What are the pillars that make resilience? What is long-term resilience? How can you improve your flexibility and adaptability? Tune in, as Oleg and Adam, dive deep into strategies for developing resilience, things resilient people do, whether resilience is inherited or learned, qualities to develop as a leader to become resilient, and other related topics.

How can you get all that you want in life? What do you do when life gets tough? Tune in, as Oleg and Les, discuss the importance of going all in, challenging old beliefs, understanding which stories are no longer serving you, and other related topics.

What can one learn about life from a fighter pilot? What inspires people to become fighter pilots? What is a fighter pilot mindset? Tune in, as Oleg and Kim, dive deep into the most important thing to be a fighter pilot, hardest part of being a fighter pilot, the importance of keeping calm and carrying on, and other related topics.

It is the beginning to a brand new year. The perfect time to start making changes in your life. Some view such time filled with optimism and hope. Others view it filled with fear. What is the difference? Why do some see it one way and others see it differently? How can one find a new path when feel lost or uncertain? Tune in, as Mark and Oleg, dive deep into the importance of trying new things, asking for feedback from those closest to you, journaling, setting intentional goals, and other related topics.

How do you make a story captivating? What makes a story attractive or captivating? What are the characteristics of a memorable story? Tune in, as Oleg and Majeed Mogharreban dive deep into ways to develop a clear central message, tools for embracing conflict, frameworks for storytelling, importance of mining your personal experiences and other related topics.

Why is it important to evaluate your own thoughts? Do we control our thoughts? How do you catch your thoughts? Tune in, as Oleg and Colin Wright explore ways to stop listening to your thoughts, tools for controlling negative or unnecessary thoughts thoughts, techniques for mastering your mind and other related topics.

What does it mean to be "satisfied" with your life? Is satisfaction the same as fulfilment or happiness? What daily habits contribute toward achieve such state of being? Tune in, as Oleg and Matthew Lesser, explore ways to increase satisfaction in life, importance of exercise, sleep, nutrition, gratitude, tools for recognizing dissatisfaction, and other related topics.

Are you aware of your attitude toward things? Many have argued that to be successful in any area in life you need to have the right attitude to approach any task or job. But, how does one develop it? Where does it start? Tune in, as Oleg and Harry Cohen, dive deep into ways your attitude determines your direction in life, how to change your behavior, tools for changing your environment or friends at work or your goals, and other related topics.

How do you create a sense of safety for yourself? How do you honor and appreciate your authentic self? What does it mean to create a safe space? Tune in, as Oleg and Deborah explore ways to create internal safety, recognize behavioral patterns, ways to create a safe space for vulnerability, and other related topics.

What is the root cause of jealousy? Why is it important to understand jealousy? How do you cure jealousy? Tune in, as Kelly and Oleg, dive deep into exploring the different levels of jealousy, ways to let go of jealousy and insecurity, how to fix jealousy in a relationship, and other related topics.

What are the toughest decisions in life? Why do you struggle making some decisions and not others? How do you make a big decision if you can't decide? Tune in, as Oleg and Anna dive deep into decision-making, ways to deal with decision anxiety, how to make a decision and not regret it, and other related topics.

How does food and mood relate to mental health? How does good food affect your brain? Can lack of food affect mood? Tune in, as Mark and Oleg dive deep into the connection between food and mood, the foods that negatively affect your mood, ways to improve memory, the most powerful brain food and other related topics.

Do you notice your surroundings? Do you focus on one thing at a time? Are you grateful for what you have? Do you practice mindfulness? Tune in, as Oleg and Emilio, dive deep into the importance of spending time with people who make you feel happy, ways to be in the moment, tools for mindfulness, and other related topics.

Andrew is an advocate for embracing failure in order to live a fuller life. He believes that by doing so, one has the opportunity to learn and grow from their mistakes. He has had personal experience with this idea and uses it to guide his life choices. Tune in, as we discuss: 1) The importance of embracing failure, 2) How to tell if you're becoming the person you don't want to be, 3) The difficulty of being authentic, 4) The benefits of trying and failing.

Decisions. We make thousands of them every single day. How do we know which one to make? How do we know where each decision might lead? Is it a shot in the dark? Or is there a process/methodology behind it? Tune in, as Oleg and Jeff, dive deep into the psychology of decision-making, “right” vs “wrong”, how decisions impact our story or life narrative, ways to make decisions about one's past, and other related topics.

How we pick the parts we hide? Why do we hide them? Tune in, as Ruth and Oleg, dive deep into the reasons why we keep certain parts of our identity hidden, how to gain true acceptance of one's self, and other related topics.

How can you control the way you react? Can you train yourself not to react? Tune in, as Sigalle and Oleg, dive deep into understanding your emotions, importance of taking time outs, writing down your thoughts, practicing relaxation techniques, avoiding judgement, and other related topics.

How do you utilize your time and energy? Time is something you can never get more of. Energy also has its own bandwidth. How do you know what to say, "YES," to in life? Tune in, as Oleg and Shauna dive deep into simplifying your daily activities, productivity tools to help you manage your time and energy, importance of prioritization, and other related topics.

Why is endurance important in life? Business? How is endurance used in everyday life? Tune in, as Katie and Oleg, dive deep into the impact of endurance sports on everyday life, ways to train and shift your mind, and other related topics.

How often do you take the time to recognize how you are feeling? Are you able to forgive yourself? Can you say, "No" to others? Tune in, as Amy and Oleg, discuss the importance of nourishing yourself, starting a gratitude journal, showering yourself in feel-good vibes, and other related topics.

What does it mean to accept your past? How can you accept your past and move forward? Tune in, as Matthew and Oleg, explore how to create positive mantra to counter the painful thoughts, importance of doing your own inner work, practicing mindfulness, allowing the negative emotions to flow, and other related topics.

How do you find your own identity? Is it important to have your own identity? How does knowing your identity influence you and those around you? Tune in, as Brian and Oleg, dive deep into ways to define values, importance of making your own choices, the value of spending time alone, and how to achieve your goals.

Fame. Music. Purpose. What do the three have in common? What is the relationship between becoming famous and staying true to yourself? Can fame change a person? Can fame change one's purpose? Tune in, as Zuby and Oleg explore all of the above, as well as other related topics.

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid? Is it becoming a famous musician? Professional hockey player? Making the game winning shot to win the NBA championship? Could you still achieve that childhood dream? Or is that dream unattainable? Tune in, as Oleg and Travis explore the importance of shifting one's perspective when it comes to achieving one's dreams, ways to look at life through glass half full vs half empty, and other related topics.

Once upon a time there was a land that was happy and carefree. People could go outside and hug their neighbors. They could enjoy each others presence without fear of pain or suffering. Life was good as society progressed. One day, a dark cloud approached this perfect land. The darkness covered everyone and everything. People turned on their neighbors. Other’s shunned the darkness and did not heed the warnings from their fellow human. Many people perished rather than take shelter as the society lived in turmoil. Eventually the darkness passed, but not without leaving a residue of shadow in its wake. There is sun again, but with pockets of darkness that lash out on those who wish to ignore the suffering of the darkness. The expectation that everything is fine and sunny is based on the perspective of competing societies and ideologies. In this modern day fairy tale, societal expectation was that you can do whatever you want as long as you are not actively harming another individual. With a worldwide pandemic, this shift in expectations created a division between people who tried to protect others by avoiding contact and those who thought the illness was a hoax. Divisions were widened and people became ill. Depending on where you lived, you may have had a different set of expectations that you either agreed with or disagreed with, but had to navigate nonetheless. No one was spared from having to make tough decisions surrounding this terrible virus. This is just a recent example of the challenges people face when society flips on a dime. Joshua recognizes those same challenges and has his own views on how to deal with change. Join Joshua and Oleg as they discuss different ways to deal with shifting societal expectations.

A man goes to bed at three in the morning after aimlessly scrolling on his phone. A woman walks past a McDonald’s and smells the intoxicating scent of burgers and fries. She walks in and gets a large of everything. A teenager goes to a party and learns that drinking alcohol is a quick way to make friends. They continue to drink every weekend so that they can be popular. People find various vices and cling to them as if they are the only way to happiness. The rush one feels when they experience a high from whatever is their drug of choice is like no other. People are aware of the negative consequences of their choices, but seeing past the haze of short term delights can be tricky. Going to the gym. Eating healthy foods. Going to sleep at a reasonable hour. These are standard healthy habits that is common knowledge. The drive to start on a healthier path has to come from within. Take a moment to consider what healthy habits you have picked up over the years. What have been the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle? Do you have other habits that detract from your health? No one is perfect, but everyone has some strategy or drive that keeps them on track.

What does vulnerability mean to you? How can you become more vulnerable with yourself? How well do you know yourself? How much of your inner truth do you share with yourself and the rest of the world? Tune in, as Christopher Kies and Oleg, dive deep into the challenges of being vulnerable with one self, ways to share one's inner truth with the rest of the world and other related topics.

People are resilient. Most, if not all, can endure unimaginable hardships over the course of a lifetime. Not every challenge is the same. Some are much harder to overcome than others. For some losing a loved one or the fear of it happening, takes precedence over even the individual’s life. The question is, “Why?” What makes some value the lives of others so much? At times, even more than their own. What is it about the other beings, especially those who we love, one cherishes? Tune in, as Anne and Oleg, dive deep into the meaning one places on others, factors that contribute toward unconditional love, and other related topics.

A child grows up in a suburban town with nice neighbors and good friends. They have a backyard where they play fetch with their dog. The school is only a five minute bike ride away. There are challenges with bullies and some passionless teacher, but overall, life is good. That is until the child’s father earns a promotion at his job. They will have to move to the big city and leave everything behind. The child doesn’t want to give up their friends or house or school. They do not want to leave. The child fears that they will not be able to make friends. They fear that their old friends will forget them. They fear that change will be more detrimental than positive. The child will learn with time that change is inevitable and how they react to it will make all the difference. Most people have to experience change in their lives at one point or another. That fact does not prevent the fear associated with this transition. The unknown is scary and creates a discomfort that is hard to manage. However, given the right tools and outlook, it may be possible to embrace change rather than fear it. Take a moment to consider the changes in your life. Were you excited at the prospect of something new? Were you hesitant to shift from one experience to the next? Do you still fear change? Join Oleg and Dave as they discuss their own fears of change and how they’ve managed to overcome them.

A runner trains for months for his upcoming race. His coach pushes him and explains how he can achieve his full potential. The days of training, sweating, and pain, all accumulate to one moment: The day of the race. At the starting line he can hear the shouts of the crowd. He can hear the shuffling of feet from the other competitors. He can hear the pounding of his own heart. His anxiety starts to flare as the man at the starting line raises the gun. Will he be able to live up to all of the expectations he placed on himself? Will he realize his full potential? The gun explodes and the race starts. Not everyone is a professional athlete. Not everyone is a tycoon of industry. However, every person has the potential to be the best at whatever they set their hearts on. This can create a fear where failure is possible. It can also create a fear that if success is not met, then there has been a monumental waste of potential. Just like training for a race, life has its moments of easy days and hard days. There are days where it feels like everything is going great and days where it feels like the whole world is crashing down. Life itself is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time to build up potential and truly understand who you are in relation to the world. Over the course of your life, have you found yourself living to your potential? Do you believe that it is out of your reach? Do you fear that you will never achieve it? Join Oleg and Luke as they discuss the potential of everyone and the fears we harbor along the way.

A knight in shining armor charges down the field, arrows exploding upon his chest plate. Other swordsmen exchange blows, but the knight is not deterred. After all, his protection keeps him alive and fighting. He knows if it were not for his armor, he would have perished long ago. The knight is someone we can identify with, even if we do not possess the same fancy vestments. A knight fights for what they believe is right while protecting their vital core. The armor of knight is the wall that keeps danger at bay. Without armor, the knight may be fearsome and strong, but vulnerable to attacks from all sides. The knight cannot afford to enter battle without it. People today may not walk around in armor as knights of medieval times did back then, but they still wear armor nonetheless. The armor of today is the one that shields us from emotional and personal attacks. By keeping on this armor, no one can get to you on the inside. However, the armor also may keep out positive interactions and connections. There is a fear of letting one’s armor down. By doing so, you can be hurt in ways that are hard to recover from. Some may be willing to risk the pain of an exposed psyche in order to be with the ones they love in full trust and respect. Yet, it may not be that simple for others. Are you able to let down your armor? Join Oleg and Patrick as they discuss what it means to be vulnerable and accept the fear of letting your armor down.

What is a victim mentality? What causes a victim mindset? How do you break the victim mentality? Tune in, as David Neal and Oleg, discuss ways to overcome victim mentality, dangerous of living in victimhood, and other related topics.

What are the things you're responsible for today? Why these things and not others? How do you choose the things that take the front seat? What are the things that get put on the back burner? Tune in, as Brian and Oleg, explore the importance of prioritization in life, how to identify the critical steps to accomplish each day and other related topics.

Why do we help others? Is one born with the intention of helping others or is it a learned behavior? Some have argued that helping others feels good, it creates a sense of belonging, it gives one a sense of purpose, along with hundreds of other benefits. At what point does helping others backfire? What is the downside of constantly wanting to help another being? What is a personality type that is most likely to help others? Tune in, as Michael and Oleg, dive deep into all of the above, as well as a variety of other topics.

A boy loves learning. He loves reading. He loves discovering new information in any way he can. School provides him with some of his education, but he spends most of his time at the local library absorbing every piece of literature in his sights. He is happiest when he is learning. Unfortunately, the other kids at school don’t seem to share his unique appreciation for literature and sciences. They make fun of him. They tell him he will amount to nothing same as the rest of them. The boy is quite lonely because no one wants to spend time with him. Through his loneliness he finds the solace in the books he loves. Although a pariah in his small town, he grows up to be a hero in the scientific world. Not only has he met people who share his passion, he is rewarded for his insights. There are a number of reasons why one would be ostracized from their communities. Some are for legitimate grievances, while others can be simply due to a lack of understanding or empathy for differences. Most people at some point experience a disconnect from others. It may not be severe, but it can be a jarring experience. Have you ever felt misunderstood by your peers? Join Scott Mason and Oleg, as they explore the ultimate question, "Can living your story make you an outcast?"

Do you view the glass half full or half empty? Do you become frustrated when it rains on a day you were planning on enjoying the outdoors? Do you find that complaining about life brings you happiness? Generally speaking, having a negative outlook can put yourself in a position where you find yourself less happy and create a less than enjoyable environment for those around you. You may find that there is little to be positive about, but some circumstances may be less bleak than you perceive. To feel negative emotions is normal when life throws obstacles in the path. There can be catharsis in letting the veneer of positivity down. However, have you found a balance between positivity and negativity that allows you to live a life that’s satisfying? Oleg has had his fair share of negativity over the years. He knows he is not alone in respect to hard times. He is curious to see how negativity may be used for the good if possible. The question is: Is there #value in #negativity? Join Casey Berman, LaChelle Adkins, Caleb Pearson and Oleg, as they discuss the impact of negativity, the role "negativity" has in allowing us to understand "positivity", and other related topics. *** Also, join us at, “Survive to Thrive: Face Your Fears”, 3-day life changing event in Austin, TX, September 23 - 25, where you will take a deep dive into the origins of your fears, and then transform them into strengths.

What is the purpose of the hardships we encounter in our lives? Is there a deeper meaning to it all? Or is it only the meaning we choose to assign it? Do you believe you have a choice in how you view each hardship in your life? Tune in, as Ron and Oleg, discuss why hardships exist, the meaning hardships carry within our lives, and other related topics.

A girl desperately wants to be a professional soccer player when she grows up. Even at a young age, she puts in hours and hours of practice in her backyard. She is the first to start practice and the last to leave. Nothing will prevent her from achieving her goals. As she grows, she joins more prestigious teams and plays a game almost every weekend. She continues to train hard and maintain her other obligations, as she finishes high school. Unfortunately, she experiences an injury that puts her in the hospital. She can’t play soccer anymore. However, that is not an option. She goes to physical therapy and continues to heal. She will play again. Years down the line, she is playing for a national team. Her dream came true. She hopes to inspire other little girls who have the same dream. The fact that she had the internal determination was the first step of achieving her goals. However, what were the external factors that got her to where she wanted to be? Her parents would wake up a half hour earlier than her in order to get her ready for early morning practices. They helped pay for the medical bills when she was injured. They dealt with whatever obstacle their daughter may not have seen in order to give her the best chance at success. When reviewing your personal story of growth and success, what were the factors that helped you achieve your goals? Were you as equally determined as a young girl with a dream? Are you aware of the external influences that impact your story? Tune in as Casey Berman, LaChelle Adkins, Caleb Pearson and Oleg Lougheed explore ways to identify external influences that impact your story other related topics. *** Join Casey Berman, Steve Gamlin, Nancy John, Scott Mason and many others at, “Survive to Thrive: Face Your Fears”, 3-day life changing event in Austin, TX, September 23 - 25, where you will take a deep dive into your fears and origins. https://www.overcomingodds.today/survive-to-thrive-live-face-your-fears

The "C" word. More than 1.6 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year in US, and nearly 600,000 of them die from it, making it the second leading cause of death. The question that remains unanswered is, "Can an individual beat cancer? If so, how?" Thousands of approaches have been shared to date. In this episode, we will be focusing on, "attitude". What role does attitude have in defeating cancer? Can one fight cancer with positivity? Tune in, as Oleg and Martha explore whether or not one can train him or herself to see the glass half-full despite a life-changing cancer diagnosis.

How do you manifest peace and happiness? Some people set very clear intentions, find ways to let go of perfectionism, create time for stillness, let go of what doesn't serve them. How do you do it? What brings you peace? What makes you happy? Join Rebecca and Oleg, as they explore the impact of acts of kindness, ways to identify things that make you happy, and other related topics.

Fight or flight. This is the core of the sympathetic nervous system. It is so ingrained in human physiology and psychology that it can be traced to ancient humans. If a saber tooth tiger was stalking an early man, they had to know how to use their fear to either sprint as fast as they could or overcome the threat with the tools they had at their disposal. Most humans now do not have the same stresses that our ancestors had. However, the same response to threats and fears is still very much a part of our being. The challenge is that this response activates when threats are equally as minor or major. It takes the wisdom and intellect of an individual to understand what is happening in their body when a perceived threat is presented. The question then becomes, do you know when you need to face a fear or avoid it? The dilemma: Run away from fear or run to it? Join Nancy John, Casey Berman and Oleg Lougheed as they express how to successfully navigate #fear and #uncertainty.

The day has come. The day you have dreaded for weeks. You cannot imagine a fate worse than this. Today, is your friend’s birthday party. They have chosen the most unholy and horror provoking event to celebrate their new year. They have decided to take all of their friends to an amusement park. For most people, this may sound like the most fun any person could have for a few hours. To you, it is the gut dropping, mind numbing, personal hell that has been hoisted upon you. You have had a fear of roller coasters ever since you saw a movie with people falling from the ride. You cannot get the image out of your head. Your friends encourage you to try the largest and fasted ride with them. You protest and explain that you would rather stay behind. They insist that you muster the courage and join them on this momentous occasion. Eventually you acquiesce. You sit in the little train. You are buckled up. The seat protector is secure. Moments later, the train starts its ascent. You feel your heart sink into your stomach. You are not ready for this. You want to get off. But, it is too late. As the train starts to twist and turn and you scream with your friends, you feel a release you had not expected. By the time the ride is over, you feel exhilarated. In fact, you want to go again. You have mastered your fear. In this vignette, an individual fears an amusement park ride and eventually learns to love it. Not everyone has this exact experience, but there are times when fears turn into joys and something once avoided is now sought after. Are there hidden benefits to doing something you once feared? Are the things we fear the most, the things we want the most? Join Oleg & Steve Gamlin as they discuss how their fears turned into their greatest desires.

Imagine the origin story of your favorite superhero. For most of them, they did not start with superhuman strength, intellect, or courage. They started as many average humans start life with the same opportunities and challenges that plague us all. The difference between our superhero to be and the average person has to do with what the hero had to overcome. Let’s take Batman for example. He not only dealt with the loss of his parents from an early age, but overcame his fear of bats to become a symbol of justice and overcoming fear. Is Batman a real person? No. Does the fictional story behind Batman help people in real life find the courage they lack? Yes. Not everyone has to have such severe circumstances and overwhelming fears in order to become successful. Simply acknowledging what you fear and coming up with strategies may be enough to find the success you have always dreamed of. And who knows? Maybe you will be the Batman in the story that you choose to tell. Maybe you will ask the question: When is fear healthy and even necessary for success? Join Oleg & Casey as they discuss how to use fear as fuel for success.

Do you remember the story of the three little pigs? Once upon a time there were three little pigs. The first pig built his house from straw. The second pig built his house from wood. The third pig built his house from brick. Each felt that they were safe because of the shelter they had built. A wolf looking for a meal tested their domiciles by attempting to blow each down. The straw and wood houses toppled without any resistance. However, the brick house remained steadfast. The moral of this children’s tale is about having both a sturdy foundation and sound material when building anything from the physical to the metaphysical. Most of the stories you read as a child had a moral. They were written with cute little animals or fantastical kingdoms in order to keep your attention. However, behind the gloss and wonder was a lesson for you to absorb. They probably helped you develop useful skills even into your adulthood. The stories you read now are probably more complex. The characters are nuanced and the situations fraught with ambiguity. At times there may not even be an easy lesson to glean. Does that mean, perhaps that some stories are hollow and lacking a moral? Do all stories have a lesson? Join us, Casey Berman, Summer Watson, LaChelle Adkins, Caleb Pearson, as we explore whether or not all stories have a lesson, ways to extract lessons from stories, and other related topics.

Do you like coloring your hair the full spectrum of the rainbow? Do you enjoy speaking about topics that others find uncomfortable? Do you simply wish to live your life without judgement or persecution? There are over six billion people on this planet with cultural, national, political, and social differences. There may be differences that are objectively amoral, but for the most part, one could say there are different flavors to live a life. If you like chocolate and somebody likes vanilla, it would be an absurd argument to have with them over which flavor is best. Likewise, if you like to skip down the street singing show tunes and another person likes peace, quiet and solitude, there is no need to try to belittle each other for different life choices. However, people can find ways to make differences worth fighting over. They can make the other feel insignificant and small. When you go about living your personal story, have you come across dissenters? Are there #stigmas associated with living your #story? Join us, DeeJae DuRante, Caleb Pearson, Oleg Loughed, as we explore the impact of stigmas, ways to reduce stigmas, and other related topics. 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute

Your heart is beating fast. Your chest seizes slightly. You burst into a cold sweat. Your deadline is fast approaching and you feel physically ill from the pressure. You close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and continue your project in stride. Anxiety can come in many forms and be triggered by all sorts of situations. Perhaps meeting new people or traveling or pressure from work. Whatever the reason may be, anxiety is usually perceived as a negative attribute. After all, people seek medical intervention in order to decrease anxiety. But what if anxiety had its purpose? What if there were ways to harness its power? According to the Yerkes-Dodson Law, there may be an optimal level of stress or anxiety one can experience in order to have the best possible performative outcome. It would be appear then that anxiety may be beneficial in the right amounts. If one suffers from anxiety, how can one be able to rewrite their narrative for the good? How can one reframe anxiety into a superpower?

Your love for your father is strong, but he has disappointed you time and time again. He promised you that last week's drink was going to be the last one. There have been many “last ones.” Your best friend has slowly drifted down a rabbit hole of drug abuse and self harm. Despite your pleas for him to stop, he continues down this dark path. Your child has become hopelessly attached to their phone. They cannot for a waking moment put it down or interact in any other way. Their eyes are always reflecting back that dull blue light. It is a sad truth that many people may become addicted to a substance or item or know someone with an addiction. Interventions and acts of love may be used in speaking to one with an addiction, but the results may vary. Perhaps the only way to help, you believe, is to cut them off entirely. No contact until they change their ways. Perhaps, instead you feel that you must be there all the time and restrict their use through force or manipulation. Addiction is a complex issue with many facets that contribute to the addiction itself. There are also many tools that can help those that suffer from addictions. Join Carson Lee Alexander-White and Oleg, as they dive deep into personal addictions throughout their lives, ways they’ve been able to recover from them, and other related topics.

What are your needs in life? How do you meet your needs? What happens when you don't meet your needs? Join Najwa Zebian and Oleg, as they explore the above questions, as well as other related topics.

How often do you take the time to think about the person who cooked your food at your favorite restaurant. How about the person who delivered you the food when you didn’t feel like going to the restaurant yourself? How often do you think about the janitor who takes care of your office? Do you consider the messes of today that are cleaned by the time you come back to your office the next day? How often do you think about the homeless person on the street. The one with the sign that says hungry, U.S. Vet, anything will help. Do you walk by and ignore them or do you take the time to see them? Finally, how often do you think about the people across the globe who make the products for you in your country? The people who make your clothes, grow your food, mine your jewelry? Do you think about what it takes to live the life you are currently living? There are a number of invisible people that you come across in your daily life as well as those that are way behind the scenes. It is easy to dismiss and even ignore the people that help make everything easier for you, but these individuals are still people with the same humanity that you possess. What would it take to really “see” these individuals. To let them know that they are seen and valued. How do you make the invisible become visible? As Oleg travels through Ghana, he is seeing people that he has not been able to see before. He is seeing a culture that the West may not see normally. How often do you consider cultures of people that you have no connection with?

