Behind the Dreamers

Episode #52 is available. You can find it at https://youtu.be/LnR2JOW_VtY.

Meet my friend Vinnie Potestivo. He is an Emmy Award-Winning Media advisor and former head of talent for MTV Networks. He pioneered how brands and business owners could contribute to their public narrative by making them stars and producers of their television series. Some of those early hits included Punk'd and The Osbournes.

You can learn more about Vinnie by visiting https://vpetalent.com/.

Thank you, Vinnie Potestivo, for sharing with our audience. Enjoyed chatting with you and learning about your journey.


Vinnie Potestivo Entertainment

Episode #51 is available. You can find it at https://youtu.be/vcktsS-tI-4.

Meet my friend Dustin Jones. She is the owner and CEO of EncompassHR, LLC, a boutique fractional HR consulting and leadership development company that provides human resource consulting services focusing on HR strategy development, planning implementation, and oversight. With over two decades of experience in tactical HR and HR leadership working with various companies and industries, Dustin has developed expertise and best practices in HR compliance, mentorship, leadership development, strategic planning, and change management. Dustin is changing the stigma associated with HR by bridging the gap between the needs of employers and employees.

To learn more about Dustin and her work, go to https://www.encompasshrllc.com

Thank you, Dustin, for sharing your journey with us.

Episode #50 is available. You can find it at https://youtu.be/j9vSUypIjQU.

Inesa Ponomariovaite is the visionary founder and CEO of Nesa's H**p, the world's first-ever full-spectrum CBDa oil. The research-based h**p products she has created combine modern science with ancient wisdom. The product is backed by certifications from the largest clinical FDA-registered labs and has white papers written by Harvard and Stanford cannabis experts and doctors. Inesa's expertise is restoring the body to homeostasis, where all systems function at their best. She says her mission is to show people the power and magic of pure h**p by giving them access to the highest quality product on the market that is backed by scientific research.

How did this all come about?

Inesa says a lifetime of disappointment in pharmaceuticals led her to become a holistic health professional. When her mom came down with stage 4 cancer and had only six months to live, Inesa traveled the world on a mission to find natural ways to heal her mom. Her mother's diagnosis was the inspiration behind Inesa's work, and as Inesa continues to pursue her passion, she says, "this brand is on a mission."

To learn more about Inesa and her work, you can visit https://www.nesash**p.com.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary. Inesa Ponomariovaite

Episode #49 is available. You can find it at https://youtu.be/H3mRVaE6rIg.

Nicole is a talented creator that shares her wisdom and joy through writing, directing, and producing. She owns Fine Pearls Media, a digital marketing company named one of Dallas' top sixteen content marketing agencies in 2022. Additionally, she is the Founder, President, and Chairman of the Board of her nonprofit, Treetop Clubhouse, a 501(c)(3) organization.

You can learn more about Nicole by visiting https://lnkd.in/g3RjpNXV. Thank you, Nicole Smith, for sharing your journey with us. Thank you, Sheryl Powers, for connecting us. Fine Pearls Media

Episode #48 is available. You can find it at https://youtu.be/4pqG8shT9zQ.

Meet my new friend Steve Sommerfeld. He is a Professional Freestyle Motorcross Rider turned entrepreneur. It was fun to learn about his journey and see how he continues his love for the sport through his work as a podcaster, commentator, and various other projects.

We learn much about guests during those rapid-fire questions. The question was about the craziest or funniest behind-the-scenes experience Toni ever had.

Episode #47 is available. You can find it at https://youtu.be/8tRjW_sEwqg.

This week on Behind the Dreamers, we sit with Toni Caruso, the Executive Managing Director for eWomenSpeakerNetwork. Toni says speakers fail to engage their audience because they are unclear, and their rapport and connection with the audience is simply a ho-hum. She wants to guide speakers and teach them how to effectively transform the audience and maximize their impact while creating a community of raving fans.

Toni has been an event producer for over 30 years, managing and successfully organizing engaging events for the entertainment, corporate, and business-to-business worlds. She has brought her knowledge, skills, and experience to speaking professionals so they can share their genus on stage.

To learn more about Toni's work, go to https://lnkd.in/gTVjFUka, click on resources, and you will find SpeakerNetwork there.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary.

Jennifer Loehding - Life by Design UpBeat Media Productions PhotosByWalt

Stories are great for teaching us lessons.
Episode #46 is available. You can find it at https://youtu.be/aL5oD6PMJ4g. Thank you Patrick Kagan for sharing with our audience.

