The Good, the Bad, the Ugly -- Can there be humor in that?

Barbara Carter is a visual artist, author, and instructor.  Barbara is a memoir writer who connects with her readers to help them understand themselves.  Her stories offer hope and raise awareness about various issues including anxiety, depression, loss, grief, a difficult mother/daughter relationship, alcoholism and other addictions. 

She began as someone who didn’t think she had anything of value to say but through her various struggles has discovered that she has much to offer to the world.

Her art and writing have led her to the importance of healing wounds from the past so that one can live in joy and peace.

Is There Any Hope in the Hood?

Colleen Adams made an impact in the world of fashion, but it was not the legacy she wanted to leave.  After years as a fashion executive, she left the industry to make a difference in the life of urban teens.  Sacrificing her financial security Colleen carved an innovative path of hope by establishing Empowered Youth USA.  

In the depths of inner-city America, poverty and crime shape the lives of underprivileged youth. The children’s role models are drug addicts and criminals. Attending funerals of their friends seems as commonplace as hanging out at the mall and taking out the trash which might result in being shot to death. Electricity and functional plumbing aren’t guaranteed.

By stark contrast, Colleen Adams hailed from the racially segregated south in the 1940’s and climbed her way to the elite end of the social scale. But after accomplishing hollow success as a fashion and publishing marketing executive, Colleen heeded her life’s calling to tackle the hopelessness and despair of disenfranchised inner-city young men.

But could ONE person provide the means for youth from the most crime-ridden and poverty-stricken neighborhoods to actually achieve the American Dream?

Colleen's interview will inspire you and hopefully, challenge you to help bring Hope in the Hood.  She has the unique ability to see the real person inside kids whom society has tossed aside. 

When You Just Want the Pain to End

Lorraine Reguly, B.A./B.Ed., is an author and English teacher-turned-freelancer for hire. She offers 4 different services on Wording Well to help you with writing/blogging, and editing. Lorraine has helped many become published authors and she can help you, too!


In her interview, Lorraine shared her story of how she overcame suicidal thoughts that plagued her for years.  "Deciding what to do when you are suicidal is tough. You don’t know what to do. You don’t know who to turn to. YOU JUST WANT YOUR PAIN TO END."

Lorraine was raped when she was a 14-year-old virgin and tried killing herself when she was 15 years old.  She felt hopeless many times throughout her life.  She was a single mom who got involved with prostitution.  After going to school and becoming a high school teacher she quit teaching to return to prostitution. Her son ended up disowning her and in her pain, she smoked crack cocaine for 10 months. That was when she hit rock bottom.  There was nowhere to go but....up.

After she nearly died from a burst appendix, it was a major turning point for her. She realized she did NOT want to die!  She wanted to LIVE!

How Would You React if Your Son said "Mom, I'm a Girl"

Judy Glenney is an author, speaker and a mover and shaker.  She wanted to compete in weight lifting but quickly realized there were no categories for women to compete.  Through a long process she started the competition sport for women nationally, then internationally, then into the Olympics.

She has won several championships, both nationally and internationally.  




As a late in life mom, she had only one son whose life was cut short by suicide at the age of nineteen.

Judy's story of her son's life will grab you from the beginning of her interview as it is about the very timely and sensitive issue of transgenderism.  

She openly revealed her emotions and frustrations both before and after her son's death.  She shares how she reacted to her son's wishes to become a girl to the guilt she encountered when he died.  

Judy shares how the public school agenda is too quick to embrace the transition for young children 

How to Take Charge of Your Health and Vitality

Kelsey Matheson is a serial entrepreneur and success coach for women. She transforms her clients at a cellular level and supports them in getting out of their own way!  

Kelsey is the Founder and Co-Owner of Anamaya Resort, a yoga retreat center in Costa Rica, and BE Outfitter, a backpack and outdoor gear company that helps put children around the world through school. These businesses, along with helping women live the lives they were born to live, have become her passion in life.

While many new and exciting ventures were happening, Kelsey had her daughter and subsequently suffered from severe depression.  Much discovery led to the recovery and the realization that Kelsey could help others. The call to coach was heard and kelseymatheson.com now serves as a hub for those seeking to benefit from either her business prowess, through private 1:1 training sessions, or achieve optimal health through her brand new e-course The Optimal Health & Conscious Living Academy.  

There is Always Hope -- You are Worthy and Valuable

Charlana Kelly is an author of numerous articles and three books, “You are Not Here by Accident,”  “Reaching Out with a Message of Hope” and “In Search of the King's Court.”  Charlana's accomplishments are numerous; entrepreneur, pastor, community ministry leader, Podcast Host and CEO of SpeakTruth Media Group LLC. 

At the age of six, Charlana found out that she was adopted which sent her into a downward spiral into her teens and beyond.  During her interview, she delves into this subject and how it can affect kids.  

Charlana learned many truths on her journey such as:

What we expect to come to pass.....will

There is always hope -- you are worthy and valuable

Hopelessness is losing your expectation of good

Seeing Something in it's Mess, You can See the Potential

Lori Gano is a speaker, teacher, and author.  Lori has a passion for broken women and she goes into the trenches to help restore these women in rebuilding their shattered lives.

Lori's career as a licensed general contractor and owner of a residential design and build construction company is what inspired her to help restore broken lives.

Lori was born into a difficult family life whose parents were alcohol dependent and severely mentally ill.  She struggled through abuse, neglect, panic disorder, PTSD, and anorexia. But she was determined to make something of her life which led her to help others less fortunate.

Marrying at 23, she was still suffering through panic disorder and anorexia.  She lost her mother-in-law to leukemia, became pregnant with twins but one was lost.  She lost her ability to work due to the high-risk pregnancy and they lost their home, cars and all their belongings.  They had to file bankruptcy and begin the process of starting over.  

How to Live Fully the Life You Did Not Plan - No Matter What

 

Rebecca Faye Smith Galli is an author and columnist who writes about love, loss, and healing. Surviving significant losses—her seventeen-year-old brother’s death; her son’s degenerative disease and subsequent death; her daughter’s autism; her divorce; and nine days later, her paralysis from transverse myelitis, a rare spinal cord inflammation that began as the flu—has fostered an unexpected but prolific writing career. 







The Baltimore Sun published her first column about playing soccer with her son—from the wheelchair. 400 published columns later, she launched Thoughtful Thursdays—Lessons from a Resilient Heart, a weekly column that shares what’s inspired her to stay positive.

Becky Galli was born into a family that valued the power of having a plan. With a pastor father and a stay-at-home mother, her 1960s southern upbringing was bucolic--even enviable. But when her brothe­r, only seventeen, died in a waterskiing accident, the slow unraveling of her perfect family began.

Though grief overwhelmed the family, twenty-year-old Galli forged onward with her life plans–marriag­e, career, and raising a family of her own–one she hoped would be as idyllic as the fam­ily she once knew.

Never Give Up On Your Dreams

Simone Pond is an award-winning USA Today bestselling author of dystopian fiction and urban fantasy. As a young girl, she loved writing in her journal and making up stories, though it took several years before she published her first novel. Since then she hasn’t looked back. Pond currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their Boston Terrier. 

As a young girl, Simone felt overwhelmed with hopelessness, starting from the age of twelve when she realized her father was a drug addict and was selling drugs from our house. Her severely depressed mother locked herself in her room for about a year, while Simone muddled her way through puberty. She wanted to disappear. The shame was too heavy. She lived in the constant fear of her family being arrested.  She watched her father fading away before her eyes and at one point wished him dead.  

In rebellion she became an alcoholic who was severely depressed and manic. Simone went through two divorces which left her suicidal. This devastating event was the pivot point in her life when she made the decision to take control, get help and she turned her entire life around.  Now, she has a passion to help other young women who may be going through similar circumstances. 

No Matter What Happened - You Can Still Realize Your Dreams

Madhura is an Ignition Coach, speaker, and author who has made it her mission to help people bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be.

She helps people gain clarity, direction, peace of mind and conidence so they can move in that direction.





Madhura overcame severe depression, being abused as a young girl, and being kicked out of university.  At 25 years old, Madhura was told she would never walk again without the use of a cane and pain medications.  

She was able to pick herself up and turn her life towards a positive direction with a passion to help others who have to overcome trauma and major obstacles.  

Do You Want to Take Your Career to the Next Level?

Awilda Rivera is a result oriented Success Coach who has dedicated her life to helping others succeed.  Whether you are an Entrepreneur, Career Professional, or Small Business Owner  - Awilda has the tools to assist you in making the progress you desire.

The Success Conversion coaching method is centered on creating measurable results. As a Certified Success Conversion Coach, Awilda uses a step by step process to help clients realize their intentions & efficiently accomplish their objectives. 

This is a goal oriented coaching style where the primary focus is on helping the client develop workable strategies that will enable them to take the action necessary to achieve their desired outcome.

