Broken Ties, New Beginnings

Kristina & Herb Heagh-Avritt:

Broken Ties, New Beginnings

When Kristina and Herb’s son unexpectedly changed his last name and distanced himself, they were left grappling with heartbreak and confusion. Their journey to understanding and healing has shaped their mission to help families strengthen communication and preserve values.

Bio

Kristina and Herbert have been together for an incredible 33 years. From the moment they met in college, their love was undeniable.

Kristina followed her passion into teaching for 27 years while Herbert followed his into business and entrepreneurship. Drawing from their knowledge and expertise in diverse fields, they have combined their life experience to create Vibrant Family Education and the Bringing Education Home podcast.

They’re committed to helping families strengthen relationships by reimagining the education of their children and giving parents the tools necessary for creating Happy, Healthy and Successful children for better communities and a better world.

Topics

  • The importance of communication in maintaining family relationships
  • Navigating parent-child relationships through major life transitions
  • Dealing with estrangement and rebuilding family trust
  • The impact of values and upbringing on long-term family dynamics
  • How to foster open communication from childhood to adulthood
  • Managing differences in family values with new partners
  • The role of family identity and legacy in personal growth
  • Coping with grief and loss when family ties break
  • Balancing respect and boundaries in family relationships
  • Lessons from homeschooling and fostering strong family values

Guiding Questions

  • What was your initial reaction when your son decided to change his name?
  • How did the name change impact your sense of family identity?
  • Looking back, what do you think were the early warning signs of estrangement?
  • What role did communication—or the lack of it—play in your experience?
  • How did you and your spouse support each other through this difficult time?
  • What advice would you give to parents facing similar challenges?
  • How has this experience influenced your work with families today?
  • What strategies have you learned to foster healthy communication with children?
  • How did you balance respecting your son’s decisions with maintaining your values?
  • What role do family values play in today’s society, and how can parents reinforce them?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Faith in Politics

Matthew Loomis:

Faith in Politics

Despite their numbers, a significant portion of American Christians abstain from voting. Matthew Loomis shares his journey of bridging faith and politics, encouraging believers to take action and influence society.

Bio

From English and Communications Major to Mental Health Worker? My unusual career path that led to Kaboomis Influence Full Stack Story Marketing.

Educating and Encouraging Christians to Vote and Participate in the American Political Process.

Topics

  • Why millions of Christians don’t vote
  • The intersection of faith and politics
  • Overcoming voter apathy in the Christian community
  • The impact of elections on religious freedoms
  • Practical steps to becoming an informed Christian voter
  • Challenges Christians face in political engagement
  • Addressing political corruption through faith-based action
  • Cultural shifts and their influence on voting patterns
  • The role of the church in civic engagement
  • Encouraging young Christians to vote

Guiding Questions

  • What inspired you to start Christian Voter?
  • Why do you think so many Christians choose not to vote?
  • How can faith and politics coexist without conflict?
  • What are some misconceptions Christians have about voting?
  • What practical steps can churches take to encourage voter participation?
  • How do you address concerns that politics feels “dirty” to many believers?
  • What impact could Christian engagement have on policy and culture?
  • How has your personal faith journey influenced your views on civic duty?
  • What challenges have you faced in promoting Christian voter engagement?
  • What would you say to someone who believes their vote doesn’t matter?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Back to My First Love

Matthew Loomis:

Back to My First Love

With a foundation in English and communications, Matthew’s path led him through unexpected detours in mental health and sales before he finally embraced his passion for writing and marketing.

Bio

From English and Communications Major to Mental Health Worker? My unusual career path that led to Kaboomis Influence Full Stack Story Marketing.

Educating and Encouraging Christians to Vote and Participate in the American Political Process.

Topics

  • Navigating Career Pivots with Confidence
  • Lessons from the Mental Health Industry
  • What Sales Taught Me About Marketing
  • The Power of Following Your Passion
  • Writing as a Tool for Personal Growth
  • Entrepreneurship and the Journey to Self-Employment
  • Overcoming Career Doubts and Finding Fulfillment
  • Building Info Products from Scratch
  • Balancing Creativity with Practicality in Business
  • How AI is Shaping the Future of Marketing

Guiding Questions

  • What inspired your initial passion for writing and communications?
  • How did working in mental health shape your perspective on people and business?
  • What was the turning point that led you back to your first love—writing?
  • How did your experience in Amway contribute to your success in marketing?
  • What challenges did you face when transitioning from social services to marketing?
  • What advice would you give to those considering a major career change?
  • How do you balance creativity with business strategy in your work?
  • What are some key lessons you’ve learned from working with clients on info products?
  • How has technology, including AI, influenced the way you approach marketing?
  • Looking back, what would you have done differently in your career journey?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Front Row to History

Matthew Loomis:

Front Row to History

Matthew Loomis’ lifelong connection to the Kansas City Chiefs goes beyond fandom—it’s a legacy passed down from his father, rooted in unforgettable moments and traditions that have shaped his life.

Bio

From English and Communications Major to Mental Health Worker? My unusual career path that led to Kaboomis Influence Full Stack Story Marketing.

Educating and Encouraging Christians to Vote and Participate in the American Political Process.

Topics

  • The evolution of Kansas City Chiefs fandom across generations.
  • The emotional connection between sports and family traditions.
  • Attending NFL games through decades: changes and constants.
  • The impact of sports fandom on personal identity.
  • Surviving extreme weather conditions at live sporting events.
  • The power of nostalgia in sports culture.
  • The rise of the Kansas City Chiefs from the ‘80s to today.
  • How social media has changed sports fandom.
  • The business of the NFL and its cultural impact.
  • Creating and running a successful sports history website.

Guiding Questions

  • What’s your earliest memory of attending a Chiefs game with your dad?
  • How did securing front-row seats change your family’s game day experience?
  • What lessons have you learned from being a lifelong Chiefs fan?
  • What inspired you to start Chiefs Legacy, and what’s your goal for it?
  • Can you share a memorable game day experience that stands out?
  • How has your fandom evolved over the years?
  • What challenges did you face maintaining this tradition after moving to St. Louis?
  • Have you ever considered documenting your game attendance more formally?
  • What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own sports blog?
  • How do you think sports shape family relationships and traditions?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Defying the Odds

Dr. Michelle Mras:

Defying the Odds

Dr. Michelle Mras faced a traumatic brain injury that changed her life forever. Through resilience and unwavering determination, she overcame immense challenges to redefine what’s possible.

Bio

Michelle is a survivor of multiple life challenges to include a Traumatic Brain Injury and Breast Cancer. She guides others to recognize the innate gifts within them, stop apologizing for what they are not and step into who they truly are… Unapologetically.

She accomplishes this through one-on-one and group coaching, Training events, Keynote talks, her books, talk shows and through song.

Michelle earned her PhD in Entreprenology and has graced the TEDX stage. She was awarded the first Survivor’s Award from NOW, the Inspirational Women of Excellence Award from the Women Economic Forum, New Delhi, India; the John Maxwell Team Culture Award for Positive Attitude; Winner of the Ultimate Speaker Competition and has speaking parts in a few SyFy movies check the IMDB.com database for her; has been featured on hundreds of Podcasts, radio programs, magazines, quoted in books and has a habit of breaking out into song. She released her music album in November 2023. She was nominated and recognized within the top two Most Influential Filipina Women in the World by the Filipina Women Network, 2024.

Michelle’s driving thought is that every day is a gift. Tomorrow is never promised. Every moment is an opportunity to be the best version of you… Unapologetically!

Titles:

CEO Mras Inc, Global Award-Winning Keynote & TEDx Speaker, Executive Speaker Coach, co-host of two podcasts: Denim & Pearls and Amplifluence. Host of the Livestream TV show MentalShift on The New Channel (TNC), Philippines. Actress and Recording Artist.

She’s a multiple Best-Selling Author and co-founder of Amplifuence – Amplifying the influence of Coaches, Authors, and Speakers as well as the Story Advisor for Perfect Publishing.

Topics

  • Overcoming adversity after a traumatic brain injury
  • Building resilience in the face of physical and mental challenges
  • Strategies for adapting to life-changing circumstances
  • Finding new strengths through personal struggles
  • The power of mindset in recovery and growth
  • Defeating self-doubt and embracing confidence
  • Turning obstacles into opportunities
  • How to inspire others through your own journey
  • Balancing personal and professional life after TBI
  • Embracing change and reinventing oneself

Guiding Questions

  • What was the biggest challenge you faced after your traumatic brain injury?
  • How did you find the strength to keep pushing forward despite the odds?
  • What role did resilience play in your recovery journey?
  • Can you share a moment when you realized you were capable of more than you thought?
  • How did your perspective on life change after your injury?
  • What strategies helped you adapt to the changes in your daily life?
  • What advice would you give to others facing unexpected challenges?
  • How do you stay motivated when things feel overwhelming?
  • What misconceptions do people have about living with a traumatic brain injury?
  • How has your journey influenced your career and personal growth?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Saying Yes to Change

Dr. Amy Novotny:

Saying Yes to Change

Saying yes to an unusual request, Dr. Amy Novotny left everything behind and embarked on a journey that redefined her career and personal fulfillment.

