Red Silk Carpet #92 Special Edition Jan 2024

RSC#92January2024

On The Cover

Dr Forbes Riley World’s Biggest Film City Coming to the UAE

Karen Levine Steven Yuen Antrone Harris Larry Thompson Robert Downey Jr.

Special Power Entrepreneurs to Watch for in 2024

Yasmine Tanres Lisa N Edwards Shelley Johnson Kathy Tuccaro

R E D SI L K C A R P E T EX E C U T I V E D I V I SI O N

SHEL LE Y PE KAL A ED IT ORIA L DIR EC TOR GRAPHIC D ESIGN

MIKAYLA P EK ALA E D I T O R - IN - C H I E F

C R Y S T A L GILLEY ASSIST ANT E DI TOR IN C HIE F

SAIF RAHMAN SOZIB IN TE RNA TION AL JOU RNA LIST

SEPEHR N IKPOURI PHOTOJOUR NAL IST

SEPEHR N IKPOURI RE D SILK CA RPET U S A B RAND A M B ASS ADOR

NA TAC HA COSTA RE D SILK CA RPET IN TE RNA TION AL B RAN D AM B ASS AD OR

SPECIAL GUEST C E L E B R I T Y WR I T E R J U LES LA VA LLEE

www. re ds i l k c a r pe t l l c . c o m s he lle y @ re ds ilk c a rpe tllc . c o m

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Dr Fo rbes Ri ley Celeb r ity TV Host, Dr For b es Riley: On e of th e Mo s t I n f l u e n t ia l Wo m e n in t h e Wo r l d

By Jules Lavallee

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Celebrity TV Host, Dr. Forbes Riley is a pioneer and industry leader in the field of infomercials and Home Shopping TV, with product sales of over $2.5 billion.

A true Renaissance Woman, bestselling author, and highperformance results coach, she started her stellar career on TV and movies as an actress. Today she teaches and trains entrepreneurs to level up THEIR communication skills to themselves and the world, taking people from zero to hero in their personal and professional relationships. As a keynote motivational speaker, she has been compared to Tony Robbins for her bold, dynamic style that instantly transforms audiences.

She has shared stages with Les Brown, Deepak Chopra, Mel Robbins, Jack Canfield, Grant Cardone, and Shark Tank’s Daymond John. Forbes is a True Global Thought Leader and Brand on a mission to ignite Hope and Prosperity.

Today she teaches and trains entrepreneurs to level up THEIR communication skills to themselves and the world, taking people from zero to hero in their personal and professional relationships.

What has your success behind the TV infomercial phenomenon taught you about what drives people?

Having been the spokesperson for over 1500 products and grossing over $2.5 billion in sales throughout my career, the success behind the TV infomercial phenomenon has taught me a profound insight into what drives people. It has

revealed that as humans, we are inclined to sit up, take notice, and take action when we encounter a pitch that strikes a chord with us.

This understanding forms the foundation of my teachings on the art and science of the Perfect Pitch, emphasizing the critical elements that capture the attention and motivate individuals to engage in various products and services.

What has been your motivational force throughout your career?

Throughout my career, my motivational force has been a relentless passion for innovation and the desire to provide value to people. I have always been driven by the opportunity to create and market products that can genuinely improve the lives of consumers. The satisfaction of knowing that my work has the potential to make a positive impact on individuals and the joy of seeing successful results have been powerful motivators.

Additionally, the thrill of entrepreneurship, the challenge of adapting to evolving markets, and the pursuit of excellence have all played crucial roles in keeping me inspired and driven in my career. My dad was a dream, engineer, part-time magician, and full-time inventor; only his inventions never got beyond our home. In his Willy Wonka gadget-filled garage he turned to me one day and said, “Kiddo how do I get my inventions out to the world?“ I replied, " I don't know Dad, I'm only 8". But when he passed away and all those inventions got carted away by junk collectors, I

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realized that 1. I need to help inventors and I placed them on infomercials and home shopping so they could see what they had created have life and impact people and 2. that you need to take action on your dreams and not to procrastinate and wait until it's too late.

How are you taking entrepreneurs today to level up their communication skills? Is there a commonality of some of the challenges entrepreneurs face today?

Entrepreneurs are improving their communication skills through workshops, mentorship, practice, and technology.

Common challenges they face include fear of public speaking, lack of clarity, engaging diverse audiences, handling tough questions, and time constraints.

Effective communication is crucial for building relationships and growing their businesses. To address this growing desire to either become an entrepreneur or have a side hustle to meet rising prices and carve out an independent sense of self-esteem I have a coaching empire called, The Forbes Factor, where I currently teach live a range of training from Pitch Like a Pro and the Ultimate Pitch Formula up to high-end Masterminds and a series of course called NEXT LEVEL focusing on needed skills from being a paid speaker in your industry to personal branding. All needed skills that none of us learned in our college days but essential to competing and winning in today's marketplace.

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Les Brown said, “Forbes Riley is the Voice of the Future.”

We are living in turbulent times. What do you want to say to empower people and provide hope for the future?

I appreciate the sentiment behind Les Brown's quote, and I share the belief in the importance of empowerment and hope, especially during turbulent times.

In challenging moments, it's essential to remember that resilience, adaptability, and collective effort can lead to positive change and brighter days ahead. Let's continue to learn, grow, and work together to build a better future for all. I am traveling all of Feb through April with speaking engagements across the country from Salt Lake to Charlotte, Phoenix and Los Angeles to Vegas and my hometown Tampa.

and challenges are opportunities for growth and learning, that Life Happens for YOU and NOT TO YOU and that by embracing innovation and a relentless pursuit of one's goals, individuals can achieve remarkable success.

My work is driven by my passion for empowerment, inspiring people to unleash their full potential, and reminding them that their voice and actions can shape a brighter future. They say You may only live once, but if you do it right... once is enough!

Workplace Wellness has been a hot topic. Tell us about your program.

To check out my schedule visit www.forbesriley.com but the easiest way to connect with me, learn from me live in to join me ON ZOOM from the comfort of your living room at www.PitchSecretsMasterClass.co m What is your philosophy in life?

