Dare to Be Great, Dare to Be You Hosted by Shawn Langwell

This is the second in a series of episodes based on my recent personal growth book, Today's the Day.

In this episode, we cover the following topics:

Worry, Procrastination, Never Enough, Someday I'll.

The Download:

After completing the audiobook of Ten Seconds of Boldness, I woke up one morning and had what I call a God shot. The download was this book.

I knew in my heart of hearts that I needed to take everything I'd learned and written about over the past 14 years and put it into a simple, easy to read book that anyone can read anywhere, anytime, for a little inspiration, encouragement and motivation.

I started where we all do, at the beginning. One morning I brainstormed the key ideas and concepts I have been practicing for decades with respect to goal setting, productivity, self-talk, affirmation and creative visualization, and wrote down all I could in about an hour. From there the story and this book wrote itself.

Because life is like that — when we stop trying to find all the answers to living a life of meaning and purpose elsewhere, and take a moment to sit with what we already know, we are usually amazed at how much we already have and how much we already know.

The problem is we don't believe it. We don't, because 85% of us suffer from some form of low self-esteem, and according to many studies, 90-95% of the things we think and believe about ourselves are negative and false.

This book is your pocket muse, here to encourage you to become more self-aware.

More importantly, it's here to help you use the concept and process I uncovered in Ten Seconds of Boldness to reclaim control of your own destiny — by practicing Ten Seconds of Boldness whenever you feel anxious or afraid, or start overthinking or second-guessing what you think you can or cannot do.

For my spiritual friends, this book is a download from my higher power through me that flowed so easily it was as if I was simply the messenger of what God wanted to say through me.

I hope it reaches into the dark recesses of your own broken beliefs and sheds some light and encouragement into your dusty dreams that you've had locked inside for far too long.

This book and the podcasts that follow are my teaching, coaching and consulting philosophy distilled into one small but incredibly impactful book.

I hope you find yourself in the pages and recordings that follow.

ABOUT THE HOST:

Shawn Langwell is an Inspirational Author, Speaker, Teacher and Gap Mindset Coach & Consultant. He has written several transformational books including, Beyond Recovery, Ten Seconds of Boldness and its companion workbook, Today’s The Day, Morning Motivation, and Chill. He’s also the Past President of The California Writers Club (CWC), Redwood Writers, Past President of Toastmasters of Petaluma. Find him at www.shawnlangwell.com.

This is the first in a series of episodes based on my recent personal growth book, Today's the Day.

Rather than spending thousands of dollars on a professional audiobook, I'm reading sections of the entire book over the next few months — and sprinkling in episodes about my own experience with this material and my process for creating success and accomplishing my goals.

Raw, uncut, unedited. Imperfect — just like us. That's by design.

In the first episode I stumbled over my words a few times. I noticed it, regained my composure, and kept going — because you don't need a perfect plan or a guarantee before you start. Confidence is not a prerequisite for success. Failure is. When we fail we learn, and when we learn we move closer to what we're actually trying to accomplish.

This book isn't designed to give you a formula. It's designed to inspire you to take an honest look in the mirror and believe again that you have what it takes.

My mission as a coach and author is to encourage others to find the courage to dare to be great and dare to be themselves. This podcast is one of the ways I do that — along with coaching and consulting, where I come alongside growth-minded individuals to help uncover: a) what you want, b) why you want it, and c) what's preventing you from going to get it.

I use a simple Five Step Method I codified while writing Ten Seconds of Boldness. Not rocket science — but a practical, proven method for moving people from where they are to where they want to be, in a way that honors your skills and talents and challenges you to try new approaches, especially if what you've been doing is keeping you stuck.

So let's dive in and stumble a little together. The proven path is messy. Messy is good — neat means you're playing it safe. And it's equally insane to keep doing the same things expecting something to magically change.

If you dare to be great and dare to be you — this show is for you. What you'll get here for free would cost you thousands in coaching elsewhere. Or you only twenty bucks if you buy the book.

📖 Grab your copy of Today's the Day on Amazon: https://a.co/d/06mMicYV

Stop playing it safe. Let's do this.

ABOUT THE HOST:

Shawn Langwell is an Inspirational Author, Speaker, Teacher and Gap Mindset Coach & Consultant. He has written several transformational books including, Beyond Recovery, Ten Seconds of Boldness and its companion workbook, Today’s The Day, Morning Motivation, and Chill. He’s also the Past President of The California Writers Club (CWC), Redwood Writers, Past President of Toastmasters of Petaluma. Find him at www.shawnlangwell.com.

Join me for another honest, open and vulnerable conversation about business, life and emotional sobriety with my friend who's got a heart for service.

About Anthony:

Anthony Amunategui is the Founder of CDO Group, a National Commercial Construction firm he started almost 25 years ago with a small group in his basement. Today CDO group has worked with some of the world’s largest brands to build an estimated one million square feet of retail space per year.

His podcast Future Factory explores fascinating topics that are shaping the world as we know it. He loves discussing the advancement of Artificial Intelligence and the game changing technology that is developing before our eyes.

Anthony has a true passion for finding out what makes people successful in business and in life. He loves diving into conversations about what the future holds for us personally and professionally, and the adventures that shape that journey.

About the host:

Shawn Langwell is an Inspirational Author, Speaker, Teacher, and Gap Mindset Coach/ Communications Consultant. He has written several transformational books including, Beyond Recovery, Ten Seconds of Boldness and its companion workbook, Morning Motivation, and Chill. He’s also the Past President of The California Writers Club (CWC), Redwood Writers Branch, and Past President of Toastmasters of Petaluma. Shawn lives in Northern California.

Find him at www.shawnlangwell.com.

If you've ever been inside Chase Center when the Warriors take the floor, you've heard Franco Finn before you ever saw him. That voice — electric, commanding, unmistakably Bay Area — has been the heartbeat of Dub Nation for 24 seasons. And full disclosure? I'm one of those fans. I love this team. I love the sport and everything it represents about life.

Getting the opportunity to sit down and have a real conversation with the man behind the mic was a huge honor. But what I didn't expect was how deep this conversation would go — past the championships, past the crowds, past the hype — into the story of a son on a quiet, determined search for his father. Franco Finn is so much more than a hype man. And this episode proves it.

About Franco:

Franco Finn is a San Francisco native, small business owner (Franco Finn Productions, LLC), and member of the San Francisco Film Commission. He is best known as the In-Arena MC and TV Personality for the Golden State Warriors, now in his 24th season, where he energizes 20,000+ fans each game as the iconic “Warriors Hype Man.” Franco has appeared on ABC-7 KGO-TV, KRON 4, and serves as an MC/host for Cal Bears Football & Basketball. His hosting career spans major national and international sporting events, including NBA All-Star, FIBA World Cup, Major League Cricket, SailGP, Rugby World Cup, and EuroBasket.

A professional benefit auctioneer, Franco is a graduate of the prestigious Mendenhall School of Auctioneering and holds the Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (B.A.S.) designation. He has helped raise millions for organizations such as the American Red Cross, March of Dimes, Ronald McDonald House, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

More Images: Finn@ City Hall

Finn with Fitz & Buike

Find him here:

https://www.instagram.com/francofinn/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/franco-finn-07a9524/

https://www.facebook.com/franco.finn/

Articles:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4218492/2023/02/17/nba-all-star-warriors-hype-man-franco-finn/

About the Host:

Shawn Langwell is an Inspirational Author, Speaker, Teacher and Gap Mindset Coach & Consultant. He has written several transformational books including, Beyond Recovery, Ten Seconds of Boldness and its companion workbook, Morning Motivation, and Chill. He’s also the Past President of The California Writers Club (CWC), Redwood Writers, Past President of Toastmasters of Petaluma.

Find him at www.shawnlangwell.com.

Grit, guts, tenacity, and humble boldness.

These are a few words I would use to describe Raven Divito.

She's a self taught photographer who broke the gender barriers starting in little league. She went on to become a union electrician in a male dominated industry, and was a key player leading the Sir Francis Drake High School (Now Archie Williams) Womens Basketball team to a state Championship in 1982.

