Podcast appearances and mentions of Mary Young

What an incredible year of conversations, insights, and life-changing stories! In this powerful compilation episode, I’m bringing you the most loved moments from five extraordinary leaders who lit up the Direct Selling Accelerator podcast in 2025. You’ll hear from Jordan Essentials’ Nancy Bogart on adapting your business with heart, LifeWave founder David Schmidt on thinking 10 years ahead and embracing innovation, Stampin’ Up!’s Sara Douglass on the mission to eradicate loneliness, Young Living’s Mary Young on building community through authenticity, and my own business coach, Mike Johnston, on navigating scams and strengthening trust in the digital world. This episode is packed with high-value strategies for growing your Direct Selling business—future-proofing with AI, elevating your leadership, creating deeper community connections, transforming your mindset, and mastering relationship-driven selling. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, these insights will help you build a thriving, heart-centered, and sustainable business. Join me as we revisit the wisdom, laughter, breakthroughs, and mic-drop moments that shaped our year. And remember—take the gold you hear today and put it into action. Your business will thank you! We’ll be talking about: [00:00] – Introduction [02:29] – Introducing Nancy Bogart [03:35] – From Markets to Direct Sales [05:58] – Supporting Women as a Core Mission [08:08] – Thriving in 2021 Without Product-in-Hand [11:08] – Teaching Relationship-First Sales [13:31] – Introducing David Schmidt [14:45] – Thinking 10 Years Ahead [17:03] – Record-Breaking Drone Innovation [21:17] – The Future of Nutrition [23:52] – AI as a Business Advantage [24:54] – Introducing Sara Douglass [27:14] – Discovering Her Why: Eradicating Loneliness [29:57] – Helping Others Find Their Why [31:15] – Leading With Community [33:36] – Building Community One Person at a Time [35:42] – Introducing Mary Young [38:03] – A Life of Music & Performance [40:57] – Speaking From Passion, Not Perfection [41:29] – Simple Business Principles That Built an Empire [45:42] – The Power of Kitchen-Table Connection [47:55] – Introducing Mike Johnston [49:00] – Why Scams Happen to Anyone [52:10] – Two Types of Scammers [53:10] – The Want–Value Gap [56:06] – Emotional Manipulation Red Flags [59:56] – Final Thoughts Resources Full Podcast Episode Link: ➡ Nancy Bogart: https://youtu.be/wZL49ck-g34 ➡ David Schmidt: https://youtu.be/lK4DObXVNSc ➡ Sara Douglass: https://youtu.be/jEoOHlc5MkU ➡ Mary Young: https://youtu.be/6P5IcyO_Iuw ➡ Mike Johnston:https://youtu.be/NA3BkbdKiPw Book: ➡ The Lie Detection Book by William J. Majeski: https://bit.ly/4oUQIUz Connect with Direct Selling Accelerator: ➡ Visit our website: https://www.auxano.global/ ➡ Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DirectSellingAccelerator ➡ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auxanomarketing/ ➡ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auxanomarketing/ ➡ Email us at communnity_manager@auxano.global If you have any podcast suggestions or things you’d like to learn about specifically, please send us an email at the address above. And if you liked this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, tune in, and share this podcast. Are you ready to join the Auxano Family to get live weekly training, support and the latest proven posting strategies to get leads and sales right now - find out more here https://go.auxano.global/welcomeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As our Ladies' Nights kickoff, we'll take a closer look at our theme this year, The Fruit of the Spirit. It's foundational that we realize this Fruit (and its growth) is a direct result of having Jesus in our lives. He makes the Fruit grow and helps us be more like Him along the way. Our part is to get the “soil” of our lives ready for Him. We also need to be aware of potential bad fruit in our lives. Join us as we take a practical look at what this looks like in our lives. The Rock Women Ladies' Night “Fruit of the Spirit — Foundations” Mary Young September 8, 2025

Dom and D are back you know what it is. This episode they discuss: 6:46 The Osundairo brothers are up to things 10:31 Cardi B Court case should be a signal 17:30 Judge Mullins being killed because of a trafficking ring 26:19 Damascus Review (TV) 47:06 Tyrese mad about Mary J. Blige Not doing a collab 1:00:27 Young Thug mad about Kendrick Lamar 1:17:13 Physical sales soaring for K Pop artists Subscribe to the Everyone Needs an Aquarius Patreon https://bit.ly/3tXnnCz  Go cop your candles from Dom at www.saint-angeles.com/candles and use the promo code: Aquarius Email the show at straightolc@gmail.com           Follow SOLC Network online Instagram: https://bit.ly/39VL542                                    Twitter: https://bit.ly/39aL395                                     Facebook: https://bit.ly/3sQn7je                            To Listen to the podcast Podbean https://bit.ly/3t7SDJH                                YouTube http://bit.ly/3ouZqJU                                Spotify http://spoti.fi/3pwZZnJ                                Apple http://apple.co/39rwjD1                                                         IHeartRadio http://ihr.fm/2L0A2y 

Joining me in this podcast episode are the phenomenal Mary Young, founder of Young Living Essential Oils, and the brilliant Gaya Samarasingha, who played a pivotal role in launching the fresh and vibrant new Direct Selling brand, Wyld Notes. These two inspiring women have come together to shake things up in a big way—and they’re doing it with style, passion, and purpose. They’ve seen the challenges our industry faces—shifting times, struggling companies, the rise of affiliate marketing—and instead of sitting back, they chose to act. And get this: from concept to launch, they had Wyld Notes up and running in under six months. Talk about go-getters! So grab a pen and notebook—there are so many golden nuggets in this one—and get ready to be uplifted, empowered, and maybe even a little awestruck. Let’s dive into the story of two women on a mission to elevate Direct Selling to a whole new level. Enjoy the episode! We’ll be talking about: ➡ [0:00] Introduction➡ [3:13] What Mary and Gaya learned about each other since launching Wyld Notes➡ [6:41] What is Wyld Notes? ➡ [9:57] Make use of what is working and add new➡ [13:00] Being certain about the directions the company is going ➡ [16:40] A lot of repetition ➡ [21:24] Making the right shift for Young Living➡ [24:50] It was a process ➡ [31:08] Short timeline ➡ [33:57] Hitting a roadblock ➡ [36:24] Mary’s and Gaya’s favourite fragrance ➡ [37:12] What’s next with Wyld Notes? ➡ [38:36] Wyld Notes impact globally ➡ [45:55] Mary’s and Gaya’s advice for those trying to get started with the industry ➡ [49:28] Mary’s and Gaya’s recommended book➡ [51:07] Mary’s and Gaya’s dream superpower➡ [52:30] Mary’s and Gaya’s quote➡ [53:58] Mary’s and Gaya’s Advice to their past selves ➡ [57:51] Check out Wyld Notes website and coupon code➡ [59:48] Final thoughts Resources Discount on first Wyld Notes order: 15% off Coupon: AUXANO15 Recommended Book: ➡ The One Gift by Gary Young:https://bit.ly/4nuAnX8 ➡ The Lean StartUp by Eric Ries: https://bit.ly/3I9M45i Quotes: ➡ “Have thick skin and short memory” by Gary Young ➡ “It’s never eaten as hot as it’s cooked” by Gary Young Previous Podcast Episode: Mary Young https://youtu.be/6P5IcyO_Iuw Previous Podcast Episode: Gaya Samarasingha: https://youtu.be/6ew2kxBEVY8 About our guests: Since Young Living’s inception, Mary Young has combined her expansive knowledge and experience in the direct-selling industry and her incredible business acumen with her hands-on approach to help Young Living grow—and remain—the world’s leader in essential oils. She first discovered the direct-selling industry in 1985. Within two years, she had built a successful multimillion-dollar organization. Gaya Samarasingha was born and raised in Sri Lanka, Gaya came to the United States in 2004 with two suite-cases, love of her life, and full of dreams. She is a mom, a wife, an immigrant, and an entrepreneur who is passionate not only about clean skincare that addresses the needs of women; but also empowering women in business. After nearly a decade of experience in the Direct Selling Industry working for mature billion-dollar companies to newer companies that are going through a hyper-growth stage, Gaya left an executive position to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. Connect with Wyld Notes: ➡ Wyld Note’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wyld.notes/ ➡ Wyld Note’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyld.notes/ ➡ Wyld Note’s Website: https://wyldnotes.com/ Connect with Young Living: ➡ Young Living’s website: ​https://www.youngliving.com/ ➡ Young Living’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoungLiving/ ➡ Young Living’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/young-living-essential-oils/posts/?feedView=all ➡ Young Living’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngliving/?hl=en Connect with Gaya Samarasingha: ➡ Kalaia IG - https://www.instagram.com/kalaiaproducts ➡ Kalaia FB - https://www.facebook.com/kalaiaproducts ➡ Kalaia Website - https://kalaiaproducts.com Connect with Direct Selling Accelerator: ➡ Visit our website: https://www.auxano.global/ ➡ Subscribe to Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DirectSellingAccelerator ➡ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auxanomarketing/ ➡ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auxanomarketing/ ➡ Email us at communnity_manager@auxano.global If you have any podcast suggestions or things you’d like to learn about specifically, please send us an email at the address above. And if you liked this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, tune in, and share this podcast. Are you ready to join the Auxano Family to get live weekly training, support and the latest proven posting strategies to get leads and sales right now - find out more here https://go.auxano.global/welcomeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of 'Speak the Truth,' listeners are invited to register for the upcoming ABC Call to Council conference. Mike is joined with Justin Greene and Mary Young, both cancer survivors, discuss their newly launched Cancer Care Ministry at Salem Heights Church. They share their personal journeys with cancer, the unique challenges faced by cancer patients, and how the new ministry aims to provide practical support, emotional comfort, and spiritual guidance. Key topics include the importance of humor, sharing stories, and maintaining hope amid suffering. Additionally, they emphasize the necessity for other churches to consider establishing similar support groups and provide resources for starting such initiatives. 00:00 Introduction and Conference Announcement01:39 Welcome to Speak the Truth Podcast02:13 Introducing Justin Green and Mary Young02:37 Justin's Cancer Journey04:48 Mary's Cancer Journey06:15 Launching the Cancer Care Ministry16:33 The Oasis Cancer Support Groups27:39 Encouragement and Resources for Churches30:17 Conclusion and Contact InformationEpisode MentionsOur Journey of Hope - Cancer Resources 

What does it take to build an industry-leading company that transforms lives? Today, we’re diving into the incredible journey of Mary Young, a woman whose passion, wisdom, and leadership have helped shape the essential oils industry. You may recognise the name Young Living, a company known globally for its commitment to purity and sustainability. Founded by her late husband, Gary Young, Mary’s has played a pivotal role in its growth, guiding it with vision and purpose. Unlike our usual virtual interviews, I had the privilege of travelling to Utah to sit down with Mary in Young Living’s own podcast studio. I went in with a list of questions, eager to hear her insights, but what unfolded was so much more than I anticipated. Mary shared her personal experiences, the challenges she’s overcome, and the lessons that have shaped her leadership. As I listened, I was completely captivated by her story, her unwavering dedication, her deep belief in the mission of Young Living, and the way she inspires those around her. It was an unforgettable conversation, and I know you’ll feel the same. So, as you listen, I encourage you to reflect: What can you take from Mary’s journey and apply to your own business and life? Let’s dive into this remarkable interview with the one and only Mary Young. We’ll be talking about: ➡ [0:00] Introduction ➡ [3:57] Mary Young’s personal history ➡ [5:58] Following maps ➡ [9:42] Time to go home ➡ [13:30] Introduction to network marketing ➡ [21:32] Paying off debt through direct selling income ➡ [23:03] Something you love and making things simple ➡ [26:30] A trade secret in making money in direct selling ➡ [29:52] Introduction to essential oils and meeting Gary Young ➡ [36:24] It’s called fate ➡ [38:09] It’s like I’ve known Gary for a long time ➡ [40:08] “I Can’t put money on a shrinking ship, let’s start a company together” ➡ [45:47] What influenced Mary in building and growing a company ➡ [47:21] Kitchen table philosophy ➡ [51:28] Critical to introducing products ➡ [53:10] Making your presentation simple ➡ [56:22] Everyone is important ➡ [1:04:33] Mary Young’s recommended book ➡ [1:05:18] Mary Young’s favourite quote ➡ [1:06:15] Mary Young’s dream superpower ➡ [1:06:34] Mary Young’s advice to her past self ➡ [1:07:10] Mary’s final thoughts Resources Book Recommendations: ➡ The One Gift by Garry Young: https://bit.ly/3FerEqd Quote: ➡ “It’s never eaten as hot as it’s cooked ” by Gary Young About our guest: Since Young Living’s inception, Mary Young has combined her expansive knowledge and experience in the direct-selling industry with her hands-on approach to help Young Living grow—and remain—the world’s leader in essential oils. She first discovered the direct-selling industry in 1985. Within two years, she had built a successful multimillion-dollar organization. Mary maintains an active role in Young Living’s day-to-day activities, providing direction to the executive team and employees, mentoring members, and leading global philanthropic outreach through The D. Gary Young, Young Living Foundation. She embodies Young Living’s commitment to empowering individuals and communities as they strive to live healthy lifestyles. Mary also provides her two sons, Jacob and Josef Young, with support and insight into the Young Living business as they take on integral roles on the corporate team and make more of an impact on company decisions.  Connect with Young Living: ➡ Young Living’s website: ​https://www.youngliving.com/ ➡ Young Living’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoungLiving/ ➡ Young Living’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/young-living-essential-oils/posts/?feedView=all ➡ Young Living’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngliving/?hl=en ➡ Young Living’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/YoungLivingEssentialOils ➡ Young Living’s Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@theyldrop3589 ➡ Young Living’s X: https://x.com › youngliving Connect with Direct Selling Accelerator: ➡ Visit our website: https://www.auxano.global/ ➡ Subscribe to Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DirectSellingAccelerator ➡ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auxanomarketing/ ➡ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auxanomarketing/ ➡ Email us at communnity_manager@auxano.global If you have any podcast suggestions or things you’d like to learn about specifically, please send us an email at the address above. And if you liked this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, tune in, and share this podcast. Are you ready to join the Auxano Family to get live weekly training, support and the latest proven posting strategies to get leads and sales right now - find out more here https://go.auxano.globalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being in community with other Believers is a wonderful thing. However, we can easily hurt each other and even sin against each other, can't we? In those times, we need to know how to have the necessary hard conversations to protect and unify our relationships. In this message, we'll talk about what that looks like and role-play some common scenarios you might encounter. The Rock Women Ladies' Night Biblical Womanhood “Biblical Correction” (Having Those Hard Conversations) Mary Young March 10, 2025 Draper

We spoke with Mary Young, Program Director and Treasurer of the Upper Albany Neighborhood Collaborative, about the organization's mission to empower the residents of Upper Albany through the establishment of block clubs, job initiatives, educational programs, youth council and initiatives and economic development.

In this new Daze In Court episode, Rohan and Harriet engage in an in-depth discussion onthe principles of the Harman Undertaking and provide insights into best practices for briefing barristers, alongside a brief update on recent developments in the family law community.  Paper referenced, 'Can I use documents received in my family law matter for other purposes?', by Mary Young [link to paper here]  

Join Rashel Hariri in this empowering episode of She's Interesting as she speaks with Mary Young Ofori-Attah, the visionary CEO and Designer behind the intimate apparel brand MARY YOUNG. Since its launch in 2014, Mary Young has been a pioneer in promoting self-love and sustainability through her unique designs, impactful initiatives, and ethical manufacturing. Dive into Mary's journey of building a brand that challenges industry norms and celebrates individuality. Mary shares her insights on sustainable fashion, genuine marketing, and community growth in the digital age. Don't miss this inspiring conversation with Mary Young on She's Interesting! Subscribe, rate, and review for more empowering content! In this episode, we cover: (02:18) The inception of the Mary Young brand from a university project to a 10-year 7-figure brand (06:14) Early lessons in finding the right manufacturers and production houses for ethical apparel brands (09:11) Kickstarting the business with an $18,000 personal investment and government grants (10:33) Navigating gaslighting by manufacturers and committing to ethically made garments (14:51) The influence of strong women in Mary's life and applying their lessons to her business (17:37) How to identify ethical brands and the power of consumer buying decisions (22:27) The true meaning of self-love and self-care (26:05) Walking away from investors and resisting the pressure to scale unsustainably (33:52) Overcoming a scarcity mindset as a CEO and female entrepreneur (38:39) Managing the impact of a sports injury and concussion on cognitive skills and chronic pain Let's Keep In Touch: Newsletter:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shesinteresting-newsletter.beehiiv.com/ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@shesinterestingpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@shesinterestingpodcast⁠ ⁠Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠shesinteresting.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shes-interesting-podcast Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Explore the MARY YOUNG brand: ⁠https://www.maryyoung.com/⁠ Learn more about the Self Love Club: ⁠https://www.maryyoung.com/pages/self-love-club⁠ Here's how to keep in touch with Mary: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmaryyoung/ Resources and links to help you learn about a brand's ethics rating: https://goodonyou.eco/ https://ethicalbranddirectory.com/brand/ Music Credits Intro music: Lifeline by Kaleido

This episode of Direct Approach takes a look at Young Living's origin story with Mary Young, the company's inspirational Co-Founder & CEO. Mary recounts how the company started and the lessons they've learned about building belief, staying true to your roots and the importance of believing in your products and their potential. You're sure to be inspired and encouraged by Mary's story of this successful company built with passion and purpose. 

Mary Young, a trailblazer in the fashion industry and an advocate for ethical and sustainable business practices is my special guest today on the Bombshell Business Podcast. Join us as we explore Mary's entrepreneurial journey while discussing the resiliency she developed, the values she upholds, and the wisdom she shares with fellow Bombshells. Key Takeaways Starting Young, Striving Strong: Mary started her business at just 23, facing initial skepticism due to her age and gender; however, she used this as fuel to succeed and connect deeply with her customer base. Ethical and Sustainable: Mary Young Lingerie stands out for its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. From empowering garment workers with living wages to promoting mindful consumption, Mary's brand ethos reflects her values. Defining Success on Your Terms: Success isn't just about financial gains but about making a positive impact while staying true to your values. Mary encourages fellow entrepreneurs to define success on their terms and not be swayed by external pressures. Embracing Failure as Fuel: Mary's journey teaches us the power of resilience. She emphasizes that failures are inevitable but serve as stepping stones to growth. Embracing failure and learning from it is key to moving forward. Remember, success is not just about climbing the ladder but creating a life and business that aligns with your values and fulfills you. Want to hear more of Young Mary's wisdom? (You see what I did there

A finales de la primavera de 1974, un coche explotó en Boulder. Pronto siguió otro. Seis jóvenes fueron asesinados; un séptimo resultó gravemente herido. Llegaron a ser conocidos como Los Seis de Boulder. Este mes, Manuela Sifuentes y Jhocelyn Avendaño entrevistan a Mary Young, ex concejala de la Ciudad de Boulder para aprender más sobre esta historia.   BUENO Center for Multicultural Education   Memorial Scholarship Fund   Próximos Eventos: - martes, 21 de mayo de 2024 Redescubriendo la historia: explore los archivos de Los Seis y el movimiento chicano con la directora de colecciones de las Bibliotecas CU, Megan Friedel, y la directora ejecutiva del Centro SOE Bueno, Tania Hogan, en la Sala de Estudios Británicos e Irlandeses de la Biblioteca Norlin, de 11 a. m. a 5 p. m. - lunes, 27 de mayo de 2024 Evento conmemorativo del 50 aniversario de Los Seis en CU Boulder frente al Edificio Temporal 1. La marcha desde los sitios de explosión comienza al mediodía y el programa comienza en el campus a la 1:30 p.m. - martes, 28 de mayo de 2024 Dedicación de la escultura Los Seis, 18 y Pearl, 6 p.m.     Página de Facebook en español del Gobierno de la ciudad de Boulder 

Join us as we chat about our awesome year at Young Living. We had many personal and professional wins in 2023, and we bet you did too. So, let's welcome in the new year with the whole Young Living family. Tune in to hear stories from Jacob, Kait, Josef, and of course Mary Young. Here's to another eventful year!

As a foundation of understanding Biblical Womanhood, it's critical we grasp the true identity we have in Jesus Christ. If we don't, we'll look to temporal things the world has to offer such as: our physical appearance, our own abilities or even other people. It's only in Jesus that we find our true (and permanent) identity. Join us as we talk about this in-depth and also practical areas where you can walk it out. The Rock Women Ladies' Night Biblical Womanhood: Identity Mary Young November 13, 2023 Draper

The US government has spent an estimated $1 trillion on their 'war on drugs.' But, over more than 50 years, the cross-border flows of illegal drugs, arms and money have increased. It's a mess. And it didn't need to be this way. We look at the failed so-called 'war on drugs' and how to stop wasting precious lives. In part one of a two part series, we start with the supposed 'goodies' and the 'baddies.' Featuring: Criminology lecturer Karina Garcia-Reyes of the University of the West of England, author of Morir Es Un Alivio (Dying is a Relief) Las Reveladoras Historias De 12 Ex-narcos Que Lograron Escapar Del Crimen Organizado. Available in Spanish here  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Morir-alivio-Dying-Relief-Reveladoras/dp/6070777298/ref=sr_1_1?crid=SC60TMBCGZVM&keywords=morir+es+un+alivio&qid=1674560099&sprefix=morir+es+un+alivio%2Caps%2C64&sr=8-1  Eric Gutierrez, of the International Centre of Human Rights and Drug Policy https://www.hr-dp.org/contents/1620  Associate Professor of International and Organised Crime at Bristol Law School, Dr Mary Young https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mary-Young-13 Further Reading: Inside Mexico's war on drugs: Conversations with ‘el narco' https://theconversation.com/inside-mexicos-war-on-drugs-conversations-with-el-narco-129865 Poverty, gender and violence in the narratives of former narcos: accounting for drug trafficking violence in Mexico (Karina Garcia-Reyes) https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/193726176/Final_Copy_2018_11_06_Garcia_K_G_PhD_Redacted.pdf  Debunking the Narco Myth https://www.mexicoviolence.org/post/debunking-the-narco-myth A world fit for money laundering: The Atlantic alliance's undermining of organised crime control: Young, Mary Alice; Woodiwiss, Michael https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/5935899  Organised crime and security threats in Caribbean Small Island Developing States: A Critical analysis of US assumptions and policies: Young, Mary; Woodiwiss, Michael https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/849208  More podcasts are available on our website https://www.thetaxcast.com where you can also subscribe.  

Just what does it mean to be a biblical woman in 2023? The world calls for us to be independent. The Lord calls us to dependency on Him, through prayer and His Word. There is unbelievable fruit from doing things His way. We'll spend our LN's this upcoming year looking at several, practical ways we can glorify Him by the way we live our lives. The Rock Women Ladies' Night — Kickoff "Biblical Womanhood” Mary Young September 11, 2023 Draper

In February of 1959, Albert Lepard brutally murdered his seventy-four-year-old great-aunt Mary Young and was tried, convicted and given a life sentence at Mississippi's Parchman Penitentiary. Lepard would escape six times over fourteen years. In 1968, my guest Lovejoy Boteler, then eighteen years old, was kidnapped by Lepard during his fifth escape. He shares details about the research he has done over the years on the notorious Lepard, and tells the story of his own abduction. Lovejoy Boteler is the author of "Crooked Snake: The Life and Crimes of Albert Lepard." The book is available through Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Crooked-Snake-Crimes-Albert-Lepard-ebook/dp/B07PNRCP84. You can listen to the audio version on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Crooked-Snake-Audiobook/1494548844 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Mary Young Leckie had one of her infamous lightbulb moments, which inspired her to produce such amazing shows as M.V.P and the brilliant and award- winning film Maudie. With an immense passion for telling Canadian stories and steadfast activism throughout her career, Mary reveals she has an unwavering belief in all of the stories she tells. She also details the determination she has found to push through the sometimes-long journeys to produce her work. She shares how reaching out within the artistic community can fuel you, why we should always forgive those who have wronged us and how often the best way to wind down is to belt it out with a rock ‘n roll choir at Carnegie Hall.

In this episode of Sinister Dynasty, Andi and Ayla go back to the past of the 1800s to talk about a vaguely documented/known case involving racism, possibly wrongly convicted men and unjust treatment by the system for the murder of the 60-year-old woman: Mary Young!  Support the showListener discretion is advised, our content will not be for everyone.Music by Kyle Hsieh

We're on this earth for a short period of time. Our relationships need to be lived for Jesus — intentional in every season of our lives. What does that practically look like? In this message, we'll take a closer look at what matters in our relationships (and what doesn't). Ladies Night “What Matters” Mary Young April 10, 2023 Draper

Anna “Ann” Dimmitt, 86, passed away at St. Mary's Hospital on Monday, January 9, 2023. She suffered a stroke late on New Year's Eve and responded very little during her nine days in the hospital. Ann was born in Monticello, IN, on December 10, 1936. She was the daughter of the late Robert G. Williams and the late Mary Young. She graduated from Roosevelt High School on May 27, 1955. On May 27, 1956, in Monticello, she married her husband of 66 years, Harold Dimmitt. Ann was a devoted housewife, not working out of the home until their youngest child...Article LinkSupport the show

God give us His Armor to protect us from the spiritual warfare raging around us. The Shield of Faith deflects the flaming arrows (lies) of the evil one, when used properly. We need to know what the shield is, how to use it, and how to grow closer to God in the process. We need to ask for help from other believers and join together to be battle strong. Armor of God Shield of Faith Mary Young November 14, 2022 Draper

Bishop On Air talks with Mary Young, executive producer for Springfield Theatre Centre about "Fun Home" being performed this and next weekend.

Creator of her namesake intimates brand, Mary Young knew from a young age that fashion was her calling. Sure of her deep values of self-love and sustainability, Mary worked to build a brand that would stay true to these values even as it grew. For episode 57, we sat down with Mary to talk everything MARY YOUNG. We explore her business' growth, how she engages with her community (even as platforms have evolved) and if she ever envisioned what MARY YOUNG what the brand would become. We also talk about the Self-Love Club and what it means to be a truly sustainable brand. Finally, we discuss how business owners can overcome their imposter syndrome to build powerful content platforms that engage their communities. Shop Waves Social merch: https://www.wavessocialpodcast.com/merch Show Notes:Introducing today's guests, Mary Young. Entrepreneur, speaker and self-love advocate. What sparked Mary's interest in the intimates market?What Mary noticed was missing in the fashion world as far as accessibility for intimates. How Mary got involved in the fashion industry young, starting her first company at age 14 and MARY YOUNG at 23. Did Mary envision her business becoming what it is today?As MARY YOUNG grew, how did Mary keep the company values central to the business?Is sustainability being treated like a trend?What is the Self-Love Club and who can join?Stumbling upon organic stepping stones for your brand.What major steps helped MARY YOUNG grow over the years?The problems with glamorizing fast growth. What inspired The Muses project?We go back to the “Golden Days” of Instagram and talk about dealing with platform evolution. How to overcome imposter syndrome when trying out new platforms. Balancing a namesake brand and a personal life. Where does Mary set boundaries?What's a side of Mary that we don't see in the brand?If Mary could do it all over again, what would she change?Do all business owners, and entrepreneurs, need to be content creators?What's one piece of advice that's stuck with Mary. Who is Mary seeing make waves and why?Discussed in this episode:MARY YOUNG: https://maryyoung.comMARY YOUNG on Instagram & TikTok: @itsmaryyoungMary Young on Instagram: @yungbiscottiPia Baroncini: @piabaronciniWaves Social with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

International Essential Oils Day is right around the corner. This year we're celebrating the 30-year anniversary of our St. Maries Lavender Farm and Distillery—the place where it all began! Mary Young will be on site to give an address and lead the festivities. Learn more about the event and where some of your favorite products are grown in this episode featuring Brett Packer, Young Living's Executive Director of Farms.

To the Memory of Mary Youngby Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)    God has his plans, and what if we    With our sight be too blind to see    Their full fruition; cannot he,    Who made it, solve the mystery?    One whom we loved has fall'n asleep,    Not died; although her calm be deep,    Some new, unknown, and strange surprise    In Heaven holds enrapt her eyes.    And can you blame her that her gaze    Is turned away from earthly ways,    When to her eyes God's light and love    Have giv'n the view of things above?    A gentle spirit sweetly good,    The pearl of precious womanhood;    Who heard the voice of duty clear,    And found her mission soon and near.    She loved all nature, flowers fair,    The warmth of sun, the kiss of air,    The birds that filled the sky with song,    The stream that laughed its way along.    Her home to her was shrine and throne,    But one love held her not alone;    She sought out poverty and grief,    Who touched her robe and found relief.    So sped she in her Master's work,    Too busy and too brave to shirk,    When through the silence, dusk and dim,    God called her and she fled to him.    We wonder at the early call,    And tears of sorrow can but fall    For her o'er whom we spread the pall;    But faith, sweet faith, is over all.    The house is dust, the voice is dumb,    But through undying years to come,    The spark that glowed within her soul    Shall light our footsteps to the goal.    She went her way; but oh, she trod    The path that led her straight to God.    Such lives as this put death to scorn;    They lose our day to find God's morn. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit iwillreadtoyou.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 33: Mary Young is the founder of her namesake lingerie and swimwear brand with a mission to empower women of all sizes. Founded in 2014, Mary Young is based in Montreal, Canada, and is committed to creating ethically made garments with quality, environmentally safe materials. In this episode we discuss: How Mary started her lingerie company after graduating from college The making of ethically-made slow-fashion garments Mary Young's initiatives to promote self-love and inclusivity  Mary's advice for young entrepreneurs If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe/follow the show and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Thank you!

Today on the podcast, we're joined by Kelly Case, Young Living's chief of staff, who has been working with Gary and Mary Young for 22 years. She's been around to see the company grow from a few farms to a global enterprise with members in more than 155 countries. Tune in to hear her thoughts […] The post Episode 25: Stories From a Dedicated Career ft. Kelly Case first appeared on Young Living Essential Oils | The YL Drop.

Kelly Case is Young Living's Chief of Staff and has been working with Gary and Mary Young for 22 years. That spans multiple buildings, many trips, and so many essential products. She's also been around to see the raising of two great young men, one of whom is wearing many hats in the company including podcast host. Today Kelly shares some insight and what is it about a company in this modern world that can keep someone around for over two decades.

SHOW NOTESIn this podcast, speech therapist, online business owner, and mom Mary Young teaches us how to have the courage to "show up" in our lives. "Confidence is not something you have, it's something you practice." She teaches how to adjust your mindset to give yourself permission to pursue your dreams. "Life is not pass or fail." Welcome to Habits for Humans, the show that explores how to program your brain to maximize your potential. The goal of this podcast is to teach you how to instill systems and habits to live a healthy, sustainable, deeply satisfying way of life.LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/habits-for-humans/id1608255992Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/habits-for-humans/PC:78911Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/habits-for-humansGoogle: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xODUzMTE5LnJzcw?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwjgg_zbwsXzAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQNQSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3wdU3gjrkvdAXEbYMY3Z7QiHeart radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-habits-for-humans-87797161/SPONSORED BY CARD SALAD✩ Eat Well Meal Planning System: https://cardsalad.com/eatwell✩ Website - https://www.cardsalad.com✩ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cardsalad✩ Twitter - https://twitter.com/cardsalad✩ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cardsalad✩ Youtube - https://bit.ly/habitsforhumansOUR GUESTMary Young is a certified Speech-Language-Pathologist, online business owner, wife and mom of 4 littles. She is always looking for the next adventure, and the next snack.Talking Toddler is an excellent online course for parents of young children (0-3 yrs). Mary has rolled together all of her knowledge gained from a decade as an SLP, and experience as a mom of 4, and organized it into small, easy lessons. Parents can learn at their own pace and apply the strategies with their child immediately. Better communication = better connection.OUR HOSTPamela Henrie is the owner of The Success Choice, and the creator of the award-winning Success Choice Planner, Choosing Joy in the Journey Journals, and the Success Choice Challenge workshop. She regularly writes for the Daily Herald in her column “Choosing Success.” Pamela is passionate about inspiring herself and others to improve themselves and their worlds and to choose joy in their journey. Her planners, journals and workshops help you filter through the noise of life and establish positive routines to find balance, order, and joy in the journey.https://www.thesuccesschoice.comhttps://www.facebook.com/thesuccesschoiceInstagram:@thesuccesschoice @joyinjourneytodayTwitter: @successchoicehttps://www.pinterest.com/successchoicehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thesuccesschoiceDo you have expertise and a unique solution t

Welcome to This Could Work — a podcast where we not only tout self-love, we attempt to put it into action. Join us, Mary Young and Mallika Viegas, as we explore the ever trending and sometimes monetized world of self-care. We are honest, open and above all, human. We aim to explore whether self-care practises are all they're cracked up to be — or if they're just another passing trend. Through meeting with different experts (scientists, therapists, friends and professionals), we explore and uncover whether these additions to our routine could have profound life long impacts.   Look, the last thing any of us want right now is another person telling us we NEED to be incorporating another thing into our busy lives; but with the right incentive and result based research we are committed to presenting self-care in a way that's accessible. We are all about learning alongside you as we go because — growth, baby! Join us for new episodes every Tuesday.

When you build a business on values and principals that aren't common in the marketplace, you can almost guarantee that it will be hard to find exactly what you need as you scale. In this episode, Mary takes us through her unrelenting pursuit of finding diverse models for her social and product photography. In a world that catered to white, skinny, tall models, it was nearly impossible to find the talent she needed to execute her vision. Then, she created a business to fill that need. Press play to hear Mary tell us all about it! Watch this episode on YouTube! Listen to us on Apple Podcasts They Get It Instagram Mary Young Instagram Mary Young Website Brand we're loving this week: Midday Squares Use this EMMAC15 for 15% off at checkout

Before you read through this episode's show notes, go to our blog and find our 12 Steps to Branding blog post. As you read through that, listen to Mary's thoughts on manufacturing in Canada and you'll see a perfect example of someone who is driven by their brand values. In this episode, Mary acknowledges some of the hurdles local manufacturing presents and gives advice to founders on how best to go about having products produced without compromising. This is a super tactical conversation with Mary- press play to hear her take us through it! Watch this episode on YouTube! Listen to us on Apple Podcasts They Get It Instagram Mary Young Instagram Mary Young Website Brand we're loving this week: Midday Squares Use this EMMAC15 for 15% off at checkout

Mary Young founded Mary Young while in fashion and design school at Ryerson University. She talks about falling into the lingerie opportunity and beginning to focus on the businesses without much intention of taking it long term. This is such a great episode for anyone testing an idea right now and getting some early validation. Learn from Mary's advice and experiences help you make the most of your journey. Press play to hear Mary tell you all about it! Watch this episode on YouTube! Listen to us on Apple Podcasts They Get It Instagram Mary Young Instagram Mary Young Website Brand we're loving this week: Midday Squares Use this EMMAC15 for 15% off at checkout

Tom Riello talked about the identity crisis at Notre Dame. Mary Young shared about the mission of COPE Pregnancy Center in Montgomery. Peter Jesserer Smith discussed his article about the upcoming Synod. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Young Living's story is Gary Young's story. Young Living recently unveiled a statue of it's founder and the father of the modern day essential oils movement at its global headquarters in Lehi, Utah. This episode will play a portion of the CEO and Co-Founder of Young Living, Mary Young, speech at that statue unveiling. She begins with that primal connection between a man and nature. A primal connection between a man and his horse. 

Young Living's story is Gary Young's story. Young Living recently unveiled a statue of its founder and the father of the modern-day essential oils movement at its Global Headquarters in Lehi, Utah. This episode will play a portion of the speech given at the statue unveiling. Listen as YL CEO and Co-Founder Mary Young reflects […] The post Episode 7: A Man and His Horse—featuring Mary Young first appeared on Young Living Essential Oils | The YL Drop.

Great and Unique Podcast Interview w Mary Young President of Narraguagus ATV Club

Welcome to Montrose Fresh, from The Montrose Daily Press. It's FridayJune 11th and we're here with local news, events, announcements, jobs, and more that matter to us here in Western Colorado.    Today - A freshly signed anti-bullying law honoring the memory of a Montrose teenager who died by suicide in 2015 is a building block for ending bullying.   Today's episode is brought to you by Elevate Internet. Whether it's for your home or your business they offer the best speeds at the best price. Right now, if you refer a friend you can get $25 off! Give them a call for more information at 844-386-8744 or visit them at www.elevateinternet.com.   Now, our feature story…   A freshly signed anti-bullying law honoring the memory of a Montrose teenager who died by suicide in 2015 is a building block for ending bullying.   Maya Haynes of Montrose and her husband, Todd, were in Denver Monday to witness Gov. Jared Polis sign House Bill 1221.    Its official title is Bullying and Prevention in Schools — but it is more poignantly known as Jack and Cait's Law. It's named for the Haynes' late daughter, Caitlyn, and Jack Padilla, a Cherry Creek teenager who also died by suicide.   When Haynes refers to kids, she does not only mean her daughter. She means both other victims of bullying — and those who bully.   Jack and Cait's law requires the Colorado Department of Education to use a certain process for bullying prevention. The process has to include parents of students who were subjected to bullying. This policy has to make clear the difference between a conflict and bullying.   Current law already requires specific policy for preventing bullying. But this  bill requires that incidents of bullying be listed as a separate type of violation.   Under the final version of Jack and Cait's Law bullying as grounds for suspension or expulsion was stricken.   Why? According to Haynes, that's  not  a long-term solution.   After Cait's death in 2015, Haynes established the nonprofit PEER Kindness, an anti-bullying and support foundation.   Then, Haynes and Todd met with Padilla's family and Senator Don Coram, as well as House Sponsors Lisa Cutter, and Mary Young. Together, they crafted a bill they felt comfortable lending their daughter's name to.   In order for Cait's name to be on the bill, the family wanted the suspension and expulsion language removed.    Conflict between students is not always the same thing as bullying. She says the more support, the more lives we are going to be able to save.   Coram said he was proud to sponsor the bill in the Senate.   The Haynes family advocated for the bill and also have maintained PEER Kindness. Padilla's parents, Rick and Jeanine also began advocacy work after the devastating loss of Jack, who was 15 when he died in 2019.   The bill's provisions direct education toward those who bully, rather than only addressing their victims.   To learn more visit us at montrosepress.com.   -   Now, some local history. This week's local history is brought to you by England Fence. England Fence is family owned and operated, and they're ready to help you build your dream fence, archway, gate, or deck. Give them a call at 970-249-4430, or head over to their website englandfence.com. Richard E. Fike founded the Museum of theMountain West in 1997. He is a retired historical archaeologist having served as state archaeologist for the Bureau of Land Management in both Utah and Colorado.    Fike served on committees in both Utah and Colorado for the Federal & State Register of Historic Places and is an expert in historical restoration. He began collecting western memorabilia when he was just 4 years old. He had his first museum in his parent's guest room at the age of 8.    By age 12, he had begun his card catalog of artifacts. This Museum is the result of Fike's lifetime dedication to preserving the history of the west.   The Museum was incorporated in 2005. The artifacts, buildings, and grounds have been being donated by the Fikes for the education and enjoyment of visitors for generations to come.   -   And finally, before we go we'd like to remember the life of    Ralph Lowery of Ridgway. He was born in 1962 in Montrose. As a boy, he could be found playing in the dirt with his trucks and GI Joes. He had a love of adventure and adrenaline through his overnight horseback rides and motorcycle escapades.    He attended Ridgway High School where he participated in photography, basketball, baseball, skiing, and cruising in his beloved Mustang.    After graduating in 1980, Ralph continued his education, and got a certificate in automotive technology. Ralph then returned to Ridgway and Dallas Creek Ranch where he joined his father as an operator for Lowery Excavating.   Ralph married Shawna Brickey in 1981. Together they had 2 daughters. One of Ralph's greatest joys was being a father and passing on his love of camping, riding horses, and muscle cars.   In 1990, Ralph met and married Storme Lea Zanett. Together they created many friendships and memories while enjoying country drives, supporting the community, and entertaining friends and family.   Ralph was happiest behind the handlebars of his Harley Davidson. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time with those he loved, telling stories, and creating laughter and memories. Ralph cherished visits from his daughters and grandchildren, his nieces and nephews, and dearest friends. He loved fiercely and prided himself on teaching and helping others. His laughter and hugs will be greatly missed.   Thank you for taking the time to remember and celebrate Ralph's life.   That's all for today, thank you for listening! For more information on any of these stories visit us at montrosepress.com.   And don't forget to check out our sponsor, Elevate Internet. Visit them at elevateinternet.com to learn more.   For more than 137 years, The Montrose Daily Press has been dedicated to shining a light on all the issues that matter to our community. Go to montrosepress.com to subscribe for just $1.99 per week for our digital edition. You'll get unlimited access to every story, feature, and special section. Thank you and remember to tune in again next time on montrosepress.com or wherever you listen to podcasts. Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join our host, Jacob Young, as he talks with co-founder and CEO, Mary Young, on Young Living's humble and extraordinary beginning. Mary Young shares her stories on growing up, traveling Europe, and meeting an interesting cowboy with a rather intriguing passion for essential oils. 

Meditation Brings Back a Flood of Memories   My fiancee, Howie Baskin and I were on a flight from our home in Tampa, Florida to Los Angeles, California and I was taking advantage of the rare opportunity to indulge in the pleasure of reading a book.  This one was called “Corporate Nirvana” by Judith Anderson.  We were somewhere over the desert and I was getting tired.  The author was detailing her intuitive encounter with a group of business people in which she suggested that they close their eyes and imagine that they were all alone, on a deserted island.  There was no work to do.  No deadlines.  No responsibilities.  No demand on their time.  There was only the island, the sand crunching between their toes and the birds over head.  Their attention was diverted to a beautifully ornate, bejeweled treasure chest in the sand.  As they approach they can see that it is unlocked and they know that inside is their gift.  This gift will be the answer to the question that is plaguing them now.  They will know when they see this gift exactly what it means to them and therein is their answer.   I haven't meditated in the deep relaxed manner that I had been practicing in over a year.  I have been too busy.  Things have been going too well for me to value the need for it.  This seemed like a perfect opportunity to shut the book and try her visualization.  I asked myself, “Why am I always taking on tougher and tougher problems?  Why can't I just say, “enough is enough” and be happy with what I've done?”  Holding that thought, in my sleepy half conscious state, I began the walk down the beach in the deserted island in my head.   Seagulls overhead, palm trees swaying in the tropic breeze, the warmth of the sun on my face and the sand crunching between my toes.  So far, so good.  Ah, there is the treasure chest…going over to admire it…it really is beautiful…I wonder what is inside, but I hesitate.  Do I want to know?  What if I don't find an answer?  What if I do and don't like it?  I stall and ponder the gravity of the moment.  In this box that I made up, in a place that I made up, lays the answer to the one problem that has driven me since childhood.  Here at 30,000 feet, while I look to all the world that I am asleep, I am about to discover the meaning of life…the meaning of my life anyway.   I begin to slowly lift the lid.  There is an aura of purple light escaping from the treasure chest.  “Nice special effects” I compliment to my imaginative self. “I wasn't expecting that.”  I am opening the lid so slowly as if I am expecting some dragon to consume me with its fire breathing anger.  Come on Carole…open the box…its just a box…go on now open it!   Leaping backward from the box as the top swings open I can only see what looks like a purple, fuzzy blanket in the bottom of the box.  Tentatively, I lean forward thinking there must be something under the cloth.  It isn't moving and there doesn't appear to be any real shape to it.  I am disappointed with myself.   “That's it!  That's the best you could do?  You have the opportunity to solve all of your life's struggles in one vision and all you can think of is a blanket!  I must be cold.  That must be what is behind this first thought and my REAL revelation must still be in the box.”  I try hard to see something else in the chest and after a while I resign myself to just being totally unimaginative.   OK then, let's have a look at the fuzzy purple blanket and what ever that could possibly mean to me.  As I am muttering, “purple blanket” to myself I lift it up out of the dark box and hold it full length.  “Well, how about that?” I say to myself as the living material, with a light that gave it the fuzzy appearance, unfolds to the sand.  “It's not a blanket at all.  It's a cloak, shimmering with a life all its own.  It is breathtakingly beautiful!  It is too precious to wear.  No king ever wore a cape as magnificent as this!  I wonder briefly if I am worthy to wear this aura of lavender light?   “Of course I am,” I chide. “I made the thing up.  I can wear it.”  I put it on.  Wow!  I am cloaked in spirituality.  What does that mean to me?  It means that I have remembered who I really am.   I am safe.  I am at peace.  I am at one with God.   Everything I have ever done was leading to this moment.  Every challenge that I ever set myself up for has culminated in this moment of awakening.  All I have ever been trying to do was to reach this moment of spiritual enlightenment.   My driven self said, “OK.  Nice lesson.  Now get back to reading and learn something.”  My spiritual self said, “I am learning now.  I am learning that my drive has come from the need to prove myself worthy, but my spirit has always known that I am and that every lesson in life is about reaching a higher level of Nirvana.”   As if the flood gates had been instantly opened every challenge that had beset me along the way raced through my mind.  I was seeing what was common in every situation:  Every time a challenge presented itself, it was a much more difficult one than the one before.  Every time I succeeded in reaching the goal there were people who I felt were betraying me.  In each case, as the stakes were higher, those people were stronger or greater in numbers than the time before.  It wasn't the tasks or the challenges themselves that were my lessons to learn, but rather, how I would deal with the people who would disappoint me so profoundly.   How I would deal with having betrayed myself.  Nothing on this earthly plane; wealth, fame or fortune means anything.  It is all about reconnecting with God and that is done by reconnecting with ALL of His creation.  Yes, Carole, the people too.  Perhaps the people especially.  It is about remembering who you are and how we are all One.   The author, Judith Anderson  suggests the Piper Principle:   1. What troubles a person most about a situation actually reveals an aspect of themselves (an underlying fear or concern) they don't yet see;  a blind spot. 2. Underlying fears and concerns of leaders, and the unconscious way in which they protect themselves from them, show up in parable form as organizational barriers or blocks to achieving whatever goals are set. 3. When aggravation or blocks show up, a person can pay the piper, investigate the blind spot, and resolve the fear and concern or blame others.  Unproductive patterns reappear until you pay the piper.   I don't think I have ever considered a more truthful thought than that.   Some lessons I just go through over and over and over until I get it.  Once I get it then the next lesson is harder and will keep repeating over and over until I finally get that one too.  Until yesterday I didn't see this pattern of escalation.  I wonder, if I had, would I have had the courage to take on each new challenge, knowing that success ultimately meant a tougher lesson to follow?   Ignorance is bliss, but it is highly ineffective when we know our days are numbered and we have so much to learn in this lifetime.  I am increasingly convinced that we live forever and are doomed to repeat lives of frustration and striving until we each experience our own moment of looking into the treasure chest and discover ourselves and our connection to All that Is.   The rest of this is not meant to read like a resume of accomplishments, but rather as an example of how each of us is presented with unique challenges that we meet to the very best of our ability each time.  Many times challenges have been presented to me that I was incapable of overcoming.  Connecting with people has been the hardest for me.  Sometimes we may look back and think we could have done better, but I don't think so.  I think we are all doing the best we can for the skills we have now and that the only way we will ever “do better” is by learning from each lesson.   My family were fundamental Christians and raised me to believe that we are to strive for perfection, but being human, will always fall short.  The only good news in that was that  God is Love and is capable of loving us even though we are never really good enough or deserving.  This belief was the canvas on which I would paint my life.   I was five years old, naked as a jaybird, cleaning my canary's cage in the front yard with a hose and wondering how a caged bird could sing?  Free birds had something to sing about, but why do caged birds sing?  Caught up in my own reverie and enjoying the summer sun on my skin and the sand between my toes I was quite taken aback by my mother throwing a blanket over me and dragging me into the house, all the while telling me that “little girls don't go out side naked.”  I wondered, “why not?”  I felt so connected to the earth, the sky, the water from the hose, the soft summer breeze in my hair...  “What is this obsession people have with hiding who they are? Cloaking who they are?”   I was a big kid; always head and shoulders taller than my peers, with a shock of short white hair and big blue eyes.  Butterflies would light on me in the playground and every stray followed me home.  I had the same entourage of broken down, unwanted people throughout my life.  All of the kids that were disabled or slow or who just didn't fit in with the “in” crowd flocked around me.  I always tried to help them see what was special about them that no one else had to offer.  It wasn't that I was so understanding and wonderful.  It was because if I could heal them enough to feel that they belonged they would start to fit in with others and would leave me alone.   I preferred the company of the animals and my spirit guides, the two leopard size, glowing white cats who were with me always, but who I wasn't supposed to talk about unless I wanted to merely call them my “imaginary” friends.  It's one of those things that a kid just keeps to themselves when they realize that adults are too scared to talk about invisible, panther like creatures who sound like God when they speak in that still small voice, that carries all of the majesty and power of thunder.   Three years later I am eight and my father is the personal pilot to the governor of West Virginia, Arch Moore.  We live in a trailer park, in a single wide tin can that is always freezing inside.  Our lot looks like the terrain from a hostile planet with its caked, dry and broken clay surface.   Until I was six I was raised by my mother's mother during the day while my parents worked.  At night my parents would pick me up and take me home to sleep and then the next morning I'd wake up back at my grandparent's home.  My grandparents have stayed in Florida and I am still hating this separation from my other parents and the warmth of Florida.  Both of my parents work full time and I have become responsible for taking care of my brother who is six years younger.  There is a seething anger at my situation that seems impossible to me to resolve, and the only respite from it comes from the animals that I rescue.  Taking care of them, takes my mind off what I cannot change.   One day a cat with a couple of bullet holes in her finds her way to my door.  I discover that the man across the street had shot the cat because it was near his trash can.  This man is big (compared to me), has a history of beating his wife and children (Ada), and is ugly to boot.  His face is deeply scarred with pockmarks that indicate a hormonally challenged youth, and maybe one bar brawl too many,  and he is now in his late twenties or early thirties.  He drinks, he swears and he is just about as vile a human as any I have ever encountered.  Until this moment, I have made a point to stay clear of him, even though his daughter and his younger son, have found me to be a safe haven in a life that heretofore was unbearable to them.  It is his children who have come to me and told me that their father shot the cat and was threatening to kill any cat he saw come near his trailer.   Trembling, but fully resolved to make myself clear, I march up to this man and tell him that if he decides to take another shot at a cat, or if I hear a shot being fired and even think it is him, then that gun shot will be the last sound he ever hears.  He just stands there looking down at me, but as scared as I am, I feel like I am in charge of this moment.  I am offering up a challenge, that I have no idea how I will be able to carry out, but I can't let him know that.  After what seems an eternity of staring down this man, through my tear streaming eyes, he turns and goes inside his trailer.  He blinked.  He turned.  He ran from me.  I won!   I never heard another shot being fired.  The word of that confrontation, spread by his own children, earned me a tremendous following in that poor little back woods trailer park.  Now the kids who gathered around me were high school age and I felt like I had the moral support of every kid in the neighborhood.  I used to lead them in money making schemes from selling popcorn and Kool-Aid, to mowing lawns, washing trailers, and making pot holders and such to sell door to door.  Rock bands were making it big and I tried to assemble one, but I couldn't sing and we just didn't have what it took.  I felt like learning to make a living was important and learning to manage others was going to be a crucial part of that.  It felt necessary although I didn't know where it was leading.   I felt like I was in some sort of intensive training for something important.  I didn't know what it was about, but as a child you trust your instincts more.  At school I was quiet and respectful but felt like the public school system was not meeting my educational needs.  There was something important to learn about this thing called life and it wasn't in memorizing multiplication tables.  There were machines that could do that far better than I ever could, so what was the purpose in all of this useless knowledge?  Teach me how to succeed.  Teach me why the caged bird sings…   I wouldn't wear shoes.  You can't be connected to the earth and all of the glorious power that is available to you with shoes on.  It was fortunate for me that we lived in a West Virginian “holler” where going to school barefoot wasn't considered too weird.  After school I went into the forests.  It wasn't your typical kid-playing-in-the-woods so much as going to learn what it was like to be the woods, to be the brook, to be the animals and the wind.  I would climb up as high as I could get in the trees to get a better vantage point on observing everything around me.  I wanted to know how everything worked, how it was all connected.   The teachers would send home piles of homework.  My attitude was that it was a ploy designed to keep bad kids off the street.  If they had to turn in a lot of work the next day they didn't have time to be in trouble.  I wasn't being bad.  I was learning something that I thought was a lot more important and I wasn't going to do class room “busy” work outside of the classroom.  This got me into a considerable amount of trouble with my teachers, but I aced every test and my grades were still As and Bs despite all of the bad marks for refusing to turn in homework.   By the time I was 12 we were back in Florida and I was attending a little private school called Florida College Academy.  There were grades 1 thru 9 there, with one class for each grade level that had 12-24 students.  My great aunt, Mari, was the principal which as her son, my cousin Scott, and I knew was the worst set up possible for a kid.  You were perceived as having special privileges by your peers, and yet the reality was that you were held to a much higher standard because of the fact that relatives see you as a reflection on themselves and they want to be seen as perfect.   It was 1971 and women were burning their bras in the streets a decade before, but our school had held to very antiquated beliefs, that said little girls were to be modest and wear long dresses and never speak out against authority.  I actually bought into most of that but a lot of the girls were not from religious homes and even those that were frequently dressed in pants at home.  They wanted to be able to wear pants to school so that they could play more freely on the playground.  Even though I didn't even own a pair of pants, everyone turned to me to do something about it.  I thought their reasons were sound.  Wearing a dress on the playground was certainly less modest than wearing long pants and so I decided to take the suggestion to the principal.   Not only was my Aunt Mari an authority figure within the family and the school, but she was someone I had observed carefully since I was a toddler in the way in which she dealt with my cousin.  Scott and I were born the same year and day and look like twins.  We have often wondered if we were and just were separated at birth to be raised by two different families because neither one could afford both of us.  My cousin has grown up to be a maintenance man in an apartment building.  I watched his mother tell him he was stupid and that he would never amount to anything his whole life.  By contrast I was always told I could do anything I set my mind to do.  Both of us lived up to our parents' expectations.   I went to my aunt and presented our case and was promptly dismissed as being “un-Christian like”.  I went back to my classmates and suggested that the only way to effect a change in the dress code was to lead an organized uprising against the status quo.  I busily engaged both sexes in my plan and drew up posters and hung them in the halls, held rallies and basically just wouldn't shut up until I got what I was asking for.  I fully expected to be burned at the stake.  Much to my amazement we won.   I went out and bought my first  pair of pants.  (They were plaid and hideous.  It was the 70's after all.)   I kept them for twenty years as a reminder of that success.   Two years later, at the age of 14 I was trapped and raped by three men (Steve & Jim? Crabtree and George Minogue).  They cut my throat and for years I carried a scar that I hid with scarves.  I didn't tell anyone because I fully believed that I was to blame.  If I had not been in a place where I shouldn't have been this would not have happened to me and thus I felt that not only was it my fault, but that it proved I was not worthy as a human being.  I was no longer a virgin and could no longer expect that I would grow up and marry a decent man and live happily ever after.  Within a year I had let this event colour every aspect of my self esteem.  The deeper emotional scarring of this event however came from the betrayal of my best friend.   Cindy Clark Brown and I had been friends since we were nine or ten years old.  I was the innocent; the perfect daughter, cooking and cleaning for my family and joining in working the landscaping business after school.  Cindy was about as wild as they came.  She was a year older than I and was smoking, drinking and experimenting with drugs.  She was always in trouble and would often come stay with me until her family could brace themselves to deal with her again.  She made fun of me for being a goody two shoes and was jealous of my beauty and sense of grace.  People always commented on my air of confidence.  The fact was that my grandmother had always made me walk around the house with books on my head and the result was a walk that had an unintentional  haughtiness to it.   Cindy and I had been out for a walk earlier and she was flirting with three men from the race track.  We went to their house and played cards, while they had both the radio and the T.V. on full blast.  They were all stoned and I watched the scene in amazement.  I had never been exposed to this sort of activity, and although the only part I participated in was the card playing, I was very curious about this sort of approach to life. Cindy was sitting in their laps, giggling and whispering in their ears.  I wondered if they knew how stupid they looked and sounded?   That night, when Cindy and I were supposed to be in bed, she wanted to slip out my bedroom window and go back to their house.  I reluctantly agreed and as we cleared the yard, Cindy said she needed to go back to my room to make a call, and that I should go on ahead of her.  I did as instructed.   They were waiting for me.  What I didn't know, until many years later when Cindy felt compelled to clear her conscience, was that she had told them I was a virgin and had sold me to them for drugs.  The call she made was to let them know I was on the way.   A year later, back in W.Va. I had turned 15.  My mother, who had always been my most trusted friend, and I got into the first fight we had ever had.  She had accused me of having sex with a nice boy I knew and I had not.  I was defending his honour more than my own, because I was so convinced of my own guilt from the rape.  As she was storming off to work she said, “When I get home, I don't want to see your face!”     This was the last family photo before I left home, and yes, I am only 14 in that photo, which explains how I was able to wait tables in bars without being discovered.   I thought she meant that she never wanted to see me again and as fate would have it, I was ready for the next challenge.  A young man named Jim Jones, who I barely knew from Florida, was in boot camp near Washington, D.C.  He had gone AWOL from the army and was driving back to Florida and asked if he could drop by.  I told him I couldn't live here any more and asked if he would take me with him back to Florida.  I packed my cat, my radio and two paper grocery bags of clothes and waited for his arrival.  As we drove away I watched my 9 year old brother playing in the yard and wondered if I would ever see him again?  Taking care of him had always been my responsibility and as much as I hated being saddled with that, I felt guilty leaving him there.   I had known Jim from the skating rink where kids from my church were all taken to be with others of “our own kind”, but Jim worked there and intrigued me.  He was 6 ‘ 4 “ weighed 230 pounds of solid muscle and had long golden hair down to his waist.  He was a genius on skates, if not intellectually.  Running from the U.S. army should have been my first clue that he was never going to be a brain surgeon.  I only knew Jim from the rink and had invited him to one church picnic.  Now I was on the run with him.   I worked bars and restaurants and sometimes held three jobs at once because Jim wouldn't work.   Turned out he couldn't even pass a driver's license test.  He had a bad drug habit and a nasty temper and whenever the two mixed I was caught in the cross fire.  I was always on guard to dodge a swing from a punch that would knock the wind out of me.  He beat me with a bed rail one time so severely that I couldn't go back to work for weeks because I was so badly bruised.  As he swung the rail and hit the concrete walls of the garage we lived in he had knocked huge gaping holes in the concrete as a constant reminder to me of how much it hurt to be on his bad side.  As scary as it was to be with him I believed it was better than the alternative.  I had seen the brutality men could use to crush someone as innocent as I had been and at least there was only one of Jim to deal with.  Jim was the constant validation of my belief that I was unworthy.   Jim decided he wanted to go home and I was driving us there through San Antonio, Florida.  He was drunk and was all over the steering wheel and blocking my vision.  With one arm I was trying to push him back into his seat so that I could see, as I ran a stop sign and was hit broadside in the little Toyota we were driving.  The Mercury Cougar that hit us was later reported to have been traveling in excess of 60 miles per hour.  Drunks seem to never be the victims in auto accidents and Jim was no exception. He walked away without a scratch, once he woke up from the stupor.  I went through the windshield and broke my neck.  I remember getting up and dragging the front bumper of the Cougar out of the road as I went around first to the passenger side and made sure the little old lady was okay and then around to the driver's side to check on the little old man.  He had hit the steering wheel pretty hard, but was able to speak.   What happened next was like the opening scene from the movie, The Gladiator.  When I saw that movie I was awestruck at how it looked exactly as I had seen it all those years ago.  I walked out into a field of tall grass.  The sun was shining.  The wind was blowing softly through my hair, as I reached out with both hands to lightly touch the tops of the waving strands of grass.  Everything was silent and then it went white.   I woke up in a hospital, unable to move.  I was paralyzed and Jim was telling me that he didn't want the doctors to know who I was because he was still on the run from the army.  I remember two doctors standing over me, x-rays in hand, telling me I would never walk again because my neck was broken in three places.  The only hope I would have of even sitting up in a wheel chair was if they fused a steel rod up through my spine.  They obviously didn't know that I was just a child.  I had gotten my first marriage proposal at the age of 12 and had always looked a lot older.   I laid there thinking, “This cannot be my life.  I can't be paralyzed.  This can't be happening to me.”  I suspect most people go through that denial, but I just wouldn't give in to the “reality”.  I had learned from previous efforts that you can't give up.  No matter how big and bad the odds are stacked against you, you just absolutely cannot give up.  Being young and ignorant, I didn't know what these doctors could legally do to me, but I wasn't going to take my chances of waking up and finding that some surgery had left me incapable of ever getting past this paralysis.  I believed I could heal myself, but not if I had a metal rod installed through my spine.   Jim and his friends from the band (Jim said the band's name was Credence Clearwater Revival, but I find that hard to believe in retrospect) came and whisked me out in a wheel chair without telling anyone.  I spent what seemed an eternity at his parent's home unable to walk and only able to drag myself across the room, but I dragged myself a lot.  I wouldn't call my family.  I didn't think I was welcome there anymore.  Jim's parents didn't want to be held responsible for what their son's actions had caused and didn't want the army to find their son, so they were happy to hide me and my affliction.  My grandfather, Floyd Norris, through a miraculous chain of events, somehow found out where I was and got me to a chiropractor who soon had me walking again.   Because I wasn't even old enough to be in a bar, I couldn't work anywhere for very long because I couldn't show the management my driver's license for the employment forms.  After the paralysis I often collapsed and doing that just once with a tray of flaming cherries jubilee was enough for me to think that I needed to find some other sort of work.  I didn't have a high school diploma and was underage but had heard you could get a worker's permit.  Arch Moore was replaced by Governor Rockefeller who decided to replace all of the state's planes with helicopters, but none of the state's pilots, including my father could fly helicopters so my father was without a job.   More as an effort to avenge my father's dismissal from the aviation team I applied for an opening in the state's Department of Business and Economic Community Development and got it.  I quickly advanced through the ranks and became Governor Rockefeller's secretary's secretary.  My job was to investigate officials that Jay would be dealing with and put together photos and bios so that he would look good.  What didn't look good, when the word got out in the press, was the fact that a 15 year old high school drop out had risen through the ranks of the W.Va. government to governor's aide when there were far more “qualified” men and women vying for the position.   1977 was the first time I was in the newspaper as an adult.  Being born the fifth living generation had gotten the family into the newspaper in 1961.     The press made a big fuss of the fact that I moonlighted at a Greek restaurant and insinuated that I might be the veiled belly dancer, Little Egypt.  My boss told me to dress as frumpy as possible that day and wear glasses so that people wouldn't think I was hired for my looks.   Had I known that I was on this learning quest to deal with people issues I think I might have stuck it out and played that hand to the end, but at the time, I thought these challenges were about accomplishments and proving worthiness.  I had proven that I could step out of a wheel chair, out of the smoke filled bars and into the governor's office (and not just any governor, but a Rockefeller) and rise to the top.  I wasn't old enough to run for election.  That would have to wait.   Riding high on this wave of worthiness I drove Jim to his mother's home in Tampa and dropped him and his trailer full of belongings off in the front yard.  I didn't have enough money to get back to my job in W.Va. so I looked through the want ads to find waitress work that would get me enough gas to get back to the job that I was told would still be mine upon my return, despite the media craze that had erupted.   What happened next was one of those near misses.  It is a juncture in your life that is probably meant to happen, but gets thwarted.  I walked into “Our Place” bar on Ben T. Davis beach and was hired on the spot.  20 years later I would discover that my daughter's fiancée (Daniel Capiro) was being raised by the waitresses in that bar and I would have been raising him had I shown up for work, but I didn't.   I had come so far and I just wasn't willing to go back to even a short term job where my ass was constantly being patted and pinched.  Instead, I drove across town to a luncheon spot and was, again, hired on the spot, but I had to have frumpy shoes for the job.  All my feet could ever stand were sandals if I had to wear shoes at all.  I walked across the street to the Zayre's store and overheard a man saying that he needed to hire a clerk to run the automotive department.  That sounded like a new challenge and didn't require stifling shoes, so I asked for and was given the job.  I would work for a couple of weeks, collect my checks and then head back to West Virginia to see where that road would take me.  I never went back to West Virginia.   I was living in a Datsun Pickup truck with a camper on the back.  My cat, Pearlie Mae, who I had had since I was 8, lived with me so I had to park where it was cool for her during the day, but the days were getting hotter and she was going to die in that truck if I didn't find somewhere for her to live.  My manager's name was Michael Eugene Murdock and I spent more time dodging his advances than I did stocking shelves.  He was leaving his wife and moving into an apartment.  I asked if my cat could stay there during the day and I would pick her up at night.  He was happy to trade sexual favours for the cat's room and board.  I hated him.  At night I would pick up my cat, do what I had to do to cover her “rent” and then she and I would back the truck up against a building somewhere so that no one could surprise us by opening the back hatch.   I would wash my hair in the bathroom of the nearest gas station at night after they had closed for the evening.  I tried to maintain my independence for as long as possible, but finally gave in to the pressures of needing a roof over my head as well as the cat's  and moved in with him.   Despite hating Mike, I married him at the age of 17 and gave birth to our daughter at the age of 19.   My mother knew that I was living with a man who was not my husband.  She had just enough psychology in college to believe that if she suggested I marry the man, I would rebel and leave him, which was the result she was really hoping to get.     I thought it was really what she wanted me to do.   I had felt such a loss in the trust that our former friendship had enjoyed and I believed that if I married him, as she suggested I should, then I could be worthy of her love again.  I would do this to please her.  She had no idea how I felt about him.  I stayed with him for eight years, because I was raised to believe that marriage is for life.  When I couldn't take it any more and divorced him, my mother finally revealed that she never liked him and never wanted me to marry him, but had thought that by suggesting it I would run.   Mike was very physically abusive, but clever enough to hurt me in ways that were not visible to the casual observer.  It was again, my sick way of validating my belief that I was not worthy.  Meanwhile my growing and learning self decided to apply for a job at the Tampa Boat Mart in 1984.  The job paid better money than I had made elsewhere and required an interview and an IQ test.  I was fascinated by the opportunity to have my intelligence measured and probably applied based on that aspect more than any other.   The owner's wife did the interview and test and said that I had registered as a genius.  Bolstered by this, I told her I would take the job, but wanted 50% more than the job had offered.  She balked but I could tell that she wanted me for the position, so I made a deal with her.  I would work for the first 6 months at the price in the paper, but at the end of six months she would advance me to the salary that I requested, because I explained that I would be so irreplaceable to her, or else let me go.  She agreed.   I asked her to lay out everything that she could possibly think of as my job description.  When she did, since I was salaried, I asked if it mattered how long I worked to get it all done.  She said if I could do it in four hours that was fine and if it took me ten, that was fine too, but I wasn't getting overtime.  In no time I had automated the process so that I could do it in just a couple hours a day.  This freed up my time to work on a business that I believed was going to be my key to financial freedom.  I left the Tampa Boat Mart in 1985.     This was me working at the Neptune and S. Dale Mabry Hwy Radiant Oil gas station owned by Joe Capitano in 1982.  He had offered me my own station out on Gunn Hwy, but I got the Boat Mart job instead.           At the age of 19 I met and began dating Jack Donald Lewis.  Everyone said he had made his money in illegal drugs, but he told me it was from cutting the axels off trailers for re use by the company and selling the boxes.  While at the bank one day a loan officer told him she had a $20,000.00 mortgage that was in default that she would sell for $2000.00 if someone would just take it off her hands.  Don couldn't read or write above a first grade level, but he could understand getting something for ten cents on the dollar.  He asked her to make a copy of the documents and he brought them to me with the story.  Thinking there must be a catch, he asked me to find out what it was.  I couldn't find one.  If we bought the mortgage for 2000.00 and the people started paying us on the 20,000.00 balance we would be getting a great return on our money.  If they didn't pay and we foreclosed, we would get 20,000.00 at the foreclosure sale or we might even get the house and be able to sell it for more.   We did it and we made more than 20,000.00.  I knew that this was my next big challenge and even then knew that it was just a stepping stone to allowing me to do something far more important than make money, but I didn't know what that was and didn't waste much time thinking about it.  Instead I was calling every bank and loan office in a 5 county area asked to see their bad loans.  They thought I was crazy and I got a lot of resistance at first, but they soon learned that I wouldn't betray their confidence and I would quickly and easily turn their bad loans back into cash for reinvestment.  The Boat Mart gave me the regular paycheck I needed to grow the real estate business so that I never had to take money out of this exponentially growing pot of gold.   I worked crazy hours.  I worked every waking hour.  I divorced the man I hated and lived in a huge house on Lemon Street with lots of rooms that I rented out so that I didn't have to touch my investments for living expenses.  The business had grown to well over a one million dollar value.   I drove an old Impala that I had paid 100.00 for, bought all my clothes at Goodwill and had taken on some investors who were happy to get 12% return on their cash and let me make the difference for growing my portfolio.  It was a man's world but I knew how to play the game.  I started a business called C.Stairs, Investments and told people that I was Mr. Stairs' secretary.  They wanted to deal with a man.  I made one up for them.  I was so convincing that for years after Don Lewis and I married people called him Mr. Stairs because they just assumed I had married my boss.  I had bought into the belief that as a woman I was unworthy of being treated the same as a man.   I am a little hazy on the year, but I was about 27 (1988) when I was driving a drunk, named Bill Benjamin, home from a bar.  My car had stalled and he got out to push it out of the road as I steered.  It was in the early morning hours and a woman who had fallen asleep at the wheel careened into the back of my 1983 Blood Red Volkswagen Rabbit and pinned the drunk to my bumper, while hitting with enough force to give me a concussion and to bend the door frame where my head hit it.   I woke up in the hospital again, but this time with a Viet Nam vet suffering from post traumatic stress who was screaming bloody murder if I tried to leave the room.  I stayed by his side constantly, even though I only knew him as someone I had bought a rug from a few days before.  Both of his legs had been crushed and he was in a lot of pain.  I felt guilty because it was my car he was pushing out of the road.  I had to do something to feel guilty.  It wasn't in my paradigm to go without that cloud of unworthiness hanging over my head.  I was so caught up in Bill Benjamin's drama, that I didn't realize that I didn't know who or where I was.   My secretary (Anne McQueen) found me in the hospital.  I had been missing for days so she had done the obvious and called everywhere until she located a Jane Doe.  Was my name Jane?  When she gets me on the phone she asks where my daughter is.  I have a daughter?  A baby?  “Oh my God, where's the baby?” my mind screams.  Sensing my fear she tells me that maybe my daughter had been living with my husband.  I have a husband?  Then who is this man?  All of a sudden I am aware that I don't know anything about whom or where I am.  I just can't describe that.  I have seen some films since then that try to address what amnesia is like, and nothing really conveys what that fear is like.   She takes me home and there are people living there who say that I own the house.  I walk into an office full of file cabinets, papers and ringing phones and I do not recognize any of it.  I answer the phone and people are asking me questions and giving me information that means absolutely nothing to me.  I spend hours reading every file, looking at photos, meeting my daughter, for what seems like the first time, talking to my secretary and one of the women who lives in my house (Mary Young) to try and reconstruct my life.   Over the next weeks and months I get a handle on it and things start coming back to me, but I never know that something is forgotten until I try to fill in a blank spot or until some revelation comes to me as a memory and I sit there wondering, “Was that in this life?”  At the time I thought it was a very unfortunate setback, but in retrospect it just seems to be another challenge that I posed to myself to see if I could rise to above it.   This time I was betrayed by my own memory.   I discover that when I touch people I see their lives, or what I imagine to be their lives.  I am always confused, still, when I get a rush of feeling, if it is theirs, or if it was mine from long ago, just now surfacing.  One of the most dramatic instances of this happened years later when a volunteer (Crazy Gary) introduced me to his room mate.  I shook the smiling man's hand and immediately fell to my knees sobbing.  The despair was overwhelming.  I was embarrassed by the incident and brushed it off to both of them as just being over worked, but the next day the room mate put the barrel of a shotgun in his mouth and blew his brains all over the ceiling.  Crazy Gary told me he knew that his room mate was sad, but had no idea of the depth of his despair.  I knew.   Don and I married on October 10, 1991 at ten minutes after 10 am.  We lost one million dollars in our assets to settling with his wife and one and a half million in assets to settle with his girlfriend, Pam, who was trying to have him brought down on Racketeering charges so that she could keep our 3 million that was in her name.  I had always allowed Don to hold our money because I believed he would give me what was owed if I were ever to ask for it.  There were a lot of real estate transactions for Pam and her trust in 1991-1996, but they began to taper off and 2004 was the last entry I found for her doing business in Hillsborough County.  She had satisfied a mortgage made by our ex secretary Luba Myck.  I knew Richard Dery was in Camp Pam, but didn't know Luba was.  1995 appears to be her last actions in Pasco County, with one suspicious document between her and Jack Martin.     Since Don could barely read or write he didn't know that she had put the properties in her name, or so he said.  What had been 5 million dollars worth of my work was now reduced to half that, but I could rebuild it and did.  I had learned how to negotiate the best deals and had learned how to do all of our foreclosures, tenant evictions and get people out of the bankruptcy courts when they ran there for protection.   I learned by going to the court house and reading every file I could lay my hands on, copying the language and forms the attorney's used and then setting up charts that showed me what the appropriate times between filings were.  I spent  hours in the law library reading cases and making copies of those that were particularly pertinent to my cases.  I sat in on every hearing that the judges would let me sit in on.  I befriended several of the judges who would afterwards give me their summary of what had just happened.  A lot of the judges did not like that I represented myself pro se and would  hold me to a much tougher standard than the attorney's were being held to, but none could make me give up.   When attorneys were hired to combat me they usually fell into the trap of underestimating my preparedness.  In all these years I only ever lost one case, and I won it on appeal.  Even the judges who had initially tried to run me off ended up being very supportive and would often compliment my ability over that of my licensed peers, which didn't make me very popular among members of that profession.   I was a 30 year old multi millionaire real estate tycoon by anyone's definition, and undefeated in the legal arena.  Everything I touched turned to gold, but I still felt unworthy.  What was next, a billionaire?  Would that make me feel better?   This wasn't working.  Maybe if I could change the world.  Maybe then I would be worthy.  Maybe then I would say, I'm OK.  I belong.  I can be at peace.   Consciously I began looking for a way to give back to God all that He had given to me.  Unconsciously I was setting myself up to fail and validate that long held belief that I was unworthy... or win and prove once and for all that I was worthy.   All you have to do is wave the wand of intention to bring it into your life.  Before I knew what happened we were rescuing cats from fur farms, drug lords, circuses and unprepared pet owners.  I was writing books on exotic cat care and my articles were being published in magazines and newsletters all over the country.  There were more than 200 animals depending on me for support and the IRS said I couldn't call it an expense, despite the fact that it was costing me about 300,000.00 a year, so I called it a non profit in 1995.   Two years later, my husband has disappeared off the face of the earth leaving me as the accused of an unknown crime, and all of my assets are seized by the courts upon a petition by the children of his former wife, and my secretary, my only girlfriend for the past 17 years, who I discover has put nearly 600,000.00 worth of my assets in her maiden name and changed my husband's insurance policy to make her the owner of a one million dollar life insurance policy, just four months before his disappearance.  She tells his children that Don and I were having marital trouble and suggests that they appoint her as conservator of his estate.     His estate!  I don't think anyone knew better than Anne that Don spent all of his time in dumpsters and cruising neighborhoods after yard sales to bring home van load after van load of trash.  I had been trying to get him to an Alzheimer's specialist but Don said Anne was telling him that I was trying to have him committed.  This can't be happening.  This can't be my life.  Sound familiar?   The courts only allow me to use 125,000.00 of my income each year, for the next 5 years, to support the cats, because the courts are “preserving the estate” in case my husband wanders back into town.  In the first years after his disappearance I discover, through the private detective I hire to find him, that my husband, the man I have adored since I was 19 has had a string of girlfriends, mistresses and even prostitutes.  Women come out of the wood work claiming that Don told them he would leave everything to them or their illegitimate children by him.  I discover that the love we shared was a lie.  I was betrayed.   Our expenses are far more than double what the courts will allow me to touch and there is no where for the animals to go.  I get to learn a whole new set of skills in running a non profit, but I haven't chosen just any charity.  No.  I chose the one type of charity that sees less than 1% of all donated dollars.  I had to pick an animal charity.  People give more money to art than to animals.  In retrospect, this would only be a good test of my worthiness if I could overcome insurmountable odds, right?   The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PeTA, brought me a video clip of a lion being beaten senseless with a baseball bat while restrained within the confines of a small transport cage.  They explained that this abuse had been video taped undercover and sent as evidence to USDA, but that when the perpetrator had told his USDA inspector that this was considered a standard training method for big cats nothing had been done to stop him.  The question was posed to me asking if this was, in fact, a routinely accepted practice.  In front of all three major television stations I said that the sad fact is that this sort of brutality is frequently visited upon these innocent animals by people who have USDA's stamp of approval, but that it was inhumane and USDA was negligent in their unwillingness to enforce the animal welfare act that my tax dollars were paying them to implement.   A few weeks later I was served with a summons.  In disbelief I read the case style:   The United States of America versus Carole Lewis.  Being bludgeoned into unconsciousness with a bed rail all those years ago did not take my breath away like reading these few words.  My country.  The one I had pledged allegiance to along with Captain Kangaroo each morning of my earliest remembered years.  The country I sang songs about, even when I wasn't in school.  The one that bore the flag; the mere sight of which could raise goose flesh on my skin with pride and adoration.  My country had not only abandoned me, it was attacking me, and it was doing so because I spoke out against cruelty.   Some pencil pushing bureaucrat was going to show me to keep my opinions about her doing her job to myself and she was in a position to levy the entire nation against me…or so it seemed.  Maybe America did have tanks and jet fighters and nuclear weapons, but I had the truth on my side and was not going to take this lying down.  Our supporter list had grown to about 3000 people and I sent out a newsletter detailing what the charges against me were and why I felt the USDA had taken this action.  More than 2000 people wrote in on my behalf and for a long time I didn't hear from the USDA.   Then I found out how they work.  If they don't have a legitimate claim then they make an accusation and never follow through on it.  This way they can always point to the accusation and say that they cannot comment on pending litigation.  They never have to prove their case.  I would never be able to clear my name of the ridiculous and unfounded charges unless I took control.  So I did.  I learned all I could about how to represent myself in a Federal lawsuit and I called for a final hearing.  I was stalled several times and when the day my “day in court” arrived, I got a call from the Federal judge who said that the USDA had decided to dismiss their suit against me.  Then he asked if I would please let my supporters know to quit sending him mail and calling his office.  With such a victory you would have thought I would have felt vindicated, but all I felt was betrayed.   Over the next five years the court appointed co conservator and attorneys ate away at my estate, in the name of preserving it, until there was only a fraction of it left.  Then they declare my husband dead, when there is nothing left under the court's control to take, and tell me to have a nice life.  Meanwhile the cats are costing nearly half a million dollars a year to care for and the nation is in a recession following the stock market crash that sends everyone scrambling into real estate as the only safe investment.  Having that much money diverted into real estate by people who know nothing of the business drives the price of property through the ceiling.  The government steps in to try and pull the economy back up onto its feet by lowering the interest rates and giving loans to anyone who will take them at rates lower than they have been in my lifetime, makes my niche a little difficult.  I loan at 18% and buy distressed properties at a fraction of the cost and then resell them.  With all of the stock money now in real estate there are no deals and almost no one has to borrow at 18%.   Stress has made me fat and irritable and I drive to the Keys every two years to spend the weekend crying in a hammock on suicide watch until it's time to get back to business Monday morning.  I learn how to raise money by begging; something I wouldn't do when I was living out of garbage cans as a 15 year old run away, but I have to do it now for the cats.  I learn how to manage people and put together a team of volunteers that become world renown for their ability to work together.  I run through a string of low life boyfriends that continue to validate my belief that I am not worthy of the love of a good man.  I lose 70 pounds so that I can be more effective at getting out the message that exotic cats don't make good pets.   The last 20 of those pounds were the hardest and after exhausting every diet known to man, I tried hypnotherapy.  I was just starting to read about spirituality, healing, past lives and was willing to try anything.  I remember that first session like it was yesterday.  In the meditation the therapist asks me to walk down the beach and notice a little girl sitting by the shore.  He tells me to go up to her.  I don't want to.  He urges me on.  I don't want to.  I finally give in and of course, she is me, about 5 years old, full of innocence, big blue eyes and white hair.  He tells me to hold her and to tell her that I will never betray her again.  I will protect her from anything and anyone else who tries to hurt her.  I made a pact.   My life changed again.  Suddenly I find myself asking, “Is this my life? Can this really be my life?  I didn't think I deserved a life this good.”  Enter, Howie Baskin.  He's a brilliant 52 year old bachelor who makes my heart skip a beat.  He is the kindest, most loving, genuinely wonderful spirit I have ever encountered on the planet.  He personifies integrity.  He is way out of my league which, of course, just adds to my desire to have his love.  To Bask-In his love.  (I just couldn't have made this up!) But he is more than just the next level higher of a challenge.  He is both my reward for reaching this level of understanding and my partner in learning to love mankind.  Becoming one with him is my first step in becoming One with all humanity.   I am reminded of a Bible principle that says man's greatest love for God is expressed in being a living sacrifice.  Nothing defines a living sacrifice better than Howie.  His friends all tell me that he is the most wonderful, loving person in their life.  He lives for others.  Watching him, marveling in who he is and how he is, causes me to look inwardly and challenges me daily to be more understanding and more loving.  He says his goal in life is to help me love people the way I love animals.  I thought I took on big scary goals, but this man knows no fear!   Now things are looking better than they ever have before.  I have finally paid the piper in this lesson of betrayal.  I had betrayed myself when I accepted the notion that I was not worthy and the even more erroneous notion that I could achieve worthiness if I overcame the obstacles that I invited into my own path.  I was going to deal with being betrayed by the people I trusted, and loved the most, until I understood. My fortune cookie tonight even confirmed the presence of God in the statement, “You never hesitate to take on the toughest challenges.”  It was as if He said, “I am here with you and this is just my humorous way of letting you know that I am as real as the piece of paper in your hand.”   The real estate business is recovering.  The sanctuary managed to break even on operating expenses, if not capital expenses, for the first time ever last year (2003).  I have been elected as the Vice President of the Association of Sanctuaries and am serving on its Board of Directors.  (From the future: I don't remember I have the opportunity to influence legislation that will protect wild animals and the physical and moral support of a team of family, volunteers and the man I admire most in the world to help me achieve those goals.   What I notice about each of these hurdles is that I was focused on the subject matter. While I may have been successful in dealing with that aspect, what I failed, almost universally, to do was to learn from the interaction with the people.  In most cases I saw the people as the problem and bulldozing them aside was my methodology.  It seems abundantly clear that I will continue being presented with challenges that are stressful and painful until I pay the piper on this issue of loving people other than those in my innermost circle.   I wonder how I could go about this learning in a less painful and ineffective manner?  Maybe it's time to put on the fuzzy purple blanket (to give myself the warm fuzzy I have longed for), the cloak of spirituality, and take a look at reality from a different, non judgmental, perspective.   I've been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/   I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.     You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile! Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile   You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org   Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue   Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.

Creating a Culture of Consent Through Intimacy Direction in Theater is the title of Mary Young's masterclass. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While many people might be thinking about the importance of physical health in the New Year, many might forget about the importance of one's mental health. In a time where mental health struggles, especially in the workplace, are at an all-time high, episode 35 of FountainCast is the perfect place to get your mind on track for the rest of 2021. Paige got to talk with two mental health professionals, Mary Young and Suzu Solkin-Henderson, from FH Chamber member, SonderMind. The trio discussed ways you can prioritize mental health this year, and how employers can assist their staff during a difficult time at work due to COVID-19. Take a listen today!

Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up. It’s Thursday December 3rd, and we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you.   Today, we’re focused on lawmakers who are devoting $20 million to help improve internet connectivity for students, and how education leaders are grateful, but say the money won’t solve the root of the issue.   We’ve also released another bonus episode, featuring insight from one of our readers on what they’ve learned while living through a global pandemic in Colorado.    But before we begin, let’s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett’s book “Colorado Day by Day”:   Today, we’re going back to December 3rd 2011 when Virgil Harms, an octogenarian farmer and square dance aficionado celebrated his 50 years of service as the mayor of Paoli, This is a record unmatched in Colorado History.   Now, our feature story.    On Wednesday State lawmakers passed a bill that could help get more students connected to the internet, providing $20 million in grants for districts to broaden access to their students at a time when the internet has become the main mode of learning.    But the dollars, which are part of a state stimulus package at the center of a special legislative session this week, won’t ensure every young Coloradan has a reliable internet connection.   The investment is widely viewed -- by lawmakers, educators and education advocates -- as a short-term fix. It’s nowhere near enough money to address the root of the access problem: a lack of adequate infrastructure to sustain a quality internet connection for every Colorado family.   Instead, the $20 million in House Bill 1001 is focused on “giving access and infrastructure in as quick a way as possible,” according to state Rep. Mary Young, a Greeley Democrat and one of the bill’s prime sponsors,    Colorado Sun reporter Erica Breunlin is joining us today to talk more about what this means for students. Erica, thank you for joining us. Can you start by giving an overview of the bill? So, how exactly will districts be able to use the grant dollars to improve internet connections for their students?  And can you talk more about why lawmakers included this in the stimulus package? Grants will be distributed through an application process administered by the Colorado Department of Education. Districts with a high percentage of kids who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch -- a federal indicator of poverty -- and whose communities have significant gaps in internet access - will get priority.   A main goal of the legislation is to fund internet connections robust enough for all the members of a household to be engaged in their coursework at the same time.    And as Erica said, for some districts, that might mean investing in more hotspots. Others may want to purchase a subscription to an internet service provider or even build their own antenna system.   Finally, here are a few stories you should know about today:   Colorado’s three-day special legislative session finished on Wednesday with lawmakers watering down one of the most contentious parts of their $200 million-plus package aimed at providing economic relief during the coronavirus crisis.  - The ACLU of Colorado on Wednesday asked a judge to issue an emergency order reducing Colorado’s prison population in the wake of four inmate deaths over two days linked to coronavirus.  - Federal prosecutors said Wednesday they will not seek the death penalty against a man accused of killing three people and injuring nine others at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado in 2015. - Beacon Guidebooks’ upcoming guide to Buffalo Pass will not include names of runs and locations created by Steamboat Powdercats, which argued the titles were “trade secrets.”   For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com.    The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. And The Sun is supported by readers and listeners like you.   Right now, you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member. Starting at $5 per month for a basic membership and if you bump it up to $20 per month, you’ll get access to our exclusive politics and outdoors newsletters. Thanks for starting your morning with us and don’t forget to tune in again tomorrow.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've arrived at our destination - the end of Season 1. Along the way you've heard authentic stories and voices. This episode is no different. We hear Mary's story alongside another story of a young willing heart and pray for leaders of all. Thanks for driving Down Camp Road.

Mary Young is the founder of her namesake lingerie brand, Mary Young. In her fourth-year fashion design thesis, Mary created modern lingerie that championed every woman and lifestyle, not just the dated pinup archetype of lingerie. This idea was so well received Mary knew she needed to really bring her thesis into the world, with Mary Young.  In doing so, Mary has not only created beautiful intimates to be enjoyed by all shapes and sizes, but she has created a community known as the 'Self Love Club', building conversation around body image, self-love and acceptance. Mary Young also donates $1 from every item sold to a new women-focused organization each year. In this episode, we talk about the universality of body image issues and how Mary Young is addressing them, the psychology of having a namesake brand, how to network and share your "thing" the right way, and how Canadian and US shoppers differ.  I hope you enjoy!  www.maryyoung.com @itsmaryyoung @pickherbrainpodcast

In this month's Halloween special we are talking with Charli Carver the Business Development & Cemetery Services Manager for Brompton Cemetery, one of the fantastic green spaces we maintain. Charli tell us about what it’s like to work in the amazing cemetery, the history of this beautiful space, the stories of the people buried there and some strange encounters she’s had. Come and explore Brompton Cemetery with us, a space for both the living and the dead.Support the show (https://www.royalparks.org.uk/support-the-parks)

Today's guest is hands down one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. Her journey began in a small-town, or shall I say village, 5 hours outside of Toronto, where she encountered wild animals more often than human beings. Needless to say, when she made her move to the big city to pursue her fashion dreams, the transition wasn't easy. Not only was she faced with an overwhelming culture shock, but she also battled lingering health issues related to a concussion she received back in high school, which threatened her ability to pursue her dreams. Faced with the possibility of quitting fashion school to focus on her health, she ignored the advice of her doctors and discovered her own method of healing focused primarily on self-love and mindset. This fashion entrepreneur truly embodies the essence of both resilience and authenticity which cascades right into her brand where she inspires and empowers women of all shapes and sizes through self-love and acceptance. My guest today is lingerie designer Mary Young. She stopped by to discuss some of the key challenges she faced in her life so far and how she's used those experiences to become a great entrepreneur, build her brand, and champion a movement that is beyond selling underwear.