Episode 425 - Gina DeMillo Wagner - Forces of Nature, A Memoir of Family, Loss and Finding Home

Gina DeMillo Wagner is an award-winning journalist and author. Her writing has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Memoir Magazine, Modern Loss, Self, Outside, Writer’s Digest, and other publications.

She is a Yaddo Fellow, a winner of the CRAFT Creative Nonfiction Award, and her memoir was longlisted for the 2022 SFWP Literary prize. Gina has a master’s degree in journalism and is an instructor at Lighthouse Writers Workshop. She lives and works near Boulder, Colorado.

Forces of Nature: A Memoir of Family, Loss and Finding Home

Gina DeMillo Wagner’s brother Alan had a rare genetic disorder that caused him to veer from loving to violent. When Alan died suddenly, Gina was pulled away from the safety of her adult life and thrust back into a family she has been estranged from for nearly ten years.

FORCES OF NATURE follows this rewinding of the past, Gina’s caregiving journey and reckoning with complicated grief, plus Alan’s Christmas-themed funeral, and an investigation into his cause of death. It’s a personal story that asks universal questions: How much of ourselves should we sacrifice to those we love? And, what forces shape our sense of family and home?

https://ginadwagner.com/

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Episode 424 - Lois J Rodriguez - New Book in the works - Foster Care, Kinship Care and Adoption - Creating A Safe and Loving Home

Let me Introduce Myself

As a foster parent & adoptive mom, I went from newlywed to a family of 6 seemingly overnight. My deep dive experience with at-risk youth and trauma parenting has been a sink or swim adventure! Our boys are now early and middle adolescents and parenting neurodivergent children has sent me on a quest to understand the critical phases of child development and the challenges for at-risk youth.

In this episode we talk about Lois' upcoming book and her family - Foster Care, Kinship Care and Adoption - Creating A Safe and Loving Home

Mentioned in this episode:
https://www.comfortcases.org/ is a way to help children at the time they are pulled from their home and enter foster care. These are backpacks provided for their belongings, instead of using the trash bag, which is common.

https://www.fosterlove.com/ is the website for preparing birthday boxes for children in foster care

https://www.loisjrodriguez.com/

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EPISODE 423 - Rachell Freed - He Is Forever With Me - Surviving and Thriving after Sexual Abuse

About Rachell
Rachell is a survivor of physical, mental, and sexual abuse. She was molested from the age of 12 to 18 by her father and, as a result, became pregnant. These events would devastate many in similar circumstances, but not Rachell. All she wanted was to escape the torture and start a new life cemented in faith. Rachell shows how to survive abuse and the emotional effect trauma can have on your life. Take this journey with her. Learn how her experiences will help you to also survive, cope and deal with abuse.

https://heisforeverwithme.com/

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Episode 422 - Christine Samuel - Author of The Heart Space - Living With Grace and Eas in an Era of Uncertainty

About the author
Christine Samuel, a coach, facilitator, author, and speaker, is renowned for her deep exploration into transformative human experiences. With over two decades of expertise in the User Experience field, bridging the interaction between humans and technology, she now dedicates her work to answering vital questions: What creates transformative human experiences? How can we infuse Relational Intelligence into our collaborations?

Christine guides individuals and organizations through transitions, fostering a new paradigm of heart-centered connection and growth in our rapidly changing world. Through coaching, facilitation, and speaking engagements, she empowers them to cultivate deep listening skills, self-awareness, and inner wisdom.

As the founder of Inner Work Matters, Christine pioneers Relational Intelligence in training, coaching, and facilitation, reshaping how we collaborate and lead. She is also a co-founder of Women’s Career Mastery, empowering women to excel as holistic leaders in the modern workplace.

For the past few years, Christine has championed deep listening practice circles, providing invaluable spaces for individuals to learn and experience what it is like to be heard, seen, and acknowledged, and do the same for others.

Christine resides in Toronto with her husband, two children, a cat, and a dog.

The Heart Space: Living with Grace and Ease in an Era of Uncertainty
A timely and relevant read for anyone seeking balance, peace, and clarity in a rapidly changing world.

"The Heart Space" is a life-changing guide to embracing uncertainty, overcoming fears, and thriving in times of change. It shows you a way of being where actions become effortless, thinking hard is unnecessary, and peace of mind comes naturally, even if your path ahead is unclear.

In these tumultuous times, Christine Samuel provides deep insights and practical guidance for those on a journey to awakening when the old ways no longer work and the path forward is uncertain.

Inside "The Heart Space," you'll discover:

- Radical Receptivity: How to embrace the contradictions, discomfort, and possibilities that come with uncertainty.
- Release the grip of fear: Uncover how your mind's analytical nature often feeds fear, and learn to break free from its grip.
- Clarity and effortless action: Shift from constant doing to simply being, and explore the power of being guided by the heart.
- Find Peace in Simplicity: Discover a different kind of knowing and being that allows your mind to let go of its need for control.
- Living from The Heart Space: Learn how to bring your mind to your heart and discover an inner certainty that remains unchanged by circumstances. Unlock the secrets to stop overthinking and cultivate inner peace in your everyday life.

With vibrant illustrations, personal anecdotes, and hands-on practices, Christine Samuel showcases how life can bloom with more joy, fluidity, and freedom from fear when guided by the heart, especially in times of uncertainty ahead.

This book is a must-read for those seeking a transformative journey toward a more fulfilling existence. It invites readers to step away from a fear-driven way of being and embrace a life led by the heart.

Don't let uncertainty hold you back any longer. Embrace the power of your heart and unlock a life of grace and ease.

https://christinesamuel.ca/

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EPISODE 421 - Stephen Murray - Las Vegas Author, fiction, murder mystery, holiday fiction and crime fiction

Stephen Murray is a Las Vegas author. Praised for his unique writing style and powerful character development skills, his books cross multiple genres and appeals to diverse audiences.

Stephen was born in England, a far cry from the Nevada desert he now calls home. At age seven, his family relocated to the southern part of Africa, where he was raised in various countries and attended boarding school. The opportunity to experience other cultures as a child inspired a love of travel in him that eventually led to his love of the written word.

In his late teens, he returned to London and spent seven years absorbing as much art, music, culture, and countryside as he could. While living in England, he also seized the opportunity to explore neighboring countries and cultures throughout Europe. In 1976, a job opportunity brought him across the pond to Los Angeles, California. He happily lived there many years, eventually opening his own business.

In 2003, Stephen once again was drawn to something new. He left L.A. to escape the congested commutes that became part of his daily life and migrated to Las Vegas, Nevada. He quickly fell in love with the city, its caring communities and kind people.

Stephen has visited over 40 countries across 5 continents as an insatiable explorer of the globe. He found he enjoyed the quiet, untouched and less commercialized destinations of the world the most, such as Bhutan, Machu Picchu, Victoria Falls, and the Galapagos Islands. They provided inspiration and insight that remained with him long after the trips ended.In 2007, he started writing down the stories from his travels as a way to keep a record of all the places he’d visited and the people he’d met. He spent two years capturing his experiences on paper. Through this process he discovered a passion for writing.

He has since published several well-regarded books in the genres of mainstream fiction, murder mystery, holiday fiction and crime fiction. His work has earned a variety of awards and accolades by nationally recognized organizations.

In addition to being a published author, a public speaker, and an advocate for a variety of causes, Stephen was a partner in a software development and support company, which he originally founded in California in 1982.

In 2023, Stephen began hosting his own weekly TV series on WWDBTV titled ‘The Gift of Giving.’ He features guests involved in non-profits, foundations, 501c3 organizations and charities in the state of Nevada.

https://authorstephenmurray.com/

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EPISODE 420 - Cress Spicer - CHILDHOOD AUTISM - Insights Into Their Mysterious World

About the author
I am passionate about working with children on the autism spectrum . I love to connect with them on deep meaningful levels both as a student support worker supporting them in the school boards and when I am also teaching Reiki to the students,

My specialty is releasing stress and anxiety in children on the autism spectrum and their parents incorporating mindfulness, deep breathing techniques, reiki and meditation, bodytalk.

I have over 25 years experience working with children on the autism spectrum as a student support worker in various school boards.

I am a certified Reiki Master Teacher practicing for over 25 years, Certified Bodytalk Practioner practicing over 17 years.

Certified ECE Infant and toddler and 3rd level deaf blind intervenor training, certified in Mindup Mindfulness for school boards.

Book: CHILDHOOD AUTISM: Insights Into Their Mysterious World
https://amzn.to/3zGzean

Cress Spicer's book is a practical and user friendly guide, reflecting her many years of working with these very special and unique children. Cress's bond that she has formed and her deepening understanding of children on the autism spectrum and herself is evident in the stories she shares.
Cress incorporates easy to understand tools and techniques that one can use when working with these extraordinary group of humans.

What you learn from the book:
Strategies to help your sensitive child on the autism spectrum deal with over reacting to their environment, using mindfulness and reiki
How an autistic child can learn to self regulate themselves using mindfulness and connect with their emotions
Learn mindfulness , breathing techniques and reiki techniques to release, stress and anxiety

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Episode 419 - Bambi Lynn - THE JOURNEY OF JOSEPHINE THE DOLL THAT MENDED A BROKEN HEART

About the Author

Hi, my name is Bambi, took me thirty-two years to except the name I was given, but now I say my name with pride. I am a mother of six adult children and thirteen and counting grandchildren. Ever since my 7th grade teacher told me I had a gift to write I have never stopped. This is my first published book and many more to come. My passion is people, sitting around a table and listening to their stories and hoping mine gives them a little hope that storms don't last, and we will always get to the other side. I have worked in industries that give me the opportunity to speak to lots of people and hear lots of stories. I hope to change lives one life and door at a time. I believe that purpose is everything. when you find it run with it and make a difference for the kingdom. Let's continue this journey together.

Welcome to OUR website. This is a place where I am able to tell my story and share YOURS. My book is a catalyst for conversation. I have heard from allot of women who read my book that it was as if i was telling their story, which is why i started "healingthroughstories.com" .My book may be about MY life, but this website is about sharing OUR lives. Our Goal is to build a Community that can heal through each others stories, recognize that we are not alone, and have hope that TRIUMPH comes after tragedy!

https://healingthroughstories.com/

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

EPISODE 418 - Andrea Heckner - Crime Thriller Books - Secrets in the Heartland Series

I’m Andrea Heckner, and I am an author of Crime Thriller Books. I live in Wisconsin with my husband, David. We have three grown sons and three grandchildren.

Here’s my why for writing: I became an avid reader as a teenager and love to lose myself in a great story, but that is not where my story begins. My story begins with a young girl who struggled to learn to read due to having Dyslexia. Thanks to parents, educators and tutors who were dedicated to helping me to become literate, I was able to not only learn to read and write but to find a true passion in literacy.

After starting as a Special Education Teacher, I realized how little I knew about teaching others to read and went back to school. Becoming a Reading Specialist and Literacy Coach allowed me to be able to help other children to become readers and writers. Participating in the National Writing Project helped me to not only become a stronger teacher of writing but also to develop my voice as a writer.

Thanks for visiting; feel free to get in touch if you have questions about my books, and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to be one of the first to get updates.

Secrets in the Heartland Series
This series of Mystery/Thriller fiction books follows Detective Kass Minor and FBI Agent Robert Matthews as they work to solve crimes in and around the Springfield, Missouri, region of the United States.

Book 1-The Farm

Have you ever wondered how an ordinary person could know and interact with a serial killer and not know it until it was too late? The Farm, book one in The Murder in the Heartland series, centers on the disappearance of Kelsey Learner, a seemingly ordinary midwestern single mom.

Parallel to the investigation into Kelsey’s disappearance, a pair of serial killers are murdering in the area for what they perceive to be a higher good. Police have yet to connect their victims and, in some cases, even know they are missing. Is Kelsey their latest victim, or is it a coincidence that a serial killer couple is on the loose and Kelsey has vanished?

Book 2- Dismantling the Farm

FBI Agent Robert Matthews came from a long line of civil servants, but it was his grandfather’s love of a 1930s movie about the FBI that had made being an agent Robert’s dream. He had visions of car chases, gun fights, and media releases that featured his name. Instead, he got assigned to the Springfield, Missouri field office, where he spent his days doing paperwork, going out on investigative interviews, testifying in court, or practicing firearms use and defensive tactics. When he is assigned to look into the disappearance of a young man as a favor to a friend of the Assistant Director of the FBI, no one could have predicted how big the case would be.

Book 3-Remembering the Farm

The third book in the Secrets in the Heartland series brings the reader back to answer some of their lingering questions. When two boys go missing in Springfield, Detective Kass Minor must move fast to try to bring them home safely. Working with a new partner who is no Mitch Leet, she has no idea what this investigation will reveal.

Is Kelsey Learner still alive, or did she perish at the hands of the serial killers? Will learning the truth help Claire to move forward in her life?

https://andreahecknerauthor.com/

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/