Her whole life exemplifies the title of this podcast.

Join us as we dive into her recent solo journey to the Far East and talk about what shaped her to become the confident, kind and compassionate woman she is today.

Here's a little more about Raven in her words:

Fearless, relentless, and always evolving—at 61, I’ve spent a lifetime rewriting the rules. From one of just three girls who fought Marin County’s system to play in boys’ Minor League, and Little League baseball, to defying my 1978 West Marin Elementary dress code in a bold blue suede suit, I’ve never waited for permission.

A 1982 state champion in basketball, I carried that same fire into the trades as an IBEW union electrician in 1989—one of the few women in a gritty, male-dominated field. I also became a self-taught concert photographer in 1999, capturing the music scene with a Pentax film camera before going digital, contributing to magazines, and exhibiting my work in a San Pedro gallery.

In 2026, I retired from both the trades and the music industry to chase new horizons. Now I’m a solo backpacker, avid nature lover, and perpetual adventurer—embracing reinvention and the thrill of the unknown.

Social Media - Facebook @ravendivito 

About the host:

Shawn Langwell is an Author, Teacher, Speaker, Gap Mindset Coach/Sales & Marketing Communications Consultant. He's written several transformational, self-improvement books. He's served as president of Redwood Writers (CWC) and is currently on the board of directors as vice president, speaker and conference chair, as well as pr director. Find him at shawnlangwell.com.

Grief isn't Bad

We all experience grief, loss, and the emtional pain of change. But many of us do not have the tools necessary to process it in healthy ways that heal.

Dr. Korie Leigh is a keynote speaker, thanatologist, and child life specialist with more than two decades of experience helping people navigate grief, loss, and major life transitions. She teaches healthcare professionals, educators, and leaders how to communicate with clarity and compassion when it matters most. An award-winning professor and author of three books on grief for children and families, her work blends clinical insight with practical tools people can use right away. She is also the founder of Willow Ritual and is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Find her books on Amazon

Website: www.korieleighphd.com

Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/drkorieleigh https://www.linkedin.com/in/korie-leigh-phd-ccls-ft-99a5073a/

About the host:

Shawn Langwell is an Inspirational Author, Speaker, Teacher, and Gap Mindset Coach, Sales & Marketing Consultant. He has written several transformational books including, Beyond Recovery, Ten Seconds of Boldness and its companion workbook, Morning Motivation, and Chill. He’s also the Past President of The California Writers Club (CWC), Redwood Writers Branch, and Past President of Toastmasters of Petaluma. Shawn lives in Northern California.

Find him at www.shawnlangwell.com.

Burning Flame Sculpture, College of Marin, CA

A Navajo-descent master sculptor who has spent decades carving history into stone and bronze — from Alcatraz Island to the halls of justice in Colorado.

Career span

41+ yrs

Largest work

72,000 lb

Reach

Worldwide

It’s not every day you sit down with a gifted artist and sculptor of Navajo descent whose work has graced public spaces across the globe. Harkin Lucero Jr. has dedicated his career to creating monumental artwork in marble and granite — guiding projects from concept through completion. Based in Northern California, his commissions span diplomatic institutions, spiritual centers, and civic landmarks.

14,000 lb

Chung Tai Zen Center sculpture

Sunnyvale, CA

72,000 lb

Buddha restoration — Kim Son Temple

Mt. Madonna, Watsonville, CA

8,000 lb

Sun and Moon granite sculpture

New Justice Center, Pueblo, CO

1994

Honor plaque — Native Occupation

Alcatraz Island

Recent

Medal of Honor Monument restoration

4 bronze soldiers, 14 ft tall on granite bases

Public

Totem Pole

Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA

Civic

California Mission Indians monument

Sonoma, CA

Intl

Commissions: Bank of Spain SF, Bank of Portugal SF, Irish Consulate SF

College of Marin — Burning Flame sculpture dedication

LinkedIn — Harkin Lucero Jr.

[email protected]

About the host, Shawn Langwell: 

Shawn Langwell is an inspirational author, speaker, teacher, marketing mentor and Gap Mindset Coach. He's written several transformational, self-improvement books. He's been in media sales for 34+ years and lives in Northern, CA.

