Pebbles of Light

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What if happiness isn’t something we choose—but something we cultivate?

In this episode of Pebbles of Light, Anne Maxson sits down with Australian author and philosopher Adam Brownlie to explore the deeper science and psychology behind happiness.

Adam shares insights from his book Happypedia, where he outlines six essential pillars of happiness:

• Food
• Sleep
• Movement
• Social connection
• Novelty
• Hope

Together, Anne and Adam discuss how our past experiences shape our decisions, why hope is essential for mental health, and why forgiving ourselves may be one of the most important steps toward peace.

You’ll also hear insights on:

• Why happiness isn’t simply a choice
• The role of brain chemistry in well-being
• How new experiences can spark hope
• Why self-forgiveness is often harder than forgiving others
• The balance between ambition and gratitude

If you’ve ever wondered why happiness sometimes feels out of reach—or how to let go of past mistakes—this conversation offers a thoughtful and hopeful perspective.

Learn More About Adam Brownlie

Connect with Adam:

Adam’s Book, Happypedia - https://amzn.to/4uimGhc 

Website - https://adambrownlie.com.au/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whistler570/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/adam.brownlie.902 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-brownlie-a443031b/

Other Resources:

Russell M. Nelson, Joy and Spiritual Survival “The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/10/joy-and-spiritual-survival?lang=eng 

Insights on the importance of simplicity from Steven Shumway in this talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4mvKO1IUSg 

Listen to Pebbles of Light

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3BsMFWIg6KKrj6inrlkxai
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pebbles-of-light/id1534389323

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Support the podcast through Buzzsprout using the links in the show notes.

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• Website – ⁠https://annemaxson.com/pebblesoflight⁠
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Ep 41: Emerging From Hiding and Living a Life that Matters || Calvin Bagley

What are you hiding?

In this powerful episode of Pebbles of Light, Anne Maxson sits down with entrepreneur and author Calvin Bagley, whose early life was shaped by isolation, lack of formal education, and deep personal struggle. As a child, Calvin literally hid from the school bus because his parents refused to send their children to school.

But that’s only the beginning of his story.

From teaching himself to read to earning a GED at 21, attending college, becoming a successful entrepreneur, and eventually writing the bestselling memoir Hiding from the School Bus, Calvin’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and transformation.

In this conversation, Calvin shares:

• What it meant to grow up hiding from the school bus
• How learning to read changed his life
• The turning points that reshaped his faith
• His unconventional path to college and entrepreneurship
• The process of healing from trauma and learning that “the storm is over”
• Why telling his story helped him—and others—stop hiding

This episode is a powerful reminder that our past does not define our future, and that transformation often begins the moment we choose honesty and courage.

About the Guest

Calvin Bagley is an entrepreneur in the healthcare and financial services industry and the founder of multiple companies serving Medicare beneficiaries across the United States. He is also the author of the bestselling memoir Hiding from the School Bus, which shares his journey from a childhood without education to building a life of purpose, leadership, and faith.

Connect with Calvin:

Calvin’s Book, Hiding from the School Bus - https://amzn.to/4scqYoQ 

Website - https://hidingfromtheschoolbus.com/ 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinbagley/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/calvinbagley/ 

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/calvinbagley 

X - https://x.com/calvinbagley 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/calvinbagley/ 

Other Resources:

Look at You Now - https://youtu.be/P_aCPBHhoQk?si=vnO_PAkwC3FTvlT1 

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Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today.

Affiliate Disclaimer - As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn advertising or referral fees from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting Pebbles of Light!

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Ep 40: It’s Always Too Soon to Quit || Jay Setchell

What happens when life knocks you down — not once, but over and over again?

In this powerful episode of Pebbles of Light, Jay Setchell shares his extraordinary story of resilience. Jay’s life is a testimony to faith, perseverance, and personal responsibility.

His mantra — “If it is to be, it is up to me” — became the foundation that carried him through life-altering injuries, rehabilitation, and rebuilding his life again and again.

We discuss:

• How to shift from victim mindset to personal responsibility
• The power of vision in recovery and physical therapy
• The difference between faith, belief, and hope
• Why serving others strengthens us during our own trials
• How adversity can refine — not define — us

Jay is the author of The Strength Within You: It’s Always Too Soon to Quit, a #1 ranked book on attitude and motivation through physical disability.

Connect with Jay:
Website: https://neverquittrying.com
Jay’s Book: The Strength Within You: It’s Always Too Soon to Quit  https://amzn.to/4sfg7L3 

Resources:

“Tested, Proved & Polished” by Henry B. Eyring - https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/51eyring?lang=eng

Episode 23 with Myrna Peterson - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5y7aw8qbGsUj0oca5oAWkC?si=RzAiS5QsQHWlsMVxN1PJQA 

Listen to Pebbles of Light:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3BsMFWIg6KKrj6inrlkxai
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pebbles-of-light/id1534389323

✨ Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today.

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today.

Affiliate Disclaimer - As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn advertising or referral fees from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting Pebbles of Light!

Follow Pebbles of Light

• Website – ⁠https://annemaxson.com/pebblesoflight⁠
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@pebblesoflightpodcast 
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Ep 39: Celebrating Those Who Show Up || Liz Watt

In this inspiring episode of Pebbles of Light, Anne Maxson sits down with Liz Watt, author, speaker, and co-founder of Be Healthy Utah, one of the largest natural health conferences in the western United States.

Liz shares her deeply personal journey through chronic inflammation, burnout, emotional healing, and what she calls “whole self leadership.” From selling only 147 tickets weeks before her first conference… to welcoming 3,500 attendees years later… Liz reminds us that success isn’t about numbers—it’s about intention, resilience, and serving the one.

You’ll learn:

• Why “Don’t mourn the 1,100” became her leadership mantra
• How emotional healing impacts physical health
• What Whole Self Leadership really means
• The THRIVE framework for sustainable growth
• How to persevere when everything feels like it’s falling apart

🔗 Connect with Liz:
Website: https://BeHealthyUtah.com
Free Book: Healthy Gut, Healthy Mind, Healthy Life: A Healthy Approach to the Microbiome
Liz’s Book, Becoming Me - A Polygamist Girl’s Journey to New Beginnings: https://amzn.to/4sd4Hr0 

Speaking: https://ElizabethAnneWatt.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-watt-22321619a/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizwattspeaks 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lizwatt 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liz.watt1 

If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs a reminder to keep going.

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Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today.

Affiliate Disclaimer - As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn advertising or referral fees from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting Pebbles of Light!

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Ep 38: Finding Both Success and Fulfillment || Alan Lazaros

In this episode of Pebbles of Light, Anne sits down with Alan Lazaros, founder and CEO of Next Level University, to explore what it truly means to win the “game of life.”

After surviving a near-fatal car accident at 26 — echoing the loss of his father at age two — Alan shifted from climbing the corporate ladder to pursuing deeper fulfillment. Today, he leads a global coaching and podcasting organization and shares a powerful framework called the “Four Buckets”:

• Unsuccessful & Unfulfilled
• Successful & Unfulfilled
• Fulfilled but Broke
• Fulfilled & Successful

Together, Anne and Alan unpack:

• The difference between transactional and transformational growth
• Why success alone often leads to emptiness
• The role of regret in awakening purpose
• Leadership, credibility, and personal responsibility
• Why fulfillment must align with sustainability

This episode is for anyone who feels successful on paper but unsettled in spirit.

🔗 Connect with Alan:
Website: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com
Instagram: @alanlazaros

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelUniversity

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today.

Affiliate Disclaimer - As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn advertising or referral fees from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting Pebbles of Light!

Follow Pebbles of Light

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Ep 37: The Power of Intentional Influence || Phil Ransom

What if legacy isn’t about what you accumulate — but what you multiply?

In this episode of Pebbles of Light, Anne sits down with author Phil Ransom to explore the shift from transactional living to transformational living. Through stories of teachers, mentors, caregiving, scarcity versus abundance, and the powerful concept of the 1440 Tracker, Phil shares how gratitude and intentional influence shape the conversations that happen long after we’re gone.

Key topics include:

• The Parable of the Talents and modern stewardship
• Scarcity mindset vs. abundance mindset
• The 1440 Tracker and daily self-management
• ROI vs. ROE vs. “Return on Intentional Influence”
• Caregiving, communication, and relational legacy
• Why you don’t manage time — you manage yourself

Resources Mentioned:

• Phil’s book “Influenced!” on Amazon - https://amzn.to/40eJVLD 
• Connect with Phil
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phil.ransom
  • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PhilRansom 
  • https://1440tracker.com/ 
  • www.vibrance.community 
• Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best” - https://youtu.be/ceadsUPmdMA?si=5yk25sPtZ1ZDhaVM 

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today.

Affiliate Disclaimer - As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn advertising or referral fees from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting Pebbles of Light!

Follow Pebbles of Light

• Website – ⁠https://annemaxson.com/pebblesoflight⁠
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Ep 36: Letting God Shape Your Journey || Mason Orr

In this heartfelt episode of Pebbles of Light, Anne sits down with Mason to explore how serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reshaped his faith, confidence, and understanding of Christ’s enabling power.

From learning Japanese culture to discovering the daily influence of scripture study and gratitude, Mason shares deeply personal moments of growth, doubt, and spiritual clarity.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The transformation that can occur when you dedicate your time to the Lord
• The quiet spiritual power of daily scripture reading
• What it means to trust God with your future
• Lessons from Japanese culture about gratitude and respect
• How the Atonement of Christ changes the way we see ourselves

This Episode’s Pebble
Consider one small daily action that helps you draw closer to God—and commit to it this week. Transformation rarely comes all at once. More often, it begins with something small, faithful, and repeated.

Links & Resources

• The Divine Call of a Missionary by Elder Ronald A. Rasband - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU4zZni1poQ 

If this episode inspired you, please share it and leave a review—it helps more people discover messages of hope and light.

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today.

Affiliate Disclaimer - As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn advertising or referral fees from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting Pebbles of Light!

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Ep 35: When Success Changes Shape: Pivots, Purpose, & the Work Within || Ryan T. Reichert

In this episode of Pebbles of Light, Anne Maxson sits down with Ryan T. Reichert — Army veteran, executive coach, author, recovery advocate, and father — for a deeply reflective conversation about redefining success.

Ryan shares:

• How military leadership shaped — and inflated — his understanding of achievement
• Why divorce and recovery became unexpected turning points
• The shift from chasing titles to cultivating presence
• His “Three Daily Wins” framework for intentional growth
• Why humility is strength, not weakness
• The importance of mentors, sponsors, and heading into life’s storms

If you’ve ever measured your worth by performance, position, or paycheck — this episode offers a different lens.

This episode's pebble is to take five minutes this week and redefine success for yourself. Write down what truly matters, not what impresses but what endures.

Connect with Ryan 

Website: https://ourprotectordevelopment.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armyrt1978/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.t.reichert
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanreichert78/

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today.

Affiliate Disclaimer - As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn advertising or referral fees from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting Pebbles of Light!

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Ep 34: Small Miracles, Quiet Alignment, & the Courage to Pause || Robin H. Clare

In this episode of Pebbles of Light, Anne Maxson sits down with author Robin H. Clare for a reflective conversation about harmony, grace, and finding meaning in the smallest moments of daily life.

Robin shares insights from her personal journey through recovery, spiritual alignment, and leadership, including the powerful framework: *pain is inevitable, suffering is optional, surrender is required, and grace must be allowed*. Together, Anne and Robin explore how intentional pauses, self-compassion, and everyday acts of kindness can help us feel grounded and connected—even in a noisy, demanding world.

This episode invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and notice the quiet ways light shows up in ordinary days.

Topics Covered:

• Finding harmony between inner truth and outer life
• Grace as a daily practice
• The power of pause and intentional response
• Recovery, healing, and self-compassion
• Seeing ourselves and others with deeper worth

RESOURCES 

Affiliate Disclaimer - As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn advertising or referral fees from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting Pebbles of Light!

“The Big Leap” by Gay Hendrix - https://amzn.to/4avEqwE 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf quote - “During the winter, days can feel heavy and gray. As a regular part of their work before flights, pilots do outside checks of their aircraft. During cold and rainy days, this is not their favorite part of the job. But one of my favorite experiences as a pilot on a day like that came after taking off and climbing through dark clouds when, suddenly, the aircraft climbed into the clear, brilliant, and beautiful sunlight—leaving behind dark clouds, rain, and slush. That instant contrast taught me that when we focus our eyes on heaven, we can emerge into light—even during the seemingly darkest of days. However thick the clouds, the sun is always there, waiting to shine on us as we rise toward heaven. If you feel weighed down and troubled, please don’t lose heart. Keep moving forward and upward with faith, prayer, and trust in the Lord. His light is always there to lead and comfort us.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUVxuYiEtCm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==  

Learn more about Robin

Robin’s Book “Harmony: The Frequency True of Success” - https://amzn.to/4qF7M1B 

Robin’s Book “Surrender Your Story: Inspiring Women Releasing Trauma” - https://amzn.to/4rYElZz 

Robin’s Website: www.RobinHClare.com 

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today.

Affiliate Disclaimer - As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn advertising or referral fees from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting Pebbles of Light!

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Ep 33: Better Is Better: How Trials Shape Purpose-Driven Leadership || Holly Porter

In this episode of *Pebbles of Light*, Anne Maxson sits down with founder and purpose-driven leader Holly Porter to explore how life-altering trials can become invitations to deeper purpose.

After surviving a 70-day hospitalization with COVID—including a near-death experience—Holly was forced into stillness. What followed was a profound reorientation of her life, leadership, and business philosophy. Together, Anne and Holly reflect on listening to the body, navigating long COVID, building soul-aligned businesses, and learning to trust intuition when the path forward isn’t clear.

This conversation is an invitation to pause, reflect, and ask where purpose might be quietly forming in your own life.

Key Topics Covered:

* Near-death experiences and spiritual transformation

* Long COVID, chronic illness, and listening to the body

* Purpose-driven entrepreneurship and leadership

* Intuition, discernment, and decision-making

* Burnout, alignment, and redefining prosperity

* Loving others where they are and leading with compassion

This Episode’s Pebble: Better is better. Ask yourself—what’s one small way you can listen more closely today?

RESOURCES 

Affiliate Disclaimer - As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn advertising or referral fees from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting Pebbles of Light!

Holly’s Book, “Near Death Shift” - https://amzn.to/3Z5XcFE 

Holly’s Linktree – https://linktr.ee/hollyporter 

Atomic Habits by James Clear - https://amzn.to/4qKWOIN 

“One Percent Better” General Conference Talk by Michael A. Dunn - https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/54dunn?lang=eng 

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Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today.

Affiliate Disclaimer - As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn advertising or referral fees from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting Pebbles of Light!

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