Regardless of the situation, having to work with someone who is difficult in communication techniques and addressing a variety of situations that may come up as a result can be often a tempting moment to "pull your hair out" because of the level of frustration, cooperation, let alone the time that is lost trying to get others to talk. In this episode, we will discuss strategies to help deal with this type of situation, but when all else fails, what you can do to keep the conversation going (without the other).

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

Understanding our brain styles and differences is a hugely popular topic in today's society, particularly since it takes into consideration the different types of ways that we learn. However, there are simply not enough resources for the neurodivergent individual to help them with the overwhelming amount of information that needs to be processed to make informed decisions, often leading to sensory overload. Today's guest, Leann Firestone, Founder and Executive Director of the Neurodiverse Network, is helping to reverse the lack of resources and creating the opportunities that are available for individuals and families that need them. Being cared about is truly important, and this episode exemplifies the fact that we need assistance from time-to-time, regardless of our style, to help us to the other side of a problem or need.

Guest Bio

Leann Firestone is the Creator and Director of Neurodiverse Network. She is an neurodiverse adult female living in central Pennsylvania. She is unique in that she went most of her life without a diagnosis of her brain style differences. At 30-years-old, she made the self-realization that she is autistic and that her lack diagnosis has contributed to most of the struggles and trauma in her life. By sharing her story, along with constant education and advocacy, she hopes to help the community as a whole and prevent her tale from being relived by others. She currently works as a hairstylist , nanny, vintage reseller, and non-profit director! She lives with her husband and 6.5 year old daughter in the New Cumberland, Pennsylvania area where they take care of a dozen chickens, a snake, a bearded dragon, an elderly dog, and their newest addition, a puppy named Suzie who will be going through training to be a Service Dog for the family.

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/834200314102805

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

@Leann_Firestone on Instagram

YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB1-Oq_ZdajwZ5-f4HU9Svg

Website: http://ndnet.org

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

Despite obstacles that we can face, it is important about how we handle the ways in which it can affect us for the destiny that we have for our future if we stay stuck in the same "pattern". For our next Toastmaster guest that we are featuring this month, Rich Hopkins shares how nothing stops him from being his competitive self and how it has allowed him to be on the World Championship of Public Speaking stage of Toastmasters numerous times and inspire a generation of storytellers and public speakers. Through his reluctance and well-placed individuals in his lives, he recounts his awesome journey to get to this point through the meticulous opportunities that have been presented through not only his professional endeavors, but how it has given him a creative outlet for all of us to achieve as well, as long as we have the right mindset.

Guest Bio

A Toastmaster since 1999, Rich continues to pursue his dream pastime as a professional speaker and presentations coach. He's spoken to Toastmasters groups all over the world, took 3rd in the world in the 2006 World Championship of Public Speaking, spoke on the Big Stage again 2008, and is a featured player in the documentary SPEAK. In 2017, he took his WinAnyway message to the TEDx Stage. Additionally, he's authored three books: Win, Place & Show, Go Ahead and Laugh, and Go Ahead and Laugh Vol II. In his 24th year of marriage, he's the father of six, and balances his speaking and coaching with his day job, selling advertising for the Boulder Daily Camera newspaper.

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakAnyway

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/rich.hopkins

@winanywayguy on Instagram

@richhopkins on Twitter

YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/richhopkins

Website: https://www.richhopkins.com

• Toastmasters International -Home (https://www.toastmasters.org) - Join a local Toastmasters club today by checking out what this nearly century old organization has been able to do to so many talented individuals! Click the "Find A Club" button to locate the closest club to you today!
• SPEAK Documentary Movie Streaming Options - To watch the documentary anywhere you stream, rent, or buy movies online, check out this link for a list of available options.

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

Despite the numerous amount of opportunities that we have in this world to change the course of our direction, many of us live in the unwillingness to change because of wanting to stay "complacent" in a situation that we are being faced with. Today's episode will explore what some of those reasons are that may be holding us back, but provide a new perspective of why it is not impossible to step into a bold new direction to help yourself achieve the best version of yourself.

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

Being able to work on yourself mentally is only one piece of the overall puzzle. Working on yourself physically can be a overwhelming challenge in itself too. For our guest, David A. Specht Jr., it was a challenge of having both of these aspects involved especially with the passing of his father later in life that radically shifted his focus and importance of helping others. From being a veteran, to being a newspaper owner, to now helping others in their health journey, David shares a variety of different "valley and mountaintop" moments throughout this conversation that shares a common thread of working on ourselves to help not only be the best versions, but to help achieve success in a wide variety of different ways, no matter how hard it is to work on it.

Guest Bio

For David A. Specht, leadership has been more than a vocation but a way of life. A veteran of the first gulf war, David has led organizations of many types and sizes.

For the bulk of his career, David has been the President of Specht Newspapers, Inc., a media and marketing company in Louisiana.

In 2018, David and his wife, Tina, embarked on a health journey, losing a combined 180 pounds. This journey led to what David calls his “impact passion” for health coaching. Since then, their business, Specht Health Coaching, has directly impacted hundreds while indirectly impacting thousands of people who seek a solution for their health and weight loss challenges.

He has launched multiple podcasts, spoken before numerous crowds of business leaders, and written a leadership blog at davidaspecht.com for more than ten years.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/david.a.specht

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/SpechtHealthCoaching

@davidaspecht on Instagram

Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/davidaspecht

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

Website: https://davidaspecht.com/spechthealth/

• Old Dog, New Tricks 2.0 Book On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Old-Dogs-New-Tricks-Version/dp/B0BVCTQG42

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

Being able to rise from the different challenges in life, whether they are brought on by ourselves or from unknown sources/circumstances, can put a negative type of energy into our body. However, what if we used that energy in a completely positive way to help create systemic value for not only our lives, but for the lives of others? Continuing our month of celebrating Toastmasters making a positive contribution, today's guest, Len Tran, shares his captivating story of escaping communism to create a opportunity for himself and his family. Through his 2nd chance by arriving in the United States of America, Len shares how being a good listener and keeping our thoughts in motion constantly of how we can improve can change everything we think about our lives, even if we do not use our "kicking and punching" powers physically, but use them mentally, to focus and gain clarity through those extremes.

Guest Bio

Len Tran is the founder of Kinetic Mind LLC, a coaching and training company helping individuals increase their productivity results. His clients include athletes, young adults, and emerging leaders. Before devoting time to Kinetic Mind, he graduated from City College of New York with a degree in Chemical Engineering. After working as a Process Engineer for several years, he transitioned to work for the Patent and Trademark Office, which he has worked there for more than twenty years. He is currently a supervisor and has been in this role for the last fifteen years. In addition, he has been practicing martial arts for the past thirty-five years and trained around the world. Len traveled around the United States to provide both seminars and martial arts training. Len is also an author of the book “Split Up by the Sea, A Vietnamese Refugee’s Memoir of Survival and Hope.” He has his second book released this past summer called “Break the Bricks, Breakthrough To Find The Real You!”

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/len.tran.7106

YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk9PtMtYjCUngcI-igZ0G5Q

Website: http://www.LenVTran.com

• Toastmasters International -Home (https://www.toastmasters.org) - Join a local Toastmasters club today by checking out what this nearly century old organization has been able to do to so many talented individuals! Click the "Find A Club" button to locate the closest club to you today!

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

We are creatures of holding grudges which comes from the past experiences and repeated patterns that we often encounter from other people. What we can do to overcome those situations in our lives will free us of any anger (or pain) that we carry along the way to help us become better at all aspects of our lives. In this episode, we will explore how we can navigate through the never-ending loops that we set up for ourselves and create roads to finding peace from the chains that hold us back from ever recovering.

• National Suicide Lifeline (988) (https://988lifeline.org/) - This dedicated webpage talks about the various amount of resources that are available when dealing with a mental health crisis of any kind. DO NOT DO IT ALONE! Find resources in your area (even outside of the United States) if you need assistance with a crisis.
• Someone To Tell It To (https://www.someonetotellitto.org/) - The mission of Someone To Tell It To cultivates meaningful relationships through compassionate listening, training, and educating others to do the same. Their vision is a world in which everyone matters, everyone is heard, and loneliness is diminished.

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

Being able to get to the center of our entire existence to unlock the hidden potential (i.e. the "voice") that we have in ourselves means understanding how we can peel the layers back in our own lives, and warm up to the expectation of change, not just by asking the important "why" question, but explore our purpose in one powerfully courageous way. The conclusion of Part 2 of our two-part interview with intuitive Life Coach Brianne DiDino not only exposes the true hidden potential (a one-word answer) that shares with us the undeniable adventures that we can lead if we give ourselves the chance, but even for our podcast host, exposes the true identity that we often have hidden in ourselves...even when we are not actively thinking about it all the time.

WARNING: This episode discusses suicide, depression, anxiety, and child abuse. Although these are very heavy subject matters that require great care and attention when discussing, these subjects are pivotal to the important understanding of our guest's way of navigating through any sort of unique challenge. Consult authorities, particularly when you know someone that is going through this, to seek out assistance and help with navigating through these very difficult conversations.

Guest Bio

Brianne DiDino is the Owner and Founder of Beyond Grounded. Her years as a Medical Laboratory Scientist enhanced her troubleshooting abilities. However, adversities throughout life propelled her forward learning more about compassion, connectedness and powerful purpose. Brianne embraces being highly intuitive and loves highlighting this gift within others. Her passion of being an Intuitive Life Coach, Author and Speaker came alive after the many years of hardships. During these times, she learned the importance of how your painful moments become your best friend and guiding light. She firmly believes that understanding their influence and value in your life gives the power to create the future you dream about. By using her coaching along with other proven methods, empowered individuals explore and transform experience-based beliefs to create a more authentic, fulfilling life.

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

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/411383962811026

@beyondgrounded on Instagram

Website: https://www.beyondgrounded.com/

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

Associating with your "universal team" sound a bit spiritual, but it can be the ultimate gateway for you to walk through and create some of the most meaningful creations of your life. Listening to those team members' voices can help to sustain not only the life that you are leading, but perhaps guide you into the most wildest adventures to generate systemic change in your own life and in the lives of others. Today's guest, an intuitive life coach by the name of Brianne DiDino, will share in a two-part episode many of the different types of explorations that we can unlock through her own unique experiences. In Part One, she explores the concept of meaningful relationships and how the struggles of growing up stunted her for a long period of time until she started to consult that team to move forward from her previous career to a whole new adventure.

WARNING: This episode discusses suicide, depression, anxiety, and child abuse. Although these are very heavy subject matters that require great care and attention when discussing, these subjects are pivotal to the important understanding of our guest's way of navigating through any sort of unique challenge. Consult authorities, particularly when you know someone that is going through this, to seek out assistance and help with navigating through these very difficult conversations.

Guest Bio

Brianne DiDino is the Owner and Founder of Beyond Grounded. Her years as a Medical Laboratory Scientist enhanced her troubleshooting abilities. However, adversities throughout life propelled her forward learning more about compassion, connectedness and powerful purpose. Brianne embraces being highly intuitive and loves highlighting this gift within others. Her passion of being an Intuitive Life Coach, Author and Speaker came alive after the many years of hardships. During these times, she learned the importance of how your painful moments become your best friend and guiding light. She firmly believes that understanding their influence and value in your life gives the power to create the future you dream about. By using her coaching along with other proven methods, empowered individuals explore and transform experience-based beliefs to create a more authentic, fulfilling life.

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

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/411383962811026

@beyondgrounded on Instagram

Website: https://www.beyondgrounded.com/

Visit Our Website: https://speaking-from-the-heart.captivate.fm/

Visit Our Business Website: https://www.yourspeakingvoice.biz

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

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

Transformational power exists within each and every one of us. By unlocking the opportunities that are literally around us, we can seek out the embodiment of this transformation. All it takes is one person to see that within you. Today's guest, Charles Gates, kicks off our recognition of Toastmasters that have made a substantial influence in society as a whole by sharing his unique business perspectives that he has grown from an early age, and how Toastmasters has engaged him with people who want to keep swimming and keep being a team player to a whole new level. His story shows how anyone has the potential to do either one of these things!

Guest Bio

Charles is a high energy, sought after speech coach and speaker, who helps his clients and audiences “Bring the Zing” into their presentations. He believes your delivery is just as important as your content. Fun, infotaining and never boring, is the expectation, whether teaching presentation skills, networking or fundamental leadership principles. The first in his Bring the Zing ebook series, “Five Keys to Powerful Presentations, Briefings and Meetings” is available on Amazon. The next two are due to be released by mid-year 2024.

Website: https://www.CharlesGatesLeadership.com

• Toastmasters International -Home (https://www.toastmasters.org) - Join a local Toastmasters club today by checking out what this nearly century old organization has been able to do to so many talented individuals! Click the "Find A Club" button to locate the closest club to you today!

Visit Our Website: https://speaking-from-the-heart.captivate.fm/

Visit Our Business Website: https://www.yourspeakingvoice.biz

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

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