Inspiring Stories

Grace Ogren writes novels for young adults and educational content that helps people find addiction and mental health treatment. She has one published novel, one in the works, and many more planned. She has worked as a freelance writer, copywriter, and editor over the last 4 years, honing her voice as an author and her goals for the future. You can find her work on Recovery.com and Amazon. https://www.graceogren.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

My work centers on empowering boomer women, their daughters, and now granddaughters to take charge of their wellness and financial independence. Through curated events and educational initiatives, I show women how caring for themselves leads to confidence, fearless choices, and a spirit of sharing that lifts entire communities. I believe listeners of Inspiring Stories would connect with conversations around enhancing one’s worth personally and professionally, while fostering an attitude of inclusivity and abundance. I’d love a chance to share these ideas and personal stories with your audience, and offer practical approaches for women to strengthen their well-being, leadership, and impact. Thank you for considering me as a possible guest for an upcoming episode. https://womenworthwellness.com/about-us/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

M. M. De Voe is an internationally published fictionista who once danced for the Pope and later ran away with a group of jugglers. Five Pushcart nominations, two Editor’s Prizes, a Shirley Jackson Award, a Hugo nomination, two children, and several writing conferences later, De Voe has published in various genres internarionally and evwn co-wrote the book of a sci-fi musical which was produced off-Broadway in 2015. She was a Columbia University Writing Fellow and received her MFA under Michael Cunningham. in 2013, she founded the nonprofit Pen Parentis to help writers maintain their careers after having kids, a process described in her nonfiction guidebook for writers who are parents, Book & Baby. This guide won first prize at the 2021 NextGen Indie Awards in the category of writing guides. Her first book of fiction, A FLASH OF DARKNESS: Collected Stories of M. M. De Voe (Borda Books, 2023), was called “ominous, masterfully crafted psychological fiction” by Kirkus Review. As an inaugural member of the Lithuanian Writers of the Diaspora Forum, Mtravels to Vilnius every three years to keep her finger on the pulse of international fiction. She lives in New York City, where she is excited to release her first novel THE BOY WHO LOVED TREES in October 2025. https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Loved-Trees-ebook/dp/B0FWZ981TF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=W1TAVJ4OC75C&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vpwPMHP_rnB_txDl5XVpcbDzlPetsDJtIgD9Sp1pwXI.EKRG9XJB_zGnC0QNTF2NAw25GCsW4DNBAnWPcF5cx3o&dib_tag=se&keywords=mm+devoe&qid=1767039708&s=books&sprefix=mm+devoe%2Caps%2C208&sr=1-1 https://penparentis.org/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

'm an award winning author of two books: ADVENT 9 and SECRET SKY: THE YOUNG UNIVERSE. My most recent book, SECRET SKY, has won multiple gold awards. At the 2025 IBPA awards, it won gold for best science fiction (an adult category, even though the book is Middle Grade) and also for best audiobook for Children or Young Adults. It also won the 2025 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal for Children's Adventure Fiction. I was one of the last authors ever to be mentored by David Farland, the NYT Bestselling Author and writing teacher of Brandon Sanderson, Stephenie Meyer, Brandon Mull, and James Dashnerhttps://www.amazon.com/Advent-9-T-Alan-Horne-ebook/dp/B0BBK4125Z/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4GUECLFRXHO1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.locSu_hKsWl9tzfOhdOtzw.RHNu_9o0DNqQ69C8oL2875xj1OmbRHBUfgwU1kpY57o&dib_tag=se&keywords=advent+9&qid=1767039266&s=books&sprefix=advent+9%2Caps%2C182&sr=1-1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

Hi, I’m Dr. Trina Read, a Calgary sexologist, best-selling, award-winning author, and relationship expert. For 25 years, I’ve helped married women and couples reignite passion and connection after the honeymoon phase fades. That journey inspired me to create a new literary genre called self-help-fiction — stories that both entertain and transform. My award-winning novel, The Sex Show, was the first of its kind in the world, blending engaging storytelling with practical tools for real-life intimacy. My upcoming release, The Taboo Show, continues that mission—helping women find their voice. Through my books, masterclasses, and podcast appearances, I aim to make conversations about intimacy and relationships open, empowering, and joyful. At the heart of everything I do is one goal: helping people connect more deeply—with themselves and each other. As well, as a gift to your listeners, they can download my 5 Pleasure Secrets of Satisfied Couples handout. Here's the link: https://www.trinaread.com/5-pleasure-secrets-of-satisfied-couples-handbook Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

About DeborahDeborah Lukovich, with a MA/PhD in depth psychology, I'm an expert in understanding and decoding the mysterious language of the unconscious. Clients come to me for all sorts of reasons, but what they have in common is a desire to access a new kind of knowing. As a Depth Psychology Coach, is also an accomplished author with her latest book When Sex Meets God https://www.deborahlukovich.com/whensexmeetsgod About When Sex Meets GodOne woman's story about surrendering to the unknown, risking judgment to seek a deeper truth, and discovering that when sexuality meets the sacred, a wild, creative force is unleashed.  Deborah’s life as a mother, professional, and wife felt so perfect that the twinge of discontent confused her. Ten years later, her marriage and business unraveled, and her eleven-year-old son said he didn’t want to live. Getting divorced only unleashed demons that her twenty-four-year marriage had protected her from. The younger men appeared as unexpected teachers, revitalizing her sensuality, and then a soul-stirring romance forced a reckoning deep inside her. Through the fire of erotic intensity and spiritual revelation, she shed layers of armor, embraced the sacredness of her desire, and stepped boldly into the fullness of her true self. Michael Clog’s Review I wish I had found this years ago when I was struggling to learn who I was and find reasons why i should love myself. Deborah, your story taught that many others have struggled to love themselves just for being the person they are. Thank you so much for sharing, and this is a must-read for most of humanityBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

Maria enjoys serving a wide variety of charities, non-profits, businesses, and individuals and helping them achieve their long-term objectives. She also volunteers by serving on the boards of directors of charitable organizations, and by speaking at legal education seminars.Maria previously worked as in-house counsel and privacy officer with a large internationally focused charity based in Alberta. With her experience as in-house counsel with a charity, Maria has a strong understanding of being in the client’s position and the day-to-day challenges facing charities. As a result, Maria diligently seeks to provide clients with practical and quality assistance. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

Emily Ava Gillespie (they/she) is an author, disability activist, and professional daydreamer.  They won the 2021 Dr. James Jamieson Influential Alumni Award from Nipissing University. Gillespie has a BA in Gender Equality and Social Justice and an MA in Critical Disability Studies. They earned a certificate in Creative Writing from Concordia University.   They have volunteered and worked in the disability community as an activist, researcher, peer support and facilitator for fifteen years. Gillespie is also an author and performance artist. Her work explores themes of memory, identity and mental health journeys. They enjoy working in community spaces and examining individual and collective experiences.  Dancing with Ghosts (Leaping Lion Books, 2017) is her first novel. Their poetry and short-stories can be found in several journals and anthologies. She co-edited Mighty: an Anthology of Disabled Superheroes by Renaissance Press published fall 2023. Her most recent novel is titled Wait With Me and was released in 2025.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

Powerful Storytelling to grow your business with Jake IshamJake Isham is a filmmaker-turned-brand strategist and creative director who helps founders and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into authority through powerful storytelling. Over the past decade, Jake has worked with more than 150 entrepreneurs and companies— including Grant Cardone, Callaway, 5.11 Tactical, and Travis Mathew—creating content that’s generated over 1 billion views online. Jake focuses on blending his background in filmmaking with deep marketing strategy, with creating digital shows and social media content for CEOs and entrepreneurs to cut through the noise by crafting content that builds trust, drives visibility, and creates true omnipresence across platforms. Whether scaling a founder-led brand or launching a thought leadership show, Jake brings a unique creative lens and proven playbooks that turn storytelling into growth.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

I am a fourth-generation Christian born and raised in Pakistan by my prayer warrior mother whose unwavering faith was an inspiration, motivation, footstep to me and my six siblings.  After facing persecution and an increasingly dangerous political climate, she encouraged us to leave the country any way we could.  So I worked hard to obtain an MBA degree and with God’s guidance, secured a job in Dubai where I met and married my husband, Ratnam and had a daughter named Angelica.  God then opened a door so that we could emigrate to Canada where we live today. Though I have been hearing from God in dreams since the age of nine, it was not until after I lost my beloved mother and after I arrived in Canada that I rededicated my life to God and received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit on 11 September 2011. From that day till today I spend many hours a day in prayer to God and receive many dreams and visions from Him.  As a result, I am able to be a blessing to others by praying for them at the right time when they might not even be aware that they need prayer.  I have also received miraculous healings from my own major health problems and for my family as well. Inspired by the many miracles I have experienced, my goal has become to share God’s voice that I have heard with others through film and any other medium that God can use.  I hope to use my stories to inspire others to have a more profound relationship with God and to experience more fully His presence the way I have been privileged to do.  I have also been overcome with love and compassion for the many Christians still suffering in my native country of Pakistan and wish to raise funds to help them through U R the Inspiration Foundation.  https://hannahratnam.com/home-1/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

Elizabeth Burdock is a storyteller, creator, and forest protector who has stood on the frontlines of environmental movements, including protests to defend old-growth forests in the Walbran Valley, Fairy Creek, and beyond. Known online as whichbetty, she has built a community of over two million people across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook through her viral cooking shows, foraging adventures, and whimsical content series like Burdock & Yarrow. In addition to her digital presence, Elizabeth is a tattoo artist and herbalist whose work explores themes of resilience, creativity, and connection to the land. Whether she’s teaching about plants, sharing her story, or inspiring others to find joy and courage in everyday life, Elizabeth brings humor, honesty, and heart to everything she does.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

Roger Devine has led a life based on service, communication, education, and entrepreneurship. As the co-founder of SchoolAuction.net, he has spent the past 20 years assisting and advising local and national nonprofit organizations and charities on how to grow their programs and ensure financial stability through fundraising events, such as gala auctions, golf tournaments, and trivia nights. Throughout his time at SchoolAuction.net, Roger has been an advocate for organizations to make their events equitable and accessible to supporters outside of the traditional top-tier donors, as a way of building a broader base of supporters. This attitude was born from the company’s decision to focus its marketing outreach on schools and PTAs, and from experiences during the 2008 recession, when many fundraising officers became wary of whether fundraising events could work in a time of economic uncertainty.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

TEDx Speaker Robin Nathaniel has a story of resilience, creativity, and reinvention. Beginning his career as a musician, Robin’s artistic roots laid a unique foundation for his journey. This experience in music, with its emphasis on connection and storytelling, naturally paved the way for his transition into the professional world of social media. Living by the motto "Connect. Create. Contribute," he aims to inspire a wave of positive transformation.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

Vance spent 10 years working for the mouse at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida. He started his career at Disney on the Opening Team of the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, and progressed through the management ranks as a Night Club Manager at Pleasure Island, Service Trainer aboard the Empress Lily, and on the revitalization team of the Contemporary Resort in the mid-90’s. It was at the Contemporary that Vance got his crowning achievement, Designing, Opening and Operating Chef Mickey’s, Disney’s flagship Character Dining Experience. After leaving Disney, (yes people do leave) he utilized his skills to rescue or improve many of America’s companies and government agencies. His clients included Legal Seafoods, Tyson, NASA, Rain Forest Café, Compass Group, The Executive Office of the President of the United States, The Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Tiring of corporate life, Vance opened his own Bricks & Mortar Business in 2007.  After meteoric growth of his service business, other entrepreneurs began to seek him out for advice and counsel. This spawned his next business, Deliver Service Now!, consulting and coaching other companies on how to create and implement Disney style service and then apply Direct Response   Marketing to profit from it. Vance Morris has shared the stage with many of the premier marketers and service professional in the world; Dan Kennedy, Joe Polish, Bob Brown, Lou Ferrigno, Dean Jackson, Charles Henning, Lee Cockerell, and Meg Crofton. http://wow52ways.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

Baltej Dhillon is a retired career police officer, a community leader, and a lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion. Emigrating from Malaysia in 1983, Mr. Dhillon made history in 1991 as the first Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer to wear a turban, advocating for the right to practice his faith while serving Canada. Mr. Dhillon went on to have a successful 30‑year career with the RCMP as an accomplished major crime investigator, police interrogator, polygraph examiner, intelligence officer, and emergency planner. He played a key role in several high-profile investigations, including the Air India Flight 182 tragedy and the Robert Pickton case. Mr. Dhillon also held various leadership roles, including overseeing the British Columbia RCMP Divisional Emergency Operations Centre and the federal Serious and Organized Crime’s Intelligence section, also in British Columbia, as well as establishing and managing intelligence operations at the Provincial Intelligence Centre of British Columbia (now the Real-Time Operations Centre of British Columbia), the first of its kind in Canada. In 2013, Mr. Dhillon led the Sikh Leadership and Police Committee on Gang Violence to support youth prevention strategies within the Sikh Community. Since retiring from the RCMP in 2019, he has worked as Program Manager for the Crime Guns Intelligence and Investigations Group with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia, the province’s anti-gang agency. Mr. Dhillon is also deeply involved in community service. He serves on various committees and has led youth camps. He has received numerous distinctions and awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Times of Canada, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, and the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award. In addition to his extensive police education and training, Mr. Dhillon is the recipient of honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from McMaster University and Kwantlen Polytechnic University. https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/dhillon-baltej-s/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

Leading EK Editorial & Coaching, Elise Krentzel's narrative expertise has developed over a 35-year entrepreneurial career in music, media, and publishing globally. By collaborating with our clients, we create books and content that reflect their ethical visions and societal contributions. With a focus on editorial services that include ghostwriting, the Write Like a Rebel online writing course, book coaching, editing, and publishing, our services resonate with business leaders eager to share their impactful stories, including those they don’t yet know exist.  At EKPR, strategic creative direction merges with effective communication to enhance brand identities through compelling executive storytelling. My experience in creative direction and writing helps me forge meaningful connections between clients and their audiences, ensuring their stories resonate and endure in books, speeches, press releases, and commercials.  "Under My Skin: Drama, Trauma, & Rock 'n' Roll" starts Elise's memoir trilogy. "Rogue Entrepreneur - Her Memoir" is set to drop in late spring. She is a poet, culture journalist, and itinerant traveler, as well as a proud mother of one son. She lives in Austin, TX.https://www.elisekrentzel.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

Andrew is a registered professional counsellor, a master practitioner in clinical counselling-supervisor, family mediator, instructor, and facilitator with over 10 years of experience supporting children, youth, adults, and seniors in their grief and loss journeys. Through his work with Canuck Place, Friends for Life, Moving Forward Family Services, and his private counselling ‘practice’ Andrew is highly skilled and knowledgeable in grief, loss, and bereavement, and he has garnered positive feedback that his empathic, caring, compassionate and sensitive approach has instilled hope and a new sense of purpose to those he has worked with. Andrew is inspired by anyone who has been able to find strength to overcome their personal challenges, and those who are interested and willing to support others. He finds the work of the Dalai Lama inspiring, specifically, his messages that emphasize focusing on others with affection, rather than with anger. Andrew is also intrigued by Thomas Merton’s thoughts on racism, social justice, love, and compassion. Andrew believes that learning is infinite, and he regularly participates in professional development opportunities so that he can impart informed knowledge to others, with the goal of contributing to their success. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys hiking, walking by the ocean, fixing, and riding vintage motorcycles, writing, reading, and painting. Andrew is well- travelled, spending over two years travelling the world in his youth and utilizing opportunities to support a variety of poverty-stricken communities. Contact Andrew Bexson at andrew@surreyhospice.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

Ernestine is a Musical Alchemist and a gifted Soulful Intuitive Guitarist. Ernestine & her Guitar have been together for 27+ years. They have shared life’s joys and sorrows, and everything in between!   This has created a symbiotic relationship between them, an almost soulmate relationship. When Ernestine plays their energies merge and something new, powerful and beautiful emerges. Ernestine’s ability to synchronize the flow of energy from her soul, and her heart, and engage fully with the universal flow of energies around her, and then translate what comes forward into music is her greatest gift and it creates magic!   When Ernestine opens herself up to this divine flow, she and her guitar create musical landscapes that alchemically assist others to raise their vibration and sense of self. When Ernestine goes live, she has no idea where the music will take her or who it is for, but time and time again she has found her listeners feel better, calmer and more in tune with themselves.   In June 2021 she began playing with a Looper and quickly recognized how this added another dimension to her music, allowing her to go even deeper in receiving new levels of energetic flow. Ernestine has recordings of songs and longer form albums available for Healing, Relaxation and Beauty for all to enjoy. When she is inspired to do a live session, what emerges it is a uniquely channeled composition that calls to be expressed into the world, created in the moment for whoever is listening (or hears a recording later). Her deep love of spirit and connecting to people through music fills her life with joy and peace. Ernestine welcomes all to relax and allow the “Soulful” music to take you on a beautiful journey! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/Fj6zR6S6eyI?si=88Czbd18eLu0zDNyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

A successful tech entrepreneur Andre Shadowman was one of the first 30 Airbnb employees he built a successful career helping expand business internationally coordinating with him being on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange as the VP of international expansion at five or when they went public in 2019 he has a masters degree in public policy from Harvard Kennedy school ABA from Williams College of these accolades among others matter less to him now that he has a current dream of showing the magic and the power of human connection around the world born and raised in New Orleans to Argentine Jewish parents with a broader Colombian immigrant community Andreas currently travels the world nomadically with a Mexican Bates https://www.youtube.com/@SchabelmaniaBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

"Noles Honor" explores complex themes like war, colonialism, and cultural misunderstandings through a fantasy lens The book features a well-defined "hard magic" system and a scientifically-grounded world built using Jason's knowledge of geology, climate science, etc. Jason is crafting an immense world to support multiple books and stories set across different time periodsReaders can access a free 2-chapter preview and join a mailing list to engage with the project as it progresses TopicsStory centers on the Noles, a manufactured warrior race, and their conflict with humans Inspired by works like R.A. Salvatore's that subvert traditional fantasy race tropes Explores how cultures/species may have tendencies, but individuals have free will The inciting incident is the destruction of main character Tack's village, sparking the central conflictBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.