The Overcoming Odds Podcast

This week's episode features Jared Schuster.

Here's his story:

I strive to align myself with companies and small businesses who are committed to the positive growth of our world. If you, or your organizations' purpose is to spread light, I would love to connect. I have extensively travelled the world learning about many different cultures and ancient religions.

I aim to be a steward of what I have learned, incorporate them into my daily life, and share those teachings with those whom I come in contact with.

Ama La Vida

Reach me on: LinkedIn Message

Phone: 224.392.1063

Email: [email protected]

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#leadership #overcomingodds #whatinspiresme #business #story #socialnetworking #courage #courage #findingmyself #findingmyroots #findingmypurpose #findingmyvoice #overcomingobstacles #overcomingadversity #overcomingdepression #overcominganxiety #tellingmystory #meaningoflife #fostercare #immigrant #refugee #adoption #mentalhealth #LGBTQ #homeless #addiction #narrativetherapy #positiveaffirmations #positivepsychology #positiveadjectives #positivewords #reframing #storytelling #believeinyourself #courageous

This week's episode features, Joe Scola.

Here's his story:

It’s possible for your greatest challenges in life to become the ultimate catalyst for personal evolution. Wise Ape Tea was birthed from one of those challenges. In 2014 my father was diagnosed with GBM brain cancer. I placed everything in my life on pause to move back home, stand by my father’s side, and help him fight. The disease moved quickly, transitioning my role to become his caretaker.

We shared pain, laughter, and some beautiful moments together. I became obsessed with the potential of alternative and complementary treatments, along with the formulation of teas and herbal blends to help provide a better quality of life for my father. It was during this time the spirit of Wise Ape was born.

My father passed in 2015, leaving me with beautiful memories, years of wisdom, and a new life mission. Our purpose at Wise Ape is to serve and inspire wellness, knowledge, and altruism. Our products are designed to inspire healthy living and through our nonprofit partnerships, support some incredibly impactful causes.

Wise Ape has come to represent the balance between strength and wisdom, body and mind, with a goal of empowering others to reach towards their human potential and improve themselves, continuously.

I appreciate you joining us on this journey, welcome to the tribe.

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#leadership #overcomingodds #whatinspiresme #business #story #socialnetworking #courage #courage #findingmyself #findingmyroots #findingmypurpose #findingmyvoice #overcomingobstacles #overcomingadversity #overcomingdepression #overcominganxiety #tellingmystory #meaningoflife #fostercare #immigrant #refugee #adoption #mentalhealth #LGBTQ #homeless #addiction #narrativetherapy #positiveaffirmations #positivepsychology #positiveadjectives #positivewords #reframing #storytelling #believeinyourself #courageous

This week’s conversation features, Lisa Olson.

Lisa David Olson is a speaker, creative coach and author of the memoir Laughs on Wry, in which she shares how humor saved her life after an abusive childhood.

Her serious-toned message reveals the power of humor to heal and connect. A writer and performer of sketch comedy, parody songs, and improvisation for decades, Lisa’s energetic style and determination always leaves joy in her wake.

Included in her first book is Lisa’s project in bravery, Serious Selfies with Strangers, that provided unexpected and genuine connections with people she would never have met otherwise.

Invite Lisa to speak for your work group or project team to share her lessons from over 20 years onstage; challenging convention and expectations to unravel embedded ways of thinking.

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#leadership #overcomingodds #whatinspiresme #business #story #socialnetworking #courage #courage #findingmyself #findingmyroots #findingmypurpose #findingmyvoice #overcomingobstacles #overcomingadversity #overcomingdepression #overcominganxiety #tellingmystory #meaningoflife #fostercare #immigrant #refugee #adoption #mentalhealth #LGBTQ #homeless #addiction #narrativetherapy #positiveaffirmations #positivepsychology #positiveadjectives #positivewords #reframing #storytelling #believeinyourself #courageous

This week’s episode features, Ilyse Craft.

Here’s her story:

If you are anything like me, you know you are meant to do something more, yet the path to getting there is just not clear. You may spend what feels like a ridiculous amount of time jumping from task to task, never actually moving forward in your business and not making much or consistent money.

And worst of all, you may be getting discouraged. This idea that there is a time when you are “ready” is really a fallacy.

There is only that time - and that is when you decide.

I wasn’t ready.

I had just had Enough.

Enough of that feeling that life was passing me by.

Enough of my own excuses.

Enough  of watching other people making it while I still sat struggling.

Ever feel sick and tired of being sick and tired?

If this describes you, then we are going to get along great.

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#leadership #overcomingodds #whatinspiresme #business #story #socialnetworking #courage #courage #findingmyself #findingmyroots #findingmypurpose #findingmyvoice #overcomingobstacles #overcomingadversity #overcomingdepression #overcominganxiety #tellingmystory #meaningoflife #fostercare #immigrant #refugee #adoption #mentalhealth #LGBTQ #homeless #addiction #narrativetherapy #positiveaffirmations #positivepsychology #positiveadjectives #positivewords #reframing #storytelling #believeinyourself #courageous

This week's episode features, Dr. Richard Shuster.

Here's his story:

I don’t really talk about myself on the show but here’s why I do what I do and what led me down this path. After college, I worked in the technology sector for many years. In my last role in this field, I served as an Executive Director for an Information Technology consulting firm where I provided solutions for such clients as the United States Army, state agencies, and Fortune 500 companies. It was everything I wanted or so I thought.

I healed and went back to work although things were never the same. Things had shifted for me dramatically and I found myself very much unfulfilled in my role and was extremely unhappy. I wanted to do more. I wanted to be more. Wishing to make a more meaningful contribution to society (but not knowing how), I resigned my position to seek more altruistic work.

Utilizing the knowledge and experience I gained while working in Information Technology I began collaborating with law enforcement agencies to help promote community-wide Internet safety. I began speaking publicly on this subject and helped school districts draft their internet safety policies for their students. In the process, I obtained my Master’s Degree in Social Work. I was privileged to work with at-risk students in both K through 12 and university settings.

I was on my path and continued my graduate education seeking a doctorate in clinical psychology. During my training, I was fortunate enough to gain experience seeing patients at the Emory School of Medicine and I trained in an inpatient forensic hospital. I completed a residency in neuropsychology where I worked with patients from the Cleveland Clinic and assessed NFL players as part of the league’s concussion protocol. I also have extensive experience working with physically and sexually abused children. When I’m not in the studio recording new episodes of The Daily Helping podcast, I’m working on promoting my non-profit Every Kid Rocks which helps children everywhere reach their true potential. I’m so grateful that I get to spend my days helping others. That’s me.

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#leadership #overcomingodds #whatinspiresme #business #story #socialnetworking #courage #courage #findingmyself #findingmyroots #findingmypurpose #findingmyvoice #overcomingobstacles #overcomingadversity #overcomingdepression #overcominganxiety #tellingmystory #meaningoflife #fostercare #immigrant #refugee #adoption #mentalhealth #LGBTQ #homeless #addiction #narrativetherapy #positiveaffirmations #positivepsychology #positiveadjectives #positivewords #reframing #storytelling #believeinyourself #courageous

This week’s conversation features, Chantel Soumis.

Piercing through the noise of today’s society is a challenge, but Chantel Soumis is living proof that it can be done! With clarity, consistency, and above all, a knowledgeable coach, anything is possible—just ask the “bubbly and blessed” voice of the differently-abled community from a tiny town in the midwest who has made global headlines.

As a top LinkedIn Creator with over 30,000 organic followers in just one year, Chantel has the insider secrets and a history of marketing experience to help others achieve a strong digital reputation. In 2018, Chantel launched Stardust Creative LLC, a brand agency focused on embracing differences through personal and corporate branding.

She’s had the pleasure of speaking at international conferences across the globe and working with teams at Fortune 500 organizations in terms of mastering digital reputations for executives and building inclusive environments for leadership teams.

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#leadership #overcomingodds #whatinspiresme #business #story #socialnetworking #courage #courage #findingmyself #findingmyroots #findingmypurpose #findingmyvoice #overcomingobstacles #overcomingadversity #overcomingdepression #overcominganxiety #tellingmystory #meaningoflife #fostercare #immigrant #refugee #adoption #mentalhealth #LGBTQ #homeless #addiction #narrativetherapy #positiveaffirmations #positivepsychology #positiveadjectives #positivewords #reframing #storytelling #believeinyourself #courageous

The people we surround ourselves with can have a huge impact on our lives. In building our own personal networks, we open ourselves up to new opportunities we may not even be aware of yet and develop a valuable asset that can never be taken away from us.

In this episode, Nate Peo discusses the importance of having real personal connections in our network. In putting ourselves out there more and delving outside of comfort zones, we can develop diverse connections that broaden our worldviews and create positive outcomes.

Continually building these relationships and thinking of ways to serve others will benefit us in the long run because we never know who will play what part in our lives.

This week's conversation features, Alvin Law.

“Change The Label” is both Alvin’s Signature Keynote and his lifelong pursuit. No surprise it’s also the title of an incredible Goalcast Video about Alvin that’s surpassed 30,000,000 views on Facebook alone.

Alvin Law is a world class, Canadian Hall of Fame speaker who simply redefines the word "Can't"​! He has been making his impression on over 7,500 companies, associations and schools since 1981 and has spoken to over 2,000,000 people. He is a best selling author, exceptional musician, professional broadcaster and has had a direct role in raising nearly $200,000,000 for charity. Oh, and he was born without arms. Alvin has coined the phrase..."First impressions count, the lasting impression is everything!"​

You see when people first see Alvin, they can't help but notice his "condition"​. He was born without arms due to the infamous morning sickness medication, "Thalidomide"​ and he was quickly written off. Yet his story turned out completely opposite and Alvin credits the amazing power of positive attitude as the key. But not just his. Alvin was raised by elderly foster parents who made him see a different future and attended public schools in an era when that rarely happened. A band director taught him trombone and he also learned to play drums and piano. He is the example so many companies and associations are searching for to take their organizations to levels that seem impossible. After working with Alvin, you and your group will be inspired to see "Possibilities" instead of obstacles.

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We are more than our struggles, and as Grant Parr puts it in this episode, reminding ourselves of who we are despite the labels people try to put upon us helps us achieve a much more positive energy.

After getting an injury that caused him to stop playing football, Parr faced many struggles concerning his identity and the new direction his life was going in.

Although at first he just wanted to be the old him again, he realized that he would now get to design the new him, and viewing this part of life with the feeling of “I get to” instead of “I have to” helped him to rise above the occasion. With the mindset of being and staying in the now, he has developed a light energy that he wants to share with others.

It can be easy for us to question if all the struggles, setbacks, and hardships we

experience as well as the effort we put into getting over them is all going to be worth it in the long run. In this episode, Nelson Toriano discusses what it’s like experiencing hard times and knowing that everything was going to end up alright.

In his personal journey which includes filing for bankruptcy, Toriano soon realized that he was not alone in this struggle and that although everyone was in a different situation, there were others with similar issues as him. All it took was the one moment were someone told him that “he can” for him to see the light in his situation and know that it was all worth it.