With Gratitude, Matt

Success can come in many different shapes and forms. For Victor Prince, early success landed him in various high-level leadership roles at major corporations and in the federal government. But faced with personal challenges and a call to find the next phase of his life, Victor set out to walk the Camino Way, an ambitious month long journey across Spain. It is here that Victor began to realize his love for teaching and used his writing and communication gifts to launch his career as an author, speaker, trainer and coach. Listen in to this insightful interview with Victor as he shares his story with Matt on the impact of the Camino walk and the direction it has taken his life.  Check out VictorPrince.com to learn more about his background, his two best-selling books, and the leadership lessons he shares regularly on his blog and on LinkedIn. 

Born in Nigeria, Fr. Peter Bassey never planned on ending up in Buffalo, but he listened and followed his calling and well, learned how to handle the cold. He was ordained in 2018 amongst many challenges in the Catholic Church. Fr. Bassey focuses on serving Jesus first and doing all the work of the Church in the spirit of love. He is a great example of the good work many young Catholic priests are doing to rebuild the image of the Church while leading, inspiring and serving so many others. Listen in as Fr. Bassey shares more about his work. 

Rashmi Airan grew up making good choices, excelling in school, and eventually becoming a successful attorney and investment banker. However, through a combination of factors driven by her desire to succeed, some blind spots were created while working with a new real estate client engaging in questionable practices. Her dealings led to her spending 6 months in prison for bank fraud. The experience enhanced her faith and laid the groundwork for needed change, peace and forgiveness. She now shares her many lessons around vulnerability, imperfection, and finding and defining self worth that are universal and beautiful. Listen in to learn more about her journey and her work now as keynote speaker and consultant. You can also check out her website, rashmiairan.com.

It has likely either happened to you or someone you know, the dark, heavy thoughts show up or just feelings of being hurt that cloud the mind and eat away at you. It could result in moodiness or a loss of meaning and purpose or it might be diagnosed as anxiety. Mental health struggles are common and we all need to be aware of how to best manage the challenge. Our guest Mike Dayem says, “it is not something to shun, silence, or ‘cure’; but something to respect, listen to, and understand.” Our awareness and knowledge of mental health is better today because of the courage of people like Mike Dayem who are sharing their story to help others navigate their path and better understand their minds so their purpose is never lost again. Enjoy this show and for more on the topic, check out Mike Dayem’s book “Suicidal to Superhuman: Accepting Mental Illness & Its Role in Global Sanity.”

Too often we all focus on our perceived faults and get caught thinking we are not good enough – as a parent, as an employee, or as a friend.  Author, blogger and speaker Laura Smith reminds us that none of this is true because we were created in the likeness of God and that every stitch of us was created for a purpose. As she advises her kids before a sporting event, know that no matter what happens today, you are beautiful creations in Christ and you are loved for who you are. Listen in to hear more wisdom from Laura about discovering and seeing all the beauty that is you.

It is the setbacks that often set us forward. The evidence of this is embedded in the story of Kristi Laun. As a teenager, Kristi started as a competitive gymnast and transitioned to competitive diving where she was a member of the Junior Olympic Team and competed at the University of Pittsburgh. This all came to a halt after being diagnosed with a severe and debilitating form of Lyme disease. It is this set back that brought lessons of humility, perseverance, whole body wellness and Pilates into her life (she is a Master  Pilates Trainer FYI) . After many more years of training in health and wellness, Kristi’s path led her to a business of coaching others on how to heal from setbacks and move forward with inspiration and plans.  Listen in and learn more from Kristi as she shares some of her insights that have been helping others to reach their potential.

Author and motivational speaker Kevin Brown is an extraordinary person who chose not to be ordinary. His life got sidetracked in his teenage years and he ended up living in his car in his early 20s. On his path he found David, a mentor who helped him step into franchise development and counseled him to let go of his past. From there he built enormous success in business and started a family but the challenges weren’t over.  He and wife Lisa discovered their son Josh was autistic which would pave the way for discoveries about what it means to be a hero for others.  Listen in as Kevin shares many universal life lessons, how he overcame his many hurdles, and what inspired him to write The HERO Effect® – Being Your Best When it Matters the Most.

In 2004, Dick Lyles lapsed in a coma and his last rites were administered. But it wasn’t his time and while surrounded in prayer, a miraculous recovery followed. The event inspired a more purposeful mission and gratefulness with this 2nd chance. Listen in as Dick shares his journey from the Naval Academy to Vietnam to CEO of Origin Entertainment. Along the way, he authored 9 books including, Answer Your Call, about discerning your purpose and he most recently produced the feature film, Fatima, which hit theaters and On Demand August 28th. 

Jenny Severson shares her story from teacher to principal to traveling the world as a professional speaker and author and the lessons she has learned from life’s many curve balls. Facing her own health crisis and a loss in the family, Jenny talks with Matt in this episode about how she stepped forward through this time and how she now structures her days and prioritizes her time. You can also learn more in her new book, The Educator’s 180-Day Gratitude Turnaround available on her website, jennyseverson.com 

Being a world record mountain climber and an internationally known inspirational speaker who has touched countless lives is an amazing achievement. But what really makes Todd Huston special is that he accomplished this after losing his leg in a boating accident at age 14 and was born with a speech impediment. Listen in as Todd shares his journey and insights on how to fight fears and use love, humor, and gratitude to power his days.