Never Ever Give Up Hope

Are You Seeking Help After Being Abused by a Family Member?

The average person can keep a secret for forty-seven hours. Babs Walters held the worst kind of secret for nearly seventy years. Beginning at the age of eleven, Walters suffered childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her father. His edict, "Children should be seen and not heard," defined her childhood and groomed her to silence.  But despite the cycle of generational trauma and abuse that haunted her childhood, Walters eventually had a life-changing realization: We are not what happens to us. We are the meaning and purpose we give to what happens to us. As a domestic violence and sexual abuse survivor, Babs has devoted much of her adult life to raising understanding and awareness of the long-term effects of generational trauma, breaking the chain.     She holds a master's degree in counselling human relations and has spent thirteen years on a Harassment Investigation Committee. She was recently interviewed for Brave Voices® on the U.S. Library of Congress.    It took being a self-help junkie, 45 years of therapy, three marriages, and many mistakes to reach this point in her life. Babs' story will bring awareness and hope to many who are struggling with abuse and hopelessness.   XXXXX "Healing is not a destination - it's a journey  and it does not matter how long it takes" For fans of The Glass Castle and Educated, a child sex abuse survivor-turned-domestic violence advocate examines the full circle of generational trauma, resilience, and healing.   Babs Walters found that there are dark places that civilized people do not want to acknowledge. They would rather pretend it is a rare occurrence or that it does not happen in their family. Or they believe it is just too messy to get involved in. The child sexual assault statistics are high, although the majority of cases are not being reported.    Babs' father grew up doing what was done to him. We need to break the chain!   Connect with Babs Here Website Facebook

How Could Anyone Survive a Brain Aneurysm and Hemorrhage and Succeed in Life?

In 2018, Andrew Davie survived a ruptured brain aneurysm and hemorrhage. Now…he recently graduated with a clinical mental health counseling degree, practices as a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor LGPC, consults for James Mason University about brain injury assessments, and, before her passing, cared for his mother while she had ALS. He learned how to turn a terrible situation into something good with the desire to help others who may be struggling. Andrew Davie has worked in theater, finance, and education. He taught English and creative writing at the middle, high school, and college levels for students with learning difficulties and ADHD. He taught English as a second language in the United States and abroad in Hong Kong. He has written short stories and novellas, co-hosts a music review show, and volunteers.  During the second year of his recovery, when the physical part tapered off and the emotional part began, he decided to publish a book that would somehow transform his life, and it didn't. But...that's not the end of the story.     Even though his ability to experience emotional connections was blunted, the thought of being in a romantic relationship and starting a family suddenly seemed impossible. But he persevered and became a success. His story will encourage and inspire you to succeed at every challenge. Remind yourself that even moving an inch a day is still progressing!   XXXX       Read His Book Series Here From Beyond: In the aftermath of the second opium war in Southeast Asia, Declan Malcolm, the newly elected captain, must navigate the treacherous high seas. Meanwhile, Civil War veterans Ridley and Dranoff are adjusting to post-reconstruction and become mercenaries for hire. Their paths cross by chance, but soon a celebration of good fortune turns into a fight against a supernatural foe. Further Beyond: Phineas O'Hanlon has spent the last few years of his life attempting to discover the cause of the reanimation. While reading over a journal from ancient Rome, O'Hanlon is visited by two law enforcement agents. As secrets are uncovered, can O'Hanlon discover the reason behind the resurrection of the deceased and move on with his life? Remote Beyond: On a small farm, four survivors of an apocalypse fend off the undead. As Tyler and his crew adjust to the new normal, the story covers ancient Rome, Norfolk, England, in the swinging '60s, Egypt in 524 B.C., and one of the original American colonies. But will the answer to the resurrection of the undead ever be discovered?   Connect with Andrew Here INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK X   YouTube    

Do You Know How to Get Free from Narcissistic Abuse?

Mia Hanks had a rude awakening when she realized something was 'not normal' in her marriage. The worst part was that she could not see a way out. Narcissistic abuse is a bondage that has only recently been exposed as mental and physical abuse.   Narcissistic abuse is somewhat of an epidemic, and it seems many victims don't know how to escape it.  Mia Hanks is an award-winning author who brings awareness to the struggles of those abused by a narcissist and offers hope to those who need direction.   Mia's memoir chronicles her 29-year marriage to a covert narcissist.  Told in a series of short stories, it gives an insider view of day-to-day life with a narcissistic spouse.  Additionally, she has a newly launched website, miajhanks.com, providing links to podcast episodes and various other information on narcissistic abuse.    Many listeners will relate to Mia's amazing story of survival and ultimately escape.               CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE     Millions of people fall victim to narcissists without realizing it. By the time they understand the truth, they're often so deeply invested in the relationship that leaving feels overwhelming and even dangerous.    This book chronicles one woman's journey from being groomed by a narcissist, through the gradual recognition of her toxic relationship, to ultimately escaping and reclaiming her self-worth. Through her story, readers will witness how narcissistic behavior erodes self-esteem, self-worth, and identity. This book aims to raise awareness and inspire others to recognize the signs.   CONNECT WITH MIA HERE   Website Instagram TikTok      

Is the Lie You Are Telling Other People, the Lie You Believe?

One day, Troy Karnes drank too much and missed his wife's birthday dinner (that he had planned). To show her he could change, he put $10k into their joint bank account and told her he wanted to use it for a dream vacation a year later. If he messed up, she could take it. He didn't last a month. She kicked him out of the house that afternoon. When he woke up in a hotel the next day, he watched the sunrise and had no idea where he had slept the night before, where he would be a week from then, or which company he might work for. He worked in the alcohol business his entire career but knew something had to change. It was a pretty hopeless moment.     Troy is a father, husband, recovering alcoholic, and salesman—a cancer survivor, business consultant, and writer. His story of recovery has helped thousands and can guide each of us in making the decisions that change our lives.    Click here to purchase book         No Silver Bullets: Your life isn't broken. Stop trying to fix it. If youʼve tried all the quick fixes in standard self-help books but never got fixed, hereʼs a four-letter framework that brings you clarity, improves your mental health, and boosts your resilience. You may also lose fifty pounds. (I did.) What Youʼll Learn: Why the standard self-help doesnʼt work Science-backed insights linking food, mood, relationships, and energy. Proven strategies for Losing weight Reducing overthinking Maintaining sobriety Strengthening relationships Parenting a special needs child And more   Plus, stories about Betty White Maverick And more   Everyone thinks we should solve problems all the time, and I get it. Successful people make a lot of money running into problems, solving them, and then simplifying them for the masses. But in my experience, and according to my research, the biggest problems in our lives donʼt have solutions. A System You Wonʼt Forget Thatʼs why the HALT system works. It addresses the real problems in your life: H (Hungry): How it impacts your mood, health, and resilience. A (Angry): Learn practical ways to manage your emotions. All of them. L (Lonely): Strengthen your relationships. They are the most important thing you have. T (Tired): Figure out how to keep enough energy to make the most of your time.   Connect with Troy Here LinkedIn Substack Instagram X (Twitter)

Could Your Struggles be Your Access to Wisdom and a Better Life?

Lori Pappas plodded with a slow, heavy pace against resistance in her youth. Her parents had her committed when she was 16 years old because they could not control her. She was rebellious, and her mother, a religious fanatic, was convinced she was possessed by the devil. While there, she heard rumors that she was scheduled for shock treatments. She devised a plan and escaped - armed with only her smarts and determination. Lori made the difficult decision to become the architect of her life without emotional support or a safety net. She married the first man who loved her but gave up trying to navigate his paranoia when her career took off. Divorced, she started a business before falling into another unsatisfying relationship. She was like two different people for years. Her career defined her and was applauded professionally (award-winning and nationally acclaimed.) Homelife, however, was a different story, complicated and exhausting. She juggled being a mother of three, a wife, and a businesswoman for a long time. Lori sold her company for millions of dollars at the height of the tech market and tried to retire at 49. But the "American Dream life" bored her. At 57, Lori traded in her cushy life to start a non-profit to help Indigenous people gain a chance to live a healthy life. She moved to Ethiopia to build and implement initiatives for 100,000 extremely marginalized people in South Omo Valley (the corner of Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Kenya). In her 60s, she met the love of her life online. She now has the time and mind-space to share the insights of her inner wise woman. You will love her story, and she will inspire you to live your life as you were destined to be. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE When did you last choose yourself without feeling guilty? Can't remember? You're not alone. Most of us spend our lives helping others while our own dreams collect dust. I did it too—even after breaking out of a mental institution at seventeen, building a multi-million-dollar tech company, and transforming 100,000 lives in Africa. I was still helping others while ignoring my needs to feel loved, connected, and at peace. That's when I created the D.R.E.A.M. method to save myself—and wrote The Magic of Yes to share it. This isn't just another self-help book. It's your practical guide to breaking free from what you can't even see. Inside, you'll get concrete tools to: Set boundaries that actually stick—without the guilt Stop people-pleasing—and start trusting your own voice Forgive yourself and others—so you can finally move forward Navigate major life transitions—empty nest, career changes, relationship shifts Access your inner wisdom—through proven D.R.E.A.M. prompts at the end of every chapter Each chapter blends real stories (mine and other women's), research-backed insights, and customizable exercises you can adapt to YOUR specific challenges. Whether you're drowning in "supposed-tos," exhausted from putting everyone first, or simply ready to reclaim your voice—this book meets you exactly where you are. Connect with Lori Here Website Newsletter Facebook Group LinkedIn Instagram