When you read a book, what type of story draws you in? Do you prefer adventures that take you to the sea where the waves crash against the ships and the salt air fills your nose? Do you prefer expeditions through the densest jungles with discovered ruins that have not been witnessed for millennia? How about weaving in and out of the busy streets of a bustling metropolis? Whatever your preferences may be, they may point in the direction of the stories and journeys you desire to take one day. Your journey could be literal in nature where you travel the world seeking novelty and adventure. Your journey could be integral where you wish to discover yourself and who you really are. If you think about who you were in the past and how far you've come to this point, do you #appreciate the journey you are currently on? Do you wish to #change the journey for the unknown? What kind of #journey do you want? Join Oleg and LaChelle Adkins, as they discuss their current journeys and the adventures they have yet to take.

What makes you believe in the story you’re telling yourself? You are reading a book. From the very beginning you have been enamored by the setting, characters, and plot. You are moved by the figurative language and feel like you are transported to another world. However, in the middle of the book something happens that doesn’t make much sense. There is an inconsistency between what you expect and what is given. You are not able to suspend disbelief. You feel cheated because something you were actively engaged with made presumptions that you would just ignore the glaring plot holes and cheap literary devices. Rather than finishing the book, you put it away never to be seen again. For most people, a bad book can be off putting, but not necessarily something that ruins your day. The story you were given was not the story you expected, but you don’t have to read it anymore. However, what if the story you are reading is the one you create everyday? You have a story that is constantly evolving. You can choose the setting, add the characters, and change the plot at will. You can be as creative as you want, but still can fall into the same traps that authors find themselves in: You can create a story that in the end makes little sense. How do you avoid developing a #story with inconsistencies? Are you happy with the direction of the story you have told so far? What makes you #believe in the story that you are telling yourself? Join Oleg, Casey Berman and Caleb Pearson, December 11th at 4:15 PM EST, as they discuss their stories, what makes a good story, and other related topics. Feel free to tell us whether you believe in your story in the comments below. 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below 👇 so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/cont... Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

Have you ever wanted to run your own business? Have you found yourself working for someone else’s business and have felt envious of their position? Do you question how successful people manage to make it to the top and maintain their success in business? If you have pondered any of these questions, then perhaps you also have an interest in people who came before and set the path for modern business. It may be possible to ignore the advice and mistakes of the past and try to implement original and novel ideas, but it may be more taxing and ultimately fallible. In order to truly understand what it takes to be successful in business, it may do well to understand how capitalism came to be in the first place. Whether or not you ascribe to capitalistic ideals, it is currently the economic platform the majority of the world sits on and therefore it is necessary to understand how to navigate it effectively. There are many in business who have been unscrupulous or just plain sociopathic. However, there are those who have seen success and have found that they can do the greatest good at the same time. Do you look for the men and women who have succeeded and helped the world or only looked for their own gain? What can we learn from business history and biography? Join Oleg and Gary as they dive into the past to discover how business in the past influences business in the present and please feel free to offer your insights to the discussion in the comments below.

An artist looks out on an orange pink sunset and is inspired to paint. An activist looks out on poor work conditions for daily workers and is inspired to create positive change in their lives. A man is upset with his current health and is inspired by the story of another man who changed his habits when he thought it was impossible to do so. #Inspiration can present itself in many forms. Sometimes people are inspired by others. Sometimes people inspire themselves. Sometimes they are inspired by natural events around them. Regardless of where and when inspiration may strike, it is an interesting thought to think about the core of inspiration. Where does inspiration truly originate? Simply put, where does inspiration come from? Join Rebekka Helford and Oleg Lougheed, on December 4th at 4:15 PM EST, as they explore where inspiration comes from, places where inspiration can be found and other related topics. Leave inspired or inspire others with your insights! 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://lnkd.in/e95neyy Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

Do you believe in things that are bigger than yourself? Do you believe in things you cannot see? Do you have faith? People with faith can feel something that the faithless cannot. They have a peace that cannot be defined by worldly measures. Faith is simply bigger than the day to day interactions of the world. Another similar idea is hope. Hope is the longing for something better even if there is no evidence that will be the case. Hope requires an inner feeling that the hopeless do not possess. To hope is to break oneself from the chains of despair. If lack of evidence is not required for hope and faith, do they share a common thread? Are they individual entities with unique characteristics? What is the difference between hope and faith? Join Oleg and LaChelle as they compare and contrast hope and faith and please add your ideas to the comments below.

When you’re a kid, the stories you read and watch are generally black and white. There are good guys and bad guys. The good guys are always good with few flaws and the bad guys are always evil and need to be punished and taken to jail. Rarely is there an in between. As you grow older, you can start to see that the world is a little grayer than cartoons and story books would have you believe. The villains you see actually have troubled pasts with little to no support from loved ones. These individuals turned to crime because of necessity rather than choice. You may still believe in law and order. You still may believe in justice for the innocent. Do you also believe in reform? Do you believe in programs that help prevent criminal activities as well as programs that help the most vulnerable in society? How can we better reach people on the cusp of being violent, neglectful, a breakdown so we can help prevent trauma from happening and not just heal the emotional trauma later in life?

If you read a book, odds are it follows a familiar structure. It has a beginning, middle and end. It has a plot. It has characters that act as protagonists, antagonists, and foils. Maybe there is a twist. Maybe there is a low point that helps the main character grow and surpass their limitations. Either way, the story you read will only be as compelling based on the author’s skill. Without the author there can be no story. If every person has a story to tell, then each person is their own author. They can tell their story however they’d like. The structure may be unique or familiar. Regardless, no story is exactly the same. When reflecting on your story, what do you focus on? Do you believe more in the plot being straightforward? Do you cast the characters intentionally? What are the elements of your story? Join Casey Berman, Caleb Pearson and Oleg Lougheed on November 19th, as they explore elements of their stories, the role they play in them, and other related topics.

Think about the lowest point you have ever experienced. What were the factors that precipitated this event? What emotions did you have to wrestle with? Did you fall into the deepest pits of despair? Was there hope that there would be a brighter day sometime down the road? Were you able to circumvent a seemingly hopeless situation? Whether brought about by external or internal aspects, many people can face hardships that seem too much to bare. The whole world can feel like it is crashing down on one’s head. What, then, can be done? There are stories of people who have hit rock bottom and managed to pull themselves out due to the support of family, friends, and a will to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Are these people the lucky ones? Do they have advantages over others who seemingly stay at their lowest point? How can one escape hopelessness? Join Oleg and Elisabeth as they ponder different ways an individual may be able to find hope when all seems dark, and please share your methods in the comments below.

You are sitting in the waiting room of the doctor’s office. Your significant other is in the other room speaking with the doctor now. You watch the clock counting the seconds, hoping that they are healthy and there is nothing to worry about. You glance at the coffee table in the center with the outdated magazines. You look at the receptionist behind the desk punching away at their keyboard without a rest. Why is everything in this room offensive? Why does everything bother you right now? Moment later your spouse comes out with a glum look on their face. They don’t have to say anything. The scenario in which you both feared would become reality has come to fruition. They are sick and you don’t know what to do. Have you ever been in a situation in which a loved one is sick? Where the doctors have said that there is very little they can do and that the patient has a very small chance of recovering? Maybe you have experienced this or maybe you haven’t, but if you ever do have to deal with this impossible moment how do you respond? Do you become despondent and lose any hope for a better outcome? Do you hold on to hope that your parent, child, wife, husband, brother, sister pulls through and will live out the rest of their days continuing to make memories with you? What happens if the impossible does occur and you put all of your hope into the fleeting possibility that everything will turn all right? Is it better to lose hope and save yourself more heartbreak? Is it still better to be hopeful even if there are no guarantees that the outcome will be positive? Does hope ease pain or cause it? Join Oleg and Nancy as they discuss the possibilities of hope and the double edged sword it can appear to be at times. Please add to the discussion by adding your thoughts to the comments below.

What does it mean to be bold? Does boldness exist in the presence of fear? For years, millions of people have tried to answer such questions. Some have found answers. Others are still in search of them. Can such term be defined in a way that fits everybody? Or does being bold vary from one person to the next? Tune in, as Fred and Oleg explore what being bold means to them, why being bold is important in their lives, ways to be bold when circumstances may not be favorable, key factors that prevent people from being bold and other related topics.

When you wake up in the morning, you probably have various expectations of how your day is going to go. You expect that the bagel truck will be outside your apartment ready to serve you your breakfast. You expect the train to take you from your block to the entrance of your work. You expect that there will be challenges that you will need to face with coworkers and clients, but you also expect that you will be able to handle them. You expect to come home, have dinner, and eventually go to bed. These are your expectations. Life, however, has a way of throwing curve balls when you least expect it. For all you know, the bagel truck got stuck in traffic and now you don’t pick up breakfast. The train runs late and now you are late for work. There is a flood in the office which delays your ability to finish your tasks in a timely matter. It is too late by the time you get home that you skip dinner and go to bed. Your expectations were not me and so the change in your daily routine feels like a rock in your shoe that you cannot shake: uncomfortable and irritating, but not life changing or threatening. What if you went throughout your day hoping that things would go the way you would like? Would the change in perspective help you manage disappointments if expectations are not met? Would it make any difference at all? Is hope the same as expectations? Join Oleg and Dorothy as they hope to distinguish between expectations and feel free to add your hopes to the comments below.

When you look at a cup of a water with liquid that fills up to the halfway mark, what do you see? Is the glass half full of water? Is the glass half empty? This analogy has been used to describe both positive and negative thinkers. A positive person tends to look at what is in front of them and is happy for it. A negative person notices what is missing and become bitter because of it. However, where does the idea of hope fit into this? Can only positive people experience hope? Does a negative person feel hopeless? Hope can create a feeling of peace in times of uncertainty. The positive person may be able to access this framework more easily. For the negative person, it is not unfair of them to feel upset in times of turmoil, but they can still access hope for better days. Does the negative person then to shift their way of looking at the glass? Is hope just positive thinking or a real shift in perspective? Please join Oleg and Steve as they ponder the perspective of hope and feel free to add your thoughts in the comments below.

You are born to a middle class family. By the time you are three you have started piano lessons. By the time you are six you are instructed in swimming. As you age into high school, you are expected to have straight A’s and be a member of five extracurricular activities. After high school, it is a given that you will go to a good college so that you can get a good job so that you can have high enough wages to have a house and family. Then, you retire and live out the rest of your days reminiscing about your #successful life. This is a pretty common story for those who wish to live the American Dream. This story has a pretty clear cut beginning, middle, and end with very little to no deviation from the #script. Parents may be the directors for the first part of your life, but eventually the director switches hand to a larger group: #society. Society demands that you toe the line. That you play your part perfectly so as not to disturb the status quo. However, not every individual wishes to remain on set. Some want to be directors of their own lives. These people believe they are the writer, actor, and director. Yet, is this self directed life even possible if you live in any society? Does the bubble you grow up in ultimately direct the course of your life? Is your story based on societal #expectations? Please join us, Casey Berman, Oleg Lougheed, Caleb Pearson, on October 15th at 10:45 AM CST, as we discuss this idea of societal expectations. In the meantime, feel free to share your views in the comments below. 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://lnkd.in/e95neyy Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

What does it mean to handle adversity? How does adversity affect a person? Does adversity play a role in a person's character? Tune in, as Madalena and Oleg, discuss ways to face adversity, how adversity leads to change, and other related topics.

Can you “see” #love? Can you “feel” #trust? Can you “hear” #faith? The physical world is one in which our five senses can piece together reality. You can see the table in front of you. You can feel the cup in your hand. You can hear the sound of a voice calling your name. The physical tools we have to interpret our world are a great start in true understanding. However, they fall short when they are tasked to explain the intangible. The metaphysical. The ideas floating around in our heads. Given that our senses cannot physically feel ideas such as love, trust, and faith, do they truly even exist? Do you believe in things that are not tangible? Join us this week at 11:45 AM CST, as Casey Berman and Oleg Lougheed explore the metaphysical and the ideas of #belief and #emotion. 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

You look at a pool of water. It is not deep. It is not murky. You can see the bottom. You bask in the sun as warmth washes over you. You look at this pool and know that it is safe, but there is a fear. The fear comes from the knowledge that you won’t be warm the moment you enter. That warmth will evaporate the moment your toe breaks the surface. There will other sensations of cold, discomfort, and instability. But there will also be other sensations: Exhilaration. Accomplishment. Weightlessness. The pool is not an enemy. It is a vessel for transition. This is a very minor transition that most people face in the summer months as they visit their local pools and beaches. Yet, people make transitions through life that are more challenging. That demand more. That inherently create change. Transitions are not necessarily good nor evil. Given that, “How do you deal with difficult transitions?” Do you shy away and try to hold on to what is familiar? Do you embrace the change and all that comes with it?

How do you find out what is holding you back? What barriers are holding you back? Why do YOU hold yourself back from success? Tune in, as Victoria and Oleg, explore what holds you back from success, fear failure, and other related topics.

#Legacy. Great men and women have attempted to immortalize themselves by becoming a part of #history. Some have actively sought this lofty endeavor while others were hoisted up to it by the happenstance of their circumstances. Julius Caesar is a name known to many if not all due to his ability to control the Roman Empire. Harriet Tubman is known for her heroic feat of transporting slaves through the underground railroad. Both are individuals with vastly different life experiences, but the one thing they have in common is that their names will reverberate throughout history. Where does that leave everyone else? Why are there only a select few of the billions that have walked this earth remembered and engraved in stone? More importantly why does there seem to be this need to be remembered? To have our voices carry on? Why can’t one simply be content with the here and now? There are those that love you after you cease to be. The memory goes on, but eventually fades when there is no one left to carry it. Is this an eventuality to be feared? Do we need to leave something behind more withstanding? Join us on October 1st, 11:45 AM EST, as we (Scott Mason, Oleg Lougheed, Caleb Pearson and Casey Berman), explore why some desire to be remembered, what is a person's legacy, and other related topics. 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

How do people with hard of hearing communicate? Does being hard of hearing affect speech? Can hearing loss change your voice? Tune in, as Michael and Oleg, explore whether or not you lose the ability to speak when you go deaf, how hard of hearing people hear themselves, and other related topics.

What is a new chapter in your life? How do you move to the next chapter of your life? How long is a chapter of life? Tune in, as Roseann and Oleg, explore how to start a new chapter in a relationship, how to start over in your life at any age, and other related topics.

How does culture affect creativity? Why is creativity important today? How do you show creativity and innovation? Can intercultural experiences foster creativity? Tune in, as Genein and Oleg, explore ways to foster creativity, whether creativity is a skill or talent, and other related topics.

Many of us have endured similar hardships throughout our lives. You never know if someone is going through something you went through. And is probably in need of help and guidance to get through something you have experienced. Do you think it is necessary to help others overcome hardships similar to your own? Are you sharing the lessons you learned through your personal life experiences with others? Tune in, September 17th, 10:45 AM CST, as Casey Berman and Oleg Lougheed, explore the purpose of lessons learned, ways to share lessons learned, and other related topics. 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

How do you help a person who has an addiction? What can you do if someone you know has an addiction? What do you call someone with an addiction? What are the key features of addiction? Tune in, as Oleg, Lindsey and Leslie Glass, explore main components of addiction, what can be done to prevent substance abuse, and other related topics.

"I can choose to let it define me, confine me, refine me, outshine me, or I can choose to move on and leave it behind me” - John C. Maxwell. All the events in life can mean something. What do you think the events in your life represent? Do your life events define who you are today? Which events in your life do you choose to give #meaning to? Tune in, September 10th, 10:45 AM CST, as S. Scott Mason, Casey Berman and Oleg Lougheed, explore the meaning events have in our lives, ways to determine which events have meaning and not, and other related topic. 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

How can you look at life as a resource? What are the resources you need in life? What are the resources needed to meet your goals in life? Tune in, as J.R. Martinez and Oleg, explore ways to set smart goals, how to look at life as a resource, how to reframe adversity into opportunity and other related topics.

What does it mean to put yourself first? How do you serve yourself? Why is it important to put yourself first? Tune in, as Robert Towle and Oleg, explore ways to put yourself first without feeling guilty, serving others with your knowledge and experience, and other related topics.

Change within ourselves is often necessary to overcome life’s obstacles. Some could argue that learning from hardships is key to a successful transition. How do you respond to adverse circumstances? Do you change things about yourself while accepting things you can’t change? How do you work through difficult circumstances in your life? Tune in, September 3rd, 10:45 AM CST, as Scott Mason, Steve Gamlin and Oleg Lougheed, explore ways to transition beyond one’s circumstances, the challenges of transitioning between different chapters in life, and other related topic. 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

Why do you feel the need to create? Why does getting something new make us feel so good? Why is what we have not enough? Tune in, as Oleg and BJ Miller, explore the need for creation, ways to appreciate life, and other related topics. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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“You live and you learn.” But, what does that truly mean? Is learning the same as living? Is living the same as learning? What is the connection between the two? Do all of us have the capacity to learn from life circumstances? Or is learning a skill that’s available only to a few of us? How do you know if you have learned something? Does everything in life have a lesson behind it? Join us August 27th, 11:45 AM EST, as we, Scott Mason, Casey Berman, Dorothy Oger and Oleg Lougheed, explore ways to learn from life circumstances, the importance of beginners mindset, and other related topics. Share what you have learned from your story so far! 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

What have been the major transitions in your life? What differentiates a major transition from a minor one? Tune in, as Trevor and Oleg, explore ways to learn from life's transitions, developing a growth mindset, reasons to create opportunities for others and other related topics.

What is an tethered life? How do you live life without limits? Tune in, as Van and Oleg, explore ways to live an untethered life, ways to challenge one's own limiting beliefs and other related topics.

Choose the type of life you want to live or someone else will choose it for you. You might have heard a statement like this many times … you might have even come across people who are either living one or the other. But, have you ever taken the time to answer such question yourself? Did you choose the life you are living or was it chosen for you? How do you know if you’re living life on your own terms or in the image of what others think you should be? Do believe you have the power to choose the type of life you want to live today? What makes living life on one’s own terms possible for some and not others? What choices are you making today to create your own story? Join us August 20th, 10:45 AM CST, as we, Scott Mason and Oleg Lougheed, explore ways to live life to the fullest, how choices affect the future, and other related topics. 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

It has been said that a word, uttered with a voice, created the world ... and that a voice will end it, too. True or not: that is the power of a #voice. Everyday, millions of people use their voice to communicate their needs, beliefs, and deepest desires: they even use it to change the future. Yet, how many truly understand the power of such an awesome resource? The type of resource that can create or destroy at the same exact time. The type of resource that turn war into peace … illegal into legal … agree to disagree … life into death … the list goes on and on. How do you choose to use your voice? Does your voice amplify, invite or limit someone else’s voice? Let your voice be heard by joining us on August 13th at 10:45 AM CST, as we (Casey Berman, Scott Mason and Oleg Lougheed) explore the different ways voice can be used, the impact of our voice on others, the difference between having a voice and being heard, and other related topics. 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

Do you believe your story can change the world? What makes you believe that such story is possible? Do you believe that you can be the person to create and live such story? If so, why? If not, why not? For years, many people have tried to crack the code of effective #storytelling. The type of storytelling that can change one’s inner and outer world. Some claim to have found it. Others are still searching for it. What makes up such deep belief? Or is it simply a speculation? Or is it something more? Something one can grasp with the palm of their hand? Join us on August 6th, 10:45 AM CST, as we explore techniques for effective storytelling, how stories can inspire action, how stories can generate the next big idea, and other related topics. Help us create a story that will at least change our world, the hosts and the audience. 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

What is the difference between listening to respond and listening to understand? What does it mean to listen to respond? What are the 3 A's of active listening? Tune in, as Dr. Mark Goulston and Oleg, dive deep into how to listen respectfully, listen without reacting, and other related topics.

“Everybody should be afraid of something.” MYTH or TRUTH? (Share your thoughts below) Thousands if not MILLIONS of conversations take place everyday about day-to-day #fears. Just as many if not more focus on ways one SHOULD NOT be afraid of those fears. ⭐️ Fear of heights 🏔 ⭐️ Fear of flying ✈️ ⭐️ Fear of spiders 🕷 ⭐️ Fear of thunder and lightning 🌩 ⭐️ Fear of being alone 👤 ⭐️ Fear of crowded spaces 👥👥 ⭐️ Fear of blood 🩸 ⭐️ Fear of snakes 🐍 … the list goes on and on. Within minutes of browsing the #web, each fear could be paired with a possible solution to #overcoming it. One could argue, such ease of information is the beauty and the curse of the 21st century. Although, many of us at Overcoming Odds, share similar beliefs when it comes to facing one’s fears, we can’t help but think of the other side. What are the things one SHOULD be afraid of? Losing loved ones 💔? Cancer 🫁? Nuclear war 💣? Aliens 👽? Why should one be afraid of those things? What is the reasoning behind it? However, if there is one thing you should not be afraid of it is joining us and sharing your insights on July 30th, 10:45 AM CST, as we (Casey Berman, Scott Mason, and Oleg Lougheed), explore things one should be afraid of and the reasoning behind it, the origins of such fears, and other related topics. 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

How do you start living your best life? How do you know if you live your best life? How can you be happy? Tune in, as Oleg and Russ Hedge, dive deep into what it means to live your best life, ways to uncover purpose and meaning in life, and other related topics.

How do you learn to love yourself? How do you know you're starting to love yourself? Why is self love so difficult? Tune in, as Oleg and Mel discuss what will happen when you start to love yourself, what self-love looks like and other related topics.

A wise person once said, “Your life is a #story of transitions. You are always leaving one chapter behind while moving on to the next.” #Transition: a concept experienced by many if not all individuals walking the face the Earth. Yet, each and every single individual may have a completely different interpretation of their meaning. To some, transitions may include getting married or starting a new relationship. To others, transitions may include changing jobs. What have been the major transitions in your life? Join us, July 23rd, 10:45 AM CST, as Scott Mason, Casey Berman, and Oleg Lougheed, explore the major transitions in their lives, what they have learned from such transitions, the difficulties certain transitions present and not others, and other related topics. The three of us may transition quickly from one major life event to another, but the one thing we will never do quickly is examine the insights you bring to this discussion. 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

What is the ultimate power of a single #story? Can it truly #change a life? Millions who have walked the face of the Earth have tried to crack the code … to find the perfect formula. Yet, decades later, many are still searching for it. What ultimately contributes toward creating that story or personal #narrative? Can such narrative be a blessing and a curse at the same time? Can it be so powerful that it works against you: holds you back from who you want to be? How does one know when to break away from it? Join us, July 16, 10:45 AM CST, as Scott Mason, Casey Berman, and Oleg Lougheed, discuss the role personal narrative has in the unfolding of one’s life, ways to let go of stories that no longer serve you, and other related topics. The trend may continue, we may become a part of millions of others who haven’t found the perfect formula for such story. But, we are willing to try, with your help, of course :) 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

How can you improve your perseverance skills? What is perseverance and how can it be developed? How perseverance is the key to success? Tune in, as Oleg and Mike "C-Roc" Ciorrocco, discuss how perseverance helps a person grow into a better individual, qualities of perseverance and other related topics. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email or website For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_overcomingodds Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

How powerful is the human mind? Is your brain more powerful than a computer? Is the brain the most powerful thing? Tune in, as Dr. Erik Reis and Oleg, explore what your brain capable of, how to improve brain power, why the human brain is so special and other related topics.

Can you control your subconscious mind? How do you train your subconscious mind to manifest what you want? Why is the subconscious mind so powerful? Tune in, as Jennifer and Oleg, explore how to change one's subconscious mind, how to remove negative thoughts from subconscious mind, and other related topics. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email or website For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_overcomingodds Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

If you had a magic 🪔 with a 🧞‍♂️ who could grant you one wish, what would that one wish be? Remember: You get one and only one. What would you wish for? What is your deepest desire in life? Something you’ve desired all of your life, yet haven’t been able to attain or achieve. What is that thing? Tune in, 🗓 July 9th, 🕰 10:45 AM CST, as Casey Berman, Elisabeth Kristof, and Oleg Lougheed, explore the unseen areas of their lives, where deepest desires come from, and other related topics. 👉 If these conversations have made a difference in your life, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

What makes you feel alive? Is it things that scare you? Or make you want to dance? Or do something spontaneous? Or get to know a stranger? Or drive fast? Or something else … (please share below) What makes up this feeling, state of being? What makes it different compared to all of the other day to day feelings? What role does it have if any in giving meaning to one’s projects or reasons for existing? Tune in, 🗓 June 25th at 🕰 10:45 AM CST, as Casey Berman, Scott Mason, LaChelle Adkins, and Oleg Lougheed discuss what makes them come alive the most, what it means to be alive, the role such feeling has in understanding meaning and purpose for living, and other related topics. 👉 If these conversations make you feel alive, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world. #OvercomingOdds

How can you contribute to others success? How can you offer your own self to others? How does helping others help yourself? Why is it important to help others? Tune in, as Kathleen and Oleg, dive deep into ways to be a contribution to yourself, importance of helping others, and other related topics.

Do you talk to yourself? Do you talk to yourself out loud? Is it beneficial to talk to yourself? If so, what are the benefits? Do all humans talk to themselves in one way or another? Or is it really just you? 😆 Tune in, as Casey Berman, Scott Mason, Oleg Lougheed explore the benefits of self-talk, ways to normalize the experience of talking to yourself, and other related topics. If you don’t want to talk to yourself about this topic, come talk with us about it. 👉 If these conversations have helped you see the world differently or impacted you in other ways, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

What is settling in life? How do you know if you are settling in life? Why you should never settle for less in a relationship? Tune in, as Fi and Oleg, dive deep into what it means to never settle, what is considered settling in a relationship, and other related topics.

How can you unleash the wisdom from within? How do you use wisdom? What are the stages of life? What is the significance of them? Tune in, as Bill and Oleg, dive deep into whether or not once can have wisdom without knowledge, stages of life and their significance, and other related topics.

Why can’t you say, “NO”? Do you feel bad about saying, “No”? What do you think you’ll miss out on if you say, “No”? Tune in on 🗓 June 11th at 🕰 10:45 AM CST, as Casey Berman, Scott Mason and Oleg Lougheed, explore the difficulty of saying, “No”, the importance of protecting one’s priorities, ways to create boundaries, and other related topics. It is our hope that you join us for this thought-provoking discussion, BUT if for some reason you choose to say, “NO” we will still support you along your journey! 👉 If these conversations have helped you see the world differently or impacted you in other ways, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

Why are poems so powerful? What is the importance of poetry? Tune in, as Dorothy and Oleg, dive deep into poetry as an artform, how poetry affects the reader, whether or not poetry represents real life, and other related topics.

What are the effects of unresolved trauma? What can happen if stress is unresolved? What happens if childhood trauma is not resolved? How does unresolved trauma affect parenting? Tune in, as Oleg & Dr. Don Wood discuss the impact of unresolved trauma, ways to tell if someone is hiding trauma, how to know if you have repressed childhood trauma, and other related topics.

Is being appreciated a fundamental human need? What does it mean to you to feel appreciated? How do you tell someone you feel unappreciated? Tune in on June 4th at 10:45 AM CST, as Casey Berman, Scott Mason and Oleg, discuss the impact of feeling #valued, what #appreciation in a relationship looks like, what one can do to feel #loved, and other related topics. We would greatly appreciate it if you joined us and kindly shared your thoughts on such an important topic! 👉 If these conversations have helped you see the world differently or impacted you in other ways, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

Do you #care about what others think of you? If so, why? Is it possible to TRULY NOT CARE about what think of you? Is there a difference between #acknowledgment and caring? What do others’ #opinions tell about who you are? Is there a grain of truth to their statements? Tune in on May 28th at 10:45 AM CST, as we, Nancy John, Edward Bodenheimer III, Scott Mason, Casey Berman and I, explore why some if not all of us care about what others think of us, how others’ opinions shape our world views, and other related topics. As creators of Overcoming Odds, we care deeply about what new perspectives such conversation may spark within you. So, please join us and share your insights with us!!! 👉 If these conversations have helped you see the world differently or impacted you in other ways, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” - Walt Disney 💫 What is your big 💭 dream in life? What do you want the most? How do you turn your dreams into #goals? What do your #dreams mean and why do you have them? Tune in as we, Scott Mason, Benita Conde and Oleg Lougheed, explore ways to turn dreams into goals, what makes a “big” dream, and other related topics. It would be our dream come true if you were to join us and share your insights on this topic 🧞‍♂️ 👉 If these conversations have helped you see the world differently or impacted you in other ways, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

“If it wasn’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.” Can you relate? Please don’t make us feel as if we’re the only ones who experience this 😂 Why do you procrastinate? How do you determine what to put off until tomorrow? Is procrastination a sign of something? Do you belong to the procrastination tribe? Do you indulge in procrastination snacks? You know, those yummy treats, usually not healthy, that grab your attention and keep you from doing what you need to do. Join us, as we, Casey Berman, S. Scott Mason, Adrian Miller and I, explore procrastination at its core, what causes it and what to do about it, our favorite procrastination snacks and other related topics. 👉 If these conversations have helped you see the world differently or impacted you in other ways, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

How do you deal with other people's expectations? How do other people’s expectations affect you? Do you love someone with or without expectations? Join us, as Edward Bodenheimer and Oleg explore the need for some of us to live up to other people’s expectations, healthy ways to set expectations, the role of expectations in relationships and other related topics.

How do you have a conversation about money? How do you talk about money in a relationship? What is a polite way to ask for money? Tune in, as Jen Fontanilla and Oleg, discuss how to have conversations about money, the fear of talking about money, and more many.

How do you market yourself? How do you market yourself professionally? How do you market yourself without marketing? Tune in, as Adrian and Oleg, dive deep into how to sell yourself in less than 25 words, ways to market your skills, ways to sell yourself as an entrepreneur, and other related topics. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on our website.
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How do you overcome challenges? How can you train yourself to be confident in times of adversity? How do you stay positive when facing adversity? Tune in, as Michelle Madrid-Branch and Oleg, discuss the importance of maintaining a positive or solution based mindset when faced with adversity, ways to approach life’s toughest challenges, and many more. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on our website.
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 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_overcomingodds Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

What does #fulfillment​ look like? What are the most fulfilling things in #life​? What makes a fulfilled life? Tune in, as Emily Melious and Oleg, dive deep into what personal fulfillment means, what gives one a sense of fulfillment, ways to find #purpose​ and fulfillment in life, and many more!!! *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on our website.
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email or website
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_overcomingodds Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

What does it mean to be kind? What kindness mean to you? How do you show kindness? Tune in, as Lena and Oleg, explore the importance of kindness, acts of kindness and many other related topics. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on our website.
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email or website
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_overcomingodds Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

How do you normalize something? What is the connection between trauma and normalization? Join us on 🗓 April 30th, 🎯 10:45 AM CST, to ask questions and share your perspectives on this topic, as Scott Mason, Casey Berman, and Oleg Lougheed will explore the purpose of normalizing certain behaviors, ways to normalize experiences, connection between trauma and normalization and other related topics. 👉 If these conversations have helped you see the world differently or impacted you in other ways, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

What does having potential mean? What does it look like when you see someone have potential? How do you acknowledge someone else’s potential without projecting your own limitations onto them? How does seeing someone not use their full potential impact you? Join us on April 16th at 10:45 AM CST, as we discuss what having potential means, ways to acknowledge potential in others, and other related topics. 👉 Oh, and if these conversations have had any impact in your life, consider supporting our cause, so we can continue sharing these courageous and inspiring conversations at: https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute

What is the “IT” factor? Do some have it and others don’t? Or does everyone have it in their own unique way? How do you know if you have the “IT” factor? Is it a feeling, thought or something entirely different? Join us on Apr 9th, 11:45 AM EST, via Facebook or LinkedIn LIVE, as we (Scott Mason, Oleg Lougheed, Casey Berman, and Steve Gamlin) have a discussion about what does it mean to have an “IT” factor, whether or not it is something that all of us have or not, ways to recognize and act on it, and other related topics. This discussion may start with the four of us, but it is your perspectives that will help us see other sides to this rather complex topic. 👉 Oh, and if these conversations have had any impact in your life, consider supporting our cause, so we can continue sharing these courageous and inspiring conversations at: https://www.overcomingodds.today/contribute

Bruce Lee once said, “A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.” What makes a powerful or transformational question? What gives one the ability to learn from such questions? Is questioning essential to growth? How can one improve the quality of questions asked? Join us on April 23rd at 10:45 AM CST, to ask questions and share your perspectives on this topic, as Scott Mason, Casey Berman, and Oleg Lougheed, will explore the importance of asking quality questions, how questions can transform one’s life, ways to elevate one’s level of questioning and other related topics. Before we conclude this message, we do have one more question to ask you ... Will you be joining us? 👉 If these conversations have helped you see the world differently or impacted you in other ways, consider supporting our mission by making a contribution at the link below👇so we can continue changing the world, one heart and one mind at a time. https://www.overcomingodds.today/cont...​ Your donation will continue to help others demonstrate their strengths and uniqueness to the world.

What are the signs of burnout at work? How do you fix burnout? What are the warning signs of burnout? Tune in, as Elisabeth and Oleg, explore what happens if you ignore burnout, what burnout feels like, and ways to fully recover from burnout. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on our website.
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What have you learned about yourself since starting your business? How do you apply business related lessons to everyday life? Is there a work-life balance? Tune in, as Nancy John and Oleg, dive deep into lessons learned from starting a #business​, loneliness in #entrepreneurship​, and other related topics.

What is vibrational healing? How does vibrational healing work? What is the best frequency for the human body? Tune in, as Carlos and Oleg, discuss how to use sound to heal self, benefits of vibration healing, what lowers vibrational frequency, and other related topics.

What are the emotional benefits of play? What are the social benefits of play? Why is risk and struggle important in play? Tune in, as Zander Phelps and Oleg, dive deep into benefits of play for adults, the impact of play on one's communication, and many more!

We all have our own views of our lives and how our “story” is told. But, have you ever hoped to tell part of your story differently? Have you ever wished to view your life story as more happy, more sad, more truthful? In this episode, Oleg chats with Chris Burns and discusses the segments of their lives that they wish they could view with a different lens. Whether it be positive or negative, there are some snippets of our life story that we wish we could see in a new and different way. In doing this, we are able to sit back and reflect on what we share with the world and how we speak to ourselves about our own story. Listen to see how reframing your story can change how you see yourself and how you portray that to others.

How is this serving me? How do you know when a relationship no longer serves you? How do you release what no longer serves you? Tune in, as David and I, dive deep into letting go of things that no longer serve you, what services looks like in one's life and many more!

Without human connection, society itself could not exist. In fact, without relationships, we might not be human at all. And so, some would say, strong relationships are among the most important things a person can experience. Can gratitude help initiate, maintain and strengthen one's relationships? Why is gratitude important in a relationship? In what way can gratitude be beneficial for a relationship? 👉 Consider supporting our cause, so we can continue sharing these courageous and inspiring conversations at: https://lnkd.in/e95neyy *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on our website.
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email or website
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

In the darkness of grief, few words can feel as inappropriate as “gratitude.” But in grief - just perhaps - is hashtag#gratitude actually the most important emotion of all? What are some psychological effects of gratitude? What is the connection between grieving and gratitude? What is the best thing to say to someone who is #grieving? Join us (S. Scott Mason, Casey Berman, Oleg Lougheed) at “Survive to Thrive: Attitude of Gratitude” on March 28th, 11:15 AM CST, as we explore what happens when one doesn’t grieve, ways to look for lessons within the hardships, gratitude as a healing tool, and many other related to topics.

What is your personal leadership philosophy? What are your core values? How do you connect your values with your big goals? Tune in, as Lindsay and Oleg, discuss ways to develop daily habits to achieve goals, how to manage commitments, and many more.

Imagine yourself as a child, in a dark basement ... hand outstretched, before a palm reader, ready to tell your fortune. Would you believe her? None of us truly knows our future. But without a belief in its existence - an existence full of meaning - almost no one can have hope. And, after everything humanity has endured over the last year, many of us have learned that a life without hope is no life at all. Or have we? Is #hope​ really needed to live? If so, what are we hopeful for? What is it like to be someone who rejects hope, embracing nihilism instead? Can such a person feel #gratitude​? And can such a person ever feel #resilient​? This Sunday at 11:15 AM CST, Overcoming Odds proudly presents its most profound set of conversations yet. Founder and CEO Oleg Lougheed, Board Chair Scott Mason, and founding Board member Casey Berman fulfill Overcoming Odds' mission of sharing #stories​ and opening up compelling #conversations​ by facilitating an honest discussion on some of the most fundamental questions of our time. In an era of shifting perspectives, an unfathomable past, and uncertain futures, your #voice​ is needed more than ever. We invite you to join the discussion.

What does it mean to live a life of purpose? How do you live everyday with purpose or intention? Tune in, as David Hennessey The WONDER Technique and I, dive deep into ways to make life meaningful, what life looks like without a purpose, whether or not purpose is needed for a fulfilling life, and other relevant topics.

What is the meaning of the events one experiences throughout life? What is the purpose within hardships? Tune in, as Oleg and Elon, dive deep into the meaning and purpose of life, reasons for hardships in life, and many more.

What is the relationship between gratitude, resilience and one’s well‐being? How can gratitude help one enhance resilience and increase inner strength? Tune in, as S. Scott Mason, Casey Berman, and Oleg Lougheed, discuss the physical, psychological and social benefits of gratitude, ways to remain grateful during challenging times, and many more.

What has being a #father helped you see differently? Are you afraid of not being liked by your #children? If so, why? What’s the most important thing you hope you teach your #child? Tune in, as Mark Guay and Oleg, dive deep into life lessons from fatherhood, ways to teach values to children, and many more.

What does true #equality mean? Is equality a moral #value? What does equal #opportunity mean? Tune in, as Caleb Pearson and Oleg Lougheed, dive deep into equality as a moral value, equality as a right, equality as ensuring that every individual has an equal opportunity.

What does it mean to #serve​ others? Why is serving others #important​? What do you #learn​ from serving others? Tune in, as Jerald Spohn and Oleg, dive deep into how to use your knowledge to serve others, what service looks like for you, and many more.

Each and every one of us has a story that makes up who we are. But have you ever wanted to change your story? In this episode, 🧨Nate Peo and Oleg Lougheed sit and chat about how we can change our narratives whilst not changing the heart of who we are as people. This can be a difficult road to manage, but these two try to clear the way to a path of rediscovery. The way we tell our story shapes who we are and the changing of that story doesn’t have to change our core part that makes who we are. Listen now to discover how to keep yourself intact while also changing your narrative.

Each person has a narrative. But have you ever thought about changing a part of that story? Tune in to hear what Lachelle Adkins wishes she could change and how these changes can impact her life. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on our website.
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email or website
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today

How do you embrace change? What causes fear of change? Are changes and challenges necessary in life? Tune in, as Oleg and Casey, discuss why some people resist change, how change can be positive, different ways to accept change, and many more. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on our website.
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email or website
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

In life, it is easy to always be looking forward. What’s the next step? The next goal? The next achievement? Why is that? In this episode, Thomas Lahnthaler and Oleg talk a lot about why we are always striving to move on to the next level and the “next big thing.” Is this the healthy way to look? What about the “Now” that we are missing, usually filled with the goals that our past selves were looking forward to. Should we take more time to live in the present moment or is this striving the best way to be living? Listen now to hear the conversation and see what comes next. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on our website.
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email or website
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

The birth of a baby can be one of the greatest gifts one can give as a human. Or is it? What is important to you when deciding to bring a child into this world? In this episode, Oleg and Daniela Galdi discuss the pros and the cons of bringing a child into the world in 2021. There are so many factors to consider and we all have to face these choices and consequences every day of what others decide to do with their offspring or lack thereof. Weighing on some heavy material and going through what it means today to be a parent, the two try to navigate some of the toughest questions on our minds today. Listen to hear the reasoning and rationale brought up about child-rearing in the modern age. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on our website.
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email or website
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

What drives a person in life? What are the dangers of being too ambitious or driven? Can being too driven or ambitious drive you away from people and into isolation? How do you project your drive onto others? Tune in, as Joshua Koerpel and Oleg, dive deep into the dangers of being too driven, “drive” as a skill or characteristic, and many more. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on our website.
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email or website
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

In life, there are so many pieces and parts, people and places and experiences that create who we are as individuals. This is so important to recognize and analyze as well as to be grateful for. In this episode, Joe Bogdan sits with Oleg to talk about their past and their history and find the beauty that lies in each connecting puzzle piece that created the people we see in front of us today. No matter how good or bad, all the things that we have gone through have shaped the way we behave and carry ourselves from day to day and that is worth taking some time to reflect on and appreciate. Join the discussion and see how being thankful for everything you have gone through can make you appreciate life more effortlessly. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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What do you regret the most in your life? What do you do when you have regrets? How do you let go of the past? Tune in, as Oleg and Benita discuss why letting go of the past is so difficult, why one may have regrets, how to manage regrets in life, and many more! *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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What does it mean for a person to be in denial? What are the signs of denial? Tune in, as Laura and Oleg, dive deep into what being in denial means, signs of denial, what denial looks like in grief, and many more. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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What is authentic leadership? Who is an example of an authentic leader in your life? Are authentic leaders born or made? Tune in, as Oleg and Jess, dive deep into what authentic leadership looks like, ways to accept responsibilities as a leader, signs that you’re a natural born leader, and so many others. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Have you ever caught yourself looking at someone and having something immediately nasty to say or think? Why is that? Why is gossip so easy for us? In this episode, we explore, with Oleg and Paul Newell, why it is so easy for judgement to come. As humans, it seems like we are prone to this string of comparisons and criticisms. The two sit down and try to uncover what lies beneath the surface of these judgements and why we are so quick to be prejudiced and not as quick to kind words. Listen to better understand the inner workings of the human brain and why we, with our very complex workings, still resort to something like judgment on our fellow humans. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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How do you show caring for others? What does it mean to care for others? How do you express care? Tune in, as David and Oleg, dive deep into what caring looks like, ways to express it, and many more.

As children, we are given strengths and weaknesses to assess where we stand and how we can improve. Some of the things that are considered weaknesses then can be used and utilized in new and better ways, proving them less to be weak and more of a gift. This week, Oleg and Steve Gamlin sit and talk about their earliest stages of life, the way they viewed their weaknesses and how they have transformed their weaknesses into gifts as they aged to create a marketable skill that is now useful in their careers and in their life. LIsten and see what may be considered your weakest areas, but actually are your strongest points. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Childhood can be difficult. There are many things that can happen to a child in their developmental stages that are not easy.  Are these experiences something that can be seen as a practice run for events to come or are these events something that will allow a child to become a victim of their circumstance? In this episode, Oleg sits down with Scott Mason to talk about the complexities of childhood and how these factors affect the following teen and adult life. The experience that children go through can be viewed in so many different ways and these two want to show how perspective can change the effects. The pros and cons of a testing ground mindset versus a victim mindset will show the importance of the early stages of human life to be able to move forward.  Listen now to better understand the way that a slight change in view can make a big difference in your life. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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How do you show courage? How do you describe courage? Tune in, as Maria Oleg, dive deep into what makes a courageous person, why one needs courage, and many more. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This week's episode features, Tildet Varon. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This week's episode features, L. Scott Ferguson. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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All of us have a story to tell. But, how can one use this story to the benefit of others? How can one make sure it reaches the right people and successfully achieves what one hopes it has the power to? In this episode, Oleg sits down with Chris Reavis and they dig into the idea of how to spread the story within us all. They discuss how to share your story and the different ways that you can frame what you have to say in the most helpful way possible. We all have the power to help and serve. Listen to see how you can be an inspiration to make a difference. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Community, defined as: a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. How do you create a #community? How do you gather like minded individuals into a cohesive #group? How can you establish your #goals and work together to get them on their feet? Tune in, as Brian G. Bachand and Oleg Lougheed discuss what it means to create a community and how to organize this community to make it as impactful as possible. Come find out how to find your people and how your people can find you. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
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This week's episode features, Jeffrey Harry. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This week's episode features, Christopher Burns. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This week's episode features, Scott Mason. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This week's episode features, Nancy John. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This week's episode features, Thomas Lahnthaler. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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In this episode, we explore the “Power of Language” with Edward ‘Bodey’ Bodenheimer III. Oleg and Edward discuss the phrase “the problem is you” and the negative phrasing of our everyday vernacular, as well as the impact that it has. They also talk about the importance of perspective and the goal striving to be a more understanding person. “What can I work on?” and other tough questions deepen the conversation with answers that might not be easy, but help us all to be better people. Edward also brings attention to “The Five Voices” and how they work with and for and against us all the time. Listen to better understand how our words impact each other and how we can improve our language and relationships with ourselves and others. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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In this episode, we talk with Benita Conde about the topic “How To Know What is True.” What does it mean for a certain thing to be true? Benita Conde, (founder of Create Radical Love), sheds a light on what she believes is the real and full definition of truth. Using this in many facets of the word, she explores how truth affects the view she has of herself and how she faces the world each day.  Expanding on how our truths create beliefs and “limiting beliefs” that can box all of us in. She also explores what the essence of human-ness and uniqueness is, what every person is equipped with and how that shapes us all as individuals. Reflecting on the importance of meditation and acceptance, there is a power within us all to live the lives we see and learn every day. Listen here to shatter expectations and explore your own truths within yourself. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This week’s episode digs deeper into the ways that watching movies changes the way we see life and ourselves, with Lauren Ammon. How do you view movies? How does this time in the cinematic experience affect how we see what we watch? Movies and television shows may have a specific message but we can all absorb it in different ways. Lauren and Oleg talk about how age and experience change the connection to certain films and how it develops the metaphors and analogies that lie beneath the surface. The film/ TV watching time can be so much more as we get older or at a certain time in your life. Listen to the conversation to see how something that is a part of everyday life can change and develop into something much more meaningful than ever imagined. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This episode uncovers and explores the ways to talk to sponsors and monetize your events, the best ways to get your name out there with Lachelle Adkins. Do you know how to get money to start your business? Ways to get the word out about yourself and the things you are passionate about? Most people don’t know how to even get started. Lachelle speaks with Oleg about the best and most successful ways to be able to get your feet on the ground and establish your business or even just yourself. Using their own personal experiences, what has worked and what hasn’t, the two try to give advice on how to raise awareness on the things they care about and how you can, too. Listen to be work on how to grow your business and monetize what makes you excited in life. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This week's episode features, Michael F. Schein. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This week's episode features Mark Robbins, Director at CompHealth. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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The Unknown can be very scary.  This episode covers the legitimacy and the reality of the fear of the Unknown with Emily Melious.  The two go into deep conversation about the struggle with not knowing about the future, in our own lives or in general. This fear can strike us all in different ways. Emily and Oleg speak about their own personal struggles with facing the world without knowing what was to come.  Listen now to uncover the realities of what you don’t know and how to cope with those fears. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Nobody really has the answer on how to be an adult, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be a complicated journey. Instead, we can find the humor in it and learn to enjoy our experiences. In this episode, Eli Lebowicz talks his journey of adulthood and his comedy career, and how the two correlate with each other in his experience. Rather than wondering what it means to be an adult, since it is different for everyone, he describes the role comedy has in his life and how his adulthood has contributed to his material. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Authenticity is a trait that we should all strive to have in our character, but are there boundaries to be drawn when being authentic and vulnerable? Annie Leib takes this episode to ponder this possibility. Discussing topics such as how to define authenticity in today’s society, learning the value of self-worth, and being of service to others, Leib describes how to be authentic while still maintaining boundaries that make you comfortable and project your true self. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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It’s something everyone strives for throughout their lives: finding your purpose. What is the right way to go about finding our purpose and how do we know when we’ve found it? This episode features Kathleen in a discussion over those very questions.  Kathleen touches on topics such as mortality, alternative therapies, and living life truthfully to provide an answer on how to find your purpose. While it may not be a simple journey, living life honestly and finding a space to tell your own story may help guide you down the right path toward discovering your true purpose in life. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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What is the connection between people and profit in the workplace, and why do some companies choose to prioritize one over the other? Due to the pandemic, we may be seeing the true sides of organizations who choose profit over their people. In this episode, Christopher Lin discusses how the pandemic has affected companies’ mindsets, the importances of people and profit, and what makes for a great leader while keeping those aspects in mind. In allowing others to rise up and choosing to focus on your people, an organization can create successful leaders and progress. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Everyone’s parenting experience is unique, but there are similar thoughts and feelings that every mother and father has in their journeys. As an adoptee and mother of adopted children, Michelle Madrid-Branch takes this episode to discuss her experience as a mother and what it has taught her. With deep conversations about creating space to communicate with your children, allowing adoptees to be heard, and giving freedom to and embracing your children, Madrid-Branch provides advice for parents of adopted children as well as any parents needing insights on their individual journeys of raising and loving a child. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Being a leader requires several qualities that display team-building and managing. In today’s workplace, being a leader means knowing how to lead not just your team but also yourself. In this episode, Brian Rollo discusses what it takes to be a leader such as knowing how to have tough conversations, being aware of your dynamic over the rest of your team, and recognizing that you have to lead yourself before others. With all these in mind, Rolle describes how to have a positive flow in the work environment and be a leader that your team will follow. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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How can we as a society build a more inclusive culture? With the various interpretations of culture, diversity, and inclusion, coming to a consensus on making everyone included may seem simpler than it actually is; when in reality, it requires effort to make a change. This episode features a discussion with Joe Motes on the issue of creating a more inclusive society and understanding how you can help. Through describing topics such as each person’s responsibility to be better, recognizing privilege and using it for growth, and wanting to understand and fix things, Motes creates a conversation on how understanding culture can create true inclusion. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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People all over the world of all ages may battle cancer in their lives, and talking about it may not be very easy for everyone. Since each person’s experience is so different, it’s difficult to know how to support someone fighting cancer and how to react as the one doing the fighting. In this episode, cancer survivors and co-founders of the organization Cancer Cartel discuss their experiences with cancer, how they accepted help from their support systems, and the value in their hardships. Through sharing their stories of overcoming cancer and creating their organization to help others, their experiences create a conversation on cancer that may help others in trying times.

Conversations on mental health have become more widespread in recent years, and with everyone social distancing due to COVID-19, becoming aware of your mental health has never been more important. This episode features Karen Sullins providing her stance on accommodating people in need of support with their mental states as an experienced clinician. Approaching topics such as the stigma on mental health, successful counseling and guidance, and counseling during the pandemic, she opens a discussion that may reframe views on mental health and therapy. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Every relationship has its own nature to it, and the different levels of our relationships are tied to how we interact with the people close to us. What we may never ask ourselves though is what makes these different relationships so unique? In this episode, Al Condeluci describes the various elements of relationships and what makes them so strong. With topics such as the three rings of relationships, the necessities to make them grow, and how they can help yourself grow, he opens your eyes to the aspects of relationships that make them so special. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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We may not like being uncomfortable with certain aspects of our life, or having other people feel uncomfortable about them, but at some point, we have to realize that we can find comfort amongst this uncomfort. This concept especially applies to parenting, as Jess Shuraleff discusses in this episode. Jess Shuraleff covers topics such as being a model for your children, dealing with other people’s judgment, and what to do when you’re feeling unprepared or like a bad parent. In becoming comfortable with the uncomfortableness in parenthood, you can feel much more content with your own journey as well as your child’s. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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What is the meaning of, “life”? One could argue that it is a journey filled with moments where one has to be determined, show up with intention, grit and resilience, over and over again. At the same time, we can only plan and anticipate a small portion, given how much of life’s journey is unplanned, “still to be determined”, unwritten. Although the journey may be filled with determination and intention, another argument could be that at the same exact time life can be filled with uncertainty and happens by chance, and unplanned. Unplanned moments, both great and catastrophic. Great moments where we meet people and connect on all levels, travel and are enriched unexpectedly. And then there are catastrophic events like 9/11. Tune in, as Navid and I dive deep into how to find meaning in both, and how your newly developed perspective can lead to a rich story of lived experiences.

The biofield is the energy that surrounds every living thing, including humans, and powers everything in your body. The experiences you have and how you process them can influence your energy, so it is important to know how to communicate with your biofield. This episode features Hilarie Mae in a discussion about processing your energy and your emotions, recognizing and accepting positivity and negativity, and reframing your views on “negative” energy. In order to maintain a balance in your biofield, you have to understand what may be affecting it and what kind of impact your experiences and emotions truly have.

Mental health is a subject that many have touched upon, yet there is still so much to be discussed. With managing triggers and emotions, one can try to get a better hold on their mental state and be more in touch with it. In this episode, Bryan Forsythe discusses his experiences with autism and depression and what he has learned from them. Describing topics such as triggers and anchors for depression, how he gets in touch with emotions, and how he relates to others, his experience details one person’s account of their mental health and may help others who can relate to it. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Asking “why” evokes an energy in us that reveals our desire to know, yet it can also be holding us back from really allowing ourselves to explore opportunities without worrying about certain answers. This episode features Billy Atwell as he discusses how the question “why” influences our journeys and our mindsets, and how we sometimes need to stop asking the question in order to let go. While the desire to seek knowledge may be natural, waiting for the answer to why can be withholding to your potential.

At some point in each of our lives, we must come to terms with our morality and understand our place in this world. This also means that we must take advantage of every day since we don’t know how many we have left. In this episode, Bobbie LaPorte touches on topics such as the desire to serve others, being productive, and focusing on living in the moment. In allowing yourself to think on these points, you can open up your mind and be able to see the possible opportunities that await you in your journey.

Nature is all around us, giving off energy that we encounter every day of our lives, and yet a lot of us are not connected with it in the ways we should. In this episode, Thomas Rosenberg discusses why connecting with nature is so important for our character. Rosenberg describes the connections to ourselves that we receive through connection to nature as well as the connection to a large energy within the universe. Through observation and fascination of different aspects of nature, we can discover things about ourselves, where we came from, and what we are a part of as well as relate that to our history.

Every one of us is alike on the inside. Often times, what links us is the compassion we feel for each other and our stories, and how we can relate past the surface level. In this episode, David J. Flood discusses the impact we can have on each other, feeling compassion for one another, and the importance of sharing our stories. As Flood describes it, although everyone’s story is different, what we gain from those stories and how they move us can be very similar, and it is that feeling that connects each and every one of us.

Ageism may not always be recognized when compared to other types of prejudices, but it is still something people face today. In order to break from the stereotypes of ageism, it is important to respect the phase each person is in their life. In this episode, Paul Long discusses topics such as acknowledging where you are in life, the negative views of getting older, and why it is important to shed those views and be the person you want to be. With ideals such as embracing change and contemplating what comes next in your life, Long explains that you cannot hold yourself back, no matter what age you are.

What do your values mean to you? We all have set values and beliefs that we choose to live our lives by, but are we really aligning ourselves to these concepts in the ways that we say we are? Dr. Summer Watson takes this episode to ponder this question as well as cover realigning yourself with your beliefs, figuring out how to understand your values and be true to them, and overcome any beliefs that may be limiting you from being your true self. With these mindsets, she encourages listeners to find out what they really want to live by and maintain those values throughout their journey.

While COVID-19 has brought on all sorts of changes that nobody could have expected, some of these changes may be for the better. Since we are having to adapt to a new world, we are also discovering new ways to build our social and economic systems. In this episode, Martin Cowart describes the awakening of our creative genius, the importance of changing our beliefs and evaluating spiritual truths, and how to discover the power within ourselves. Cowart details the new personal opportunities we have due to the pandemic and how we can use these to our advantage to build and evolve humanity.

People may have different ideas on how they define diversity and inclusion, but the common idea between them is that people of different backgrounds are able to come together and feel like they belong. This episode features Joseph Nwoye discussing how to recognize problems concerning diversity and inclusion, how to promote these concepts, and why talking about them in 2020 is so different than it has been in the past. He also describes how every individual has their own role in contributing to these mindsets, and they are all able to make changes to the diversity and inclusion in society.

Taking up certain activities can change our outlook on life. In Martin’s case, that activity was boxing, and in his words, it changed his life in ways he never expected. Martin takes this episode to discuss topics such as making time for yourself, facing fear, and recognizing the value of your life. Boxing gave him a way to join a community and handle daily obstacles such as stress and fear, and finding sports or hobbies that give you that kind of output as well can help reframe your mindsets on simple aspects of life.

What will it take to shift the context in which we address sexual assault from victim/perpetrator to personal accountability and responsibility? Conversations on sexual assault and harassment can be difficult to properly have, but it is necessary in order to understand people’s experiences and how they can battle them. Michelle Gay takes this episode to discuss how to recognize certain signals in conversations prior to an attack and avoid domination. She also discusses topics such as parts of life we don’t understand or take for granted and having control on our lives.

Who you are is the best person you could possibly be. In owning your identity and embracing it no matter what anyone may think, you can truly be happy with the person that you are and that you will continue to be. This episode features Stephon Mendoza discussing how to embrace who you are by adopting mindsets such as being grateful for past experiences, stripping yourself of negativity, and having conversations surrounding your story. With all this in mind, you can develop a language to share your story and identity with others in order to form a community free of social constructs.

2020 has brought on severe changes many of us never expected to face, and it may seem overwhelming to try and adapt to these changes. However, adjusting to change does not have to be a complicated process. In this episode, Alexis Haselberger discusses how to adapt to things you can’t control, how you can control your actions and reactions, and the changes that COVID-19 has brought on businesses and how to navigate them. Rather than feeling overwhelmed because situations are out of your control, focus instead on what you can control and what you can do with that. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Compassion is a trait that is not necessarily inscribed in us from the beginning, but something we gain by listening to others and truly feeling for them. Through listening to others’ experiences to understand them rather than trying to fix them, we can create special bonds. This episode features Matthew Solomon as he discusses communication, compassion, and how they relate to life skills we need to function. With these topics in mind, we can create effective ways to properly connect and communicate with each other. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Some people may not be so eager to fully express the emotions they are feeling. While it may take a while to fully understand our emotions, being in touch with our feelings as well as those of others can help us in our journey of self-development. Jordanna Eyre takes this episode to talk about being in touch with ourselves and the invisible systems that operate in our lives. Though some may be skeptical to accept the forces they cannot see, the systems that influence our paths can be used to our benefit if we truly understand and accept them. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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We sometimes struggle to ask others for help, possibly because we feel insecure or fear judgment, but asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Making requests and clarifying what you really want can help you progress and learn to value and believe in yourself. In this episode, Paul Newell describes subjects such as how to deal with rejection, express what you really want, and embrace yourself - all related to the big picture of being able to “ask.” The importance of asking can be overlooked, and Newell finds ways to show others how to appreciate asking questions to both themselves and others. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Diversity is something all companies, as well as everyone in society, need to educate themselves on. Gender is just one aspect that many feel is not understood enough, and the conversation about gender is one that is necessary in order to promote inclusion. Celia Sandya touches on the difference between gender and sex, the importance of recognizing someone’s gender, and making sure everyone of different diversities feels included in a company. In having this conversation about gender, anyone listening can feel more educated and use this knowledge to make anyone they encounter feel included and respected. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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There are many ways to go about our lives, and we may have different opinions on to what extent we have control over it and what we can do about it. Ultimately, though, it is up to us to mold how we view certain experiences and mindsets. In this episode, Casey Berman describes the energy you can connect to through networking and being in the moment, dealing with the fear of the unknown, and projecting your meaning onto the world. He also believes that the only control we have over our lives is the freedom of choice, and the reactions we choose determine how we continue on. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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There is an inner work within all of us that has the capacity to influence our outer work. We just have to look deeper into the big picture of the world as well as the individual experiences of others in order to unlock it. This episode features Amit Raikar discussing topics such as empathy and compassion, facing shifts in your life, and how your inner work can help you be able to handle discomfort. He also relates these topics to events the world is facing today and how we can try to understand them better. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Adoption is complicated, and the life of the adoptee can be one faced with many obstacles. This is why it is necessary to find peace with your story and your identity, so that the difficulties you face do not define your journey. In this episode, Michelle touches on topics such as the importance of claiming your identity and your truth as an adoptee, the relationships between adopted families, and understanding the language of adoption. With all of these factors in mind, you can be able to open yourself up to your experiences and your identity, and how you want to view each of them. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Incivility is on the rise, specifically in the workplace, whether everyone may realize it or not, so what can we do to get people to acknowledge it and end it? Sejal Thakkar discusses how to recognize acts of incivility, what to do if you witness such behavior, and how to understand what behavior is acceptable. By educating ourselves on incivility, we can help create a more respectful and welcoming work environment for everyone, and we can also use this knowledge outside of the workplace. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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We are faced with many different possibilities in life, many of which we may not always be aware of, and it is up to us to decide what we do with each of them and what they will mean for us. In this episode, Shamila Gopalan talks questioning why you and others make certain decisions, what opportunities can come from anything, and how all this impacts your life. Since we all live in possibility, we are given many different ways we can carry on our journey, and facing these different paths can bring us to something great. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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We all feel motivated when we get hired at a new job, and we work hard to make sure that we get that job, but how do we keep that same work ethic going past the first day? This episode features Scott Mason and focuses on topics such as creating a good work environment, knowing how to assess positive and negative feedback, and building relationships with people. All of these points culminate to provide an answer on instilling motivation in ourselves as well as coworkers in order to maintain that fire during your entire time at a job. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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We encounter multiple obstacles and successes on our individual journeys to fulfilling our dreams, and each of these interactions can have an influence on our overall purpose and character. In this episode, Lauren LoGrasso discusses dealing with criticism to build your self-worth, knowing how experiences and people impact your life, and the multiple dreams you may find while pursuing your original dream. She believes those dreams may be even more powerful than your intention, and what you do with your work, the people you encounter, and your own confidence can help you succeed in those dreams.

Conversations about race may be uncomfortable, but that just makes them even more necessary to discuss. In acknowledging different experiences of racism, you can understand the importance of fighting it. This episode features Nancy John discussing educating yourself on different people of color’s experiences, realizing your own bias and taking action against it, and being aware of the language you use in conversations. She explains the meaning of understanding things on a personal level and challenging the lens you see things through in order to create change. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Networking is an essential process to make connections and gain support from a variety of people, and patience is a necessary tool to have when creating your network. Steve Blanchard takes this episode to talk about having an open mind when making connections, understanding other people and the impact we make on one another, and why patience is needed in business and networking. During this time of a pandemic, now more than ever is patience needed in order to create a healthy environment and mindset and to maintain a support network. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Adversities are parts of our life that we can’t avoid, but we can find ways to work through them and grow from them. Whether they are something that we can control or not, they do not necessarily have to define us. In this episode, LeRon Barton discusses his passion for inspiring people, the importance of determination, and how factors like race and disabilities influence how you go about facing adversities. Barton describes how putting in real effort and having the will for victory can help you overcome whatever obstacle stands in your way. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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We are shaped by all the different influences we encounter in life, and we never know what kind of impact any person can have on us and what we can have on them. However, we do have the ability to mold and influence our own future. In this episode, Ron Mitchell discusses how to be an “architect for change,” learn from experiences and ask questions, and welcome adversity in order to be changed by it. From the adversities we face and the people we meet, we are both influenced and motivated to move forward and in turn have an influence on somebody else. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Some may find it difficult or uncomfortable to talk about race, but why does it seem this way? While it may come down to understanding the history or developing a common language to use, having conversations about race should be something we are not afraid of. In this episode, April discusses the internalized conceptions we have about race, where they come from, and what we can do to alter or reframe them. Although we may not believe in the conceptions that have been passed down from generations, they are still ingrained in us, and it is up to us to educate ourselves in order to deviate from them. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Competition is all around us, and we learn about it from a very early age. Although there are negative connotations surrounding competition and conflict, Sejar Thakkar argues that a little conflict can actually be very productive. Competition can be healthy or divisive, and understanding the difference can mean understanding how to progress in both a competitive and a collaborative environment. Thakkar describes how competition can challenge you to do better and move forward - especially within an organization - but also how collaboration can promote a higher morale and diversity and inclusion. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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As the Black Lives Matter movement progresses, we may wonder how to educate ourselves on this topic or figure out ways to address it. While there are those trying to think of ways they can get involved, there may be others who don’t feel they know enough to develop an opinion. In this episode, LaChelle discusses creating a dialogue to talk about our different experiences, knowing people’s agendas before you join a movement, and seeing people based on their character. With all of these ideas in mind, we can have enlightened conversations about people’s lives based on different variables and make a change in the world. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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It may be difficult to find a way to talk about certain topics without feeling uncomfortable, but it is necessary to still have that conversation in order to learn and grow from it. With current movements in the world such as Black Lives Matter, now more than ever is important to have these conversations. In this episode, Quentin discusses what he’s learned from his relationship with his father, communicating about topics amongst people of different diversities, and making a space to have these emotional conversations. By establishing a dialogue for these conversations, we can have interactions that can benefit one another to grow. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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How do we know what the ultimate version of ourselves is, and how do we get there? In pursuing the journey of becoming a better version of us, we must be able to recognize what that means and how our values can impact that view. Jessi takes this episode to discuss topics such as why she calls herself a “work in progress,” challenging yourself in order to grow from failure, and realizing how to understand yourself and recognize opportunity. All of these points contribute to describe ways in which we can be comfortable in our skin and live our lives the way we want to. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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There is potential in every one of us. All we have to do is find a way to unlock that potential and use it to embrace the greatest expression of ourselves. Brian Kelly takes this episode to discuss how to unleash the human greatness within us all. In reframing his mindsets on topics such as vulnerability, he was able to focus more on his purpose and how he could move forward in such a way to create a better impact for himself and others. By shifting one’s focus like he did, he encourages others to open their minds and help one another along their own journeys. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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We are not always aware of the effects that our emotions can have. While we may prefer to be in an environment, internal or external, that we can control, we never know the impact that we may end up having on ourselves or others. In this episode, Joshua discusses why some people - specifically men - struggle to express their emotions, how repressing emotions can influence who we are, and how experiences shape how we express these emotions. Since we are constantly changing, we must be aware of the change our emotions go through and how to handle them in order to not get caught up in a moment. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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During this difficult and confusing time of reopening the country, you may feel overwhelmed or disconnected from the rest of the world, but it is important to maintain control of your life and make sure that you are being heard. In this episode, Susan Ganz talks what makes a leader, being a part of a community, and being aware of what’s happening. Now maybe more than ever is a necessary time for a community, and Ganz describes the importance of having a space to feel connected and appreciated. In satisfying people’s needs for certainty and connection, having this inclusion can make us feel secure and visible amidst conditions that are out of our control. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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How can we experience the most joy we can in life? Jessica discusses ways in which she has altered her mindset in order to pursue joy even in the little things and how she wants to help others have more joy in their lives as well. The way we choose to react to things can have a huge impact on the direction our lives go, and Jessica explains how these choices can help us find the assets in our suffering and learn how to get through difficult times without having to suffer. In finding the bright spots to pursue, we can turn our dark times into more meaningful experiences to grow from. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Conversations are our chance to really get to know people, but they also give us a chance to learn more about ourselves. In joining conversations without having preconceived assumptions, we are given a space to really explore and develop connections. In this episode, Mel McSherry discusses why being open-minded when coming into conversations can help us really learn more about others and ourselves. Going beyond surface level questions and focusing on things like titles, we are able to really dive deep into people’s minds as well as our own souls with a multi-level conversation. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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It’s something we’re constantly doing without even thinking about it: breathing. Although we may not realize it, being aware of our breathwork can help relax our nervous system and our state of mind, and Mark Guay describes ways in which we can control it in order to achieve this state of being. Guay goes into detail on various types of breathwork that can help us with anxiety, clearing our minds, and getting a good control of our emotions. Through methodic breathing and meditation, we can learn ways to help with our focus, and a unique way of breathing can even cause us to gain a new perspective on things happening in our lives.

This week's conversation features Zander Phelps. Back in 2010 while doing experimental facescaping, Zander came across the "half 'n half" which lead into a fit of self-laughter. Driven by the desire to spread warm fuzziness, he was prompted to wear his newly acquired style into Hanalei Town. Walking around inspired others to join in the merriment thus changing their day and potentially their lives. Recognizing that this simple jester could change so much so easily, Zander agreed to continue to display his facial art. He made a deal with himself, the day that he went out in public and did not receive the good vibes, he would shave it clean. So far, it has held up its end of the deal and promoted jollification everywhere. Opening up many doors, the face-do lets people know that Zander does not take himself too seriously.

We may not understand the significance of a simple word we use every day of our lives: “hello.” It’s a word that initiates communication, acknowledges a person, and can make someone’s day in the easiest way. In this episode, Teresa Quinlan discusses the importance of our words, the different ways in which we say “hello,” and the meanings behind them. While it may be an unspoken expression some of us take for granted, it is a word that carries so much power and can affect us in ways we didn’t even realize before. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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All we have is now, and we have to appreciate that no matter the circumstance. Anisa Goshi, who has been through several transition points in life and had to find ways to overcome them, speaks on ways in which she has learned to get through dark times and come out ahead from them. In this episode, Goshi covers topics such as moving from Albania to Switzerland to London, taking chances on people after going through lonely times, and thinking through things in a resourceful manner. In persevering through difficult times, she began to find comfort in not always knowing what may come next and came to appreciate the dreams she keeps in the back of her mind, encouraging others to take the same approach and not fear going through crises.

Developing trust may be one of the most difficult things to face, but it is possible when you know what to look out for both in yourself and others. For Austin McCulloh, founder of Austin McCulloh Advising, trust comes from faith, respect, and communication, and with all that comes more fulfilling connections and manifestations of the life you truly want. In changing the trajectory his life was going in, McCulloh developed methods of accomplishing goals and building trust. To maintain genuine trust starts with watching how a person’s words align with their actions, and from there it grows based on good communication. Some of McCulloh’s suggestions include not taking anything personally or making assumptions since it may not be clear what’s going on in the other person’s life, and your own intentions should be clarified in order to prevent any misunderstandings. With open communication and respect for yourself and for each other, trusting relationships can flourish. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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In her career and in life, Daniela Galdi has had many people take a chance on her. Knowing that there are people out there who will help and that it’s okay to ask for help, she has succeeded in her goals and in developing beneficial connections, and she values taking chances on others as much as she can. Believing that there is no limit in the amount of chances people deserve, she allows people the time to explain what they’re going through so that she can understand and provide the help they need. She encourages others to take chances on people whenever possible, as long as they maintain their self-awareness and realize that taking chances can take time, but sticking to that chance and letting the relationship play out can lead to wonderful results. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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The assumptions and expectations we develop over time can shape our identities and our perspectives of the world. This is why we must find a way to handle our assumptions so that they don’t become expectations. In this episode, Thomas Lahnthaler talks ways in which we can deal with our assumptions of ourselves, others, and the world so that they don’t lead to disappointment. Discussing how to test our assumptions to prevent them from turning into expectations, Lahnthaler explains that these expectations can be limiting because they restrict our perspectives as well as other people’s perspectives of us. In breaking away from these assumptions, we also break from the categories they try to confine us in and keep them from developing expectations we cannot meet. In handling life with these ideals, we are encouraged to change assumptions, defy expectations, and maintain our identities.

During these difficult times, it is easy to feel overwhelmed or have negative thoughts invade your mind. However, in this episode, Toni Milo Vaughn describes how we can control our individual attitudes even in a larger situation that is out of our control. With all the different information and perspectives being spread about the coronavirus, Vaughn discusses that we must be able to filter what people say based on if they speak objectively or out of fear, and we have to move past the fear that creeps up on us in order to maintain a positive energy. In conserving our energy to control our feelings rather than what’s not in our control, we can maintain a positive point of view and overcome this situation. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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We often go about our lives trying to follow the “C” word: our compass. However, it may not always be clear which direction we are meant to pursue. In this episode, Nancy John, founder of Seed Leadership, discusses the values that help her operate and undergo the process of digging down deep to find her purpose, and in that hopes that others can find help following their compass as well. Faith plays a large part in giving her guidance through life, in that the idea of service and figuring out how she can uniquely position herself to serve others is one aspect she likes to base her actions on. Through focusing on the present rather than the possibilities of the future, she encourages us to see how their unique gifts fit into their big picture, and in that way we can figure out where we’re going in a way that still allows room for experience and enables us to follow our own compass. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This week’s episode features, J.S. Park. J.S. Park is a hospital chaplain, a chaplain for the homeless, former atheist/agnostic, sixth degree black belt, suicide survivor, Korean-American, and loves Jesus. J.S. is a future author with Moody Publishers. The book is titled The Voices We Carry: Finding Your One True Voice in a World of Clamor and Noise. J.S. currently serves at a 1000+ bed hospital, one of the top-ranked in the nation, and as a chaplain for Metropolitan Ministries, one of the largest nonprofit charities for the homeless on the east coast. Some duties of a hospital chaplain: grief counseling, attending every death and Code Blue, help with end-of-life decision-making, notifying family members of loved ones in the ER, and advocating for patients and families in crisis. Some duties of a chaplain for the homeless: trauma-informed care, grief support, church wound recovery, faith-based programs for low income families, and staff care for coworkers. J.S. completed four units of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) at Tampa General Hospital, which includes a six month internship and a year long residency. This is an accredited program with a cap of five chaplain residents per year. In 2012, J.S. gave away half his salary to fight human trafficking, a check for $10,000.Matching contributions raised another $10k.[Part of this story was in Eugene Cho’s book Overrated (pp. 164-165), and his blog here.] J.S. has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of South Florida and a M.Div from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.He likes Cuban food, cold brew, tomato juice, and old black and white noir movies. He has a German shepherd named Rosco, and is overly fond of C.S. Lewis. He has two toenails growing out of one toe. Really. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This week’s episode features, Rob Sullivan. Here’s his story: “Rob Sullivan has been a repeat guest on NBC 5 Chicago because he has the ability to transform a 3-minute segment into an inspiring experience for viewers. Any producer looking to motivate, inform, and entertain the audience should have Rob Sullivan as a guest. He’s charismatic, passionate, and he genuinely cares about helping people.”--Matt Piacente, Executive Producer, NBC 5 Chicago As an inspirational speaker and trainer, I have given workshops for companies (Merrill Lynch, McDonald's, Motorola, Great Lakes REIT, etc.), schools (Northwestern University, University of Virginia, University of Michigan, DePaul University, Northern Arizona University, etc.), trade associations, and other groups in the U.S. and abroad. Professional speaking and training. Topics include listening, sales, charisma/energy, storytelling (related to sales and business development), coaching, and presentation skills. The listening workshop is the newest addition and one that can easily be customized for any industry. In addition to the training, which I love, I spend a lot of time doing ride-along coaching with salespeople and sales managers. With managers, I provide feedback based on meeting and team coaching observation. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This week’s episode features, Michael Brody Waite. Here’s his story: As an addict, I spent every waking hour doing whatever it took to stay high, including stealing from my friends and family. Anything that didn’t lead to a buzz was a buzzkill. Anything that didn’t feed my addiction was the enemy. I had to figure out how to turn every interaction and opportunity into a chance to get what I wanted. Along the way, I had to lie every minute of every day to the people around me about what I was doing and who I’d become. —and I lied a lot. I lied about having a problem. I lied about stealing from my friends. I lied about having my drug use under control. I lied about my grades, my work, my relationships, and anything else that could have given me away. All my energy was focused on trying to look put together on the outside while I knew I was falling apart inside. I was doing the opposite of being true to myself. I was wearing a mask… *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This week's episode features, Sarah McVanel. Recognition expert, Sarah McVanel is passionate about guiding each of us to re-discover our own greatness, and recognize the greatness in others.  She personifies Greatness Magnified! Allow Sarah to unleash the power of F.R.O.G. Forever Recognize Others' Greatness™. An experienced and dynamic speaker and coach, Sarah McVanel provides experiences customized to every organization. She offers the business evidence to back up how recognizing greatness in ourselves and others is key to sustained business success through improved morale, increased top talent retention, and generating a positive corporate culture.   Once we rediscover that understanding of our own greatness, we can use it to recognize that greatness all around us and improve ourselves, our workplace and the organization’s bottom line! Sarah has put her psychology undergrad and MSc in family therapy/dynamics to good use and has excelled the field of Organizational Development, Training and Communications for over 15 years.  She is a lifelong learner and continues to educate herself so she can better serve her clients. Sarah offers individuals, teams and organizations insights and practical strategies to move: from dysfunctional to cooperative, from divided to united, from inefficient to productive, and from disengaged to contributor Her book "Forever Recognize Others Greatness: Solution Focused Strategies to Satisfied Staff, High Performing Teams and Healthy Bottom Lines" and other practical tools leave audiences with the process and insights needed to take action and make a positive difference. When we find our potential again, our enthusiasm for what we do, we can begin to implement effective growth strategies for ourselves, our employees, and our workplace. Sarah McVanel has inspired, challenged, and focused her audiences, leaving them with a powerful new understanding of their work, their colleagues and their lives! Join them and invite Sarah to help you and your employees discover your greatness and how to use that knowledge to benefit yourselves and your organization! *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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This week’s episode features, Christopher R. Delaney, High Performance Intentional Leadership Coach, Founder, Intentional Connector. “I help clients create relationships full of passion, businesses full of purpose, and a powerful presence.” Chris knows what it takes to relentlessly pursue purpose in the wake of life changing events. At the age of 21, Chris lost his mom, his only parent, to a 20+ year battle with Stage IV breast cancer in 2007. As a result, he spent most of his 20s focusing on strategies to combat PTSD and failing his way forward. By 30, Chris had led teams of up to 250+ in the corporate world for Fortune 500s and was an award winning leader, but found no heart in the pursuit. Chris started from absolute zero in 2016 after a divorce and became a six figure insurance producer and built a sales organization that spanned across the US within 2 years. He’s spoken across the US on turning tragedy into triumph, has produced 100s of hours of live content on mindset and high performance behaviors, and now focuses on 1:1 work with men of vision and impact looking to combine material success with inner peace and passion. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
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This week's episode features, Scott Mason. Here's his story: I am a growth-focused and passionate motivational and keynote speaker, entrepreneur, executive, and attorney who brings a unique wealth of life, business, and professional experience to inspire young people and leaders of every age to be their best, succeed against the odds, develop mental fortitude, and rise to their fullest potential. Colleagues have described my speeches as high-energy, thought-provoking, and captivating. As a leadership mentor, I am good at listening, committed to giving my all, and benefitting from a truly diverse professional background. The spirit of entrepreneurialism, truly powerful communication skills, and a history of organizational leadership in private, non-profit, and public sector roles are backed up by measurable results. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
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This week's episode features, Isabel Hundt. Here's her story: As a young girl, I remember telling my parents that sometimes I’d feel as if I can leave my body and experience the world from a bird’s eye perspective. Sometimes I’d feel crazy for feeling other people’s pain and sometimes I had visions that not many took seriously – maybe not even myself. I experienced the world and everything in it in incredible colors. This is the emotional world of a child that is highly intuitive and over time forgets that any of those gifts ever existed, as it happens with so many of us. We lose the ability to tune in with ourselves on a deep level to experience guidance and direction to living a purposeful and fulfilling life and therefore our calling. My name is Isabel Hundt and today, I am known as the “The Leader’s Heart Decoder” and Founder of the #ISeeUMovement which is focused on shattering cultural barriers and engaging in cultural transformation globally through emotional awareness. I am a successful Inspirational speaker, sociologist, a certified Transformation Coach who works with Highly Sensitive Visionaries and World Changers aka Empath-Warriors™, published Author of my book The Power of Faith-Driven Success – A Journey toward Living Your Dream by 30 (www.faithdrivensuccess.com), 2x Amazon Best Selling Co-Author and Emotions Clearing Practitioner. Throughout my journey of re-discovering who I truly am and what God has called me to bring to this world, I learned what it means: - to live by faith and operate from a place of trust and surrendering - to step into my own inner power and to live fully - to use my gifts to serve others yet have a strong and firm relationship within myself and therefore with the Divine who guides and leads me - to BE me no matter my circumstances - to embrace life - to work through depressive phases (emotional overstimulation) successfully - to be and live life as an Empath-Warrior™ and World Visionary - to access my intuition and yet protect me from over-stimulation and toxins that are being thrown at me from a broken world - to live a purpose-driven instead of a profit- and attention-driven life - to accept and use my empathic gift confidently - to be persistent and succeed Today, I combine the knowledge of Sociology, Psychology and Neuroscience with aspects of Emotional Intelligence. I have successfully coached and educated individuals from all over the world on finding their unique superpower and speak at universities and conferences throughout the country where I share my inspiring and thought-provoking message on various topics. My passion is to support especially young adults (and young-at-heart adults) create, live and transform their lives by understanding the scientific and spiritual connections between their heart and brain and by discovering their unique and magical gifts hidden within. I teach tools to protect themselves emotionally and energetically and to be able to set the foundation to feel guided from within and to hear the whisper of their Soul no matter their circumstances. My journey is unique, just like yours, yet we all have one thing in common: We are intuitive, spiritual human beings who can change the world to the better by understanding our emotions and learning how to use whatever we feel effective to move forward empowered, to experience success and to live the dream God has put on our hearts since the time each one of us was born. But the most important about my life is that I am a proud and devoted Christ follower, community leader, wife, and mother to our son, Jonah. Oh, and my magic power is that I can read your heart. Everything your heart is communicating with your outside world, my brain translates into color, also known as a neurological condition called synesthesia, and each color has a specific meaning which I can translate into a unique message for you. No worries, I don’t do it unless asked but it sure is magical.

This week's episode features, Antonio T. Smith. Antonio T. Smith, Jr., is recognized as 101 Top Global Training and Developmental Minds by the World HRD Congress, a Forbes Coaches Council Member, a Celebrity Business Advisor who has delivered over 2000 keynotes at events such as the University of Houston, University of Wisconsin, Wiley College, which you can listen to on his podcast. Antonio is an internationally recognized trainer and speaker, and best-selling author in self-help and religious categories. He specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Business and Strength Training, Leadership, Teleconference Presentations, Personal Breakthroughs, Prosperity Consciousness, Mindset Training, and all levels of effective marketing, as well as scholarship in the Old Testament and Jewish Covenants, and he owns one of the most successful technology companies in Texas. He holds a bachelor’s in Christianity and a Master’s in Theological Studies. Antonio is a best-selling author and a popular podcast host, with a show that reaches 70 countries and 60 different languages. Antonio T. Smith, Jr. has been coaching people around the world on personal transformation for the last 9 years and reaches over hundreds of thousands of listeners across the globe. Antonio overcame abandonment, homelessness and brokenness, Antonio had to learn at age six how to use his mind to climb out of sleeping in a dumpster. He would spend his entire childhood homeless, was adopted when he was 14, and aged out of CPS custody at 18 years old. This Galveston, TX native has been through more in his 30+ years than most will ever experience. He has developed a "plant better” attitude, in which he teaches people to plant better seeds in order to have a better life, and has developed coaching tools, programs, courses and books designed to help the world succeed. Today he is a certified Les Brown Partner, a world renowned public speaker, and leadership coach. ### #leadership #overcomingodds #whatinspiresme #business #story #socialnetworking #courage #courage #findingmyself #findingmyroots #findingmypurpose #findingmyvoice #overcomingobstacles #overcomingadversity #overcomingdepression #overcominganxiety #tellingmystory #meaningoflife #fostercare #immigrant #refugee #adoption #mentalhealth #LGBTQ #homeless #addiction #narrativetherapy #positiveaffirmations #positivepsychology #positiveadjectives #positivewords #reframing #storytelling #believeinyourself #courageous

This week's episode features Jared Schuster. Here's his story: I strive to align myself with companies and small businesses who are committed to the positive growth of our world. If you, or your organizations' purpose is to spread light, I would love to connect. I have extensively travelled the world learning about many different cultures and ancient religions. I aim to be a steward of what I have learned, incorporate them into my daily life, and share those teachings with those whom I come in contact with. Ama La Vida Reach me on: LinkedIn Message Phone: 224.392.1063 Email: Jaredschuster1@gmail.com ### #leadership #overcomingodds #whatinspiresme #business #story #socialnetworking #courage #courage #findingmyself #findingmyroots #findingmypurpose #findingmyvoice #overcomingobstacles #overcomingadversity #overcomingdepression #overcominganxiety #tellingmystory #meaningoflife #fostercare #immigrant #refugee #adoption #mentalhealth #LGBTQ #homeless #addiction #narrativetherapy #positiveaffirmations #positivepsychology #positiveadjectives #positivewords #reframing #storytelling #believeinyourself #courageous

This week's episode features, Joe Scola. Here's his story: It’s possible for your greatest challenges in life to become the ultimate catalyst for personal evolution. Wise Ape Tea was birthed from one of those challenges. In 2014 my father was diagnosed with GBM brain cancer. I placed everything in my life on pause to move back home, stand by my father’s side, and help him fight. The disease moved quickly, transitioning my role to become his caretaker. We shared pain, laughter, and some beautiful moments together. I became obsessed with the potential of alternative and complementary treatments, along with the formulation of teas and herbal blends to help provide a better quality of life for my father. It was during this time the spirit of Wise Ape was born. My father passed in 2015, leaving me with beautiful memories, years of wisdom, and a new life mission. Our purpose at Wise Ape is to serve and inspire wellness, knowledge, and altruism. Our products are designed to inspire healthy living and through our nonprofit partnerships, support some incredibly impactful causes. Wise Ape has come to represent the balance between strength and wisdom, body and mind, with a goal of empowering others to reach towards their human potential and improve themselves, continuously. I appreciate you joining us on this journey, welcome to the tribe. ### #leadership #overcomingodds #whatinspiresme #business #story #socialnetworking #courage #courage #findingmyself #findingmyroots #findingmypurpose #findingmyvoice #overcomingobstacles #overcomingadversity #overcomingdepression #overcominganxiety #tellingmystory #meaningoflife #fostercare #immigrant #refugee #adoption #mentalhealth #LGBTQ #homeless #addiction #narrativetherapy #positiveaffirmations #positivepsychology #positiveadjectives #positivewords #reframing #storytelling #believeinyourself #courageous

This week’s conversation features, Lisa Olson. Lisa David Olson is a speaker, creative coach and author of the memoir Laughs on Wry, in which she shares how humor saved her life after an abusive childhood. Her serious-toned message reveals the power of humor to heal and connect. A writer and performer of sketch comedy, parody songs, and improvisation for decades, Lisa’s energetic style and determination always leaves joy in her wake. Included in her first book is Lisa’s project in bravery, Serious Selfies with Strangers, that provided unexpected and genuine connections with people she would never have met otherwise. Invite Lisa to speak for your work group or project team to share her lessons from over 20 years onstage; challenging convention and expectations to unravel embedded ways of thinking. ### #leadership #overcomingodds #whatinspiresme #business #story #socialnetworking #courage #courage #findingmyself #findingmyroots #findingmypurpose #findingmyvoice #overcomingobstacles #overcomingadversity #overcomingdepression #overcominganxiety #tellingmystory #meaningoflife #fostercare #immigrant #refugee #adoption #mentalhealth #LGBTQ #homeless #addiction #narrativetherapy #positiveaffirmations #positivepsychology #positiveadjectives #positivewords #reframing #storytelling #believeinyourself #courageous

This week’s episode features, Ilyse Craft. Here’s her story: If you are anything like me, you know you are meant to do something more, yet the path to getting there is just not clear. You may spend what feels like a ridiculous amount of time jumping from task to task, never actually moving forward in your business and not making much or consistent money. And worst of all, you may be getting discouraged. This idea that there is a time when you are “ready” is really a fallacy. There is only that time - and that is when you decide. I wasn’t ready. I had just had Enough. Enough of that feeling that life was passing me by. Enough of my own excuses. Enough  of watching other people making it while I still sat struggling. Ever feel sick and tired of being sick and tired? If this describes you, then we are going to get along great. ### #leadership #overcomingodds #whatinspiresme #business #story #socialnetworking #courage #courage #findingmyself #findingmyroots #findingmypurpose #findingmyvoice #overcomingobstacles #overcomingadversity #overcomingdepression #overcominganxiety #tellingmystory #meaningoflife #fostercare #immigrant #refugee #adoption #mentalhealth #LGBTQ #homeless #addiction #narrativetherapy #positiveaffirmations #positivepsychology #positiveadjectives #positivewords #reframing #storytelling #believeinyourself #courageous

This week's episode features, Dr. Richard Shuster. Here's his story: I don’t really talk about myself on the show but here’s why I do what I do and what led me down this path. After college, I worked in the technology sector for many years. In my last role in this field, I served as an Executive Director for an Information Technology consulting firm where I provided solutions for such clients as the United States Army, state agencies, and Fortune 500 companies. It was everything I wanted or so I thought. I healed and went back to work although things were never the same. Things had shifted for me dramatically and I found myself very much unfulfilled in my role and was extremely unhappy. I wanted to do more. I wanted to be more. Wishing to make a more meaningful contribution to society (but not knowing how), I resigned my position to seek more altruistic work. Utilizing the knowledge and experience I gained while working in Information Technology I began collaborating with law enforcement agencies to help promote community-wide Internet safety. I began speaking publicly on this subject and helped school districts draft their internet safety policies for their students. In the process, I obtained my Master’s Degree in Social Work. I was privileged to work with at-risk students in both K through 12 and university settings. I was on my path and continued my graduate education seeking a doctorate in clinical psychology. During my training, I was fortunate enough to gain experience seeing patients at the Emory School of Medicine and I trained in an inpatient forensic hospital. I completed a residency in neuropsychology where I worked with patients from the Cleveland Clinic and assessed NFL players as part of the league’s concussion protocol. I also have extensive experience working with physically and sexually abused children. When I’m not in the studio recording new episodes of The Daily Helping podcast, I’m working on promoting my non-profit Every Kid Rocks which helps children everywhere reach their true potential. I’m so grateful that I get to spend my days helping others. That’s me. ### #leadership #overcomingodds #whatinspiresme #business #story #socialnetworking #courage #courage #findingmyself #findingmyroots #findingmypurpose #findingmyvoice #overcomingobstacles #overcomingadversity #overcomingdepression #overcominganxiety #tellingmystory #meaningoflife #fostercare #immigrant #refugee #adoption #mentalhealth #LGBTQ #homeless #addiction #narrativetherapy #positiveaffirmations #positivepsychology #positiveadjectives #positivewords #reframing #storytelling #believeinyourself #courageous

This week’s conversation features, Chantel Soumis. Piercing through the noise of today’s society is a challenge, but Chantel Soumis is living proof that it can be done! With clarity, consistency, and above all, a knowledgeable coach, anything is possible—just ask the “bubbly and blessed” voice of the differently-abled community from a tiny town in the midwest who has made global headlines. As a top LinkedIn Creator with over 30,000 organic followers in just one year, Chantel has the insider secrets and a history of marketing experience to help others achieve a strong digital reputation. In 2018, Chantel launched Stardust Creative LLC, a brand agency focused on embracing differences through personal and corporate branding. She’s had the pleasure of speaking at international conferences across the globe and working with teams at Fortune 500 organizations in terms of mastering digital reputations for executives and building inclusive environments for leadership teams. ### #leadership #overcomingodds #whatinspiresme #business #story #socialnetworking #courage #courage #findingmyself #findingmyroots #findingmypurpose #findingmyvoice #overcomingobstacles #overcomingadversity #overcomingdepression #overcominganxiety #tellingmystory #meaningoflife #fostercare #immigrant #refugee #adoption #mentalhealth #LGBTQ #homeless #addiction #narrativetherapy #positiveaffirmations #positivepsychology #positiveadjectives #positivewords #reframing #storytelling #believeinyourself #courageous

The people we surround ourselves with can have a huge impact on our lives. In building our own personal networks, we open ourselves up to new opportunities we may not even be aware of yet and develop a valuable asset that can never be taken away from us. In this episode, Nate Peo discusses the importance of having real personal connections in our network. In putting ourselves out there more and delving outside of comfort zones, we can develop diverse connections that broaden our worldviews and create positive outcomes. Continually building these relationships and thinking of ways to serve others will benefit us in the long run because we never know who will play what part in our lives.

This week's conversation features, Alvin Law. “Change The Label” is both Alvin’s Signature Keynote and his lifelong pursuit. No surprise it’s also the title of an incredible Goalcast Video about Alvin that’s surpassed 30,000,000 views on Facebook alone. Alvin Law is a world class, Canadian Hall of Fame speaker who simply redefines the word "Can't"​! He has been making his impression on over 7,500 companies, associations and schools since 1981 and has spoken to over 2,000,000 people. He is a best selling author, exceptional musician, professional broadcaster and has had a direct role in raising nearly $200,000,000 for charity. Oh, and he was born without arms. Alvin has coined the phrase..."First impressions count, the lasting impression is everything!"​ You see when people first see Alvin, they can't help but notice his "condition"​. He was born without arms due to the infamous morning sickness medication, "Thalidomide"​ and he was quickly written off. Yet his story turned out completely opposite and Alvin credits the amazing power of positive attitude as the key. But not just his. Alvin was raised by elderly foster parents who made him see a different future and attended public schools in an era when that rarely happened. A band director taught him trombone and he also learned to play drums and piano. He is the example so many companies and associations are searching for to take their organizations to levels that seem impossible. After working with Alvin, you and your group will be inspired to see "Possibilities" instead of obstacles. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

We are more than our struggles, and as Grant Parr puts it in this episode, reminding ourselves of who we are despite the labels people try to put upon us helps us achieve a much more positive energy. After getting an injury that caused him to stop playing football, Parr faced many struggles concerning his identity and the new direction his life was going in. Although at first he just wanted to be the old him again, he realized that he would now get to design the new him, and viewing this part of life with the feeling of “I get to” instead of “I have to” helped him to rise above the occasion. With the mindset of being and staying in the now, he has developed a light energy that he wants to share with others.

It can be easy for us to question if all the struggles, setbacks, and hardships we experience as well as the effort we put into getting over them is all going to be worth it in the long run. In this episode, Nelson Toriano discusses what it’s like experiencing hard times and knowing that everything was going to end up alright. In his personal journey which includes filing for bankruptcy, Toriano soon realized that he was not alone in this struggle and that although everyone was in a different situation, there were others with similar issues as him. All it took was the one moment were someone told him that “he can” for him to see the light in his situation and know that it was all worth it.

After being torn down and told by multiple people that she wasn’t good enough to succeed, Mila DeChant decided to flip the narrative and reclaim her own identity. Taking back her voice from the people who tried to keep her down, she realized the importance of having support and wants to preach to others that lifting each other up is a meaningful and worthwhile feeling that doesn’t cost a thing. Knowing what it’s like to face adversity without an ally, DeChant encourages others to focus on life with an extended lens and consider what other people are going through, because often times everyone is experiencing something important that can resonate with someone else. Going through life with the mindset that whoever crosses your path can impact your character in some way or another, she wants to show everyone that there is no reason to “dim anyone’s light” nor have your own light dimmed, and that even the smallest act of kindness can lift someone up.

While it may seem comfortable to settle into a certain routine in life, there is always that question of wondering what comes next? What is the next step that we can take in our journeys? It was this question that led Omar Pinto to take on a new direction in his life that brought growth and success. After experiencing numerous struggles throughout life, including alcohol and drug addiction, Pinto began the long process of recovery and became 10 years sober, at which point he asked himself, “What’s next?” Inspired by listening to various podcasts, he decided to start his own to help others on the road recovery. His story encourages others to ask themselves what could be next in their lives because you never know how close you could be to launching something with just one decision.

This week's conversation features Laura Staley. Inspiring people to thrive in the places they live and work is her purpose and passion. She helps people transform the quality of their lives. Let Go Courageously and Live with Love: Transform Your Life with Feng Shui released July 2016. She helps people make the connection between the condition of the spaces they live and work and the quality of their lives. She gently encourages people to let go of all that does not align with their dreams and aspirations. She invites people to live and work with beloved belongings and quality people in comfort and safety. She founded Cherish Your World in 2004 after a flood of a finished basement and the realization that she could live with belongings she loves and not hand-me-down stuff she didn't even like. She trained and was certified with the Western School of Feng Shui in February 2004. She's inspired by the opportunity to help clients make conscious choices about furniture arrangement, the optimal placement of beloved treasures to create comfort, safety, and flow.

This week's episode features Che Brown is a globally renowned giant in the sales world. He has cracked the once elusive code of entrepreneurial success with a game-changing model that unlocks unlimited financial potential, power and wealth. In just six short years, he has dominated the sales space, coaching thousands of rising business leaders to achieve exponential growth and success in their industries, to the tune of over $400 million and counting. His acclaimed 7-Figure Sales Team concept has forever erased the outdated notion that generating revenue in business is a sole-source game – instead illustrating it is indeed a team sport. Che lives, breathes and sleeps his craft. He has his fingers on the pulse of profit generation and an instinctual insight into why the heart of a flailing business has stopped.  Most importantly, he can resuscitate the flow of revenue in any company with just a whiteboard and a conversation.  Che is the Host of the #1 Business Development and Late Night Show In The Country: The Happy Entrepreneur Show. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Identity: You're more than your past circumstances On Purpose: Why do you do what you do? On Restart: "Today is my January 1st ..." On Setbacks: Setback is a setup for a comeback

This week's conversation features Julia Arndt, a certified life and business coach, trainer and speaker living in Tahoe City, California. She loves helping people understand the effects of stress on body and mind, move beyond burnout and build a mindful lifestyle that delivers focus, high energy and productivity. Julia worked in high-demanding account management and program management roles at Google for seven years until she was diagnosed with anxiety and depression, a result of her lifestyle of constantly striving for and delivering high-performance while commuting to her home and family in Tahoe on a weekly basis. Combining her business background, her unique journey in reaching mindfulness and her passion to inspire and motivate people, Julia has become a masterful coach that has helped professionals in high-pressure environments to rethink their lifestyle and bring long-lasting transformations. She is also the host of the podcast "Stressed - Deliver your Stress Resilience". EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Beliefs: What are your limiting beliefs? On Stress: Recognize when you're experiencing a stressful situation On Gratitude: Learn to be grateful for all of the events On Life: What do you really want? *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

This week’s conversation features Reena Friedman Watts. She connects people with CHANGEMAKERS and makes their stories worth telling, among many other roles. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Growth: Understand your strengths and weaknesses On Curiosity: What are you curious about in life? On Perseverance: Don’t ever give up On Gratitude: What are you grateful for? *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

This week’s conversation features, Adam Posner, a Power Connector, a Marketing Recruiter & Host of #ThePozCast.He identifies opportunities, synergies and connects the dots. That is what he does best. He has built a strong reputation by always putting his clients and candidates first. He leads with empathy as he puts candidates in the best possible position to succeed. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Strengths: Double down on your strengths, not weaknesses On Success: It is a journey, not a destination On Dark Days: We all have them On Tribe: Connect with people who will support you no matter what *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

This week's conversation features Jiggy Yoon. She believes in people. She believes in high performance, executing goals, and living out our best potential with self-awareness and practical strategies. She believes in the power of vulnerability and in holding space for empathy and compassion, so that we can create a beautiful, authentic experience of human connection. She believes in community, and that we are all brought together to help each other and to make this big world feel smaller and cozier. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
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This week's conversation features Akshay Kumar. A tech fanatic, who loves to find solutions to day to day problems as well as improve existing solutions. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Help: "If you can help someone, just help them" On Work: "Nothing in the world is handed down to you ..." On Self: What have you learned about yourself? On Gratitude: Who or what are you grateful for? *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

This week's conversation features Steve Sullivan. Personal Story: To become the man that I am, I believe all things work together for my good. Whether dealing with difficulties like overcoming Leukemia after a prognosis of <5% or achieving a high leadership role as a Chief Information Security Officer, all these events have served as learning opportunities for my growth. Mission: To transform leadership and company culture through teaching leaders how to use stories for more effective communications Values: My driving values are Faith and Service. I believe in the ability of others to succeed, and I work to do what I can to help them succeed as a partner seeking their best interest. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Adversity: "I heard the words that no one wants to hear..." On Purpose: Look within On Words: Words are powerful, choose wisely On Story: What is a story that you're telling yourself?

This week's conversation features Dr. Kristie Overstreet. As a psychotherapist, clinical sexologist, speaker, and author, she helps people create the life they deserve within their personal and professional lives. As a real-world relationship expert, she provides proven strategies through self-change that improve every relationship. The Fix Yourself First with Dr. Kristie podcast, helps people focus on self-change versus waiting on others to change. I am the author of Fix Yourself First: 25 tips to stop ruining your relationships and Fix Yourself First: 4 weeks to improve your relationship as a couple. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Failure: "I am grateful for failing ..." On Normalize: Everybody is human On Self: Be the best that you can be On Change: Embrace change *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

This week's episode features Andrea Sanchez. Versatile leader and solutions provider driven to impact organizational culture, communications and stakeholder experiences. Highly adaptable professional who has worked closely with C-levels, customers, Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, schools, consultants and cross-functional teams in strategic and tactical project implementations. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Story: Take ownership of the story you want to live On Self: Be you On Environment: Surround yourself with people who will support you no matter what the circumstances may be On Identity: How do you view yourself?

This week's features Derek Garcia. After serving in the U.S. Navy and building a corporate career, he 'jumped ship' to start his own business. He used the discipline and dedication learned in the Navy and the business acumen developed in the corporate world to build his own business under his own terms. Fulfilling his dreams through helping others achieve theirs, as well as having a legacy to leave to his family, drives everything he does! EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Transition: Life is a journey On Entrepreneurship: Don't start a business just to make money On Service: Why do you choose to serve others? On Gratitude: Who or what are you grateful?

Teresa is a Builder by nature; trailblazing in order to achieve the desired outcome toward evolution. Emotional Intelligence is a remarkable foundation toward organizational, group, and individual success. It is the basis for 3 key features: 1. Optimum performance leveraging talents and IQ 2. Well-being and happiness eloquently managing stress and change 3. Social and emotional functioning capitalizing on the power of relationships Companies call her when they want to: Transform their culture and solve the biggest HR problems: attracting and retaining top talent, employee engagement, leadership development, and adaptability to change. Improve team dynamics by dismantling behaviours that are derailing their success and strengthen interpersonal relationships leading to strong collaboration, innovation in problem solving, creativity, and team agility to change. Identify and develop future leaders for succession planning; allowing individuals to step into leadership roles primed for success. Individuals call on her when they want to: Grow self-awareness and self-management skills that enable a greater knowing of their strengths and weaknesses, optimizing their talents to live their strongest and most successful life. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Network: Quality over quantity On Self: Who are you? On Trauma: Process it in ways that you need to On Gratitude: Who or what are you grateful for today?

Picture this. (It’s not hard to do.) You’re stressed out at work. You can’t elude it. So much so, you take it home. Sometimes it affects your outside life to the point that you don't seem to have one! It can get so bad you don’t sleep. Every morning it begins again...and don’t get me started about Sunday nights! You’re stressed out. It sucks. The worst part? There seems to be no way out… Suspend your disbelief. This is Shelley Brown. She did it. She got out. She spent 25 years in the hospitality industry, climbing the ladder and making great money, all while stress slowly consumed her. Then, after a particularly difficult time, she decided it was enough. So she learned how to address her stress. Then, she became better at her job AND her life. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Thoughts: "We are much more than our thoughts" On Blame: Stop blaming others On Pain: There are many layers to pain On Present: Live in the moment

This week's conversation features Daniel Galdi. Daniela is a high-energy powerhouse. Her ambition is endless and her extensive resume is proof of that with areas of expertise in the entertainment industry, entrepreneurship, health & fitness and media production. Daniela is not only a go-getter with remarkable drive, passion and discipline towards her endeavors but also offers encouragement and empathy towards others in theirs. Parallel to her optimistic attitude, you'll catch her smiling...a lot. Her career is a reflection of who she is and what she loves to do -- entertain, create, and encourage others to follow their passions. She has a genuine enthusiasm for supporting people and sharing their stories and ideas. Outside of her career, spending time with family & friends is a priority in her busy schedule. She loves to workout, experiment with new recipes, attend women empowerment and motivational conferences and meet 1:1 with new friends. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Success: It's a process not a destination On Healing: Allow yourself time to heal On Dialogue: Listen to your inner voice On Impact: Focus on those surrounding you

This week's conversation features Rod Deptford, founder of EQ4 Media, where he brings 20+ years of expertise in broadcasting, marketing, communications and coaching, to help professionals become online video communicators. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Life: "I can choose to see things from a different perspective ..." On Past: "My past is a series of learning experiences ..." On Challenges: Embrace them as they come On Change: Learn to navigate through change

This week's conversation features Doug Petit, retired professional Manager engaged in Public Speaking to teens and their parents about the perils of underage drinking. Collaborating with like minded individuals and entities focused on providing positive alternatives to underage drinking and drugs. Just passed the 1 year mark with Positive Alternatives Podcast - "Together We're Better". EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Past: "Why did it take something like this to happen to me, to make me a better guy?" On Leadership: Respect. Responsibility. Reward On Drugs: Understand the impact On Decisions: Take ownership of your decisions

"We can bring in people to teach our team new skills, but when their spirits are burned out...we hire Steve!" That was the comment a speaking client recently shared in a conversation. What does Steve deliver: Back-to-basics positivity and engagement, delivered with enough (appropriate) humor to keep the audience listening and learning. Are you looking for a speaker who has created success (from the ashes of defeat) in his own life and business, who can share his journey as a 'real' person, communicating the steps in simple, actionable terms? Do you like to laugh while you learn? Steve Gamlin speaks from the critical space between personal and professional goals, knowing that true success lies in the integration of the two. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Network: How well do you know the people in your network? On Self: Own your decisions On Accomplishment: Surround yourself with people who will hold you accountable On Gratitude: What or who are you grateful for?

This week's conversation features Garry Turner, a game-changing thinker who develops strategies as to how to bring that thinking to life and implementation of the resulting solution. This has been evidenced throughout my career and more recently by leading, with support, human-centered projects such an in-house L&D project 'by the people for the people' saving £100k over 2 years vs external provision & a cultural team transformation resulting in > 40% additions in both sales and margin terms, by designing work around and unleashing the potential of people. He is also a keynote speaker on intentional human-centred working, inter-departmental partnerships and the power of vulnerability. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Vulnerability: Embrace the person that you are today On Change: Approach it with an open mind On Connection: Connect from the heart On Service: Create spaces where others are seen, heard and supported *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

This week’s conversation features Barry Farmer, a Native of Richmond, Virginia. He grew up in Kinship Care with his grandmother from ages 5-18. For the last 15 years he's been devoted to working inside and outside the classroom with youth and their families. At age 20, Barry became a foster father with a local therapeutic agency to further help youth within his community. At age 22 he adopted his oldest son. Three years later, Barry's two younger sons were placed in his home, making him a proud father of three amazing young men. With these additions to his family, he closed his home after 7 years as an active foster parent. Today, as a single father, Barry is a Spokesman for Adopt Us Kids, Foster Care Adoption Advocate for children awaiting adoption, Speaker, Mentor, Host of The Barry Farmer Morning Show on 101.1 The FAM Radio and The FosterCare & Adoption Life talk Web Series, as well as the Creator/Administrator of one of the largest online support group for Foster Care and Adoptive families. With his show, Barry enjoys connecting with various individuals from across the country, giving them a platform to share their stories and life’s work. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Identity: Own your story On Growth: “Nothing comes quick …” On Goal: Be patient with yourself On Care: Learn to love yourself

This week’s conversation features Gina Rolkowski, MA, speaker, author, survivor of sexual abuse and recovery coach for women healing from childhood abuse. She is a thought leader for the #MeToo movement and the creator of The Emptied Heartⓒ program for sexual abuse survivors. Using her treasure trove of proven actionable and achievable steps, she helps women find the freedom they deserve, so they can feel safe, worthy, loved and empowered. Many women who have experienced adverse childhood events, child or sexual abuse suffer from difficult emotions such as fear, loneliness, unworthiness, overwhelm and frustration. They desperately want to connect with someone who can truly understand, guide and support them in overcoming these painful issues, so they can feel confident, experience long-term relief from difficult emotions, find and maintain a happy life-long marriage, accelerate performance and launch career success. Outstanding lives don’t happen by accident. They happen when we become intentional about what we want. A well thought out plan with strategic guidance from a safe, competent and trustworthy mentor is necessary to create awareness, acceptance, and action for sustained growth and development. Let go of the past and embrace the power within. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Self-Worth: “I don’t need anything to be worthy” On Love: Do you love yourself? On Stories: “I am more than my trauma …” On Hope: “There is a lot of power in hearing how someone else overcame something”

This week’s conversation features Rodolfo De Angeli, speaker, podcaster, and workshop/retreat facilitator. Tune in as we dive deep into owning our decisions, looking for lessons within our adversities, ways to work through depression and anxiety, developing inner GPS, finding freedom, serving others, and many other topics. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

This week’s episode features Roman Roberts who grew up in foster care until the age of 9 when he was adopted, and moved into a family that was less than ideal. It was during that time he had experienced physical, mental, and emotional abuse. Roman then joined the US Army where he became an interrogator and deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, and travels the world. After this time he had a challenging transition, but eventually got his BA and MBA from American Military University in Business Administration, and obtained various certification. He now works helping businesses grow and prosper by placing a focus on leadership, process management, and quality. He is husband to his amazing wife Michelle who is a teacher, and is just as passionate about foster care as him, and father to a 2-year-old son Jonah who loves dinosaurs. They live in San Antonio and as a family live by the mantras of “do great things” and “how can we help”. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Self: “I am who I am, but I am constantly growing …” On Choices: Your decisions shape who you become On Being: “Who Am I? What Am I?” On Identity: “I will forever be …” *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

Tune in to this week's bonus episode with Heather Parady, as we discuss why Overcoming Odds started, the importance of storytelling in our society and the power of choice.

This week’s conversation features Ashley Williams, leading Millennial strategist, spokesperson, consultant, and global speaker for brands that want to reach Millennials. She helps brands create the right content, craft the right messages, and produce events that bring brands and Millennials together. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Purpose: “We all have one person for being here …” On Healing: What you reveal, you heal On Experiences: All experiences shape who you are today On Self: We are all who are meant to be

Tune in to this week’s conversation with Clay Smeltzer, father, husband, man, author, speaker, 7th grade math teacher, high school baseball coach, and founder of Purpose Infused Coaching. The mission of “Purpose Infused Coaching” is to help schools, administrators, teachers, and men find/enhance their purpose and to infuse that purpose into everything they do. In addition, Clay also wants to help men who are in life saying, "This isn't what it was supposed to be" define their purpose, so that they can wake up every day with excitement and the energy to live the life they were meant to live. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Shadow: “It’s all of the stuff that we put in the back of our minds …” On Anger: How can I utilize it in a beneficial way? On Motivation: What motivates you? On Struggle: “Where there is a struggle, that’s where I step into it the most”

Tune in to this week’s conversation with Heather Parady, host of The Unconventional Leaders Podcast, mastermind facilitator, and southern optimist. She’s a therapist turned online entrepreneur. Her goal is to develop the next generation of leaders who go against the grain. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Purpose: “What is our purpose for being here?” On Experiences: All experiences make up whom you are On Self: “I naturally tend to push people away …” On Community: Who makes up your tribe? *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

This week’s episode features Pamela Campbell, life coach, motivational speaker and author. Her mission in life is to support individuals who feel stuck in their current life situation and who are eager to make a change. She helps them define where they are looking to go and helps them create a new narrative for their lives so they can step into new possibilities. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Abuse: “Emotional abuse is more hurtful than the physical” On Foster Care: “Foster care saved my life” On Change: Focus on one step at a time On Past:: Don’t let your past define you

This week’s episode features Anthony Trucks, former NFL player, American Ninja Warrior, coach, consultant, author, speaker, husband, and father of 3 incredible kids. He is the founder of “Own Your Shift”, which teaches people how to to take what life throws at them and use it to accelerate their success. He has experienced over 20 life altering shifts in his life starting when he was given away to foster care at 3 years old and was thrust into a gruesome childhood. He has experienced starvation, beatings, and torture, just to name a few. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Service: Why do you choose to serve others? On Self: “You are who you are when you’re not thinking about who you are” On Being: “You are your actions” On Identity: “I don’t think we’re searching for ourselves, I think we are searching for significance”

This week’s episode features, Olga Piehler, Founder & Chief Igniter Officer (CIO) at MyWy.io. Tune in to this week’s episode as we discuss the importance of living your truth; self-awareness and how it relates to the type of choices we make in life; influential figures; and finding meaning within your daily life. As you’ll be able to tell from hearing Olga speak, she loves people. She believes we are walking miracles and as such we all possess our own special gifts. She also believes that it is our responsibility, to share those gifts with the world. That is how we repay to the universe the investment it made in our creation. It’s the Law of Economics at its core as Napoleon Hill stresses in his book Think and Grow Rich written in 1937 - “you don’t get something for nothing.” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Truth: Are you living your truth? On Choices: “The types of choices you make are modeled by your current awareness” On Influence: Who is the most influential person in your life? On Life: “Life is full of breadcrumbs … you’ll find the good ones when you’re on your path”

This week’s episode features, Jordan Gross, author of Getting Comfy, and recent graduate of Northwestern University. Tune in as we discuss the importance of creating a life you want to live; key question behind “success”; impact of our environment; and different ways to sharpen your self-awareness. Throughout the past five years, Jordan co-founded and co-contributed for a food and fitness blog called “Feast Mode”; started an Alzheimer’s Awareness group “They Forget, We Remember,” which gave him opportunities to serve as a Junior Board member for Northwestern’s Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, as well as for The Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s. He has worked with various startups including Pak’d, a healthy meal delivery kit for elementary/middle school lunches; Chowbus, a food delivery service delivering authentic Asian cuisine; and RXBAR, which was just acquired for $600 million by Kellogg’s. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Life: Learn to balance decisions that you make based on societal expectations and who you want to be On Success: What does success mean to you? On Environment: What type of impact does your environment have on you? On Sharpening Self-Awareness: Get “COMFY” (Calm, Openness, Movement, Funny, You)

Tune in to this week’s episode with Brian K Wright, host of Success Profiles Radio and publisher of Success Profiles Magazine. Over the last 6 years, Brian has interviewed world-class achievers such as Darren Hardy, Jack Canfield, and many more. With the lessons he has learned from these achievers, and through his own experience, he seeks to educate, motivate, and inspire others to become a greater version of themselves. He is the author of three books, including the newly released, "Success Profiles: Conversations With High Achievers." EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Community: Recognize who is supporting you and not On Life: Are you giving yourself something to look forward to? On Goals: Set goals in your life On Gratitude: Create a list of things that you’re thankful for *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

This week’s episode features, Colin Morgan, founder and host of The Daily Grind Podcast, where he interviews today’s most successful business owners and people, in hopes to inspire the next great entrepreneur. Tune in to our conversation as we discuss ways to reframe the obstacles in front of us; share our stories to help others heal; maintain a growth mindset; and deal with traumatic experiences. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Obstacles: “You can let them consume you … or you can decide that you’re going to use this past pain as fuel to help others” On Story: Sharing you story may not only help others, but also heal you On Growth: Growth is full of multiple layers On Abuse: It’s a cycle

This week’s episode features, Tanya Cooper, Executive Director at Foster Kids Unite Inc. Tanya’s life in foster care began at five years old due to her birth mother’s addiction and neglect, and would eventually end with her being separated from all but one of her siblings! Aging out of the foster care system at 18 with no family and place to go, Tanya signed herself back in until the age 21! While in care she survived being abused by two foster brothers. In this episode, Tanya discusses how she has been able to forgive her abusers, but not forget what took place. Being a fighter, and working against all odds, she was able to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology for two years and would eventually find herself then being sent off to Paris to model. Her mission in life is to change the lives of children by teaching youth to, "Take charge of their lives, you are your only hero!” She has over 14 years of experience working with youth as a clinician, and over 22 years as a youth counselor and teacher throughout various communities. She believes you should never stop learning and you should always be in charge of your own destiny! EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Loneliness: Does it ever go away? On Abuse: Speak up on behalf of others if you have a chance On Life: “If you are breathing, you’re meant to be here” On Traumatic Experiences: “I forgive, but I can’t forget”

I asked, “Are we all capable of being leaders?” She said, “… From what I’ve experienced, I’d have to say, ‘yes and no’ … ‘Yes’ because we definitely have the potential to be good leaders, all of us, no matter where we’re born or who our families are … or our circumstances are … we have that ability … and when I say ‘leaders’ … it has nothing to do with positions (within organizations) … or our titles … or where we are in our lives … I also say, ‘no’ because not all people have this drive to be who they exactly are and using their potential … when you have so many self-limiting beliefs that make you feel, ‘not worthy, not deserving’ … that hinders you from being the type of leader you can be …” Do you consider yourself a leader? If so, why? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Leadership: Are you aware of the role you play within your community? On Self: How well do you understand your strengths, weaknesses and gifts in this world? On Life: The answers are within you On Environment: Surround yourself with people who will support you no matter what

It was hard. She said, “I always wanted to be a mom … I remember when I was struggling to get pregnant and all of the infertility stuff … Everybody around me because I was hypersensitive to it all, was pregnant or had multiple children … I so wanted to belong to that mother group …” Have you found your tribe? What are the elements that make up your tribe? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Tribe: What are the elements that make up your tribe? On Self: Be transparent and authentic On Judgment: Don't judge others, as you don’t know the type of struggles people are going through On Adversity: There is an opportunity within every challenge

What makes you unique? She said, “… what makes me unique is the work that I’ve put in to growing my authentic self … It starts with really drilling down and growing internally, and finding the experiences that I have gone through and learning to accept them … whether they were great or not so good … But, accepting all of me … then, being able to pour that out into the world in my own unique way …” Have you fully accepted yourself for who you are today? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Self: How do you fully accept and love yourself? On Strengths & Weaknesses: “Where do you see me? What are the areas I can grow in?” On Obstacles: Own the obstacles ahead of you On Language: Use words that will empower you to move forward

It all started in his early teen years. He said, “… I was born and raised in Manila … Wonderful place … Wonderful community … Had aunts and uncles who doted on me … My parents raised us … telling me and my siblings that we can conquer the world; we can be whoever we wanted to be …” But, as years went by, Richard Tagle noticed a change in his environment. Instead of being led with the mindset of, “you can be whoever you want to be,” he noticed that he was being honed in the direction that others preferred. A series of questions started to formulate including, “When do you get to live your own life? When do you get to make decisions for yourself?” A decision had to be made, to follow the path that was being created by those surrounding him and living a life that was dictated by somebody else, or creating a life based on his own interests and preferences. Which option would you choose? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Life: Create a life based on your own interests and talents On Success: How do you define success? On Mentorship: Lead with an open mind On Story: Write your own life story

Do you find yourself seeking external validation? If so, what do you hope that person or group of people will tell you? She said, “I was seeking external validation for my accomplishments because I didn't come up in a home where it was instilled in me … It was something I was always seeking … I realized that, ‘okay, if you do well in certain areas, this is how you’ll get certain types of validation’ … I have been operating off that until I was about 33 … I hit a ceiling professionally, and then also continued to recognize this void that I had, and I realized that I had to stop, and go inward to see where this was coming from … Once I started learning who I am and the things that I like … How well do you know yourself? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Self: No one can bring what you have Values: What do you value? Self-Worth: You are enough Affirmation: I am worthy

Have you ever had to compromise your values? She said, “… When I went to school … I did compromise some of those beliefs and values, some of those traditions … it wasn’t going to serve me at the time … I didn’t want to get beat up … I didn't want to be ridiculed … In fact, many times, I just wanted to be invisible … But, it was hard to be invisible when you stuck out like a sore thumb...” If Mali’s message speaks to you, what did you do when your values were compromised? She said, “… The best thing that I could do to cope as a young person was to either fit in or try to do my very best to study real hard and not even give eye contact to my peers … Sitting on the bus, being picked on, you just look down and you just didn't say anything … You didn't want to cause problems, you didn't want to cause issues … So, the values that my parents taught me like, ‘Stand up for yourself,’ but at the same time they were also concerned and I saw that they were kind of compromising on their values because they didn’t understand the rules and the laws … So, they were like, ‘Stand up for yourself, but do it in a way that doesn’t get you in trouble because we don’t know what the laws are here…’” What are the values that you choose not to compromise on, no matter what the circumstances may be? EPISODE HIGHLIHTS: Values: Your values will shape your thoughts, actions, and beliefs Compromise: “I think most people compromise when they don’t feel safe” Uniqueness: What makes you unique? Community: Create a space for others they can call home

Have you ever been in a relationship that held you back from becoming who you wanted to become? He said, “I came to a point of my life, in my teenage year, where I realized that this relationship that I had with this religion was kind of holding me back as a person … and what I wanted to become …” How do you end relationships that no longer serve you? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Acceptance: Accept others for who they are On Family: “I found that the people I ended up calling people were people that accepted me for who I was …” On Decision-Making: Stay true to who you are On Definitions: Define how you view yourself *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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What do you do when the odds are completely against you? He said, “Just after being introduced to the drums, I was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, which is a rare form of eye cancer … It required that in order to save my life, they had to remove my right eye … So, I’ve been blind in my right eye ever since … What they did is put a removable prosthetic in the socket, and in addition to that, when the surgeon was doing the operation to remove my eye, he made a mistake, and it happens sometimes in operations like this … and he clipped a muscle in my eye lid … So, I grew up … with my lid half-closed, without eyesight in my right eye, and a lot of hospital visits …” How do you deal with adversity in life? Is it happening to you or for you? He said, “… I had no awareness of just how deep that trauma was running. But, what I did … is I found music, I found drumming, I found collectables … I can’t tell you why because I’m 5, 6, 7, 8, years old … I just know that I found them in a way that was so important to me … They were such an important escape …” What are the outlets that help escape from the pressures of life? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Outlets: What are the outlets that help escape from the pressures of daily life? On Adversity: Is it happening to you or for you? On Mentorship: Find people who will help you exceed your limitations On Gratitude: Who or what are you grateful for in your life? *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Are you aware of the stories you tell yourself? He said, “… I try to look at it from the biosocial perspective … that’s essentially, understanding where they got the narratives in the first place … So, this narrative that you currently have, is it something that you’ve always had or is it something that you’ve discovered for yourself through life experience?” When you’re faced to deal with a traumatic experience from your life, what type of story do you tell yourself? Do you look at the situation as if it happened to you or for you? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Happiness: Identify what in your life is causing you stress On Growth: “We’re a product of our environment” On Narrative: “My narrative is constantly changing” On Journey: Reflect on your progress *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Are you intentional with the choices you make in life? He said, “… The truth of the matter is we will drive right past the other side of the highway or the other side of the track … Never go anywhere close to East Austin or never go anywhere close to certain areas and pockets of Austin, or even the surrounding areas that I know are suffering … But, we’ll get on an airplane and fly all the way across the world … we’ll come back and go to our nice 500 thousand dollar home … we’ll get into our nice cars … and we’ll start our life all over again. We’ll even tell about going to Haiti, we’ll tell the story about going to Africa … and never do anything in our city to make ourselves uncomfortable …” How often do you put yourself in uncomfortable situations? He said, “The reason why we won’t do something is because it makes us uncomfortable … it makes us uncomfortable because familiarity breeds contempt … when we’re familiar with something, it makes us uncomfortable … I strive and love being uncomfortable because putting myself in uncomfortable situations allows me to grow …” Learn to be comfortable while being uncomfortable. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Belief: Find someone who will believe in you, even when you don't believe in yourself On Familiarity: Familiarity breeds contempt On Growth: Put yourself in uncomfortable situations

It was hard. She said, “… I was raised by generations who didn't air their dirty laundry … and they were raised by generations that didn't do that … So, we just didn't talk about it … we just tried to pretend it didn't happen … that conflict literally almost killed me … I needed to talk about it, I was grieving, I was suffering, but no one around me was willing to sit with me because it was too uncomfortable …” How do you deal with uncomfortable situations? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Loss: Find people who will talk to you about your loss On Grief: Learn how to expand around the grief and coexist with it On Community: Find people who will accept you for who you are On Story: Inspire others by living a story that’s true to you

Have you ever hit rock bottom in life? He said, “I got to a point where I wasn't going to be able to pay my rent … I sat down and weighed my options … I said, ‘I could try to find a job real quick, Uber or something, but realized that it wasn’t going to be enough’ … I wasn't going to go to my parents, I told myself I am not going to do that … I realized that I was in a position … where I did need help …” Who can you count on in your life no matter what the circumstances may be? He continued by saying, “I looked at my brother … and I said, ‘Brandon, I need help financially … $2,000 is the amount that I need … would you be willing to help me with that?’ … It was not easy to approach and ask for money … there is a sense of pride within myself that did not want that to happen …” Who are you grateful for in your life? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Risk-Taking: “If you’re not taking risks, what growth is happening in your life?” On Community: Invite others into your life that will help you reach your goals On Vulnerability: “It shows others that they’re not alone” On Life: Define the purpose for why you’re sharing certain aspects of your life

What are marginalized populations? He said, “ … They’re populations that for some reason or another are really on the margins of society … Often times it has to do with their … racial identity, gender, sexual orientation … that we as a society for different reasons place them on the margins … A lot of the work that I try to do is give a voice to some those experiences, so that we can better recognize some of the disparities … challenges … and some of the obstacles in discrimination or oppression that they might experience … But, also … recognize that for all of these populations given what they have to go through in terms of the challenges, the discrimination and the marginalization, they’re populations that despite all of the challenges … are populations with far more resilience … ” Are you aware of how you treat and view those around you? He continued by saying, “… My work with them has been to help normalize some of their experiences and externalize that many of the challenges that they face whether it’s youth in foster care … LGBTQ … refugee … migrant youth … are because of the actions and the intolerance of others … The more that we talk about these populations, the more that we give a voice to their experiences, the less stigma and marginalization that we’re going to see …” Do you stand up for others who cannot stand up for themselves? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Marginalized Populations: Groups excluded due to race, religion, age, gender, etc. On Advocacy: Stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves On Environment: Focus on finding ways to create accepting environments On Relationships: Meet people where they are *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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How do you navigate through the unknown in life? She said, “In most recent times this year, I was reunited with my biological father … for the very first time through a DNA test … I can’t tell you how much anxiety and how much fear was involved with that process … just the unknown and, “Is this what’s right?” … Often times the unknown can be so scary …” Uncertainty and dealing with the unknown are circumstances we all must learn how to cope with. She said, “Using prayer in my life at that time and on the daily basis helped me … be more comfortable with what was happening …” How do you deal with uncertainty? How do you deal with the unknown in your life? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Unknown: How do you deal with the unknown in your life? On “Mistakes”: It’s part of the journey On Influencers: Surround yourself with people who will help you live your best self On Truths: Stay true to who you are

Have you ever wondered what your life would be without hope? She said, “The idea that scares me the most is the idea that there is no hope … for society … for the world … for our individual selves …” Hope, a state of mind that helps some, if not most of us, get through life’s toughest moments. Hope, a state of mind that gives us a reason to believe that our lives will get better. How do you find hope when you need it the most? She said, “To me … it’s not an option to feel hopeless …” How do you stay hopeful in life? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Hope: It’s a choice On Transparency: Own in knowing who you are On Authentic Choices: Provide all possible options On Progress: Learn to reflect on your journey *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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How do you see yourself? She said, “I think when we want to belong anywhere, it’s all about being seen … Being seen for who you truly are … As an adoptee … people don’t get to see all of us because we can’t show all of us … There is part of us that is either hidden to us or unknown to us … When we’re looking at how to be seen, its an enigma to us too … When we know we feel like we can belong, it’s because we are confident in being ourselves in the company that we’re in …” Who are the people that surround you? Do they accept you for the type of person you are today? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Belonging: See yourself within other people On Community: Surround yourself with people who accept you for who you are On Self-Worth: What makes you unique? On Purpose: What is the reason for your existence?

Who or what are you grateful for? He said, “… I was at a low point of my life … A lot of things were going wrong … I was in the middle of my second divorce … I was living in a pretty bad apartment … I was working really, really hard … I really felt like I had nothing to be grateful for …” Have you experienced a similar situation to John’s in your life? If so, what did you do to reverse the situation you were in? For John Kralik, it all started with changing his environment, going for a long walk on New Year’s Day to reflect on his journey so far. He said, “I heard a voice … It was an inner voice … It told me that, ‘until I learned to be grateful for the things that I had, I wouldn’t receive all of these things that I wanted’ … When I came down the hill from the mountains that I was climbing that day, I decided to dig out some old notes and to write one thank you note a day … I almost didn't follow through … But, I did …” Who do you have to thank for helping you become the person that you are today? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Belonging: Be grateful for being alive On Life: “Why have I been chosen to stay?” On Gratitude: Who or what are you grateful for? On Life: “We have so much, yet we think we don’t”

Where do you fit in? Where do people look like you? Where do people have similar experiences, as you do? A series of questions that took Angelle Richardson on a journey with no definite timeline for when she may find answers to some or all of her questions. A series of questions that helped Angelle shape her own identity and determine the type of environment she needed to create for herself. How often do you take the time to reflect on YOUR OWN definition of belonging? Why is it important for you to belong somewhere? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Belonging: Find people that you connect with On Identity: Embrace who you are On Relationships: Understand your role On Human Qualities: What type of qualities are you looking for in people?

What are the elements that make up “belonging”? He said, “… It’s acceptance … inclusion … trust … a safe space … I think back to early childhood … I played team sports all of the time and was fortunate enough that my best friends were the people I ended up playing with … It was all about the team and how I could play a role on that team … It was all about this brotherhood … We would go to practice, but we would always in our free time play small sided games and do stuff, so there is this element of wanting to be with one another just because you enjoyed the company …” Who are the people in your life that you enjoy spending time with? Why do you enjoy spending time with them? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Community: Surround yourself with people that you enjoy spending time with On Relationships: What makes the relationships you’re currently in, special or unique? On People: Learn to value every person On Leadership: Stay curious

How do you accept CHANGE in your life? She said, “… There is change that we decide we are going to make … and there is change that we have no control over … A lot of us have a very hard time accepting this type of change because we didn't get to make the decision for it … When we’re fighting against that change, we’re creating more challenges for ourselves … The second we let go of control, our subconscious mind starts looking for solutions … ‘How do I figure out how I process this change? … What can I do? … What tools can I use?‘” When you experience change in your life, do you go into the “victim” or “solution” mode? She continued by saying, “… A lot of us tend to go into the ‘victim’ mode of, ‘why is this happening to me? I don’t get this. I don’t understand’ … If you want to create or change something in your mind, don’t tell yourself ‘I am going to try to do this.’ What happens is your subconscious mind is listening to that and it’s saying, ‘Okay, cool. I’m going to find millions of ways to TRY to do this…’ But, instead if you tell yourself, ‘I will do this’ … your subconscious mind is now looking for solutions and it’ll do everything in its power to resolve that for you …” Can you hear the sound of your own voice? Are you encouraging yourself to do the best you can or blaming yourself when things don’t go as planned? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Self-Talk: Learn to be aware of the narrative in your head On Job: Pick a job that speaks to your soul and hear On Suffering: “We don’t have to suffer so much” On Challenges: “Everything is there to inspire you and help you grow” *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Are you living a story that’s true to who you are? She said, “… In order to live a life of authenticity, it begins with who you really are … On the surface level … identity is … my name ... who I am … where I am from … what I am good at … Those things are all part of the package in identity, but what I think ends up happening often when we dissect what identity is, is we get swept into a job or a cycle of some kind, and we may be using some of our gifts and talents or we may not be, but we’re kind of stuck in the busyness of all of that … Deeper meaning of authentic identity is really who you want to become … It’s your being …” How often do you take a step back and reflect on the type of person you have become or striving to become? She continued by saying, “… I had been teaching at a school for twenty years and for a transitional time I was no longer at the school … What I realized was, teaching was what I was doing, but who I was being was an encourager … It was being a mentor to people … My life coaching business allows me to really BE that same person I was as a teacher even though I am not in those same walls again …” Are you living an authentic lifestyle? If not, what can you do today to start living one? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Voice: Use your voice as much as possible On Identity: “People of all ages need to understand who they are, so they can live the life they were meant to live” On Being: Be intentional with your roles throughout life On Environment: Learn to examine your influencers and influences

On this episode of the Overcoming Odds podcast, Oleg interviews Hilary Corna about ways to: • Develop drive • Self-reliance • Empathy • Launch and grow your public speaking career • Embrace adversity

On this episode of the Overcoming Odds podcast, Oleg interviews Pamela Cutchlow about ways to: • Work through early childhood trauma • Love yourself more • Become more persistent at what you do • Define purpose in life • Stay strong during times of adversity

On this episode of the Overcoming Odds podcast, Oleg interviews Diana Moshier about ways to: • Overcome early memories of sexual abuse • Develop self-confidence • Build empathy

It all started when she was eight years old. She said, “... When I was eight, I got to start vocal lessons with a very big, performance vocal coach who taught by a guy named Seth Riggs … who made Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder … I did my vocal coaching for 10 years … At eighteen, I moved to Nashville, ready and confident to prove what I have learned …” When did you first recognize your special talents or gifts? What are you doing with them today? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Purpose: Combine your passion with a purpose On Music: “It saved my life and it became my life” On Growth: Don’t be afraid to ask for help On Personal Development: Be yourself

What is a promise that you made to yourself as a child? She said, “ … When I was growing up, I had a youth group leader … she took me to a little restaurant called, Olga’s Kitchen. I don't even remember what she said to me, but I know she said something … that made me feel like she saw me … she didn’t understand what my story was, but she saw me and she reassured me that she loved me and I was beautiful inside and out … That there was a purpose for my life … I left that meeting with making a promise that if I made it through my teen years, I would spend the rest of my life helping other kids find their way …” What once seemed, as a simple promise, is now part of Erica’s life work, to change the world through reforming practices and policies in domestic and international adoption. What is a promise that you made that you still need to fulfill? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Wholeness & Healing: Know your story and history On Promises: What is a promise that you made that you still need to fulfill? On Environment: Focus on creating and maintaining lifelong relationships On Development: Focus on gaining valuable and meaningful experiences

For a long time, she didn't know how to use her voice. She said, “ … A lot of my story, at least right now, has to do with my identity … Coming into that and finding the agency to claim that … when we think about finding our voices, I think that’s something that everybody goes through …” Was there a time in your life when you felt that you didn’t have a voice? If so, how did you rediscover your voice? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Identity: You get to claim your identity On Criticism: Surround yourself with people who will support you On Story: Know your roots On Voice: Use your voice to be brave for others

Are you aware of the triggers that cause your stress or anxiety? She said, “… It was in my Master’s program that I became aware of my triggers … You have to be aware of what causes your stress, your pressure, and your anxiety …” Self-awareness or self-reflection, a process that is easier said than done. A process that allows us to take a step back and reflect on our life, behavior and beliefs. What do you to do to practice daily self-refection? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Identity: Fall in love with yourself On Stress: Become aware of what triggers your stress On Anxiety: Take the time to reflect On Environment: Be able to say, “No” to people who aren’t helping you grow

It all started when she was a little girl. She said, “Since I was a little girl, I always knew that I wanted to be a social worker. So, I knew that I had to do certain things in order to be able to work with people …” I was once told, “a dream written down with a definite date becomes a goal; a goal broken down into actionable steps becomes a plan; a plan supported by action becomes a reality.” For Ebony, the process was not any different [dream -> goal -> plan -> reality] She continued by saying, “ … I always knew that I wanted to work with people … I didn't know the form or the setting, but I knew that I wanted to work with teens … So, I knew regardless of the things that I was facing in foster care or the abuse that I was enduring that I had to keep pushing forward in order to see the ending light. In order to get to be where I am today to help other people …” What are you doing to put yourself closer toward achieving your dreams? What type of people are your surrounding yourself with or need to surround yourself with to help you achieve those dreams? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Story: Use your story to give back to others On Trauma: Seek support groups On Routine: Develop a routine that brings the best of you On Self-Care: Take the time to care of your mind, body and spirit

It took him years to get to this point. He said, “… The story that I was once ashamed of was the story that was helping liberate people from their own circumstances or issues they may have been ashamed of …” What are you still ashamed of when it comes to sharing your story? How are you working through it? It is by answering such questions Branden Brown was able to find his purpose in life, to help increase the quality of life of people and their families through teachings and powerful coaching experiences. Tune in to our conversation with Branden Brown, as we discuss the importance of choosing your own family, treating others the same way you want them to treat you, helping yourself before you can help others, and many others. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Family: You get to choose your family On Relationships: Treat people the way you want them to treat you On Helping Others: Help yourself before you can help others On Narrative: Live the story you want to tell, not the story others want you to tell

What do you do when you experience negative self-talk? An inner dialogue you have with yourself that often goes unnoticed. She said, “… How do you get yourself to that part where you’re able to give yourself a positive self-talk? Not just hear it, but listen and believe it … How do you get to the point where you’re able to look yourself in the mirror and say, “I love you?” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Self-Worth: Reflect on and acknowledge your accomplishments On Healing: Heal yourself before you can heal others On Forgiveness: “I forgive you for everything …” On Self: “Define yourself for yourself, so you’re not crunched into other people's fantasies…”

Where do you look for strength during times of adversity? She said, “I’ve been in therapy since the age of 13 and I’m still in therapy … It’s not shaming to go into therapy … It’s your strength … It’s connecting with that part of you that is strong … We don’t get over things, we move through things and you need someone to be there with you through your processing because what’s shareable is bearable within yourself …” Who are the people that you can count on when times get tough? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Stress Management: Break it down into parts to help you process On Voice: Listen to your inner voice On Negative Thinking: Recognize it, and then suggest THREE positive thoughts On Shame: Learn how to adopt yourself *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
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"Where do you belong?" A question that some, if not most of us, get asked over and over throughout our lifetime. A question that evokes thousands of responses, but how often do you take the time to stop and truly think about your own definition of “belonging”? What are the elements that make up “belonging”? What does it mean to truly belong somewhere? How does it make you feel? What are the elements that make up your sense of belonging? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Environment: “You’re the average of the five people you spend most of your time with” On Growth: Surround yourself with people who will challenge your thinking On Transition: Learn how to say, “No” On Development: “Listen to people who are like you and follow in their footsteps”

A decision had to be made. She said, “After being a foster for a little while, you just start wondering, ‘I want a family… I want to feel like I belong …’ You’re pushed to these strangers home and it didn't feel right to not know what to call them. I didn't want to call them, ‘uncle’ or ‘auntie’… They didn't feel like an ‘uncle’ or ‘auntie’… I knew that these people could potentially be really good for me in my life. That’s when I thought, ‘Maybe I should ask if I can call them Mom & Dad…’” Do you remember the first time you called your parental figures, “Mom & Dad”? How did you feel after saying those words? A set of questions that may be difficult for some, if not most of us to recall, but for Whitney, it’s a memory she’ll never forget. What type of role have your parents played in your life? If given one word to describe either of your parents, what would that word be? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Foster Care: “Bloom where you are planted” On Trust: Take one-step at a time On Adversity: Know who you are On Self-Worth: You are worth it

How does one develop trust? What are the elements that make up trust? He said, “What I’ve seen in the past from my experience is trust really came from those who were consistent in my life …” It is through consistency that we are able to tell whether or not people are fully invested in the relationship at hand. Do they trust you enough to reveal deeper parts of themselves? Do their actions speak louder than their words? A set of questions that most of us seek answers to, as we try to form healthy and trustworthy relationships. What questions do you seek answers to as you’re developing trust in a relationship? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Mentorship: Find people who will help you see the bigger picture in life On Developing Trust: Learn to observe your environment On Leadership: “Actions always speak louder than words” On Self-Narrative: “Why” do you want to share your story?

She couldn’t tell anyone. For five months, she sat alone, in her college dorm room, getting sick, not wanting others to know. She said, “When I was a junior in college, I found out that I was pregnant. I was at a strict religious school and at the time … it was definitely frowned upon… I always dreamed of being a mom one day, I just knew it wasn’t the time. I had no way of providing the kind of life I thought my baby deserved. I really wrestled with this decision of what to do, how to handle the situation and while I was thinking through that, I had to hide my pregnancy…” A decision had to be made. She said, “In the end, when I realized that I couldn’t give her everything she deserved, I went ahead and made an adoption plan for her … Leaving the hospital without my newborn was probably the single most hardest thing, I have ever done in my life … The loneliness that envelopes you, the doubts, the fears, the worries of not doing the right thing or not ruining someone’s life … But, I knew at the time that I loved her so much, that I wanted more for her than I could give …” For Adrian, doing the best she could with what she knew at the time was the only option. What is the hardest decision that you have had to make in your life? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Decisions: Know that you’ve done your best based on the information available On Storytelling: Use your story to encourage and bring hope to others On Judgment: Put yourself in the other person’s shoes On Acceptance: Find a way to work through your fears and keep moving forward *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Transitions. She was in 63 different foster homes between four and 21 years of age. 63 different placements, a number that is simply unimaginable to most, if not all, of us. She said, “The experience going through 63 foster homes was a tough one to swallow because I knew what I was entitled to … and I also had to face the fact that there are going to be times that the people who are responsible for providing services to you, providing care to you, don’t love you …” But, despite all of the challenges and the constant transitions, it was through the foster care system that Felicia Wilson ended up meeting a foster parent who changed her life for the better. A foster mom that helped Felicia embrace her own identity, and feel comfortable in her own skin. A foster mom that helped Felicia realize the importance of accepting the cards she has been dealt with in this lifetime and figure out a way to play them to her advantage. A foster mom that helped Felicia develop confidence in her own abilities, which led her on an unexpected journey of starting, “Fear Everything & Rise,” a platform to better prepare young people affected by foster care with the tools necessary to grow and live prosperous lives beyond the child welfare system. I asked, “If you were given one word to describe your foster mom, what would that word be?” She said, “Loving … As a kid growing up not having that stable mother figure in your life … being a kid that went through 63 foster homes … I’ve always wanted that simple hug … I always wanted to know that someone accepted my flaws … I wanted to know that no matter what decisions I made, right or wrong, at the end of the day I wouldn’t be judged … I wanted to know that if I fell short of anything I tried in life … somebody would still accept me and love me the same…” If YOU were given one WORD to describe either of your parents, what would that word be? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Independence: With freedom comes great responsibility On Growth: Push yourself outside of your comfort zone On Letting Go: Let your wall down and let others in to help you On Acceptance: Accept the cards you’ve been dealt in this life, and learn how to play them

He had three different names before he was three months old. He said, “The first name I ever had was Jeremy Jones… In the foster homes … I was Toby … Now my given name, Aaron Parchem…” For Aaron Parchem, silver medalist at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, adapting to new environments was not an option, but rather a necessity. It is a skill that not only helped Aaron Parchem during his early childhood years, but also during his time as a figure skater. He said, “In skating… when I tell people that I was a figure skater for the first time, you get kind of a blank look like, ‘Is this guy messing with me?’ … I’ve come to expect it and that is what it is … I don’t look like a figure skater … I didn't even when I did it … I am a straight, black male in skating… When you’re unique, you’re going to elicit unique responses…” Embracing his identity and surrounding himself with giving people were the only ways to break through some of the remarks Aaron had received along the way as a figure skater, a profession that has taught him life lessons that cannot be replaced. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, “Am I happy with who I have become?” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Challenges: “People rise to the occasion when they’re challenged” On Empowerment: Live in the service of others On Support Groups: Find people who’ll support you no matter what On Self: Develop a good understanding of who you are on the inside (feelings, values, and tools that you can use to accomplish your goals)

“Anything is possible if you believe in yourself.” He said, “I didn’t want to be a Catholic nun, but I wanted to be the Executive Director… I wanted to be the person who was able to make things happen for children… So, at 12 years old I started signing my name, ‘Nathaniel J. Williams, Executive Director.’” He consciously thought of the end result, felt what it would feel like once he did achieve the end goal, and spoke it into the universe every opportunity he was given. 12 years later, his dream became a reality. “Executive Director,” a title that became a part of Nathaniel J. Williams’ identity, and has been a part of it ever since. As I was once told, “Seeing is believing.” For Nathaniel J. Williams, it was no different. In fact, one could argue that it is through visualization, Nathaniel J. Williams was able to acquire all of the positions he has had throughout his life including direct care worker, foster parent, nonprofit and for-profit organization founder, talk show host, and international motivational speaker. What can you do today that will put you one step closer toward achieving your goal? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Traumatic Experiences: Embrace them On Environment: “Your five closest friends are often going to be an indicator of how successful you’re going to be” On Visualization: Think it, feel it, act on it On Gratitude: Be grateful for what you do have, not focus on what you don’t have

He was afraid to let the people know the real him. He said, “I was ashamed, embarrassed and … afraid that people in my professional career were going to see this side of me…” A situation that made Travis Lloyd realize the importance of living the story he wanted to live, and not the story that others wanted him to live. A situation that made him realize the importance of continuing with his work, to inspire others who were living or lived in a similar upbringing that he did, even if it meant sacrificing everything to become something. As fellow adoptee, Colin Kaepernick once said, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” For Travis Lloyd, it was no different. He said, “I had just written my first song called, ‘No one else’ talking about no one else understands what’s going through my head… I had never showed anyone that song before… I performed this in front of 600 teenagers from all over the country who all grew up in foster care… I was shaking when I did it… Afterward… these kids just started attacking me… They wanted my signature, they wanted to talk to me, they wanted to share their stories with me… That felt so good to me to know that I was able to inspire them, to know that it’s possible to do something bigger… But, I still wasn’t to the point where I was ready to do that… I was ashamed… embarrassed… afraid that people in my professional career were going to see this side of me… So, I changed my name on social media…”    A name change that at first allowed Travis to continue developing his message. Since then, Travis has become one of the leading voices for foster youth around the world. What are the sacrifices that you’re willing to make in order to continue doing what you love the most?

Where do you come from? A question that some of us are fortunate to have an answer to, others not so much. A question that sparks a story deep inside our hearts; a story that gives others hope to not give up when times get tough. He said, “My mother… at 18/19 years old… had a six-month-old baby boy, $100, a plane ticket, a friend’s name in Chicago and she decided to start our life…” Not the most ideal beginning, but sometimes the only thing we have is starting where we are, using what we have, and doing what we can. For John Robinson, it was no different. He continued by saying, “I believe people should overcome less.” A motto that has become the guiding force behind his current work: to connect those who seek with those who raise their hand to give. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Family: A collective energy of those that care about each other On Purpose: Focus on present-purpose On Overcoming Odds: Trust yourself On Growth: Ask yourself, “How do I?” *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Who are you? A question that some, if not most of us, seek an answer to. A question that led Joel de Carteret on a lifelong journey of self-discovery. He said, “I was 35 years old and I didn’t know who I was… I wanted to write my own narrative…” A journey that taught Joel two important life lessons: 1. If you want to do something, you have to do it yourself 2. Whatever you set your mind to, you can achieve These are the lessons that have become Joel’s cornerstones as a filmmaker. The profession that has allowed him to not only tell just any story, but stories that are making a difference. Stories that give our time, on this pale blue dot, meaning. Stories that inspire others to keep going during times of adversity. Stories that can change your life, if you’re living your life authentically. Are you living a true and authentic life? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Identity: Stay curious about who you are On Adversity: “Life will never give you anything you can’t handle” On Self-Narrative: Who do you want to be and what do you stand for? On Purpose: Tell stories that are going to make a difference *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” A mindset that allows us to get through life’s toughest obstacles. A mindset that allowed JT McCormick to overcome racism, poverty, and abuse to achieve the American dream. A dream that taught JT the importance of not being defined by your past. He said, “My name is JeVon Thomas McCormick. I’m half white, half black, I had no college degree, my father was a pimp, my mother was an orphan.” A set of labels that would stop some, if not most of us, from going after our dreams. But, JT McCormick was different. He decided to use these labels in order to get to where he wanted to go. He said, “I was whatever I needed to be in order to get to where I wanted to go.” What’s stopping you from achieving the ideal version of yourself? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Abuse: Learn how to avoid potentially abusive situations On Perfectionism: Done is better than perfect On Identity: “I was whatever I needed to be in order to get to where I wanted to go” On Hardships: “If I made it through it once, I can do it again”

What defines a great leader? A question that some, if not most of us, seek an answer to. A question that more often than not will lead you on a life-long journey of trial and error in figuring out what makes you an effective leader. For Jim Johnson, it was no different. He said, “Leadership can be learned… Like anything in life you can become better at it by making it a study…” A level of commitment to a process with no definite destination. A level of commitment to becoming a student of life at all times. A level of commitment that has led Jim to seek answers to the following questions in order to see the larger picture: How do you influence people in leading them in a positive direction? What are you all about as a person? Are you going to lead by example? Are you clear about your core values? Are you going to find ways to add value to others? “Start by trying to make a positive difference in one person” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Relationships: Learn to build trust On Trust: “Do what you say and say what you do” On Leadership: “You can become better at leadership by making it a study” On Influence: Find ways to add value and help others become better

Abuse. An act he simply couldn’t escape during his early years. He said, “I grew up in a fear-filled, violent background. My father was physically abusive to me, my mom was as well… I didn’t know what a loving family looked like, but I knew from a very early age that what I was experiencing was wrong.” An environment that made him feel unsafe. An environment that made him feel as if he was constantly walking on eggshells. An environment that made him afraid to make mistakes. A set of experiences that made him go from victim to survivor to advocate. A set of experiences that led him to write his latest book, “Killing My Father Then Finding Him.” A book that started a painful, but much-needed conversation. A book that gave others a voice and helped them understand that they’re not alone. He said, “I had so many people contact me… hundreds of people contact me… some I knew, some I didn’t know… emails… I got a phone call… I got contact from people saying, ‘I grew up the same way, but I always thought I was the only one.’” Everyone has a story. Live yours. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Forgiveness: Learn to forgive because it’ll free you to tell the truth On Judgment: Approach people wanting to know “who they are” On Discipline & Punishment: “Discipline is rooted with love ... punishment is rooted with anger” On Hardships: Don’t give up

Voiceless. She said, “I grew up in an environment where I wasn’t necessarily allowed to be myself or wasn’t able to grow into who I truly was.” Many, if not most of us have times like these in our lives. She said, “I finally found the courage to tell my story a few years ago. I was at a family funeral. My adopted dad came up to me and was trying to confront me why our relationship wasn’t great… It was just not an appropriate time. But, growing up I would have sat there, been silent and just kind of taken the words in… Don’t speak my mind… But, this time there was something different.” This was a moment that made Brooke O’Neill take ownership of her story. A moment that allowed her to go from victim to victor of her past. A moment that helped shape her purpose, to Step Into Bravery, a process of acceptance, growth, and embracing bravery. Step into your own bravery and take ownership of your story. If you can stop comparing yourself to others and believe in who you are, and say “I am who I am. This is my name, this is who I am,” and you own that, then you can do amazing things. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Identity: Embrace who you are On Growth Mindset: Stay curious On Courage: “Know that you’re not alone” On Self-Narrative: Own your story

Unadoptable. A term that became a part of her identity at the age of seven. She said, “My mother asked her neighbor to babysit while she went shopping, but she did not go shopping. Her clothes were packed, her car was loaded and she moved out of state… She never came back.” A situation that made Rhonda Sciortino understand early on the concepts of abandonment and rejection. A situation that left her no other option, but to live her with maternal grandparents, a mentally ill grandfather, and an alcoholic grandmother. She said, “We lived in a little shack, about the size of a two-car garage… It didn't have working plumbing… No heat or air conditioning… Lots of times we went without food… Lots of times we had no electricity… Pretty rough upbringing.” She continued by saying, “I was abused… Physically… Emotionally…” A type of upbringing that most, if not all of us, would want to forget as fast as possible. But, Rhonda is different from most people, as she did not have the luxury of forgetting. An upbringing that took her on a journey from being a victim to becoming a survivor, and ultimately turning into an advocate. An advocate for those who’ve suffered abuse, abandonment, poverty, filth, and hunger. “My success is helping other people get theirs.” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Hardship: Identify the takeaway to prevent future hardships On Avoiding Abuse: Learn to redirect the conversation On Relationships: Form quality relationships with healthy people On Communication: Give people the benefit of the doubt

What would you do if you became homeless today? It’s a condition that is unimaginable to most, if not all of us. A condition that made Tiffony become more resourceful, so she would never have to lay her head on the concrete ground again to sleep, or beg at a church or soup kitchen for a meal in order to survive. She said, “I started to realize that at 36 years old if something really bad had happened… I didn’t have long-term care protection. I didn't have a saving vehicle that would allow me to take care of myself if I didn't have any income.” This was a moment of truth that made her realize the importance of financial literacy. A moment of truth that made her become accountable for her actions. A moment of truth that made Tiffony Jacobs want to change the current cycle of living in generational poverty, to one of generational wealth. “Don’t change your dream, change your plan.” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Future: Plan to live beyond your retirement On Thriving: Invest in yourself On Resilience: Define your next steps On Courage: Find a group that shares your values

It all suddenly made sense. He said, “A moment that clearly defined what purpose meant to me was when I first started teaching… I don’t mean to teach people skills… but to get people to believe in themselves...” Self-belief, a concept that gives you the confidence to overcome any obstacle that’s put in front of you. Self-belief, a concept that develops from understanding your own abilities. He continued by saying, “I had students who I worked my butt off to create these great lessons for, and I don’t think they always walked away understanding what I tried to get them to do. But, then I would get an email back from them, a year, two, three later or a Facebook message… and they’ll share these stories of where they’re struggling in their life… and they’ll say, ‘Mr. Guay, I just wanted to reach out to you… I’m realizing who are the people that helped me realize my greatness… the things that I could do… who pushed me to be a better version of myself… and I think of you” As Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Life: Live the story you want to tell On Purpose: It’s defined by who you are, and creating something only you can create On Adoption: “I think adoption is a superpower. I think the reason why it’s a superpower is because it puts you on a self-introspective journey” On Teaching: Help people believe in themselves On Relationships: They allow us to grow into the greatest versions of ourselves

He was in real, physical danger. He said, “There was a time when I used to think that my father was going to kill me. So, I used to stay up late at night, tucked in the corner of the room.” At school, people would ask Ron Bultongez about the bandages and bruises, but he was too afraid, to tell the truth. So, he lied. A set of experiences that would make most, if not all, of us, want to forget about our early days and move on. But, Ron Bultongez was different. He decided to use his story in order to show others the path, from being a victim, to becoming a survivor, and ultimately turning into an advocate. An advocate for those who’ve experienced physical or mental abuse in the household. An advocate for those whose voices are often not heard. “The quickest way to lose hope, is believing you’re alone.” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Life: Understand that life is unfair and difficult On Adversity: You don’t have to go through it alone On Impact: Focus on changing one life, one day at a time On Odds: Switch your mindset from “probability” to “possibility.”

It was hard. She said, “I went through ten different foster homes between the ages of 2 & 16.” A system filled with memories of rejection and abuse. A system that made Stacy Johnson realize she had nothing more to lose. A system that made her redefine the meaning of family and love. A system that helped her find her purpose in life, to help other foster youth rise from all of the above. Three years ago, Stacy started Central Texas Table of Grace, an emergency foster youth shelter. An organization, whose name was inspired by the following lyrics, “…At the table of grace, the cup's never empty. The plate's always full, and it's never too late. To come and be filled with love never ending. You're always welcome at the table of grace…” An organization, that helped her find healing and meaning in life. Are you living a meaningful life? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Escaping Abuse: Find an outlet that will allow you to escape your situation On Healthy Mind: “Garbage in, garbage out” On Goal-Setting: Visualize the outcome On Life: “Your life is the lens you see it through”

Born and abandoned. She said, “When I was found by the Ahmednagar police, I was severely malnourished, miasmic, and suffering from dysentery.” An event that’s difficult for most, if not all, of us to imagine. An event that first showed Rebekah Mallory what rejection and lack of belonging felt like. But, this wasn’t the only time Rebekah experienced rejection and lack of belonging. She said, “I was seven years old… I don’t remember what brought it on or what caused it, but one of my friends was making fun of me for being black… One of the first times I was aware that I was being humiliated for being different.” An instance that questioned her identity once again. But, it is an instance like this that made her stronger. An instance that made her realize how we should focus on our similarities rather that our differences. An instance that made Rebekah embrace who she was. Remember: Everyone has a story. Embrace it. Live yours. “As an adoptee, there is nothing more you need than other adoptees... who bring new perspectives to the table” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Living Life: Look forward, not into the past On Rejection: Be aware that it may happen On Community: Find people who care about you On Connecting with Others: Don’t be afraid of abandonment and rejection *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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It was devastating. She said, “I thought if other people heard it or if they knew about my early story, then they would see me as less able to do the job that I was doing. Somehow scared, less desirable to hire.” A set of feelings that were difficult to escape. So, she hid it for as long as possible. Until one day a breaking news story developed. She said, “I was on the news desk, reading this story coming down on the prompter about a homicide that had happened… The suspect was the adopted son of this couple… It said ‘the adopted son’ over and over again.” A story that made Michelle realize that we cannot run from the truth of who we are. A story that helped her embrace her adoption as a strength, not a weakness. A story that helped Michelle define her purpose in life, to ensure that the adoption community is heard, seen, valued, respected, and understood. “I want to help people rise… I want to help them overcome.” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Becoming Resilient: Make the decision to move forward On Life: Your decisions control your life, not the events that happen in it On Identity: Don’t hide from your story On Advocacy: Rise up every morning and be passionate about your work *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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Unknown. A word that can be used to describe much of her early beginnings, especially her experience related to adoption. She said, “There is so much that’s lost because my birth mother is no longer on the planet.” A person, with whom April Dinwoodie wishes she had developed a stronger connection with. A person, who may have helped April find answers to some of her burning questions, such as “Were my birth parents in love? Were they connected in some significant way? Was there a forced sexual experience?” A list of questions that will always remain a part of her identity. An identity that was formed by taking bold steps forward, not backward. Helping her gain significant experience in the process, including CEO at The Donaldson Adoption Institute, founder of Adoptment and host of the rapidly growing podcast, Born in June Raised April. Leading her to experiences that have helped her position herself as a thought leader within the adoption and foster care community. A thought leader, whose efforts continuously challenge the norm. A thought leader, whose efforts could be looked upon as inspiration for future leaders. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Claiming Identity: Embrace your differences On Transracial Adoption: Be fierce about protecting your child, physically and emotionally On Qualities of Great Mentors: Commitment, Patience, and Presence On Advocacy: Strive to become an influencer

October 15th, 2014. The day she received her diagnosis. It was thyroid cancer. She said, “I have been working with cancer for almost 20 years and I have never had it before. So, to get diagnosed with it was shocking.” A condition that is often times kept as a secret. But, for Pamela Cordano it was different. It was an opportunity to learn things she didn’t already know. To develop a mindset that helped her excel as a being, adoptee, and psychotherapist. A mindset that has made her life more meaningful. I asked, “How does one find meaning?” She said, “Meaning is available to all of us, all the time… I think that when our lives aren’t meaningful or we’re lacking meaning in our lives, it’s when we’ve become disconnected from it… There is an abundance of meaning around us all the time that’s just waiting for us.” She continued by saying, “Meaning can be experienced through our senses… things that we do like our work or an art… people, places and things that we love… important stories from our past… the legacy we want to leave in the future… attitudes that are important to us when we encounter adversity or life’s limitations.” Are you living a meaningful life? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Cancer: Treat it as an opportunity for learning and growth On Abuse: Speak up if you can On Development: Elevate others first On Resilience: Move into an expanded state of mind On Happiness: Give before you receive

Five percent. That was her chance of survival. A hard thought for most, if not for all of us, to swallow. What would you do if you were told you had a five percent chance at life? Would you be satisfied with the person you have become, the lessons you’ve passed on to others, and the amount of time you’ve spent with those you love? But, Karin McHugh is different compared to others. She developed a mindset that she wishes to pass on to others; to never give up, no matter how difficult the circumstances may be. This mindset helped her overcome a difficult illness that prevented her from witnessing the birth of her son. An illness that taught her a tough, but an important lesson: to not reason, but rather accept things for what they are. And most importantly, to choose to fight on. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Adoption: Don’t tell your children they’re “different” On Recovery: Take time to process your feelings On Acceptance: Don’t try to find a reason, but rather accept things for what they are On Experience: Yours may be different, but it is no less valid than anyone’s On Finding Courage: Find your safe space *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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It was humiliating. Every time they left the household, whether it was to the grocery store or the mall, “My placement in the family was questioned.” She said, “People wanted to know how much I cost, where I came from, how my parents found me and where my real parents were.” Questions that made Reshma McClintock feel embarrassed. Questions that made her feel unsafe. Questions that ignited her current work, Dear Adoption. I asked, “How and why did you create, Dear Adoption?” She said, “I started talking about it with my family first… then I started writing about it… I wrote publicly about adoption… Then, a friend from high school whom I haven’t seen or spoken to for about 17 years contacted me. He contacted me… and asked if I have been back to Kolkata. I said, “I’ve been to India, but not Kolkata.” He said, “What if we filmed a documentary about your first return?” Fast-forward a few years, Calcutta is My Mother, was born. A documentary that triggered hundreds of responses from other adoptees. Responses that led Reshma to create a space for other adoptees. A space where adoptees can share their perspectives on adoption, whether they’re for it or not. A space that makes them feel safe. A space that makes them feel like they belong. Help others elevate before you elevate yourself. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Questioning: Think before you speak On Grief: Don’t try to contain it On Stereotypes/Racism: Have a pulse on the society/culture On Sharing: Create a space for it On Courage: Surround yourself with others who support you Three principles to live by: Listen, persist, and have grace *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
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She felt unworthy. Shame, combined with lack of belonging, began to take over her life. A decision had to be made. It was either to find a way to overcome the obstacles in front of her or suffer for the rest of her life. As most of us can relate, it is moments like these that define who we are. Moments, filled with tragedy and pain that make us stop what we’re doing and reflect. For Holly Lysne, an adoptee from the Baby Scoop Era and avid journaler, the healing process was no different. She said, “I decided to fight back. I was not going to let that sense of shame win.” I asked, “How did you do it?” She said, “Mindfulness.” A practice through which you face your deepest and darkest emotions. A practice that will take you on a journey as you seek answers to questions such as, “What are my feelings? What are my emotions? And where do they stem from?” A practice that has helped Holly develop a different perspective on suffering and pain. A perspective, which made her realize that pain and suffering are temporary. Remember: nothing lasts forever. When life gets hard, know that a brighter day will follow! EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Adoption: Listen to your heart On Relationships: It’s always a work in progress On Meditation: Take a walk in nature, find quiet time, focus on a single simple task On Pain: It’s temporary On Our Judgements of Others: They often reflect our own shortcomings On Developing Trust: Take it one day at a time

She was afraid. It was either to hide her sickness or never get called for another job in her industry. For Jeanette, her job was much more than simply receiving another paycheck. It’s a job, which also happens to be her hobby and passion. A job that allows her to express how appreciative she is of her adoptive family. A job that taught her some of the most important lessons in life, including this one: “Don’t take a day for granted.” So, she hid it. She said, “I was constantly trying to figure out when the shows were going to end, so I could time my surgeries and doctors apportionments. It was not easy” It is times like these that would leave most, if not all, of us hopeless. But, Jeanette Jolley was different. She said, “It was either to quite this industry… or I need to snap out of this, and fix it and keep going with life.” So, she decided to go with the second option, which ultimately led her to become an accomplished television producer, voice for other adoptees, mostly women, and especially those going through infertility. I asked, “Do you have any advice for others who are going through similar experiences?” She said, “Listen to yourself, embrace the emotions and find people that you can trust.” Tune in as Jeanette shares tips and tricks for succeeding in the entertainment industry, what it means to be adopted, and how to find balance in your everyday life. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On Healing: It takes time On Family: Make them proud of you On Life: Live up to your values On Interviewing: Make it a friendly conversation On Work: Always leave a good impression On Success: It takes a lot of determination and self-motivation

She was born without legs. Later on, she was placed for adoption. Two life-changing events that would leave most of us hopeless. But, Jen Bricker was different. She said, “I played softball, volleyball, and basketball with no wheelchair or prosthetics. At the time, I didn’t think it was out of the norm. I didn’t think it was amazing. I didn’t understand why everyone thought it was amazing. To me, I was just doing what I loved and what I was good at.” Out of all of the sports, it was gymnastics that took her to places she had never been to before. It was gymnastics that revealed one of the biggest secrets in her life. She said, “I grew up in Southern Illinois. There really wasn’t much diversity… Nobody looked like me, and certainly, no one was Romanian… So, when I saw her, not only did she look like me, which no one looked like me, but she was Romanian, and she was doing my favorite sport.” At 16, she began looking for answers in order to make sense of the similarities between Jen and her idol, Dominique Moceanu, Olympic gold medalist. Her findings were mind-boggling. Jen’s childhood idol was in fact her biological sister. She said, “The person that I was drawn to as a kid... there is a reason why I was drawn to her.” After several failed attempts, Jen and Dominique finally met. For some, it may be just a story. For Jen, it was a confirmation that you can achieve anything that you set your mind to. The building blocks behind life and success can be found in her newly published book, “Everything Is Possible: Finding the Faith and Courage to Follow Your Dreams.” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On self-development: Don’t compare yourself to others On new opportunities: Have no expectations On possibilities: You can achieve anything that you set your mind to On self worth: We’re all on this planet for a different purpose. We all matter

It took her years to figure it out. Her life was consumed by anxiety and relationship issues. As many of us know, our personal experiences often dictate the actions we take in life. For Lesli Johnson, it was no different. She was adopted at a time when parents were advised to tell as few people as possible about their adoptions. But, this way of doing things raised more questions than answers. One question raised after she saw several therapists in college, was why none of them were able to help her. It may have had something to do with the fact that none of them ever asked her if she had been adopted, therefore never had a chance to deduce that separation trauma played a primary role in Lesli’s anxiety. She said, “’Were you adopted?’ should be asked on all medical forms.” It’s a question that appears simple on the outside, but remains truly complex and in dire need of attention when more closely examined. It’s a question that helped determine her mission in life: To help other adoptees and foster youth process their trauma. I asked, “Do you have any advice for others who are going through similar issues?” She said, “First, recognize that it may be related to your early trauma. Then, seek help, whether it’s therapeutic help, educating yourself about the nervous system or sharing your story with someone.” Leslie has had an incredible impact on adopted teens, as well as adoptive parents through her therapeutic work as well as her work in support groups such as AdoptCONNECT and Teen AdoptCONNECT. Both groups give participants the opportunity to relate to one another and realize that they are far from alone in any adoption-related struggle. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On healing: Acknowledge that it may be due to separation and transitions On adoption: “Were you adopted?” A question that should be asked on all medical forms On community: Unite yourself with people who have shared the same experiences

“You never know.” A lesson Samantha learned early on from her family and work. Adopted from South Korea and raised in New Jersey, she never knew what might be the connecting thread between her twin sister and herself. I asked, “What was it like being raised in New Jersey? What was your relationship with your adoptive family?” She said, “No one ever really looked like me or looked like they could be my family...” “...Little did I know my identical twin sister would show up one day.” A youtube video that Samantha starred in ended up being the connecting piece of the puzzle between the two sisters, as well as an instigator of their reunion. They connected online after her sister saw Samantha’s Youtube video, which quickly led to them meeting in person. I asked, “What was it like meeting your sister for the first time?” She said, “You finally see each other in the same room and you really have to learn how to be together… I’ve never felt more in the moment my whole life.” Samantha tells us how meeting her sister online, as life-changing as it was, was entirely different from meeting her in person. A meeting, which created multiple new opportunities in Samantha’s life. First, it was the documentary, Twinsters, in which the two documented their reunion with the purpose of sharing their perspective on adoption and reunions. Then, it was the start of her non-profit, Kindred Adoption. I asked, “Do you have any advice for aspiring film producers and actors?” She said, “You have to represent what you believe in.” Focus your efforts on contributing to meaningful societal conversations. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: - On the entertainment industry: You never know what an opportunity will lead to - On chasing dreams: “If you love it, you will keep trying” - On passion: Be able to say, “I wouldn’t be as happy doing anything else in the world.” - On failing: Allow yourself to fail! We all do it. On acting: “It’s important to represent what you believe in, to take roles that are meaningful.” - On mentorship:“A great mentor doesn’t have all the answers, but can help you find your own.”

It was painful. 18 years had passed before he saw her again. He said, “We got in our family car. Drove to downtown Louisville, KY. Walked into a building we’ve never been to before.” Reese Hoffa, along with his brother were playing in one room, while Diana was filling out paperwork in the other. Everything seemed normal until him and his brother were separated. Confused, he turned to his mother only to see her leave the place. “Orphan,” a term that became a part of Reese’s identity. His time at the orphanage included both sides of the spectrum. There were days when he was fed and cared for, and there were days when he was physically abused. St. Thomas - St. Vincent orphanage, a place that taught Reese the unspoken lessons in life. St. Thomas - St. Vincent orphanage, a place that’s with him everywhere he goes, including the Olympics. In third grade, he threw his first shot. In high school, he became a state champion. In 2012, Reese won his first Olympic Games bronze medal. A man who found ways to turn his dream into a reality. A man who has finished in the top five at the USA Outdoor Championships for nine consecutive years. I asked, “Do you have any advice for those who are thinking about going after their dreams?” He said, “If you go after your dreams, you must believe in yourself and don't put ‘impossible’ on a pedestal.” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On living in the orphanage: Don’t be afraid On adoption: You should be given a choice to say, “No” On language: Only say it, if you mean it On finding birth family: Do it while you can On success: Stay hungry

She couldn’t handle it. At 12 years old, she became addicted to drugs and alcohol. Later on, her stepbrother sexually abused her. Her comfort zone quickly turned into a nightmare. Hopeless. Not knowing who to ask for help. She turned to the person that knew her best: herself. The recovery process began. 12-step program. Therapy. Anything or anyone who could offer advice was a fair game. It was refreshing. She questioned her existence. Reasons for why she was put on this earth. Got in touch with a higher spirit, God. All, ultimately leading to her larger purpose, to help other adoptees who may be experiencing similar issues. Focusing on areas such as: - Why adoptees should reconnect with their roots - Importance of adoptee community - Accepting your past EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: - On healing: It takes time - On community: Connect with others in-person - On future: Trust your instincts - On life: Don’t take yourself too seriously

It was hard to stay quiet. Her body was constantly covered with bruises. Her home was one of fear and abuse. Her father was the man responsible for it all. Others knew, but no one spoke up. It left her no other option, but to speak up for herself. During her sophomore year of high school, she was finally removed from her abusive household and placed into foster care. “Foster kid”, a term that she could only imagine before, was now a part of her identity. As most of us can relate, it is through hardship and adversity that we’re able to learn life’s toughest lessons. Honoree Corder was no exception. Instead of dwelling on her grueling upbringing, she turned it to her advantage. She has used her story to lift herself up. She has used her story as inspiration for others to tell theirs. As Honoree had mentioned, “Don’t be intimidated by the long process of book publishing. Start telling your story today.” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On abuse: Talk to someone about it On future: Figure out a way to work for yourself On success: Practice behaviors of successful people On opportunities: Be open-minded

It was hard. 30 years of hard work. Massive credit card debt. Yet, the book was still not finished. She said, “My mom died before she could finish her book. I am not going to die before I finish mine.” However, things continued to get worse before they got any better. She was fired from her job for throwing a pen at a student and saying, “Fuck” in front of the whole class. Her marriage was falling apart. A hard moment of reflection was bound to follow. She gave up her apartment. Packed up everything and left. Next stop, Martha's Vineyard, NY. Two weeks, 336 hours, to complete her work. But, the story was not coming out. She said, “I was heartbroken. My one hope was that I could write a book.” Fear took over. She texted her best friend and explained all of the reasons why she couldn’t do it. She felt devastated. But, right before she was about to pack her things and leave, she received a message. Her friend wrote back, “Use your true voice.” It all clicked. She stopped trying to be the person her parents wanted her to be. Enough was enough. All of a sudden, she understood how to tell her story. 93 days later, “You Don't Look Adopted” was finished. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On change: You must create pressure, community, and guidance On adoption: Every adoptee should tell his or her story On flourishing, not survival: Take care of your body On being “normal”: Just be yourself *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
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It was frustrating. It would take 100 “No’s” before getting a single “Yes.” But, there was no other way around it. Embracing rejection was the only way. Giving up on her dream was not. Not for a girl from Long Island, NY. Not for a girl who wanted to be on TV since the age of 3. Not for a girl who worked on Broadway at the age of 9. But, as most of us know, things often get worse, before they get better. For Jenna Ushkowitz, it was not any different. Roles were limited due to stereotypes. Money was tight. Becoming an actress was a mystery. As some things were getting worse, others were getting better. The entertainment industry shifted. It became more diverse. This time, favoring Jenna. Even with this new wave of excitement and opportunities, there were still challenges to overcome. I asked, “What does it take to succeed in this business?” She replied, “This business is about timing, luck, and talent.” Three factors that get to determine whether you’ll make it or not. A devastating thought for most of us to imagine. I asked, “How do you maintain your focus with so much pressure?” She replied, “You must keep perseverance and passion for doing what you do.” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On family: You choose the type of people you want to have in your life On acting: It’s all about timing, luck, and talent On challenges: Don’t get in your own way On mentors: Surround yourself with changemakers On purpose: Listen to yourself

Failure is good. Fail fast, fail often. She said, “I failed many times throughout my life.” At school, she was not the best student. At home, her life was one of abuse and fear. But, she was good at one thing. She spent countless hours practicing with all the boys who were older, stronger and taller than her. Basketball saved her. I asked, “Why kind of impact did basketball have on your life?” She said, “I wanted to play basketball to get out of my home.” Basketball took her to her dream school. It challenged her. It tore her down. It discouraged her to the point of planning an escape. But, she continued to tell herself, “Get to the next play.” One day after another, the message remained the same. She turned adversity to her advantage and owned her outcome. Even after everyone stopped caring about what she had accomplished. She chose to Refuse To Lose. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: On self-improvement: It’s a daily habit On problems: Be solution-focused One adversity: It will become your advantage

Lisa believes that the ability to take control of your life all boils down to self-awareness. Through self-awareness you discover what makes you happy, drained, fired up, and motivated which in turn all help you decide how to proceed in life in the most strategic, productive way for your individual self. Lisa herself is living proof of this. Gaining inspiration and training from her best friends and other life coaches after a difficult downward spiral in her own life, she was able to fully commit to what she discovered she wanted to be: a life coach. “Once I became clear on what I wanted and what my purpose was, I didn’t have any doubts.” Lisa and her brother Joe were adopted by a mother who wanted a sister for her daughter, and wound up bringing not only Lisa home, but her brother Joe as well so that the siblings wouldn’t be separated. When asked about her birth mother, Lisa says, “I don’t think she wanted to give us up, but looking back I think it was the best decision.” Lisa has an endless appreciation for people, their stories, and helping them achieve their goals in life.

Lara came to the us by way of Operation Babylift, a mass evacuation of orphans from South Vietnam to the United States as well as other countries. She is now a professional musician living in Austin, TX as a Blues stage performer and recording artist. Her musical talent was inspired by influences such as her father, who gave her her very first music lesson, and dance classes which contributed to her burgeoning talent at a young age. “Watching people play music when I can’t is a little like watching someone eat while I’m hungry,” she says while talking about a time when she had to rely on a day job to supplement her living expenses when starting her musical career. Lara exemplifies a glass-half-full outlook on life and illustrates this through her thoughts on spirituality, productive routines, and constant self-awareness that allows her to consciously make healthy choices. She emphasises the importance of surrounding yourself with good people who will push you to meet them at their level, and knowing that regardless of who you know, or how much innate talent you may have, the bottom line of your success and happiness in life will always and forever come down to discipline and hard work.

Joe Galindo is a culinary entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas where he and his wife own and manage, RedBookChef. Their venture was inspired by his wife’s little red notebook in which she would take notes while watching cooking programs as a young girl. In this episode, Joe tells us the story of how he went from foster care and a lucky adoption, to where he is today. At the age of five years old, Joe was found by Child Protective Services and entered foster care in Fort Worth, where he was later adopted by a loving family who instilled within him a life-long work ethic, which has made him into the entrepreneur that he is today. Ever since childhood, Joe maintained a strong positive outlook on life and always believed that things would be okay, even when they seemed to be at their darkest. Joe worked in a myriad of roles within the food service industry, including one at Walt Disney World, where he continued to develop his entrepreneurial spirit, and honed his skills as a businessman in the world of food service.

"I need you to be invested in yourself." Joshua Banks doesn’t believe there is any such thing as a selfless act. But, he does believe we can all be our most authentic selves while benefiting the people around us. According to him, we all have the potential to be self-centered, yet still be a positive influence within our communities. Joshua earned many commendations during his years in law enforcement, where he learned much about the nature of people at their worst, as well as at their best. He also spent many years ministering, helping his community connect to God in ways that helped them find themselves as individuals. Joshua’s journey has led him to a place where he has devoted his life to building others up, teaching vulnerability, communication, and togetherness in a world that has become as disconnected in some ways as it has become connected in others. Today, Joshua spends his time communicating his mission of helping people become their best selves through speaking engagements such as the Mastering Manhood Conference, and his books, Jesus Others You: The Self-Centered Gospel, and The Doctrine of Synchronization, which explore and emphasize the importance of being centered, and self-centered, as an individual in order to grow while leaving a positive legacy.

Kira Omans is an Asian-American actor, model, dancer, and adoptee advocate. She was adopted by a Caucasian family living in Washington DC and grew up with an adopted brother from Korea, as well as a sister. Join us as she discusses her struggles to adjust to how different she felt at school as her family had always celebrated their diversity. But, at school, these differences weren’t celebrated. They were highlighted in negative ways and she was forced to learn the harsh realities of racism and micro-aggressions, especially later in her career as a professional actress. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
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Kevin Kreider spent much of his upbringing being made painfully aware of how different he was as a Korean adoptee. The pain imposed on him by peers and the media for looking different, and the insecurity that followed motivated Kevin to begin working out. He eventually managed to start both modeling and acting careers, but was again set back. This time it was by Alopecia Areata, causing him to go bald. Being an Asian male in modeling or acting was especially challenging, but going bald made it next to impossible for Kevin to continue on his current trajectory. He decided to quit everything and embark on a soul-searching mission in the form of a cross-country skateboard trip from Los Angeles to New York City. After his trip, Kevin had to decide what to do next. Kevin had to start from scratch and decide what was really important to him. He returned to his previous fitness career as a coach, but this time it wasn’t about, “Making it as an Asian model or actor.” It was now about helping others find the same feelings of confidence he did when he decided to become fit and healthy. Kevin doesn’t believe one should face all of the life’s challenges alone. People need a group of family, friends, and like-minded people to inspire them and help them when they’re down. At the end of the day, there is always someone else out there who knows how you feel. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
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Oleg Lougheed, host of the Overcoming Odds Podcast, has a heart-to-heart with the most connected man in America, top business strategist and former director at Dell Computer Corp. and Enron: Peter Strople. The two talk about loss, love, relationships, and how Peter came to define those things through struggle and success. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.
 For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email (connect@overcomingodds.today) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)
 For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on: Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/