Barb Allen Speaks

Bojan (BK) Simendic grew up working with his family on a Serbian pig farm. Today he is a proud American citizen, a loving husband and devoted father living the American Dream. He and his business partner- who was once his boss- have built their company into a success story with dozens of employees and a multimillion dollar revenue. 

From the moment he set foot in this country, BK was determined to become an American citizen. The path to citizenship was not quick or convenient. But BK knew he wanted to do more than barely get by as an illegal immigrant who contributes nothing to this country. He had a dream to build for himself and his family. And he wanted to make a positive impact in the country that allowed him to brea from the rigidity and hardships of the Serbian country. 

BK's story of persistence, positivity, and patriotism exemplifies the very best of not just the human spirit, but the American Spirit. IN this episode, he shares his story of growing up on that pig farm, his first trip to American, and his path to becoming a successful American citizen. 

BK offers insight and actionable steps for you to build  or enhance your own American Dream, too!

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GET IN TOUCH: If now feels like the right time to transform your ideas into a book, contact me, and let’s make it happen! Email Me with your speaking or podcast requests and book-writing inquiries. I will get back to you as soon as possible.  

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Whether you agree or disagree with him, William "Monsoon" MImiaga is one of those people we should all be so lucky to meet. He has made just about every mistake a person can make, and learned powerful lessons from each one. He served our country as a United States Marine for 31 years, deploying to both the Vietnam and Gulf Wars. He then went on to be a Special Education Teacher in some of the toughest schools out there, earning the distinction of being California's Teacher of the Year - twice.

If you are lucky enough to spend some time in person with Monsoon, you'll discover things about the place you live, the people you pass by, the history you drive by- that you never stop to think twice about every day. You will also see people smile and laugh as they encounter a man who never stops to consider that they may not be in the mood to do so. 

You'll take a topic and turn it inside out until you've both learned from one another. 

And you'll have no choice but to be inspired by the way he pushes through the pain of cancer and injuries to live life at maximum capacity. 

We can't bring him to your doorstep but we've done the next best thing. 

In this episode, Monsoon shares his insight on the education system, the aftermath of military service, current events, and service. 

He also receives a well deserved punch in the arm. 

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Follow Barb Allen on Instagram
Join The Great American Syndicate

GET IN TOUCH: If now feels like the right time to transform your ideas into a book, contact me, and let’s make it happen! Email Me with your speaking or podcast requests and book-writing inquiries. I will get back to you as soon as possible.  

LINKS: Don't forget to sign up for Barb's newsletter.  Connect and follow Barb on Instagram and X.

Maybe you remember the movie starring Robin Williams. Or maybe you don't Either way, the story of Patch Adams is one that must be told and inspired by. Patch is the maverick doctor who defies traditional medicine's maddening insistence that patients are numbers and dollars rather than people. 

Patch is as concerned with reaching people's hearts as he is with healing their bodies. In fact, he insists that healing hearts will help heal bodies. That life is meant to be lived, even when on the brink of death. 

Patch has worked for decades to bring his dream of the Gesundheit Institute to life. Now, finally, is on the cusp of opening its doors. 

In this interview with Patch Adams, Patch and his colleague Brenda talk about the special event they are hosting this September. This event will help raise much needed funds to make this vision a reality. 

Listen in as Patch and Brenda share the mission, the story behind the movie, and how you can help.

Please leave a review and share this podcast episode with your friends!

Follow Barb Allen on Instagram
Join The Great American Syndicate

GET IN TOUCH: If now feels like the right time to transform your ideas into a book, contact me, and let’s make it happen! Email Me with your speaking or podcast requests and book-writing inquiries. I will get back to you as soon as possible.  

LINKS: Don't forget to sign up for Barb's newsletter.  Connect and follow Barb on Instagram and X.

Losing someone you love is painful enough even in "normal" circumstances. But imagine if that person's death was on video, published for the world to see, and then politically weaponized? Imagine if the people responsible were seen celebrating, and if the people who were supposed to have your back turned on you, instead?

All of that and more is what my guest on this episode went through.

Michelle Black is the widow of Staff Sergeant Bryan Black, one of the four Green Berets who died in Niger on October 4, 2017. The media reported the attack before the military informed her of her husband's death. Then bodycam footage of her husband's death was broadcast for the world to see - including Michelle, her two sons, her husband's parents, and the other family members of those killed alongside her husband. As if all of that was not difficult enough, the military also publicly denounced the actions of her husband's unit that day, implying that the Unit had "gone rogue" and had not been following orders. 

That was the last straw for Michelle. Faced with her own grief and struggling to lead her two children through the very public pain they were in, Michelles still knew she had to do something to clear the record and restore her husband's legacy.

So while it would have been easier to simply dull her pain, Michelle turned into it, instead. She met with the men who served with her husband, and survived that ambush. She heard the truth behind what happened that day. She challenged military officials with that truth, and she withstood blistering assaults on her own sanity, in the course of this. 

Michelle put everything she learned into a book. That book, titled "Sacrifice- The Green Berets, a Fateful Ambush, and a Gold Star Wife's Fight For the Truth, is available now. 

In this interview with Micelle Black, Michelle shares her story as the widow of a man who, like so many others, gave his life in service of our country and its freedoms. 

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Follow Barb Allen on Instagram
Join The Great American Syndicate

GET IN TOUCH: If now feels like the right time to transform your ideas into a book, contact me, and let’s make it happen! Email Me with your speaking or podcast requests and book-writing inquiries. I will get back to you as soon as possible.  

LINKS: Don't forget to sign up for Barb's newsletter.  Connect and follow Barb on Instagram and X.

If you think this episode title is all over the place, try living it all out! That's just a snippet of the story behind our Host, Barb Allen's smile. We know our longtime listeners and our dedicated community have heard her story, but we bet you haven't heard it all. As for our newcomers, welcome! Once you hear this part of Barb's story you are all going to want to stick around, read her books, and share your own expertise that's grown from your own experiences. 

So we figured we'd bring everyone back to the beginning with us, to get to know more about Barb's first husband, the tragedy behind his murder at the hands of a fellow soldier, the failure of the military judicial system (Think OJ Simpson, military style) and the incredible path that's led us all here today. 

Please leave a review and share this podcast episode with your friends!

Follow Barb Allen on Instagram
Join The Great American Syndicate

GET IN TOUCH: If now feels like the right time to transform your ideas into a book, contact me, and let’s make it happen! Email Me with your speaking or podcast requests and book-writing inquiries. I will get back to you as soon as possible.  

LINKS: Don't forget to sign up for Barb's newsletter.  Connect and follow Barb on Instagram and X.

We've long admired Abby Johnson for the courageous and authentic way she's navigated her transition from leading one of the busiest Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinics, to becoming one of the leading pro-life activists in this country. 

Her newest book, Fierce Mercy, shines a spotlight on a side of the abortion industry not frequently considered by most of us; the humanity not only of the lives lost to abortion, but to the very people who staff those clinics. From the ways they wind up in that industry, to their struggles when they decide to follow Abby's example and leave, Abby works to offer support to those wishing to leave the industry. 

We shot this episode with Abby live, so members of our Great American Syndicate could watch it live with us. We love that Abby kept it so real, sitting in her van while her kids were in a mall. And we didn't edit out a glitch because that's real life and that's part of adapting to fluid situations. So sit back and get ready to get to know a different side of the woman than you've seen on all the media interviews she typically does. 

Please leave a review and share this podcast episode with your friends!

Follow Barb Allen on Instagram
Join The Great American Syndicate

GET IN TOUCH: If now feels like the right time to transform your ideas into a book, contact me, and let’s make it happen! Email Me with your speaking or podcast requests and book-writing inquiries. I will get back to you as soon as possible.  

LINKS: Don't forget to sign up for Barb's newsletter.  Connect and follow Barb on Instagram and X.

Our country is facing serious challenges right now, and it’s getting harder to find anything funny about it. So we are especially grateful for people like today’s guest, whose natural sense of humor, combined with his political insight and a raging sense of patriotism makes it easier to laugh no matter how hard things get.

Chad Prather burst onto the social media scene by pioneering the driver’s seat video posts. Almost accidentally, he launched into a viral favorite and he’s parlayed that platform into careers in comedy and political commentary.

Chad’s national audience is packed with both fans and haters, but not many people take the time to explore beneath his public persona to discover his many layers. So in this interview, we did just that.

Please leave a review and share this podcast episode with your friends!

Follow Barb Allen on Instagram
Join The Great American Syndicate

GET IN TOUCH: If now feels like the right time to transform your ideas into a book, contact me, and let’s make it happen! Email Me with your speaking or podcast requests and book-writing inquiries. I will get back to you as soon as possible.  

LINKS: Don't forget to sign up for Barb's newsletter.  Connect and follow Barb on Instagram and X.