My guest Brandon Neely is a certified Profit First and Bank on Yourself professional.  He and his wife Amanda are small business and financial professionals who are committed to helping make your financial world simpler, securing your wealth, and ensuring your legacy.  They owned and managed a small business for many years and learned what works and what doesn’t.  Their focus now is developing personalized financial strategies for individuals and couples and profitability strategies for businesses.  Together, they wrote and published an interactive money journal titled Five Smooth Stones.  Brandon knows all too well that success isn’t a race, but a strategy.

Book: Five Smooth Stones

Website: https://www.wealthwisdomfp.com/ 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/WealthWisdomFinancial

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/wealthwisdomfp/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealth-wisdom-financial/

My guest Craig Meriwether is a mindset coach and clinical hypnotherapist helping people eliminate negative emotions and trauma so they can reach their full potential. He is a graduate of the renowned training institute Hypnotherapy Academy of America where he successfully completed 500 hours of classroom-style Clinical Hypnotherapy Training receiving his Certification as a Medical Hypnosis Specialist.  He has also completed over 200 hours of continuing education training.  Craig debunks many of the beliefs we have about hypnosis and describes how he uses the technique very successfully to enable a person to heal from hurt and pain.  He works with many ailments such as anxiety, fear & worry, self-sabotage and a lack of confidence.

Website:  https://arizonaintegrativehypnotherapy.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AceAnyTest

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ace_any_test/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-meriwether-44286718b/

Free gift: https://aceanytest.com/boost-your-confidence/

My guest Carrie Severson is a burnout recovery expert, author and speaker.  Carrie shares with us how she first suffered with burnout in 2013, but no one was talking about it, so she started to.   A few years before, she had successfully launched a non-profit that focused on bullying.  It was very successful yet stressful, and she found herself suffering from all the ailments associated with burnout – especially exhaustion, fatigue, and weight gain. Her book is titled Unapologetically Enough: Reshaping Success & Self-love. She also has a follow-up journal The Enough Method: Reclaiming Your Power, Worth and Peace After Burnout.  She was most recently a caregiver for her husband who had a cancer diagnosis.  Thankfully, he is in recovery.  She also just completed a book about her caregiving experience that will soon be released.

Book:  Unapologetically Enough: Reshaping Success & Self-love; The Enough Method: Reclaiming Your Power, Worth and Peace After Burnout

Website:   https://carrieseverson.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/carrieseverson.storyteller

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/authorcarrieseverson/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrieseverson/

My guest Fidele Sebahizi is a husband, father and author who is determined to make a positive impact.  His memoir is titled Creating a Life from Ashes which is truly what Fidele has done.  He shares his struggles growing up in a poor African village in the Congo.  He and his family were forced to flee and lived for a while in a United Nations’ refugee camp. Fortunately, he even survived an ethnically motivated massacre in that camp and eventually migrated to the United States.  He tells us about the many obstacles he has overcome as an immigrant.  Fidele has also studied to obtain his Bachelor of Arts degree in creative writing, and a Master’s degree and PhD in criminal justice.  He has been a police officer at the Abilene Police Department in Texas since 2017, serving as a beat cop and doing work that he enjoys as he interacts with and serves his community. 

Book: Creating a Life from Ashes

Website: https://creatingalifefromtheashes.com/

Facebook:  facebook.com/fidelesebahizi

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fidele-sebahizi

My guest Lea Dombrowski is a holistic health coach, nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner.  She shares with us the many health challenges she suffered with for years, including chronic infections.  She struggled going from doctor to doctor to find out what was happening to her body and what could be done to get well. And, she was often dismissed by them or given ineffective solutions.  Lea finally decided that she was going to take control of her own health and did her own studies and research. She made many significant lifestyle changes, including key dietary changes and added in needed supplements. She also studied and became a functional medicine practitioner as well as obtained many certifications.

Lea helps her clients by combining nutrition, fitness, functional medicine, and lifestyle adjustments.  She seeks to uncover the root causes of each person’s health concerns and then crafts a tailored plan for the wellness journey.

Website: https://www.livingwithstrength.com/

Instagram: Insta is @Lea_Dombrowski

My guest Marilyn Getas Byrne is a former popular television anchor and reporter for almost 20 years who worked for CBS and NBC affiliates on the West and East coasts.  She has become a writer and motivational speaker.  What caused the shift in her career? At the age of 40, with 2 small children, Marilyn faced breast cancer and went on a new path.  She shares how she endured active treatment for 1 ½ years and had a double mastectomy.  She also developed a huge life-threatening blood clot and even had a hysterectomy.  All I can say is that Marilyn is an amazing woman having endured these many health challenges with a smile and then even opened her home to a family member with severe mental illness.  She explains that she never had time for bitterness.  She is writing her memoir which she says is all about a journey of resilience, love, tragedy and hope.

