Never Ever Give Up Hope

Joyce Ross, author, editor, and keynote speaker is a co-founder of Kindness Is Key, Training and Publishing Inc., the home of Heartmind Wisdom Inspirational Anthology Collection.   Joyce is a recovering gambling addict who lost over $300,000, her home, and her self-respect.  Her story is compelling and revealing as she offers help to those who may have a similar problem -- or know someone who does. In her interview, Joyce shares not only the indicators to determine that there could be a problem but also some solutions.   Joyce states that "Gambling is a global problem.  Depending on the country it can range from 1 in 500 people in Norway to as high as 1 in 20 people in Hong Kong.  In Canada, the United States, and Australia, one percent of the population are considered to be pathological gamblers and one to two percent as problem gamblers." In Heartmind Wisdom #3, Joyce discusses "Taming Shame and Blame," which are two natural human responses that are hope robbers. Different from other types

Barbara Cohen has a Masters Degree in education and has taught both in elementary school and middle school as a language arts instructor.  She was a writing consultant and has conducted workshops across the U. S.   Currently, she is a part-time literacy instructor for Marrakech, Inc. - a non-profit organization that owns half-way houses for developmentally handicapped persons.   In her interview, Barbara shares her experiences with foster children and some practical tips for anyone considering becoming a foster parent.   Being a foster parent requires patience, patience and more patience....but the rewards can be more than you had ever hoped.   From the pitfalls to the joys, Barbara encourages us to consider fostering a child who needs love.  

Ellen Mongan is a speaker, blogger and author of over 40 books.  She is the founder of Little Pink Dress Ministry.  She is co-host of the weekly radio show, My Miscarriage Matters and a frequent guest on WBPI Television.  Ellen describes the journey from trials to triumph as a hike and that it is much easier when you have someone to stand with you who has the GPS.  She helps women to overcome eating disorders, death of a child, date rape, post-partum depression, emotional scars from abuse, or just to be the best they can be in any role.  In her interview she shares how to go from brokenness to wholeness.   Ellen would like to share some of her articles with you.  For your reading enjoyment: The Backpack  Super Mom Meets Ordinary Mom Glorious Grief -- How to cope with the loss of a child Mommy TIME OUT  

Donna Kater, online video course instructor and author, is known as a master in reinventing oneself and is dedicated to helping others, particularly after they have gone through a major life-changing event.   Her professional experience as a college counselor, career counselor, small business owner, and acupuncturist help contribute to her qualifications as a mentor.   Donna is dedicated to helping people survive, come alive, and thrive!   THINK BETTER THOUGHTS HAVE A BETTER FUTURE   I'm Still Alive, Now What? is her on-line course as well as her book by the same title.  It is designed to assist people in healing after trauma such as divorce, a loved one's passing, car accident, job loss, or a natural disaster.   It is useful for anyone who needs to reevaluate their life.  She shares practical tools about how to heal one's past so you can move more easily toward a brighter future.   Some topics are: Getting over the shock    Reassessing and improving your life Valuing the exper

Mary Kaarto is the author of two books, Help for the Laid Off and Hope for the Laid Off.  As a single mom for almost 20 years, Mary was inspired to write these books as a help and encouragement to those who have gone through a similar experience.   In her interview, Mary shares PRACTICAL tips on how to survive when you have lost your job.   Each one of us can benefit from these tips, no matter where we are in life.     She also shares how to cope emotionally when you find yourself in any grave situation.   She is available to answer any questions you may have and to help in any way she can.   HELP for the LAID OFF offers solid, practical advice in searching for a job. While it's OK and understandable for readers to experience a sense of loss, the author encourages them to not get stuck in an endless pity party, when they DO have a job ... to FIND a job. Kaarto opens the reader's minds to realize there are many good blessings that come during and as a result of being laid off, and that losing t

Roxanne Derhodge is a Psychotherapist, Author, and Keynote Speaker whose expertise is in relationships.  Roxanne is a trusted psychotherapist, advisor on many boards and the founder of Roxanne Derhodge Consulting.     Roxanne previously worked with the Metro Toronto Police assisting crime victims, headed an Addictions Unit with the Niagara Health System, and was involved in corporate consulting.  Roxanne is specialized in many areas of therapy including managing anxiety/depression, domestic violence, and divorce.      "Don't allow stressors to RUN you.  You take control and run them!"   Relationships are complex and challenging, they are also vitally important to our sense of well-being. This book will guide you through a deeply personal exploration of your life’s relationships. Breaking out of the mold of traditional therapist protocol, expert therapist Roxanne Derhodge delves into her own past relationships to show how you can heal from the past the same way she did. Using her own exp

Anita Brooks, CPT, CLTF, CCS is someone who MOTIVATES others to dynamic break-throughs.  Blending mind, heart, body, and spirit as an inspirational business/life coach, international speaker, and common trauma expert, she shares HOPE.   She is a multi-published, award-winning author of the Amazon Best Seller, Getting Through What You Can't Get Over.   There are some things in life people never get over. No matter how much they want to.  Many experience abuse, financial disaster, serious illness, death of loved ones, and other common traumas making them believe they'll never move past the pain, but through research and true story compilations, Anita offers emotional, practical, and spiritual insights from experts and people who have survived intense trauma -- and have made it through seemingly impossible situations.     Her other titles include First Hired, Last Fired -- How to Become Irreplaceable in Any Job Market and Death Defied -- Life Defined:  A Miracle Man's Memoir.   In her interview,

Doreen Hanna is passionate to fulfill her mission statement. She looks for every opportunity to guide women, of all ages, on a journey to discover their princess within and embrace the life of royalty they have been called to live! As the Founder & President of Treasured Celebrations, she enthusiastically continues to encourage moms and mentors to become influential leaders.  Unwanted by her father, she knew the pain of rejection for 18 years.  Marrying at 19, she wanted to prove to her father she was worthy of love.  However, she quickly discovered that the man of her dreams was an alcoholic.           Life brought many trials for Doreen including a financial crisis, the molestation of her daughter and Doreen's father threatening her husband's life.   How did she survive?   She shares how she turned her PAIN into POWER.     As Founder and President of Treasured Celebrations, she introduced an international program to empower woman of all ages. Her greatest passion is that part of the pr

Anita Barney, widow of the former CEO for Wendy's restaurant, is the only child of an alcoholic father, a victim of physical and emotional abuse by her first husband, a breast cancer survivor, and the target of a compulsive gambler and criminal predator.  Anita's honest messages of hope, forgiveness, and second chances will connect with you on many levels. Anita is a woman who traveled in the 'best' circles.  She had been engaged to Henry Mancini and Perry Como was her neighbor.  She was not an ignorant woman but easy prey. When I saw Anita on the Dr. Phil show, I wanted her to be my guest on Never Ever Give Up Hope. Her story needs to be told.   Even as cancer claimed her husband's life, Bob ensured his wife was financially secure and left her with chilling advice, “Don’t let a man take all of your money.” There are vultures who seek out the elderly and widows, in particular.  Anita was victimized by a successful football player, Art Schlichter.   She also borrowed money from friends, believing it was a soli

Ben Amos' story will motivate you to break free from negative thinking, depression, and anxiety. When Ben was two years old, he was run over by a drunk driver.  Among many injuries, he suffered a popped lung, broken bones, ruptured spleen and multiple surgeries. This is the second time I have interviewed Ben Amos.  The first interview, you can also listen to below, was Ben's story from his memoir How To Break Free From Depression, Fear and Anxiety in 30 days - Using Ancient Secrets.      After Ben's accident, he suffered from seizures, brain damage and bullying by kids for fun.  Depression and suicidal attempts were part of Ben's life until he was able to break free and learn to reprogram his brain.   Ben is now a successful businessman who is involved in the arts; dance, music and theater.  He has also served in various ministerial capacities.     In his second interview, Ben shares how "the mind was designed to be programmed - every day, all day. The problem is that few of us realize it. Bob Procto

