Abstract Essay

Dr. Frank L. Douglas is an award-winning industry veteran with three decades of experience in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and entrepreneurship. He served as Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer and Member of the Board of Management of large Pharmaceutical companies such as Aventis AG, now Sanofi, SA. He recently served as CEO of THEVAX Genetics USA Inc. and Member of the Board of TheVax Genetics Vaccine Co. He is also the co-founder of Douglas Ahmed Consulting (DAC). Some of his past experiences include being President and CEO of the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron, Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer and Member of the Board of Management of Aventis AG, Chief Scientific Advisor of Bayer Healthcare, AG, Founder and First Executive Director of the MIT Center for Biomedical Innovation, Professor of the Practice in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management, MIT Departments of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering and the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Science and Technology.

Dr. Douglas holds a Ph.D. in physical chemistry and an M.D. from Cornell University. He did his internship and residency in internal medicine at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute and a fellowship in neuroendocrinology at the National Institutes of Health.

In addition to his impressive career achievements, Dr. Douglas has led clinical trials and presented on healthcare disparities at ROCHE Pharma, UK. He conducted workshops and case study presentations at HBCUs namely at Lehigh University and MIT, the University of Akron, and Weill Cornell Medical School.

Dr. Douglas is the founder and CEO of SAFE HAVEN DIALOGUES LLC, and has also authored two groundbreaking books, entitled "Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream" and "Until You Walk in My Shoes: A Reframing Methodology to Overcome Systemic Discrimination".

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Abstract Essay, now in its fifth season, features Rachel Blackmore as our special guest for an engaging and reflective conversation. In this episode, Rachel shares her journey as a professional writer, the discipline behind her craft, and the experiences that shape her unique storytelling voice. Her insights offer listeners a deeper understanding of creativity, purpose, and the enduring power of words to inspire, heal, and connect.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Deana & Lizzie

Two Women. One Narcissist. A Double Life Exposed — and a Mission to Save Others.

Deana and Lizzie were both married to the same toxic, predatory man (Not at the same time!) — a charming, deceptive, emotionally abusive narcissist living a double life. What started as a shocking twist of fate turned into a mission when they joined forces to track down a third unsuspecting woman — and warn her before she shared the same fate.

Now, Deana and Lizzie are telling their story to help women everywhere spot the red flags of toxic relationships, emotional manipulation, and narcissistic abuse. With brutal honesty, unexpected humor, and unshakable purpose, they're exposing the patterns predators use — and how to break free from them.

This isn't just a wild story. It's a wake-up call.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anna Rosa Parker

Helping founders, artists, and visionaries unlock their story, align with purpose, and show up with clarity and confidence - in life, leadership, and creative expression.

I've spent the last four years coaching and mentoring leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs to move beyond burnout, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt, and into visibility, confidence, and flow.

Through EVOKE Your Story™, I teach artists and visionaries to reclaim their creative identity and share their stories with impact.

Through executive and startup coaching, I help founders and teams build emotional intelligence, brand alignment, and authentic communication cultures.

My work blends art + science with storytelling and heart intelligence, bridging the worlds of creativity and leadership. Whether on stage, in a startup, or behind a camera, I help people EVOKE the story they're meant to live and lead.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Howard Lewis

A timely and topical reminder to look beyond our phones and enjoy the physical benefits of community, randomness and serendipity.

Let me ask you a question. When was the last time your audience truly listened to a conversation without scrolling, swiping, or checking their notifications?

That's where I come in.

I'm Howard Lewis, author of Leave Your Phone at the Door: The Joy of OFFLINE. I help people rediscover what it means to be present. Whether we are talking about business, creativity, culture, or relationships, I offer one consistent theme: real life happens when you look up.

My background is not conventional. I entered the stock market at eighteen. I co-founded Thesaurus (now called Invaluable), a global platform for auction houses and collectors. I direct the Schorr Collection, one of the UK's largest private art collections. And I host OFFLINE, a series of phone-free dinners where guests from all walks of life meet without filters, screens, or distractions.

But this is not about me. It is about your audience.

They will walk away from our conversation with:

A reminder that the best ideas often come from boredom, stillness, or the unexpected

Tools to create stronger connections at home and work, just by being a bit more aware

A few good stories about what can happen when you let go of the screen and engage with the moment

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roy Coughlan

Podcast Coach

I have founded over 20 companies across 5 countries. My entrepreneurial journey began at age 9 when I washed cars, followed by delivering newspapers at 11 and mowing lawns at 14.

I transformed from being very shy to achieving success in numerous speaking competitions, ultimately reaching the finals in 5 countries with Toastmasters. I earned the title of Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) within just 3 years.

Additionally, I performed at an open mic TEDx event and delivered a comedy speech.

I experienced significant ups and downs, going from owning multiple properties and enjoying a substantial bank balance to losing everything, including my home and all my possessions, while personally facing a $5 million liability.

I launched 6 podcasts, with 4 reaching the top 0.5% of all podcasts and the fifth currently at 1%. To date, I have recorded over 1500 episodes, editing each one myself.

In light of global corruption, I have committed myself to exposing these issues while proposing solutions to assist others in doing the same.

I also read around 100 books each year.

Join my PodFather Podcast SKOOl Community https://www.skool.com/podfather/about

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brad Church

Build a faith that endures - cultivate a relationship with Jesus

first came to faith in Jesus at the age of six, so I have been dealing with this issue called faith for over 60 years. Many times, faith in Jesus is presented to us as a cure-all for life's problems. I do believe that it is, but there is frequently an expectation that new believers have that when they come to faith in Christ that everything in wrong their life will instantly, or quickly, get fixed; that all of life's problems will be resolved. There is nothing further from the truth. We do people a disservice if we give them that impression. When we don't see our expectation met, we lose heart and hope and turn away from a faith that will not only save us but will give us fulfillment like we have never known.

I wrote The Stranger's Conflict out of my own struggle to understand how to live life considering my faith in Christ. I found myself disillusioned and living with a level of self-condemnation that had me paralyzed, frustrated, and sometimes angry. Like a lot of believers in Christ today I read my Bible, I prayed, and I went to church, but many times I was hiding behind a mask of religiosity with which everyone was comfortable. But deep down, I felt like I was missing a vitality in my faith that everyone else was enjoying.

By understanding how God made us and why we live in conflict with sin, I was able to embrace God's forgiveness and grace like never before in my life. I became more transparent and was able to be vulnerable because I grew to understand everyone else is living with the same struggles that I was facing. I am no longer living life by the checklist, but live life in daily relationship with Jesus.

The Stranger's Conflict was written to help believers in Jesus better understand how to live with the conflict in which we are all engaged. It explores the root causes of the conflict and reveals the obstacles we face as followers of Christ. Most importantly, the book presents what I discovered about God's solution for living a life of victory in this life as we look forward to eternity with Him in glory.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fran Bailey

Founder of The SHEVA Method

Fran Bailey's extensive training in dancing combined with energy healing has evolved into a simple method for evolving the mind, body, heart and soul. Since 2002, Fran has channeled her passion in The SHEVA Method (Seeking Harmony in Energy Voice and Action). This process resets your system to restore with practical techniques to live more consciously through energetic awareness. She is thrilled to share this work used in years of client consultations in Emergence to offer clarity, distinction and balance.

Over 16 years ago, Fran studied with world-renowned energy healer, Rosalyn L. Bruyere, resulting in awakening to the metaphysical aspect of her life. For twelve years Fran worked as an energy healer for the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine under Drs. Steve and Sandi Amoils in Cincinnati, Ohio. Subsequently, Fran began developing her meditation and psychic skills with noted psychic healers John Friedlander and Gloria Hemsher, authors of the definitive books Basic Psychic Development and Psychic Psychology.

Fran's additional work in the field includes five years as an energy consultant for the staff at The Affinity Center for ADD adult and children in Cincinnati, Ohio. Recently, Fran received her certification as an accredited Enneagram teacher and trainer.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rose Ann Forte

International Best Selling and Award Winning Author and Course Creator

Rose Ann Forte is an international best-selling author, and creator of the Choose Freedom® Program, a faith-forward, neuroscience-backed approach to overcoming life-interfering behaviors. A former C-suite executive and church leader, she now helps people renew their minds, break free from life-interfering substances and behaviors, and rediscover their God-given identity. Her books—including Prepare to Quit, The Plans He Has for Me, and her latest, Transformed by His Promises—have guided thousands on a journey of healing, and transformation. Rose Ann speaks with wisdom, warmth, and authority on addiction, mindset renewal, emotional resilience, and the power of Scripture to set us free.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Daryl Dittmer

Author, Entrepreneur, Sober, Student of Life

My name is Daryl Dittmer. I am a successful entrepreneur, recently published author, full-time student of life, and sober for decades.

I am here to share with you how life can go from torrential times to something beautiful beyond your wildest dreams. It started at sobriety for me but that's just the beginning of the story.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.