Monday, August 18, 2025

How Do You Grapple with Emotional or Social Issues That Haunt You?

John Graham graduated from college with no real training, no direction, and no one to help him. As a result, he went through eight career detours, moving from state to state, feeling helpless, alone, and not knowing what to do or where to go much of the time.

It was not until he and his wife committed to helping others who were struggling more they were and founded Good Samaritan Home that he found his place and a sense of purpose.

John Graham

John Graham had gone from homelessness, a series of career restarts over the years, to a business owner and a published author. He was a door-to-door salesman, children’s home counselor, substitute schoolteacher, truck driver, fireman, building contractor, minister, and journalist.

At 75, he published his debut novel called Running As Fast As I Can, which had been rejected nearly 200 times. John is familiar with second, third, and fourth chances that many of us need to reach our goals. It is in developing what he calls calloused hands and a tender heart, along the journey. 

Click HERE to buy book

Running As Fast As I Can


For Fans of WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING, A LITTLE LIFE, and FORREST GUMP

"... often profound historical novel. Our verdict: GET IT!" - KIRKUS REVIEWS

Growing up in the mill slums of Pittsburgh, Daniel Robinson was a punching bag for his drunken father, ignored by his mentally ill mother, and trapped in the grip of poverty. He’s finally freed from the torture of that home, only to crash land in another hell when he’s abused by the pastor who takes him in.

Daniel escapes once again, spending the next decade wandering homeless throughout the country during the turbulent 1960s. On his journey, he gets caught up in the hippie drug invasion in San Francisco, racial violence in Cleveland and Detroit, and especially a deadly anti-war protest at Kent State. Daniel finally finds love with someone who was running from her own demons. Together, they get a second chance at happiness and the family they both want.

Because of his experience on the street, Daniel is offered a job helping men coming from prison. When asked to find housing for Charles Vickers, a black man who spent twenty years in prison for a rape that Daniel is convinced he never committed, he and his wife open their own home to him. This enrages the community, especially when a local girl disappears. Violence erupts—with Daniel as the focus of their rage.

Should he stay and fight for Charles—and put his family at risk, or run away again?

RUNNING AS FAST AS I CAN is an unforgettable, multi-award-winning story about overcoming childhood abuse and the generational trauma of poverty to find love, forgiveness, and redemption. Daniel’s story, with its harrowing social themes conveyed through an intense personal odyssey, vividly portrays a traumatic period in our history, while grappling with intense emotional and social issues we still face today.

CONNECT WITH JOHN HERE
Website Good Samaritan Home
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Wednesday, August 13, 2025

The Secret How to Maintain Your Mindset in the Middle of a Challenge

Jenn Todling had a mental breakdown after caring for her chronically ill spouse for five years. She felt trapped and hopeless, assuming she would never be able to leave the situation or have a fulfilling life. This was a turning point for her to realize that her mental health was at risk, and she needed to seek help and support.

With a past life as an audit partner at Ernest and Young, a stint at the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and an adjunct faculty coach at the University of Denver, Jenn’s journey to become an author, speaker, and coach embodies the power of transformation. 

Jenn Todling


Jenn kept a journal of ideas she needed to share with the world - life lessons and guiding principles led to publishing her journey to help support people through transformation and help them become their most authentic selves.

In her interview, Jenn shares:

- The power of mindset in looking for hope in challenging situations.

- How creative expression can help support us in getting unstuck from sticky situations.

- How we can go after our dreams no matter our age or circumstances.

"If you think you can or can't - You are right" - Henry Ford



An inspirational book club read of one woman’s journey of taking the bold step to leave her disabled and volatile spouse and moving across the country in search of adventure, tango, and love.

At the tender age of twenty, Jenn faces a pivotal moment when her boyfriend, Morey, proposes marriage after only a few weeks of dating. Her intuition urges her to say no, but she’s spent the entirety of her teenage years caregiving for family; she yearns for adventure, and she thinks relocating to California with Morey will give her the freedom she craves. So, she says yes—only to find herself back in the caregiver role after he becomes disabled a few years into their marriage. But it’s Morey’s volatile personality that ultimately leads Jenn to make a brave decision: it’s time to leave.

Dancing on my Own Two Feet

Dancing on My Own Two Feet takes a poignant turn as Jenn relocates to New York City after her divorce. Here, she rediscovers a long-forgotten passion for dance and embarks on a transformative journey that transcends the physicality of movement. Each dance becomes a channel to tap into her inner wisdom, providing the courage to explore the world and embrace new adventures. Then Jenn encounters Gable, a potential suitor, prompting new questions to arise in her: Is she better off on her own? Or could Gable be the love and dance partner she’s been longing for?

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR COPY 

CONNECT WITH GINA HERE

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Saturday, August 9, 2025

How to Face Your Journey with Certainty Instead of Pain

From her humble beginning as a bartender to the sacred halls of the convent and through the trials of tumultuous relationships and alcoholism, Gina Economopoulos grapples with loss, grief, and the pursuit of self-discovery.

From the agonizing decision to leave the convent behind to the numbing embrace of alcoholism, every step of her journey is fraught with uncertainty and pain. Yet, through sheer resilience and unwavering determination, she begins the process of healing, learning to let go of the past and forge new connections in the present. 

How to face Your Journey with Certainty

Gina Economopoulos was born in Syosset, NY, to a strong Italian and Greek-loving family. She graduated from Eastern CT State University and bartended before embarking on a 12-year convent journey after her mother's passing. Settled on the Jersey Shore, Gina now works as an End-of-Life Doula, extending her compassionate heart to those in their final chapter. She found solace in sobriety as a proud Alcoholics Anonymous member, and her story of resilience through tragedy and faith inspires others to face life's challenges.

Gina found her fiancé dead from alcoholism a month before her wedding day. Her story is raw and passionate. It will inspire you to never ever give up:

Shake the Dust Off Your Feet and Walk




From bartending to the nunnery and back again.

Embark on a transformative journey with Shake the Dust Off Your Feet and Walk, a stirring memoir that traces Gina Economopoulos's path from despair to redemption. From her humble beginning as a bartender to the sacred halls of the convent and through the trials of tumultuous relationships and alcoholism, she grapples with loss, grief, and the pursuit of self-discovery. With honesty, she invites readers to witness her quest to reclaim her life amidst chaos.

As the author navigates the labyrinth of her own emotions, readers are drawn into the landscape of her struggles. From the agonizing decision to leave the convent behind to the numbing embrace of alcoholism, every step of her journey is fraught with uncertainty and pain. Yet, through sheer resilience and unwavering determination, she begins the arduous process of healing, learning to let go of the past and forge new connections in the present.

Her unwavering faith serves as a guiding light through the darkest of nights, illuminating a path toward self-acceptance and forgiveness. Through her words, she offers a profound insight into the human condition, reminding readers of the power of resilience and the transformative nature of love.

Shake The Dust Off Your Feet and Walk is more than just a memoir—it is a testament to the power of the human spirit to find healing in faith, time, and self-discovery. By the journey's end, readers are left with a profound sense of admiration for Gina's courage and perseverance. Her story serves as a reminder that no matter how daunting the road ahead may seem, there is always hope waiting to be discovered in the most unlikely of places.

Join the author on a journey of self-discovery and redemption in Shake The Dust Off Your Feet and Walk. Let her words inspire you to confront your own struggles with grace and resilience and emerge stronger on the other side. This memoir is a testament to the enduring power of faith to rise above adversity and find peace amidst the chaos.


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