Bio

Dr. Amy Novotny founded the PABR® Institute with the mission to provide pain, stress, and anxiety relief to those who seek a naturalistic form of treatment when other treatment methods have fallen short. Her unique approach comes from her experience treating in a variety of settings and with a wide range of patient populations over the past 15 years.

Her background in orthopedics, sports, geriatrics, balance disorders, nerve injuries, and most recently, chronic pain; and influences from coursework at the Postural Restoration Institute gave her the foundation to develop this treatment method to address a wide variety of painful and restrictive conditions. Her methods have helped countless people reduce and eliminate pain, stress, anxiety, orthopedic surgeries, sleep issues, and the need for medications. She co-authored two Amazon #1 Best-Selling books Don’t Quit: Stories of Persistence, Courage and Faith and Success Habits of Super Achievers, which share her journey on how and why she developed the PABR® Method. She also co-authored Wall Street Journal Best Seller, From WTF to OMG, With a Little LOL: Unpacking Entrepreneurs’ Hidden Lessons.

Her ability to speak French and Spanish has allowed her to communicate with and help various clients from all around the world, including France, Mexico, Central America, and South America. She has a variety of interests including running 40+ marathons, running 10 ultra marathons (including two 100 milers), completing an Ironman triathlon, and photographing wildlife and landscapes all over the world that has led to several of her images being chosen as Photos of the Day, most notably National Geographic Your Shot World Top Photo of the Day.

Visit her photography portfolio at http://www.amysimpressions.com!

Topics

  • How Nervous System Regulation Can Transform Chronic Pain Management
  • The Courage to Leave Stability for an Unknown Future
  • Lessons from Traveling the World While Healing Others
  • Redefining Success Through Entrepreneurship and Healing
  • The Intersection of Wellness and Entrepreneurship
  • Why Saying Yes Can Change Your Life
  • From Hustle to Work-Life Balance: Building a Sustainable Business
  • Helping High-Performers Avoid Surgery Through Alternative Techniques
  • Navigating Self-Doubt When Pursuing a New Career Path
  • Empowering Clients to Take Control of Their Own Healing Journey

Guiding Questions

  • What was your initial reaction when the photographer asked you to travel with him?
  • What made you confident enough to leave your traditional career behind?
  • How does your process for pain relief differ from traditional methods?
  • What was the most surprising lesson you learned while traveling?
  • How did you transition from working as a physical therapist to becoming an entrepreneur?
  • Can you share a pivotal moment that convinced you entrepreneurship was the right path?
  • How do you balance work and personal life after making such a big shift?
  • What advice do you have for people considering leaving a secure job for something unknown?
  • How did you build a client base after starting your business?
  • What role did your global experiences play in shaping your approach to healing?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Building Through Adversity

Kathleen Celmins:

Building Through Adversity

Juggling personal grief and business responsibilities, Kathleen Celmins transformed her career challenges into an opportunity to innovate. Her journey of perseverance led to the birth of Glow Social, a powerful marketing tool for entrepreneurs.

Bio

Kathleen spends most of her time with her two young kids and in a yoga studio. When she’s not doing those, she’s helping subject-matter experts uncover their groundbreaking ideas and turning them into lucrative revenue streams (often helping them find those kinds of revenue streams they hadn’t yet considered).

She believes that every entrepreneur is sitting on at least $100K per year of revenue they aren’t yet aware of (simply because they’re too close to their own business to see those gaps) and she helps them find them through a transformational group mastermind.

Topics

  • Navigating career pivots after personal loss
  • Entrepreneurship and resilience during challenging times
  • The evolution of digital marketing strategies
  • The journey of creating Glow Social
  • Overcoming self-doubt in business transitions
  • Leveraging AI for marketing automation
  • Work-life balance in the face of adversity
  • The impact of personal growth on professional success
  • Lessons learned from bootstrapping a software startup
  • Finding purpose through entrepreneurship

Guiding Questions

  • What inspired you to pivot your career after your father’s passing?
  • How did you balance grieving with running your business?
  • What was the biggest challenge in developing Glow Social?
  • How did your marketing background influence your new business model?
  • What lessons did you learn about resilience through this journey?
  • How do you see AI transforming the future of marketing?
  • What advice would you give to entrepreneurs facing personal setbacks?
  • What mindset shifts were necessary for you to succeed?
  • How do you ensure authenticity while automating social media?
  • What’s next for you and Glow Social?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Finding Love Through Faith

Casper Stockham:

Finding Love Through Faith

Casper’s search for love took a spiritual turn, and through faith, he not only found his wife but also discovered his true calling in marriage coaching.

Bio

Just released a new book called Mastering Adam. When we fix the male alignment in society we will fix the family and the world.

Topics

  • How faith can guide relationships
  • Overcoming past relationship failures
  • The role of patience in love
  • Building a marriage on shared purpose
  • Practical steps for stronger communication
  • Identifying and addressing hidden relationship issues
  • Why respect and appreciation matter in marriage
  • Navigating relationships with faith-based values
  • The journey from brokenness to fulfillment
  • Lessons learned from coaching other couples

Guiding Questions

  • What led you to the moment of surrendering your search for love to God?
  • How did you know Cheryl was “the one” so quickly?
  • What were the biggest lessons you learned from past relationship failures?
  • Can you share the key values that sustain your marriage today?
  • What role does faith play in overcoming relationship struggles?
  • How did your journey inspire you to start marriage coaching?
  • What are the most common challenges couples face that you coach?
  • What advice would you give to someone feeling hopeless in their search for love?
  • How do you balance personal growth with relationship growth?
  • What’s the one thing every couple should work on consistently?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Finding Answers in Faith

Steven Parker:

Finding Answers in Faith

After experiencing profound personal loss, Steven Parker set out on a journey to find the truth about life and spirituality. What he discovered challenged his beliefs and reshaped his understanding.

Bio

Steven Parker is a U.S. Navy Veteran (Chief Petty Officer, E-7) with over 22 years of leadership and technical expertise in aviation electronics, operations, and maintenance management. He has managed aviation maintenance operations, trained hundreds of personnel, and contributed to mission-critical programs while honing his skills managing large teams in high-pressure environments, including combat missions and research and development programs. His leadership style is rooted in mentorship and servant leadership, and fostering cohesive, high-functioning teams, which has earned him multiple Navy Achievement Medals for exceptional performance.

In the civilian sector, Steven has applied his expertise to roles in maintenance, manufacturing, and facilities management, implementing cost-saving initiatives and improving operational efficiency. An advocate for lifelong learning, he holds a BS in Business Management, an MBA, and is skilled in CMMS implementation, continuous improvement, and Lean manufacturing. His ability to streamline processes, reduce costs, and foster a culture of safety and efficiency has made him a standout leader in maintenance, manufacturing, and operations.

Topics

  • Overcoming doubt and seeking spiritual truth
  • Coping with loss through faith and understanding
  • How personal loss shapes our search for meaning
  • Exploring different faiths in pursuit of answers
  • The moment of spiritual confirmation
  • Challenges faced in embracing a new belief system
  • The role of questioning in spiritual growth
  • Lessons learned through seeking truth
  • Navigating relationships after a spiritual transformation
  • How faith continues to shape his daily life

Guiding Questions

  • What initially sparked your search for deeper truth in life?
  • How did losing your loved ones influence your spiritual journey?
  • Were there moments of doubt along the way?
  • What was it about this particular faith that resonated with you?
  • How did your experience in the Navy shape your search for meaning?
  • What was the turning point in your journey that solidified your faith?
  • How did your perceptions of faith evolve through the process?
  • What role did your friend play in guiding your spiritual path?
  • How has your perspective on life changed since your discovery?
  • What advice would you give to others seeking their own truth?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Bought the Haunted Farm

Rebecca Williamson:

Bought the Haunted Farm

In the midst of grief, Rebecca took a bold step to preserve her family’s legacy. Little did she know that this decision would lead to a thriving business—and a few ghostly surprises.

Bio

Rebecca Williamson is the owner of Cambre House and Farm, a haunted wedding venue outside of Nauvoo Illinois. Rebecca has her grandmother and husband passed away with in two weeks of each other in 2015.

Rebecca bought the Cambre House from her Grandparent’s estate in 2016 and hosts weddings and paranormal investigations there.

Find out more here.

Topics

  • Navigating grief while making life-changing decisions
  • Turning a historic property into a thriving business
  • Marketing challenges of a rural wedding venue
  • Paranormal experiences and their impact on business
  • Lessons in entrepreneurship from unexpected places
  • The emotional journey of preserving a family legacy
  • Finding purpose through unexpected opportunities
  • How to balance multiple business streams
  • Overcoming self-doubt and learning new skills
  • The power of resilience in rebuilding life

Guiding Questions

  • What inspired you to buy the farm during such a difficult time?
  • How did you transition from grief to entrepreneurship?
  • What were the biggest challenges in starting a wedding venue?
  • Can you share some of the most memorable paranormal experiences at the farm?
  • How did you market a remote wedding venue with no foot traffic?
  • What did you learn about yourself through this journey?
  • How do you balance running a wedding venue with ghost tours?
  • What advice would you give to someone considering buying historic property?
  • How did the support of your community help you through this transition?
  • What’s next for the Cambry Place and your business journey?

Interested in this guest’s story?