ajoyfulrebellion.com

Shayne Whitaker

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Whether you live in or have visited a city recently, you've probably encountered people without a place to call home. Many of us, myself included, experience that awkward tension when we think about how that person might have arrived in that circumstance, and what we would do if we ever found ourselves in their shoes.

Shayne Whitaker became homeless for the first time at age four and wrote a book about his experiences growing up. His book is called, The Homeless Man’s Journal, and it takes us through his journey from being abandoned by his mother, at an early age, then living in a dysfunctional family situation for several years before opting to live in an orphanage and ultimately getting in control of his future.

It’s a story of resilience that echoes the sentiments of what A Joyful Rebellion is all about, and if you stick around till the end, I feel confident you’ll gain a healthy dose of perspective from our conversation.

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Have you ever asked someone how they are doing and they tell you they are “Living the dream”? It’s typically delivered with sarcastic undertones, but it got me thinking about how different my life would be if I took the time to design it with intention, rather than simply going through the motions.

My conversation today is with Paul Trammell. Paul has lived a big life and is truly living his dream with intention. He’s gone through many journeys so far, from a career as a musician to a commitment to sobriety, followed by selling all of his possessions on land to live on a sailboat where he currently travels the world, surfs big waves, and writes novels.

Sound unreal? Well, that’s just the way he likes it. This episode got me all fired up, and I hope that happens for you too, so let’s jump in!

My guest today has a fascinating story to share with us. Edward Di Gangi grew up knowing that he was adopted, though it was never discussed in his family. It wasn’t until later in life that he got curious about his birth parents and began a journey that would take him to a few different states, introduce him to a lot of people he would have never met otherwise, and ultimately inspire him to write a memoir about what he found.

Edward is the author of The Gift Best Given- It’s a story of adoption, search, discovery and reunion. Silence your notifications for the next forty-five minutes as Edward and I discuss his story. I feel confident you’ll be glad you spent this time with us.

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My guest today is Marian Massie, a hypnotherapist and success coach who helps her clients create more empowerment and confidence in their lives.

She’s also the author of three books. Her latest is Miracles: Karma and Reincarnation Redefined ~ A Handbook for Purposeful Living.

Marian and I discuss her thoughts about why we are not people who have a soul, rather, we are souls who have a body. She talks about who she wrote the book for, and why it’s important to pay attention to our dreams.

I LOVE food! I'm up for everything from the most basic BBQ plate to a fancy, tasting menu. My guest today is a journalist, producer, radio host, and author focused on writing about the people and stories that influence what we eat.

David Page is a food journalist, and creator of the Food Network show, Diners Drive-ins and Dives. (definitely one of my favorites) He is also the author of the book called, Food Americana: The Remarkable People and Incredible Stories Behind America’s Favorite Dishes.

We cover a lot of ground in this episode, and I didn’t hold back with the hard-hitting questions like, does pineapple have any business on pizza, and where should I go the next time I’m in Philly for the best cheesesteak?

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LinkedIn URL

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-page-65b6728/

Facebook URL

https://www.facebook.com/david.page.1840

Twitter URL

Instagram

Book link:

Have you ever hit a point you would consider your rock bottom? My guest today had her own rock bottom experience, going from a life of being on tv shows you’ve probably watched, to having it all go away and trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces, reestablish her identity, and get the bills paid.

In the years since her life-changing struggle, Tanya Memme has interviewed over a hundred people who have hit rock bottom, only to emerge stronger. She’s writing a book about what those people and their stories have in common and what we can learn about resilience and the human spirit.

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Summary

The script is an interview with Tanya Memme, a TV host and former Miss Canada, who discusses her journey from hitting rock bottom to rebuilding her life. She shares her experiences of career highs and lows, her struggles with depression, and the challenges in her personal life, including a difficult marriage and financial difficulties. Tanya reveals how she found a sense of purpose through her podcast, 'Life Masters,' where she interviews individuals who have overcome their own rock bottom experiences. She discusses her development of a course to help people gain confidence on camera and her ongoing work on a book about resilience and the commonalities among people who have bounced back from adversity. The conversation emphasizes the significance of staying present, connecting with nature, and surrounding oneself with positive influences during tough times.

