Similar to the old stories that we have heard of Christmas past and the idea of the holiday season, our values are often tested when we have so much on our "plate" to consume. Our values (the essence of who we are) may be tested to the maximum limit, and create frustrations when we are not being heard, not making the same progress unlike other times of the year, and the overall shift that happens. In this episode, we will explore foolproof ways in which you can stay on track with what we value the most and continuing to make progress with personal and professional goals, especially in the busiest moments of the year (and beyond)!

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Intro/Outro By: Michael Dugan, Podcast Host: Voice4Chefs

We are all made up of different energy levels and expressions of how we can contribute it are up to our own decision-making. There are a wide variety of practices and methods that can be used to create an aura of showing that energy in a wide variety of ways, which we often think about in the physical sense. However, when tragedy strikes, how we use that energy can be a determining factor of how we move forward in our lives. Today's guest, the owner of Reikispace and Learning Place in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, shares her over 3 decades of experience in the practice of Reiki, a healing technique for our energy levels and expression, and how she has influenced thousands of people as a result of one decision she made to use her energy. Our journeys are dictated by the choices we make, and this captivating interview shows that we can use our decision-making powers for the greater good.

Guest Bio

Rickie Meryl Freedman is a Reiki Master/Teacher, PT for almost 30 years with her focus on Integrative Medicine. Rickie is Certified in ReikiSound and ReikiVoice, and is also a Certified Holistic Wellness Coach, speaker, author, and mentor. She created and opened “Reiki by Rickie ~ ReikiSpace & Learning Place” in Harrisburg PA in 2013 and has a full-time Reiki Practice offering Heart-centered Energy-based sessions, classes, workshops and events. Rickie shares her Mentorship program entitled “Follow your Heart AND Do it Smart!” with other practitioners and healers desiring to take their next step “From Passion to Profession”. Rickie teaches Reiki classes all levels including Reiki for Healthcare Professionals and ReikiKids. She authored “ReikiRickie shares ReikiKids” Coloring/Activity Manual, and will be launching her second book "Radiating Our Reiki Light ~ Reiki Healing through Real Stories from Clients, Students, Practitioners and Teachers"

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/reikibyrickie

@reikibyrickie on Instagram

@reikibyrickie on Twitter

YouTube Page: Rickie Meryl on YouTube

Website: https://reikibyrickie.com/

• Reiki Rickie Shares ReikiKids - One of the books referenced during this episode that is available for purchase on Amazon by our guest, Rickie Meryl Freedman.

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Intro/Outro By: Michael Dugan, Podcast Host: Voice4Chefs

Being able to pick up our pens to write a new change into our lives can be difficult, overwhelming, and downright frustrating. Find that effort to keep moving forward means testing ways to feel empowered to write that "new narrative", whether for personal, professional, or even organizational reasons. This episode will explore how that short burst of effort can explode into a realm of potential, even if it seems to be a bit disorganized.

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Intro/Outro By: Michael Dugan, Podcast Host: Voice4Chefs

Being able to build the best version of yourself often means working hard to create a professional image and a set of knowledge, skills, and abilities that, throughout time, become well-respected and sought after due to the practices that you develop. However, having the right level of influences and supports are substantially required to unlock areas where you may still need help. For our guest today, the Owner of Branches of Life, Melissa Kellogg, she has undergone this type of experience to help create some of the best opportunities, despite the constant obstacles and struggles that are taking place throughout our lives. By doing this, it allows us to see version of ourselves that we can take on, even if there are steps that we must backtrack on to focus our energies in a positive direction.

Guest Bio

Melissa is a massage therapist and "Momtrepeneur" of two amazing boys. She is the owner and operator of Branches of Life Health & Wellness, which provides a variety of massage therapy, facials, lash extensions, and self care packages to individuals and groups. She began her first brick and mortar business which was downsized due to going through intense life changes through this journey as being a business owner. Her passion to share about love, life & business all provide a unique perspective in operating in this type of field/environment.

@Branchesoflifecamphill on Instagram

Website: http://www.branchesoflifecamphill.com

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Intro/Outro By: Michael Dugan, Podcast Host: Voice4Chefs

While it may seem to be coming quickly, the New Year will soon be upon us. Being able to adequately prepare does not need to be a "mundane repeat" of actions and steps that you always take. This episode will explore the potential to plan for what is ahead in the New Year more effectively and with a new purpose to move forward, which may be more simpler than you think.

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Intro/Outro By: Michael Dugan, Podcast Host: Voice4Chefs

Helping others in their greatest time of need can be a compassionate act of kindness that goes beyond our comfort barriers and may be looked upon as awe from fellow human beings. What if you were going through life, not exactly certain of the acts of compassion you were to provide to others, let alone yourself? Our guest today, James Marland, describes his fascinating personal and professional careers that have ultimately converged on not only adopting his son, Jeremiah, but have allowed him to start the Course Creation Studio in helping others find content in their works (and lives) to be justly enriched, not only monetarily, but through the longstanding work he has done for all his life. Being a compassionate person does not always mean having all the answers, but it can be discovered through a path that is designed for all of us to navigate.

Guest Bio

James Marland is an MBA and MAM holder who boasts over two decades of experience in mental health practice administration. After working in the corporate world to fulfill the ambitions of others, he decided to become an entrepreneur and freelancer in 2022. His mission is to help others produce and distribute good content that benefits the world. That's why he founded Course Creation Studio. Through his courses, James provides strategies to help people break free from the fear of failure, shape their own destinies, and make a positive impact through their expert knowledge. James produces 3 podcasts and has been a host of the Scaling Therapy Practice since 2022.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/coursecreationstudio

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/assistantsautomationai

@jamesisnext on Instagram

YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChu8TfU7pkW06Ut2KxgSmsg

Website: https://www.coursecreationstudio.com/

• Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) (http://www.adoptpakids.org/Swan.aspx) - The Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) is a partnership among the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange, public and private adoption agencies, organizations, advocates, judges, the legal community, and foster and adoptive parents. The network is administered by DHS through a prime contractor. The purpose of the network is to build a better collaborative adoption process in Pennsylvania.

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Intro/Outro By: Michael Dugan, Podcast Host: Voice4Chefs

Learning how to overcome some of the fears that we have in our lives, even if it is a lot of hard work, means not only accepting the different tasks that are associated with it, but willing to have an honest, fulfilling conversation alongside of it as well. To wrap up our month of November honoring Toastmasters, Past District 38 Director Joe Smith, a close friend for many years, shares his experiences going through the program that has helped him with his communication and leadership skills all because of someone recognizing his ability to help others. By paving the way forward, Joe led a District of over 150 clubs and thousands of Toastmasters through difficult times, and learned a little bit about himself along the way that has enabled to pursue what is ahead. Learn how this story can be like yours in this personal story of success.

Guest Bio

Since joining Toastmasters in 2013, Joe Smith has developed a passion for motivating others to improve their communication and leadership skills. He joined Toastmasters as part of his self-discovery journey and has gone from almost passing out during his first speech to being able to speak comfortably in front of large audiences. In the decade since becoming a Toastmaster, Joe has held numerous leadership positions at the club and district level, in which recently, Joe completed his term as District Director for District 38. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing 150 clubs in Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. In addition to his work with Toastmasters International, Joe is employed as General Administrator for a distributor of industrial instrumentation in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, where he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company. Joe has been married to Susan for 29 years and live in Havertown, Pennsylvania and enjoys NASCAR and traveling.

• Toastmasters International -Home (https://www.toastmasters.org) - Toastmasters is an international organization that has allowed many of my guests to be on the show through personal and professional connection, combining all kinds of different types of communication and leadership development. Learn more about this organization at the link provided, plus check out the "Find A Club" option where you can locate an in-person or virtual club closest to you and your likings!

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Intro/Outro By: Michael Dugan, Podcast Host: Voice4Chefs

Have you always made the conscious choice of always being "busy", when in reality, it may be a host of different situations and/or concerns? What if we are truly afraid of taking that first step though in making change, and filling it with unnecessary filler or excuses? This episode addresses that "go-to" excuse for never making change, and during this new season of being busy, it can be handled differently.

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Intro/Outro By: Michael Dugan, Podcast Host: Voice4Chefs

Being able to create some of the best memories in our lives means having the best people around you to help strengthen the commitments that we make not only to ourselves, but to those very people helping us. By being able to do this, we are creating magical moments that will help catapult us to levels that we would of otherwise not been able to do, which is why building relationships with both friends, families (guardians), or clients of our businesses that we participate in (or run) on our own. Today's guest, Amanda Bacon, exemplifies this commitment and shares her unique story that has allowed her to have not only a loving family, but loving clients as well, and brings another guest onto the show that our podcast host has gone to high school with over 18 years ago.

WARNING: A portion of this episode discusses depression and suicidal thoughts, particularly in early childhood, as it relates to traumatic situations. If you ever know someone (or yourself) that is experiencing these thoughts, please seek out help by calling 988 (if in the United States) or seeking help from a qualified healthcare provider to discuss ways to help move from these thoughts.

Guest Bio

Amanda Bacon resides in Oley, Pennsylvania with her husband and three children, often referred to as their “Bacon bits”. When she was five years old, her grandparents took her to Walt Disney World for the first time. Remembering being dressing up as Alice from "Alice in Wonderland" and having her picture taken with all of the characters. At that moment, she fell in love with Disney. That love of Disney has morphed over the years to a love of travel and a love of helping people create Magical Memories. Over the past 6 years, she had the privilege of helping hundreds of families, couples, and solo travelers make those lasting memories!

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/573273200129309

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ftjbyamandabacon

@ftjbyamandabacon on Instagram

Website: http://www.fairytalejourneysbyamandabacon.com/

• National Institute of Mental Health - Help for Mental Illnesses (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help) - This resource has an excellent starting point for getting you in the direction of other resources that can be helpful in your mental health recovery.

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Intro/Outro By: Michael Dugan, Podcast Host: Voice4Chefs

Storytelling is an important makeup of our overall society. By telling stories of people, places, and things, we have been able to shape generations of society over and over again, which has been greatly enhanced by the Internet. Being able to be effective in storytelling, however, means a lot more than just having a compelling message. Today's guest, the 2022 1st Runner Up (2nd Place) World Champion of Public Speaking, Alexandre Matte, shares an international perspective (& story!) about how he has been able to utilize contests and his vast connections of coaching and other resources to learn an important lesson not by being a winner in a contest, but winning so much more by the impact and continuing lessons he now shows others because of his heightened awareness. How your story translates to others is an important ingredient in becoming not only engaging, but impactful as well in all aspects of life!

Guest Bio

A storyteller who can transport you to the time and the place he is describing, Alexandre practices the art of storytelling every day with his most difficult audience, his three daughters, aged two to ten. Recipient of the Storytellers of Canada Emerging Storyteller Award in 2018, Alexandre is a professional speaker and storyteller, and an occasional actor on stage or television! Multiple times decorated at the International Speech Contest, Alexandre finished 2nd place in the World Championship of Public Speaking in 2022, out of 30,000 contestants. After 15 years managing finances of cultural organisations, most recently as Director of Finance of the oldest cultural centre in French Ontario, he transitioned from counting to speaking. Since that time, Alexandre created the Standout Community, making professional coaching accessible to all, and is now host, along with Roger Caesar, of the weekly GREAT CONVOS podcast.

Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/Alexandriste

@Alexandriste on Twitter

• Toastmasters International -Home (https://www.toastmasters.org) - Toastmasters is an international organization that has allowed many of my guests to be on the show through personal and professional connection, combining all kinds of different types of communication and leadership development. Learn more about this organization at the link provided, plus check out the "Find A Club" option where you can locate an in-person or virtual club closest to you and your likings!

YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexandreMatte/

Website: https://www.alexandrematte.com

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Support The Mission Of The Business! Donate Here: https://speaking-from-the-heart.captivate.fm/support

Intro/Outro By: Michael Dugan, Podcast Host: Voice4Chefs