People Of Distinction

What if the miracle you've been waiting for was never a moment, but a community? In this episode of People of Distinction, author Cleous G. Young takes us from a boyhood dream of becoming the next Pelé in Jamaica to a divine writing journey that produced The Mountain of Miracles, a story about a grandfather, a grandson, and a hidden village built on something the world is desperately running short on: respect. This conversation goes far deeper than a book review; it's a wake-up call about greed, division, and what we owe each other as neighbors, parents, and human beings.Get your copy: themountainofmiracles.com Also available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble.

What if one simple act of kindness could change everything? In this episode of People of Distinction, we sit down with author John W. Sangwin to explore Johnny's World: The Series in One; a heartfelt, coming-of-age story about friendship, belonging, and the quiet power of showing up for someone who feels like an outsider. From John's unexpected journey into writing to the timeless lessons woven through TNT, Johnny, and the gang, this conversation will have you reflecting on the people who shaped you and the person you could be for someone else.Pick up your copy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at jwcreativewriter.org, and check out John's other title, A Storybook Collection, while you're there.

She was born unable to breathe and for nine years, no one knew why. Seena Rothrock sits down to share her memoir I Survived: Bilateral Choanal Atresia, an unflinching account of medical neglect, growing up deaf in a hearing world, and the one curious doctor who finally changed everything. Her story isn't just about survival, it's a call for all of us to be better witnesses to the quiet battles happening around us.Grab your copy on Amazon and stay tuned for her upcoming sequel, I Survived: Chaotic Driveway.

What if the deepest wounds of war aren't in your head, but in your soul? Retired Army Chaplain Wayne A. Keast spent decades watching soldiers medicated into silence, and he discovered that the answer to PTSD isn't in a pill bottle, it's in ancient scripture. In this episode, Wayne breaks down the "invisible wound" that the medical community keeps missing, and why Biblical Cures for the Wounded Spirit is a lifeline not just for veterans, but for every loved one trying to carry the weight alongside them.Get your copy on Amazon and Barnes & Noble now.

What happens when a brand-new dinosaur moves into a magical paradise of unicorns and decides to ruin everyone's fun? In this episode, we sit down with Connie Clanton, author of Trouble Comes to Bagel Mountain to explore the chaotic arrival of Sam the dinosaur and the toll his bullying takes on his new neighbors. But when Sam pushes things too far and gets hurt, he receives a shocking lesson in unexpected kindness from the very peers he tormented. Listen in to hear how this heartwarming story tackles tough playground dynamics, empathy, and the incredible power of a second chance!

How do you rebuild your reality when a high-speed police chase crashes into your world and shatters everything you know? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Kaitlyn Daly, author of In the Blink of an Eye to hear the harrowing story of their near-fatal 2019 collision and the grueling journey of trauma recovery that followed. Sharing raw insights from her darkest moments, she offers a lifeline of hope for anyone navigating the complex labyrinth of physical and emotional healing. Tune in for an inspiring conversation packed with practical coping mechanisms that will empower you to overcome the unthinkable and reclaim your life!

Have you ever been done dirty, left deeply hurt, or forced to say a painful goodbye? We dive into the new book, Quotes for the Mentality Notes for the Reality, by Antonia Harris, to untangle life's messiest situations and emotional plot twists. Hit play to discover how reading just one quote a day can completely transform the way you navigate the hard notes of your reality.

What happens when ambition quietly becomes obsession and costs you everything? In this episode, we sit down with Michael Maxon (aka Dr. Johnny Delirious), author of The Need for Greed: Dracula's Curse, a memoir that draws haunting parallels between his own rise and collapse, the fall of the Roman Empire, and the state of America today. From a national magazine empire to devastating personal loss, Michael shares a raw formula for recognizing and escaping the curse before it consumes you.Grab your copy at drjohnny.net, and don't sleep on this one.

She survived molestation, addiction, and a family torn apart by dysfunction and then she wrote every word of it down so you wouldn't have to face yours alone. Marlene Essence Dotts joins People of Distinction to discuss her raw, redemptive memoir Coming Out of the Woods. A book that wasn't written for fame, but to save lives. Eight years sober and still showing up for others, Marlene's story is proof that clarity isn't gifted, it's carved out of the very things meant to destroy you. Get your copy at dorothycelestinbooks.com or wherever books are sold.

Step right up to the deadliest show on earth, where the price of admission might just cost you your humanity! In this episode, author Kristopher McClendon takes us inside the twisted world of his novel Freak Show, where the sinister Shadow Carnival is abducting citizens and transforming them into super-powered, chaotic monsters. Listen in to discover how one teenager faces down a circus of nightmares in this thrilling conversation about dark fantasy, supernatural stakes, and unlikely heroes!

What if being the kid who didn't fit in was never the problem, it was always the point? Author Lonnie Beerman joins us to discuss Tears of the Phoenix, a coming-of-age novel that readers are calling a lifeline for men, boys, and the women who love them; exploring friendship as survival, the quiet brutality of boyhood, and why the things that nearly broke us are often what make us whole. Beerman unpacks the emotional blueprint behind the book, the one rule about manhood he burned to the ground, and why now is exactly the right time for this story.Grab your copy at beermanbooks.com or on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

What happens when a retired oncologist, trained across three continents, fluent in healing, turns her life's grief and wonder into poetry? Dr. Maya Mitra Das returns to People of Distinction to share Rhythms Primeval, a collection that maps the fault lines between loneliness and love, despair and transcendence, the cosmos and the human heart. If you've ever needed a reminder to rise above and move forward, this episode is for you.Get Rhythms Primeval + her other books: drmayamitradas.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

What happens when a development economist, lifelong social justice advocate, and grandmother of four decides she's had enough and writes the progressive answer to Project 2025? Jacqueline Brux joins People of Distinction to break down her brand-new book Project 2026: A Mandate for Leadership on the Progressive Promise. A raw, week-by-week account of surviving Trump's second term and a bold policy blueprint for what comes next. From the 45 million people facing starvation due to the Iran war's ripple effects, to the single-payer healthcare math both parties refuse to touch, this conversation goes places most podcasts won't.Pick up the book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and follow her Substack blog Progressive Now to stay in the fight.

For decades, the western world has sensationalized Filipino psychic surgery and mediumship, but what is the true story behind these profound indigenous practices? In this eye-opening episode, researcher Scott Matthew Taubold dives into his groundbreaking work, The System of Healing Used by the Filipino Espiritistas, revealing the authentic truth of this system straight from the healers' own cultural perspective. Stripping away the biases of skeptical parapsychologists and western doctors, Taubold explores the deep, fascinating connection between human consciousness, illness, and alternative medicine. Tune in to uncover the essential principles of this unique healing model and discover what the Espiritistas can teach us all about the mind's untapped capacity to heal the body.

What happens when a casual college séance turns into a terrifying brush with demonic forces and undeniable premonitions of your own death? In this gripping episode, Kent Lyle Hutchinson shares the harrowing true story behind his deeply personal book, Good People Don't Go To Heaven: Only Saved People Do. Journey back to a 1970s fraternity house where dangerous dabbling in witchcraft pushed Kent to absolute rock bottom, ultimately leading to a miraculous, life-saving encounter with Jesus Christ in a remote Indiana cornfield. Listen in to hear a raw, unforgettable testimony of radical redemption that proves why simply being "good" is never enough to save your soul.

Peanut butter has a problem and the answer might change how your child sees the world. Author and veteran educator, Brian Taylor joins People of Distinction to share the story behind his breakout children's book, his battle through COVID that sparked a poetry collection, and why a Hollywood screenplay is now on the table. Grab your copies at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and briantaylorbooks.com.

What happens when a bad day threatens to become a defining one? Christine Leonardi-Kramer; dance teacher, studio owner, and children's book author with 50 years in the industry, returns to People of Distinction to talk about A Difficult Day at Dance, a story about grit, determination, and the quiet heroes who believe in us before we believe in ourselves. Christine shares the real-life inspiration behind the book, the mentor who changed her life, and a sneak peek at her upcoming release Dancing with Daisy. Pick up your copy at clkdancebooks.com or wherever books are sold.