Marissa Pendlebury is a public health researcher with degrees in nutrition, health sciences (BSc), and psychology (MSs).     Through her website, Nourishing Routes, she helps individuals develop a positive and compassionate relationships with themselves, with food and exercise, and with other people.   But Marissa's journey was a rocky road of serious eating disorders, anxiety, and deep depression. When all hope was gone and she had nowhere to turn for help, she discovered how compassion for others could help her heal herself.   In her interview, she gives practical, solid tips on how to change your perception of yourself, and how your view of food and eating habits can change your life.   On her website, she gives the 10 Elements of Nourishing Routes and explains them in detail. They are: Compassion for yourself and others Nourishment - not numbers Health at every size Creative expression Mindfulness Gratitude Connecting with others and sharing stories Freedom and Autonomy Pleasurable movement Empo

Marion M. Pyle's drive for excellence, artistic creativity, and leadership development have been the life forces propelling her through award-winning ventures in film, television and theater. She has an accomplished career in advertising and public relations as well. Marion is a media and communications professional. award-winning scriptwriter, producer, director, and television host. Marion is also a noted seminar leader and university professor of business communication and public speaking.   In her book, Healed, Healthy & Whole, How We Beat Cancer With Integrative Therapies & Essential Healing Strategies, she recounts the race against time to find a cure for her husband's deadly form of cancer. Her true story is a profound journey of faith that ultimately leads to healing and wholeness. Healed, Healthy and Whole is filled with hope, practical advice, proven resources, and wisdom for anyone at a crossroads with a life-threatening condition. This exceptional page-turner is a journey of d

You will find that Pamela Christian's books are very different from what you might expect.  In the first book of the series, she dissects the top five major world religions and New Age. This is to help readers learn the origin and beliefs for each religion to make an educated choice. Pamela explains that "the world is broken" but what's needed to repair it does exists and is accessible if we are willing to do what it takes. We must agree that governments, marriage and family, jobs, big business, and real estate markets have failed, including the Church. BUT real and certain hope in life exists.   Depression, suicide thoughts, chemical/alcohol abuse, worry, fear, anxiety can touch each of our lives in some way.  People are starved for hope and truth.  Pamela's book series can offer much to those seeking to understand this entire subject of truth and faith. In an article by ABC News, Americans Surprisingly Flexible About Religious Faiths, we learn that people are mixing different tenets of different reli

Allison Hill is an active blogger at AccidentallyAllison. Allison's story is one that many people can relate to-- love lost.  She shares about her quest for a long lastingrelationship which became a disaster -- more thanonce.Shewants women to understand relationships and how they affect ourself-image and perception. Listeningto her story in the podcast below, one has to applaud her forovercoming many defeats; yet she has an attitude ofvictory. Allisonhas been proposed to seven times, married twice and divorced bothtimes.  Her blog is a glimpse into a world thathas consistent, unimaginable pain but shows that even in the faceof love lost and the shredding of the heart, there can STILL behappiness, hope, and love.   After her daughter was in a near-fatal car accident, hersignificant other cleaned out the bank accounts and...........well, this story will grip your heart.  Failure isNever an Option - Falling Down is But Getting Back Up is aNecessity Herstory is one of Love, Marriage, Divorce, Single Parenthood,Ho

Martha Ashwell worked as a childcare officer, administrator and support tutor in university education and a counselor.  She is also a member of the long-established writer's group, Manchester Irish Writers.   Her memoir, Celia's Secret: A Journey towards Reconciliation, helped her to analyze and evaluate her life experiences to work through a process of reconciliation.  Broken relationships.   Her story shares the impact family secrets can have on your life.   Are you struggling with the dynamics of a family secret or with broken relationships?   Never give up hope of reconciliation.    If you are determined to resolve a broken relationship, it is possible to move through a process of reconciliation and have the satisfaction of knowing that you have done everything that is humanly possible to heal the relationship. The process involves: reflecting, analyzing, understanding and forgiving. For Martha, as a Christian, it also involves God’s loving hand in the process. We can have a profound love for one another

Rebecca Owens has been a writer since she was a little girl.  After 298 rejections from literary agents, she never gave up.  In 2013, she was able to successfully fulfill her dream and publish her first novel.  She is now a member of the Romance Writers of America.   Her stories are inspired by her Native American southern American roots.   In her interview, she shares tips on the steps to take to fulfill your dream of becoming a romance novelist.   Here is a snippet from A Sister's Love   Two North Carolinian sisters, Flo and Priscilla Oxendine are entangled in a web of betrayal, grief, and loss that has spanned over the time of ten years. The entanglement started when the sisters become estranged after Priscilla did the unthinkable and betrayed Flo. Nine months later, Priscilla dropped another bombshell or two after Flo had begun to rebuild her life.   Jack Winston, Priscilla's New York attorney, and friend has been given the chore of calling her family late one autumn night with sad news of

Warren Rodwell: former soldier, university teacher, hostage survivor, speaker and songwriter, is the longest held Australian captive outside war. For more than fifteen (15) months, Warren was hidden and starved in island mangrove jungles with the constant threat of beheading if the terrorists’ original ransom demand for $US2 million was not paid.   When asked how he ever survived he responded with "resilience, adaptability, versatility, pragmatism, perseverance, and a dry sense of humor"   From Wikipedia:   "Warren Richard Rodwell (born 16 June 1958[74] Homebush NSW)[75] a former soldier[76] in the Australian Army, and university English teacher,[77] grew up in Tamworth NSW[78] He was shot through the right hand when seized[79] from his home at Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines on 5 December 2011[80] by Abu Sayyaf (ASG) militants.[81] Rodwell later had to have a finger amputated.[82] The ASG threatened to behead Rodwell[83] if the original ransom demand for

Nancie Schipper is a 15-year-old singer and songwriter.  She started playing music at six years old, performing at the age of nine and was playing pubs at 13 years old.   She writes songs from her personal experiences and what she observes is happening in the world at large -- from a teenager's perspective.   As a shy person, she shares how she overcame the fear of performing in front of large groups of people and that when we face our fears, we can do whatever we want to accomplish!  

Author Darcy Leech was born to Jo Lyn Bartz, who genetically carried myotonic muscular dystrophy. Darcy's brother, Dustin, was born with the same disease. He had a high enough frequency of protein repeat mutations that of his thirteen years of life, every day defied prior medical knowledge!  He lived far beyond what anyone expected.  Darcy shares how inner strength, a strong love of family and God sustained him.   Darcy's mother lived ten years after Dustin passed and Jo Lyn was the strongest woman Darcy ever will meet. The life lessons she taught Darcy will be passed on to future generations.  This story will touch your soul.   Her memoir, From My Mother, is a moving narration of loss and the deep resilience of the human spirit as the body weakens.   Although a cure looks promising, more funding is needed. If you would like to donate please click here  to help stop this life-threatening disease.   Riveting, soulful, and courageously told, From My Mother is a meditation on grief, family, genetic disease and

Monica Perrett lives in Australia and is the mother of six children.  She is currently writing a book on changing the law giving more rights for parents of teenage runaways.   Monica won the Mother of the Year award.  While she was out of town, receiving the award, her three-month-old son died.     Because Monica's foster son died at home, she was stripped of her rights as a parent and not allowed to attend his funeral.     With anger and determination, she single-handedly was able to get that LAW CHANGED.   No amount of bullying by any government branch could stop her!  She now intends to take her cause GLOBALLY.  She is fighting for the rights of foster parents and......for those elderly people who are being abused in nursing homes.   We need to applaud Monica and support her efforts because her cause can affect each and every one of us.   You will stand up and cheer for Monica when you listen to her heart-wrenching story and how she is making a difference in the entire world!