My philosophy in life revolves around the power of perseverance, positive thinking, and the belief that everyone has untapped potential. I continue to champion the idea that setbacks

Workplace wellness is a subject that I hold dear, and it has played a significant role in both my personal and professional life. In my career, I've been involved in initiatives such as the 'My Eat Journal' weight loss program and the 'SpinGym,' which are

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designed to promote not only physical fitness but wellness among those of us who are employees and entrepreneurs working from our homes or living the laptop lifestyle. I firmly believe that a healthy, fit body, mind, and spirit is a more productive and happier one. To find my secrets simply visit www.ShopForbesRiley.com. I'm passionate about making a difference in people's lives by offering tools and resources that help all of us regarding weight, age, or activity level, achieve the wellness goals of our dreams.

Share your vision for 2024.

I'm excited about the opportunities that 2024 holds.

My vision for this year is to continue making a positive impact in the areas that matter most to me. I aim to grow personally and professionally, to inspire and empower others, and to work on meaningful projects that contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities.

It's a year for setting new goals, embracing challenges, and cherishing moments of growth and achievement. I believe that by staying focused, passionate, and open to new experiences, 2024 can be a year of significant growth and fulfillment. www.forbesriley.com Don't miss out! Tune in to www.forbesrileypodcast.com.

D r. A n u r a a g G u g l a a n i : A Tra i lbla zer i n Fa mi ly Busi ness Transfor mation and Philanthropy

By Jules Lavallee

The journey from being an aspirational fighter jet pilot to a renowned family business doctor and Entrepreneur – Investor, who believes in creating wealth through business, for utilization in the upliftment of women and youth empowerment coupled with entrepreneurship enhancement and employment generation.

individuals, there exists Dr. Anuraag Guglaani—a visionary leader, a catalyst for change, and a passionate advocate for transformation and philanthropy. With a multitude of prestigious awards and accolades to his name, Dr. Guglaani is leaving an indelible mark on the world through his remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact.

In the realm of exceptional

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“Well, I take pride in being known as a renowned “Business Doctor” who sits on the Board of Multiple large family business groups, steering their growth, transformation and sustenance and am also an entrepreneur invested in couple of businesses, while being the Managing Partner & CEO of Wazir Advisors, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.”

-Dr. Anuraag Guglaani

During my youth, I got trained at the world’s top military officer’s training academy to fulfill my aspiration of becoming a Fighter Jet Pilot with the Air force. Apart from my armed forces officer’s training, I also have a Ph.D. in Family business transformation, Doctorate in Technology governance, Doctorate in Humanitarianism (hc), MBA in Finance & Marketing, EMBA in leadership and Management , Fellowship of Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership( FCIML) , Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and am a CISM ( Certified Information Security Manager), CDPSE ( Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer) & CGEIT ( Certified in Governance of Enterprise IT), I am also involved with the public sector for policy formulation and advisory and am an avid speaker at multiple global forums and universities on the topics of leadership, business, investments, entrepreneurship, and transformation.

You are a trailblazer in Family Business Transformation and Philanthropy, Share your background.

My professional journey starts from having been trained for three years at the toughest and most prestigious Military Officer’s training academy to pursue my dream of becoming a fighter jet pilot to now being a renowned “family business doctor” and Entrepreneur – Investor, who believes in creating wealth through business, for utilization in the upliftment of women and youth empowerment coupled with entrepreneurship enhancement and employment generation.

renowned “Business Doctor” sitting on the Board of Multiple large family business groups, steering their growth, turnaround, and sustenance, and being involved in transforming businesses in 24 countries and 42 varied industries.

You have a passion for knowledge and have always been a strong believer that failure is a better teacher since continued success makes us complacent while failure forces us to challenge ourselves and think outside the box. Explain.

I do believe that Failure serves as a superior teacher compared to continued success for several reasons. Failure forces us to analyze mistakes, fostering a learning mindset. It tests our resilience, promoting perseverance and mental strength. Additionally, failure sparks creativity, pushing us out of our comfort zones to find innovative solutions. It instills humility, encouraging openness to different perspectives. Experience gained from failure provides a deeper understanding of our endeavors. Furthermore, failure motivates improvement and builds character, shaping individuals into more adaptable and resilient individuals, ready to navigate future challenges. In contrast, prolonged success can lead to complacency and a reluctance to innovate or push boundaries.

• Please share your honors and awards.

• I have had the rare honor of receiving “Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award” from the US President's Office which includes a medallion and a citation of “with grateful recognition” given by the

I take pride in becoming a

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• AmeriCorps and the Office of the •

US President.

• I have also been honored with the “President’s Volunteer Service Medal” along with a letter of appreciation from “The White House,” personally signed by the President of the United States.

• In the recent past I have also received the Global Humanitarian award, Top 100 Change Maker, Global Icon, UAE International Excellence, Tableau d’ Honneur and Entrepreneurship Excellence awards.

• The key reason behind receiving all these awards is that I have created an indigenous model for supporting women and youth entrepreneurship and empowerment through geographical expansion of businesses and profitability enhancement, and then utilizing the profits for the benefit of society through generating employment, skill enhancement, and knowledge transfer.

• I am also a board member of multiple non-profit organizations and play an extensive role in elevating the status of women and the empowerment of youth while ensuring that they get to play a significant role at the board level in organizations.

• Tell us about Wazir Advisors and the important work across the globe for Founders, Chairmen, and Entrepreneurs? Share specifically what Wazir Advisors offers to clients.

• We are in the very interesting business of ensuring that other businesses become sustainable rather than fail and that they are able to maximize growth and profitability by capitalizing on market opportunities and structuring themselves better.

• We build and implement strategies, transform, and turn around organizations, and expand and grow businesses in multiple industries and geographies while mitigating risks.

• Wazir Advisors is a 15-year-old, premier strategic advisory and implementation firm comprising 200 team members operating from 14 offices spread across the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa, serving 1000+ clients representing top brands and family businesses.

What are some of the challenges and opportunities when working with Founders and Chairman?

The biggest challenge always is to get the Founders and Chairman’s to realize the gravity of the situation which they are in and to make them understand that business can be conducted differently with lesser stress, better efficiency, larger productivity, and greater profitability by imbibing a differentiated mindset and problem-solving approach.

While I promote and implement intelligent automation as a business enabler, I also focus immensely on mitigating technology risk. Along with enhancing ROI for shareholders, I also envision and implement strategic goals and undertake transformation, automation, technology governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks to create well-governed organizations.

