How to Heal Trauma When Life Feels Out of Your Control

John DeDakis began writing fiction in 1995 while working as an editor at CNN, seeking a creative outlet. His work draws on personal experiences, including a fatal car-train accident he witnessed as a child, his sister’s suicide, his son’s fatal heroin overdose, and more.

A former White House correspondent and editor on CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer,” John is now a writing coach, manuscript editor, podcaster, and self-described rank amateur jazz drummer.

Grief and loss are subtexts in all six award-winning mystery/suspense/thriller novels written by John DeDakis. All six of his novels feature 20-something journalist Lark Chadwick. Throughout the series, she struggles with grief (eg - the carbon monoxide poisoning of the aunt who raised her, the murder of her boyfriend, etc.). Journalistic integrity and mentoring relationships are subtexts. In two of the novels, she is a White House correspondent. In the sixth novel, a political thriller, she is White House press secretary.

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Enemies Domestic. On her first day as White House Press Secretary, Lark Chadwick is confronted on live television by a reporter with an agenda: “Are you, or are you not, planning to abort your unborn child?” His question puts Lark in the crosshairs of extremists on both sides of the highly fraught abortion issue. Ambivalent about becoming a single mother in the post-Roe era, and grieving the death of her boyfriend, Lark is now forced to make her abort-or-not-to-abort decision in a highly toxic, politicized, and polarized fishbowl. At stake: her sanity—and her life. 

In the political thriller Enemies Domestic, his most important and controversial book to date, former CNN editor John DeDakis dramatically and thoughtfully tackles the hot topics of abortion, QAnon, White Christian Nationalism, and mental illness at a time when America itself is teetering between democracy and authoritarianism.

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When Losing a Sibling - Have You Wonderd Why They Do Not Cry?

After 22 years as a technical instructor in the corporate world—and another layoff—Zander Sprague hit a low point. He asked, “Why am I teaching other people’s material when what I want to do is teach my own?” How many of you have had a similar experience?

Zander was devastated by the murder of his sister, Lucy, but he did not want to add to his parents’ burden during their profound grief. Many families struggle to connect when they need one another most. Later, parents often asked Zander, “Why don’t they cry?” Their questions inspired this book for parents and surviving siblings. It will help you navigate your own grief while supporting loved ones through theirs.

Zander Sprague is a TV host, speaker, award-winning author, and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). His mission is to help millions of people make the EPIC choices that create an EPIC life. He is a member of the National Speakers Association and author of three books.

In this interview, Zander also shares what you need to master the simple yet transformative habit of taking one step forward. This book will reshape the way you think about success and progress. It gives you the practical steps you need to create EPIC results - whether you want to run a marathon, lose weight, write a book, get promoted, start a business, or achieve any other goal.

"My most powerful tool was CHOICE, which I get every day 

to choose how I deal with the tragedies I have experienced."

Why Don’t They Cry?: Understanding Your Living Child’s Grief

A compassionate guide for parents supporting sibling survivors™ through grief, offering hope, healing, and renewed family connection.

When tragedy strikes, grief touches every member of a family, but parents and surviving siblings often experience it in very different ways.

When Zander Sprague’s sister Lucy was murdered, his world shattered. Yet, in his parents’ deepest sorrow, Zander chose not to show his own pain, afraid of adding to their burden. That silence left questions unspoken, connections strained, and healing delayed. Out of that experience came the question many grieving parents ask: “Why don’t they cry?”

This compassionate and practical guide offers parents a window into the unique grief of sibling survivors™, why they may seem distant, withdrawn, or unemotional, and how to gently bridge that gap. Drawing from personal loss and years of supporting families, Zander provides insights and tools to help parents:

• Understand the silent grief of
• Reconnect with surviving children through open communication and empathy
• Strengthen family bonds in the face of unimaginable pain
• Create a path toward collective healing, rather than isolation

Why Don’t They Cry? is more than a book; it’s a lifeline for families navigating the hardest journey of all, offering hope, understanding, and a way forward together.

Ideal for parents grieving the loss of a child, families supporting sibling survivors, and anyone seeking guidance on parenting through grief and sibling loss. This book belongs on the shelf of every grief support group, faith-based ministry, and healing resource for families.

There are many things that you think you might be prepared for in life; losing your sibling is not one of them. This book will help you choose your own positive pathway to healing and recovery. Zander Sprague is a two-time sibling survivor and the GO TO Speaker, Author, and Coach for Sibling Loss.

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How to Transition from Darkness to God's Revealing Light

After becoming deeply involved in New Age practices, Karla Callan hit rock bottom and resolved to leave that life behind. Overwhelmed by despair and living in fear, she called on God.

After eighteen years of involvement in witchcraft and four years in New Age practices, Karla Callan found freedom. She has since written seven books and now hosts two podcasts.

“I’ve faced two moments of deep hopelessness. The first came when I hit rock bottom after becoming deeply involved in New Age practices and wanted to leave that life entirely. The second came when I awoke under severe spiritual warfare that felt inescapable. I experienced utter despair and felt completely separated from God; it was one of the scariest moments of my life. Even then, I knew all I had to do was call on Jesus.”

This interview is worth hearing more than once—and sharing with friends.

Karla was motivated to change her life after reaching a breaking point in the New Age world. She had pursued one “next level” after another, yet none led to a truly satisfying life. Her story offers a cautionary perspective on what is happening in the church today and how easily New Age practices can enter Christian settings.

Karla Callan founded Karla Callan Ministries and the Formation Discipleship Program. Through this work, she seeks to equip believers to break free from bondage and walk in spiritual authority.

Karla is the author of seven books on building a relationship with Jesus Christ: Finding Jesus in the Storm: A Journey Through Crisis, Fear, and Grief, A Life of Prayer: Praying Scripture, Pursuing Breakthrough, and Worshiping Through the Psalms, Beyond the Diagnosis: A Faith-Filled Fight Against Cancer, Prayers That Move Mountains: A Soul Sisters' Guide to Creating a Powerful Prayer Group, Rooted: A Guide to Growing Your Faith and Garden, How to Find Your God-Given Purpose, and Faith Over Fear: Starting Your Business With God as Your CEO. 

How to Find Your God-Given Purpose by Karla Callan is a transformative Christian guide for women seeking clarity, direction, and deeper meaning in their walk with Jesus Christ. Rooted in Scripture and enriched by real-life testimony, this faith-based book walks readers through the powerful journey of discovering God's unique calling. Whether you're battling fear and self-doubt, struggling to hear God's voice, or simply wondering what your purpose is, this book provides biblical wisdom, practical tools, and Spirit-led encouragement to help you step boldly into your Kingdom assignment. Karla shares her personal journey of faith, surrender, and obedience, offering actionable steps for identifying spiritual gifts, overcoming setbacks, walking in faith, and impacting others for God's glory. Through devotion-style chapters, reflection questions, and heartfelt prayers, How to Find Your God-Given Purpose equips women of faith to pursue their divine calling with courage and confidence. This book is perfect for personal study, small groups, women's ministries, and anyone ready to say "yes" to God's plan and walk in purpose, freedom, and power.

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The Voice That Wouldn’t Be Silenced: One Woman’s Fight Through Cancer, Trauma, and Near Death

Alicia Rush was in crisis and had reached the point where she no longer wanted to live. She gathered her medication and headed toward the woods, but then remembered it was her son’s birthday — a moment that interrupted her plan and helped pull her back.

It was not the only time Alicia felt that level of hopelessness. After thyroid cancer left her living with a tracheostomy, she felt isolated in her trauma and unsure how she could face the rest of her life.

Alicia never imagined that cancer would take away her voice — twice. After surviving two tracheostomies, multiple surgeries, and life-threatening complications, she discovered something even more powerful than words: the strength to keep sharing her story.

Today, Alicia speaks to anyone who has felt hopeless, reminding them that even in the darkest moments, there can still be a reason to hold on.

      Two trachs. Two near-deaths. And a powerful new purpose born from the pain.

What if surviving cancer wasn’t the hardest part?

At fifty, Alicia Baca Rush thought she was preparing for a new chapter in her life — but nothing could have prepared her for what came next. Diagnosed with Stage 2 thyroid cancer, Alicia faced more than surgeries and hospital rooms; she faced losing her voice, her independence, and nearly her life — twice.

In this raw, heart-wrenching, and ultimately uplifting memoir, Alicia shares her extraordinary journey through not one but two tracheotomies, life-threatening complications, and a relentless fight to reclaim her identity. She opens the door on moments few dare to speak about — the betrayal of a failing medical system, the loneliness of healing, and the emotional scars that linger long after the physical ones fade.

But this isn’t just a story of survival. It’s a story of resilience. Of finding purpose in pain, of discovering that even when your voice is reduced to a whisper, your message can roar louder than ever.

