A Shot Of Inspiration

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Host Greg Stephens invites a long-time friend to this episode to share her amazing story of forging a good life out of a traumatic event when she was younger. When Carry Altemus was 19, her mom ended her own life–right in front of her daughter.

In the months that followed, Carrie wrestled with feelings of anger and sadness, but also guilt. During an event with the Landmark Forum, she had a breakthrough about her own thoughts: that it was okay to feel and think those things that naturally came to her after that traumatic event–even if those thoughts were negative. Over time she learned to forgive, and be at home with herself.

Join this episode to hear her story and how she has created a beautiful life BECAUSE OF that hardship, not in spite of it. 

3 Key Takeaways

• If you have experienced trauma, it is possible to create a life of beauty and happiness and be at peace with yourself.
• You can forge good qualities for yourself, not in spite of bad experiences, but BECAUSE of them.
• It’s okay to feel and think negative thoughts. You’re only human. Learn to forgive yourself and stop carrying guilt. What you choose to carry around will always weigh you down.

Resources

Landmark Forum website

Some of Carrie’s properties: 

New Orleans 18th Century AirBnB

New Orleans Lakefront Marina Home

Breckenridge Log Home

About 

Carrie Altemus owns a vacation rental business called Carrie’s Cool Properties, includes vacation homes in Austin, Wimberley, New Orleans, Breckenridge and Salida, Colorado. Most  of the homes are over 100 years old. Co-Owner of Austin Music Rooms and owns two office buildings in East Austin. She is a former Seminar/Program Leader for Landmark Education for 10 years.

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Life is hard. Sometimes it will knock you off your feet. That’s what happened when Melanie Gomez’s younger son was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder when he was just a few months old, and would require special needs the rest of his life. How do you respond to news like that?

Join Melanie and host Greg Stephens as she shares how she initially responded to their circumstance, and the inspiring change of heart and perspective she experienced over time. Discover the power of perspective (and how to change it from time to time), and how to find the buried treasure among life’s twists and turns.

Key Takeaways

• Your perspective is everything. Don’t miss the opportunities to evaluate how you think about your circumstances, and why changing your perspective can have a positive impact on your life.
• Having someone in your family who has special needs is a significant challenge, but also an opportunity for learning greater compassion, understanding, and love.
• Lean into your struggles, be present, and do your best to see the beauty where it is. There is more beauty in life than you might realize. 

Resources

Melanie Gomez's Instagram

Facebook Page 

https://redefinespecial.com/ 

Bundle of Joy by Melanie Gomez

About 

Melanie Gomez is mom to two young men (25 & 22), the youngest was born with a rare genetic disorder.  While the road has been full of unexpected turns, there has not been a season that wasn’t full of unexpected blessings and joy. In addition to the full-time job of parenting alongside her husband, Tony, Melanie is also a Talent Development Manager for a large global corporation.  Wherever you find her - business world or mom world - Melanie’s passion and drive remain the same: Share the inextinguishable hope and joy that she has found with everyone she encounters. 

Melanie’s 14-day devotional  Bundle of Joy is a deeply spiritual journey for moms who have recently received a diagnosis for their child, or still find themselves struggling to align their faith with their child’s diagnosis. Connect with her on instagram at @Redefine_Special or her blog website, RedefineSpecial.com where she shares encouragement and hope on a regular basis.

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We live in a world that is connected more than ever before. We can instantly connect via video with someone on the other side of the planet. Yet ironically, we often feel isolated and crave authentic connection. On this episode, entrepreneur, executive coach, and author of The Ripple Effect, Steve Harper joins host Greg Stephens to deep dive into why relationships are central to our success.

They discuss the power of tools and data in improving human behavior, why relationships trump prospects in sales, and how to be more authentic in life and business. 

Key Takeaways

• People are almost always the cause for all problems. Ego. Flakiness. Fear. Use tools and data to measure and improve behavior.
• Relationships are central to your success in life and in business. From sales to production, they are the vehicle to growth and happiness.
• Be authentic in your relationships. We live in a world that is smaller than ever. Instead of just hitting the like button on your favorite social media, reach out and acknowledge how they helped you.  

Resources

Steve Harper's LinkedIn

Steve Harper's Twitter

Ripple Central website

The Ripple Effect Podcast

YouTube Channel

The Ripple Effect by Steve Harper

About 

Steve Harper has become one of the most sought after speakers and business strategists on the power of deepening and strengthening the power of connections through a process he calls “Rippling.” Steve’s unique and refreshing approach to how and why individuals, organizations and even our society can and must reach outside the box to connect, is literally changing lives and impacting corporate bottom line dollars.

A serial entrepreneur, professional speaker, author and leading business strategist, Steve has successfully uncovered the secret to creating powerful long-lasting connections and their impact on one’s personal and professional life. Steve has transitioned his years of business experience and unyielding customer focus into a successful consulting practice appropriately named The Ripple Effect after his successful first book by the same title.

Steve has always maintained a unique focus on developing strong, long-lasting relationships with his clients, prospects and employees. By building a strong network of referrals and repeat customers, Steve has honed his ability to foster client relationships into a leveraged system for achieving solid business success. That system is represented in his book The Ripple Effect and through his speaking engagements and customized speaking and workshop programs.

Steve also owns two software companies, Owner Insite & Facility Insite both located in Austin, Texas.

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Sophia Jones was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of four. Despite the challenges she's faced with her health, she has remained positive and determined. Through her journey, Sophia has learned to be more patient both with herself and others. She has made great strides in her physical condition, overcoming obstacles that once seemed impossible. What makes Sophia so special is her unwavering courage in the face of adversity.

Do you ever feel like you're stuck, sitting on the sidelines, and don’t know how to move forward? This episode is for you. Join Sophia and host Greg Stephens as she shares her incredible story of facing challenges head on with courage and determination. 

Key Takeaways

• Never give up. Always keep going, even when obstacles seem insurmountable.
• Don’t sit on the sidelines waiting for answers to come. Seek them out.
• Look to others who inspire and lift you up. Surround yourself with these types of people.

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Are you stuck? Whether it's in a relationship or not knowing where to go professionally, have you ever felt you didn’t know what the next step is? In this episode Greg Stephens and Emily Gregory of Crucial Learning dive into what it means to have courage, confidence, and how to step forward through life.

Emily shares her stories when she didn’t know what to do after graduating from medical school, how she discovered her passion, and how she found resolution for her divorce. Listen in to Greg and Emily talk about the power of honesty–both with yourself and others–and how it is essential to move ahead. 

Key Takeaways

• Sometimes it’s about the people, not the work, that will help you find your passion.
• Honest and candid conversations are essential to connect with others, whether that’s personal or professional.
• The first step is always the hardest, but it’s also the most important because it is the step that builds the most courage and confidence to move forward.

Resources

Emily's LinkedIn

https://cruciallearning.com/ 

https://www.ashotofinspiration.com/

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Enidio Magel returns in this episode to complete his story and share the insight he’s learned. One of the most pivotal moments of his life came when his 12-year-old daughter passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm. Confronted with the harsh realization of mortality, Enidio and his wife discover new meaning together.

As an international diversity, equity, and inclusion coach, Enidio shares why those aren’t just buzzwords, and that feeling accepted and welcomed in our communities is core to who we are as humans. Embracing our uniqueness as individuals and connecting with others through that uniqueness is at the heart of diversity.

Consider your own uniqueness and living life fully as you listen to this second part of Greg and Enidio’s conversation.

If you are interested in learning more about brain aneurysms, or to donate to their cause, see the organization that Enidio and his wife started, available here. 

Key Takeaways

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t just fancy words for academics or corporate meetings. Being accepted and welcomed by our peers is central to being human. 
• Embrace your uniqueness and learn to accept others for theirs. We are all given ingredients from God, we need to discover what those are and share them with the world.
• Life comes with all sorts of surprises and challenges. Some of those are devastating, such as the loss of a loved one. It is possible to turn those experiences into blessings, both for yourself and for others.

Resources

https://www.ashotofinspiration.com/ 

The Missy Project 

Enidio's LinkedIn 

About 

Enidio Magel is founder and managing director of Multi-Cultural Institute, with extensive focus and experience on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for corporate, non for profit, law enforcement, health care and sports and entertainment. He is an executive and personal coach utilizing the principles of spiritual psychology and cross-cultural psychology in his practice. He holds an advanced degree in psychology.

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When the word “hospitality” comes up, you might think of restaurant or hotel staff providing service to their patrons. But for Enidio Magel, it has a much deeper meaning: to show kindness to strangers. 

Enidio joins Greg Stephens on this episode to discuss the value he has found as a diversity, equity, and inclusion coach, how he discovers inspiration in his life, and the importance of being hospitable and loving others.

This episode is part one of a two-part series. Stay tuned to hear the rest of Enidio’s story in part two. 

Key Takeaways

• Be kind to strangers. Even if it's a simple hello or a smile, you might change their life.
• Inspiration is often found in the small moments. Find those moments in your own life and you’ll know how to learn and grow.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion are valuable because it provides an opportunity to be more welcoming to others. We succeed more when we feel accepted by our peers. 

Resources

https://www.ashotofinspiration.com/ 

Enidio's LinkedIn 

About 

Enidio Magel is founder and managing director of Multi-Cultural Institute, with extensive focus and experience on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for corporate, non for profit, law enforcement, health care and sports and entertainment. He is an executive and personal coach utilizing the principles of spiritual psychology and cross-cultural psychology in his practice. He holds an advanced degree in psychology.

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With 30+ years of experience in bridge building for the Texas Department of Transportation, Dean Van Landuyt (van-LAND-it) joins his long-time friend Greg Stephens on this episode to talk about bridges. They discuss the engineering and construction that goes into building, the challenges that often go unseen, and Dean’s experience constructing his own home over 25 years. 

3 Key Takeaways

• There are many unseen challenges to bridge building, including traffic, drainage, and cranes. Imagine remodeling your kitchen from November to January, while hosting Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas parties.
• Dean found valuable feedback while at TxDOT working with maintenance and construction engineers. It allowed for more information to flow back and forth and improved the quality of their work.
• Be bold and daring in your life. Dean’s most proud construction he worked on was the unprecedented West 7th Street Bridge in Fort Worth.

Resources

Dean's LinkedIn

Documentary on Fort Worth bridge

About 

VITA

Dean William Van Landuyt, P.E.

(van-LAND-it)

Associate Principal at Architectural Engineers Collaborative

•  BSCE:  1982 and MSE: 1991--University of Texas-Austin 

•  32-year design career at TxDOT

•  Won national bridge design awards for bridges in Beaumont, Waco, and Matagorda

•  Member of Academy of Distinguished Alumni in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at University of Texas

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We are often afraid of having difficult conversations. We don’t like conflict. But it’s during those times when we venture outside our comfort zones that we grow. How do we know if and when those conversations need to happen? And how do we get to a place where we can say what we need to say without shrinking from the challenge?

In this episode, Chris Douglas and Greg Stephens explore how you can develop a relationship with yourself that will drastically change everything else in your life. Start making decisions that honor who you are, not out of selfishness or arrogance, but out of respect for yourself. This will lead to an increase of respect for others and an understanding of our worth as individuals. 

Without that understanding and mutual esteem, I can’t handle the hard truths you have to share with me, and you can’t handle what I need to say to you. Follow along with their conversation on accountability, respect, and finding peace with everyone around you, including yourself. 

3 Key Takeaways

• Develop a relationship with yourself. You are the only person you interact with all day, every day. Learn to like and love yourself and everything else in your life will change.
• Make decisions in life that honor who you are, not out of selfishness but out of respect for yourself. These include knowing when and how to resolve conflict, not accepting things out of niceness and being a doormat, etc.
• Seek to make peace with everyone around you, including yourself. Be accountable for your actions and instead of avoiding conflict, resolve it.

Resources

Christian’s website

Keynote speaker site

A Shot of Inspiration Website

Alignment-resources Website

About Christian

Christian Douglas is a Consultant, Coach and Speaker. His work focuses on “people skills” such as Influential Leadership, Leadership on the High Road, The Art of Productive Conflict, Improving Performance Under Stress, The Power of Effective Communication and Building Effective Teams. Christian has served a variety of organizations including IBM, Chevron, Boeing and the U.S. Federal Government.

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From a young age, Phillip Viccinelli knew he wanted to control his own destiny. He didn’t want to work for others. So he trusted his instincts and ventured on his own, again and again. A longtime personal friend of Greg Stephens, Phillip joins this episode to share his story of always taking that leap of faith into new opportunities. 

Starting out doing landscape and selling products to the clients he found himself, he shifted into real estate and later owned laundromats. Finding success in selling his businesses to former employees, he wanted to pay that opportunity forward to the people he hired and trusted. 

Through lots of trial and error, Phillip learned how to hire teams he could trust and how to grow businesses. And despite the failures along the way, the journey is always worth it.  

3 Key Takeaways

• Trust your instincts. Pursue new opportunities that come your way, don’t wait around for something to happen.
• Pay it forward in business. Of course, you’re in it to make money, but that doesn’t mean it can’t mutually benefit others as well.
• Work hard and build relationships of trust around you.   

Resources

A Shot of Inspiration Website

Alignment-resources Website