Episodes 198-204
Episode #198: Dennis Matthew
Episode #198: Dennis Matthew (podbean.com)
Dennis Matthew is an elementary school speech pathologist, singer-songwriter and author. For over 20 years Dennis has had the joy and honor of working with children in public schools and through non-profit work.
In 2018, he launched his authorship, bringing children’s stories integrating social emotional wholeness, language enrichment, critical thinking, conflict resolution and character development to life.
His published works so far are “Bello the Cello”, “My Wild First Day of School”, and “How Grizzly Found Gratitude”. He is also a singer-songwriter with a published music album for schools called, “The Let’s Roar Experience”. Through his books and music Dennis has reached tens of thousands of students worldwide since 2018.
He eagerly looks forward to hearing from you, to work with your school community to spread joy through story and song!
Trench story: Inception of his authorship, emotionally/prof (summer of 2017). Was in a dry spell. Lost joy of working in education, was mundane. Was also unemployed. Started writing story he’d had in his mind about cello for over 10 yrs. Now he’s been on his journey 4 years- 50K books distributed. It helped him find a regenesis. Has found a joy again. Let’s work in education to inspire writing.
Choose one of your children’s books to highlight and talk about on the podcast-He wants to see students identify with emotions of characters. Not surface-level stories. He wants kids to be self-aware. Regulate life circumstance. SEL wholeness. Purpose #2- wants them to be resources for the CR. Wants educators to feel like they can work off it for a month. “Bello the Cello”- emo conflict is “what is my life’s purpose?”. We can plant the seed with the youngest of students to have them start asking “what are my strengths? Kids are never too young for that. “What is my life’s song?” main ? in the book. Where do I fit in is a ? all adults even think about. Character of moon & Miss Melody point Bello in right direction. You don’t find your way on your own. Discovering larger narratives of life. From educator perspective- ark of story, facets of characters. He’s hoping educators will collaborate with each other. F.ex. using art lessons. He writes for 2 purposes-culturally responsive, SEL.
Getting books to kids thru the LLC: mostly public schools most get a hold of him thru website, social. Go to (booksbydennis.com) he’s distributing out multiple 100’s of boxes to schools. He likes playing the role of sending the books out. Has mobilized 45K books to schools since 2019. Right now is just targeting bulk purchases. Communicates with educators across the nation throughout the day- supt, principals, media directors, etc. He directs others to go to Amazon. He has sales come in through personal connections. Hasn’t really done much marketing. $300K/ in 3 yrs.
During the pandemic, did 250+ virtual visits. Just wrapped up 2 weeks of in-person visits. It’s up to the school if it’s an assembly- he does music and reads his books- 45m/1hr. One the assembly is done usually leaves. Sometimes he has sent the books beforehand. Prek-5. It all comes down to what the school is looking for. Had 1000 students or 2 tune in. It’s about opening their eyes about what literature, music can be. He tells kids there is no substitute for hard work.
Journey as an elementary school speech pathologist to songwriting. Started dabbling in songwriting in HS. Didn’t go anywhere. Once book sales took off, he added songwriting component. He had an affinity for language & accents. Over the 16 years as SLP, he’s heard kids tell him their stories. He realized he could start creating stories. Takes lessons from stories & puts them to music. Song about gratitude for “How Grizzly Found Gratitude”. They all feed each other. 2 FT gigs.
Marketing-how did company take off? He had to do a lot of leg work. He did book fairs when first started out. Promoted on social media. Lots of hard work-it is like a marathon. Word of mouth. He’s doing everything, dad helps him some. Builds genuine friendships w/ educators beyond the books. Personal connection he maintains sometimes for 1-2 years until they buy the books. Pandemic facilitated mass distributions. He doesn’t charge for presentations, but the schools buy the books. It’s ultimately kids who receive the benefit of all this. 50K target will be hit in Sept/Oct. State allocated funds used for books. “Don’t be a vendor, genuinely care about ppl you sell books too”. He lets relationship grow over the course of yrs. Writing stories has evolved into educators across the country becoming friends of his. Plant seeds for the long haul.
Key quotes: Everyone has a story to tell. Be inspired by listening to someone else’s but ask yourself what story you have w/in you. Get that story out there!
Where can ppl find you? Children’s Author, Songwriter, Educator, Oklahoma City (booksbydennis.com) @storiesbydennis Twitter @booksbydennis IG FB: DennisMatthew
View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/60OTlsBgRhE
Episode #199: Kristen Eccleston
https://outofthetrenches.podbean.com/e/episode-199-dr-kristen-eccleston/
My next guest is Dr. Kristen C. Eccleston (aka The NeuroDiverse Teacher). Her areas of passion, expertise and research focus on examining adolescent mental health impairments in the education environment, and she is well versed in the needs of the neurodiverse brain. Additionally, her professional experiences include in-class teaching at the secondary levels and designing and directing a specialized program for secondary students with mental health needs (check out her YouTube video).
She has a Doctor of Education in Mind, Brain, & Teaching from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Science in Special Education from Johns Hopkins University, and a Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Hood College. Currently, she’s an Adjunct Professor at Towson University in their Secondary and Special Education Graduate Programs and work as an Education Consultant to families and education technology companies. She’s a National Board-Certified Teacher, Exceptional Needs Specialist, and holds an Advanced Professional Educator Certificate.
Trench story: was a sped teacher for almost 20 yrs. Last post was as a Secondary Program Specialist. Then a director for sped, designed for students with mental health (MH) needs. She now works as an educational advocate. Had 58 students when it should have only been a 48 student program. St’s would have otherwise been put in private placements. Needed academic supports. St’s who were showing schizophrenia, self-harming signs. Had 1 social worker for entire program. Was putting out fires. More of a central office issue. Principal was great. Felt very alone, in trenches. Had worked with bringing in truant students to school. It was a $ saver for the county.
Talk about her edu consulting through Weinfeld Education Group. Director of SEL servies there. She is a partner, directs SEL services there. Trench story was awakening. It needed to be bigger than her small piece of the world. Predominantly works with students who have MH issues. White House had a press release about youth mental health crisis. School doesn’t have to be favorite thing in the world. Schools don’t refer out to, mostly it’s families, child doesn’t get services in school. Does brain development, advocate, expert witness work. Helps corporations as well.
Was a director of sped (for Montgomery County PS, outside D.C.) was a program specialist. She felt like you were constantly having to fight for procedures, processes, why we’re doing it this or that way. Prior to the pandemic there was a struggle but it’s now gotten worse. You felt like “ugly stepchild”. A principal early in her career said “you chose to be sped teacher, you should expect to be hit by students”. Was treated like a 2nd class citizen.
She hosts The Neurodiverse Podcast-released every Friday: She has guests, mix of authors, influencers, or ppl who are neurodiverse themselves. Had Clarissa Burt- top model. Hamish Hallot, promoter of auditory processing disorder. It’s about youth to connect with other educators who are neurodiverse. See how ppl have managed to be successful. “I don’t want to be different or seen as different”. She wants to share “stand out” message.
Doctoral research in mental health setting- why some students are not identified. Pieces that came out- t’s not having a good understanding around what MH is and what it looks like. Most teachers want to learn more, understand. They need to be provided the time to see what it can look like. Legislators aren’t spending time with students. White House plan wasn’t about helping teachers.
Edu advocacy aspect-areas she’d like to share- links around MH & neurodiversity. It comes down to a lot of neurodiverse st’s don’t fit into one size fits all education. A lot of those kids tend to do very well. Have parents validate their strengths. Once they get to post-secondary they will find their own. A lot of neurodiverse people mask their differences. F.ex. Simone Biles.
Out of everything…you are amazing individuals. Everyone else has things they’re dealing with. We’re all in this together. We need to come up with solutions to make this a better world.
Find Kristen online? www.theneurodiverseteacher.com IG/TikTok @theneurodiverseteacher
View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eSoeeTh2qh8
Episode #200: Road to Awesome Authors
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-yub9u-13215de
Join me for a live (recording) of the 200th episode of Out of the Trenches with Darrin Peppard, Dan Wolfe, Ashley Hubner & Melissa Wright. My guests were all previous guests on Out of the Trenches and are all Road to Awesome (RtA) authors.
Ashley Hubner: Ed Consultant who builds instructional effectiveness with districts. Author of Foundations of Instructional Coaching: Impact People, Improve Instruction, Increase Success, published September 2022.
Dr. Darrin Peppard: author of Road to Awesome, published in July 2020. Former principal & superintendent, now leadership speaker and consultant who coaches leaders in improving their school culture & climate as well as growing dynamic leaders.
Melissa Wright: HS Math and dance teacher in New Brunswick, Canada. Inducted into Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame this past summer. Author of Inspired: Moments that Matter, published July 2022.
Dan Wolfe: an Assistant Principal at Sunray Elementary in Pasco County, FL. Author of Becoming the Change: 5 Essential Elements To Being Your Best Self”, published June 2022. His principles are to Serve, Lead, Inspire. For more information on Dan, his book, blog, podcast and other podcasts he has been on please go to www.becoming-the-change.com/8258-2/.
(Unable to attend due to illness) Debbie Tannenbaum: Elementary School Tech Specialist in Fairfax County, VA. Speaker, blogger and author of TRANSFORM-Tech Notes to Make Learning Sticky, published in May 2021.
Getting your first book published and how the process looked for you.
DP: someone said, “just tell your story”. He’d met with a different publisher. Then made a connection with Code Beaker, May 2020- book was live 2 months later. Overnight to the next day, having a contract.
DW: started with his blog. Pandemic happened. What better time to go ahead & do it. The writing part flowed for him. RtA took a chance on him. He’d gotten 50 rejections. Threw pitch out to Darrin. He & Jess helped him promote. He’s been on 16 podcasts.
MW: process started over COVID. Took different turns. Didn’t submit a complete book. She had a pitch. Took 1 ½ year after contract was signed, until it was published.
AH: had fully written book. Left public ed, went from TX to FL. Had a lot of life change. There was no guidance for her to coach. She decided to dedicate it to instructional coaches who had the same role as her. Her advice was how to lead PD. Wrote every day over the period of a month. She met Jillian DuBois who suggested she reach out to Darrin. A lot of self-reflection. Toolkit for instructional coaches.
For those who have had their book published for over 6 months, what are your take-aways from the book launch, what would you have done differently to promote your book? What are you currently doing to promote your book?
DW: still promoting it. Learned thru Darrin that Canva is a great promo tool. Praise pieces. Ask anyone who’s bought it to promote it. Topic is always going to be relevant. He’s putting himself out there.
MW: had quotes out there before the book launched. Not everyone sees all your posts so you can reuse. Heard from those who had previewed book, non-educators have read it.
AH: was on several podcasts. Reached out to community in edupreneur space. FB groups in edupreenur space. Last night she launched Confessions of a Coach book study on FB. A few districts have bought got for their coaches.
DP: promoted during working as a superintendent. He got out & spoke @ conferences, first 1.5 yrs it was virtual. Authors miss that piece to turn your book into a workshop, keynote. You’re going to talk about that book for the next 2 yrs. Your msg becomes so sharp. BEEREDU was one of the first ones he was on. Convos about having your website- drive traffic to your website to collect email addresses. He & Mike Nagler will do a breakout session on “From Idea to Published” in March. You want to sell on your website. Not just family & friends. He’ll give away copies if someone wants to have him speak @ school.
Darrin, why did you get interested in starting the educational publishing company RtA? communication with other publishers. He thought he’d self-publish. When book was 4 months old. Code Breaker helped him get started. 18 mos ago. A point in his superintendcy he figured he’s want to do something different.
Talk about how you and your wife, Jessica, tag team to review, edit and publish books. Ideas come to Darrin. People pitch books- what are your goals for the reader? What do you want ppl to get out of your book? When they get the contract, talk about how to fit it into their timeline. It’s no longer about him & Jessica. It’s about fitting into other RtA books. Queue is like drag race. Dive into document. Deep in editing- mostly Jessica. They’re in it every day. Cover, etc is mostly her.
Where can people find each of you online?
DW: Book focuses on SEL-where you are today is different than 6 months. Cover has image of butterfly. We become the change in our own lives. Has written 800 blogs for Becoming the Change blog. Remember your why.
MW: journey as educator from 1st year teaching until now. Wants ppl to see themselves in the book. Positive or negative moments that can change their trajectory. Last chapter- find someone in their life that’s inspired them.
AH: Impact Ppl, improve instruction, impact cuss. Starts with building relationships. Knowing your teachers, help them improve instruction the CR. Happy teacher makes a happy Classroom.
DP: Road to Awesome, Journey for Kids. So many incredible authors. Left superintendent to grow leaders, He’s been able to watch ppl grow as entrepreneurs. He’s proud to be the leader of RtA family. He learned so much about us. Roadtoawesome.net also listen to his Leaning into Leadership podcast.
Episode #201: Mark Chartier
https://outofthetrenches.podbean.com/e/episode-201-mark-chartier/
Every day, Mark mentors students who must overcome serious challenges. But he knows they can persevere, because he did.
Growing up with Tourette’s syndrome, Mark had poor grades and demonstrated significant behaviors, but thanks to positive relationships with his educators, he was able to defy expectations and succeed in school.
As an adult, he sustained a brain injury and developed a significant stutter that made life exasperating. Despite these challenges, he went on to earn two master’s degrees and make an impact as a special education teacher.
He is a walking success story. Despite challenging disabilities, he built a prosperous career in education. Now, he wants to see others triumph over their individual obstacles. By sharing his journey through motivational speaking and his poetry, he educates others about diversity, advocates for individuals with disabilities, and motivates people to overcome serious challenges. Lives in Pueblo, Co.
Trench story: can share childhood & as teacher. He’d like to read 1-2 poems. Wasn’t diagnosed with Tourette’s before age 18 so didn’t get supports. Positive relationships with teachers. First tic at age 7 in ‘83. Lived in Long Island, parents split up. W/ mom several wks. She suffered from schizophrenia. Had a schizophrenic. binge. Mom would drive her all around NY state, even up to Montreal. She took them to ER, ran out the door w/in 20 m of being seen. He had tic when he had a spiral notebook, strummed it along his lips until they bled. It was his way of processing. Teacher trench- he shares poem. After episode w/ mom his dad regained custody. He did the best he could but was abusive physically & verbally. Mark had spent $30 on comic books. Dad kicked tar out of him. He had bruises on neck & cheeks. Brother’s friend made a DHS call, but Mark froze & lied. Shortly after he moved to CO. Reads his poem:
Bystander poem: As a kid he was on 1 side of DHS call, this poem was from his first year teaching. Tough being on the other side of DHS call. Has had to make several since.
What led you to become a special education teacher? He struggled as student in public school. He was a teacher’s worst nightmare. Got into fist fights. Very talkative. Part Tourette’s, part home environment. Moved to Co Springs age 15. His tics sometimes involved barking. The tics blew up when he moved to CO. Early on in Co Springs he got into a fight. AD grabbed him by the side of his face. He almost got expelled. Dad got the expulsion hearing dropped. Him & other guy did $1000 worth of vandalism. His AD didn’t try to expel him for this. He assigned him to detention for all his free time rest of year. Mrs. Suzy Tracy there- Mark formed a great connection w/. Inspired him to turn his life around. Next year he went to detention to spend time with Mrs. Tracy. Ffw to college, his 6th year, after his brain injury, he was able to get his B.A. What next? He decided he wanted to help kids who had similar struggles as him. He was after to earn M.A. in sped. Rather than being ruled by disability, he rules his disability.
What is the most rewarding part of being a special education teacher & how do your disabilities help/challenge your ability to be a special education teacher? his end-all goal is to teach them how to be ppl who embrace diversity. We recognize everyone’s differences. Story about a student. Moses “Most-us”. He asked his student about b/day and student said “every year”. “Different kinds of smarts”. One of his best friends has Down’s syndrome. His friend is great knowing all NFL teams to city. Different kinds of smarts.
How has poetry helped you deal with your disabilities? Mark offers poetry workshops after school. Offered to any student. Some of his sped students have participated- culminates in poetry reading. Was diagnosed w/ Traumatic Brain Injury and a Toxic Brain Injury.
Mark reads The Fifth Wall poem
What is the overall message to your motivational speeches? It’s the power of positive relationships. His kids work hard for him b/c of the relationships. He can talk about difficult relationships and how they have led him to be the person he is. Many great educators take the time but with challenges of covid, low resources, a lot of educators haven’t had the time to build the rapport.
How does your work as a special education teacher intertwine with your work as a writer, when did you start writing, publishing books? Talk book is Fingerprints”. Working on a 2nd book called Crosshairs. He is single, students are his babies so more time. Started writing as an undergrad. Wrote rhyme-scheme poems. His creative writing professor told him to write free verse poetry. Writing became his outlet. He kept working on it. When he got a job as sped teacher, he started writing more about teaching experiences. Made teaching & poetry into one. Sent out manuscript to several publishers, kept trying. His current manuscript is Crosshairs. Many have been picked up in literary journals & anthologies. He continues to grow as a writer. It’s like breathing for him. He thinks on a different level when he writes. Fingerprints spans 11 years of writing. 2nd section “Things that you want to tell your parents”. About his parents. About relationships-beauty of flawed relationships. Last section-about Tourette’s. Experience w/ doctor. Crosshairs include experiences teaching during covid. Some social justice pieces, 1 about George Floyd incident.
Professional speaking upcoming? He believes his messages are appropriate for anyone who wants to talk about power of relationship building. Did a keynote in AK for AK state sped edu assn. Spoken at Courage to Risk at Broadmoor. Is open to any event. Has poignant and witty anecdotes. Wants to help next generation of teachers, school executives.
Out of everything…2 things: 1) mantra to book- recovery is its own fingerprint. We have all sustained injuries, everyone is unique. Healing is unique. 2) he shares in classroom: never let your differences keep you from what you believe.
Find Mark online? www.teacherwithtourettes.com
The link is to my website which is used to advertise my motivational speaking ventures, my book, and my blog about my experiences with disabilities. Uses LinkedIn, FB. https://www.turningpointbooks.com/chartier.html
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-chartier-69821962/
View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VvqhU8aEwXw
Episode #202: Portia Y. Clare
https://outofthetrenches.podbean.com/e/episode-202-portia-y-clair/
Portia Y. Clare has been privileged to serve in developing the minds and character of children for over thirty years. A graduate of Duke University and Regent University, she maintains her love of learning and earnestly desires to empower the children who have been entrusted to her care. Simply put, Portia teaches because she values children. Her love of children and family compel her to write stories that will help them to recognize their importance, appreciate their value, and navigate through difficult life experiences. Creative writing has always brought her joy and writing children’s books has been her passion since childhood. Her most recent publication is Best Friends Forever: A Puppy’s Tale
Portia is the only child of the late Randolph George Clare, Jr. and Jane Easterling Clare. She was born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, and raised in Nassau, Bahamas. Her family relocated to Bennettsville, South Carolina in 2015, where she and her mother currently reside.
For more information about her books, school visits, presentations, and activities, please visit Portia’s website at www. portiayclare.com.
Trench story: probably when she was in the CR- moving to a different county, teaching kids who came from a diff. background from which she was accustomed.Moved from urban to rural setting. Challenged w/ finding a way to reach them. Was committed to helping them. It matters how we talk to ppl. Listened & understood what was important to them. Trenches got easier to get out of. Believed it was successful. Worked with colleagues, moved kids fwd. Every 7 yr. old is the same.
What inspired you to begin writing children’s books and how long had you been teaching before you began writing books? Dad had been talking to her about writing for a long time but hadn’t put anything down on paper. He said “do it now”. The conversation came to her mind to begin. Also, children inspired her. Recognized her quality. Challenging life experiences for kids. Loss of a pet. Best friends forever- a puppy’s tale. Autobiographical. Was a present to her on her 4th birthday. Dog was like a sister she never got. Her dad was transferred to the Bahamas and Sandy had become ill during flight, developed epilepsy. Different kind of relationship developed. 1 summer at her grandma’s, the dog had constant seizures. Sandy passed the next day. Grief was difficult. She needed to have convo with Sandy-dog years later. She got a boy puppy & different breed. Many students have gone through a process of grief with Covid. Book launched Dec. 8. 2021. She had been writing her entire life. Had been teaching for 30 yrs when the book was getting published. Her dad told her matter-of-fact “you’ve been talking about writing, have you done it yet?” It inspired her to write. He passed in June 2020.
Why is it important for you to share your message now? It’s primarily because she wants children to know who they are. They have challenging life experiences. Help with the subject of grief. Everyone experiences it. Kids don’t know how to process it when they feel a certain way. Recognize it’s ok to have those feelings. Kids need to have support of sorts. Tool/resource of care.
What are some ways to bring joy back into our lives after losing a family pet? things- 1) give kids an opportunity to have a conversation. Have convos with the child’s teacher about the loss of a pet. Make yourself open when you’re ready to talk about it with an adult. Perhaps more relaxing for t to hear about it, as a teacher is a bit more removed from the situation. 2) memory/treasure box. Get a plastic shoebox at Walmart. Decorate it with glitter. She has one for pet Sandy. We can go inside the treasure box & reflect on the memories w/ pet. F. ex.pictures, fragrances. go thru it with a kid. Think about good times they had with the pet. 3) Visit an animal shelter, move to the point we’re ready to have another pet. Can help to care for another pet. It exposes them to pets again. Community we build around them will help.
What is your message of encouragement and support for families that have lost a beloved family pet? It’s ok for grief to take as long as you need it to take. Grief is different for every person. It lasts as long as you need it to. Sometimes people aren’t ready to have the convo. No right or wrong way. Memories you have you’ll share forever. You can introduce new friends to pets who have passed through sharing memories. Don’t force it. Trust it will happen when it’s supposed to. Community of people surrounding you. Sometimes acting out, anger will come first.In time, it will get better. Family will begin to smile again w/ memories.They need an opportunity to remember, share memories.
What is the most difficult part of your writing process? editing. She wanted to share so much. Initially she began to write her memories. Wanted to form a dialogue. Editor helped her say what she needed to say without using so many words. Realized there’s a balance between words & illustrations. She used an illustrator Ms. Lisa Alderson who did a phenomenal job of sharing the character’s emotions. Each edit became better.
Do you do virtual readings for schools? Has been solicited. Children were engaged, excited. Has read in person @ her school. Enjoys the ?’s/convo’s kids had. They became immersed.
Out of everything…every person is valuable. We need to help children recognize their value. Covid changed how we function. Everyone responds to love. Use your gifts, talents to serve. Be mindful of how you speak to children. Give good to them, through your talent.
Find Portia online: http://www.portiayclare.com This link to her website allows the audience to learn more about Portia through interviews and a photo gallery, read my blogs that have been written to support and inspire children and families, and order autographed copies of Best Friends Forever: A Puppy’s Tale. They can order from website
FB author pg @portiayclare
IG: @portiay.clare
View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_tf-HbKFDkI
Episode #203: Dana Goodier & Darrin Peppard
Episode #203: Dana Goodier & Darrin Peppard (podbean.com)
Join me and Darrin Peppard of Road to Awesome, LLC, who just published my book Out of the Trenches: Stories of Resilient Educators. Hear how you can use the stories of the educators I highlight from the podcast and interweave my own story to show how ups and downs in one’s educational career shape who we are. I also provide tools you can use on your own or with staff in PLCs to discuss how you can navigate those twists and turns and how to seek out resources to make you better. Buy the book here: https://amzn.to/3B78X2Z and tweet me @danagoodier or IG @outoftrenchespc to comment on what you have learned from the book!
Episode #204: Dr. Anissa Reilly
Episode #204: Dr. Anissa Reilly (podbean.com)
Dr. Anissa Reilly is a success story. She received her doctorate in spite of suffering from Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from issues like those she discusses on the show. She has embraced the “Wounded Healer” archetype as described by psychologist Carl Jung. As a result, her soon-to-be-released book, “The Wounded Healer: Turning Life’s Messes into Messages of Hope-From Violence to Victory” is bound to be a best seller. (just finishing her book these days, manuscript not submitted yet. She is writing vignettes w/ messager)
Trench story: will share around transition to becoming a principal. She realized the importance of leadership when she was a t, and an interim principal came in. She had high ambitions. Ppl were intentionally pushing rocks down mountains. They were intentionally trying to knock down. Dismantled what leadership was for her. Ppl assassinated her character. Online image is important. Became a career scar, put her into a state of depression. Had always been a go-getter. Didn’t realize how 1) political it is 2) everyone isn’t interested in creating viable learning environment for st’s. 3) norms that are there, when you come to disrupt change, ppl are apt to complain. This turned into character assistant. Is still a principal for 3 more weeks. Has been for 16 ½ years. Will now launch FT edu consulting. Has done consulting for past 2-3 year. A mentor came into her life who helped her have a paradigm shift. Helped her see blind spots. She really recommends it.
She has transitioned to FT consulting because of this trench- it helps support leaders. Gives ppl opportunity to come into leadership. She shares her story.
Dr. Reilly ministries: Has a lot of faith-based ministries she speaks at Biblical conferences. Tells her story loud & clear. Can also add value to the company. Boosts morale. Wants to pay it forward. Her pastor saw some qualities in her be began to cultivate. She refers to King David. She knew speaking was something she had been meant to do.
Has Ask Dr. Reilly show, how it came about? She has a YouTube show (Ask Dr. Reilly – YouTube). Her Biblical perspective is “what we go through is not by ourselves”. Her trauma experience is like Job in the Bible. She hasn’t gotten addicted, etc. Prayed about what she can do w/ trauma. It came about during the pandemic. Every guest is a manifestor of good things thru their trauma. Manifested into something beautiful.
Upcoming events: calendar is in flux. Solidifying. Go to her website for events that are coming up.
Out of everything…Uses “The Man in the Arena” quote Although you may be in trama, you can be triumphant in the midst of it. It doesn’t have to deter you or steal your joy!
Find Dr. Reilly online: askdrreilly.com info@giantstep6llc.com for educational inquiries. Leadership development w/ schools. Ministry info@askdrreilly.com She has traveled down many diff. roads she has traveled down many paths, will @askdrreilly on FB, IG, Twitter (she will send a headshot if she hasn’t already, and will send any updates if necessary before podcast release mid Nov). Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YO1XNS5xhvE