relationships and alcoholism, she grapples with loss, grief, and the pursuit of self-discovery. With honesty, she invites readers to witness her quest to reclaim her life amidst chaos. As the author navigates the labyrinth of her own emotions, readers are drawn into the landscape of her struggles. From the agonizing decision to leave the convent behind to the numbing embrace of alcoholism, every step of her journey is fraught with uncertainty and pain. Yet, through sheer resilience and unwavering determination, she begins the arduous process of healing, learning to let go of the past and forge new connections in the present. Her unwavering faith serves as a guiding light through the darkest of nights, illuminating a path toward self-acceptance and forgiveness. Through her words, she offers a profound insight into the human condition, reminding readers of the power of resilience and the transformative nature of love. Shake The Dust Off Your Feet and Walk is more than just a memoir—it is a testament to the power of the human spirit to find healing in faith, time, and self-discovery. By the journey's end, readers are left with a profound sense of admiration for Gina's courage and perseverance. Her story serves as a reminder that no matter how daunting the road ahead may seem, there is always hope waiting to be discovered in the most unlikely of places. Join the author on a journey of self-discovery and redemption in Shake The Dust Off Your Feet and Walk. Let her words inspire you to confront your own struggles with grace and resilience and emerge stronger on the other side. This memoir is a testament to the enduring power of faith to rise above adversity and find peace amidst the chaos.  

In 2004, Madelaine Weiss had a flesh-eating disease, which started as strep throat and extended into her arm. She had a 1% chance of survival. The doctors were threatening to remove her upper right quadrant, but after seven weeks in the hospital and three months off her post at Harvard Medical School, here she is – happy, healthy, prosperous, and productive with a smile. Madelaine Weiss is a Harvard-trained licensed psychotherapist and mindset expert, with an MBA and board certification in executive, career, and life coaching. She is the founder and former chair of The School-Business Partnership, former parenting education facilitator, group mental health practice administrative director, corporate chief organizational development officer, associate director of an educational resource program at Harvard Medical School, and bestselling author of "Getting to G.R.E.A.T. 5-Step Strategy for Work and Life." "The harder a decision is to make.....  STOP and take time to listen to your inner voice."   Madelaine shares her full story in her interview and points you to building your best adventures in life.  I"A great life depends on a great fit between who we are and the environments in which we work and live." Getting to G.R.E.A.T. is a lively, practical guidebook for living with a proven method that has already changed so many lives. Loaded with science and stories, each information-packed chapter launches with a topic-relevant vignette from the author's own experience, moves to research and practical recommendations on each chapter topic, and concludes with a chapter-specific case example and exercise for personal use.   Beginning with the pivotal event that shaped the trajectory of her work and life, Madelaine Weiss reveals a powerfully effective five-step strategy for satisfaction and success in your own work and life.   DIVE INTO A WORLD WHERE YOU AND YOUR BRAIN TEAM UP TO BUILD THE STORIES OF YOUR LIFE! 🌟 Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review:"This great book aims to teach young people how to harness the power of their brains so they can live happily." Meet Brainy, your smart and friendly guide, ready to help you build adventures filled with learning and excitement. This workbook is your journey into the heart of imagination and possibility. Each page will help you learn to navigate the twists and turns of school and life creatively and confidently. With her Harvard-trained expertise and heartfelt approach, Madelaine invites young explorers to understand their inner and outer worlds. Discover how to mix your heart's whispers with your brain's wisdom to create a life that sparkles with discovery and joy. FOR KIDS: Unleash the inner author and hero in you! What amazing tales will you create? FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS: This workbook fosters resilience, sparks curiosity, and infuses joy into learning. It's a tool that connects children with you—and with the power of their stories, dreamed up with their brains and hearts. Madelaine Claire Weiss, LICSW, MBA, BCC, is a Harvard-trained licensed psychotherapist, mindset expert, and board-certified executive, career, and life coach. She is the founder and former chair of The School-Business Partnership in Acton, Massachusetts, a parenting education facilitator for the Massachusetts court system, and a current outreach volunteer with DC Tutoring and Mentoring Initiative (DCTMI) in Washington, DC. Madelaine is a co-author in the Handbook of Stressful Transitions Across the Lifespan and a bestselling author of Getting to G.R.E.A.T.: 5-Step Strategy for Work and Life. She created Brainy to help teach kids what her adult clients wish they had learned much earlier in their lives.

