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What an uplifting conversation with Karen Salmansohn! Her unique perspective on death and how facing it can motivate us to truly live is refreshing and much needed!

KAREN SALMANSOHN, bestselling author and behavioral change expert, whose books and courses have sold more than 2 million copies worldwide. With 1.5 million social media followers, Karen has built a dedicated following by blending humor, research-backed insights, and practical strategies for creating a more meaningful life. In her upcoming book, YOUR TO-DIE-FOR LIFE: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret . . . Before Your Time Runs Out [BenBella Books | July 22, 2025], she challenges readers to rethink their relationship with mortality—not as something to fear, but as the ultimate motivator for living boldly and authentically.

Her book is available on Amazon.

You can reach Karen at:

NotSalmon.com

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Joan had a rough beginning when her father died young (Joan was only 2) leaving her mother destitute with two young children. She examined this early life in her late 20s during psychoanalysis and uncovered all kinds of connections and meaning about some of her issues and patterns. 

She contrasts these psychoanalytic sessions with later ones in her life in her new memoir -- "Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis"

Through her personal sharing, she illuminates how psychoanalysis can help us understand our own stories and feelings.

Available on Amazon: Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis

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Ken Miller is one of the good guys -- after he straightened out his own life, he knew he had to pass it on. He now mentors Black men and gives presentations all over the country. His journey included going to an Ivy League college, then to jail, being homeless for several years and then to overcoming addiction and growing his businesses and becoming successful (he is a millionaire today). 

Bio: Ken Miller is an author, speaker, and the founder of Denali FSP, a consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations achieve sustainable funding. His book, Becoming Ken: One Black Man’s Journey from Ivy League to Prison and Back Again, chronicles his powerful story of resilience, redemption, and authenticity. Through his keynotes and programs like “From Rock Bottom to Resilience,” Ken inspires audiences to embrace truth, face adversity, and make meaningful life choices.

His work has him doing a lot of speeches and podcasts for free. He has published one book and he has three more on the way! Ken is definitely inspired by the men he helps and the connection he feels to his Creator. He has mentored men all over the world. Some he has mentored for 10-15 years.

"I give you permission to dream" is what he tells them during his mentoring sessions. Even grown men have had their dreams crushed over their lifetime.

Talk about a rewarding life based on his own story!

His website is:  www.kenmillerspeaks.com

Ken is on LinkedIn: KenMiller84

AIVAlution LLC |  | Denali FSP

Purchase Ken’s Book: Becoming Ken

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If you have seen recent movies or shows about being a showgirl, it could seem  pretty depressing. Diane Christiansen is here to tell you that it was exciting and uplifting and a way for a young woman in the 1970s who could dance and perform well to see the world! 

Showgirls were powerful women in charge of their own careers — and well-paid, valued players in the flashy world of sequins, feathers, step-kicks, and lavish productions. Most were classically trained dancers who traveled the globe and planned their post-showgirl futures well in advance. They were nothing like the forlorn characters in recent movies.  

Diane tells us what it was really like to be a showgirl and how she pivoted after "retiring" in her early thirties. 

She captured it all in a book "The Last Real Showgirl--My Sequined Life Onstage" available on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Showgirl+Diane+Christiansen&i=stripbooks&crid=3S1YE2W0LIK1B&sprefix=showgirl+diane+christiansen%2Cstripbooks%2C189&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

 or at McFarland:

https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/The-Last-Real-Showgirl/

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Tiffany L. Smith, RN has spent nearly 15 years on the frontlines of American healthcare, working in ERs, ICUs, hospice, wound care, and more. A nurse, wife, and mother, she has witnessed both the triumphs and the failures of a system pushed beyond its limits.

Her debut book, Broken and Brave: The Fight to Heal American Healthcare, blends memoir and manifesto, capturing the raw intensity of a single 12-hour COVID shift while exposing the deeper flaws harming both patients and providers.

Tiffany is the founder of Broken and Brave Health, a movement to empower patients, support burned-out providers, and spark change in American healthcare.

You can get her book on Amazon.com:

https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Brave-Fight-American-Healthcare/dp/B0FDG35NPG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZKAURV9RKV6D&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Eq6EYUV09qenX3xOlhb6J-oYwV85dTurdK8EwgQVyVhGLM-MZTVa1f5k5EIjq4v7UmGvfSkHDrdJCmJFv3DYPrvhWgz7OkMzcaU_bKovijgB_bHTDS6hcKAuNXKOwpP_zP4C8r2Ebdaf9I7HG4WtyGAjXBENLZ18T_UNerSh5niRhNTtZ57_zKVe488XARlKWeUzkl3KHzZeUOSAFA-EInm0qTWwrpJo7thYLmQLHQg.lJ4dfBAoVfQ9ofdwbGerZSHQz2mbwz7ceDVJthGUgeY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Broken+and+Brave&qid=1762816709&s=books&sprefix=broken+and+brave%2Cstripbooks%2C174&sr=1-1

It's a great read and a moving account both of what RNs go through (esp during Covid) and what the system needs to improve.

Tiffany's website is:

https://brokennbrave.com/

Her Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/brokennbravehealth

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For years he struggled with his undiagnosed BiPolar disease. He had several careers and tried several healing modalities. 

Oddly, he found focusing on his work and working hard did help and when he went back to school as an adult, he ended up developing a note-taking method that he grew into a business.

When he finally found a good psychiatrist, and was put on the proper medications, he said it was like a miracle -- he could function normally and he has felt better ever since.

To keep his health balanced, he follows 14 Foundations, which he outlines in his book "Finding Peacce of Mind." 

Some of Jonathan’s 14 Foundations are:

1.      Get good regular sleep, go to bed at the same time, get up at the same time.

2.      Be part of a community.

3.      Being present and in the moment.

4.      Meditation

5.      Having structure to your day (having breakfast at the same time, dinner at the same time, etc.)

6.      Have a written plan for the day (write it the night before).

7.      Not letting your slip-ups define the whole rest of the day {“You can start your day again at any time.”)

Jonathan’s new book is called "Finding Peace of Mind" (and all of his profits will go to mental health nonprofits). About the book:

Finding Peace of Mind: An Inspirational Journey Through Bipolar, Depression, Addiction And... Dyslexia is a memoir by Jonathan Kemp that details his experiences living with bipolar disorder, depression, addiction, and dyslexia. The book chronicles his path from a difficult past to a place of healing and resilience, offering insights into managing mental health and neurodiversity. It serves as a resource for those seeking understanding and hope, providing practical strategies for emotional resilience and self-awareness. Jonathan Kemp was born a future Viscount, but wealth and privilege did not protect him from his own brain malfunctioning. 

He is also planning on doing a 7-month walk through the UK to support mental health efforts and raise awareness (he will give talks and interviews along the way and donate those proceeds to mental health nonprofits as well).

PLUS, if  you buy the book, you get a code for free access to his note-taking training called “Smart Wisdom.”!! It’s the complete high-quality online course you would get from him in person.

Find him on social media:

He is on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathankemplondon/

and Facebook: Jonathan Kemp (add  “London” to your search)

Website will be available soon – Jonathan Kemp.com

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Michael McAdams was born in the City of the Seven Hills, Cincinnati, Ohio. Michael was brought up in a Christian household and was fortunate to have many spiritual and faith-based family members surround him. His uncle, John W. Sullivan, was a fiery Pentecostal preacher who founded churches in Florida, Kentucky, and the largest one in Middletown, Ohio. Wilma Jean Jones, Michael’s mother, would often play piano for the church services. Michael’s grandmother, Mary Culbertson, was called to the ministry when she was thirty years old. She often spoke of how God would speak to her heart. 

On numerous occasions she received sermons and lyrics to songs dictated to her mind that she would preach and sing in her church services. Mary always acknowledged that these were given from God and felt privileged to receive them. As Michael grew older his foundation of faith served him well, and he continues to be a sincere seeker of truth. Michael remains open to this day to all avenues of information regarding spiritual and psychic material. At the age of twenty Michael enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Germany for two years. He was married at the time, and his wife and daughter were able to be with him in Germany. They had an apartment off-base, and his second daughter was born in Germany. Upon returning from the Army, Michael worked with GM in Cincinnati and also with Sheraton Hotels in Dayton as their sales manager booking commercial events.

Even as a young child, Michael remembers having questions regarding church teachings. He always felt there had to be more. With a strong foundation of faith, Michael explored many avenues of spiritual and psychic material. “When the student is ready, a teacher will appear” was most appropriate for Michael as he would meet people who would suggest a book or a speaker that would always take him to the next step on his path. Michael had always felt intuitive and soon discovered his ability to receive information and messages for others by holding objects such as jewelry, keys, or any item that carried a person’s vibration. This technique is known as psychometry. Michael was given a table as a reader at a Cincinnati spiritual event and performed readings at their monthly meetings. Michael believes his mission in this lifetime is to be a bridge between those with a biblical faith-based foundation and those of spiritual faith, offering enlightenment and truth in the sharing of the messages and teachings received by his mother Wilma Jean Jones.

Michael’s mother, Wilma Jean Jones attended a number of these spiritual events and having an open mind soon realized her own abilities to tune in to others and receive information from their spirit teachers/angels. Wilma Jean began to teach a series of classes for those interested in developing their own abilities. Wilma Jean Jones spoke publicly to women’s groups, was written about in a number of newspaper articles, and was interviewed on television in Cincinnati regardi

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Michelle and DeAnne's collaboration as psychologist and teacher, daughter and mother, brings true synergy to their writing. They draw from their personal and professional life experiences which are the inspiration and foundation for their work. They are fervent in their mission of helping people know they are not alone, arming them with knowledge and resources, and supporting entire families in opening the door to conversations about mental illness and trauma.

Michelle's extensive background in teaching and providing mental health services over the years makes her uniquely qualified to share strategies that work for families. 

For more info about her, her mom and their latest book (I'm Not Alone:

A Teen’s Guide to Living with a Parent Who Has a Mental Illness or History of Trauma), see:

https://www.seedsofhopebooks.com/about

Music Note: NEW for 2025! Original music created for The Storied Human podcast by the band "Rough Year," featuring Julian Calv on trimba (with Dillon Spear Brendan Talian) Thanks Guys!

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Life and Career Coach Elvira P. Romero helps others find a career and /or life that fits them better. She should know -- an interesting question from her boyfriend started her own journey for a new life. She pivoted through a few careers before landing on the perfect one for her -- career and life coach. 

She now shares what she learned with her clients and talks about how all of us can create a short- and long-term plan,  be accountable to others, and achieve success.

How to Get in Touch with Elvira:

Elvira P. Romero, Life & Career Coach

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.elvirapromero.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elvira.Emailp.romero/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mente.inquieta.716

Music Note: NEW for 2025! Original music created for The Storied Human podcast by the band "Rough Year," featuring Julian Calv on trimba (with Dillon Spear Brendan Talian) Thanks Guys!

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Author and Speaker Andy Campbell has been through a lot in his life. Any one of the things he has endured would be almost too much, but somehow he has fought through and even written a book (“Overcoming Life’s Toughest Setbacks”)  designed to help others.

Bio:

Andy Campbell is a resilient survivor and inspirational author who has overcome numerous life-altering challenges - a victim of childhood sexual abuse and bullying, the loss of his mother at an early age and the eventual estrangement from his father, his battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and the loss of his youngest son to suicide. Despite enduring multiple surgeries, grueling chemotherapy treatments, and the tragic loss of his youngest child, Andy has demonstrated remarkable strength and perseverance. Through his experiences, he has developed a unique perspective on resilience and the power of his 15 core beliefs.

Andy lives with his wife and remains actively engaged in the lives of his three remaining adult children as he continues to support his family while managing his own health challenges. His book “Overcoming Life’s Toughest Setbacks” shares the principles that have helped him navigate life’s darkest moments, offering hope and guidance to others facing adversity.

Core Beliefs:

• No One Outruns the Universe: Embrace humility and acceptance, knowing you are part of a larger plan.
• There Are No Hard Decisions, Only Hard Consequences: Follow your heart and face the consequences with courage.
• Always Fall Forward: Keep moving toward your goals, even when you fall.
• Have an Insatiable Curiosity: Let your desire to find wisdom guide you through life.
• Compete Only With Yourself: Measure success by your own progress, not by comparing yourself to others.
• Thinking vs. Knowing: Distinguish between assumptions and knowledge.
• Every Challenge Has a Chewy Nougat Center Made of Opportunity: Persevere to find the hidden lessons in every struggle.
• Never Be Waiting: Always find work to do and remain proactive.
• Never “Try,” Always Work: Commit to action and avoid complacency.
• The .38 Special Rule—Hold on Loosely, but Don’t Let Go: Balance control and freedom to foster innovation and growth.
• Be Religious Only About Religion: Apply flexibility and open-mindedness to all but your core faith.
• Equations Are Constant, Variables Are Constantly Changing: Adapt your strategies to meet evolving circumstances.
• History Doesn’t Repeat Itself. Humans Repeat History: Learn from the past to avoid repeating mistakes.
• The Necessity of Perseverance: Embrace resilience as the foundation of all other beliefs.
• Finishing: Commit to completing what you start as the ultimate testament to perseverance.

Author Andy Campbell has faced and overcome so

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Original music "Saturday Sway" by Brendan Talian (for all interviews before 2025)