Overcomers Overcoming

Lisa Richer has devoted more than 20 years to supporting parents, educators, and professionals who face challenges navigating neurodiversity, both as a consultant and through her own lived experience raising neurodiverse sons. Lisa is the Executive Board Chair at By With & For Autistic Adults, Neurodiversity Advisory Chair at The Mandala School, and Advisory Board Member for Parents Alliance for Inclusion. Her work stands out for its focus on simplifying complex journeys and fostering real collaboration.   Many of her clients mention feeling more empowered and seen after working with her. Amber, a parent she supported, credited Lisa with helping secure much-needed educational resources for her daughter and creating a space for open communication between parents and schools.   Lisa's practical insights have resonated with thousands, and her social media community continues to grow. You can learn more about Lisa Richer at https://journey2bloom.com/.

Jonathan Todd Schwartz, once a towering figure in Hollywood's elite financial circles, lived a life that many could only dream of. As a power entertainment business manager at GSO Business Management, Schwartz was entrusted with managing the wealth of some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, including Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Alanis Morissette, Linkin Park, Halsey, and Gwyneth Paltrow. His reputation as one of Hollywood's most "trusted" financial advisors earned him the moniker "diva whisperer," reflecting his ability to cater to the unique needs of his high-profile clients. However, beneath the surface of this seemingly perfect life, Schwartz was hiding a dark secret. Consumed by a monstrous drug habit and an uncontrollable gambling addiction, Schwartz began to embezzle millions from his clients to fund his destructive lifestyle. His double life was a carefully constructed house of cards, built on lies and deceit, which ultimately came crashing down in 2016 when Alanis Morissette discovered that Schwartz had stolen over $4.7 million from her accounts. The fallout was swift and brutal. Schwartz's crimes were exposed, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction. The once-celebrated financial guru was now a disgraced criminal, reviled by the very industry that had once revered him. His actions not only ruined his own life but also brought significant financial losses and reputational damage to GSO Business Management.   But Schwartz's story doesn't end with his fall from grace. Since his release from prison in 2020, Schwartz has embarked on a journey of redemption. Sober and a co-chair of his local Gamblers' Anonymous, he is determined to make amends for his past wrongdoings. Schwartz is now dedicated to proving that he is no longer the "defrauding monster" he once was, and is desperate to clear his name, particularly with his ex-wife and children, who continue to harbor doubts about his sincerity. Schwartz's life is a tale of extremes— from the heights of Hollywood success to the depths of criminal infamy. It raises the question: Can Jonathan truly change, or is this just another act in a long-running con? Schwartz's story is a compelling exploration of human nature, redemption, and the thin line between good and evil.   In his own words, Schwartz acknowledges his flaws and the damage he has caused, but he remains committed to telling his story, hoping that it will serve as a cautionary tale for others and perhaps, one day, lead to his own redemption. His story is a modern-day parable, echoing the themes of the latest viral scammer tales like Inventing Anna, Tinder Swindler, and Bad Vegan—a once-in-a-lifetime narrative that promises to captivate and dominate public consciousness.   You can learn more about Jonathan through the article he wrote at https://medium.com/authority-magazine/jonathan-schwartz-of-altus-rehab-on-how-to-go-beyond-your-comfort-zone-to-grow-both-personally-and-9992ea419846.

Paul Voss is a father of eight children. In 2022, our youngest daughter was diagnosed with autism. Like many families, we were thrust into a world of sleepless nights, constant stress, and the feeling that we were doing everything right yet getting nowhere. There were long stretches when sleep felt impossible, hope felt thin, and the future felt overwhelming. Out of that chaos, Paul wrote my first book, Autism Sucks: Finding Hope in the Chaos. He didn't write it as an expert or clinician. Rather, he wrote it as a tired dad seeking real solutions. One of his greatest goals was simple: if anything we did could help just one parent finally get six hours of uninterrupted sleep, every hard moment would be worth it. Beyond sleep, he shares how his family's autism journey reshaped them. The changes they made didn't just help their autistic child. The awareness unexpectedly helped their other kids, too. Their oldest son, who was diagnosed with ADHD, was possibly the most positively affected. What surprised the family most was that autism didn't just change their child; it changed their family. It forced them to become more patient, present, and intentional parents. As hard as this road has been, it has ultimately made his family better. Paul speaks to parents new to autism who are overwhelmed, exhausted, or quietly struggling in dark moments. His message is honest, practical, and hopeful. While autism is incredibly hard, it doesn't have to steal a family's future.