The Gentle Year

With over a decade of experience trading foreign currencies, Albert Smith brings a deep understanding of the global financial markets and family to The Gentle Year. 

After years in retail, manufacturing, and corporate finance — including 17 years with a Fortune 500 investment firm — he went on to found his own commodity trading company.

Passionate about helping others achieve financial freedom, Smith believes that investing is not just about money, but about empowerment, independence, and choice. His insights on leverage, discipline, and long-term thinking inspire listeners to approach both finance and life with strategy and purpose.

Amber Trivedi — Co-Founder of LifeSpark Labs

Amber Trivedi is the Co-Founder of LifeSpark Labs, where she helps organizations and leaders cultivate curiosity, empathy, and emotional intelligence in the workplace. Drawing on her experience as both a professional and a parent, Amber brings a unique perspective on how the skills we use to lead teams can also transform how we nurture our families.

In her conversation on The Gentle Year, Amber reflects on parenting in the digital age — from navigating screen addiction and online communication to fostering emotional awareness and human connection. Her insights remind us that curiosity, patience, and understanding are the real tools of growth, both at home and at work.

David Fowler is a dedicated teacher, mentor, and the founder of Your Future Basketball, a program that empowers young athletes to reach their full potential both on and off the court. With years of experience in education, David combines his passion for teaching with his love of the game to help students develop discipline, leadership, and confidence.

Through Your Future Basketball, he creates opportunities for youth to grow not only as players but as individuals — focusing on teamwork, accountability, and the mindset needed for success in life. His work reflects a deep belief that sports can be a powerful vehicle for personal growth and lifelong learning.

Rebecca L. Norrington is a Happiness Specialist, author, and emotional wellness coach dedicated to helping people live from the inside out. With a background in psychology and over two decades of experience in personal development, Rebecca blends science, spirituality, and humor to teach others how to prioritize emotional balance over external success.

As a contributor to The Gentle Year, Rebecca offers insights that help parents, students, and families cultivate authentic joy, resilience, and peace — even in life’s most chaotic seasons. Her work reminds us that happiness is not something we chase, but something we choose moment by moment.

Shara Ruffin is a licensed therapist, parent, and founder of Journey to Licensure, a company dedicated to supporting social workers and mental health professionals on their path to professional licensure and emotional well-being.

As a mother, entrepreneur, and advocate for self-awareness, Shara shares candidly about breaking cycles of cultural conditioning, healing through emotional work, and homeschooling her Gen Alpha son while running a thriving business.

In her appearance on The Gentle Year, Shara opens up about motherhood, grief, and growth — offering wisdom and hope for parents striving to raise emotionally grounded children in a fast-paced world.

Tanya Bunting is the mother of 5 children and is a dynamic creative instructor specializing in essay writing, storytelling, thumbnail design, video editing, and video production. With a passion for helping students craft compelling narratives—whether in written form or through multimedia—Tanya empowers learners to find their voice and express it with clarity and impact. Her background in visual storytelling and digital content creation equips students with real-world skills that translate seamlessly from the classroom to college applications, YouTube channels, and beyond. Whether polishing a personal essay or producing a standout video project, Tanya brings a thoughtful, energetic approach to every session.