Book: To be released

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilyn-getas-byrne-39135a177/

My guest Emily Blumenthal is the founder of Handbag Designer 101 and is a handbag industry expert as well as an adjunct professor in design and entrepreneurship.  On top of all that, she is the best-selling author of the book titled Handbag Designer 101: Everything You Need to Know About Designing, Making and Marketing Handbags.  Emily shares her inspiring story about how her career as an independent handbag designer started.  She observed how women would benefit from a small purse that would allow their hands to be free when they were out at night.  She designed such a purse, had them manufactured, and sold them to various boutiques.  Before long, she had multiple licensing deals, with her brand being sold at Macy’s, Dillard’s and QVC. She has also been a consultant for various handbag brands. Her book includes instructions for creating 15 essential handbag styles, with easy-to-follow instructions. She even includes the inside scoop of turning your handbags into a successful business. Emily is excited about the release of her children’s book in the summer of 2025 titled Savvy Suzanna and Her Amazing Adventure in Handbags.

Book:  Handbag Designer 101: Everything You Need to Know About Designing, Making and Marketing Handbags

Website:   https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hbd101/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/handbagdesigner

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-blumenthal-5893681/

My guest Jeremy Haselwood is a best-selling author and entrepreneur who became a consultant and trainer because he passionately desires to encourage and motivate others to unlock their talents and purposes.  He understands that so many of us struggle to find ours.  And, often, it is hiding in plain sight.  Jeremy’s advice to you when you are going through a difficult season in your life is to fully understand that your life matters and your story matters.  This season will end and then you can give hope to others. His book is titled Finding Your Edge: How to Unlock Your Talent and Purpose.

Book: Finding Your Edge: How to Unlock Your Talent and Purpose

Website: https://www.jeremyhaselwood.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremy.haselwood/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyhaselwood/

My guest Marcus Aurelius Higgs is a communications coach for parents of preteens ages 10-14 years old. He knows how important those years are as he taught children in that age group. And, he understands what it means for parents to have meaningful relationships with their children as these are critical identity forming years.  He developed the successful Showup Framework that he discusses in the podcast and has various workshops available on his website.

Website: www.marcushiggs.com

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcushiggs/

My guest is Logan Hufford has been involved for many years with a Christ-centered 12 step recovery and coaching program for sexual addiction.  Logan shares his personal story of being addicted for years to pornography, numerous affairs with women, and even hiring prostitutes.  And, all this is despite the fact that he has been married and has 4 children.  Logan shares about how in 2016, God led him to a Christian recovery program named Prodigals, and he has been a part of that program both as a member and now as a leader to help other men.  It was a long, difficult journey for him but he did not give up, leading to the reunification with his wife and children.  He strongly believes his mission is to share with others about his recovery and coach other men to recovery through this successful Christ-centered program.

Website:  https://www.prodigalsofalaska.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/no.longer.in.bondage?igsh=MWl6d3B0NzE0Y2ltdQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

My guest Ande Lyons is all about pro-aging and positive aging so that we do not allow our age to determine our abilities and capabilities.  She’s a serial entrepreneur who founded 4 businesses and has mentored startups all over the world.  She has also been a serial podcaster since 2012, with her current podcast titled Don’t’ Be Caged By Your Age.  Kim is passionate about helping you reimagine and repurpose your lived experiences for a vibrant life at any age.

Website:   https://www.dontbecagedbyyourage.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ande.lyons

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ande_lyons/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/

Kim Rahir is a 60-year-old health coach and mother of 3, who specializes in working with women who are in their midlife years.  Kim shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with MS about 10 years ago.  She was determined to do all she could to beat the diagnosis and started exercising, especially using weights.  Kim eventually left her journalism career when she was in her 50s and became a health coach for middle aged women.  She focuses on helping women to reactivate and rebuild muscle as this is critical for women to build strength and regain their mobility and eventually take back their lives.  Her certifications are numerous, including as a personal trainer, fitness nutrition specialist, nutrition coach, buff bones osteoporosis exercise instructor, and kettle bell instructor.

Website: https://kimrahir.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kim.rahir/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kim.rahir/

Dr. Danny Brassell is a highly sought-after motivational speaker, author and coach. 

Danny was an inner-city teacher for many years and was involved with students from elementary to high school.  He then became an educational advisor.  He earned a journalism degree from American University and then a master’s degree and eventually a PH. D in education.  Danny is on a mission to bring joy back to education and the workplace by showing us how to increase our influence through powerful communication skills.  He is a prolific author having written 16 books, with the most recent being Leadership Begins with Motivation and Bring Joy Back to Education.  He is also offering a free gift to my listening audience by going to www.freegiftfromdanny.com.

Book: Leadership Begins with Motivation and Bring Joy Back to Education

Website: https://www.dannybrassell.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DannyBrassell

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realDannyBrassell

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannybrassell/

Dr. David Chotka is a prolific Christian writer who holds a PhD in spiritual theology.  He is also the Founder and Director of Spirit-Equip Ministries, which trains and equips Christians and gives them the steps they need for a successful spiritual life.  His recent book is co-authored with Dr. Maxie Dunnam and is titled Healing Prayer- God’s Idea for Restoring Body, Mind and Spirit.  In it, they share biblical principles with practical applications of boldly praying for healing. Together, they have extensive experience and knowledge gained through 90 years of ministry and study, and provide answers to such questions as: 

Does God still heal today? How does He heal? What role are Christians to play as part of the healing process?

Dr. Chotka has provided us below with a free link to download the first chapter in their book.

Book: Healing Prayer- God’s Idea for Restoring Body, Mind and Spirit

Website:  http://www.spiritequip.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SpiritEquip

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/david_chotka/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-chotka-at-spirit-equip/

Link to free first chapter of book: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FdIWuvZnK-erPNho3FGUgccpZghC9VyZ/view?usp=sharing

Jonathan Tuteur is an executive coach, management consultant, speaker, and author.  Although he had a rare complication at birth as the youngest of triplets, he lived a normal life. He obtained his BA degree in Business Administration with a double concentration in Human Resource Management and Information Systems and a minor in psychology.  He also holds an executive certificate in leadership coaching from Georgetown University.  Jon shares how when he was 30 years old, he started experiencing seizures and eventually had three brain surgeries.  These surgeries along with medication have allowed him to control the effects of the disease. Jon is passionate about helping people grow and become successful leaders, and his coaching clients include individuals at all levels, from emerging leaders to senior executives. His book is titled Seizing Today – Discovering Purpose and Authenticity in a Life-Changing Diagnosis.  Jon shares how epilepsy affects 1 in 26 persons and 4% of the world’s population. He hopes to break the stigma and misunderstanding of this disease.

Book: Seizing Today – Discovering Purpose and Authenticity in a Life-Changing Diagnosis

Website: https://www.jontuteur.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-tuteur/

Cheryl Mason is an author, speaker and what she describes as the “chief catalyst” at Catalyst Leadership Management, her own innovative company. Her educational and professional backgrounds are exemplary.  She earned a BA in psychology and political science and a law degree. Cheryl defied all odds by becoming the first woman and military spouse Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals at the Department of Veterans Affairs.  In her book titled Dare to Relate: Leading with a Fierce Heart, she shares her journey as a multiple suicide survivor, as both her father, who was a WWII veteran, and her older brother died by suicide. She describes how her experiences have empowered her to embrace unconventional and successful leadership. Cherly provides leadership development and organizational consulting, including strategies to help with improving interpersonal skills, networking, and diversity and equity issues.

Book:  Dare to Relate: Leading with a Fierce Heart

Website:   https://catalystleadershipmgmt.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/catalystleadershipmgmt

Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/cherimason17_author

LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/cheri-cheryl-mason-publicspeaker

Carol LaBov is a loving wife of 46 years and an adoring grandmother. She has been an avid reader since childhood and eventually majored in English in college.  When her second grandson Cooper began having speech challenges, she was there to help and support him and his parents.  She wrote a book to encourage him and others to grow beyond their problems. The book is titled The Caveboy Who Would Be President and it tells the story of a boy with speech challenges.  It is filled with messages of love and acceptance.  Carol especially wants to impact children, families, therapists and teachers whose lives are affected in one way or another by speech challenges.

Book: The Caveboy Who Would Be President

Website: https://www.labov.com; https://caveboybook.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/carollabov/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carollabov/

Danielle Bernock is an award-winning, faith-based author, speaker and personal coach who is passionate about helping those of us who are 50 and older live courageous, victorious, and vibrant lives.  Danielle shares her story of surviving childhood trauma.  She tells us that childhood trauma is an epidemic and adults often diminish it or fail to recognize how it has affected their lives. Often, unhealthy coping leads to alcoholism or drug addiction. She is the author of 5 books including Emerging with Wings: A True Story of Lies, Pain and the Love that Heals and Because You Matter.   On her website, she offers a free trauma assessment as well as a 7-day challenge and coaching, speaking, and workshop opportunities.

Book:  Emerging with Wings: A True Story of Lies, Pain and the Love that Heals; and Because You Matter

Website: https://www.daniellebernock.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniellebernock/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbernock/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellebernock/

My guest Sharon Hughes is not only an award-winning author but also a confidence and self-worth expert, coach, and speaker.  Sharon was not always confident and filled with self-worth though. She shares with us how she grew up with a lot of abuse.  Then, when she was 16 years old, she went to a party where she was given a drink with drugs, unbeknownst to her.  She ended up being physically assaulted in a garage. Eventually, when she was 17, her father kicked her out of the house.  Sharon was able to pick herself up and started her own business that became internationally known for home décor.  Her book is titled The Girl in the Garage: 3 Steps to Letting Go of Your Past.  Sharon is passionate about helping women grow and develop through her faith-based confidence and self-worth strategies.

Book: The Girl in the Garage: 3 Steps to Letting Go of Your Past

Website:  http://sharonhughes.net/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CalledtoConfidence

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/sharonhughesofficial/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-hughes-speaker/

My guest Beth Sandlin has been an experienced Pilates teacher for over 20 years and the founder of Trifecta Pilates. Beth shares how she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia – a form of cancer - when she was just 20 years old. Thankfully, after 5 years, she was in complete remission. She enjoyed exercising but it was not until she read the book Return to Life Through Contrology by Joseph Pilates that she realized that Pilates was not only a good exercise workout, but also a complete lifestyle system that can help you live your life to the fullest. She established her company Trifecta Pilates to take the holistic approach that was promoted by Joseph Pilates and incorporate the latest knowledge of physical conditioning, the nervous system, and total wellness.  Her online classes and programs provide many options for members to learn, grow, and develop their best lives.

Website:   https://trifectapilates.com/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/trifectapilates

Instagram:  http://instagram.com/trifectapilates

YouTube: http://youtube.com/trifectapilates

My guest Stephen Lagomarsino or Steve Lags for short is an electrical engineer by profession and a very successful businessman.  He grew up in a family in which both his father and grandfather were successful businessmen.  As the oldest son, he felt pressured to perform well and meet their high expectations and suffered from anxiety and depression.  After graduating from college, he joined his father in the family business TRC Electronics and eventually purchased his father’s share of the business.  He has been able to grow the company exponentially and propelled it to the forefront of the power distribution sector.  Steve’s passion is working with business leaders in leadership programs. He firmly believes that one of the main keys to success is personal empowerment as people can accomplish much more than they think.

Email: steve@stevelags.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/stevelags

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevealags

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-lagomarsino/

My guest David Ask is an author, entrepreneur, inventor, and coach. David was the driving force behind a product that is a thermostat guard called StatGuardPlus and is sold in such retail giants as Home Depot and Lowes. His passion is working with groups to help each member become clear about who each person uniquely is and his or her unique purpose in life. His book is titled Working on One – The Guardians of Grit. He wrote it for dads to help them raise what he calls “uncrushable young people.”

Book: Working on One – The Guardians of Grit

Website: https://www.davidask.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.ask.18

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedavidask/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedavidask/

Alan Lazaros is just in his mid-30s and already has many accomplishments under his belt.  He is an engineer by profession who also has a master’s degree in business. He also is the CEO, founder, and peak performance business coach at Next Level University.  He partnered with Kevin Palmieri who is the CFO of the company and whom I interviewed previously for my podcast episode #81.  Alan likes to say that “he has a mission to help others create a life full of both success and fulfillment.” He shares with us about how his father died in a car accident at the young age of 28, when Alan was just 2 years old. Then Alan was himself in a near fatal car accident when he was 26.  He began questioning what his life’s purpose was and made the tough decision to leave his successful career in corporate America to start his own business so that he could help others get to the next level in their lives. He shares all that is offered at Next Level University and his passion to meaningfully impact entrepreneurs.

Website:  https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros

Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/alazaros88

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc

Elena Brandner is a living testament to strength, resilience, and a determination to overcome.  Elena shares with us how she was a high-level athlete and body builder, who excelled in sports, and was also studying to be a pharmacist. Then, about two years ago, she was in a car accident which left her paralyzed from the waist down.  Due to her faith and the prayers and support from many in her community, she is defying the predictions that she would never walk again.  She tells us about her “never give up” attitude as well as the rigorous physical therapy routine that she does many times a week in order to achieve her goal of regaining her ability to walk.  She has become a life coach to help others with making mindset shifts and incorporate practices that are essential to achieving lasting lifestyle changes.

Instagram:  Flostate_recovery

Fabienne Hansen is also known as the “side hustle coach”.  What is a side hustle? Fabienne describes it as dipping your toes into entrepreneurship while continuing with a full-time job.  Fabienne shares her inspiring story about beating numerous personal and professional challenges.  She decided that she wanted to help build the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.  She asked herself “what if she could help others to build a career that they truly love, make a difference in the world, and monetize what they are passionate about?” She began by immersing herself in learning about the world’s best leaders. And, she spent many hours reading hundreds of books and participating in many different coaching programs. She also started on her own entrepreneurial journey by establishing a business. On her website, fabiennehansen.com, Fabienne offers the side hustle school and the side hustle playbook to help you accomplish your dreams of personal and financial freedom.

Website: https://fabiennehansen.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fabiennehansen_/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabiennehansen