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Strangers: Meet Kevin Claypool & Felipe Ferreira
Place: Missouri, USA /São Paulo, Brazil
Topic: Learning and growing as a contribution to others
Connect:
· Felipe Ferreira
· Kevin Claypool
Resources:
- Documentary: I am (https://vimeo.com/182109151)
- Marcus Veltri “Why I’m Not Auditioning for America’s Got Talent” https://youtu.be/AOhWJhIr4Ro
- Song: The People I know by Eric Hutchinson - https://youtu.be/4N6G9o2G9QY
- Documentary: I am (https://vimeo.com/182109151)
- Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com/
- Simon Sinek: https://simonsinek.com/
- Marcus Veltri “Why I’m Not Auditioning for America’s Got Talent” https://youtu.be/AOhWJhIr4Ro
Subscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes! To receive episodes and personal 'Connection Challenges' in your inbox, subscribe at www.NotQuiteStrangers.com.
#NotQuiteStrangers #ConnectToJoy #Inspiration #Diversity #Inclusion #Learning #Development #Leadership
Let's Connect
· Website: http://www.valeriehope.com
· NQS Challenges: https://www.valeriehope.com/nqschallenges
· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriehope/i
· Twitter: https://twitter.com/ValerieVHope
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValerieVHope/
Strangers: Meet Michele Stoudt-Wright & Pamela Iluore
Place: Pennsylvania/Texas, USA & California, USA
Topic: Authenticity and the glass ceiling
Connect:
• Michele Stoudt-Wright
o https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-stoudt-wright-4b05b213/
o Website: https://www.totm2u.com/
o Book: http://covenantbooks.com/books/?book=top-of-the-morning-to-you-totm2u
• Pamela Iluore
o https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-iluore/
Subscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes! To receive episodes and personal 'Connection Challenges' in your inbox, subscribe at www.NotQuiteStrangers.com.
#NotQuiteStrangers #ConnectToJoy #Inspiration #Diversity #Inclusion #STEM #Women #Leadership #GlassCeiling #Brand #Authenticity
Let's Connect
Strangers: David Nicholson & Deepa Pulipati
Place: Texas, USA & India/California, USA
Topic: Getting to the heart of conflict
Connect:
· David Nicholson
· Deepa Pulipati
Resources:
· Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts: www.symbis.com
· Pre-Marital Assessment: https://www.prepare-enrich.com/
· Tyro Programs: https://tyro365.com/
· Prep Inc. for military members: https://prepinc.com/
· Couple Communication: http://couplecommunication.com/
Subscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes! To receive episodes and personal 'Connection Challenges' in your inbox, subscribe at www.NotQuiteStrangers.com.
#NotQuiteStrangers #ConnectToJoy #Inspiration #Diversity #Inclusion #Conflict #Relationships #Communication
💬 Let's connect 💬
· Website: https://www.valeriehope.com/
· NQS Challenges: https://www.notquitestrangers.com
· Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/NQSPodcast
· Spotify: https://bit.ly/NQSSpotify
· Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/NQSGoogle
· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriehope/i
· Twitter: https://twitter.com/ValerieVHope
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValerieVHope/
Strangers: Meet Billy Lane & Charlotte Mokoena
Place: Texas, USA & Johannesburg, South Africa
Topic: Healing trauma to leverage privilege, education, and power for racial justice.
Connect:
• Billy Lane - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-lane-2b77b699/
• Charlotte Mokoena - https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-k-mokoena/
Subscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes! To receive episodes and personal 'Connection Challenges' in your inbox, subscribe at www.NotQuiteStrangers.com.
#NotQuiteStrangers #ConnectToJoy #Inspiration #Diversity #Inclusion #Race #Apartheid #Justice #Privilege #Liberation
Let's connect:
Strangers: Meet Anagha Konuru & Carly Hope
Place: India/Texas, USA & Texas, USA
Topic: The roles teenagers get to play in life
Book Recommendations:
Not Quite Strangers & Time to Come Alive interviews:
Anagha's Mom
Carly's Dad
Subscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes! To receive episodes and personal 'Connection Challenges' in your inbox, subscribe at www.NotQuiteStrangers.com.
#NotQuiteStrangers #ConnectToJoy #Inspiration #Diversity #Inclusion #Teenager #Creativity #Leadership
💬 Let's connect 💬
Strangers: Meet Alvaro Garza & Elizabeth Johnston
From: Texas/Spain, USA & Canada
Connect With:
Alvaro Garza
Elizabeth Johnston
Subscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes! To receive episodes and personal 'Connection Challenges' in your inbox, subscribe at http://www.notquitestrangers.com/.
