Radio Interview with Passioneer® Karen Drucker, Recording Artist

We recently had the honor to interview Karen Drucker, a gifted singer & songwriter who travels around the country performing and speaking at conferences, retreats, churches, concerts, workshops, and her own spiritual retreats. She has created 13 CDs and has worked with such inspirational authors as Joan Borysenko, Mary Manin Morrissey, Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Alan Cohen, SARK, and have been honored to receive an honorary doctorate from the United Centers for Spiritual Living.  You can reach her at http://www.karendrucker.com. If you or someone you know would make a great Passioneering guest, please let us know!

Below are the archived show and highlights:

Radio Interview Highlights

  • Taking action is critical: Having a “by” in front of your name is more important than having a BA (or other designation) after it, according to Karen.
  • What you gain from a mundane j.o.b. is what you need to do your dream career, especially if you do the j.ob. with passion.  Karen used to sing at weddings and gained valuable experience and lessons about singing and songwriting in the process.
  • From an early age, Karen learned the importance of making a difference in the world: she garnered support and financing to fix the broken Hollywood Hills sign.  If not her, then who?
  • A caller-in to the radio show expressed his gratitude for how Karen’s music touched him and his mother, who had gone through chemotherapy for cancer treatment.  His story brought Karen and me to tears.  (Thanks Mark!)
  • Karen performs at Seattle Unity this upcoming weekend, June 18-19, for a music symposium and Passions workshop.  More information, see Karen’s website.

Listen to internet radio with Sue Oliver on Blog Talk Radio

Thank you Karen, and Happy Passioneering!

Marketing Guru Marsh Engle Interview on Passioneering Journeys

On May 4, 2011, we interviewed Marsh Engle on her passions, possibilities, and making a huge difference in the world. Below are some highlights and quotes from the interview:

Radio Interview Highlights

  • There’s power in shifting your story.  How can you tell it with deep wisdom?
  • When you share your journey through story, you’re creating something that will be history.
  • Marsh shares her own journey through a successful marketing & branding career, her dark night of the soul, and her current success as a marketing and entrepreneur coach, speaker, and author.
  • Her new book is Amazing Woman, What’s Your Story.
  • You’ve got to be passionate about what you do, and the world will receive that energy from you.

Marsh’s Bio

Marsh Engle is an international speaker, success coach and author who offers the Essential Feminine Principles of Success. For over a decade she’s facilitated hundreds of hours of coaching to transformational entrepreneurs, coaches, authors and experts helping them to reveal their purpose, empower their relationships, expand their platform and propel unparalleled success. The Marsh Engle Show broadcasts each Monday on Voice America Business. Her website is: http://www.marshengle.com.

The Passions and Possiblities Network Radio

During each show we interview inspired leaders and entrepreneurs who are paying it forward vibrantly and prosperously in the world (aka Passioneers®).  Each show, these amazing guests share their ups, downs, tips, and wisdom, as they stay committed to their Passioneering journeys, regardless.  Share your own journey and questions, and join the thriving Passioneer community on Facebook and Twitter where we connect, commune, and collaborate. When two or more Passioneers gather, there’s sizzle, synergy, and transformation!!   Join us live on Wednesdays at 9am PST, by phone (347) 205-9038 or via streaming internet.

Happy Passioneering!

 

 

Passioneer® Podblast (12 minutes), MaSanda’s Tips for Clearing Clutter and Your Life

MaSanda LaRa Gadd is transformational life coach and founder of Heartvisions.    An expert at supporting her clients, she brings chaos into order and empowers them to clear the clutter to transform their lives.  She helps people who are struggling with too much clutter and supports them in clearing a path for their mind, body & spirit. She offers coaching sessions, energy sessions, spiritual support groups, and officiates at weddings.  Her website:  www.heartvisions.com

Below is the transcript and brief podcast from our recent interview.  Enjoy and Happy Passioneering!

1) What are the biggest challenges that budding Passioneers face with clearing clutter in their lives?

  • Focus  – Too many ideas and not enough time to accomplish them all. (Brain types)
  • Procrastination – Overwhelmed – getting started – “I don’t feel like it.”  syndrom.   Ask yourself: What are the underlying causes of your clutter?  What habits have you created that you need to recreate in order to have a home that is clean and clear?
  • Maintaining a system – stick with a system that supports passioneers in getting things done.

2) What are your top three tips for these Passioneers to clear the clutter?

  • Assess and create a plan for the areas of your home you want to clear clutter in.
  • Prioritize your list and select your #1 priority to clear.
  • Focus on that one area and get an accountability buddy to report to so you get it done.

The Clutter Test:

  1. Does the item lift your energy when you think about it for look at it?
  2. Do you absolutely love it?
  3. Is it genuinely useful?

3)    What three resources do you recommend for these Passioneers to check out in this area?

  • “Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui” – Karen Kingston
  • “The Four Day Win: – Martha Beck
  • “Organizing for Your Brain Type – Lanna Nakon3

4) Anything else?
Sometimes it has nothing to do with the clutter.  It’s more about what your Mind, Body and Spirit need to clear in order to live a life you love.  You clear those aspects and your clutter will disappear easily.

Thanks MaSanda!

 

Passioneer® Harold James Wilkins, CEO and Owner of Tiny Green Cabins, Green Entrepreneur

We’re honored to interview Harold James Wilkins, CEO and Owner of Tiny Green Cabins, on the radio show The Passions and Possibilities® Network on Wednesday, 9am PST, January 19th.

For several years in talking with his sons, Jim urged them to pursue their dreams, and yet found himself unable to take the risk for himself.  The weekend of Nov 13, 2008, at a retreat in Northern Minnesota on Gull Lake, an idea and dream surfaced that he knew he had to follow. This time, it went further than just dreams and idle talk, and actually moved into a mind mapping of the idea. Before long, he had hard reasons on paper to follow the dream. He now builds small houses, tiny cabins, tiny homes, and tiny houses that honor the environment and vision to make a difference for others.  Jim’s been featured in a variety of media channels, and can be reached at www.tinygreencabins.com

Check out www.blogtalkradio.com/passionsandpossibilities for the show’s archive!

Jim’s Passionography:

SZO: What’s your definition of “passion”?

Passion is the intense love and pursuit of my heart desires, the fire in the belly, the “thing” that makes me come alive with an energy that says this is mine to do.

SZO:  Which factors have been most important in your success? Vision, Faith, Perseverance, and Tenacity

SZO:  What has been your biggest challenge in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed it?

The critical voice, inner and exterior, that questions or challenges my beliefs and abilities to do what I desire to do. I listen to spirit, the inner voice and intuition, seek out mentors and friends that will support me in my passion, sought counseling to build self esteem and to identify that critical inner voice and make peace with some aspects of it. I have learned to celebrate the achievements, large and small, and rejoice in them by acknowledging/honoring them in some special way. I keep a win journal so that when I get discouraged, I can review the wins and milestones of the journey. And I remember, “This too shall pass” And finally, I have learned to listen to the “whispers” that float through while I am “being”, whenever and wherever that may be.

SZO: Do you have a quote to share that speaks of you and your passion?

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now. –Goethe

Visioning is a process by which we train ourselves to be able to hear, feel, see, and catch God’s plan for our life or for any particular project we’re working on . . . it is based on the idea that we’re not here to tell God what to do or to ask God for things but to absolutely be available for what God is already doing, to open ourselves up to catch what’s already happening. —Rev. Michael Beckwith, D.D.

SZO:  What tips do you have for someone to create a bigger vision for their lives?

Create a team, support group of like minded individuals for visioning your highest purposes. Each member of the team benefits from the insights and whispers they “catch” while visioning Find a coach or mentor that will be forthright with you, hold your highest vision, and support you in spirit, and is authentic and is in alignment with their beliefs.

SZO:  What tips do you have for somebody to do more of what they really love?

Identify what they love doing, and get curious about the possibilities of what you love doing. Know that you can do it and you can make a living at it. Remain open at the top, meditate and vision regularly, make a practice of it so you can check in on your vision as it reveals itself to you. Start a “win” file so that when things get discouraging, you can pull up your accomplishments and successes. Pick a song that reminds you quickly and easily of what you can do. For me, it is “Amazing Things” by Jana Stanfield.

Thanks Jim and Happy Passioneering!

Passioneer® Glenton Davis, Founder and Executive Director, Soul Pop U

Glenton Davis serves as Founder and Executive Director of Soul Pop U. Davis is a cum laude graduate of the prestigious Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut, and a graduate of Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. Immediately following, he went to Wall Street where he spent over two years working as the financial analyst to the Chief Investment Officer of J.P. Morgan Global Asset & Wealth Management, responsible for over $600 billion in discretionary assets. His hard work and talent at the financial titan earned him a place in Fortune Magazine’s “Faces of the Future” – a list of Who to Watch among young people in the corporate world. He recently left Wall Street to pursue a full time career in music, and to promote the release of his EP “Are You Ready,” which was released to critical acclaim and yielded a Top 400 dance single in Canada called “Go Get on the Floor”. Davis also has a publishing deal with Munich based The Globe Art Group, distributed by Sony/BMG. Davis has also worked in youth development as a Student Advocate for the Harlem Children’s Zone. He can be reached at http://www.soulpopuniversity.com.

We’re interviewing Glenton on the radio show, The Passions and Possibilities Network, broadcasting this Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 9am PST.  Tune in live via (347) 205-9038 or streaming audio:  The Passions and Possibilities Radio Show

Glenton’s Passiongraphy Q&A:

SO: What’s your definition of “passion”?

