Never Ever Give Up Hope

Lois Hollis entered the world of Open Heart Surgery as a registered nurse 50 years ago. She went on to help develop one of the first Kidney Hemodialysis Units in the country. Today she has established a field of study as a Shame/Guilt Educator. Her newly released book, Emotional Revolution = Evolution: Releasing Shame/Guilt is a self-help guide to help us understand shame and guilt and the impact it can have on our lives. "Shame and guilt are not ours to own.....or to give!" "Guilt is the echo of shame that describes our unworthiness." Lois has a unique insight that she shares in her interview. You will be educated and motivated!

Kay Kei has a BC in Geophysics and a MS from Berkeley School of Engineering. She is a certified Herb Practitioner and Soul Coach and a best-selling author. She has worked as a geophysicist and also ran her own business as a condominium developer/builder for 15 years. One of the most exciting things about Kei is that she had declining health for four decades and after a diagnosis of breast cancer was able to take control of her health and realize optimum health for the past eight years. She shares her journey of how she accomplished that. Kay is an energetic, intelligent, interesting guest who I thoroughly enjoyed having on my show. In her first interview on Never Ever Give Up Hope (click here) she gave us insight into how to reprogram your brain to deal with STRESS. In her interview today she shares how YOU too can have Optimum Health! She wants to connect with you and help you on your journey to wellness and healthy eating. She will guide you and help you to realize that improved health is easily within your reach. You will be delighted, educated and motivated when you listen to her interview.

CeeCee James has written a series of memoirs that you will never be able to forget. Absolutely. Guaranteed. In her interview, I was at a loss for words. Having heard many stories of abuse, 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/body with an iron. Her mother refused to feed or change her diaper because she did not want to be manipulated by a baby's cries. She wanted to teach her NOT to cry. This is only the beginning of a lifetime of trauma. She never remembers a time 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. Her humility is unique, feeling that many others could have suffered more and is not looking for sympathy. She only wants people to understand how to let go of the past, and hang onto hope -- the only thread to survival.

Keith Dion has had an astounding career as a musician, songwriter, producer, and filmmaker. But the story of what made this musician great goes much deeper. What made this musician great is an incredible story of tenacity. Severely abused and then abandoned by his parents, he determined he would succeed. He was inspired to become a musician by Jimi Hendrix. Many years later he hooked up with Jimi Hendrix's bass player, Noel Redding. Most well-known as being the producer, manager and bandleader for the late Noel Redding of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, he also has produced records for Arthur Lee and Love, and has played in New Zealand’s classic cult band The Ponsonby DC’s, as well as San Francisco alternative groups The Ophelias, 3:05 AM, and Corsica, producing records for all of them along the way. Over the years he also recorded or performed with members of The Kinks, Thin Lizzy, Santana, The Counting Crows, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, and The Mahavishnu Orchestra. Most recently he’s released the very critically acclaimed collaboration with Jefferson Starship members Diana Mangano and Prairie Prince - Reno Nevada and Other Songs of Gambling, Vice and Betrayal as The Great American Robber Barons. After both of his parents died in Reno, Nevada, the San Francisco-based artist discovered a whole new dimension to his musicality. “Their deaths made me face a lot of stuff, and I keep peeling back the layers and finding these dark aspects inside of me,” Keith says. “Every song on the album is about gambling, vice and betrayal, and we really mean it.” In this interview he shares his experiences of 30 years, playing with famous people and his record deals. But, it took the death of his parents for him to start writing lyrics. In Snapshots of Heaven and Hell, he shares how he survived filicide and extreme childhood abuse at the hands of his Vietnam Era PTSD damaged father.

Stephanie Collins, an award-winning author of With Angels Wings, has degrees in psychology and nursing. But, in the blink of an eye, she had to leave her career to care for her FOUR special needs children -- as a single mom. After 23 years, she is still changing her child's diapers - but her attitude is beautiful - a true mother's love. Her story is one of strength and courage. If you know of anyone who is the parent of a special needs child, this is a 'MUST LISTEN to' broadcast. Stephanie does not see herself as a victim but someone who became strong in the face of adversity. Through sheer perseverance and tenacity, she proved anyone can be an overcomer. In Stephanie's words "If you are feeling overwhelmed and ready to give up -- I did too. These feelings aren't indicative of a weak constitution or failure -- they are symptoms of humanity. People BECOME stronger every minute they persevere. Focus on you NEXT breath -- you WILL get there. I’d like to say it was love and faith that helped me to overcome my darkest days…but maybe it was the turbulent times that helped to teach me the ever-important lessons of love and faith." Her INCREDIBLE story of strength, courage, and tenacity is here. A MUST LISTEN for anyone who knows or had a special needs child.

Wolfgang Wolf was a freelance copywriter and co-founder of Ogilvy and Mather Direct as well as their Creative Director. In 1990, his life made a sharp turn. He suffered a major stroke and should not have survived. He shocked the doctors when not only did he survive but was able to do things they said he would never do again; walk, talk, and take care of himself. Since his stroke, he has founded a registered charity, got a Bachelors degree majoring in Counseling and is a guest lecturer. His book, How to Survive (After) a Stroke, is NOT a book of rehabilitation techniques and medical advice. Rather, it gives invaluable support by sharing stories of numerous stroke victims about isolation, loneliness, stigma, fear, disability and pain. It is a book that addresses coping skills to move past these negatives. He is an active blogger and would love to connect with you - especially if you have had a stroke or know anyone who has. He will offer advice and support.

Mary McLaurine is a writer, a poet and a contributing blogger at Huffington Post. She survived a torturous childhood sexual abuse by her father but learned how to overcome the aftermath that affected her later in life. She has much to offer anyone who has suffered from PTSD, sexual abuse and rejection. She is an advocate for organ donation (as a recipient of a kidney after years of dialysis) and therapy animals, rescuing them from their abusive situations. You cannot compare someone else's pain with your own. It is pointless as we only know our own battle of what we have had to endure. But you CAN be an overcomer and draw strength from your weakest moments. It took a lifetime of raw emotion, endurance and determination to assemble her "mosaic." The most beautiful part is not the multi-colored stones but the dusky, gritty grout that holds all the pieces together and made her unbreakable. The broken pieces, sharp edges, soft curves, rough surfaces, and smooth stones are beautifully imperfect but they made her strong. You will not want to miss her story, especially if you know of anyone who has been abused.

Petra Monaco is a survivor. She endured abuse and extreme trauma which made her the strong woman she is today. She is an author of two memoirs - Betrayal: The Journey - Childhood Memories and the Adult Awakening and Lennon Steps. In foster care since she was two years old, she repeatedly survived rejection and learned how to forgive. When her four-year-old son was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called urea cycle disorder, it created chaos in his little body. As a mom, she had to make the decision to save his life with organ transplantation -- THREE times! No parent should have to watch their child suffer to this extreme. But Petra chose to have a positive attitude no matter what! She is an encourager and motivator and you do not want to miss her interview. Through her blog posts and coaching, she can help you set boundaries in your life while making it feel like an act of love to self. Her interview is insightful, candid and compassionate. For those of you who crave FREEDOM, she will help you realize your dreams.

Gretchen Crass, Owner of GST Fitness and Wellness, is a leading expert in the area of fitness, nutrition, & spiritual health. She is a personal trainer, nutritionist and lifestyle transformation coach helping people on their journey to become their "BEST SELF." Gretchen had a rough childhood suffering molestation and rejection which led to Anorexia. She is now sharing her story with solid advice on how to know your true self. "The mind is a powerful thing and we need to use it for the greater good rather than against ourselves." She is a coach for the Special Olympics as well as a Child Ambassador for World Vision. Gretchen has been featured in fitness magazine publications, such as Flex Magazine, Oxygen Magazine & Muscular Development Magazine. She has been interviewed on Salem Radio’s Mohsin Program numerous times as well as Sioux Country Radio Sports After Dark Program. Gretchen has also been featured on Montgomery County Cable, for her healthy nutritional and cooking advice for children. Gretchen's motto is: "When the mind is ready the body will follow. Anything is achievable once you believe in yourself." She asks: "Do you know your true self? The mind is a powerful thing and we need to use it for the greater good rather than against ourselves." In her interview she encourages listeners to "Go out on the limb - that's where the fruit is -- you can do it -- faith is the key. Everything you need is in the treasure chest inside you. Find it!" EVERYONE deserves a chance EVERYONE deserves respect EVERYONE deserves love "Anything the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve." Napoleon Hill

Marquita Herald is an inspirational author of Resilient Living -- Build Inner Strength and Master Life's Challenges with Confidence and Courage. Her book and website of the same name is aimed at inspiring readers to develop the capacity for emotional resilience. The prevailing view of resilience is that it helps one to "bounce back" from a crisis. Marquita shows us how to "BOUNCE FORWARD." Fear and dysfunction didn't run through her family -- it galloped. Through personal experiences and serious research, she now teaches courses on how to exercise resilience in any situation. Three Keys she shares are: Develop self-awareness Take responsibility for the choices you made Learn to manage your emotions through emotional mastery You CAN, You SHOULD, and if you're BRAVE enough....YOU WILL