Never Ever Give Up Hope

CeeCee James has written a series of memoirs that you will never be able to forget. Absolutely. Guaranteed. During her interview, I was at a loss for words. I have heard many stories of abuse but I never heard one as intense as CeeCee's. She is an incredibly gentle, warm woman who survived horrendous pain, neglect and hatred by her mother. Listening to her story, you will be drawn to tears and anger as you hear CeeCee share how the only touch she had ever known as a child was one of pain. At TWO WEEKS old, her father burned CeeCee's face and body with an iron. Her mother refused to feed or change CeeCee's diaper because she did not want to be manipulated by a baby's cries. She wanted to teach her NOT to cry. This was only the beginning of a lifetime of trauma. CeeCee never remembers a time as a child when she was not hungry....or cold.....or alone.....or hated. Yet, all CeeCee ever wanted was love. Even as a toddler she worked hard to please her mother, hoping for one gentle touch or one kind word. She never got one! EVER! CeeCee holds no animosity. No bitterness. No unforgiveness. No blame. Instead, she understands the true necessity to forgive and move forward. She is not looking for sympathy and her humility is unique, feeling that many others may have suffered more. She wants people to understand how to let go of their past and hang onto hope -- the only thread to survival. This is a must 'hear to believe' podcast. You will never be the same when you hear her story and realize the strength of the human spirit to survive.

Jeremy Vermeulen is a motivational speaker and coach who suffered from severe depression. In his interview, he shares how to take control of your thoughts and not allow them to control you. Jeremy shares how we can be genuinely happy and overcome the triggers that might send us into a mode of discouragement and low self-esteem. I am sure you will relate to many of the things Jeremy shares about his own depression. Also, how we can help ourselves and our children to be happy and content. 5 Keys to Happiness Be You - the best you can be Have good people around you Have an attitude of gratitude - no matter what Live in the moment Make a decision!

Courtney Lund is a professor and writer who is currently working on a memoir about her relationship with her disabled brother, Gavin who suffers with AGS Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome. Courtney received the news about her four-month-old baby brother when she was 19 and in college. She dropped out of college to be with him and her family -- and to learn to love him, despite his death sentence. There was nowhere for Courtney to turn for help as there was no resource to help people who had to cope with losing a sibling, to a disease or death. Feeling like she was up against the impossible, while also feeling alone are probably some of the worst feelings in the world. She had left life in a sorority house to the home of my dying brother. In Courtney's words: Love is one of the most complex emotions, and the only way we can love authentically is to go through those emotions. Fear, anger, sadness -- they are all tied up with love. And the longer we run from those emotions, the harder it is to love fully, and wholly. Faith, Hope, and Love have often been lumped into a cliche. Each component draws off the other. I wondered what it would look like if I drew it. I saw the image of an old tree. It starts with the roots - the foundation. This is our faith. The trunk grows sturdy, from the support of the roots. This is our hope. From the trunk, love grows. Love flourishes, like branches, our of hope. The three are fluid and part of a larger whole. Listening to her story you will be inspired on a level you did not think possible.

Robyn Dykstra is a captivating national speaker and author of The Widow Wore Pink. Melissa was on top of the world and 'had it all.' She traveled the world and had an incredible income as a Playboy bunny. But her life of drugs, alcohol and promiscuity was not enough. Her marriage ended in divorce which threw her into a life-changing moment. She married Hot and Hunky, had two children and life was perfect... until the unthinkable happened. Not once -- but TWICE! She became an accidental expert on finding joy during difficult times when she buried TWO husbands in FOUR short years. You will love Robyn's story sprinkled with laughter and joy but more importantly with tips on how to deal with the pain that comes with trauma.

Melissa Weaver is an author and Licensed Clinical Social worker who has committed her work to helping others. She is a facilitator of grief support groups, inspirational speaker for TMI consulting, adjunct faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University and she provides various volunteer services. In August of 2013, Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer and her life changed forever. Her memoir was written to help anyone who wants to change their focus and their life. Her interview was encouraging to anyone who has suffered a loss of any type. It was motivating to all of us who want to Be More, Give More, Connect More and Do More for ourselves and for others. Melissa also shared how to deal with grief and that we need to realize there is no time limit to grief. To Create Change Be the Change

Millie Leung is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and international speaker. Her passions are in entrepreneurship, financial education, and women empowerment. Her mission is to help individuals to start a business and be able to escape the rat race. Millie followed the traditional path of success and graduated with a Masters degree and worked hard in corporate jobs for more than ten years. She was paid well but became TIME-BROKE and STRESSED OUT. Then the economic crunch hit Millie and her husband - hard. Millie's story of one idea that led her on a new road to success will inspire you on every level. She went from living under the US poverty line to an annual turnover in excess of TEN MILLION DOLLARS -- this she accomplished in five short years. In her interview. she shares the struggles and the successes and believes it is possible for everyone to enjoy the same success using her step-by-step system. Dream Big Start Small Act Now Have a listen and change your life: .

Exchanging hurt for hope is Dr. Sheryl Giesbrecht's focus—a message she shares with audiences as a radio personality, author of three books, and a speaker. A dynamic teacher and motivating leader, Sheryl has endured many changes and challenges. She has overcome drug addictions, cancer, and even widowhood and shares her story in her book, Get Back Up. Her latest book, Experiencing God Through His Names, answers the question: What's in a name? Names are more than groups of letters that represent a person or identify objects. Names are powerful. A person's character and destiny can be influenced by his or her name. When it comes to God, His attributes and personality support His unique and distinct names. In her interview, Sheryl walked us through those difficult years of her drug addiction, hopelessness, loneliness and trying desperately to be accepted by her peers. She also shares her remarkable story of recovery from cancer in her bone marrow and the loss of her husband who was killed in a motorcycle accident that she witnessed. Sheryl was a delight to interview and will encourage and challenge you as you click on the arrow to listen:

Lost, alone, hopeless are words that were part of this little girl's life. But Marnie Grundman would not accept that life and chose to be not only a survivor, but a surthrivor! At FIVE years old, Marnie's mother threw her out of a second story window. She ran away from home seeking the love she needed to survive. Marnie was a child who belonged to no one - a child lost! Her story will grab your attention as she shares how she turned all that pain and suffering into helping others. Artist and entrepreneur Marnie Grundman began writing as a way to release herself from the wounds of her past. She shares her life and experiences in hopes of inspiring and empowering others who have felt lost, broken and less than. In Marnie's words: "I decided that I was going through this hell as a kind of pre-payment for a good life. From a very young age, I always knew that better days lay ahead. Now I had an explanation as to why: I was paying up front. I decided that I was destined for greatness and I just had to power through." You do not want to miss this remarkable woman's interview:

Lisa Gray is a licensed mental health counselor, minister, author, and speaker. She travels extensively speaking at women's conferences, jails, and seminars to bring awareness to the complex and emotional topic of sexual abuse. "They Don't Tell - Child Abuse: A Mother's Perspective" is her powerful book especially for mothers who have to deal with the pain, hurt, shame, and guilt that comes with discovering that their child had been sexually abused. "Mom, if I had something to tell you, would you be a mom or would you be a friend?" Those words are forever etched into Lisa's mind when her 16-year-old daughter finally told Lisa that her stepfather had been sexually abusing her since she was in the third grade. This is the day Lisa's life changed forever and began a process of dealing with the shock, pain, guilt and shame surrounding the abuse. She is passionate about bringing this awareness to parents, teachers, counselors, and anyone who works with children whose innocence was stolen. She is an advocate for these women and to help bring the abusers to justice. Listen to Lisa's compelling story and be made acutely aware of the signs of sexual abuse. It touches all of us:

Damon DaRil Nailer is a multi-talented inspirational communicator, speaker, music producer, songwriter, recording artist, author and business owner. He has conducted over 250 speaking engagements and performances, produced six musical projects, written two inspirational books, and one nonfiction book. He has been featured on TV shows, podcasts, radio shows, newspapers, magazines, and various online publications. In Damon's words: You Are Not Responsible for Results - You Are Responsible for Taking Action Do you wonder what your dominant gift is? Ask yourself these questions: 1) What am I skilled at? 2) What do I like doing? 3) What do I do so others can receive satisfaction? 4) If I didn't get paid for it, would I still receive satisfaction? This is one interview you do not want to miss -- it will inspire and encourage you to accomplish the great things you want to do!