Find him at shawnlangwell.com.

AUTHOR, YOGA TEACHER AND SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR, MARYELLEN WHITTON

Join us for another unscripted conversation about serving those in recovery at Pura Vida who need rides to and from meetings and appointment, and a transportation model that can be expanded across the country.

MaryEllen moved from New York to Northern California to attend San Francisco State University. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Marketing and enjoyed many years in sales.

As an entrepreneur, she has started several businesses and most recently Co-Founded a nonprofit, RECOVERY TRANSPORTATIONS SYSTEMS and serves on the Board of Directors.

She’s also a dedicated fitness enthusiast, having discovered yoga after the birth of her daughter. It became a huge passion, and she enrolled in an Advanced Studies/Teacher Training program. She is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) with the Yoga Alliance and has been leading classes, workshops, and retreats for over 23 years.

When not on her yoga mat, she loves traveling to explore new cultures. Closer to home, she can be found hiking the local hills, walking her dogs, and spending time with family.

Find her book here: Lean Into Your Light 

Find her on here: Facebook Page

About the host:

Shawn Langwell is an Inspirational Author, Speaker, Teacher, and Gap Mindset Coach/ Communications Consultant. He has written several transformational books including, Beyond Recovery, Ten Seconds of Boldness and its companion workbook, Morning Motivation, and Chill. He’s also the Past President of The California Writers Club (CWC), Redwood Writers Branch, and Past President of Toastmasters of Petaluma. Shawn lives in Northern California.

Find him at www.shawnlangwell.com.

Join me and Natalie as we discuss her process of writing her inspiring memoir. She talks about how she nagivated her way through a disabling illness to transform pain into a rich and vibrant life and is now offering workshops to help others live more sustainably and with greater purpose.

Natalie Gould is a coach, storyteller, and retreat leader who guides people and organizations

Connect with Natalie: 

[email protected]

Website: www.sparrowcrowfarm.com

About the host:

Shawn Langwell is an Inspirational Author, Speaker, Teacher, and Gap Mindset Coach/ Communications Consultant. He has written several transformational books including, Beyond Recovery, Ten Seconds of Boldness and its companion workbook, Morning Motivation, and Chill. He’s also the Past President of The California Writers Club (CWC), Redwood Writers Branch, and Past President of Toastmasters of Petaluma. Shawn lives in Northern California.

Find him at www.shawnlangwell.com.

About Chris:

Chris Hennessy is an award-winning filmmaker, author, and speaker. A Rice University graduate, he spent 28 years producing over 1,500 films for major clients including Google, eBay, and the SF 49ers.

Since retiring from commercial filmmaking in 2018, Chris has built a multi-platform creative presence with 6.8 million combined views. His TV series Yolo YoYo's won Best New TV Cable Series in 2019. His documentary Miracles on College Street earned the Film Heals Award at the 2022 Manhattan Film Festival and Top Five Best Documentary honors.

Chris shares monthly essays through his HennSchtick newsletter on Substack, blending humor with unflinching honesty about living with stage IV cancer. His memoir Touched by Hannah—A Man with cancer. His one-pound newborn. And their fight for life—launched to 125 standing-room-only crowd November 2024. Chris and Hannah are planning a 2026 Northern California book tour and national podcast tour.

Member: California Writers Club Sacramento and Elk Grove Writers Guild.

Find Chris Here: 

Website: https://www.henchris.com

Social Media links: 

https://www.facebook.com/Chris.Hennessy.Uniondale/

https://www.facebook.com/touchedbyhannah/

IG  @chrishennessyfilms

About The Host:

Shawn Langwell is an Inspirational Author, Speaker, and Sales & Executive Gap Mindset Coach/Consultant. He has written several transformational books including, Beyond Recovery, Ten Seconds of Boldness and its companion workbook, Morning Motivation, and Chill. He’s also the Past President of The California Writers Club (CWC), Redwood Writers Branch, and Past President of Toastmasters of Petaluma. Shawn lives in Northern California. 

Find him at www.shawnlangwell.com.