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.
Brigitte Stills is a property management consultant with Stills Properties, coach, and published author with over 38 years of experience in real estate.
Combining her multi-award-winning copywriting skills with lived experience, Karen Anderson founded a charitable organization called Escape to Better Foundation. Supporting victims of domestic violence and family abuse, as well as their families, friends, workplaces, and the broader community.
Zaneta (Zan) Varnado Johns is a four-time bestselling author of Poetic Forecast, After the Rainbow, What Matters Journal, Encore, and Voices of the 21st Century (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024). Zan is also the co-editor of the Social Justice Inks and Dear Heart anthologies and an editor of the Fine Lines Literary Journal. Her creative expressions appear in numerous international publications.
Kashaun Parker of Next Step Forward is an exceptional coach and speaker who dedicated her career to helping individuals and organizations realize their true potential and achieve extraordinary results.
Please meet Brigitte, Karen, Zan, and Kashaun.
#embracefamilyrecovery #WSA #womenspeakersassociation #brigittestills #karenanderson #zanetavarnadojohns # kashaunparker #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 true much of my career. And that is right part of my story. I am excited to announce that I am in a collaboration created by Women Speaker 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 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 hello, everyone, and welcome back. I’m excited and honored to introduce you to another of my fellow authors from Voices of the 21st Century, Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose. And it’s my pleasure to bring you, Brigette from Australia, one of the few, I think six of you is that right from Australia?
Brigitte Stills 02:23
There’s five of us in the book, yes,
Margaret 02:26
Amazing. Amazing. Well, welcome, Brigitte, why don’t you introduce yourself to our audience?
Brigitte Stills 02:32
Thank you. I’m Brigitte Stills. I’m a licensed real estate agent. I’ve been in the industry for over 40 years, and I’ve ran a business for over 27 years in real estate. And I transitioned into coaching, mentoring and consulting. And what I specialize in now is I provide strategies and systems and various tools to property management teams, and real estate agents to help them grow and to find their niche within their marketplace.
Margaret 02:59
What made you want to be a part of writing? Is this your first time publishing is this something you’ve always loved doing and done it before?
Brigitte Stills 03:09
No, this is actually my second opportunity to be in the collaborative book. But and it was one of these experiences. My first book was all about how I started in real estate as such, but this chapter is all about how I started in property management.
Basically, that’s where I really started in 1975. I started in property management as a part time role. And from there on, it seemed to grow, and grow, and grow. And basically, that’s where it’s got me to today, I had a few negative experiences with being within the industry. But look at it hasn’t stopped me; it’s taught me a lot. It’s taught me a lot of positive things about human nature. And it’s helped me grow. And it’s helped me achieve a lot. And I can’t say that I wasn’t, I was torn away from it in any way at any time. Because I’m one of these people that’s very resilient. And if I take something on, I want to see it through to the end. And it’s motivated me in in many respects. And yes, and I’m still doing it now. 44 odd years later.
Margaret 04:09
Good for you. Good for you. So, this is your second time collaborating for Voices of the 21st Century. So, you felt like the first time went well was a good experience and wanted to do it again, what led you to do it again?
Brigitte Stills 04:23
The first one was a bit daunting in the sense that I didn’t know what to do because I was the only Australian author at that particular time in February of 2023. And I just didn’t quite know how to market myself what to do. I was having a few problems, getting people to recognize it. And I spoke to various bookstores, and they weren’t real keen about having it on the shelves because it’s an Amazon bestseller in Australia as well as in 11 other countries. And it was a bit daunting in that respect, but then I had a promotion. And from there it seemed to grow. And then people started buying the book and they started reading the chapter and from there, it’s got me into a lot of places, you know, I speak within Rotary Clubs and, and women’s groups. I’m not exactly a speaker as such. But when you get me up there, and you start talking to me about various things, I let loose, and I can talk to you about it. And that’s how it sort of came about.
And then when the opportunity arose that I could partake in the next book, which is being released February of 2024.
Margaret: Right,
Brigitte Stills: I took the opportunity, and one I’ve said before, it’s a little bit addictive, you know, you do it once you get a good reaction. Let’s see what number two can do for me, but I’m sure it’ll be really good too.
Margaret 05:36
When you think about someone sitting down and reading your chapter, without giving away too much, because we want them to read it for themselves, is there something that would be a slam dunk, take away? If they walked away, thinking about or feeling something? What would you want them to walk away with?
