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What if the thing you begged for as a kid was never what you truly needed? In this episode of People of Distinction, we welcome Samantha Lewis to discuss her book I Want My Darn Skates (3rd edition), available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and the deeper story behind its unforgettable title. Samantha shares growing up poor in Birmingham, her complicated family background, joining the U.S. Air Force and the hardships that led her to write after feeling God tell her it would “make a great story.” She explains how faith and the Bible helped her endure and hopes readers finish the book with a simple message: treat others the way you want to be treated.

A rose without thorns is artificial and Samuel R. Merritt Sr. came to prove why poetry hits harder than most people realize. In this episode, we dive into A Heart’s Treasures (available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble) and unpack how Sam turns everyday lines into “encrypted” meaning, vivid mental pictures, and real-life lessons about love, loneliness, and purpose. From writing award-winning poems to crafting verses that changed relationships, this conversation will have you hearing hidden messages everywhere.

The great and inspiring THEODORA MAYS appears as a special guest of Al Cole from CBS Broadcasting on his stellar SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW SERIES. Theodora's impressive book is called "Read My Mind...See My Thoughts". It's a Poetry collection for your heart, full of wisdom that explores themes of human emotion, resilience and self-discovery! https://thequippyquill.com/

What if the place that promised to heal you became the place that broke you? When Darla Melancon's son disclosed abuse at their church, her pastors didn't offer support, they offered silence, and eventually, the door. In this conversation, Darla shares the journey behind her book The Things I Learned After Being Kicked Out of Church, a story about losing everything but finding that faith and institutional religion are not the same thing. Get the book: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or darlamelancon.com/#

What happens when life's darkest moments become the canvas for God's most encouraging messages? In this episode of People of Distinction, we sit down with Althea B. Best—poet, survivor, and author of Encouraging Good News Through Poetry, to explore how scripture, suffering, and the gift of verse can meet you right where you are. Born in Barbados and tested through the trials of a new life in America, Althea shares how God turned her wounds into windows and her pain into poetry that stays with you long after the page is turned. This is more than a conversation about a book. It's a lifeline for anyone traveling through the darkness, searching for light.

What if the God you've been told to fear is actually just waiting to be a father? Author and 44-year ministry veteran John Phelps joins People of Distinction to unpack his book Trust God, Period, a raw, honest look at moving from fear-based faith to genuine confidence in a God who isn't afraid of your questions, your pain, or your pace. This isn't religion; it's an invitation to freedom, and whether your trust has been bruised or you're just starting to ask the hard questions, this conversation meets you exactly where you are.

What if the moment you hit rock bottom wasn't the end of your story, but the beginning of finding your way back? In this deeply raw conversation, author Winfield Ivers opens up about how addiction, wilderness solitude, and a stubborn refusal to quit led him to write The Sacred Path Back. From locking himself in a bedroom to withdraw, to stepping out of his self-created "circle of guilt," Winfield's journey proves that transformation doesn't require perfection, just the decision to keep going. If you've ever felt lost, this one's for you. Grab Winfield's books on Amazon: The Sacred Path Back: Healing, Wilderness Wisdom, Discipline, and Transformation Through Life ExperienceSurvival EssentialsPuppet Versus Master

Forty years, seven states, and one question that changes how you think about care: what does it mean to help someone live their life, not just recover from an injury? Occupational therapist Margret Kingery joins People of Distinction to share the moments that never make it onto the chart ; from a widow who relocated her husband's ashes so she could host neighbors for coffee, to practicing through 9/11 and the DC sniper while serving schoolchildren. Her book, Stories from My Occupational Therapy Career, is a masterclass in empathy, cultural awareness, and the quiet power of showing up.

When darkness targets your purpose, only divine intervention can save it—that's the real-life story of author Eddy Colin. In this raw, faith-driven conversation, Eddy opens up about his rise, his fall into an ego-driven life, and the moment God intervened to save him and redirect his path. He shares the truth behind his book A Message To Humanity, why he believes the devil actively works to silence testimonies like his, and what he hopes every reader takes away before it's too late. Whether you're a believer or just chasing purpose, this episode will make you rethink what you're carrying and what you're meant to share.

What if everything you were looking for was already inside you, and a single field trip could prove it? Author James Edwards III joins People of Distinction to unpack his debut novel The Other Life of Mary Abrams, a surreal psychological adventure following five college students on a trip that quietly reshapes everything they thought they knew about themselves. From a life-changing high school English teacher to writing through heartbreak, James shares the real story behind the fiction

What happens when you finally escape a place that hurt you, only to discover God is calling you right back? L.A. Damon's memoir Matter of Principle: R8mans is a 25-year journey involving stolen manuscripts, silent seasons, and the stubborn grip of divine purpose. In this conversation on People of Distinction, she shares what it means to grind through discomfort when God won't move you, and why the answers you're desperate for might arrive decades later — in His time, not yours.

Every headline you've ever read was chosen. Every outrage you've felt was framed. Dr. Richard E. Vatz, professor of nearly 50 years and author of The Only Authentic Book of Persuasion: The Agenda Spin Method—reveals how the loudest voices don't just react to reality, they build it. If you've ever wondered why the news makes you angry or how politicians control what we talk about, this episode will change the way you consume media forever.

What happens when the fire that burns you becomes the light that guides you home? Randy Lemieux survived a childhood shaped by domestic violence, drug addiction, and rebellion — then turned every scar into a lesson worth sharing. In this episode of People of Distinction, Randy opens up about his memoir Journey to the Crossroads, the mentor who saw a diamond in a lump of coal, and how martial arts gave him the discipline to fight for something bigger than himself. If you've ever stood at a crossroads of your own, this conversation is your sign to keep walking. Pick up your copy of Journey to the Crossroads: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | randylemieuxauthor.com

Ever wonder what your cat is really thinking when they stare out the window? Author Patricia Kawa'a turns that everyday curiosity into a delightful children's book series that reminds kids and parents alike to slow down and find magic in ordinary moments. Meet Leon St. Ray and Grapefruit — two real cats whose Hawaiian window perch sparked a rhyming adventure and discover why a third book, Cats in the Attic, is already on the way.

She survived fourteen years of abuse that began at age four. She stayed silent for decades, building two versions of herself just to make it through the day. Then she took her abuser to court and won a $1.1 billion verdict. Now Pamela Elaine Lockridge is showing survivors everywhere that healing isn't just possible, it's a path you can walk intentionally. Pamela returns to the network to discuss her book, Abused from 4 to 18: A Survivor's Fast Track to Mental Wholeness, now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and womensurvivorsinbusiness.org. In this conversation, she opens up about growing up in what she describes as a prisoner-of-war camp inside her own home, the dissociation that kept her alive, and the landmark civil case that just made legal history in Louisiana. This episode is a raw, difficult, and ultimately hopeful look at what it takes to turn decades of trauma into a roadmap for others.