Born without a choice

What would inspire someone to spend the money they saved for their first home on a bicycle journey across America? In this episode of Born Without a Choice, Teddy Bloom shares the incredible story behind Ride4Rights, his cross-country cycling mission promoting free speech, equal justice, civic education, and national unity.

From battling extreme weather, injuries, broken equipment, and thousands of miles on the road to having meaningful conversations with people from every walk of life, Teddy reveals how one person can spark dialogue and encourage positive change. This conversation explores courage, resilience, civic responsibility, and the belief that despite our differences, we can still find common ground and build a stronger future together.

Guest Contact Details

* Website: ⁠Ride4Rights

* Instagram: @ride4_rights

* YouTube: Ride4Rights

* Threads: @ride4_rights

* Bluesky: Ride4Rights

* Reddit: Ride4Rights

What if the biggest opportunities in your life have been right in front of you all along? In this episode, entrepreneur and global traveler Neil Solomon shares the lessons he’s learned from building successful businesses, losing almost everything, and traveling to more than 70 countries while leading multiple companies. We explore freedom, risk, entrepreneurship, failure, and the courage to question the rules we’ve been taught about success. This conversation will challenge you to rethink fear, recognize hidden opportunities, and start building a life on your own terms.

Neil Solomon – Contact Details

* Website: https://www.theonepercentdoor.com

* Book: The 1% Door

* Free 2-Minute Assessment: Available on his website to help you explore your relationship with freedom, money, fear, and opportunity.

* Resources & Updates: https://www.theonepercentdoor.com

What does it mean to build success without losing sight of your purpose? In this episode, Christine Valdes shares her journey from humble beginnings to executive leadership, revealing the lessons she’s learned about resilience, faith, leadership, and intentional wealth creation. We discuss leading through uncertainty, building high-performing teams, creating financial freedom through investing, and leaving a legacy that goes beyond career achievements. This conversation is for anyone who wants to grow in both influence and purpose while building a life of lasting impact.

Christine Valdes – Contact Details

* Website: https://christinevaldes.com

* LinkedIn, Instagram & TikTok: Accessible through her website.

* Speaking, Leadership & Investing Resources: https://christinevaldes.com

* Connect with Christine: Visit her website to learn more about her work, educational resources, and investment opportunities.

Great leadership isn’t built on titles—it’s built on trust. In this episode, Dr. Sharalyn Payne shares how credibility, character, and intentional leadership create healthy teams and lasting organizational cultures. We explore what it means to lead with integrity, inspire confidence, navigate challenges with wisdom, and become the kind of leader people genuinely want to follow. Whether you’re leading a business, a team, or your own life, this conversation offers practical insights on developing the habits and mindset that earn trust and create lasting impact.

Dr. Sharalyn Payne – Contact Details

* Website: https://drsharalyn.com

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsharalynpayne

* Speaking, Leadership Training & Coaching: Available through her website.

* Resources & Updates: https://drsharalyn.com

In a world driven by trends and algorithms, how do you build a career that stands the test of time? In this episode, award-winning and international bestselling author Lana McAra shares the principles behind creating a lasting legacy as a writer. From connecting with readers and building a loyal audience to developing a body of work that outlives a single book, Lana offers practical wisdom for writers, creatives, and entrepreneurs who want to make a meaningful impact. This conversation is about thinking beyond quick success and building something that truly lasts.

Lana McAra – Contact Details

* Website: https://vendelapublishing.com/

* Book Health Check: Available through her website.

* Founder: Vendela Publishing

* Media Kit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QVBCEDU90doRbUzusVMes5wbkEEFpZKk?usp=sharing

* Publishing & Coaching: Available through https://vendelapublishing.com/

What if success isn’t about working harder—but about living the life you were created for? In this episode, Scott Maderer shares how aligning your time, talents, and treasures can help you discover your true calling and live with greater purpose. Together, we explore faith, stewardship, leadership, mindset, and the courage to step away from simply making a living toward building a meaningful life. Whether you’re feeling stuck in your career or searching for deeper fulfillment, this conversation offers practical wisdom on becoming who you were created to be.

Scott Maderer – Contact Details

* Website: https://inspiredstewardship.com/

* Book: Inspired Living: Assemble the Puzzle of Your Calling by Mastering Your Time, Your Talent, and Your Treasures

* Podcast: Inspired Stewardship Podcast

* Coaching, Speaking & Resources: Available through https://inspiredstewardship.com/

* Free Resources: Scott provides interview-specific resources through a custom page on his website (shared before interviews).

is an honest and deeply encouraging conversation with Paul Voss, a father of eight whose family’s life changed after their youngest child was diagnosed with autism. Paul shares the sleepless nights, overwhelming challenges, and emotional struggles that many families experience, while offering practical lessons that helped bring peace, structure, and hope back into their home. Together, we explore parenting, resilience, neurodiversity, family dynamics, and how adversity can transform not only our children—but us as parents. This episode reminds every parent that even in the hardest seasons, hope is never out of reach.

Paul Voss – Contact Details

* Website: https://autismsucks.org/

* Book: Autism Sucks: Finding Hope in the Chaos

* Blog & Resources: Available on his website.

* Speaking & Contact: Accessible through https://autismsucks.org/ for parenting resources, autism support, and updates.

is an inspiring conversation about the life-changing decisions that redefine who we become. Lauren Fay shares her powerful journey from addiction to freedom, revealing how choosing sobriety became the first step toward reclaiming her identity, rebuilding self-trust, and living with purpose. Together, we explore courage, emotional resilience, overcoming internal battles, and the daily choices that shape our future. This episode is a reminder that transformation doesn’t begin when life gets easier—it begins the moment you choose yourself.

Lauren Fay – Contact Details

* Website: https://blurredlinesbook.com

* Book: Blurred Lines: My Reclamation of Power from Alcohol Addiction (P.S. You Are Not Powerless.)

* Speaking & Coaching: Available through her website.

* Social Media: Accessible through https://blurredlinesbook.com for updates, speaking engagements, and resources.

is a powerful conversation about breaking free from the pain of the past and discovering a new way to love. Paul Zolman shares how growing up in an abusive home shaped his understanding of relationships, and how he transformed that pain into a life centered on compassion, forgiveness, and intentional love. Together, we explore healing childhood wounds, changing destructive patterns, practicing the five love languages in everyday life, and choosing love even when it’s difficult. This episode is a reminder that your past may shape you, but it doesn’t have to define you.

Paul Zolman – Contact Details

* Website: http://www.roleoflove.com

* Book: The Role of Love

* Resources: Available on his website, including podcasts, videos, social media links, and Role of Love products.

* Social Media: Accessible through http://www.roleoflove.com

What happens when life changes in an instant? In this powerful episode, Cheyenne Heflin shares her journey as a cancer survivor, above-knee amputee, and someone living with chronic illness. Through honesty, humor, and faith, she opens up about rebuilding her identity after trauma and discovering strength in the middle of adversity. Together, we explore resilience, healing, purpose, and the courage to keep moving forward when life doesn’t go as planned. This conversation is a reminder that while we don’t get to choose every challenge we face, we can choose how we respond to them.

Cheyenne Heflin – Contact Details

* Website: https://www.cheyenneheflin.com/

* Speaking & Story: Available through her website.

* Social Media: Linked from her website (follow her there for talks, updates, and new content).