Born without a choice

In this episode of Born Without a Choice, we sit down with motivational speaker, author, comedian, and Vision Board expert Steve Gamlin. After losing his radio career, his first marriage, and his financial stability, Steve found himself at rock bottom. But instead of giving up, he rebuilt his life through the power of vision, gratitude, positive self-talk, and consistent action.

Steve shares his incredible journey of resilience, personal growth, and rediscovering purpose. We discuss how setbacks can become comebacks, why having a clear vision matters, and how small positive actions can create life-changing results over time.

Filled with humor, wisdom, and practical advice, this conversation will inspire anyone who feels stuck, discouraged, or ready to create a better future.

Contact Details

Steve Gamlin

Motivational Speaker | Author | Vision Board Expert | Comedian

Website:

https://www.stevegamlinspeaker.com

Vision Board Mastery Program:

Available through his website.

Topics:

* Vision Boards & Visualization

* Gratitude & Positive Self-Talk

* Personal Growth & Resilience

* Acts of Kindness

* Life Comebacks & Purpose

Books, Speaking & Resources:

Visit his website to learn more about Steve’s programs, books, and speaking events.

In this episode of Born Without a Choice, we sit down with clinical nutritionist, author, speaker, and host of The Anxiety Compass, Sammy Barnett. After spending years living with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and experiencing up to 20 panic attacks a day, Sammy developed a powerful understanding of anxiety and its connection to the nervous system, nutrition, stress, and human behavior.

Together, we explore why anxiety isn’t always the enemy, how it can serve as a messenger, and practical ways to navigate panic, overthinking, perfectionism, burnout, and everyday stress. Sammy shares both professional insights and personal experiences to help listeners better understand themselves and build resilience in the face of life’s challenges.

This is an honest and encouraging conversation for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by anxiety and wants to find a healthier path forward.

Contact Details

Sammy Barnett

Clinical Nutritionist | Author | Speaker | Host of The Anxiety Compass

Website:

https://www.nutritionwithsammy.com.au

Book & Resources:

https://www.nutritionwithsammy.com.au/anxiety-book

Podcast:

The Anxiety Compass

Book:

Anxiety: The Best Teacher You Never Asked For – a practical and relatable guide to understanding anxiety through real-life experiences, humor, and actionable tools.

In this episode of Born Without a Choice, we sit down with U.S. Marine Officer, award-winning author, and leadership mentor Olaolu Ogunyemi to discuss what it means to lead with purpose, build a lasting legacy, and inspire the next generation.

Drawing from his experiences in the military, fatherhood, and leadership development, Olaolu shares practical lessons on resilience, discipline, character, and service. We explore how young people can rise above adversity, develop confidence, make better decisions, and become leaders who positively impact their families, communities, and the world around them.

This conversation is filled with wisdom for anyone looking to live intentionally, lead authentically, and create a legacy that outlives them.

Contact Details

Olaolu Ogunyemi

U.S. Marine Officer | Author | Leadership Mentor

Website:

https://parent-child-connect.com

Free Resources:

https://parent-child-connect.com/free-resources

Children’s Book:

Crow From the Shadow

Parent-Child-Connect:

Leadership, parenting, and mentoring resources designed to help raise resilient, confident, and purpose-driven leaders.

In this episode of Born Without a Choice, we sit down with award-winning author, teacher, and advocate Amy Lou Jenkins to explore what it truly means to find your authentic voice in a world that often pressures people to stay silent, fit in, or become someone they’re not.

Drawing from her experiences as a writer, nurse, educator, and lifelong observer of human nature, Amy shares powerful insights on courage, self-expression, belonging, and breaking free from limiting beliefs. We discuss how life’s challenges can shape us, the importance of telling our stories, and why authenticity is one of the greatest acts of courage a person can choose.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, felt misunderstood, or wondered how to stay true to yourself, this conversation is for you.

Contact Details

Amy Lou Jenkins

Award-Winning Author | Teacher | Speaker

Website:

https://amyloujenkins.com

Free Book & Community:

https://amyloujenkins.com/belong/

Books Include:

Every Natural Fact

Corners

Friends

Single Scull Rowing

Gift for Listeners:

Join Amy’s LitFriends community and receive a free download of her award-winning, best-selling book Every Natural Fact.

In this episode of Born Without a Choice, we sit down with Christopher Castagnoli, founder and editor of Our Catholic Prayers. Christopher shares his personal faith journey, including his conversion to Catholicism, and discusses how prayer can provide strength, guidance, peace, and purpose during life’s most challenging moments.

We explore the power of prayer, spiritual growth, overcoming uncertainty through faith, and how building a relationship with God can help people navigate life’s questions with greater confidence and hope. Whether you’re deeply rooted in faith or simply curious about spirituality, this conversation offers meaningful insights into finding peace through prayer.

Contact Details

Christopher Castagnoli

Editor & Publisher, Our Catholic Prayers

Website:

https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/

Podcast:

https://www.ourcatholicprayerspodcast.com/

Resource:

Our Catholic Prayers – prayers, articles, reflections, and resources to support spiritual growth and deepen your relationship with Jesus and Mary.

In this episode of Born Without a Choice, we sit down with Dr. Fernando Alessandri, a clinical psychologist whose career has taken him from VA hospitals and prisons to crisis centers and community mental health clinics. Drawing from years of helping people navigate trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and major life challenges, Fernando shares practical insights on healing, resilience, and finding a way forward during difficult times.

We also explore the surprising role humor can play in recovery, why mental health conversations need to be more accessible, and how ordinary people can better support loved ones in crisis. Through a blend of professional expertise and personal storytelling, Fernando offers wisdom, hope, and actionable tools for anyone facing life’s toughest moments.

Contact Details

Dr. Fernando Alessandri

Author | Clinical Psychologist

Book Website:

https://jamesprochester.com/

Mental Health Resources:

https://incapables.org/

Book:

James Prochester and the End of the World (published under a pseudonym)

In this episode of Born Without a Choice, Danny Carpio challenges the traditional idea that success requires a large company, a big team, or permission from established systems. Drawing from his experience building organizations that raised millions in capital and achieved nine-figure valuations, Danny explains why the future belongs to high-agency individuals who know how to leverage technology, AI, and modern operating systems to create impact at scale.

We explore self-reliance, adaptability, entrepreneurship, and how young people can build meaningful careers in a rapidly changing world. Danny shares practical insights from his book The Unfirm: The New Unit of Scale Is You, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to thrive in the age of AI and opportunity.

Contact Details

Danny Carpio

Website/Community: Augmented Things

X (Twitter): @augmentedthings

Learn more:

https://x.com/augmentedthings

Book:

The Unfirm: The New Unit of Scale Is You

What if the stories we tell can help us better understand ourselves, our challenges, and the world around us?

In this imaginative and heartfelt episode, Lea Sakran shares how storytelling became a bridge between creativity, personal growth, and discovering deeper meaning in life. From her work as an actress, writer, director, and voice artist to becoming the author and narrator of Gusta & Gusto, Lea explores how stories can inspire courage, self-belief, friendship, and emotional resilience.

Together, we discuss the power of imagination, finding purpose through creativity, embracing life’s lessons from different perspectives, and why storytelling remains one of humanity’s most powerful tools for connection across generations.

Whether you’re a creative person, a dreamer, or someone searching for meaning in your own journey, this conversation will remind you that sometimes the greatest lessons come wrapped inside a story.

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Guest Contact Details

Lea Sakran

Website: Lea Sakran Official Website⁠

Audiobook: Gusta & Gusto

Audiobook Link: Gusta & Gusto Audiobook⁠

Voiceover & Narration Services: Lea Sakran Voiceover Services⁠

For Authors Interested in Audiobooks:

Your Book as an Audiobook⁠

Podcast Guest: Lea Sakran – Author, Storyteller, Voice Actor, Narrator, Actress, Director, and Creator of Gusta & Gusto.

What if the answers you’ve been searching for have been within you all along?

In this inspiring episode, Ellen Edmondson shares her journey of spiritual awakening and the lessons that led her to write her award-winning book, A Place of Love & Light. After a profound life-changing experience, Ellen was called to help others reconnect with their intuition, trust their inner wisdom, and live a more authentic, purpose-driven life.

We explore spirituality, personal transformation, navigating uncertainty, self-trust, and how to find clarity during life’s most challenging seasons. Ellen also shares practical insights on developing intuition, embracing change, and creating a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected, uncertain about your path, or searching for greater meaning, this conversation offers hope, wisdom, and encouragement to trust the light within.

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Guest Contact Details

Ellen Edmondson

Website: Ellen Edmondson Official Website⁠

Book: A Place of Love & Light: A Journey Back to Compassion, Authenticity, and Making a Positive Contribution to the World

Book & Resources: A Place of Love & Light Book Page⁠

Specialties: Spiritual Growth, Intuition Development, Personal Transformation, Soul-Led Living, Highly Intuitive Children, Purpose & Authenticity

Podcast Guest: Ellen Edmondson – Multi-Award-Winning Author, Intuition Mentor, Spiritual Guide, and Founder of Highly Intuitive Kids.

For 30 years, food controlled Ronni Robinson’s life.

She lived trapped in the cycle of binge eating, guilt, promises to “start over tomorrow,” and the overwhelming obsession with food that so many people silently struggle with every day.

In this episode, Ronni shares her powerful journey from decades of binge eating to 18 years of recovery. We explore the emotional roots of disordered eating, the shame and isolation that often accompany it, and why true recovery isn’t about more diets, food restrictions, or willpower.

Ronni opens up about what finally helped her break free, reclaim her life, and develop a healthy relationship with food. Her story offers hope, practical insights, and a reminder that recovery is possible.

Whether you’ve struggled with food yourself or know someone who has, this conversation is an honest and inspiring look at healing, self-compassion, and finding freedom beyond the next meal.

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Guest Contact Details

Ronni Robinson

Website: Ronni Robinson Official Website⁠

Book: Out of the Pantry: A Disordered Eating Journey

Specialty: Eating Disorder Recovery Coaching, Binge Eating Recovery, Compulsive Overeating Recovery, Food Freedom Coaching

Podcast Guest: Ronni Robinson – Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach, Author, Three-Time Ironman, and 18-Year Binge Eating Recovery Advocate.