Beyond the Book

"We’ve come to realize that true leadership does not require authoritative persuasion; rather, it thrives when people are naturally inspired, when purposes align, and when hearts are genuinely cared for." In this episode of Beyond the Book , we take a closer look at a powerful chapter from "Influence and Impact with Chris Voss," featuring special guest Sheryl Driggers, one of the book’s contributi...

"I was the one who asked for the divorce, and believe me, I never thought that was even a remote possibility at that point in my life. I thought my marriage was the best it had ever been. What a stark  realization that nothing could have been further from the truth." Following the release of Mindset Matters, Stacie Shifflett joined us on the podcast to discuss her take on how mindset in...

"Before you can have an impact on anything, you’ve got to give yourself permission to evolve, to pivot, to speak up, to get quiet, to lead. After all, you can’t influence anyone else until you learn to influence yourself!" In this episode of Beyond the Book , we take a closer look at a powerful chapter from "Influence and Impact with Chris Voss," featuring special guest Elizabeth Rowe, one of the...

"Some people flee from complexity. Some run toward it. My entire life I’ve felt called to helping people navigate their most important, complex, and difficult transitions. In fact, it was an unprecedented and life-shaking event that took place in our country at the very begin." In this episode of Beyond the Book , we take a closer look at a powerful chapter from "Influence and Impact with Chris Vo...

"If you want to have influence and make an impact, get out front; lead productive, respectful conversations; look for ways to provide insights that are meaningful to the other party; and if they still can’t hear you? Return to your purpose. It will always tell you exactly what to do next." In this episode of Beyond the Book , we take a closer look at a powerful chapter from "Influence and Impact w...

"If we can master the art of influencing ourselves, express our purpose in ways that are meaningful, and be genuinely interested in solving problems for other people, the possibilities for growth are endless. And success is the natural result." In this episode of Beyond the Book , we take a closer look at a powerful chapter from "Influence and Impact with Chris Voss," featuring special guest Patri...

“Game, set, match.” For years those words echoed in my mind, propelling me forward and igniting my love for the game. Tennis wasn’t just a hobby for me; it was my lifeblood. So, as I approached the pivotal moment of considering college, it was only natural for me to envision continuing my tennis journey at the next level. The thought of competing for a university and pushing my boundaries filled m...

“Your grandmother had a stroke. She and your grandfather will be moving in with us so we can help take care of her.”As a twelve-year-old child, hearing my father deliver this news to my brother and me felt like an out-of-body experience. It was as if I were watching the whole scene unfold from across the room, and in that moment, my life forever changed.” In this episode of Beyond the Book , we ta...

"As I stepped through the doorway of my friend’s lavish home, I was awe struck. We were in Lincoln Park, the wealthy side of Chicago, and a world away from the tiny apartment I shared with my parents and three older brothers. The foyer, framed by the kind of buttery staircase I had only seen in movies, was bigger than my entire home, and the sunlight streamed through the window, highlighting the s...

“We’re going to have to let you go.” I swallowed hard and stared ahead of me, too stunned to say anything. Had I heard that correctly? The air seemed to be sucked out of the room. A minute before the phone rang, I was reviewing my student’s work and contentedly planning my next lesson, and now I was frozen where I stood, the heaviness of what this meant bearing down on me. Just eight words had tot...

"As a teen, Sam Brownback accelerated into the fast lane asa high school student in the 1970's. Driven by purpose, his rise to greatness continues through his relationships. Young Sam radiated with an air of destiny. His passion for involvement seemed to engulf all his waking hours. During his high school years, he drove back and forth across Miami County, Kansas, working on Future Farmers of Amer...

"No matter what, I had to get out of that house. My mind briefly flashed back to the murder-suicide that occurred on campus just one year prior, and I had made up my mind three, two, one...go! By the time he realized I had slipped out the front door, I was in my car with the gear in reverse. He darted down the hallway and out the door, still gaping from my escape. Shirtless, barefoot, and desperat...

"The courtroom was cold, and my feet echoed on the slick stone floors as we made our way to our seats. My future, my identity, my reputation—all hung in the balance. The events of the last two years had rocked my entire world. My marriage had fallen apart, my finances had taken a severe hit, my practice helping people in my community suffering from chronic pain had been taken away from me, and all...