Perfect for readers navigating illness, trauma, or personal reinvention, The Good Kind of Cancer is a beacon of hope, honesty, and fierce determination. Alicia doesn’t shy away from the hard truths — including the fear, the setbacks, and the two times she nearly died — but she also shows us what’s possible when you choose to turn pain into power.

If you or someone you love has ever wondered “Why me?”, this book will remind you that even in your darkest moments, you are not alone — and that every breath you fight for has meaning.

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The Power of the S.T.E.P. System: Nick Prefontaine’s Unbelieveable Comeback Story

At age 14, Nick was in a life-threatening snowboarding accident, and his parents were told he might never walk, talk, or eat on his own again. Against impossible odds, he fought back — and less than 90 days later, he ran out of the hospital.

Today, Nick is a nationally recognized motivational speaker and three-time best-selling author. He created the S.T.E.P. System — Support, Trust, Energy, and Persistence — to help others overcome setbacks and achieve their fullest potential. Once you master this system, there is no limit to what you can accomplish and overcome.

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Through his movement, Common Goal, Nick inspires audiences to see challenges not as barriers, but as the foundation for resilience, growth, and success.

Nick’s signature S.T.E.P. framework equips audiences with practical tools and unstoppable determination to move forward after adversity.

• Support – Lean on the right people and resources.
• Trust – Believe in yourself and the process.
• Energy – Direct your focus where it matters most.
• Persistence – Keep moving forward, one step at a time.

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From Setbacks to Strength: Andy Campbell’s 15 Core Beliefs for Resilience

Andy Campbell is a resilient survivor and inspiring author who has overcome some of life’s most devastating challenges. From enduring childhood sexual abuse and bullying to losing his mother at a young age and becoming estranged from his father, his journey has been marked by profound hardship. He has also faced stage 4 pancreatic cancer and the heartbreaking loss of his youngest son to suicide.

Despite multiple surgeries, intense chemotherapy treatments, and unimaginable personal grief, Andy has shown extraordinary strength and perseverance. Through these experiences, he has gained a powerful perspective on resilience, rooted in 15 core beliefs that have guided him through life’s darkest moments.

In his book “Overcoming Life’s Toughest Setbacks,” Andy shares these principles, offering hope, encouragement, and practical guidance for anyone facing adversity.

During his interview, Andy unpacks these core beliefs, revealing how applying them can transform your mindset and change your life.

Core Beliefs:

• No One Outruns the Universe: Embrace humility and acceptance, knowing you are part of a larger plan.

• There Are No Hard Decisions, Only Hard Consequences: Follow your heart and face the consequences with courage.

• Always Fall Forward: Keep moving toward your goals, even when you fall.

• Have an Insatiable Curiosity: Let your desire to find wisdom guide you through life.

• Compete Only With Yourself: Measure success by your own progress, not by comparing yourself to others.

• Thinking vs. Knowing: Distinguish between assumptions and knowledge.

• Every Challenge Has a Chewy Nougat Center Made of Opportunity: Persevere to find the hidden lessons in every struggle.

• Never Be Waiting: Always find work to do and remain proactive.

• Never “Try,” Always Work: Commit to action and avoid complacency.

• The .38 Special Rule—Hold on Loosely, but Don’t Let Go: Balance control and freedom to foster innovation and growth.

• Be Religious Only About Religion: Apply flexibility and open-mindedness to all but your core faith.

• Equations Are Constant, Variables Are Constantly Changing: Adapt your strategies to meet evolving circumstances.

• History Doesn’t Repeat Itself. Humans Repeat History: Learn from the past to avoid repeating mistakes.

• The Necessity of Perseverance: Embrace resilience as the foundation of all other beliefs.

• Finishing: Commit to completing what you start as the ultimate testament to perseverance.

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Imagine a life where you can OVERCOME any setback, WITHSTAND any loss, TRIUMPH over any trauma, EMBRACE any challenge, and THRIVE - Your path to resilience starts here.

• Are you exhausted from the struggle?

• Are you too empty to give anymore?

• Are you too hurt to find joy?

• Do you feel unfulfilled, constantly seeking a sense of purpose that seems just out of reach?

• Does the pursuit of relationships, career advancement, and financial security leave you spread thin and strained?

You’re not alone, so let’s redefine your journey. Overcoming Life’s Toughest Setbacks: 15 Breakthrough Core Beliefs to Transform Challenges into Opportunities! is your practical guide to resilience, peace of mind, and unshackling your potential.

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Finding Hope in Dark Times: Hendrika de Vries’ Journey of Courage and Healing

In Nazi-occupied Amsterdam during World War II, young Hendrika de Vries witnessed extraordinary courage. Her family hid a Jewish child in their home, and she watched her mother join the Dutch Resistance and withstand interrogation at gunpoint after the child was discovered and taken away. These experiences would shape a lifetime devoted to resilience, hope, and helping others find their strength.

Hendrika’s remarkable journey spans continents and generations. From her childhood in wartime Holland to her teenage years as an immigrant and champion swimmer in 1950s Australia, and later as a young wife and mother in the turbulent United States of the 1960s, her life story is one of perseverance, adaptation, and purpose.

As a young swimming instructor in Australia, Hendrika experienced a defining moment when she helped a boy whose legs had been paralyzed by polio learn to trust his upper body and move through the water. Watching him discover his own strength revealed a calling that would eventually lead her to become a family therapist in the United States.

Today, Hendrika de Vries is a retired family therapist, teacher, and writer with a background in theology and depth psychology. She is the author of two memoirs, including one about a little Dutch girl who journeys from the shadows of war to a new life in Australia, confronting loss, shattered dreams, and inner struggles before discovering her unique path forward.

Through her writing and speaking, Hendrika inspires audiences with a powerful message: even in the darkest times, hope and possibility remain. She believes that by sharing our stories, we become witnesses to resilience and agents of change. Her life and work remind us that courage, compassion, and the human spirit can endure—and flourish—against all odds.

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If you believe in the power of dreams and intentions, this inspirational coming-of-age memoir, set in 1950s Australia, where an immigrant girl swimmer turns challenges and disappointments into opportunities for success, is for you.

Henny was just a little girl when she experienced brutal violence and hunger in WWII Amsterdam, but she is now a teenage immigrant swimmer in 1950s Australia, where she must learn to turn challenges into success. She is smart, she swims fast, and she has definite opinions about the kind of woman she intends to be.

She hears the timeless Land speak and sees the Southern Cross as a beacon when she walks in the bush with her father. She enjoys swimming star fame and championship victories and turns to the pool in her search to belong, to face fears and dashed hopes, until at every turn she sees more clearly her unique path ahead.

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When a Toy Dog Became a Wolf and the Moon Broke Curfew

Born in the Netherlands at a time when girls are to be housewives and mothers and nothing else, Hendrika de Vries is a “daddy’s girl” until her father is deported from Nazi-occupied Amsterdam to a POW camp in Germany and her mother joins the Resistance. In the aftermath of her father’s departure, Hendrika watches as freedoms formerly taken for granted are eroded with escalating brutality by men with swastika armbands who aim to exterminate those they deem “inferior” and those who do not obey.

As time goes on, Hendrika absorbs her mother’s strength and faith, and learns about moral choice and forced silence. She sees her hidden Jewish “stepsister” betrayed, and her mother interrogated at gunpoint. She and her mother suffer near starvation, and they narrowly escape death on the day of liberation. But they survive it all—and through these harrowing experiences, Hendrika discovers the woman she wants to become.

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How to Have Hope When There Is No Hope

Dorsey Ross’ birth was a surprise. Dorsey’s parents were in their forties, had two grown daughters, and were considered past child-bearing age. When Dorsey was born, the doctors believed he wouldn’t survive due to his life-threatening disability. 

Dorsey was born on January 16th, 1977, with a congenital disability known as Apert’s Syndrome. His forehead was pushed outward, his nose and mouth were pushed inward, and his fingers and toes were fused, meaning he had no individual movement of them. Doctors gave Dorsey’s parents no hope for his survival and advised them to put him into an institution.  His parents both knew and trusted in God, and they believed that God would do great things in Dorsey’s life. Throughout his life, Dorsey has had to overcome a lot of obstacles, including being bullied, called names like monster and freak, and undergoing multiple operations.

68 Operations Later......

Teachers told Dorsey he would not make it in college, and with all odds against him, he entered Queensborough Community College. After four years there and after attaining an associate degree, he entered the University of Valley Forge. After years of hard work and perseverance, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth Ministry.  His life saying is, “can’t is a word not in his vocabulary” because, for most of his life, he has never used the word can’t.

He believes that with God, all things are possible and that he can do all things through Christ, who gives him strength. It’s with God’s help that he is overcoming life’s obstacles.

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Dorsey has undergone multiple operations over his lifetime. However, regardless of what he has had to face, Dorsey has not given up. He does everything he can to accomplish the goals and dreams God gave to him.

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