This Week in America with Ric Bratton

Great leaders don't just grow successful organizations—they grow successful people.

In this insightful episode of This Week in America, Ric Bratton welcomes Jeff McManus, nationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author of Growing Weeders into Leaders: Leadership Lessons from the Ground Level. Drawing on decades of experience building one of the nation's most admired university landscape teams, Jeff shares practical leadership principles that transform everyday employees into confident, motivated, and engaged leaders.

Using memorable stories from the world of horticulture and grounds management, Jeff explains how cultivating people requires many of the same qualities needed to grow healthy plants: patience, intentionality, consistency, encouragement, and a commitment to long-term development. Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, coaching volunteers, or raising a family, these timeless leadership lessons offer practical strategies for creating a culture where people can thrive.

During the conversation, Jeff discusses servant leadership, employee engagement, organizational culture, coaching, accountability, trust, and why investing in people always produces the greatest return. Listeners will discover simple yet powerful techniques for inspiring others, building stronger teams, and creating workplaces where individuals feel valued, empowered, and motivated to succeed.

This Week in America with Ric Bratton is heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, thought leaders, innovators, health experts, business leaders, and inspiring personalities. Each episode delivers practical advice, compelling stories, and meaningful discussions that inform, educate, and entertain listeners around the globe.

Whether you're a business owner, executive, manager, entrepreneur, educator, nonprofit leader, or simply someone who wants to become a better leader, this inspiring conversation with Jeff McManus offers valuable insights into leadership development, team building, workplace culture, and helping people reach their full potential. Don't miss this engaging episode of This Week in America.

Keywords:  Jeff McManus, Growing Weeders into Leaders, leadership, leadership development, servant leadership, business leadership, management, team building, employee engagement, organizational culture, workplace culture, coaching employees, motivation, leadership skills, personal growth, business success, professional development, workforce development, leadership podcast, business podcast, This Week in America, Ric Bratton 

Every child deserves to know they are enough—just as they are.

In this inspiring episode of This Week in America, Ric Bratton welcomes author Laure Stack to discuss her heartwarming children's book, Howie, The Unusual Bear. Howie isn't like the other bears. He enjoys different things, sees the world in his own unique way, and longs to find someone who accepts him for exactly who he is. His journey becomes a touching story about friendship, belonging, self-confidence, and embracing what makes each of us special. The book is written for young readers but delivers a meaningful message that resonates with parents, grandparents, teachers, and anyone helping children build confidence and self-esteem. 

Laure also shares how more than twenty years as an educator inspired her to create stories that encourage children to dream big, believe in themselves, and understand that being different can be their greatest strength. Her books help young readers navigate feelings of self-doubt while celebrating kindness, resilience, and individuality. 

This Week in America with Ric Bratton is heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, thought leaders, innovators, health experts, business leaders, and inspiring personalities. Each episode delivers practical advice, compelling stories, and meaningful discussions that inform, educate, and entertain listeners around the globe.

If you're looking for an uplifting conversation about children's books, confidence, self-acceptance, friendship, emotional growth, and helping young readers embrace their uniqueness, you won't want to miss this inspiring interview with Laure Stack and Howie, The Unusual Bear.

Keywords: children's books, picture books, Laure Stack, Howie The Unusual Bear, self confidence for kids, self acceptance, friendship, embracing differences, individuality, kindness, resilience, social emotional learning, children's author interview, parenting podcast, education, family reading, kids literature, elementary education, emotional development, This Week in America, Ric Bratton

Every child deserves to know they are enough—just as they are.

In this inspiring episode of This Week in America, Ric Bratton welcomes author Laure Stack to discuss her heartwarming children's book, Howie, The Unusual Bear. Howie isn't like the other bears. He enjoys different things, sees the world in his own unique way, and longs to find someone who accepts him for exactly who he is. His journey becomes a touching story about friendship, belonging, self-confidence, and embracing what makes each of us special. The book is written for young readers but delivers a meaningful message that resonates with parents, grandparents, teachers, and anyone helping children build confidence and self-esteem. 

