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Meet Damali Mirembe, the founder of SonriseMinistriesInc.org.  Their slogan is "Making a Difference One Life at a Time."  *To make a secure, tax-deductible donation online OR to mail a check to help Damali save children, go to:  https://www.sonriseministriesinc.org .  Double the value of your donation by putting "Pivotal People podcast" in the Comment section and we will match your donation.

Before I spoke with Damali, I had an expectation of what her mission and work were about.  By about the middle of our conversation, I realized that the impact of what God is doing through her is far beyond what I expected.  Her story is absolutely beautiful, in spite of the tragedies she has endured.

Damali is a woman who bought a few cribs one day and just started taking abandoned babies into her home.  She was raised in a wonderful orphanage herself, and is passionate about helping other orphans grow, thrive and learn about God.  By faith these humble beginnings have exploded into an entire ministry that now cares for more than 100 kids, runs 3 homes, 4 schools, 8 churches, and spreads love in the three communities in which they live.  She’s also the mom of three beautiful girls, one of whom has special needs. Her work and her faith has permanently changed not only the lives of the people she serves, but also the lives of the people who have come to know and support her ministry.  She’s one of those ordinary people who has partnered with God to do extraordinary, world-changing work.

I hope you will be as inspired by Damali's attitude, hope, joy and faith as I was.  I am sure you will love her and if you want to help multiply her efforts to save children and donate, here are the details:

*To make a secure, tax-deductible donation online OR to mail a check to help Damali save children, go to:  https://www.sonriseministriesinc.org .  Double the value of your donation by putting "Pivotal People podcast" in the Comment section and we will match your donation.

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The reason this podcast is called "Pivotal People" is because in the 20-year experience with my Coupon Mom  website, there were many people who helped me tremendously over the years.  However, there are a few people who I consider to be "pivotal people," meaning that if they hadn't offered to help me, the Coupon Mom website would have been a failure.

Today's guest, Robert Swarthout, is one of the four most pivotal people in the Coupon Mom journey.  He was the genius behind making sure the technology of the website worked--in extremely challenging situations.   He has done the same for other companies, and has created and built companies of his own.  Today,  he has practical and helpful advice for all of us on how to pursue our ideas and face challenges on our own paths to success.

He's absolutely brilliant, extremely hard-working, and is a really nice person.  He has an impressive resume of technology positions with major companies and is also a very successful entrepreneur.  Ten years ago he went out on his own to create and build a business (Shootproof.com), and he recently sold it for an undisclosed amount.

Robert is now an advisor and investor in start-up companies and enjoys helping other people build and grow their big ideas.  He is also a very generous philanthropist.

Learn more about Robert at https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertswarthout/

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Today we're having a great conversation with Kristi Nelson, Executive Director of A Network for Grateful Living.  WOW.  She is an incredible person with a very helpful life perspective.  I loved getting to know her and you will too.  She is also the author of Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted. Her life’s work in the non-profit sector has focused on leading, inspiring, and strengthening organizations committed to progressive social and spiritual change. Being a long-time stage IV cancer survivor moves her every day to support others in living and loving with great fullness of heart.

Kristi received her BA from UMass/Amherst, a graduate certificate in Business and Sociology from Boston College, and her Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Leadership Studies, from Harvard University.

Kristi lives in Western MA with her family, and gives thanks every day to be surrounded by the glories of the natural world and a vibrant, loving community.

You can peruse a selection of Kristi’s writing and podcasts, and learn more about her new book, Wake Up Grateful, here.  Be sure to visit her organization's website and learn more about living with gratefulness here.  To contact Kristi, send her an email at:
[email protected]

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Listen in on my conversation with author and pastor Jason Patterson, as we discuss his fantastic new book, "From Your Biggest Fan."  Click here: It's available NOW on Amazon and other bookstore sites.

Jason believes there is unseen God-given potential in every person. Few fully discover and fulfill it in their lifetime, but it doesn't have to be this way. In From Your Biggest Fan, Jason shows us how we can cultivate our influence in the lives of those we love and lead and deploy it like Jesus would-for the benefit of everyone but ourselves.

Through powerful storytelling, a razor-sharp wit, and personal vulnerability, Jason lays out a new mindset that opens our eyes to the wonders woven into every person and candidly shares his own struggles with insecurity, negativity, and other obstacles that can rob us of the ability to champion those around us.

I discovered Jason at a workshop a few months ago for authors.  He's not only a great writer, he is also a great pastor.  I actually took notes when we were just chatting over coffee.  After meeting him, I found his church's website and listened to a few of his sermons.  He has a way of making the Bible understandable.

Jason's passion is encouraging other people to find God's path for their life.  In his book, he tells several compelling stories and provides illustrations to teach all of us how to find God's path for our lives, and how to encourage others to do the same.  This is a must-read for anyone who wants to be a better parent, spouse, leader, or friend.

Find out more about Jason on his social media platforms @jasonpatterson and  at the Parkside Church website--the phone number is right on the homepage!  

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Join in on a wonderful conversation with Becky Tirabassi--one of the most pivotal people in my Coupon Mom journey over 20 years ago when I heard her speak at my church.  Becky makes the idea of prayer exciting and teaches all of us how to believe that "God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine" when we pray. 

Before this podcast, I had never spoken personally to Becky.  In this conversation, I shared (for the first time) what her message meant in my life, and she surprised me with how my message to her impacted her.  WOW!

Becky is a pastor, author, speaker and a coach.  She founded a church in Newport Beach, CA with her husband and started a prayer ministry for politicians in Washington DC--among many impactful moves over her life.  She has a way of speaking that inspires people to do big--or small--things for God that are beyond what we may have ever asked or imagined.   I can personally attest to that!

You can learn more about Becky, listen to her podcast, join in her prayer programs, learn about her ministries and reach out to her directly HERE:
https://linktr.ee/BeckyTirabassi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckytirabassi/
https://www.facebook.com/beckytirabassi

I tell the entire story about my Coupon Mom journey, which began with hearing Becky speak, in my upcoming book, "Reimagine: Trading Our Ordinary for God's Extraordinary."  You can download the first chapter FREE, "The Coupon Mom Journey," HERE.
https://stephanienelson.com/books/

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Today we're having a great conversation with Dr. Heather Penny who shares key insights from her new book, "The Life You're Made For."  It's a fantastic book--I've read it and couldn't put it down.  It's not the kind of book that you read once--it becomes a guidebook for life. 

Order Heather's book, listen to her podcast and learn about her coaching program HERE

Heather describes her book for anyone who can relate to this idea:

Are you struggling in the mire of life’s disappointments or stuck in a rut that’s lasting much too long? Are you looking to discover the strength and insight to excel in who you were meant to be?  

It’s time to reset your life with a new way of thinking that motivates and inspires you toward self-discovery and helps to uncover your true beliefs.  Through practical application, research, and personal experience, Dr. Heather Penny offers ‘3C Living’ as a way to go after the life you want.  Learn how to increase your clarity, build your confidence and engage your courage.  To find a new way forward, we need new ideas.  And the world is waiting for you to show up—in all your authentic glory—to offer the beauty, grace, and gifts that only you possess.

Order Stephanie's new book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential

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Today we’re chatting with Ian Morgan Cron, an expert on the Enneagram personality assessment and a very entertaining guest.  Ian is a bestselling author, a sought-after speaker, and the host of the wildly popular podcast, “Typology” with millions of listeners.  He’s just come out with a new book called “The Story of You,”  which follows his bestselling book “The Road Back to You.”  They are must-reads for everyone–I've read them both and recommend them to everyone.  Today he teaches us how to use the Enneagram to live a better story.  

Learn more about Ian and the Enneagram at his website, https://ianmorgancron.com/
You can find online courses, take the Enneagram personality assessment, and order his books.

Find Ian's Typology podcast here: https://www.typologypodcast.com/
Typology features interviews with recognized Enneagram leaders from every sphere of life, including renowned Enneagram teachers, bestselling authors, psychologists, theologians, artists, business leaders, neuroscientists, and others who are using the Enneagram as a path for personal transformation.  

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Today we’re having a fun conversation with Kim Stuart.  She  is an author of 8 books, an engaging speaker, a writing coach with author Bob Goff, and the host of the popular podcast “For Real.”  Kim’s sense of humor, as well as her wisdom, immediately captivates anyone listening to her.  Today she generously shares how to publish a book if that’s on your bucket list.  Surprisingly, over 80% of people admit that they’d like to write a book but don’t know where to start.  Kim’s simple advice can help aspiring authors get started.  And even if you don’t want to write a book, you’ll enjoy getting to know Kim and I guarantee that you’ll want to be her friend.

You can find more from Kim at https://kimberlystuart.com/ .  You can even download a free copy of one of her bestselling books.  
Listen to her "For Real" podcast here: https://availableon.com/forrealwithkimberlystuart
Learn more about her writing coaching program with Bob Goff here: https://www.coachingwithbobgoff.com/writing-coaching

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Today we’re having a great conversation with the amazing Bob Goff.  He’s a New York Times bestselling author with several books, he’s a humanitarian, a philanthropist,  an incredible speaker, and most recently, a farmer.  He is married to Sweet Maria and is a father and a grandfather.  He is a friend to everyone he meets.  He has been a pivotal person in millions of lives, including mine.  If you don’t know Bob yet, you’ll love him.  Everyone does.   You will appreciate every single word of wisdom and humor he shares with us.  Be sure to order his new book “Undistracted” as soon as you’re done listening to this podcast.

Find more details about Bob's online courses, his Dream Big Academy, his coaching programs and his in-person workshops at https://www.bobgoff.com/.  Find him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bobgoff/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bobgoffis .  

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Join us today in a great conversation with singer/songwriter Laura Story as she shares her life stories and her perspective on God and faith.  Laura is absolutely delightful, relatable, and completely open as she teaches us what she's learned through her life journey. 

Laura's new book "So Long Normal" is a must read--I've read it twice.  To quote Laura:

“I gave up my pursuit of normal a long time ago, " writes worship leader and Christian recording artist Laura Story in her new book, "So Long, Normal: Living and Loving the Free Fall of Faith."  Laura continues, "Surprisingly, I can say this with out shame or regret." 

Not only was she terrible at trying to be normal, she convesses, but somewhere along the way she realized that "normal" was a vapor: "Whenever it appeared within reach, I was unable to grasp it." 

Laura is a wife, mother of four kids, a worship leader, an author of four books and an award-winning singer/songwriter. She’s also an extremely humble person in spite of her amazing success.   She won a grammy for her song “Blessings”, her “Blessings” album hit the top of the Christian charts, and she continues to produce great music and write great books.  Be sure to check out her new song, “Hello Unknown”--it’s fantastic.  Today she talks about her new book, “So Long Normal” as well as the challenges she’s faced and how God has worked in her life through those experiences.
Learn more about Laura, find her books, her Bible studies and her music at her website,  LauraStoryMusic.  You can also find her  on Instagram , YouTube and  Facebook.

Order Stephanie's new book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential

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