Pivotal People

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Meet my friend, Hamilton Winters.  He has written a great book called "The Art of Everything" which shares real-life, entertaining and inspiring stories that he compares to stories from the Bible.  Hamilton is kind, funny and wise beyond his years.  I enjoyed our conversation and his perspective, and I'm sure you will too.  

Hamilton's story is inspiring, and he isn't even 30 yet!  He is one of the most amazing young men I've ever met. Hamilton's purpose in life is to light fires in others, encouraging and inspiring them to pursue their passions and professions while staying grounded in their true purpose through Christ.

Originally from Northeast Louisiana, Hamilton Winters now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. An award-winning speaker and author, Hamilton is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe (BBA, Marketing) and the University of Mississippi (MBA) and current student at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Hamilton works with North Point Ministries in Atlanta and is the author of the new book "The Art of Everything: connect your story to History." In recent years, Hamilton co-founded one of Atlanta's fastest growing flight schools, NSPIRE Aviation, and worked as a marketing strategist for Liger Partners serving a range of clients from local boutiques to multi-billion dollar conglomerates. With an extensive background in the fields of branding, marketing, sales, operations, graphic design, and public speaking, Hamilton has provided valuable insight for businesses and leaders across the United States. In his free time, Hamilton is an avid traveler, creative writer, and occasional skydiver.

Throughout the past decade, Hamilton has visited 26 countries on 5 continents. He is an Eagle Scout and co-leads a men's small group Bible study in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. 

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Meet Illana Raia. She is an author of the bestselling book, "The Epic Mentor Guide: Insider Advice for Girls Eyeing the Workforce from 180 Boss Women Who Know."  She is also the founder and CEO of Etre Girls, a mentoring program for young women.  The Etre Girls program encourages girls to ask who they want to be, and then  finds ways for them to connect with mentors in all professions to ask questions.  Check out their website and find out how girls can get involved.  https://www.etregirls.com/

I wish this program had existed when I was a young girl.  In our conversation, Illana shares how her bestselling "Epic Mentor Guide" book is a logical extension of her Etre Girls program.  It includes 180 questions written by young girls, answered by leaders in many professions. including famous celebrities and well-known leaders.
 
I loved this book because the wise advice and perspective from the mentors is helpful for all of us.  The book is written in an easy-to-read format and it's a fun read.

From Amazon:
Imagine if you found the perfect mentor before you actually started work? Now imagine you could ask her anything. The Epic Mentor Guide matches questions from girls eyeing and entering the workforce with answers from 180 boss women already there.

Wondering what it’s like to be the first female coach or general manager of any men’s professional sports team? Ask Nancy Lieberman or Kim Ng.  Want to know what Veronica Beard thinks you should wear to work, why Tyra Banks over-prepares for every meeting, how Haben Girma graduated Harvard Law School deaf and blind, or what Bobbi Brown wants you to do when you hear the word no at work?  Order your copy from Amazon and find out!

We will be giving a free copy of "The Epic Mentor's Guide" to the first 100 people who subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter. Once you've confirmed your email subscription, we will email you to ask for mailing details.  We will keep this offer active through May 25th.  Sign up for the newsletter here:  https://stephanienelson.com/podcast/

Connect with Etre Girls 
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Etregirls/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/etregirls/

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Meet my friend, Sherry Hoppen.  She is an author, speaker, wife, mother, friend and encourager to millions.  You are going to love her honesty, insight, wisdom and sense of humor.  I met her a few months ago at a workshop and have since read her amazing  book, "The Sober Cycle," listened to her great podcast "She Surrenders" and had the great privilege of chatting with her on our Pivotal People podcast.  I wish she lived down the street to chat with over coffee.  This is the next best thing.

Sherry talks about her own story of addiction and recovery--in the context of being a faithful Christian.  She doesn't sugar coat it and shares her insights on how it developed, how it impacted her friends and family, and how she eventually surrendered it all to God.  She reminds us of Ephesians 3:20:  God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.

She never intended to talk about this with strangers--but God had different plans. Today Sherry has a website and program called "She Surrenders" that helps all of us understand how God can take anything from us and use it for good. 

Find her website:  https://www.shesurrenders.com/

Instagram:  @shesurrenders_sherry

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/shesurrenderssherry

She Surrenders podcast (on all platforms):
https://www.shesurrenders.com/podcast

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Tim Schurrer is the author of the new book, "The Secret Society of Success: Stop Chasing the Spotlight and Learn to Enjoy Your Work (and life) Again."  I read it, loved it, and recommend it to anyone who would like to love their career instead of dreading their job. You can pre-order the book here--it will be released on May 17th:   https://tinyurl.com/2p92yz2j

You don't have to wait until May 17th--you can download the first 2 chapters of his book FREE here: https://www.buildawinningteam.com/free

Get links to Tim's website, podcast and book here: https://linktr.ee/timschurrer

Tim Schurrer knows what it takes to build a winning team. 

He spent almost a decade of his career launching two brands— StoryBrand and Business Made Simple—as COO alongside New York Times bestselling author Donald Miller.

In that time, Tim and the team accomplished the following:

– Grew the business from $250K to $16.5M in annual revenue.

– Generated more than 20 million podcast downloads.

– Launched multiple bestselling books and on-demand video courses.

– Produced dozens of events, from a 2,400-person conference to a 5,500-person livestream.

– And, most importantly, built a culture where people loved their work and would do whatever it took to help one another and their customers win.

Before his time at StoryBrand and Business Made Simple, Tim worked at TOMS as well as Apple Inc. He is the host of the Build a Winning Team podcast, where he offers listeners actionable advice as he interviews some of the top leaders in business.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/build-a-winning-team-with-tim-schurrer/id1618921345

Tim lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Katie, and their two kids.

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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.

Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/
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Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

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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/

Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/
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Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential 

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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.

Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/
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Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential