You Never Know What Can Happen Until You Try

Kristen Craren is a relational expert with a Master's in Counseling and the founder of Craren Family Services, LLC.  She educates the public by providing resources that can help people going through a divorce and specializes in helping people adjust to leading happier lives.

Her story starts in her childhood which prepared her with the expertise that comes not only from education but from being on both sides of a divorce. 

Kristen has the educational, professional and life experience on the subject of families.  She will work with you in your reality to reach the goals YOU desire.  She listens with her heart and does not come across as 'therapist-y'.

APPROACH YOURSELF AND OTHERS WITH CURIOSITY

If Something is Not in Your Life Every Day, it is Not Your Passion

Fred Griffin, Jr, is the founder and director of Touching Hearts Group Homes, Fred Consulting, Father Gang Clothing, Fred Griffin, Jr. Scholarship, Co-owner of  Confectionately Yours Cakes N Bakes, and Touching Hearts Academy and Adult Day Training Program. 

 

Fred Griffin, Jr. has a passion for people with disabilities.  He worked as a program supervisor in the Behavioral Medical Division, has a Culinary Arts Degree and worked as a model for the world's largest agency, John Casablanca of Orlando.  Fred's website has much to offer you and gives information about the scholarship program, employment opportunities, services they provide and the Academy & Adult Day Training Program.  He shares steps to becoming a self-made millionaire.

Never Believe in Failure and Learn From Your Mistakes

Allen Weinstein is the author of Memoirs of a Learning Disabled Dyslexic Multi-Millionaire. 

Allen couldn't read until he was thirteen and written off by our educational system. 


No matter what happened, Allen never believed he was a failure and overcame obstacles that were deemed impossible.  He said that failure is only when you quit.  Don't quit!

One Sunday night he went to bed a multi-millionaire and woke up Monday morning penniless.  But, he turned it all around and believes anyone can.  When you have to FIGHT to succeed, you have a better chance at success!  Setbacks are important in life -- they help you to understand what NOT to do.

There Can Be Hope During Devastating Heartache

Cheri Swalwell is the author of Hope During Heartache, a compilation of 13 stories of men and women who suffered the loss of a child.

There are no words more devastating than "I'm sorry, but your child is no longer alive!"

Cheri also writes a series Spoken from the Heart
which deals with learning to live with the pain of losing a child, dealing with infertility, miscarriage, and stillbirth.

Both her book and her articles will touch your heart.  If you know anyone, or if you have suffered a loss in this manner, you will want to connect with Cheri.

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