Jamy Bechler

Providing Insights on Leadership and Success. Coach Bechler is a John Maxwell Leadership Team Member.

Episode 071: Shoshanna Gabriel, Christian Inspirational Fiction Writer

Shoshanna Gabriel is a Christian inspirational fiction writer. She has a very unique story as she was was previously known as Shoshanna Evers, a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author who wrote erotic fiction from 2009-2015 and was published by large New York publishing houses. At the end of 2015, after much thought and prayer, she changed her life and career path to be for God’s glory completely, giving up a new six-book contract and literary agent for the privilege of starting over to write for God’s glory as Shoshanna Gabriel.

No one expected a Jewish erotic romance author from New York to move to the country and find Jesus, least of all Shoshanna herself… but God has a sense of humor, and that’s what happened. She took 2016 off from publishing to raise her new boy/girl twins(!), and started writing sweet Christian inspirational cowboy romance novels set in north Idaho, where she lives with her husband, homeschools their three kids, wrangles three big dogs named after flowers, and takes in the wonder of the incredible evergreen-covered mountain landscape.

While published as Shoshanna Evers, Amazon had listed her as one of the “Most Popular Authors in Romance,” as well as one of the “Most Popular Authors in Contemporary Romance”. Reviewers have said Shoshanna has “…beautiful writing, and a truly imaginative and wonderfully descriptive storyline” (Night Owl Reviews) with stories where “the plot is fresh and the pacing excellent, the emotions…real and poignant.” (The Romance Studio). She hopes to bring the gift of storytelling that God blessed her with to her new inspirational books written under the Gabriel name.

Shoshanna used to work as a syndicated advice columnist in NY and a registered nurse, but now she’s a full-time author, home-schooling mom, and the co-founder of SelfPubBookCovers.com, the world’s leading marketplace of high-quality, affordable premade book covers for indie authors, available instantly.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • Writing fiction stories and the life of a writer
  • Conversion from Orthodox Jew to Born-Again Christian
  • Going from writing best-selling erotic novels to Christian romance novels
  • How authors can get high-quality and low priced book covers

[Read more…]

When Life Gives You Lemons; Make Lemonade

“A pessimist is someone who makes difficulties of his opportunities.  An optimist is one who makes opportunities out of his difficulties” 

(President Harry S. Truman)

It has often been said, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”  Lemons by themselves are sour.  Lemons with sugar and water become delicious lemonade.

This phrase is a reminder to us about making the best of things that come our way.

[Read more…]

What a Leader is Not

“It is better to stay silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” (Abe Lincoln)
“If the mailman stopped to kick every dog that barked at him, he’d never deliver the mail.” (Roy Williams, Hall of Fame Basketball Coach)

 

My 7-year old son was mad yesterday.  He was carrying on in a way that many of us have seen before when a young child is really tired and is not getting his way.  [Read more…]

Episode 070: Tim Elmore, President of Growing Leaders

Dr. Tim Elmore is the founder and president of “Growing Leaders”.  He founded it in 2003. Growing Leaders is a global nonprofit that encourages and equips young adults to take on real-life opportunities and challenges in the classroom, in their careers, and in the community.

Growing Leaders does this by partnering with organizations to teach practical life and leadership skills using real stories, intriguing images, and engaging experiences that are relatable and memorable. The process and resources are grounded in research and a unique understanding of the emerging generations, and recognize that leading others at any level begins with learning how to lead yourself.

Tim spends his time teaching leadership courses and speaks at schools, universities, business, and athletic programs. He has trained thousands of leaders in partnership with nationally renowned schools and organizations like the San Francisco Giants, Stanford University, Virginia Tech, University of Alabama Athletics, Duke University, University of Texas, Chick-fil-a, Cici’s Pizza, Delta, and more.

Dr. Elmore has also authored more than 30 books including: Habitudes®: Images that Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes, Artificial Maturity: Helping Kids Meet the Challenge of Becoming Authentic Adults, Generation iY: Secrets to Connecting With Today’s Teens & Young Adults in the Digital Age, 12 Huge Mistakes Parents Can Avoid, Life Giving Mentors, and Nurturing the Leader Within Your Child. His newest book is Marching Off The Map: Inspire Students to Navigate a Brand New World

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • How to reach this current generation of students
  • What does the phrase “habitudes” mean
  • What is the differences between generations
  • Stories about James Bond and Jim Harbaugh

[Read more…]

You Can’t Please Everyone

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”  (Dr. Seuss)

You can’t please everyone!

No truer statement may ever have been uttered.  It’s amazing how much you learn after you realize that you don’t have to please everyone.

If you want to please everyone then go sell ice cream.

[Read more…]

Episode 069: NFHS Executive Director Bob Gardner

Bob Gardner has been the executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations since May of 2010. He will be retiring from this position in August of 2018 after nearly 50 years of serving in secondary education. Gardner was only the fifth full-time executive director for the NFHS since 1940.

During his 18 years on the NFHS staff in Indianapolis, participation in high school sports has increased by almost 400,000, including the expanded opportunity for students with disabilities in high school sports. Gardner has led the organization’s focus on risk minimization in high school sports, with particular emphasis on concussion awareness, and has brought a heightened national presence to the work of the NFHS and its member state associations.

In addition to the continual expansion of the NFHS Learning Center during his tenure, Gardner is credited with starting the NFHS Network, the first-of-its-kind digital coverage of high school sports with more than 25,000 events covered during the 2016-17 school year.

He spent his career in Indiana as a teacher and coach at three schools for eight years and as an athletic director. In 1978, Gardner became principal of Milan Junior-Senior High School, followed by a stint as superintendent of the Milan Community Schools.

After serving on the Indiana High School Athletic Association board of directors during his time at Milan, Gardner joined the IHSAA staff in 1985 as assistant commissioner. He served 10 years in that role prior to becoming commissioner in 1995.

Gardner joined the NFHS staff in 2000 as chief operating officer and served in that position for 10 years prior to becoming executive director. During this time, he chaired the NFHS Rules Review Committee and was responsible for day-to-day operations of the organization. He has served on the board of directors for USA Football, USA Basketball and the Indiana Sports Corp. He is a member of the Indiana High School Wrestling Hall of Fame.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • His career serving student-athletes
  • The movie Hoosiers and the real-life story
  • The future of High School sports

[Read more…]

Change the World Without Spending a Dime

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” (Gandhi)
How often are you or someone around you negative about society, other people, or the world in general?  If only you had the power to change things.  If only you had money like Bill Gates, you could make a difference in life.  Well, the truth is that you can make a difference in this world…and it doesn’t have to cost a thing. [Read more…]

Episode 068: Mark Fauser, Actor & Screenwriter

Mark Fauser has been a television and movie actor, director, screenwriter, and producer. He had parts in such shows as Jag, Evening Shade, Coach, SeaQuest, and Quantum Leap. He moved from Hollywood to Marion, Indiana in the early 2000’s and proceeded to help build up the Community School of the Arts as the Executive Director. He has continued to add value to the Marion community as the Director of Marketing for the City and currently serves as a Creative Development Consultant for Marion Community Schools. He has a love and passion for helping the community and has a desire to give back. His relationships with such stars as Jim Caviezel, Kelly Ripa, Billy Bob Thornton, and his mentor Burt Reynolds were key as he was able to get them to help the Community School of the Arts in various ways.  In 2006 he won the Marion Grant County Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Award. In 2007 he won the Indiana University Public Service Award and the Grant County Community Achievement Award. He was presented with the 2011 Indiana Governor’s Arts Award for his work as a writer, actor and his leadership for the Community School of the Arts. He lives with his wife and three children in Marion, Indiana and works out of a home office that is decorated from wall-to-wall with action figures.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • What it was like to work in Hollywood
  • Building pride and raising money in a school district
  • Going to school with Brad Pitt and Sheryl Crow at the University of Missouri

[Read more…]

It Is What You Make It

“I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.” (Carl Gustav Jung)

“If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.” (Theodore Roosevelt)

Are you going through a mid-life crisis?    “IT IS WHAT IT IS”

Have you been passed over for a promotion?    “IT IS WHAT IT IS”

Is your girlfriend is a nag?    “IT IS WHAT IT IS”

Your parents don’t understand you?    “IT IS WHAT IT IS”

You say your husband doesn’t listen to you?   “IT IS WHAT IT IS”

Are the people around you are idiots?    “IT IS WHAT IT IS”

Hearing “It is what it is” makes me want to punch someone.  And then when they’d complain, I’d just say, “Sorry, but it is what it is”

[Read more…]

Episode 067: Grammy Nominee and President of Lavish Records Tracy Randall

Tracy Randall is a Grammy nominee, Urban Inspirational Recording Artist, Label Owner, Entertainment Attorney & Manager. He is also a cancer survivor. In an ever-changing entertainment industry, Tracy Randall’s clientele includes but is not limited to independent record companies, distributors, producers, music publishers, artists, songwriters. Areas of practice encompass all facets of Intellectual Property, Entertainment, Film, and Sports-related legal issues. Dr. Randall has successfully orchestrated deals for his producers and songwriters with top-tiered entertainers including but not limited to 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Ashanti, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Keisha Cole, Game, Katie Perry, Miley Cyrus, Eminem, Nas and many others. Randall has structured and continues to structure numerous recording and publishing deals with Jive, Sony Entertainment, Inc., Epic Records, RCA, Interscope, Warner Brothers, Atlantic Records, Universal and Universal/Motown, Warner Chappelle, Universal Music Publishing, Zomba, Sony/ATV… just to name a few.  Tracy received his law degree from New York University Law School and his PhD in International Business & Marketing from UCLA.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • Getting the news that you only have 6 months to live
  • Only working 18 hours per week
  • Putting together the right team
  • The music, entertainment, and athlete management business

[Read more…]

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