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Growing up a bookworm allowed Collette Szymborski to let her mind run free. She was studious, and got good grades, but reading was her escape. Growing up in the Sacramento, CA area, one of her first escapes happened while in high school when she became an exchange student and spent six months in Spain.

As Collette recalls her life, she talks about knowing what she wanted out of life, and why she chose the path she did. Part of what she wanted later in life, was out of Sacramento and the big city life. She got out, way out.

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Life has a way of mixing things up, sometimes when you least expect it. Branch Isole was living life, but he felt there was more he could be doing. Listen as he tells his story, which includes a twelve year stint on Maui, but also why he felt his life needed a re-direct.

About Branch:

Born in Osaka, Japan Branch traveled extensively growing up calling many places home. Finishing high school at Rolling Hills, California, he went on to graduate from Texas State University, did post-graduate work at the University of Houston, and received his Oxford MA Theology degree from Trinity Bible College & Seminary.

Branch is the author of twenty-two books, multiple articles, series and essays. Writing and speaking on the power of personal responsibility or its avoidance, as relates to choice and consequence, his self-discovery themes span a wide range of reflective identity situations or scenarios every adult recognizes.

Branch is host of the popular internet interactive streaming show, "Small Change, Big Dividends" a live call-in program on the 'Bold Brave TV' network, YT, FB, LI. You can watch (and call-in) every Wednesday at 4 pm (ET) at- https://boldbravetv.com. Each show is then available on all four platforms and a variety of podcast distribution channels (Apple, Spotify, Anchor, I-Heart, etc). 

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I'm not sure when I first discovered the art of Wyland. It was probably one of his famous Whaling Walls that are spread around the world. Personally, I can't recall how many of the 102 I've seen, but I've seen quite a few including walls in San Francisco, Long Beach, and Laguna Beach, CA,  American Samoa, Alaska, Kauai, Oahu, Orlando and Key West, FL and Victoria, BC, Canada.

I met Wyland over twenty years ago and we discovered we were born eight days apart. So being close in age and the fact that we both have such a love of the ocean, I've always appreciated his art. Wyland is probably best known for the Whaling Walls I mentioned, but he's also a conservationist. The Whaling Walls besides being beautiful pieces of art also call attention to the plight of whales throughout the world.

You can find much more about Wyland by checking out his website, Wyland.com.

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As we close out season three here on Nobody Knows Your Story, my final guest is Brian Beckcom. This was a positive experience for me and once again, I spent an hour doing something I really enjoy... talking.

Brian is one driven individual. He lost his Mother to breast cancer when he was ten, and though his Mother's passing forever changed him, it also motivated him. As we talked, he shared how this event so early in his life helped drive him to succeed. To succeed on the basketball court, in the court of law, and for the past few years, as he's competitively participated in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

I've often said that when I conduct my podcast interviews, that when the "talk story" session is over, I feel like I've just made a new friend. As you listen to Brian share his life story, I think you'll understand why I feel the way I do. Brian cares about people, so naturally I'm going to be a fan. He also likes to have fun, loves Maui, is into physical and mental fitness, he's a Dad, a husband, and enjoys mathematics. Mathematics? Well, I didn't say we agreed on everything.  

Take a listen to Brian's story and you too will see why Brian is such an outgoing, likable guy. Oh yeah, a damn good trial lawyer too.



Brian is the host of "Lessons from Leaders," a podcast that features military combat veterans, sports stars, judges, coaches, spiritual leaders, and more.  

Brianbeckcom.org

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In this episode of the Nobody Knows Your Story podcast, I talk with Sean Robinson. We discuss his life, his family situation, but our conversation drifts to what Sean has been doing the past couple of years.

When COVID-19 shut down Canada and countries worldwide, Sean experienced a dark year. You see, Sean didn't like the way things were going for him. He'd gained a lot of weight, he found himself more irritable, and he felt that alcohol was at the root of his problems. But at the beginning of 2021, he decided to make a change.

In Going Dry: My Path to Overcoming Habitual Drinking, Sean tells his story of choosing, one day and one month at a time, to carve a new lifestyle for himself. Despite growing up in a home where drinking was a normal part of life and being surrounded by constant social pressure to drink, Sean surprised himself and those around him.

I think listeners will appreciate Sean's story because Sean's story will be relatable to many. At least the part where alcohol has become a bit of a problem. 

Sean's contacts:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY67tZFEb2P051GhUDW_mQg

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086376760527

https://www.instagram.com/going.dry/

https://seanrobinson.ca/

 

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Judy and I have had the pleasure of getting to know Melissa and Sam Zitting Wyson family over the past year. They agreed to share their story on my podcast, and recently stopped over for a visit. Judy spent two hours playing games and keeping the kids involved, so I want to recognize Judy for her contribution to this Nobody Knows Your Story episode. 

Hildale, Utah, along with Colorado City, Arizona, make up the onetime FLDS stronghold known as Short Creek. This is where Sam Zitting Wyson grew up. His wife Melissa grew up about 45 miles to the west in St George, Utah as a member of the mainstream LDS or Mormon faith.  They talk about their upbringings, (which not only  includes Sam's departure from polygamy, but also his conversion to the LDS faith), the similarities of their two faiths, and how they both eventually felt a call to not just share Sam's story of polygamy, but to also help those who may have questions. This is when they started their YouTube channel, Growing Up In Polygamy.  They have tens of thousands of followers who can't get enough of what Melissa and Sam have to say. 

After listening to Melissa and Sam share their stories, I'm guessing many of you will be following Growing Up In Polygamy as well.  

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I asked Rob Dubin to tell his story because I thought it was a pretty bold move to retire at 42 and along with wife Dee, sell their home, and move onto a 40’ sailboat. Oh but there's more. For the next 17 years, Rob and Dee sailed around the world studying human happiness and fulfillment.  Today Rob gives back by teaching courses in employee happiness which increase engagement, reduce resignations and combat quiet quitting. 

So yeah, this much I knew prior to our interview. What I didn't know, was what prompted this rather drastic life change. Let me just say, it involves a personal phone call from the President of the United States.


Robdubin.com/resources

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That's right. Ivana and I connected when I was looking for a rental for my men's softball team, and of course we mention this factoid in our discussion of Ivana's life.

Ivana's life is much more interesting than this little side note. Civil war drove her from her home in Serbia, to Toronto, Canada and a new career. But, it's Ivana's love of travel that she passionately talk's about. It's a big part of her story and it's what led her to purchase the aforementioned rental property I and my teammates stayed in. 

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Becki Agar appeared on my podcast January 4th, 2023 as part of the Team Agar episode where I spoke with Becki's husband Jeff and son Johnny. In the behind the scene arrangements of that episode, I got to know Becki's own story and knew that you listeners would be impacted in a positive way  by what she had to share.

As we talked about Becki's life, we touched on The Impossible Mile, a book she co-wrote with Johnny. Here's an excerpt from the "about the author" section.

•  Becki Agar is an advocate, philanthropist, and mother of three children. After Becki began a career as a credit analyst, her passion for children led her to open a day care. When she had children of her own, she closed the day care to raise them, an experience that has been the greatest blessing of her life.
• Becki fundraises and advocates for organizations that have been instrumental in helping children who have special needs to be as independent as possible on their journeys through life. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in sociology and a minor in psychology.

The Impossible Mile is Johnny and Becki's first book, but, it may not be their last. You want to hear more about that, you'll need to listen to the podcast.  :) 

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Kim Norman grew up In the small town of Moab, UT where she did just about anything she wanted at Grand County High School. She went out for the football team as a freshman, but decided track and field, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and playing trombone in the marching band was more to her liking. 

Robert Norman, Kim's father was a renowned geologist and as Kim recalls her story, she talks about how she too fell in love with the outdoors, riding horses, and exploring the caves and canyon's around her home.

While attending college at Utah State University, it became evident to her that she lacked the skills to be a Division I volleyball player, but, it was at Utah State that she became a graduate assistant volleyball coach. Later, she became the head coach of the USU men's club volleyball team. Thus began a thirty plus year volleyball coaching career that has taken Kim around the world. 

Listen as Kim recalls her life experience and what her plans are for the future. We also discuss her new book, Our Souls Journey.


You can reach out to Kim at; kimnormanspeaks.com