Leading up to our book’s release date of February 6th, I have decided to dedicate a miniseries of The Embrace Family Recovery Podcast to introducing you to a few of the 44 women authors who penned ‘Voices of the 21st Century Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose.’
Today, I am honored to introduce you to four more of my magnificent co-authors.
Maryann Rivera-Dannert, MRD Empowerment Solutions LLC’s founder and owner, begins this week’s co-authors. Maryann is a certified life coach, empowering you to discover and unlock your full potential, paving the way to a life marked by freedom and balance.
Paula M. Kramer, of Speaking From Triumph Over Tragedy LLC, overcame three life tragedies to go from a silenced voice to an international voice. Her mother tried to kill her twice. Medical professionals misdiagnosed a childhood spinal injury for 33 years. Her husband died when their daughter was eight months old. Paula is now an International Bestselling Author, Professional Speaker, TV Producer, and Soft Skills Mastermind. She teaches soft skill power strategies for the kind of unimagined success she’s been attracting since she was 11. Her greatest unimagined successes came after age 70.
Joy Freeman of Just Own Yours is a transformational speaker, coach, and trainer committed to sparking growth, fostering confidence, and championing holistic well-being. With an unwavering dedication to creating safe spaces for personal development, Joy infuses her presentations with positive energy, dynamic charisma, and an inclusive delivery style. Her mission extends to strengthening employee engagement, enhancing corporate culture, and guiding individuals toward their unique definitions of success.
Creator of Permission Granted to S.T.A.Y. #StartThinkingAboutYOU®, founder of KYS Solutions Kelli Y. Stonework is a communication strategist and award-winning author of The Ultimate Presentation Roadmap: How to Write for the Right Audience and Present with Confidence. In addition, Kelli has been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and the American Bar Association’s GP Solo Magazine. She has also written devotions for Mothers, Women in Business, and Joys of Living Great Affirmations. As a mother and business owner, Kelli is passionate about helping women amplify their voices. She firmly believes that how YOU speak impacts how I listen, and how I listen impacts how YOU speak. Kelli’s call to action … remember to Invest in YOU!
Please meet Maryann, Paula, Joy, and Kelli.
#embracefamilyrecovery #WSA #womenspeakersassociation #maryannriveradannert #paulamkramer #joyfreeman # kelliystonework #voicesofthe21stcentury #passionandpurpose #wsapublishing #womenauthors #womentransformingtheworld #womenempowered #familyrecovery #familyrecoverycoach #familyrecoverycoaching #womenpodcaster #podcast #yourstorymatters
See full transcript below.
Margaret 00:14
Hello everyone, Margaret Swift Thompson of Embrace Family Recovery, here with you today to share this special series that I’m putting out on the Embrace Family Recovery podcast.
So, I have done something that I have dreamed about, I have been suggested to do, and I have been fearful of through much of my career. And that is write part of my story.
I am excited to announce that I am in a collaboration created by Women Speakers Association, a book entitled, Voices of the 21st Century Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose. I, along with 44 other remarkable women from around the world, have chosen to write a chapter each based on the stories of our lives, our experiences, about passion and purpose.
And so, I am thrilled during this series to introduce you to some of my co-authors. And in the next month leading up to the book launch on February 6, I am honored and thrilled to share space on this platform with my co-authors.
So, buckle up and meet some of the women who I have been experiencing this journey with over the last year leading up to the launch of our book, Voices of the 21st Century, Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose.
So welcome back. I’m thrilled to introduce you to Maryann today another co-author for our wonderful book, Voices of the 21st Century Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose. I want to turn those around all the time. They’re both interchangeable, aren’t they, Maryann?
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: Yeah.
Margaret: So welcome. Why don’t you introduce yourself to the audience how you’d like to introduce yourself?
Maryann Rivera-Dannert 02:24
Sure. Thank you so much. And thank you, once again, for the opportunity to be here on your platform I truly appreciate it. I am Maryann Rivera-Dannert. And I am the owner and founder of MRD Empowerment Solutions. I am an author, speaker, trainer, life coach, mother, wife, HR professional, and so much more.
Margaret 02:48
All the things. So, Maryann, when you say you’re an author, were you an author prior to writing this chapter? Or is this your first time?
02:57
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: No, this is actually going to be my 13th published anthology project.
Margaret 03:03
Wow. Yeah. So you’re an experienced author?
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: Yes. Yes.
Margaret: So when you think about your writing experience, what is the desire to do it? What drives you to want to do it?
03:18
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: Definitely. So, I started my first anthology project was in 2016. And it was so easy because I just have one chapter to write, submit your chapter, you know, we’re about nothing else. And what I like about it is that it’s just that you’re writing one chapter, you know, specific to whatever the theme is of the book. And you’re just sharing a little bit of your life, a little bit of your situation with the audience. And you don’t worry about editing your worry about publishing, or anything like that. And I think because being in different anthologies, you’re able to meet different people, you know, networking, collaborating with different individuals across the world. So that’s something that you know, excites me and keeps me going, in the writing process.
Margaret 04:08
So, what’s your first experience through Women Speakers Association or something different?
04:12
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: No, this is actually my first works with Women Speakers.
Margaret 04:17
Okay. But you like the collaborative efforts of Yes,
04:20
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: Yes, I do.
Margaret: With others?
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: Yes.
Margaret 04:22
So, what made you join? With the experience you have, what made you join Voices of the 21st Century? What made you want to be a part of this book?
04:32
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: So again, the collaboration and networking, meeting different ladies, globally, the opportunity and it’s each anthology is different. I think that the only common theme with all anthologies is that you’re just writing one chapter. But the amount of work, the words, the stories behind you know the why they’re all different. So just meeting with Gail, Laura and the different ladies, it was just you know, an exciting opportunity that allowed me to say yes. And when I heard about the purpose and passion, and I just did what you almost did switch the two around passion and purpose. It was like, oh, I have a story for that. So I definitely said yes.
Margaret 05:16
Has this experience writing in a collaborative effort been different than the ones you’ve done before?
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: 05:23
A little bit. This one has definitely been not necessarily hands on, but there’s more information. Like I think with Laura, there’s always, you know, an update on the one platform that I think I’ve gone on twice. But it’s good, because it’s a lot of learning.
Margaret: Yeah.
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: You know, and things that I haven’t done in the past. And then, in addition to me, being a co-author in various anthologies, I’m also a visionary author. So, I gathered several ladies I think it was last year, or the year before, and published two different anthologies that I brought together. So it’s just, you know, different opportunities to learn and do things differently and hype it up and things like that.
Margaret 06:06
Good for you. It’s amazing, in meeting all the different women and their backgrounds and who has written and who hasn’t?
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: Yeah.
Margaret: Would you like to share a little bit about your chapter and what your passion and purpose was what came about without giving too much away? Because we want people to read it.
06:22
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: Yeah sure. So, I will share the title, which is, ‘I Believe In Me’, and one sentence or actually there’s two sentences, and then I’ll share the four key points that will be discussed in the book.
Margaret: Okay.
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: So well, quote, “If you are someone who has experienced low self-esteem, struggle with doubt, felt like an impostor, or lack confidence, I want to share four key elements that have paved the way to my journey, that have allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and act.
Remember, without action, nothing will change. And those four key points are empowerment, passion, purpose, and a positive mindset.”
Margaret 07:07
Well, you gave a lot to our listeners, so they’re gonna now have to purchase the book to read the meat behind each step. Is that what I’m understanding?
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: Yes,
Margaret: And are these steps that you came to through your own journey that you needed.
07:21 Maryann Rivera-Dannert :
Definitely, I share about something that happened, how I felt, and then listen to other voices. And sometimes that happens to us, sometimes we let outside voices dictate which way we’re going to go, what we’re going to do. And sometimes we let our dreams go to the wayside because of other people’s opinions. So, I definitely am speaking from experience.
Margaret 07:45
Wonderful. So, if somebody was to read your chapter, and it was something you thought, Wow, this would have been an amazing outcome. This is what I hope my readers will experience or feel, what would that look like? Would it be a slam dunk for you? What would that be?
08:00
Maryann Rivera-Dannert: I will say that the reader will know that their voice matters, their thoughts matter, their dreams matter.
Margaret 08:24
Welcome, welcome, Paula. I’m really excited to have you as one of my co-authors in this incredible book that we are part of. Wonder if you’d like to share with the audience. What made you want to be a part of the Voices of the 21st Century book this time?
Paula M. Kramer 08:43
Oh, this time? Because it this is my fourth book.
Margaret: Oh, okay.
Paula M. Kramer Voices of the 21st century book. Yes. And I have thought about, the first book was about resilience. And my entire life is about resilience. So that one fit me. And then I decide whether or not the next book will fit me and I have for the last two, and this one is really fitting me because I have gone from silenced voice to international voice, by empowering others in many ways. I gave power to myself, but they also give power to others. And my chapter is, in fact about giving power to a young woman in Kenya, who went on to give herself amazing power.
Margaret 09:40
So, the word empowerment in the title is what drew you to wanting to be a part of it because of your own empowerment, but also the way you help others.
Paula M. Kramer : Yes.
Margaret: And so, when you talk about empowerment for you and your own journey, what stands out what made you resonate with that title?
Paula M.Kramer 09:59
Well, staying alive. I’ve had a lot of difficulty just staying alive. My mother tried to kill me twice. And so, I had to survive my childhood. And when I was 12 years old, a boy in school pulled my chair out from under me, medical professionals misdiagnosed that injury for 33 years. I have lived with out of place bones for 60 years, I’m still recovering, eventually, I think I will not be in pain anymore. But it’s taking a long time. And it’s very difficult to earn money when your bones are out of place. Because sitting and standing normally are excruciatingly painful. And I became a widow at age 28, when our daughter was eight months old. And so, staying alive has been the focus of my life.
And I learned to stay alive by making connections to other people. And I also quickly learned fairly young but then much more older when I was in my late 40s. That creating success for others is the best way to create success for yourself. And so, I’ve been focused on creating success for others, giving them what they need to create success for themselves.
Margaret 11:22
And how do you do that? Paula? Do you do that through your work?
Paula M. Kramer 11:25
I draw positive attention to people whose work fits with my work. And I see everybody I encountered as a possibility for opportunity. So, I create conversations whenever possible. I do it in my neighborhood where I live. I do it when I go out in public. I do it online. By creating connections to people in my neighborhood. I have been able to stay in the house I live in because other people made it financially possible for me to stay in the house, without my asking them. It wasn’t that they were giving me money. They are giving me opportunities to benefit financially. And out in public, I launched a website called My Record Now because of a conversation I started with a man on my lawn who came to pick up bikes for reentry program where they don’t go to jail. They don’t go to prison. They
Margaret 12:32
rehabilitation.
Paula M. Kramer: Restorative Justice
Margaret: Restorative justice, there you go.
Paula M.Kramer 12:37
That’s 72 year old mind fading out for a moment.
Margaret 12:41
Hey, mine, does it at 55.
Paula M.Kramer 12:45
I started a conversation with him. We continued conversations in his office. He told me that mugshots are really hard on people who have them. And they are really negative for their lives. I watched the documentary about mug shots which said that mug shots are like, mug shots are bad. So, I gave the restorative justice director the idea of creating a directory that allowed people with mug shots to have a different photograph of themselves, to give them a positive identity. I was giving this idea to the restorative justice organization. He said, oh no, you do it. Now I have My Record Now, which allows people who have mug shots, who are out of prison, jail wherever mugshots, to create an account, nobody can see who is in the directory. To see someone’s positive photograph, they have to type in a name, and criminal record, and mugshot. arrest records, they have to do that kind of search before they see something on this directory. And then when the entry for that directory comes up, it shows a positive shot, what I call a now shot a photograph of their life now and it doesn’t have to be just the face. I have a cat as an example of what a directory profile looks like in a mug shot. And this cat is in a tree. That’s this cat’s now shot.
Margaret 14:21
How do you still maintain that? Is that something you still do?
Paula M.Kramer 14:24
Yes, that’s right. People can go on myrecordnow.com and it’s free for the first year. The restorative justice director told me to make it low, free at first and then they charge a low amount. So it’s free for the first year. And then after that it’s $50 a year and so far, every person who was put there now shot in the directory has created a profile their mugshot has disappeared, like I have searched for this. There’s not a lot of people in this directory yet. But every time someone comes on and I search for their mugshot after they come on to the directory, I have not found a single one, after they get on the directory. And I asked my web designer, why this was happening? He does not know. It might be a gift from God, I don’t know. They’re mugshots, just don’t show up.
Margaret 15:13
That’s amazing.
Paula M. Kramer: It is amazing.
Margaret: So, in a chapter you chose to write about a story of someone you had worked with in Kenya.
Paula M.Kramer 15:22
Yes, we met online. Actually, I didn’t contact her. I said that I like to start conversations wherever I can. So, I start conversations online. And I saw a woman in Kenya complain about stereotyping of work, gender stereotyping at work. I was doing an online workshop at that time about overcoming stereotyping. And I contacted her and offered it to her for free and said that we could meet once a month after that to help her hone her skills. She agreed. We set a date, a meet on Zoom for that. And she said, I invited a friend. Okay. We did the workshops, set up the meeting for the next month, only the friend showed up, Rebecca Mara, we got to talking and she did not want to talk about professional problems. She wanted to talk about her personal problems. So, we did, and I gave her one piece of homework, I didn’t want to give away the whole chapter. I gave her one piece of homework. And seven months later, she tells me she’s changed the world in Kenya.
Margaret 16:40
So that’s the story in your chapter, to understand more.
Paula M.Kramer 16:44
Yes that’s the story in my chapter Yes.
Margaret 16:58
Hello, listeners on the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast. Today we’re doing something a little different, but so exciting. I have with me Joy of Just Own Yours, which I think is an interesting and curious no more about your business. But Joy is one of the co-authors that is part of this incredible project we have been gifted to do. We are co-authors in Voices of the 21st Century Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose. Welcome, Joy.
Joy Freeman 17:28
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Margaret 17:30
And you have been an excited part of this journey. I’ve always enjoyed watching you on our webinars and you’re just ready to go. So, Joy, tell us how would you introduce yourself if you were about you and your business, and then we’ll go into the book.
Joy Freeman 17:45
Absolutely. So, I am Joy of Joy Just Own Yours. Everyone wonders kind of how that came about. And the joy, it’s truly that we are responsible for our joy in spite of things that happen in life. So, your joy is yours so Joy Just Own Yours. So that’s kind of how it has come together. I am a speaker. Primarily, I do primary keynote speaking, but as an author, and a leadership, basically leadership and transformational coach primarily for women. But I also work with organizations where I go in and transforms lives and leaders in the world and in the workplace.
Margaret 18:21
And Joy, one of the things we’ve not done a lot of in our meetings is get to know each other kind of personally, so I don’t want to go too deep. But what led you to become a coach and assist people in finding their joy? What was the reason for that? Or where did that come from, for you?
18:40
Joy Freeman: Absolutely, just in my upbringing in life, just really realizing that people have so many hearts and habits and kind of hangups, and the best way to heal is really looking within. Because as much as people have talked to other people around them short of counseling, it’s really about looking within. So, I try to make it intentional, to take people on journeys, whether it be through conversations, through upbringing, whether it’s them really looking and doing the work. And I’m big on making sure that we’re doing the work.
And just being the youngest of three girls in a home where you’re always battling for something. So that was always that and just through my journey of life and some of the personal challenges that I’ve experienced. It was one of those things where I knew that I had to be responsible. I couldn’t turn my happiness over and my joy, and that inner peace over to anyone else. And it wasn’t my job to bring a damper on the world when I’m going through different things. So that was the premise behind it, and listening to women, and sharing with women throughout my career, where I heard so many struggles, but yet I saw so much in the women that I was speaking with.
Margaret: Yeah,
Joy Freeman: but they couldn’t see it in themselves.
Margaret: Yeah.
Joy Freeman: And that’s where it was like, Okay, I want to work with women to pull out what I see in them so they can see it in themselves. And they can really choose that shine and own their joy and really run with that. That
Margaret 20:07
That is beautiful. And I think it’s so accurate. I mean, when we’re in our blind spots, we can’t see it, but have someone come along and be able to pull out those awarenesses of all the strengths, and the joy and like qualities within a human being, what a gift you bring to people.
Joy Freeman: Thank you.
Margaret: So, we’re both authors in this amazing book coming out February 6, and I am so inspired to be on this journey with everybody and hear it I can’t wait to read everyone’s. I don’t know about you Joy, we got that copy. And I was hesitant to read any ones I felt like, I don’t know if I want to read everybody’s but I’m so excited to hear the story. And, and obviously, it aligns beautifully with your work. When you look at empowerment, through purpose. What made you want to be a part of the book?
Joy Freeman: 20:52
So, I had heard about the book and seen the other ones. And it was one of those things that when I reached out and started with hearing about the title because it’s always the Voices of the 21st Century. But women empower, like that was just one of those things where my big thing is empowering women, right, equipping them, you know, encouraging them. In me stepping out of my career and going into my passion and my purpose. It was almost like how would I not do this particular one. So, women empowered through passion and purpose, that was what drew me in. And then talking and seeing some of the sister authors on that very first call that we all had, it was just amazing to see the synergy and really building that network of women, that we’re going to do this together. And I have peaked a little bit in some of the chapters. I’m trying not to go through it. Because I want to do the same thing like you’re doing take the opportunity at different times to be able to hear and learn from the authors themselves.
Margaret 21:53
Yeah. So when you thought about being it, it was kind of a no brainer, the timing and the synchronicity of what you do and your purpose. And what did you decide to write about? Without giving it away? What was your chapter on?
22:06
Joy Freeman: It’s almost obvious, it truly is about that joy and that shine that what’s within you already? It’s already there?
Margaret: Yeah.
Joy Freeman: So, I kind of peel the layers back on what’s already in you.
Margaret 22:20
And was it difficult to write? Did you find it challenging? Or did it come quite easily?
22:24
Joy Freeman: It was challenging, because like the thought, and like something else came very easy. And then I told myself, no, you’re going to go deeper. Even though when you read it or see it, it’s almost obvious where I would go with, you know, a chapter, but I really had to peel back some layers for myself to say, put it on paper. It’s, it’s one chapter, you don’t have to peel back all your layers. But you have to be vulnerable here. So, it can reach someone else, and let them go through a vulnerable moment. And then on top of all the other chapters that I’m sure will be just as amazing. So yeah, it was a little challenging, a little challenging.
Margaret 23:05
Yeah, your word vulnerable really resonates with me, I speak all the time as you do. And that’s easy for me. But to write it down was just a different level of vulnerability.
23:14
Joy Freeman: I didn’t realize, so I’m all about being transparent when I’m at my speakings. I’m absolutely sharing, I’m putting stuff out there that I didn’t realize I would say,
Margaret: Right
Joy Freeman: something about write? It’s almost like maybe they’ll forget it I guess or, or it applies to the moment. So it’s easier to say
Margaret: Right.
Joy Freeman: but to actually write it and to have it on paper was one of those, you know, this is that moment that you’re there. You can’t erase it. It’s not inn invisible ink. It’s there forever.
Margaret 23:42
It’s not in our journal, it’s out there.
23:47
Joy Freeman: It’s not in the journal, you lock or hide or put away it’s out here. So yeah.
Margaret 23:51
So, do you want to give us a little sneak and read a little bit of your chapter?
23:57
Joy Freeman: I would love to, thank you.
“It can be easy to forget our shine in the midst of life’s challenges, we may feel like we have lost our way or that our shine has dulled beyond repair. Nevertheless, in those moments, we need to remember that choosing joy and owning our shine requires intention and sacrifice. Being intentional and choosing joy challenges us to maintain a positive mindset that is reflected through our thoughts, words and actions. It also dares us to grow past our own limited beliefs and fears to embrace our full potential. As women incorporating positive psychology into our lives can have numerous benefits. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude, optimism and mindfulness can lead to improved mental health, increased resilience, greater life satisfaction. By intentionally focusing on positive emotions and experiences. We can cultivate a more positive outlook on life and improve our overall well-being.”
Margaret 25:06
So true. So, if it was a slam dunk, our book comes out and somebody is reading your chapter, will it be a slam dunk? Like what would be a Whoo, that was worth every moment of writing it.
25:21
Joy Freeman: Someone saying, aha, them having their aha moment that it’s already in them. That yes, you are going to experience challenges in life. But they don’t have to stop you. They don’t have to keep you in that space, you can get out of that space, through doing the work from within.
Margaret 25:46
Stop chasing the externals to fill the void inside, right. A little, different because of my work in the field of addiction. But it sounds very familiar. You know, it’s an inside job.
25:57
Joy Freeman: Yeah, it’s a one day, at a time like searching your joy. Choosing your joy every day, is one day at a time because I like to say you can pick up in the morning your backpack of problems or your backpack of promise. What are you taking with you today?
Margaret 26:58
It’s all done one day at a time, there’s no other way.
Margaret: Welcome, Miss Kelli to the podcast, I am so excited to have you on along with the other authors who have chosen to be part of this. And I would love you Kelli to introduce yourself to the audience as you would like to how would you describe yourself and we’ll go from there.
Kelli Y. Stonework 27:31
Okay. So, I am Kelli Stonework a communication strategist. Why because I believe that communication is key in our professional in our personal lives. And it’s something that we do every day, right? So, we need to invest in strategies to help us with that, however, that looks. I’m also a mom, a wife, an author. And I’m passionate about helping women, or assisting women find their voice. And because I think that they can amplify their voice and strive in whatever and be successful in whatever they choose to do. Thus is the we’ll get into the book, the next chapter, but that’s where it came out. So
Margaret 28:28
So, Kelli, it seems like a natural fit to be a part, a co-author in this book, because Voices of the 21st Century, Empowered through Passion and Purpose seems like a really nice fit to your mission of helping women find their voice. So, have you ever written before? Is this your first time?
Kelli Y. Stonework 28:50
No so, I have a book that’s entitled ‘The Ultimate Presentation Roadmap, How to Write and that’s w r i t e for the Right r I g h t Audience, so how to write got it for the right audience, and present with confidence. So that just came out of again, my passion of the communication skills. And then I’ve seen it, I’ve seen it at work. Even though that wasn’t my full-time job. I taught a class to the corporation that I was working with, the employees came to this class, my manager at the time allowed for me four times a year to teach this class and I just saw how some women you know, some of the culture would say that they’re not supposed to speak up, the culture would say you’re not supposed to have eye contact. And so, I was empathetic to that, but I told them in business, it’s so critical. So, start out small start out you know, don’t think oh, I’ve got to make a presentation to hundreds of people. Start out with just your one on one with your manager. Make that be you know, we start in a safe space, then may be asked for some time for you to talk to your team in the team meeting, can you leave the team meeting and then, you know, just grow it from there. So that’s where that came from.
Margaret 30:11
What’s interesting, Kelli, because today I’ve had you and another sister author in this book share that they have written before. And I know last interviews, I had somebody who had also, a lot of us are really new at this, this is like a new venture. Was writing this chapter different for you than the book.
Kelli Y. Stonework 30:32
It was different in that the book is literally a roadmap. So, the first chapter is the first step in the roadmap. Whereas this chapter, it was birthed out of my own story, right, which is permission before it was just Permission Granted. And when I say that that’s birthed out of my own story, because I told you, I was in a corporation, but I was literally sick on Sunday nights, because I knew I had to go to work, and do the same thing Monday morning. And what I realized is that I called it I was comfortable in my misery, because usually, if you’re miserable, you want to do something about it. But for 15 years, once I stepped back, I realized that I was in that state for 15 years, where I was just miserable. But I said, permission granted, because I still had the mindset of like when you’re in grade school, and you have to get a permission slip to do something. So, I said, permission is granted. And then with the speaking part, one of my friends, I would tell them, you know, if you’re nervous, stop thinking about yourself, right? Think about the audience, and the message that only you can give. And they can only receive if you get it, right. And so, one of my friends said, why don’t you instead of saying to stay for stop thinking about you? Why don’t you with the women’s empowerment, change it to start thinking about you. So now it’s a trademark Permission Granted to Stay. And stay stands for Start Thinking About You. Right, and so whatever that is, so this chapter is three action items on your journey to thinking about you. So, it’s whatever that may be. And I say, Don’t Delay Prepare For Your Next. That’s the title of the chapter. And the next is whatever your next is, right? You’ve got to do some things got to put in the work to figure out what it is that you, not you, the wife, you the mom, you the employee, you the business owner, just you the core, your name, and I tell him just what’s your name? What is. So, for me, I would say, what is Kelli? Like? Yeah, what does Kelli want to do?
Margaret 33:04
Which is so, so uncomfortable and unfamiliar for many women? In particular?
Kelli Y. Stonework 33:11
Yeah, because we think everybody, everything comes first. And we’re excellent at helping people do that. Right. But not so much with us, with ourselves. We want to help everybody, everything. But when it comes to, you know, applying those same principles, to us. It’s difficult it is.
Margaret 33:33
We have to lean into it. It’s not our first nature.
Kelli Y. Stonework 33:37
It’s not our first nature, we feel bad.
Margaret 33:41
Yeah. So the chapter it sounds like will not only be a bit of your story but give us some direction as to how to go about doing that.
Kelli Y. Stonework 33:50
Right. I give three action items. Do you want me to tell you?
Margaret 33:54
Margaret: No, let’s leave some interest for the book.
Kelli Y. Stonework: Okay.
Margaret: Kelli, let’s not give it all the way on this interview. I would say though, if you had a line from it that you wanted to share or something that stands out that you want to share, a little glimmer.
Kelli Y. Stonework 34:08
I think it’s give yourself grace and permission to think about you. You’ve done it or everyone else. Do for yourself.
Margaret: It’s awesome
Kelli Y. Stonework: And be okay grace, give yourself grace and permission.
Margaret 34:22
One of my favorite words grace uses a lot when working with people in recovery and family surrounding the disease of addiction because it’s very unfamiliar territory for people to give themselves or their loved ones grace,
Kelli Y. Stonework: Grace.
Margaret: It’s a beautiful word
Kelli Y. Stonework: Yes.
Outro: Remarkable the courage, and tenacity, and strength of women to be vulnerable, and authentic, and share tips, and strategies, and resources from their story for each of us to learn from.
Whether it’s my chapter or one of the other women’s chapters, I assure you there is something in this for every woman in the world to gather support, encouragement, maybe passion, light a passion in you. Come back next week when I introduce you to some more of these incredible co-authors, these women who have taken the time to write their chapter and be a part of this book, Voices of the 21st Century Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose.
Until next time, take care of you!
