Are you avoiding that awkward truth hoping it’ll magically disappear? Spoiler alert: it won’t! In this laugh-and-learn episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, we dive into the uncomfortable art of facing facts before they blow up in your face. Think of it as preventative care for life’s little disasters!Join us as we break down why staring down reality—no matter how cringe-worthy—saves you time, energy, and a lot of awkward crisis later on. With real talk, a sprinkle of humor, and actionable tips, we’ll show you how to grab discomfort by the horns and avoid the festering mess of procrastination. Perfect for anyone needing a nudge (or shove!) to face that thing you’ve been dodging.Hit play and laugh along as we face life’s truths—before they come back to haunt us!

From Grief to Healing!In this transformative episode, sound healing expert Jeralyn Glass (https://crystalcadence.com/), founder of Crystal Cadence Sound Healing Studio, reveals how her journey with crystal singing bowls began after a tragic loss. As a classically trained musician, Jeralyn explains the profound healing power of sound therapy, its effects on mental clarity, and its ability to support emotional healing.Key TakeawaysHealing Through Sound: Learn how crystal singing bowls induce relaxation, aiding stress relief and meditative states for individuals facing trauma and personal growth journeys.Science Meets Spirituality: Discover how Jeralyn collaborates with Stanford University and other institutions to validate sound therapy’s impact on the nervous system and emotional well-being.Empowering Tools: Through her app, card deck, and album, Jeralyn makes sound healing accessible for anyone seeking mental clarity and emotional resilience.About Jeralyn GlassJeralyn Glass is an internationally known, multidisciplinary musician whose career began on Broadway and took her to the opera and concert stages of the world. Passionate about music and sound as tools of self-discovery and transformation, she founded Crystal Cadence Sound Healing Studio and the Sacred Science of Sound as educational platforms where quantum science, spirituality, bioenergetics, crystalline sound therapy, and the healing power of music intersect. She has performed her high-vibrational music alongside some of the most respected New Thought leaders and best-selling authors.Want more from Jeralyn?  Website: https://crystalcadence.com/Instagram: @crystalcadencelaYou can listen to Jeralyn’s healing performance at: https://www.youtube.com/@CrystalCadenceJoy Reboot song we discussed in the episode:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C4Toj11_Dg

In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the world of holistic wellness with expert coach Tiffany Simms. Far from being a "woo-woo" concept, holistic wellness is a practical approach to achieving balance in all areas of life. Tiffany shares her journey from corporate burnout to wellness advocate, sparked by a life-changing 5K at Disney.Key Takeaways:Redefining Wellness: Discover how holistic wellness integrates physical, mental, and emotional health for a truly balanced life.Breaking Free from Social Pressure: Learn to distinguish between societal expectations and your authentic needs for personal growth.5 Essential Questions: Uncover the crucial questions to ask yourself when embarking on your wellness journey.Intuitive Eating: Explore how this approach can reveal hidden habits that may be sabotaging your overall well-being.From Burnout to Balance: Hear Tiffany's inspiring transition from the high-stress world of nuclear power to becoming a holistic wellness advocateTiffany's expertise shines as she explains how to create harmony between health, relationships, and career - the true essence of a fully charged lifeWhether you're an HR professional, business owner, or individual seeking personal growth, this episode offers invaluable insights into implementing effective wellness strategies that drive real resultsDon't miss this opportunity to transform your approach to wellness and unlock your full potential for a more vibrant, balanced life.Want more from Tiffany?  Here are the links!  Facebook www.facebook.com/thetiffanysimms IG: www.instagram.com/thetiffanysimms  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetiffanysimms The Simply Healthy Community: www.facebook.com/groups/simplyhealthywomen Time Hacks Guide To Save An Hour In Your Day As Soon as tomorrow: https://www.livingonestepatatime.com/snagtimehacksTiffany Simms, a holistic wellness and high-performance coach, helps lifelong dieters overcome burnout and lose weight by healing their relationship with food and exercise without adding more to their mental load or to-do list. Her approach prioritizes treating women as whole beings by helping them create harmony between their health, relationships and career for lifelong success beyond just weight loss.

🎭 Ladies and gentlemen, step right up to the greatest show on Earth - or at least the most entertaining podcast about not being a doormat! Join your host, Anne Bonney, as she dives headfirst into the wacky world of people-pleasing with the fabulous Amy Green Smith (http://amygreensmith.com), certified life coach and master of saying "Nope" with a smile.In this episode, we'll explore:The Origin Story: How Amy became the superhero of self-empowerment (Spoiler: No radioactive spiders involved!)The Two Faces of People-Pleasing: Unmasking the secret identities behind our need to make everyone happy (Hint: It's not actually a superpower)The Art of Conversational Jiu-Jitsu: Learn how to navigate tricky talks without accidentally setting yourself on fireThe Magical "Do-Over" Button: Discover how to unsay those foot-in-mouth moments (No time machine required!)Interrupt-us Interruptus: The ultimate guide to dealing with conversation hijackers (Warning: May cause spontaneous assertiveness)So, buckle up, buttercup! It's time to transform from a yes-person to a "Yes, I have boundaries" person. Remember, setting boundaries doesn't mean you'll burst into flames - but your newfound confidence might just set the world on fire! 🔥Want more from Amy?  Here are the links!  Grab Amy's FREE-SOURCES at: http://amygreensmith.com/free Connect with Amy on Social Media: http://instagram.com/heyamygreensmith http://facebook.com/heyamygreensmith https://www.linkedin.com/in/heyamygreensmith http://twitter.com/heyamygreenAmy Green Smith is a certified and credentialed life coach and hypnotherapist, masterful speaker, and personal empowerment expert. Amy uses her roles as coach, writer, podcaster, and speaker to move individuals to a place of radical personal empowerment and self-worth. With acute focus on helping people “find their voice”, she is highly sought after for her uncommon style of irreverence, wisdom, and humor and has been a featured expert in Inspired Coach Magazine and on Fox 5 San Diego.

I am thrilled to be the closing keynote speaker at the upcoming Iowa Lean Consortium 2024 Fall Conference (https://www.ciras.iastate.edu/iowalean/ilc-learning-opportunities/ilc-2024-annual-conference/) where I will be sharing the stage with Rick Faber and Jesse DePriest, co-founders of the 5L Performance Group (https://5lperformancegroup.com/).  In this episode, we dive deep into their methodology and very clear and simple leadership framework for maximizing the human potential and laying a foundation for the implementation of successful Lean practice.  We talk aboutFoundational Leadership: Rick Faber and Jesse DePriest emphasize the importance of building a strong leadership foundation of "love, listen, learn, lead" before implementing lean practices. Commitment over Compliance: The 5L approach focuses on inspiring commitment from teams rather than just compliance, using influence through authentic care and concern. Elevate Assessment: 5L has developed the "Elevate" assessment tool to help organizations objectively diagnose gaps in their management systems and prioritize areas for improvement.Flexible Framework: The 5L framework is designed to be adaptable across industries, allowing businesses to customize the approach to their unique needs. Long-Term Partnerships: 5L is excited to build lasting relationships with clients, helping them realize their goals and make a greater impact through effective leadership and lean practices.For more from 5L Performance Group, here are some links!www.5lperformancegroup.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/5lperformancegroup/posts/?feedView=allhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561625103544https://www.instagram.com/5lperformancegroup/

In this exciting episode, join me as I recount our epic vacation adventure across five countries, featuring two thrilling marathons, a global speakers conference, and doing my very own TEDx talk, and the surprise win from that event! This journey was a blend of challenges and wonderful, unforgettable moments.We bookended our adventure in vibrant cities, where we laced up our running shoes and tackled marathons that tested our limits and complete my goal to run a marathon on every continent. Along the way, we immersed ourselves in diverse cultures, discovering quirky traditions and indulging in delicious local cuisine.  We faced both discomforts and delightful surprises that transformed our perspectives.Tune in to hear about the hilariously awkward moments, the triumphs, and the unique bonds forged through shared challenges. This episode is not just a travel tale; it’s a celebration of friendship, growth, and the adventurous spirit that lies within us all. Don’t miss our tips for planning your own adventure and stepping into the Discomfort Zone

From Grief to Healing!In this transformative episode, sound healing expert Jeralyn Glass (https://crystalcadence.com/), founder of Crystal Cadence Sound Healing Studio, reveals how her journey with crystal singing bowls began after a tragic loss. As a classically trained musician, Jeralyn explains the profound healing power of sound therapy, its effects on mental clarity, and its ability to support emotional healing.Key TakeawaysHealing Through Sound: Learn how crystal singing bowls induce relaxation, aiding stress relief and meditative states for individuals facing trauma and personal growth journeys.Science Meets Spirituality: Discover how Jeralyn collaborates with Stanford University and other institutions to validate sound therapy’s impact on the nervous system and emotional well-being.Empowering Tools: Through her app, card deck, and album, Jeralyn makes sound healing accessible for anyone seeking mental clarity and emotional resilience.About Jeralyn GlassJeralyn Glass is an internationally known, multidisciplinary musician whose career began on Broadway and took her to the opera and concert stages of the world. Passionate about music and sound as tools of self-discovery and transformation, she founded Crystal Cadence Sound Healing Studio and the Sacred Science of Sound as educational platforms where quantum science, spirituality, bioenergetics, crystalline sound therapy, and the healing power of music intersect. She has performed her high-vibrational music alongside some of the most respected New Thought leaders and best-selling authors.Want more from Jeralyn?  Website: https://crystalcadence.com/Instagram: @crystalcadencelaYou can listen to Jeralyn’s healing performance at: https://www.youtube.com/@CrystalCadenceJoy Reboot song we discussed in the episode:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C4Toj11_Dg

Dancing in the Discomfort Zone is all about embracing the awkward and uncomfortable moments in life to shimmy your way to success! Arel Moody ( www.arelmoodie.com) is a stellar example of this philosophy. He’s not just a business whiz; he’s a master of turning discomfort into opportunity. In this episode, he spills the beans on how he navigates the bumpy road of entrepreneurship, shares his secret sauce for minimizing the risk of failure when leaping into the unknown, and reveals how understanding human behavior has propelled both his success and the success of others through his innovative services!In this episode, we’ll groove through:The Trials and Tribulations: Get ready for some juicy tales of the bumps, bruises, and hilarious missteps that come with building a thriving business!The Likability Factor: Discover why being the life of the party (or at least not a total wallflower) can be your secret weapon in business and life!White House Fame: Hear the story of how Arel managed to strut his stuff at the White House—not once, but TWICE!Meet Dot: Learn about the creation of Dot, the fabulous Talk-a-dot mascot, who’s sure to steal the show!So, lace up your dancing shoes and get ready to leap into the discomfort zone with us—because who said growth can’t be a little fun? 🎉Want more?  Here are the links. www.arelmoodie.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/arelmoodie/ www.facebook.com/arelmoodie https://www.instagram.com/arelmoodie/?hl=en  Arel Moodie is a best-selling author and executive coach who has spoken to over 750,000 people throughout 48 states and 5 countries. Arel is a speaker, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and “human behavioral investigator” who has extensively studied the intricacies of human dynamics and relationships. Arel has been invited to speak at the White House twice, the TEDx stage three times, and has been featured in The New York Times, Inc. Magazine, Essence, USA Today, Forbes, Black Enterprise, Huffington Post, and has been a contributor to the television program The Doctors. 

Transform Your Life with Maraya Brown: Yale-Trained Hormone Specialist & MidwifeDiscover the expertise of Maraya Brown, a Yale-educated hormone specialist and midwife with a wealth of experience in functional medicine. As the visionary behind The Women’s Vibrancy Code program and podcast, Maraya empowers women to rediscover their vitality and embrace every phase of life.Why Maraya Brown Stands Out:Expertise in Women’s Health: With 24 years of experience in attending births and managing women’s health in clinics, hospitals, and homes globally, Maraya has a profound understanding of women’s wellness.Comprehensive Approach: Her holistic methodology blends traditional wisdom with modern functional medicine, helping women rise from challenges and celebrate their journey.Global Impact: Maraya has transformed the lives of thousands of women across multiple continents, fostering health, happiness, and a sense of belonging.Dynamic Engagement: Through her work as a CEO, retreat host, mom, and wife, Maraya offers an empowering space where women feel seen, confident, and empowered to stand in their power.Join Maraya on a journey to vibrancy and self-discovery. Tune into her podcast and programs to unlock transformative health and well-being. Want more from Maraya?  https://marayabrown.com/podcasts/ free resources: https://marayabrown.com/resources/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/_marayabrown_/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/energyhormoneslibido  Want to suggest a topic or guest for a future episode?  Let us know at admin@annebonney.com.

Explore Personal Evolution with Beth Ziesenis: From Career Struggles to AI InsightsJoin us as we delve into the fascinating journey of Beth Ziesenis, the renowned tech expert behind Your Nerdy Best Friend. In this episode, Beth opens up about her personal evolution—from escaping a soul-sucking job and navigating a mental health diagnosis to forming a supportive partnership with her spouse and designing her ideal life.We talk aboutAll the cats!Her beautiful partnership with her very well suited husbandHow she became YOUR Nerdy Best friendAnd how having a safe word with your family could solve a lot of issues with the deep fake stuff that’s going on.  Want more from Beth?  http://yournerdybestfriend.com Insta: @nerdybff FB: @yournerdybffYouTube: @askbethz  Beth Z is an author, speaker and proud nerd who shares tech tips and tricks to make your life easier. She has no formal tech training. She just spends hours on the computer and doesn't get out much. Except to speak, and she does a lot of that.

In this episode of the "Dancing in the Discomfort Zone" podcast, host Anne Bonney sits down with Jasmine Brett Stringer, a professional speaker, TV personality, and author on a mission to help people live empowered and authentic lives. Wwe talked about:Embracing Uncertainty and Pursuing Happiness: Jasmine shares how a pivotal moment of being laid off from her corporate job led her to courageously pursue her "secret dream" of becoming a speaker and coach, helping others seize their lives.Living Authentically and Practicing Positive Psychology: Jasmine discusses the importance of living authentically, connecting with oneself, and incorporating positive psychology practices like gratitude, mindfulness, and drawing on past experiences to overcome challenges.The Power of Human Connection: Jasmine emphasizes the vital role of authentic connections and vulnerability in a world that often feels disconnected, sharing her personal practice of sending handwritten cards to nurture relationships.Dreaming Big and Seizing Opportunities: Jasmine recounts serendipitous encounters with Oprah Winfrey and the unexpected gift of concert tickets to see Janet Jackson, highlighting the importance of being open to life's surprises when you're living with intention.Prioritizing Goals and Saying No: Anne shares her own journey as a running influencer, underscoring the need to intentionally prioritize one's goals and say no to non-essential activities in order to live a fulfilling life.This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and practical strategies to live more empowered, authentic, and intentional lives. Jasmine's infectious energy and wisdom provide a roadmap for seizing the day and embracing the discomfort of personal growth.Want more from Jasmine?  Here ya go.  Website: www.jasminebrettstringer.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarpeDiemwithJasmine Twitter: https://twitter.com/carpediemjbs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carpediemjbs/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminestringer/We also talked aboutAuthentic Happiness by Martin Seligman https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Happiness-Psychology-Potential-Fulfillment/dp/0743222989Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates https://www.momentoflift.com/the-moment-of-lift Jasmine Brett Stringer is a keynote speaker, award-winning author of Seize Your Life: How to Carpe Diem Every Day, on-air TV personality, and host of the podcast and lifestyle blog Carpe Diem with Jasmine. Jasmine is on a mission to help people live empowered and authentic lives. Through her Seize Your Life keynotes, workshops, and customized coaching sessions, Jasmine guides clients and audiences through a simple process to identify their goals and achieve their personal definition of success. She graduated from American University’s Kogod Sch

Celebrating Our 300th Episode: A Journey of Risks and Rewards!The adventure that commences this week all started at the Global Speakers Summit in Bali, where I took a leap of faith and put down a deposit. Fast forward 14 months, and here we are—celebrating our 300th episode! 🎉 and I’m about to embark on an epic three-week adventure across five countries, each one a new notch on my bucket list.Now, let’s be real—I’m feeling a delightful mix of nervousness and excitement. I mean, who wouldn’t be a little jittery about taking on a new goal, completing one that's almost 20 years in the making and traveling with 3 friends who don't know eachother?  Talk about tossing the comfort zone behind me, But hey, that’s what life is all about, right? Taking risks, getting uncomfortable, and hoping you don’t end up lost in a foreign country (though, let’s be honest, that could make for some great stories!).In this milestone episode, I’ll spill the beans on how we got here and why embracing the unknown is worth every awkward moment. Join me as I share my preparations, the challenges I’m gearing up for, and the hilarious mishaps I’m sure to encounter along the way.  So, grab your headphones and get ready for a fun ride! Here’s to 300 episodes of adventure, laughter, and a little bit of chaos! Don’t miss out—tune in and be part of this unforgettable journey!

ADHD and Neurodiversity are 2 things that are highly misunderstood.  When this week’s guest Erica Shoop (findyourkula.com) started researching ADHD to better understand her romantic partner, she was surprised to find that she was learning to better understand herself, and in this episode, she shares her journey of self-discovery from going through a divorce during the pandemic, starting her own business, and now winding her way through her neurodiversity in a world that doesn’t yet have that much information for the adult female ADHD and Autism diagnosis!  Highly enlightening, this episode could just help you understand someone in your life, or yourself a little better. We talk about·        How the pandemic made her re-assess her priorities·        Fine tuning her business plan to help create a community for other neurospicy individuals who are bumbling their way through this just like her·        Some fabulous strategies she uses to be able to work through the neurodivergent brain challenges.   What website, links, social media handles, etc would you like me to include in the show notes so people can get in touch with you after you dazzle them on the podcast?: findyourkula.com findyourkula.com/erica https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericalynnshoop/ https://www.instagram.com/findyourkula  How would you like to be introduced? What is your title? What do you like to be called? (name and "job" title): Erica Shoop - Co-founder of Kula  Please provide me with a 50-75 word bio!: Erica is a visionary in the realm of self-employment, rejecting hustle culture and taking a more holistic approach to business + life coaching and community building. Erica guides individuals on a journey of self-discovery that encompasses all aspects of the human experience. With a unique perspective shaped by her neurodivergence, Erica brings creative solutions to building a livelihood that supports a sustainable and harmonious life.

ADHD.  Neurodiversity.  The neurotypical world is not build for the neurodiverse brain, so it’s good that there are people like Leslie Josel (https://lesliejosel.com/) ADHD Student & Parenting Coach, to help students and parents navigate the challenges for more happines and success!  In this episode we chat about her work with students with neurodiversity, but we also talk about her courageous journey to come to this work!  So often triumph comes from challenge, and that’s definitely the case here, so if you need a hit of inspiration and courage, look no further!  This episode is for you! Want more from Leslie?  Here you go!https://www.orderoochaos.com/ https://lesliejosel.com/ https://www.instagram.com/order.out.of.chaos/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-josel-adhd-student-parent-coach/

 Belonging in a word that is being thrown around a lot in the workplace, and in the world.  What is the impact of not having community.  I think we’re seeing the backlash in some of the mental health statistics, crime, division and many other huge societal problems that we’re seeing.  Charles  Vogl (https://www.charlesvogl.com/) is trying to change that, and help high stakes (and other) organizations build community so they can collaborate when lives are at stake!  He has 3 amazing books on the topic, but in this episode he shares several of his strategies to help bring people together.In this episode we talk aboutThe time he spent living in a homeless shelter, and in Zambia with the Peace CorpsSome of the key components to creating genuine human connectionThe 3 promises that need to be understood for people to “stay in the room” and feel a part of and contribute to the community that’s being created there.   Want more from Charles?  You can find it all on his website.  www.charlesvogl.comCharles began his lifelong study of change making while a volunteer living in a Santa Ana, CA homeless shelter. He then worked on human rights in Sub-Saharan Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and later built teams to create high social impact media as a NewYork documentary filmmaker. His PBS film work won several international awards, including the Amnesty International Movies that Matter Award. All the work served as crucibles in which to learn the importance of and how to bring people together around shared values and purpose.Charles teaches the wisdom and principles to build deep community and resilient relationships in the most lonely era in organizational history. His work draws on three thousand years of spiritual traditions to understand how individuals build loyalty, strengthen identity, and live out shared values.Building a deep community in turn builds organizational resilience, attracts and retains community members around shared purpose and values, and fosters innovation that disrupts industries and influences global change.He holds an M.Div. from Yale, where he studied spiritual traditions, ethics, and business as a Jesse Ball duPont Foundation scholar.Link:   

 Belonging in a word that is being thrown around a lot in the workplace, and in the world.  What is the impact of not having community.  I think we’re seeing the backlash in some of the mental health statistics, crime, division and many other huge societal problems that we’re seeing.  Charles  Vogl (https://www.charlesvogl.com/) is trying to change that, and help high stakes (and other) organizations build community so they can collaborate when lives are at stake!  He has 3 amazing books on the topic, but in this episode he shares several of his strategies to help bring people together.In this episode we talk aboutThe time he spent living in a homeless shelter, and in Zambia with the Peace CorpsSome of the key components to creating genuine human connectionThe 3 promises that need to be understood for people to “stay in the room” and feel a part of and contribute to the community that’s being created there.   Want more from Charles?  You can find it all on his website.  www.charlesvogl.comCharles began his lifelong study of change making while a volunteer living in a Santa Ana, CA homeless shelter. He then worked on human rights in Sub-Saharan Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and later built teams to create high social impact media as a NewYork documentary filmmaker. His PBS film work won several international awards, including the Amnesty International Movies that Matter Award. All the work served as crucibles in which to learn the importance of and how to bring people together around shared values and purpose.Charles teaches the wisdom and principles to build deep community and resilient relationships in the most lonely era in organizational history. His work draws on three thousand years of spiritual traditions to understand how individuals build loyalty, strengthen identity, and live out shared values.Building a deep community in turn builds organizational resilience, attracts and retains community members around shared purpose and values, and fosters innovation that disrupts industries and influences global change.He holds an M.Div. from Yale, where he studied spiritual traditions, ethics, and business as a Jesse Ball duPont Foundation scholar.Link:   

Being transgender is a life experience that many are confused about these days.  Tons of misinformation flying around the interwebs, that can make us all really uncomfortable!  When I met Deanna Jones (www.deannajonesnow.com) I knew she would be the perfect addition to the Dancing in the Discomfort Zone lineup!  She has such an eloquent way of speaking about her experiences as a transgender woman, the good, the bad, and the ugly! She knew something different when she was 4 years old. (and this was in the 60s when transgender wasn’t even a word, and it didn’t even become a household conversation until decades later!)  In this courageous interview, she shares her whole story.  We talk about·        How long she hid her feelings, and how she illustrates to the people she works with how it felt (ingenious if you ask me!)·        When she finally came out, how it was handled at her workplace, and with her family.·        The new found joy and freedom she now has living her authentic self·        Her recent marriage, and the difference between Transgender and homosexual.·        Her response to the question of young trans kids going through a full transition.Want more from Deanna?www.deannajonesnow.comhttp://themonti.org/stories/the-monti-video-series-deanna-jones-1http://themonti.org/stories/the-monti-video-series-deanna-jones Deanna has worked in the Technology field In Sales and Operations roles for 30 years, including 24 years here at Cisco Systems. Deanna has an MBA from Elon University and a Masters in Instructional Technology from University of Maryland University Global Campus. She is the Vice President of Harmony LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce and is also a member of Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. In her spare time, she likes to coach T-ball and has coached for 17 seasons. In 2019 Deanna transitioned to her authentic self while working at Cisco Systems. Since transitioning, Deanna has become very involved with the LGBT+ community. She has a DEI certificate in Diversity & Inclusion Training from eCornell. She has frequently spoken at a storytelling group called, the Monti in Durham and has also served on many panels for DEI conferences. She also works with small to mid size companies on ways to make their workplaces more LGBTQ+ friendly.

National Human Trafficking Hotline:  Call for confidential help and info 24/7  888-373-7888Human trafficking is a multi-BILLION dollar criminal industry (Estimated at $5.7 billion in the US alone…and the US has some of the highest demand in the world.)  Human trafficking denies freedom to almost 25 million people around the world.  (and those numbers are notoriously under reported)  A 2017 study of cases reported to the Polaris-operated National Human Trafficking Hotline (https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/human-trafficking) involved over 10,000 individual victims and nearly 5000 potential traffickers.  This is a HUGE problem.  Lauren Trantham (https://www.ridemyroad.org/) is working for survivors, photographing them, and telling their stories in an ethical and empowering way to raise money (over $400,000 at the point of publishing) for survivor programs.  She’s also the Director of Communications for an amazing non-profit called The Epik Project (https://www.epikproject.org/) that is comprised of mostly men trying to eliminate human trafficking.  In this terrifyingly informative episode we talk aboutHow trafficking doesn’t happen the way you think.  (Only 5% are forcefully kidnapped.  The rest are a lot more insidiously trapped)Some other social issues crossover with human trafficking: porn use, loneliness, and increases in suicideWhat Epik Project (https://www.epikproject.org/), a non-profit of men fighting human trafficking is doing, and how their Demand-Disruption program is not only interrupting sales in the moment, but addressing the larger issue of male loneliness that is inextricably tied to the human-trafficking problem, and how in the 10 years they’ve been doing this, they’ve interrupted over 500,000 potential human-trafficked sales.  In this episode, we talk aboutSome signs to watch out for.Her 10,000 mile motorcycle journey across the US to photograph survivors, her source of hope in this dark battle.How the Epick Project has adjusted their approach to their focus on reducing demandHere are some links that Lauren mentioned in the interview.Elevate Academy founded by trafficking survivor Rebecca Bender.  Donate today to help a survivor: https://elevate-academy.org/The Network works specifically with illicit Massage parlors: https://www.thenetworkteam.org/The Polaris Project is a main data collection hub for human trafficking: https://polarisproject.org/Exodus Cry Podcast : https://exoduscry.com/podcast/ National Human Trafficking Hotline:  Call for confidential help and info 24/7  888-373-7888       https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/human-traffickingThe Brain on Porn research.  https://www.yourbrainonporn.com/relevant-research-and-articles-about-the-studies/Want more from Lauren?  https://www.ridemyroad.org/https://www.instagram.com/ridemyroad/ Lauren Tratham is an author, and speaker, business owner with nearly eight years of experience as a leader in the Anti-Human Trafficking Movement. She is the founder and Executive Director of Ride My Road, which has raised over $400k for survivor programs. As a photographe

Running is one of those things.  You either identify as one, or you don’t, and when Martinus Evans’s (https://martinusevans.com/) doctor office called him fat and said he was going to die, he never thought that he would become a running sensation, but baby, look at him now!  Martinus is a proud, fat marathon runner (8 marathons to date!) a best-selling author and a certified running coach.  He’s been featured on all the news outlets (name it, he’s been on it!) including on the cover of Runner’s World and in a special spread in Men’s Health magazing.  Bottom line, he has a message, and wants to help people, and it’s working!!We talk aboutThe new non-profit arm of his projectHow he deals with trolls on the internetWhat he’s doing about knee pain and injuries for runnersHis own philosophy of “Done is better than perfect”  Want more from Martinus?  https://martinusevans.com/https://slowafrunclub.com/300lbs and running blog: https://300poundsandrunning.com/

Public speaking is one of those things that terrifies people, and for Eduardo Placer, (https://eduardoplacer.com/) if started with show-and-tell in second grade!  Finding that inner confidence and safety in that vulnerability is a challenge, and in this insightful, love-filled episode, we explore that theme throughout Eduardo’s life, and discuss how he’s now using that to help other people belong and find empathy for others!We discussHis upbringing as a queer kid in Miami in the 1980sProfessional acting, and how playing a role is where he initially found safety.How he got into being a public speaking coachHow “Fearless’ doesn’t mean WITHOUT fear…And a few Spanish terms to help us in our danceWant more from Eduardo?www.fearlesscommunicators.comwww.eduardoplacer.combit.ly/EduardoPlacerSpeaksInstagram: @stand4fearlessHere is the free resource Eduardo mentioned: 10 Simple Backstage Tips:  A dynamic keynote speaker, charismatic event emcee, and global facilitator, he is a former professional actor who has a rare ability to help people find common ground through compelling narratives that inspire and unite. He is the founder of Fearless Communicators, a diverse, inclusive public speaking coaching company that works with emerging and accomplished thought leaders on what they say and how they say it. His clients range from presidential candidates and UN diplomats to startup founders, social activists, and industry leaders. Drawing from his experiences in the U.S. as a proud Cuban American and member of the LGBTQ+ community, Eduardo shares his message of empowerment and belonging with audiences around the world. He is committed to creating inclusive organizations where everyone feels comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work.