Pivotal People

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Listen to a fascinating and inspiring story from national speaker and author, Jay Lowder. His Crossroads assembly program for students has been presented to over 2 million students and he has participated in over 450 conferences across the country. He's authentic, humble, and an inspiring follower of Jesus. I thoroughly enjoyed the time with him and you will too.

 Jay Lowder,  founder of Harvest Ministries,  candidly shares his journey from a double life steeped in personal turmoil to a mission dedicated to spreading hope and faith worldwide. Raised in a church-going family, Jay found himself grappling with depression and suicidal thoughts, only to be saved by an unexpected intervention that led him to a life of purpose.

Throughout our conversation, Jay recounts pivotal moments that propelled him toward a transformative encounter with Jesus. Jay's experience challenges common misconceptions within faith communities, urging listeners to embrace their imperfections and find strength in their brokenness. This episode underscores the importance of authenticity and transparency, highlighting how personal struggles can become platforms for helping others.

Jay’s journey is a testament to the idea that past scars and traumas do not limit one's potential for purpose but can instead be sources of hope and strength. Jay’s story offers a compelling reminder of the transformative power of faith and the profound impact of embracing one’s true self.

Connect with Jay and learn more about Harvest Ministries at

JayLowder.com

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Meet Susan Binkley, the author of "From My Front Row Seat: A Collection of Stories from My Time Working Alongside Women in Recovery."

For the past two decades, Susan Binkley has been faithfully working to restore the lives of women and their children who have suffered from trauma, addiction, and abuse. In the mid-90s, Susan had a powerful, God-given dream that described in great detail how one might put together a program like Blue Monarch. At the time Susan realized this dream was like no other, but she didn’t understand the significance of it until years later when the dream miraculously came together in real life. Blue Monarch’s long-term, residential treatment program is unique in its dual focus on both the mother’s and the child’s recovery, creating a path toward lasting transformation and freedom from destructive cycles. Through the power of faith, prayer, and community, Susan has witnessed nearly 1,000+ women and children find healing, with over 350 children reunited with their mothers, who had previously lost custody.

In addition to its holistic recovery program, Blue Monarch empowers women through its on-site business, Out of the Blue Granola, a hand-crafted product distributed in major grocery chains like Whole Foods and Publix. All of the women who work to craft the Out of the Blue products are graduates or residents of Blue Monarch and each package of granola has a card with the testimony/picture of a Blue Monarch graduate enclosed.

Connect with Susan:
https://www.bluemonarch.org/

Learn more about the story:
https://www.bluemonarch.org/how-we-got-started

Follow Susan on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/susanbinkleyauthor/

Order the book:
https://www.amazon.com/Front-Row-Seat-Collection-Alongside/dp/1957616288

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Discover the secrets to becoming a master closer with Bob King, renowned author and sales expert.  Bob shares insights from his new book, "The Joy of Closing: The Definitive Guide to Building Trust, Getting the Deal, and Creating Happy Customers." Tune in as we unpack the art of closing sales with integrity, delve into the emotional journey essential for effective salesmanship, and explore how these principles can transform not just your career but also your personal relationships.

My career was in sales, and I wish I'd read Bob's book or worked for him early in my career to learn how to achieve true sales success by closing deals that were the best for both the seller and the buyer.

Even if you're not in sales, Bob's strategies apply to many different types of relationships and situations in our lives. It's fascinating and inspiring. "The Joy of Closing"  can equip you with the skills to inspire beneficial changes and make intuitive decisions, enriching both your professional and personal life. Whether you're a seasoned salesperson or seeking to enhance your connection-building skills, this episode is worth your time.

Connect with Bob King:
Order his books and watch his videos: JoyofClosing.com
https://www.facebook.com/BobKingDirector
https://www.instagram.com/bobking3400/

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Meet Katherine Hall of North Point Ministries, as we discuss her ministry and her new project, EverydayScripture.org. It's a fabulous resource to help make the Bible understandable and practical in our everyday lives. She is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and her insights into scripture are not just academic; she is truly passionate about making the Bible accessible and engaging for all.

As Young Adults Director at Buckhead Church, Katherine equips young minds to navigate life's challenges with a strong biblical foundation. Her initiative, Everyday Scripture, offers tools like chapter summaries and study questions, making the Bible relatable to both new readers and seasoned leaders.

EverydayScripture.org is free to users, and can be used for personal Bible Study or as a resource for Bible Study leaders.

Learn more and connect with Katherine at EverydayScripture.org

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What if you could avoid burnout and discover a profound sense of joy? Don't we all want that? 

Join us as we sit down with Debra Fileta, a licensed professional counselor and author of "Soul Care: Find Life-Giving Rhythms, Live Restored, Avoid Burnout, and Discover Unspeakable Joy." Debra shares her insights into soul care, a transformative approach to mental and emotional health that goes beyond traditional self-care. Drawing inspiration from the life of Jesus, she introduces us to six life-giving rhythms that promise a holistic path to well-being.

We really dig into the roots of anxiety and burnout, exploring why these issues seem more widespread today. Debra sheds light on how misguided theology, family dynamics, and personality types like firstborns or those from chaotic backgrounds can lead to patterns of self-neglect. 

We also discussed the overall balancing of physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Debra offers practical advice on hydration, nutrition, rest, and the power of saying no to protect one’s energy. 

Connect with Debra: https://debrafileta.com/

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Meet Silvia Ledon, an award-winning author, teacher, speaker, and worship leader, who shares her remarkable journey from Quito, Ecuador, to discovering her spiritual awakening at just 17. 

Silvia reveals the profound solace she found in nature during a time when her family faced significant health challenges, an experience that inspired her acclaimed children's book, "The Voice of God." Through her touching narrative, Silvia aims to teach children and adults alike to listen for God's voice in all aspects of life.

Connect with Silvia and get her book:  https://www.asigrow.org/
Find her on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/silvialedon/?hl=en

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

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Frank Blake, former chairman and CEO of Home Depot, is one of the most humble and generous people you'll ever meet. What a privilege to speak with him and have him share his life lessons with all of us.

Frank led Home Depot out of a downturn into seven years of growth with his people-first approach. Frank shares interesting experiences at Home Depot, General Electric and in government, and his ongoing passion for gratitude and generosity, as showcased in his podcast, Crazy Good Turns.

Frank also shares lessons he learned from iconic leaders like George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and Jack Welch. Learn how a simple habit of writing personal notes, inspired by President Bush, can significantly elevate team morale, and how Reagan's clear communication style can be a game-changer in any organization. Frank also shared Jack Welch's surprising yet impactful notion that generosity is a leader's most crucial attribute, all through engaging anecdotes that highlight the importance of recognizing and investing in the success of others.

Frank shares the transformative power of gratitude and generosity through compelling stories. Tune in for an uplifting conversation that encapsulates Frank’s "Crazy Good Turns" philosophy, emphasizing the impact of kindness and mutual support in both personal and professional spheres.

Learn more at CrazyGoodTurns.com

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Welcome back Sherry Hoppen, as she shares her ongoing journey in "Sober Cycle: Pedaling Through Recovery One Day at a Time." Sherry shares her story about her past experience with experiencing and eventually overcoming alcohol addiction. Her honest memoir helps everyone understand the challenges of dealing with addiction as an individual and as a family. Her redemptive story encourages her readers to persevere, trust, and to give themselves grace as they face their illness.

Her story is one of resilience and a stark reminder of how addiction can insidiously take over our lives, often normalized by society's acceptance of alcohol. Her redemptive story demonstrates God's faithfulness, and the power of love and support of family and friends.

Today, Sherry and her husband Craig are helping others by opening a specialized recovery facility for women. It is a testament of their renewed purpose and service, and the idea that everyone deserves a second chance. It's an exploration of the profound impact that grace, community, and faith can have on healing, not just for the individual, but for families and the wider community. Sherry's message is clear: recovery is a path best walked together.

Connect with Sherry, order her book and listen to her podcast for more insight and encouragement.
https://www.shesurrenders.com/

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Have you ever witnessed the sheer resilience of a mother caring for a child with disabilities? Jessica Patay, the founder of We Are Brave Together and author of the new book, "Becoming Brave Together" joins us for a second episode. Jessica's life is a testament to the power of community and the strength found in supporting each other. Her new book is a compilation of personal stories written by mothers who are the primary caregivers for their children who have some sort of mental or physical disability. Their stories are beautiful, inspiring, and eye-opening as we understand the hearts of mothers who perform extraordinary acts of caregiving every day, often without recognition.

We navigate the often overlooked necessity for mothers to refill their own cups, so they can continue to pour into the lives of their loved ones. Jessica opens up about practical strategies to maintain one's well-being amidst the storms of caregiving, and how the simple yet profound acts of a supportive community can lift the spirits of these devoted mothers. Her stories inspire us to extend our hands in support and to recognize the immeasurable value of the caregiving role in our society.

Get in touch with Jessica at We Are Brave Together

Order her book Becoming Brave Together

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Ever wondered how a love for coupons could blossom into a wildly popular website with millions of loyal fans? Laurie Hise, the savvy CEO behind passionatepennypincher.com, joins us to share her remarkable transformation from a modest coupon blogger into a business leader who helps millions of people save money every day.

I met Laurie 14 years ago at a conference when she was just beginning her business. She reminded me of my younger self, full of enthusiasm about the idea of making it easy for other moms to save money in every area of their household budget. BUT Laurie did more than grocery deals--on top of doing that, she grew her business with dozens of team members to search out little-known deals on EVERYTHING and produced an extensive line of organizational products.

She was generous enough to agree to come on this podcast, which was so much fun for me. She's kind, beautiful, brilliant, and incredibly generous. Profits from the company support many charities across the world. I'm so inspired by the progress she has made in 14 years, and I believe her story and experience may inspire other people to take the bold step of faith to put their talents into action to help other people, while building a profitable company.

Recently I subscribed to her newsletter to see if there were deals I would use. I snagged an unbelievable deal on a fabulous purse thanks to Laurie's newsletter (it cost $16 if you must know, and one of my friends who loves expensive things complimented me on it. I didn't tell her the price). Beyond finding deals, Laurie went on to create an extensive line of high-quality home organization products and planners. She sent me a big box of the company's organizational and menu-planning products and they are beautiful and practical.

Start saving money on everything TODAY by going to
PracticalPennyPincher.com

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