Laure also shares how more than twenty years as an educator inspired her to create stories that encourage children to dream big, believe in themselves, and understand that being different can be their greatest strength. Her books help young readers navigate feelings of self-doubt while celebrating kindness, resilience, and individuality. 

This Week in America with Ric Bratton is heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, thought leaders, innovators, health experts, business leaders, and inspiring personalities. Each episode delivers practical advice, compelling stories, and meaningful discussions that inform, educate, and entertain listeners around the globe.

If you're looking for an uplifting conversation about children's books, confidence, self-acceptance, friendship, emotional growth, and helping young readers embrace their uniqueness, you won't want to miss this inspiring interview with Laure Stack and Howie, The Unusual Bear.

Keywords: children's books, picture books, Laure Stack, Howie The Unusual Bear, self confidence for kids, self acceptance, friendship, embracing differences, individuality, kindness, resilience, social emotional learning, children's author interview, parenting podcast, education, family reading, kids literature, elementary education, emotional development, This Week in America, Ric Bratton

What happens when tragedy forces a young teenager to become the strength his family desperately needs?

On this episode of This Week in America with Ric Bratton, author Mark Atkins discusses his inspiring debut novel, Miles To Go Before Redemption, a moving coming-of-age story about family, resilience, responsibility, and the healing power of unconditional love.

Fourteen-year-old Miles enjoys a life filled with stability, love, and family harmony until an unexpected tragedy changes everything. Suddenly faced with responsibilities beyond his years, Miles steps forward to support his mother and younger siblings while searching for his own identity in the absence of his father. Along the way, he discovers that courage isn't about having all the answers—it's about continuing to move forward, one step at a time.

Filled with emotional depth, memorable characters, and powerful life lessons, Miles To Go Before Redemption explores the importance of unity, forgiveness, perseverance, and the unbreakable bonds that connect families through life's greatest challenges.

In this episode you'll discover:

• What inspired Mark Atkins to write his first novel after a successful Wall Street career

• Why Miles is a relatable hero for readers of all ages

• The powerful themes of family, responsibility, and redemption

• How adversity can become an opportunity for personal growth

• Why stories about hope and resilience continue to resonate with readers

Mark also discusses his own life journey, including his transition from a 35-year career on Wall Street to becoming a novelist, and how his personal experiences helped shape the emotional heart of this compelling story.

This Week in America with Ric Bratton is one of America's premier syndicated radio shows and podcasts, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, business leaders, health experts, historians, innovators, and thought leaders. Heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, each episode delivers practical advice, inspiring stories, expert insights, and thought-provoking discussions covering business, personal development, health, wellness, technology, history, education, entertainment, and the issues that matter most.

Whether you're drawn to family fiction, coming-of-age novels, inspirational stories, emotional dramas, young adult fiction, or books about resilience and redemption, Ric Bratton's conversation with Mark Atkins offers an uplifting look at the strength of family, the importance of compassion, and the hope that can emerge even after life's greatest hardships. Don't miss this inspiring episode of This Week in America.

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What happens when a routine healthcare research assignment turns into a murder investigation?

On this episode of This Week in America with Ric Bratton, author Susann Camus discusses her gripping novel, Bless Your Heart: A Jeannie Johal Thriller, a suspense-filled story that blends medical research, pharmaceutical intrigue, murder, and Southern charm into an unforgettable page-turner.

Healthcare researcher Dr. Jeannie Johal arrives in Greenville, North Carolina, expecting to assist with an important public health study involving a promising new pharmaceutical treatment. Instead, on her very first day, her new boss is murdered, and Jeannie finds herself caught in a dangerous web of sabotage, deception, and hidden agendas. As she searches for the truth, she discovers that everyone has something to hide—and trusting the wrong person could be deadly.

Drawing on her background in healthcare and her experience as a Master Gardener, Susann Camus creates an authentic, richly detailed mystery set against the unique backdrop of Greenville and the Pitt County Arboretum. The novel combines compelling characters, realistic medical details, and nonstop suspense that keeps readers guessing until the final pages.

In this episode you'll discover:

• The inspiration behind the Jeannie Johal thriller series

• How Susann's healthcare career influenced her storytelling

• Why Greenville, North Carolina, became the perfect setting for a mystery

• How gardening, poisonous plants, and medical research become key elements of the story

• What makes Jeannie Johal a smart, determined, and relatable heroine

This Week in America with Ric Bratton is one of America's premier syndicated radio shows and podcasts, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, business leaders, health experts, historians, innovators, and thought leaders. Heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, each episode delivers practical advice, inspiring stories, expert insights, and thought-provoking discussions covering business, personal development, health, wellness, technology, history, education, entertainment, and the issues that matter most.

Whether you're a fan of medical thrillers, crime fiction, murder mysteries, suspense novels, strong female protagonists, pharmaceutical conspiracies, Southern mysteries, or compelling page-turners, Ric Bratton's conversation with Susann Camus offers an inside look at the inspiration behind Bless Your Heart and the creative process of building an unforgettable thriller. Don't miss this exciting episode of This Week in America.

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Can poetry become a bridge between cultures, faiths, and generations?

On this episode of This Week in America with Ric Bratton, acclaimed poet, translator, literary scholar, and Professor Emeritus Martin Bidney discusses three extraordinary books that explore the beauty, wisdom, and spiritual richness of Islamic tradition through poetry and intercultural dialogue.

Featured works include:

Beauty in Islam: Poems of Wholeness, Light, and Concord

God the All-Imaginer: Wisdom of Sufi Master Ibn Arabi in 99 Modern Sonnets

West-East Divan: The Poems, with "Notes and Essays": Goethe's Intercultural Dialogues

Martin Bidney has pioneered a unique literary form he calls Verse Translation with Interview (VTI), creating poetic conversations with some of history's greatest writers and spiritual thinkers, including Goethe, Shakespeare, Rumi, Hafiz, Virgil, and the renowned Sufi philosopher Ibn Arabi. Through these remarkable works, he demonstrates how poetry can transcend time, language, and culture while encouraging understanding between people of different traditions.

Drawing on more than six decades of scholarship, over 60 published books, and a lifetime devoted to literature, Bidney shares why poetry remains one of humanity's most powerful tools for discovering beauty, wisdom, and common ground.

In this episode you'll discover:

• How poetry can foster dialogue across cultures and religions

• Why Goethe was inspired by Islamic and Persian literature

• The enduring wisdom of Sufi philosopher Ibn Arabi

• How Verse Translation with Interview creates conversations across centuries

• Why literature continues to inspire empathy, imagination, and spiritual reflection

This Week in America with Ric Bratton is one of America's premier syndicated radio shows and podcasts, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, business leaders, health experts, historians, innovators, and thought leaders. Heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, each episode delivers practical advice, inspiring stories, expert insights, and thought-provoking discussions designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. Discover new episodes every week covering business, personal development, health, wellness, technology, history, education, literature, and the issues that matter most.

Whether you're interested in world literature, poetry, Islamic studies, Sufism, Goethe, Rumi, comparative religion, intercultural dialogue, philosophy, or spiritual exploration, Ric Bratton's conversation with Martin Bidney offers a fascinating journey into the timeless power of poetry to connect cultures and deepen our understanding of the human experience. Don't miss this enlightening episode of This Week in America.

