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Host(s): Brandon Hill and Dustin Fenton Guest(s): Melissa Burt Gracik   Synopsis of the show: The art and practice of being mindful and finding, peace, joy, and gratitude in the everyday moments.   Story parts: [00:00:43] – Tools of the trade [00:01:38] – The diagnosis [00:04:13] – Clarity of legacy [00:05:10] – Clarity of purpose in Legacy [00:07:15] – Most meaningful I do [00:08:20] – How to have a good life [00:09:49] – Perfectionistic becomes egotistical [00:11:31] – Extra effort to do act of kindness [00:13:55] – How to be mindful in trials [00:15:23] – Tickets of permission [00:18:20] – A parting meditation   Quotes from the show: “Don’t Google a diagnosis without consulting a specialist” [00:02:25] “I think it will be in areas of fascination and the deeper meaning of what we all yearn for which is to have a good life and how to archive it with emotional intelligence, mindfulness, compassion, and how to make the world more joyful and alleviate suffering” [00:06:26] “Perfectionisms caused a lot of pain for me, pain that didn’t need to be there” [00:08:49] “Meditation was the first stepping stone out of that darker time in my life when I was self-critical.” [00:09:36] “The more we give to others the more joy we have” [00:11:20] “Every moment, I believe, has the potential for positive emotions of peace, joy and gratitude” [00:14:39] “Speak to yourself like a good friend” [00:17:15]   Guest Biography:  Melissa Burt-Gracik holds a B.A. in Communication, an M.A. in Higher Education Administration, and a Master of Divinity degree.  She has coached over 325 people from front line employees to the C-Suite and measures her success by the stories that exemplify growth from her clients.  When she isn’t working hard to build her business, you can find her hard at work cycling, swimming, or running in preparation for her next triathlon.    Flourish For You, LLC helps businesses increase their employee engagement by co-creating with them a work culture focused on the strengths of their greatest asset: their human capital.  Through Flourish Mel helps teams work well together by focusing on their natural talents and the workplace needs that accompany them.  Utilizing Gallup’s 12: The Elements of Great Managing, she helps supervisors learn and implement the skills top managers possess.  Behavior change is hard, which is why Mel’s coaching clients rave about the growth they’re able to achieve from the one-on-one support they receive to pursue their goals and put action toward becoming the professional they aspire to be.  In addition to StrengthsFinder, Mel holds certifications in Meyers Briggs Type Indicator and Emotional Intelligence EQ-i & EQ360 by MultiHealth Systems. Currently she works internally at HME as the Senior Training and Development Specialist.   Mel’s client work includes Hewlett Packard, General Atomics, BD Biosciences, Takeda, Sharp Healthcare, Red Cross, Make A Wish, San Diego Airport Authority, Clovis Community Hospital, University of California San Diego, Stitch Marketing + Research, NWB Environmental Services, Jewish Family Service, and Episcopal Community Services.  She has spoken to and inspired audiences at Pepsi, Illumina, and Patagonia.   Links: https://LessonsFromLife4U.com 

Host(s): Brandon Hill and Dustin Fenton Guest(s): Brett Lyle   Synopsis of the show: Brett Lyle shares how her calling was confirmed through an interview where she didn't get the job.   Story parts: [00:01:02] – Power of LinkedIn [00:02:55] – Bad year to graduate, 2009 [00:03:50] – Life 2.0 [00:05:20] – Sick during interview [00:06:41] – “You are an Entrepreneur” [00:07:45] – Seeing something in someone they don’t see in themselves [00:10:14] – Somebody is reading my label [00:11:00] – How discover what lights you up [00:12:10] – Don’t ask “Why not?” Ask “Why Yes?” [00:13:38] – Brief self-coaching exercise [00:16:05] – Why a coach [00:16:54] – Challenge of speaking up   Quotes from the show: “I light up, grinning ear to ear.  No one had ever recognized that in me before” [00:06:48] “Failure is our biggest opportunity to learn” [00:07:51] “The greatest distance a person will travel in life is the 14 inches between their heart and their head. - Unknown” [00:15:15]   Guest Biography:  Brett began her coaching career in 2014, with a health and wellness focus, while concurrently serving the Emergency Medical Service industry in business development and public relations roles. Identifying a client need, she launched #BrettLyleCoaching and established personal and professional development programs in 2018. With a more recent focus on career transition and leadership coaching, Brett works alongside business professionals from all industries, coaches, and supports people in setting and executing on defined goals. Most recently, Brett is working with EMS industry consulting firms and publications to support leaders from across the country in their growth and development through her most recent endeavor- creation and production of a healthcare podcast, called #Emergentleadership.    Links: https://LessonsFromLife4U.com www.brettlyle.com    Brett Lyle on Social Media YouTube  II LinkedIn II Facebook II Instagram II Twitter