"As I watched the rain trail down my kitchen windows, I felt run-down. But in the never-ending grind of getting myPhD and running two companies, I always felt run-down. On a whim, I’d signed up for an online workshop on getting unstuck in your business, and on that Friday afternoon, I found myself with a few rare moments of quiet and could join live. I was seeking the answer to a question that had...

"I remember that early spring day vividly, with me starting off in a great mood to finish off the week, but by the end of the day, calamity had struck. Much akin to a person who leaves his house for work and never comes back, because he has had a fatal accident. The only difference was that I was dead in all ways, except physically. That night and many more subsequent nights, all I wanted to do wa...

"The building repair was too expensive,” they said. “Besides,”they added, “it doesn’t look that bad.” "I hear that a lot in my line of work as a construction engineer in Hawaii. On the Hawaiian Islands of paradise, people think buildings last forever. They ignore signs of danger. After all, there are waves to conquer, beaches to explore, mountains to climb, and waterfalls to chase. Who has the tim...

"When my best friend got sick, traditional medicine offered few answers. Then she began working with a naturo-pathic doctor and his wife, a spiritual teacher. My friend, amazed by the results, told me I should see this spiritual teacher as well. “Why?” I immediately thought. “I’m doing just fine.” I was a very linear thinker then, having grown up in a time when seeking out therapy or any help was...

"Lisa Morgan is not just a Board-Certified Music Therapist and Certified Life Coach; she is a survivor, healer, and a beacon of hope for those navigating the darkest depths of trauma. With over two decades of lived experience, Lisa’s journey through the “The Dark Night of the Soul” has shaped her into a resilient advocate for inner healing, transformation, and empowerment. Having emerged from a hi...

"My daughter was fourteen the night she disappeared. She’d asked some friends to spend the night, and then they all wanted to go to the movie theater. It was late, but I agreed. I watched them all walk into the theater before driving away. When I came back to pick them up, none of the girls were there. I searched the lobby, the parking lot, and every room in the theater. They weren’t anywhere. I c...

"DeLisa Branch-Nealy brings a wealth of experience and diversity to her endeavors. With a distinguished 37-year career as a Registered Nurse, she specialized for 33 years in surgery and served 4 years in the USAF. DeLisa's expertise spans various medical fields, including Breast Cancer, Ophthalmic, and Neurosurgery, with a focus on Plastic and Microsurgery. A proud graduate of Howard University an...

"One common belief among people everywhere is that life is hard. Each trial and tribulation can either make us or break us. Through my own roller-coaster journey, I’ve learned three keys through my own adversities and struggles that have enhanced my durability and impact resistance to become … shatterproof!" Following the release of Rise Up, Susan joined us on the podcast to discuss her take on ho...

"Warriors are not born; they are made. Sometimes we don’t know what kind of strength we have until we are tested. My name is Kelli, meaning “warrior maiden,” and Kombat—well, that’s pretty self-explanatory. My greatest life lesson came to me at the young age of sixteen years old—I am the eldest of three; brothers Darren and David were twelve and eight years old, respectively—at a time when nothing...

Mattie C. Caruthers is a true veteran in the entertainment industry. Her career started in music at Little David Records, where she was an assistant to Monte Kay (founder of Birdland, and manager/jazz producer to Herbie Mann, Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins, and the Modern Jazz Quartet). Mattie was part of a small team working on all aspects of the record label, including artist development, publicity, a...

"I felt the chill of the bathroom floor up through my body, and I stifled the sobs. My two kids were on the other side of the door, and I didn’t want them to hear me. As I sat on that cold floor, I realized something had to change. I could not do what I was doing any longer. I started dating my husband in 1999, and it was now 2015. In sixteen years of growing, loving, and living, I had become so i...

Janell Westley-Edwards is not just a born leader; she is a beacon of inspiration and humanitarianism. Driven by compassion and fueled by love, Janell takes supreme confidence in providing thought-provoking knowledge to empower others. Her diverse background as a Mathematics teacher, Master Cosmetologist, Live Radio/Social Media Talk Show Host, Public Speaker, Entrepreneur, Published Author, and Ex...