Some conversations don't end when the event does. They linger. They shift something. They stay. This is one of those.

In this Author Showcase Virtual Summit, powerful voices come together to share the real stories behind their books, the moments that shaped them, the truths they had to face, and the courage it took to finally put it into words.

These aren't just authors. These are lived experiences, turned into messages that matter. If you've ever needed clarity, encouragement, or a reminder that your story has power, you're in the right place.

These are the voices you heard, and the stories you'll want to stay connected to:

Cathryn Farr - Life Writer. #1 International Best Selling Author. Visit her website: https://lifewritingcathryn.com/ Grab a copy of her book: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/VKJivF1/LastMileThree

Becky Moller - #1 International Best Selling Author, founder of Undone Academy. Grab a copy of her book: https://beckymoller.com/undone-unafraid-book/ Join her FREE masterclass: https://beckymoller.com/the-crucial-tool/

Dezlee Hancock - #1 International Best Selling Author, Realtor, entrepreneur. Get a copy of her book: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/XCwjNZg/HeartfeltConnections

Laurie Hartley- Moore - #1 International Best Selling Author, Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Human Behavioral Expert, and nationally accredited Native American Medicine Woman. Grab a copy of her book here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/71mkXCU/ColorConstitution

M. Kay Bush - International Best-Selling Author, School counselor, Child life Specialist, and Support group Facilitator. Grab a copy of her book: https://linktr.ee/youcandohardthings Learn more about her work: https://www.youcandohardthings.today/

What does it take to turn street smarts into lasting success, and then use that success to build something bigger than yourself?

In this episode, Rebecca Hall Gruyter sits down with John Gullo, entrepreneur, visionary, and founder of The American Dream Foundation, for a dynamic conversation about grit, opportunity, and purpose-driven leadership.

Raised in Buffalo, New York, John learned early how to navigate challenges and create opportunities. From working his way up in the grocery and restaurant industries to becoming a Burger King franchisee, he built a successful business career, but didn't stop there. Driven by a larger vision, he launched numerous nonprofit initiatives and later became a pioneer in the world of professional pickleball.

Together, Rebecca and John explore the turning points that shaped his journey, the mindset required to step into entrepreneurship, and what it means to keep evolving, even after achieving success. They also discuss his passion for giving back and why building something meaningful is just as important as building something profitable.

This episode is a powerful reminder that thriving isn't just about what you achieve, it's about what you create, contribute, and leave behind.

As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter, at
www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com

John Gullo is an entrepreneur, nonprofit founder, and author of The Extraordinary Adventures of an Ordinary Man. Raised in Buffalo, New York, he turned early street smarts into business success, rising through the grocery and restaurant industries before becoming a Burger King franchisee.

John is also the founder of The American Dream Foundation, where he has launched numerous community and patriotic initiatives. Known for his ability to spot opportunity, he became an early pioneer in professional pickleball, helping grow the sport at a national level.

Through his work and writing, John shares a message of perseverance, vision, and the belief that extraordinary lives are built from ordinary beginnings.

Connect with John:
Website: https://www.johnagullo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580569176254

Being passionate about your purpose is like igniting a fire within your soul—it fuels every action, decision, and moment of your life. When you align with your purpose, you find a deep sense of fulfillment and clarity that transcends ordinary motivation. In this replay, Rebecca talked with Wellness Expert and Coach Carmen Milagro about letting your purpose fuel you to greater wellness, as well as helping you persevere through challenges and celebrate even the smallest victories.

As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter at https://yourpurposedrivenpractice.com. Our guests are also online. Carmen's online home is https://expandi.tv/authors/author-carmen-milagro.

About our guest:

Carmen Milagro is a dynamic speaker and multi-faceted "entrepren-artist" dedicated to empowering individuals worldwide. With her engaging storytelling, insightful expertise and infectious energy, Carmen leaves audiences inspired to act. As a motivational Master-Certified Coach she's passionate about supporting youth as well as women over 50, offering a unique blend of wisdom and insights. Carmen champions inter-generational and multi-cultural connections to foster growth and resilience. As host of Wellness 360, now in its 4th season, she approaches health and wellness with a holistic, 360-degree perspective to show us how to live more abundant, joyful, healthy and purpose-driven lives! Find her online at: https://expandi.tv/authors/author-carmen-milagro

What does it mean to live through history, and then spend decades making sense of it?

In this powerful conversation, Rebecca Hall Gruyter welcomes Mimi Nichter, author of Hostage: A Memoir of Terrorism, Trauma, and Resilience, to reflect on a moment in history that changed her life.

In 1970, Mimi was taken hostage in what became one of the first internationally recognized acts of modern terrorism. Decades later, she revisits that experience with the insight of a cultural anthropologist and survivor. Together, they explore fear, delayed trauma, faith, identity, and why it took nearly fifty years to tell this story.

This episode is not just about what happened; it's about how we carry what happened, and what it takes to reclaim freedom long after the crisis ends.

As always, you can find Rebecca at
www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com

About the Guest

Mimi Nichter, Ph.D., is Professor Emerita at the University of Arizona and a respected cultural and public anthropologist whose work explores core issues shaping contemporary American life. Her award-winning book Fat Talk received the prestigious Margaret Mead Award for making anthropology accessible to a broad audience.