What if your spiritual exhaustion isn't a time management problem, but instead a presence problem? In this powerful episode of People of Distinction, retired federal research scientist and author Kimberly F. Miller joins to unpack why so many of us are burned out, spiritually starved, and carrying crosses God never asked us to carry alone, and how getting into His presence changes everything. Drawing from her book Bible Bits: In His Presence, Kim delivers a conversation that is equal parts raw, real, and life-giving. Get your copy at watwm.org or wherever books are sold.

She was born with a broken heart and spent 20 years quietly fixing everyone else's. In this episode of People of Distinction, author Michael Purles shares the story of his daughter Tracy, nicknamed "Turtle Toes," whose short life delivered a masterclass in love, grace, and what truly matters. Grab your copy of Turtletoes on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at michaelpurles.com and explore Michael's three other titles while you're there.

What Christmas has become and the startling hidden pattern most believers never noticed, until now. In this episode of People of Distinction, PhD scientist and Bible teacher David Elliott reveals how the number four is woven with mathematical precision throughout the Christmas accounts, pointing unmistakably to Emmanuel's arrival on Earth and why uncovering it may be the most refreshing thing you do this holiday season. His book Four: The Number of Emmanuel, Christmas by the Numbers is available now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, alongside his other title Air, Earth, Fire and Water. If you're done with the noise of Christmas and ready for something real, this conversation is your starting point.

What does it really mean to find your street paved with gold, and what did it cost to get there? Dr. Robert Dattilo, historian and author, unpacks his novel A Street Paved of Gold; a gripping generational saga rooted in real characters, Prohibition-era shadows, and the raw immigrant experience that built this country. From picking up horse manure on the Pennsylvania Railroad to outrunning the Black Hand, Vincenzo Martinelli's journey is equal parts brutal and inspiring.Grab your copy at astreetpavedofgold.org or on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

What happens when a scientist who invented an artificial tornado, had an experiment on Skylab, and got a private visit from Brad Paisley, also writes six albums and starts a family band with his grandkids? Joe Eagleman's memoir My Love Affair with Music isn't just a book about songs; it's a testament to how creativity, shared across generations, becomes the most enduring legacy you can leave behind. From college dance halls to performing for 3,000 people on a Carnival Cruise, Joe's story will make you want to pick up an instrument, call your family, and start playing. Grab your copy at joeagleman.com or wherever books are sold.

He was chosen as his family's emotional punching bag, a child designated to absorb rage he didn't cause, but what he did next will leave you speechless. In this episode of People of Distinction, Walter Lawrence opens up about surviving a childhood of abuse and channeling that pain into real, undeniable success, as chronicled in his powerful book Life of Abuse to Success: A Child's Story. Walter's story isn't just his though, it's a mirror for anyone who has ever felt worthless, overlooked, or broken by the people who were supposed to protect them. Grab your copy on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and don't just read the lines, read between them.

What does it cost to save someone from themselves? And what happens when your past refuses to stay buried? Author Marguerite Nardone Gruen joins us to unpack The Madness of March, a gripping love story set against the chaos of college basketball where addiction, fame, and a devastating secret collide. From a career in global inventory management to crying at her keyboard over characters she never expected to create, Marguerite's journey to becoming an author is as unexpected and compelling as the stories she tells. Grab your copy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at authormargueritegruen.com — and don't sleep on her trilogy, The Band Four.

What if everything you've been taught about the Book of Revelation is missing the most critical piece? In this episode of People of Distinction, retired veteran and unlikely author David Ceiga breaks down his groundbreaking book End Time Prophecies Amplified, a scripture-by-scripture deep dive that doesn't add to the Bible, but uncovers what's been hiding in plain sight. From the four horsemen to the generation that ends in 2048, David's research will challenge your assumptions and send you straight to the source. Get your copy now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble — make sure it's the updated 2025 edition.

