If you’ve been carrying a story but don’t know where to start, I’d love to invite you to my FREE 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. Join us at https://www.voicetobook.co/challenge and let’s get your story moving. Kary Youman talks with Ray Hartjen about leadership, resilience, and the power of owning your story. Ray shares candid lessons from his personal and professional life, exploring how true leadership is built on self-awareness, service, and integrity. If you’ve ever faced a season of transition or uncertainty, this episode will leave you grounded and inspired. Subscribe for more grounded, story-driven conversations on growth and purpose. 📖 Learn more about Ray: https://rayhartjen.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I sat down with Nadine for a thoughtful and heartfelt conversation about poetry, presence, and the inner work that shapes creative people. We talk about how she finds meaning in everyday moments, how grief softened her voice, and why slowing down has strengthened her connection to her art. If you’re drawn to creativity, reflection, or the power of language, you’ll appreciate this episode. Subscribe for more grounded conversations on growth and expression Learn more about Nadine: https://www.nadineellis.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I sat down with Jonathan for an honest and reflective conversation about purpose, recovery, and the courage it takes to grow past who you used to be. We explore the moments that shaped him, the inner work that continues today, and how faith, consistency, and vulnerability keep him grounded. If you’re on a path of becoming, you’ll find a lot of value in this episode. Learn more about Jonathan: https://unflappable.press/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I sat down with Kira Hartley for a grounded conversation about grief, healing, and personal growth. We talk about the moments that broke her open, how she’s rebuilding her life with more honesty and intention, and what she’s learning about motherhood, self worth, and becoming who she truly is. If you’re moving through change or reconnecting with yourself after a hard season, this conversation will land. Subscribe for more grounded conversations on life and becoming Listen to more episodes: https://www.theresilientauthor.com/ Learn more about Kira: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DodOddity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been carrying a story but don’t know where to start, I’d love to invite you to my FREE 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. Join us at https://www.voicetobook.co/challenge and let’s get your story moving. In this episode, I sit down with author and storyteller Kristin Massey for a grounded conversation about resilience, creativity, and trusting your own voice. Kristin shares stories from her childhood, her JOAT method, and what she learned by studying the human condition through timeless stories. If you’re on a personal growth path, navigating confidence, or learning how to speak up more boldly, you’ll feel right at home here. If this episode lands for you, hit like and subscribe so you don’t miss the next one. 🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://www.theresilientauthor.com/ 📖 Learn more about Kristin: https://thejoatbook.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been carrying a story but don’t know where to start, I’d love to invite you to my FREE 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. Join us at https://www.voicetobook.co/challenge and let’s get your story moving. I sat down with Kathryn Remati for a grounded conversation about self love, healing, and the power of slowing down. We talk about the moments that reshaped her, the practices that keep her centered, and the deeper work of learning to trust yourself again. If you’re into growth, reflection, and honest conversations about becoming, you’ll feel this one. Subscribe for more grounded conversations on growth and resilience Listen to more episodes: https://www.theresilientauthor.com/ Learn more about Kathryn: https://lightenupretreat.com/ About Kathryn Kathryn Remati is the author of Befriend Yourself. She’s a long time meditation and sleep expert, creator of the Tranquil Me App, and a minimalist world traveler who has helped thousands reconnect with their own self love. Her voice has been heard on hundreds of platforms, including Insight Timer, and she was recently featured on the national ABC News site. Kathryn has taught meditation for decades, written for outlets like HuffPost and Yoga International, and led retreats around the world. Her work blends experience from ashrams, yoga in Bali, stress management programs at Kaiser Permanente, and her own forty year journey as a meditator. Through her retreats and recordings, Kathryn guides people back to calm, clarity, and inner peace. Her next Lighten Up Retreat takes place in Costa Rica over New Years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been carrying a story but don’t know where to start, I’d love to invite you to my FREE 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. Join us at https://www.voicetobook.co/challenge and let’s get your story moving. In this episode, Kary sits down with Daryl Dittmer, a man whose life and work reflect decades of hard-earned wisdom in recovery. Together, they unpack what it really means to live an authentic sober life, one that’s grounded in service, spiritual growth, and personal responsibility. Daryl shares lessons from his journey through addiction, recovery, and leadership, offering insights that go far beyond sobriety. This conversation explores the deeper work of becoming the kind of person who shows up — for yourself, your family, and your purpose. Learn more and follow Daryl's journey at https://www.daryldittmer.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been carrying a story but don’t know where to start, I’d love to invite you to my FREE 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. Join us at https://www.voicetobook.co/challenge and let’s get your story moving. Author Jessica Morris opens up about recovery, faith, and the making of Higher Powered. We talk sobriety, resilience, and the creative process behind a book that aims to tell the truth without losing compassion. If you are navigating healing or writing from lived experience, this conversation will serve you. Learn and follow Jessica's journey at https://jessicalmorris.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been carrying a story but don’t know where to start, I’d love to invite you to my FREE 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. Join us at https://www.voicetobook.co/challenge and let’s get your story moving. In this episode, I sit down with high conflict divorce strategist Lisa Johnson, co-author of Been There, Got Out, for a raw and eye-opening conversation about legal abuse, parental alienation, and surviving narcissistic partners. Lisa breaks down how high conflict divorces escalate, why one partner often becomes obsessed with destroying the other, and what legal abuse looks like from the inside. She also shares her own 10-year battle in family court, including how representing herself changed everything. Search topics: high conflict divorce, narcissistic abuse, legal abuse, parental alienation, domestic violence recovery, emotional resilience. If this helps you, hit like and subscribe. More grounded conversations coming every week. 🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://www.theresilientauthor.com/ 📖 Learn more about Lisa: https://beentheregotout.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been carrying a story but don’t know where to start, I’d love to invite you to my FREE 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. Join us at https://www.voicetobook.co/challenge and let’s get your story moving. In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Collins, grief educator, mindfulness teacher, and author of Surviving Spouse or Partner Suicide Loss and Supporting a Survivor of Spouse or Partner Suicide Loss. After losing her husband to suicide, Michelle faced the unimaginable — and slowly rebuilt her life using mindfulness, holistic wellness, and self-compassion. Today, she helps others move from surviving to thriving, showing that post-traumatic growth is not only possible but transformative. We talk about: What grief really looks like and how to honor it Why mindful awareness can turn pain into purpose How to support others experiencing suicide loss Finding joy and meaning again after deep trauma This conversation is for anyone navigating loss, burnout, or change. Michelle’s story reminds us that healing is not about moving on — it’s about moving forward with awareness, courage, and grace. 🌿 Learn more about Michelle’s work at https://inhabitjoy.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been carrying a story but don’t know where to start, I’d love to invite you to my FREE 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. Join us at https://www.voicetobook.co/challenge and let’s get your story moving. Author and entrepreneur Scott Mocha shares his powerful story of transformation — from nightclub DJ battling addiction to faith-driven creator and founder of Impossible Path. After surviving a near-fatal overdose, Scott’s life took a radical turn. His memoir, A Row With Two Chairs, explores how faith, resilience, and self-awareness helped him rebuild everything from the inside out. In this interview, Scott opens up about: Overcoming addiction and embracing a new path How faith and creativity can guide healing Writing with honesty and finding your authentic voice Why change is a superpower, not a setback If you’re in recovery, searching for meaning, or ready to start a new chapter, Scott’s story will remind you that transformation begins with one honest decision. Learn more at ScottMocha.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been carrying a story but don’t know where to start, I’d love to invite you to my free 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. Join us at https://www.voicetobook.co/challenge and let’s get your story moving. Author and former CNN journalist John DeDakis shares his inspiring journey of turning pain into purpose through writing. With 45 years in journalism — including interviews with Presidents Reagan and Carter — John brings depth, authenticity, and compassion to his six-book Lark Chadwick Mystery/Suspense Series. In this conversation, John opens up about losing his sister to suicide and his son to a heroin overdose, and how writing became his path to healing. We talk about the craft of storytelling, how to write with emotional truth, and why courage often starts where fear begins. Watch this episode to learn: How grief can become creative fuel The importance of persistence in writing and life Why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for healing Tips for writers navigating rejection and self-doubt 📚 Learn more about John’s books and writing workshops at JohnDeDakis.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Teri, author of 10 Little Rules for a Double-Butted Adventure, to talk about her incredible cross-country tandem bike journey and how it became a story of healing, courage, and rediscovering purpose. Teri shares what it was like to cycle 3,102 miles across the United States with her husband Bruce during the COVID summer, the lessons they learned about communication, patience, and love, and how she turned that experience into a book that continues to inspire readers everywhere. After Bruce’s passing, Teri made the brave decision to release the book on Valentine’s Day as a way to celebrate their shared dream and the resilience they built together. Her story is a reminder that it’s never too late to start over, chase adventure, or write your next chapter. 