Connect to Joy Podcasts: Circle of Hope | Not Quite Strangers | Time to Come Alive

Rebel Thriver:  “When writing the story of your life, don’t let anyone else hold the pen.” As a child, Elizabeth Johnston had and a knack for deconstructing a story. She grew up knowing that expressing her creativity through writing would promote well-being. As a story coach she’s an advocate for using writing as a way to identify the importance of key moments and the resilience to make it this fa...

Clarissa Pinkola Estés:  “The soul has no gender.” Shapeshifting into animal forms has always held a certain fascination for Lindsay Tierstein. As they embrace their true self at every turn, Lindsay has encountered labels put upon by family, friends, colleagues, and the world at large. They’ve now begun to peel off the ones that don’t fit and press in the ones that do, in pursuit of living life on...

Fernando Solanas:  “We realized that the important thing was not the film itself, but that which the film provoked.” Growing up in South Africa during a time divided by apartheid, Ingrid Gavshon, filmmaker and executive coach, was drawn to stories of injustice. She shares her journey in journalism and documentary filmmaking where she was committed to giving a voice to the voiceless. Highlights: Co...

A Course in Miracles:  “The holiest of all the spots on earth is where an ancient hatred has become a present love” Reverends John and Grace Vyvyan, of One Light Ministry, have devoted their lives and their careers to finding and promoting inner peace. As guides and facilitators based on the teachings from the spiritual text, A Course in Miracles, they have embraced their own childhood wounds and...

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra: “Words have meaning and names have power.”While on stage at a pivotal moment in her valedictorian speech, Rooha Haghar’s microphone was muted. She broke the silence on an issue that has plagued the U.S. for generations. Now a rising sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin, she shares what inspired the speech she wrote and her gratitude in having the freedom to...

Kara Walker: “Silhouettes are reductions, and racial stereotypes are also reductions of actual human beings.” What we know about race is largely influenced by our upbringing, education, and exposure. According to Dr. Anthony Young, President of the Denver-Rocky Mountain Association of Black Psychologists, there is deep shame and miseducation around the subject of race. This leaves many unable to a...

Rob Bell: “That breath you just took...that’s a gift.” How often and for how long do you think about your breath? Sana-Patrick Milochevitch, a breathwork facilitator, free diver, and executive coach, shares the power of the breath to calm, to heal, and to connect.  He leads us on a journey to connect the body and the mind with a simple exercise and profound insights. Highlights: Join Sana for a 13...

Max Lucado: “Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional.” Dealing with conflict is not generally a fulfilling task. You wouldn’t know it talking to Deepa Pulipati! As a family conflict mediator, counselor, and executive coach, she is clear that her most important client is the child. She shares the impact of using the court as a show of power, when mediation works, and when it doesn’t, as well...

Martin De Maat: “The fun is always on the other side of a yes.” What if the road to freedom is to say “yes” to every opinion, idea, or request? Remington Fenter found his freedom of expression through his love of theatre. As an improv theatre instructor for Stomping Ground Comedy, he now teaches others how to be creative, courageous, and caring on stage and beyond. Highlights: Additional Resources...

Rick Beneteau: “The most sacred place in the world is your mind. Guard it ferociously.” Reverend Karen Romestan, ensures you know what to pack for your spiritual journey! We discuss how to model compassionate self-talk, to connect in meaningful ways with others, and identify how to heal deep wounds. Through Sacred Moments, LLC, Rev. Karen, guides you in establishing personal rituals that are meani...

Mary Archer: “It sounds extraordinary, but it’s a fact that balance sheets can make fascinating reading.” A professor with a sexy voice was all it took for Alison Reiff-Martin to decide she wanted a career in accounting. As a certified public accountant, her passion for finding the stories that make a business successful moves her beyond a transactional relationship with her clients. Highlights: C...

Anonymous: “Authenticity: knowing who you are and being brave enough to live it.” Self-proclaimed rabble-rouser, Dacia Faison Roe, Head of People Development for Cityblock Health, found creative ways to challenge herself in expressing her gifts and talents. This aroused her spirit and energy to create space to grow leaders, expand teams, and make a big impact on organizations. As a bonus, we talk...

Ursula K. Le Guin: “No darkness lasts forever. And even there, there are stars.” Family means the world to Dr. Skip Mondragon. In spite of a family history filled with the pain and trauma of mental illness, his mission has been to heal himself and others. Hear how he came to find love, health, and purpose. Highlights: Skip’s path to excellence in amateur wrestling and medicine. How Skip wrestled w...

Anonymous: “I’m stronger because I had to be, I’m smarter because of my mistakes, happier because of the sadness I’ve known, and now wiser because I learned.” Going to prison for a felony charge was a major turning point for Bill Garrett. As a result of serving seven years, he deepened his relationship with God, found the love of his life, and founded an organization to serve and rehabilitate thos...

Mike Nichols: “The only safe thing in filmmaking is to take a chance.” Being the youngest of eight children gave Calvin Gaskin a unique perspective on life and living. He took his perspective to the screen by getting behind a camera. As founder and owner of the global video production company, CaliKing Films, he’s traveled the world and discovered ways to bring out the soul of his subjects by conn...

Charles Kingsley  “Have thy tools ready. God will find thee work.” Neither being bullied nor wearing an “ungodly uniform” while attending Catholic school, would stop Father Malcolm Neyland from answering The Call. At age 8, he knew he was to become an ordained priest.  In the 48 years he spent as an active member of the clergy, he participated in legal proceedings that have rocked the priesthood,...

David Icke: “Today’s mighty oak is just yesterday’s nut, that held its ground.”How does building a toy fort for G.I. Joe action figures, a random sticker on a dresser drawer, and seeing a cool uniform, become the inspiration needed to level up in life? Retired Major Ricardo Hope gives us a glimpse into the best and worst of times when he pledged to attend the United States Naval Academy and kicked...

Este episodio contiene temas de adultos, contenido sexual y lenguaje fuerte. Se recomienda la discreción. Mary Rakow: “Algunos subestiman lo erótico que es ser comprendido.” Por ser un tema tan importante para fomentar la existencia de todo ser humano, todavia hay mucho tabú en cuestiones del sexo. Paulina Ortiz-Mena, facilitadora del programa Erotic Blueprint Breakthrough™ (los lenguajes eróticos...

Charles Dickens: “There is a wisdom of the head and a wisdom of the heart.” With so many things happening around us, it’s essential that we tune in to see what we let in and how we let it out. Maria Claudia Elorza’s path led her from the boardroom to the classroom, and today serves as a guide to living a life that works. As the CEO of Human-Friendly, a company focused on holistic wellness, she sha...

Dave Ramsey: “Financial winners don’t run sprints, they run marathons.” Creating a dummy portfolio project in college sparked the flame for Tyler Downing to become a financial advisor. As V.P. of Retirement Lifestyle Consultants and Wealth Management, he shares how he and his teammates support their clients’ financial wellbeing through meaningful conversations about their long-term goals in light...

Les Brown: “Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.” Throughout his life, retired Command Sergeant Major, Roy McCormes has committed to provide for others what he often did not have himself. Roy shares how his childhood, military training, and a diagnosis of prostate cancer set him on a path to his purpose serving others. Highlights: #TimeToComeAlive #ConnectToJoy #Mentor #Lea...

Jonathan Safran Foer: “We are not only the tellers of our stories, we are the stories themselves.” Whether on a phone line, through a screen, or in flesh and blood, we have many opportunities to have conversations with others. Beyond speaking, how does one build a meaningful connection? Andrew James, the facilitator of The Circling Collective DFW, shares through his personal experiences and a demo...

Stephanie Melish: “Fear is an idea-crippling, experience-crushing, success-stalling inhibitor inflicted only by yourself.” Does hearing someone sneeze or a cough throw you into a panic? Is the pressure of our flailing institutions and systems manifesting into a headache? This “global weirdness” can lead to fear that seems debilitating, but we can shift it all. Dr. Scott Mills shares knowledge to e...

Walter E. Disney: “Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children.” We often hear it is never too late to learn something new. Is it ever too soon to learn? Not for these students at Gray Matters academy!  They have been exploring what entrepreneurship is all about by reading, discussing, and most importantly, learning first-hand through setting up their own business. Highlights: Conne...

Napoleon Hill: “Fears are nothing more than a state of mind.” How do you know when it’s time to change gears and start something fresh? How far would you be willing to go? Alvaro Garza, a serial entrepreneur, took his family from Texas, United States and started a new life in Barcelona, Spain. He’s broken barriers in culture, language, but most importantly the barriers in his mind. Highlights: Con...