When Dr. Beverly J. Armento was 23, in her first year of teaching, and after 17 years of physical and emotional abuse, she was at her darkest hour and considered suicide. She struggled through the night, listening to the voices in her head and hearing what former teachers and students were arguing with her about the pros and cons of that choice. By dawn, she came out on the other side of hopeless toward home. She had clarity on her purpose in life with the drive to live free from the fear and trauma in her current state. Dr. Beverly J. Armento, professor, educator, author, speaker, and advocate, was responsible for her blind, artistic, and mentally ill mother. To people around her, she seemed to excel at school and in the world, but inside, Beverly was cowed by her mother's rage and delusions. In her interview, she tells the story of twenty years struggling to survive the trauma and the next twenty years of how she found hope to survive through the hidden pain.  INTERVIEW   As the "Seeing Eye Girl" for her blind, artistic, and mentally ill mother, Beverly Armento was intimately connected with and responsible for her, even though her mother physically and emotionally abused her. She was Strong Beverly at school—excellent in academics and mentored by caring teachers—but at home, she was Weak Beverly, cowed by her mother's rage and delusions. Beverly's mother regained her sight with two corneal transplants in 1950 and went on to enjoy a moment of fame as an artist. Still, these positive turns did nothing to stop her disintegration into her delusional world of communists, radiation, and lurking Italians. To survive, Beverly had to be resilient and hopeful that better days could be ahead. But first, she had to confront essential ethical issues about her caregiving role in her family. In this emotional memoir, Beverly shares the coping strategies she invented to get herself through the trials of her young life, and how school and church served as refuges over the course of her journey. Breaking the psychological chains that bound her to her mother would prove to be the most difficult challenge of her life—and, ultimately, the most liberating one. 2023 Nonfiction Book Awards Gold Winner 2023 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist in Autobiography/Biography 2022 Foreword INDIES Finalist in Autobiography & Memoir—Adult Nonfiction 2022 Readers' Favorite Book Awards Honorable Mention in Non-Fiction—Autobiography 2022 IPPY Awards Bronze Winner in Autobiography II—Coming of Age/Family "Sublime writing brightens an unforgettable, harrowing personal account."—Kirkus Reviews

Mark Connor began boxing at age 10 at the Mexican American Boxing Club, the area of the city from which he formed his understanding of the world, anchoring his perception of direction to the family house and the rising of the sun outside his bedroom window.     He had 102 amateur fights, made it to three national tournaments, and competed against some of the nation's top world-class boxers. He became the Upper Midwest Golden Gloves lightweight champion at 17.      However, when America went through the trauma of an economic shutdown and his beloved Twin Cities blew up in fiery riots, Mark worked when he could (the Boxing gyms and churches were closed due to Governor's orders), helped his mother who was diagnosed with a fatal heart disease, and daily mourned the death of his father.  Mark is a boxing trainer and a writer from St. Paul, Minnesota. His first book, It's About Time, has sold millions of copies. He weaves together a story of love, family, and life with twenty poems running through it.                                                                  Click here to buy book                                    The perfect gift for fathers and sons, and those who want to understand them   It's About Time (Millions of Copies Sold for Dad) is a saga wrapped around a package of poems, guarded by angels. With a narrative style that reads like a novel, contains a collection of poetry, and shares an autobiography, Mark Connor guides us through a journey of love, family, and life that is ours as much as his own, peaking at the point of merger of difference and unity.  Following him from memory to memory, we feel the eyes upon us, defeat the empire of fear, embrace the kingdom of love, and find ten minutes a day to be grateful. All the while, we celebrate the city of Saint Paul (with a friendly nod to Minneapolis), experience Irish influence in neighborhood life, rooted in Catholic cohesion, and embraced by Indigenous America in the Medicine Wheel.  We box the perfect metaphor with future world champions, love beauty in a moment of ambivalence, work on a fishing boat in Southeast Alaska, comfort a child in an American Indian shelter for kids, and guard American Indian buildings, with guns, in riots. Through it all, we honor Dad, mourning his death and remembering his love, sharing a story written for America, valuing fatherhood, defending family, encouraging marriage, and providing hope.  

In 1996, Dave Mowry had a total breakdown. He was driving down the freeway. under a lot of stress, and his mind was racing. And then, his mind snapped. He heard it like a snapping twig and felt it like a small electric shock in his brain. He was broken. He lost everything and was homeless for 18 months. He was living in hell for 14 months.     Dave Mowry's story is one that you will want to share with anyone who is struggling with or has a family member battling mental illness. His story is one of inspiration, healing, and hope. He has lived with bipolar disorder and severe anxiety his entire adult life. He was a successful businessman until he lost it all due to mental illness. After 14 lost years and being homeless with his family for 18 months, Dave took a stand-up comedy class for people with a mental illness. It changed everything. He went from his mental illness having control over him to finding the humor in his experiences and regaining control of his life. Dave teaches stand-up comedy to people with a mental illness and performs on stage. We find humor in our pain and tell our stories one joke at a time. We let people know that they are not alone and that it is okay to laugh about our challenges, and shatter stigma.       Winner: Best bipolar disorder books of all time by BookAuthority. What started as a couple of blog posts blossomed into a following of over one million people who have read and been touched by Mowry's stories. The most extraordinary thing he found when writing about his experiences is that the most common comment about his work is "OMG, that's me". You are telling my story. I don't feel so alone now. Living with mental illness is hard, but it's especially difficult when dealing with more than one condition at the same time. Many books about coping with mental illness focus on one disorder, such as anxiety, panic attacks, or depression. Because Dave Mowry didn't see any that dealt with his situation of living with multiple disorders simultaneously, he decided to write about it himself. OMG That's Me! It is sometimes funny, often poignant, but always deeply honest, open, and personal. Mowry's stories let others know there is help and there is hope, and that they too can recover and live a full life. This book is a must-read for family members and friends who will gain true insight into the experiences of loved ones living with a mental illness. This book is a must-read for mental health professionals who will better understand the symptoms faced by their patients. And ordinary people will see the strength, resilience, and beauty of people who will shatter the stigma surrounding mental illness.