Stories of Resilience: The Real-Life Inspiration Behind “The Twilight Tour”

In this deeply moving episode of Pages to Impact, host James welcomes Tim Siggia and his wife Penny Siggia, co-authors of the powerful novel The Twilight Tour. Tim’s story begins not on the battlefield, but in a college classroom—where a failed student teaching assignment during the turbulent 1960s led him to enlist in the U.S. Navy, a decision that would define the next three decades of his life. From journalist to Chief Petty Officer, Tim served with honor through the Cold War era, bearing witness to history while navigating the quiet sacrifices of military life. Now, through the fictional lens of Master Chief Martin “Pop” Barley, Tim explores the unspoken struggles many veterans face after hanging up their uniform: the loss of identity, fractured family ties, and the search for purpose in civilian twilight.

Key Takeaways:

From Classroom to Combat Zone: After being told he’d failed his student teaching practicum—largely due to a generational clash during the Vietnam War era—Tim chose to enlist in the Navy in 1968. What began as a way to fulfil his civic duty became a lifelong vocation, shaped by faith, resilience, and divine timing.

The Hidden Battle After Service: While The Twilight Tour follows the decorated career of Master Chief Barley across WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, its emotional core lies in his post-military life—a poignant portrayal of the isolation, confusion, and grief many veterans experience when their sense of self is tied to a uniform they can no longer wear.

A Family’s Sacrifice: Penny Siggia shares the often-overlooked reality of military spouses: raising three sons alone during months-long deployments, managing households in uncertainty, and holding families together while their partners serve oceans away. Her steadfast support became the bedrock of Tim’s service—and their shared authorship.

Writing as Redemption: Tim began writing The Twilight Tour shortly after retiring in 1991 but faced years of publishing roadblocks. It wasn’t until decades later—with encouragement from Viral Book Nation—that he revisited his manuscript, believing its message about veteran identity and intergenerational healing still urgently needed to be heard.

Beyond Hollywood Myths: The novel strips away the glamor of military life seen in shows like McHale’s Navy, offering instead an authentic glimpse into the discipline, duty, and emotional toll of a career in service—both on the sailor and those who love them.

Purpose Beyond the Uniform: For Tim, retirement wasn’t an end but a redirection. He transitioned to the U.S. Postal Service, served on his town’s Veterans Commission, and remained active in his community—all while staying present for his family, a priority he’d missed during years at sea.

A Legacy in Pages: More than fiction, The Twilight Tour is a tribute to every service member who’s ever wondered, “Who am I now?” It’s a call for families, communities, and a grateful nation to better understand—and support—the invisible wounds of transition.

Resources Mentioned:

Book: The Twilight Tour by Tim and Penny Siggia (Coming soon to Amazon via Viral Book Nation)

Promotional Partner: Viral Book Nation

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#PagesToImpact #TheTwilightTour #VeteranStories #MilitaryMemoir #TransitionAfterService #Resilience #NavyVeteran #FamilySacrifice #IdentityAfterUniform #ViralBookNation #TimSiggia #PennySiggia #StartAgain #LegacyOfService

I Am a Survivor: The Janice Holliman Story of Hope and Strength

In this deeply moving episode of Pages To Impact, we sit down with Janice Holliman—a woman who has faced unimaginable health challenges with unwavering faith and resilience. Overcoming Crohn's disease, toxic mold exposure, 14 blood clots, toxic gut syndrome, multiple life-threatening surgeries, a devastating miscarriage, and a lung cancer scare, Janice has not only survived but thrived while maintaining her signature smile and hopeful spirit. After more than 45 years of marriage and a journey that would break most people, Janice shares how she discovered strength she never knew she had and transformed her pain into purpose through her autobiography I Am a Survivor.

Key Takeaways:

The early signs of a fighter: Janice's journey began before birth—her mother was advised to have an abortion due to complications, but she survived and thrived. As a teenager, she nearly died from illness but was saved by her mother's quick action.

The Crohn's disease diagnosis: In 1998, Janice was diagnosed with Crohn's disease—a chronic, incurable autoimmune condition—after initially being misdiagnosed with "helicopter bacteria" and told she had cancer. Doctors dismissed her pain, but she found the courage to seek second opinions.

A heartbreaking pregnancy and loss: Scheduled for surgery, Janice discovered she was unexpectedly pregnant despite previous medical advice that she couldn't conceive. At four months, she suffered a miscarriage of a baby girl—a loss that still deeply affects her today.

Relentless health battles: Janice has survived 14 blood clots, toxic gut syndrome, multiple surgeries (including removal of part of her small and large intestine), two car accidents within 20 days, and walked for three months unaware she had a broken back and neck.

The toxic mold nightmare: Janice lost 40 years of possessions twice after living in mold-infested apartments for a decade. Her body became so sensitive to mold that she can now detect it before seeing it, forcing her to start over multiple times.

Her philosophy of resilience: "I don't ask 'Why me?' I ask 'What can I learn from this?'" Janice lives by nine core words (focus, hope, joy, peace, endurance, etc.), viewing every trial as a test that makes her stronger.

Caregiving while being ill: Despite her own suffering, Janice has been a caregiver to three people—including her husband, mother, and brother—demonstrating extraordinary strength in supporting others while managing her own chronic conditions.

The power of mindset: "Healing begins with the mind. What you put into your mind becomes your reality." Janice reveals how her positive outlook and faith have sustained her through the darkest times.

Writing as healing: Inspired by her gastroenterologist (who noted she was the only Crohn's patient among 10 not to develop full-blown cancer), Janice wrote I Am a Survivor as a testament to hope and resilience.

Her message to those in darkness: "You cannot do it alone. Find someone to talk to. Don't let your pain make you bitter—protect your inner goodness. Focus on who you want to be remembered as."

Resources Mentioned:

I Am a Survivor—Janice's autobiography featuring 22 original poems and her nine guiding principles (available on Amazon)

Janice's poetry book with "roses all the way through"

Viral Book Nation (marketing agency supporting Janice's book promotion)

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#PagesToImpact #SurvivorStory #HopeAndStrength #Resilience #Crohn'sDisease #FaithOverFear #NeverGiveUp #JaniceHolliman #IamASurvivor #KeepGoing #HealthJourney #OvercomingAdversity

Beyond the Badge: The Untold Story of a Detective’s Battle with the War on Drugs

In this gripping and emotionally charged episode of Pages to Impact, host James sits down with retired Detective Lieutenant Joseph M. Kress — decorated lawman, federal liaison, expert witness, and author of the bestselling memoir Single Handed. Joseph’s journey began with unspeakable tragedy: the murder of his brother on his honeymoon by drug addicts seeking cash. That moment didn’t break him — it forged him. For 26 years, Joseph waged a relentless war against the drug epidemic, not just through arrests and SWAT operations, but by pioneering a revolutionary school-based prevention program that moved students to tears and changed lives. He exposes the broken system, the apathy of leaders, and the terrifying rise of fentanyl — all while proving that one person, armed with purpose, can make an extraordinary difference.

Key Takeaways:

Tragedy as Catalyst: Joseph’s brother was murdered just 10 days after his Valentine’s Day wedding — a crime committed solely to fund a drug habit. This horrific loss propelled Joseph to leave his family business and dedicate his life to law enforcement and drug prevention.

The War on Drugs is Losing: Despite arresting hundreds of traffickers, testifying as an expert witness 85 times, and training at the DEA’s elite academy, Joseph realized enforcement alone is futile. Drug dealers are quickly replaced, often profiting and re-entering society with ease.

Prevention Over Punishment: Joseph’s breakthrough came when he shifted focus to prevention. He created a powerful, no-holds-barred drug awareness program for middle and high schools, bringing incarcerated addicts and traffickers — in handcuffs — to speak directly to students. The result? Auditoriums fell silent, students wept, and lives were potentially saved.

Systemic Apathy: Joseph shares his profound frustration with elected officials and school administrators. In one instance, he contacted 50 superintendents in the Cleveland area offering his proven program — only one responded, and it was a “no thank you.” He compares the daily 300+ U.S. overdose deaths to a daily 737 crash that no one is grounding the fleet for.

The Fentanyl Crisis: Joseph delivers a chilling warning: today’s drug landscape is lethally deceptive. Counterfeit pills (Adderall, OxyContin) and even marijuana can be laced with fentanyl — just three granules can be fatal. He also highlights the horrifying rise of xylazine, a “flesh-eating” drug causing severe wounds and amputations.

Proof of Impact: A study by Mercer University found Joseph’s program 100% effective — 75% of students rated it “extremely effective,” 25% “somewhat effective,” and zero said it was ineffective. Students mobbed him after presentations, asking for autographs and photos, treating him like a rock star.

Legacy of Action: Joseph doesn’t see himself as just a cop or a reformer — he’s “someone who refuses to stand by.” His SWAT team nickname, “The Tasmanian Devil,” perfectly captures his relentless, all-in approach to protecting others.

A Book From the Heart: Single Handed is more than a memoir; it’s a raw, true account (up to page 113) of loss, justice, and unwavering purpose. With 65+ 5-star Amazon reviews and a 5-month run on the bestseller list, it’s resonating deeply with readers nationwide.

Resources Mentioned:

Book: Single Handed by Joseph M. Kress (Available on Amazon)

Promotional Partner: Viral Book Nation (Joseph’s trusted team for book promotion and marketing)

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#PagesToImpact #BeyondTheBadge #WarOnDrugs #DrugPrevention #FentanylCrisis #SingleHanded #JosephKress #TrueStory #Memoir #LawEnforcement #SaveOurYouth #AddictionPrevention #TasmanianDevil #ViralBookNation

Stories That Shape Us: Dr. Egbe on War, Family, and the Power of Dialogue

In this episode of Pages To Impact, we sit down with Dr. Chinyere Emmanuel Egbe, professor and author, to dive deep into his lived experiences during the Nigerian Civil War and the lessons of resilience, dialogue, and community. Dr. Egbe shares not only his personal journey but also explores national identity, loss, forgiveness, and the importance of family during adversity.

Key Takeaways:

* Dr. Egbe’s upbringing in colonial and post-independence Nigeria, and how nation-building shaped his perspective.

* His family’s near escape from tragedy during the war and the powerful story of survival.

* The essential role of culture, family unity, and community support in overcoming war’s darkest moments.

* The misconceptions about the Nigerian Civil War—why it wasn’t merely a tribal or religious conflict, but a deeply political one with complex motivations.

* Dr. Egbe’s thoughts on impartiality as both a survivor and historian, and the importance of fact-based storytelling.

* Reflections on the responsibility of leaders versus the suffering of ordinary people.

* Dr. Egbe’s hard-won belief: "Ask, what’s in it for me, before being drawn into conflict," and why dialogue is always preferable to war.

* His message for young people on the necessity of upholding rules and seeking peace in the face of division.

* A preview of Dr. Egbe’s ongoing work and his passion for objective history and the lessons leaders and citizens alike should heed.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

* Dr. Chinyere Emmanuel Egbe’s book (available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble—search for his name and "For the Elephants")

* Facebook page for the book with over 11,000 followers

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#PagesToImpact #DialogueNotDivision #HistoryMatters #DrEgbe #Nigeria #FamilyResilience #PeaceThroughUnderstanding