Master Your Story

Join us as we meet George Hrab and check out his "Misconception Song"

Haley O'Brien is vividly involved in the local culinary scene, working under several chefs in the area. With a strong background in the craft beer industry, she dove into culinary classes at Brightwater and has started her path into the food world. Her roots in the food and beverage industry started while attending the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She discovered her passion for the art of craft beer and dove into the Kansas City craft beer scene attending beer-focused seminars, clubs and classes. She is a Certified Beer Server through the Cicerone Program and believes in practicing high standards for beer service. She has built her experience through work at a homebrew shop, craft beer pubs, Boulevard Brewing Company, Torn Label Brewing Company and Bike Rack Brewing Company. She started with Torn Label Brewing Co. prior to them opening, giving her a wide array of experiences and exposure to all the tasks involved in operating a craft brewery. The culinary world had always intrigued her and she finds great joy collaborating with chefs, diving into her palate, as well as, teaching and entertaining people with her passion about food and beverage.

Haley was both a student and full-time employee with Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, allowing for exposure to a variety of culinary equipment and skills. When she's not working, she's cooking at home, gardening, doing yoga or spending time with family (including the pets) and friends. Haley is intrigued by flavor profile interactions, eating for health and vitality, human connection and ambiance. She is currently a part of The Local Table Food Tour, as well as, supporting and planning local food events. One of her main goals is to create next-level palate experiences involving food and beverage for northwest Arkansas. She is interested in catering dinner parties, eating for wellness, and teaching people about food, beverage and cooking. She can be contacted at [email protected] or (479) 200-4748.

A native of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, and former member of the Episcopal Parish of St. Mark's and St. John's in Jim Thorpe, Anthony Pompa was ordained a deacon (1991) and priest (1992) for the Diocese of Bethlehem. He served as canon for ministries at the cathedral from 1991 to 1995.

He then served for eight years in the Diocese of Virginia, as a rector for four years and then on the bishop's staff as assistant to the bishop for congregational development and ministries and deployment officer. He has been rector of St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Middletown, Delaware.

Most recently, the Rev. Anthony Pompa was elected rector and dean of the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem.

Pompa and his wife, Felicia, have two children, Dillon and Bella.

Steve Mittman is the Traffic Anchor on WFMZ-TV's 69 News at Sunrise weekday mornings with Eve Russo, Jaciel Cordoba, and Matt Broderick. He also hosts and produces multiple lifestyle, pop-culture, celebrity, music, trending-topic, and history segments each morning. Prior to joining the morning show on WFMZ, he was the Regional Traffic Director for Clear Channel Broadcasting (iHeartMedia) and an on-air personality on B104, WAEB, WZZO, and many other radio stations throughout Eastern PA and Western NJ.

Steve has hosted hundreds of live productions and events on TV and radio. He's been in national commercials and has appeared in several films. He owned and operated Mittman Entertainment, LLC — a live event production company for upscale affairs and high-end corporate events. He is also a professional boxing ring announcer, and has been on television networks such as NBC, ESPN, and Comcast. He is currently in production of a family-friendly, inspiring, and educational docu-reality TV series. Steve is a professional voiceover artist. Additionally, he owns a podcast production company. One of the flagship podcasts he produces and co-hosts is Attack Life, Not Others. The show helps people become better, stronger versions of themselves with principles from the martial arts as the foundation for discussion, but the concepts can be appreciated by everyone.

He is a public speaker, leading profound seminars where attendees leave feeling empowered mentally, physically, and spiritually. Key takeaways are understanding the emotional and psychological elements necessary for self-protection, a stronger mindset for self-preservation, better self-awareness, greater self-confidence, and the ability to deal with mental and physical aspects of bullying. Topics he discusses are body language, nonverbal communication, and neuro-linguistic programming. Steve instructs Combat Chaos™ — a self-protection/self-defense combatives system he has created and developed over his 30 years of martial arts training.

Billy Staples was born and raised in Phillipsburg, New Jersey and graduated from Phillipsburg Catholic High School. After graduating Kappa Delta Phi from East Stroudsburg University in 1993, Billy developed a unique style of teaching English that helped win him several awards, including 1998-2000 nominations for Disney's National Teacher of the Year.

Through the support of Chicken Soup for the Soul author Jack Canfield, Staples and Rich Herschlag signed a book deal for Before the Glory. Billy spent the next 12 years on the road promoting education and reading.

Building on the success of Before the Glory, Billy, Linny Fowler, and Judy Tierney founded the scholarship group B.E.S.T. The program has provided financial support and mentoring to over 70 college students and encouraged them to return to their communities to give back. In his recent success, Billy's newest book Success Stories From the Heart (from the publishers of Chicken Soup for the Soul) hit Barnes & Noble stores in February.

Life is a plot change isn't it? We are ever growing, changing, and being changed as time marches on. Perspective is important as is emotional maturity. Our story is ever changing and in the best situations, we are ever growing. Our stories internally are the foundation of who we believe ourselves to be. When we use tools like journals, jot notes, and captures on audio, we have the ability to re examine what we thought, what our perspectives were, and to align to the present with current perspectives. The stress and/or excitement or emotion of an experience may color our experience memory, and in reviewing it later, we may realize new perspectives and/or more accurately recognize what was happening when the stressors were not present.

Your story matters. My story matters. We learn from who we've been, who we are, and what we experience with others. Learn to listen to what you are saying, and sometimes to what you're not saying. What labels, perspectives and descriptors are you using? What excuses do you make? What conversations continue to repeat in your life? These are all valuable insights to engage as you master your story.

Sweetie Berry is a hybrid strategist. She is an educator strategist who works with well able authors, speakers, and product producers. A Southerner, she can not only bring home the bacon but she can fry it up in a pan. A high creative and analytic her passion is to cultivate projects that empower people.