Keywords: Martin Bidney, Beauty in Islam, God the All-Imaginer, West-East Divan, Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Ibn Arabi, Sufism, Sufi philosophy, Rumi, Hafiz, Islamic poetry, Islamic literature, comparative literature, world literature, poetry translation, Verse Translation with Interview, VTI, intercultural dialogue, spiritual poetry, philosophy, religion, comparative religion, English literature, poetry podcast, author interview, literary criticism, poetry translation, This Week in America, Ric Bratton, podcast interview, literary podcast, Islamic tradition, Persian poetry

What happens when a deeply personal crisis changes the way you see faith, identity, and the world around you?

On this episode of This Week in America with Ric Bratton, author Steven Sheets discusses his provocative new book, The Gospel of Steven Sheets, an honest blend of memoir, philosophical reflection, and social commentary inspired by his own life experiences.

Following a religiously inspired psychosis, Steven began examining the beliefs, traditions, and social structures that influence the way people think and live. Rather than offering simple answers, he invites readers to wrestle with difficult questions about faith, personal freedom, identity, and the human condition.

This is an open and thoughtful conversation about challenging assumptions, finding meaning after personal hardship, and encouraging respectful dialogue—even when perspectives differ.

In this episode you'll discover:

• How Steven's personal experiences inspired The Gospel of Steven Sheets

• Why questioning long-held beliefs can lead to personal growth

• The relationship between faith, identity, and individual freedom

• How philosophical reflection can help us better understand ourselves

• Why meaningful conversations often begin with honest questions rather than easy answers

This Week in America with Ric Bratton is one of America's premier syndicated radio shows and podcasts, featuring engaging conversations with today's leading authors, innovators, business leaders, health experts, and thought leaders. Heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, each episode delivers valuable insights, inspiring stories, and practical ideas on business, personal development, health, wellness, technology, history, education, and the issues that matter most.

Whether you're interested in faith, philosophy, memoirs, personal transformation, identity, critical thinking, social commentary, or stories of resilience, Ric Bratton's conversation with Steven Sheets offers a fascinating look at one author's search for meaning and his willingness to explore life's most difficult questions. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode of This Week in America.

Keywords: Steven Sheets, The Gospel of Steven Sheets, faith, identity, memoir, philosophical reflection, philosophy, social commentary, personal transformation, religious psychosis, mental health journey, resilience, belief systems, spirituality, critical thinking, self-discovery, personal growth, human behavior, religion, society, cultural commentary, independent thinker, freedom, life purpose, meaningful conversations, worldview, nonfiction, inspirational author, This Week in America, Ric Bratton, author interview, podcast interview, book podcast, thought-provoking books, memoir podcast, philosophy podcast

 How do you rebuild your life when everything changes overnight?

On this episode of This Week in America with Ric Bratton, first-time novelist Mark Atkins discusses his heartfelt novel, Miles To Go Before Redemption, an inspiring coming-of-age story about family, resilience, responsibility, and hope.

When fourteen-year-old Miles loses his father, the stable world he once knew is suddenly turned upside down. Faced with challenges far beyond his years, Miles steps into a new role—helping his mother, guiding his younger siblings, and searching for his own identity while discovering the true meaning of courage, compassion, and redemption.

In this inspiring conversation you'll discover:

More than a coming-of-age novel, Miles To Go Before Redemption is a moving story about overcoming adversity, embracing responsibility, and discovering that even life's hardest moments can lead to growth and healing.

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, young adult, or simply enjoy inspiring fiction with unforgettable characters, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.

Subscribe for more inspiring author interviews on This Week in America with Ric Bratton.

This Week in America with Ric Bratton is one of America's premier syndicated radio shows and podcasts, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, business leaders, health experts, historians, innovators, and thought leaders. Heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, each episode delivers practical advice, inspiring stories, expert insights, and thought-provoking discussions covering business, personal development, health, wellness, technology, history, education, entertainment, and the issues that matter most.

Whether you're drawn to family fiction, coming-of-age novels, inspirational stories, emotional dramas, young adult fiction, or books about resilience and redemption, Ric Bratton's conversation with Mark Atkins offers an uplifting look at the strength of family, the importance of compassion, and the hope that can emerge even after life's greatest hardships. Don't miss this inspiring episode of This Week in America.

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What begins as a medical research assignment quickly turns into a murder investigation.

On this episode of This Week in America with Ric Bratton, author Susann Camus discusses her gripping new novel, Bless Your Heart: A Jeannie Johal Thriller, a fast-paced mystery filled with pharmaceutical intrigue, Southern charm, and unexpected twists.

Healthcare researcher Jeannie Johal arrives in Greenville, North Carolina, to investigate suspicious activity surrounding a promising new drug study. Before she can even begin, her new boss is murdered. Suddenly, Jeannie finds herself navigating a maze of hidden motives, dangerous secrets, poisonous plants, and a community where everyone seems to know more than they're willing to admit.

With authentic medical details, memorable characters, and suspense that keeps readers guessing until the final pages, Bless Your Heart is a thriller that mystery lovers won't want to miss.

If you enjoy authors like Michael Connelly, Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, or Jeffrey Deaver, this conversation is for you.

This Week in America with Ric Bratton is one of America's premier syndicated radio shows and podcasts, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, business leaders, health experts, historians, innovators, and thought leaders. Heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, each episode delivers practical advice, inspiring stories, expert insights, and thought-provoking discussions covering business, personal development, health, wellness, technology, history, education, entertainment, and the issues that matter most.

Whether you're a fan of medical thrillers, crime fiction, murder mysteries, suspense novels, strong female protagonists, pharmaceutical conspiracies, Southern mysteries, or compelling page-turners, Ric Bratton's conversation with Susann Camus offers an inside look at the inspiration behind Bless Your Heart and the creative process of building an unforgettable thriller. Don't miss this exciting episode of This Week in America.

https://www.amazon.com/Bless-Your-Heart-Jeannie-Thrillers/dp/B0GNP4Q9J5/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0

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If you've ever wondered how to stay vibrant, joyful, and full of purpose as the years go by, today's program is for you. Our guest is Susan Smith Jones, PhD—one of the nation's leading holistic health and lifestyle experts. For three decades, Susan taught healthy living at UCLA and has inspired millions worldwide through her books, speaking engagements, media appearances, and wellness programs.

Today she'll share simple yet powerful ways to age gracefully—not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. You'll discover how kindness, gratitude, faith, healthy living, and even spending more time in nature can help you feel younger in spirit and more energized in life.

Susan's wisdom is practical, uplifting, and refreshingly hopeful. So, grab a cup of tea, a pen and paper, and get ready to be inspired. Susan, welcome to the program!

About Dr. Susan

   For a woman blessed with three of America's most ordinary names, Susan Smith Jones, PhD, has led an extraordinarily inspiring life. A renowned holistic health expert, motivational speaker, author, and lifestyle educator, Susan spent 30 years teaching students, staff, and faculty at UCLA how to live healthier, happier, and more balanced lives.

Long before wellness became a global movement, Susan was helping people discover the life-changing power of healthy eating, positive thinking, stress reduction, spiritual connection, and joyful living.

Known for her warmth, wisdom, and uplifting spirit, Susan has appeared on radio and television programs around the world and is the author of numerous books on health, longevity, personal growth, and inspiration. Her latest books include A HUG IN A MUG, UPLIFTED, and her newest Gold-Medal Award-Winning inspirational novelette, JOY & THE BUTTERFLY—a heartwarming story touching readers of all ages and reminding us that it's never too late to discover joy, purpose, courage, and transformation.

Whether she's speaking to audiences, leading workshops, writing books, or sharing wellness tips, Susan's mission remains the same: to help people create lives filled with vibrant health, inner peace, faith, purpose, and joy.

SusanSmithJones.com 

𝕏 @ Susan Smith Jones

https://www.instagram.com/susansmithjonesphd

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