Synopsis of the show:  Our guest this week has a very unique name and a powerful story.  Fenway Park shares his process of finding a calling and choosing a major while facing the various struggles of getting a teacher's license. Story parts: [00:00:50] – Name story [00:02:00] – Choosing a major from one’s passion [00:02:58] – State Tests [00:03:50] – Philippians 4:6 [00:04:25] – “Teaching is not for you” [00:05:00] – God doesn’t want me to teach [00:06:04] – I am still teaching [00:06:52] – I am not a test taker [00:08:05] – Two weeks of transformation [00:09:18] – Barriers in life for a purpose [00:10:38] – I give hope [00:11:20] – Advice for others who are lost [00:12:00] – Questions to ask other – “What is your Journey?” [00:13:00] – Project that had huge effect on retention rate [00:13:53] – Tapping into hope   Quotes from the show: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” [00:03:55] “Leadership” [00:04:30] “It is a blessing to not be a teaching in a classroom” [00:07:33] “I was in a leadership role in High School that it made sense” - [00:08:22] “It is amazing to see how [things] intertwine” - [00:09:58] “It is amazing how many people on campus can speak into your life” [00:11:38] “First year experience is really huge on a student retention” [00:13:35]   Guest Biography:  Fenway Park is his real name, but he has never lived in Boston.  Fenway is originally from the well-known Amish Community - Shipshewana, IN. Fenway has been in Muncie, IN for the past three years where he works for Erskine Green Training Institute (EGTI), a postsecondary vocational training for adults with disabilities. During Fenway's time at EGTI he has served as a Student Support Specialist and as recruitment and marketing specialist. During Fenway's free time, he likes to spend time with his camera in hand capturing moments of life around him.  Fenway enjoys spending time with his dog, Lucky, and doing DIY projects around the house. Fenway Park | fpark@egti.org   Links: https://LessonsFromLife4U.com  

Synopsis of the show: Friends continue to reminisce about an epic backpacking trip, a favorite professor, and an encounter with bears. Story parts: [00:01:00] – Remembering a favorite faculty member - Dr Guy Chase [00:01:25] - Unique painting subject matter [00:01:54] - Jeff shares the influence that Dr Chase had on his life [00:04:20] - Matt shares the about the quiet wisdom that Dr Chase was willing to share with others. [00:06:10] - Dr Chase trips and falls down the trail [00:07:38] - An adventure with some bears   Quotes from the show: "I wanted to reconnect with him, and that's when I found out that he had passed away, and it was devastating to find that out." [00:03:47]   "Guy honestly was one of the most boring lecturers, [but on WalkAbout], he rarely spoke unless he actually had something to say, ...and when he did we would all turn around..[to listen].." [00:04:39]   "I don't remember what he said..it was this idea that what he said was poetic" [00:05:28]   "I learned from him in the way that he lived his life." [00:05:48]   “The scariest moment for me was when the bear walked between the tiny space between our tents.”  [00.11:52]   Guest Biographies:    Jeff Burt-Gracik:  Jeff Burt-Gracik is an entrepreneur and artisan behind J. Alan Pipes and Alan Brothers Supply Co. His flagship brand was founded in 2004, and with innovative design, uncompromising quality, and global partnerships has led it to become one of the world leaders in its industry.  Jeff is an alumnus of Greenville College (B.A., 2001) and Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div, 2006) and holds an honorary Master of Pipes (2018) award for his contributions to his industry.  He lives with his wife and two children in San Diego, California where he enjoys photography, cycling, cooking, and travel with his family in his free time.     Links: http://www.jalanpipes.com http://instagram.com/jalanpipes http://YouTube.com/jalanpipes http://instagram.com/jeffreyalanphoto   Matt Wright:  Matt was born and raised in a small southern Illinois town named Olney, Illinois. He has been married since 2002 to Nikki and has two teenage boys, Mason and Landon. He graduated from Greenville University in 2003 with a degree in Fine Arts. He works as the Head Tennis Professional at the Oak Brook Tennis Center near Chicago. He also works as an artist and teaches calligraphy courses at College of Dupage. Examples of his artwork can be seen on his Instagram @donavonmatthews.   Additional Links: https://www.lessonsfromlife4u.com/ http://www.Greenville.edu  

Synopsis of the show: Friends reminisce about an epic backpacking trip Story parts: [00:01:40] – What is WalkAbout? [00:02:50] – Introductions of Matt and Jeff [00:04:18] – Story 1 – How to interact with strangers [00:05:54] – Story 2 – Butterfly [00:07:07] – Story 3 – Houses with old papers [00:07:48] – Going back in time [00:08:05] – Story 4 – Solo [00:09:44] – Anticipation of time and ideals [00:10:42] – The first day is the longest [00:11:15] – Fear of the night…and all the bumps in the dark [00:12:58] – Reflection of Solo [00:13:32] – Solo Part 2 reflection   Quotes from the show: “I somehow miss judged or [failed to] realize how long a day actually is when you have to sit in one place and be with yourself” [00:09:21] “48 hours is a long time” [00:10:04] “What is the right thing to do, what am I supposed to be doing?  I know what they told me to do (practice the discipline of solitude), but I don’t  really know how to do that. I think what I discovered is that there isn’t a how; there is a how you do it.” [00:10:47] “The fear was…that was a battle in itself, especially at night” [00:12:28] “You should find time to try to be by yourself, force yourself to sit and listen to what you think.” [00:13:12]   Guest Biographies:  Jeff Burt-Gracik:  Jeff Burt-Gracik is an entrepreneur and artisan behind J. Alan Pipes and Alan Brothers Supply Co. His flagship brand was founded in 2004, and with innovative design, uncompromising quality, and global partnerships has led it to become one of the world leaders in its industry.  Jeff is an alumnus of Greenville College (B.A., 2001) and Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div, 2006) and holds an honorary Master of Pipes (2018) award for his contributions to his industry.  He lives with his wife and two children in San Diego, California where he enjoys photography, cycling, cooking, and travel with his family in his free time.     Links: http://www.jalanpipes.com http://instagram.com/jalanpipes http://YouTube.com/jalanpipes http:// instagram.com/jeffreyalanphoto   Matt Wright: Matt was born and raised in a small southern Illinois town named Olney, Illinois. He has been married since 2002 to Nikki and has two teenage boys, Mason and Landon. He graduated from Greenville University in 2003 with a degree in Fine Arts. He works as the Head Tennis Professional at the Oak Brook Tennis Center near Chicago. He also works as an artist and teaches calligraphy courses at College of Dupage. Examples of his artwork can be seen on his Instagram @donavonmatthews.   Additional Links: https://www.lessonsfromlife4u.com/ http://www.Greenville.edu

Synopsis of the show: A story of encouragement of overcoming less than perfect circumstances. Story parts: [00:00:55] – About Aaron [00:01:52] – First job search story [00:02:40] – Lots of pressures [00:03:20] – Current employer not willing to give a recommendation [00:04:40] – Applied to the first dozen interviews [00:05:20] – Graduated in May 2014 [00:06:52] – Got a job offer after 17 first round phone interview, 11 flights, 18 hours of driving, 4 in-person interviews, 203 job applications [00:07:40] – Finding hope and then being disappointment [00:08:48] – What kept you going? [00:10:00] – “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” - Gretzky [00:11:00] – First Lesson Learned – Don’t watch The Walking Dead [00:12:28] – “Failure isn’t fatal but a failure to change might be” [00:14:20] – Relationship lessons [00:15:45] – Tips for finding jobs   Quotes from the show: “I wanted to share this story for [those in transition] in the middle of this pandemic, which is creating a lot of uncertainty about the future for a lot of people I thought I would share this story as a story of encouragement and an example of overcoming less than perfect circumstances.” [00:02:03] “At first I was ready and raring, how hard is this going to be” [00:04:37] “Most people in my graduating cohort had gotten a job” [00:05:36] “The thing that kept me going, I didn’t want to disappoint myself, I didn’t want to give up in what I believed in myself.” [00:09:15] “Your sense of vocation or sense of calling does not equal your job description…It is that thing that you can’t not do” [00:11:28] “Are you so ambition to leave a legacy that what you are going to leave behind is a legacy of ambition that bulldozes your relationships.” [00:13:54] “Don’t define your sense of worth in your job…there are other and more important markers” [00:16:05]   Guest Biography:  Aaron Morrison is the Assistant Director for the Institute for Leadership and Service at Valparaiso University, where he designs retreats and alternative spring break experiences that help students discern their sense of vocation and calling. He enjoys mentoring, talking about big questions of what makes life meaningful, and gardening. He can be reached at aaron.morrison@valpo.edu or followed on twitter @saaron_morrison.   Links: https://www.lessonsfromlife4u.com/  

Lessons from Life Podcast - Episode 16   Host(s): Brandon Hill and Dustin Fenton Guest(s): Ben Weesies   Synopsis of the show: Guest Ben Weesies shares about a huge mistake that he made at work, and the gracious way in which his boss responded.    Story parts: [00:01:50] – Busy life with work [00:02:15] – The Event set up [00:02:36] – Woke up late! [00:03:07] - Apology [00:04:50] – Something different for work [00:05:10] – The boss’s point of view [00:06:38] – Importance of Family and empathy for various COVID-19 situations [00:08:31] – Vulnerability put forth [00:09:12] – Walking away lighter from the boss [00:10:18] – Roles Reversed [00:12:38] – Sometimes we have to find a new role when there are breaking points [00:14:40] – Have to stop and learn the lessons from our stories   Quotes from the show: “What we want isn’t necessary the best for us” [00:04:10] “I was forced into a humble situation” [00:12:01] “Ask questions of your people in order to care for them” [00:13:21] “So often we don’t think of outcomes of our experiences” [00:14:10]   Guest Biography:  Ben Weesies lives just outside Indianapolis with his wife and two children. After a 12-year career in the sports/event management industry, he is now Director of Business Operations for a growing personal training business based in the Indianapolis metro area. Ben enjoys opportunities to experience new things with his family, and he especially loves watching his kids compete in their sporting adventures and helping them improve--both at play and in the game of life.   Links: http://LessonsFromLife4U.com http://exerciseinc.com/team/ben-weesies/

Lessons From Life - Episode 15   Synopsis of the show: A story of a long journey to marriage and faithfulness.   Story parts: [00:01:35] – Prayer for a story [00:02:11] – The guy I am going to marry [00:03:49] – Dating long distance (6 years) [00:05:30] – The fleece of a job in Indiana [00:07:05] – Jason helps me live out God’s plan for my life [00:07:54] – Mutual investment for life [00:08:49] – Later Marriage and what that means for me [00:10:19] – Date outside the bubble [00:10:51] – How to persevere in times of doubt. [00:11:54] – The Lord gave us a chapter book [00:13:15] – Marriage retreat [00:14:20] – SpringHill Camps   Quotes from the show: “In the same why he [Jason] pushes me to a certain dream or goal I push him”  [00:07:54] “Enjoy that season of singleness to explore, to learn more about yourself and to really step into that time to figure out who you are” [00:9:57] “We were able to develop such a great friendship and relationship that has helped us now” [00:12:15] “We really try to spend time with couples who are older and wiser than us to glean information” [00:12:58] Guest Biography: Dr. Dara Berkhalter currently serves as the Chief Development Officer at SpringHill and has spent the past 17 years working in the non-profit and higher education sectors. She’s passionate about helping organizations reach their full potential through their fundraising efforts and encouraging others to live a life of generosity. Dr. Berkhalter has a bachelor’s degree in communications and a Master’s in Business Administration from Taylor University, and holds a Doctorate degree in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Berkhalter has served as the Executive Director of Alumni Relations at Taylor University, and Senior Director of Operations at By The Hand Club for Kids in Chicago, a faith based after school program for students in urban communities. She also currently serves as a visiting professor in the Master of Arts in Higher Education program at Taylor University.   Links: LessonsFromLife4U.com SpringHill Camps

Lessons From Life - Episode 14   Synopsis of the show: Father and son share about a cool experience that they enjoyed at a surprise Coldplay Concert.   Story parts: [00:01:23] – Coldplay tickets for a shared birthday [00:02:32] – First people in and time to explore the concert venue [00:03:17] – Making connects are important [00:04:28] – Front Row!! [00:05:29] – A fun souvenir [00:06:39] – Strengths tag team [00:09:02] – Prodding Levi to meet people [00:11:28] – New perspective on an important relationship   Quotes from the show: “I need to be patient in everyday living because I may not realize that something bigger coming.”  [00:08:36] “Not everything my dad wants to do is lame” [00:11:38]   Links: https://www.lessonsfromlife4u.com/ https://www.coldplay.com/ Head Full of Dreams Tour Coldplay – Head Full of Dreams Spotify Playlist Brandon’s Scrapbook pages of the event: https://mascrapping.com/2018/03/19/2016-coldplay-concert-a-head-full-of-dreams-tour/   Attribution: The Music used in this episode can be found at https://freesound.org/people/abett/sounds/316704/  and is licensed under a Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/)  

Lessons From Life - Episode 13   Synopsis of the show: A lesson in compassion by volunteering in Athens Greece to help refugees coming to Europe.   Story parts: [00:01:18] – Praying for refugees [00:02:25] – I didn’t know what we were doing [00:04:06] - Project ELEA first volunteers [00:05:17] – Initial Fears [00:07:28] – How to follow God’s will [00:08:25] – Prayer was the first step [00:09:52] – Called to be informed and to pray [00:11:53] – A ‘refugee’ opportunity at home   Quotes from the show: “It sounded very sketchy in hindsight, but I called him [founder of Project ELEA] and just felt peace with the situation with him” [00:03:58] “Just see[ing] what God puts in front of us, seeing the man on the road the Samaritan found that was just in front of him.  I knew nothing of refugees in the start of my junior year and my friend had me pray, and prayer was the first step” [00:08:08] “It was a reminder to be informed so I can be compassionate” [00:09:15] “It is easier [for God] to steer a moving ship” [00:10:19] “You don’t have to save the world” [0012:42]   Guest Biography:  Ryan Smith is a 2017 graduate from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is now in his 4th year of medical school at Indiana University School or Medicine. He hopes to start a combined residency in Medicine-Pediatrics next summer. Outside of school he loves playing Spikeball and cooking with friends.   Links: http://LessonsFromLife4U.com https://projectelea.org/  

Lessons From Life - Episode 12   In this episode Emily Anderson shares an adventure that was more than she bargained for as she relies on friends to bring her to safety.   Story parts: [00:01:20] – First backpacking trip adventures [00:02:56] – One top of the world, the greater the risk the bigger the reward [00:04:00] – One more swing! [00:05:06] – The Cringe [00:06:56] – The storm the beastly hike [00:08:19] – A Positive X-Ray [00:12:43] – A thought about this unprecedented time we find ourselves in [March 2020] [00:14:05] – A call to vulnerability [00:16:02] – The Learning cycle   Quotes from the show: “I could have done this trip and been completely safe and not done any of the adventurous things (not gone swimming, gone off the rope swing, climb the boulder, etc.). But if I wouldn’t have chosen to those risks then I wouldn’t have been able to experience the highs.” [00:09:46} “It is interesting how the disastrous events seem to create the memories and to some extent have the ability to look back on them and laugh and have a good memory experience with them” [00:11:14] “One sees great things from the valley, but only small things from the peak” – G.K. Chesterton [00:11:31] “At this point it is essential to rely on one another and to think of others and to think of way we can come together even if we are physically distanced” [00:12:46] “Learning begins with a disturbance (similar to what our country is going through)… and that disturbance can throw you into this realm of chaos…our tendency is to flee the chaos…but our challenge is to learn how to wait it out…that is when deeper learning happens” [00:16:12]   Guest Biography: Emily Anderson is the Activities and Guest Services Director at SpringHill. She has held this position since 2017 and has contributed to the development of activities both in staff training and in the completion of a new High Adventure element in April, 2019. She graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a BA in Psychology (’14) and completed a MA in Christian Formation and Outdoor Adventure Leadership through Wheaton College (’17). She is passionate about facilitating holistic learning experiences for young people to develop into mature, committed, compassionate leaders who are growing in deeper intimacy with Jesus. During her free time, she enjoys participating in CrossFit, listening to podcasts, playing music, enjoying the great outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. She currently resides in Columbus, Indiana.   Links: LessonsFromLife4U.com Eagle Rock Loop – Arkansas:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ouachita/recarea/?recid=10732 Ouachita National Forest:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/ouachita     

Lessons From Life - Episode 11   Will Yank shares about his recent battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)   Story parts: [00:01:52] – Mono? [00:02:39] – ER visit and diagnosis [00:04:05] – Johns Hopkins stay [00:05:47] – A diagnosis and remission journeys [00:07:59] – Early stages of cancer free [00:08:20] – How to stay positive [00:11:00] – The self-development process [00:12:35] – Discipline of Grace [00:14:28] – Famous in England – Daily Mail     Quotes from the show: “The discipline of setting a routine has helped keep the sanity, keep that positivity going.” [00:09:43] “Allow the discipline to not be a rigor, let it be something that is a freedom.”   [00:12:22} “Give yourself the grace, kindness goes so much farther than ignoring others. The kindness and empathy I have experienced not only from my mother but my nurses” [00:15:02]   Guest Bio: Will Yank William Yank is a 22-year-old Leukemia patient who currently resides in Baltimore, MD and is finishing stem cell transplant treatment. Hailing from Indiana Will has been fighting for almost two years now. He's charismatic and inspires thousands with his social media posts on Instagram and Tik Tok. He's faced incredible adversity and trauma but is still attacking life head on.   Links: http://LessonsFromLife4U.com Will’s Daily Mail Article: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6951141/Model-shape-life-sore-throat-turned-leukemia.html Will’s Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/williamyank/ Will’s Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@williamyank Will’s TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkj4aLkySWY  

Lessons From Life - Episode 10   In this episode Emily Humphreys describes her transition from one career field to another while finding herself along the way.   Story parts: [00:01:20] – A road trip secret [00:02:07] – Switching career paths in an abrupt way [00:03:14] – New skills needed [00:04:00] – Undercover Resident Director skill activated [00:04:52] – Departure Lunch [00:06:07] – 150 different transactions [00:07:41] – How to ask questions [00:11:33] – Helping in the midst of crisis (COVID-19) [00:12:55] – Applying for job you’re not qualified for   Quotes from the show: “People can be known for who they truly are through thoughtful questions and community building” [00:04:18] “I remember it was my ultimate goal to be myself and for others to feel they could the same” [00:04:48] The quickest way to learn a skill is to watch someone do it and then be thrown in immediately” [00:05:36] “Now…I feel completely fine setting the stage know how the other person is really doing” [00:08:50] “You just need to apply for all the jobs you feel 50% okay for.” [00:13:47]   Guest Biography: Emily Humpherys lives in St. Charles, MO with her husband, Scott, and her daughter, Brave. She works in Student Services in public education. Emily is always reading, writing, and rewatching The Office.    Links: LessonsFromLife4U.com

Lessons From Life - Episode 9   In this episode Brandon speaks to Mason Metzger, a professional motivational speaker and accessibility consultant who shares a story about his life with Spastic Cerebral Palsy.   Story parts: [00:01:00] - Mason’s backstory [00:02:40] - Specialized challenge vs Disability [00:07:29] - Mason’s Self Advocacy Award   Quotes from the Episode: “The term disability or other terms to describe a disability such as handicapped or impaired have a negative connotation but when you think about a disability as a specialized challenge it shifts your mind to a more positive way of thinking.” [00:02:30] “We all have unique lenses in life, the fact that each one of us has a unique sphere of influence and we all have unique gifts, talents and skills, part of my purpose in life is to inspire and equip others to utilize  their gifts talents and skills to make an impact within their spheres of influence.” [00:03:50]   Guest Biography: Mason Metzger 21-year-old Mason Metzger is currently a junior at Indiana Wesleyan University studying Human Communication and leadership. Shortly before his first birthday,  doctors diagnosed Metzger with a form of cerebral palsy, classified as a person with quadriplegia, Metzger utilizes a power wheelchair to get around. As an award-winning motivational keynote speaker since August 2014, Metzger has had the opportunity to share his story with a wide range of audiences totaling over 50. Most recently, in 2019, Metzger was the recipient of an international award from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) in the category of self-advocacy. In addition to speaking, Metzger is also an accessibility consultant. Additionally, Metzger serves on the boards of Forte Residential Inc. & Forte Home Health Care Inc. In the future, Metzger hopes to continue speaking and consulting, and he aspires to become an author.   Social media/contact information Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mason-metzger-878515144/ Instagram: motivationalmason_ Twitter: Mason_Metzger   Links: LessonsFromLife4U.com https://www.masonmetzger.com/  

Lessons From Life - Episode 8   In this episode Brandon speaks to Luca Reichman who shares a story about an Ambulance ride that did not work out as planned, but helped to save someone’s life.   Story Parts: [00:01:15] - Beers/Bears in Indiana [00:02:11] - Luca’s Ambulance story [00:08:02] - Life Lessons   Quotes from the Episode: “Sometimes things are at the right time at the right place.” [00:08:07] “Sometimes the bad things that happen to us are for a greater purpose.” [00:08:38] “Part of life is being satisfied with where you are at and what’s happening with you and not wishing for other things because those other things might be worse for you.” [00:10:05]   Links: LessonsFromLife4U.com

Lessons From Life - Episode 7   In this episode Brandon speaks to Jordan Updike who shares a story about a Last Minute NFL Game.   Story Parts: [00:01:10] - The last minute Colts game [00:05:44] - Brandon’s second ever NFL game [00:07:25] - Life Lessons from the story   Quotes from the Episode: “Being persistent and requesting can pay out. Take risks more and do unplanned things.” [00:07:39] “You can’t plan life all the way out because l things don’t always work that way. You’ll have a lot of fun doing spur of the moment things.” [00:08:01] “It’s good to have balanced perspectives, when two people have different approaches to life there is a lot of power in considering both the planning and spur of the moment adventure sort.” [00:08:12]   Links: LessonsFromLife4U.com

Lessons From Life - Episode 6   In this episode Brandon shares two stories from his childhood in South Africa about rotten fruit, and his experience learning to love avocados.   Story Parts: [00:01:26] - Rotten Fruit and banana bread [00:02:30] - Mowing the grass and rotten apricots [00:04:24] - Expired Guacamole   Quotes from the Episode: “We can find good in a lot of things and even if something looks used and bad it potentially has the ability to make something really amazing and good if we’re willing to give it a chance and transform it.” [00:02:08] “Do the job properly the first time and it will be easier, don’t try and take shortcuts because they’ll create more work for you.” [00:03:37] “It’s good to keep trying things as you get older.” [00:05:25]   Links: LessonsFromLife4U.com

Lessons From Life - Episode 5   In this episode Brandon and Dustin speak to Carol Brown and she recounts her story of being a young lifeguard where she nearly lost her life.   Story Parts: [00:00:59] - Carol’s background [00:01:28] - The summer lifeguard story [00:09:38] - The need to act in the moment [00:11:45] - Being prepared, using the tools around us   Quotes from the Episode: “Sometimes the problems we have are way too big for us and we need others to be there to support us. There are times in life when we do feel alone and we are wishing other people will come to help us and even when we are asking for that help, none may come.” [00:08:42] “Sometimes they are trying to blow whistles and no one is hearing them when they need help, those whistles can be all kinds of things, but we don’t always pick up on all those signs.” [00:11:13] “As a leader, somethings even though what we are doing may not be cool or we might be looked down upon, we still need to do what we know is right.” [00:13:06]   Guest Bio: Carol Brown Carol Brown, Associate Dean of Life Calling & Career at Indiana Wesleyan University, has a passion for the outdoors and water sports. Carol accounts her story of working as a young lifeguard where she nearly lost her life!   Links: LessonsFromLife4U.com

Lessons From Life - Episode 4   Lessons Learned from a bicycle accident.  In this episode Brandon and Dustin call their friend Jakob Adam who is living in Guatemala and they discuss his cycling story and injury.   Story parts: [00:02:23] - Jakob's story [00:06:52] - Lessons learned from bike riding [00:07:45] - When do you need to use cardio vs strength   Quotes from the Episode: “Sometimes when those things get hard, when you’re trying to go up a hill, sometimes you have to use your cardio and push your gears a little bit easier and sometimes you have to use strength. I think life is like that as well, sometimes you have to use your heart and sometimes you really just have to use your strength to persevere.” [00:06:55] “More is in you, than you think.” ~Kurt Hahn [00:09:52]   Guest Bio: Jakob Adam Jakob describes himself as pathologically genuine, a culture translator, and a multi-subject generalist. He has a Master’s degree in Higher Education, has served in University Residence Education, and might follow you to your car.   Links: LessonsFromLife4U.com   Credits: The background ambient hospital sounds were provided by Nixeno under a Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) and can be found at https://freesound.org/people/nixeno/sounds/427092  

Lessons From Life - Episode 3   In this episode Brandon and Dustin talk about what it means to be a leader during crisis, how to become a good follower and how importance of evaluating information in your decision making.  We hope that this episode will encourage you as we all navigate the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis together.   Story Parts: [00:02:02] - The Summer Storm [00:06:42] - Leadership means thinking of other people [00:07:34] - The Hiking Trip - Rattlesnake [00:09:04] - Knowing when to look at the information you have and make decisions is important [00:09:55] - How do you become a good follower? [00:10:34] - The power outage   Quotes from the Episode: “An adventure is an inconvenience rightly perceived.” ~ G.K. Chesterton [00:01:17] “Hindsight is always 20/20. When you are in leadership, it is hard to say that and justify it.” [00:06:05] “Sometimes our leaders may do things that we think are really strange and we don’t understand but to some extent a good follower trusts that their leader has the best thing in mind.” [00:07:01] “Often times inconvenience creates the biggest opportunity.” [00:12:05]   Links: LessonsFromLife4U.com   Host Bios: Brandon Hill, PhD Brandon loves collecting stories, whether those are his own experiences, or the experiences of others. He loves to have adventures and take trips to create new memories. Brandon has one adult son, Levi, and three exchange students (Jonathan, Luca, and Henry) who he also considers to be part of the family. Brandon is passionate about adoption, higher education, and developing people. Brandon has an undergraduate degree in Accounting and Information Science, a Master's in Education, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration. Brandon current serves as Chief Student Affairs Officer at a 4-year private institution. One of his favorite jobs has been serving as a Resident Director for 7 years where he developed friendships with many people, and experienced a lot of life lessons. Brandon is a StrengthsQuest Educator Trainer, and loves helping people achieve their maximum potential through discovering and developing their strengths. Brandon's hobbies include gardening and creating scrapbooks for the family adventures, as they are a great way to capture the stories and life lessons from these experiences.   Dustin Fenton Dustin’s mission is to help people achieve more than they thought possible, by helping them stretch out of their comfort zones. He loves to provide value to those he engages with by connecting them to new ideas or people so they can see success in their lives professionally and personally. With a background in organizational leadership and nineteen years of working with young professionals he has experience in coaching people to new and greater heights and helping them find the purpose God has for them. He has had the privilege of facilitating many life-transforming events from mission trips to multiple week-long backcountry trips to advising Christian music festivals. He most recently served at SpringHill as the General Manager of Indiana Overnight Experiences and served both staff and guests in ways that gave them to the opportunity to achieve more than they thought possible. His life motto is “There is more in you than you think” which is taken from Kurt Hahn, a patriarch of the experiential education movement. Dustin has been married to Jan for 18 years and they have two children. He is a graduate of Greenville University (BS Youth Ministry/Mass Communication) and Azusa Pacific University (MA Organizational Leadership). He enjoys time with family, reading great books, exploring outdoors, and learning all he can about the intersection of leadership development and transformational experiences.