What if the challenges you face could be reframed into stories of love, resilience, and belonging?

In this episode, Brigitte Cutshall speaks with Kathi Lockwood, author, minister, and mother, whose incredible journey of turning personal pain into powerful stories inspires connection and healing.

Kathi’s life is a testament to resilience. From adopting her son through what she calls “divine intervention” to losing her husband unexpectedly and becoming a single parent, she has faced profound challenges with grace and purpose.

As an author of three children’s books, Kathi weaves her experiences into narratives that address adoption, addiction, and grief, helping families navigate these complex topics with love, compassion, and understanding. Takeaways:

• The Power of Stories: Kathi shares how her children's books tackle sensitive topics like adoption, loss, and addiction, helping children and adults navigate difficult emotions with compassion and understanding.
• Resilience Through Wonder: Learn how Kathi's personal experiences, including the sudden loss of her husband and her spiritual journey, have shaped her belief in the enduring power of love and connection.
• Shifting Paradigms: Explore how reframing narratives—like viewing adoption as a divine delivery rather than abandonment—can alleviate trauma and instill a sense of belonging.
• Light Within Us: Insights on how spiritual traditions and personal experiences highlight the inner light we all carry, offering strength and resilience.

Visit BooksByKathi.com to learn more about Kathi’s work and her children’s books, which are changing lives one story at a time. Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that love never dies and resilience is always within reach.

Think empathy is a soft skill? Think again. Maria Ross reveals how it’s the secret weapon for effective leadership, stronger teams, and lasting success.

She shares her journey from experiencing a life-changing health issue to becoming an empathy advocate and author. Maria also talks about how empathy is not just a personal virtue but a powerful tool to enhance professional success and foster meaningful connections.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Empathy is Scalable:
   Maria reveals how organizations can embed empathy into their culture through intentional design. By training teams and creating policies centered on patient and family feedback, organizations can build a framework of care and connection that feels authentic and impactful.

2. Empathy Requires Strength:
   Empathy isn’t about being emotional or lenient; it’s a strength that requires self-awareness, clear communication, and decisive action. Leaders who balance empathy with performance create an environment where people thrive.

3. The Five Pillars of Empathy:
   Maria outlines five pillars for empathetic leadership: self-awareness, self-care, clarity, decisiveness, and joy. These actionable steps help leaders balance humanity with high performance, fostering a workplace of innovation and camaraderie.

Dive into Maria’s latest book, The Empathy Dilemma, and explore her resources at https://red-slice.com/the-empathy-dilemma-book/.

Strengthen your empathy muscle and lead with impact!

Can small physical changes lead to big emotional breakthroughs?

In this episode, bestselling author Janice Kaplan, discusses her newest book, What Your Body Knows About Happiness, and shares how tuning into your body’s signals can unlock a deeper sense of happiness and well-being.

Our physical sensations, environment, and simple actions profoundly impact our mental state and overall happiness. She explains the fascinating interplay between body and mind, offering science-backed strategies to elevate our well-being.

Three Key Takeaways:

1. Shift Your Perspective Through Physical Cues: Learn how small changes—like sitting up straight or holding a warm beverage—can influence emotions and encourage positivity.
2. Curiosity as a Superpower: Tune in to your body’s signals with curiosity instead of judgment. From craving chocolate to dealing with anxiety, asking “why” can be transformative.
3. The Power of Nature and Environment: Surrounding yourself with greenery, water, or even flowers can dramatically enhance well-being, proving that small, intentional changes can make a big difference.

Discover practical ways to enhance your happiness by exploring Janice Kaplan’s latest book, What Your Body Knows About Happiness.

Visit janicekaplin.com or pre-order on Amazon today.

And don’t forget to follow Real Things Living for more inspiring conversations.

What if aiming higher isn't the risky choice, but the safest?

Christian Ray Flores, a refugee-turned-pop-star, entrepreneur, and high-performance coach, shares his remarkable story of resilience, transformation, and ambition.

Christian’s journey proves that no dream is too big if you're willing to aim higher and embrace growth through challenges.

Takeaways: * Resilience is a choice that can lead to growth. * Empathy is crucial for understanding driven individuals. * America offers unique opportunities that should be appreciated. * Diversity in perspectives enhances creativity and problem-solving. * Having mentors accelerates personal and professional growth. * Aim higher to reduce competition and unlock potential. * Leadership requires empathy and understanding of diverse backgrounds. * Personal experiences shape our ability to connect with others. * Continuous learning and guidance are essential for success Inspired by Christian’s story?

Join the waitlist for his upcoming book https://bigreasonstoloveamerica.us

Subscribe to his newsletter at https://christianrayflores.com for weekly insights on flourishing in life and leadership.

Change is one of life’s only constants, yet it often feels like an uphill battle. What if, instead of resisting it, you learned to embrace it?

Lisa DeAngelis is an author, speaker, and holistic change practitioner who helps individuals and organizations navigate life's complexities. With a focus on building resilience, she offers a fresh perspective and finding strength in adaptability.

Her book, Embracing the Unknown, has inspired countless readers to redefine their relationship with uncertainty and turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

Lisa's work combines deep introspection with practical tools, empowering her audience to step into the future with confidence and purpose. Three Key Takeaways:

1. Redefining Change: Shift your perspective on change from something to fear to an opportunity to grow and realign with your core values.
2. The ARC of Growth: Adaptability, Resilience, and Courage are key tools for navigating life’s uncertainties. Learn how to build and strengthen these traits daily.

1. Failure as a Teacher: Reframe failure as a stepping stone, not a stopping point. Every setback is a chance to learn and improve.

For a limited time, listeners can grab Lisa’s ebook, Embracing the Unknown, for just 99 cents on her website lisadeangelis.com. Use the code RESILIENCE at checkout.

In this episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall talks with CJ Grace—author, humorist, former BBC journalist, and cancer survivor—about thriving in the face of life’s toughest challenges.

CJ shares how humor, creativity, and curiosity helped her overcome cancer twice and navigate personal turmoil, including divorce.

Key Takeaways:

1. Humor as a Healing Tool: CJ emphasizes the importance of finding humor in dark times to make difficult situations more bearable.
2. The Power of Information: She advocates for being an informed patient, encouraging curiosity and personalized approaches to health decisions.
3. Community and Creativity: Surrounding yourself with supportive people and exploring creative outlets can be transformative during challenging times.

Listen to CJ’s journey and insights—find her books and more at cjauthor.com.

"Empathy and understanding are crucial in addressing social issues."

In this enlightening conversation, Jeff Frazier shares his incredible journey from being an Army veteran to a humanitarian working in Haiti.

He discusses his experiences with philanthropy, the challenges of economic development in Haiti, and the harrowing ordeal of being kidnapped for 43 days.

Jeff emphasizes the importance of resilience, empathy, and understanding in overcoming trauma and highlights the role of his wife in negotiating his release.

The conversation also touches on the realities of life in Haiti, the impact of gangs, and the need for kindness and humility in addressing complex social issues. Learn more at https://stimpack.org/

Susan Servais, a retired CEO and author, talks about her mother's memoir 'Escape from Dachau,' which recounts her family's harrowing experiences during the Holocaust. The discussion explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the importance of sharing historical narratives to educate future generations. Susan reflects on her family's journey, the bravery displayed in the face of adversity, and the need to recognize and learn from the past to prevent history from repeating itself. - Bravery can manifest in unexpected ways during crises. - Resilience is often learned through adversity. - History must be taught to prevent repetition of past mistakes. - Sharing stories can help heal trauma and educate others. Link to buy the book - https://amzn.to/4fKKlPl Connect with Susan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanservais