The Alignment Show

What if grief could become a gateway to transformation, not just sorrow?

In this powerful episode, Donn talked with grief educator Suzanne Jabour, who shared her moving journey after the loss of her 22-year-old son, Ben. Suzanne doesn’t offer platitudes; she offers permission. Permission to grieve differently. Permission to support others more meaningfully. And permission to be curious even in the darkest places.

Whether you’re walking through your own loss or want to better support someone who is, this conversation will change the way you think about grief and connection.

Resources we discussed include:

* Suzanne’s website.

* Suzanne’s LinkedIn.

* A previous episode about managing grief with Kevin O’Connor.

* Saleswise Live™.

* Donn’s books.

* “Writing Home: A Short Story about the Real Final Frontier,” a free short story to support you in living your own values.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You know someone who needs this kind of support. Help them out!

You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

The Confidence Cultivator is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

What does it take to follow your passion—responsibly?

In this episode of The Alignment Show, I sat down with Ahuva Gruen, founder of AG Financial CPA, to explore her inspiring journey from corporate CFO to independent business owner. Ahuva shared how she aligned her career with her lifelong entrepreneurial spirit, even in the face of major life transitions. We discussed the difference between a CPA and a CFO, why businesses need strategic financial leadership, and how individuals can responsibly pursue their dreams without sacrificing stability. Whether you're considering a leap toward your own business or looking to strengthen the one you already have, this conversation is packed with wisdom about living your values, taking smart risks, and building a thriving future.

Resources we mentioned include:

* Ahuva’s website

* Ahuva on LinkedIn

* Saleswise Live™

* Donn’s books

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

Share your comments, even though the broadcast is over! We always pay attention and would love to continue the conversation.

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

You know someone who could use this boost!

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

When the pandemic shook up our routines, many people didn’t just quit their jobs. They realigned their lives. That’s why I called it the Great Realignment rather than the Great Resignation. But now, five years later, is that sense of realignment still alive?

In this solo episode, I reflect on the origins of The Alignment Show and explore whether it’s time to pause and ask: Am I still living in alignment with what matters most to me?

We unpacked the difference between goals and mission, the trap of chasing the merely urgent, and how small moments of reflection, even five minutes at a time, can steer you toward a more meaningful life. I also shared a few personal stories, insights from friends of the show, and why I believe your values deserve a fresh look.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

* My Books

* SalesWise Live

* Wordslinger Podcast by Kevin Tumlinson for all things Kevin, along with the specific episode I mentioned.

* The Alignment episode with Kevin

* The book we mentioned about keeping your earning activities separate from your passion activities is Creating the Life You Really Want, Building the Career You Truly Desire.

* We mentioned the idea that we have crossed the mountains (which means we’ve left the “old normal” behind), and we’re not going back to the way things were before. That concept was explored deeply in Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger.

* My other Substack is King’s Chronicles. It has a little different focus, but it is likely one that would appeal to listeners of The Alignment Show.

* We talked about the Eisenhower Matrix. You can learn more about it here.

* We mentioned Life 101: Everything We Wish We Had Learned About Life in School—But Didn't

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

The Confidence Cultivator is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

You know someone who could benefit from these insights.

Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

Note: I’m running a little behind posting the show notes and audio podcast for this episode. My grandson wound up needing emergency surgery (he is OK now), and so I just now have time to get it posted. But Kevin is worth waiting for!

I’m thrilled to welcome back one of our "Stars in Alignment"—Kevin Tumlinson. Kevin is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, podcaster, and one of the most values-centered creatives I know. He’s also someone I personally fanboy over a bit (you’ll hear why).

In this rich, wide-ranging conversation, we talked about the ongoing quest to align our lives with our values, even when life throws curveballs. Kevin opened up about shifting from discovery writing to outlining, navigating burnout, and rediscovering joy in writing after a difficult season. He also shared insights from launching a new venture, Author Anchor, which helps writers focus on what they love—writing—by offloading the rest to trained virtual assistants.

Whether you're a writer or not, this episode is about far more than craft. It's about humility, resilience, and realignment. It’s about finding your mission and having the courage to keep creating even when the world gets loud.

Among other things, in this episode we talked about:

* The mother source for all things Kevin.

* The auntie source for all things Kevin’s books (i.e., Amazon).

* The Wordslinger podcast on YouTube.

* Kevin on Substack, including his newsletter, The Writer_.

* Draft2Digital got mentioned several times. Check them out.

* Author Nation, the world’s largest author conference and multi-genre reader event, uniting authors, industry leaders, and readers for five transformative days of learning, networking, and growth.

* Author Anchor provides cost-effective Virtual Assistants. Book a free discovery call tell them Kevin Tumlinson sent you from The Alignment Show. Doing so enables you to get your first month for $49 instead of $99 (VA rates will still apply—this is a discount off the base monthly fee).

* Donn’s books, a show sponsor. It costs you nothing to check it out! You may find your next favorite read.

* Saleswise Live™, a show sponsor. Again, it costs you nothing to check it out! You may change the course of your career, which is why they’re such a great sponsor for The Alignment Show.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

You know someone who needs to hear this!

And, we would love to converse with you. Questions for Kevin? Comments about what we talked about?

Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

🎙️ The Alignment Show with Donn King welcomed Todd Payne, founder of Konnectfully, emotional intelligence coach, and former Lutheran pastor with a powerful origin story.

🔥 From being told he had "none of the gifts for ministry" to helping couples rediscover empathy and joy in their relationships, Todd brings a refreshing take on transformation, resilience, and the surprising role of the Enneagram in fostering real connection.

Oh—and did we mention? He now lives in Portugal, after losing his home to a wildfire and choosing to start over with intention. Talk about falling upward!

💬 Whether you're navigating a relationship crossroads, curious about emotional intelligence, or just love hearing how people realign their lives with purpose, this conversation is rich, real, and relevant.

Resources we discussed include:

* Todd’s website

* Todd’s LinkedIn

* We talked about videos of colorblind folks seeing color for the first time with the help of special glasses. Here is one such video among many.

* Donn mentioned his newsletter. Check it out and subscribe for free, or go paid and receive audio versions and other perks.

* Go look into Saleswise Live™.

* One of Donn’s books will encourage you or a friend.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who could use the insights from this conversation. Why not tell them, “Hey, you would enjoy listening to this episode!”

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance! You can also subscribe for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

Note: For the past few weeks, I’ve been uploading a video version of the podcast to Substack, but I’ve noticed a few things: (a) most listeners aren’t using Substack for video (at least, for this podcast), (b) we already provide links to the live video replays, making this redundant, and (c) splitting my focus between video and audio has likely affected the audio quality.

So, I’m shifting back to our original approach—prioritizing high-quality audio on Substack (and podcast platforms) while directing video learners to our existing video channels. If I’ve misread what works best for you, let me know in the comments or email me at [email protected]!

How do we engage in tough conversations without losing our cool—or our relationships? In this powerful episode of The Alignment Show, host Donn King sits down with Bob Burg, co-author of The Go-Giver, to discuss the art of tactful yet honest communication.

With today’s divisive climate, it often feels impossible to have meaningful discussions with those who hold opposing views—whether at the holiday dinner table or in the workplace. Bob shares practical strategies for navigating disagreements with grace, avoiding emotional reactivity, and fostering genuine connection—even when tensions run high.

The Confidence Cultivator is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode we talked about:

* Why so many conversations escalate into personal attacks—and how to stop it.

* The Ransberger Pivot technique for reframing discussions to find common ground.

* How to respond (not react) when faced with inflammatory statements.

* The secret to changing minds—without manipulation or aggression.

* When to engage—and when to walk away.

Whether you're trying to communicate better in your personal life, in business, or online, this conversation will give you tools to defuse conflict, build trust, and make your message heard.

Watch or listen for a masterclass on influence, persuasion, and the power of respectful dialogue with Bob Burg.

Here are some of the resources we shared in this episode:

* Bob’s books

* Saleswise Live™

* The Go-Giver Success Vault

* Jeff West’s books

* Let Them Theory

* Living Untethered

* Russell Moore, former editor of Christianity Today, on modern “Christians” calling the teachings of Jesus “weak.”

* Donn’s books

* Free short story: “Writing Home: A Short Story About the Real Final Frontier”

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who needs to hear this.

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance! You can also subscribe for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you for your patience! We broadcast the episode as scheduled last Friday, but we’re just now posting the show notes and feeding the audio to those outlets. But this was a conversation worth waiting for!

The Alignment Show welcomed back Lizbeth Meredith, a writer, speaker, and resilience advocate whose journey has inspired audiences worldwide. You may remember her from Episode 76, where we explored her compelling memoir and the strength it takes to reclaim one’s life. In this episode, she returned with exciting news—her latest book, Tilka Faces the Odds, is soon available in audiobook format!

The Confidence Cultivator is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Remember her from that past episode?

This is the followup!

Among the things we discussed:

✔️ The behind-the-scenes process of recording an audiobook—the challenges, surprises, and victories along the way.

✔️ Why Lizbeth chose to narrate her own book and what it means to bring Tilka’s story to life

✔️ The resilience and reinvention that shape both her writing and her life.

✔️ How storytelling empowers us to navigate life’s unexpected turns.

✔️ A glimpse into her upcoming projects, including a travel memoir and an anthology highlighting solo travel as a path to healing.

You can access some of the following resources we discussed:

* Tilka Faces the Odds

* Pieces of Me

* Grounded in Grit

* Life 101: Everything We Wish We Had Learned About Life in School - But Didn't

* Donn’s books

* Saleswise Live™

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance! You can also subscribe for free

OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who could benefit from hearing this. Do them and us a favor!

Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

We had a great conversation this week with Joanna Penn, despite challenges facing your host.

We originated the podcast from my daughter’s hospital room, and so the audio quality of the intro and outro isn’t up to our usual standards. Plus, although the promo went up on our video channels, our subscribers did not get the notice of the upcoming episode, for which I apologize! Plus again, stutters in the video feed led to a less-than-optimal experience on the video channels.

I’m going to re-edit the video and post it on the video channels so that folks who prefer video will have a better experience, but I wanted to go ahead and post this to the list for those who prefer audio. When we have the new videos up, I will send you a brief message, and I will then point this post to those better videos.

Why did I want to get this out rather than just skip this episode, especially since we’ve said the podcast has become irregular? Because it featured Jo Penn, and we had already announced it. Jo is a trailblazer in independent publishing, a pioneer in Kindle publishing, and a forward-thinking creator embracing the role of an AI-assisted artisan author. She writes craft books to support writers as Joanna Penn, and fiction, travel, and memoir as J.F. Penn. With nearly 40 books to her name under both “Penn names,” her impact on modern publishing is unmatched.

Her craft books, like How to Market a Book and How to Write Non-Fiction, are must-reads for anyone serious about writing and publishing in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Now, Joanna is back with a completely rewritten and updated second edition of How to Write Non-Fiction, tailored to meet the needs of modern writers in the digital age.

We were privileged to host Jo in January 2024, just around a year ago…

…and we’re thrilled to welcome her back for another insightful conversation. Get ready to learn from one of the most innovative voices in the writing world as we discuss her journey, her creative process, and her vision for the future of publishing.

Resources we discussed include:

* Episode 46 of The Alignment Show.

* Joanna Penn’s website for writers and online bookstore for writers.

* J.F. Penn’s website for her work and online bookstore for fiction, memoir, and other projects.

* We referenced Midjourney as the tool Jo has used recently to aid in cover design.

* We also talked about her use of Runway.ml to produce video.

Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

What drives a leader to keep serving, even after an accomplished military career? Meet Dennis LaRue—Air Force veteran, leadership coach, and a man dedicated to helping others rise to their full potential.

Thanks for reading The Confidence Cultivator! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

I’ve had the privilege of getting to know Dennis through The Go-Givers Success Vault, the thriving community built around The Go-Giver principles. From the start, he has impressed me—not just with his deep leadership knowledge, but with the way he teaches it. He has a gift for making leadership practical, personal, and powerful.

Dennis spent 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, earning accolades for his problem-solving expertise and strategic insight. But instead of coasting into retirement, he leaned into his passion for leadership development. Now, as a Maxwell Leadership Team coach, an adjunct faculty coach at the University of Denver, and a Values-Based Leadership specialist, he’s helping leaders at every level—from young professionals to the C-Suite—lead with clarity and purpose

In this episode, we explore Dennis’s journey from military service to leadership coaching, his passion for values-driven leadership, and the principles that have shaped his mission to empower others.

Among the items we discussed:

* Dennis’s website

* Dennis on LinkedIn

* #steeltoesrequired, Dennis’s newsletter

* Donn’s books

* Saleswise Live™ and their upcoming training

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone—maybe a veteran, maybe someone else wanting to grow in leadership—who would benefit from this conversation. Do them and us a favor!

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance! You can also subscribe for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

For over 30 20 years, Lois Creamer has shaped the professional speaking industry more than almost anyone else—yet most people outside the business have never heard her name. This week on The Alignment Show, I sit down with Lois, a longtime friend and mentor, to explore her incredible journey of helping speakers book more business, maximize their impact, and thrive in a constantly evolving industry.

Unlike many of my guests who have made bold career shifts to align with their values, Lois is a rare example of someone who has always known her values and has built a legacy by staying true to them while continuously adapting. From her early career in sales and marketing to becoming the go-to consultant for professional speakers worldwide, Lois has invaluable insights for anyone looking to make a living from their expertise

We talked about her origin stories—her foray into entrepreneurship as a pre-teen, her unexpected opportunity to learn sales with U.S. Steel, and her discovery of her ability to serve clients in a very niche business. Although she has been highly influential and successful in her niche, her insights for building a sales business on relationships and integrity will serve anyone in business.

Things we discussed include:

* The recent release of the updated edition of her highly influential book, entitled Book More Business: Make MORE Money Speaking.

* An earlier book by Lois and her co-author and book coach, Cathy Fyock, for both speakers and writers, called The Speaker Author: Sell More Books and Book More Speeches.

* More information about our sponsor, Saleswise Live™, a program that fits perfectly into Lois’s approach of never engaging in pushy sales.

* Get a free short story as a sort of sample for Donn’s writing. A lone astronaut. An impossible coffee shop. A story that shouldn’t exist—yet might hold the key to the universe itself. Download “Writing Home: A Short Story About the Real Final Frontier” for free.

* Find all of Donn’s books here.

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

Do a friend a favor.

Make sure you don’t miss an episode.

Thanks for reading The Confidence Cultivator! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe