The Silver Lining Phoenix

John Marty, entrepreneur and LinkedIn influencer, joins us on this week’s episode to talk meaning verse materialism. In this episode, John discussed with us the definition of success, the brevity of life, and the chase for meaning.

We learned more about John’s background in entrepreneurship, working for Amazon, and how this has helped shape his mission in helping others to find their meaning. From his perspective, he believes that if you can understand who you are, and why you are doing what you are doing, you will live a more purposeful life.

Listen to John’s episode, and be sure to follow his mission by clicking on the links below.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrmarty/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2okljFE6RzJvB_7e3fUPxg

Greg Wiltjer, former professional basketball player Canada Basketball Olympian,  joins us on this week’s episode to remind everyone to be thankful for what we have rather than being upset about what we don’t.  In this episode, Greg discussed with us his basketball career, and what he found to be the most fulfilling thing he can do, give back to the youth. 

In this episode, we also learned more about his playing days in college with North Idaho College, Oregon State, and Victoria.  He also discusses what it meant to him to have the opportunity to not only play the sport he loved, but also represent his native country in Canada in the Olympics. Becoming a pro, Greg had the opportunity to travel the world where he would win two Greek League championships and a FIBA European Winners' Cup championship.

Finally, he discussed with us how all of these events have led him to his passion for the youth and how we desires “kindness” to be what he's remembered for in his legacy.

Listen to Greg’s episode, and be sure to follow him by clicking on the link below.

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorywiltjer/

Justin Roethlingshoefer knows learning and listening go hand in hand – noting that if we listen, everyone has something to teach us. A former strength and conditioning coach in the NHL, NCAA and AHL, he’s learned a lot from the athletes he’s worked with. 

And when Justin says everyone, he means everyone, not just athletes. Because he views everyone as an athlete, whether their arena or court is an ice rink or an office building. 

Justin joined our virtual arena to chat about his lengthy career in the sports performance world. He continues to help athletes of all sports through his business, Own It. He coaches individuals through high performance living to achieve a better version of themselves.

This was an energizing episode – you don’t want to miss it!

Also, be sure to continue to follow Justin's mission by following him below!
Twitter: @jroethstrong
Instagram: @innerstrength19
LinkedIn: Justin Roethlingshoefer
Website: https://www.justinroethlingshoefer.com/

As a self-proclaimed “current events freak” Eugene Young latched onto the world of journalism and television from a young age. He watched the news at night. Read The New York Times at the beach. This was all as a kid, mind you.

After college he dated a girl who was an NBC page. He walked into Rockefeller Center at five minutes before 5 p.m. to meet her for a date once. And that was the moment he knew he was in love – with television. 

Moving through the ranks, Eugene Young has been an Executive Producer for shows like Keeping up With the Kardashians, American Idol and America’s Got Talent. 

Listen to his episode to learn more about Eugene’s journey to behind the spotlight and his lifelong struggle to overcome rejection.

Twitter: @eugeneyoung89
#wearethephoenix

Cliford Gray, Pastor Launch Pad Church, joins our first episode of our special Season of Giving week to talk about his testimony how God changed his life and how God is using him to preach the Gospel to the world to change the lives of others. In this episode, Clif discussed with us the moment he heard God’s voice calling him to a new lifestyle. Clif discusses how we went from a life of gangs and drugs to a life of spreading the gospel to those he encounters.

Clif also shared with us the moment he dropped his flag symbolizing leaving the gang and living his life for Christ. On this point, he mentioned, “the power of God is not limited to a group of people.”

We learned more about what Clif is doing now in his walk of faith.  Clif and his wife founded Launching Pad Church where “the vision, mission and goal is to love, disciple and launch people into their prophetic destinies.”

Listen to Clif’s episode, and be sure to follow [his/her] mission by clicking on the links below.

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clifordgray
• Instagram: @clifordgray
• Twitter: @clifordgray
• Website: www.launchingpadchurch.org

Sarah Lilly, National Events Manager at Notley, joins us on this final episode of our special Season of Giving week to talk about her experience working in the non-profit world. In this episode, Sarah discussed with us how she first got involved in non-profit work at the age of 6 which has sparked her career in non-profit throughout her life. Sarah talks about what it means for her to be courageously kind and how those words are the driving force behind why she does what she does. 

We learned more about Sarah’s work first with Livestrong and now with Notley. She talks about how she fundraises and plans events that bridges the gap between the corporate world and non-profits.

There was also a bit of a burger debate in this episode between Sarah, Brodrick, and Charlton about which burger joint truly is the best.

Listen to Sarah’s episode, and be sure to follow her mission by clicking on the links below.

• Instagram: @slilly91
• LinkedIn: Sarah Lilly
• Website: www.wearenotley.com/

Linda Rittermeyer, Chief Nurse Executive and Owner at IHE Consulting, joins our special Season of Giving week to talk about how she had a heart for helping others, which ultimately led her to a career in nursing. In this episode, Linda discussed with us how she went from wanting to be a psych nurse for teenagers to working many years in the NICU and pediatrics. Linda also talks about her passion for nursing and her passion for lifting up others through words of encouragement, a smile, or a thank you. 

We learned more about Linda and some of the trials she has faced in her life which has only helped her to grow stronger as a person.  She also talks about how she uses the struggles in her past to connect with others and help them through difficult situations.

Listen to Linda’s episode, and be sure to follow her mission by clicking on the link below.

• LinkedIn: Linda Rittermeyer

Xandra Carroll, Speaker at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, joins this special Season of Giving week to talk about how she has devoted her life to living out the gospel and bringing more people to Christ. In this episode, Xandra discussed with us her views on reconciliation and salvation and how we can receive them when we look to Christ.  

Xandra also talks about her experiences working with women and children who are recovering from human trafficking and how her view of karma has inspired her to work with others and help them to see freedom in Christ 

Xandra also shared with us the story of her tattoos that are in unlikely places and the importance behind why she chose to get them.

Listen to Xandra’’s episode, and be sure to follow her mission by clicking on the links below.

• Facebook: Xandra Carroll
• YouTube: Xandra Carroll

On the second episode of our special Season of Giving week, Zeb Ratcliff, Co-founder and Stylist at Craft Salon Omaha, joins us to talk about how he went from almost becoming an accountant to owning his own salon. Zeb also discussed with us his background and what led him to start cutting hair which ultimately led him to the career he has now.  He talks about how he shares his passion with others as he travels and teaches classes around the country.  Zeb also talks about how a decision to change schools changed the course of his life. Not only does Zeb love cutting and styling hair, but he is also passionate about giving back to the community. 

We learned more about how Zeb's story has given him a passion to build up other communities.  While Zeb says he has only just begun his work with communities, he has plans that he wants to put into place to help business owners, schools, and the overall nature and well-being of communities.  

Zeb also shared with us [what it means to him to be a mentor and what makes a good mentor and leader. On this point, he mentioned, “just because some person hasn’t reached a certain level of success that society says they should be reaching doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t be a mentor”. 

Listen to Zeb’s episode, and be sure to follow his mission by clicking on the links below.

• Facebook: Zeb Ratcliff
• Instagram: @whoiszeb
• Twitter: @whoiszeb
• Website: www.craftsalonomaha.com/

Chicago-bred. Nationally-read. Chris Erskine is your Midwestern friend who happened to have his stories published in the L.A. Times for 25 years. 

He retired from his humor columnist and editor post in 2020 and thought he’d humor us on an episode. 

Chris shares his own story as a writer, from his love for his 4th grade teacher who sparked his interest in writing to how he wrote about the grief he experienced in 2018 to covering the Vancouver Olympics. 

Chris has a story you want to listen to. If this episode doesn’t leave you with a chuckle or two and a warm heart then unsubscribe and call us crazy.*

*This is our attempt at a joke, but maybe we’ll leave those to Chris for this episode...

Twitter: @erskinetimes
Website: https://chriserskinela.com/