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I use the musical talents of my guest in this episode. I use bits of the instrumental from his ‘Fiddler’ in the intro, and he plays us out with his song, ‘I’ll Meet You There.” And now, introducing…. Ben​ ​Phan, performing as Ben Phantom, ​is​ ​a​ ​​songwriter, videographer, multi instrumentalist, music producer, traveler, and long distance hiker. His path, carved by music, has taken him from the North American wilderness to Vietnam, Cambodia, Israel, Central America, and finally to his mountain home in Asheville, North Carolina. Phantom ​is​ ​a passionate​ ​and​ ​captivating​ performer​ ​who​ ​writes​ ​from​ ​the​ ​heart​, ​speaks ​to​ ​the​ ​soul, and never forgets to find the humor in life. You can find Ben on his website, https://benphantom.com/, on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/benphantom and on YouTube at  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8OoKMmUVgIaEX7ciTqg-Pw.

David Somerfleck is an enterprise digital marketing executive and startup consultant with over 20 years' experience working for marketing agencies across North America and 10 years' experience as a nonprofit small business mentor. David has written for Fox Reality, spoken at Microsoft, advised six political campaigns in addition to hundreds of business owners and entrepreneurs of every type. David is also the author of "The Road to Digital Marketing Profits" and the upcoming “Bloom & Grow.” You can reach David at https://dms.blue Here are the sites that David mentions: TheGreatCoursesPlus.com          https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/ The course that David mentions is ‘The Misinformation Threat’ – under Lectures News.Google.com                          https://news.google.com/topstories?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en Images.google.com                        https://images.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl Shopping.google.com                    https://shopping.google.com/u/0/ Instacart                                            https://www.instacart.com/ Postmates                                       https://postmates.com/ Ubereats                                           https://www.ubereats.com/ Google wallet                                   https://pay.google.com/about/ Paypal                                              https://www.paypal.com/

Cesar takes on a trip that begins in Mexico City when he started working at the age of four. – and that’s only the beginning. Cesar R. Espino was born in Mexico City to a poor family with just his mom and his grandma there in the beginning. He lived in a small shack with dirt floors, no dad, in a society of poverty, where having a life of no hope seemed to be the norm. Cesar is a multiple book author, real estate investor and mentor, business consultant and coach, and NLP practitioner. His highest intention is to reach as many people as possible and assist them through all the different things Cesar has to offer. The major focuses for him are personal development, building relationships, helping others, and growing numerous businesses.   Find out more about Cesar: www.CesarRespino.com/services.

Dr. Benjamin Hardy is an organizational psychologist and bestselling author of Willpower Doesn't Work. From 2015-2018, he was the #1 writer in the world on Medium.com. Ben and his wife Lauren adopted three children from the foster system in February 2018 and one month later, Lauren got pregnant with twins who were born in December of 2018. They live in Orlando. Ben's blogs are read by millions monthly. His new book, Personality Isn’t Permanent, debunks the pervasive myths of personality that have captured pop culture. For example, personality tests like Myers-Briggs and Enneagram are not only psychologically destructive but are no more scientific than horoscopes. Personality Isn’t Permanent provides science-based strategies for reframing past memories, becoming the scribe of your identity narrative, upgrading your subconscious, and redesigning your environment. Science proves you are going to change throughout your life. You might as well be intentional about that change. You can get the book at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/607021/personality-isnt-permanent-by-benjamin-hardy-phd/, and I suggest that you do! Also, visit his website at https://benjaminhardy.com/.

Patrice Lynn and I talked about so many things in a short half hour; how she managed her way out of difficulty stacked upon difficulty, including the impact of the financial crisis of 2008-10. These led her to create, among other things, her Brain Boss Challenge. Patrice Lynn, The Brain Boss, is energizing and educating open-minded audiences with her revolutionary approach to life, business and learning. On the front lines of professional and business development for over 25 years, Patrice is a true veteran in her field. She is the go-to personal development expert who can make a significant difference in your life. On a never-ending quest to bring you the absolute best knowledge and tools, certifications range from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to The Cashflow Game. Patrice holds credentials with The International Coach Federation (PCC), the Coaches Training Institute (CPCC) and Action COACH, where she was an award-winning part of the world’s largest business coaching team. Patrice has guided thousands to improved profit, performance, and life fulfillment. Her breakthrough insights will empower your life and business for optimal results. She is the author of the bestselling book, RISE to Success, and founder of the RISE to Success Academy. Go to www.brainbosschallenge.com to sign up for Patrice’s Brain Boss Challenge. The 5-day challenge occurs live each day at noon eastern time (no recordings), and starts on May 11. You can find out more about Patrice on her website, PatriceLynn.com p.s. The ancient text that Patrice mentions is Deuteronomy 28:13.

Cindy Sue Bezas describes some of the surprising symptoms of concussions, how debilitating they can be, and the creative ways she treats herself. Cindy Sue Bezas (bee-zus), M.S., is a confidence coach and author. She obtained her Master's in Organizational Learning and Leadership and coaches women with research-based approaches to accelerate personal and business success. She has taught many how to write a book-in-a-month and as a speaker has shared the stage with notable individuals such as Frank Shankwitz, the founder of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and others international speakers. She also is the survivor of 10 concussions and the podcast host of "Concussions: There IS Hope", where she actively helps concussion survivors around the world and their loved ones gain help, hope, and resiliency. Cindy just launched a hot new podcast for concussion survivors and their families. It’s called Concussion: There IS Hope, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/concussion-there-is-hope/id1493243455  Find C.S. Bezas's contemplative piano music at CDBaby Find C.S. Bezas other works at: CSBezasBooks

Lana McAra covers a lot of ground in a short time. Among other things, she shares the power of reframing and how healing and growth happen in waves that occur over a lifetime. Lana McAra is the host of "Now It's My Turn! Where the 50+ woman awakens her spark and en-joys her life" on the Awake TV Network. A spiritual adviser and intuitive healer, Lana works with her clients to roll back the clock on how they feel in mind, body and spirit. She’s an award-winning, best-selling author and ghostwriter of more than 30 books with a million books sold. A vivacious speaker, she has appeared on hundreds of stages across the globe, as well as hosting shows in both radio and TV. Her upcoming book, “Enough!” is slated for release in 2020. You can connect with Lana in her Facebook group: http://nowitsmyturn.com. You can see Lana as host of the internet TV show, ‘Now It’s My Turn!’ - Where the 50+ woman awakens her spark and en-joys her life. Find it at http://nowitsmyturn.tv.

Roman Prokopchuk shares how he gets through a tsunami of tough events in his life. He starts with acknowledging his feelings, and doesn’t let them stay bottled up and become toxic. Roman is a first generation immigrant from Ukraine who came to the United States in 1990 with 6 other family members to a 2 bedroom apartment with nothing, got into digital marketing as a result of the 2008 recession coming out of an internship with the Secret Service, digital marketing agency founder in 2012 of Nova Zora Digital, podcast host that's gotten into the top 100 on Apple this year, and foster parent (fostered 14 kids with his wife in their home since June 1, 2018. He went through 5 miscarriages with his wife in the last 3 years, saying goodbye to foster kids they had for a year that we were going to adopt. His grandfather passed away this year, his mother-in-law almost died of a heart issue, and his dog got cancer 3 months ago. Things keep stacking against him, but he manages to push through. Roman’s podcast is called ‘The Digital Savage Experience.’ You can find it everywhere podcasts live: iTunes, Stitcher, etc.

Even successful people experience bumps in the road, even big potholes. In this episode, Wendy Piersall talks about a time when external events beyond her control, conspired to throw her business and personal life into a tailspin. She shares her feelings with such honesty, how she moved through them, and how she turned it all around, what she learned, the surprising conclusion, and where she is headed now. Wendy Piersall is an artist, author and publisher of educational content for children. She has released two best-selling books, written for Entrepreneur.com, appeared on the Today Show, and is passionate about making an impact on the world in many ways. Find Wendy on her Facebook page, ‘Wendy Piersall: Artist, Publisher & Mentor,’ at https://www.facebook.com/WendyPiersallArt/ .

Ellen Violette touches on a variety of topics, including starting over, the importance of finding the right expert to work with, and being stubbornly persistent. Ellen Violette is an award-winning Book & Business Coach, multiple #1 bestselling author, and Grammy-nominated songwriter who helps founders, CEO's, coaches, consultants and speakers, who struggle with writing a book and after she works with them they have a #1 bestseller so they have more credibility and can make more money. You can find Ellen’s podcast at http://EllenLikes.com/ellenspodcast. At the time of this writing, it’s called, ‘Books, Business Abundance,’ but it might be renamed to ‘Books Open Doors.’ Either way, this link will take you there.

Daniel John Hanneman shares the benefits of meditation and how following his deeply held convictions while facing adversity, uncertainty, as well as doubt from others and himself lead him to where he is now. Daniel John Hanneman has an extensive background as a professional counselor and certified hypnotherapist with combined business and professional backgrounds in energy scanning, energy clearing, spiritual life coaching, intuitive business coaching, master intuitive trainer, channeling, metaphysics, Religious Science, hypnosis, psychology, motivational techniques, and personal/business development systems. From a best-selling book series, Daniel has co-authored the book, Wake Up Live The Life You Love – Living In Abundance, which featured internationally renowned legends including Anthony Robbins, Dr. Wayne Dyer, and Dr. Michael Beckwith. He has been the producer and host for the popular internet radio show, Spiritual RockStar Radio Show.  Daniel is the creator of Your Sacred Purpose that is helping spiritual entrepreneurs and transformational leaders to step into their true power, experience profound awakening and money breakthrough success to impact millions of people’s lives around the world. ·        Free Meditate and Make Money Gift:            https://yoursacredpurpose.com/learn-meditate-and-make-money ·        Rock Your Sacred Purpose Facebook Group - www.facebook.com/rockyoursacredpurpose.com

Jean Tien shares how copying successful people worked against her, and how the decision to step into her authentic self – and succeeding or failing authentically – changed her life. Jean is an intuitive mindset coach, specializing in working with ambitious, career driven women, who have already achieved a certain level of success and are now ready to achieve more in life, as well as find balance and fulfillment. She uses her intuitive abilities, as well as her own extensive corporate experience, to help women find their Zone of Genius, fully align with it so they can powerfully bring it into the world.   For more information about Jean and her services, go to http://jeantien.com. You can also join her FREE Facebook Group (Revolutionizing Corporate Women) at https://www.facebook.com/groups/921167941558712/.

Connie Henriquez has so much wisdom to share about bullies and how to help children who are bullied. Hint: It has little to nothing to do with the bully. And her wisdom doesn’t stop there… Connie Henriquez is a Teen Life Coach who has a private coaching practice located in Woodbury, NY. She teaches kids & teens how to overcome anxiety, self-doubt and improve their self-esteem in as little as 30 days utilizing her Start Loving Life® “positive psychology" coaching system. Connie works one-on-one in-person and via FaceTime to kids all over the US. For more information on how your child can start loving life®. You can check out her website at startlovinglife.com. 

Have you ever felt manipulated? Have you ever felt frustrated and powerless? How did you react? I’ve found myself with a knife at my throat, afflicted with a chronic disease, and bullied at work. In each of these circumstances, I had a choice: fight or retreat. I’m kind of feisty, so I fought back in all cases, and in all cases, I got beat up. But you know what? I’m still here. Had I not fought, I might not be. When bullied at work, I felt totally oppressed and baffled. After all, I’m no pushover. Leaning into years of study and coaching training, I came to realize that the bully was a trigger; a trigger I could use to release old trauma - and I decided to do so. I took a leap of faith and focused on my inner landscape, as I struggled mightily to deal with the matter at hand. It was hard to go against my well-honed defense mechanisms, and I was retraumatized many times throughout the ordeal. I sometimes found myself lashing out as I put into practice empowering strategies and techniques to free myself of the bully – as well as the buried trauma. It worked, and as a result, I discovered ways to use difficult people and situations to heal old wounds. My name is Marla Bollak, and this is The Road to Empowerment, where my guests and I dish the good with the bad. We share inspiring life experiences; how we have stumbled, healed, grown, and otherwise made it through adversarial times; we share wisdom gained and magic we’ve encountered along the way. Throughout this all, you will glean practical and empowering tools, techniques, and strategies to increase your self-esteem and confidence as you deal with whatever life throws your way. So, please join us on the Road to Empowerment and discover how to use those inevitable challenges to become more whole and more empowered. I look forward to seeing you on the journey.