As well as the adversity and common pitfalls that many business owners and entrepreneurs face. I have learned that career professionals also encounter many of the same obstacles as they work to excel in their chosen fields; i.e. self-doubt, trouble with strategic planning, motivation, & execution.

Do Negative Circumstances Make or Break You?

Qiana Hicks is a mother, a college graduate, a career professional, and an author. Her parents were drug and alcohol addicts, and her father spent most of Qiana's youth in prison.  She has an MBA with a specialization in finance and is now managing a team of IT resources for a pharmaceutical management company in Minneapolis.

Although her life can be categorized as that of a disadvantaged childhood, due to her mother’s substance abuse problems, her biological father’s absence, and her stepfather’s alcohol and drug addictions, she survived a tumultuous youth. Qiana and her siblings suffered from many forms of abuse, neglect, and poverty and had to raise themselves.

At age 15, Qiana became an adolescent-parent.  But she worked tirelessly to overcome the challenges of her past and positioned herself to face the obstacles of the future. She finished high school on time, then enrolled in college immediately after graduation, and raised her son while pursuing a college degree and building a career. 

Qiana REFUSED to allow her past to determine who and what she would become.  She used her experiences as opportunities and lessons for her future, making her wiser and stronger.  (I nicknamed her Qiana 'tenacious' Hicks and you will too!)

What is the Difference Between Visualization and Reality?

Beverly Walthour, the owner of BCW Business Ventures, is a Business Strategist for women who work full-time and have an online business - or want to start one.  She has inspired hundreds of passionate women to confidently build their online business. 

Beverly is a co-author of the book, Tying the Knot Between Ministry and the Marketplace, and is an award-winning educator.  

During her interview, Beverly shares the fears and obstacles we often face when we want to venture out of our comfort zone and start our own business. Beverly can help you overcome each of these hurdles and become the success you want to be.

She shares how visualization can help you program your day - and then watch yourself fulfill it.

Do You Have a Problem? You Just Need to Find a Solution

Gloria Raynor is a woman with a heart full of compassion to reach hurting hearts. She understands her mission which is reaching out to people who are broken, sick or abandoned. 

Gloria Raynor, of Hearting Hearts, reaches out through the visionary eyes of God’s mandate to bring healing to broken hearts.  Her passion is to see people healed, delivered, and set free from their bondages. It is her heart’s desire that through the ministry, Hurting Heart this Hour, men and women who are an emotional disaster or have physical or emotional disabilities will receive healing and start living again.

What is the Difference Between a Rich Man and a Poor Man?

Stephen Scoggins has been referred to as an empowering communicator who educates audiences on how to heal from their past, grow where they are planted, then goes out to help others do the same.  




Coming from a broken home led him into a life full of failures and disappointments.  With minimal income coming in for his family, he was forced to drop out of high school and go to work -- just to keep the electricity turned on.  Roaches and Ramen noodles were Stephen's family's normal R & R time.

After training for a year for the U. S. military only to be rejected by circumstances never foreseen, he hit bottom.  Taking off his shoes, climbing over the railing of an overpass, he attempted to do a nosedive into oncoming rush hour traffic. But at the last moment, he made a phone call to someone who spoke 11 words to him that changed his life forever.

As a homeless man, dumpster diving for food, Stephen birthed a business, Custom Home Interiors, which is now a multi-million dollar company, located in multiple states employing over 400 team members.

So.....What is the Difference Between a Rich Man and a Poor Man?  

The way he thinks

How to Design a Life You Will Love

Aimee C. Teesdale is a life coach and public speaker with 28 years experience in psychology and personal development.

Aimee helps ambitious men and women who are holding themselves back, not achieving all they could be, and tired of being stuck with mediocre. She enables them to get past their barriers, become the person they want to be, and start living a great life they love.

Aimee created The Love Life Plan as a way of helping her to design a life that she would love.  The plan and questions included have helped her to make that life come true. She now uses the same methodology with her clients to help them do the same.

You will be motivated to enjoy the life you dream about when you listen to Aimee's interview:

Connect with Aimee here

FREE-- Love Life Plan download

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You Can Eat Your Way Out of Depression

A uniquely qualified professional speaker and consultant, AnnetteReeder is a Nutritionist and graduate of Biblical Studies.  She founded Designed Healthy Living, Design Publishing and now Flavor of Grace Ministry.






Annette is the author of six books including Treasure of Health Nutrition Manual, Healthy Treasures Cookbook, and Baking with Whole Grain Goodness.

In her interview, Annette shared how many people live two lives.  They eat one way in front of others and then eat in secret and feel guilty.  This roller coaster can cause depression and extreme anxiety.  When you think of yourself as depressed, stressed, TIRED, or 'fat', it creates an unhealthy picture of yourself -- but that can be changed!

After years of dealing with the guilt, shame and being overweight, Annette hit bottom.  She had to make some changes as she was of little value to her family as her health was rapidly declining.  She took control and now can help others in the same vicious cycle.

Did You Know How You Can Get Wealthier Every Day?

Daniel Ameduri is a self-made millionaire, the founder of Future Money Trends and the proud father of three.

After pursuing his dreams, Daniel did not lose hope when his world, as he knew it, collapsed. In this interview, Daniel shares his story of how he turned that around.  It is now his mission to teach everyone how they can too.  

In his stimulating, encouraging and informative interview, we can each glean wisdom and tips into improving our own financial world.  Daniel's goal is to help us become financially free.

Daniel offers a FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER to

Get Wealthier Every Day: Income, Stocks, Gold, & Market Updates

Wouldn't You Love to Know How to Better Communicate with Your Family?

Janet Bonnin of Fine-Tuned Families is an Accredited Life Coach and Parenting Educator.  Among her many credits, she is the creator of The Fine-Tuned Family Cycle and has a growing YouTube Audio and Video Podcast Series called “Wise Parents, Wise Kids.”

Since 2001, Janet has helped busy parents reduce stress and discord, and achieve more peaceful, happy and thriving family lives. She helps parents focus on what matters most, and coaches them on closing gaps between where they are AND where they want to be.  

Janet shared several tips regarding communication within our families.  One of them is to create a code word for "help."  It is a word that your kids can use to let you know they need you - NOW. Dropping everything and helping them when they need it speaks volumes to them - it gives them the security they need knowing that you are there for them.  

Do You Need to Get Rid of Emotional Debris?

Cynthia Mazzaferro is a Motivational Speaker, #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author, a retired physical therapist of over 30 years where she taught individuals on injury and stress reduction and runs a variety of workshops and seminars utilizing many life-changing techniques.

 Cindy's passion is to assist people in their personal growth, health, and purpose.

During Cindy's interview, she shared her own experiences of abandonment, lack of self-love, fear, loneliness, and despair.  Yet she is now living a life that is miraculous, happy, healthy and filled with joy, passion, and authenticity.  

Cindy offers many tools to help you experience the same positives in your life which are shared in her book.  She also offers her services as coach and mentor.

What Happens When You Give Your Baby Up for Adoption?

Angela Rushing is a world traveler, adventurer, trust and freedom seeker, health and fitness enthusiast, animal advocate, and author.

After a successful career in the beauty industry as a top hairstylist in Los Angeles, it looked like I had it made, although my life felt empty and incomplete, unfulfilled and deeply depressed. Having grown up as the only child in an alcoholic family, I self-medicated well into my thirties and forties to numb the pain of my childhood and adolescence. I finally reached a point where I knew I had to make a significant change and find real meaning in my life, or I would likely die.

Her message rings true: You can't overcome obstacles in your life while in 'victimhood.'

Her book is called The Birth Mother Roller Coaster: Navigating through guilt and fear and arriving at self-love and completion. It is an account of how she became a birth mother. She shares her lonely childhood growing up in an alcoholic household, her teenage and young adult years of depression and her own drug and alcohol use. She knew her experience leading up to her adoption/placement and the feelings that came with that must be shared with the world.

Could You Forgive the Man Who Murdered Your Daughter?

Becki Reiser is an author of Through My Tears - Awash in Forgiveness.  Becki has lived through the worst nightmare a parent could ever have -- her daughter was murdered.  But that is not the whole story - what happened after the murder is nothing short of a miracle.

The book opens with the night of the murder and the dreaded knock at the Reisers’ door. One of the author's young sons went to the door, saw the police officer, and, too shocked to do much else, went to wake his parents. From that moment on, nothing would ever be the same for the author and her family. In fact, nothing would ever be the same for the officers, doctors, friends, family, and the Reisers’ hometown.

What follows is a detailed account from eyewitnesses, officers, and the author of what it was like to discover that a missing daughter was actually a murdered daughter. The remarkable aspect of Through My Tears is the intrepid bravery of Becki Reiser and the instant and assured assertion that the murderer was forgiven. The forgiveness soothed ragged hearts and offered solace and strength.

If you have ever lost someone, Becki's interview will strengthen and amaze you when you hear how Becki extended grace and forgiveness to the man who murdered her daughter.

How to Survive Heartbreak and an Unbelievable Diagnosis about Your Baby

Crystal Olguín Duffy is a keynote speaker, author, and teacher.  She is passionate about helping individuals struggling through adversity and inspiring them to survive and thrive. She lives in Houston with her husband Ed, and their three little girls; Abby (5), Katie and Lauren (3) and yappy little Yorkie pup, Charlie. Her essays on parenting have appeared in Scary Mommy, Mamapedia and Twiniversity.

Her Memoir, Twin to Twin, is her first book and was written during the span of 1,000 naps. She hopes that her story inspires men and women to have the strength and courage to stay positive and move forward through any type of adversity.

After two miscarriages, Crystal was ecstatic to hear that she was having twins until.....the doctors told her they may not survive and their condition was extremely rare.




As you listen to her story, you will be holding your breath wondering if she or the babies will make it through this ordeal.  Every moment is an eternity as Crystal is waiting for her unborn children to arrive and questioning what else could possibly go wrong.

How to Inspire Hope in the Dark Night of the Storm

Keri Fulmore is a Medical Intuitive who helps people connect to the root of their health and emotional blockages. Keri uses a blend of medical intuition, functional medicine, and nutrition to connect with her clients.  

Five years ago, Keri was bedridden with a big health crisis of body-wide nerve pain that attacked her overnight. I could barely get out of bed, let alone take care of my children.  It was one of the darkest storms of my life. 

I went through a lot of hopelessness in my health storm.  The pain I had in my body was a 10 out of 10.  Everything I did, required fighting back tears.  I remember lying in bed, the pain burning me like battery acid on my nerves, feeling exhausted, crying from the depths of my soul for help.  Praying for help.  I also remember feeling like there was no way out. That my prayers were not heard.  Medically, there was nothing wrong with me.  I often wondered how I could even get better if I didn’t know what was wrong.  I reached moments in the pain where I wished it could all be over.  I prayed for God to take me home, or show me a way.  I had reached my rock bottom.  Then she found a way.

Can You Overcome Your Biggest Fear?

Two months shy of her third birthday, Susan Goudy was sexually abused by a sixteen-year-old neighbor. Although she unconsciously buried this horrific experience deep within herself, the deep-rooted fear that resulted continued to influence her decisions, happiness, relationships, health, and more for many years. 



Susan Goudy earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University. With a strong background in psychology, counseling, and social work, as well as certifications in neuro-physical reprogramming, bio-energetic synchronization technique, and psychological kinesiology (Psych-K), Susan works to heal physical as well as deep-rooted emotional issues. Her many years of experience are featured in her writing. 

In The Journey from Fear to Love Is Shorter Than You Think, Goudy describes the awakening into a life that finally freed her from the mental, physical, and spiritual chains of her past. Her memoir is sprinkled with self-help tips that will give readers the tools they need to get “present and focused” and to take an honest look at what they are or are not doing to create the lives they currently live. 

Susan knows from firsthand experience that living in the shadow of your past can cause you to forget that you have the power to take charge of your life. No matter what may or may not lie in your own past, let Susan Goudy help you become more awake, aware, clear, and empowered. It’s time to stop being a victim and to leave excuses behind. It’s time to realize just how powerful and wonderful you are, have been, and will always be!


Listen to her inspiring interview with many self-help tips:

Purchase Susan's life-changing book here:

                                                                    

                         FREE BOOK ON SUSAN'S WEBSITE

Connect with Susan here - she would love to help you:

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No Matter What Happens - Keep Your Goals in Your View

Deborah Malone’s first novel Death in Dahlonega, finalized in the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Category Five writing contest! Deborah was nominated for the 2012 and 2013 Georgia Author of the Year Award in the novel category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, for the historic magazine Georgia Backroads. 

She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing has been featured in the Tales of the Rails, edited by Olin Jackson as well as the Christian Communicator and Southern Writers Magazine. She is a member of the Georgia Writer’s Association, Advanced Writer’s Association, and American Christian Fiction Writers.







As successful as Deborah has been as a writer, she has had more than her share of overwhelming circumstances. In her interview, she shares how to work towards your goals even in the midst of challenging life circumstances.

Her daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor at three years old.  Her surgery, together with radiation and meningitis, left her severely disabled.  Deborah's daughter is now 39 years old and Deborah cared for her through her own abusive marriage of 26 years. Deborah understands the strength of the human spirit. She also understands the need to push past your pain and do what you love to do.