Clear Choices Podcast

What does resilience mean to you? The online dictionary definition is "the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness." While we are all going through difficulties and toughness right now, it is so important to remember that we can choose how we will react to these difficulties. We can choose to recover quickly and exemplify resilience. My guest today, Sue Kern Wendel, tells us how being the daughter of resilient Holocaust survivors has shaped her life and taught her many lessons. The most important, and the one we can learn from now, is that while we may not get to choose what happens to us, we do get to choose how we will react to it.

Sue is one of four daughters of Holocaust survivors Alice nee Koppel and Hugo Kohn (changed to Kern in 1955) and of Sighet, Romania and Wopfing, Austria, respectively. Along with her cousin, Diana Lindemann, she is co-coordinator of the Next Generations Group in Portland, Oregon. She holds a BS in Social Service and an MS in Communication from Portland State University. In her free time she runs an Israeli and International folk dance session, currently on Zoom.

"I think that as a second generation there was a lot of focus on the trauma. And now there's a lot of focus on the resilience and I think that is important."

"It's a choice to focus on the negative, it's a choice to focus on the positive and when you can understand what each of those choices results in- because you are what you think, you are what you choose. Yes, you can choose to be a victim but what does that result in? And if you choose resilience then I think you'll have a more satisfying life."

In this episode, you will hear:

- Her experience as a daughter of Holocaust survivors

- Why she made the choice to pursue creating and coordinating the Next Generations Group

- Her advice on the choices you should consider if you are interested in a cause that is close to your heart

Coaching Information:

If you would like more information on the Clear Choices business and life coaching program, please e-mail me at [email protected] or go to our website at https://clearchoices.live/.

Thank you so much for listening! Please subscribe to the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Find me on Instagram @clearchoicespodcast and on Facebook .

If you have a guest idea or want to connect with me, please visit my website www.clearchoices.live. I am also available for speaking engagements.

Connect with Sue:

Sue's Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/sue.wendel.5

Next Generations Group Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/nextgenerationsgrouppdx/?eid=ARDBRLpn8OCCpEYpv2PNwhlF02y9ntFJIGSCXBZgaIpY0s93Z9c08EXOFfgtKcvL3Vcu43NHmCRpmIvL

Alice Kern's book Tapestry of Hope

https://www.amazon.com/Tapestry-Hope-Alice-Kern/dp/0889650837/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=alice+kern%27s+tapestry+of+hope&qid=1599068144&sr=8-1

Alice Kern's website

http://alicekern.com/

As we find ourselves in this new economic era, there is time to be thinking of how to grow your wealth and take advantage of some of the opportunities that may arise. We are joined today by Andrew Cushman, a real estate investment specialist, who is sharing his experience, ideas, and perspective on using real estate investment to build your wealth. The choices he has made over the years (and how he has made them) is super insightful and can help you navigate choices- whether in real estate investment or in everyday life. Andrew is a former chemical engineer who found his entrepreneurial calling in real estate. In 2007, Andrew left his corporate position to start a business in real estate investment, starting off flipping single family properties in Southern California. Sensing a shift in the market, in 2011 Andrew transitioned to multifamily acquisitions and has successfully syndicated and repositioned over 1,800 multifamily units. Outside of the business world, Andrew has been a certified alpine ski instructor and when not working in real estate enjoys surfing, backcountry skiing, and trying to not be outwitted by his two children. "In my opinion, real estate is the surest and the most easily accessible for the everyday American to build wealth." "Once you make the choice, commit to it and just do it." In this episode, you will hear: - How Andrew weighed the pros and cons to make the choice to leave his job as a chemical engineer - What syndication is and how he determines what multifamily units to acquire and transform - His perspective and advice on using real estate investment to build wealth Coaching Information: If you would like more information on the Clear Choices business and life coaching program, please e-mail me at [email protected] or go to our website at https://clearchoices.live/. Thank you so much for listening! Please subscribe to the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Find me on Instagram @clearchoicespodcast and on Facebook . If you have a guest idea or want to connect with me, please visit my website www.clearchoices.live. I am also available for speaking engagements. Connect with Andrew:

https://www.vpacq.com/

The Multifamily Accelerator https://www.vpacq.com/mastermind.html Chart: What Assets Make Up Wealth? https://www.visualcapitalist.com/chart-assets-make-wealth/

Do you find purpose and fulfillment in your life? Most people are looking for ways to get closer to that goal. My guest today has not only helped countless people do so but has also had to overcome a major obstacle in his own life to do so.

Are you living out your passion and living with joy? If your answer is no then having a coach may help you. I am excited to have Paul Stretton-Stephens on the show today as he is the first coach I have ever had as a guest. It is great to talk with him about how he helps people, and about how coaches can really transform lives.

Paul is a mindset coach, author, and speaker who helps people craft their best future in business, sport, adventure, and life. He has over twenty-five years coaching and teaching experience, and he has worked with a range of individuals from entrepreneurs to celebrities, from CEO's to military personnel, and from sporting talent to epic adventurers. He takes them from where they are now to where they want to be–and helps them achieve what otherwise would have been considered impossible. He uses his personal life experience in his coaching and knows first hand how to overcome difficult obstacles. He has developed a rare eye disease which has resulted in a significant loss of sight but is still able to pursue his calling and help others.

"As coaches, we understand quality questions to get quality answers."

"I think being curious is one of the best attitudes for growth."

In this episode, you will hear:

- How Paul helps his clients transform their lives

- How he helps people navigate choices

- His advice for making choices to create positive change in your life

Coaching Information:

If you would like more information on the Clear Choices business and life coaching program, please e-mail me at [email protected] or go to our website at https://clearchoices.live/.

Thank you so much for listening! Please subscribe to the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Find me on Instagram @clearchoicespodcast and on Facebook .

If you have a guest idea or want to connect with me, please visit my website www.clearchoices.live. I am also available for speaking engagements.

Connect with Paul:

https://coachpaul.expert/

Your Best Self Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-best-future/id1528318670

We have had some heavy subjects to deal with- in our lives, in the world, and on this show. I decided it was time to lighten things up so I am bringing a comedian onto the show. How ironic that I found a mental health comedian, Frank King, and he lives in Springfield, Oregon, home of my Oregon Ducks!

Frank King is a Suicide Prevention and Postvention Public Speaker and Trainer, was a writer for The Tonight Show for 20 years, is a Corporate Comedian, syndicated humor columnist, and podcast personality, who was featured on CNN's Business Unusual.

Depression and suicide run his family. He's thought about killing himself more times than he can count. He's fought a lifetime battle with depression, and thoughts of ending his life, turning that long dark journey of the soul into a TED Talk, "A Matter of Laugh or Death."

During what many of us consider dark times, Frank's perspective can help- and he will definitely make you laugh.

"Generally, the comedy, the funny, is in the frustration with whatever the situation happens to be."

"The bottom line is you're controlling the things you can control, and then letting the rest go."

"I want to make talking about depression and thoughts of suicide as easy as talking about sports or the weather."

In this episode, you will hear:

- Frank's personal battle with depression and how he got into comedy

- How he is using his platform and comedy for suicide prevention

- The way he is finding humor and taking care of himself during this difficult time

Coaching Information:

If you would like more information on the Clear Choices business and life coaching program, please e-mail me at [email protected] or go to our website at https://clearchoices.live/.

Thank you so much for listening! Please subscribe to the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Find me on Instagram @clearchoicespodcast and on Facebook .

If you have a guest idea or want to connect with me, please visit my website www.clearchoices.live. I am also available for speaking engagements.