Her memoir, Hostage: A Memoir of Terrorism, Trauma, and Resilience, marks her most personal work. In it, she revisits her experience as a hostage during a 1970 international terrorism incident and reflects on trauma, resilience, identity, and the long journey toward healing.

Connect with Mimi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miminichter/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mimi-nichter-30673313/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/MimiNichter

What does it take not just to survive, but to truly thrive?

In this March episode, Rebecca Hall Gruyter is joined by Elaine Damschen and Lisa Sitze for a powerful conversation about stepping into personal agency, courageous leadership, and living love in action.

Elaine shares insights from her bestselling book Made in Vietnam, reflecting on heritage, entrepreneurship, and what it means to build something meaningful that outlives you. From co-founding a company recognized on the Inc. 5000 list to mentoring women leaders, she embodies thriving through bold decisions and service-driven leadership.

Lisa brings a deeply personal and practical lens to thriving through her book Facing Your Demons. She teaches that agency is our greatest superpower, the ability to choose how we respond, grow, and move forward. Through her RAD framework, she shows how recognizing emotions, acknowledging responsibility without blame, and deciding your next step creates momentum toward abundance.

Together, this conversation explores how thriving is not accidental. It's built through intention, ownership, courage, and daily choices that align with who you are becoming.

If you're ready to move beyond limitations and create life on purpose, this episode will help you take that next step.

As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter, at
www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com

About the Guests

Elaine Damschen is a #1 international bestselling author, speaker, and entrepreneur who believes in "Love in Action." She co-founded Mainstream Electric Heating, Cooling & Plumbing in 2000, growing it into an Inc. 5000 recognized company three times and earning honors as "Woman of the Year" and "Top Entrepreneur of the Year."

Her book Made in Vietnam shares a story of perseverance, heritage, and purpose. Today, Elaine continues to champion women entrepreneurs and skilled trades professionals, preparing to launch Essence Swimwear while mentoring leaders to thrive with integrity and courage.

Connect with Elaine:
Website: https://ElaineDamschen.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576937244149
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elaine.damschen/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-damschen-050006119

Lisa Sitze is a #1 International Best Selling Author, life coach, and advocate for personal agency. Through her book Facing Your Demons, she teaches that thriving begins when we take stewardship over our choices.

Certified through Dr. Sears Wellness Institute, Lisa helps individuals recognize their emotional patterns, release blame, and move forward with clarity. Her RAD framework, Recognize, Acknowledge, Decide, offers practical tools for stepping into empowerment and abundance.

Lisa believes thriving means living with respect, boundaries, grace, and multiple streams of growth, financial, emotional, and spiritual.

Connect with Lisa:
Facebook: Alyssia Rhys
Instagram: lisa_sitze
LinkedIn: Lisa Sitze

What if profit is not the goal, but the outcome of doing leadership well?

In this episode, Rebecca Hall Gruyter is joined by John A. Lanier, CEO of Middle Market Methods and longtime profit rainmaking expert, for a practical conversation about what truly drives sustainable growth. Drawing from more than 40 years of experience and his upcoming book Profit Rainmaking™, John shares how loyal customers, exceptional operations, and inspired teams are built, not forced.

Together, they unpack what customer loyalty really looks like, why operational excellence is a leadership discipline, and how stewardship creates teams that want to win. This conversation is for leaders who want strong results without sacrificing values, and growth that endures beyond short-term wins.

As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter, at
www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com

ABOUT THE GUEST

John A. Lanier is the CEO of Middle Market Methods and a trusted advisor to leadership teams committed to excellence and competitive differentiation. His four-decade career has focused on helping organizations cultivate loyal customers, exceptional operations, and inspired teams, while maintaining a "winning the right way" mindset.

Through consulting, speaking, and writing, John brings an infectious passion for principled leadership and sustainable growth. He is also a proud member of a dog-rescuing family.

Website: https://www.profitrainmaking.com/
LinkedIn (Business): https://www.linkedin.com/company/profitrainmaking/
LinkedIn (Personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnalanier/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfitRainmakingbyJohnLanier
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProfitRainmaking/

Your story is not set in stone. Do you believe that? Every day is an opportunity to break from old patterns, reclaim your own personal narrative, and step into a future that finally feels like yours.

In this replay, Rebecca talked to author Carrie West about her forthcoming book Life Rewritten. Love is a powerful force in the midst of your story. Rewriting your life impacts the love you experience too! Tune in as Rebecca and Carrie explore transforming the way you see your past and how you can open the door to new possibilities.

As always, you can find our host, Rebecca Hall Gruyter at www.yourpurposedrivenpractice.com. Our guests are also online. Carrie's online home is https://carriekcwest.com/.

About Our Guest

Carrie KC West is an Author, Speaker and Life Story Coach who uses her entertainment industry experience to support clients with their life and business stories. A well-developed, balanced story brings fulfillment and success in business, relationships, and life. She helps people and businesses change the underlying stories that impede their abilities for success. Carrie is a sought-after speaker, webinar leader, and author of the book, Life Rewritten, launching March 2025. Find her at carriekcwest.com.