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Tracy's Top % CliftonStrengths are:  Positivity, Responsibility, Maximizer, Achiever and Discipline  Tracy Curtis is a devoted wife and mother of five who lives in Omaha, Nebraska. As an event planner and active member of Coram Deo Church, she brings a heart for service into every area of her life. Tracy faithfully supports her family through hospitality and thoughtful organization, creating a warm and welcoming home. She loves staying active, exercising regularly, and being deeply involved in her children’s activities. Her life reflects a strong love for Jesus and a commitment to serving others well. Link to take the CliftonStrengths Assessment Coaching and Workshops with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths      

Shelby's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are: Empahty, Harmony, Relator, Developer and Positivity  Shelby and her husband Erik live in Boston with their two year old Mila and precious golden retriever, Lou. Shelby is a pediatric physical therapist, but right now she stays at home with Mila as she continues to recover from her stem cell transplant and embrace her new life while navigating cancer remission. Erik just transitioned from being a military pilot to the reserves and he currently attends Harvard Business School where he is about to finish his first year. Shelby and Erik are so grateful to almost be out of the Boston winter and ready for some spring weather so they can get back to what they enjoy doing: being outside in the sunshine You can follow her CaringBridge about her Cancer Journey here..  You can Join the Donor Registry here.  Link to take the CliftonStrengths Assessment Coaching and Workshops with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths  

Michelle's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are:  Restorative, Empathy, Belief, Developer and Responsibility    Michelle lives in Natick (heavy a sound) Ma, a suburb of Boston where she currently serves on the People & Culture team with Cru. Caring for the ~50 campus and capacity staff in the New England states is her main focus, while also providing support in various ways to staff throughout the Northeast Geography.   She’s been on staff with Cru for almost 35 years and has ministered to college students in St. Petersburg, Russia and Tallinn Estonia, at the University of Arkansas and on campuses in the Boston area.   In 2021 she made the switch full-time to staff care.  She loves visiting National Parks and other beautiful locations with her husband and four adult kids and treasures any time when they are all together since they currently occupy 3 different time zones. An avid lover and sunshine and people-anytime those two things are combined she’s happy.  ink to take the CliftonStrengths Assessment Coaching and Workshops with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths

Erica's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are:  Belief, Communication, Context, Responsibility and Restorative  Erica brings a unique blend of life experience, faith, and heart to every stage of life. Transitioning from actuarial analyst to missionary wife, then 16 years homeschooling, and now a mom of amazing UT Austin College kiddos, she has learned to navigate life’s changes with confidence and grace. Guided by Belief, Responsibility, and a Restorative mindset, her love for God, people, and cats shapes how she approaches every challenge and opportunity. Link to take the CliftonStrengths Assessment Coaching and Workshops with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths

Karina's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are:  Relator, Harmony, Empathy, Belief and Responsibility  Karina Venable lives in Austin, Texas with her husband David and their three beautiful children, who are each gifts, given from the Father through adoption. Karina has been a teacher in various capacities throughout the years, including homeschooling her children for seven years. She loves to study scripture and write about what the Lord is teaching her, and she recently had the honor of co-authoring a Bible study on 1 Peter for Providence Church. Karina loves to read aloud good stories with her family and friends. Even more so, she loves to listen to the stories of loved ones, especially over delicious coffee.  Link to take the CliftonStrengths Assessment Coaching and Workshops with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths  

Texas A&M's Bridge's Staff Team Top 5 CliftonStrengths are: Learner, Connectedness, Includer, Communication & Woo Barbara shares insights about a recent workshop for the Bridges Staff Team at Texas A&M.   Each person brings their unique strengths.  She talks about some of the insights she observed with the group of five .   Link to take the CliftonStrengths Assessment Coaching and Workshops with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths  

James" Top 5 CliftonStrengths are:  Learner, Intellection, Developer, Context, & Input Julie's Top 5 Cliftonstrengths are: Strategic, Input, Relator, Belief & Arranger  James and Julie are both native Texans and have been married 35 years. They have been on staff with ReachGlobal (mission agency of the Evangelical Free Church of America) for 31 years. They lived and served in Kyiv, Ukraine for 15 years and Budapest, Hungary for 15 years. In August 2025 they relocated back to the USA and live in Austin, Texas. They have two wonderful children, Will (married to Courtney and father of our first grandchild) has lived in Warsaw, Poland for three years serving with International Justice Mission; and Katia (married to Luke) lives in Chicago, Illinois and is in her second year of nursing school. Julie and James both love serving in their local church (wherever they are) and are especially drawn to developing the younger generations in their walks with Jesus. Link to take the CliftonStrengths Assessment Coaching and Workshops with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths Interested in Barbara's Cookbook  

Barbara's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are HARMONY, ADAPTABILITY, EMPATHY, CONNECTEDNESS & MAXIMIZER In this episode Barbara tells about a creative group that she is a part of and how fueling her creativity overflows in to her  love for hospitality.  Knowing and using her strengths are integral in what happens at home around her table with friends and family.   Link to take the CliftonStrengths Assessment Coaching and Workshops with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths Interested in Barbara's Cookbook  

Dawn's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are: Activator, Woo, Empathy, Connecetness and Restorative  Dawn lives in Dallas. TX. She recently made the move to East-West ministries from Cru where she helps mobilize the next generation to go to the spiritual darkest places of the world. She enjoys all things outdoors, a good cup of coffee with good conversation.  Prayer in the Night: For those who Work, or Watch or Weep by Tish Harrison Warren is one of the books that has ministered to her in her journey.  Find out your strengths by taking the CliftonStrengths Top 5 Assessment  Workshops and Coaching with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths  

Barbara's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are:  Harmony, Adaptabilty, Empathy, Connectedness and Maximizer  Maximizer is one of Barbara's top strengths and as she thinks about 2026 it gives her some intentionality in areas of her life that she wants to maximize!  Find out your strengths by taking the CliftonStrengths Top 5 Assessment  Workshops and Coaching with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths     

Barbara and Gerry celebrate 200 episodes of Embrace Your Strengths!   Gerry is EYS's biggest fan!  She shares a bit about how knowing her strengths "saved her marriage" and also living out her strengths daily gives her joy and passion as she meets with folks  and loves to share the life giving hope of knowing Jesus!    You can hear more about her story on Episode 61. Barbara talks about the history of EYS and the joy she gets from connecting with people and encouraging them  to live wholeheartedly in their strength areas.  Find out your strengths by taking the CliftonStrengths Top 5 Assessment  Workshops and Coaching with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths  

Josue's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are: Restoraive Connectedness, Woo, Communication and Context Nicole's Top 5 Clfitonstrengths are:  Maximizer, Empathy, Harmony, Futuristic  and Developer Nicole and Daniel (Mambo) make their home in Denver, Colorado, though they originally from Wisconsin and Mexico City. Nicole is a dedicated career coach who thrives on helping people discover their purpose and professional direction. Daniel works as a financial broker helping people to understand how the financial industry works so they can develop their own investment strategies.   Together, they enjoy an active and adventurous lifestyle—hiking, mountain biking, traveling, and exploring new foods. Nicole especially loves rollerblading, while both cherish spending time with family and friends. Above all, they are passionate about sharing the message of Jesus and serving others through their local church. Their lives are marked by a love for community, faith, and meaningful connection. Find out your strengths by taking the CliftonStrengths Top 5 Assessment  Workshops and Coaching with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths    

Heather McDowell Macleod's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are:  Positivity, Empathy, Developer, Communication & Includer  Heather lives in Southern California with her husband, David, and their kids. Having grown up on CRU staff as the daughter of the McDowells, ministry has always been close to her heart. After six years of working directly with young adults, she recently stepped into the role of Director of Development at OC United. OC United is committed to keeping families together, preventing kids from entering foster care, and helping communities thrive through both prevention and intervention services. Find out your strengths by taking the CliftonStrengths Top 5 Assessment   Workshops and Coaching with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths  

Tawny's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are:  Belief, Activator, Responsibiility, Achiever and Connectedness  Tawny has been with Cru almost 30 years having served  in Baton Rouge, Costa Rica, Mexico, Colorado, and Orlando. She currently has the privilege of working with the Cru Coaching Center team as a launching specialist.  Being able to help students start ministries across the U.S. and world where there currently are none is what she loves doing.  She's married to Ryan and has two seniors, Sutton in high school, and Holden, at UF.  Best day for her would be one at the beach with her family, eating her homemade cookies, and cheering on the LSU Tigers.     Find out your strengths by taking the CliftonStrengths Top 5 Assessment   Workshops and Coaching with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths    

Michelle's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are: Harmony, Activator, Relator, individualization and Responsbility   Michelle lives in Austin Texas with  her  husband Austin and two girls Katherine and Margo. She  attended the University of Oklahoma and worked in campus ministry post college at SMU in Dallas. Most recently she has been  a part of the team at Generous Giving doing follow up for their retreats that happen all over the country. Her favorite things to do include being active and being outside (running and walking), eating good food (gluten free) and spending time with her wonderful family and friends! She also enjoys dabbling in pop culture as an outlet from mom life :) Find out your strengths by taking the CliftonStrengths Top 5 Assessment   Workshops and Coaching with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths