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In this solo episode, I explore a powerful shift that's been reshaping my life and leadership: moving from owning my blessings to truly stewarding them. I share how a simple but confronting truth—“It's not good stewardship to complain about what God has already given you”—led me to reevaluate the way I was approaching my marriage, business, faith, and daily peace. Through honest reflections on success, comparison, and control, I walk you through the difference between routine and practice, ownership and stewardship, and why happiness isn't something we chase—it's something we notice. I also share the daily gratitude rituals and spiritual practices that have grounded me in presence, softened my ambition, and brought peace back into my home, my work, and my identity. If you're ready to release pressure, reconnect to what's already here, and lead from a deeper place of trust, this episode will feel like coming home. Liked this episode? Make sure to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review with your takeaways, this helps us create the exact content you want! KEY POINTS: 02:19 The Power of Gratitude 05:15 From Routine to Practice 07:46 Recalibrating Life and Business 10:40 The Shift from Ownership to Stewardship 14:09 Daily Practices for Gratitude 18:04 Invitation to Unscripted Retreat 18:44 Stay Connected and Subscribe QUOTABLES: “ My marriage, my family, my business, my home, even the freedom I have to sit here and speak with you like this. At one point in my life, every single one of those things was something I prayed for, and now they're part of my everyday reality. But somewhere along the way, I stopped treating them like miracles, and I started treating them like they were something that needed maintenance. And that's where the gratitude gap begins.” - Julie Solomon “ There are three things that will steal your gratitude faster than anything else. Money, property, and prestige. When you put yourself in the driver's seat of those three. When you start idolizing your money, your property, or your prestige, things start to get shaky. Because that's when you start thinking you are the source of it all instead of the steward.” - Julie Solomon RESOURCES: ✨ Unscripted: My First In-Person Retreat in 2+ Years — Now Accepting Applications If you've felt your voice no longer matches the woman you've become, this intimate 2-day retreat in Nashville (Feb 5–6, 2026) is for you. Unscripted is where your message, identity, and leadership come back into alignment—without pressure, performance, or shrinking. Spots are limited and application-only. Apply now at juliesolomon.net/unscripted. [ORDER] my book or Audible, Get What You Want: How to Go From Unseen to Unstoppable so you can leverage the power of your own influence. Follow Julie on Instagram! MUST HAVES THIS MONTH: [READY TO SELL SOMETHING?] Shopify takes care of the logistics so you can focus on what you do best. Set up shop today for just $1/month! [YOUR BASICS, UPGRADED] Fits Everybody makes everyday essentials extraordinary. Find your favorites![FIND YOUR NEXT MENTOR] From writers to CEOs, they're all here. Save 15%!
Are you stepping into a new year with clarity and intention—or with that familiar sense of uncertainty about how your business will actually generate results? In this episode, Nicole shares the exact yearly and quarterly planning process she uses to create alignment, stability, and predictability in her business. You'll hear why so many entrepreneurs unintentionally operate in chaos mode—and how a flexible, supportive plan can bring you back into your power. Nicole breaks down the real reasons entrepreneurs stay stuck in the "busy but not productive" loop, constantly creating content but not seeing the sales to match. She shows you how structure can actually create space—helping you lead with intention, avoid knee-jerk decisions, and align your energy with the goals you set. You'll also learn why mixing day-to-day selling with strategic conversion events matters, and how understanding the phases of visibility, nurturing, and conversion can transform your revenue into something far more predictable. Nicole explains how quarterly planning helps you focus on what truly moves the needle, rather than getting swept up in month-to-month pressure. If you're craving a business approach that blends Human Design, aligned strategy, and flexibility—this episode offers the support and clarity you need to map out a powerful 2026. It's your chance to step into the new year feeling grounded, intentional, and truly unshakable. Listen now! Learn more about your Human Design and get your full chart for free at https://www.nicolelaino.com/chart To download the Secret Podcast on how to Build & Scale Your Business with Human Design click here: nicolelaino.com/secretpodcast Be sure to visit nicolelaino.com/podcastlinks for all of the current links to events, freebies, and more! If you enjoyed this week's episode, I'd so appreciate you doing a few things for me: Please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tag me @nicolelainoofficial on your IG stories with a story of you listening to the podcast and I'll make sure to share your post! Interested in learning more about working with me? Click here to learn more about how we can work together.
Brandon Narrain's journey from sweeping floors to secure consistent wholesale deals is nothing short of inspiring. He went from faith to fact, proving that there's money in real estate and making deals.In this episode, Brandon breaks down how to make serious cash from utilizing properties, and break free from financial limits. Learn from his inspiring story! And start getting ahead of your REl game with Brent's TTP Training Program.---------Show notes:(0:49) Beginning of today's episode(10:26) The process of filling out your purchase agreement(17:57) How to make a lot of money in a short amount of time?(21:58) Breaking down his first deal (direct mail)(28:14) What are the things you need to do to scale your REl business?(38:28) Getting past your "financial thermostat"----------Resources:Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert KiyosakiThe Go Giver by Bob BurgFollow Brandon on InstagramFollow Brandon on YoutubeFollow Brandon on FacebookYellow Letters HQ.Best Real Estate SystemReal Supermarket (code: ttp)To speak with Brent or one of our other expert coaches call (281) 835-4201 or schedule your free discovery call here to learn about our mentorship programs and become part of the TribeGo to Wholesalingincgroup.com to become part of one of the fastest growing Facebook communities in the Wholesaling space. Get all of your burning Wholesaling questions answered, gain access to JV partnerships, and connect with other "success minded" Rhinos in the community.It's 100% free to join. The opportunities in this community are endless, what are you waiting for?
Most people are trying to "goal" their way into a better year. They set resolutions, white-knuckle new habits, and wonder why everything falls apart by March. In this episode, Jim breaks that pattern wide open. 2026 won't rise to the level of your goals. It will fall to the level of your systems—and your systems are built on identity, energy, and emotional mastery. Jim walks you through how elite performers think (Kobe, Brady, Navy SEALs), how your brain literally fights anything that doesn't match your identity, and why stillness and silence—not more noise—are the unlocks for wealth, clarity, and calling. If you're serious about becoming the kind of person for whom wealth, health, and opportunity are inevitable—not accidental—this is your blueprint. What You'll Learn How to recode who you are in 2026. How (and why) to treat energy as currency The confidence flywheel and why action must come before feeling "ready". A practical stillness protocol to hear from God, regulate your emotions, and make higher-quality business and money decisions. Action Steps Complete this sentence: "In 2026, I'm the kind of person who…" Let this identity drive your behavior. Identify one energizer and one drainer. Double the energizer. Delete the drainer. Phone on airplane mode. Sit upright. Breathe 4-2-6 for a few cycles. Do this every day for 30 days. Jim Oliver's Shared Wisdom "Don't ask, 'What do I want in 2026?' Ask, 'Who must I become so that everything I want becomes inevitable?' Change your identity, protect your energy, sit in silence, and then take the courageous step. That's how you become unstoppable."
The Deep Wealth Podcast - Extracting Your Business And Personal Deep Wealth
Send us a textUnlock Proven Strategies for a Lucrative Business Exit—Subscribe to The Deep Wealth Podcast TodayHave Questions About Growing Profits And Maximizing Your Business Exit? Submit Them Here, and We'll Answer Them on the Podcast!“Enjoy the ride and trust yourself.”- Marc NudelbergExclusive Insights from This Week's EpisodesDivision One Football Coach, TEDx Speaker, and Entrepreneur Marc Nudelberg brings the intensity of elite sports and the precision of leadership science to show you exactly how daily discipline compounds into unstoppable revenue. Marc reveals how to build relationships that drive sales, create habits that outperform talent, and implement the 1 Percent Daily Rule used by high-performance leaders.00:03:00 Growing up inside a multigenerational entrepreneurial family00:07:00 What Division One football teaches about culture and leadership00:14:00 Why most entrepreneurs fail at revenue growth00:20:00 Using detective-style research to win more deals00:24:00 How to stand out in a noisy digital environment00:32:00 The daily discipline behind the 1 Percent Rule00:41:00 The mindset shift that changes everything00:47:00 Real client transformations from Marc's playbooks00:49:00 The referral strategy Marc uses dailyClick here for full show notes, transcript, and resources:https://podcast.deepwealth.com/497Essential Resources to Maximize Your Business ExitLearn More About Deep Wealth MasteryFREE Deep Wealth eBook on Why You Suck At Selling Your Business And What You Can Do About It (Today)Unlock Your Lucrative Exit and Secure Your Legacy
In this powerful two-episode compilation of The Burn Podcast, Ben Newman sits down with two dynamic leaders whose stories prove that adversity can become your greatest advantage when you choose to rise from it.First, Nate Green shares the lessons that shaped him into an award-winning CEO, best-selling author, and leadership performance coach. From overcoming a career-threatening health crisis at just 23 to building an eight-figure business and landing on the Inc. 5000 list four years in a row, Nate's story embodies resilience and relentless growth. He breaks down the principles behind his book Suck Less, Do Better and the frameworks he teaches through programs like Built Unstoppable—all designed to push individuals toward decisive action, personal transformation, and unlocking the potential they already have within.Then, Stephen Rhodes, CEO of Signify Wealth and author of Make Your Money Matter, joins Ben to discuss the mindset that drove him from humble beginnings to becoming a trusted financial advisor to families, businesses, and professional athletes. Stephen reveals the “never again” moment that fueled his tireless work ethic, the passion that helps others see their own value more clearly, and why legacy isn't something you leave behind—it's something you live daily. From prioritizing family to redefining impact, Stephen challenges us to make our lives, our money, and our leadership truly matter.Together, these conversations highlight what The Burn is all about: turning passion into purpose, adversity into fuel, and today's decisions into tomorrow's legacy. This episode is for anyone ready to elevate their leadership, deepen their impact, and live unstoppable.Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PDcbiCOnP0UListen on all platforms: https://www.theburnpodcast.com_______________________Learn about upcoming events and coaching: https://www.workwithbnc.comGet Ben's latest book The STANDARD: https://amzn.to/3DE1clY1stWork directly with Ben: https://www.bennewmancoaching.comConnect with Ben Newman:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/continuedfightFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Continuedfight/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ContinuedFightLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-newman-b0b693Qlogix: www.Q-logix.com/benhttps://www.bennewmancoaching.com************************************ Learn about our Upcoming events and programs:https://www.workwithbnc.comLet's work TOGETHER https://www.bennewmancoaching.comLet's work together to write YOUR next book- BNC PublishingSend us a message Order my latest book The STANDARD: Winning at YOUR Highest Level: https://amzn.to/3DE1clY1st Phorm | The Foundation of High Performance Nutrition1stPhorm.com/bnewman Connect with me everywhere else: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/continuedfight Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Continuedfight/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ContinuedFight Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-newman-b0b693
To become the Unstoppable Church, we must have Unstoppable Prayers. In part 7 of our "Unstoppable" series, Pastor John explains what this looks like: praying the Lord's promises rather than our own preferences. Let this message be a reminder that not our will, but Your will be done, Lord.To learn more about us, visit faithcenter.tv today!
Follow optYOUmize Podcast with Brett Ingram: LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Website Summary Brett Ingram interviews Aaron Parry, a former struggling entrepreneur who shares his journey of persistence and resilience in the face of numerous failures. Aaron discusses the importance of self-doubt, finding purpose, and the role of community in achieving success. He emphasizes the need for ownership in one's journey and the significance of consistent small improvements over time. The conversation provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to build their dream business and life. Chapters 00:00 The Journey of an Entrepreneur 11:19 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Finding Purpose 19:48 Mindset Barriers and Ownership 28:44 The Role of Community in Success #mindset #selfdoubt #resilience #personaldevelopment #entrepreneurship #optyoumize #brettingram #entrepreneurpodcast #podmatch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sym Blanchard and I have a lively, informal discussion. Think of it as eavesdropping on a debate between long-time friends. Yes, I talk over and interrupt Sym, which is unprofessional for a typical interview, but meant to be a natural, fast-paced conversation.00:00 Te Araroa09:40 Koreas uniting14:00 ShakespeareScott Williams, a hiking buddy of Sym and me, disagrees with Sym about the Te Araroa trail. Unlike Sym, Scott hiked almost all of it. Subscribe to get his take in 2026!More from SymIf you enjoy this philosophical episode, listen to the dozen episodes with Sym Blanchard!In 2025, I catch up with one of the most remarkable 72-year-olds you'll ever meet, Sym Blanchard!This page features five episodes starring Sym.Listen to all the episodes featuring Sym Blanchard since 2018!* A 66-year-old Adventurer Shows How To Live A Meaningful Life in 2018 (one of the top 5 most popular WanderLearn episodes!)* Traveling To Find One's Ancestors in 2019* Near Death on the CDT + Sym's 60-Year Love Story in 2020* Nine Shows Sharing Travel Wisdom Featuring Sym Blanchard in 2022* Unstoppable 70-year-old Adventurer Sym Blanchard in 2023Do cherry trees in South Korea produce edible cherries?In the episode, Sym said, “No.” I was skeptical and fact-checked. This is what Perplexity.ai says:Cherry trees in South Korea do produce fruit, but it depends on the variety. Native species like King cherry (Prunus yedoensis var. Nudiflora) and Korean mountain cherry (Prunus maximowiczii) produce edible fruit. The King cherry, native especially to Jeju Island, bears fruit but is primarily valued for its blossoms. Many ornamental varieties like the Yoshino cherry produce small, bitter fruit less suitable for human consumption, but can feed wildlife.Summary:* Native Korean cherries produce edible fruit.* Ornamental varieties mainly produce less palatable fruit.ConnectSend me an anonymous voicemail at SpeakPipe.com/FTaponYou can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter athttps://wanderlearn.comIf you like this podcast, subscribe and share!On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:* Facebook* Twitter* YouTube* Instagram* TikTok* LinkedIn* Pinterest* TumblrSponsors1. My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron for as little as $2/month at https://Patreon.com/FTapon2. For the best travel credit card, get one of the Chase Sapphire cards and get 75-100k bonus miles!3. Get $5 when you sign up for Roamless, my favorite global eSIM! Use code LR32K4. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in.5. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!6. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken.7. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!8. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ftapon.substack.com
The Chicago Bulls' season has spiraled from promising to panic mode — and tonight, we break down exactly why.
About the ReWire Podcast The ReWire Podcast with Ryan Stewman – Dive into powerful insights as Ryan Stewman, the HardCore Closer, breaks down mental barriers and shares actionable steps to rewire your thoughts. Each episode is a fast-paced journey designed to reshape your mindset, align your actions, and guide you toward becoming the best version of yourself. Join in for a daily dose of real talk that empowers you to embrace change and unlock your full potential. Learn how you can become a member of a powerful community consistently rewiring itself for success at https://www.jointheapex.com/ Rise Above
HWP is back with a new conversation! This time, Stephanie sits down with the first-ever female Big Valley Wrestling Fighting Champion Taniya! We are talking her career and her upcoming title match with AJ Aven at BVW's 11th Anniversary show Unstoppable in Las Vegas on this Saturday! Catch the Vibe! It's HWP Live! Host: Stephanie Hardy Follow Stephanie & HWP on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queenstephhardy & https://www.instagram.com/hardywrestlingpodcast Follow Stephanie & HWP on X: https://www.x.com/QueenStephHardy & https://x.com/hardywrestlepodGuest: Taniya Follow Taniya on her socials: IG: https://instagram.com/fvckitstaniya Email for bookings: taniyawrestlerbookings@gmail.comTags: #hwp #hardywrestlingpodcast #hwpxtra #wweraw #smackdown #wwenxt #lasvegas #bigvalleywrestling #wweonnetflix #rawonnetflix #wweid #aewdynamite #aewcollision #aewfullgear #wowsuperheroes #tnawrestling #weluvwrestling #wrestlingcommunity #womenswrestling New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount!
Stories have a way of helping us recognize ourselves, and that's exactly what happened in my conversation with Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond. Nana shares what it was like to grow up in Queens, then suddenly move to a boarding school in Ghana, and how that experience shaped her identity in ways she's still uncovering today. As Nana describes her path from writer to author, her years of persistence, and the curiosity that led to books like Powder Necklace and Blue, I felt a deep connection to her commitment to keep creating even when the process feels uncertain. We also explored trust, partnership, and the lessons my guide dogs have taught me—all ideas that tie into the heart of Nana's storytelling. This conversation is an invitation to see your own life with more clarity, courage, and compassion. Highlights: 00:00:10 – Step into a conversation that explores how stories shape courage and connection. 00:01:41 – See how early environments influence identity and spark deeper questions about belonging. 00:02:55 – Learn how a major cultural shift can expand perspective and redefine personal truth. 00:23:05 – Discover what creative persistence looks like when the path is long and uncertain. 00:27:45 – Understand what distinguishes writing from fully embracing authorship. 00:33:22 – Explore how powerful storytelling draws people into a moment rather than just describing it. 00:46:45 – Follow how curiosity about history can unlock unexpected creative direction. 00:59:31 – Gain insight into why treating a publisher as a partner strengthens both the work and the audience reach. About the Guest: Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond is the author of Powder Necklace: A Novel, the award-winning children's picture book Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky, the collection Relations: An Anthology of African and Diaspora Voices, and My Parents' Marriage: A Novel. Tapped for her passion about Africa's rich fashion traditions and techniques, Brew-Hammond was commissioned by the curators of Brooklyn Museum's "Africa Fashion" exhibit to pen and perform an original poem for the museum's companion short film of the same name. In the clip, she wore a look from the made-in-Ghana lifestyle line she co-founded with her mother and sister, Exit 14. The brand was featured on Vogue.com. Every month, Brew-Hammond co-leads the Redeemed Writers Group whose mission is to write light into the darkness. Learn more about it here.Learn more at nanabrewhammond.com. Ways to connect with Nana**:** Instagram, Facebook and Threads: @nanaekuawriter Twitter: @nanaekua www.NanaBrewHammond.com ORDER my new novel MY PARENTS' MARRIAGE Read 2023 NCTE Award Winner & NAACP Image Award Nominee BLUE: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky Read RELATIONS: An Anthology of African and Diaspora Voices , stories, essays & poems by new and established Black writers Shop Exit 14 , all weather, uniquely designed, 100% cotton apparel sustainably made in Ghana About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. Michael Hingson 01:20 And a pleasant, Good day to you all, wherever you happen to be, I would like to welcome you to another episode of unstoppable mindset. Today, we get to have a conversation with Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond And Nana has a lot of interesting things to talk about. She's written books, she's done a variety of different things, and rather than me giving it all away, it'll be more fun to let her tell the stories and get a chance for us to listen to her. She is in Oakland, California, so she's at the other end of the state for me, and we were just comparing the weather. It's a lot colder where she is than where I live down here in Victorville, where today it's 104 degrees outside. And Nana, you said it was like, what, somewhere around 70. Yeah, it's 68 There you go. See lovely weather. Well, Nana, I want to welcome you to unstoppable mindset. We're really glad you're here, and I want to thank you for taking the time to be with us. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 02:23 I feel the same way. Thank you for having me on your amazing show. And it's so wonderful to be in conversation with you. Michael Hingson 02:30 Well, I'm glad we get a chance to spend some time together and we can, we can talk about whatever we want to talk about and make it relevant and interesting. So we'll do that. Why don't we start with what I love to do at the beginning of these is to talk about the early Nana growing up and all that. So take us back as close to the beginning as your memory allows. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 02:52 Oh gosh, as my memory allows. Um, I so I was born in Plattsburgh, New York, which is upstate near Montreal, Canada. Michael Hingson 03:06 Been there. Oh, cool in the winter. I even crossed the lake in an icebreaker. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 03:12 But yeah, oh my gosh, wow. Okay, yeah. Bring back memories. Well, I was only there for till I was, like two years old. So, but I do, I have gone up there in the winter and it is cold. Yes, it is cold, yeah. So I was born there, but I grew up in New York City and had that really was sort of my life. I lived in New York, grew up in Queens, New York, and then at 12 years old, my parents decided to send me to Ghana to go to school. And that was sort of like a big, the biggest change of my life, like I know that there was a before Ghana and an after Ghana, Nana and so, yeah, wow. Michael Hingson 04:02 So, so when was that? What year was that that you went to Ghana? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 04:06 That was 1990 August of 1990 actually. Michael Hingson 04:11 So what did you think about going to Ghana? I mean, clearly that was a major change. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 04:15 Yeah, you know, I, you know, my parents are from Ghana originally. So when, you know, they would always talk about it. We, you know, back then phones, long distance phone calls to Ghana. I, you know, that was, that was the extent of my sort of understanding of Ghana, the food that we ate at home, etc. So going to Ghana was just sort of mind blowing to me, to sort of be crossing, you know, getting on a plane and all of that, and then being in the country that my parents had left to come to the United States, was just sort of like, oh, wow, connecting with family members. It was just, it was a lot. To process, because life was very, very, very, very different. So yeah, it was just sort of a wild eye opening experience about just the world and myself and my family that ultimately inspired me to write a book about it, because it was just, I just, it was a lot to process. Michael Hingson 05:25 Why did they want you to go to to Ghana to study? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 05:30 Yeah, so in the 90s, in New York City or and in the late 80s, there was the crack epidemic was happening, and we, you know, I mean, I remember, we lived in a house in Queens, and when we would, you know, part of our chores was to sweep in front of the house, you know, rake the leaves, that kind of thing in the fall. And we would, all the time there would be crack files, you know, like as we're sweeping up, and I didn't get there where we were young. My sister was, you know, a teenager. I was 12, and my, you know, my younger brother had just been born. He was just like a, like, a little under a year old. And I think my parents just didn't feel that it was a safe place for us as kids to grow up. And so, yeah, they wanted to kind of give us an opportunity to get out of, you know, that environment for a while. Michael Hingson 06:33 What did you think of it? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 06:35 I mean, you know, as a kid, you never want to leave what to you. So it was, I would say it was, it was, it was interesting. Because initially I loved it. I was like, I actually campaigned, you know, I was like, I really, you know, would like to stay in Ghana, but I didn't want to stay for, you know, the three years, which is what I what happened? I wanted to stay for maybe, like a year, kind of try it, you know, go to school for a year. I found it this really cool adventure, go to boarding school and on all of that. But my parents made the decision that we should just sort of ride it out and finish like I had to finish high school. And, yeah, so, so great for me. Michael Hingson 07:25 So you were there for three years, yes. So by you were 12, so by 15, you had finished high Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 07:32 school, yeah, because the system there is different. It's it was at the time the British system. So it was like a form system where I saw I entered in form three, because it was, it wasn't quite the equivalent in the sense that I probably should have started in form two or form one, but I was also an advanced student, and and they, the way the system there works is you have to take a common entrance exam from primary school to get into secondary school. So it's very difficult to get into school midstream there. So we had to go through all of these hoops. And, you know, there was an opening in form three, and that was higher than my, you know, than where I should have been, but I was advanced, so I was able to get into that school that way. You did okay. I assume I did. I mean, I struggled, which was interesting, because I was a very, you know, good, strong student in the States, but I struggled mightily when I first got there, and throughout, it was never easy, but I was able to manage. Michael Hingson 08:49 Now, did your sister also go to Ghana? She Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 08:52 did, and she was hopping mad. Michael Hingson 08:55 How old was she when you were 12, she was Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 08:59 17, so she Okay, yeah, almost about to go to college. She was really excited about, like, that portion of life. And then it was like, okay, she's in Ghana. She was hopping mad. Michael Hingson 09:13 Well, how long did she stay? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 09:16 Well, so she stayed for two years. Because what Ghana has is sort of like, at the time it was something called sixth form, which is, again, the British system. So it's sort of like a college prep in between the equivalent of that. So she basically did that in Ghana. Michael Hingson 09:38 Okay, well, and your little brother didn't go to Ghana, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 09:44 not yet, not not yet. You Michael Hingson 09:47 mean they didn't send him over at one year? No, okay, well, that's probably a good idea. Well, so looking back on it, what do you think about having spent three years in. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 10:00 Ghana, looking back on it, I think it was actually really, really good for me. I mean, it was that doesn't take away from the fact that it was very difficult. It was very, very challenging, not only academically. It was I was bullied really hard at this boarding school that I went to. The girls just kind of made my life hell. But what was amazing about it for me was that I had, I had exposure to Ghanaian culture in a way that I would never have had in the States. As I mentioned to you, Ghana was sort of that country over there when I lived in America. And you know, it existed as you know, family members coming to visit, long distance phone calls, the food that we ate, that you know, the accents that we had, things that made us different, and at the time, that was not cool. You know, as a kid, you just want to fit in and you don't want to be different. And going to Ghana was my opportunity to learn that, wow, I didn't have to be embarrassed or ashamed of that difference. There was so much to be proud of. You know, my family was, you know, a sprawling family, you know, my my grandmother owned a business, my grandfather owned a business, you know, it was, it was really, it was eye opening, just to sort of be in another environment. People knew how to, you know, pronounce my name, and I didn't have to, you know, just explain things. And that was really affirming for a 12 year old and a 13 year old when you're going through that, you know. So it was really good for me. And in Ghana is where I came to know Christ. I became a Christian, and it was something that spiritually, I was not really, I don't know, I just didn't really think about spiritual. I did on some level. But going to Ghana, it everything just felt so palpable. It was really like we're praying for this. And it happened, you know what I mean, like, yeah. It felt very Yeah. It was just a time in my life when life really felt very the mysteries of life really felt like they were open to me, Michael Hingson 12:37 interesting and so you clearly gained a lot of insight and knowledge and experience over there that you were able to bring back with you when you came Yes, yes. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 12:55 When I returned to the States, I was just, I think of myself, I guess, as a weirdo. Like, when I came back, I just felt so weird because I couldn't really, fully, you know, connect with my friends, because I had missed out on three years of culture, you know. And you You don't realize how much culture means, like, until, like, you know, you don't have those references anymore. I didn't know the songs that were popular. I didn't, you know, know about, I forget, there was some sort of genes that were really popular while I was gone. I didn't know what they were. I didn't have a pair of them. So it was just sort of this, this interesting time. And I was also young, because I had finished high school, and I was 15, yeah, my friends were, you know, sophomores, yeah, you know, and I was beginning the process of looking into college. So it was just a really isolating time for me and I, but also, you know, interesting and I, again, I say it was, it was ultimately in the in the wash of it. I think it was good because it enabled me to sort of, I guess, mature in a way that enabled me to start college earlier. And, you know, sort of see the world in a much different way. Michael Hingson 14:26 So when you went to college, what did you want to do? Or had you had you decided to start laying plans for a major and what you wanted to do post college, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 14:36 I did not know what I wanted to do. I kind of, I mean, I kind of thought I wanted to be a doctor. I thought I wanted to be a doctor. Like, all my life, growing up, I was like, I'm going to be a doctor. And I was a science student in Ghana, but I struggled mightily. But still, I went. I entered college with us. You know, the plans? To become a bio psychology major. And you know, I took two, three classes, well more than that, I did, like, a year of classes. And I was just like, This is not for me, not for me at all. But yeah, yeah. So it was, it was that was a little rough. Michael Hingson 15:21 Things happen. So what did? What did you go off and do? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 15:25 Then I ended up majoring in political science and Africana Studies, and it was, I remember taking a political science class my freshman year, and I, my my professor was amazing, but it was, it was interesting to me. I think looking back now, being able to think about the world in a way that was sort of linking history and politics and culture together. And I think that was interesting to me, because I had just come from Ghana and had been exposed to, like, sort of this completely different culture, completely different political system, and, you know, kind of having that, I that thinking, or that wonderment of like, wow, you can Life can be so different somewhere else, but it's still life, and it's still happening, but also having that connection as an American to America and what's happening there. And so holding both of those things in my hands when I got to college, I think I was, I just what I was really sort of intrigued by the idea of studying politics and studying culture and society, Michael Hingson 16:48 and that's what you did. Yes, I did. So you got a degree in political science. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 16:54 Yes, a double degree political science and Africana Studies. Michael Hingson 16:57 Africana Studies, okay, and again, that that's probably pretty interesting, because the the Ghana influence had to help with the Africana Studies, and the desire to to do that, and you certainly came with a good amount of knowledge that had to help in getting that as a part of your major. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 17:16 Well, interestingly, my focus was on African American Studies, because I really growing up as an immigrant, like with immigrant parents, their understanding or their their thought process wasn't necessarily, I don't know they weren't. They didn't really raise us to think about race or being black, because their consciousness wasn't about that. It was they were immigrants. You know what? I mean, they weren't thinking about that. So I was actually quite curious, because I did grow up in America and I was black, but I didn't understand, you know, the history of America in that way. And I remember, actually, when I was in was it the third or maybe it was the second or third grade, or maybe it was fifth grade. I did a project on the Civil War, and I remember being so interested in it, because I had, I just didn't, you know, it wasn't. I was so fascinated by American history because I really wasn't. I didn't, I didn't understand it in the way that maybe somebody who wasn't the child of immigrants, you know, might, you know, connect with it. So I was just Yeah, so I was really fascinated by African American history, so I ended up double majoring in it and concentrating on African American politics, which was really fascinating to me. Michael Hingson 18:55 Yeah, and there certainly has been a fair amount of that over the years, hasn't there? Yes, there has, but you can, you can cope with it and and again. But did your time in Ghana, kind of influence any of what you did in terms of African American Studies? Did it help you at all? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 19:15 Um, I, I don't know, because I don't because, because I think what, what I what, what Ghana helped me with was, I remember, I'll say this. I remember one time in Ghana, in class, we were reading a book by an author who had we were reading a play, actually by a Ghanaian writer who was writing about a Ghanian man who married an African American woman and brought her to his home. And there was a lot of clash between them, because, you know, they were both black, but they had different sort of backgrounds. Yeah, and I remember the teacher asking, because the. The the wife that he brought home, the African American woman, mentioned certain things about America, and no one in the classroom could answer any questions about America, and I was the only one who could. And I was, you know, very, very sort of shy in that in that school and in that context. But I remember that day feeling so emboldened, like I was, like, I can actually contribute to this conversation. And so maybe, you know, in on some level, when I got back to the states, maybe there was some interest in linking those two things together. But it wasn't as as is in life. It wasn't obvious to me. Then it was sort of just kind of me following my interest and curiosity. And I ended up, I didn't set out to be an Africana Studies double major, but I ended up taking so many classes that I had the credits. And, you know, I was like, Okay, I guess I'm I have two degrees now, or two, two concentrations, Michael Hingson 21:02 yeah, did you go and do any advanced work beyond getting bachelor's degrees? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 21:08 No, I did not. When I graduated, I initially thought I might get interested, get in, go to law school. But this was me again, following my muse. I realized that my real interest was in writing papers when I was in college. You know, give me a 15 page paper, 20 page paper, I was ecstatic. I loved writing papers. And I think that's one of the reasons, too, why I loved political science and Africana Studies, because we were assigned tons of papers, and it enabled me to sort of, you know, writing these papers enabled me to kind of think through questions that I had, or process what I was reading or thinking about or feeling. And so when I graduated from college, you know, I got, you know, a job, and was working, trying to figure out, Okay, do I want to go to law school? But at the time that I graduated, that was also during the time of, like, the.com boom, and there were a lot of online magazines that were looking for writers, and so I started, kind of, you know, submitting, and I got some some things published. And as that was happening, I was like, I think this is what I want to focus on. Michael Hingson 22:30 So when did you really know that you were a writer? Then? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 22:34 I mean, I don't I think that when I got back, when I started working, so I, ultimately, I got a job in advertising, and I was working, you know, as an assistant in the on the account side of things, but there was this whole creative department that, you know, got to, you know, come up with all of the, you know, the the taglines and write commercials and write jingles and all that kind of stuff. And I was, like, so fascinated by that, and that's what I thought, okay, I could if you know, I need a job, I need money, and I want to write, so maybe this is what I need to be doing. And so I ultimately did get a job as a copywriter and and I still, you know, do that work today, but I think I always knew that I needed to write, and I wanted to actually write about my experience in Ghana. So I remember, you know, I started kind of very fledgling. Would began to write into that, and I ultimately started writing that the book that became my first book, powder necklace, on the subway to and from work. Every morning I would wake up very early, write what I could get ready for work, right on the bus, right on the subway, you know, get to work after work. You know, repeat. And it took me many years, but that's what I did. And I wrote my first book, Michael Hingson 24:14 and that was published in 2010 right? Yes, it was, did you self publish? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 24:18 Or I well, I did not self publish. I was published by Simon and Schuster. Simon and Schuster's Atria Books, Washington Square press. And part of my process was I started just kind of, you know, the Internet. The Internet was new. It was something that was available to me. So I started just kind of Googling, how do you get published? And they said you needed a literary agent. So I started looking online for literary agents. And because I lived in New York City at the time, I would literally write my my query letters and like, hand deliver them different agencies. 90s, and one woman, after four years of looking, said, Okay, this sounds interesting. I'd love to meet with you. And I didn't believe. I was like, wow, I've been rejected for four years, and somebody actually wants this, and she was able to sell the book. And I was shocked. I was like, Simon and sister, okay? And at the time they bought it, the, you know, the America, the US, was going through the whole financial, you know, crisis, the recession, in 2008 so they held my book for a year, and then we began the process in 2009 and then they, you know, we were on track to publish it in 2010 Michael Hingson 25:46 Wow. Well, tell me about that book. Yeah. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 25:51 Powder necklace is a novel. It's a fictionalized account of my experience going to high school in Ghana. I when I went to school in Ghana. I went to a girls boarding school in the mountains of Ghana central region, and that school was going through a major water crisis. We did not, I mean, we the short story is that, I guess, because of we were on the mountain, the water pressure was very low, and so it was really difficult to get the water up that mountain. And they didn't have like enough, you know, tanks around the school and what have you. So we had one artificial well, and then we had, like, an underground well, and that was it. And the underground well wasn't always, you know, full of water to service the whole school. It was really difficult. So, you know, we had to bring in our own water, some. And then it became, if you had money, you could bring water. But if you didn't have money, you didn't and it was a very desperate time for for young girls without being not being able to take a shower on demand. And it was, it was wild. Michael Hingson 27:15 Where does the title powder necklace come from? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 27:19 So the title, I named it powder necklace, because, as I mentioned, taking a shower became this like symbol of the haves and the have nots. And, you know, all of this having water, really. And if so, what, what the girls, what we would do is, you know, after you've taken a bath, people would put tons of powder on their necks. And it was sometimes it was okay we didn't take a bath, so we're going to put powder on our necks to scented powder to cover the odor. But it was also a way, like if you had bathed, to sort of, you know, show off that you'd bathed. So for me, it was as I was reflecting on the on this as I was writing this story and reflecting on that whole experience, I thought, wow, it was sort of our way of holding our heads up, you know, in the difficult situation, and kind of making the best of it. So that's why I called it powder necklace, Michael Hingson 28:17 okay? And that was for children. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 28:20 Well, it was for young adults, young adults, but Michael Hingson 28:25 it was more writing than pictures. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 28:27 Yeah, it was a young adult novel. I actually, I mean, this was my first book. I really didn't know what I was doing. I just, I wrote the book and I didn't know that it was a young adult novel, until people were like, Yeah, you wrote a young adult novel. I'm like, okay, Michael Hingson 28:47 works for me. Well, what does, what does being a writer mean to you? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 28:54 Um, I think being a writer means to me being able to articulate. A time, a place, a mood, a moment, being able to articulate it, one for myself, but also to create a record that helps people who don't necessarily have that gift to be able to sort of put words to the experience of living at a time place, having a certain feeling about something. Michael Hingson 29:34 Do you think there's a difference between being considered a writer and being an author, are they the same, or are they really different? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 29:45 I do think that there is a difference, and not in a sort of, you know, highfalutin way. I think the difference is the fact that when you I think, like, when you asked me initially, like, when do you think that you you became. Became a writer. My My instinct is to say that I think I was always a writer, because I think if you write, you're a writer. And whether you're published or not, you're a writer. If you have that inclination, that gift, and you sort of invest in that gift, and invest and develop it. I think you're a writer, but I think with an author, I think then that's to me. I think of it as the business of being a writer, or the business of being, yeah, you are now sort of in business with your publisher. Publisher has invested a certain amount in you, and it then becomes a more sort of public facing thing. The work is not just for you anymore. The work is now being disseminated to a group and hopefully to as many people as possible, and you as the writer now have to figure out, like, how do I get to my audience? How do I maximize or expand the reach of this thing that I wrote? How do I connect with people around the story and build build a readership. And how do I ultimately, you know, the my desire and goal would be to live off of this. How do I make turn this into something that I can, I can do, you know, full time and live off of Michael Hingson 31:38 so you turn from a writer to being an author. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 31:42 I'm, yes, I am an author, and I'm and I'm hoping to get to the to the, you know, the point where I can do it 100% full time, and it be, you know, 100% lucrative in that way. Michael Hingson 31:56 So what are you doing now? In addition to doing books, I Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 32:01 also freelance as a copywriter, so I'm still copywriting, Michael Hingson 32:05 okay, I was wondering what you what you did? So you're doing, still marketing and jingles and all those things, yeah, well, I Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 32:13 I'm my focus. I do do that, but my focus is mainly in the digital space. So I write lots of websites and web ads and social media copy, and, you know, things of that nature, campaign work. Michael Hingson 32:33 Well, that's, is there anything that you've written or copy written that we would all know, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 32:42 yeah, I mean, I did. I've done a lot. I guess the maybe the most recent thing that I've done that people might be aware of, or some people might be aware of, is the Brooklyn Museum in New York, did a an exhibition called Africa fashion. And I, they created a short film to promote it, and I, they commissioned me to write an original piece for it. And so I wrote that piece and and performed it in the film. So, you know, people who are into that kind of thing a museum, that that museum might be aware of it. But I've also written for, I did a lot of work for L'Oreal Paris, USA, and I've just done a lot of beauty work. So many of the beauty brands you might be aware, you know, you might know, I've done some work for them, cool. Michael Hingson 33:45 Well, that, you know, you do have to do things to earn an income to to be able to afford to write until you can do it full time. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 33:53 Yeah, yeah. And I actually really love copywriting. I think it's an it's been an incredible teacher in the sense of how to how to crystallize an idea in very short, you know, in just a few words, how to convey emotion in just a few words. And also that storytelling is not just the words, it's how you deliver the story that's all part of it. So I think it's been an incredible teacher in that way. Michael Hingson 34:28 I know for me as a speaker, it is how you tell the story. And I've learned over 23 and a half years of speaking how to take people inside the World Trade Center and actually have them travel with me and do all the things that, and experience all the things that that I went through, and then come out of the other side and I and I say that because so many people after I speak somewhere, well. Come up and say, we were with you in the building. We were with you with everything that you did. And I appreciate that there is a real significant art to storytelling, and part of it is also, and I'm sure that this is true for you as a writer and an author, that part of it has to be that you have to actually connect with the audience. You've got to understand the audience. You've got to connect with them, and you have to bring them along, because they're not expecting to go with you. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 35:33 Absolutely, absolutely. And I will say that I started one of your books just the beginning of it, and I was just running with Roselle, and I was so taken, so absorbed by the first few pages of it. You really do immerse us. And I think that that's the best kind of of writing. You know, when you're able to kind of present material that people may or may not be familiar with, and make it riveting and really bring us into it, and then have us invest being, feel invested well. Michael Hingson 36:16 And I think the last book that we did last year live like a guide dog. I worked really hard to make sure that we were drawing people into the experiences, because every chapter is actually taking lessons from one of my guide dogs and also from Fantasia, which who is my wife's service dog, but each chapter relates to one of those dogs, and I wanted them to be environments where people again were drawn in and appreciate the dogs for what they are and what they do, not just some dumb Animal that comes along. Yeah. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 37:00 Yeah, absolutely. I mean, yeah, so interesting. I think there's, there's so much, I guess. I don't want to use the word, I guess what I want to say, there's a lot of mystery in in the sort of human animal interaction, and people just aren't aware of how powerful it is, and I can, I'm saying that I speak for myself, because growing up, actually, I was really, really scared of dogs and animals, all animals, and I so there's, there's two, there's kind of two stories I'll share. But one is when we were, when we were growing up, my parents, you know, were from Ghana. They wanted to eat goat meat. And at the time, you couldn't just go to a supermarket goat meat. So we used to go to a farm out in New Jersey that had goats, and we would have to go and have the goat, you know, slaughtered and, you know, cut up and all that kind of stuff for the meat. And I remember that whenever the hand would go into, you know, the pen where the goats were, the goats would just were. They would be so stressed out, they would like, you know, part like the ocean walked in, and if he picked, when he picked one out. There would be other people, other goats in the pen that would start screaming in agony, along with the goat that had been picked out. And I was just like, Oh my gosh. That must be his family members, like, or his loved ones. And it was so I remember that was so eye opening to me, like, wow. So I ended up years, years later, I wrote a short story, and I actually did some research on goats and how brilliant they are, and I was just like, wow, oh my goodness, I remember that so well. But I have a cat right now, and my kitty cat is just such a such a joy, like just sort of to build that relationship with, with my with my pet, is just such a beautiful thing, and how she just kind of, because I grew up really scared of pets, and I sort of inherited her when I got when I got married, you know, she's been very patient with me, like, because at first I was so skittish around her, and I could see her, kind of like rolling her eyes, like, I mean, you no harm. You can pick me up. It's all good. And she's just been so wonderfully patient with me. We've built that bond over time. Michael Hingson 39:31 Well, yeah, I have, of course, my my eighth guy, dog, Alamo, and stitch the cat. Stitch is 15 and a half and a real cutie pie. We rescued her. Actually, there were people who were living next to us, and he was moving out. His wife had died, and he just told the people who were moving all of his stuff out, take the cat to the pound. I don't want anything to do with it. And we, we said, Absolutely not. We'll find it a home. And then I asked, What the. Cat's name was, and they told me the cat's name was stitch. And I knew that this cat wasn't going to go anywhere because my wife had been, well, my wife had been a quilter since 1994 and a quilter is never going to give away a cat named stitch. Yes. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 40:14 Oh, I'm so glad stitch found a home with you. Michael Hingson 40:18 Oh, yeah. Well, we found a stitch. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 40:20 Oh, that's right, that's right. Michael Hingson 40:23 And, and, and so she's, she's got lots of personality. And so it really works out pretty well. No, no complaints. And I've always said, Whenever I get a guide dog, because my wife has always had cats, when I get a new guide dog, I've always said, and will continue to say, it has to be a dog that's been raised around cats and has no problems with cats. I have seen a couple of Guide Dogs, actually, that hated cats, and one almost killed a cat, and that's I will never tolerate that. Yeah, they have to get along. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely now, when we brought Alamo home, stitch had a few concerns about this dog in her house. She got over it when she decided that Alamo wasn't going to do anything to bother her and they they talk all the time now and rub noses and all that sort of stuff. Oh, that's so cool, yeah, but, but it's, it is great, and they, they bring so much joy and so many lessons to us that I think it was really important to learn. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 41:34 Yeah, yeah. You're reminding me the first dog, because my grandmother actually loves animals, and when I went to Ghana, she got a dog, and, you know, as a kid, so we got a puppy. And I remember the puppy was initially supposed to be a guard dog, but we I, I would feed the I would hand feed the dog sausages and just spoil the dog so much. Could not be a guard dog, so I loved that dog. Joshua, yeah, Joshua, Michael Hingson 42:07 well, but you and Joshua got along really well. On we got along great. One of the things that people sometimes ask me is if my dog trained to protect and the answer is no, they're not trained, and then they've said, Well, what would happen if somebody were to decide to attack you with the dog around? And my response will always be and rightly so, I wouldn't want to be the person to try that and find out what will happen, because much more than guarding, there's love. And I've always believed that dogs love unconditionally. I think trusting is a different story. They are open to trust, but, but you have to earn their trust. They'll love you, but will they trust you? That depends on you. And so it's it's really pretty cool, but I would not want to be the person to ever decide to try to attack us, because I, I am sure that Alamo would not tolerate that at all. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 43:10 Oh, not at all. How do, how do you or how have you built trust with your your pets? Michael Hingson 43:17 Well, a lot of it has to do with they want us to be the pack leaders. They want us to be their team leader. And so I have to set the ground rules. So, for example, no jumping on the furniture and all that. But again, it's also how you convey that. So if my dog is going to jump up on something and I don't want that, I'll say, leave it. And as soon as the dog obeys, I'll give the dog a food reward, a kibble, to let the dog know, and I'll also use a clicker, but I'll let the dog know I approve of what you did, not punishing them for, you know, something else. Yeah, so it's not punishment, it's positive rewards. I think that's extremely important, but also it is in the stressful times being very focused and calm. So if we're walking somewhere and we get lost, that is not the dog's fault, because it's my job to know where to go and how to get where I'm going, and it's the dog's job to make sure that we walk safely to get there, so if we get lost, that's on me. And what I can't do, or shouldn't do, is panic and become very fearful and upset, because the dog will sense that I have to stop and figure it out and continue to praise the dog, saying what a good job you're doing, and so on. And those kinds of things are the things that will, over time, build that trust. I think it takes a good year to truly build a trusting relationship that is second. To none. And that's the kind of teaming relationship that you want, whether it's a guide dog or any dog. And even as far as that goes, although they're different cats, yeah, but it's, it's all about building that relationship and conveying the command and conveying that you want to trust and be trusted? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 45:24 Yeah, yeah. I think you're you. What you said that really resonated with me is that they want to know. They want you to be the pack leader and the and part of that is, you know, you lay down the ground rules, but also you're responsible for them and their well being. And, yeah, that really, that really resonated with me. Michael Hingson 45:48 Well, so you wrote your first book, and then when did you write your second book? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 45:55 My second book came out in 2022, so it was a 12 year spread in my first book and my second book, Why so long? Oh my gosh, my book, I was the book I was working on, like to sort of follow, was just rejected for, for all that whole time, and I was, you know, in more and more distraught, and, you know, in despair about it. I didn't know what to do about it. And I actually, you know, I was actually reading the Bible, and I came across the fact that there was a curtain, a blue curtain, in King Solomon's temple. And I was like, why does it matter that the curtain was blue? And so I just started googling casually, and I discovered that there was a snail in antiquity that was harvested for the blue drops that it it secreted, or it secreted drops that were ultimately oxidized to turn blue. And I was like, what I've never heard about this? I started doing some more research, and I realized, like, oh my gosh, the color blue has such a fascinating history. Kids need to know about this. And so I wrote it really as a poem initially, but then I thought, you know, I really want to see if I can get this published. And I was able to get it published, and that became my children's book blue, which was such a bomb to my soul, because after sort of a decade of getting, you know, rejected, and, you know, close to a decade of getting rejected, this, this sort of beautiful, like, sort of knowledge, you know, I came across, But I was able to create a book, and it's just been a wonderful experience with the children's Michael Hingson 47:45 book, wow, so the full title of blue is, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 47:51 it's blue a history of the color as deep as the sea and as wide as the sky. Wow. Michael Hingson 47:57 That should be enough to get the book sold. But as you point out, there's, there's a lot of history, yes, and that, that's pretty cool. So it was, it was released in 2022 and they finally, the publishers finally bought into that, huh? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 48:16 Well, yeah, I mean, that wasn't the novel that I've been working on. So I was still working. I ultimately, I did sell the novel, but that was its own journey, and I ended up writing another book that became the book is called my parents marriage, and it is not about my actual parents marriage. It's a novel about a young woman for adult readers. It's my first book for adult readers, and it is about a young woman whose parents are in a polygamous union, and how they're they have a really turbulent polygamous union, and how that relationship kind of kind of cast a shadow on this woman's, you know, choices in relationships and marriage for herself. Michael Hingson 49:10 So you you publish that my parents marriage. You also did a collection relations. Tell me about relationships. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 49:18 I did. Yeah, so relations is an anthology of its stories, essays and poems that are by writers from all across the continent of Africa. So I have Egyptian poets and Libyan you know essayists and you know, Nigerian storytellers, just it was, it was a really amazing project to work on. I started working on it during August of 2020, which was sort of like I've heard it described as peak pandemic, right? You know, we were several months. Into lockdown, and you know, it became this wonderful way for me to kind of connect while I was sort of holed up in my apartment in New York. Michael Hingson 50:15 Okay, now, were you married by then? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 50:18 No, I was not. I had just started dating my now husband, and I was like, Am I ever gonna see this man again? Because he lived in California, so at that time, the planes were grounded. I remember we were, like, on the first, very first flights that were able to start, you know, that started and be on planes, there'd be like, four people on the entire plane. Michael Hingson 50:42 Yeah, hopefully you both weren't on planes going against each other at the same time. No, you did communicate a little more than that. Oh, good. Well, so you published. So when was well? What was relations published? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 51:02 Relations came out in 2023 okay, February of 2023, and my parents marriage came out in July of 2024. Just came out in July of 2025, Michael Hingson 51:14 which one the paperback of the paperback? Oh, okay. Have any of them been converted to audio Yes, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 51:23 all, but my first book, are audio books. So blue is an audio book, beautifully read, and then their relations, the stories and essays and poems are read by two speaking artists, and then my parents, marriage is is also wonderfully performed. So, yeah, they're all an audience. Michael Hingson 51:50 That's cool, yeah. So when you're writing, what, what's kind of the difference, or, how do you differentiate between writing for young people and writing for adults. There must be differences. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 52:07 Yeah, I think, I think with for young people, and the practical thing that I try to do is make sure that the vocabulary is are is familiar to them, mostly familiar. I like to put in a stretch word now and then to kind of get them to, like, get to the dictionary and find out what. But if I'm right, when I when I wrote blue, for example, knowing that, you know, the the age group is, the age spread is four to 888, year olds are in third grade. Four year olds are in pre K, so that's that's pretty big spread. So my sweet spot is first and second grade vocabulary words. Okay, it has to be something that they've been exposed to. So thinking of it in that way, the other thing too is breaking down concepts that are, you know, as adults, you know, we just assume that you know, or you can go look it up, but just kind of thinking it through. So if I'm talking about, instead of saying that, you know, there was a snail in antiquity who, you know, heart, you know, dyers were harvesting blue dye from these snails through after a process of oxidation. I wouldn't use any of those words. I would say, snail produced some drops that when exposed to the air and the sun turned blue. And so just sort of really, kind of being mindful of that, and also thinking very visually, writing, very visually. How can I create pictures with words that would be familiar to a child, that can sort of ignite their imagination? Michael Hingson 53:53 Yeah, I think it's extremely important to to deal with the visual aspects of it, but using words and really drawing again, drawing people in because if you just say, well, you can see this in this picture. That doesn't mean a lot, and you're also, I would think, helping to teach or create the concept that some people might some children might want to go off and write because they like how you say and what you say Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 54:24 absolutely and when I when I talk to kids, I go or visit schools, I invite them like I wrote about the color blue. What's your favorite color? These are some some things that I did to kind of learn about it. You can do these things to learn about your favorite color and write your own book? Michael Hingson 54:42 Yeah, yeah, it's, I think, so important to really draw people in and get them to think. And I think it's so much fun for me, I do some of that, but I have probably more of a chance. Challenge, because kids want to play with the dog. Yeah, it's all about the dog. I did a lecture at a K through six elementary school in San Francisco several years ago. I'm trying to remember what school it was anyway, and the teacher said you can only talk for about 10 or 12 minutes, because they just won't pay attention any longer than that. 35 minutes later, I finally ended the discussion, because they were so fascinated to hear me talk about what my dog did. And then I carried that over to how blind people work and function and all that. And the fact is, they were fascinated. The teachers couldn't believe it, but for me, it was a great lesson to know that it's all about creating these pictures that people can follow, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 55:53 yeah, and also to extending those pictures or those words into an experience for kids. Yeah, they really, they really appreciate, sort of like seeing it, kind of, you know, see if the having the concept come to life, yeah, way. And so I'm sure when they see your dog, or are able to interact with your dog, that must be so wonderful for them, Michael Hingson 56:22 but it's important for them to understand what the dog is all about. So by the time they get to interact with the dog, we've talked about things like, you never pet a guide dog in harness. This is what a guide dog does, and this is what they don't do. There are a lot of things to to cover. So it's great when I have the opportunity to really teach them. And sometimes we'll walk around a classroom and I'll show them what he does. Yeah, it's important to be able to do that. Oh, I love that. I love that. And he loves it, of course, all the way. So no question about that. He's you haven't lived until you've seen two or 300 kids all wanting to pet this dog. And the dog knows what to do. He's down on the floor with every appendage stretched out as far as he can go to maximize petting places, petting. Oh, it is so funny. I love that. He loves it. He's, he's, he's so happy. He doesn't care whether he'll do it more with kids even than adults, but, yeah, he'll do it with everybody. It's all about petting me and just remembering I'm the dog. I love that. Well, you've gone through a fair amount of time between books, and I'm sort of curious, what do you think about all the various kinds of changes and ebbs and flows that have come along in the book business, in the book publishing business and so on. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 57:56 Yeah, there have been a lot of changes. Um, I think, um, when my first book came out, like things like, you know, Instagram Bookstagram did not exist. There weren't many sort of podcasts or things of that nature. So I think that there is, there's definitely, there are more venues and more platforms to, you know, get the message out about the book. But I think also there is, it's also just hard. It's in some ways, it also feels in some ways more challenging to get the word out, because in addition to, like, yes, there are more venues in that way, regard, there are fewer book reviewers and fewer places to get a book reviewed, and there's a whole kind of interesting business about around getting reviews. So it's just not the same in that way. But then at the same time. I think what remains the same is connecting with readers. I think the most effective thing is, you know, writing a book that's good and then getting people who have read it and liked it to evangelize, to tell people I liked it, please buy it, or you should have you heard of and because at the end of the day, you know, that's what's going to, you know, give it some wind Michael Hingson 59:30 when thunder dog came out, and we did mention about reviews, and it actually has had, like well over 1600 reviews since it came out in 2011 live like a guide dog hasn't had, of course, so many yet, but every time I get a chance to talk about that book, I ask people to go review it and tell them why it's so important, because potential readers want to know what people think of the book. Yeah, for sure. For sure, it's. It really is important for readers to review and just be honest and say what you think. It's fine, but people should do that. For me, I think one of the biggest things that I see that publishers are doing less of is in a lot of ways, true marketing. You don't, you know, you don't see them doing nearly as much. Of course, I know it's more expensive, but to help create book tours or anything like that, they focus only on social media, and that's not the way to market the book. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 1:00:33 Yeah, I think, I mean, I've never worked inside a publishing office, so I don't know what actually, how they make these decisions and what goes on, but I do. I think what I have come to sort of think, how I've come to think of it, is the publisher is my business partner, sort of invested in terms of, they've given me an advance. They're going to do the turn key things like, you know, make sure the book gets reviewed by Publishers Weekly, or, sorry, Publishers Marketplace, or no Publishers Weekly. I was correct, and Kirkus review, Kirkus right, and all those kinds of things. And maybe they'll do a mailing to you know who they believe are the people that they need to mail it to. But outside of that, unless you know you, you know it's stipulated in your contract, or you know you are that high, yeah, you know that that celebrity author, or that that best selling author that they you know, are willing to put that money behind. You're working with some your publicist, who's been assigned to your book has is probably working on 10 other books. Can devote so much to it. And so what I've learned is thankful. I'm thankful that, you know, I have this publisher, but I also know that I need to do a lot of work on my own to get Michael Hingson 1:02:04 you've got to be your best marketer, yes, but, but there's value in that too, because you can tell the story whatever it is, like no one else, exactly, exactly. And so that's that's really pretty important, yeah, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 1:02:18 for sure, for sure. And you can be, you know that I think, also giving yourself permission to be creative, yeah, you know, how can you get the word out in really creative ways, like, again, the publisher. These are things that like, if there was, you know, people, there were many people dedicated to your book for this amount of time, they could kind of sit there and brainstorm and do all those things. But, you know, the reality is, in most cases, it's a small it's a lean and mean team. They don't have that bandwidth, so yeah, just kind of coming up with creative ways. And at times, what I have learned to do is, how can I, if I have an idea that is maybe low cost and but I can't necessarily do it on my own? How can I ask them for support, because they do have, you know, a little bit more resources, Michael Hingson 1:03:16 yeah, and, and the how is really pretty simple. Actually, you just ask exactly, exactly, and you know either they will or they won't, or you'll share it, or whatever. And I have found that same thing to be true. Well, Nana, if people want to reach out to you, how do they do that? If they might want to talk about you doing copywriting for them or whatever, how can people find you? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 1:03:41 So my website is Nana brew-hammond.com, can you spell please? It's n, a n, a, b, r, e, w, H, A, M, M, O, N, d.com, and I have a newsletter there. So a newsletter sign up. So they can sign up to be a part of my newsletter and connect with me that way. They can also find me on Instagram, I'm at n, a, n, a, e, K, U, a writer on Instagram, and I'm also on Facebook at that same name, and then on Twitter, I am that without the writer. So, n, a, n, a, e, K, U, a, Michael Hingson 1:04:28 okay, cool. Well, I hope people will reach out and and I hope that they will read your books and like them and review them. I hope the same thing. Well, I want to thank you for being here, and I want to thank all of you for listening and watching us today. We really appreciate you being here with us. I'd love to hear what you think. Please feel free to email me. I'm reachable at Michael H, I m, I C, H, A, E, L, H i at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, I. B, e.com, Michael H i@accessibe.com love to hear your thoughts and love to get your your opinions. I would really appreciate it if you would give us a five star rating when you have the opportunity to review this podcast. We really value your ratings and reviews very highly, and definitely want to know what you think, but please give us a great rating. We love that. If you know anyone who wants to be a guest on a podcast, or you think ought to be a guest, we're always looking for guests. And Nana you as well. If you know anyone, we're always looking for more people to come on the podcast and tell their stories. So we appreciate it. If you'd let us know. By the way, you can also go to my podcast page, www dot Michael hingson, M, I C, H, A, E, L, H, I N, G, s o n.com/podcast, that's another way to reach out to me as well. But definitely anything you can do to bring more folks to us, we value it very highly. And so with that, once again, Nana, I want to thank you for being here. This has been great. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond 1:06:01 Thank you so much. I really appreciate you having me on, and you are such an inspiration. And thank you. Michael Hingson 1:06:13 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m i c h a e l h i n g s o n. While you're on the site., please use the form there to recommend people who we ought to interview in upcoming editions of the show. And also, we ask you and urge you to invite your friends to join us in the future. If you know of any one or any organization needing a speaker for an event, please email me at speaker at Michael hingson.com. I appreciate it very much. To learn more about the concept of blinded by fear, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com forward slash blinded by fear and while you're there, feel free to pick up a copy of my free eBook entitled blinded by fear. The unstoppable mindset podcast is provided by access cast an initiative of accessiBe and is sponsored by accessiBe. Please visit www.accessibe.com . AccessiBe is spelled a c c e s s i b e. There you can learn all about how you can make your website inclusive for all persons with disabilities and how you can help make the internet fully inclusive by 2025. Thanks again for Listening. Please come back and visit us again next week.
#913: Join us as we sit down with Hannah Pointer – founder of MacroHabits & a leading voice in sustainable wellness. Dedicated to helping individuals build sustainable habits through nutrition & fitness, Hannah breaks down the holistic routines that transformed her health, from nutrition & body composition to fitness, skincare, & mental well-being. In this episode, Hannah dives into reverse dieting, why macros matter, the power of a structured morning routine, & the benefits of mouth taping. Packed with practical, actionable tips, this episode gives you simple habits you can start using today to upgrade your daily wellness routine! To Watch the Show click HERE For Detailed Show Notes visit TSCPODCAST.COM To connect with Hannah Pointer click HERE To connect with Lauryn Bosstick click HERE To connect with Michael Bosstick click HERE Read More on The Skinny Confidential HERE Head to our ShopMy page HERE and LTK page HERE to find all of the products mentioned in each episode. Get your burning questions featured on the show! Leave the Him & Her Show a voicemail at +1 (512) 537-7194. This episode is sponsored by The Skinny Confidential Your skincare routine, reimagined. Shop The Skinny Confidential Face Towels today at https://shopskinnyconfidential.com/products/face-towels. This episode is sponsored by Just Thrive Visit https://justthrivehealth.com/discount/TSC and use promo code TSC for 20% off your first order. This episode is sponsored by ARMRA Go to armra.com/SKINNY or enter SKINNY to get 30% off your first subscription order. This episode is sponsored by Fatty15 Fatty15 is on a mission to replenish your C15 levels and restore your long-term health. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to http://fatty15.com/SKINNYand using code SKINNY at checkout. This episode is sponsored by Branch Basics Shop Branch Basics in 600+ Target stores nationwide, or http://Target.com. You can also use my code SKINNY15 to get 15% off at https://branchbasics.com/SKINNY15. Again, SKINNY15 for 15% off at https://branchbasics.com/SKINNY15 This episode is sponsored by Ritual Get early access to their Black Friday sale for 40% off your first month at http://Ritual.com/SKINNY. This episode is sponsored by Synergy Ready to get started on your very own gut health journey? Visit http://SYNERGYDRINKS.com to find your SYNERGY flavor today. Produced by Dear Media
Tasheena Womack teaches us how to break free from perfectionism, reframe failure and build the kind of mindset that makes you unstoppable. Tasheena founded Simply Tasheena in 2011 as a lifestyle blog that has since partnered with major brands including Disney, Goya®, Hilton, Mazda, and Kodak. With a Master's degree in Organizational Management and Leadership, she has built multiple successful ventures and spoken at over 100 organizations throughout the tri-state area. Tasheena specializes in helping entrepreneurs develop the mindset strategies needed to transform creative passions into sustainable businesses. She strives to empower others with practical tools for entrepreneurial success and personal growth. Tasheena talks about shifting out of fear, treating mistakes as data, creating an evidence file, and taking bold action without waiting for things to be perfect. If you have felt stuck, hesitant or discouraged lately, this episode will clear that fog fast. It is the kind of mindset reset that changes how you move. Key points discussed include: Action beats perfection and waiting for ideal conditions stalls your entire business. Failure is just information and every misstep teaches you the next right move. An evidence file keeps you grounded on the days you doubt your own progress. Simple steps create momentum so do one thing and let the next unfold. Comparison becomes strategy when you use it for learning instead of judgment. Your voice builds your community so show your face, speak on camera and share your real life. Opportunities expand when you negotiate and brands often mirror your confidence. The best is always ahead and your job is simply to keep showing up. Connect with Tasheena Womack Website | Instagram
Discover Scott Scully's blueprint for business success in this action-packed episode! Our “Growth Guru” reveals his 10 essential steps for building a high-performing, unified team—covering everything from setting a clear mission and hiring for attitude to fostering transparency, rewarding the right behavior, and leading by example.But that's not all: We break down common sales mistakes (are you throwing executives into “Sales Jail”?), debate modern team alignment strategies, and even take on the age-old question—should you wait for everyone to get their food before eating? With honest stories, expert insights, and non-stop energy, this episode is your guide to leveling up sales, leadership, and team culture.Tune in, take notes, and transform the way your team works—let's grow together!
In this episode, Igor breaks down the real psychology behind taking action, not the Instagram version, not the cliché "stay motivated" advice, but the raw internal engine that actually moves people forward. If you've ever struggled with staying consistent, feeling stuck, or waiting for motivation to strike, this episode will give you a method that actually works, because it comes from within.
This episode is a wake-up call for every real estate agent who's still “thinking about” AI instead of using it. I sat down with Carrie Soave, one of the most influential AI strategists in real estate, and we went ALL IN on what's actually happening behind the scenes of our industry. We talked about how agents are slashing marketing costs, automating workflows that run their business even while they sleep, and using AI to generate leads without expensive lead-gen companies. But here's the truth that every agent needs to hear: AI isn't replacing agents — it's elevating the ones who are ready to evolve. Carrie breaks down why so many agents feel overwhelmed by tech, what's really holding them back, and how AI can help you think faster, operate smarter, and build deeper client relationships with almost zero extra effort. Imagine remembering every client detail, automating follow-up, creating content in minutes, and having a digital team that never burns out. That's what AI makes possible TODAY — not years from now. If you're ready to stop guessing, stop fearing the tech, and finally step into the next era of real estate, this episode will flip the switch for you. AI is freedom. AI is leverage. AI is the edge top agents are already using. Tune in. Take notes. Your business won't be the same after this one.
0:00 - ESPN's Jeff Legwold joins Moser, Lombardi and Mat Smith to talk all things Broncos and his opinions about "street meat".36:35 - Does Giannis REALLY want out of Milwaukee? Do CFB title games REALLY matter that much in the CFP era? The gang dives deep into these questions.33:49 - The gang hadn't really done it enough yet so they decide to take some time to Respect Nathan MacKinnon because he's been going on a rampage for the Avalanche. Gnarly stuff all around.
Tom Bilyeu and Cindy Okereke answer questions from the Impact Theory community. Original air date: 5-28-17 Some topics include: The origins of Tom's “Bright Lines” The Art of Balancing Gratitude and Mindset Content creation and iteration Tom's meditation practice Ways to Overcoming insecurity How to Long Term Network Organizational systems and managing calendars What the blockchain is and why you should care Being friends with a direct report And more… SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Get 5 free AG1 Travel Packs and a FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D with your first purchase at https://impacttheory.co/AG1pod. Secure your digital life with proactive protection for your assets, identity, family, and tech – Go to https://impacttheory.co/aurapod to start your free two-week trial. ********************************************************************** What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... 1. STARTING a business: JOIN ME HERE: https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder?utm_campaign=Podcast%20Offer&utm_source=podca[%E2%80%A6]d%20end%20of%20show&utm_content=podcast%20ad%20end%20of%20show 2. SCALING a business: see if you qualify here: https://tombilyeu.com/call 3. Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox: https://tombilyeu.com/ ********************************************************************** LISTEN TO IMPACT THEORY & MINDSET PLAYBOOK AD FREE + BONUS EPISODES on APPLE PODCASTS: apple.co/impacttheory ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Guerry Smith, a Tulane beat writer for The Times-Picayune, joined Weekend Kickoff. Smith previewed the Green Wave's challenge against North Texas in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game at Yulman Stadium. He broke down the latest in Tulane's head coaching search and the Green Wave's recruiting class. Smith also discussed Tulane's potential playoff positioning.
Are your most ambitious years behind you, or still ahead? Dan Sullivan and Gord Vickman explain The Six-Year Framework™ from Dan's latest book, Always More Ambitious, and share why recent capabilities are the best fuel for your future. They also discuss how to stay smart in a distracted world so teamwork and technology keep you calm, creative, and increasingly ambitious at every age. Show Notes: The Six-Year Framework keeps you focused on three years of recent achievements and three years of future growth. There's a direct connection between capability and ambition: expanding one naturally expands the other. The real fuel for your next jump isn't more goals—it's taking your strongest capabilities and deciding where you want them to go next. Teamwork and technology are the two biggest multipliers behind entrepreneurs' best decades. Pairing your smartest past decisions with your most exciting new possibilities makes the future feel bigger and more achievable overnight. A fixed six-year window gives you a clear sense of progress instead of the stress of chasing a constantly moving goalpost. Entrepreneurs need to resist getting lost in new tech and instead let their team find and build the right tools. Deciding that your later decades will be your most ambitious changes how you use every year between now and then. Resources:Always More Ambitious by Dan Sullivan Perplexity Shannon Waller's Team Success podcast The Strategic Podcast Network
In this week's episode, I am opening up about the surprising fear that can surface when everything you prayed for finally arrives — the clients, the clarity, the calm — and how your nervous system often needs time to catch up to your blessings. I share my personal shift from owning my business to stewarding it, and how that single mindset change has rewritten my entire relationship with work, worthiness, and leadership. We explore why striving creates ceilings, why stewardship creates capacity, and how to lead from your highest identity instead of your hustling self. Through personal stories, client breakthroughs, spiritual lessons, and practical tools like “the pause,” outreach calls, and my weekly Highest Self Filter, I will walk you through the inner recalibration required to hold more without hustling more. This is an episode for the woman who feels change rising inside her, who knows she's outgrown her old way of working, and who's ready to lead with clarity, peace, and faith instead of pressure. Liked this episode? Make sure to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review with your takeaways, this helps us create the exact content you want! KEY POINTS: 00:00 Exciting Announcement: First In-Person Retreat 01:30 Welcome to Woman of Influence 02:19 Navigating Success and Stewardship 04:14 From Striving to Stewardship 05:21 Client Story: Overcoming Over-Functioning 06:58 The Power of Pausing and Faith 08:09 Filtering Through Your Highest Self 09:20 Simplifying Through Stewardship 10:56 Invitation to Unscripted Retreat 11:48 Final Thoughts and How to Stay Connected QUOTABLES: “ Healing doesn't happen in the breakthrough. It happens in the practice.” - Julie Solomon “ There was a time when I wore busyness, like a badge of honor. My working self was addicted to being useful. She said yes to everything because she believed saying no would make her irrelevant. Every yes was just proof that she could handle it. Every late night email was this quiet audition for worthiness, but worthiness doesn't live in overdrive. It lives in peace, and peace doesn't prove. It just is when you allow it to come in.” - Julie Solomon RESOURCES: ✨ Unscripted: My First In-Person Retreat in 2+ Years — Now Accepting Applications If you've felt your voice no longer matches the woman you've become, this intimate 2-day retreat in Nashville (Feb 5–6, 2026) is for you. Unscripted is where your message, identity, and leadership come back into alignment—without pressure, performance, or shrinking. Spots are limited and application-only.Apply now at juliesolomon.net/unscripted. [ORDER] my book or Audible, Get What You Want: How to Go From Unseen to Unstoppable so you can leverage the power of your own influence. Follow Julie on Instagram! MUST HAVES THIS MONTH: [NO TECH? NO PROBLEM.] Shopify's drag-and-drop templates, AI tools, and built-in support make launching a business easier than ever. Start selling for just $1/month. [COMFORT WITHOUT COMPROMISE] Discover the collection redefining underwear. Get yours here. [TURN LEARNING INTO ACTION] Apply insights from the world's best right away. Start your membership today and get 15% off.
Ready to get unstuck? In this episode we break down how to conquer the blocks of worth, working knowledge, and worry, helping you turn stagnation into unstoppable action. Learn how to swap self-doubt for self-worth and turn worry into wonder!Resource: GrowthDay Daily FireWe are so grateful for your support! Please share this podcast with someone who needs it and leave us review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positive-on-purpose/id1531548022
In this re-air episode, I got to sit down with Lia Garvin who is the author of the best selling book "The Unstoppable Team,"In this conversation, we had today tackled the dance of managing relationships—from former friends, family members, to colleagues in a managerial role. Lia opens up about her journey through the top tiers of the corporate world in giants like Bank of America and Google, and her transition to empowering small and large companies to form dynamic and inclusive teams. This episode is for anyone who has struggled with setting boundaries, has felt misunderstood, or has been labeled with stereotypes at work. We delve into practical tips for maintaining authenticity and kindness when giving feedback, and more critically, recognizing when to move on from relationships and ventures that are simply not the right fit. Key Takeaways: The necessity of clear communication and setting expectations. Understanding the impact of generational programming on recognizing mismatches. The importance of feedback and expectations in team interactions. Key Timestamps [07:40] – Managing relationships with former friends at work. [19:19] – Establishing clear expectations and mechanisms for accountability. [29:26] – Framing and managing triggered reactions in conversation. [36:00] – Embracing fluidity in relationships without overthinking. [43:28] – Clear expectations are key for success. Episode Quote “Just because you like people that doesnt mean youre a good manager.” - Lia Garvin Episode Resources Connect with Lia Garvin on her Instagram Also check out Lia's Besting Selling Book: “THE UNSTOPPABLE TEAM: A simple formula for managing your team, reducing overwhelm, and increasing revenue” If you enjoyed this episode and are excited for more, please be sure to SUBSCRIBE and write a review to help build momentum and support the show (5-stars would be AWESOME!)_____________________________________________ JOIN US IN - THE CLUB - An annual membership where high-achieving women come together to unapologetically OWN THEIR “BOSSY” in order to rise to the top, make massive impact, and not burn out while doing it.Join TODAY to get access to all past workshop replays and past group coaching calls - always incredible takeaways and AHA moments from reviewing these sessions! Grab your spot in THE CLUB today by CLICKING HERE! _____________________________________________LET'S FREAKING GO! GRAB THIS FREE DOWNLOAD: GRAB 100 FREE JOURNAL PROMPTS TO OWN YOUR BOSSY BY CLICKING HERE LET'S CONNECT: Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, or join my STAND IN YOUR POWER FACEBOOK GROUP Grab a signed copy of my bestselling book STAND IN YOUR POWER HEREWatch my TEDx Talk “The Wisdom of Your Ancestors Should Be Ignored” HERE
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“I had different ideas for what I thought the book would be, and that's actually what got in my way of writing in the beginning.” – Pia Mailhot-Leichter Today's featured bestselling author is a creative partner, entrepreneur, certified coach, and the founder of Kollektiv Studio, Pia Mailhot-Leichter. Pia and I had a fun on a bun chat about her first book, “Welcome to the Creative Club: Make Life Your Biggest Art Project”, the magic of creative collaboration, some lessons learned from living around the world, and more!!Key Things You'll Learn:How Pia's father impacted her as an abstract painter and the value of experiencing art emotionallyWhat inspired her to become an authorWhat she learned about herself through publishing her first bookWhy it's important to use direct communication and set expectations in different cultural contextsWhat it's like to be coached by Pia as your creative midwifePia's Site: https://kollektiv.studio/Pia's Book: https://a.co/d/ediaP5JPia's Spoken Word Album, “Famished”: https://kollektiv.studio/album The opening track is titled, “Unknown From M.E. | Sonic Adventure 2 ~ City Pop Remix” by Iridium Beats. To listen to and download the full track, click the following link. https://www.patreon.com/posts/sonic-adventure-136084016 Please support today's podcast to keep this content coming! CashApp: $DomBrightmonDonate on PayPal: @DBrightmonBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dombrightmonGet Going North T-Shirts, Stickers, and More: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/dom-brightmonThe Going North Advancement Compass: https://a.co/d/bA9awotYou May Also Like…260 – Metamorphosis with L. Farrah Furtado (@LisaAnneFurtado): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/260-metamorphosis-with-l-farrah-furtado-lisaannefurtado/Ep. 884 – How to Go From Stuck to Unstoppable with Murielle Marie Ungricht: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-884-how-to-go-from-stuck-to-unstoppable-with-murielle-marie-ungricht/Ep. 967 – Life Lessons from a Jill of All Trades with Kristin Massey (@TheJOATbook): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-967-life-lessons-from-a-jill-of-all-trades-with-kristin-massey-thejoatbook/Ep. 721 – Rediscovering Permission to Play as an Adult with Mike Montague (@PlayfulHumans): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-721-rediscovering-permission-to-play-as-an-adult-with-mike-montague-playfulhumans/Ep. 821 – How to Spark Your Curiosity & Live Bravely with Heather Vickery: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-821-how-to-spark-your-curiosity-live-bravely-with-heather-vickery/Ep. 928 – The Little Book of Big Dreams with Isa Adney (@IsaAdney): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-928-the-little-book-of-big-dreams-with-isa-adney-isaadney/Ep. 965 – From Hollywood Writing Rooms to Writing Her Own Rules with Amy Suto (@Sutoscience): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-965-from-hollywood-writing-rooms-to-writing-her-own-rules-with-amy-suto-sutoscience/Ep. 984 – Art for Your Sanity with Susan Hensley: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-984-art-for-your-sanity-with-susan-hensley/Ep. 983 – How Neuroscience Can Fuel Your Book & Life Success with Sara Connell (@saracconnell): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/saracconnell/Ep. 940 – From Cheers to Chaos with Katie B. Happyy (@katiebhappyy): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-940-from-cheers-to-chaos-with-katie-b-happyy-katiebhappyy/Ep. 766 – Pawsitively Organic Creativity with Liz Mugavero: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-766-pawsitively-organic-creativity-with-liz-mugavero-lizmugavero/Ep. 578 – From Great Resignation to Life Transformation with Heather Markel (@expatconnector): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-578-from-great-resignation-to-life-transformation-with-heather-markel-expatconnector/Bonus Ep. – Business and Personal Secrets for Getting Unstuck with Frank Zaccari (@FZaccari): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/host2host-bonus-ep-business-and-personal-secrets-for-getting-unstuck-with-frank-zaccari-fzaccari/
There's a hidden mismatch most high-achieving women never account for—and it explains why results feel so hit-or-miss. In this episode, I break down the 42% Gap and why weekends, holidays, and "special occasions" quietly undo the progress you work so hard for Monday–Thursday. I'm also sharing how this ties into the new Unstoppable rebrand, the Stress Archetypes Quiz, and why this final month of the year is your most powerful runway for next-year results. Resources: Learn more: https://www.burnstressloseweight.com/ Take the Stress Quiz: https://burnstressloseweight.com/stress
There's a hidden mismatch most high-achieving women never account for—and it explains why results feel so hit-or-miss. In this episode, I break down the 42% Gap and why weekends, holidays, and "special occasions" quietly undo the progress you work so hard for Monday–Thursday. I'm also sharing how this ties into the new Unstoppable rebrand, the Stress Archetypes Quiz, and why this final month of the year is your most powerful runway for next-year results. Resources: Learn more: https://www.burnstressloseweight.com/ Take the Stress Quiz: https://burnstressloseweight.com/stress
Welcome to the YOU CAN CALL ME “BOSSY” PODCAST! In this powerful quick hit episode I dive into a question I have received from high-achieving women who despite impressive accomplishments still feel stuck or held back by their own “glass ceiling.” Drawing from real-life coaching conversations, I walk us through my powerful five-step process to getting unstuck, breaking through mindset barriers, and stepping fully into your next level. In this episode, you'll hear all about shifting your identity, taking aligned action, building meaningful self-awareness, communicating with your subconscious, and fully rewiring your programming to create lasting change. I not only explain each step but also share practical strategies from breathwork and EFT tapping to everyday mindset tools that you can start using right away, whether you're ready for one on one support or just exploring what's possible. If you've ever felt like you're meant for more but just can't break through to your next chapter, you won't want to miss this episode! Key Takeaways: Validating that all high-performers, regardless of accomplishments, encounter barriers to growth Importance of inner fulfillment beyond external checklists The need to clear unhelpful programming before building new patterns If you enjoyed this episode and are excited for more, please be sure to SUBSCRIBE and write a review to help build momentum and support the show (5-stars would be AWESOME!) _____________________________________________ JOIN US IN - THE CLUB - An annual membership where high-achieving women come together to unapologetically OWN THEIR “BOSSY” in order to rise to the top, make massive impact, and not burn out while doing it. Join TODAY to get access to all past workshop replays and past group coaching calls - always incredible takeaways and AHA moments from reviewing these sessions! Grab your spot in THE CLUB today by CLICKING HERE! _____________________________________________ LET'S FREAKING GO!FREE RESOURCE: JOURNAL PROMPT VAULTWant to work on connecting with your subconscious mind to work through blocks, limiting beliefs and stories that aren't working for you? Download my free GET OUT OF YOUR OWN DAMN WAY PROMPT VAULT - over 50 prompts to help you connect with your subconscious and build awareness around what needs to get cleared! CLICK HERE to download now! LET'S CONNECT: Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok Grab a signed copy of my bestselling book STAND IN YOUR POWER HEREWatch my TEDx Talk “The Wisdom of Your Ancestors Should Be Ignored” HERE
Send me a text (I will personally respond)Are you tired of sales negotiations feeling like a hostile game of poker against procurement pros who seem to hold all the cards? Wondering if there's a way to maintain your deal's value without relying on outdated, adversarial tactics? Struggling with year-end deals where buyers expect last-minute discounts and you're anxious about giving away too much? This episode is for cybersecurity sales and marketing leaders seeking a transparent, effective, and less stressful way to close deals.In this conversation, we discuss:
Burnout shows up quietly, and in this conversation, I think you will hear just how deeply it can shape a life. When I sat down with Kassandra Hamilton, she opened up about building a meaningful career in global and Indigenous health while struggling with exhaustion, anxiety, and the pressure to look like everything was fine. Her turning point came when she finally stopped long enough to ask what she truly needed. Kassandra talks about people pleasing, giving her power away, and the inside out process she now teaches to help others realign their lives. We walk through the RAIN method, the importance of boundaries, and the small daily choices that help you rebuild trust in yourself. My hope is that you walk away feeling grounded, encouraged, and ready to take one step toward a more aligned and Unstoppable life. Highlights: 01:12 – Learn how early purpose can quietly shape the path you follow. 02:51 – See how a wider view of global health reveals what truly drives burnout. 06:56 – Understand how systems and technology can add pressure when they overlook human needs. 12:50 – Learn how hidden emotions can surface when you slow down and pay attention. 17:37 – Explore how reclaiming your power shifts the way you respond to stress. 24:23 – Discover how emotional regulation tools help you move through difficult moments. 41:18 – Learn how small, steady changes rebuild energy and direction. 47:36 – Understand why real burnout recovery starts with alignment, not escape. About the Guest: Kassandra Hamilton is an alignment life coach, bestselling author in 3 categories, musician, healer, and facilitator. She is dedicated to helping others find inner alignment and live from the inside out, rather than in a burnout state or in autopilot mode. After completing a degree in biology and international development, and then completing a Masters of Science, she wanted to pursue a career in medicine. She has always wanted to be of service to others, and as a child she literally had dreams of holding her hands towards people and visualizing light being sent to them. only way it made sense in terms of a traditional career trajectory while she was in school was to pursue medicine. After completing her Masters degree, she decided to work alongside doctors to see what their day to day was like and how they were creating a positive impact in their communities. What she actually saw was a lot of burnout, paperwork, and dissatisfied lives of people that were once passionate about medicine. She was working for Doctors of BC in Vancouver, with a high end office and apartment, when she collapsed one day in her apartment from an overwhelming sense of anxiety, burnout and grief. She had lost her dog, her boyfriend, and both her grandparents all within three months. On top of that, she was in a career that looked good on paper, but wasn't actually fulfilling her purpose of being of service to others. She no longer wanted to pursue medicine and didn't know how she got to a dead end if she had followed all the “right” steps according to society's blueprint for success. She spent the next few years really learning about her inner world and what her purpose in life was. She became dedicated to her own healing and coping with anxiety and burnout. For the next decade, she began working with First Nations across Canada. She witnessed and learned about the importance of looking at the whole person, from a spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical lens. Everything seemed to be connected. As someone with a science background, she had always been fascinated with the intricacies and magical elements of everything that comes together in one singular cell. Our emotions are energy in motion, and if they don't move through, they get stuck. We decide if we allow our emotions to flow or not. Kassandra also realized how powerful our minds are. With one thought, we create a story. That story becomes our reality. With all of these realizations, she came to understand that we are literally magicians of our own realities. Kassandra has learned and experienced, time and time again, that health and happiness stems from our internal world first and is a combination of our mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional realms. Once we deal with our inner worlds and live in state of awareness over how we are operating in the world, we can project that version of ourselves out into the world to create positive change. In a world that constantly pulls us outward - with notifications, expectations, distractions “The Magic of Realigning From the Inside Out” is about bringing us back home to ourselves. Through deeply personal storytelling, scientific insights, and soul-centres practiced, Kassandra invites readers to reconnect with their inner compass. This is a guidebook for anyone longing to move from autopilot to alignment and discovering what it truly means to live with intention, purpose, and clarity. Because the answers aren't out there, they HAVE to start from within. We weren't meant to just get through the day. It is exhausting trying to fix and control everything “OUT THERE.” And the thing is, we have no control over what's happening out there anyways, We were meant to thrive and share our gifts with the world. This is how positive ripple effects are made. This is Kassandra plans to leave the world a better place, and support others to do the same. With the external chaos, political mess, climate change, and growing tensions worldwide, She decided it was time to start creating some positive changes. She now has started a coaching practice committed to sharing her work with others, and her book compliments her work, outlining a 4-phase approach to moving from anxiety, fear, burnout, to living in alignment and inner power. After a very successful book tour showcasing her bestseller (in 3 categories) “The Magic of Realigning From the Inside Out” – she is going on tour. But this isn't just any book tour – it is centred around creating community connections. She will be doing wellness workshops and talks in local libraries, bookstores, and wellness venues around burnout prevention, boundaries, resilience, and authentic leadership, leveraging my book as a tool for this. She is currently in the planning stages and open to support in making this happen. Kassandra is dedicated to sharing stories that inspire personal development and growth. She brings a unique perspective to storytelling, blending data-driven insights with narrative. With years of experience in health information management projects with First Nations communities in Canada, she has become fascinated with the power of sharing compelling stories through complex qualitative data. Her book is titled “The Magic of Realigning From the Inside Out” and is now available on Amazon and 50+ more platforms. Outside of writing, she loves traveling, dancing, hiking, paddleboarding, and putting on community events that promote inner healing and connection. She also provides sound healing sessions, Ayurvedic Head Massage, and Bio-Energy Healing sessions at a local wellness establishment in her community. She volunteers at Connective Society as a restorative justice mentor for youth who are struggling with a lack of leadership or role models in their life. Lastly, Kassandra is a singer/songwriter and a musician. You can find her playing at local open mics, hosting backyard community jam sessions, or at gigs around Vancouver Island. She put out an EP under the artist name “Kazz” in 2018 called “Reflections” and has released 4 singles under this title since. This year (2025), she started a new collaborative label with her partner who is a music producer, and they have released two songs under the artist name “Cyphyr & Myraky.” Her mission is this: So many people believe the answers are "out there" and feel helpless in the current state of the world environmentally, politically, economically etc. Instead of feeling helpless, paralyzed by fear, or living under the influence of external circumstance and chaos, we can create real change by first realigning from the inside out to reconnect with our inner power and creativity. Imagine a world where people took responsibility for their life, knew their purpose, and felt like they were living life in full alignment with this. Imagine what our communities would look like then? Above all else, Kassandra wants to inspire others to create positive ripple effects out into the world. Ways to connect with Kassandra**:** Instagram: @kassandra hamilton Facebook: Coaching with Kassandra TikTok: coachingwithkassandra LinkedIn: Kassandra Hamilton Website: www.kassandrahamilton.com Linktree with all my info: https://linktr.ee/kassandra.hamilton Spotify: Under name "Kazz": https://open.spotify.com/artist/0gpUecr9VkVJMmVIyp1NFt?si=byM7VdL9QDeezl5-666XKQ&utm_medium=share&utm_source=linktree&nd=1&dlsi=9a801d5edc774e1d Under name "Cyphyr & Myraky" - new collaborative label https://open.spotify.com/artist/3xUxZGxTseXQB2G9PVolMn?si=In3BLhX3SMK_c-3ukTlCfQ&utm_medium=share&utm_source=linktree&nd=1&dlsi=d369f571e6384062 Amazon Link to Book: https://a.co/d/2yWISSu Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDKW9ZNrsvA Rogers TV Community News Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0eOnQ2DAdg Nanaimo News Bulletin Story: https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/local-news/nanaimo-health-and-life-coachs-new-book-guides-inner-alignment-8182386 About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. Michael Hingson 01:21 Well, hi everyone. I want to welcome you to another episode of unstoppable mindset. We're really glad that you're here with us today. Our guest today is Kassandra Hamilton, from up in British Columbia, way, and she has, I think, a lot to talk about. She's a coach. She talks about burnout and but also about her many talents. She sings, she's a musician, and on top of everything else, she's an author, and she just wrote a book that has just come out. So we've got lots to talk about, or she has lots to talk about, and we'll talk about it with her. So, Kassandra, welcome to unstoppable mindset. We're glad you're here. Kassandra Hamilton 02:08 Thanks for having me, Michael. I'm really grateful to be here today. Michael Hingson 02:12 Well, I'm excited. There's obviously a lot to talk about, I think so. Tell us a little bit about the early Cassandra growing up, and all the usual things. You know, you got to start at the beginning somewhere, Kassandra Hamilton 02:22 absolutely, yeah, so as a kid, I mean, I've always been curious. My mom used to get very puzzled by me as a child, because I would always ask, like, who is God and how is the world made? And I just had all these questions. And it just never really stopped. When I was six, I had a vision of helping people and healing them with my hands, and I just saw this light between my hands and other people, and it was this recurring dream I kept having, and I didn't understand it in the practical sense. So I pursued a very traditional, you know, career in medicine, because that's what made sense to me, and the social conditions that we had in front of us, and that didn't really pan out for me. I just it wasn't resonating. I felt like the system was very rigid. And I just have always been fascinated with more of a holistic picture of someone you know, like their physical, emotional, spiritual selves, and so the just focusing on the physical alone just wasn't cutting it for me. I knew there was so much more, and I was so curious about all of that. So yeah, I've gone through different sort of journeys on my path, and come back to a place of really wanting to be of service and share some of the tools and strategies that I've learned along the way. Michael Hingson 03:47 Well, you started down the road of going into medicine, didn't you? Mm, hmm. And what was your master's in? Because I know you had your your master's degree, and then you started working with doctors. What did you get your master's degree in? Kassandra Hamilton 04:02 Yeah, so I completed a master's of science because it was in the stream of global health. And so I was really fascinated by the multifaceted aspect of that. And not just looking at physical impact in the world. We looked at, you know, political and economic, geographic indicators of health really gave me that sort of overall vision of what health looks like from from that bird's eye view. And then I wanted to pursue medicine after that, because, again, I wanted to be of service to others, but I ended up working with doctors to see if that's actually what I wanted to do, and I just saw the amount of burnout that doctors were experiencing and how 80% of their workload was paperwork. Michael Hingson 04:56 And so what did. You do. Kassandra Hamilton 05:02 So I left that work. I was there for two years, and it just I wasn't buying it. So I left. I started my own company as a consultant, and realized that a lot of the issues I was seeing abroad, I actually we had a lot of gaps here in Canada, especially with our indigenous communities, the disparities there were just huge, and so I focused my energy for the last decade on working with indigenous communities and unlearning a lot of sort of colonial ways of doing things and really integrating the holistic health model that is presented from from that culture that I was working with, and it's really, really been transformative and instrumental in the way that I approach health now, Michael Hingson 05:51 well, I'm curious about something sort of off the wall. I appreciate what you're saying about paperwork, and I'm sure there are all sorts of legalistic reasons why there has to be so much paperwork and so on in the medical world, especially when everybody's so concerned about things like malpractice and all that. But do you think any of that has gotten any better? Or how has it changed as we are progressing more to a paperless or different kind of charting system where everything is done from a computer terminal. I'm spoiled. My doctors are with Kaiser Permanente, and everything is all done on wireless, or at least on non paper chart. Types of things that they're just typing into the computer, actually, as as we're communicating and we're talking and I'm in visiting and so on, but everything is all done online. What do you think about that? Does that help any Kassandra Hamilton 06:53 so very great question. So when we're talking about accessibility, I'm going to say no, not for indigenous communities, at least here in Canada, I'll speak from my experience, but things have gone digital, and actually what I was doing was working as a digital health consultant to bridge health gaps in digital systems. Because what was happening and what still happens is there's systems that are quite siloed, and so a lot of health centers that are remote will be using paper still, or they'll be using system for that and another system for this. And so there's no wrap around, diligence around the client. And so there is this huge accessibility issue, which is what I've been working on for the last 10 years. Michael Hingson 07:41 Well, do you think that as well? Hopefully you'll see more paperless kinds of things go into play. But do you think in areas where the paper quantity has decreased, in the online or digital chart systems have come into play. Does that help burn out at all? Do you think again? Kassandra Hamilton 08:08 You know what? It really depends. Like you're you're only as good as your as your system allows, and so if you haven't allowed