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Summer is in full swing, and that means vacations, staycations and a little extra time to catch up on your favorite podcasts. That's why we're bringing back a listener favorite that was first released in May of 2024. So whether its your first time listening, or your revisiting this episode, we hope you'll enjoy this encore presentation. Thanks for listening and thanks for making us part of your summer! Contact Christy via the following: Business email Address:  [email protected] Business website: hannchristyharst.com Facebook  LinkedIn  TikTok  Instagram  YouTube Thanks for listening to this episode of 19 Stories: from fear to Hope. If you enjoyed what you heard in this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and shared this episode as well. To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me via VO work, or to host your podcast, I can be reached at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit:  'Together' by For King & Country Outro Music Sample (for this episode): 'The Planets Op32, VII, Neptune' by Gustav Holst Until next time, stay Healthy and Hopeful!

The guest joining me today is someone whose voice you may have already heard, as Deb DeVries is an award-winning voice actor and narrator based right here in my neck of the woods in the San Francisco Bay Area. Deb's narration has earned recognition from the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences, Gravy for the Brain's One Voice Awards, and most recently, four Communicator Awards at the 32nd Annual Communicator Awards, including an Award of Excellence for her narration of Welcome to George Washington's Mount Vernon. What I love about Deb's story, as with several of my previous guest's, is that she came to the mic with an eclectic background of experience. You see, before the microphone, there was a stage. Before the studio, there was a classroom. Before narration, there were boardrooms at AT&T, AMPEX, and DHL, where she built sales training programs from the ground up, sometimes as the very first person, let alone, woman, to ever hold such a position. Which makes her a perfect representative in the Building Doors VO campaign which advocates for women having equal opportunities in the voice-over industry. Can't say whether or not she'll use her black belt in Tae Kwon kick down, in addition to building those doors, but it may just come in handy! Before we dive in, I also want to say something to our listeners. Deb spent years as a corporate trainer and training manager, and in one of her courses she taught a principle that completely resonates with me: when it comes to completing any project, you have three resources to work with. People, money, and time. You can work harder to earn more money. You can bring in more people to get something done faster. But no one has ever figured out how to make a 25-hour day or an 8-day work week. Time is the one resource none of us can manufacture more of. So if you are spending yours listening to this episode, Deb and I hope to make it worthwhile. We also believe laughter is good for the soul. So we are going to try to lighten your load a little today too. Contact Deb via the following: Website: https://debdevriesvo.com Social Media Links:  FB https://www.facebook.com/DebDeVriesVO/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deb-devries/   Instagram: Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/DebDeVriesVO If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and share it with someone who'd appreciate it :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me for voiceover work, or to host your podcast, reach out to me at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit: 'Together' by For King & Country Outro song excerpt: 'One Singular Sensation' by Marvin Hamlisch . 1985 Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your Hope will not be cut off."

One of the reasons I began this podcast is that I believe the stories we tell become the legacy we leave. And for far too long, too many stories have been muted; especially those of women.  Today's guest has made it her life's work to change that. Before she ever stepped behind a microphone, Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson spent nearly twenty years in higher education leadership. With a doctorate in Organizational Psychology, she led institutional assessment, accreditation, research, and compliance efforts across multiple universities. She taught psychology, statistics, and leadership. She built systems, analyzed data, helped institutions articulate their mission and measure their impact. In other words — she understands voice at the structural level. But in 2020, during a season of global disruption and personal reflection, Julie made a courageous pivot. She stepped away from institutional leadership and into the entrepreneurial dream she had carried since earning her doctorate.  What began as curiosity about podcasting quickly became a calling. In 2022, she launched The Story of My Pet — a show born of her lifelong love of animals. What started as storytelling about beloved pets expanded into advocacy, education, rescue, fostering, and adoption — and is now ranked in the top 5% of podcasts globally. In 2024, she launched Podcast Your Story, helping purpose-driven women grow their visibility, confidence, and business through podcast hosting and guesting. And her newest podcast, Still Becoming: Women Unmuted, might be her most personal work yet. Because when women unmute their stories, something powerful happens. We remember who we are, help others feel seen and heard, have permission to speak, to share, and to be fully human. From executive leadership to entrepreneurship, from fear of visibility to helping thousands step into it…Julie's journey embodies exactly what Still Becoming is about. Contact Julie via the following links: Business email Address: [email protected] Business website: https://www.juliemartypearson.com/ Julie's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@juliemartypearson Julie's Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jmartypearson Julie's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-r-marty-pearson-psyd Instagram- Podcast Your Story https://instagram.com/podcastyourstorynow Instagram- The Story of My Pet Podcast https://instagram.com/thestoryofmypetpodcast If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and share it with someone who'd appreciate it :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me for voiceover work, or to host your podcast, reach out to me at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit: 'Together' by For King & Country Outro song excerpt: 'True Colors' performed by Cyndi Lauper, Written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly© 1986 All Rights Reserved Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your Hope will not be cut off."

Welcome to this very special episode that's airing during the week of the 2026 Podcasthon — the world's largest podcast charity initiative, bringing together over 2,100 podcasters from over 60 countries. The two visionary co-founders, Jeremie Mani and Yves Delnatte's mission is to raise awareness for local nonprofits and charitable causes that are effectively changing people's lives. Today's episode highlights a non-profit, and rather exceptional person, who's doing just that as a result of experiencing his own profound life change, the kind that happens in seconds, the kind you never see coming, and the kind that demands everything you have to keep moving forward. In hockey, a line change is a substitution of players — usually an entire line — jumping over the boards so the game can keep going at full intensity.  But what happens when life forces a line change you didn't choose?  My guest today knows that answer intimately. Matt Brown was a 15-year-old sophomore at Norwood High School in Massachusetts, a student, an athlete, and hockey player with a huge passion for the sport.  Then, during a high school hockey game in 2010, everything changed.  With one hit, one moment and one collision with the boards, Matt sustained a catastrophic spinal cord injury, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. In his 2019 memoir Line Change Matt Brown, along with co-author Todd Civin, chronicle Matt's life after that injury, detailing his journey through paralysis, rehabilitation, and his infectious "Never Quit" attitude while navigating college, motivational speaking, and running 13 assisted marathons.  His memoir highlights the tremendous support from his amazing family, friends, and the hockey community worldwide, including his beloved Boston Bruins, and stands as a positive testament to resilience and holding onto Hope in the face of adversity. In 2020, the Matt Brown Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit was launched. Born from Matt's compassion and empathy to support individuals and families affected by illness or injury—especially those living with paralysis—through advocacy, resources, and community. We'll be talking about Line Change and The Matt Brown Foundation in this special Podcasthon episode. To contact Matt Brown directly, purchase a copy of 'Line Change', purchase MBF Swag, or make a donation to the Matt Brown Foundation: Business email address: [email protected]   Foundation website: https://www.mattbrownfoundation.org/   Instagram: @mattbrown_foundation    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067069811341    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/matt-brown-foundation/?viewAsMember=true If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and share it with someone who'd appreciate it :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me for voiceover work, or to host your podcast, reach out to me at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit: 'Together' by For King & Country Outro song excerpt: 'Days Like This' by Van Morrison, © 1995 All Rights Reserved Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your Hope will not be cut off."

As the opening of my podcast informs you, I do not live in Minneapolis, but across the country in Sonoma County, CA. I've been thinking a lot about voices lately. Not the loud ones. Not the ones on cable news. The steady ones. The voice that explains something complicated and suddenly you can breathe again. The voice on stage that reminds you who you are. The voice that says, "You're not alone." For almost forty years, Teri Parker Brown has been that voice in Minneapolis. She's stood on the stages of Chanhassen, The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, and History Theatre in Saint Paul. She's narrated for Blue Cross,American Express, 3M and many other name brands. She's guided people through healthcare modules, commercials, and stories. Her voice is described as warm. Smart. Inviting. Like a best friend. And yet… she lives in Minneapolis; a place that has known beauty — and tension. Community — and conflict. Immigration enforcement activity has increased and as a result, protests fill the streets. But today isn't about headlines. It's about what it feels like to love a place —and stay with it when things feel complicated. With deep respect, I'll be speaking with Teri about her career and what happens when the place that shaped your voice becomes unsettled and uncertain? It's also my chance to meet a fellow Door Builder in the Building Doors VO campaign. Created by fellow voiceactor, Christy Harst, Building Doors advocates for equal opportunities in the voice-over industry, for both men and women, the campaign aims to foster industry-wide equity. Following is list of organizations who are doing grassroots work to help the residents of Minnesota that are in need of legal aid and other assistance: Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: https://www.ilcm.org/ LaVina church https://iglesiavina.org/ Legal Aid Minnesota  https://mylegalaid.org/ Second Harvest Heartland: https://secure.2harvest.org/ Stand with Minnesota:  https://www.standwithminnesota.com/ The Open Door Pantry: https://theopendoorpantry.org/ Book that Teri referenced during our interview: The Neutrality Trap by Jaqueline Font-Guzman If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and shared this episode well :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me for voiceover work, or to host your podcast, reach out to me at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit: 'Together' by For King & Country Outro song excerpt: 'Let's Go Crazy' by Prince and the Revolution © 1984 All Rights Reserved Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your Hope will not be cut off."

In this podcast, I connect with remarkable people from the worlds of voiceover, music, broadcasting, writing, and coaching. Together, we explore their voyage through life, the highs and the lows, the moments of fear and the breakthroughs of hope. Through candid conversations, you'll hear powerful stories of resilience, creativity, and triumph that just might inspire your own path forward. Today, I'm joined by someone whose story is both deeply personal and universally inspiring. My guest, Hannah Castillo, is a Certified Professional Coach with a background in mental health counseling. She holds a master's degree in Mental Health Counseling and a dual bachelor's in Psychology and English. Hannah has dedicated her career to helping others find balance and hope, and what makes her story so compelling is that she knows firsthand how hard that balance can be to achieve. Living with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, Hannah faced years of unanswered questions and difficult symptoms while trying to build her career and family life. Through it all, she discovered the power of meditation and mindfulness, not only in managing her own health, but also as a transformative practice for her coaching clients. Her podcast 'Love Your Calm: mini-mediations' won the 2025 American Writing Awards for Podcast of the Year, the Goodpods #1 Podcast of the Month in both the Meditation and Alternative Health categories, the cover story in the summer issue of the Women Who Podcast magazine, and winner of their 2025 awards in the 'Changing the World' category. Today, we'll hear how even a few minutes of stillness a day can open the door for us to move from fear to hope. And I'm especially excited to talk with a fellow coffee aficionado and budding latte artist. To contact Hannah reach out to her via the followng: Business websites: https://www.love-your-calm.com/ Aura Health App: https://www.aurahealth.io/coaches/hannah-castillo Business email Address: [email protected] IG: https://www.instagram.com/love_your_calm/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/hannah.castillo.60635  If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and shared this episode well :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me for voiceover work, or to host your podcast, reach out to me at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit: 'Together' by For King & Country Outro song excerpt: 'Hannah' by Rick Bashore, © 1982 All Rights Reserved Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your Hope will not be cut off."

Welcome to 19Stories: from Fear to Hope. I'm your host, Cheryl Holling, in this podcast we explore stories of resilience, transformation, and the courage to step into new beginnings. My guest today is Amy Bolduc, a woman whose life beautifully weaves together compassion, creativity, and community. After years in her hometown of Brunswick, Maine, Amy relocated to Virginia—a move inspired by her desire for a longer growing season and a fresh chapter in life. She shares her home with a rescue dog, two cats, and a flock of chickens while balancing her work in healthcare, her award-winning podcast 'Grounded in Maine', and her small-batch jam business, aptly named 'Amy's Garden Jam'. Amy is also a contributing author to Breaking the Silence, Volume 3, an anthology that uplifts survivors' voices and offers readers the strength of shared healing. I first met Amy through the New England Podcasters Group, founded by the always-inspiring Ande Lyons, where I quickly came to admire Amy's warmth, authenticity, and the powerful way she uses her involvement with the New England Podcasters community. In today's conversation, you'll hear about what motivated Amy's move, how sustainability fuels her work, her role in Breaking the Silence, and the many ways she stays grounded while inspiring others to do the same. To contact Amy reach out to her via the followng: Business website: https://www.groundedinmaine.com/ Business email Address: [email protected] IG: https://www.instagram.com/groundedinmainepodcast_/ LI:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-bolduc-a9404a35/ About the Dempsey Center and how you can support them: Founded by actor Patrick Dempsey in 2008, the Dempsey Center provides personalized and comprehensive cancer care at no cost. To purchase a copy of 'Breaking the Silence: Voices of Survivors Vol.3' https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FRMQ5HL3?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tpbk_2&storeType=ebooks https://www.dempseycenter.org/ Amy's Homemade Lip Balm Recipe by Philomene Cauchois . Copyright 2024 Ingredients:  16 g extra virgin coconut oil or shea butter 24 g almond or apricot oil 12 g beeswax 8 g raw cocoa butter 12 drops of vitamin E Optional - 4 drops of rose geranium essentail oil Directions:  On a double boiler, add together the coconut oil (or shea butter), almond oil (or apricot oil), coca butter and beeswax stir until everything is melted and mixed properly.  Take off the heat add the vitamin E and essential oil, mix well and pour into tin containers, screw the lids on and let them cool down. Imperfection Roll On Ingredients: 40 drops of lavender essential oil 40 drops of tea tree essential oil 2.5 ml (1/2 tsp) of apricot kernal oil or almond oil Directions: In a 5ml roll-on bottle, pour 40 drops of lavender essential oil, 40 drops of tea tree essential oil Fill the rest of the bottle with apricot kernel oil or almond oil Close your bottle and mix well Apply on skin imperfection before going to bed If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and shared this episode well :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me for voiceover work, or to host your podcast, reach out to me at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit: 'Together' by For King & Country Outro song excerpt: 'Strange Fire' by Indigo Girls from their album Retrospective Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your Hope will not be cut off."

In this podcast, I talk with artists, actors, musicians, writers, coaches, and creative pioneers as they share personal, powerful, and often humorous stories of facing adversity and the wisdom they gleaned in the process.  I started this podcast back in 2020 as a way to connect with fellow creatives during a time of fear and uncertainty.  Five years later, I'm still sharing stories of creativity, resilience, reinvention, and hope. My guest today is a true renaissance woman who embodies all of these attributes as she wears many hats— and does so extremely well. Nancy May is the founder and President of The BoardBench Companies, LLC, a female-owned board governance consulting group focusing on the advanced development and execution of public, private and not-for-profit board organization, company board quality, board succession and director placement. She is a Member of the Board, Nature Coast Council for the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and is listed in Who's Who of Global Business Leaders and has been a guest lecturer for business and professional organizations.   As the CEO and co-founder of CareManity, and creator and host of the award-winning podcast Eldercare Success, Nancy is a dedicated caregiver advocate, and author of How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies: Step-by-Step Before, During, After!.   Her most recent publication is of the beautifully illustrated book My Family Tree, Food & Stories, which she co-authored with Sylvia Lovely. The book celebrates the deep connections between food, memory, and family. Nancy and Sylvia now co-host the companion podcast of the same name that was inspired by their best-selling book; which happens to be a 50 Over 50 Podcaster Award Winner. Something Nancy and I share in common. Nancy is a woman of deep wisdom, generosity, and inspiration and it's my honor to welcome Nancy May to 19Stories. To contact Nancy, you can reach out to her via the followng: Business email: [email protected] Business website: https://podcast.familytreefoodstories.com/ FB personal:  https://www.facebook.com/nancy.may.520 FB FTFS group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/familytreefoodstories FB biz page: https://www.facebook.com/FamilyTreeFoodStories/ IG:  https://www.instagram.com/familytreefoodstories/ LI page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyamay/ YT:  Just building up. Book: My Family Tree Food & Stories, Eldercare Success: Award winning podcast Podcast: https://www.eldercaresuccess.live/ YT: https://www.youtube.com/@EldercareSuccess Book:  How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies:  Step-by-step Before, During, After If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and shared this episode well :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me for voiceover work, or to host your podcast, reach out to me at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit:  'Together' by For King & Country Outro song excerpt: 'Don't Fence Me In" by Willie Nelson Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your Hope will not be cut off."

It's not often that I'll get to introduce a guest whose moniker is "banana-brained and voice-trained"!  But joining me today is a woman who is the embodiment of quirkiness, versatility, and her own words "a bit unhinged".  From clown noses to stage and to your favorite streaming platforms, Jo Yuan has covered a lot of ground...and that's saying something given she's been in the entertainment industry just shy of 6 years, and in voiceover for five of those years. She's made audiences laugh, cry while pondering social biases through the roles and characters she's played, whether it's in a packed house, on a TV set, or through your earbuds while narrating the Harper Collins' audiobook Counterattacks at Thirty. An Asian American actor of Chinese, Taiwanese, and Korean heritage, Jo's career spans theatre, television, voiceover, and comedy, and brings authenticity, wit, and heart to every role. She's trained in the Meisner technique, on-camera acting, clown and sketch comedy to long-form improv, as a graduate of the now defunct Second City Conservatory, in Hollywood. Her stage work includes performances at East West Players, IAMA Theatre, Artists at Play, and as a company member of PlayGround-LA. As a voice actor, Jo's credits read like a streaming guide - with an impressive list of dubbing credits, lead and recurring roles on Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, and Amazon Prime and Nat Geo.  In 2024, Jo was named one of 24 New Digital Audio Narrators by Macmillan Audio, selected from over 350 applicants.  Jo is also a proud and active member of the Television Academy, the Asian American Theatre Artists Collective, and the century old Los Angeles Breakfast Club, to name a few.  In addition, she is my fellow Door Builder in the Building Doors VO Campaign!  From the stage to the booth, Jo's work is a testament to the power of curiosity, craft, and connection. To contact Jo, you can reach out to her via the followng: Business email Address: [email protected] Business Website:  www.jo-yuan.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/itsme.joyuan/ For more information on Jo Yuan's one woman show on September 21, 2025 'Something Borrowed. Something Blue. Something Tesla. Something True.': https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=brea For more on the Building Doors VO Campaign: https://www.buildingdoorsvo.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and shared this episode well :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me for voiceover work, or to host your podcast, reach out to me at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit:  'Together' by For King & Country Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your Hope will not be cut off."

If you're tuning in for the first time, welcome, and to my longtime listeners, you know that throughout the years you've heard me interview some of the most iconic voices behind your favorite commercials, video games, documentaries, etc... But today, I'm pulling back the curtain on a voice that gets much less exposure—but is crucial to running a successful voiceover business as she's the Unsung Hero of a Voiceover Virtuoso who's all about the business of sound! Sandra Russell may not be a name that you're familiar with, or have a voice you recognize—but her fingerprints are all over the success of one of the top voices in the VO industry; that of her multi award-winning husband Ian Russell, aka The British Voice, who as a side note, joined me as a guest on my other podcast, 'The Voice Kitchen: where recipes and voice talent blend! Where he shared his recipe of a very British staple, Raised Pork Pie. Sand ra joins me today to talk about what it's like being a voiceover wife and mum and how she's applied her education and business acumen to being Ian's business manager and creative consultant. Add to the mix, the award-winning voiceover careers of their two daughters, Eva and Lauren, and occasionally when Sandra steps in front of the mic, and you've got quite the family affair!  We'll hear how a Christmas present for a one-day class, launched a lucrative international voiceover career for Ian, to co-running a thriving studio from their family home. Sandra's story is one of quiet leadership, business savvy, and possessing a keen eye for the right opportunity. Someone we'd all be so lucky to have in our corner, no matter what creative endeavor we're pursuing. Join me as I welcome Sandra Russell to 19Stories. You can contact Sandra, or Ian,or Eva directly via the followng: Sandra's Business email Address: [email protected]  Sandra's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brillbrits/ Ian's website(s): ianrussellvoice.com Eva's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evarussellvoiceactor/ Eva's IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13597096/   Ian's IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8358149/   Ian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebritishvoice/ If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and shared this episode well :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me for voiceover work, or to host your podcast, reach out to me at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit:  'Together' by For King & Country Outro Insert: "Take a Chance on Me" by ABBA Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your Hope will not be cut off."

Today marks a very special anniversary in that on June 28th 2020, a year we definitely all remember, I launched this podcast as a way of initially addressing and combating the fear so many creatives were feeling during the pandemic by talking about the tools and or faith they used to move into Hope.  These days, I'm still talking with creatives in all mediums about challenges they've faced while celebrating their successes and offering some pearls of wisdom for listeners to implement into their own lives.    Speaking of which, I'd like to give a huge thank you to the listeners in the following countries, who as of this date, have downloaded '19Stories' close to 11,000 times;  the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Canada, Australia, China, Norway, France, Bangladesh, Spain, Japan, India, Mexico, Kenya, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary and Tunisia.  I'd like to give a special thanks to my incredible guests that have been so generous in sharing their stories over these past 5 years. Your trust and openness have been the heartbeat of this podcast. So, here's to you, and to us, and to many more years of '19Stories: from Fear to Hope'. Thank you for being a part of my podcasting  journey. And remember, Like, Follow and share, and of course, stay healthy and Hopeful! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and shared this episode well :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me for voiceover work, or to host your podcast, reach out to me at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit:  'Together' by For King & Country Proverbs 23:18

You may have heard me quote a former acting coach a time or two on this podcast, that "if you want to bring life into your characters, you have to first live a life in order to have something to pour onto the stage, screen or microphone."  I'd say the same holds true for any good author or storyteller. Today, I'm incredibly honored to have as my guest, Alex Poppe, the multi-award-winning author renowned for her compelling literary fiction that delves into themes of resilience, identity, and social justice.  After graduating at the top of her university's undergraduate business school, Alex began her  professional career as a business analyst for Mobile Oil and quickly became disenchanted with the corporate culture after, she, and I quote, "hit my head too many times on the glass ceiling and exchanged my corporate life to pursue an artistic one."  Poppe moved to New York to enroll in the 'Circle in the Square's' two-year professional actor training program.  It's where Alex honed her observation skills and enabled her to quickly identify and address individual student learning challenges after she quit her acting pursuits, got certified to Teach English as a Second Language, moved to Poland for her first teaching assignment, and then eventually to the Middle East spending almost a decade there as an educator in several prestigious public and private universities.   Her experience as an actor, world traveler, humanitarian aid worker and educator in war-torn conflict zones, before coming back stateside to work for USAID, is what Alex pours onto the page. Alex joins me today to talk about her forthcoming memoir, Breakfast Wine: A Memoir of Chasing an Unconventional Life and Finding a Way Home, which chronicles her transformative journey from that disillusioned corporate professional in the U.S. to an educator navigating cultural complexities and personal upheavals.  You can contact Alex Poppe directly via the followng: Business email: [email protected] Business website: www.alexpoppe.com On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alex_poppe_author/ On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyalexpoppe/ Order Breakfast Wine at Bookshop.org or your local indie bookstore. Alex will be speaking and doing a booksigning of Breakfast Wine at the following locations: Magic City Books in Tulsa, Ok on June 10, 2025 at 7:00pm pm The Book Cellar in Chicago, IL on June 12, 2025 at 6:30 pm Boswell Books in Milwaukee, WI on June 13, 2025 at 6:30pm If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and shared this episode well :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me for voiceover work, or to host your podcast, reach out to me at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit:  'Together' by For King & Country Outro Insert: "Titantium" by Sia Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your Hope will not be cut off."

It's hard to believe (at the time of this recording) that it's April, and hopefully we all survived tax day and are able to get out and enjoy some of the beautiful Spring foliage that's popping up all over. On this Spring day, I've invited Lawrence Payne to join me as my guest. He is an award-winning copywriter, editor, voice actor and composer,  who has worked with some of the world's most progressive companies such as Yamaha Digital Musical Instruments, Yamaha Audio, Teac, Hitachi and Brother.  Many of them in his capacity as a senior copywriter at Intermart Advertising/Tokyo.  He's received awards for his creative work featured in prestigious national and regional competitions and he has a reputation for excellence in technical documentation and communications. Lawrence has over 32 years of professional experience covering subjects ranging from music, cultural history, philosophy, religion, robotics, telecom and travel.   Lawrence has contributed widely to consumer and trade publications, including the graphic-design journal How.  As a  knowledgeable musician and critic, he has written for Guitar Player magazine, served as associate editor at Music Connection magazine and studied with the Latin guitar virtuoso Jorge Strunz. He produces the YouTube channel Deep Space Theater, which features his own musical compositions. Among his recent literary efforts are the books of a Zen Buddhist abbot whose influence is spread throughout Asia to the Americas and Europe.   However, with all of the aforementioned projects, the one title that's missing from Lawrence Payne's accomplishments, is as LinkedIn's Chief Cheerleader and Encourager! On any given day, you can find Lawrence reposting, commenting and encouraging others on their accomplishments.  It's that kind of generosity and kindness that has brought us together to have a conversation. You may contact or follow Lawrence via the following: Business email Address(s): [email protected], [email protected] LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-payne-b64a532/ Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdbzKL0rxVV5MXm0fWaLJLg Music for media: https://desertviewrecordsllc.disco.ac/cat/325091309/artists/9749899 Blog: https://medium.com/@blueworldeditors Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/creative-drive-lawrence-payne If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and shared this episode well :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me via VO work or to host your podcast, I can be reached at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit:  'Together' by For King & Country "We got it together" insert: Barry White Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your Hope will not be cut off."

It's no secret to some of my longtime listeners that I'm originally from Los Angeles; sometimes referred to as the land of the rich, famous and forever young.  That "fountain of youth", has been featured and celebrated in films, commercials and advertising for decades, leading those of us who are now in our more "mature years", to believe that we've become irrelevant, worthless and should claim our rightful spot in the proverbial "pasture". Well, Ande Lyons, the guest joining me today, has made it her mission to dismantle age-related stereotypes and explore the limitless potential that comes with experience and wisdom, and she does so as the host and producer of her "Don't Be Caged by Your Age" podcast.  A seasoned entrepreneur and global startup mentor, Ande seeks to inspire and empower her listeners to thrive at any age, especially after the age of 65. With over a decade of podcasting experience and more than 800 episodes under her belt, including 250 episodes of her "Startup Life Show" on YouTube, and 'Your Ink Story' podcast, she's passionate about sparking meaningful conversations that ignite change and growth.  As the proud founder of four diverse businesses, ranging from tech to food, Ande has navigated the exhilarating highs and challenging lows of entrepreneurship, gaining insights and stories that she generously shares with her listeners. She's taken that generosity to the streets, so to speak, by forming the New England Podcasters Group, a vibrant community of storytellers and creators who gather monthly to collaborate, learn, and grow. NEPG provides a supportive space for podcasters to refine their craft, connect with one another, and expand their reach with their monthly speaker series featuring industry leaders and innovators. Whether she's mentoring entrepreneurs, hosting pro-aging conversations, or building community through podcasting, Ande is a source of inspiration and empowerment with anyone she connects with, by helping them to embrace new opportunities and live their most fulfilling lives. You may contact Ande multiple ways via the following: 'Don't Be Caged by Your Age' website: https://www.dontbecagedbyyourage.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/don-t-be-caged-by-your-age                   https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndeLyons  TikTok:    https://www.tiktok.com/@dontbecagedbyyourage  TikTok:    https://www.tiktok.com/@andelyons     Caged IG:  https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage/   If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and shared this episode well :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me via VO work, or to host your podcast, I can be reached at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit:  'Together' by For King & Country Outro Music Sample (for this episode): 'That's How Young I Feel' by Angelea Lansbury & Mame Ensemble (Original Broadway Cast Recordning) Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your Hope will not be cut off."

Welcome to a very special episode that is launching during the week of  'Podcasthon'; the world's largest podcast charity initiative, bringing together podcasters worldwide to raise awareness of local non-profits charitable causes. And what's more timely and relevant right now, than delving into a discussion of behavioral health with an organization that has been servicing its clients for over 55 years.  Founded in 1970, Buckelew Programs encompasses a combined 137 years of experience serving the North Bay, here in California. With programs in Marin, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties, Buckelew's mission is to promote recovery, resilience and Hope (something we're big on in this podcast) by providing behavioral health and support services that enhance quality of life through their 5 Core Programs: Counseling, Service Navigation, Substance Use Recovery, Supported Housing, and Suicide Prevention. Buckelew is tirelessly working to destigmatize the value of mental health, in the services they provide to foster healthy people and communities. Chris Kughn is Buckelew's CEO, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and has served at the helm of Buckelew since May of 2019 He has more than 20  years of experience in the public, private and, nonprofit behavioral healthcare systems. Prior to Buckelew, Chris served in several executive management roles in Solano County and the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services, including Division Director of Adult and Older Adult Services. His passion and commitment to nonprofit behavioral health services began with his work serving adults, children, and families in juvenile justice, crisis stabilization and adult homeless systems. With a B.S. degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.A. degree in Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. He is a member of the California Association of Social Rehabilitation Agencies (CASRA). Chris tends to his own mental health through mountain biking, cycling, scuba diving, and a gift that I've had the pleasure of enjoying; a keen sense of humor. To contact Chris Kughn driectly: Business email Address: [email protected] Business website: Buckelew.org Buckelew's socials: instagram.com/buckelewprograms facebook.com/Buckelew.Programs linkedin.com/company/buckelew-programs   For more information about Buckelew's Bike + Hike 4 visit their event page: https://buckelew.org/bike4buckelew/ For more information on Podcasthon week: https://podcasthon.org/ If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and shared this episode well :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me via VO work, or to host your podcast, I can be reached at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit:  'Together' by For King & Country Outro Music Sample (for this episode): 'Big Chief' by Professor Longhair and Earl King Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your Hope will not be cut off." Until next time, stay Healthy and Hopeful!