Brigitte Stills 05:53
I’m more drawn to the fact that I’d like young women to read the book. And it will help them on their path to success on the basis that negative things happen to you when you’re young. And people have a tendency to be a little bit dogmatic in their approach, you know, some in the way they treat women in some respects. And I think that if I can do it, why can’t you do it?
If you’re passionate about something, and if you really like what you’re doing, don’t give it up. And the more you learn, and the more you read about first timers like myself, within an industry. I mean, you can be a trailblazer, you know, you can get out there and you can be yourself, this will take your places. So don’t ever give up.
I hear a lot of women say to me, oh, you know, but that was in 1975, things have changed. No, the world has not changed that much at all, when it comes to women in business, and women being entrepreneurs, we still out there, we’re still fighting, we’re still trying to get our foot in the door. And the more we stick to each other, and we help each other out, the better it’s going to be for all of us. So yes, read the chapter.
Margaret 07:12
Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast. I’m so excited today to introduce you to another co-author from the book that will be coming out in February called Voices of the 21st Century, Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose.’ And welcome, Karen.
Karen Anderson 07:31
Hi Margaret, it’s wonderful to be here. Thank you very much for inviting me onto your podcast, and hello to all of your followers, viewers and listeners.
Margaret 07:40
Well, thank you, Karen. So, I always ask people to introduce themselves, because I think you do a much better job than me trying to summarize who you are and why you’re here. So, if you were to introduce yourself to the listeners, what would you say?
Karen Anderson 07:51
Well, I’d say my name is Karen Anderson, and I’m from Australia. So, if you’re wondering what that accent is, it’s an Aussie accent. And I am the co-founder of a charitable organization called Escape to Better Foundation. So, we support victims of domestic violence, and family abuse, as well as their families, friends, workplaces, and broader community.
And our real focus is on pre-crisis intervention. So, once they find themselves in an abusive relationship, let’s not leave them wait until it’s really serious, and they’re in serious trouble. Let’s see if we can give them the resources and the information, they need to make very wise decisions about how they’re going to leave, and how they’re going to sustain that leave.
I saw figures recently that said, on average, it takes seven attempts to leave an abusive relationship. And so, I’m a victim survivor. One of my greatest fears was that if I left once, it would be my one and only chance because the walls would really close in if I left and then came back again.
Margaret 09:04
Well, and isn’t it true that statistically when people leave is when they’re most vulnerable for life threatening abuse?
Karen Anderson 09:12
Yes, that is certainly the case. And I have seen statistics that say that that abuse can linger for another two years. Now that doesn’t mean that you stay in the abusive relationship. What it means is escape gives you control of your environment, and your access or the access your abuser has to you. So that’s one of the things I mean, by the time I left, I had a solicitor, I’d been to the police. I had a counselor, not one of those people told me that I would be in greater danger or would maintain the danger level once I left. And I was working completely on instinct, and my instinct told me that he would be so furious that I would be in serious trouble. So, I was able to keep my locations secret. And this is a, you know, something that we need to think about, as you know, when we leave, that it’s not always in our control to keep our location secretive. So, what happened in my case was a utility company accidentally revealed my address. And even though I was in what I would call a semi secure building, so an apartment building with a security door, he still managed to come in late at night, in an absolute rage, and just really thump at the front door. And I was very lucky, I had two dogs, they just went nuts. But also, because it was late at night, I’m thinking, I don’t think I want to answer the door. And I actually saw him flee the building, because he got startled by the dogs.
Margaret 10:46
So your passion is come through your own personal experience to create this business to support women and men who are survivors and experiencing violence in domestic ways. Is that accurate?
Karen Anderson 11:02
Yes, that’s right. So, I am very much someone from lived experience. I am not a counselor. But I’m also I’m a copywriter during the day. And that means that I have the ability to look at things from a different perspective. And I’m also 20 years down the path of when that first physical abuse occurred. And that has given me time and perspective, to actually think about the issue, not necessarily consciously, but to really think you know, now is the time, it’s time to change our conversations about this. It’s time for me to stop keeping it a secret, and to stand up and be loud and proud that I am a victim, survivor, and thriving after an abusive relationship. And I think that’s really important that it’s not just escaping and surviving that. You can actually look forward to more you can actually look forward to thriving.
Margaret 11:55
And is that what led to being a part of the book, finding your voice?
Karen Anderson 12:01
Yeah absolutely. So, my chapter actually talks about my emotional state after that first physical abuse, which was 20 years ago. And how I kept having these questions revolve in my mind, like, what the hell happened? Because I couldn’t see it coming. What do I do now? And do I need to leave? And for me, it was Christmas Day. So, there’s no one around my family was in another state, I had to keep on pretending that everything was okay, because we weren’t contributing to the Christmas lunch.
And so, I talked about how I felt, and how emotionally devastated I was after that moment. And why I was incapable of making a decision to leave. Because in theory, we think you get, you know, hit or whatever. That’s it, you go. And it’s actually more complicated than that. But then, at the end of my chapter, I also talk about this moment, when I actually understood that I had some power.
So, I still was living in fear, I still had to be super cautious about everything I did. I still had a couple of years before I had untangled our relationship, and could live a very independent, free life. But it changed my perspective. And that perspective gave me courage. And I knew if I could play the long game, I would have a really happy ending. And I have.
Margaret 13:24
And if you had the best outcome of your chapter for a reader, what would you want for that reader to experience or walk away with?
Karen Anderson 13:34
So, I think it’s kind of true, and it depends where you are. So, if you are in an abusive relationship, then I’m hoping that you will go ah, so it is complicated to leave, but it is worthwhile leaving, and I do have my secret, up my sleeve to give me courage.
But also for the family and friends, and even the broader community. I’d love them to walk away with an idea of why leaving isn’t just a natural thing, why it isn’t an obvious decision to make, and why it needs some careful consideration.
Margaret 14:08
I appreciate you focusing your chapter on that experience when it happened, how it changed you, because I don’t know that a lot of us unless we’ve lived did have that understanding. And I would think that anyone out there who reads it, who’s experienced it might get some sense of normalcy is a horrible word, but I’m not alone in what I experienced or felt. There’s someone who gets that.
Karen Anderson 14:32
Yes and that was really my purpose. I mean, I have never talked about this moment ever, not even with my husband. And in fact, he read about it for the first time just before I submitted my chapter, and I said to him, you have to read it twice once to proofread it for me, but also the first time is actually to absorb it. And we made sure that the home was very quiet very peaceful. And I could tell as the as he was reading through the chapter my home got even stiller and intense in there, with his comprehension about, you know what I had gone through. And I don’t think that we really talk about it, we talk about it in terms of theory, but we don’t actually talk about it in terms of personal experience. And I think that’s where being a copywriter and somebody who writes for a living actually gives me the tools, I need to start expressing on behalf of those who aren’t ready to talk about it, what it feels like, and why it’s difficult.
Margaret 15:37
What courage Karen?
Karen Anderson 15:39
Well, it took 20 years.
Margaret 15:42
No judgment, doesn’t matter how long it took, you got here and you put it out. And now you’re putting it out to an international audience that’s going to be part of a best-selling book.
Karen Anderson 15:51
I know I actually, as you’re saying that I’m getting chills. Because while I was very happy to write it, when I was signing off on that chapter, and it was going into production. I just got this, like, I’m gonna swear. So please excuse me, but it was like a holy **** moment where I thought, I don’t have control over who reads this now who knows about it now? And that was my Oh, you know, I know some people like you’ve talked about how you found it difficult to write.
Margaret: I did.
Karen Anderson: For me it was I found it difficult to actually sign it off and set it out into the world.
Margaret 16:27
After writing it that was the next hurdle. What I did was not reread it. I proved it did everything I trusted. Claudia had done her part. And it was like, Cool. We’re doing this no turning back now. So, I relate, I think it’s an exciting, daunting experience.
Karen Anderson 16:44
Yes. And I think in some ways, it’s kind of like our friend, you know, we can wear it on our shoulders without actually knowing that it’s there. And it’s now out there. And so, there’s a little bit of a relaxation. Yeah.
Margaret 17:12
Welcome, Zan! Thank you for being here with me, I am so thrilled to be meeting all my co sister authors, because it’s, it’s been neat. We’ve seen each other meetings and we’ve been on this journey, but to get a few minutes with each person individually and get to know you is pretty special. So, when you introduce yourself, how do you do that Zan? Because you’re a multi-talented woman. So, what’s your introduction?
Zan Johns 17:37
You make me stand tall. Thank you so much, Margaret, for having me and I’m proud to be in the Voices of the 21st Century book with you. And 44 well, with us, it’s another 43 women from around the world. How exciting is that?
I’m excited to be in Voices again. Who am I? I am Zaneta Varnado Johns many people call me Zan so on Facebook and social media. I am Zan Johns. I am a poet, and author. I have three poetry collections. One is the best seller, was the number one best seller on Amazon. I’m very proud of that,
Margaret: as you should be.
Zan Johns: Oh, it just gives me goosebumps. And then I’m in the Voices of the 21st Century Book. This past summer, I created a journal titled The What Matters Journal. So, I’ve got those personal publications. But in addition, I have points featured in 70 plus anthologies, and publications. Wow.
Margaret 18:52
Wow. That’s incredible. Yeah, so would you call yourself first and foremost a poet?
18:58
Zan Johns: I do.
Margaret: Okay,
Zan Johns: a poet first.
Margaret 19:01
Okay. And then other talents too, when it comes to being in this collection with other women authors from around the world. And the title of the book this year as voices of the 21st century women empowered through passion and purpose, which speaks to obviously every one of us who wanted to do it. Why, why again, why this book? Why did you want to do this then? Well,
19:25
Zan Johns: Well first, I’ve been in three other Voices books. So, this is my fourth time appearing in this amazing book. There’s nothing like collaborating with women 45 women around the world sharing stories. What could be more powerful than that? As Gail Watson said, we all have a story, and we don’t want to die without stories inside of us. The title this year spoke to me, especially because this was what I had intended to write, last year that I chose a different topic, which was timely. And so, when they announced the title for this year, I went, oh man, I already know, I’ve already got this written because it’s about passion and purpose. It’s about passion and purpose. Yes.
Margaret 20:17
So, when it comes to picking what you want to say, because we were given an amount of time and space, and that was interesting and challenging, in many ways, for those of us who might be a little more wordy. When you look at what you wanted to write about this time, versus the prior times being in the Voices of the 21st Century Book, what was it? What spoke to you? What was it that made you say, this one.
20:45
Zan Johns: I’ve started my chapter with a verse from the Bible, which in essence, says let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works. And that’s what my chapter is about. It’s titled ‘Touching the World, Line by Line.’ That’s my tagline. I have it on my website, I have it on my business cards. I am touching the world, line by line. And it was easy to write, because what I wanted to do was capture or share what has happened since the publication of my first book, ‘Poetic Forecast’ in 2020. In those three years, Margaret, I’ve done some amazing things, I have to pinch myself, I’m blown away, because I did not intend to do any of this.
Once I published the book, my passion was unleashed, I learned that when you publish a book, people want to hear about you, who you are, they want to learn about you just as you’re doing. We’re in the Voices book, and you’re presenting the 45 women, you’re talking to us so that the world knows who we are. And so, once I started to engage with social media, and to go when it was safe after COVID, to get out in person and poetry readings and sell books, my passion was unleashed. And I’ve been writing prolifically for three years, and I want the world to know what I did in three years, I want people to know that once you discover your passion and purpose, you’re on fire, you can’t stop. And I’m hoping that people read in the chapter who have not yet identified their passion or purpose, I hope that they will go inside, go inside, pay attention, pay attention to what moves you, what sets your heart on fire, and act on it.
Margaret 22:56
So, prior to 2020, when you were published, were you always a poet.
23:06
Zan Johns: I have been writing since college, and I wrote, but I shared in a small circle. Family, I wrote for events, family events, milestones, celebrations. I write about grief. I shared a poem at work once, and it was well received. It’s the ‘What Matters’ poem, which was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. It didn’t receive the prize, but the nomination is, you know, rewarding. But I wrote. So, when 2020 came around, and the world was quiet, that’s when a lot of people published books. And you know, it was quiet. I couldn’t see my family. So, here’s the opportunity. The Lord said, here’s your chance, pull those poems out, dust them off, select the ones to publish. And that’s what I did. But I continued to write.
Margaret: Yeah,
Zan Johns: So, during 2020 2021, our world was scary. We were dealing with COVID, we were dealing with civil unrest. Well, we still are, natural disasters. And so, to process those things. I wrote poems. So, before you knew it, I have enough poems for a second book. And that one is titled ‘After the Rainbow, Golden Poems,’ because it was about the storms. And the rainbow that came, my poems are golden. And then this new book, ‘Encore’ is in response to my audience, the readers, my encouragers my Voices sisters, saying keep writing, keep going. And so, I say to the public, this third book of poetry, this for you, this is your encore.
But that’s the poetry part of me.
Margaret: That’s wonderful
Zan Johns: The Voices part is equally excited. You know that in each of the books I’ve been into 20, 21, 22, 23 now 24 In each one, my poem is presented as the dedication page. That’s huge to me. That’s huge. And I’m honored that Gail Watson invites me and commissioned me to do the poem. And I think the poems get better and better.
Margaret 25:38
Do you have a little sample of the one that you wrote? For this book? Is there a little piece of either your chapter or your poem that you would want to read?
25:48
Zan Johns: The title of this one is ‘Empowered Bells’, we are empowered bells, inspired by passion and purpose, right? empowered through passion, and purpose. And what I do, you know, we meet from the beginning, we say, yes, we sign the contract.
And when we’re meeting, via zoom, I’m taking notes, I am capturing I’m saving whatever you share, you know, it’s my words, your words, echo. When I’m off the Zoom call, I’m still hearing the words of my co-authors. That’s how the poem is inspired. That’s how I come up with the words. And I’m gonna see, just bear with me, give me a minute, I might be able to give you a piece of it.
Margaret: We would love that.
Zan Johns: Okay. Just the beginning.
Margaret 26:48
That’s interesting to know your process too, because I did not know that’s how you came to write the poem. And I think that makes it even more special.
26:56
Zan Johns: It’s, it’s a special when, when I sent it to Gail, I was so excited. And when she wrote back, she was very pleased. And it showed in her response. And I thought, yes, I knew these were the right words for the book.
Margaret 27:14
How reassuring to have that feedback.
27:18
Zan Johns: To have that feedback. I’ll just share a little bit because I have to save it.
Margaret: Yeah, we got to save some.
Zan Johns: and it’s a long one. I’ll just give you first it starts here. ‘Inspiring story after story, resounding voice after voice. The richness of our narratives reveals the courage of our choice. We treat vulnerability as an asset, a conduit of interconnection, we greet each day with confidence, hope, gratitude, and reflection.’ I’ll stop there.
Margaret 28:01
Oh, that’s fabulous. Teaser. Yeah. And so, when a person purchases, ‘Voices of the 21st Century Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose,’ when they open the book, the first thing one of the first things they will see is that poem?
28:16
Zan Johns: They will see that poem. And it is it’s it feels so good. It feels wonderful. Yeah, the book is beautiful. This is your first time, right? I can’t wait for you to receive your book.
Margaret 28:30
I can’t either. It feels surreal. I don’t think it feels real yet. And doing this is really helpful. Because I’m getting to know players, and authors, and sisters in the process. Even though we’re in the meetings, it’s different. And when I got the book, and you could read the whole thing, I was like, I don’t want to do that yet. I want to talk to the women, hear their stories and then read the book.
28:51
Zan Johns: Right. Right. Understand.
Margaret 28:54
So, your chapter because you also have a chapter. Yes. It sounds like the slam dunk. With anyone reading this the home run the goal would be that they give themselves permission to lean into their passion and purpose. Would that be fair of what you hope they would get from your chapter?
29:13
Zan Johns: I want them to lean in. I want them to own it. I want them to act on it. And you know what? Once you discover your passion and your purpose, you have no choice. Right? Wouldn’t you agree?
Margaret: I do.
Zan Johns: Once you discover it, it’s what fuels you. And you have no choice and my family. You know, now I manage my time I manage my intake. I’ve got to be realistic, but I try my best to manage negativity. It’s about positivity for me, and I have a poem that I wrote in 2021 about turning the TV off. I had to disconnect. It’s called deployments titled ‘Dissed,’ you know, it’s disgusting. I felt disoriented, I felt discombobulated, and I disconnected the TV and started writing. You know, I have to manage it.
Margaret 30:16
I want to ask a question about your story in your life. At what age did you learn that writing was a place to process your feelings? Your experiences, like what age did you first realize, wow, this helps me when I don’t know what to do with something that I’m learning or seeing or hearing.
30:38
Zan Johns: You know what! I wish I had learned earlier. I started writing at 18.
Margaret: Okay,
Zan Johns: I didn’t journal. Previously, I didn’t write poetry. And for that reason, I raised a son and a daughter. And they have been journaling and writing ever since they could. Yeah, because I think it’s important. Yeah,
Margaret 31:02
I do too. And I don’t know, if many people will get to a point of wanting to publish what they write. But for those who do, it’s such a great message to say, even if it’s never public, to have this outlet, to have this ability to express yourself and, and work through things in a written form. I found it harder to write. I’m a speaker, I speak all the time. And I say a lot of things that people are like, oh, you know, can’t believe you can say that. But it’s second nature to me to write it took a whole different level of vulnerability for me. So, it was interesting.
31:39
Zan Johns: We’re opposites, easier for me to write than to speak.
Margaret 31:41
Yeah. But how great is that we can be unique and still find that outlet, whatever that is.
31:46
Zan Johns: We make it work. We make it work. I’ve always written letters now that, you know i In retrospect, that’s the way to process. So, I did write letters early on. Yeah. Love that.
Margaret 31:59
I love that too. And I’ve come across some of my elders in my family’s letters and journals. And they’ve been so rich for me to understand people in different ways. So, I love that you’ve got that for your family, for your continuing generations to come to get to know you in that way. Because it is different.
32:18
Zan Johns: Yes. I’m in the books, I’m on paper for all of time.
Margaret 32:35
So hello, everybody, welcome again to another part of this podcast where I get the privilege to sit down with my co-authors in the ‘Voices of the 21st Century book that will be coming out in February of this year. And now it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Kashaun who will share how she would introduce herself to you as a co-author in the book.
Kashaun Parker 32:59
Well thank you for having me, Margaret. My name is Kashaun Parker, I am by trade author and a transformation coach. And just by way of wanting to get my message out of my word out, I learned about Voices of the 21st Century through the Women Speakers Association and thought it was a phenomenal collaboration to share my message and be a part of the co-author project for Voices of the 21st century.
Margaret 33:28
And was this your first time within the Voices collaboration?
Kashaun Parker 33:35
Yes, this is my first installment. And what a journey it has been i I’ve heard many stories. So, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I think what Gail has done with this project is absolutely phenomenal. I mean, I was I was nervous. I was afraid. But I felt nurtured and cared for throughout the entire process, which is always good.
Margaret 34:00
I agree. It’s been a neat experience and to meet women from all around the world who have a passion to share their story in this format was wonderful, too. So, when you look at writing, was it a hard thing to do? Was it natural for you? How did the process happen?
Kashaun Parker 34:17
Oh, gosh. So, when I initially went in, I thought I had all these ideas until I got ready to sit down and write and nothing would come out. Like I hit a huge brick wall. And I was thinking like, oh gosh, what did I do? I think I made a mistake. Just all the second guessing.
And I remember talking with one of my fellow coach colleagues and they were like Kashaun just tell your story. Your story has enough power and impact in it, that will move people and they just were quite transparent with me and saying you know you’re struggling because it’s your story, its normal, but for someone else it might be a recipe for success. So just tell you a story. And once I sat with that, I was able to just really sit down. And I mean, I got the chapter out in a matter of minutes, it just, it didn’t take long after that to get through the writer’s block.
Margaret 35:15
Neat. I had a similar experience, I didn’t have a wall I hit I was just procrastinating out of fear of the vulnerability of putting in writing feels very different than speaking it for me. So that was my challenge. Once I got over that it also came quite quickly. Do you have history of writing in any other capacity, Kashaun? Or is this your first experience overall?
Kashaun Parker 35:37
This is my first experience overall, I mean, I’ve done some, you know, leadership collaborations and inputs, but nothing to this magnitude where it’s more personal, right? I can talk leadership development all day. But when you get into the personal space, it requires a little bit more, it takes a little more vulnerability to get in there and open up some of those doors. So, this won’t be the first.
Margaret 36:02
Good for you. When you think about someone reading it knows nothing about you. And it’s their first time reading your chapter, your story. What would be a slam dunk? What would you hope they walk away with without giving away all the content but is there something that would mean a lot to you, if that was the way they felt walking away?
Kashaun Parker 36:22
It would mean a lot to me to have readers to look at whatever it is that they aspire to do, I find that many of us have dreams and hopes and aspirations that we never really fully tap into, be it we are second guessing or judging whatever it is, but I hope that through my share, someone looks at that and says wow, if she can do it, you know, I don’t have any excuse. And they just began to challenge themselves and the beliefs that they might have and just do some extraordinary things with them.
Margaret 37:02
So, do you have a line or a quote from your chapter that you want to share? Or do you want to leave it for them to read it in their own time?
Kashaun Parker 37:10
I want to leave it for them to read it I think I don’t want to give away the magic of the chapter. But I will say it is definitely one that is inspiring if I do say so myself, to just reach in with boldness and courage and you know, see where the journey takes you.
Margaret 37:52
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!
