Make Your Day Richer

I’m talking with my new friend, Ennis Pepper, who is doing incredible work with the Agape Dental Ministry.

Ennis explains why this nonprofit is so vital: it is the only standalone dental charity operating in Mecklenburg County. They provide comprehensive dental services to people who need care but cannot afford it or do not have insurance—all at no cost to the patient.

In this powerful conversation, we discuss:

• The huge impact a simple smile can have, especially when people are seeking employment or need better confidence.

• How Agape Dental Ministry is flexible with qualification requirements to ensure people who truly need the help receive it.

• The urgent need for volunteer dentists (especially retired professionals!) to help them fulfill their mission.

• How you can get involved by calling the executive administrator, Becky Faircloth.

Jump into the chat and thank Ennis for supporting such important work!

I'm joined by the incredibly fun and inspiring Merit Kahn, who is here to talk about her one-woman comedy show, Optimistic Personality Disorder!Merit shares the hilarious story of how she was inspired to put "write a one-woman comedy show" on her list of 50 things to do before turning 50. She describes the show as a way to look back at difficult parts of her life and rewrite them as a comedy set to change her future!We also discuss how Merit, who is primarily a keynote speaker for sales and leadership audiences, uses the stories and anecdotes from her comedy sets in her business programs. Plus, she tells us about the timeline exercise she leads in her programs to help others turn their own challenges into new possibilities.Jump into the chat and let us know what part of your story you would turn into a comedy set!

Ray Scott from Greater Things Ministry is discussing his ambitious holiday mission: to provide every foster child in South Carolina with a brand-new pair of shoes . Ray shares his goal to raise over $240,000 to give 3,500 kids a $65 shopping pass to Shoe Show, ensuring each child gets to choose the shoes they want and own something that is truly theirs . Find out how you can help them hit their December 20th deadline at greaterthingsministry.com .

THEN

Richard Moon is talking about his historical fantasy novel, To Conquer Death. Richard explains the massive global event that inspired his book: the mysterious Bronze Age Collapse . He shares his transition from screenwriting to novel writing, stating that his latest idea was simply "too big" for a script, and how this shift has allowed him to build a more expansive world.

Ian Spandow, co-founder of Spandow House Dog Rescue in Northern California, is here!. What began as a passion for fostering has grown into a sanctuary for high-care dogs—those often overlooked or deemed “unadoptable.” Ian shares how he and his wife transformed their nine-acre countryside home into a haven where over 250 dogs have found healing, hope, and forever families.You'll learn:- The origins of Spandow House and Ian’s lifelong connection to dogs- Stories of resilience, including how some dogs “choose” their adopters- The challenges of running a rescue with limited resources and high veterinary costs- How social media and community support fuel adoptions and awareness- Ian’s book "Rescuing Dogs and Salespeople", a memoir that blends his career highs and lows with lessons learned from rescue workThis episode is a moving reminder of the impact one family can make when they dedicate themselves to compassion. Whether you’re a dog lover, an aspiring rescuer, or simply someone who believes in leaving the world better than you found it, Ian’s story will inspire you to act with heart.

I'm making slime with educator and founder Jayme Diehl to explore the remarkable evolution of Smart Diehl Academy. What began as a small tutoring center in 2023 has blossomed into a nonprofit private school serving over 70 students with flexible, hybrid programs and a nature-based curriculum right here in Mint Hill, NC and the surrounding area. Jayme shares candid reflections on the challenges of leadership, the joy of lifelong learning, and the creativity sparked by her students—including their entrepreneurial slime business!

Jayme an I chat about:

- The Academy’s growth from tutoring to nonprofit private school

- How flexible models support homeschool and hybrid learners

- The importance of delegation and building a supportive team

- Student-led innovation, like the slime business and enrichment classes

- Smart Fest 2026, the Academy’s annual fundraiser and family celebration

This episode is a celebration of courage, creativity, and community impact. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or entrepreneur, Jayme’s journey will leave you inspired to keep learning and keep building.

I'm checking in with nonprofit leader Deanna Terry to celebrate an incredible year of growth and impact at KeyStep, a non-profit dedicated to guiding foster youth toward independence.

The founder shares the success stories of the young people they serve—from graduating high school and earning their GEDs to starting college, landing better jobs, and attending therapy. We discuss why the community's support has been 'humbling' and personally healing for the founder, who didn't realize how much she still needed to heal from her own past experience.

We also dive into KeyStep's unique approach to support: their food and essentials pantry, located in Indian Trail, is not a giveaway. Instead, youth must commit to a Goal Plan—whether that's studying for a driver's license, attending therapy, or sending a picture of a meal they cooked. It's a system built on respect for their journey to independence.

In this episode, we discuss:

The importance of non-profits being specific about their needs to better serve the youth.

Successes in education, employment, and mental health (with five youth currently in therapy).

How the community stepped up to provide specific items—from laptops to Native brand body wash for sensitive skin.

How listeners can help meet their most urgent needs right now (toilet paper, snacks, and cleaning supplies).

I'm honored to be joined by Robert J. Wolf, author of the four-time award-winning biography, Not a Real Enemy: The True Story of a Hungarian Jewish Man's Fight for Freedom.

Robert shares the incredible true story of his father's life—a Hungarian Jewish man who became a four-time escape artist, miraculously surviving both the brutality of Nazi-occupied Hungary and the repressive Communist regime of 1956. This gripping biography is a testament to the human will to survive, the devastating trauma of war and political oppression, and the ultimate path to redemption.

Robert discusses the seven-year journey he took to convert his parents' autobiography into this vital book. We explore the powerful, urgent message this story holds for today's world, serving as a crucial tool in the ongoing fight against anti-Semitism and hatred.

In this episode, we discuss:

The true accounts of surviving two repressive 20th-century regimes.

How Robert's background as a Radiologist influenced his dedication to the 'preservation of life' in his writing.

The lasting impact of intergenerational trauma and the possibility of redemption.

Why his father's story is so relevant to the current global climate.

I'm with author Nkrumah Mensah for an inspiring conversation about turning personal challenges and big life changes into captivating fantasy fiction.

Nkrumah shares her deeply personal journey from being severely dyslexic and not reading as a child to becoming a published author, carrying on a family tradition of oral storytelling. She reveals how her passion project turned into a full book series, including her latest, Anne of Survivors.

We also discuss a major new chapter in her life: becoming an empty nester as her youngest graduates in May. Hear why she's ready to sell the house she's lived in for 17 years and is exploring a potential move to places like New Zealand or Japan.

In this episode:

*How her family, especially her "voracious reader" daughter, pushed her to publish her first novel.

*The writing process where her characters often take control and "totally trash" her plot lines.

*Why becoming a mother forced her to rewrite parts of her first book to be "kinder to the parents".

*The excitement and uncertainty of planning a move after 17 years in Greensboro.

What happens when you take the road less traveled in the Land of Oz?

Join me for a fascinating conversation with Carlos Perez, the author of the new book, THE OTHER ROAD. Carlos shares the inspiration behind his Young Adult novel, which explores the untold stories of Oz and answers the question: where did all those other roads from the start of the Yellow Brick Road go?

We dive into Carlos's unique background as a dedicated educator and talented musician, and how his diverse creative life fuels his imaginative writing. This episode is a must-listen for fans of The Wizard of Oz, Wicked, and anyone who believes the greatest adventures lie just beyond the familiar path.

In this episode, we discuss:

The moment of inspiration that led to the creation of The Other Road.

How his background as an educator and musician influences his storytelling.

The enduring legacy of The Wizard of Oz and its power to inspire new narratives.

Details on his upcoming nine-city book tour.

I'm joined by David Tunstall, CPA and head of The Tunstall Organization, and he is making finances approachable! David shares the incredible (and hilarious) origin story of how he named his business after a successful New York organization when he started in 2002!

What we discuss:

The Core Services: David breaks down the fundamentals of his work: taxes, bookkeeping, and payroll.

Going Deeper: Moving beyond the basics, David explains how he helps business owners use financial analysis—looking at P&L statements and balance sheets—to understand the drivers behind their revenue and make smart decisions.

Client Focus: While he primarily works with businesses (ideally over $1 million in revenue), he also provides personal tax preparation services for high-income W-2 earners.

Expertise: David is experienced and licensed to file taxes in all 50 states!

BONUS: We play the game, "Write Off or Rip Off"!

Jump into the chat and ask David your burning finance questions!