A Quest for Well-Being

— "Never settle for less than you deserve. Never diminish your value so others can afford you." Valeria Teles interviews Laurie Jean — the author of "Crave: Sojourn of a Hungry Soul." Raised in Portsmouth, Virginia, Laurie Jean has continuously worked to give voice to the voiceless. Laurie Jean writes, teaches, and lives with a ferocity that inspires others to do the same. From the projects of Virginia to the classrooms of Hampton University, she has established herself as an effective leader, an engaging writer, and an inspiring professor. Despite the difficulties associated with being a single parent and providing for her family, Laurie Jean began a new journey in her life: she enrolled at Austin Peay State University and set in motion her pursuit for higher education. Working part-time jobs and financially surviving on her G.I. Bill, Laurie Jean received her Bachelor of Arts degree in two years of study, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Laurie Jean has ardently served Lock Haven University and its surrounding communities. As a professor of English at Lock Haven University, she established Lyrically Speaking, a spoken word group, which encourages students to discuss, craft, and perform original poetry that captures the essence of their realities. She served as faculty advisor to several groups on campus, including the Distinguished Gentlemen, a male minority group focused on encouraging leadership and Diamonds in the Ruff, a multicultural dance group. Having served as Chair of the APSCUF Minority Retention Committee, Laurie Jean also showed her dedication to students at the university level. She and colleagues, Ramona Broomer and Kenneth Hall, established the Miriam B. Harris Celebration of Excellence Awards Dinner, where students of color are honored for accolades received at Lock Haven University. She served on the advisory board for Lock Haven University's women's center, Haven Outreach Program for Advocacy (H.O.P.E), and she served on the President's Commission on the Status of Women. To learn more about Laurie Jean and her work, please visit: https://www.lauriejeancannady.net/ — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well.

— "End-of-life experiences are proof of humanity's built-in, natural, and profoundly spiritual capacity for self-sustenance and self-healing, grace and hope." Valeria Teles interviews Dr. Christopher Kerr — the author of "Death Is But a Dream: Finding Hope and Meaning in End of Life Dreams." Christopher Kerr is the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Executive Officer for The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care in Buffalo, New York. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Chris earned his MD as well as a PhD in Neurobiology. Outside of direct patient care, Chris' focus is in the area of patient advocacy. His passion is palliative care and a belief that such care should be throughout the continuum of illness. Under Dr. Kerr's medical leadership, Hospice Buffalo now serves 1,000 patients a day, half of whom receive services prior to hospice. Dr. Kerr's background in research has evolved from bench science towards the human experience of illness as witnessed from the bedside, specifically patient's dreams and visions at the end of life. Although medically ignored, these near-universal experiences often provide comfort and meaning, as well as insight into the life led and the death anticipated. To date, the research team at Hospice Buffalo has published multiple studies on this topic and documented over 1,500 end-of-life events, many of which are videotaped. This work was the subject of his TEDx Buffalo Talk which has been viewed over 3.3 million times. It has been the subject of reports on The BBC, in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic Monthly, Scientific American Mind, Huffington Post, and Psychology Today. It is also featured in a current docuseries on Netflix called Surviving Death and an upcoming PBS Documentary called Death Is but A Dream (airing April 2021). Dr. Kerr's work has also been published in a book (Death Is But A Dream) by Penguin Random House which was released in 2020 in multiple languages. To learn more about Dr. Christopher Kerr and his work please visit: https://www.drchristopherkerr.com/ — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well.

— "I knew there was more to life on earth than what we were being taught." Valeria Teles interviews Amy Dempster — a grid keeper, and the owner of blog – Following Hawks. Amy Dempster helps in understanding the healing power of the earth. What began as openly sharing her spiritual journey on her popular blog Following Hawks, has become a resource for others wanting to learn how to communicate with nature and share their own unique healing gifts with the earth. Together with the Spirits of the Land in the mountains of northwest Montana, she tends seven portals on the land where she lives, along with any grid keeping work she is assigned. She also leads the Earth Tenders Academy, an immersive online journey to help others re- establish their connection with their ancient ancestors, learn to communicate with the seen and unseen forces in their environment and respectfully offer their healing energy to places in need. Amy is also the host of the podcast The Earth Keepers. To learn more about Amy Dempster and her work, please visit: https://www.followinghawks.com/ — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well.

— "Normal is overrated – I choose different, I choose exceptional." What is normal? It's the standard, the usual, the typical, it's what's expected. Truthfully, it's hiding in plain sight. We live in a world where traveling down the "normal" road is the status quo. Shawna Cale found "normal" highly overrated-it's the one that leads to destruction and disease-anxiety, cancer, depression, diabetes, infertility, miscarriages, stress, obesity... just look around-what do you see? She decided she wanted more-more for herself, her family, and women around the world-YOU! Valeria Teles interviews Shawna Cale — the author of "Bye Bye Normal Hello Exceptional: Living a Life of Less Stress and More Energy!" Shawna Cale is an author, speaker, physical therapist, life coach, and holistic health practitioner. Marrying her college sweetheart in 1992 and having three beautiful children has been her childhood dream come true. But childhood trauma, riding the hormonal/emotional rollercoaster, and having three miscarriages in a ten-year period left Shawna in a stressed state that took the joy out of living her dream and the energy out of living life. She decided something needed to change; she needed to change. As she embarked on a spiritual, emotional, and physical journey, she changed her life, family's life, and thousands of other women. Shawna loves Jesus, her family, learning and helping women live an exceptional life. To learn more about Shawna Cale and her work, please visit: https://www.shawnacale.com/ — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well.

— "I deeply believe with perseverance, compassion, and creativity, there is always a path to healing no matter how complicated or hopeless your situation might feel." Valeria Teles interviews Scott D. Marder — the author of "5 Steps To Tame The Overwhelmed Mind: Unclutter Your Emotional World." Scott D. Marder, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who graduated Duke University for his undergraduate education and received his medical degree from the University of Rochester (NY). After medical school, he completed his internship in psychiatry at Naval Hospital-Portsmouth VA and continued his post-graduate training in psychiatry at Naval Hospital-San Diego, CA. He spent seven years in the US Navy where he provided patient care in an outpatient clinic, consultation/liaison service and detention facility as well as teaching psychiatry to the family practice residents. He was awarded the Second Annual Pfizer Psychiatry Resident of the Year and later received a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for meritorious service. He has been in private practice since 2002 which includes individual/group therapy, hypnotherapy, psychopharmacology and holistic modalities. Dr. Marder's book: "5 Steps to Tame the Overwhelmed Mind" offers a unique emotional map for overcoming old patterns. The theory behind the 5 steps is a visual method to not only show you how you get overwhelmed but more importantly, teach you the way out of overwhelm and into emotional freedom. To learn more about Scott D. Marder and his work, please visit: https://www.scottmardermd.com/ — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well.

— "Knowing your purpose is important. When you understand it and are living true to it, you have clarity, confidence, and avoid stress as you allow it to be your guiding star." This is for the busy professional who knows what it is to be exhausted, overwhelmed, and is ready to break free from it. But how? In this book, Dr. Claire gives you a clear path to break free from stressed-out living. Discover what is keeping you stuck there and what you must do to break free. She uses stories and diagrams to make it easy for you to make the necessary shifts and choices to embrace freedom from living stressed-out. It is time for you to have the space to enjoy great relationships with family, friends, and God. Help! I Want Out! is your opportunity to do so. Valeria Teles interviews Dr. Claire A Smith — the author of "Help! I Want Out!: What to Do When You Are Stressed-Out From Keeping It All Together." Claire Annelise Smith, aka Dr. Claire, is the founder of Blazing Star Network, a Professional Training and Spiritual Coaching firm. She is also the author of multiple books and publications. With two decades of executive experience under her belt, Dr. Claire understands the drive that keeps individuals going. As an author, speaker, spiritual mentor and coach, Dr. Claire helps leaders organize their busy lives to have more time to connect with themselves, the people they love most, and God … without stress and guilt. To learn more about Dr. Claire A Smith and her work, please visit: https://www.livingstressedout.com/ — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well.

— "I have learned that we must courageously push through our fears, if we want to deepen our characters and our understanding of what it means to be human—and ultimately live a fulfilled life." Valeria Teles interviews Dr. Kathryn Haber — the author of "Fear Less, Love More: What to Do When the Unexpected Happens, 5 Daily Choices." Dr. Kathryn Haber is a clinical psychologist and has been a practicing organizational psychologist for over twenty years, helping leaders become their best selves personally and professionally. As the Executive Coach, for Ball Aerospace in Broomfield, CO she provides insights through coaching, weekly articles, and presentations on topics related to leadership, mindfulness, stress, gratitude, resiliency, and other pertinent life issues. Her professional experience spans being a coach, facilitator, and instructor in the areas of leadership, team, and talent assessment and development, behavioral health and wellness, and organizational transformation. She holds numerous certifications in personality and leadership assessment and is a registered Corporate Coach with the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches. Kathryn was the keynote speaker on leadership for the Downtown Denver Leadership Program for several years while working as a partner at RHR International. She was also an adjunct professor for the University of Denver's Graduate School of Professional Psychology. Kathryn earned her undergraduate and master's degrees from Boston College and her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver. Kathryn is on the board of Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research, which partners with the scientists and oncologists at the University of Colorado's Anschutz Medical Center to keep abreast of the innovative research they are conducting to fight pancreatic cancer—the disease that took her mother, father, and brother's lives. She has also been a co-facilitator for a support group for cancer patients and survivors at Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, CO. Lastly, Kathryn and her family are active volunteers for the Women's Homeless Initiative ministry in Denver. Kathryn recently authored Fear Less, Love More: What to Do When the Unexpected Happens, 5 Daily Choices, which is now ranked #1 in Amazon's New Releases. She is also a contributor to the Psychotherapy Networker and the Elephant Journal. To learn more about Dr. Kathryn Haber and her work please visit: https://www.kathrynhaber.com/ — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well.

— "In granting your desire permission to live within you and to move through you, you are in conscious communion with the energy that creates and sustains all things." Valeria Teles interviews Christy Whitman — the author of "The Desire Factor: How to Embrace Your Materialistic Nature to Reclaim Your Full Spiritual Power." Christy Whitman is a Transformational Leader, Celebrity Coach and Law of Attraction expert, as well as the two time New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Having It All and Taming Your Alpha Bitch. Both books were well received by the media. Christy has appeared on the news, The Today Show, The Morning Show, Ted X, and The Hallmark Channel and her work has been featured in the media in various publications. She's been featured in Goalcast, People Magazine, Seventeen, Woman's Day, Hollywood Life, and Teen Vogue, to name a few. Christy is the CEO and founder of the Quantum Success Learning Academy & Quantum Success Coaching Academy, a 10-month Law of Attraction coaching certification program. Christy has helped certify over 3,000 life coaches and has helped countless others to unlock their power to manifest. She also hosts Conscious Couple retreats with her husband, Frederic. To learn more about Christy Whitman and her work, please visit: https://www.christywhitman.com/ — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well.

— "It is imperative for leaders to have a thorough understanding of the stages of grief and the nature of the grieving process." Valeria Teles interviews Anthony Casablanca — the author of "The Dying Art Of Leadership: How Leaders Can Help Grieving Employees Excel At Work." Anthony Casablanca is an accomplished senior executive, having spent thirty-one years in various leadership roles. Anthony earned his undergraduate degree from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and a master's degree from Kettering University (formerly GMI). Anthony spent most of his years in leadership working for Batesville Casket Company, a recognized leader in the funeral service industry, where he was the vice president of human resources and then the vice president of manufacturing and logistics. Anthony was the 2009 Human Resource Executive of the Year in the state of Indiana. He went on to become president of another subsidiary of the Hillenbrand family of companies. Anthony has spent his entire career studying the art of leadership with an emphasis on purpose-driven leadership principles. Anthony has spoken on several occasions at various funeral industry conventions, was a featured speaker at an international sales, service, and operations meeting for Batesville Casket Company, and has conducted several leadership training classes for funeral providers. After retiring from Hillenbrand Inc., Anthony started Casablanca Consulting LLC to help other organizations and leaders discover their true purpose. To learn more about Anthony Casablanca and his work please visit: https://griefleaders.com/ — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well.

— "Life was meant to be good, life was meant to be fun and we were meant to shine not shrink." Valeria Teles interviews Anna Garcia — A law of attraction coach and the author of the handbook "5 Fundamental Mistakes In Manifesting And How To Fix Them." Anna is a Law of Attraction Coach living in Sydney, Australia and she has been coaching people around the world since 2011. Anna loves studying and teaching Universal Laws because she was driven to understand the game of life and how to play it. She became fascinated with the laws when an experiment with visualization caused her to put an incurable illness (Systemic Lupus) into remission without medication. Anna had been searching for the purpose of life since she was a teenager and at one point gave away everything she owned. She took a vow of poverty, chastity and obedience to live a semi-contemplative life, as a full-time missionary for 4 years. She came out knowing that life was meant to be grand. We are not meant to play small. Today, she helps people from all walks of life, from lawyers to entrepreneurs, to psychologists, network marketing groups, or stay-at-home mums. Anna helps them understand their magnificent minds so they can live extraordinary lives. She teaches processes to help people align their thoughts with their desires, removing contradictory blocks so they can manifest a fulfilling life. Anna reminds them they are not alone in this journey. Rather, they have untapped reservoirs within them - their infinite self who is calling them forward. To learn more about Anna Garcia and her work, please visit: https://www.annagarcialifecoach.com/ — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well.