Never Ever Give Up Hope

Michael R. DeLeon, a successfully acclimated ex-offender who after nearly 8 years of drug addiction and gang involvement, spent 12 years in state prison and halfway houses for a gang-related homicide. But that is NOT where his story ended.  His story will inspire, motivate and challenge you. We all know someone who has been affected by drug abuse or violence. You will definitely want to share Michael’s story with everyone. Finding the Purpose for your life is the key ingredient to overcoming trauma and the adverse childhood experiences so many of us endure. Having a relationship with God, who GAVE me that purpose, is why I stand here today. Since Michael’s release from prison, he has earned 3 Associates Degrees, a Baccalaureate Degree in Business Management, a minor in Criminal Justice, and a CADC Educational Certificate. Michael is now in the process of obtaining his Masters's Degree in Addictions Counseling at Liberty University as well as pursuing his LCADC. Michael has spoken to over ten million students and young adults as a motivational speaker in many facilities delivering evidence-based student programs around the country. He has presented in centers and schools in all 50 states in America. “For most of my life, since age 11, I was part of the problem. In my own life, I was the problem. After 12 years in prison, I wanted to be the solution—so I dedicated my life to this purpose.” During his riveting interview, Michael discusses how we can help fight the main cause of death and destruction of life in America.  Michael is the founder of Steered Straight, Inc. A non-profit organization formed in 2000 designed with the intention of carrying a prevention message to youth and young adults regarding the extreme dangers of drugs, gang involvement day-to-day, and criminal activity. Michael has spoken to over ten million students and young adults as a motivational speaker in many facilities delivering evidence-based student programs around the country. He has presented in centers and schools in all 50 states in America. Michael speaks and presents to youth, parents, educators, law enforcement, medical professionals, and community groups throughout the country. He presents to in excess of 1.5 million people each year. He created two additional educational arms of Steered Straight: Recovery Army and Faithing Addiction, both of which target specific audiences throughout America to educate and prevent addiction and build and support Recovery. Michael is developing Steered Straight by stressing the importance of young men and women making sound, rational decisions in their day-to-day lives. Michael is an award-winning filmmaker and has directed and produced four documentaries on addiction, focusing on the opiate and heroin epidemic in America, marijuana legalization, and Addiction Recovery. Michael also founded the Project Pride Program while incarcerated in prison. After pitching the idea for this program to then-Commissioner Jack Terhune, he worked to develop the message that consequences can be severe and life-lasting. Project Pride is still in existence at the New Jersey Department of Corrections and is the largest prison outreach program in America.

Ginny Brant’s cancer diagnosis sent her on a quest to discover what caused a health nut to contract a deadly and aggressive form of breast cancer. What she found may surprise and inspire you. Ginny Dent Brant is a speaker and writer who grew up in the halls of power of Washington D.C. She has served as a counselor, educator, wellness advocate, and adjunct professor.  She served as a trustee of the Baptist International Mission Board for eight years, and she and her husband participated in mission work in Yemen, Gaza, the Czech Republic, Russia, China, and Romania.   Brant’s award-winning book, “Finding True Freedom: From the White House to the World,” was endorsed by the late Chuck Colson.

Dustin Rivenbark has dealt with addiction firsthand, seen the devastating effects of infidelity in a marriage, lost what he thought was his livelihood, lost a daughter to Potter syndrome, lost a mother to drug addiction, and dealt with ongoing health issues. All of this took the wind out of his sails, and he found himself broken, lost, and afraid. Rivenbark wanted to fight through the scars and the pain of life, but he needed a system that would give him a road map to freedom. His powerful story of overcoming fear, adversity, and tragedy is one with a life-changing impact. More than ever, our youth needs strong leaders to help them be the best version of themselves – no matter their circumstance, obstacles, or background. Dustin Rivenbark is taking his passion to motivate young people by using stories of inspiration in order to better prepare them for tomorrow.   Dustin Rivenbark spent 10 ½ years climbing the ladder in the oilfield industry, having the bottom fall out of the market and starting over, only to have the hardest year of his life with the loss of his daughter, his mom (to a drug overdose) and his grandmother all in the same year. In Courage and Redemption, he shares how the six key battle principles from the story of Joshua helped lay the groundwork for him to turn tragedy into triumph. Through his personal story, he tells how the pains of the past don’t have to be crippling; he offers testimony that through all the trials and tragedy, he has witnessed God’s power in many ways. Courage and Redemption narrates that not only has Rivenbark dedicated his life to being the hands and feet of Christ but he’s also committed to motivating people to never settle with the status quo. Be determined to succeed. Be passionate. Believe in yourself.

EVERYONE loves a story. Real-life stories, even more. Sam Thiara has mastered the art of storytelling and has also done two TEDx talks on the subject. In his interview, he will show us how to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. Sam Thiara is a speaker, storyteller, writer, educator, mentor, coach, entrepreneur, problem solver, and community activator. He developed CARE to show us how we can help others - especially during this pandemic. There is a need for us to CARE  CARE stands for Collaboration, Adaptability, Resilience, and Empathy Collaboration – we are not in this by ourselves – look around how you can support others and they can support you Adaptability – we must be willing to change – we have all needed to change, how are you being adaptable to thrive and not only survive Resilience – we are in a marathon and we need to build our stamina to get through the pandemic Empathy – showing care and compassion to each other – we have no idea what people are going through so let’s be kind Sameteaches at the Beedie School of Business and is Founder and Chief Motivating Officer at Ignite the Dream Coaching and Consulting. He engages individuals in personal and professional development.  He has worked with more than 45 non-profits and organizations on alignment. An expert in career coaching he has helped over 5,000 people ranging from 15 to 40 year-olds.  

Shelley Buck was born into a creative family in the Midwest and moved to California after college to follow her dream of working for Disney. It was there she met and fell in love with her husband, Chris, who worked in animation and would one day direct the Oscar-winning movie, FROZEN. After they married and had their first child, Ryder, she stayed home to be a full-time mom to him and the two brothers who followed. When her 23-year-old son, Ryder was diagnosed with cancer her journey went to unimaginable places. Rock musician and songwriter Ryder Buck was 23 years old, with an unstoppable dream to life people up through his music. But a life-threatening cancer diagnosis showed that life had other plans.    While the disease should have beaten him, Ryder rose above it all to live from a place of passion and purpose.   THEN....fate stepped in.   Though it wasn't cancer that took Ryder, it was the experience that helped him grow into the shining light he became. His story of love, hope, and truth will show you that there is no hardship big enough to keep you from putting your special touch on the world...if you simply leave your light on!

When J'Anemtra heard those words "If you leave me, I will hunt you down and I WILL kill you," she knew something had to change - to save her life and the lives of her children. Were you born to be a REBEL? J’Anemtra is a strong advocate for victims and survivors of domestic violence. At 40, she instantly understood that she had to start being who she was born to be; a leader, teacher, trainer, thought creator, a REBEL! As a survivor of domestic violence, I encourage audiences to develop their own blueprint and help them to define their own daily mantra that will begin the process of Living Past Crazy!  I am a strong advocate for victims and survivors of domestic violence and speak candidly about the issues of domestic violence and abuse with emphasis on empowering individuals to continue living- because there is life after abuse!  J'Anmetra lives by the quote “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” John Wooden  J’Anmetra is an Amazon’s International Bestselling Author of Fearless Woman Born to Give Thanks and Transition to Freedom and four other amazing books. She has received the Author of the Year of Award for two consecutive years and has had the opportunity to share the screen with the late actor Tommy Ford in the movie The Last Time.   She is the founder of Be Fearless Inc, Waddell Consulting Services, and Bare Your Hair. She has an MBA in Healthcare Management and currently finishing her Ph.D. 

NO ONE intentionally starts gambling with the hope of becoming addicted .....or with the understanding of how it could destroy their life. Bobbie Malatesta had a 30-year career in corporate America and is now managing two organizations. One is to raise awareness of gambling addiction and the other is a virtual assistant business.   In our interview with Bobbie she answers your questions about addiction and recovery - and how someone can get back control of their life .....or to help someone they know to get the help they need: 3-21 No Kiddin'  Positivity is No Gamble 3-21 was born out of Bobbie's dream for a safe place to go to assist with boredom and relapse prevention when it comes to gambling and alcohol addiction. Out of this mission the 3-21 Podcast was born; serving over 62 countries and 1200 cities worldwide.

Have you ever known someone who was a criminal mastermind? Crime was Mike Savage's second life, one that his wife and family knew nothing about until federal agents raided their home.  Federal authorities described Mike Savage as a criminal mastermind capable of bending people to his will. He was that and more. His criminal empire was the subject of a five-year federal investigation that culminated in his indictment on 101 criminal charges that ultimately put him in prison for fifteen years, two months, and twenty-eight days.  Mike imagined he would lose everything in his life, including his beloved wife who had no idea Mike was a criminal. Mike Savage is an adjunct college professor, former radio and television personality, and co-host of A Savage Perspective podcast.  The feds called Mike Savage a criminal mastermind. The way Mike looked at it was "If I was a criminal mastermind, I wouldn't have been caught or in prison for 15 years." A Prisoner's Perspective: The Redemption of a Criminal Mastermind chronicles how God, through the self-sacrificing love of his wife Cynthia, moved to save both of them and restore them as the husband and wife He wanted them to be.  Mike's memoir demonstrates that even through violence, separation, poverty, cancer, and death, God's love still changes and restores those lost - even in the dark criminal underworld.

Terry McDougall has helped thousands of high-achieving professionals just like you break through the blocks, regain their energy and enjoy their careers again! Terry can help you enjoy more success and satisfaction in your current employment OR find your next opportunity in a new career. Being smart or hard-working isn't enough. In her interview, Terry shows us how to take control of our professional destiny and start enjoying it.    If you are not currently satisfied in your career, it could be because you are playing by the wrong rules. Terry can customize a coaching program structured for your success. Here are five steps she will guide you through:   Clarify your goals Create your roadmap      Upgrade your skills Enhance your environment Maintain your mindset              You can be happier and more successful when you learn to play the game of work. If you're not currently satisfied in your career, it could be because you're playing by the wrong rules. In Winning the Game of Work, Terry Boyle McDougall shares the rules she learned from wise mentors and coaches, as well as the lessons she learned the hard way. She entered the workplace as an ambitious “go-getter” and was confused about why she wasn't advancing at the pace she expected. She learned that being smart and working hard aren't enough. The reward for developing a strategy for the game of work is success and happiness with less stress and duress.  

When media maven Deborah Burns wrote her award-winning memoir, Saturday's Child, life took a very unexpected turn. Suddenly, that creative journey revealed something original and exciting about the world of work. She was immersed into a new storytelling world full of literary wisdom, tools, and techniques revealed truths hidden from the 98% of us who are not authors. A rare and gorgeously written memoir, Saturday's Child tells the story of Deborah's unusual upbringing under the wings of her maverick mother to uncover the truth about her mother and their complex relationship. No longer under the spell of her maternal goddess but still caught in a wrenching circle of love and longing, Deborah must finally confront the reality of her mother's legacy and begin to claim her own identity. Saturday's Child is a fascinating depiction of a serious powerful bond that exists between all mothers and daughters.  This is a mesmerizing EYE-OPENING MUST READ for any daughter who has tried to figure out where her mother ends and she begins.   When Deborah Burns wrote her memoir she was immersed into a new storytelling world full of literary wisdom, tools, and techniques revealing truths hidden from the 98% of us who are not authors. Despite having been a chief innovation officer; despite leading brands like ELLE Décor and Met Home; despite working with teams and consulting with many different companies, there were five lessons about leadership and success she never knew until writing that book. The good news is that you don't need to be a writer - you just need to think like one. The better news is that when you understand the process and make thinking like a writer your mindset....you can move your work story forward in the way that you want.  Applying the thought-process of a writer will spark new ideas and approaches, improve your questioning and creative problem-solving, and empower you to take the reins of the career you’d like to live.   In her new release, Authorize It! Think Like a Writer to Win at Work & Life Deborah will show you how to live up to your potential. In this interview she shares how to apply the thought-process of a writer to spark new ideas and approaches, improve your questioning and creative problem-solving, and empower you to take the reins of the career you would like to live.