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You know that awkward moment? That moment when you or someone you know feels tongue-tied talking with a person of a different race or culture? What do you do? What if you're misunderstood? What if you say something offensive? We've all lived it. But it doesn't have to feel SO awkward. In this replay, Rebecca talked with author and coach, Amy Narishkin, about the communication connection that is so important in the challenges facing our modern moment. By embracing cultural intelligence, both individuals and businesses can unlock new opportunities for growth and thrive in today's multicultural landscape. As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter at www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com. Our guests are also online. Dr. Amy's online home is: https://www.empoweringpartners.com/.    About Our Guest     Dr. Amy Narishkin. Retention and engagement are at an all-time low, and leaders are finding they must create a culture of safety and belonging. That's what Dr. Amy and the Empowering Partners consultancy is all about. With a PhD in adult education and 30 years' experience, Dr. Amy provides training, coaching, and strategic guidance to help organizations across multiple industries, including financial, healthcare, construction and manufacturing, make the shift to Cultural Intelligence. As CEO of Empowering Partners, LLC, she has worked with more than 400 leaders, CEOs, Executive Directors, and management teams in and the US and other countries, to effectively increase their ability to lead, retain and engage people who have different perspectives and backgrounds. Dr. Amy leverages a globally recognized tool for measuring ability to navigate cross-cultural conversations, the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®), as a certified administrator. You can find her online at: https://www.empoweringpartners.com/. 

Some conversations don't end when the event does. They linger. They shift something. They stay. This is one of those.  In this Author Showcase Virtual Summit, powerful voices come together to share the real stories behind their books, the moments that shaped them, the truths they had to face, and the courage it took to finally put it into words. These aren't just authors. These are lived experiences, turned into messages that matter. If you've ever needed clarity, encouragement, or a reminder that your story has power, you're in the right place. These are the voices you heard, and the stories you'll want to stay connected to: Cathryn Farr - Life Writer. #1 International Best Selling Author. Visit her website: https://lifewritingcathryn.com/ Grab a copy of her book: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/VKJivF1/LastMileThree Becky Moller - #1 International Best Selling Author, founder of Undone Academy. Grab a copy of her book: https://beckymoller.com/undone-unafraid-book/ Join her FREE masterclass: https://beckymoller.com/the-crucial-tool/ Dezlee Hancock - #1 International Best Selling Author, Realtor, entrepreneur. Get a copy of her book: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/XCwjNZg/HeartfeltConnections Laurie Hartley- Moore - #1 International Best Selling Author, Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Human Behavioral Expert, and nationally accredited Native American Medicine Woman. Grab a copy of her book here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/71mkXCU/ColorConstitution M. Kay Bush - International Best-Selling Author, School counselor, Child life Specialist, and Support group Facilitator. Grab a copy of her book: https://linktr.ee/youcandohardthings Learn more about her work: https://www.youcandohardthings.today/  

What does it take to turn street smarts into lasting success, and then use that success to build something bigger than yourself? In this episode, Rebecca Hall Gruyter sits down with John Gullo, entrepreneur, visionary, and founder of The American Dream Foundation, for a dynamic conversation about grit, opportunity, and purpose-driven leadership. Raised in Buffalo, New York, John learned early how to navigate challenges and create opportunities. From working his way up in the grocery and restaurant industries to becoming a Burger King franchisee, he built a successful business career, but didn't stop there. Driven by a larger vision, he launched numerous nonprofit initiatives and later became a pioneer in the world of professional pickleball. Together, Rebecca and John explore the turning points that shaped his journey, the mindset required to step into entrepreneurship, and what it means to keep evolving, even after achieving success. They also discuss his passion for giving back and why building something meaningful is just as important as building something profitable. This episode is a powerful reminder that thriving isn't just about what you achieve, it's about what you create, contribute, and leave behind. As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter, at www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com About the Guest John Gullo is an entrepreneur, nonprofit founder, and author of The Extraordinary Adventures of an Ordinary Man. Raised in Buffalo, New York, he turned early street smarts into business success, rising through the grocery and restaurant industries before becoming a Burger King franchisee. John is also the founder of The American Dream Foundation, where he has launched numerous community and patriotic initiatives. Known for his ability to spot opportunity, he became an early pioneer in professional pickleball, helping grow the sport at a national level. Through his work and writing, John shares a message of perseverance, vision, and the belief that extraordinary lives are built from ordinary beginnings. Connect with John: Website: https://www.johnagullo.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580569176254

Being passionate about your purpose is like igniting a fire within your soul—it fuels every action, decision, and moment of your life. When you align with your purpose, you find a deep sense of fulfillment and clarity that transcends ordinary motivation. In this replay, Rebecca talked with Wellness Expert and Coach Carmen Milagro about letting your purpose fuel you to greater wellness, as well as helping you persevere through challenges and celebrate even the smallest victories. As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter at https://yourpurposedrivenpractice.com. Our guests are also online. Carmen's online home is https://expandi.tv/authors/author-carmen-milagro.   About our guest: Carmen Milagro is a dynamic speaker and multi-faceted "entrepren-artist" dedicated to empowering individuals worldwide. With her engaging storytelling, insightful expertise and infectious energy, Carmen leaves audiences inspired to act. As a motivational Master-Certified Coach she's passionate about supporting youth as well as women over 50, offering a unique blend of wisdom and insights. Carmen champions inter-generational and multi-cultural connections to foster growth and resilience. As host of Wellness 360, now in its 4th season, she approaches health and wellness with a holistic, 360-degree perspective to show us how to live more abundant, joyful, healthy and purpose-driven lives! Find her online at: https://expandi.tv/authors/author-carmen-milagro

What happens when faith becomes the light that carries you through the darkest chapters of life? In this powerful conversation, Rebecca Hall Gruyter welcomes Dondee Sponseller, author of Horizon of Hope, to share a story of survival, spiritual strength, and the courage to reclaim one's voice. After escaping abuse, Dondee chose to turn her pain into purpose. Through courageous truth-telling, she shares how faith, perseverance, and encounters with God sustained her through legal battles, personal trials, and moments of deep discouragement. Together, Rebecca and Dondee explore what it means to trust God in the hardest seasons, break cycles of silence and abuse, and step forward into a future defined by hope and dignity. This episode is a powerful reminder that even after the darkest night, a new horizon is always possible. As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter, at www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com   About the Guest     Dondee Sponseller is a faith-driven author and mother whose work bears witness to the healing and restorative power of God. Through her writing, she courageously shares her journey of surviving abuse and finding freedom through faith. Her book Horizon of Hope speaks to those who feel trapped, silenced, or broken, reminding readers that healing and wholeness are possible. With a message rooted in resilience, justice, and reclaiming one's voice, Dondee encourages individuals and families to break cycles of abuse and step boldly into a future filled with hope, dignity, and freedom. Learn more at: Website: https://horizonofhopepress.com/

What does it mean to live through history, and then spend decades making sense of it? In this powerful conversation, Rebecca Hall Gruyter welcomes Mimi Nichter, author of Hostage: A Memoir of Terrorism, Trauma, and Resilience, to reflect on a moment in history that changed her life. In 1970, Mimi was taken hostage in what became one of the first internationally recognized acts of modern terrorism. Decades later, she revisits that experience with the insight of a cultural anthropologist and survivor. Together, they explore fear, delayed trauma, faith, identity, and why it took nearly fifty years to tell this story. This episode is not just about what happened; it's about how we carry what happened, and what it takes to reclaim freedom long after the crisis ends. As always, you can find Rebecca at www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com   About the Guest Mimi Nichter, Ph.D., is Professor Emerita at the University of Arizona and a respected cultural and public anthropologist whose work explores core issues shaping contemporary American life. Her award-winning book Fat Talk received the prestigious Margaret Mead Award for making anthropology accessible to a broad audience. Her memoir, Hostage: A Memoir of Terrorism, Trauma, and Resilience, marks her most personal work. In it, she revisits her experience as a hostage during a 1970 international terrorism incident and reflects on trauma, resilience, identity, and the long journey toward healing. Connect with Mimi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miminichter/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mimi-nichter-30673313/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/MimiNichter