To gain a deeper understanding of why is storytelling important in business, I encourage you to explore our collection of related videos: https://www.youtube.com/@ConnecttoJoy/featured.
For more insights and resources, you can also visit:
Strangers: Meet Carson Thompson & Roger Fung
Place: Oklahoma/New Mexico, USA & Hong Kong/Texas, USA
Topic: Aspiring to inspire before expiring
Connect:
· Roger Fung
· Carson Thompson
Resources:
#NotQuiteStrangers #ConnectToJoy #Inspiration #Diversity #Inclusion #Leadership #Motivation #Mentorship
Let's Connect:
Strangers: Ana Noyce & Joana Felizardo
Place: Texas, USA & Portugal/Switzerland
Topic: Tuning into yourself is the key to good living
Connect:
• Ana Noyce - https://www.lightlanguageuniversity.com/
• Joana Felizardo - https://www.mindbodyintuition.ch/
#NotQuiteStrangers #ConnectToJoy #Inspiration #Diversity #Inclusion #spiritguides #holistic #energy
💬 Let's connect 💬
• Website: http://www.valeriehope.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriehope/i
• YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/ConnecttoJoy
• NQS Challenges: https://www.valeriehope.com/nqschallenges
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ValerieVHope
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValerieVHope/
Strangers: Meet Mehmet Sevinç & Wes Martin
Place: Istanbul, Turkey & Oklahoma, USA
Topic: Coaching in the family-way
Connect:
• Mehmet Sevinç (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mesevinc/)
• Wes Martin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesjmartin/)
#NotQuiteStrangers #ConnectToJoy #Inspiration #Diversity #Inclusion #Coaching #Fatherhood #Marriage #Partnership
Let's connect
Strangers: Calvin Gaskin & Ingrid Gavshon
Place: California, USA & South Africa/California, USA
Topic: Learning about yourself through another’s story
Connect:
Calvin Gaskin
Ingrid Gavshon
#NotQuiteStrangers #ConnectToJoy #Inspiration #Diversity #Inclusion #film #filmmaking #storytelling
💬 Let's connect 💬
· Website: http://www.valeriehope.com
· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriehope/i
· YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/ConnecttoJoy
· NQS Challenges: https://www.valeriehope.com/nqschallenges
· Twitter: https://twitter.com/ValerieVHope
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValerieVHope/
From the publisher's feed
Connect to Joy Podcasts: Our Story and Mission
Connect to Joy Podcasts is a home for meaningful connection, hope and resilience, and personal…
Created and hosted by Valerie Hope, leadership coach, facilitator, and guide, Connect to Joy Podcasts exists to support people through life transitions, deepen emotional intelligence, and inspire purpose-driven living. In a world full of noise and division, this network offers thoughtful conversations that bridge differences, foster understanding, and awaken authentic human connection.
Connect to Joy Podcasts includes three distinct yet aligned shows: The Circle of Hope, Not Quite Strangers, and Time to Come Alive. Together, they explore what it means to live with openness, courage, and heart—both personally and collectively.
🌿 The Circle of Hope
The Circle of Hope is a podcast centered on hope and resilience in real life. Through intimate storytelling and reflective dialogue, this show explores emotional healing, inner strength, and the power of community during challenging seasons. Each episode offers encouragement, perspective, and gentle wisdom for navigating uncertainty with compassion and courage.
🤝 Not Quite Strangers
Not Quite Strangers invites listeners into unscripted conversations between people who have just met. Designed to dissolve barriers and spark empathy, this show highlights the magic of meaningful connection across differences. These honest, human conversations demonstrate how emotional intelligence and curiosity can transform strangers into neighbors—and foster more authentic leadership in everyday life.
✨ Time to Come Alive
Time to Come Alive is an invitation to reconnect with yourself and what truly matters. Through uplifting interviews, reflective practices, and practical guidance, this podcast supports personal growth, self-awareness, and aligned action. Each episode encourages listeners to awaken their purpose, navigate life transitions with intention, and live with renewed energy and joy.
💛 Our Shared Intention
At the heart of Connect to Joy Podcasts is a deep belief in the power of storytelling to heal, unite, and inspire change. Through personal growth conversations, compassionate listening, and shared wisdom, this network supports individuals and communities in cultivating hope, connection, and a more purposeful way of living.
As your host and fellow journeyer, Valerie brings openness, humility, and respect to every conversation, creating a space where all voices are valued and authentic expression is welcomed.
Whether you’re seeking hope, longing for deeper connection, exploring authentic leadership, or standing at the edge of a life transition, Connect to Joy Podcasts offers conversations that help you reconnect—to yourself, to others, and to the joy already within you.
🎧 Subscribe and explore the latest episodes at connecttojoypodcast.com
🎥 Watch full episodes and extended conversations on YouTube