Whispers & Bricks

Dan Hedgerich has survived many bricks being diagnosed with multiple times, divorce, and thoughts of suicide and what helped him through was his mindset. Dan has a strong faith and also taught himself to change his behaviors that were not serving. He now has a coaching business to not only help people dealing with cancer but other diseases as well. He reminds us how important self-love is and being true to yourself.

Valerie is a very strong woman, wife, mother, and grandmother though she has been through many bricks she doesn't let anything hold her down. She doesn't let her bricks define her. She is a business owns a non-profit and helps people every day. She reminds us to take time to care for ourselves when we go through bricks but to keep going. Don't let anyone else define who you are.

Barbara Legeere faced one of the greatest tragedies any parent can go through the loss of a child. After a long of battle with drug addiction, he ended his life. After falling into the wrong crowd in high school who introduced him to drugs and then he was introduced to harder drugs like heroin. Barbara tried to help him as much as possible through many rehab programs but nothing helped. After he died she had to deal with her grief and the feeling that she could have done more but she did her best. She wrote a book to help other parents going through the same journey. Her story is unfortunately not unique but reminds us even though it never ends we can find purpose through grief and help others.

Jeanne-Mari Retief is very ambitious she is BA, MBA, Ph.D., a law degree, and a very prestigious career. At the age of 35 she felt depressed she realized her painful past was something she had to deal with. From the trauma, she suffered when her family moved to South Africa to being sexually assaulted by her grandfather at a young age she had to deal with her past to overcome it. From her experience, she built an organization for professional women going through the same thing Figgy. Through her podcast and community for women, she has created a place for women where they can talk and ask for help without judgment.

Deborah Driggs career was skyrocketing and she was featured in Playboy, she was in movies and television. All that success was masking her addiction to alcohol, addiction to fame, and trouble with relationships, which hid the trauma and neglect she experienced as a child. Growing up with a father that was addicted to alcohol and a mother that showed her little affection. She started drinking at a young age it wasn't until she hit rock bottom later in life when she lost her money, her children were living with their father, and was in and out of institutions that she knew she needed help. She now helps others suffering from addiction to seek the help they need. No one should feel ashamed about asking for help. Her story reminds us that we must deal with our pain and trauma in order to lead truly happy and healthy lives.

Julie Cober had a successful career in HR but in 2019 she started to feel a shift in the industry more layoffs and more harassment issues. What she had always loved about her job helping other people have a job that they enjoyed she no longer had the time to do. She wanted to make a change. She thought about what she really liked about her job which was mentoring people. She decided to take a leap and start her own coaching business. While rocky at first due to covid. She now has a thriving coaching business mentoring women. She has found a second career she loves. Her story reminds us we are not meant to have a job that we merely tolerate but we are meant to thrive.

Anthony Pierre's life was going well he had a successful real estate business, a beautiful wife and child, and life was good. His business was expanding when he was hit with a brick divorce and then the recession hit and his business started struggling. In the midst of all this, an old childhood friend asked for help he didn't realize he was getting caught in a crime and arrested. He went to jail but he didn't let these setbacks hold him back. While in jail he taught classes to other inmates on real estate. He is best selling author and since he has come home he has rebuilt his real estate business. His story reminds us how important the environments we allow ourselves to be in are and how important are mindset around our setbacks is.

Mike Konrad has a very successful business now but it wasn't always that way he had to overcome several times of adversity. His story teaches us that an entrepreneur or anyone that is following a dream must preserve, evolve, and keep going. It reminds us that you must all be willing to pivot and evolve your skills. That even when you are up against huge obstacles you can overcome them. It is truly inspiring you are not going to want to miss it!

Kathryn an accomplished attorney, animal lover, and author of Addiction To The Status Quo. She shares her inspiring journey . Kathryn discusses the many bricks she has faced and how she overcame them. She outlines how she overcame the addiction to the status quo and why it is so important for everyone but especially professionals.

Pat had an unconventional medical career but she has always been focused on one thing making sure she can help people live healthier lives. She found her purpose by accident. She was finishing up her residency and realized that so many patients were not getting better and doctors were not happy. She decided she did not want to become a doctor. Later she went to a chiropractor who made her feel better and she realized that is what she wanted to do. That led to her later going on to learn acupuncture and other healing techniques. She reminds us that our health affects every aspect of our lives.

Tracey Livingston shares her journey of overcoming an eating disorder. She was the first in her family to graduate from college and she didn't have a lot of money. Facing so many bricks she developed bulimia and struggled in her classes. It took one of her professors noticing she was struggling for her to realize she needed to make a change. She started to learn about nutrition and how to heal herself. Since recovering from her eating disorder she has taken what she learned from that experience and helps others in reaching their own goals. Her story reminds us we can all take small steps today to reach our goals.

Jen Lee has an amazingly positive attitude she lets few things bother her but she has faced many bricks. A major brick was being the victim of a robbery and abduction. She was at her job as a manager of the store and a man held her, her co-workers, and customers at gunpoint. She details her harrowing experience and how she saved the other people involved from potential danger. She details what gave her the courage and how she handled the PTSD she suffered afterward. She has a podcast to help other survivors share her story. It is a very important story that reminds us that no matter what we are going through it will be okay.

Ros McMaster shares the many bricks that she faced in her life that led to her hearing the whispers. The whispers led her to not only a life that she loves but one where she is able to help so many people. She was in a toxic marriage for 30 years when her father was diagnosed with cancer this started her on her spiritual journey which gave her the courage to leave her marriage, explore her own demons and work on her healing. She later was diagnosed with cancer she had to have a hysterectomy but she survived cancer. She reminds us how important gratitude is and how much it can improve our lives if we look for the blessings in everything ebven the hard things.

Mark Herschberg could definitely be called an overachiever. He is the author of Career Toolkit and the creator of the app Brain Bump. He received a degree in electrical engineering, computer science, and a physics degree from MIT and a master's degree from MIT in electrical engineering and computer science. To go on to Harvard Business School. He has spent his career launching and developing new ventures at Startups and Fortune 500 companies with over a dozen patents under his name. Though he has had many successes he has faced many bricks of being bullied from a young age through his teenage years which held him back socially. He learned how to communicate and network. He reminds us how important these skills are for success in your life and career

Peter Wright had a great childhood in Rhodesia. As an adult, he had a thriving business but political turmoil in the country caused him to have to give up his home and move to South Africa. This wouldn't be the last time he would have to start a new business, give up his home, and move. He reached a low point after being hit with all of these bricks and briefly contemplated suicide but god intervened and prevented him from committing suicide. His story reminds us that no matter what you may be going through this too shall pass.

Michelle Risa is the CEO and founder of collaborative Solutions Inc.  A worldwide executive speaker Michelle is presented at the World Economic Forum, Viacom, Forbes, Barclays, and TEDx in Manhattan, including a six-month program with the New York Stock Exchange. She's an award-winning co-author of conscious enter entrepreneurs, a radical new approach to purpose passion, and profit, and a TV show produced since 1998. Bringing positivity to an otherwise negative news environment. Michelle holds a Master's from Columbia University and certifications as a conscious business change agent in breathwork and PTSD. She shares her story about surviving cancer twice during the pandemic and how it changed her mindset and outlook on life. Her story reminds us how strong and resilient we can all be and that if you want to make a change in your life it starts from the inside.

Tim McCarthy suffered from undiagnosed depression. In 2015 Tim was depressed, he felt disconnected from his friends, he was going through a divorce, and he was ready to end his life when his cat saved him. He ended out reaching out to his friends and family. He sought professional help and works towards better mental health every day. He now runs a podcast to help others going through mental health issues. He reminds us to find humor in life and find a circle to help us with whatever we are going through.

Jessica Baladad's life was going well. She had a career she loved and enjoyed her life with her husband. When she found a lump in her breast, she told herself it couldn't be. Jessica was young, and she had just been to the doctor. It turned out her doctor had missed it, and she would find out it was cancer that her grandmother and aunts died from. She was terrified. She struggled to tell her family and friends who were by her side throughout the process. Jessica shares her journey with us. Just as she reached the end, the pandemic hit, and she would find out her reconstruction surgery was being put on hold. She wasn't sure what to do, but she knew she wanted to help other women take back their health, so she taught herself how to create an app to do just that. Her story reminds us of the importance of community and paying attention to your health.

Christy Powers had a successful career and seemly a great life, but she wasn't feeling well. She felt exhausted, had brain fog, and wasn't feeling like herself. She went to several doctors who told her she was depressed until she was diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases. She was given medication and told there was nothing she could do about it. She refused to accept that. So she went on a search for answers and solutions. She started changing her diet, meditating, changing her lifestyle, and now both autoimmune disorders are in remission. She has written a book about her journey to help others and has a coaching practice. She shares her journey with us, what kept her going, and what we can all do to achieve the health and wellbeing we deserve. She reminds us always to follow our intuition, and if you don't like the answers you are getting about your health, keep searching.

Joe Hall shares his inspiring story from wall street banker to a movie producer. He walked away from a 17-year-old career at Goldman Sachs to pursue a lifelong passion for producing independent films. His first feature-length film The Road to Galena has just debuted. The goal of his film is to inspire others to follow their dreams. His story reminds us that it is never too late to follow our dreams. Now is the time.

Charles had a career that he liked helping youth and adults navigate through the wilderness but it was on a trip through the kern river he wasn't feeling the same he felt himself being short and feeling unfilled. He didn't know what it was until he found out that his partner was leaving him for another man. He was obviously crushed but he heard the whispers that told him to go to a therapist. This decision changed his life for the better. He was able to dig into things from his childhood that were holding him back. He learned how to adjust his ego to feel better about himself and his relationships and now helps others do the same.

Lauren had a very successful career in HR that she liked but she was hiding a secret. She was suffering from chronic pain that was undiagnosed. In order to hide it she worked harder. She basically just worked and slept. After finally getting some help with a diagnosis from the Mayo Clinic and suffering another medical brick of breaking both her shoulders. She started to hear the whispers that it was time for a change in her career. After going through extensive rehabilitation to be able to use her shoulder she returned to work and then covid hit. She knew it was time to make a change. She now is a career coach and she is living a life she loves. She reminds us that if you want to you can always make a change in your life.

Lindsay Jewell has faced many bricks in her life. Yet, she shares her journey with us. Her bravery in sharing her story is truly remarkable. Reminding us that no matter how many bricks life throws at us, we can overcome them. Part 2 is her struggle of trying to be a mom, dealing with her childhood trauma, and battling her addiction. Every step forward that she took, she was hit with a brick that set her back. Yet, she reminds us that keep trying even when life is tough. We hope her story helps people facing these issues or know someone who is.

Soneakqua White has suffered a few bricks in her life but one of the largest was the death of her oldest cousin at the age of 17. Her cousin was trying to flee an abusive relationship when she was killed. Soneakqua could have prevented it by helping her cousin. This experience made her change her major in college to physiology which ultimately would change her life. She is an author and the owner of cathartic coaching and consulting She helps her clients work through their issues with their families. She reminds us to be proactive when it comes to our mental health. Don't wait for the brick!

Anissa had a perfect life as a professional singer and a stay-at-home mom to her 2-year-old with a new baby on the way she couldn't complain when her entire life changed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She learned to live her life for the moment and she now helps other people live a life they. love. She reminds us to start living our life now!

Chad Osinga has faced a lot of bricks in his life. He had a troubled childhood growing up in a drug house, his mother died from an overdose, and he never met his father. He spent most of his childhood in the streets, dropped out of high school, and as an adult, joined the army to become a sniper, eventually training others, including the FBI. Life, unfortunately, continued to be complicated. After being medically retired from the army, he would suffer from PTSD. Suffering from addiction, his 5-year-old daughter had a stroke, two sons were diagnosed with autism, and he suffered from two near-death experiences. He is now graduated from college and is sober. He is using his story to help others. He shares his story with us, reminding us that no matter what you are going through, you can overcome it.

Gin Stephene struggled with her weight on and off most of her life. She faced the biggest struggle with her weight after the birth of her second child. That is when she decided to try intermittent fasting, which not only helped her lose weight but her overall health. She now helps others learn how to do intermittent fasting the right way to lose weight and improve their health. She is best selling author of two excellent books on intermittent fasting. You won't want to miss it!

Anu shares her story. She suffered her brick at the age of 3. She had to deal with PTSD from then on. This caused a lot of turmoil in her life she learned to overcome. She now teaches others how to deal with trauma and live happier lives. Her story reminds us that there is no brick that can not be overcome but it is a constant journey that we must work on every day.

Rudy Salo is an infrastructure and finance lawyer passionate about improving transportation. He grew up in the 80s as a child of Jordanian immigrants. Due to the politics and current events of that time, he faced discrimination. He found an outlet for his frustration as a teenager through punk music. This later led to his passion for law. He went to Georgetown to pursue international law. He faced challenges in his first year of law and early in his career, but he preserved. He reminds us that having a creative outlet is very important and that everyone can be creative. He also reminds us that the most important thing is to be who you are.

Jon has many bricks but he has used the bricks he has faced to help others find healthy ways to lose weight. From being brutally attacked in South Africa, To gaining over 3 hundred pounds, to learning how to deal with PTSD and rage. To lose weight and find his true calling of helping others do the same. His story reminds us that healing is a process but it can be done. It is process that we must go through to live happier and healthier lives.

Leah Marmulla has faced many bricks in her life. She grew up in an abusive family and felt like she was not noticed. She strived to be a good girl which caused her problems as an adult. She married young and found herself in a marriage that which she was striving to keep together that ultimately left her unhappy. She tried to commit suicide 3 times in her life. Luckily each attempt failed. After the third attempt, she realized she had to figure out how to really live her life. She now lives a life that is fulfilling and is able to help others. Her story reminds us that it is never too late to change your life and live the life you truly want.

Fred Rutman suffered from severe health problems, diabetes, and heart problems. In one summer, his heart stopped 20 times. He was given a pacemaker that failed. He eventually found a solution to increase his health through intermittent fasting. Learn more about his fantastic story. He reminds us that we can always find answers if we look outside the box.

Rachel Michelberg had a normal life when her husband was in a plane crash. He survived but suffered extensive injuries including brain damage. She had two small children and wasn't sure how she would take care of her husband. She made a difficult choice and had him stay in a rehab center to heal instead of bringing him home. This was a very hard choice but was the right choice for her family. She still visited him and made sure he saw the kids and was a part of family celebrations. She still oversaw his care she just could not physically care for him. Her story reminds us that sometimes you might have to make an unpopular choice because it's the right one for you and that love sometimes means making hard choices.

Joe Templin has had a very successful and varied career but one of the bricks he learned the most from was having a child with special needs. His son has Autism and both his sons have ADHD. Helping his sons navigate the world has taught him lessons that not only help his children deal with change but help his business clients deal with the unknown. He reminds us to not only embrace change but plan ahead for it. His story reminds us that no matter the bricks we face we can find ways to adapt and thrive.

TJ Bell has faced a lot of bricks in his life growing up in a single-parent household. He suffered from alcoholism and drug abuse as a teenager and young adult. He was involved in street gangs and served time in jail, but he turned his life around for himself and his family. He is now sober and has his podcast to help others follow their dreams. He reminds us to go after our dreams and keep trying. His story reminds us that it is never too late to change your life.

Clarisa Burt has had quite an impressive career in modeling, film, and television. She even won celebrity survivor in Italy. Life has not always been perfect for her. She faced bricks in her childhood and later on in her career. Early on in her life, she faced one of her most significant bricks as a child growing up in an abusive household with an alcoholic father. When she listened to the whispers and helped her mother, her sister and herself escape that house. She later would listen to the whispers of people telling her she should be a model to start her modeling career, which took off from there. She reminds us not to regret anything we go through in life because it helped to shape the person we are today. That we are only as strong as we are fragile. Life will knock you down, but always get back up and always strive for personal growth.

Donna Furguson shares her story of being a domestic violence survivor that used her experience to help others live more fulfilling, empowered lives. She describes the massive bricks she faced and the whispers that helped her get out of that situation to find her path in life and happiness. She reminds us that healing happens from the out.

Lindsey Jewell shares the last part of her story with us her recovery. She has faced so many bricks and finally is in recovery from her addiction. She now shares her story to help others deal with some of the bricks she has faced. Her story reminds that you can overcome any brick no matter how large or how many are thrown at us.

Lindsay Jewell has faced many bricks in her life she shares her journey with us. Her bravey in sharing her story is truly amazing. Reminding us that no matter how many bricks life throws at us we can overcome them. Part 1 is the early years. Lindsay faced her first brick at the age of 6 when she was molested. That caused her to battle depression and drug abuse as a teenager. She got married, graduated from college, was single mom all while struggling with a drug addiction that kept rearing it's ugly head and causing problems in her life. We hope her story helps people who facing these issues or knows someone who is.

Carmen found her second calling in life documents the stories of families and people with dementia. Having worked40 years as a nurse, she met a couple the wife had dementia. She saw their struggle and realized how important it was to share their stories and other families like them dealing with dementia. So she documented their lives in photos, wrote a book, and started a non-profit to document and help those with dementia. Carmen faced her struggle with the disease when she was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, and she realized how isolated patients with dementia were. So she started a Youtube channel and podcast to document their stories and help them feel less alone. She reminds us to always find joy in life and hold on to that.

Carlos Acosta is a father, husband, and successful business owner but life wasn't always perfect for him. He has overcome many bricks including a divorce and a car crash that almost left him dead. He healed from his injuries with the help of his family. From that moment on his life changed he no longer takes one moment for granted. He knows that your life can change in an instant. He hosts a podcast focused on seizing the day. He reminds us to take nothing in life for granted.

Eddie was diagnosed at a young age with a disease that caused him to lose his sight . He now has a furniture store that is very successful. He and his wife Katie share their journey. There were some bricks along the way but they led to the whispers that led to their success. He really shows us what you can do with perseverance and that it can always be worse. #lifesjourney #motivation #inspiration

Ari shares his amazing story of courage and survival on Naomi Murphy's podcast. He shares lessons he learned from that experience and advice you can use without having to be hit with such a gigantic brick.

John Tarnoff is a career coach, especially for people over 50. He teaches people how to pivot their careers and use failures as success. A lesson that his long career in Hollywood taught him. Being a very volatile industry, he faced many job transitions for many reasons. Then, in 2001 he had a startup that struggled due to the recession. Then, he heard a whisper telling him to go back to school, which led him to his current career helping others. He reminds us that sometimes everyone needs a reset and that your second act is not only possible but great! If you need some inspiration about a career shift, this episode is for you!

Deanna Kuempel is a serial entrepreneur who has owned several successful businesses both by herself and with her late husband. She has faced several bricks from being a victim of domestic violence and human trafficking. To losing her husband and having to start over. To the successful podcast host with a job she loves and a fiancee. Her story reminds us that we must keep going when times get tough. She reminds us not to dread the inevitable able struggles in life but embrace them.

Hans Kullberg, an author and entrepreneur, went through every parent's nightmare. His 10-month-old daughter died. He describes his grief journey, what helped him get over this large brick, the whispers that kept him going, and what he learned. He also describes a near-death experience he went through in his 20's. Now he does many things to honor his daughter's life, including a children's book and always striving to be the best dad he can be. He reminds us to cherish every moment with our loved ones.

Michele Risa did not have to go to the hospital from the age of 16 to the age of 70. When she was diagnosed with cancer which she beat, she was diagnosed with cancer again at 71 that she beat again. Michele describes her journey from working in the corporate world to quitting her job and starting her own business Collaborative Solutions Inc, helping companies change their company culture to retain employees. She reminds us that life is a mixture of bricks and whispers, often simultaneously. Her story reminds us that even the bricks that can seem awful at first can be an opportunity.

Josh Olmos runs a successful marketing business, has a podcast, helps homeless youth, is a loving husband and father of 4. But, life wasn't always that way. Josh became homeless at the age of 14. He describes what happened and how he eventually found his parents. Josh also tells us about the bricks he faced as a young father and what helped him build the life he wanted. But, most of all, he shares the advice he received that helped him overcome any brick you don't want to miss this!

My guest today is Herb Long a business coach and very distinguished man. He received a BAA in Finance from Howard University and his MBA from Wharton. He has worked in an engineering firm, is an entrepreneur, and has owned several businesses. He has found that he likes coaching the best but before he reached his destination he had to overcome many bricks. While fighting unsuccessfully to save his family business, he went through a divorce and the biggest one of all he learned at the early age of 54 that he was suffering from dementia.  Learn how he healed from his dementia and listened to the whispers to find his true calling which was coaching. It is a remarkable story you are not going to want to miss!

Lily Walford was a successful accountant for fortune 500 companies but found herself in the wrong relationships. She went from dating a narcissistic psychopath to someone who was emotionally unavailable. Lily took this brick, listened to the whispers, and tried to figure out what was happening. First, she wanted to find out why she attracted the wrong men. She learned a lot has to do with your mindset and also being able to profile behavior to know when you're dealing with a dangerous personality. Then, she used this knowledge and experience to help people find lasting, loving relationships.