What does it take not just to survive, but to truly thrive? In this March episode, Rebecca Hall Gruyter is joined by Elaine Damschen and Lisa Sitze for a powerful conversation about stepping into personal agency, courageous leadership, and living love in action. Elaine shares insights from her bestselling book Made in Vietnam, reflecting on heritage, entrepreneurship, and what it means to build something meaningful that outlives you. From co-founding a company recognized on the Inc. 5000 list to mentoring women leaders, she embodies thriving through bold decisions and service-driven leadership. Lisa brings a deeply personal and practical lens to thriving through her book Facing Your Demons. She teaches that agency is our greatest superpower, the ability to choose how we respond, grow, and move forward. Through her RAD framework, she shows how recognizing emotions, acknowledging responsibility without blame, and deciding your next step creates momentum toward abundance. Together, this conversation explores how thriving is not accidental. It's built through intention, ownership, courage, and daily choices that align with who you are becoming. If you're ready to move beyond limitations and create life on purpose, this episode will help you take that next step. As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter, at www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com   About the Guests     Elaine Damschen Elaine Damschen is a #1 international bestselling author, speaker, and entrepreneur who believes in "Love in Action." She co-founded Mainstream Electric Heating, Cooling & Plumbing in 2000, growing it into an Inc. 5000 recognized company three times and earning honors as "Woman of the Year" and "Top Entrepreneur of the Year." Her book Made in Vietnam shares a story of perseverance, heritage, and purpose. Today, Elaine continues to champion women entrepreneurs and skilled trades professionals, preparing to launch Essence Swimwear while mentoring leaders to thrive with integrity and courage. Connect with Elaine: Website: https://ElaineDamschen.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576937244149 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elaine.damschen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-damschen-050006119   Lisa Sitze Lisa Sitze is a #1 International Best Selling Author, life coach, and advocate for personal agency. Through her book Facing Your Demons, she teaches that thriving begins when we take stewardship over our choices. Certified through Dr. Sears Wellness Institute, Lisa helps individuals recognize their emotional patterns, release blame, and move forward with clarity. Her RAD framework, Recognize, Acknowledge, Decide, offers practical tools for stepping into empowerment and abundance. Lisa believes thriving means living with respect, boundaries, grace, and multiple streams of growth, financial, emotional, and spiritual. Connect with Lisa: Facebook: Alyssia Rhys Instagram: lisa_sitze LinkedIn: Lisa Sitze    

What if profit is not the goal, but the outcome of doing leadership well? In this episode, Rebecca Hall Gruyter is joined by John A. Lanier, CEO of Middle Market Methods and longtime profit rainmaking expert, for a practical conversation about what truly drives sustainable growth. Drawing from more than 40 years of experience and his upcoming book Profit Rainmaking™, John shares how loyal customers, exceptional operations, and inspired teams are built, not forced. Together, they unpack what customer loyalty really looks like, why operational excellence is a leadership discipline, and how stewardship creates teams that want to win. This conversation is for leaders who want strong results without sacrificing values, and growth that endures beyond short-term wins. As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter, at www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com   ABOUT THE GUEST John A. Lanier is the CEO of Middle Market Methods and a trusted advisor to leadership teams committed to excellence and competitive differentiation. His four-decade career has focused on helping organizations cultivate loyal customers, exceptional operations, and inspired teams, while maintaining a "winning the right way" mindset. Through consulting, speaking, and writing, John brings an infectious passion for principled leadership and sustainable growth. He is also a proud member of a dog-rescuing family. Connect with John A. Lanier Website: https://www.profitrainmaking.com/ LinkedIn (Business): https://www.linkedin.com/company/profitrainmaking/ LinkedIn (Personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnalanier/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfitRainmakingbyJohnLanier Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProfitRainmaking/

Your story is not set in stone. Do you believe that? Every day is an opportunity to break from old patterns, reclaim your own personal narrative, and step into a future that finally feels like yours. In this replay, Rebecca talked to author Carrie West about her forthcoming book Life Rewritten. Love is a powerful force in the midst of your story. Rewriting your life impacts the love you experience too! Tune in as Rebecca and Carrie explore transforming the way you see your past and how you can open the door to new possibilities. As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter at www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com. Our guests are also online. Carrie's online home is https://carriekcwest.com/.    About Our Guest   Carrie KC West is an Author, Speaker and Life Story Coach who uses her entertainment industry experience to support clients with their life and business stories. A well-developed, balanced story brings fulfillment and success in business, relationships, and life. She helps people and businesses change the underlying stories that impede their abilities for success. Carrie is a sought-after speaker, webinar leader, and author of the book, Life Rewritten, launching March 2025. Find her at carriekcwest.com.

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "0f377676-67be-425a-8492-1af473446e65" data-testid= "conversation-turn-8" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> What if the most loving thing you could do is stop betraying yourself? In this February conversation, Rebecca Hall Gruyter welcomes back Kim Bolourtchi, keynote speaker, strategist, and creator of Strategic Unruliness™. Kim challenges high-performing women to examine the invisible rules they've absorbed over time, the ones that ask them to stay small, play it safe, or keep performing long after it stops feeling true. Together, they unpack why so many accomplished women feel stuck even when they're doing everything "right," how these limits take root, and what it truly means to lead with clarity rather than compliance. Kim shares powerful insights from her work with leaders who transformed their teams and lives by choosing alignment over approval. This conversation is an invitation to see self-leadership as an act of love. Not the soft kind, but the honest kind. The kind that says it's time to stop shrinking and start leading from who you actually are. As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter, at www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com. Connect with Kim at https://www.kimbolourtchi.com   About the Guest Kim Bolourtchi is a #1 International Best Selling author, a keynote speaker, strategist, and creator of Strategic Unruliness™, a bold framework for breaking the rules that no longer serve us, so we can live and lead with radical clarity. She helps high-performing women stop shrinking, hiding, or performing and start building lives, careers, and communities that reflect the full force of who they are. Whether she's working with executives, entrepreneurs, or everyday change-makers, Kim delivers the wake-up call we didn't know we needed, and the clarity to do something about it.

What if love isn't something we fall into or chase, but something we learn to embody? In this episode, Rebecca Hall Gruyter is joined by Becky Moller and Kim Dower for a rich, honest conversation about love in its many forms, healing love, obsessive love, embodied love, and the love that transforms us from the inside out. Becky shares insights from her bestselling memoir Undone, Unafraid, reflecting on betrayal trauma, mindfulness, and her powerful reframing of life as a "Love Game." Through her lens, love is not an idea or ideal, but a lived, embodied practice that emerges through healing and presence. Kim brings a poetic exploration of desire and obsession, drawing from her work on "limerence", the intoxicating, often misunderstood state of obsessive infatuation. She unpacks the stages of longing, crystallization, deterioration, and release, and how desire can fuel creativity, clarity, and self-understanding, even when love is unreturned. Together, this conversation explores where love heals, where it confuses, and how awareness, creativity, and presence help us move from longing to wholeness. As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter, at www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com   About the Guests Becky Moller is an author, teacher, and mindfulness guide whose work bridges trauma recovery, embodiment, and spiritual awakening. Her path began in 2014 through deep personal immersion in addiction and trauma recovery, later serving as Executive Director of a global recovery foundation. A certified yoga instructor, university-level educator, and mindfulness and meditation teacher, Becky integrates embodiment with proven recovery principles. She is the founder of Undone Academy, a yearlong framework supporting healing through life's unravelings, and the author of the bestselling memoir Undone, Unafraid, which chronicles her journey from collapse to conscious, embodied living. Connect with Becky: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/undoneacademy/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccarmoller/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-moller-159643230/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8wzQA5FDVaTYUPox_NACSA Website: https://beckymoller.com   Kim Dower is an award-winning, bestselling poet and former City Poet Laureate of West Hollywood. She is the author of six poetry collections from Red Hen Press, including What She Wants: Poems on Obsession, Desire, Despair, Euphoria, praised for its raw honesty and emotional clarity. Kim's work has appeared in major literary journals and anthologies, and her poetry explores desire, longing, and the complexities of romantic love. Her recent collection centers on the concept of "limerence," tracing the emotional stages of obsessive love with wit, vulnerability, and precision. Kim lives in West Hollywood, California, where she teaches poetry workshops and continues to explore the shared emotional terrain that connects us all. Connect with Kim: Website: https://www.kimdowerpoetry.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimdowerpoetry/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.dower.3/  

What if the way we begin a new season of life isn't by setting louder goals, but by paying closer attention to the stories that have already shaped us? In this episode, Rebecca Hall Gruyter sits down with writer and biographer Cathryn Farr for a reflective conversation about life writing, courage, and the quiet decisions that lead us into unexpected adventures. Cathryn shares her journey of returning to school later in life, studying creative nonfiction abroad, and discovering how facts, memory, and meaning can coexist on the page. She offers insight into her approach to "life writing," a form of storytelling that honors truth while reading with the heart of a novel. The conversation also centers on Cathryn's debut memoir, The Last Mile Is Always Three, which chronicles a remarkable group of women hikers who have traversed the Teton range together every Tuesday for 35 years. Through their shared miles, challenges, and friendships, Cathryn reflects on what motivates people to do hard things, keep showing up, and walk faithfully into the next chapter. Together, Rebecca and Cathryn explore how paying attention to our stories, both written and lived, can help us begin again with intention, perspective, and purpose. As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter, at www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com   ABOUT THE GUEST Cathryn Farr is a writer and biographer specializing in creative nonfiction and life writing. She completed her Bachelor of English at BYU-Idaho at age 53 and later earned a Master's degree in Biography and Creative Non-fiction in England. Her debut memoir, The Last Mile Is Always Three, launches February 10 and chronicles the enduring friendships and adventures of women hikers who have journeyed together for more than three decades. Learn more at https://lifewritingcathryn.com/

What if the limits holding you back aren't real, just invisible? In this episode, Rebecca Hall Gruyter sits down with Kim Bolourtchi, keynote speaker, strategist, and creator of Strategic Unruliness™, to explore how breaking the "invisible rules" we've absorbed throughout our lives can lead to greater authenticity, fulfillment, and freedom. Together, Rebecca and Kim dive into what it means to lead with Strategic Unruliness™, not as rebellion for rebellion's sake, but as a mindful practice of choosing yourself, your truth, and your power in every moment. This conversation is an invitation to pause, get present, and reconnect with the magic that's already within you, the kind that can transform not just your leadership, but your life. As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter, at www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com. Connect with Kim at https://www.kimbolourtchi.com   About the Guest Kim Bolourtchi is a keynote speaker, strategist, and creator of Strategic Unruliness™, a bold framework for breaking the rules that no longer serve us, so we can live and lead with radical clarity. She helps high-performing women stop shrinking, hiding, or performing, and start building lives, careers, and communities that reflect the full force of who they are. Whether she's working with executives, entrepreneurs, or everyday change-makers, Kim delivers the wake-up call we didn't know we needed, and the clarity to do something about it.

What if the real work of starting a new year isn't about pushing harder, but about rebuilding trust and clearing the chaos that quietly drains our energy? In this episode, Rebecca Hall Gruyter is joined by Karen Ann Bulluck, bestselling author and leadership advocate, and Allison Williams, attorney and business strategist, for an honest conversation about trust, leadership, and intentional growth. Drawing from their books Embracing Trust and Crushing Chaos, they explore where trust breaks down, why chaos thrives in leadership environments, and how clarity can restore both purpose and peace. Together, they explore leadership that balances purpose, clarity, and well-being, offering grounded wisdom for anyone ready to begin the year with more alignment and less noise. As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter, at www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com   ABOUT THE GUESTS Karen Ann Bulluck Karen Ann Bulluck is a bestselling author, speaker, and founder of DARING TO TRANSCEND®, where she empowers women leaders to take meaningful risks, lead authentically, and reshape workplace culture beyond profit alone. The first woman promoted to Executive Vice President at AM Best Company, Karen's leadership journey is defined by courage, trust-building, and cross-disciplinary impact. She is the author of Discovering Power and Pursuing Truth, part of The Ascending Ladders Series, which uses storytelling to explore leadership, trust, and purpose. Connect with Karen Ann Bulluck: Website: https://daringtotranscend.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/karenannbulluck Facebook: https://facebook.com/karenannbulluck Instagram: https://instagram.com/karenannbulluck   Allison Williams   Allison Williams is a nationally recognized attorney, international speaker, and business strategist with over 20 years of experience. After scaling her law firm into a multimillion-dollar business in just 3.5 years, she founded Law Firm Mentor, supporting law firm owners worldwide. Author of Tiger Tactics: CEO Edition and Crushing Chaos, Allison helps leaders reduce overwhelm, lead ethically, and build businesses that support both profit and peace. Website: https://crushingchaos.lawfirmmentor.net/book/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LawFirmMentor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisoncwilliams/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/Law_Firm_Mentor YouTube: https://YouTube.com/LawFirmMentor TikTok: https://tiktok.com/law_firm_mentor Community: https://bit.ly/groupLFMM

What if the most powerful way to begin the year isn't by doing more, but by listening more deeply to ourselves and to one another? In this episode, Rebecca Hall Gruyter is joined by Dezlee Hancock and Laurie Hartley-Moore for a rich, reflective conversation about intention, connection, and choosing to live on purpose from the inside out. Dezlee brings the heart of meaningful conversation, how words, presence, and authentic connection shape our relationships, our faith, and the way we show up in the world. With wisdom drawn from both study and lived experience, she reminds us that every interaction holds the potential for growth, learning, and love. Laurie offers a holistic lens on intentional living, sharing how understanding human behavior, energy, and even color can support clarity, balance, and well-being. Her insights invite listeners to consider how small, mindful choices can create powerful shifts in how we experience life. Together, these women explore how starting the year with intention creates space for healing, clarity, and purpose, grounding us in what truly matters as we move forward. As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter, at www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com   About the Guests Dezlee Hancock is a conversation enthusiast, communication advocate, and self-proclaimed word geek. With a degree in Human Communication, she believes her most valuable education came from living a full, and often messy, life. Dezlee is a Realtor, author, entrepreneur, wife, mother, grandmother, and trusted advisor who thrives on creating meaningful connection. Grounded in faith and family, she believes every human interaction holds the potential for love, learning, and laughter. Learn more at www.dezleehancock.com   Laurie Hartley-Moore is a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Human Behavioral Expert, and nationally accredited Native American Medicine Woman with more than 35 years of experience in health and wellness. Through her work as a practitioner, creator, and mentor, Laurie empowers individuals to reclaim their physical and mental well-being using holistic life skills. Her approach weaves together holistic health, human behavior, color psychology, and spiritual connection, offering practical tools for living a balanced, vibrant, and purpose-filled life.