What happens when we stop trying to master technology and start learning with it?

In this episode of The Alignment Show, I sit down with Joshua Hale — a self-taught “holistic tech wizard” who helps creators and entrepreneurs build businesses that serve life instead of consuming it. Joshua’s journey runs from the intensity of restaurant kitchens to the freedom of leading his own AI-driven strategy practice. Along the way, he’s learned that the most valuable skill in a changing world isn’t technical expertise — it’s curiosity.

We talk about his “teach-by-doing” approach, the mindset of an autodidact, and how authenticity becomes an asset in an era when anyone can access unlimited information. Joshua also shares his 10-80-10 Method — 10 percent human idea, 80 percent AI execution, 10 percent human refinement — and why seeing AI as a creative co-pilot, not a competitor, can expand both your freedom and your impact.

If you’ve ever wondered how to use AI without losing yourself in the process, or how to build a business around learning, purpose, and humanity, you’ll find this conversation both practical and deeply encouraging.

About Joshua Hale

Joshua Hale is a holistic tech strategist and AI mentor who helps creators and entrepreneurs build life-first businesses—ventures that align purpose, technology, and personal well-being. A self-taught innovator, he blends systems thinking, marketing strategy, and real-world experimentation to make complex technology accessible and empowering. Through his company and community work, Joshua equips people to use AI as a tool for clarity, creativity, and connection rather than complexity or control.

Resources & Links

Connect with Joshua Hale🌐 JoshuaHale.io🔗 Joshua's resources for you💼 Joshua Hale on LinkedIn

Mentioned in This Episode

* The 10-80-10 Method: Joshua’s framework for balancing human creativity and AI efficiency.

* Ikigai: The Japanese concept of finding alignment between what you love, what you’re good at, and what the world will pay for.

* Joanna Penn: Writer and podcaster who inspires creators to integrate AI ethically and creatively.

Connect with Donn King✉️ Subscribe to The Alignment Show newsletter at TheAlignmentshow.com.

🌎 Learn more about my books at DonnKing.com/Books. Take a look at Creating While Caring, my latest book.

You can get links to video or audio versions of this episode at DonnKing.com/98. Or (if you’re seeing this in email), just click on the headline to listen via your Substack app, which is probably the best way to watch/listen to either format.

You can catch the video on YouTube or audio versions of all episodes later at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and (always) Substack.

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive the following bonus material for each episode:

* The “Big Takeaway”

* A bulleted summary of the episode

* Practical tips from the episode

* A quote to ponder

* Prefer text? We turn each podcast into an article.

Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books as well as a sponsorship message on the podcast at least once a month.

That’s our way for saying “thanks for the support!”

Note: if you accidentally subscribe on ConfidenceCultivators.com (which used to host the show), I will comp you the equivalent subscription on King’s Chronicles, the new home of The Alignment Show.

Listen here or watch video on YouTube:

In this episode of The Alignment Show, I sit down with returning guest Jeff West, one of our “stars in alignment,” to talk about his newest book, The Hidden Heist, co-authored with Bill Cates.

Jeff has built a reputation for crafting business parables, stories that don’t just explain principles but draw you in through characters and plot. The Hidden Heist may be his boldest yet: a personal finance parable set entirely during a bank robbery. With humor, tension, and unexpected twists, Jeff and Bill tackle the money myths that hold so many people hostage, while showing the habits that can change a financial future.

We also dig into the craft of writing parables—how flawed characters, lived stories, and surprising turns make lessons stick more than any how-to guide could. Along the way, Jeff shares insights about co-authoring, weaving personal experience into fiction, and the unique role of storytelling in an age of AI.

Whether you’re curious about money, storytelling, or simply living in closer alignment with your values, you’ll find both encouragement and practical wisdom here.

You can hear audio versions of this podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack. Catch the show notes at DonnKing.com/97.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

* Our sponsor, Butterfly Copywriting. Check it out at https://DonnKing.com/Butterfly.

* Donn King’s books. Find out about his latest and all his others at https://DonnKing.com/Books.

* All about Jeff’s new book written along with Bill Cates at https://TheHiddenHeist.com.

* A free resource from Bill Cates at https://TheOrdinaryMillionaire.com.

Remember that we have moved our home over to our new site at TheAlignmentShow.com. We encourage you to subscribe there!

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive the following bonus material for each episode:

* The “Big Takeaway”

* A bulleted summary of the episode

* Practical tips from the episode

* A quote to ponder

* A topic index with timestamps

Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books as well as a sponsorship message on the podcast at least once a month.

That’s our way for saying “thanks for the support!”

Note: if you accidentally subscribe on ConfidenceCultivators.com (which used to host the show), I will comp you the equivalent subscription on King’s Chronicles, the new home of The Alignment Show.

Dan Janal thought he was the picture of health, working out regularly, feeling fine, living fully. So when a routine checkup turned into a life-threatening diagnosis, everything changed… and so did his mindset.

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Dan shares how he went from shocked patient to hopeful guide, using his skills as a writer and speaker to reframe what it means to live with cancer. What begins as a health crisis becomes a life mission and a lesson in hope, presence, and purpose for all of us.

If you’ve ever faced something unexpected, or you’re looking for a practical example of living in alignment with your values even in the hardest seasons, this episode will move you.

We talked about these resources:

* Cured: Strengthen Your Immune System and Heal Your Life by Jeffrey Rediger.

* Dan’s web site for Reframing Cancer.

* Dan’s Substack.

* Lois Creamer’s episode 80.

* The world-famous Mayo Clinic.

* Our sponsor: Saleswise Live™.

* Our sponsor: Donn’s books.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

UPDATE: We are experimenting with bonus material for Paid subscribers (including those who support us through regular Buy Me a Coffee payments). We will now share with Paid subscribers the following bonus material for each episode:

* The “Big Takeaway”

* A bulleted summary of the episode

* Practical tips from the episode

* A quote to ponder

* A topic index with timestamps

That’s our way for saying “thanks for the support!”

Thanks for reading The Confidence Cultivator! This post is public so feel free to share it.

What if grief could become a gateway to transformation, not just sorrow?

In this powerful episode, Donn talked with grief educator Suzanne Jabour, who shared her moving journey after the loss of her 22-year-old son, Ben. Suzanne doesn’t offer platitudes; she offers permission. Permission to grieve differently. Permission to support others more meaningfully. And permission to be curious even in the darkest places.

Whether you’re walking through your own loss or want to better support someone who is, this conversation will change the way you think about grief and connection.

Resources we discussed include:

* Suzanne’s website.

* Suzanne’s LinkedIn.

* A previous episode about managing grief with Kevin O’Connor.

* Saleswise Live™.

* Donn’s books.

* “Writing Home: A Short Story about the Real Final Frontier,” a free short story to support you in living your own values.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You know someone who needs this kind of support. Help them out!

You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

The Confidence Cultivator is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

What does it take to follow your passion—responsibly?

In this episode of The Alignment Show, I sat down with Ahuva Gruen, founder of AG Financial CPA, to explore her inspiring journey from corporate CFO to independent business owner. Ahuva shared how she aligned her career with her lifelong entrepreneurial spirit, even in the face of major life transitions. We discussed the difference between a CPA and a CFO, why businesses need strategic financial leadership, and how individuals can responsibly pursue their dreams without sacrificing stability. Whether you're considering a leap toward your own business or looking to strengthen the one you already have, this conversation is packed with wisdom about living your values, taking smart risks, and building a thriving future.

Resources we mentioned include:

* Ahuva’s website

* Ahuva on LinkedIn

* Saleswise Live™

* Donn’s books

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

Share your comments, even though the broadcast is over! We always pay attention and would love to continue the conversation.

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

You know someone who could use this boost!

When the pandemic shook up our routines, many people didn’t just quit their jobs. They realigned their lives. That’s why I called it the Great Realignment rather than the Great Resignation. But now, five years later, is that sense of realignment still alive?

In this solo episode, I reflect on the origins of The Alignment Show and explore whether it’s time to pause and ask: Am I still living in alignment with what matters most to me?

We unpacked the difference between goals and mission, the trap of chasing the merely urgent, and how small moments of reflection, even five minutes at a time, can steer you toward a more meaningful life. I also shared a few personal stories, insights from friends of the show, and why I believe your values deserve a fresh look.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

* My Books

* SalesWise Live

* Wordslinger Podcast by Kevin Tumlinson for all things Kevin, along with the specific episode I mentioned.

* The Alignment episode with Kevin

* The book we mentioned about keeping your earning activities separate from your passion activities is Creating the Life You Really Want, Building the Career You Truly Desire.

* We mentioned the idea that we have crossed the mountains (which means we’ve left the “old normal” behind), and we’re not going back to the way things were before. That concept was explored deeply in Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger.

* My other Substack is King’s Chronicles. It has a little different focus, but it is likely one that would appeal to listeners of The Alignment Show.

* We talked about the Eisenhower Matrix. You can learn more about it here.

* We mentioned Life 101: Everything We Wish We Had Learned About Life in School—But Didn't

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

The Confidence Cultivator is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

You know someone who could benefit from these insights.

Note: I’m running a little behind posting the show notes and audio podcast for this episode. My grandson wound up needing emergency surgery (he is OK now), and so I just now have time to get it posted. But Kevin is worth waiting for!

I’m thrilled to welcome back one of our "Stars in Alignment"—Kevin Tumlinson. Kevin is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, podcaster, and one of the most values-centered creatives I know. He’s also someone I personally fanboy over a bit (you’ll hear why).

In this rich, wide-ranging conversation, we talked about the ongoing quest to align our lives with our values, even when life throws curveballs. Kevin opened up about shifting from discovery writing to outlining, navigating burnout, and rediscovering joy in writing after a difficult season. He also shared insights from launching a new venture, Author Anchor, which helps writers focus on what they love—writing—by offloading the rest to trained virtual assistants.

Whether you're a writer or not, this episode is about far more than craft. It's about humility, resilience, and realignment. It’s about finding your mission and having the courage to keep creating even when the world gets loud.

Among other things, in this episode we talked about:

* The mother source for all things Kevin.

* The auntie source for all things Kevin’s books (i.e., Amazon).

* The Wordslinger podcast on YouTube.

* Kevin on Substack, including his newsletter, The Writer_.

* Draft2Digital got mentioned several times. Check them out.

* Author Nation, the world’s largest author conference and multi-genre reader event, uniting authors, industry leaders, and readers for five transformative days of learning, networking, and growth.

* Author Anchor provides cost-effective Virtual Assistants. Book a free discovery call tell them Kevin Tumlinson sent you from The Alignment Show. Doing so enables you to get your first month for $49 instead of $99 (VA rates will still apply—this is a discount off the base monthly fee).

* Donn’s books, a show sponsor. It costs you nothing to check it out! You may find your next favorite read.

* Saleswise Live™, a show sponsor. Again, it costs you nothing to check it out! You may change the course of your career, which is why they’re such a great sponsor for The Alignment Show.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

You know someone who needs to hear this!

And, we would love to converse with you. Questions for Kevin? Comments about what we talked about?

🎙️ The Alignment Show with Donn King welcomed Todd Payne, founder of Konnectfully, emotional intelligence coach, and former Lutheran pastor with a powerful origin story.

🔥 From being told he had "none of the gifts for ministry" to helping couples rediscover empathy and joy in their relationships, Todd brings a refreshing take on transformation, resilience, and the surprising role of the Enneagram in fostering real connection.

Oh—and did we mention? He now lives in Portugal, after losing his home to a wildfire and choosing to start over with intention. Talk about falling upward!

💬 Whether you're navigating a relationship crossroads, curious about emotional intelligence, or just love hearing how people realign their lives with purpose, this conversation is rich, real, and relevant.

Resources we discussed include:

* Todd’s website

* Todd’s LinkedIn

* We talked about videos of colorblind folks seeing color for the first time with the help of special glasses. Here is one such video among many.

* Donn mentioned his newsletter. Check it out and subscribe for free, or go paid and receive audio versions and other perks.

* Go look into Saleswise Live™.

* One of Donn’s books will encourage you or a friend.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who could use the insights from this conversation. Why not tell them, “Hey, you would enjoy listening to this episode!”

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance! You can also subscribe for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

Note: For the past few weeks, I’ve been uploading a video version of the podcast to Substack, but I’ve noticed a few things: (a) most listeners aren’t using Substack for video (at least, for this podcast), (b) we already provide links to the live video replays, making this redundant, and (c) splitting my focus between video and audio has likely affected the audio quality.

So, I’m shifting back to our original approach—prioritizing high-quality audio on Substack (and podcast platforms) while directing video learners to our existing video channels. If I’ve misread what works best for you, let me know in the comments or email me at donn@donnking.com!

How do we engage in tough conversations without losing our cool—or our relationships? In this powerful episode of The Alignment Show, host Donn King sits down with Bob Burg, co-author of The Go-Giver, to discuss the art of tactful yet honest communication.

With today’s divisive climate, it often feels impossible to have meaningful discussions with those who hold opposing views—whether at the holiday dinner table or in the workplace. Bob shares practical strategies for navigating disagreements with grace, avoiding emotional reactivity, and fostering genuine connection—even when tensions run high.

The Confidence Cultivator is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode we talked about:

* Why so many conversations escalate into personal attacks—and how to stop it.

* The Ransberger Pivot technique for reframing discussions to find common ground.

* How to respond (not react) when faced with inflammatory statements.

* The secret to changing minds—without manipulation or aggression.

* When to engage—and when to walk away.

Whether you're trying to communicate better in your personal life, in business, or online, this conversation will give you tools to defuse conflict, build trust, and make your message heard.

Watch or listen for a masterclass on influence, persuasion, and the power of respectful dialogue with Bob Burg.

Here are some of the resources we shared in this episode:

* Bob’s books

* Saleswise Live™

* The Go-Giver Success Vault

* Jeff West’s books

* Let Them Theory

* Living Untethered

* Russell Moore, former editor of Christianity Today, on modern “Christians” calling the teachings of Jesus “weak.”

* Donn’s books

* Free short story: “Writing Home: A Short Story About the Real Final Frontier”

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who needs to hear this.

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance! You can also subscribe for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

Thank you for your patience! We broadcast the episode as scheduled last Friday, but we’re just now posting the show notes and feeding the audio to those outlets. But this was a conversation worth waiting for!

The Alignment Show welcomed back Lizbeth Meredith, a writer, speaker, and resilience advocate whose journey has inspired audiences worldwide. You may remember her from Episode 76, where we explored her compelling memoir and the strength it takes to reclaim one’s life. In this episode, she returned with exciting news—her latest book, Tilka Faces the Odds, is soon available in audiobook format!

The Confidence Cultivator is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Remember her from that past episode?

This is the followup!

Among the things we discussed:

✔️ The behind-the-scenes process of recording an audiobook—the challenges, surprises, and victories along the way.

✔️ Why Lizbeth chose to narrate her own book and what it means to bring Tilka’s story to life

✔️ The resilience and reinvention that shape both her writing and her life.

✔️ How storytelling empowers us to navigate life’s unexpected turns.

✔️ A glimpse into her upcoming projects, including a travel memoir and an anthology highlighting solo travel as a path to healing.

You can access some of the following resources we discussed:

* Tilka Faces the Odds

* Pieces of Me

* Grounded in Grit

* Life 101: Everything We Wish We Had Learned About Life in School - But Didn't

* Donn’s books

* Saleswise Live™

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance! You can also subscribe for free

OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who could benefit from hearing this. Do them and us a favor!

We had a great conversation this week with Joanna Penn, despite challenges facing your host.

We originated the podcast from my daughter’s hospital room, and so the audio quality of the intro and outro isn’t up to our usual standards. Plus, although the promo went up on our video channels, our subscribers did not get the notice of the upcoming episode, for which I apologize! Plus again, stutters in the video feed led to a less-than-optimal experience on the video channels.

I’m going to re-edit the video and post it on the video channels so that folks who prefer video will have a better experience, but I wanted to go ahead and post this to the list for those who prefer audio. When we have the new videos up, I will send you a brief message, and I will then point this post to those better videos.

Why did I want to get this out rather than just skip this episode, especially since we’ve said the podcast has become irregular? Because it featured Jo Penn, and we had already announced it. Jo is a trailblazer in independent publishing, a pioneer in Kindle publishing, and a forward-thinking creator embracing the role of an AI-assisted artisan author. She writes craft books to support writers as Joanna Penn, and fiction, travel, and memoir as J.F. Penn. With nearly 40 books to her name under both “Penn names,” her impact on modern publishing is unmatched.

Her craft books, like How to Market a Book and How to Write Non-Fiction, are must-reads for anyone serious about writing and publishing in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Now, Joanna is back with a completely rewritten and updated second edition of How to Write Non-Fiction, tailored to meet the needs of modern writers in the digital age.

We were privileged to host Jo in January 2024, just around a year ago…

…and we’re thrilled to welcome her back for another insightful conversation. Get ready to learn from one of the most innovative voices in the writing world as we discuss her journey, her creative process, and her vision for the future of publishing.

Resources we discussed include:

* Episode 46 of The Alignment Show.

* Joanna Penn’s website for writers and online bookstore for writers.

* J.F. Penn’s website for her work and online bookstore for fiction, memoir, and other projects.

* We referenced Midjourney as the tool Jo has used recently to aid in cover design.

* We also talked about her use of Runway.ml to produce video.

What drives a leader to keep serving, even after an accomplished military career? Meet Dennis LaRue—Air Force veteran, leadership coach, and a man dedicated to helping others rise to their full potential.

Thanks for reading The Confidence Cultivator! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

I’ve had the privilege of getting to know Dennis through The Go-Givers Success Vault, the thriving community built around The Go-Giver principles. From the start, he has impressed me—not just with his deep leadership knowledge, but with the way he teaches it. He has a gift for making leadership practical, personal, and powerful.

Dennis spent 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, earning accolades for his problem-solving expertise and strategic insight. But instead of coasting into retirement, he leaned into his passion for leadership development. Now, as a Maxwell Leadership Team coach, an adjunct faculty coach at the University of Denver, and a Values-Based Leadership specialist, he’s helping leaders at every level—from young professionals to the C-Suite—lead with clarity and purpose

In this episode, we explore Dennis’s journey from military service to leadership coaching, his passion for values-driven leadership, and the principles that have shaped his mission to empower others.

Among the items we discussed:

* Dennis’s website

* Dennis on LinkedIn

* #steeltoesrequired, Dennis’s newsletter

* Donn’s books

* Saleswise Live™ and their upcoming training

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone—maybe a veteran, maybe someone else wanting to grow in leadership—who would benefit from this conversation. Do them and us a favor!

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance! You can also subscribe for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.

Ever had one of those moments where a “five-minute fix” with technology turns into two hours of hair-pulling? In this solo episode of The Alignment Show, I share a recent run-in with Photoshop that pushed me right to the edge of giving it all up—computers, creative work, even publishing.

But behind the exasperation was something deeper:

* What do you do when the tools you depend on start draining the joy out of the work?

* How do you know if it’s just a temporary frustration—or a sign it’s time to lay something down?

* And how do you keep the spark alive in the things you love?

I tell a story (with a little humor, a little honesty, and a nod to my AI sidekick “Lizzie”) about nearly tossing my laptop into the lake. More importantly, I invite you to reflect on how you handle those breaking-point moments in your own life.

🎧 Listen in, and then let me know: How do you deal with that kind of frustration?

Watch the video on YouTube:

You can hear audio versions of this podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack. Catch the show notes at DonnKing.com/96.

Sponsors for this episode include:

* Val Tews and Butterfly Copywriting (DonnKing.com/Butterfly)

* Donn’s books, including info on Creating While Caring: Practical Tips to Keep Creating While Caring for a Loved One, coming out before the end of September (DonnKing.com/Books).

Remember that we have moved our home over to our new site at TheAlignmentShow.com. We encourage you to subscribe there!

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive the following bonus material for each episode:

* The “Big Takeaway”

* A bulleted summary of the episode

* Practical tips from the episode

* A quote to ponder

* A topic index with timestamps

Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books as well as a sponsorship message on the podcast at least once a month.

That’s our way for saying “thanks for the support!”

Note: if you accidentally subscribe on ConfidenceCultivators.com (which used to host the show), I will comp you the equivalent subscription on King’s Chronicles, the new home of The Alignment Show.

For over 30 20 years, Lois Creamer has shaped the professional speaking industry more than almost anyone else—yet most people outside the business have never heard her name. This week on The Alignment Show, I sit down with Lois, a longtime friend and mentor, to explore her incredible journey of helping speakers book more business, maximize their impact, and thrive in a constantly evolving industry.

Unlike many of my guests who have made bold career shifts to align with their values, Lois is a rare example of someone who has always known her values and has built a legacy by staying true to them while continuously adapting. From her early career in sales and marketing to becoming the go-to consultant for professional speakers worldwide, Lois has invaluable insights for anyone looking to make a living from their expertise

We talked about her origin stories—her foray into entrepreneurship as a pre-teen, her unexpected opportunity to learn sales with U.S. Steel, and her discovery of her ability to serve clients in a very niche business. Although she has been highly influential and successful in her niche, her insights for building a sales business on relationships and integrity will serve anyone in business.

Things we discussed include:

* The recent release of the updated edition of her highly influential book, entitled Book More Business: Make MORE Money Speaking.

* An earlier book by Lois and her co-author and book coach, Cathy Fyock, for both speakers and writers, called The Speaker Author: Sell More Books and Book More Speeches.

* More information about our sponsor, Saleswise Live™, a program that fits perfectly into Lois’s approach of never engaging in pushy sales.

* Get a free short story as a sort of sample for Donn’s writing. A lone astronaut. An impossible coffee shop. A story that shouldn’t exist—yet might hold the key to the universe itself. Download “Writing Home: A Short Story About the Real Final Frontier” for free.

* Find all of Donn’s books here.

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

Do a friend a favor.

Make sure you don’t miss an episode.

Thanks for reading The Confidence Cultivator! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This week, I’m joined by Tracy Rees, an educator, coach, and founder of Authentic Pathways Coaching and Consulting. I've known Tracy for years, and she’s always sought to help others grow. Now, she’s expanding her impact by blending her passion for teaching with the power of coaching.

We dug into her journey of professional growth, what led her to launch her own coaching business while still teaching, and how these two roles complement and strengthen each other. If you've ever wondered how to expand your impact and serve others in new ways—this conversation is for you!

Though we recorded the interview a few months ago, her journey remains current. Her coaching aligns perfectly with the goals of The Alignment Show, helping people identify and follow their values for a valuable life.

Resources we discussed include:

* A link that will stay current as Tracy continues to build out her website and means of contact: DonnKing.com/Tracy.

* I missed sharing Tracy's comment (live) during the broadcast, but she reminded me that you can reach her by email at authenticpathwayscoaching@gmail.com if you have questions or would like more information. Check that out!

* Our shows sponsors:

* Saleswise Live is coming up again in early April.

* Find all of Donn’s book at DonnKing.com/Books

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others!

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who could use this encouragement. Do them (and us) a favor: share it freely!

Thanks for reading The Confidence Cultivator! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Last week I had a great interview with Jo Penn on The Alignment Show. But we had tech issues. I wanted to make a better version available for solopreneurs and writers. Here I'm uploading a higher quality version. The video links below will point to replays of the original broadcast (except for the “extra” YouTube link), but you can see the recut version on Substack. If you’re listening to the audio podcast, it is the audio from the recut version.

Joanna Penn is a trailblazer in independent publishing, a pioneer in Kindle publishing, and a forward-thinking creator embracing the role of an AI-assisted artisan author. With nearly 40 books to her name—spanning fiction, nonfiction, and short stories—her impact on modern publishing is unmatched.

Her craft books, like "How to Market a Book" and "How to Write Non-Fiction," are must-reads for anyone serious about writing and publishing in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Now, Joanna is back with a completely rewritten and updated second edition of "How to Write Non-Fiction," tailored to meet the needs of modern writers in the digital age.

We were privileged to host Joanna in January 2024, and we’re thrilled to welcome her back for another insightful conversation. Get ready to learn from one of the most innovative voices in the writing world as we discuss her journey, her creative process, and her vision for the future of publishing.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* Facebook

* YouTube (broadcast)

* YouTube (recut)

The resources we discussed include:

* Runway.ml for video

* Midjourney

* Michael Bungay Stanier episode on Jo's podcast

* The Creative Penn website

* Creative Penn books

* J.F. Penn books

* Donn’s books

* Donn’s free short story, “Writing Home” (aka, “The Cheese Sample”)

You can support the show. Just Buy Me a Coffee—now with the option of monthly support. Thank you very much for helping me continue to help you and others!

You know someone this episode would inspire. Do them a favor.

Make sure you don’t miss shownotes or episodes. It’s free!

Thanks for reading The Confidence Cultivator! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

In this episode, we dive into an inspiring conversation with Bill Dickinson, a renowned executive coach who has spent over 30 years transforming leaders across industries, companies, and nonprofits. Drawing on his 25 years as a Roman Catholic priest, Bill shares how his deep study of leadership and authenticity not only shaped his work training other priests but also sparked a profound personal realization. When his passion for authenticity revealed he wasn’t living authentically himself, Bill made the courageous decision to leave the priesthood. Now, he channels his unique journey into helping others embrace their calling and develop impactful, authentic leadership. This is a must-listen for anyone seeking to lead with purpose and integrity.

We talked about these and other resources:

* Saleswise Live™ is having another go-round, this time virtually so you don’t have to worry about travel! If you’re reading/watching/listening before 20 January 2025, you can get in on the training for 29-31 January. Never fear—if you’re reading this after that, the plan to hold one about once a quarter.

* You can find almost all of Donn King’s books at DonnKing.com/books. Plus, for a limited time you can check out Donn’s style as well as the flavor of “The Sparklight Chronicles” and get a free short story at DonnKing.com/FreeWritingHome.

* Reach Bill by email at bill.dickinson@c3leadership.org.

* Check out his company’s website at https://www.c3leadership.org/.

* Get a copy of Bill’s book, Optimizing Self: A Guided Workbook to Elevate Your Impact as a Leader.

* Connect with Bill on LinkedIn.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

Plus, this is the first episode where we share not just the audio, but also the video right here on Substack. Let us know what you think about that!

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

Want to help support the show? We will soon turn on paid subscriptions here and open up a Patreon with extras. Or you can just Buy Me a Coffee (which has options for ongoing support as well).

You know someone struggling with similar issues. Help them out!

Make sure you keep up with future guests and never miss the show notes.

It’s a rare guest whose life story leads to an actual movie, but that’s true for today’s guest! Her memoir inspired the TV movie “Stolen By Their Father.”

In this episode, Lizbeth shares:✨ How her work with trauma survivors prepared her for her own challenges.✨ The harrowing journey of reclaiming her children after their abduction.✨ The shocking discovery of her own kidnapping as a child—and the resilience it sparked.

As I said in the observations, the particulars of Lizbeth’s story is so rare, you might look at it and think you can’t relate. But Lizbeth and every guest on “The Alignment Show” demonstrates in their particulars something useful to us all, i.e., how to harness resilience. You will find something here that will encourage you in your own journey, and that’s what we’re all about.

Resources in this episode include:

* Lizbeth’s memoir, Pieces of Me.

* Her book aimed at helping people develop their resilience, Grounded in Grit.

* Her latest book, embodying the Alaskan phrase about the view from a woman’s standpoint regarding the skewed ratio of men to women in Alaska, “The odds are good, but the good are odd,” Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time.

* The book that includes an essay from Lizbeth, Goodbye For Now: True Stories of Life, Love, and Loss.

* Lizbeth’s website, LAMeredith.com.

* Lizbeth’s YouTube channel, “Tame Trauma and Build Resilience Through Story.”

* Donn’s books, DonnKing.com/books.

* The new free (for now) short story from Donn, DonnKing.com/FreeWritingHome.

* The upcoming virtual edition of Saleswise Live™.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

Someone you know needs to hear this. Share it with them now!

Make sure you don’t miss an episode and its show notes!

Thanks for reading The Confidence Cultivator! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Even the most negative experiences can yield lessons that have a positive impact. The Alignment Show returns with an extraordinary interview featuring Yankel Meislin—a man whose transformative journey grips the heart and inspires the soul. Whether you’re religious or not, Yankel’s story of redemption, resilience, and rediscovery delivers powerful lessons for anyone seeking personal growth.

Yankel grew up as a secular Jew, thriving in sports and community life, until temptations from the streets pulled him off course at 14. By 19, he dealt drugs at such a high level that he hired a gang-affiliated bodyguard to protect him. When his family issued an ultimatum—leave “the life” or lose them—he chose to turn his life around.

He entered rehab and threw himself into 12-step programs, where he began a spiritual journey reconnecting him with his Jewish roots. Serendipitous encounters with a Chassidic Rabbi deepened his faith and led him to embrace the Chassidic way of life. Today, with 16 years of sobriety, he inspires others with his story and example.

Resources mentioned include:

* Yankel’s book, The Journey to Oz.

* Ignite Your Flame Coaching.

* Upcoming Saleswise Live™—hurry, the next one is at the end of January 2025!

* Brand new free short story in the Sparklight Chronicles series, “Writing Home.”

* Donn’s books.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack. We’re happy for audio listeners, but more and more we’re able to share comments that are only available in video, so you may want to check one of these out.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who could use this encouragement.

We’re publishing on an irregular schedule, so it’s even more important than ever that you subscribe to make sure you don’t miss an episode and learn about upcoming guests.

As the subhead says, this is embarrassing. This is what happens when a) you deal with ADHD, and b) you break from your normal routine.

“Your promo says Oct. 9, Donn, but this post seems to be nearly a month later, Nov. 8,” you say. And you have a good point. What happened is that we actually broadcast the episode on Oct. 9, as planned. But just yesterday as I came here to set up the next episode, I noticed that we had never posted the replay and show notes for Episode 74. (And by “we,” I mean “I.” It’s all my fault.)

Doh!

So, late though it is, here is the info for that episode, because it provides a good bridge into what follows. As I write this, I’m getting the next broadcast ready, and I’ll tell you about that in a later post. In any case, here is the material for Episode 74.

In this solo episode I talked a little about what’s happened the last couple of months and what the plans are for the future. We have several episodes already recorded, and plans for more. Plus, as I mentioned in our last episode, we have some format changes coming up. The brief version: episodes will be recorded rather than live (though we will take advantage of live streaming to release episodes, and I’ll do my best to be on at the same time so I can help get your comments posted and responded to during the broadcast). The length of each episode will be shorter. And the release time for each episode will vary week to week—and I’ll talk about why, and why we’re running counter to the usual advice about “consistency,” later.

As always, though, you can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn Live (note: the replay seems to be having problems—you may need to watch one of the other options)

* Facebook Live

* YouTube Live

Thanks for reading The Confidence Cultivator! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

You have probably moved residences more than once. You probably thought about it for a long time before doing so, and found it stressful. A few of you have moved to a different state, fewer still to a different country.

Rachael Herron moved halfway around the world and managed it all within six months or so—during the height of the pandemic! And then she wrote a book about it.

I will guarantee you that if you listen to this conversation, you will gain encouragement for your own challenges and difficult decisions. You will even learn a bit about managing your fear, how to differentiate fear you should pay attention to from fear you should transcend, and insights into taking steps instead of leaping into the void. We even touched on transforming from stuff owning us to us owning stuff .

We’re taking a pause after this episode, so be sure to take advantage of this deep, engaging conversation!

Folks, we talked about a bunch of things this week. They include:

* Rachael previously came on the show to talk about her journey into becoming a full-time author. You can hear it on Episode 43.

* We talked about several best-selling books we both know, including one called Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers.

* We also mentioned Quit by Annie Duke.

* Another great memoir is Educated by Tara Westover.

* Of course, we talked about Rachael’s books. Her latest is her memoir about moving from the United States to New Zealand, entitled Unstuck. It’s more than a memoir. It’s also a great guide to experiencing the freedom of choice, even (maybe especially) when you think you have none.

* Rachael has a bunch more books, too. We specifically talked about A Life in Stitches: Knitting My Way Through Love, Loss, and Laughter and Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours.

* You can find all of Rachael’s books in one place at her website especially for said books. Her main website has a lot of good information as well.

* Join Rachael’s Patreon, where you will get all kinds of solid information on writing of various kinds as well as the opportunity for a ridiculously low price to join her writing community.

* Rachael’s newsletter also shares great insights on writing.

* Rachael has a long-running podcast, currently called “Ink in Your Veins.” You can find it on your favorite podcatcher, but I like to get it on Rachael’s YouTube channel.

* Saleswise Live is coming up September 22-24, 2024 at The Ben Hotel, West Palm Beach, Florida. Along with the fantastic principals of Bob Burg, Jeff West, and Kim Angeli, they will have special guest Richard Weylman.

* My list of books is growing! Bookmark DonnKing.com/books to stay up to date.

If you gain value from the show, consider supporting our work by buying me a coffee. Special thanks to those of you who have bought more than one, and who have signed up for ongoing support. You help me continue to help you and others!

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

Share this with someone who needs the encouragement. It’s free, and they will thank you!

Make sure you get show notes and don’t miss upcoming guests. We’ll be back the first week in September!

Despite some technical challenges, we had a great conversation with Kim Angeli this week. Kim has had a stellar career in entrepreneurship and sales built on the foundation of genuine relationships. You can see something significant in her approach in her coaching and business by the fact that she has never made a cold call. She continues to coach multi-million dollar executives, and recently began serving as one of the three experts featured in Saleswise Live. Her entrepreneurial journey, like most, has had its ups and downs, leading her to base her practice in cultivating gratitude.

Among other resources we discussed:

* The Power of Who: You Already Know Everyone You Need to Know by Bob Beaudine

* The Power of Focus by Jack Canfield

* 100 Proven Ways to Acquire and Keep Clients for Life by Richard Weylman

* Timely info: next Wednesday, July 17, at 2 PM Eastern time, Kim will, along with Bob Burg and Jeff West, offer a free preview of the upcoming Saleswise Live. Mention the code “ALIGN” in the “Questions and Comments” box, and I will send you free ebook copies of The Way of the Three-Year-Old Why and Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In, the first two books in the Sparklight Chronicles.

* Or if you just want to check out copies of either book, find them here.

* If you get value from this podcast, consider supporting what we do with a one-time payment or set up ongoing support at BuyMeACoffee.

Remember that we will have no broadcasts in August as we retool for a different format. But stay tuned for more of The Alignment Show!

Next week, our guest will be Cristina Bianca Harsan, a native of Romania now living in the United Kingdom. Despite a thriving career as a translator and interpreter, she felt a deep emptiness and longing for more. This led her to explore Reiki and Tarot, which helped her find healing and spiritual growth. Through these practices, Cristina found peace and a deeper sense of connection, enriching both her personal life and professional work. We will talk with her about her journey through multiple changes, lessons you can use in navigating your own journey.

You can catch video replays of Kim Angeli’s conversation at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who needs this shot of energy! Don’t keep it to yourself!

Make sure to get show notes and info on upcoming guests. It’s free!

This week we talked with Vanessa Judelman, who is president of Mosaic People Development. For over twenty years, Vanessa has helped clients develop leaders who inspire great results. She started as an assistant at a training company and worked her way up through almost all the roles, learning every aspect of business from the ground up. She then started her own company. From her experience working “in the trenches” herself as a leader, she teaches her clients a very practical approach to leadership that she has used to develop her own high-performing teams. We talked about the insights she learned from her time teaching high school through her own school of experience in effective leadership and how she now does that for clients. Our conversation will help you mine your own experience to help you live your values and value your life.

Among other resources, we talked about:

* Mosaic People Development, Vanessa’s home base for making a huge difference to her clients.

* Connect with Vanessa on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessajudelman/; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessajudelman/; X: https://x.com/MosaicPD

* Vanessa’s book, Mastering Leadership: What it Takes to Lead in Today's Fast Paced World.

* Donn’s books.

* Saleswise Live will have their second gathering in early September. If you work in any profession that involves influencing people (sales, consulting, ministry, politics, lots of others), Saleswise Live will help you help others. It costs nothing to check it out, so take a look.

If you receive value from our podcast, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. It helps me keep on helping you and others.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who could use this inspiration. Don’t keep it to yourself!

Make sure you don’t miss the show notes or upcoming guests. It’s free!

Jennifer Pierce spent decades climbing the corporate ladder—investment banking, HR, and commodities trading—before realizing she wasn’t living true to her values. Burnout and loss pushed her to recalibrate her life and eventually find her calling as a leadership coach.

In this conversation, Jennifer shares her honest reflections on imposter syndrome, the difference between therapy and coaching, and why true alignment comes when we stop just naming our values and actually live them. She also reveals how a painful personal turning point helped her embrace authenticity, service, and connection.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to make a change, or if you’ve felt the tug between security and purpose, Jennifer’s story offers encouragement—and a reminder that we’re all just walking each other home.

Watch the video on YouTube:

You can hear audio versions of this podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack. Catch the show notes at DonnKing.com/95.

Resources included in this episode include:

* Jennifer’s website at JenPierceCoaching.com.

* Jennifer on LinkedIn.

* Our sponsors for this episode:

* Saleswise Live™

* Butterfly Copywriting

* Donn’s books, including Creating While Caring, due to be release within September 2025.

Remember that we have moved our home over to our new site at TheAlignmentShow.com. We encourage you to subscribe there!

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive the following bonus material for each episode:

* The “Big Takeaway”

* A bulleted summary of the episode

* Practical tips from the episode

* A quote to ponder

* A topic index with timestamps

Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books as well as a sponsorship message on the podcast at least once a month.

That’s our way for saying “thanks for the support!”

Note: if you accidentally subscribe on ConfidenceCultivators.com (which used to host the show), I will comp you the equivalent subscription on King’s Chronicles, the new home of The Alignment Show.

We talked this week with Shannon Crotty about how she got started publishing a magazine, and later jumped in with both feet to found a a global connection company called Polka Dot Powerhouse, aimed at fostering friendships and business relationships among women. Her community includes members from the US, UK, Canada, Europe, and Australia, and it all started (and continues) because of the support from her sister, Tina, who passed away in 2010.

She has distilled her experience in a book entitled No One Is Peeing in the Deep End: A Survival Guide for Launching a Dream. Shannon completely exemplifies persistence in following your heart, the core of living your values so you can value your life. Follow along for this inspiring conversation that will help you in whatever matters to you!

Among the things we talked about:

* Find Shannon’s book on Amazon.

* Check out Polka Dot Powerhouse.

* Check out Shannon’s website to work with her as a speaker and to watch for her upcoming book on forming friendships in adulthood.

* Connect with Shannon on Instagram.

* Connect with Shannon on Facebook.

* If you need to influence people in your life (and who doesn’t?), you owe it to yourself to see if Saleswise Live will help you serve better.

* If you haven’t already read one of the Sparklight Chronicles books, check them out. You will find support for your own journey, and it never hurts to look.

Thank you to those who have supported the show already! If you get value from the show or from an episode, you can Buy Me a Coffee, which helps me continue helping you and others

.You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who could benefit from hearing Shannon’s story. Don’t keep it to yourself!

Make sure you don’t miss an episode. The subscription is free!

We didn’t get finished last week! Jim Stovall has so much more going on, we wanted to dig more, and we had the opening. So this Friday we dug deeper into how Jim has taken steps to honor his highest values by structuring his life for that. Last week was fascinating! This week was as well. We talked quite a bit about beekeeping (and if you think, “I’m not going to keep bees, that doesn’t matter to me,” think again. There are all sorts of life lessons in there!), a little bit about water coloring and creativity, and a good bit about the podcast Jim co-produces (just like with the bees, don’t discount this because you don’t podcast). Life lessons, I’m telling you!).

Things we talked about include:

* Jim’s website, including a sign-up for his weekly newsletter, a fascinating compendium of observations about famous writers, baseball, bees, fishing, and life. Plus, he shares one of his watercolors every week.

* The Writing for the Mass Media textbook

* Kill the Quarterback novel

* Point Spread novel

* Vietnam Voices: Stories of East Tennesseans Who Served in Vietnam, 1965-1975 (five book series)

* Civil War Combat Artists and the Pictures They Drew (five book series)

* Heads and Tales: Caricatures and Stories of the Famous, the Infamous, and the Just Plain Interesting, a book that brings together insights like those published in his newsletter, including watercolors and caricatures of those on whom he focuses. Here’s the book cover:

* The upcoming Saleswise Live

* The Go-Giver Success Alliance (check back to see when they’re accepting new applications)

* All of Donn’s books

* (Note: Jim has other books he doesn’t even list any of these places. We’ll share some of them in next week’s show.

* If you get value from this show and would like to support it, you can Buy Me a Coffee (or several). That helps me keep helping you and others. Thank you to those who already support in this way!

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who would enjoy this interview. Don’t keep it to yourself!

Keep up with upcoming guests and show notes. It’s free:

We’re a little late getting the replays and audio podcast posted this week. After a great episode live Friday morning, I managed to have a hard fall in our home and injure the knee of the same leg that has had an ankle brace for a year. The brace protected the ankle, but worsened the effect on my knee. (I’m OK. X-rays confirm nothing is broken, but getting the medical attention took a chunk of time I usually use for editing and posting the audio.)

As long as I’m inserting “editorial comments,” I’ll go ahead and say that this interview fascinated me so much, we didn’t get more than halfway through. And so Jim has graciously agreed to come on next week as well, when we will continue the conversation and delve more deeply into his current podcast and other interests, including beekeeping and water color.

Now, on to the regular show notes.

Jim Stovall has influenced my life (as well as the lives of thousands of journalism students) in multiple ways for almost 35 years. He has worn many hats, including that of a beekeeper and watercolorist, and now in retirement continues to pursue the things that matter most to him. The author of multiple books who helps other authors with their books, he now humbly describes himself by saying, "I work with First United Methodist Church to help produce a daily devotional podcast titled Grace for All." We had a fascinating conversation with Jim that will help us all learn more about living your values to value your life.

The resources we discussed include:

* Jim’s website

* The Writing for the Mass Media textbook

* Kill the Quarterback novel

* Point Spread novel

* The upcoming Saleswise Live

* The Go-Giver Success Alliance (check back to see when they’re accepting new applications)

* Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In

* All of Donn’s books

* (Note: Jim has other books he doesn’t even list any of these places. We’ll share some of them in next week’s show.

* If you get value from this show and would like to support it, you can Buy Me a Coffee (or several). That helps me keep helping you and others. Thank you to those who already support in this way!

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who needs to hear this.

Make sure you don’t miss show notes and upcoming guests. It’s free!

I tell my clients and students that the primary skill we teach in communications training is adaptability.

We had to adapt today. Our intended guest was Lee Zimmerman, who ran into tech issues. We will reschedule Lee for later—you will want to hear his story.

Instead, today we dealt with a lesson learned about adaptability, and we also shared some updates and news about the show

Among the items we discussed:

* We plan to take the month of August off from doing episodes, and July will be spotty.

* We are moving to doing recorded interviews instead of live, and we will keep the show to 30 minutes or under.

* We plan to be back in September, or maybe October.

* The Go-Giver Success Alliance is currently not accepting new members, but it’s worthwhile keeping the link handy for when they open up again.

* We’re offering a new box set of the first two books in The Sparklight Chronicles along with the series prequel and the bonus chapter for each book, just in time for Father’s Day. It includes Brewing Inspiration, The Way of the Three-Year-Old Why, and Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In for a special price. This special edition is only available through our store.

* You might be interested in other formats for one or more of my books. You can find them all at DonnKing.com/Books

* I mentioned a book that gave me a key concept. It’s called Life 101, and it’s a little hard to get. It doesn’t seem to be available in ebook, for instance, maybe because it came out in 1990 or so. But it gives some interesting insights.

Because of the difference in this week’s show, I edited the audio version more heavily than usual to make it tigher. You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who needs to hear this!

If you would like to support our work here, you can Buy Me a Coffee. That helps me keep on helping you and others

Make sure you don’t miss upcoming guests or show notes!

We just had Channie Marston on the show a couple of weeks ago. We didn’t get finished! I expect you received plenty of value, but we wanted to dig more, and so we brought Channie back on to talk more about the flexion points that brought her through her journey. In fact, we talked for slightly over an hour—the longest episode of our “half hour program” yet. The time flew by, and it will be worth your time—it will help you on your own journey! For instance, we talked about the critical junctures in her life as she climbed out of poverty and determined to be self-sufficient and break the generational pattern she could easily have fallen into.

We also talked about self-care, and about serving the needs of elders—and most of us will need to do that at some point, and all of us (unless you die young) will experience.

So no matter who you are, you will find useful insights and material in this episode.

It’s worthwhile watching on video since we share QR codes and such, but you can always pull this into your favorite audio podcatcher and listen in while you do dishes or take that morning walk.

Resources we discussed include:

* Channie on LinkedIn

* Channie’s business on Facebook

* Her upcoming website (still under construction at broadcast time)

* Email is currently the best way to reach out to Channie: ccm@ccmarstonandcompany.com

* She even shared her phone number—significant since that makes it easier for a portion of the older population: 865-260-9898.

* Check out The Go-Giver Success Alliance for the most effective support group for achieving your life goals.

* Check out Donn’s books—they make good gifts as well as support you in your own journey.

If you get value from this podcast, you may want to support the show with either a one-time contribution or ongoing support. You can easily Buy Me a Coffee.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who could use this encouragement.

Make sure you catch future episodes and keep access to the show notes!

Our conversation this week featured Vince Vawter, originally from Memphis before working in newspapers in Memphis, Evansville (Indiana), and Knoxville (Tennessee). He worked at every level of a newspaper from obituary writer through managing editor and on to president and publisher. At a time when most would contemplate retirement, he wrote a Newbery Award-winning novel, followed by two more in the trilogy. Stuttering is a central theme in all his books because, as he says, "It has been a central theme in my life." We talked with Vince about his inspiring journey that features insights into working, lifelong learning, facing fears, balancing the things that matter to you while letting go of what other people think, and more.

[Editor’s note: yes, that’s the correct way to spell Newbery Award.]

The things we talked about include:

* Vince’s website, where you can learn a little of his background and see the three books he wrote, as well as a highly informative Q&A.

* Vince’s books on Amazon.

* The community we mentioned, The Go-Giver Success Alliance, is worth checking into. It helps provide the kind of support that we brought out in the episode, i.e., you need someone to believe in you, and you make a huge difference to others when you believe in them.

* Donn’s books, The Way of the Three-Year-Old Why and Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In. Bookmark the page, since the next three books (and, no doubt, others) will show up there as well.

* Support the show! You can Buy Me a Coffee one time or ongoing support. That helps me help you and others.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* Facebook

* YouTube

Please give us some feedback! Rate the show on any of these platforms, and we would appreciate any reviews.

You know someone who needs this encouragement. Share it freely.

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I've been getting to know Channie Marston, and everywhere I turn in our town I find her involved in either go-getter business development or civic-minded community activities. Plus, I can tell that there is no separation between those two. For her, business IS service. As the founder and owner of C.C. Marston & Company, she says, "I champion with you through the beautiful journey of Elderhood." Through a harsh early experience growing up on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, she learned the value of self-sufficiency (“No one is coming to rescue you”) as well as the value of honoring our elders. There is a silver thread running through her diverse experience (including cybersecurity, gardening, and eldercare). How she got here is a fascinating story that will inspire you in your own journey.

Resources we discussed include:

* Channie’s email address: ccm@ccmarstonandcompany.com where you could order a copy of her cookbook even before it shows up on Amazon.

* Channie’s website (not live yet, but will be soon, maybe by the time you read this).

* SALESWISE LIVE ™ is a two-day sales event where you’ll discover the roadmap and actionable strategies that work today. Claim your spot at this exclusive, luxurious event. They do NOT teach manipulation, but service and genuine connections/relationships.

* We talked about multipotentialites and multidisciplinary people. Although the concept had been discussed years earlier, the term “multipotentialite” originated with Emilie Wapnick in 2015.

* Check out The Go-Giver Success Alliance, an extremely affordable, highly valuable community of support.

* Donn’s books, including both The Way of the Three-Year-Old Why and Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In, available in ebook, paperback, and hard cover from the store of your choice.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

If you get value from this publication and would like to support it, either through a one-time gift or ongoing, you can Buy Me a Coffee.

You know someone who would thank you for connecting them with this.

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We have an incredibly inspiring episode for you today that you won't want to miss! 🌟

In this soul-touching conversation, we sat down with the extraordinary Tim Brand, a true embodiment of what it means to be mission-driven. 🙌

Throughout his life, Tim has consistently made decisions and taken actions that align with his unwavering values. His dedication to making a positive impact on the world truly inspires me. 🌍❤️

In this episode, we dive deep into Tim's journey, exploring how he co-founded the non-profit organization Many Hands for Haiti. 🇭🇹 By leveraging his exceptional business skills to serve the nonprofit sector, Tim has fulfilled a sacred covenant he made with God: to be involved in Haiti for the rest of his life. 🙏

But that's not all! Tim also shares intimate stories about his father and the profound life lessons that have shaped him into the remarkable person he is today. 👨‍👦 In his recently published book, Standing on the Shoulders, Tim pays a heartfelt tribute to his dad, revealing how his father's passion for Haiti planted the seeds for his own lifelong commitment to the country. 📚

If you're looking for a podcast that will inspire you, challenge you, and remind you of the power of living a purpose-driven life, then this episode with Tim Brand is an absolute must-listen! 🔥

Tune in now and prepare to be moved, motivated, and uplifted by Tim's incredible story.

Among other resources, we discussed:

* Tim’s book, Standing on the Shoulders: A Legacy Story of a Father, a Son, and Life’s Greatest Gifts.

* The Many Hands Impact website, a hub for the many projects Tim and associates have created.

* Our sponsor, Saleswise Live, is closing in on their unmatchable training coming up. What we didn’t share during the episode: Register by May 12th and your two hotel nights are included (over $600 value)! So if you’re waiting to register, you might want to move ahead with it. Learn more here.

* Even if you’re not attending Saleswise Live, you will benefit from The Go-Giver Success Alliance, which had cost close to $100 a month. But Bob Burg and Kathy Tagenel wanted to make it available to more people, and so they have revamped the community so they could offer it at just $37 a month at the time of this posting.

* Pick up the book that inspired Saleswise Live, even if you can’t attend the event. Streetwise to Saleswise: Become ObjectionProof™ and Beat the Sales Blues will help you in your work and family life no matter your profession.

* For other books that also support you in living your values to value your life, check out Donn’s books in The Sparklight Chronicles series.

If you get value from the podcast, consider supporting our work. You can Buy Me a Coffee and receive our gratitude.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

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* Facebook

Someone you know needs to hear this conversation.

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The world is filled with unexpected connections. My high school English teacher, Mrs. Fortner, helped launch me as a writer, one of the first people to recognize my writing ability and to encourage me to pursue it. Over 50 years later, I came across a Facebook post that led me to a novel written by Mrs. Fortner’s daughter, Nancy Fortner Hall, who still lives in our home town. When she could have just kicked back in retirement, Nancy published her first novel in her late 60s and then kept going for her second. We talked with her about what writing teaches her now and how she took the leap that few ever take and stuck with it to completion—and how she keeps going!

Things we talked about in this episode include:

* Nancy’s author web site

* Nancy’s author Facebook page

* Tilted, Nancy’s first novel and the first in the Tilted series

* Burn Bright, Nancy’s second novel and the second in the Tilted series.

* Donn’s books, including The Way of the Three-Year-Old Why and Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In

* Time is running out to get into the life-changing experience of Saleswise Live.

* Check out the fostering community that is The Go-Giver Success Alliance.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

If you receive value from this podcast, you may want to support us one time or ongoing. It’s easy to do. You can Buy Me a Coffee!

You know someone who may think it’s too late for them to pursue the things that matter most to them. They need to hear this episode!

Make sure you don’t miss upcoming guests.

I warned you earlier this week. Indeed, I fanboyed over today’s guest. J. Kevin Tumlinson is an award-winning and bestselling novelist, and a prolific podcaster and public speaker. He calls himself a writer of fast-paced, hopeful fiction, and he certainly is that. I find him fascinating for a number of reasons, including that but also because a) he's done a lot of fascinating things, and b) he represents the essence of defining your values and changing things to align with them. We talked about a lot of those things, like the three years he and his wife spent traveling the country living fulltime in a van, his burnout, and his taking a big chance to refocus his life on the essence of who he is. He says, "I’m a writer, first and foremost, and most of all." We probed that process, and we also talked about the mindset that lets you view change not as a threatening thing, but a hopeful thing, especially when you feel like life is not worth living. If you missed the live show, we invite you to come along for the conversation in our video replay or audio podcast.

This episode went long, right at an hour, but that’s because I kept finding fascinating things to probe into. I believe you will benefit from listening in on this wide-ranging visit.

We talked about a bunch of different resources, really, and among them were:

* Kevin’s website that brings together pretty much everything he does.

* Kevin’s books, including the next Dan Kotler archeological thriller, The Forgotten Rune set for publication on 15 May 2024.

* The Wordslinger podcast (on YouTube)

* The Wordslinger podcast (on Substack)

* The Writer’s, Ink podcast

* Draft2Digital, one of the best ways for independent authors to publish their books wide to all major retailers and libraries

* We talked about a book Kevin read called Solve for Happy. I didn’t have this in the email, but I hope to make this resource available in the show notes.

* Saleswise Live. At its core, sales is about humans connecting with humans. The sales professionals who are extremely successful in today’s post-pandemic, technology-crazy, economically uncertain world are those who have taken their relationship-building skills to the next level. Saleswise Live, scheduled for June 2-4, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida, is designed to foster the ability to genuinely connect.

* Donn’s books, including Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In, the latest in The Sparklight Chronicles.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn Live

* YouTube Live

* Facebook Live

We had intended to Livestream to Instagram also, but the host had what we used to call “a short between the earphones” in radio. In other words, I forgot to hit the button. (Unlike the other channels, the Livestream to Instagram has to be started separately just before going live with all the others.) We’ll try again next week.

You know someone struggling to deal with change or seeking the courage to follow their heart. Support them by sharing this episode. And wherever you join us, please like and subscribe, and if you’re so inclined, a review would help others find us so we can keep helping you.

Don’t miss show notes, and find out about future guests.

Editor’s Note: We are setting up a new publishing workflow, which means we may have a few glitches in the next few episodes. Thanks for bearing with us, and email donn@donnking.com with any problems or issues you have.

What happens when a global supply chain strategist, author, and TEDx speaker turns his focus from corporate success to soul-deep purpose? In this inspiring conversation, Andy Bhattacharyya—founder of AI-driven sustainability firm Amplo Global—shares his journey from engineering and ESG compliance to mentoring vulnerable youth and writing fiction that champions resilience.

Andy reveals:

* Why he blends fiction and nonfiction to teach values-based leadership

* How sustainability is evolving beyond compliance into purposeful business strategy

* The personal “life versions” that shape his choices and drive his legacy

* Stories of overcoming vulnerability, from trafficking prevention to mentoring future leaders

Whether you’re navigating a career pivot, seeking more meaning in your work, or curious about the intersection of business, storytelling, and purpose, Andy’s insights will challenge you to think bigger, and act with intention.

In this episode we talked about:

* Andy’s new venture, LeadWithAndy.com (we never got the QR code in the video, but this will take you right to it.

* Val Roskens Tews and her Butterfly Copywriting business, one of our sponsors. Find out more at DonnKing.com/Butterfly.

* Donn’s books, including the upcoming release of Creating While Caring. Find out more at DonnKing.com/Books.

Remember that we have moved our home over to our new site at TheAlignmentShow.com. We encourage you to subscribe there!

If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!

You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive the following bonus material for each episode:

* The “Big Takeaway”

* A bulleted summary of the episode

* Practical tips from the episode

* A quote to ponder

* A topic index with timestamps

Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books as well as a sponsorship message on the podcast at least once a month.

That’s our way for saying “thanks for the support!”

Note: if you subscribe on ConfidenceCultivators.com, I will comp you the equivalent subscription on King’s Chronicles, the new home of The Alignment Show.

This week we have a solo show to talk about The Way of the Three-Year-Old Why and, especially, Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In. Both books are in The Sparklight Chronicles, and both are business parables that foster the underlying theme of The Alignment Show, i.e., living your values to value your life. Our focus will be on the lessons coming out of the books, designed to support you in your own journey.

The resources we mentioned include:

* The Go-Givers Success Alliance is the group we frequently mentioned, a supportive community where we help each other in seeking to serve more effectively. The Go-Giver has touched millions of lives with its story about how much more fun, fulfilling, and profitable business — and life — can be when you shift your focus from getting to giving. Bob’s mentorship community helps do that.

* Saleswise Live is the two-day transformational sales conference with Bob Burg, Jeff C. West, and Kim Angeli that we mentioned.

* The Go-Giver book

* Streetwise to Saleswise

* Said the Lady with the Blue Hair

* Simon Sinek’s book, Start with Why

* The Kolbe System

* Clifton Strengthsfinder 2.0, the most economical way to discover your strengths.

* Peg Duchesne and BANKCode

* Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, the source for metaphor of the elephant and the rider.

* My books you can find at your favorite bookstore.

* The Way of the Three-Year-Old Why (on sale for just a couple of days!)

* Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In

* Dunning-Kruger effect

* Free first chapter of Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You can support our work with ongoing support or just a one-time donation. And thank you!

You know someone who could use these life lessons. It’s easy to share this along with a brief note, e.g., “I think you would get value from listening to this.”

Make sure you don’t miss show notes or upcoming guests.

Brenda Yoho has spent a career in education, working as a teacher in grade K-5, an assistant principal, an elementary principal, and a middle school principle before reaching district level leadership as Director of Educational Support Services. Along the way she has battled Crohn's Disease, survived a lightning strike, overcome breast cancer, and come back from a near-fatal car accident. She recently published a book entitled Lead with Two Rules, and we talked with her about how those two rules have changed lives for hundreds of teachers and thousands of students.

Among the resources we talked about:

* Brenda talked about the impact the murder of Jessica Roach had on her and her community. Here is a story about the crime and its aftermath.

* Brenda has had a close relationship with researcher and bullying expert Dorothy Espelage. Her books include Bullying Prevention and Intervention: Realistic Strategies for Schools, Handbook of Classroom Management, and Feeling Safe in School: Bullying and Violence Prevention Around the World.

* Brenda’s book is Lead with Two Rules: Feeling Good & Feeling Safe. It not only distills her insights but also includes dozens of pointers to resources for implementing them.

* Donn’s newest book in The Sparklight Chronicles is Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In. Learn about all his books at Books2Read.com/DonnKing.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

Someone you know needs this inspiration for identifying core values and persisting through challenges.

Make sure you never miss show notes and upcoming guests.

You don't have to be in a bad place to realize it's time for a life change. Angelique Liles loved her work as leader with a top insurance company, and just realized after 18 years it was time to move on to the next step in her journey. Now, she empowers business leaders and their employees to unlock their natural talents and strengths to increase team productivity and goal clarity. We had a great conversation that will help you and literally en-courage you to not only determine your own next step, but take it.

Among other resources, we discussed:

* Angelique’s website

* Reaching Angelique on LinkedIn (we didn’t actually discuss this, but we should have)

* We mentioned the Clifton Strengths

* Find Donn’s books, including his newest, Medium Well, now available in print (be careful with price, though—some retailers have it marked at an inflated price).

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack. (Note we had lots of comments shared on the screen that we couldn’t share in audio since the interview was pre-recorded, so you might want to check out one of the video replays.)

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You need this, and you probably know someone else who also needs the nudge or the encouragement.

Make sure you don’t miss episode show notes or upcoming guests with equally encouraging conversations and insights. It’s free to subscribe, and you can pledge your support for future benefit and additional goodies.

Talk about following your values! Wulf Moon has known pretty much his whole life that he is a writer. But growing up in an abusive household, he didn't get support for that—far from it! His dad told him he would never be any good as a writer. Despite the challenges, he stuck with it under the encouragement of a teacher who recognized his ability. He published his first science fiction story when he was fifteen. It won the national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards–the same contest that first discovered Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, Peter S. Beagle, and a host of iconic names in the arts. It became his first professional sale in Science World.

Since then he has won over 40 awards in writing and over 30 in public speaking, and he has shared his knowledge with the world in several forms (we will link to some below). Hear how he weathered the barriers and navigated the extreme challenges to live his values and value his life.

Among other resources, we talked about:

* How to Write a Howling Good Story, Wulf’s new book that distills all his writing wisdom. Read about it on his website or get it on Amazon or any of many other retailers.

* Wulf’s Patreon community, Wulf Pack Writers.

* Mark Leslie Lefebvre, who was a guest on The Alignment Show recently, published Wulf’s new book through Stark Publishing.

* Wulf mentioned Dean Wesley Smith, a prolific writer who shepherded him around a major convention and encouraged him as a writer. Dean has written dozens of books, including Writing Into the Dark.

* We briefly discussed a “hippie classic” called Das Energi by Paul Williams. You might have an interest.

* Donn’s new book is out! You can get an ebook directly from him, or pick up an ebook or print edition from any number of retailers. You can keep up with all of Donn’s books as they are published at Books2Read.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* Facebook

* YouTube

You know someone who doesn’t get a lot of encouragement and could use a story like Wulf’s.

Make sure you get show notes with relevant links, and keep track of upcoming life-changing conversations!

What a wild ride this episode was! We had a technical glitch in the middle of the live episode because I lost power about 20 minutes in. The video replays still have the frozen moments (and what an awkward expression froze on my face!), but we edited the audio version since dead air that is “audio only” is really, really challenging to listen through. At least with the video, you can see what Kim is doing, and she handled the unexpected interruption just fine!

That’s not the most important part of this episode, though. Kim Farber, the Founder of ELEVEN11 Real Estate and Academy, is dedicated to empowering others to reach their greatest potential, and you can hear that throughout our conversation. Kim is committed to sharing her knowledge, guiding others on their journey of transformation, and developing a deep connection with their authentic and highest selves. She strives to empower others to embrace their full potential and lead heart-centered lives. She impresses me as someone working in one of the most pragmatic industries (real estate) determined to practice in a way that aligns with her core values, while also helping others call forth something similar from their own hearts.

Resources we discussed include:

* Kim’s Real Estate website, Eleven11RealEstate.com.

* Kim’s Eleven11Academy.com.

* A shout out to the podcast run by Yermi Kurkus, “The Exceptionally Irresistible Show,” from which we “borrowed” a question.

* The release of Donn’s new book, Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In. At showtime, the book is only available through Donn’s store at a 25% discount for the ebook. That link will continue to update as print versions become available and the ebook reverts to regular price.

You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone who could benefit from Kim’s example and encouragement.

Make sure you keep up with upcoming guests and get the show notes!

I have been listening to and benefiting from Mark Leslie Lefebvre for a long time in several different roles. He has been a bookseller (yes, children, real books printed on paper and such), an author, a professional speaker, a podcaster, a corporate asset, a publisher.... He's done a lot of things! But there is a thread that runs through it all, through his own creative writing and as an enabler of other writers. We had a conversation with another of the people that I fanboy over (I hope you enjoy those as much as I do), and, in the process, shared insights that will help you live your own values.

I will also say in passing that Mark exemplifies commitment. He did this episode live despite having strep throat because of his commitment—you might even say because of his commitment to commitment. I think he is the poster child for fulfulling your promises, and I appreciate that in him.

Resources we talked about include:

* Mark’s website, including links to all his many books

* The website for Mark’s podcast, Stark Reflections (one of my three “must listen” podcasts every week)

* We specifically mentioned Wide for the Win, Mark’s guide to avoiding all the actual and potential problems of putting on all your book eggs in one basket

* My upcoming book release, Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In (that link will stay current for whatever is happening with the book when you read this)

You can catch the video replay at any of the following channels, with audio versions available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

Someone needs the unique encouragement of this episode, and you know who they are.

Make sure you don’t miss future conversations to help you live your values to value your life.

Both of these gentlemen have been on The Alignment Show before. Each is a best-selling author. Each is impressive all by himself. They have teamed up to bring forth a new business parable that combines their superpowers. This is what the Avengers would be if they were authors. We had a great conversation that delved into what brought them to this partnership. Their insights can help you in your own journey, whether in business or in personal life.

Among the many resources we discussed are:

* Some of Bob’s books

* Endless Referrals

* The Go-Giver series

* Some of Jeff’s books

* The Unexpected Tour Guide

* Said the Lady with the Blue Hair

* Their current book together, Streetwise to Saleswise

* An impactful book entitled Go for No, another business parable that teaches a related mindset.

* The Go-Giver Success Alliance

* Jeff’s website

* Bob’s website

* Donn’s website

* Donn’s books

* The Way of the Three-Year-Old Why

* First chapter of Medium Well

* Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In

You can catch the video replay at any of the following channels, with audio versions available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* Facebook

* YouTube

You know someone who could benefit from this conversation!

Make sure you don’t miss upcoming episodes and always have easy access to the show notes.

It's hard to put a description on Matthew Brackett. Just as a small example: he can conduct conferences in any one of three languages. He came from a small town in New England, but he has worked in leadership, educational, and consulting roles in Italy, Ireland, England, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico. He served as a chaplain in the United States Navy. He is a certified coach and speaker who has completed graduate and post-graduate degrees in theology, counseling, and leadership from universities in Rome, Chile, and Pennsylvania. In an age of specialization, Matthew serves effectively as a sort of human Swiss Army knife. We had a fascinating conversation about what led him from that small town to engage a big world, and how he now uses the challenges he faced in life to help others face their own challenges.

Among resources we discussed:

* The many resources Matthew shares

* Matthew’s website

You will want to bookmark those and come back—he is getting ready to launch a course that will help you to live your values and value your life.

In addition, you can get the first scene of Donn’s new book that is on the verge of publishing. No obligation—see if the story grabs you! Here’s a bit about it:

When Skye Jackson starts her new job at the hospital, she wants nothing more than to fit in. But she makes a startling discovery—she can communicate with comatose patients in a way no one else can. At first doubting her own sanity, Skye finds herself helping doctors understand their nonverbal patients better. 

But as Skye tries to make sense of her strange talent, she faces skepticism and lack of understanding. When her conversations are misunderstood, she fears she could lose not only her job but her own sense of reality. Worst of all, Skye begins to doubt herself. With no one to believe in her unique ability, Skye may betray her true potential, at the cost of her life.

Medium Well is a story of self-discovery, perseverance, and learning to accept unconventional strengths. It explores what happens when one must believe not just in inexplicable events, but in one's own ability to rise above limitations, both external and internal. If you enjoyed the books Still Alice and The Vagrant, you will love Medium Well.

You can catch the video replay of our conversation with Matthew Brackett at any of the following channels, with audio versions available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

You know someone facing life’s overwhelm who would benefit from this conversation.

Make sure you learn about upcoming guests and get access to show notes. Don’t miss the community!

When I joined The Go-Giver Success Alliance, the first person I met (after Bob Burg and Kathy Tagenel) was Anna Kantzavelos. She and her husband, Tony, purchased and have grown a compounding pharmacy—which may seem a strange business decision for a market dominated by chain pharmacies, but one that has enabled them to serve their customers in unique ways and connect with them on a personal level. Anna exemplifies values-based living. We had a wide-ranging conversation about how those values of family and service have shaped their lives, and how they're shaping their next chapter. Like you, Anna and Tony reached inflection points. They made decisions, took calculated risks, built on their complementary strengths, and learned.

Among other things, we talked about:

* Nora Apothecary, the compounding pharmacy they bought nine years ago and built into a thriving person-centered business

* Anna’s LinkedIn profile, a great way to connect with her.

* We mentioned 10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy.

* I couldn’t remember the name of the author whose guidance we quoted from “The Indy Author Podcast.” It was Kristina Adams, who was Matty Dalrymple’s guest on episode 225, “Right-Timing Your Release Strategy with Kristina Adams.” (To tie into our mention, Kristina is the source for the advice to evaluate your activity by asking three questions, “Is it fun? How much energy does it take? Is it making me money?”)

You can catch the video replay at any of the following channels, with audio versions available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* Facebook

* YouTube

You know someone who could use the inspiring vision Anna Kantzavelos shares.

Keep up with upcoming episodes and make sure you get the show notes with useful links and join the community of people seeking to live their values to value their lives!

We had such a great conversation this week with Deborah Kevin, the founder and chief inspiration officer of Highlander Press. Deborah loves helping change-makers tap into and share their stories of healing and truth with impactful books. She’s guided hundreds of authors to craft and publish impactful books they are proud of. Debby, a Stanford University’s Novel Writing program graduate, graduated in 2021 with a master’s degree in publishing from Western Colorado University, and she has used her marketing and technical skills along with her experience as a writer to bridge the gaps that authors face. You don’t have to be an author to learn from her example of identifying your values and aligning your life around them.

Among other resources, we talked about:

* The Highlander Press website, including resources to help you decide on the best option for publishing (I can verify: it is without hype).

* Deborah’s website, which brings together her speaking, consulting, and podcast work.

* Deborah’s book, You've Written Your Book. Now What?: A Self-Publishing Guide for Entrepreneurs

* Deborah’s LinkedIn.

* Get the first scene of Donn’s next book, Medium Well: The Journey from Believing to Believing In, releasing in March 2024, for free.

You can catch the video replay at any of the following channels, with audio versions available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

Share this with somebody who needs the encouragement to follow their own values!

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Andrea Waltz doesn’t just teach people to embrace rejection—she embodies it. In this episode, we sit down with the co-author of the enduring bestseller Go for No! to explore the bold mindset shifts behind her work, the 25-year legacy of a powerful little parable, and what compelled her and husband Richard Fenton to finally write a sequel.

This isn’t just a conversation about sales. It’s about risk, courage, creativity, and the emotional grit it takes to do work that matters. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a writer, a solopreneur, or a professional in transition, Andrea’s insight will nudge you to rethink your relationship with failure, and maybe even chase a few more no’s yourself.

👉 Tune in to hear the behind-the-scenes origin story of Go for No!, how fiction became a powerful teaching tool, and why mindset, not tactics, is what really gets in the way of meaningful action.

* Find the original Go for No! Yes is the Destination, No is How You Get There

* Get the sequel: Go for No! The Sequel

You can get links to video or audio versions of this episode at DonnKing.com/93. Or (if you're seeing this in email), just click on the headline to watch or listen via your Substack app, which is probably the best way to watch/listen to either format.

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Kevin O’Connor has been a writer most of his life. After all, you don’t earn a Ph.D. without developing some serious writing abilities. Now in his 70s, Kevin desired to open up another creative channel. He recently published Two Floors Above Grief, adding yet one more venture to his impressive resume, and he is planning more books. We talked with him about his journey from growing up in the family funeral business through his career as an educator and speaker, and coming back to the insights of the role of funeral professionals in helping people manage grief.

Resources we talked about include:

* Kevin’s current book on Amazon, Two Floors Above Grief.

* Kevin’s website.

* Kevin’s email.

* Kevin’s Facebook.

* Kevin’s LinkedIn.

* Kevin’s Goodreads page.

* The Nonfiction Book School with Stacy Ennis.

You can catch the video replay at any of the following channels, with audio versions available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

We had a wonderful conversation with important insights for anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis or similarly challenging diagnosis—in fact, for anyone facing an unexpected crisis!

Deb Krier is a coalition builder and warrior rewriting the playbook on how to L.I.V.E. with cancer. Diagnosed with Stage 4 Triple Positive Breast Cancer in 2015 and then with thyroid cancer in 2023, she is on a mission to ensure that we are no longer “fine” with cancer. She is using her experience and expertise to kill cancer with honesty, communication, and collaboration. She advocates for everyone involved, from the cancer Warrior to their friends and families, and even the medical personnel who support them.

By the way, for weeks we have been talking about The Way of the Three-Year-Old Why, but you might like to know the next book in the Sparklight Chronicles series will be out in March. Get the first scene free of charge to see if it sounds interesting! Go to DonnKing.com/MediumWellFirst and grab your copy!

We talked about keeping going in the face of a life-threatening diagnosis, self-care, adapting to the new reality, dealing with the well-meaning but misplaced advice from friends and family, and advice for how to help someone when you are the well-meaning friend or family member. We also talked about the best use to make of “Dr. Google” as well as when to do so, and how to manage the dreadful time between a test and a reported result. And we talked about the importance of matching your doctor’s personality and approach to your very human needs, and how to advocate for yourself.

Among the resources we talked about were:

* Deb’s website, TryingNotToDie.live. Their logo is so cool, I hate that I neglected to put it in the video, so here it is for you in this space.

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* Deb’s email address, deb@debkrier.com

* The home for Deb’s podcast, The Business Power Hour with over 900 episodes, closing in on 1,000! TheBusinessPowerKour.com/

* Deb on LinkedIn

* Especially if you would like support on your own cancer journey or know someone who would, here’s a pointer to the Facebook group or search for tryingnottodie-LIVE.

You can catch the video replay at any of the following channels, with audio versions available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack.

* Facebook

* YouTube

* LinkedIn

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In my experience, we always have great conversations with our guests, but I have to say, “Wow!” this week. I can only imagine what it would have been like for me as a writer if I had taken the route Harrison Stockeland did in high school. Harrison is an American author whose take on the crime-thriller genre has been termed “twisted originality.” Incorporating real historical events and environments into his fiction novels is Stockeland's signature style. Though The Alignment Show isn’t particularly a writer’s show, I have to admit we geeked out a bit about the process, and whether you have any writing ambitions or not, there is solid material here to encourage anyone pursuing their own journey in whatever field!

On The Alignment Show, we focus on how people identified what’s important to them and aligned their lives around that. Harrison did that quite early. We talked with him about how he discovered that at such a young age as well as the challenges facing young writers.

One little tweak: since we broadcast live, I haven’t tried fo “fix” the videos on the following channels, but I did have a bit of “brain flatulence” toward the end of the episode. Despite what you might see in the video, our guest next week will be Deb Krier. We also look forward to talking with Deborah Kevin on Feb. 16.

Resources we discussed include:

* Harrison’s website, where you can purchase copies of either or both of his books and get signed copies.

* Harrison’s LinkedIn.

* Harrison’s Instagram.

If you prefer getting books from Amazon, here are links to Harrison’s books:

* Watch It Burn (Kindle edition)

* Watch It Burn (print edition)

* November’s Whisper (all editions)

Interested in checking out The Way of the Three-Year-Old Why? Find where it’s available here.

Not sure if you will like the way Donn writes? Sample a free short story.

You can catch the video replay at any of the following channels, with audio versions available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack. (The audio version has been “fixed” to include more information about Deb Krier.)

* LinkedIn

* YouTube

* Facebook

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Jo Penn is the perfect example of assessing what matters most and taking action to achieve that. As Joanna Penn, she has pioneered independent publishing practically from its inception and guided authors in the craft and business of writing. As J.F. Penn, she is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author. She’s also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. I have followed her for years, but I learned a lot more about her and her journey in this conversation. We explored how she has regularly pivoted to live her values and value her life. I told you to prepare for me to fanboy, and unashamedly I did! And we still had a conversation that will inspire you with memento mori—“Remember, you will die.” That’s a more effective way to say it than, “Life is short, get on with it.”

Jo is a true Go-Giver, providing lots of resources. Among other things, we talked about:

* The Creative Penn, Jo’s flagship website focused on self-help for authors (this is a true resource treasure).

* The Creative Penn Books for authors.

* J.F. Penn is Jo’s outlet for writing beyond her creative output for writers. This includes her thrillers and other fiction, but also Pilgrimage, her deeply personal memoir, and where you will find her Gothic cathedrals book when it is ready.

* Since Jo has over 40 titles published, if you mostly order books through Amazon it might be helpful to see a listing there of books published under both Joanna Penn and J.F. Penn.

* Jo mentioned Dean Wesley Smith as a guide for discovery writers. One of his many books that addresses that very thing is Writing Into the Dark: How to Write a Novel without an Outline.

* We talked about the S curve when it comes to change, and Jo referenced Seth Godin’s book, The Dip.

* Jo also mentioned a book entitled Undisruptable by Aidan McCullen.

* We’ve mentioned Scrivener on our show a few times. It is absolutely one of the best tools for writers. You might wonder why you need it if you already have Word. If you’re going to write anything longer than a magazine article or a blog post, you really need to check it out to see for yourself.

* Do you like print books? Did you know that 75 percent of book sales still are for print books? Bookshop.org is a great resource for that. You can order print books, usually at a slight discount, and support either your local bookstore, independent bookstores in general, or my work as a writer. I have listed a few of Jo’s books as among my favorites.

You can catch the video replay at any of the following channels, with audio versions available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack.

* LinkedIn

* Facebook

* YouTube

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