This week on Behind the Dreamers, we sit with Patrick Kagan, President of PK Solutions Group, to talk about the importance of differentiation. Having built, led, and grown sales organizations for 30+ years, from fortune 500 companies to mom-and-pop organizations, Patrick says he and his team have always met objectives because they have mastered differentiation. Patrick has been in the print and media world for 30+ years with a strong reputation focused on consultative relationships and collaborative results. He has worked in various roles, from the president to national sales for companies such as Proctor & Gamble and Hewlett-Packard. In addition to running his company, he is an internationally renowned podcast host, business coach, and the author of "Sell the Difference."

To learn more about Patrick and his work, go to https://pksolutionsgroup.com.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary.

PK Solutions Group

Episode #45 is available. You can find it at https://youtu.be/cs3IDYtpIQk. Thank you, Denise Castille, for sharing your journey with us.

This week on Behind the Dreamers, we sit down with Denise Castille, owner, and CEO of Any Day CPR LLC, to chat about her life after a heart attack. In July 2015, Denise experienced a medical emergency while traveling for work. One individual in the office saved her life. As a result, Denise is using her adversity to become an advocate to change the narrative of how we engage people to want to learn life-saving skills and equip them to recognize and respond to medical emergencies. Any Day CRP LLC promises to deliver an exceptional CPR/AED and First Aid training experience.

To pay it forward, Denise founded Fresh Start for your Heart, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that assists survivors of heart attacks. She is the author of "I Don't Want to Die Like This: A Survivor's Guide to Thriving After a Heart Attack." She also holds a Distinguished Toastmaster designation from Toastmasters International.

You can learn more about Denise by visiting https://www.anydaycpr.com and https://www.freshstartheart.org.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary.

Any Day CPR Training

Meet Ebenezer Norman. We met after my daughter traveled to CO. He was their driver from the airport to their next destination, and here we are on episode #44. If you want to hear his story, go to https://youtu.be/fq136MzGPYU. Thank you, Ebenezer Norman, for sharing your journey with us.

In this episode, I sit down with Ebenezer Norman, a Liberian Philanthropist, humanitarian, speaker, and founder of A New Dimension of Hope, a 501 (c)(3), to talk about his journey and finding his purpose. New Dimension of Hope's mission is to provide underserved communities with the education that gives them the academic, social, and economic skills needed to break the cycle of poverty by building schools and teaching self-sustainable life skills.

There are so many takeaways in this episode. We talk about stepping outside of our bubbles to serve others and address the topic of happiness. Does it exist? Ebenezer reminds us that our attitudes reflect everything. He drives for Lyft seven days a week and donates 50% of his profits to his foundation. He is passionate about what he does and believes we all have an opportunity to be the change we want to see. This story warms the heart and reminds us that we can all do more to make the world a better place.

To learn more about Ebenezer and his work, you can google him, but you can also visit his site at https://www.ndhope.org.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary. A New Dimension of Hope

Episode #43 is available. You can catch it in its entirety at https://youtu.be/XzA1-xuy2HE. Here Jennifer is talking about being addicted to being right and the consequences it can bring on. She later goes on to talk about how dialogue can reframe how leaders look at taking in new information. Thanks, Jen Thornton, for being an awesome guest and sharing your journey with our audience.

Jennifer Thornton has developed her expertise in talent strategy and leadership professional development over her 20+ years as an HR professional. She's led international teams across greater China, Mexico, the U.K., and the U.S. to expand into new markets, managing franchise retailers and developing key strategic partnerships - all while exceeding business objectives and financial results.

The rapid growth of her consulting firm, 304 Coaching, has been largely due to Jennifer's unconventional approach to building innovative workforce development solutions for companies facing breakthrough growth and accelerated hiring patterns.

You can learn more about Jennifer's work and 304 Coaching at https://304coaching.com.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary.
304 Coaching, LLC

Episode #42 of Behind the Dreamers is available. You can view it in its entirety at https://youtu.be/300uZS_nmgc. Thank you, Efrat Cohen, for sharing with our audience.

Efrat Cohen is the founder of ProPostureUs, an onsite and telephysical therapy-based wellness service at the workstation that improves employees' posture and body mechanics and keeps them most productive.

With over ten years of experience working with patients of various ages and diagnoses in New York's premier hospitals, Efrat says she always puts her patients' needs first, seeking the best way to help them achieve their goals. She values education and keeps herself abreast of cutting-edge treatments and techniques.

To learn more about Efrat and her work, you can visit https://youtu.be/300uZS_nmgc.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary.

Andrea Pass Public Relations

Episode 41 is available, and this is another favorite of mine. Here Dai is talking about his fear of not changing, superseding his fear of the idea of change. You can catch the full episode at https://youtu.be/uTLTeV9hjpU. Thank you, Dai Manuel, for your authenticity, vulnerability, and willingness to share your journey with our audience.

Dai Manuel is a super dad, dating his wife, with a lead-by-example way of living and a contagious personality. He is on a mission to positively impact one million role models around the globe to lead a FUN-ctionally fit life through education, encouragement, and community.

He is an award-winning digital thought leader and author, a Distinguished Toastmaster, a TEDx speaker & keynote speaker, a former partner and Chief Operating Officer of a multi-million dollar retail company, and a sought-after lifestyle mentor and executive performance coach.

Dai knows the struggle of the juggle and keeping his health and happiness a priority. He models his work based on 5 F’s: Fitness, Family, Faith, and Finances with an overarching roof of FUN, built on a rock-solid foundation of Health.

To learn more about Dai, go to https://www.daimanuel.com and be sure you give him a follow on social media.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND They are living the extraordinary.

It's Tuesday, and it's time for another episode. We enjoyed chatting with Bryan Flanagan. He is funny, knows a lot about sales, and has many stories to tell. Hope you enjoy the episode as much as we do.

You can find the full episode at https://youtu.be/Jg1yWfuRU7s.

This week on Behind the Dreamers, we sit down with Bryan Flanagan, the founder of Flanagan Training Group. Bryan began his career as a delivery boy for the IBM Corporation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He then invested the next 14 years with IBM as a salesman, a "people" manager, and a sales instructor at IBM's national training center.

In 1984, Bryan joined the Zig Ziglar Corporation. He served as the Director of Corporate Training for Zig for over 25 years, working with various companies, industries, and clients.

In 2005, Bryan founded Flanagan Training Group. He has authored numerous training programs, including his sales book "Now, Go Sell Somebody Something" and the 4-CD set "Bryan Flanagan on Sales and Motivation," along with his latest book and CD set "So, You're New to Sales."

You can learn about Bryan and his work by visiting https://www.flanagantraining.com.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary.

It's Friday, and we're dropping another episode. Meet my friend Melanie Jones. She goes on to talk about the importance of having something for yourself because those kiddos grow up and leave home. I can relate because all three of mine have reached adulthood. Hope you enjoy our latest episode.

If you want to catch it in its entirety, you can find it at https://youtu.be/qeN71dEI7s0.

Melanie Jones is the owner and founder of The Frisco Gift Basket Company, a business and corporate gifting service that provides a solution to market pe*******on, increased closing averages, and solid client retention. As a mother of two, one autistic, Melanie says she is grateful every day and wishes to give to others in any way she can. Whether it's sharing her story, supporting other parents of autistic kids, giving to Operation Underground Railroad, or sharing some of her business acumens, she is here to talk and walk with you as we journey together.

To learn more about The Frisco Gift Basket Company and Melanie, visit https://thefriscogiftbasketcompany.com.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary. The Frisco Gift Basket Company

Here we go. Episode #38 is available. It's a fun one. You can find the full episode at https://lnkd.in/ga3YwYP9.

This week on Behind the Dreamers, we sit down with Donnie Boivin, CEO, and Founder of Succes Champions and Success Champions Networking. Donnie, considered one of the leading global minds on sales, business development, and business growth, makes sales and business development relatable and human. His podcast "Growth Mode" ranks among the top podcasts globally, and he is a five-time best-selling author. When he is not community building, this Marine Corps Veteran and highly sought-after public speaker manages a full-working farm where he cares for goats, chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese.

You can learn more about Donnie by visiting www.champions90.com.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary. Success Champion

Taken from episode #37, Sarah talks about how her journey began. When you are the client and do the research, you often find the need. Sarah is a Board-Certified Health Practioner, otherwise known as The Wellness Momma.

You can find her episode at https://youtu.be/8Vg5iLwcxf8.
The Family Wellness Center of Dallas

Episode #37 is available. You can find it at https://youtu.be/8Vg5iLwcxf8.

We enjoyed chatting with The Family Wellness Center of Dallas , and learning about her journey.

This week on Behind the Dreamers, we sit down with Sarah Clark, a Licensed and Board-Certified Holistic Health practitioner. Sarah has been in the field of Holistic Health for more than 15 years and is passionate about helping people support whole-body health through natural means. She believes that empowering individuals with knowledge and the ability to promote wellness should start at home and that natural practices should be accessible to everyone. Sarah's Ph.D. is in Natural Medicine, focusing on Orthomolecular medicine and Herbalism. Her dissertation on dietary counseling, orthomolecular nutrition, and anti-inflammatory means to effectively support whole-body health is the foundation on which she is building her health and wellness practice. Why is all this important to Sarah? She was her first client.

You can learn more about Sarah by visiting https://sorcha.com.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary.

Taken from episode 36, Krissie Lain Garland finds her voice in the aftermath of her husband's death by su***de. Krissie is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Trauma Specialist, Life Coach, author, and speaker.

You can find her episode at https://youtu.be/tb1S2tqemLQ.

Episode #36 is available. You can find it in its entirety at https://youtu.be/tb1S2tqemLQ.

This is a deep episode. At the same time, it reminds us that we can find purpose through the pain. Thank you, Krissie Garland, for graciously sharing your story with our audience.

This week on Behind the Dreamers, we sit down with Krissie Lain Garland, a Licensed Professional Counselor, certified trauma specialist, Life Coach, author, and speaker. Krissie says she became a therapist because she knew what it is like to experience pain and what it is like to fight toward healing. As a widow to five-year-old twins, what started as a calling became a personal mission when her late husband took his life after battling mental illness and addiction.

Krissie holds a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. She grew up a pastor's kid and has a heart for working with the local church. With her experience, education, and extensive background working in the behavioral health field, Krissie partners with churches and para-church ministries worldwide to help educate others in understanding mental illness in a biblical and practical way.

To learn more about Krissie and her work, go to https://www.krissiejoy.com.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary.

"I never gave up."

Taken from our latest episode, Hollie King talks about pushing through with Epilepsy as a youth. She is now a head volleyball coach at a school here in Dallas, doing what she loves. Hollie is also the founder of A+ Athletics, a full-service athletic training and college recruiting service that prepares athletes on and off the court.

You can catch her episode on your favorite platform or via the link in our bio. Hollie Nicole

Episode #35 is available. You can find it in's entirety at https://youtu.be/0GI_m86XkK8.

If you have a student in grades 9-12 playing volleyball in Dallas or surrounding areas that are looking to maximize their time in front of college coaches, Hollie has an event coming up on November 26th and 27th. For more information, reach out to [email protected] or go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/north-texas-volleyball-showcase-registration-406162592247?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. Hollie Nicole

This week on Behind the Dreamers, we sit down with Hollie King, the founder of A+ Athletics LLC, a full-service athletic training and college recruiting service that prepares athletes on and off the court. As a youth, Hollie had Epilepsy and was told she would never play on a varsity team. However, her love for volleyball was far greater than her condition, and Hollie went on to play both in high school and college before tearing her ACL. With the pursuit to motivate and encourage others to love this sport as much as she does, Hollie brings high energy and enthusiasm to her teams, always bringing out the best in her player. In addition to running A+ Athletics, Hollie is a head coach at Alcuin school here in Dallas.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary.

What kind of music do you like to listen to when you go dancing? I learn more about my guests in those final segments of the podcast.

You can catch this episode at https://youtu.be/-B-RBKe4VyI.

Episode #34 is available, and as you can tell, I am super excited to get it out. After three attempts to get this right, we finally are releasing his episode. You can find the full episode at https://youtu.be/-B-RBKe4VyI.

I asked Malcolm what one word he would use to describe himself, and he chose "different." Well, his approach to his work and how he empowers his clients are a bit unique. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did putting it together.

This week on Behind the Dreamers, we sit down with Malcolm Austin, the owner of MCA Seminars. Malcolm holds a black belt and has over 34 years of experience in Tae Kwon Do. In addition to all the martial arts he practices, he has over ten years in Tai Chi and is a certified meditation teacher and practitioner. Malcolm teaches a unique perspective on self-defense instruction called Mindful Self Defense and Self Awareness, which involves empowerment and situational avoidance.

If you want to learn more about Malcolm's work, you can reach out to him at [email protected].

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary.

In episode #33, Debby Montgomery Johnson talks about her book "The Woman Behind the Smile," in which she was a victim of an online dating romance scam. You can find the full episode at https://youtu.be/HmlQCdQocjs. The Woman Behind the Smile

Episode #33 is available. You can catch it in full at https://youtu.be/HmlQCdQocjs.

Thank you, Debby, at The Woman Behind the Smile, for sharing with our audience. I enjoyed visiting with you and learning about your journey. You are making a difference.

This week on Behind the Dreamers, we sit down with Debby Montgomery Johnson, a #1 best-selling author, international speaker, entrepreneur, and podcaster. In her book, "The Woman Behind the Smile," she shares her personal experience with a "love" that turned into betrayal and financial disaster.

Debby's background is diverse, from working as a paralegal and senior bank branch manager to being a U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer serving at the Pentagon and with the Defense Intelligence Agency. She is currently the President of BenfoComplete.com, a vitamin and supplement company that provides an alternative remedy for the pain of neuropathy.

Debby first appeared in the Palm Beach Post and was featured on various shows, including the Dr. Oz Show, CBS This Morning, The Mel Robbins Show, and The Tamron Hall Show. Additionally, she was featured in the National Geographic's Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller and is regularly called upon for expert commentary about relationship fraud.

You can learn more about Debby and her work at the following sites: https://www.benfocomplete.com and
https://thewomanbehindthesmile.com. For more information about romance scams, go to https://romancescamsnow.com. If you have been a victim and would like to reach out to Debby, you can email her at [email protected]

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary.

Episode #32 is available. You can catch the full episode at https://lnkd.in/eAMx5gg5.

This week on Behind the Dreamers, we sit down with Leia Hunt, a two-time cancer survivor and founder of Leia's Kids, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Leia is also a podcast host, inspirational speaker, and author of My Battle Plan. Having been diagnosed with cancer at a young age, Leia spent her youth navigating life, as she says, "knowing she was different." At eighteen, she formed her 501(c)3 while a senior in high school to relieve some of the financial burden associated with cancer. Today, she uses her story as a testimony of hope through her work and speaking engagements. In this episode, we talk about Leia's Kids, whom it's serving, and how it's making a difference in the community.

To learn more about Leia and her organization, visit https://leiaskids.org.

Thank you, Leia's Kids , for sharing with our audience. It was great catching up with you and learning about your journey.

Taken from episode #31, John-Michael Rogers talks about his first house flipping experience. He later says it was an exciting adventure and encourages others to try it if they have the means to do it. If you want to catch this segment, you can find it around minute 19 at https://youtu.be/mPUQ96MYDCk.

As always, thanks for supporting Behind the Dreamers!

Episode #31 is available. You can watch it in its entirety at https://youtu.be/mPUQ96MYDCk.

This week on Behind the Dreamers, we sit down with John-Michael Rogers, a sales consultant at the Dallas Cowboys. Born and raised in Dallas, not only is he a lifelong fan of the Cowboys, but he is instrumental in expanding the reach of the brand through his work at the Formation at the Star. He has held various roles in sales, including working for AT&T Stadium and traveling as a college recruiter. He also sold luxury preowned cars during his college breaks. In this episode, we talk about his journey, including flipping his first home, and he lets us in on what it's like working with America's team. He is young, passionate, and definitely a magic-maker.

To learn more about the Formation, head on over to https://lnkd.in/gadXvsGX. If you want to reach out to John-Michael, email him at [email protected]

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary.

Thank you, John-Michael Rogers, for sharing with our audience. I enjoyed chatting with you and learning about your journey.

“Most people know me as the Dalworth Girl.” - Sheryl Powers, owner of MPowered Advantage.

This was taken from episode #30. Some of you may recognize this jingle.

Episode #30 is available. You can view it in its entirety at https://youtu.be/-qo5xhCf9lo.

This week on Behind the Dreamers, we sit down with Sheryl Powers, the owner of MPowered Advantage. Sheryl is a business advocate, group benefits specialist, voice-over talent, producer, and coach. Sheryl helps entrepreneurs by providing tools and resources to assist them in navigating the daily issues of entrepreneurship. Although Sheryl began her journey in radio and mentioned it left her, you can find her talent in her voice-over work and her podcast Network Today with cohost Rob Bliss, where they help entrepreneurs become better at networking. In this epsiode, we talk all about her journey, the challenges she incurred, lessons learned, and so much more.

To learn more about Sheryl and her work, visit https://mpoweredadvantage.com.

These are our friends. These are your friends. AND they are living the extraordinary.