for inclusivity, and for example, a lot of the work that was funded in the first couple years that I was doing, there was no due diligence to figure out whether or not these remote areas even had internet. So without internet, they were pumping money into all of these systems that were super high tech, not culturally appropriate. A lot of elders don't even own a computer, let alone a smartphone or anything like that, or have service. So it was there was a huge disconnect there, and so part of the work I've been doing is a lot of advocacy and helping government agencies understand the connecting pieces that are are instrumental in the success of digital health implementation. Yeah, well, Michael Hingson 09:09 you know here, I know a fair amount about the whole digital chart system, because my sister in law was a critical care unit nurse at Kaiser, and then she managed several wards, and then she was tasked to be the head nurse for on the profit side, to help bring digital charts into Kaiser and and so I heard a lot about it from her and especially all the doctors who opposed it, just because they didn't want any change. They wanted to just do things the way that they had always done them. Yeah. And so the result is that they kind of got dragged kicking and screaming into it a little bit. But now I hear people mostly praising the whole system because it makes their job a lot easier. On the other hand, the other thing that happens, though, is they the system crams more patients into a doctor's appointment schedule every day, and so I'm not sure they're always seeing as much of patients as they should of any given patient, but I guess they have more doctors that specialize in different things. So no matter what happens, the doctors can all see whatever there is to see, because everything is in the chart, right? Kassandra Hamilton 10:41 And so Absolutely, in theory, and in urban areas where that works, you know, the digital systems are set up properly, absolutely. But in terms of going back to your question about burnout, if there's one nurse for one community, and she's a chart in five different, you know, systems that it's actually going to add to her burnout at the end of the day. Yeah? Michael Hingson 11:04 Well, yeah, and I appreciate that. I mean, so clearly, there's still quite a disparity, but it does, it does sound like in areas where they're able to truly bring digital charts and capturing information digitally into the system where, where that does exist, it can make people's lives, doctors, lives and so on, a little bit easier, and maybe contribute a little bit less to burnout. Kassandra Hamilton 11:34 Yeah, absolutely. And of course, that's the hope, and that's you know, why we continue to do the work to bring it into this, especially with AI too, like bringing more efficiency into the workplace, and it's all part of it. So yes, absolutely there's, there's definitely some, some hope, and some, you know, leaner, leaner ways of doing things for a lot of people. So yeah, yeah. Michael Hingson 12:01 I'll hope it will continue to get better, and that the influence will expand so that the more rural areas and so on will be able to get the kinds of things that the more urban areas have. Now I live in an area that's fairly urban, but we don't have a Kaiser hospital up here. We have clinics, but we don't have a hospital. And apparently there's now, finally some movement toward making that happen. But it's interesting, where we used to live, in Northern California. We lived in a very what was, although we weren't, but was a rich County, and there were 200,000 people or so in the county, and there was a Kaiser hospital in the county. There was a Kaiser hospital about 30 miles away in San Francisco, and there were Kaiser hospitals going north, 1520, miles further north, in Petaluma. So there are a lot of hospitals, but we are in an area where there are over 400,000 people now, and there isn't a Kaiser hospital here, and that just has always seemed kind of strange to me. And the response is, well, the doctors don't want to move up here. I mean, there are all sorts of different reasons that are given, but it just seems strange. So if you really need to go to the hospital, they do have contracts that sort of work sometimes, or you have to go about 50 miles to get to the nearest actual Kaiser hospital, right? So it's strange. Kassandra Hamilton 13:38 It is strange. And there's a lot of things. Who knows who made the last call on decision? Right? So, right, yeah. Michael Hingson 13:48 Well, again, so the rumor goes they're going to be building a hospital here, and I think that will be a good thing. So we'll see. We'll see how it goes. But you experienced burnout, Kassandra Hamilton 14:00 didn't you? I did? Yes, I tell us about that, if you would. Yeah, absolutely so when I was 27 and I went, that was Michael Hingson 14:13 last year, right? Kassandra Hamilton 14:14 Yes, thank you. It was 10 years ago, but on the outside, I was thriving. Michael, I was like, working for doctors of BC, I had an apartment on the ninth floor. I had an ocean view. I had the apartment downtown. I was, you know, dating. I was like, doing all these things. I was achieving, pushing and showing up. And inside I was running on empty, and I was very disconnected from my purpose, from myself, and that breakdown became eventually a breakthrough, but in the process, you know, I lost all my grandparents and my dog, and I didn't have tools for dealing with my anxiety. Yeah, and social media sort of just amplified that sort of comparative feeling, and I just started to slow down and like really realign, and I realized how many people were living on autopilot and surviving instead of thriving. And that's really when I wanted to become committed to helping others reclaim their purpose and their authenticity, and not just bounce back from burnout, but like rise into something greater, and like reconnect with themselves and their why of their purpose of being here. You know, Michael Hingson 15:33 yeah, because you you thought you were thriving, but you really weren't. Yeah, exactly which is, which is unfortunate, but still, those kinds of things happen. So what did you So, how did you go from experiencing burnout to moving forward and realigning? What? What did you learn? How did you discover it and what actually happened. Kassandra Hamilton 16:01 So I, you know, I, for a long time, went through my own inward journey. And I, you know, I went to counseling, I sought other ways of healing, through energy work, I tried all the different tools and modalities, and I realized over time, it meant flipping the script, and most of us live from the outside in, and we're chasing expectations and people pleasing, letting circumstances dictate our worth, and living from the inside out to me meant connecting with who I was and my values and and the truth of finding my like finding my purpose, and letting that be the driver, and that means having boundaries. It means speaking up when you're when you're scared or you have fear. I know you've done a lot of work with fear and how to leverage that for a more positive outcome, rather than letting it stop you. So in my life, that shift has really helped me stop outsourcing my power and allowed me to show up authentically in my work and my relationships and creativity, and that's where my freedom and vitality really lives, and I really want to share that with others. Michael Hingson 17:12 That's interesting. Way that you put it, you're outsourcing your power. What do you mean by that? Kassandra Hamilton 17:18 I was giving my power away. I was waiting for someone else to approve of something that I did. I was showcasing my, you know, achievements, and that was how I attached value to my identity and who I was. Michael Hingson 17:34 And of course, what that really meant is that you, as you said, it was all about people pleasing and so on. And how did you change all that? Kassandra Hamilton 17:43 It wasn't overnight, I'll bet it wasn't, yeah, and so I changed all that by getting curious and by going inside. And I have a four step process that I share in this book that I've now written. And the first step is to observe yourself, like, how are you showing up? What kind of patterns are coming up for you? And then starting to understand, like, why, where did those come from? And then starting to re tune that part of yourself, like, Okay, so that's how I'm showing up. How do I want to show up? And how can I change my patterns, and how I react to things, to do that, and that's how you start to, sort of like flip the narrative and limp from the inside out. Michael Hingson 18:26 How do people do that? Because we're, because we're, I think we're really trained to behave that way. We're we're trained to as, as you would put it, all too often, give your power away or outsource your power. And how do we change that mentality? Kassandra Hamilton 18:48 Yeah, well, we have to first observe ourselves. We have to look at, you know, how are boundaries being used in your life? Or are they even there? Are you showing up for yourself as much as you're showing up for other people? Are you being authentic in what really is, in alignment with your own values? Are you living on purpose? So these things are what we look at, and then I have tools and frameworks and questions to help people really start to observe themselves from an outside perspective and ask themselves, Is this really how I want to be living right now? Is this allowing me to live the life that I want? Michael Hingson 19:34 Yeah, and is it, is it helping me grow Exactly? And that's that's a lot of the issue that that we face. I know, in my my book live like a guide dog that wrote was published last year. We we talk a lot about the fact that people need to learn, or hopefully will learn, how to be much more introspective and. And analyze what they do every day, and really put that analysis to work, to to learn. What am I afraid of? What is going on? Why am I worried about this? Because I don't have any control over it and and people just don't grow up feeling that way, because we don't really teach people how to learn to control fear and how to be introspective, which is part of the problem, of course, right? Kassandra Hamilton 20:27 Or even how to manage our emotions, right? Like emotion is energy in motion, and if we do not allow it to move through us, it gets stuck, and it shows up in our bodies as a physical ailment, yeah. And that's the mind, body, spirit connection. That's why physical, mental, emotional health is so important to look at as as a whole, not just in silo. Michael Hingson 20:51 So how do you how do you teach people to take a different view than what we typically learned how to do well? Kassandra Hamilton 21:01 So once we've observed what people what people are, how they're operating, we then start to understand where it comes from. So a lot of people are programmed either by society or early childhood experiences, and then they are just operating on autopilot from those patterns. But they don't know that. So once you start like, awareness is everything, and once you see something, you can't unsee it. So at that point, it's like, okay, how can we move from this place to where you want to be? And so I have a lot of tools for understanding and processing your emotions in real time. I have tools for understanding and managing nervous like your nervous system, I look at it from a science and health background as well as a spiritual background. So it's like blending the tool to and understanding that healing isn't just physical and mindfulness and slowing down and journaling and just taking the time to actually try and understand yourself. Michael Hingson 22:03 So how has all of this changed how you live your life? Kassandra Hamilton 22:08 Well, I since I started operating in a different way, I bought a house. I bought another house, about another house, I, you know, wrote a book. I changed careers. I am coaching people now I'm just like really living in my element, in my my full purpose, which is have this written on my wall that I want to help others rediscover their magic, so we can all fly together. So it's really about spreading positive ripple effects in the world, you know, but starting at home and in our communities. And I believe that that inside out ripple effect is so much more powerful than anything we can do out there, Michael Hingson 22:56 just so that we get it out there. What's the title of the book? Kassandra Hamilton 22:59 It's called the magic of realigning from the inside out. Michael Hingson 23:04 Since we, we talked about it, I figured we better get the title out there. Yeah, thank you. And there is a picture of the book cover and so on in the show notes. But I just wanted to make sure that you, you did tell people the title. Well, tell me, is there an incident or a moment where you realize that your work could really create change in someone's life? Kassandra Hamilton 23:32 Yeah, you know, that's an interesting question. I've been asked that a few times, and the answer is that I just have a very strong morning practice where I journal. And throughout that journaling the last few years, I realized my process of integrating all of these tools and what it's done for me, and it just became like again, me observing myself through the pages and recognizing that I you know, it was my responsibility to share this, this work that I had done with other people, and not from a place of of ego, but really from that place of wanting to share stories and experiences in hopes that it will inspire others to, you know, take the time to Get curious and courageous about their own lives. Michael Hingson 24:22 Did you have any kind of an aha moment or a moment with anyone besides yourself that really caused you to realize, Oh, I'm really making a difference here. I'm really able to do this, and it makes a lot of sense to do what I'm doing. Kassandra Hamilton 24:38 Well, it's so funny, because informally, all of my friends will come to me for, you know, advice or coaching or reframing or whatever, and then eventually I was like, Man, I should get paid. And Michael Hingson 24:53 they're not your friends anymore, because now you're charging them, right? Kassandra Hamilton 24:58 So it's something that I've. Always really wanted to do, and I've always been fascinated by people and how their brains work, and what their resistance to change is, including my own. And yeah, I guess I just sort of had this moment a few years ago when I was like, I want to really focus my time on and energy to help other people have these moments of insight, or aha moments, or realizing they can pivot and actually start creating what they want in their lives. Michael Hingson 25:29 So what kind of tools do you use in your coaching process to help people do that? Kassandra Hamilton 25:34 Yeah, I lean on a lot of work from Gabor Mate and Deepak Chopra. I use tools that I've learned through Tara Brock. So my favorite tool, actually, that I, that I use, and I, I encourage people to try, is rain. And so if I could leave one sort of tool for people here today, it would be rain. And rain stands for recognize, acknowledge or accept, investigate, and then nourish. And so anytime people are in an activated emotional state or a negative emotion, they can sit away from their current situations, whether it's you go to the bathroom, or you sit alone for a few moments and you just recognize, okay, what is it that I'm feeling anxiety? Alright, we've named it. I recognize it. I'm accepting and acknowledging that I feel anxious. And then I is investigating, why do I feel anxious? What is the reason I feel anxious? And once you have figured out why, you can start to comfort yourself from a place of compassion, like it's okay to feel this way, you know Michael, like emotions are just children that want to be seen and heard, and the more you shove them down, the more chaos ensues. So when you comfort those emotions and you understand them, they move through you, naturally, emotion energy in motion. That's how we can assist ourselves in getting better at letting the emotions move through us. Michael Hingson 27:08 Yeah, and something that comes to mind along that that same line is the whole issue that you've already talked about, some which is talking about what what you feel, whoever you are, and be willing to express emotions, be willing to be honest with yourself and with other people. And again, I just think that we so often are taught not to do that. It's so unfortunate. Kassandra Hamilton 27:36 Absolutely, absolutely, we're not taught about anything. And I have a long list for the education curriculum, let me tell you, yeah, boundaries, you know, emotional regulation, emotional intelligence, yeah, reframing, Like there's just so many things, so many things. Michael Hingson 28:03 So you've, you've helped a lot of people, primarily, who do you do you coach? Who are your your typical clients? Or does it matter? Kassandra Hamilton 28:14 So I typically coach people between ages 25 to 40, but I actually recently had a senior reach out to me after she found an article in the paper, and so I'm not excluding people from who I work with, but generally speaking, that's sort of the age range is 25 to 45 people who maybe have reached a, you know, the career they thought they were always going to do and get there, and they're like, this, isn't it? This isn't it for me, I'm burnt out. I'm tired. It's not what I thought it was going to be. Or maybe they're in a relationship and they're stuck and feeling burnt out from that. So yeah, that's the age group that I work in. Because regardless of what issue you're working on, career, relationship, sense of self, these tools will help you pivot to really realign with your purpose. Michael Hingson 29:03 So how do you help people go from being stuck to realigning and empowered Kassandra Hamilton 29:10 through my four step process? So I don't want to give too much away, but people will just need to read the book to find out. Michael Hingson 29:19 Well, if you can describe maybe a little bit in general, just enough to Yeah. Kassandra Hamilton 29:24 So just like I was saying before, like first getting really clear on how people are operating, so that's the observed part, and then starting to understand themselves through the different patterns that are coming up on a weekly, daily basis. So it's a lot of investigating and getting data in the first couple weeks, and then after that, we start to understand how to rewire things through different tools that I introduce, and we do it in small, manageable steps. My coaching programs are either six weeks or two. 12 weeks long. And throughout that process, we try things, and everyone's different. So some tools stick, you know, more than others, and that's okay. I just have a the approach that I've moved them through, and by the end, people are having amazing experiences and feeling like it's life changing. And I have, you know, a lot of people reaching out with testimonials that I just, you know, really helped fuel me to continue this work. Michael Hingson 30:26 Have you done this at all with children? I Kassandra Hamilton 30:30 haven't, but it's so interesting that you asked that because I really love working with youth. I work in a restorative justice volunteer program here in my community, and it's all about providing mentorship and being a role model for for youth that have maybe lost their way. And that's definitely an area I'm curious about. It's funny that you mentioned that. Michael Hingson 30:55 Well, it just, you know, the the reality is that the earlier we can get people to think about this and change and go more toward the kind of processes that you promote, the better it would be. But I also realize that that's a it's a little bit different process with with youth, I'm sure, than it is with older, older people, adults and so on. But I was just curious if you had done any, or if you have any plans to maybe open any kind of programs more for youth to help them the same way, because clearly there are a lot of stuck youth out there. Kassandra Hamilton 31:37 Yeah, very much so. And to be honest, like with the amount of technology and information overload and state of the world, like the amount of overwhelm and anxiety among youth right now is just through the charts, yeah, yeah. So definitely something that's been on my mind, and I I'm very curious as to what sparked you to ask that, because it's definitely something I've been exploring so Michael Hingson 32:02 well, it just popped into my head that that's an interesting thing to think about. And I would also think that the earlier we can and in this case, you can, reach children, the more open they probably are to listening to suggestions if you can establish a rapport with them. The reality is that that at a younger age, they're not as locked in to ways of doing things as they might be later on, my wife was my late wife was a teacher for 10 years, then she loved teaching second and third graders, and she said even by the time you're getting to fourth graders, they're starting to be a little bit more rigid in their mindsets. And so the result was that it was harder sometimes to reach them. And I think that's true, and I and I know that everything I've ever read or heard younger the child, the more open they are, and the more they're able to learn. Like younger children are better able to learn more than one language and so on. And the earlier you can get to children, probably the better it would be all the way around. Kassandra Hamilton 33:19 Absolutely, absolutely, yeah, yeah, definitely, an avian Avenue. I've been curious and exploring myself. So, yeah, Michael Hingson 33:28 I wonder, I wonder what the techniques would be, because I'm sure that the techniques are going to be a little bit different than than what you face with older people, Kassandra Hamilton 33:37 not necessarily like I think at any age, it's good to learn about boundaries and why they're important and understanding what we think they are versus what they actually are. And same with, you know, seeking validation outside of ourselves. Like I don't think, I don't think it's quite I think it might be a little bit more stuck when we're older, but I don't think it's very different. Yeah, I guess it just depends. Just depends. Michael Hingson 34:07 Well, you talk a lot about boundaries, authenticity, authenticity and purpose. How does all that really go into your whole coaching program? Kassandra Hamilton 34:22 Sorry? In what sense, like, can you ask that it may be a different a different way? Michael Hingson 34:29 Well, um, you talk, you've you've mentioned boundaries a number of times, and authenticity and so on. So I'm just curious, how do they fit into what you do and what you want people to do okay? Kassandra Hamilton 34:41 So people will come to me and they're, you know, feeling burnt out. They're constantly on. They're juggling family relationships, digital overload. They don't have space to breathe, let alone, you know, connect with themselves. And underneath that, there's often a lot of people pleasing or fear. Not being enough or living by other people's expectations, and so so many of them are feeling exhausted, unfulfilled, lack of worth when they come to me and they're just like, I don't know what else to do. And often, a misconception about burnout is that you need to work harder for things to get better, or you just need a small break to reset, and then you're fine. But if we don't change anything in that, in the mind, in the mindset, then people are just going to go back to the way, the way they were. Michael Hingson 35:33 How would you really define burnout? Kassandra Hamilton 35:38 I would define burnout as people feeling helpless, feeling like they're living on autopilot, exhaustion, feeling like there's just so much to manage and they don't have the time or the energy again, feeling like they can't or don't know about boundaries, and yeah, they're unfulfilled. They're not feeling like themselves. And so what I would suggest for anyone who's feeling that way is one of the things you can do is just just pause, create a moment of space for yourself, even if it's just five minutes a day, ask yourself what you really need, and it sounds simple, but most of us are so disconnected or needs that we don't even ask the question. But that pauses our power. It can be the doorway to listening to yourself again, and from there, you can start making choices that really align with what you actually want? Michael Hingson 36:43 One of the things that I suggest, and we do it in live like a guide dog, and I suggest it to people whenever we get in these discussions, is, no matter what you say about not having time, you absolutely have time, especially worst case at the end of the day, when you're starting to fall asleep, take the time to analyze yourself, take the time to become more introspective, because you have that time because you're in bed for heaven's sake. So you're really not supposed to be doing anything else, or shouldn't, but it's a great time to start to think about yourself, and I think that's a great time to deal with all the things that you're talking about here as well. Kassandra Hamilton 37:20 Oh yeah, absolutely, yeah. And people have time for what they prioritize. That's that's the truth. And whether that's something people want to accept, it's absolutely the truth. You will make time for the things that are important to you. Michael Hingson 37:35 Yeah, well, and that's what it really comes down to does, isn't it that you're always going to make time for the things that you find are important to you, and the reality is that you'll be able to progress when you discover that some of the things that are important to you are the kinds of things that we're talking about here that will avoid burnout or get you away From that absolutely we just have to really neck us back to boundaries and authenticity and purpose. It just gets back to knowing what you really need, and ultimately, no one can know that better than you about yourself. Kassandra Hamilton 38:16 Absolutely, we have to reconnect to what matters and build the life that gives energy instead of only draining it. Michael Hingson 38:23 Yeah, and we can, we can do that, but we do need to take the time to make that happen, and that's why I really suggest do it at the end of the day. It's quiet and or you can make it quiet, and you can really learn by doing that you don't have to watch TV until an hour after you've fallen asleep, and then you wake up and discover the TV's on. You can take the time to become a little bit more introspective and learn more about yourself that way. And that's exactly what will happen if you really think about it Kassandra Hamilton 38:55 100% and you know, at my book launch, people were asking, like, how did you write a book, and it was like, it's not it's not hard in the sense that it's hard, it's hard because you have to show up every day. But that consistency, whether it's five minutes or an hour, like the consistency is everything. So showing up for yourself in small ways or whatever feels manageable at first, will naturally give you more energy to wake up early and give yourself more time. You know, it's just happens that way. Michael Hingson 39:25 Yeah, yeah. Well, I agree. What's your favorite tool that you use with clients? Kassandra Hamilton 39:31 So it would be the one I shared with you earlier rain. It has been very instrumental for people in transforming how long it takes them to go from from a place of fear or anxiety or resentment to just processing it and being neutral. And it's amazing. Michael Hingson 39:53 And again, just to reiterate, it rain stands for, Kassandra Hamilton 39:57 recognize, accept or acknowledge. Manage, investigate and nourish, Michael Hingson 40:05 that's cheating. You get both both spellings of rain in there. That's that works, but it makes perfect sense and and I'm assuming that you've felt you've had pretty good success with people. Have you had anyone that just resists, even though they come to you and they say, Oh, I'm burned out and all that, but you start to work with them and they just resist? Or do you find that you're able to usually break through? Kassandra Hamilton 40:35 So it's funny, because a lot of people that come to me are very resistant to it, because of the nature of burnout, where people feel like don't have the time or the energy right at the beginning, a lot of people are very resistant, and they say so in their testimonials. No, at first I felt resistant, but then I didn't know that these things were actually going to give me exactly what I what I needed. So I've worked with a couple nurses. I worked with a woman who was managing, like, working four jobs, and she was super burnt out. But eventually, probably by like two or three weeks in, people are starting to feel the differences, and they're, they're all in. So yeah, it does take a bit to get them there, but once they're there, they're they're flying so, Michael Hingson 41:22 yeah, oh, that's that is so really cool, because you're able to break through and get people to do exactly what we've been talking about, which is so important to do, Kassandra Hamilton 41:34 yeah, yeah. And you know the moments for me that just feel like, Oh, this is the work I meant to do, is seeing someone go from that place of burnout or defeat because they're working a job they don't enjoy to starting their own business that's leveraging their creativity and their passion, or they've repaired a relationship, or they're finally feeling confident in themselves like there's No better gift to me than to see that change in somebody. Michael Hingson 42:06 What are some of the most common struggles that you see in people? I know we've probably talked a lot about it, but you know, it's good to summarize. But what are some of the kind of the most common struggles that you find in people? And why do you think that people are experiencing so much burnout? And I'm assuming that those two are related, Kassandra Hamilton 42:27 yeah, yeah. So, okay, so if we were talking about career, people that are managing a career that is very demanding, and that is all they do, and they have no energy for time like for things outside of work. What they say is that they're feeling numb, or they're living on autopilot, or they don't recognize themselves anymore. Another shared that she was really scared of leaving because of a financial aspect. And so I think at that point, you just start to flip the narrative and ask, well, what are you sacrificing by staying right? So like, maybe we need to get a part time job while we're exploring our creativity and building a new business for ourselves, but it's 100% possible, and these programs are not meant to make these drastic changes overnight. They're small, incremental, consistent changes that over time bring you to a place of alignment with what you actually want to create in life. Do you Michael Hingson 43:34 find that there are some people who feel I can't stay here, I've got to leave or this boss isn't good, or whatever, when, in reality, it's it's something different, and that a mindset shift makes them discover that they really are in a good well, they're in a good position, or they have a good career, or whatever, but their perspective has just been off. Kassandra Hamilton 43:56 Yeah, absolutely. So someone said something to me the other day that it stuck with me at the time, but it was something like, If you can't, if you can't get out of it, you better get into it. Yeah, that's a good point. It's like, yeah, sometimes it's just with how you're showing up for yourself and for the people around you. And that's the shift that needs to happen. So it's not necessarily about leaving a job. Thank you for bringing that up. It is about changing your life from the inside, and a huge part of that is mindset and the energy that you're bringing to a situation. Because how you do one thing is how you do everything. So, yeah, Michael Hingson 44:41 it's it's like, well, one of the things that I constantly tell people is there are a lot of times that something occurs to you or that you're involved with you have no control over, because you're not the one that that did it, or you're not the one that directly made this happen. And but you always have the choice of how you deal with whatever happens. So even if you don't have any direct influence over something occurring, you have always the opportunity to determine how you're going to deal with it. And that's always something that I think is so important for people to analyze and think about. But I think all too many people don't Kassandra Hamilton 45:21 absolutely the power is in our pause. And that's something I tell people all the time, the power is in your pause. Slow down, take a second, don't respond right away. And then come from a place of power, and you know that it changes everything. Michael Hingson 45:38 Well, the reality is that the more of that that you do, the more you pause, the more you think about it. The fact is, the quicker, over time, you'll be able to make a decision, because you're teaching yourself how to do that Kassandra Hamilton 45:54 truly. Yep. Michael Hingson 45:56 And so for a while, you may not be able to or you you are not confident enough to be able to make a decision right away, which is fine, you should pause. But the fact of the matter is, I think what I really describe it as, and I think it's so true, is you need to learn to listen to your inner voice, because your inner voice is going to tell you what you need to do. And you just need to really learn to focus on that, but we don't. We always say, Oh, that's too easy. That can't be the right answer when it really is. Kassandra Hamilton 46:26 It really is. And so again, that pause is also about space, right? So when I feel triggered by something, I will take the space to let myself come back down from that and then ask myself what I really want, or again, coming back to boundaries, if someone asks me if I want to do something, and I'm a very social person, and I love connection, so right away, I want to say yes, I'll, you know, do that thing with you. Now I have a really beautiful way to still show that it's like something I want to partake in, but honor myself as well. By saying I love this idea, I need a little bit of time to figure out if I can fully commit to this, and I'll get back to you at this time so it shows integrity, not only to myself, but to to that person as well, and showing up in a way that it like, if I have capacity to do that, then I will, yeah. Michael Hingson 47:25 Well, if somebody listening to this kind of feels unfulfilled or stuck exhausted, what's the very first step that you would suggest that they take? Kassandra Hamilton 47:37 Just like I was saying, just take a pause. Michael Hingson 47:40 I knew you were going to Kassandra Hamilton 47:41 say that create a moment of space. Ask yourself, what's really going on and what you really want, and then ask yourself if your actions are all the choices that you're about to make align with that, yeah. Michael Hingson 47:56 And the reason I asked the question was, was really just to get you to reiterate that and to get people to hear it again, because we have to really come together in our own minds and decide what we want to do, and we shouldn't have knee jerk reactions. There's no need to do that, if we think about it and really take the time to ponder what makes the most sense to do. Can we'll get the right answers if we work at it Kassandra Hamilton 48:22 100% you just have to put in a little bit of curiosity and time to figure it out. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Michael Hingson 48:33 What do you think is one of the greatest misunderstandings about burnout and what is the truth that you really wish more people knew? Kassandra Hamilton 48:46 People think burnout is just about being tired or needing a vacation, but it's so much deeper than that. And you know, it's a sign that we've been living out of alignment with ourselves, and that rest alone isn't going to fix it real, real recovery is is coming from changing the way that we live and setting boundaries and reconnecting with what matters and building a life that gives energy instead of strain. Michael Hingson 49:16 Yeah, again, it gets back to that authenticity thing. Kassandra Hamilton 49:19 Yep, that thing, yeah. Michael Hingson 49:26 What are some of the biggest transformations that you've seen from your clients that you're really pleased about? Kassandra Hamilton 49:33 I've seen clients go from anxious and depleted to, like I said, starting businesses that they love. And that wasn't even something that we worked on together, it was like just a few tweaks, you know, simple but not easy, shifts that they made. And then I get emails or comments about how they're starting businesses that they love, and they're full time booked in that so like that. That's been a big transformation. Question for a few of my clients. One woman was trying to find a relationship, and she had tried everything, and from all different angles, and it wasn't working, and truthfully, she needed to come back to herself and align with herself, and when she did that, you know, nine months later, she found the love of her life, and one client said she stopped feeling numb for the first time in years. Another shared that she actually laughed and felt joy again. And these transformations are powerful because they're not just surface change or changes. They're they're life changing shifts in how people see themselves and what they what they feel like they can create in the world. Michael Hingson 50:46 And ultimately, isn't most of this transformation or shift really a change in one's mindset. Kassandra Hamilton 50:54 Yes, it is mindset, and it is also taking the time, taking the time, having the courage and having awareness of how we are operating in our daily lives, and why, yeah, and then shifting that. Michael Hingson 51:12 Well, tell us all about the book. When did it launch, and what's happened, and what do you see coming down the line for it and so on? Yes, I know you have a lot to talk about, so tell us. Kassandra Hamilton 51:27 So the magic of realigning from the inside out is very much in line with what I coach about, which is about bringing us back home to ourselves. And I share a lot of personal storytelling and scientific connections and soulful practices that I've tried that have worked really well for me, and I really invite readers to reconnect with with themselves. So it's sort of like a guidebook like the first the first half of the book is a lot of stories, the second half is more tools and strategies. And overall, it's the idea that, you know, the answers aren't out there. They have to start within. And we weren't meant to just get through the day. It's exhausting to try to fix and control everything out there. The thing is, we have no control over what's happening out there anyways, and so we have our one wild and precious life, and it's like, what are we going to do with that, especially in a world that's constantly pulling us outward with notifications and expectations and distractions? Yeah, I really believe this is how we show up to make a positive difference in the world by working on ourselves and spreading that upward. Michael Hingson 52:40 So when did the book launch? Kassandra Hamilton 52:43 August 21 was my book launch here on Vancouver Island, and I'm actually organizing a little book tour. Yeah, across the province here. So yeah, that's stay tuned. It'll be next month. I think so. Michael Hingson 53:01 Have you had any kind of book tours, or what kind of publicity Have you had so far for the book? Kassandra Hamilton 53:06 So I was working with a publicist, which was very new to me, and I was able to connect with some press. So a couple newspapers came to my book launch. There was, I think it was like 50 people that showed up, and the mayor came to give a speech, and he wants to meet with me for lunch next week and talk more about what I could do with the book, which is great, because I really think I can use it as a tool for helping in my own community and maybe even offering organizations some opportunities to explore strategies to get their their employees out of burnout. Yeah? So that's kind of what's happened so far, and a lot of bookstores have taken it up. So I've got all the local bookstores here. Have it. It's not available on Amazon, yeah, and it's actually a bestseller. I reached bestseller status in three categories. What categories, personal development, personal growth, and I think anxiety was the third one I have to look back at it. Michael Hingson 54:14 Well, definitely congratulations are in order for doing that. Though. Thank you. Thank you. So that's that is definitely kind of cool to to have that kind of situation and that kind of status happening with the book. It makes it very exciting and certainly gratifying in so many ways. When did you start coaching? Did you when did you actually start your company? Kassandra Hamilton 54:37 So I started coaching. Let's see two, two, no, a year and a half ago. So honestly, formally, not that long, but it's already just something I'm so passionate about and getting more and more positive feedback on. So yeah, I guess in the grand scheme of things, I'm just getting started. Michael Hingson 54:59 Well, that's fair. That's fine. Yeah, we, we think you're going to go far at least. I think you're going to go quite a, quite a distance with all of this. Do you just coach people directly, one on one? Do you do virtual coaching? Do you coach outside of British Columbia and all that? Kassandra Hamilton 55:18 Yeah, you know, I mostly work virtually, because then I can be accessible to more people. So that's how I actually prefer to work, is virtually, but I'm open to, you know, meeting people where they're at and however they want to communicate. So I've been doing phone calls with with one person and then zoom with another, and if people do want to do in person, I'm open to it. It's just a little bit more restrictive in terms of reach. But I'm also going to be doing some wellness workshops and talks around these tools and strategies I've learned, and using my book as a tool as I go through the province next month. So it's not just going to be about the book. It's going to be presenting and giving workshops and talks around this work, and then presenting my book as a tool to use in in helping people get back to a place of alignment and energy again. Michael Hingson 56:20 Well, on your on your website, we haven't talked about that yet, but on your website, do you have any videos of talks or anything like that that you've done? Kassandra Hamilton 56:31 Not of any talks. I think my first one, to be honest with you, is, was at the book launch, but it went so well that I'm just sort of, I'm I'm adding fuel to that fire, you know, and I'm just gonna keep going, yeah. So I haven't done any talks beyond that one yet, but I have some testimonials and things on my website. So those are the videos that are there. Michael Hingson 56:55 Well, for people who are listening to this today, who feel like they want to do. So, how can they reach out to you and connect with you, and what? What happens? Kassandra Hamilton 57:05 Yeah, so the best way is to reach out to me through my website or my I have a link tree link that I think I might have sent you, Michael, but it has all my different links for working on with coaching or reaching out in different ways and contact information. So link tree, Instagram are my main ones, but also obviously email and my website. So what is your website? It's www, dot Kassandra with a K Hamilton, which is my last name.com, Michael Hingson 57:40 so that's easy. Www, dot Kassandra Hamilton com, Kassandra Hamilton 57:44 yeah, and on Instagram, it's at Kassandra with a K underscore Hamilton, so Michael Hingson 57:50 Okay, yeah, have you? Have you done much with LinkedIn? Kassandra Hamilton 57:55 I have, yeah, I also have LinkedIn, yep. And I have Tiktok, and I have Facebook, Michael Hingson 58:00 all the things, all the different suspects, all the usual suspects, yes, yeah. Well, that is, you know, that is really pretty cool. I hope that people will reach out, because you've off, you've clearly offered a lot of very useful and relevant information. And I think that it's extremely important that people take it to heart, and I hope that maybe we're going to be able to have contributed to your getting some more people in the business too. Kassandra Hamilton 58:30 I really appreciate that, Michael and I know you've done so much work with people as well, and inspired others, you know, astronomically. So I really appreciate and feel grateful for the time that you've given me today. Michael Hingson 58:46 Well, this has been a lot of fun, and we'll have to do it again. You'll have to come on and some point in the future and let us know how things are going and how the book is doing, and how everything else is happening. But I, but I really do value the fact that you've spent so much time with us today. Kassandra Hamilton 59:03 Thank you so much. At least we're in the Michael Hingson 59:06 same time zone. That helps. Yes, that's true. Well, Kassandra, I want to thank you for being here, and I want to thank all of you out there for listening to us and being with us and watching us, whichever you do. I'd love to hear from you as well. I'd like to get your thoughts and your opinions. Please reach out to me. At Michael H i, that's m, I, C, H, A, E, L, H, I, at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, i, b, e.com, I'd like to get your thoughts. Like to know what you thought of today's episode, wherever you are experiencing the podcast, please give us a five star review. We value your reviews highly, and we would really appreciate you giving us reviews of this episode and the podcast in general, and for anyone out there, including you, Kassandra, who might know of anyone else who ought to be a guest on unstoppable. Mindset and tell their own story. Please reach out. Let
Episode Title:The Courage to Become the Leader I Was Afraid to BecomeIn this episode, I share a very real and personal story about courage — not the loud kind, but the quiet, everyday courage that helps us grow into the people we are meant to be.I discuss how stepping into my new identity as a leader initially scared me, and how I had to learn to walk with fear instead of running from it. This episode is all about saying “yes” to your own growth, even when your voice shakes.If you're in a season of change, if you're rising into a bigger version of yourself, or if you feel the pull to lead in a new way… this episode will give you hope and support for your journey.• Why courage feels scary at first• The inner voice that nudges us toward growth• My own moment of “I'm becoming a new version of myself.”• The difference between fear and expansion• Why slowing down can be an act of courage• How to walk with fear instead of waiting for it to disappear• What it means to lead your own life with truth and alignmentYou don't need to be perfect to grow.You don't need to be fearless to lead.You just need to take the next brave step.• Subscribe to the podcast• Share this episode with a friend who needs courage today• Follow my YouTube channel for weekly leadership and life lessons• Join my Aligned & Unstoppable newsletter on LinkedIn for deeper reflections and supportKEY WORDS: courage, personal growth, leadership transformation, alignment, healing, Diane Gudmundson, Survival to Success podcast, inner leadership, nervous system safety, identity shifts
Dolly Parton BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.Dolly Parton has remained active and focused on business ventures and holiday celebrations despite ongoing health management. The country music icon confirmed through Women's World that she decorates for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, which she celebrated this year by turning on all her lights inside and outside her home. She extends her holiday spirit through January nineteenth, her birthday, keeping decorations up to continue celebrating into the new year.On the entertainment front, Parton is performing her Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol tour at multiple venues through December, with shows scheduled in Greensboro, North Carolina on December seventeenth and Spartanburg, South Carolina on December twenty-second, according to ticketing websites and Visit Greensboro. These performances demonstrate her commitment to touring despite health considerations.Regarding health matters, Extra TV reported that Parton sent a Thanksgiving video message to fans, reassuring supporters about her wellbeing after persistent illness rumors. She emphasized that doctors have advised her to take it easy while she manages ongoing health procedures at Vanderbilt, though she stressed nothing is major. Her Las Vegas residency originally scheduled for December was postponed to September twenty twenty-six to accommodate these medical procedures, according to Wikipedia.On the business side, Parton continues expanding her empire significantly. According to Hillbilly Live, she's launching Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee in early summer twenty twenty-six, bringing her signature style to the truck stop industry. She quoted herself saying her years on the road have given her understanding of what travelers desire. Additionally, Wikipedia confirms she announced plans in October twenty twenty-five to open the SongTeller Hotel in downtown Nashville in partnership with Herschend, alongside the new Dolly's Life of Many Colors Museum, with advance museum tickets going on sale in late October for a June twenty twenty-six opening.At seventy-nine years old, Parton maintains her characteristic work ethic. Hillbilly Live reports she still wakes at three in the morning daily, stating she doesn't want to miss anything. When addressing her approaching eightieth birthday, she told media outlets that she feels like she's just getting started and has no plans to retire, hoping to eventually drop dead on stage during one of her own songs. This sentiment encapsulates her continued dedication to her craft and business ventures heading into twenty twenty-six.Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
In this short but powerful episode, Kelly breaks down the five most important ways you should be using client results, wins, and testimonials to drive authority, visibility, and sales in 2026. With a trust recession impacting every corner of the online business space, consumer confidence is at an all-time low, which means your clients' voices now matter more than your own. Kelly explains how the brands that continue to grow in 2026 will be the ones who put results front and center and use social proof intentionally across all channels. You'll learn: Why fewer online marketers shared wins in 2025 The core mistakes most businesses make with testimonials The 5 strategic placements to use wins for maximum impact How to operationalize social proof into weekly marketing How to turn books into passive funnels for trust-building offers Plus: Kelly shares how her team transformed their approach to social proof this year — and why doubling down on client results became one of the most profitable decisions they made. TIMESTAMPS 01:20–02:04 — Why many marketers struggled to produce client results this year 02:04–02:40 — Why your clients' voices carry more weight than your own 02:40–03:15 — The role online reviews play in visibility and discovery 03:15–04:10 — The 5 strategic opportunities to revive and use client stories 04:10–05:20 — Using stories to consistently show wins + case studies 06:36–08:00 — Various formats for showcasing social proof 09:10–10:15 — Testimonials and videos in launch countdown timer 10:15–11:48 — Using the half-day workshop framework with curated testimonials 11:48–13:42 — Using UGC to sell books + why book sales are true passive income 13:42–14:58 — How book reviews fuel authority and trust-building offers 14:58–15:46 — Online reviews as an algorithm driver 15:46–16:10 — Join the free, live workshop on December 2nd to build your daily sales machine RESOURCES: Join my free, live half-day workshop to build your daily sales machine for 2026: https://accelerator.virtualbusinessschool.com/register-b Join The Virtual Business School membership for just $97/month, no contract: https://go.virtualbusinessschool.com/joinvbs Grab a copy of one of Kelly's best-selling books: Unstoppable: 9 Principles for Unlimited Success in Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Unstoppable-Principles-Unlimited-Success-Business/dp/1530131154 Bigger Than You: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Building an Unstoppable Team https://www.amazon.com/Bigger-Than-You-Entrepreneurs-Unstoppable/dp/172758726X Audiobook version (on sale for $7!): https://books.thebusinessadvisory.com/audiobooksocial7 Conviction Marketing: https://www.amazon.com/Conviction-Marketing-Kelly-Roach/dp/B09S259DWK Follow along behind the scenes of Kelly's 5th book, The Sacred Art of Selling: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/i9TP7QImQWj1R6UrLfM5
“Hated or adored but never ignored” rings especially true in this week's episode as Lyle Taylor steps onto the stage. Charlton fans have long held strong opinions about his departure, and now Lyle sets the record straight, finally sharing his reasons for parting ways with the Addicks. He also opens up about his outspoken views on the BLM organisation and the backlash he faced for refusing to take the knee. From teammates holding secret meetings about how to handle his attitude, to winding up opponents until Adebayo Akinfenwa was ready to explode, Lyle reflects honestly on his early career and admits he wasn't always the ideal teammate but explains how much he's learned along the way. After leaving Charlton, Lyle made the move to Nottingham Forest, where he crossed paths with everyone's favourite football club owner, Mr. Marinakis. While he hit new heights in the Championship and played a role in Forest's promotion push, his time there eventually came to a sour end.
Sunday, November 30, 2025Series: Free & AliveMessage: Unstoppable LoveBy: Bryant May, Lead PastorLearn more about The Exchange at www.theexchange.cc
Every Day Is Saturday Podcast For Motivation, Inspiration And Success
This episode dives into a truth most “gurus” will never talk about: the power of humbling yourself.This morning, Sam walked into ORCA Coworking… and cleaned toilets. And instead of feeling embarrassed, he found a message that every successful person needs to hear. In this raw and motivational episode, Sam breaks down: Why real leaders are willing to do the work no one else sees How humility keeps you grounded even as your wealth and influence grow The difference between online “gurus” and authentic leaders Why nothing is ever beneath you—not even a toilet brush How staying low actually positions you for bigger blessings, breakthroughs, and opportunities If you want to stay wealthy and grounded… successful and centered… this episode will hit you right between the eyes. Perfect for entrepreneurs, faith-driven achievers, and anyone building a legacy on character, not ego.
Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
Get AudioBooks for FreeBest Self-improvement MotivationI Will Not Quit — Powerful and Unstoppable InspirationA powerful inspirational speech reminding you to stand firm, push through obstacles, and refuse to quit. Ignite your inner strength and rise stronger than ever.Get AudioBooks for FreeWe Need Your Love & Support ❤️https://buymeacoffee.com/myinspiration#Motivational_Speech#motivation #inspirational_quotes #motivationalspeech Get AudioBooks for Free Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Knowing God is more than head knowledge, but is based on an active relationship with Him. To be a church that is Unstoppable in Christ, we need to know what it means to fellowship with the Lord.To learn more about us, visit faithcenter.tv today!
This 'Charles Payne's Unstoppable Prosperity Podcast' first aired on October 22th, 2025… Charles is live from the Making Money: Unbreakable Investor Town Hall studio, joined by a lineup of inspiring guests. Among them is Sam Bartow, an Air Force veteran turned business owner, who began trading stocks and achieved a 50% return in just 13 months. He's also joined by Tom and Diane Axline, a couple who took control of their retirement account and grew it by an impressive 149%. This Town Hall highlights the power of personal financial empowerment and the importance of staying focused despite the often gloomy narrative from the financial media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Parrish and Norlander open with Duke's win over Arkansas at the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic. Cam Boozer had another 35-point performance to lead the way. Michigan dominated the Players Era winning three games by 110 points and Norlander empties the notebook from his time in Las Vegas. Then, the Final Four And 1 sets up the weekend ahead for college hoops. (0:00) Intro (1:00) Cam Boozer is the latest star to appear on the network of stars - Duke beats Arkansas 80-71 (12:20) Arkansas continues to hold their own against good teams, but comes up short again (16:02) Michigan boat races the Players Era Festival, puts together historic 3-day run (28:12) Will Players Era fix the format next season? & what's coming next season (44:00) Norlander empties the notebook - playing in Vegas, other notable teams (59:00) Feast Week - Michigan State wins again, Florida…yikes, Maui champion & the Big Ten's big performance (1:09:00) Final Four And 1 Theme song: “Timothy Leary,” written, performed and courtesy of Guster Eye on College Basketball is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow our team: @EyeonCBBPodcast @GaryParrishCBS @MattNorlander @Boone @DavidWCobb @TheJMULL_ Visit the betting arena on CBSSports.com for all the latest in sportsbook reviews and sportsbook promos for betting on college basketball. You can listen to us on your smart speakers! Simply say, “Alexa, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast,” or “Hey, Google, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast.” Email the show for any reason whatsoever: ShoutstoCBS@gmail.com Visit Eye on College Basketball's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFb_xyBgOekQPZYC7Ijilw For more college hoops coverage, visit https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
UGA Game Day Special Release David Pollack is a celebrated former college and NFL football player, twice named SEC Player of the Year and a multi-time All-American. Renowned for his relentless drive and leadership both on and off the field, David has become an inspiration through his faith, perseverance, and commitment to excellence. Beyond his impressive athletic accomplishments, David is a devoted husband, father, and man of God, dedicated to helping others ignite their potential through speaking, writing, and coaching. His unique “50, 40, 10” philosophy and personal story of overcoming adversity are at the heart of his message, motivating audiences to embrace standards, work ethic, and purpose in every aspect of life. Key Takeaways Perseverance Through Adversity: David's story embodies resilience—whether overcoming a career-ending injury or being fired from ESPN, he consistently demonstrates that setbacks are opportunities for growth and deeper trust in God. Leadership Is Influence: David believes everyone is a leader if they influence even one person, highlighting that leadership starts with caring for others and setting a standard by example. The Importance of Standards Over Feelings: David's “50, 40, 10” concept emphasizes that showing up, having direction, and pushing through discomfort are what separate the truly committed from the rest in sports, business, and life. Sound Bites “You can outdo 50% of the people in this world by showing up more, showing up with a good attitude, showing up ready to rock and roll.” “When we come to faith, we don't automatically know how to share our testimony, but everyone can invite someone in, and the most important witness is how we live our lives.” “Don't worry about how you feel every day, because your feelings change every day...that doesn't change who you are and what you bring to the table every single time.” Connect & Discover David: Instagram: @davidpollack47 X: @davidpollack47 Website: davidpollack.com Podcast: See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
Faith is the key to being unstoppable, no matter what life challenges you face. Many struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the need for control. These challenges often arise from emotional neglect or personal trauma. They create a cycle that feels impossible to break. Understanding that you are not alone in this struggle is crucial. Knowing that you can rely on your faith as a source of strength can be transformative. Finding Freedom in Faith When life feels overwhelming, faith offers liberation. It's about embracing Jesus and letting the Holy Spirit guide you. This reliance can make you truly unstoppable. Faith empowers and provides peace in life's chaos. It reminds you of your intrinsic worth and identity beyond societal pressures. Breaking Free from Fear Fear often binds us, leading to anxiety and self-doubt. Faith teaches us that we weren't created with fear but with power and love. As you shift your focus from fear to trusting God's plan, your perception of life's burdens changes. Leaning into your faith helps ground emotions and find stability. The Healing Journey: A Path to Being Unstoppable Healing is neither linear nor simple; it involves peeling back layers of pain. This journey, though painful, eventually leads to freedom. God requires us to engage actively, taking courageous steps toward healing. The process demands resilience, but on the other side, you emerge stronger and unstoppable. Community and Support: Essential for Transformation Often, our struggles obscure our view of our worth and potential. Alongside faith, community plays a vital role. Sharing stories of transformation and faith can offer encouragement. They show that renewal and freedom are possible. Being part of a supportive community strengthens resolve and provides a sense of belonging. Letting Go to Discover Your True Self Releasing past burdens allows self-discovery. As God works in your life, you realize you are enough as you are. Embrace your uniqueness with confidence. Aligning with God's purpose enables you to live authentically and be unstoppable. Faith transforms lives by replacing insecurity with purpose. Embracing faith leads you to liberation, making you truly unstoppable in facing life's challenges. About Jeanette Peterson Jeanette Peterson is a Kingdom Impact Activator, speaker, and author who equips women to walk boldly in their God-given assignments. She is the founder of All the King's Women, a global movement for high-capacity Christian female leaders called to build beyond business into movement-level assignments. She is the host of the Unapologetically Unstoppable podcast and a trusted voice for high-level Kingdom women who are assigned to influence industries, culture, and nations. Jeanette equips women to rise in clarity, obedience, and divine alignment so they can walk confidently in the mandate God has placed on their lives. Through prophetic identity activation, apostolic strategy, and Spirit-led discernment, she helps women hear God clearly, break confusion, and step boldly into leadership with authority and fire. Website for Jeanette Peterson Buy Jeanette's book: Unapologetically Unstoppable Start your healing journey and overcome anxiety: Schedule a call with Robyn today.
With the ground falling out from beneath Paul's feet at Unstoppable Industries, he needs to start building up his own system that he has control over. For that, he needs people, and people he can trust whether by debt or circumstance. One man might exist in the recently laid off Gavin Blevins.
In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Joy Shaw for a powerful and heart-opening conversation about calling, courage, and trusting the path God lays in front of you. Joy shares her incredible journey of walking away from what was familiar, stepping into the unknown, and learning to follow divine direction even when it didn't make logical sense. This episode is an invitation to trust that you are being guided, supported, and prepared for exactly what you're meant to do. Liked this episode? Make sure to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review with your takeaways, this helps us create the exact content you want! KEY POINTS: 00:49 A Deep Friendship and Shared Journey 01:27 Defining a Woman of Influence 03:14 Embracing the Shadow 04:07 The Medicine is in the Stay 07:44 Introducing the Growth Collective 09:27 Facing Fear and Staying Present 20:11 Patterns of Codependency and Narcissism 25:57 The Struggle with Receiving Help 26:33 The Stroke and Its Impact 26:46 Learning to Ask for Help 28:49 Challenges in the Healing Space 30:13 Ethics and Integrity in Plant Medicine 32:30 Personal Identity and Healing 34:09 The Importance of Self-Love 36:31 Collective Healing and Evolution 43:06 Embracing an Untethered Life 45:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts QUOTABLES: “ I used to have this victim narrative around being around feeling taken advantage of. But there was a victimhood to that because if I believed that I was being taken advantage of, I could then be resentful to be taken advantage of, which would then just perpetuate the narrative of, well, Julie just has to do it herself. No one's gonna show up for her. She's just gotta do it. Which would then keep me in the driver's seat and in control, which would continue to perpetuate that narrative.” - Julie Solomon “ Our minds are wired for survival, and if you have trauma, they're doubly wired for survival, right? Because you had to make it through a really unsafe environment that you were growing up in, or some event that happened that you had to survive. And so your mind is almost more programmed to keep you alive and to be hypervigilant. I work with a lot of people with PTSD and so we're deprogramming a lot of that and, and we're having to build safety and trust with it. And the other thing that we have to do is we have to befriend this part of us.” - Joy Shaw GUEST RESOURCES: Website: https://www.joyshaw.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/alchemizewithjoy RESOURCES: ✨ Unscripted: My First In-Person Retreat in 2+ Years — Now Accepting Applications If you've felt your voice no longer matches the woman you've become, this intimate 2-day retreat in Nashville (Feb 5–6, 2026) is for you. Unscripted is where your message, identity, and leadership come back into alignment—without pressure, performance, or shrinking. Spots are limited and application-only. Apply now at juliesolomon.net/unscripted.
In this inspiring episode, Nikki Sims and Andrew Jackson sit down with two of Barbell Logic's most recognizable names: Nikki Berman (Director of Client Experience) and Coach Bekah Creek (PT and longtime BLOC coach). Together, they dive deep into what strength training for moms really looks like—during pregnancy, postpartum, deployments, sleepless nights, and every chaotic season in between. Nikki shares the full arc of her journey: from chasing "skinny" through extreme dieting and cardio, to discovering barbell training, to becoming a mother of four and finding her strongest, most capable self along the way. Her candid stories—including training through nausea, the realities of relaxin, managing back-to-back pregnancies, and an unexpected home birth—offer a rare, empowering look at motherhood through the lens of strength. Coach Bekah walks through the coaching side: how to modify programming for pregnant or postpartum clients, when to push, when to pull back, and why the marathon mindset of "something is better than nothing" can be transformational for busy moms. Together, they illustrate how strength training can anchor a woman through the most demanding phases of life. Whether you're a mother, a future mother, a coach working with pregnant/postpartum clients, or simply someone looking for hope and consistency, this conversation highlights the resilience and adaptability that define strength training for moms. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why strength matters so much for pregnant and postpartum women How to modify training through each trimester The surprising benefits of tonnage-based and RPE-based programming How to navigate fatigue, nausea, sleep deprivation, and childcare Why "all or nothing" breaks moms—and how to replace it with a sustainable mindset The physical and emotional realities of postpartum recovery How coaching support changes everything for new moms The story behind Nikki's unplanned, fast home birth Why taking up space—not shrinking—is the real goal How strength training helps moms show up better for their kids and themselves PS: Get early access to Black Friday Sales > https://bit.ly/3LmWhx2 - Save 50% on Online Coaching and Nutrition - Save up to 50% on the Barbell Academy - Gift Strength and get a bonus month Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com
Jairek Robbins is a performance coach, investor, board member, and best-selling author. As the founder of Performance Coach University, he empowers leaders worldwide to achieve purpose-driven success in business and life. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Grit is trainable. True mental toughness isn't inherited—it's built through consistent effort and pushing beyond your comfort zone. 2. Use AI to enhance, not replace. Integrating AI smartly into your workflow can elevate your clarity, productivity, and follow-through. 3. Busy isn't the badge—results are. High performance isn't about being constantly occupied—it's about systems, recovery, and strategic effort. Check out Jairek's website for free worksheets and tools - Jairek Robbins Website Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. Freedom Circle - A powerful community of entrepreneurs led by JLD. Are you ready to go from idea to income in 90-days? Visit Freedom-Circle.com to learn more. Framer - Ready to design, iterate, and publish all in one tool? Start creating for free at Framer.com/design, and use code FIRE for a free month of Framer Pro! Rules and Restrictions May Apply.