Connect with Frank:

http://www.TheMentalHealthComedian.com

http://www.facebook.com/thementalhealthcomedian

http://www.instagram.com/mentalhealthcomedian

http://www.twitter.com/theMHcomedian

https://www.youtube.com/thementalhealthcomedian

https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankkingthemhcomedian

See Frank in his TED talks:

TED: A Matter of Laugh or Death

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBUXND5BD4M

TED: Born to Be Funny

https://youtu.be/mugOzr6ItFk

TED: Mental With Benefits

https://youtu.be/mCnsHSdAn48

TED: Suicide, The Secret of My Success

https://youtu.be/3D4m33DXtsI

In the wake of George Floyd's murder, the protests for social change, and the important Black Lives Matter movement, what choices can we make as individual's and as a society to bring about social justice reform?

Joining me today on the podcast is Dr. Laura Abrams, professor of Social Welfare and Department Chair at UCLA. Her studies and focus are on improving the wellbeing of youth and young adults with histories of incarceration. She has a wealth of knowledge and information from her years of research about the juvenile justice system and social inequalities. Today she shares with us her experience and perspective of how our society is failing juveniles in the justice system and also how our society is failing Black people as a whole. She provides hope by giving us advice on how we can all make choices (and they aren't massive!) that can create a big impact towards social change and equality.

Dr. Laura Abrams is the author of many publications including two books: Compassionate Confinement: A Year in the Life of Unit C and Everyday Desistance: The Transition to Adulthood Among Formerly Incarcerated Youth.

"I also try to instill upon my social work students, what an honor it is to be a part of people's lives at these critical times."

"The big picture is you have a lot of young people that we don't know how to care for, we don't know how to help. Then you have a system that generally harms people, and in rare cases, helps you get better but generally makes people worse. And then you have a big public investment in locking up youth because we think somehow that makes us safer. When really those approaches are very damaging for society and young people."

"When you've been taught that racism is just an individual attitude, like prejudice, it distorts the whole core of the issue which is inequality."

In this episode, you will hear:

- How Laura got into social justice and reform

- Her perspective on the problems with the juvenile justice system and the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system

- Laura's advice on making choices to impact social inequality and justice

Coaching Information:

If you would like more information on the Clear Choices business and life coaching program, please e-mail me at [email protected] or go to our website at https://clearchoices.live/.

Thank you so much for listening! Please subscribe to the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Find me on Instagram @clearchoicespodcast and on Facebook .

If you have a guest idea or want to connect with me, please visit my website www.clearchoices.live. I am also available for speaking engagements.

Connect with Laura:

Twitter: @labramsucla

Resources mentioned in this episode:

UCLA Luskin Social Welfare

https://luskin.ucla.edu/person/laura-abrams

13th Movie

Nikole Hannah Jones

How to Become Anti-Racist

Michelle Alexander's book: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

With the current pandemic, the economic fallout, the political environment, and the social justice reform movement, we are all living in intense times and facing very difficult challenges. These are challenges that we would have never dreamed that we would face in our lifetime.

Joining me today on the podcast to give us some wisdom and perspective on making choices in the face of these challenges is Rabbi Zach Shapiro.

Rabbi Shapiro has been the spiritual leader of Temple Akiba in Culver City since 2006. Since his arrival at Temple Akiba, the congregation has experienced growth in numbers and in spirit. Rabbi Shapiro's mission in life is to bring goodness into the world. This mission guides every aspect of his rabbinate. His weekly blog, "A Moment in Time" reminds us that every day provides opportunities to harness goodness.

A native of Boston, Zach received his B.A. in Spanish from Colby College, in Waterville, ME. He has been married to Ron Galperin, Los Angeles City Controller, since their religious ceremony in 2002, and again in a legal ceremony in 2008. They have twin babies, Maya and Eli.

"My goal in life was to help bring goodness into the world. And I had the treasures of Judaism to help guide me on that path."

"When you sit down and have a real conversation with someone you don't see eye to eye with, that's where real change can begin- because you build these bridges."

In this episode, you will hear: - What caused Zach to make the choice to become a Rabbi - The choices that he has made throughout his life - How he leads and guides others on making choices

Coaching Information: If you would like more information on the Clear Choices business and life coaching program, please e-mail me at [email protected] or go to our website at https://clearchoices.live/.

Thank you so much for listening! Please subscribe to the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Find me on Instagram @clearchoicespodcast and on Facebook . If you have a guest idea or want to connect with me, please visit my website www.clearchoices.live. I am also available for speaking engagements.

Connect with Rabbi Shapiro:

www.rabbizachshapiro.com

https://www.facebook.com/templeakiba/

https://www.templeakiba.net/

DNA testing has opened a world of amazing possibilities for so many people around the world. From helping adoptees find their birth parents to helping the criminal justice system solve crimes and mysteries. There can be so much joy and self-discovery in DNA testing but these results can also bring up some very important ethical dilemmas forcing critical choices for people to make as per our theme of this show.

Joining me today on the podcast to discuss all about DNA testing and those choices that come with it is Mary Eberle. Mary is the founder of DNA Hunters which is a service that helps find birth parents of adoptees and others with unknown parents, grandparents, or other ancestors.

After careers as a biotech patent attorney and scientist, Mary uses this background to help solve family mysteries by analyzing DNA test results and genealogy records. Mary discusses the choices that many have to make when going through DNA testing and genealogy.

If you have ever considered using DNA testing to help you find out more information about yourself or your family, listen in to hear about some of the aspects and choices you may need to consider around this topic.

"The path that I am on is the most rewarding, satisfying, and interesting career choice that I have made."

"When we are asking our cousins, or aunts and uncles, or grandparents to do DNA testing to help us in our genealogy, it's really important to say 'Okay, I've heard sometimes family secrets can be uncovered and sometimes there are surprises. How would you like me to handle that?'"

In this episode, you will hear:

- How Mary's love of DNA/genetics followed her through her different career changes

- Some amazing stories of families reunited through DNA testing and genealogy

- The dilemmas and choices people have to make when searching for their relatives

Coaching Information:

If you would like more information on the Clear Choices business and life coaching program, please e-mail me at [email protected] or go to our website at https://clearchoices.live/.

Thank you so much for listening! Please subscribe to the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Find me on Instagram @clearchoicespodcast and on Facebook .

If you have a guest idea or want to connect with me, please visit my website www.clearchoices.live. I am also available for speaking engagements.

Connect with Mary:

Website: https://dnahunters.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DNAHunters

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-eberle-jd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dna_hunters

Free download of DNA Roadmap: DNAHunters.com/cc

Are you a confident person? How do you handle pressure? Stress? Do you have a positive mindset? How is your self-talk? Building confidence and having a positive mindset can have a huge impact on our lives. My guest today, Tami Matheny, is a mental game coach who helps athletes (and non-athletes too!) build confidence to perform on the field and in life to be the best person they can be. Listen in to hear the 4 ways you can start building your confidence today!

Tami is the owner of Refuse2LoseCoaching and author of "The Confident Athlete: 4 Easy Steps to Build and Maintain Confidence" and "The Confidence Journal." She assists people in all walks of life with improved confidence, focus, motivation, mental toughness, leadership, and teamwork. Tami has a passion for helping others build a foundation of confidence.

"The thing that I see that affects confidence the most is the comparison."

"We were all made unique and I think that is the beauty of it. And that's finding the special strengths, the special traits, the special skills that we bring to this world, forget even athletics, but as human beings."

"Your mind is the most important thing you have going for you. I think once we recognize that then let it work for you instead of against you. It is your best friend; then you are going to be happier, more successful, and you're going to be a magnet. People are going to want to be around you. They are going to want to know- what is it that he or she has."

In this episode, you will hear:

- How Tami got into being a mindset coach

- The 4 main principles she teaches that build confidence

- How these principles can help everyone including non-athletes thrive in their lives

Thank you so much for listening! Please subscribe to the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Find me on Instagram @clearchoicespodcast and on Facebook . Ask questions and get inspired and motivated to make conscious, clear choices!

If you have a guest idea or want to connect with me, please visit my website www.clearchoices.live. I am also available for speaking engagements.

Connect with Tami:

Website: www.r2lc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/refuse2losecoaching/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tamimatheny and https://twitter.com/r2lcoaching

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tami-matheny-r2lc/

"The Confident Athlete" and "This Is Good" can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or contacting [email protected]

"The Confidence Journal" can be found on Amazon or contacting [email protected]

Alex Lewis was just a normal guy. He was living in the United Kingdom with his partner and child when his life was turned upside down by disease that permanently altered the course of his life. In 2013, Alex came down with what he thought was a cold but quickly turned into a life-threatening Strep A toxic shock syndrome. In the course of the next several months, Alex had life-saving surgeries to remove all four of his limbs to keep the strep from getting to his heart. He is now living an extraordinary life in a very different body. He is creating and leaving a legacy that is so inspiring and moving, you have to hear him tell it.

In today's day and age, with the pandemic of a virus that has changed our world, Alex's mindset, fortitude, persistence, and positive attitude is an inspiration to us all.

"Once I knew I had love in my corner, once that was made clear to me, I think the rest of it, came very easily."

"We made a choice years ago, Lucy and I, that this wasn't going to define who we are. You know, the strep, the disability, the loss of limbs, it's just one part of us as a family."

"When I look at myself in the mirror, what I see looking back at me, I think, do you know what? You've done something. You're making a difference. And I think we all have it within us."

In this episode, you will hear:

- His story of overcoming a life-threatening disease and how he not only survived it but thrived

- The powerful choices he has made that have propelled him to live an extraordinary life and help others

- His message to those who are scared and worried in the midst of the pandemic

Thank you so much for listening! Please subscribe to the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Find me on Instagram @clearchoicespodcast and on Facebook . Ask questions and get inspired and motivated to make conscious, clear choices!

If you have a guest idea or want to connect with me, please visit my website www.clearchoices.live. I am also available for speaking engagements.

Other resources and links mentioned in this episode:

https://www.alex-lewis.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/alexlewistrust

https://twitter.com/AlexLewis_Trust

https://www.facebook.com/WildWheelchairsProject/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMqeMcIO_9w

How is your relationship with money?

Do you hoard it? Feel like you don't deserve it? Spend too much of it? Gamble it? Don't understand it? You worship it? Do you think more of it will make you happy?

Did you know that how we feel about money directly impacts our current financial situation? With money being the # 1 source of stress in American lives, (and I imagine even more so now with our current pandemic and economic situation) is there anything we can do about it? I am thrilled to be joined by Brad Klontz, a financial psychologist, author of Mind Over Money, and co-founder of Your Mental Wealth. He explains why our relationship with money impacts our current finances and what we can do to transform it. We will hear how he got into this business, the importance of financial literacy and having a good money mindset, and how to alleviate financial stress by improving our relationship with money. With so much chaos, confusion, and complexity around money, especially right now, this message is more important than ever.

Dr. Brad Klontz is a financial planner and a financial psychologist. He is a partner of Occidental Asset Management, LLC, co-founder of Your Mental Wealth, and the Financial Psychology Institute. He has a passion for helping individuals and families understand their views on money and to assist them throughout their financial transformation by providing ongoing guidance and financial planning.

"Money is the number one source of stress in the lives of Americans."

"Frankly, that's where happiness comes from, it's the ability to immerse yourself in the moment, to be present, and enjoy what's around you."

"There's always opportunity in the midst of crisis and that's the mindset that I think is most helpful."

In this episode, you will hear: - How Brad got into this business and how this became his passion - Why Americans have such a hard time with money and what studies show can help - Steps you can take to improve your relationship with money

Thank you so much for listening! Please subscribe to the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Find me on Instagram @clearchoicespodcast and on Facebook . Ask questions and get inspired and motivated to make conscious, clear choices! If you have a guest idea or want to connect with me, please visit my website www.clearchoices.live. I am also available for speaking engagements. Other resources and links mentioned in this episode:

https://www.yourmentalwealthadvisors.com/

Mind Over Money by Brad Klontz