Passion is discovering your Life Purpose, the overarching and intangible “it” which gets you out of bed and keeps you out of bed with a burning desire to share it with others.

SO: What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

One word: ASK
The key factor to my early success has been to get on the phone and ask, write that email and ask, drop by that office unannounced, and ASK. Ask until someone says YES.

SO: What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

My biggest challenge has been dealing with the uncertainty. Regardless of how sound your plan may be – whether it be organizational, financial, personal or otherwise – things change, quickly. And the changes can hurt, badly. I’ve had to learn that after you jump off the cliff, you will undoubtedly hit some big rocks while you build the wings to fly. It takes unparalleled resilience to keep building those wings – a resilience I have had to dig really deep into my being to find. The blessing is when you begin to uncover it you can learn to trust that this light of entrepreneurship is a gift – YOUR gift – to share with the world.

SO: Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

After 2 and a half years on Wall Street, I decided to leave for two reasons. First, I realized that I have been given so many opportunities so early in my life. Why not take them and leverage them into a venture about which I was wholly passionate? I am 25 years old. Now is my time to step out on faith, to take big risks to contribute, to give back, and to make my career and my life fully my own. Second, I also am a recording artist, and my single “Go Get on the Floor” broke through the Top 400 pop songs in Canada, lighting a fire beneath me to give all of these passions a go. I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur, to run my own businesses, to grow them and watch them develop into brands, into ways of life that give back to the communities around them. My work up until now has all been a series of stepping stones towards this goal.

SO: Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.”    – Goethe

SO: What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

Glenton Davis was a man of great passion and great spirit who lived his ultimate purpose in this life: to make our souls pop.

SO: What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

For aspiring entrepreneurs, I can offer the following advice. If you’re waiting until you’re ready, until you have enough money saved, until this, that, or the other – embrace the fear and step off the cliff. You will never be ready. Trust yourself to build wings on the way down. Another lesson that I continue to learn – and one that I think is crucial to achieving success as an entrepreneur – is to define your vision, see that vision in front of you, and commit to turning your thoughts into something tangible, no matter what. There will undoubtedly be roadblocks along the way. Some will feel larger than life, as though they cannot be moved and you cannot find a way around them. With time, learn to be strong like steel, to keep your higher purpose for change, for action, burning bright in the forefront of your mind. It will not always be easy, and it will not always feel good. Trust that with committed persistence, you will manifest tomorrow for others what you see today.

Passioneer® Stephanie A. Jones, Political/Social Scientist, Founder of Geek Nerd Wonk

Stephanie A. Jones, J.D., LL.M., M.P.H., is the Founder of GeekNerdWonk Charitable Foundation (“GNW”) (www.geeknerdwonk,org –  under construction!)

Stephanie, raised in Los Angeles, began her training as multi-disciplinary social and political scientist, taking degrees from Yale (Sociology, with specialty in Political Science, cum laude) and Columbia (Masters of Public Heath, in Ethics and History of Public Health, in Socio-medical Science), as well as a doctorate (J.D., University of Cincinnati, College of Law, American Jurisprudence Award, Law Review) and a post-doctorate degree in law (LL.M) in Mental Health Policy.

A life long scholar, Stephanie went to medical school for a few years -  abandoned over fury of health care waste, and institutionalized, socio-cultural, systemic conditions that guarantee health care disparities in marginalized and vulnerable populations.  She’s studied graduate level Bioethics at the University of Dayon, Death Penalty with Cornell’s Law School in Paris, International Human Rights with Gonzaga’s law school in Florence.  Graduate psychology studies at Columbia in Neuroscience, Stigma and Social Marketing complimented her training at Stanford’s Political Psychology Institute, and in Johns Hopkins’ Department of Psychiatry.  She’s published in multiple venues, and works across the US and in Africa for marginalized, vulnerable and discriminated against populations, often doing work where multiple stigmatized statuses operate synergistically.  She thinks of herself as an educator, researcher and writer.

The Passions and Possibilities Network Radio Show airs every Wednesday at 9am PST on Blog Talk Radio.  Join us live by dialing in at (347) 205-9038 with your questions, insights, and comments.  Thanks and Happy Passioneering!

Stephanie’s Passioneer Questionnaire:

SZO:  What’s your definition of “passion”?

Passion is living one’s one unrepeatable life wrung dry.

SZO: What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

The key factors in success are both the possession of and a reputation for the possession of unimpeachable integrity, over-generosity of time, talent, resources and work ethic; and a certain St. Bernard-ish slobbery enthusiasm for every conceivable person met or subject broached.   And get up EARLY!

SZO:  What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

I belong to many of the marginalized groups for which I work, and it is my speaking openly about my overcoming and/or the managing of these challenges which motivates my work.  I live with severe bipolar disorder and I am recovered from alcoholism, anorexia, and severe domestic violence. Most who possess such stigmatized statuses do not live in a time in which there exist finely tuned psychotropic medication, to which I am neurobiologically responsive and 100% medication compliant  for the best medical care one can buy.

As an adult, after marriage, children, a divorce, and heterosexually dating, I happened to fall in love with a woman.  Therefore, I live with what could be imposed upon me, were I to allow it,  multiple, synergistically-operating stigmatized statuses.

Most who possess such stigmatized identities have not my sheer dumb luck of having been born as a white American Citizen, with the unearned gifts of private and Ivy league schools,  and having had a  debutante ball, hailing from a family dating back (in America) to the Colonial Wars.  This social capital TRUMPS my would-be stigmatized statuses. These psychotropic drugs have enabled me to dance in the black of Aristotle’s “genius/madman” ledger, have enabled me to obtain a preposterously superb education, and enabled me to earn professional credibility and authority.  It is my calling to speak out for and work on behalf of those who are not so blessed as I, who are too frightened to get help for the types of synergistically operating stigmas one might want to put on me.

SZO:  Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

My mother, who is unconditional love, wisdom, and tenacity personified; and who taught me that one can indeed have one best friend for an entire lifetime.

Sir Winston Churchill, who, like me, suffered a mind besieged by bipolar disorder, at a time in which there was no medical help to assuage his pain, while insisting “Never, never, never give up.”  And he never, never, never gave up.

SZO:  Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

“Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny” – Tyron Edwards

“The first quality needed is audacity.” – Sir Winston Churchill.

SZO:  What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

“She left everything on the field.”

SZO:  What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

1) You must be prepared to work harder than you can conceivably imagine.  That means a 9-5 job to keep a roof over your head, and another 6 hours per day devoted to your true passion and/or volunteering, to whatever feels most authentic to you.  If you do not work 14-16 hours a day you will never escape your 9-5 job, when the goal is to be so successful at your authentic job you can do IT alone for 14-16 hours a day.

2) There is no vacancy waiting for you.  You have to claim your space. There is no room at the top just waiting for your particular brilliance, ready and willing to step to the side to enable your joining the hallowed ranks.  Educate yourself, give of yourself, establish your credibility, and then march in and claim your space.  Then work twice as hard to maintain your right to be there.

3) If you tell the truth. 100% of the time, you never have to remember anything you have ever said.

Thanks Stephanie!

Passioneers® Gary Mantz and Suzanne Mitchell, Radio Show Co-Hosts, Metaphysicians

Gary Mantz was twelve years old when he surreptitiously read Flying Saucers Serious Business by Frank Edwards in an art class where he discovered he was a truly terrible artist. As it turns out, his art is painting word pictures on The Gary Mantz Show Sundays 7-9pm on Alternative Talk 1150.  He can be reached at www.garymantz.com.   Suzanne Mitchell grew up in Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature.  As producer and co-host of The Gary Mantz Show, Suzanne uses her proficiency in business matters to organize the elements of show production and sometimes jumps into the on-air conversations.

Catch them live on Wednesday, October 27th, when we interview them on the Passions and Possibilities® Radio Show.

SZO:  What’s your definition of “passion”? The thing you do when all your duties are handled and you are free to do as you please.

SZO:  What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it? Gary: curiosity  Suzanne: persistence

SZO:  What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

Gary: overcoming the intransigence of those who considerate their professional duty to hold me back by dogged determination and a belief in a higher power  Suzanne: wanting to do more things than time permits and having to let some things go

SZO:  Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

Gary: Vin Scully & Art Bell, two giants of broadcasting  Suzanne: Gary

SZO Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

Gary: do it or don’t do it; you’re going to die anyway, so how would you like to spend the rest of yours days? You’ve got to choose. Suzanne: allow the unexpected.

SZO   What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

Gary: He did what he most loved to do and he did it pretty well.   Suzanne: I miss her.

SZO:  What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

A: ignore the people that tell you you can’t do it because of your age, race, religion, or any social category that excludes you. B: nurture your passion privately until you’re ready to go public C: let your passion be tempered with gradualness. Be enthusiastic and methodical at the same time.

Thanks Gary and Suzanne and Happy Passioneering!



Passioneer® Dan Hanneman, Counselor, Hypnotherapist

On Wednesday, October 6th, we’re interviewing Dan Hanneman on our Blog Talk Radio Show, The Passions and Possibilities Network®.


Dan Hanneman

Dial in live at 347-205-9038 or via streaming radio at 9:00am PST at www.blogtalkradio.com/passionsandpossibilities.

Dan Hanneman has an extensive background as a professional counselor and certified hypnotherapist with combined business and professional backgrounds in energy work, spiritual life coaching, metaphysics, Religious Science, hypnosis, psychology, motivational techniques, and personal/business development systems. He is the founder and CEO of BlockBust Your Path.  Dan created BlockBust Your Path to empower conscious entrepreneurs to live their Life Purpose fully to make a bigger impact in the world. He can be reached at www.spiritualrockstar.com

What’s your definition of “passion”?

The things that are most deep and meaningful to you.

What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

Key Factors:  Boldness, Courage, Service/Love, Meditation, Energy Work, Persistence

One Word:  Persistence

What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

Expecting instant results, doubting myself at times, lack of understanding of importance of energy resonance, lack of fully loving myself, fully trusting my intuition at all times, owning my authentic gifts, non-willingness to be humble

Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

The birth of my first child was the beginning of starting my path full-time as a entrepreneur.

Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

“Be The Change You Want To See In The World” – Mahatma Gandhi

What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

Dan – He stretched the limits of what we recognize what is possible and most real about us.  He opened us to a dimension of who we are that many of us had been completely asleep to recognizing.  His bravery is sharing his light with the world is an inspiration to us all!!! (or something like this J)

What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

1.   Be clear about what are your top 5 passions.  Clarity provides power to manifest.

2.     Now is always a good time to leap into living your passions.

3.     Choose in favor of your passions always.

Passioneer® Shannon Rose, Inspirational Speaker, Coach

On Wednesday, September 29th, we’re interviewing Shannon Rose on our Blog Talk Radio Show, The Passions and Possibilities Network®.

Shannon Ros

Dial in live at 347-205-9038 or via streaming radio at 9:30am PST at www.blogtalkradio.com/passionsandpossibilities.

Shannon’s story is one of a fight where he never gave up no matter what people told him. From the age of 2, he has battled, losing his voice for a year, unable to use his arms on and off throughout his life, and in constant pain along with doubt from doctors. At an early age he told them that he will succeed at life and have his arm raised in victory. He has been a radio producer, TV Producer, Pro Wrestling Announcer, Actor, and owning his own PR Company. These are just a few things he has done in a short time as he took the word Can’t and took the T off to say “I can!”

What’s your definition of “passion?”

Passion means to me working 24/7 to make the best out of what you do. Passion means crying, hurting, and pulling yourself up as you reach to that door of success. I have opened it and later in the year it is calling my name. Passion comes within , that burning desire to do whatever it takes to improve as there is always room for improvement and to be #1 in what you do.

What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

I have flipped my lifelong health problems from adversity into a personal challenge for success. TRIUMPH

What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

I have constantly battled pain and paralysis in my arms. I have sought the best medical treatment available and not allowed my illness to interfere with my goals. I have had doctors tell me through the years that my illness will disable me, that my illness is in my head I can overcome it, that my illness will force me to be in a wheelchair. I said you do not know who I am and I will be the greatest at what I do nothing less.

Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

I developed a fondness for professional wrestling when I was confined as a child. The late Gordon Solie opened the door for me and Hulk Hogan inspired me.

Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

Winners never quit and quitters never win!” (Vince Lombardi)

What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

Hopefully that I led by example to inspire others to overcome adversity to obtain their goals.

What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

Maintain a positive attitude; stay focused on your goals despite any forks in the road; Never let People bring you down.

The Passions and Possibilities Network® airs weekly at 9 am PST, and features bold, inspired individuals who have leaped vibrantly into making big contributions in the world. We share their stories in order to inspire others who are scared, stuck or discouraged about their own leap. Our mission? To prove that when you do what you love and give back, the rest DOES follow! Check out our Passioneer coaching services at Powerleaps LLC.

Passioneers® Barbara Techel and Jenny Pavlovic

On Wednesday September 22nd, we’re interviewing Barbara Techel and Jenny Pavlovic.

Barbara Techel

Barbara Techel is an advocate for animals with disabilities sharing the story of how her dachshund was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) persevered after surgery, physical therapy and then was custom-fitted for a doggie wheelchair. Frankie and Barbara educate children and adults through the Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog book series about seeing their challenges in a positive way, understanding disc disease, as well as encouraging others to be of service to their communities, despite obstacles they may face. They visit local schools, organizations, and nursing homes, as well as classrooms across the US and Canada via Skype.  They are also active as a therapy dog volunteer team visiting a local hospital, senior assisted living facility, and hospice community regularly each month. She can be reached at http://www.joyfulpaws.com/

Jenny Pavlovic with Chase, Cayenne, and Bandit

Jenny Pavlovic, Ph.D. is a writer, speaker, blogger, animal lover, and biomedical engineer whose life was changed dramatically by her animal rescue experiences in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. Pavlovic is the author of the award-winning 8 State Hurricane Kate: The Journey and Legacy of a Katrina Cattle Dog and the new Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book. She grew up in Wisconsin and currently lives in Afton, Minnesota with her three dogs. She can be reached at http://www.8statekate.net/

Dial in live at 347-205-9038 or via streaming radio at 9:30am PST at www.blogtalkradio.com/passionsandpossibilities

Barbara and Jenny’s Passioneer Q & A

SO: What’s your definition of “passion”?

BARBARA: My definition of passion is that every day is a joy to be alive- that you can hardly wait to get out of bed each morning to begin your day- that each day I will learn something new to help me to continue to evolve- that my heart will continue to lead the way if I am still and listen- that living my truth will continually help me expand on my passions.
JENNY: Compulsion, drive, love. Something that you are passionate about is something that you almost can’t not do, something that you work on late at night instead of sleeping, that you dream about at night, that you jump out of bed early in the morning to get back to. Something that you know you are meant to do, that fulfills and completes you, and gives something meaningful of yourself back to the world.

SO: What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

BARBARA: My one word to describe success is: Believe. Key factor is that I believe in myself and that I can follow my heart and pursue what is important to me. Hiring a life coach 5-years ago was a key factor in helping me discover what matters to me, how to set boundaries, and then go after what brings me joy.
JENNY:Key factors include knowing what I’m meant to be doing, even if I don’t know quite how I’m supposed to make it happen, continuing to move in that direction, even when it seems to be two steps forward and one step back, and hearing from people about how I’ve influenced their lives, especially when they have been motivated to help animals. Love, persistence, resilience. I guess that’s three words!

SO: What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

BARBARA: Sometimes I lose belief in myself so I make sure to surround myself with positive people, as well as continue to read self-help, inspiring books, listen to motivational speakers, etc.  Also when I feel stuck on my next step I seek out help.  For example, right now I am working with a marketing consultant to expand on what I am already doing to expand my message.
JENNY: My biggest challenges have been finding the time to follow my passions while still supporting myself by doing something else, getting the message across with limited resources, and continuing to work on my passions at times when it felt very lonely. I have addressed these challenges by continuing to follow my passions anyway, knowing that I’m supposed to be doing this no matter the outcome.

SO: Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

BARBARA: My biggest inspirations are my dogs because they have truly given me courage to step into each moment with faith and enjoy the journey.  Frankie, especially, has given me a confidence I never had before.  Watching her persevere despite having a wheelchair, has helped me in so many ways, such as not worrying what others think of me or my dreams/passion, and going after what is important to me, despite what others may think.
JENNY: All those lost animals who needed help after Hurricane Katrina inspired me to go down to Louisiana to help. An old lost cattle dog who was down for the count and quickly running out of options completely changed my life. I knew she was put in my path for a reason and I went through a lot of red tape to get the paperwork to foster her and evacuate her ahead of Hurricane Rita. I drove back home to Minnesota with her and that is how she became known as 8 State Hurricane Kate (we traveled through eight states on the way home). I wrote my first book to give Kate and the other lost Katrina animals a voice. I hoped it would help me find her original family. Funny thing, last summer when I was visiting my family, my mom found a “book” that I had written as a young girl. It was about “the puppy that couldn’t say roof”. I guess that story was inside of me for most of my life. Forty years later, Kate brought it out of me because I wanted to give her a voice. I didn’t want her to be forgotten. And she gave me a voice too! I had always thought I might write a book some day, maybe after I retired. But Kate’s story was urgent! I had to get it written!

SO: Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

BARBARA: “We should examine ourselves and learn the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are.” -Mary Baker Eddy
JENNY: “Nothing silences doubt like putting one foot in front of the other, moving in the direction of your dreams. Keep taking that next step.” – Jenny Pavlovic

SO: What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

BARBARA: I hope people will say that I inspired them and I was a joy to be around.  I hope they will say I gave them the courage to be true to themselves.  I also hope they will say I made a difference in the lives of others.
JENNY: She cared. She did something about it. She was herself. She lived with integrity and tried to do the right thing even when nobody was watching. She learned to share the things that made her different (instead of feeling funny about them) because they enabled her to bring her unique gifts to the world. She wasn’t afraid to take the path less traveled when that was her calling. She gave something unique and valuable to the world. She loved and understood animals, and they loved and understood her. She stuck up for the underdogs, who were some of her best friends. I’ll be happy if they say just one of the above!

SO: What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

BARBARA: My biggest tip is to follow your heart- really.  All my life I followed my head, but when I decided to follow my heart, I was amazed at the doors that opened for me and continue to open for me. Another tip is not to worry what others think.  Do what is right for you.  No one else lives in your head and heart and you truly do know what is best for your life. Find someone who believes in you, who will listen to your ups and downs and have your best interest at heart.  For me, that was having a life coach to help get me going.
JENNY:Know your own heart, even when people try to undermine you for following it. Don’t be afraid to be who you are and make your unique contributions to the world. When a door closes on you, look for the next one to open. Enjoy!

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The Passions and Possibilities Network® airs weekly at 9 am PST, and features bold, inspired individuals who have leaped vibrantly into making big contributions in the world.  We share their stories in order to inspire others who are scared, stuck or discouraged about their own leap.  Our mission?  To prove that when you do what you love and give back, the rest DOES follow!  Check out our Passioneer coaching services at Powerleaps LLC.

Passioneer® Stacy Vajta, Master Energy Healer

[private][private]On Wednesday September 15th, we’re interviewing Stacy Vajta, owner of Expanded Pathways and a master energy healer. With over 20 years of experience, she has a unique ability to connect to the subtle energies which shape our lives. Her work not only finds the energetic discrepancies between where people are and where they want to be, but focuses on assisting her clients in accessing new vibrational information to energetically move them to the next level in their healing; and then integrates this into the nervous system and physical body with a new conscious awareness to create deep physical, personal and spiritual change. She can be reached at www.expandedpathways.com

Dial in live at 347-205-9038 or via streaming radio at 9:30am PST at www.blogtalkradio.com/passionsandpossibilities

Stacy’s Passioneer Q & A

SO: What’s your definition of “passion”?

I define passion as that energy or force within us that says, “Yes!” It’s a life force that can be used for specific endeavors and dreams, and also to keep us engaged in life, growth and new experiences. Passion is vital in our lives as a creative force. Even if we haven’t fully materialized or acted upon a particular passion of ours, holding passion—experiencing it—is a moving force to help us create all things in our lives. When we lose passion, we lose life force. Those special things that we are passionate about show up in our interests and our dreams; those are our special gifts to give. Sometimes our passions can get hidden or covered up by our fears or beliefs we have about them, yet there is always a tug toward what we are truly passionate about. Our Soul just doesn’t allow us let it go! And if we don’t honor that in some form, our inner light diminishes to some extent. Much of my work is about supporting people in re-connecting to energy that may have been lost or out of reach for some reason. And in this reconnection we often access the energy of our passion as we become more whole. We’re reminded of the passion for life as we are able to access new levels of our awareness. And particularly in this time in our history, our evolution, where so much change is happening for people so quickly, honoring our passion is where many are finding their healing. Consciousness is changing, our energy is changing…and with this we’re being asked to feel and honor our passion and find that “Yes!” that’s inside us…and then move that out into the world in some way.

SO: What are your biggest passions for serving others, and how are you expressing them (also include hobbies and volunteering)?

I believe our consciousness is shifting and expanding, and with this, we are being asked to own and be fully responsible for what our passion is and how we move this out- or model this – in the world. My passion is helping women to create energetic bridges, taking them from where they are to where they want to be in their physical, emotional and spiritual lives; and really anchoring that energy into their physical and conscious  awareness so they can do something with that new information. Healing, whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual, is where I find my deepest passion. And supporting other people in their healing both allows and requires me to heal. What drives this for me—where that passionate inner statement of, “Yes! This is what I must do,” comes from is, an awareness and connection to what I see as our collective spiritual evolution. There is a shift happening, I can feel this. I can see it in my clients and we also see it all around us. For me that “passion,” – that “drive” – is to assist this transformation along…for all of us. In addition to the work that I do with clients, I think the best way to express my passion is to model it, to live from my soul and do what I know I need to do to create change and bring more beauty and meaning into my life. With passion also comes a level of responsibility.  If I say something is truly important enough for me to want to do, to integrate into my life, I must also be responsible and really act from that place as much as possible. It’s not just about feeling passionate about it, but modeling the value of it! I am also focused right now on how we can collaborate in community. About a year ago I started a group for healers and holistic practitioners to come together in more collaborative ways to  support each other, learn from each other, offer healing to help us help others and even move this into the community – support the community we live in. This group of healers is growing here in the Oakland, CA area and as it grows I’m finding more ways to facilitate healing on a group level.  My passion there is about how we can honor passion, individuality and healing in a group setting and also hold our uniqueness and the integral component of different ideas coming together to create some better.

SO: Your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions for serving others, and how you have addressed them?

I quite honestly had a lot of challenge in finally stepping into my passion and serving. For many, many years I was stuck in my own beliefs about how I couldn’t afford to do healing work, and truthfully I wasn’t able to hold my own inner power and really stand behind what I was doing. Yet, my spirit wouldn’t let it go. I kept at it and even when I hit financial difficulties I knew I had to do this. Money issues really aren’t about money (although they sure feel like it!). For me it was the indicator that I wasn’t being authentic in what I was here to do, and that there was some real healing that needed to be done. I got a lot of help and support to recognize my beliefs that were holding me back and did a lot of energetic healing work. As I did so, I began to own myself more and put myself into the world as a healer; I also began to recognize that my biggest challenges are what I help people with the most. I come from a place of understanding how hard it is to be stuck and I think that helps me see pretty quickly the energy and patterns where other people are stuck so we can work together at the core for real change. I also think that my process has led me to understand that my spirit is guiding me and that I trust that. And by trusting that, my entire world has expanded in ways that are positive and healing. So for me, I look at what is below what I am challenged by. Often what I think is the issue is just a part of it and I need to get to the core. Then, healing comes.

SO: What have been the key factors in your success?

Being willing to ask for help

Being willing to listen and let go of what I think is needed

Trusting Spirit

Connecting to others; really being a resource for people.

Being willing to change – flexibility and adaptability to new thoughts, ideas and energy is key!

SO: What one word/quality best describes your journey?

Expansion

SO: Your experience of “prosperity,” as you define it, in making the leap?

I think prosperity is about thriving and having movement in life. When things become stagnant or shut down we need to expand into some new energy that holds more prosperity for us. And if we’re willing to keep moving into these new areas in our lives, then we can stay in that state of prosperity and feel that solid, safe place to be in the world (metaphorically). Money is certainly needed in this world, and we need to feel prosperous in this area in our lives. And again, it’s a flow…when we are in that flow of money we feel prosperous. And when things are stagnant in our lives our money flow usually is as well. Money is never about money…it’s about that creative energy within us that creates. And when that’s blocked, we lose our ability to be prosperous. Vision, creative energy and passion are all tied to prosperity. We must know our passion and be able to see the vision but also clear the pathways for the creative energy to quite literally create for us. Then, we are prosperous.

SO: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in making the leap?

My biggest lesson is about owning my own power and trusting that to authentically live in the world and be seen. And a close second is networking!

SO: What’s your support system look like; how did you create it?

My support system is pretty solid now, but I did have to go out and create it. I was never a good networker really. I wasn’t taught how to do this! I was great at connecting to people but I didn’t always keep those connections. So at one point a while back I knew I needed a community of people that really supported what I did and what I was about. So I literally created a group! And from that I have connected to some amazing people who do see the world as I do and are very supportive and encouraging. I’m still learning how to create those connections that support, but I am also more and more aware now of what I want those to look like: collaborative, expansive, forward thinking and positive in nature.

SO: What wisdom do you have for someone who’s scared/discouraged about their own leap?

If you really believe in what you are doing, don’t stop. Get support in healing and get support in how to create a business if that is what you need. Sometimes the two aren’t the same. It may take a village so expand and find what feels right for your support. I also teach my clients to go in and make friends with what is showing up that may be causing fear and discouragement. “Lean into it!” Healing can be gentle. If you go in with an explorer’s mind looking for how you can heal, you will do so with less fear.[/private][/private]

Passioneer® Rev. Karen Russo, Minister, Spiritual Guide in Wealth Creation

[private][private]On Wednesday September 15th, we’re interviewing Rev. Karen Russo , a spiritual guide in Wealth Creation who can teach you how to stop worrying, fighting and struggling about money issues for good. She is also the author of The Money Keys: Unlocking Peace, Freedom and Real Financial Power, endorsed by Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, Loral Langemeier, T. Harv Eker, and Bob Proctor. With her unusual blend of experience as an MBA from Columbia University, an accomplished corporate trainer, award winning salesperson, and an ordained interfaith minister, Karen shares insights from over 25 years of spiritual and secular success. She can be reached at www.TheMoneyKeys.com.

Dial in live at 347-205-9038 or via streaming radio at 9:00am PST atwww.blogtalkradio.com/passionsandpossibilities.

Rev Karen’s Passioneer Q&A

SO: What’s your definition of “passion”?

The energy of God expressed through the individual.  One of my big passions is Real Financial Power—a state of being where we are inspired about our wealth, our beliefs about money & ourselves are empowering, and our actions w money keep us in the flow AND we can fund our dreams.

SO: What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

Integration is my word—connecting the spiritual principle of our union with invisible reality with the material world.

SO: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in making the leap and what wisdom do you have for someone who’s scared/discouraged about their own leap?

Life is for us—everything is an opportunity to express more of our divinity and to grow.

SO: What or who drove you to be who you are?

Deep desire to learn, know and share about Go.

SO: Your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions for serving others, and how you have addressed them?

Releasing concerns like ‘is this going to work?’, ‘what do they think?’ and ‘what if this doesn’t turn out’?

SO: Who is your biggest “hero” in your life and why?

My sweet husband Bill—we met late in life and he is my hero, my lover, my man—so wise and accepting and always growing/ challenging me.

SO: Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

“Money worries are more of a faith issue than a financial one!”

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