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Show Notes:

In this episode, the host interviews Tanya Memme, a TV personality who faced a significant rock bottom after experiencing career highs and personal lows. Tanya shares her emotional journey from being a well-known TV host to struggling with depression and financial instability. She discusses how she found strength through interviewing others who had also hit rock bottom for her podcast 'Life Masters,' leading to writing a book about resilience and the human spirit. Tanya talks about the lessons she learned, the importance of spirituality, and practical steps she took to rebuild her life. She also delves into her new projects, including a public speaking course and helping others build confidence on camera. Tanya’s story is a powerful testament to the human ability to overcome adversity and find purpose.

00:00 Introduction to Rock Bottom

01:01 Meet Tanya Memme

02:41 Tanya's Early Career and Miss Canada

03:50 Life in Television

04:42 Personal Struggles and Career Challenges

05:31 Hitting Rock Bottom

11:35 The Turning Point: Ayahuasca Ceremony

14:12 Starting the Life Masters Podcast

16:31 Lessons from Rock Bottom

23:29 Teaching and Mentoring

27:34 Returning to a Changed Life

27:53 Balancing Career and Family

29:40 A New Direction: Coaching and Public Speaking

31:12 The Power of Networking

32:57 Finding and Sharing Rock Bottom Stories

34:57 Creating a Roadmap to Success

36:26 Building Confidence on Camera

38:56 The Journey of Writing a Book

40:58 Overcoming Personal Struggles

48:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

If you’ve been to this show a few times, you’ve heard me say in the intro that I want you to be the author of your own story. That statement has a double meaning. First, I like to think about our lives as a movie, where we can choose to be in charge of writing a large part of the script instead of allowing others to do it for us.

The second meaning is more literal. Sharing the experiences and wisdom you’ve accumulated over the years could be just the inspiration someone else needs to go out and do great things in the world.

In my conversation with Dianne Pearce, and David Yurkovich, we talk about how someone who has a story inside them, can begin thinking about getting that story into a form that can benefit others.

Dianne and David have developed an understanding of what it takes to be a published author through their experiences with their own books and running their publishing company Current Words.

We demystify the publishing process and talk about actionable things you can do to begin your author journey if that interests you. This is one of our longer episodes, so, refill your drink and enjoy this conversation.

How would you feel if I asked you to speak to a room of around a hundred people? Would you be excited or terrified?

My guest today is Meghan Dotter, founder and CEO of Portico, and author of the book titled The Reluctant Presenter. Portico is a team with expertise in storytelling, speaker training, presentation design, leadership development, and messaging.

Meghan and I talk about how excellent presentation skills are crucial whether you are simply updating your team, or addressing a room full of investors. We talk about ways she’s helped clients create breakthroughs in their presentation skills and why TED talks aren’t always exactly what they appear to be.

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meghan@porticopr.us

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Mastering Public Speaking: Insights from Expert Megan Dotter

In this engaging discussion, Meghan Dotter, founder and CEO of Portico and author of 'The Reluctant Presenter,' shares essential tips and strategies for effective public speaking. The conversation delves into the misconceptions about TED Talks, the fear of public speaking, and practical advice for overcoming anxiety.

Meghan highlights real-life examples of transforming hesitant speakers into confident presenters, emphasizing the importance of connecting with the audience and framing presentations as conversations. The episode is rich with actionable insights for anyone looking to improve their presentation skills, whether they're addressing a small team or a large audience.

00:00 The Illusion of TED Talks

01:03 Introducing Megan Daughter: Expert in Presentation Skills

01:47 The Reality Behind TED Talks

02:50 Understanding the Fear of Public Speaking

05:28 Overcoming Presentation Anxiety

07:44 From Fear to Confidence: Success Stories

11:32 The Journey to Effective Public Speaking

23:37 The Impact of Virtual Presentations

24:52 Navigating Virtual Interactions

26:02 Challenges for Young Professionals in Hybrid Workspaces

26:58 The Importance of Small Talk and Social Networking

28:14 Inspiration Behind Writing a Book

31:49 The Reality of TED Talks

35:50 Harnessing Nervous Energy for Effective Speaking

41:15 Practical Tips for Improving Public Speaking

44:11 Conclusion and Contact Information