Author: Paul Gichia

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Engineering My Escape Plan

Ali Mueller:

Engineering My Escape Plan

Work was Ali Mueller’s identity—until a nine-month health crisis made her question everything. As she searched for solutions, she uncovered financial knowledge that changed her trajectory, empowering her to leave corporate America and help others do the same.

Bio

If you are missing out on additional cashflow WHEN WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW?

I believe that you deserve to know all the different ways you can increase your retirement income even though most financial advisors only get paid to help you accumulate assets.

Why? Because I’ve spent over 30 years working as an Engineer identifying opportunities to increase profits by improving supply chains.

How you choose to take income in retirement will determine your success.

I joined the Air Force my first year at the University of Nebraska to help pay for college. Once accepted into the USAF Electronic Warfare School, I was granted Top Secret security clearance which gave me entrance into the Defense Industry in Aerospace and led to a position in the US Air Force Command Center for the Advanced Cruise Missile Program (ACM).

I was later offered a position by a NASA contractor and I spent the next 30+ years working on international projects to help companies optimize supply chains.

It was rewarding to help companies increase their profits by optimizing their global distribution systems

and supply chains.

After a career in the Defense and Gas Industries, I decided to use my specialized skills for my own benefit by optimizing my own financial plan.

I applied the same skills/experience of my career and soon realized the significance of the impact I could make on helping others do the same.

With the same skill set I had used for optimizing corporate supply chains, I began optimizing individual retirement income plans. I referred to it as a “Money Supply Chain™️.” I wanted to help others o make their Money Supply Chain™️ last for the rest of THEIR LIVES.

If you would like to learn more about how to optimize your own Money Supply Chain™️ for life, click on the link to schedule a 15-minute introductory call.

If you want organize your “money brain’ so that what you really want aligns with your money- watch this 5 minute video. www.yourfvp.com

https://www.talk2ali.com/schedule15minutes

Topics

  • The dangers of workaholism and what happens when your body forces you to stop
  • Lessons from an engineer: How analytical thinking transformed my financial future
  • The financial strategies corporations don’t want you to know
  • How a sudden illness forced me to rethink everything about money and work
  • Why traditional retirement plans aren’t enough—and what you should do instead
  • Breaking free from the corporate grind: A step-by-step guide
  • The real cost of prioritizing work over your personal life
  • How financial literacy can give you control over your future
  • What I wish I knew about money before I burned out
  • Transitioning from a high-powered job to entrepreneurship: What nobody tells you

Guiding Questions

  • Can you take us back to the moment everything changed for you on that work trip?
  • What made you realize you couldn’t keep working the way you had been?
  • How did you start learning about financial independence, and what shocked you the most?
  • What were the biggest mindset shifts you had to make to leave your corporate career?
  • Why do you think these financial strategies aren’t widely taught in schools or workplaces?
  • How did your experience as an engineer shape the way you approached financial planning?
  • What were the biggest fears or doubts you had before making the leap?
  • What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone stuck in the workaholic cycle?
  • How has your life changed since leaving the corporate world?
  • What are some practical first steps for someone looking to take control of their finances?

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Through My Lens

Michelle Steiner:

Through My Lens

From childhood struggles with dexterity to becoming an artist through photography, Michelle’s journey is a testament to how unexpected paths can lead to powerful self-discovery.

Bio

Michelle Steiner lives with an invisible disability. From the start many people have told her she could not go to college, get her bachelor’s degree, get published or have the job she wanted. She has been able to do all of that and more. Michelle graduated from Slippery Rock University with a bachelor’s degree in Community Programing. She has articles published on The Mighty, Non-Verbal Learning Project, Dyscalculia Blog, The Reluctant Spoonie, Kalopina Collective, Imagine the World as One Magazine, and Word Gathering. Her photographs were featured in Word Gathering Independent and Work Ready. She works as a paraeducator in a school with students with disabilities. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two cats.

Topics

  • How a disability shaped Michelle’s artistic perspective
  • The power of slowing down and noticing details in life
  • Overcoming self-doubt and embracing hidden talents
  • The role of mentors and encouragers in personal growth
  • How limitations can lead to unexpected opportunities
  • The emotional journey of feeling like an outsider
  • Learning to see beauty in everyday life
  • The therapeutic nature of art and creativity
  • How photography became a form of self-expression
  • Shifting perspectives—seeing struggles as blessings

Guiding Questions

  1. How did your early experiences with a learning disability shape your view of yourself?
  2. What was the moment that made you realize you had an artistic eye?
  3. How did being unable to drive impact your perspective on life?
  4. What role did mentors and supportive communities play in your journey?
  5. How has photography changed the way you process emotions?
  6. What advice would you give to someone struggling with self-doubt?
  7. Can you share a specific moment when you realized your perspective had shifted?
  8. How do you now view the challenges you once saw as setbacks?
  9. What lessons has your journey taught you about resilience?
  10. How can others learn to see the hidden beauty in their own lives?

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The Pivot That Saved Me

Jess Wilson:

The Pivot That Saved Me

Jess Wilson never expected a thyroid cancer diagnosis to be the thing that saved her business. But through resilience, humor, and a newfound sense of clarity, she turned what could have been a tragedy into a turning point.

Bio

Jess is a remote branding and headshot photographer with over 20 years of experience, helping solopreneurs save time and money while capturing professional images that elevate their brands—all from the comfort of their own space.

As a mom, grandmother, fire wife, and thyroid cancer survivor, Jess brings a unique, compassionate perspective to her work, making photo sessions not only professional but also fun and stress-free. Her journey is one of resilience, creativity, and heart.

Topics

  • The long road to a correct medical diagnosis
  • How cancer shifted her mindset on life and business
  • The connection between health, stress, and entrepreneurship
  • Alternative healing and integrative health approaches
  • Remote photography and adapting a creative business to new technology
  • Overcoming fear and learning to let go of what doesn’t matter
  • The power of community and connection in healing
  • Balancing personal health with running a business
  • Reinventing a business after a health crisis
  • How to trust your gut when doctors don’t listen

Guiding Questions

  • What was the first sign that something was wrong with your health?
  • How did it feel to go through so many doctors before getting a diagnosis?
  • What was your initial reaction when you found out it was thyroid cancer?
  • How did your health journey change the way you approach life and business?
  • Can you share the moment you realized you needed to pivot your photography business?
  • What was the biggest mental shift you experienced during this time?
  • How did your approach to health change after your diagnosis?
  • What role did community and connection play in your healing process?
  • How did you develop your remote photography business, and what makes it unique?
  • What advice do you have for others facing a major life pivot?

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When Home Became Toxic

Jordan Aspen:

When Home Became Toxic

After losing a pregnancy, welcoming a child, and then falling into a debilitating illness, Jordan found herself fighting for survival. But the answer wasn’t in medicine—it was in walking away from everything she owned.

Bio

Jordan Aspen resides in the beautiful Texas Hill Country with her husband Paul and their four young children. After losing everything to toxic mold including her health, Jordan seeks to build a world where everyone has a community of companions to help them rise, whether they feel beaten-down or ambitious.

She founded Modern Agora to teach skills and provide technology for leaders to connect authentically and communicate effectively with each other first, and then their audiences.

Topics

  • The hidden dangers of toxic mold and its impact on health
  • How misdiagnosis can delay real solutions for health struggles
  • The emotional and spiritual toll of chronic illness
  • Rebuilding life from scratch after losing everything
  • The role of faith in navigating personal crisis
  • Postpartum depression vs. undiagnosed medical conditions
  • The connection between home environments and mental health
  • How marriage can be a source of strength in hardship
  • Letting go of material possessions and finding clarity
  • Lessons learned from losing it all and starting over

Guiding Questions

  • Can you take us back to the moment you first realized something was deeply wrong?
  • What was the emotional and physical toll of being misdiagnosed?
  • How did discovering toxic mold change everything for you?
  • What was the hardest part about walking away from your home and belongings?
  • How did this experience impact your faith and your relationship with God?
  • What misconceptions do people have about toxic mold and its effects?
  • How did your husband support you through this time?
  • Looking back, what signs do you wish you had recognized sooner?
  • What advice do you have for someone experiencing an unexplained health crisis?
  • How has this experience reshaped your view of home, health, and resilience?

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Beyond the Hamster Wheel

Jason Zygadlo:

Beyond the Hamster Wheel

When Jason Zygadlo was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, his life as a high-achieving medical device salesman came to a screeching halt. Faced with his own mortality, he was forced to reevaluate what truly mattered—and ultimately, he left behind comfort and stability to build a new path that aligned with his purpose.

Bio

With nearly two decades of experience in the competitive world of medical device sales, Jason has mastered the art of standing out in a crowded market and being different. Now, after almost 20 years of helping healthcare professionals navigate complex purchasing decisions, he has turned his expertise towards a new venture: Build.Your.Own.Brand. This innovative company is dedicated to empower individuals and groups to embrace their uniqueness and make a lasting impact by being creative, different and memorable.

A proud graduate of Kent State University, Jason combines a deep understanding of strategic positioning with a passion for creativity. Build.Your.Own.Brand. offers a fresh perspective on personal and organizational branding, helping clients break out of the sea of sameness from the ordinary and leave a memorable mark.

In his spare time, Jason serves on the National Board of Directors of the Alumni Association at Kent State University. Additionally, he is also still involved in numerous ways with his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega. Jason is the founder of ZIGGYSTRONG…a non profit that helps cancer patients during their treatment and beyond. Jason is also a cancer survivor who wanted to give back to the community. Community service is his passion along with Lake Erie, college football, but mostantly, his family.

Ready to redefine what it means to be unforgettable? Connect with Jason and discover how Build.Your.Own.Brand. can help you or your organization stand out in today’s crowded landscape.

Topics

  • How a cancer diagnosis reshaped my definition of success
  • The emotional rollercoaster of misdiagnosis and self-advocacy in healthcare
  • Breaking free from a stable career to pursue true purpose
  • Comfort as the enemy of personal and professional growth
  • The mindset shift required to start over after a life-altering event
  • How storytelling and personal branding can elevate careers
  • Lessons from leaving a high-paying job to build something from scratch
  • The balance of entrepreneurship and single parenthood
  • How to take a leap of faith—even without a crisis pushing you
  • Resilience, reinvention, and learning to bet on yourself

Guiding Questions

  • Take us back to the moment you read your diagnosis—what was going through your mind?
  • Before the diagnosis, did you ever imagine yourself leaving medical sales?
  • What were the biggest internal battles you faced while deciding to change careers?
  • How did you know it was time to finally take the leap and start your own business?
  • What advice do you have for people who feel “stuck” in their careers but are afraid to leave?
  • How did being a single dad impact the way you handled your diagnosis and career shift?
  • What was the hardest part about walking away from a stable, well-paying career?
  • You talk about “comfort being the enemy of growth”—what does that mean to you now?
  • What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned about resilience through this experience?
  • How can someone start building their personal brand and telling their story effectively?

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Leadership Beyond the Code

Shane Emmons:

Leadership Beyond the Code

Going from coding solo to managing 30 engineers overnight was a crash course in leadership for Shane Emmons. He quickly learned that success wasn’t about technical perfection—it was about fostering collaboration, aligning vision, and reducing fear-based decision-making

Bio

Shane Emmons is the Founder and CEO of Swept.AI, a company challenging the way we think about the management of artificial intelligence. With 25 years in the tech industry, Shane brings decades of deep expertise in data science and modeling, combined with 15 years of hands-on experience as a startup engineer and executive. His journey through the startup landscape includes early failures, 9-figure successes, and every waystation in between.

An active voice in technology discourse, Shane shares his rich insights through blogging and LinkedIn, focusing on critical issues such as AI ethics, organizational design, and technology and businesses strategies. At Swept.AI, he is at the forefront of developing advanced systems for validating and supervising AI agents, setting new benchmarks for ROI, reliability, and transparency in the field.

Shane’s leadership style is profoundly influenced by ‘teal’ thinking, which prioritizes adaptability, shared purpose, and self-management, a mindset cultivated under the mentorship of his long-time coach and friend, Dr. Keith Merron.

Topics

  • The transition from individual contributor to executive leadership
  • Why technical skills don’t make you a great leader
  • The role of fear in decision-making and how to manage it
  • How to lead through influence instead of authority
  • The importance of context-sharing in leadership
  • Lessons from managing an already-established team
  • How volunteering can develop leadership skills
  • Breaking down big goals to reduce stress and increase success
  • Why leadership is more about communication than execution
  • Learning to navigate office politics as a technical leader

Guiding Questions

  • What was the biggest challenge when you moved from engineer to executive?
  • How did your perspective on leadership change after managing a team?
  • Can you share a moment when you realized leadership wasn’t just about technical skills?
  • You mentioned fear plays a huge role in leadership—how did you learn to manage it?
  • What strategies helped you transition from “doer” to “influencer” in your company?
  • How do you approach making decisions when team members have different incentives?
  • What’s the hardest lesson you’ve learned about managing people?
  • Why do you believe volunteering can be a great leadership training ground?
  • How can leaders create a culture that allows for small failures without fear?
  • What advice would you give to someone moving from technical expert to business leader?

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The Entrepreneur’s Leap

Mike Cassidy:

The Entrepreneur’s Leap

Many dream of leaving their 9-to-5 to start a business—but few understand the hidden pitfalls. Mike Cassidy made the leap from CEO to entrepreneur, learning first-hand what it takes to turn an idea into a sustainable business.

Bio

Sought out as an expert in entrepreneurship, Mike Cassidy has been a corporate CEO, a highly successful startup entrepreneur, angel investor, consultant, and award-winning lecturer on entrepreneurship. His experiences include many successful collaborations with organizations around the world.

Mike built his first startup company from the ground up, always with a focus on providing innovative, market-leading products—a critical strategy to continuously grow and sustain a company. Through these experiences (and thanks to many hard lessons learned!), he developed his breakthrough Be Different in What Matters® driving philosophy. Key strategies in this comprehensive approach include knowing What Matters to your customers, knowing your competitors better than they do, finding every opportunity to be Different, claiming a leadership position in your industry, and focusing on profitability every single day.

After selling his first startup, Mike became an angel investor involved in other startups and a consultant to other entrepreneurs. In addition, he served for fifteen years as a multi-award-winning lecturer in the Purdue University Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program, which included exchange collaborations with other prestigious global universities. Thanks to these experiences, Mike understands entrepreneurs and their aspirations, noting “We are kindred spirits!”

Entrepreneurs value Mike’s uncommon mastery of the three essentials for business success: vision, execution, and profitability. He knows how to find market opportunities, create competitive advantage, and set the vision for success. He can then develop and guide highly effective teams to execute the vision with precision. He has the extraordinary capability to weave together these foundational elements to achieve profitability.

Teaching entrepreneurs to excel in these critical know-hows is the subject of Mike’s comprehensive, groundbreaking book for entrepreneurs, The Profitable Entrepreneur: Your Practical, Essential Roadmap to Grow and Sustain Your Business. Mike is a consultant for all types of industries and business topics as well as a professional speaker on the topic of entrepreneurship.

In addition to his passion for entrepreneurship, Mike is a loving husband of fifty years and an aspiring rock guitarist. Learn more about Mike’s consulting and speaking services at www.FortressStrategyGroup.com, and you can order multiple copies of his book for your entire team at www.TheProfitableEntrepreneurBook.com.

Topics

  • Leaving Corporate Life for Entrepreneurship
  • Why Passion Alone Isn’t Enough to Succeed
  • The Hidden Pitfalls of Starting a Business
  • How to Validate a Business Idea Before Investing
  • The Psychology of Taking Risks in Business
  • Building a Strong Company Culture from Day One
  • Common Reasons Startups Fail (and How to Avoid Them)
  • The Importance of Market Research Before Launching
  • Lessons from Scaling a Business to 125 Employees
  • How to Differentiate Yourself in a Competitive Market

Guiding Questions

  • What inspired you to leave your CEO position and start your own company?
  • What were the biggest fears you had when making the leap to entrepreneurship?
  • You mention that many startups fail—what are some of the most common mistakes new business owners make?
  • How can someone validate a business idea before investing money into it?
  • What’s your take on the “follow your passion” advice for entrepreneurs?
  • How did you build a strong company culture with 125 employees?
  • What was the biggest challenge you faced in scaling your business?
  • If you were starting from scratch today, what would you do differently?
  • How can aspiring entrepreneurs tell if their idea has a real market demand?
  • What advice would you give someone who’s afraid to take the leap into business ownership?

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Defying the Gatekeepers

Shelly Snow Pordea:

Defying the Gatekeepers

When Shelly was falsely accused of stealing intellectual property, she found herself up against powerful figures in the publishing world. What followed was a defining moment of self-advocacy, resilience, and a deep reckoning with her own worth.

Bio

Shelly Snow Pordea is a storyteller at heart. Whether through novels, nonfiction, or children’s books, she weaves words that connect, heal, and inspire. Her journey began with Tracing Time, a beloved time travel romance that continues to captivate readers, consistently ranking among the top in its category on Amazon Kindle.

A passionate advocate for recovery and resilience, Shelly speaks openly about her experience as a cult survivor, helping others find their own path to healing. Her personal story is also at the core of an upcoming dramatic series, which she is co-writing with her brother, actor Jon Snow. Together, they are bringing their lived experiences to life in a way that is both deeply personal and universally compelling.

Beyond fiction, Shelly’s heartwarming children’s book, The Hug Who Had No Arms, quickly became a favorite, debuting as a bestseller on Amazon. Through this charming story, she celebrates the beauty of differences and the many ways we can express love.

Her latest novel, The Cheating Wife, takes a raw and honest look at the emotional aftermath of toxic manipulation and control. Drawing from her own journey of breaking free from a cult, Shelly crafts a powerful story of resilience, self-discovery, and the strength it takes to reclaim one’s life.

Shelly is excited to debut the first book of her new Flight Risk Spy series, The Night We Met, in March of 2025, with three other books following within the year. 

Follow along on social media @shellysnowpordea for updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and more stories that touch the heart.

Topics

  • How to stand up for yourself in a high-stakes professional situation
  • Overcoming self-doubt after a career setback
  • The hidden power dynamics in creative industries
  • The importance of intellectual property ownership for creatives
  • Transitioning from dependency on gatekeepers to independent success
  • The emotional toll of false accusations—and how to rebuild
  • Investing in yourself when the odds feel stacked against you
  • How to recognize and break free from undervaluing your own work
  • Finding resilience after professional betrayal
  • How creatives can protect their work and avoid exploitation

Guiding Questions

  • Can you take us back to the moment you first learned about the accusation against you?
  • How did you initially react, and what emotions did you experience during that time?
  • What gave you the courage to stand up for yourself in such a difficult situation?
  • Looking back, how do you think this experience changed your perception of your own value?
  • What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in the aftermath of the situation?
  • You mentioned going through a period of self-doubt—how did you pull yourself out of it?
  • What steps did you take to regain control of your career and financial stability?
  • What advice would you give to other creatives about protecting their intellectual property?
  • How did this experience shape your approach to working with clients today?
  • If you could go back and talk to yourself at the start of this ordeal, what would you say?

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Success Beyond Wealth

Frank Agin:

Success Beyond Wealth

Frank Agin thought success was measured in wealth—until a simple comment from a client’s wife changed his entire perspective. In that moment, he realized he already had his reward and that true success isn’t about what we gain, but what we give.

Bio

Frank Agin works to empower small businesses to achieve more by helping them create dynamic professional relationships. He does this by operating a membership-based referral program (AmSpirit Business Connection) and shares insightful content via his podcasts, articles and book. Learn all about Frank at http://frankagin.com.

Topics

  • The unexpected wisdom that changed his perspective on success
  • Why true generosity isn’t about recognition or reward
  • How to find fulfillment in giving without expectations
  • The role of faith and unseen rewards in life’s journey
  • Shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance
  • Redefining success beyond money and career achievements
  • Lessons in gratitude from those who face real hardship
  • The importance of perspective in navigating personal challenges
  • How our biggest insights often come from unexpected moments
  • Balancing ambition with contentment in a fast-paced world

Guiding Questions

  • Can you take us back to the moment that changed your perspective on giving?
  • How did that conversation reshape the way you approach generosity?
  • Why do you think people struggle with feeling unappreciated when they give?
  • What are some ways we can recognize the rewards we already have?
  • How did this shift in mindset impact your career and personal life?
  • In a world driven by achievement, how do we learn to embrace contentment?
  • What lessons can entrepreneurs and professionals take from your experience?
  • How do you balance ambition with gratitude for what you already have?
  • What role does faith or belief in unseen rewards play in your philosophy?
  • What advice would you give to someone feeling frustrated by giving without recognition?

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Finding My True Self

Eileen Bild:

Finding My True Self

Eileen’s battle with fibromyalgia left her feeling lost and disconnected from her authentic self. But after embracing a path of healing that combined mind, body, and spirit, she not only regained her health but also uncovered her mission to help others ignite their inner light.

Bio

Eileen is CEO of Ordinary to Extraordinary Life/OTELproductions & OTEL Universe – A Universal Voice, Executive ROKU Channel Developer, Founder of The Core Thinking Blueprint Method, Breakthrough S.P.A.R.K. Coach, and Founding Member of JETSet Music Media,

She sparks people to see life through a higher perspective in order to thrive while being their authentic self. Her focus is on Core Thinking, the 3 C’s (Confidence, Courage, Clarity) and overcoming life’s adversities through strength with grace in order to achieve success in a way that is fulfilling and optimizes one’s potential.

Eileen & Trevor are building a legacy through their platform that gives others a voice for their passions, visions and dreams for their own life legacy. They welcome Partners & Alliances in the creative arts, media, and entertainment.

Authors, Publishers, Musicians, Promotors, Directors, Artists, Leaders, Entrepreneurs, Talk Show Hosts and Forward Thinkers are working together with Eileen and Trevor’s vision of a valued based world inspired by incredible talent, knowledge, collaborations, and growth through heart centered connections.

In addition to building a global web of ideas and business partnerships, OTEL Universe offers a variety of services that shines a light on those they serve.

Eileen is honored to work with Music and Entertainment Industry executives Jenny DuHaime and Tara Kye Maines as the JETSet Music Media Team. (J)enny (E)ileen and (T)ara, 3 Leaders, Digital Creators, and Influencers, have joined their talents to align themselves with likeminded industry professional collaboratives to deliver the best results for client’s campaigns.

Eileen teaches Mindfulness Meditation, Mindfulness Leadership, Validation, Communication Skills, & Leadership Skills. She is a talk show host, published author, inspirational and keynote speaker, and internationally syndicated columnist.

Topics

  • Holistic healing and the mind-body connection
  • Overcoming chronic illness through self-discovery
  • The role of mindset in physical health
  • Learning to set boundaries for wellness
  • Detoxing the mind, body, and spirit
  • Finding purpose after personal hardship
  • The importance of self-care and receiving
  • Breaking free from societal expectations of women
  • The power of saying “no” to unhealthy influences
  • Personal transformation through nutrition and movement

Guiding Questions

  • Can you take us back to the moment you realized you needed to change?
  • What was it like navigating the early days of fibromyalgia with little medical recognition?
  • What were the key turning points in your healing journey?
  • How did holistic practices contribute to your recovery?
  • What role did mindset play in your transformation?
  • What was the biggest lesson you learned from this experience?
  • How did discovering your life’s purpose change the way you live?
  • What advice would you give to someone feeling stuck in their illness?
  • How do you help others find their own inner spark?
  • What are some practical ways people can realign with their true selves?

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