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It's a Happy Birthday day on Stand Up & Speak Up with Debby Montgomery Johnson and special guest Angela Schutz provides the entertainment!  Actually, dating over the age of 50 is full of adventures and full of Beware and be Aware experiences.  After her husband of 43 years passed away, Angela found herself alone with her thriving career but not so exciting love life.  She decided to venture into the world of online dating - it would be "safe" and a great way to meet and date someone different than her "narcissistic" husband - ah ha moment - not every man was like HIM and thank goodness.  As an experienced writer and teacher she also thought writing  about her 30 day experiment with online dating would be enlightening to other "senior daters" like herself, hence the creation of "A Boomer Chick's Guide to Online Dating" - You're never too old to look and love.  The book exposes the good, the bad and the ugly of online dating but Debby called her out a little about the "victim blame" at the end which can only be truly understood from a victim's point of view.  The two women share their unique sides of the online dating story and complement each other with their experiences.  This is a great show for those of you wanting to start dating online (listen for the Beware and Be Aware tips), for those of you who survived the fraud of online dating, and for families who want to know MORE.  Angela also contributed to Jan Fraser's The Book on Joy, with an article called The Joy of Being a Big, Beautiful Woman, and we talked about how life in a big girl's body is shaped from a young age - parents, watch how you speak to your daughters about body image at an early age.  Your words will stick with them forever, good or bad.   Enjoy the show and for more information visit www.TheWomanBehindTheSmile.com or www.RomanceScamsNow.com  

Stand Up & Speak Up was started by Debby Montgomery Johnson,  almost 3 years ago as a platform for encouraging survivors of Online Relationship Fraud//Scams to feel safe in telling their stories to other victims/survivors as part of their recovering from the trauma of deception and manipulation.    This is the second special edition of Stand Up & Speak Up with Debby Montgomery Johnson and Dr. Tim McGuinness, Directors of SCARS, guest host. This episode features three international SURVIVORS and we thank them. for sharing their stories of RECOVERY. No one should feel blamed for being taken advantage of - EVERYONE will be taken by someone during their lifetime - usually it's family members or close friends who deceive and most victims don't tell.  The criminals count on no one speaking up as they laugh their way to the bank. This show helps friends and family, and other survivors of fraud, to understand the psychology of the scam and the recovery process needed to move forward with respect and control.  We aim to educate and to show others how to BEWARE and BE AWARE.    Visit www.RomanceScamsNow.com for a complete resource for online relationship fraud.  Report scams to www.Anyscam.com

Nothing has more impact than a SURVIVOR's story, especially a story of financial fraud.  It's difficult to tell the world about something that has happened TO you, especially something that many people ridicule or victim blame.  Standing Up and Speaking Up is an important step to recovery, financial and emotional and No One needs to feel ashamed - we have been a victim to a crime and it's time to move on with support.  The Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams (SCARS) is an international nonprofit organization based in Miami, FL and supports victims/survivors/thrivers and their families from around the globe.  We offer a safe place and an array of education, information and personal support.  We encourage you to listen to this important show so you can understand a little better what happens when someone says "Yes" to a friend request on FB, or any social media platform, including gaming sites.  Learn the psychology of the scam - the grooming, the deception and the manipulation that takes place.  Remember, it could be your mother, sister, father, brother, child or best friend who is might be "next" or is already a victim but too afraid or ashamed to Speak Up.   For more information about SCARS, www.RomanceScamsNow.com Debby Montgomery Johnson is a Victims Advocate and can be seen at www.TheWomanBehindTheSmile.com

How could a "Nerd kid" from Oklahoma turn his stutter into a global media platform?  Well, Michael D. Butler tells all and his story is BIG, bold, and valuable for all ages.  Michael had a dream of speaking on the world's stages and when the local librarian gave him a book written by an  11 year old boy. There was a sailboat on the cover and it ignited his imagination and dreams.  When a plane flew over he dreamt of being on that plane and his life changed, and today he's traveling the world. Michael's life was guided by a very powerful mother and although he didn't appreciate her "instructions" as a child, he has grown into believing in the power of traditions, routines, and MOMS!  This past year, Michael focused on empowering women authors and is in the process of launching Beyond Publishing's newest book, Powerful Female Immigrants.  He recognized the power of women writing, reading, and purchasing books as they navigate their futures and the futures of their families, communities, and nations. Our lively conversation jumped from single fatherhood and the pandemic to Michael receiving "Colonel" status from his friends in Kentucky.  We moved on to Philadelphia where he interviewed Dr. Oz and then he ran the "Rocky Steps" as he relived Rocky Balboa adventures down the streets of Philadelphia.  The story here is...Let the "No's" become rocket fuel.  Commit to your core values and NEVER GIVE UP.  Stay away from the naysayers.  Don't let the trolls stop you from your purpose and your mission.  Hurt people use words to hurt.  Use YOUR story for good because someone needs to hear it and to know they aren't alone.  Learn how Michael used his influence and heart in working 1040Impace.org which rescues youth from human trafficking.  Michael is passionate about supporting the young women and in empowering them with life skills so they can create a better life and future for themselves.  Michael D. Butler is a man on many missions and I'm grateful to be working along side him.  Together we truly have A Gift Called Fearless!  (Beyond Publishing published my book this past year!)

Beware and Be Aware - YES, folks, everyone can be taken by someone online (and in person.) And those "mis-steps" without additional judgment/victim blame/victim shame can lead to an international awareness of how criminals are ripping out hearts while laughing their way to the bank.  Elina tells her story, not only from a victim/survivor/thriver/advocate position, but also as a researcher.  Her book. Love On The Line, How to Recover from Romance Scams Gracefully and without Victimization is a remarkable ride through a recovery process from a trauma of romance scams with positive attitude, vigilance and feminist flair. This episode of Stand Up & Speak Up is for anyone who has been on the receiving end of a SCAM or financial FRAUD.  This episode is NOT for anyone wanting to SHAME victims.  It takes courage to turn your pain into your passion and then go out and start a global movement in order to support others.   Debby is on the Board of Directors of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams (SCARS) and Elina is one of our international Advisors.  Together they are Standing Up and Speak Up for SURVIVORS and their families.  Remember, we hope you'll never be a victim to online fraud, but it could happen to your mother, father, son, daughter or best friend.

What happens when the boss isn't listening to the team and tasks them with something redundant?  Does anyone speak up?  Has your organization ever "monitored your mouse" to see how much work you are doing during the day?  YES and NO are my answers to those questions and Krishna Ruparelia has a lot more to tell as she works with top leaders in making their employees' well-being A PRIORITY.  In this episode of Stand Up & Speak Up, Debby and Krishna go over the keys to UNSHAKABLE RESILIENCE and they start with Mindset - how do we reset attitudes and habits so that the "old" don't run the "new and most effective."  Find out how SELF-CARE and MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS shape the work environment, in person and virtually.  We explore the Art of Rushing vs the Art of Being - take a pause and let your body, mind, and spirit return to BALANCE.  The only constant in life is CHANGE and we don't have to change everything all at once, yet the key to making change is taking action.    Contact Krishna Ruparelia:  www.unshakableresilience.co.uk Contact Debby:  www.TheWomanBehindTheSmile.com

Stand Up & Speak Up with Debby Montgomery Johnson and Linda Fostek. Hurricane season is almost here but we're faced with crises daily.  It's time to get prepared, from 72 hour emergency kits, estate planning/wills/Power of Attorney/ and even to password protections.  Linda turned her father's "Home Operations Manual" into The Crisis Planning Home System and every home should have one.  Do you know where your water shut-off valve is?  Do you know where the gas turn-off valve is?  Do you know what circuit breaker cuts the power to your washing machine?  Do you know how scammers get into your bank accounts?  Has your Netflix account been hacked and an email came in with the "reset link?"  This is a full hour of How-To information that you'll want to have BEFORE the hurricanes/tornedoes/snow storms of life come upon you.  Ever had a "Tinkerbell Moment?"  Join us and find out where we had them.     Linda Fostek, Founder of The Crisis Planner, www.TheCrisisPlanner.com  Debby Montgomery Johnson, www.TheWomanBehindTheSmile.com SCARS, The Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, www.RomanceScamsNow.com 

This episode of Stand Up & Speak Up with Debby Montgomery Johnson and Peggy Lee Hanson shares the importance of life's experiences, the good, the bad, and the ugly! Each of us has something we're hiding because of embarrassment or shame. Writing your story is the first step to healing and recovery. Speaking about your story is the first step to helping someone else. Going PUBLIC with your story will start a movement to change the world. Be courageous one word at a time. You never know who might be impacted by your story. Peggy Lee Hanson is the Founder of Courageous Women Publications and works with women around the world in crafting their unique message. She's got a story to tell herself - one that's been "nudging" her for years. Today is her day to shed the guilt over hiding and RELEASE her full potential.

You are NOT your story, but you ARE the teller of your story and it's time to change the way you speak to yourself and to the world.  Gail Dixon is the Founder of The Heart's Voice Movement and an author, speaker, and Communicational Consultant.  For decades Gail has worked with individuals and organizations to harness the power of words to achieve their goals. She listens "between the lines" to hear the heart of the message and then speaks back the "right" words to create your powerful results.  We all have something happen in our lives and we could crawl under a rock and HIDE yet Gail says "Chances are we don't live under a black cloud 365 days a year!  Something happened and I'm still here, so rewrite the story." We need to honor the grief and loss and then choose to change the narrative you tell yourself and the world.   Don't get sick with "Comparisionitis" which means 1.  Avoid comparisions from THEN and NOW, ie: I used to be... 2.  Avoid comparisons of yourself to others.  No one has the same skills, life experiences, and capabilities that you do and 3:  Don't compare your "behind the scenes" to their "Highlight reels!"  Don't compare "Perfect to Possible."  We need to change our head voice to our heart voice - I'm worthy.  I belong.  I care. I make a difference!  Self sabotage is sometimes easier than positive self talk so maybe it's time for a corrective message.  Gail has the strategies and the success to walk us through and she's celebrating with the first ever National Raise Your Voice day on May 2o, 2022.  Join us at www.HeartsVoiceMovement.com today.

SEASON 3 here we come!  What a great way to kick off the start of Season 3 of Stand Up & Speak Up.  Storytelling isn't just for kids - it connects us ALL.  Today's special guest on Stand Up & Speak Up is Kesha Christie and she's coming in from Ontario, Canada.  Originally from Jamaica, Kesha grew up hearing traditional stories from her grandparents.  Oral storytelling is an integral part of  African and Caribbean identity and passed down from generation to generation.  Not wanting the ART of storytelling to die out with the older generations, Kesha took on the mantle of STORYTELLER and she's a master.  Stories are not just for the teller, the magic is in the listening and we got to listen to How Tulips Came to Canada, and one of my favorite, The Bird of One Thousand Feathers!  Kesha founded Talkin Tales and hosts a regular podcast.  Talkin' Tales shares stories that empower and entertain for all ages.  Come on in, close your eyes, and enjoy the "sights and sounds" of the Caribbean and beyond!   Visit Website: http://www.talkintales.ca Kesha Christie is an Afro-Caribbean Storyteller who tells Caribbean and African folklore, Aesop fables and original works.  As an animated edutainer for all ages, Kesha ignites the imagination and carries her audience on an amazing journey from tale to tale.  Through her stories and workshops she interweaves history and motivational speaking.

What a great way to end Season 2 with a SUCCESS story!  Aleksandra Rehar, born in Slovenia before it was Slovenia, has suffered tremendous personal losses over her lifetime.  She's Standing Up & Speaking Up about how all the magic happens outside of your comfort zone!  Aleksandra and Debby take a journey across the pond to Slovenia and encourage YOU to look at the map - the country is beautiful and is surrounded by history and history in the making.  Then it's time to take a look within.  Get to know your limiting beliefs and how to say "No More" to them and any toxic relationship around you.  Aleksandra shared her personal story as a co-author with Sammy Blindell and 26 inspired thought leaders in The Law of The Brand Attraction 2 and is leading Quantum Business Leaders around the globe. 

With Tinder Swindler and Inventing Anna, the world of online fraud has blown up.  Online relationship fraud/scams are running rampant and during the pandemic millions have been "taken" by scammers around the globe. Dr. Tim McGuinness, Founder and Director, of The Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams (SCARS) and Debby Montgomery Johnson, also a Director, raise awareness about Pig Butchering (financial fraud linked to relationship scams) and the steps victims/survivors need to take to report the fraud to law enforcement.  We ALL can be taken at one point in our lives, no matter our age, education, or financial prowess.  The lack of reporting leads to MORE scammers laughing their way to the bank.  What age groups are most susceptible to fraud?  ALL of them and we give the whys.  Join us for this important Stand Up & Speak Up Fraud/Scam Alert session. #SCARS #The Woman Behind The Smile #Online Relationship Fraud #Pig Butchering #Tinder Swindler For a full transcript of this podcast, visit https://romancescamsnow.com/dating-scams/2022-scam-update-a-podcast-with-dr-tim-mcguinness-and-debby-montgomery-johnson/