📘 Learn more about Teri’s work and upcoming children’s book Little Lola and Her Big Dream at TeriMBrown.com If you’ve been listening and feel like it’s time to finally start your own book, check out my 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. In just five days, you’ll speak the outline of your first draft and learn how to turn it into a full manuscript and published book. You can join anytime at voicetobook.co/challenge. Now, let’s get back to it. Support the show Ready to tell your story?Join me inside the 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge, where I’ll guide you to speak the first draft of your book. You can get started at voicetobook.co/challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with D. Paul — a Disabled Veteran, Native American Holy Man, and author of Mysteries at the Wyndham Inn — to talk about faith, spirit, and the unseen world. D. Paul shares stories from his years investigating haunted places, confronting dark entities, and helping people find peace and healing. We discuss his unique spiritual journey as a Heyoka, his connection to both Native tradition and Christian faith, and how writing became a way to channel the messages and visions he receives from Spirit. If you’ve ever been curious about the spiritual realm or wondered how faith and courage intersect in the face of darkness, this conversation will challenge what you think you know — and open your heart to what’s possible. 📘 Learn more about D. Paul’s work and find Mysteries at the Wyndham Inn on Amazon. If you’ve been listening and feel like it’s time to finally start your own book, check out my 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. In just five days, you’ll speak the outline of your first draft and learn how to turn it into a full manuscript and published book. You can join anytime at voicetobook.co/challenge. Now, let’s get back to it. Support the show Ready to tell your story?Join me inside the 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge, where I’ll guide you to speak the first draft of your book. You can get started at voicetobook.co/challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text In this episode of The Resilient Author Podcast, I sit down with Joel Conwell — a former pastor, leadership coach, and author whose journey from ministry to tech reveals the deep link between authenticity and resilience. Joel is the author of Your Missing X-Factor and The Boy in the Tree, two books that challenge how we define success and strength. Together, we unpack what it means to present yourself authentically in professional spaces without losing humility — and how vulnerability can actually deepen your impact as a leader. We also talk about the creative process behind Joel’s writing, his experience balancing fatherhood and storytelling, and the spiritual and psychological insights that shaped his work. From narrative therapy to journaling discipline, Joel offers a roadmap for turning lived experience into lasting wisdom. If you’ve ever struggled to talk about who you are without hiding behind what you do, this episode will help you rediscover your own “X-Factor” — the powerful mix of certainty, positivity, and altruism that makes your story worth sharing. If you’ve been listening and feel like it’s time to finally start your own book, check out my 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. In just five days, you’ll speak the outline of your first draft and learn how to turn it into a full manuscript and published book. You can join anytime at voicetobook.co/challenge. Now, let’s get back to it. Support the show Ready to tell your story?Join me inside the 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge, where I’ll guide you to speak the first draft of your book. You can get started at voicetobook.co/challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text In this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Rod Berger, a journalist, author, and global storyteller who has conducted over 4,000 interviews with some of the most fascinating people on the planet — from world leaders and innovators to athletes and educators. Our conversation centers around his new book, The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets the Moment, and the lessons he’s learned after years of listening to stories that span cultures, faiths, and generations. What struck me most about Rod is how deeply he listens. He doesn’t approach storytelling as a performance, but as a form of service — a way to restore dignity and connection in a world that often rushes past the human experience. We talked about how stories shape leadership, how truth can bridge divides, and what happens when we stop talking long enough to really hear each other. Rod shared powerful moments from his travels through refugee camps, his experiences in the Nordics, and the ways curiosity continues to guide his life and work. This conversation reminded me that resilience doesn’t always come from fighting harder — sometimes it comes from listening deeper. If you’ve ever wondered what it means to tell stories that heal, this episode will inspire you to find the courage to share your own. 🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Resilient Author Podcast with Dr. Rod Berger 📖 Learn more about Rod’s work at drodberger.com If you’ve been listening and feel like it’s time to finally start your own book, check out my 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. In just five days, you’ll speak the outline of your first draft and learn how to turn it into a full manuscript and published book. You can join anytime at voicetobook.co/challenge. Now, let’s get back to it. Support the show Ready to tell your story?Join me inside the 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge, where I’ll guide you to speak the first draft of your book. You can get started at voicetobook.co/challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text What happens when a cybersecurity specialist turns his recurring dreams into an epic fantasy world? In this episode, I sit down with Jamari Torian, IT specialist, cybersecurity grad student, and author of the Sunder World series, to talk about the balance between technology and creativity. Jamari shares how his dreams sparked the idea for his fantasy world, the challenges of writing as an indie author, and what he’s learned about discipline, mindset, and perseverance along the way. We also explore how his background in cybersecurity influences his storytelling, why imagination is a skill worth protecting, and what’s next for Sunder World 2, now available on Barnes & Noble. Follow Jamari on Linkendin to stay updated on his books and creative projects. Support the show Ready to tell your story?Join me inside the 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge, where I’ll guide you to speak the first draft of your book. You can get started at voicetobook.co/challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text What does it take to live and lead with the right mindset? In this episode, I sit down with Eric Goodman, best-selling author of What’s Your Mindset?, to explore how faith, love, leadership, and purpose shape the way we overcome life’s toughest challenges. From surviving a life-saving surgery at 15 to becoming CEO of one of Orange County’s most community-minded companies, Eric shares how a positive mindset transformed not just his business, but his life. We talk about: The moment that changed everything at 15 years old How mindset became the key to resilience and leadership Why empowering your team creates real freedom The impact of giving back and leading with heart Eric’s story reminds us that mindset is not just an idea — it’s a daily practice of gratitude, service, and growth. 📘 Learn more about Eric’s book What’s Your Mindset? . 🎧 Tune in to The Resilient Author Podcast wherever you listen. If you’ve been listening and feel like it’s time to finally start your own book, check out my 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. In just five days, you’ll speak the outline of your first draft and learn how to turn it into a full manuscript and published book. You can join anytime at voicetobook.co/challenge. Now, let’s get back to it. Support the show Ready to tell your story?Join me inside the 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge, where I’ll guide you to speak the first draft of your book. You can get started at voicetobook.co/challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text What does it really mean to lead with empathy—and why does it matter more now than ever? In this episode, I sit down with Melissa, author of The Empathic Leader, to explore how empathy is reshaping the future of leadership, productivity, and innovation. Drawing from her research, data, and personal experience, Melissa shares why empathy isn’t a “soft skill” but a strategic advantage in today’s organizations. She opens up about the moment that changed everything—walking away from a decades-long career as a musician because of unempathic leadership—and how that experience fueled her mission to teach leaders how to connect, communicate, and create cultures where people thrive. We discuss: Why empathy drives profit, innovation, and trust The link between empathy, emotional intelligence, and effective leadership How empathy can coexist with boundaries and accountability Why empathy is a non-negotiable skill in the age of AI and rapid change If you lead teams, aspire to lead, or simply want to understand people better, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership and remind you that empathy is both powerful and practical. 🎧 Tune in to The Resilient Author Podcast wherever you listen. If you’ve been listening and feel like it’s time to finally start your own book, check out my 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. In just five days, you’ll speak the outline of your first draft and learn how to turn it into a full manuscript and published book. You can join anytime at voicetobook.co/challenge. Now, let’s get back to it. Support the show Ready to tell your story?Join me inside the 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge, where I’ll guide you to speak the first draft of your book. You can get started at voicetobook.co/challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text When life took an unexpected turn, tea became both a grounding practice and a path forward for Nicole Wilson. As an award-winning tea writer and educator, Nicole has been sharing her love of the leaf since 2008 through her acclaimed site, TeaForMePlease.com — a trusted space for reviews, stories, and the rituals that make tea more than just a drink. In this conversation, Nicole opens up about the journey behind her book, The Tea Recipe Book, and what it was like to write under a tight deadline while navigating personal change. She shares how tea became a source of calm and creativity during uncertain times, and what she learned while studying in Japan with the Global Japanese Tea Association. If you’ve ever felt called to slow down, reconnect, or find purpose through your craft — this episode is a gentle reminder that resilience often starts with the simplest moments. You can learn more about Nicole’s work and explore her world of tea at TeaForMePlease.com If you’ve been listening and feel like it’s time to finally start your own book, check out my 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge. In just five days, you’ll speak the outline of your first draft and learn how to turn it into a full manuscript and published book. You can join anytime at voicetobook.co/challenge. Now, let’s get back to it. Support the show Ready to tell your story?Join me inside the 5-Day Speak Your Book Challenge, where I’ll guide you to speak the first draft of your book. You can get started at voicetobook.co/challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices