The Next Chapter

“It was the first time I had been knocked down so hard by life I wondered if I would ever be able to get up again,” says Eileen Laird of waking up in excruciating pain. It was 2012.  Laird, age 43 at the time, was hit almost overnight with the sudden onset of rheumatoid arthritis…

"Being able to have energy freedom is something I have always supported. We should be able to control our own destiny," says Meghaen Dell'Artino, a Phoenix based lobbyist for SolarCity.

Dell'Artino was selected by Elon Musk's company to fight a big battle in Arizona — a battle that is on hold. For now.

SolarCity, the state's largest solar installer and APS, the state's largest utility agreed to withdraw conflicting ballot plans. At issue: How Arizona can regulate rates charged to customers who generate their own power.

APS wanted to propose several initiatives to Arizona voters mandating separate rates for rooftop solar users and also regulating solar leasing companies as utilities. On the other side was a SolarCity-backed citizens' initiative mandating that utilities pay homeowners with rooftop solar panels the full retail price for power they send back to the grid.

"I think Governor Ducey stepping out in front of that as a Republican Governor shows that he likes innovation, he likes what solar provides and is looking for a solution," Dell'Artino says.

Arizona is one of several states in the nation trying to navigate the next step in the role solar plays going into the future, and, moreover, how much consumers are charged.

Hal Pittman, an APS spokesman, said in a statement to the Associated Press, "We're open to engaging in constructive dialogue with SolarCity that benefits all Arizonans. Our goal, as we've stated, has always been to ensure fair energy policy for the state at affordable pricing for all of our customers, and sustainable solar for the long term."

"The utility likes to say this is about solar customers paying their fair share. Solar actually helps the grid, it helps interconnection," according to Dell'Artino.

And she also says they have polling numbers over the last 5 years showing solar is popular in this state.

When asked if this an issue that pits conservatives against liberals, Dell'Artino laughs.

"I am a conservative Republican, I own a conservative lobbying firm. I don't think conservatives hate solar," Dell'Artino says. "Being able to have energy freedom is something I have always supported. We should be able to control our own destiny."

The post Elon Musk, Arizona and The Great Solar Debate appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

“Being able to have energy freedom is something I have always supported.  We should be able to control our own destiny,” says Meghaen Dell’Artino, a Phoenix based lobbyist for SolarCity. Dell’Artino was selected by Elon Musk’s company to fight a big battle in Arizona  — a battle that is on hold.  For now. SolarCity, the…

"We gotta figure it out otherwise the Republican Party might be going away. Who knows? Either this election or next election," says former Congressman and lifelong Republican Ben Quayle.

Quayle, who now runs a DC based consulting Firm, HHQ Ventures, joins a growing list of high profile Republicans who are either waiting to endorse Trump or who flat out refuse.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has said he will not vote for the Republican nominee in November's presidential election. "Donald Trump has not demonstrated that temperament or strength of character," Bush said. "And, he is not a consistent conservative. These are all reasons why I cannot support his candidacy."

Mr. Bush's father and brother — both former Presidents — also have gone public to say they are withholding support.

And on Thursday, House Speaker Paul Ryan, in a stunning interview with CNN said, "he was not ready" to support Trump, but will meet with him next week.

"I know Paul well, he is a tremendous individual," Quayle says. "And I think he is really scared of where Trump is trying to take the party. He doesn't like the anger, bashing and vitriol."

There is even some talk of conservatives pushing a third party candidate. An idea Quayle says he can't get behind.

"Donald Trump is going to rise or fall on his own, my fear is if you put in a third party you are going to exacerbate the problem."

What are Republicans like Ben Quayle waiting for when it comes to whether or not they endorse their party's nominee?

Quayle says, for his part, he is waiting to see if Mr. Trump is willing to show that he has intellectual curiosity and a willingness to learn the issues. He acknowledges that no President goes into office with all the answers, likening the situation to "drinking from a fire hose", but says, to date, he doesn't believe that Trump has shown any willingness to learn.

Still, Quayle says he would never vote for Hillary Clinton — as some fellow Republicans have said they were willing to do. And, according to Quayle, she has a lot to overcome with a formidable candidate in Bernie Sanders, who he believes would fare better against Trump.

No matter what happens between the two Democrats in the coming weeks and months, the Republicans find themselves in a tailspin with no end in sight.

Quayle says, "The traditional parts of the Republican party and how they come together are essentially blown up."

The post Former GOP Congressman: The Republican Party Might Be Going Away appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

“We gotta figure it out otherwise the Republican Party might be going away.  Who knows?  Either this election or next election,” says former Congressman and lifelong Republican Ben Quayle. Quayle, who now runs a DC based consulting Firm, HHQ Ventures, joins a growing list of high profile Republicans who are either waiting to endorse Trump…

"It's going to get better, hang in there, it is going to get better," says Naketa Ross. She has seen first hand how life can turn around.

Ross is the founder of a Phoenix based nonprofit called "Resilient Me". She became fascinated with the concept of resiliency when it manifested in her life.

Tragedy was all she knew at a young age. Ross' mother was a drug addict. She was raped and murdered; her head bashed in and lifeless body left naked on a Chicago street.

After her mother's murder, Ross bounced from foster care home to foster care home — some better than others. She remembers one of the more painful moments at a home in Chicago when she and her sister were made to sleep outside on the porch, with the dogs.

Through the course of her journey, Ross says, she suffered physical and sexual abuse and by the time she was 18, she was angry and unsure of her true place in the world

Ross had a baby and ended up homeless. It was a turning point.

"I didn't want her to experience what I experienced. I started to reach out which is so huge. But to reach out I had to say what I had been through."

She began to focus on positive self talk saying over and over "You are better than this. You are better."

"It just started making me feel better about myself," Ross says. "I am stronger, I am better. Setting goals gave me something to look forward to because before that I was just existing."

She was learning to be resilient — to not let her past define her future.

Ross went on to study psychology at Southern Illinois University. She wrote to the Dean of the college and ended up having her research funded so she could study resiliency on campus.

As a former foster child, Ross had a special interest in working to help kids who were traveling the same painful and lonely path. As a case manager, she realized when kids turn 18, they age out of the system, and if they are not prepared, many end up homeless or incarcerated.

Ross started her nonprofit to help foster kids prepare for their future. Because, no matter what happened in the past, everyone has the ability to create a future.

Ross' foundation, Resilient Me, starts working with kids when they are 15 asking them "what does it mean to utilize what's around you to meet your goals? What are the realistic steps to take to reach those goals."

"Each person is resilient in a different way," Ross says. The key "is finding your unique strengths and your unique talents."

The post From Foster Child to CEO: How Resiliency Changed Her Life appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

“It’s going to get better, hang in there, it is going to get better,” says Naketa Ross.  She has seen first hand how life can turn around. Ross is the founder of a Phoenix based nonprofit called “Resilient Me”.  She became fascinated with the concept of resiliency when it manifested in her life.   Tragedy…

"By the time this election rolls around in November we are going to be so disgusted by these two that nobody will care to vote and it could be the world's lowest turnout when we are done." That is one scenario Republican political strategist Marcus Dell'Artino from the Phoenix, Arizona based firm First Strategic sees as a very real possibility if (as it seems likely) Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton face off to become the next President of the United States.

With yet another night of big primary wins behind him, Donald Trump may actually be able to defy the odds makers and secure the 1,237 delegates he needs to win the Republican presidential nomination on the first ballot at the convention in Cleveland.

"If Donald Trump does not reach 1,237 we enter what is called a brokered convention," Dell'Artino says. "What is going on behind the scenes is Cruz's people are recruiting delegates to go to the convention."

Ted Cruz formally named Carly Fiorina as his vice presidential running mate Wednesday — a last-ditch move to regain momentum.

"After a great deal of consideration and prayer, I have come to the conclusion that if I am nominated to be president of the United States that I will run on a ticket with my vice presidential nominee Carly Fiorina," Cruz said during a rally in Indianapolis.

Fiorina joined the Texas senator on stage, and quickly the internet lit up with hashtags and memes.

"Ted could not be more right in what he said: There is a lot at stake, and in fact, this is a fight, this is a fight for the soul of our party and the future of our nation," Fiorina said. "I've had tough fights all my life. Tough fights don't worry me a bit."

A tough fight seems to be an understatement in talking about what has happened so far and what is yet to come in Election 2016. Donald Trump, despite the alleged urging of his new campaign manager to be "more presidential", is never one to back away from a fight – blow by Twitter blow.

Democratic strategist Barry Dill also from First Strategic says he remains shocked by what he calls Trumps unwillingness to soften and build bridges — especially with women and Hispanics. "Number one how to talk to women like women and not to demean them. What he is saying is women are too stupid to make up their own minds. It's very misogynist," Dill says.

There is still the question of the contested convention for the GOP, unless Trump can clear the 1,237 hurdle. If he does not, "It will be like watching WWF," Dills says.

Dell'Artino adds, "The Fox News Guys are wetting their pants."

The post Election 2016: Political Analyst "It Will Be Like Watching WWF" appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

“By the time this election rolls around in November we are going to be so disgusted by these two that nobody will care to vote and it could be the world’s lowest turnout when we are done.”  That is one scenario Republican political strategist Marcus Dell’Artino from the Phoenix, Arizona based firm First Strategic sees…

"10 million lives were impacted for good and I think that is really what we need to focus on."

Darleen Santore is the U.S. Ambassador for Pay It Forward Day, which is celebrated worldwide on April 28th. It's a mission that started 10 years ago by Blake Beattie in Australia.

"I am very blessed to be able to help represent our country, with 79 other countries, and today we all unite for Pay It Forward Day," Santore says. "The goal is to unite everyone in kindness and impact 10 million lives for good."

Santore has been involved in the global Pay It Forward Day effort for several years. But it's much bigger than just one day — for her, it is a life mission.

"When you live in that zone where you have created your own personal mission and you could live that every day, it really doesn't become anything else but that. By living in the moment, you are living in the mission."

Santore is a board certified occupational therapist and has a background in neuroscience. She believes that we all, to a degree, have the ability to train our minds — and that's what she spends her days helping people do. Having worked with a long list of high profile clients, including athletes and music performers, Santore says her mission going forward is to spread her playbook to the masses "in hopes that people everywhere can live their full potential."

Her personal story is one of heartbreak and triumph. In her mid-20's, Santore, then married and looking forward to having kids, suffered a stroke. She wasn't able to have get pregnant and ended up later getting divorced. She had to rethink her own future. And she has done that in a bold way creating an extremely successful career as a Life Strategist, Author, Performance Coach and Motivational Speaker.

"Two things create happiness," she says, "growth and contribution."

Santore believes in the power of seeking out your own happiness and paying it forward whenever and wherever you can. "When you are able to share a kind word, actually spend time with someone and be present with them, it could change lives."

For more information and the links mentioned in this podcast:

http://payitforwardday.com

http://coachdar.com/

The post 10 Million People Paying It Forward appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.