Beacons of Bravery Podcast

How to curb your numbing behaviors

Welcome today's Beacon, Leigh Schutzky.  Leigh is a coach who specializes in helping adults stop over-drinking alcohol.  But wait, if that's not you, don't skip this episode because it's for everyone!  We all numb ourselves in some way...overeating, over-scrolling on social media, overworking, over-exercising, gambling etc. etc. etc.  No one is immune to it.
Leigh talks about her method of coaching that doesn't focus on shame, it focuses on solutions.  During our chat she's candid about her history and why her mission is to help others as well.  There are many ways to curb or eliminate numbing behaviors, and she gives us a look at one you may not have seen before.
Some of the things we discuss are:
-looking at our underlying desires to discover why we are numbing with external things
-why people behave in ways to avoid a negative emotions
-realizing that we don't have to feel positive all the time, its normal to feel negative emotions
-how we can replace self judgement with curiosity
 
I know that you'll love this episode.  You can reach out to Leigh by going to her website: leighschutzky.com.  On there you'll find a free pdf about 3 tools to stop over drinking.  You can also learn about her one-on-one coaching.  Her email address is listed on the website.
You can connect with me on IG @cari.normand or on FB @ Cari Yocom Normand.  You can also email me @ beaconsofbravery@gmail.com.  If you liked this episode and feel that someone else would benefit from it, please share it on social media and tag me, so that I can thank you.  Also, ratings and reviews on Apple podcast are super important!  It's the main way people can search and find this podcast.  So if you could take one minute to do this, I would forever be grateful!
Go out there and be brave today!!

How to gain confidence and overcome the fear of public speaking

Meet today's Beacon, Victoria Lioznyansky.  You're in for a treat because Victoria is a public speaking and confidence coach.  I believe that everyone can use more confidence, and many of us have struggled with public speaking for a long time.
We talk about so much more than just public speaking so this message is for everyone!  It will help you speak to your colleagues, your boss, your friends, your family and an audience.
The nuggets of wisdom that Victoria drops during this episode are too numerous to list, but here are a few of the things we discuss:
-courage is a muscle that you can strengthen
-Elvis was an introvert who had stage fright
-you can't put band-aids on your confidence, you have to learn to be confident on the inside
-shifting your attention off of yourself and onto how you want your audience to feel
-how to summon your inner super hero on demand
-what if you fall, but more importantly, what if you fly?
I know that after listening to Victoria you'll want to connect with her.  The best way to do this is to visit her website: www.byvictorial.com.  On there she has free trainings, some self study programs and one-on-one coaching available.
If you love this episode (as I know you will), please rate and review it on Apple podcasts.  Also let me know with a DM on Instagram @cari.normand or Facebook @ Cari Yocom Normand.  You can also email me at beaconsofbravery@gmail.com.  And it would be awesome if you shared this episode on social media if you think it would benefit others.
Let's go out there and be brave today!

Making sense of the chaos in your life

Meet today's Beacon of Bravery Tracy Candice.  She's my first Canadian guest (but certainly not the last)!
As we go through the story of her life, you'll see that her journey hasn't always been a straight one, but she's ended up in the right place.
Some things we discuss in this episode:
-how to get out of your own way while trying to live a better life
-how to embrace relationships that "didn't work out" for the purpose and benefit they had in your life
-how to learn to accept and embrace the obstacles in your life
And so much more.  Tune and and be inspired.
You can connect with Tracy through her website:  tracycandicecoaching.com and on Facebook her personal page:  Tracy Candice or her business page: tracycandicecoaching.
And I would love to connect with you on IG @cari.normand, on FB @ Cari Yocom Normand or you can email me @ beaconsofbravery@gmail.com

May the wind be always at your back

In today's bonus episode, I go solo to provide you with a short burst of inspiration to start you week.
I discuss:
-running against the wind or with the wind at your back (in life)
-begin with the end in mind.  Your thoughts matter!
I hope that you get inspiration and insight from this brief message.
If you like it, please share it with someone who needs to hear it today.  Please rate and review it on Apple podcasts, it means the world to me to get this message out there!  And as always, I would love to connect with you on Instagram @cari.normand.  Or on FB @ Cari Yocom Normand.  Or you can email me at beaconsofbravery@gmail.com.
Be Brave Today!

Rediscover your dreams after they've been squashed

Meet todays Beacon of Bravery Irina Strunina.  Her story is absolutely extraordinary!
Born and raised in the Soviet Union, she learned that her dreams didn't matter because her life's path was already set for her.  But things changed and she was brave enough to make a move to the US for love.
All was good for awhile, until it wasn't.  But the circumstances of her life lit a fire that led to the passion that she is currently pursuing.  No one goes through fire without being burned, but she has turned her scars into jewels.
You won't want to miss her story and how she has learned to dream again!
She leaves us with an uplifting quote..."keep moving, the water doesn't run under the laying rock."
Give Irina some love if you are moved by her story or want to learn more about what she's doing.  Join her on her Facebook Lives at her business page:  smartmove360.  Or connect with her on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram @Irinastrunina.  She also does events on Event Brite: Diabetes 101.
And as always, I would love to connect on Instagram.  You can find me @cari.normand.  Drop me a DM and let me know what you think of this episode and the podcast in general.  Or you can email me @ beaconsofbravery@gmail.com.  
If you like this podcast and would like to see the positive message spread, please rate and review it on the Apple podcast app.  It helps other people discover new podcasts.  Thanks and much love to all of you!
 

If you're going through hell, keep on going

Meet today's Beacon of Bravery Melody Vachal.  She has an amazing life story with many highs and lows.  And the lows don't get much lower, because she lost a child.
But she has persisted and even thrived.  How did she do it?  In her words, "dig deep and find that (light) within yourself."
If you need a mega dose of inspiration today, you don't want to miss this show.  Melody's story is not one of doom and gloom, it's a story of hope.  She shines the light on how its possible to go through hell and not just keep going, but to come out the other side and be of service to others.  She says during this interview, "Turn your light on, be the light."
There's so much to her story that you just need to listen to take it all in!
You can connect with Melody on Instagram and Facebook @riseupcareandwellness.  She also runs a Facebook group called "Take Care of You."  This group is aimed at helping and uplifting caregivers (even if the only person you're caring for is you).  You can also email her at: mvachal@riseupcareandwellness.com.  Reach out to her and let her know how her story impacted you.
And as always, I would love to connect with you!  Message me on Instagram @cari.normand or you can email me at: beaconsofbravery@gmail.com  I'd love to hear from you!
Also, if you enjoyed this particular show, take a screen shot and share it out with someone who needs to hear it today--tag me too :)   
 

Too busy to pursue your dreams? Think again

Todays Beacon is Don Sowell.  Corporate executive, pastor, student and entrepreneur.  Whew...if you think you've got a lot going on, check out this guy.
Don talks to us about a difficult but loving childhood where monetary things were scarce, but love was strong.  He felt a calling to preach early in his life but ran from it for awhile.  He climbed the ranks in the corporate world and then found himself at rock bottom after being fired from a job.  He made a promise to God, "if you help me out of this, I will fulfill my calling."  And indeed he has.
This goes to show that people are not one dimensional, as we often see them.  Everybody has dreams of pursuing more, and Don tells us about his.  He is an inspiration on how to balance your profession and your dream.  He talks about surrounding yourself with the right people:  "pick your company wisely."  A theme that shows up over and over on this show.
He has an excellent book recommendation:  "How to help people change." by JE Adams
Give Don some love!  You can connect with him on FB @ https://www.facebook.com/don.sowell.3 or email him at donsowelljr@yahoo.com
And as always, I would love to connect and hear from you.  Follow and DM me on Instagram @cari.normand.  Email me at beaconsofbravery@gmail.com.  And most of all, if you like this show please rate and review it on apple podcasts.  It means a lot and will help to get this message spread to a wider audience.  And share it with a friend...you never know who needs to hear this in their life right now, it might make all the difference in the world.
Go out there and Be Brave Today!!

How To Get Back Up When Life Knocks You Down

Meet today's Beacon of Bravery, Tina Brandau.  To say that she's had obstacles in her life would be an understatement.  And yet, she didn't stay down.  Tune in to hear her journey back from the depths where she had to start over again as a beginner.
We discuss introversion and extroversion, resilience, getting unstuck and that fear is a normal reaction to stepping outside your comfort zone.
One of her many mic drop quotes during this episode was:  "Don't 'I'll be happy when" your life away."
You can connect with her on Instagram @Leadingandlivingalifeyoulove.  Check out her Facebook group: Rooted in Happiness.  Her company website is:  successcoachingsolutions.com where you can grab some free coaching downloads
And as always, I would love to connect with you on Instagram @cari.normand or you can email me at beaconsofbravery@gmail.com.  It would mean SO MUCH to me if you took a minute (yes, just a minute) to rate and review the show and to share this episode with a friend.  
Don't sit on the sidelines, be brave today!

Going from tragedy to triumph

Meet today's Beacon of Bravery, Tami Imlay.  She's a warrior and an inspiration.  When tragedy threatened to take her out, she rose up and realized that everything happens for a reason.  You will benefit from the light that she shines!
You won't want to miss a minute of this episode because she drops inspiration throughout!
Check out her podcast:  Her Restored Spirit.  Or her website:  tamimariecoaching.com or on Instagram or Facebook @Tamimariecoaching
As always, I'd love to hear from you.  Reach me on Instagram @cari.normand or Facebook @Cari Yocom Normand.  Or email me at Beaconsofbravery@gmail.com.  If you liked this show, please rate, review and share it with a friend.  Be Brave Friends!

Its not about where you're from, its where you're going

Meet today's Beacon of Bravery, James Bradford Jr.  He's my good friend who talks about growing up with hardship but then not letting it stop you.  James has gone on to mentor, teach and coach hundreds of young men--showing them that it doesn't matter where you come from, you can accomplish any goal you set your mind to.
 
The world needs more people like James.  If you'de like to connect with him, his Twitter handle is: @coachjb06, or message him on Facebook at:  James Bradford Jr.  Give him a shout and let him know how his story connected with you.
 
As always, you can connect with me on Instagram @cari.normand, on FB @ Cari Yocom Normand or email me at Beaconsofbravery@gmail.com.  And most of all, if you like this podcast, please rate and review it, and share it with a friend.  It will help spread this message of hope!