For years, Gerard carried the weight of leadership and life on my shoulders. He knew the pressure of responsibility, the endless demands, and the silent cost of trying to stay strong while feeling anything but peaceful inside.

That journey led him to explore and master Taoist practices—timeless principles that taught him how to bring stillness into the storm, clarity into complex decisions, and resilience into every setback.

His method, outlined in his book How to make life simple, happy and successful the Taoist way: Introduction to a new way of living, combines ancient, secret Taoist wisdom, modern psychology, and deep storytelling.

The result? Leaders regain peace of mind, rediscover joy in their work, and move forward with strength and confidence.

Connie Bennett is a self-mocking, former sugar and carbs addict, in-demand transformational speaker, frequent podcast guest, clean eater, TEDx speaker, journalist, and author of the bestselling books Sugar Shock! (Berkley Books), Beyond Sugar Shock (Hay House), and I Blew My Diet! Now What? Connie is a certified health coach, certified DreamBuilder Coach, life coach, The Bounce Back Boldly Coach, practitioner of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), frequent media expert or contributor (CBS News Sunday Morning, Woman’s World, Forbes Health, Newsweek, etc.), and founder of the La Jolla Active Walkers and National Bounce Back Month.

Connie’s Social Media

Website: www.connieb.com Facebook: ConnieBennett Instagram: ConnieBennettAuthor Twitter (X): SmartHabitsGirl LinkedIn: in/Connie Bennett/

David Corbin is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, award-winning inventor, and one of the most sought-after strategic advisors in the business world. Known as the “Mentor to Mentors,” he works with elite leaders and organizations — including AT&T, Hallmark, and Domino’s — to help them protect, elevate, and future-proof their brands. Through his bestselling books, including *Illuminated Brand* and *Preventing Brand Slaughter*, David exposes the hidden risks that quietly undermine organizations while equipping leaders with practical, proven frameworks for bold growth. His delivery has been described as ‘like Robin Williams with a doctorate in business’ — quick-witted, highly engaging, and deeply insightful. He combines humor with hard truth, challenging leaders not just to perform better but to think differently. Today, we’re diving into what it truly takes to build a brand that lasts—and to lead in a way that inspires lasting trust and impact.

Paula Kemp is the author of the forthcoming book How to Hear from God Through All the Noise: Seven Spiritual Secrets, a collection of true stories that reveal the subtle, everyday ways God speaks to us. Her work blends biblical wisdom, personal testimony, and spiritual insight to help readers recognize the divine guidance woven into their daily lives.

For more than eighteen years, Paula has studied and practiced dream interpretation, a passion sparked when her stepson experienced a precognitive dream that later came to pass. This moment opened her eyes to the prophetic nature of dreams and led her to formal training, years of study, and hundreds of real‑life interpretations. Paula now helps others understand the symbolic language of their dreams and the spiritual messages they often carry.

With over fourteen years of teaching Bible studies to both teens and adults, Paula has witnessed how many people remain unaware of their spiritual gifts. Her stories and teachings draw from her own experiences as well as the hidden experiences of others, offering readers and listeners a relatable, transformative perspective on how God communicates.

Paula’s background is as diverse as her message. She studied Business Administration at Louisiana State University and has worked as a residential contractor and insurance broker. This blend of practical experience and deep spiritual understanding grounds her storytelling, making her insights accessible, authentic, and deeply resonant.

Today, Paula speaks, writes, and teaches on topics such as:

• How God uses dreams to guide, warn, and comfort
• The symbolic language of dreams
• How to discern spiritual messages in everyday life
• The seven spiritual secrets that help people hear God more clearly

Her mission is simple: to help people recognize that God is speaking—and has been speaking—all along.

Suzanne Smith is a nationally recognized community strategist, professor, TEDx speaker, and founder of Social Impact Architects. A Duke MBA, she has spent more than two decades helping leaders tackle complex issues in education, poverty, healthcare, and workforce development. She has also worked with government agencies—including the federal government—and is trilingual in government, policy, and business, giving her a rare perspective on how meaningful change happens.

Suzanne is the author of Social TrendSpotter, ranked among the nation’s top nonprofit blogs, where she has analyzed philanthropy and nonprofit trends weekly for over 13 years. Known for her straight talk and storytelling, she helps audiences see what’s really happening behind the headlines, understand why society’s toughest problems are so difficult to solve, and discover which solutions have been proven to work.

In her TEDx talk, “Everyone Can Be a Changemaker,” she shows how ordinary people can take small steps that create extraordinary ripple effects. Whether breaking down giving trends, unpacking nonprofit scandals, or highlighting community solutions, Suzanne makes the case that everyone has a role to play in making change possible.

Laurie S. Jacobson is a writer, on-and-off meditator, and certified health coach fascinated by the Buddha’s teachings. A graduate of Boston University with a degree in psychology, Laurie has been practicing and promoting natural health for over 25 years.

During her varied professional career, she opened and managed several health-related businesses promoting physical, mental, and spiritual health. Laurie taught yoga, meditation, nutrition, and cooking classes for people of all ages. She also authored a monthly wellness column for the publication Our Town, created and facilitated the Healthy Living Program for Somerset Hospital, and developed and hosted the segment Cooking for Health on WJAC-TV.

She is the author of the book: Unexpected Awakening: 22 Days at a Buddhist Monastery Freed Me from Abuse, available in print and ebook on Amazon.

Currently, she enjoys a quiet, simple life in Virginia. You can find her at: www.lauriesjacobson.com

Dr. Victoria Vaughn is a lifelong learner who holds a doctorate in education and is a retired educator and college administrator. After a thirty-year marriage, she found herself amicably divorced and single at the age of fifty-five. While there are tadpoles and frogs in high school and college ponds, the difference is in the senior dating pool; they come accompanied with enough “baggage” to stock several Samsonite stores! She met just about every type: the one who talked too much, the alcoholic, the stoner, the narcissist, the bully, the cheater, and more. These encounters left her with eye-opening experiences that she is happy to share with you now in her memoir: Oh the Frogs I Kissed Before I Finally Found My Prince. She hopes that you’ll not only have a great time reading it, but you’ll also come away with some valuable insights you can use in your own.

Don Eggspuehler has lived in Richardson, Texas since 1975, but he grew up in Iowa Falls, Iowa, a small town in the heartland of America. Don graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in International Studies in 1969 and later became a Marine Corps officer, who flew combat bombing missions in A-6A jets in Vietnam. Don’s business career included 30 years in computer software sales, management and consulting. Don has authored and published 5 books: Letters To Mom: Marine Corps – Boot Camp – Flight School – Vietnam, Life Lessons Learned in Grade School (Parts One and Two), Star Benchwarmers and Teachings From Pop. You can learn more about Don and his books on his website: lifelessonsbooks.net