One of the most challenging things to do in life is something new, something you have never done before, such as go to college, start a new job or changing to another job, or just plain starting over in your life.

All of us have some fear of the unknown, fear of failure or at least some nervousness about the future. But if we try, if we are optimistic, if we keep on, keeping on, we just might make it after all.

I know something about getting knocked down, even if I punched myself. Still, I learned how to get back up, and many of the experiences in my life before then helped me prepare for that. So, it is with you. The tough times in your life that you have already overcome prepare you for whatever may come in the future. That should give you hope.

At the same time, we all might need a little push. That is what this podcast is about. It is never too late to start over, no matter your age or station in life. Never. The only limitations on any of us are the ones we put there ourselves.

Madeline Albright, in her last book, told us that in the end, we must put on our boots, grab a cane if we must and march.

When Anne Drescher was in her second year of Doctoral studies at the University of North Carolina School of Psychology, she developed and taught a course on Mental Health and Wellness for UNC undergraduates. It was so successful that the course continues to this day and hopefully will be expanded to all freshmen at the university.

Today, Anne believes students are often stressed, overwhelmed, socially isolated and many times unprepared for the new experience of college. This is the beginning of a new school year and thus what better time than now to talk about the challenges many of our young people are facing, too often alone.

Hear Anne talk about the struggles of going to college, the role of parents in helping their kids adjust to a new life away from home and how to make this four-year experience be one of the best times of their lives.

John Drescher knew he wanted to be in the newspaper business at the age of 15 when he became a reporter for a neighborhood newspaper in Raleigh. In the following years, he was the Editor of The Daily Tar Heel, reported for The State, the newspaper of Columbia, South Carolina, wrote for the Charlotte Observer, becoming its Metro Editor, and then in Raleigh, first a Managing Editor and ultimately Executive Editor of The News & Observer.

Then came Washington, D.C. and national politics, finally landing back home in Raleigh as a Contributing Editor for the newly established digital magazine, The Assembly.

It is here at The Assembly where he believes the future of his news reporting is to be, as he and others there take an in-depth study of the issues of our time. Check it out at www.theasemblync.com.

In this candid and riveting podcast, John speaks to the decline of major print newspapers across the country, the rise of the Internet and online news reporting, and where we go from here.

You will not want to miss John Drescher, who's lifetime experience in the writing of the news, has given him a front row seat in the protection of our democracy. Hear him share what he has learned with you.

Duke Lineberry never planned on practicing Family Law. A native of Charlotte, he interned at the United States Attorney's office in Raleigh and hoped to become an Assistant United States Attorney.

Instead, after working on an admiralty case and impressing a well-known attorney from Wilmington, he moved there, practiced in the attorney's firm for a number of years before striking out on his own and now has over thirty-nine years under his belt in the often stressful, but ultimately rewarding practice of family law.

Navigating Family Law - that is what a new client does every time he or she enters Duke's law offices. Becoming a client in this area of the law can be scary, uncertain, stressful and sometimes costly. And to make it tougher, either you or your opponent, and sometimes both of you, are not always at your best.

This podcast takes you inside the family law practice world, according to Duke Lineberry. Like another podcast of a family law practitioner, he believes that most people who come to see him want hope. That is what he tries to get for everyone. It does not always come easy, but in the end, he offers you the chance to start all over again.

This is an area of the law that requires grit that hopefully becomes resilience. Achieving that for his clients is his reward and what makes it all worthwhile.

"So Wade, if I take yours and Rick's advice and plead guilty to all of the counts, everything, with no plea agreement of any kind, what do you think will happen to me?"

"Jim, if you do this, if you accept full responsibility, go into court and say I did this, I am guilty, I am responsible, and accept whatever the Court gives you, you will get your life back, and you will have more riches than you could ever imagine."

It took me some time to accept this advice from my two lawyers, both good friends. In the end, at the 11th hour, that is what I did. On the 29th, of November, 1993, the first Monday after Thanksgiving, I walked into Wake County Superior Court and, taking their advice, did just that. It was the hardest decision I had ever made.

There was no guarantee of what would happen to me. I decided to hold on tight and jump, hoping for a soft landing. This is the story of that time.

Paulette Wilkes, born and raised in England, a graduate of both high school and college there, went home one day after a particular trying time at work, and asked her husband if he was still interested in going to America and getting a job there. He said yes, and she replied, "Then do it". And they did. That one decision changed their lives forever.

Paulette's husband went first with only a guarantee of work for six months, and she followed not long after with no job or work permit, just faith and hope, and not a little ambition and idealism, that all would work out for them.

Together, they have raised two daughters, and built a happy life for themselves, first in Arkansas and then North Carolina.

This is the story of youth, a sense of adventure, and a fierce determination to find a better life. Paulette told her parents, who approved of their wish to go to America, that they would return in a few years. Her mother doubted they would, and they have not, except to visit family and friends left behind.

Listen to a remarkable person tell of her desire to find her true purpose in life and the willingness to leave everyone and everything she had ever known to do just that.

At a time when many of us doubt ourselves and our country, Paulette Wilkes is a great reminder of all that is possible.

Rufus Edmisten, in this Episode, does not hold back. He tells his life story of the last fifty years. There was so much success, winning the office of Attorney General three times, becoming the Democratic candidate for Governor, twice being elected Secretary of State and a hugely rewarding law practice.

There were sad and unhappy times as well. One of his best friends and chief of staff when he was Attorney General died in a private plane crash during his campaign for Governor, he did not become Governor and then left the Secretary of State's office over mistakes he had made.

Through it all, both the highs and the lows, Rufus showed enormous grit and resilience. His life is a true American story. It is a story of courage, honesty, humility and grace. I hope you will join his conversation.

More than 500 years ago, the first Wild Horses came to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They likely came to the east coast of the United States, stretching from Virginia to South Carolina via Spain and South America. Or they could have come on Spanish ships that wrecked off the shores of North Carolina in what is called the Graveyard of the Atlantic and then swam ashore. No one knows for sure.

They were here before the first settlers, before the birth of Virgina Dare, and of course before the Wright Brothers and the first flight.

They are still here, though in much fewer number, due to the encroachment of a growing population.

They are magical, strong, determined, resourceful and studious. They have learned to survive. Listening to this podcase with the Herd Manager Meg Puckett brings their story to life. It will be one of the most educational times you can have.