The world changed when the pandemic hit, and Dr. Rose Bruce didn't just survive it she documented it daily through the lens of a radical choice: love. In this powerful conversation, the veteran social scientist and author of Pandemic. A Call to Love, unpacks the spiritual diary she kept during eight of the most turbulent weeks in modern history. Revealing how data, prayer, and conscious choice became her lifeline. This episode is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, love is still a decision you can make. Pick up her book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or visit rosesobriety.com

What if the most profound life advice didn't come from a therapist's office, but from a colony of penguins in Antarctica? Clinical psychologist Dr. Muriel McClellan traded her couch for a camera, traveled to the frozen edge of the world, and came back with Advice from the Penguins, a breathtaking photo book that delivers real psychological wisdom through some of nature's most unlikely gurus. In this episode of People of Distinction, Dr. McClellan shares the deeply personal journey behind the book, why she believes curiosity is the greatest gift you can give yourself, and the story of a bullied young girl who found the courage to "just walk on by." Don't miss this one, then grab your copy at drmurielmcclellan.com

What if everything falling apart around you isn't the end — it's actually a sign that something new is being born? Author and biblical researcher Everett Triplett joins us to unpack his book You Can Survive World War III, drawing on decades of scripture study, a near-death accident, and a jaw-dropping encounter with a Navy veteran who witnessed nuclear testing firsthand. From Ezekiel's ancient warnings to Deuteronomy's curses and Daniel 9:11, Everett connects the prophetic dots in a way that's equal parts sobering and strangely hopeful. This isn't doom and gloom, it's a delivery room.You Can Survive World War III — available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, everetttriplett.com | biblicly.com

What if the real secret to healing isn't found in therapy or self-help shelves — but in a single act of reaching out? Author Dalia Vernikovsky joins People of Distinction to share her extraordinary journey from a freezing car in New Jersey to the pages of Reflections III: The Magic Beyond the Pain — a poetry collection that turns personal darkness into a roadmap for others. She unpacks the power of one (yes, even a starfish can change everything), the responsibility that comes with true leadership, and why healing others is the fastest way to heal yourself.Grab your copy at daliabooks.net — available now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

What happens when your entire life changes in a split second — and no one around you truly understands what you're going through? Kaitlyn Daly survived a devastating multi-car collision caused by teenagers fleeing police, endured seven surgeries, and had to relearn how to walk and talk — then wrote the book she desperately needed but couldn't find. In the Blink of an Eye is part memoir, part lifeline, and in this episode, Kaitlyn opens up about grieving your old self, the words well-meaning people say that quietly sting, and why surviving isn't the same as being a victim.Get your copy now at kaitlyndaly.com, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

Before the internet. Before CCTV. A bomb nearly decapitated the British government — and that was just the beginning. Author Stephen James joins us to unpack High Vis Murder, a historically grounded thriller rooted in the IRA, the miners' strike of 1984, and a personal vendetta that spirals into something far darker — and uncomfortably familiar. If you think the battle between the public and the institutions meant to protect them is a modern problem, this book will remind you it's been burning for decades.

What if your mother made you feel like you'd never measure up — and then forced you to become Empress? Mark Gaebler joins us to break down Chronicles of the Yankee Trader: Empress Rising, a sweeping sci-fi saga over a decade in the making — co-authored with his son — that blends empire-building, genetic warfare, reluctant royalty, and first contact with humanity in ways you won't see coming. Five books are planned, and once you start, you'll understand why this world was built to last.

What started as a grandmother searching for bedtime books worth reading became a five-part series that turns the boldest stories in the Bible into sacred, peaceful moments your child will never forget. Dr. Gloria Akinniyi — educator, scholar, grandmother of 11 — joins us to discuss Young Hearts: Kingdom Builders, the stunning final volume in her children's series that brings the radical faith of the early church to life for the youngest believers. From Pentecost to shipwrecks, she reveals how she translated courage, miracles, and even martyrdom into language that inspires without scaring — and why your child might just ask better theological questions than you.Grab your copies of all five books at Amazon today.

She served her country for 20 years — and the system she swore to protect told her no one would ever take her word over an officer's. Captain Dawn Ottman joins People of Distinction to share the raw, unflinching story behind her memoir Unwelcome, a precedent-setting account of sexual harassment, assault, and institutional silence inside the Canadian Forces. Her case became the first in Canadian history to receive Veterans Affairs benefits for PTSD induced by sexual misconduct — and she's sharing it so no one else has to suffer in silence. Whether you've worn a uniform or not, this story is about being seen, being believed, and refusing to be erased.Pick up Unwelcome at captaindawnottman.com, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

What if your rejection letter wasn't a dead end — but a divine commission? In this episode of People of Distinction, author Morgan Smith breaks down his debut novel Auroran Templar Omega Night, a faith-rooted fantasy epic where a high school senior is called to don armor forged from the power of God and battle evil on an alien world. Morgan shares the inspiration behind the book, its spiritual foundation in Ephesians 6, and the message he hopes every reader — especially the lost and uncertain — walks away with.Get your copy at aurorantemplar.com or on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

What do you do when God keeps telling you wait — and your whole life feels stuck on pause? In this powerful episode of People of Distinction, author Lea Giesbrecht opens up about immigration battles, cross-cultural tensions, and the quiet, stubborn faith that kept her from throwing in the towel — all detailed in her raw and riveting memoir, The Courage to Wait: A Memoir of God's Goodness and Faithfulness. Whether you're white-knuckling your way through a delay you don't understand or simply tired of being told "trust the timing," this conversation will give you the permission slip you didn't know you needed. Grab your copy on Amazon and Barnes & Noble — and pick one up for someone who needs it too.

Before cell phones, before selfies, and long before everyone had a camera in their pocket — one man quietly photographed history. In this episode, Peggy O'Donnell joins us to tell the extraordinary story behind her late husband Patrick's memoir, What Do 11 US Presidents, the Dalai Lama, and Whoopi Have in Common? — a once-in-a-lifetime account of six decades spent capturing world leaders, celebrities, and icons with nothing but a camera and the rare gift of earned trust. From Nixon in Whittier to Obama at UC Irvine, from the Dalai Lama's private dinner table to Whoopi Goldberg in the green room, this book is living history you can hold in your hands. Grab your copy on Amazon or Barnes & Noble — you won't regret it.

What if a 9-year-old boy had a direct line to heaven — and everyone around him knew it? In One of the King's Men, author Estelle Everingham shares the extraordinary true story of her son Cameron, a prophetic, joy-filled child who walked between the physical and spiritual worlds with effortless ease — until the day he finally went home for good. This is not a story about grief; it's a story about eternity told through the eyes of a boy who never doubted it existed. Pick up your copy through Amazon or Barnes & Noble today.

What do you do when history refuses to stop happening? Roberta Roy, speech-language pathologist turned novelist, sat down with us to talk about The Morning After the Morning After — a gripping, historically accurate novel that weaves January 6th, COVID, Hurricane Ida, and global displacement into one family's fight to hold it all together. This isn't just a book about survival; it's a mirror held up to the chaos we all lived through — and somehow, it's still hopeful.

What does a teenager in 1968 have to teach us about the choices we're facing right now? In this episode, we sit down with author Paul James Hatke to unpack his debut novel Moving the Tassels — a gripping story set against Vietnam, political unrest, and the weight of decisions that can't be undone. This isn't just historical fiction; it's a mirror held up to the moment we're living in.Grab your copy on Amazon or Barnes & Noble and decide for yourself which side of the tassel you're on.

What if a prophecy said you would destroy everything you loved — would you believe it? Gordon Lazarus joins us to talk about Chasing Fate: A Snow Dragon's Odyssey, an epic fantasy built not on magic and elves, but on character, consequence, and sheer human will. From classically trained musician to debut novelist in his fifties, Gordon proves it's never too late to build an entire world from scratch — and blow the genre wide open doing it.Grab your copy at snowdragontale.com or wherever books are sold.

He left Fiji with a dream, crossed the world with a dime in his pocket, and still found a way to fly. Mahendra Jagir joins the People of Distinction podcast to share the extraordinary true story behind his memoir My Dream, My Destiny — from farming roots in Fiji to earning his pilot's license against every odd imaginable. This conversation is raw, inspiring, and a masterclass in what it looks like to refuse to quit. Grab your copy at mahendrajagirauthor.com, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

Most of us spend our lives chasing what's ahead — Kim Francisco spent decades looking down, tracing Alaska's rivers from a small plane to protect one of the world's last great salmon runs. In Flying Fisheries, this former Alaskan fisheries biologist takes you 800 feet above some of the most remote wilderness on earth, where the stakes were life, death, and the future of a fishery. Equal parts adventure memoir and quiet meditation on perspective, this conversation will make you rethink what it means to truly pay attention. Pick up your copy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or KimFrancisco.online

What if the greatest school in Black American history was hidden on purpose? Archie Morris III pulls back the curtain on Dunbar High School — a segregated public school in Washington D.C. that sent 80% of its Black graduates to college at a time when most of America said it was impossible — and asks why this blueprint for excellence has been buried for decades. In his groundbreaking book Up from Slavery: An Unfinished Journey, Morris connects the dots between that lost legacy and the crisis failing our schools today. The history you were never taught might just be the answer we've been searching for.

What happens when a former middle school teacher turns 20 years in the classroom into a survival guide that hits different — no matter your age or gender? Lisa Catherine Patino joins People of Distinction to talk about her book Finding Your Voice: A Teen Girl's Survival Guide, and why building real confidence, setting boundaries without guilt, and knowing you are enough aren't just teenage struggles — they're human ones. Whether you're 15 or 45, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are. Grab your copy on Amazon or Barnes & Noble today.

A sweater made from scraps, sold to save a family, and miraculously returned to the girl who loved it — Bob Schuck joins us to share the story behind The Miracle of the Ugly Little Sweater: A Tale of Redemption, a children's book that's really about sacrifice, faith, and the second chances we all quietly hope for. From a dream during COVID to classrooms across America, this attorney-turned-author delivers a message that hits as hard for parents as it does for kids. Pick up your copy now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

What happens when a people labeled as "savages" discover they were always a people of promise? In this powerful conversation, author Jocelyn D. Whitehead returns to People of Distinction to break down her groundbreaking book Savages, Apes, or People of Promise: A Biblical Study of Black Ancestry — dismantling centuries of lies about identity, spirituality, and heritage through a bold biblical lens. This is the conversation that gets whispered in kitchens but never spoken into microphones — until now.Grab your copy at JocelynWhitehead.com, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble, and go read, go grow, and go build.

A retired lawyer who didn't speak English until 25 just wrote one of the most gripping literary thrillers you haven't heard of yet. Jean Lagacé joins us to unpack The Manuscript — a story of witchcraft, a stolen novel, and a dead doctor whose words outlive him in the most dangerous way possible. From the courtroom to the publishing house, this conversation digs into creative ownership, the audacity of theft, and why the best stories don't need a living author to shake the world. Grab your copy at authorjeanlagace.com — and find out why the real crime isn't on the page.

What happens when the lights go out — and they never come back on? In this episode of People of Distinction, author Nikki Broadwell pulls back the curtain on The Last Keeper of the Light, a gripping dystopian novel where survival strips humanity bare and love becomes the only compass left. From channeled characters to a haunting Hopi prophecy, Nikki reveals the eerie, almost prophetic origins of a story that feels less like fiction and more like a warning.Grab your copy at nikkibroadwellauthor.com — then come back for more, because she has 20+ titles waiting for you.

At 75, during a global pandemic, Paula Bailey sat down to write her very first book — and the result is nothing short of magical. Peaches in the 19 Cobras reimagines COVID-19 through the eyes of two dogs who believe 19 cobras are terrorizing the neighborhood, turning one of history's darkest chapters into a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming story for the whole family. In this episode, Paula shares how creativity, love, and a whole lot of Christmas trees helped her — and the rest of us — survive the unimaginable. Grab your copy at 1defulifepublishing.com, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.