Never Ever Give Up Hope
Cancer is a club you never want to belong to, but you find the most amazing people when you do. Erica Campbell has a group of women who bonded over their breast cancer journey. Together they know what it means to face illness head-on -- to confront mortality, search for strength, and build the resilience required to move forward. As a breast cancer survivor who also lost her mother to the disease, Erica speaks the 'vocabulary of cancer' from multiple perspectives. In her debut memoir, The Mastectomy I Always Wanted, she pairs honesty and vulnerability with practical, compassionate...
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When Jenna Udenberg was fifteen, she had a suicide plan due to tough medical issues and severe physical pain from her arthritis. She lived in bed. But she pulled herself from those very dark, tough times to become an inspiration to many who suffer from disabilities. Jenna Udenberg is a former music educator of 19 years. She has used a manual wheelchair since the age of eight due to Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Jenna is a 2017 Blandin Foundation Community Leader, a 2020 Bush Fellow, and a 2025 Shannon Leadership Institute Fellow. Writing for the Lake County Press in her column, "Local View...
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The average person can keep a secret for forty-seven hours. Babs Walters held the worst kind of secret for nearly seventy years. Beginning at the age of eleven, Walters suffered childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her father. His edict, “Children should be seen and not heard,” defined her childhood and groomed her to silence. But despite the cycle of generational trauma and abuse that haunted her childhood, Walters eventually had a life-changing realization: We are not what happens to us. We are the meaning and purpose we give to what happens to us. As a domestic...
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In 2018, Andrew Davie survived a ruptured brain aneurysm and hemorrhage. Now…he recently graduated with a clinical mental health counseling degree, practices as a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor LGPC, consults for James Mason University about brain injury assessments, and, before her passing, cared for his mother while she had ALS. He learned how to turn a terrible situation into something good with the desire to help others who may be struggling. Andrew Davie has worked in theater, finance, and education. He taught English and creative writing at the middle, high...
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Mia Hanks had a rude awakening when she realized something was ‘not normal’ in her marriage. The worst part was that she could not see a way out. Narcissistic abuse is a bondage that has only recently been exposed as mental and physical abuse. Narcissistic abuse is somewhat of an epidemic, and it seems many victims don't know how to escape it. Mia Hanks is an award-winning author who brings awareness to the struggles of those abused by a narcissist and offers hope to those who need direction. Mia's memoir chronicles her 29-year marriage to a covert...
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One day, Troy Karnes drank too much and missed his wife’s birthday dinner (that he had planned). To show her he could change, he put $10k into their joint bank account and told her he wanted to use it for a dream vacation a year later. If he messed up, she could take it. He didn’t last a month. She kicked him out of the house that afternoon. When he woke up in a hotel the next day, he watched the sunrise and had no idea where he had slept the night before, where he would be a week from then, or which company he might work for. He worked in the alcohol business his entire career...
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Lori Pappas plodded with a slow, heavy pace against resistance in her youth. Her parents had her committed when she was 16 years old because they could not control her. She was rebellious, and her mother, a religious fanatic, was convinced she was possessed by the devil. While there, she heard rumors that she was scheduled for shock treatments. She devised a plan and escaped - armed with only her smarts and determination. Lori made the difficult decision to become the architect of her life without emotional support or a safety net. She married the first man who loved her...
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Randy Adkins, Jr suffered the tragic loss of his 19-year-old younger brother over 20 years ago. Although that was devastating and a time of feeling helpless, it was also a time filled with questions that caused him to self-reflect and make life choices. Randy creatively weaves his experiences as a corporate consultant, ordained minister, community leader, and distinguished toastmaster into a tapestry, inspiring observers to integrate spiritual growth principles into everyday life. Randy has a passion for creating lasting change in people's lives through writing,...
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At 13 years old Sandra Schnakenburg was hit by a car traveling 100 mph while riding her bike. In addition to having her face reconstructed, she suffered a traumatic brain injury long before such injuries were widely understood. Her parents struggled to cope with her forgetfulness and memory loss, and they gave up trying. Thus began her 10-year struggle with bulimia, which shaped her in profound ways and deepened her appreciation for resilience and healing. Sandra Schnakenburg, a dual American/Australian citizen, holds a BS in Finance and International Business from Arizona State University...
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To all aspiring authors and those who have already been published, you will gain valuable knowledge about publishing from Terry Whalin. Terry Whalin is an editor and author of over 60 books and has written for more than 50 magazines. Several of Terry’s books have sold over 100,000 copies. Because of the common misconceptions and conflicting information about publishing, many authors are left confused when it is time to publish their book. These authors often focus only on the content of their book, but either ignore or do not fully understand the business side of publishing. This is...
info_outlineDr. Danny Brassell is a highly sought-after speaker, trainer, and coach known as “Jim Carrey with a PH.D.” Dr Danny went to 18 schools before he was 12 years old, and everyone made fun of him because he stuttered. It is ironic that he now gets paid huge sums of money to travel the world and help people speak.
Dr. Brassell has spoken to over 3,500 audiences worldwide and authored 18 books, including his latest, Misfits and Crackpots. As the co-founder of the world’s top reading engagement program, Danny is on a mission to bring JOY back into education and the workplace. He helps entrepreneurs, individuals, and organizations leverage speaking on stages as a major client lead source.
Dr. Danny Brassell never gave up hope. He defines himself as a puppy dog – easily distracted and curious. When he realized that many people struggle with crafting speeches that boost their business, he knew he could make a valuable contribution.
During Dr. Brassell's interview, he will provide you with steps on the 5 C's process to help you craft your well-written story.
FREE GIFT from Dr. Brassell
Dr.Danny Brassell, America's Leading Reading Ambassador, shares inspiring stories of triumph over adversity that reveal how ordinary people achieve extraordinary things - and how you can too.
Through 50 captivating stories of success against all odds, this book reveals the universal principles that drive extraordinary achievement. From humble beginnings to lasting legacies, each chapter illuminates timeless lessons about:
- The power of unwavering determination
- Finding opportunity in life's challenges
- Building meaningful relationships
- Maintaining focus despite setbacks
- Leading with purpose and vision
- Creating positive change in the world
Drawing on diverse examples across history, business, sports, and the arts, these inspiring narratives demonstrate that greatness isn't about innate talent - it's about choice, mindset, and perseverance.
Whether you're an aspiring leader, entrepreneur, educator or someone seeking personal growth, these stories will motivate you to unlock your own potential and pursue excellence in everything you do.