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What are your motivational drivers?

I would call myself a Visionary Transformational Leader who acts as a catalyst for change, and a passionate advocate for transformation and philanthropy, which has led me to earn multitude of prestigious awards and accolades.

My motivation comes from the fact that I am able to make a meaningful impact in the lives of Founders and Chairman’s of businesses and their families, by helping them create a more process driven, less people dependent and highly profitable organization thereby providing them sufficient peace of mind to enjoy their life in parallel.

Over and above that, the work that I do to be able to utilize these profits for the betterment of society, especially women and youth, fuels my passion to go stronger.

Extensive traveling across the globe for partnerships, alliances, JVs, mergers, acquisitions, sourcing, and conferences has helped me connect internationally with decisionmakers in government and the private sector and establish a strong network with affluent business leaders, which helps me in every sphere of life.

The ability to make a difference

for businesses and their owners has by far been the most rewarding aspect of my career and business path. Having been able to create a unique, differentiated, and affordable business model by listening to the needs of the market and the consumer and constantly upgrading and innovating the same keeps me on my toes.

What is your message to Businesses and Entrepreneurs?

Any business that exists is there to solve a particular problem in the market or fill a gap. To address those needs, a solution is developed, which becomes the business model, and then it is essential to identify who is going to pay for that solution, and that becomes the customer.

Subsequently, it needs to be ascertained what value someone is willing to pay for the solution, and that becomes the price and value proposition.

All of the above requires a deep understanding of customer behavior, the market, competition, etc., and in the current dynamic business landscape, it is essential to constantly remain informed in order to make the right decisions at the right time. Thus, the emphasis on market intelligence and research can never be undermined; however, businesses get so involved in day-to-day operations and firefighting that they lose sight of the importance of such

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initiatives.

Focus on 3 C’s: Curiosity, Connections and Creating value.

My clear message to business owners, founders, chairmanships, entrepreneurs, and C-suite executives is that they should never shy away from seeking external guidance and support.

Being involved in day-to-day operations, they would never get a clear picture of their own business, and neither would their employees be able to provide them with a complete and honest understanding.

Someone with external, unbiased, and varied industry expertise can look at things very differently and provide valuable guidance and a road map to success.

Always look for people who have a blended experience of industry and consulting so that they can become a part of problem solving and implementation rather than just advisory.

http://linkedin.com/in/anuraag guglaani

C a lifor n ia Re p u b lic a n P a r ty Un a n im ou s ly En d or s e s Hollywood Talent Manager, Lawyer, and Film Producer, Larry

Thompson, In His Run

for United States Congress

By Jules Lavallee

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The California Republican Party (CAGOP) voted unanimously on December 9, 2023, to endorse Hollywood talent manager, lawyer, and film producer, Larry Thompson, in his 2024 run for U.S. Congress in California's 32nd District. The very valuable CAGOP endorsement came after the Los Angeles County Republican Party (LAGOP) endorsed Thompson and recommended the endorsement to the state party due to Thompson having received a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote at its LAGOP Endorsement Meeting on December 4, 2023. http://www.LarryThompsonFor Congress.com

The Primary Election will be on March 5, 2024. Early voting starts February 5, 2024. The two candidates that receive the most votes in the Primary Election will advance to the General Election, which will be on November 5, 2024.

California Elections have the Top-Two Candidates Open Election System, which means all registered voters, regardless of political affiliation, may vote for any candidate, regardless of political affiliation.

So, what is it about Thompson that is giving such new hope and excitement to the California GOP, and is the biggest news since Kevin McCarthy announced that he is resigning? Red Silk Carpet spoke with Larry Thompson about his vision for America.

Why are you running for congress?

I am running for Congress to awaken, organize, and lead the silenced, conservative

Republican and dissatisfied Democratic voters. No longer should they feel alone,confused, defeated, and scared. I offer them an opportunity to regain their courage, stand up, rethink their long-held beliefs, and join me and those who share their values and vision of our country. I want everyone to stop, think, and simply use Common Sense with Common Civility to find Common Ground to solve our Common Issues. Let's start a fresh, bipartisan conversation to finally end the fighting, regain our ‘sanity,’ and get something done.

I'm the ‘Sanity Man.’ I am a "giver" by nature, and as either a lawyer, talent manager, film producer, brother, husband, or father, I have been helping others for over 50 years to become the very best they can be.

I am truly experienced in helping others. I now want to serve my neighbors in California's 32nd district. The Entertainment business has always been my focus and the idea of politics kept calling. Based on what is going on in the world right now, I knew this was the time for me to offer my experience and vision.

Gerald Ford's Daughter, Susan Ford, to costar on the Jim Nabor's Show, which Thompson produced all 75 episodes in 1978.

Larry was the California Campaign Co-Chairman for Senator Bob Dole's Presidential Campaign in 1996.

Larry was the recipient of the Republican Presidential Taskforce's Medal of Merit presented to him by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and was

You call yourself the "Sanity Man." Explain.

Because there are few term limits on political offices, politicians are allowed to stay in office for too long. Once they drink the Washington Kool-Aid they lose their common sense, loyalty to their constituents, and sanity. They are caught up in the self-serving weeds and what is good only for their party.

When voters say the world has gone "crazy," I agree. I have not drunk the Kool-Aid. I am sane...I am the "Sanity Man."

the personal Talent Manager for President Ronald Reagan's daughter, Patti Davis from 1982 to 1986.

He co-wrote speeches and prepared President Gerald Ford personally for his Republican National Convention address in 1976 and employed President

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He ran for US Congress CA37 as an Independent in 2020. Karen Bass, the current mayor of Los Angeles, won.

“This used to be Reagan Country. I'm running to take it back for him.“ What did you admire the most about Ronald Reagan?

He was strong in his conservative beliefs and a great communicator.

Is it time for change?

Change is overdue. We have been on the wrong path for too long. We seriously are in danger of losing our democracy.

As Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.“

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And, of course, make a serious Donation. This is important stuff. http://www.LarryThompsonForCongress.com

Given the global insanity, why is this election critical for Americans?

We have little time to address so many world, national, and local problems. Our time to come together, civilly discuss, and responsibly fix these crucial issues is NOW. This is an existential moment in our country's history. I am not over exaggerating. The TIME is NOW. A Final Important Thought Our District 32 used to be Reagan Country. I'm running

for Congress to take it back for him.

Brad Sherman is your present Congressman in CA32.

Sherman's frequent "Town Hall" meetings will ultimately be his "Down Fall“. He exposes to voters in those conversations that he is a long time "Harvard Egghead," which is an epithet used to refer to intellectuals or people considered out-of-touch with ordinary people and lacking in realism and common sense on account of their intellectual interests. He studied

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accounting in school and must have forgotten anything he ever learned as he has helped allow over his 28 years in congress our country to get $13.84 Trillion Dollars dangerously in debt...!

The "Harvard Egghead" days are over. New leaders with Common Sense will now bring back national pride and "sanity." I'm the "Sanity Man". Help me help you. Vote for me. I will always vote for you.

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About Larry Thompson Thompson is an acclaimed Hollywood talent manager and veteran film producer, lawyer, book packager, author, Broadway Producer, and motivational speaker, and is also founder and President of the Larry A. Thompson Organization, a nextgeneration, Los Angeles based Talent Management, Motion Picture, Television, and New Media Production Studio.

Thompson and his team of managers have guided the careers of over 200 Stars, and Thompson himself has produced 21 Movies for Television, 5 Motion Pictures, 2 Television Series, 12 Television Specials, and various Series Pilots. He is also the author of the BestSelling self-help book Shine: A Powerful 4-Step Plan For Becoming A Star In Anything You Do. Thompson has received the industry’s prestigious Vision Award and his productions have won 2 Accolade Awards, 2 Imagen Awards, The Epiphany Prize, The Wilbur Award, The Christopher Award, and have received

Nominations for 10 Emmys, 6 Imagen Awards, 2 Prism Awards, the Humanitas Prize, and a Golden Globe.

He serves on the Advisory Boards of The Delta Blues Museum, Paulist Productions, and Good News Communications.

He is a Founding Member Enthusiast of the Museum of The Bible in Washington, D.C., and a Charter Member of the United States Capitol Historical Society. He is perennially listed in Who’s Who In America and Who’s Who In The World, and on August 1, 2018, Thompson was awarded the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who. The National Conference of Personal Managers inducted Thompson into the Personal Managers Hall of Fame on May 12, 2016. Thompson was also honored on September 19, 2013, by the Talent Managers Association with the prestigious Seymour Heller Award for Lifetime Achievement in Talent Management. These two

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entertainment industry awards are the highest honors a personal manager can receive for representing talent.

Thompson was Knighted in Rome, Italy on May 20, 2017.

Grand Prior, Prince Lorenzo de' Medici, sponsored Thompson, who is an American of Italian Heritage, into the prestigious Order of Saint Martin of Mount of the Beatitudes as a “Patron of the Arts and Protector of the Most Needy.”

Thompson was born, raised, and educated in Mississippi.

After finishing law school at

the University of Mississippi in 1968, he drove three days to the corner of Hollywood and Vine to start his dream career in show business. Also, from 1968 to 1974, Thompson served in the United States Army Reserve's Judge Advocate General Corp, mostly in Torrance, California.

Thompson lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Kelly, and their daughter, Taylor, and son, Trevor.

V I S I O N A RY. E N T R E P R E N E U R . S C I E N T I S T. P H ILA N T H RO P IST. A T H LET E. B IO H A C K ER, a n d F O UN D ER, JEA N FA LLA C A RA

By Jules Lavallee

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Jean has earned the distinction of academic excellence, biotech engineering honors and advanced technology applications from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Boston. This is in addition to dozens of awards and tributes, as he is recognized as a Most Disruptive Entrepreneurs 2023 (Wiki), Top 20 Business Influencers in the world 2023, Leading Global Business Influencers, 2023 (Wiki), Top Biohacking Influencer 2022 (HypeAuditor), Top Entrepreneurs to Follow, 2021 (LA Weekly), Top Motivational Influencers, 2020 (Instagram), and Top 10 Athlete Instagram Influencers 2019 (inbeat).

Hailing from Dijon, France, Jean has made a significant mark both in both Canada and the US. He prides himself on a remarkable IQ of 167 and Scoring 28 as Biological Age, an enriched academic background from MIT, and specialization in the convergence and application of AI, VR, XR, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Biotechnology.

Armed with a vision, his entrepreneurial spirit, a contagious passion for brand building, and a wealth of scholastic achievements, his risk-taking career began in 1991.

Jean founded and operated ventures such as Z-Sciences, ZSC1, Labtech, and CleanEarth.

His strategic prowess was epitomized with the acquisition of his Z-Sciences Corp. by inTEST Corp in 2021 (NYSE: INTT).

Jean’s authority as a biotech industry heavyweight and pioneer biohacker he set the stage for business expansion

and market domination specific to the global well-being movement and longevity exploration. As the Founder of Lifespanning Media, Jean is venturing into the realm of where science, art, health, and technology converge championing the philosophy of "Lifespanning."

Today, his Mission is to make human longevity a mainstream reality, accessible through social connection, life-science education, multimedia content, and thought leadership. Beyond just longevity, Lifespanning is about enriching the quality and essence of life, marrying the sensations of biohacking with life's purest forms of wellness, fitness and ultimately vitality.

What fueled your passion for marrying science + art + technology?

My passion for science, art, and technology was ignited in childhood, inspired by my father's love for art and music.

I was immersed in the world of museums and classical music, initially leading me to DJing and art collecting, and eventually to a career in biochemistry, genetics, and biotechnology.

This path culminated in my exploration of AI, VR, and XR. Founding, acquiring, merging, and selling over 11 companies, I've always believed in the power of interdisciplinary innovation. My journey reflects the balance a scientific mind finds in art.

Your authority as a biotech industry heavyweight and pioneer biohacker is on a global scale. Tell us about “Lifespanning” and how you are changing lives.

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"Lifespanning" is a term I coined, embodying my vision of enhancing human life through biotechnology and biohacking.

It's more than extending life; it's about enriching it with purpose, joy, and fulfillment. At The Lifespanning Company, we're building a reputation in longevity through education, media, and brand experiences.

We focus on understanding each individual's biology, mental health, and physical condition, while considering the ethical and social implications of lifespan extension. Our goal is to mainstream human longevity, powered by a diverse range of purpose-driven brands.

Share your perspective on AI. AI represents the frontier of innovation, especially transformative in biotech and wellness. Its predictive capabilities in disease prevention and lifespan estimation are just the beginning. AI, integrated with biofeedback tools, has the potential to revolutionize personalized medicine and human performance.

How does an individual get to the ultimate human performance?

Ultimate human performance is about more than physical training and mental fortitude; it's about biohacking, leveraging science to optimize biological functioning. The brain-body connection is key, and understanding this can unlock previously unimaginable levels of human capability. My personal feats in extreme conditions and acrobatics at my age are proof that with the right approach, anyone can achieve extraordinary performance.

Tell us about your book, Neuroscience Calisthenics: Hijack Your Body Clock.”

What do you want people to know?

Hijack Your Body Clock”: Born out of my Instagram success and a desire to educate during the Covid-19 pandemic, this book is a guide to controlling one's biological rhythms for enhanced physical and cognitive abilities.

It's about transcending biological limitations to unlock peak performance.

What can we find in your Expert Series?

Originating from BIOHACKERS MAGAZINE, The Expert Series offers insights from various industry leaders.

We're creating the world's first Lifespanning Media Ecosystem

and Cultural Community, focusing on longevity exploration, and providing a unique conference experience.

You received many accolades including Top 20 Business Influencers in the world 2023, Leading Global Business Influencers, 2023 (Wiki), What has been your proudest moment during your journey?

Recognition as a Top 20 Business Influencer and Leading Global Business Influencer in 2023 are significant, but my inclusion in the list of the Top 30 Most Disruptive Entrepreneurs, alongside icons like Elon Musk, is particularly gratifying. My proudest moments are when I see the Lifespanning principles positively transform lives. To me, true influence is about making a tangible impact and

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inspiring others to their fullest potential.

What will people notice when working with you?

Collaborating with me means embracing innovation, passion, and a commitment to excellence in everything from wellness to biology. I value a nonhierarchical approach, focusing on humanity and dreaming big for future generations.

Share your goals for 2024.

I don't set traditional goals; I focus on being better each day.

By embracing the present and continuously improving, I believe we can live fulfilled lives, characterized by empathy, compassion, understanding, and enlightenment.

JEA N FA LLA C A RA Follow my journey on Instagram @cyborggainz, check out my podcast 'No Plan B' on YouTube, and visit jeanfallacara.com. Alternatively, a quick Google search will reveal more about my ventures and philosophies. Or simply reach out to me, I’m not an exclusive person.

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Dun ston Pereira

,

C EO to th e P r iva te O ffic e of H H Sh ie k h A h m e d Bin Faisal Al Qassimi Shares Vision of the World’s Biggest Film City in UAE

By Jules Lavallee

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January 2024

Mr. Dunston Pereira, CEO of the private office of HH Shiekh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al Qassimi is a well-versed and versatile personality who was in corporate leadership roles with multinationals for almost 30 years.

With vast experience in business excellence, he became an entrepreneur at the age of 46 and has been on a successful journey since then. He received the national award for business excellence in 2018 and the state award in 2019.

With his vast expertise in a global relationship, he has taken up this challenging assignment with the private office to make it one of the most acclaimed and accepted business organization in the world.

He is also a good humanitarian who is serving as an ambassador to about 10 NGO organizations across the world.

Red Silk Carpet, spoke with Mr. Dunston Pereira about his current project, in the design and implementation of the World’s Biggest Film City in UAE.

Tell us about your journey from IT to CEO to the Royal Office HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al Qassim.

I started my career journey in the year 1986 as a lecturer in computers. It was the time when Computer Studies were slowly picking up in educational institutions and I was glad that I could be a part of it. However, after a few years it became monotonous, and I decided to

move on to a corporate world where I stayed on for almost 22 years helming various positions.

Though I started as a management trainee in the corporate world, I ended up holding the highest position in my career. In the year 2010, I took the big decision of quitting the corporate world and becoming an entrepreneur. With my experience, I could establish my own business and in one year I became quite successful with multiple business verticals and multiple locations. In 2019, I started a new journey with the Royal Office as the Chief Operating Officer and moved on to become the CEO in 2021.

Is the UAE the gateway for the global market?

Yes, UAE is the gateway for the global market for all sectors.

You name it, and UAE has established a good relationship with all countries across the globe. UAE is one place the world comes to shop, be it consumables, commodities, services, or manpower resources, you get the best. As of late, UAE has also become a key place for the entertainment sector where the film fraternity from, Hollywood, Bollywood, Kollywood and many others come to make use of this place for their content executions. The famous Indian actor, Sharukh Khan is the brand ambassador of Dubai. Many film related events are being held in this part of the world. The film commissions of Abu Dhabi and Dubai are providing very lucrative incentives to filmmakers for choosing this place as part of their movie.

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You are a well-known global connector. How have your relationships been a cornerstone to your upcoming projects?

I am well connected with the Globe through different people from various sectors and I do like networking, which I believe is my strength. These contacts have indeed helped me a lot to align with the global expertise for the projects that we are planning in the UAE. Be it the film city, the pharma city, sports academy, or the wildlife sanctuary, I was able to connect with the best of the best in the respective industry which has given a lot of insight into what we should be doing.

What is involved in the Film City UAE? What excites you the most about this project?

It will be the biggest film city that will cater to all the needs with an end-to-end solution for the film fraternity across the world. They just need to come with the content and go back with the full product. And as UAE is geographically well placed it will help many filmmakers to use this facility and enjoy the benefits and I am happy that they could make a good product.

Moreover, this film city will also be a destination for tourists who will speak about the history of cinema and its making as well as see many of the important monuments in the world located in one place. Imagine seeing the Eiffel towers and the statue of Rio de Janeiro in one place. This concept is something that excites me the most.

How do you see Hollywood and Bollywood joining forces with Film City UAE?

Today with the OTT platforms dominating the film industry I feel that the entire film industry from across the globe has come together as the common viewer is able to see the contents of his choice sitting in the comfort of his place which was unlikely earlier. Earlier only successful movies were accessible to people across the countries, which is not the case today. Thanks to the OTT platforms which brought us closer to Hollywood and Bollywood and many other industries.

We are partnering with some key players in the film city project from various industries in the film industry. We were told that Mr. Denzel Washington is interested to associate with this project, and he has reached out.

Similarly, many others have also

approached us, and we are evaluating the same.

Share your philosophy behind the success of Film City.

Philosophy is simple. Provde the best services for the optimum cost. Quality of service right from infrastructure to facilities provided will be the best in the industry. And that is what I had mentioned earlier that it would be the largest as well as the best in the world. Once the film city is ready, we will also be providing the best incentives that will facilitate any filmmaker to choose this place for their content execution. RAK film city is all set to change the way the film fraternity will make films.

Tell us about your work with NGO’s.

I have always been passionate about working with NGO's for almost ten years now. I have

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been associated with many across the world and provided whatever I could do in my capacity. I would like to mention that currently I am working on a project of setting up a skill center for autistic children in the UAE wherein the inborn talent of these children will be identified, and they will be imparted training to develop their skills which will boost their self-esteem to a greater level.

Share your vision for 2024.

I would like to ensure that all the projects that we have planned are started in 2024, so that we are on target of completion. We also would like to work on environment projects like the planting of 1 million plants in the UAE in 2024. We are also working on mentorship projects for young entrepreneurs from the SME and MSME sectors and guide them.

K a r en L e v ine

Founder and CEO of PeachSkinSheets Building an Empire: First Ever Luxury Sheets at A ffor d a b le P r ic e s

By Jules Lavallee

photo credit Jessica Czarnecki

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Karen created PeachSkinSheets out of her own need for a product that didn’t exist comfortable, breathable sheets under $100.

Photo credit Jessica Czarnecki

When researching the existing sheets on the market, Karen kept seeing the same problems over and over again. Hundreds of sheets were not soft upon opening the package—they required several trips through the washing machine to research her desired level of comfort.

Additionally, tons of sheets trapped heat and lacked the cooling, breathable quality for which she was looking for. In the rare case that a sheet set met these requirements, the price tag was at least $200-$300.

In 2013, PeachSkinSheets was born.

With dedication, perseverance and extensive research, Karen created the first ever luxury sheets at affordable prices. She ensured that the sheets were soft

immediately upon arrival, breathable, temperature regulated, durable, and pill resistant.

How is PeachSkinSheets luxurious bedding shaking up the sheet’s world?

Have you heard about PeachSkinSheets and how they're transforming the world of bedding? As the CEO, Karen Levine has truly set the bar high, understanding exactly what consumers want and committing to delivering unparalleled quality.

Her approach is all about getting into the consumer's mindset, predicting their needs, and ensuring affordability— something that's been fundamental to the company’s success since day one.

These sheets? They're the epitome of softness, keeping warm sleepers cool and cool sleepers’ cozy. Surprisingly, despite sounding like a splurge, PeachSkinSheets won't break the bank. And the variety?

Unbelievable! With 32 colors and sizes ranging from twin to Split Head and Split King, there's something for everyone. Starting at just $85, the luxury they offer is a steal.

Where PeachSkinSheets truly stand out is in its vibrant array of colors, setting it apart from competitors who typically offer a few neutral or darker tones. With an impressive palette, soon expanding to 34 colors, Karen's emphasis on diverse and lively color options allows customers to personalize their bedding choices, completely transforming

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bedrooms (where you spend a third of your life), delivering a unique industry edge.

At PeachSkinSheets, Karen's journey has been a guiding force, shaping an innovative free gift program called PeachSkinPresents. Inspired by her retail background and her love for seasonal gifts, this program is a testament to Karen’s appreciation for her clientele. It allows customers to mix-andmatch gifts when they purchase PeachSkinSheets, reflecting her expertise and the value of consumable products.

Karen’s time at Mary Kay taught her firsthand what women truly value: compliments, beauty, and gifts that inspire confidence. That insight now shines in PeachSkinSheets' ethos. They don't just sell sheets; they wrap them up like a thoughtful present, understanding the profound impact of making someone feel truly special.

Celebrities and tastemakers like Crystal Kung Minkoff, Lindsay Price, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Katrina Bowden, and Jo De La Rosa were among the lucky guests treated to a suite adorned with the new PeachyMink Robes, getting firsthand experience of the astonishing quality. Known for delivering the 'Softest Sheets Ever,' PeachSkinSheets now extends that coziness to these fabulous faux-fur robes, boasting an incredibly soft jersey lining that's not just comfy, but also chic enough to flaunt in public or while lounging at home.

Photo credit Jessica Czarnecki

What is a hot item?

In November, PeachSkinSheets launched its PeachyMink x PeachSkinSheets Luxury Robes at an exclusive celebritystudded event. Karen set off a sensation in Los Angeles with this debut.

Picture this: PeachSkinSheets’ signature Southern charm meeting the epitome of Los Angeles luxury. The event was a dazzling winter wonderland, orchestrated, styled, and cohosted by Lifestyle Expert Anya Sarre, all taking place at the iconic Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

The presidential suite was transformed into a holiday haven, offering luxurious pampering before the holiday rush.

Photo credit Jessica Czarnecki

With Valentine's Day around the corner, what are a few of your top selections?

Looking for some Valentine's Day inspiration? Try incorporating playful colors in the bedroom! Valentine's is that wonderful time to embrace shades like pink and other delicious hues that might not typically make it into your décor. Maybe a bold hot pink bed isn't an everyday choice, but how about trying it out for a couple of weeks?

Explore the world of Passion Pink, Cotton Candy Pink, Red Velvet, and why not indulge in Chocolate – after all, it doesn’t add any calories! It's the perfect concoction for creating a

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holiday-themed bedroom that'll have hearts racing with delight.

What are you looking forward to in 2024?

Well, get ready for exciting updates! We're thrilled to soon introduce new quilts, a broader spectrum of colors and expand the PeachyMink Luxury robe line. Trust us, there's a lot in store that you'll absolutely adore and won't want to miss out on.

Stay tuned for fabulous additions that'll become your new must-haves... we've got some amazing surprises coming your way!

www.peachskinsheets.co m

Don’t miss out on sleeping between the sheets of LUXURY Order yours today!!!!!!!

www.peachskinsheets.com

photo credit Jessica Czarnecki

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L ea h M . F or ney Visibility Activator & Media Domination Strategist, and 9x Published Author

By Jules Lavallee

Leah M. Forney is an 9X published author, Sought-After Professional Speaker, Your Visibility Activator, Podcast Host of Internationally Recognized & Syndicated Hey Queen, Thrive & Sexual Assault Thriver & Advocate. She is the Founder & Creator of BAWSE Women Pitch where she teaches BAWSE Women Entrepreneurs who desire more media attention how to develop & improve their pitching skills so they can attract & secure more media opportunities and amplify their brand’s presence.

As a native of Queens, New York who is currently residing in Maryland writing and speaking came naturally to her. Leah Forney is the oldest girl of six siblings. She grew up without her mother and father raising her.

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She learned early on the importance of having a relationship with Jesus Christ from her maternal grandmother who raised her in the church.

Leah’s love for writing came at a young age when she would pen poems to release the pain, she felt from not having her parents in her life. Never knowing where her writings would take her, Leah penned her first book.

As she continues to accept the calling that God has placed on her life, Leah is open to seeing

where her gifts and talents will take her. She has released seven books over the last 4 years. Her 8th book Born to be Unbound is now available.

She is an award winner of I am H.E.R. International Awards

Woman on the Rise (2021), nominee of I am H.E.R. International Awards Podcaster of the Year (2023), nominee of I am H.E.R. International Awards CEO of The Year, Trailblazer of The Year, & Filmmaker of The Year (2024) , Speak up Sis Awards (2023)Phenomenal Leader Award, & Inspire U Awards (2023) Podcaster of the Year, Speaker of the Year, & Coach of the Year nominee, ACHI Magazine (2023) Woman on the Rise, Woman of Inspiration, Community Leader, & Podcaster of the Year Nominee. She has been blessed to be featured in over 214 different media publications including but not limited to international magazine FEMI Magazine and Speak Woman Magazine.

She has been blessed to land partnerships with state and national organizations to lend her voice in the fight to end sexual violence.

As a Sexual Assault Thriver & Advocate, she has used her survivor story to train law enforcement on how to bridge the gap between victims and

law enforcement, as well as trained attorney general’s office.

She is the coordinator of Maryland Women of Color Network where she meets monthly to discuss issues that impact women of color regarding sexual violence and the legislation that needs to change. She has been in rooms with senators and other legislators to speak up and out about the policies and procedures that are impacting sexual assault victims/survivors/thrivers.

Has writing and public speaking always come naturally to you?

Yes, writing, and public speaking has always been something I was naturally good at. As a child, I grew up being abandoned by my parents and raised by my maternal grandparents and aunt. Writing was my way of escaping the realities of being born to two addicts and having to be raised by my grandparents. As I would write, I would create fictional stories about my parents so that when people would ask me about them, I had an elaborate story like my father was a CIA agent on a top-secret mission. It was easier to say that than to say my father was incarcerated.

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Speaking came a little later in my childhood, I was the child that teachers would say talked too much. I guess you can say I have always had the gift of gab. I was just using it for the wrong things as a child. Fast Forward to 2015, God revealed to me that I needed to write my first book. I was hesitant to write the book because I didn’t know if I was ready to share my life and private struggles with the world. It took me a few months before I decided to be obedient and write my first book. My first book Unapologetically Me: Living, Owning, & Walking in my truth told the story of my complex mother-daughter relationship and the many struggles and lessons I learned.

This book was a game-changer because I began to find my tribe.

I found other women who had the same struggles as me. After writing this book, I prayed and asked God how to make the greatest impact with my book. I started doing research and came across the power of the media. I started teaching myself how to pitch to the media. My first interview was on a late-night radio show in which I talked about my first book and my journey to forgiving my mother.

It was then, I realized that media was one of the most powerful yet underused tools that we don’t use to its fullest potential. In short, my book started my business. I went on to continue to hone in on my pitching skills and then started coaching and teaching other women entrepreneurs like myself how to attract and secure more media through telling their story.

How have you provided unique opportunities of transformation for individuals who are interested in increasing their visibility while making the impact & profitability they desire & deserve through the power of storytelling?

I have a unique approach to visibility & profitability. I created my own framework that I use to teach women entrepreneurs how to go from struggling and undiscovered to discovered & indemand. This framework consists of 3 phases & 9 steps. My first phase focuses on positioning. Expert Positioning is key to increasing your visibility as well as your profitability. People purchase from people that they know, like, & trust. My second phase focuses on Pitching. As you increase your visibility, it is going to be vital that you begin to pitch yourself to attract & secure more media attention.

My third phase focuses on Profitability. It is my belief that you should be making money from the things that you are excellent at and excited about. My framework includes the exact 9 steps I took that has led to me being featured in the media over 200 times, won 5 industry awards, nominated for several awards, and spoken on over 20 stages in-person & virtually.

You have released nine books over the last 5 years. Your recent book, “BAWSE Women Pitch” is certain to be a success. What is the secret for entrepreneurs to gain media?

My secret is Visibility + Credibility + Media Attention = Profitability. The truth is that the

media is looking for knowledgeable and credible sources. They don’t care about how many followers you have. They want to know are you visible, meaning that you are showing up consistently. They want to know if you are credible, meaning that people find you to be trustworthy and reliable. The way that you can show that you are visible & credible source to the media is by making sure that you are providing valuable content to your audience on a consistent basis as well as providing social proof aka testimonials from people who have worked with you and/or can vouch for you and the work that you do.

Those two areas plus the media attention leads to the money.

What are a few takeaways from your book?

BAWSE Women Pitch:9 Keys to Revolutionize Your Media Game While Building Your Authority is your blueprint as an everyday woman entrepreneur who desires to attract & secure more media opportunities to their business/brand.

Some of the key takeaways from my book are as follows: 1.

2.

3.

You will learn how to craft a compelling and authentic story that sets you apart.

You will learn key strategies on how to attract and grow a loyal audience that resonates with your message.

You will discover effective methods to establish yourself as an authority in your industry or niche.

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You are a much sought after transformative speaker. Where can we see you next?

2024 is going to be an epic year. I will be hosting my first conference called BAWSE Women Pitch LIVE in Fall 2024. I will be bringing back my summit, Elevate Your Pitch Virtual Summit in August 2024. I will be speaking at a retreat in Thailand in the winter of 2024. I will be training the military about sexual assault and its impact on marginalized communities in April of 2024. I will also be speaking at a LIVE Podcast Recording in the Fall 2024. I will be speaking at the Voice to Clients Summit on January 10 & 11, 2024. My 2024 calendar is still being filled up. You can always catch me on my weekly podcast Hey Queen, Thrive! Season 4 starts January 11, 2024. My topics range from sexual assault prevention, visibility, & perfecting your profitable pitch. If you want me to hit your stage in 2024, email me at info@leahmforney.com

You can follow Leah on many social media sites.

Facebook: Leah M. Forney, Instagram: Leah_M_Forney, TikTok: Leah M Forney, LinkedIn: Leah Forney and Website: www.leahmforney.com

Lavelle J. Lemonier, Sr, & Devin Wilburn aka “Big Ruk” Dream Team Alliance, LLC Produces Award -winning Feature Film, “A Very Bayou Holiday”

By Jules Lavallee

Instagram: @dtadreamteamalliance Facebook: @dtadreamteamalliance X: @_dtalliance TikTok: @dreamteamalliance LinkedIn: Dream Team Alliance LLC

Twitter: @bigruktheemcee FB: https://www.facebook.com/devin.b.wilburn?m ibextid=ZbWKwL IG: https://www.instagram.com/bigrukofdoublef?i gsh=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg== , dreamteamalliance. com,

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Lavelle J. Lemonier, Sr., PhD, is an award-winning film director/writer/actor and the host of an internationally popular podcast, The Dadcast Podcast.

Lavelle is an Army veteran, a former professor and has authored two books, with one reaching bestseller status.

Lavelle and his business partner, Devin Wilburn aka “Big Ruk,” a successful music artist with several widely acclaimed albums to his name formed Dream Team Alliance, LLC (DTA) in 2022. They have produced an award-winning feature film, “A Very Bayou Holiday” and another notable short film entitled “The Basement.” Both films have received exceptional notoriety on the film festival circuit. “A Very Bayou Holiday,” is currently streaming on most platforms including Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube TV, Google Play, Roku and ON DEMAND through local cable providers.

They are currently in preproduction on their next feature film, The Fill In.” Lavelle and Devin, what led you to entertainment?

Lavelle: I began acting in high school through my Drama class and then went on to write poetry and author a few books. I moved into writing stage plays in the 90's and authored a bestselling book in 2004 (Southerland Strength). More recently, I had the opportunity to perform some set photography for a feature film and then was invited to audition for a spot in

an online situational comedy series. As fate would have it, I was asked to write a “Christmas” script which we (DTA) wrote and turned into our holiday film, A Very Bayou Holiday.

Devin: My mom and several aunts,’ uncles and cousins have all been entertainers from gospel, r&b, jazz, country, you name it.

My sister, Talitha Taft, has always been an entertainer. She plays a few different instruments, writes, composes, and has played with several different bands and some very well-known music artists and was also a big influence in my life. So, it’s just part of me; it’s in my DNA. And with that just being creative, the curiosity for other types of art just comes naturally.

Lavelle, you formed the Dream Team Alliance, LLC (DTA) in 2022 and produced an award-winning feature film, “A Very Bayou Holiday.”

Tell us about the film.

Lavelle: Devin and I met on the set of the feature film, Gutter.

Our connection was nearly immediate, and we began bouncing ideas off each other.

My wife, Dr. Gabrielle Lemonier, came up with the name when she referred to Devin and I as the “dream team,” thus giving birth to the name, Dream Team Alliance.

When I was asked to write a holiday script, I mentioned it to Devin, and we got together and wrote the feature length script in a month’s time. Together we discussed the plot of the film and began writing daily. We came up

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with the idea of Janeen Davis’s character (played by KiKi Kingdom) who is a real estate executive in Chicago and was returning home to Houston for the holidays. While home, Janeen reunites with her old high school classmates and rekindles a relationship with her old high school flame, Warren Thomas (played by Christopher St. Mary).

The antagonist of the film, Jessica Reyes (played by Tro’sha Pickrom) tried to shoot her shot at Warren and tried to disrupt any happiness that Warren and Janeen might have. In the end, the audience finds the comedy, romance, and family values that resonate during the holiday season.

Devin, what makes this film so special? Share working with Lavelle.

Devin: What makes this film so special is a few things. 1, it’s literally the first script Lavelle and I completed together. And it turned into our first movie, actually out, so the world can enjoy something we created.

We were writing another movie called 6, a bigger blockbuster type movie but we've never put out anything up to that point; then we were given an opportunity to write a holiday movie for a company that puts movies on certain platforms.

They wanted a good holiday movie to put out, so we put 6 on hold and began writing it and it just kind of snowballed. We wrote it, started looking for talent while doing table reads and auditions, then hired a crew.

Next thing you know we are directing and filming our first movie. Due to the original editor not doing anything but a timeline by the agreed finish date, we lost a major opportunity, so Lavelle and I ended up editing the whole movie ourselves. A year later here we are with an awardwinning film that is streaming on most platforms!

The 3rd thing is this movie has opened so many doors and created so many networking opportunities and allowed for so many experiences, traveling around for festivals and things and it's allowed us to learn so much and as a result of it all it has changed our original perspective and opened our eyes to what's really possible in this industry and we are still very early in our journey. I think the biggest surprise was the way the industry is when it comes to movie budgets.

What do you look for in talent?

Lavelle: I look for believability. I look for someone who can bring a character to life and that the audience can truly rally behind or root against. Someone who can draw emotion from the audience.

Devin: What I look for in talent is comfortability paired with humility and then a willingness to be open minded to exploring and learning.

Lavelle and Devin, 2024 is poised to be a big year for you.

You are in pre-production of

your new feature film, The Fill In with award- winning Director, David Winning.

What is it like working with David?

Lavelle: We are fortunate to have a LOI from this great Director, David Winning, and we are currently moving through the initial phases of pre-production.

While we haven’t started an inperson status with David, we are very eager to learn from him and to create a film that the masses will enjoy.

Lavelle: I wrote this script before we formed DTA, however, after Devin and I joined forces, I gave the script to him to contribute his thoughts. The idea came from the effects of the Pandemic. It’s a story about a marketing executive who gets laid off from her corporate job during the Pandemic. She sees a news report that brides are having a hard time finding and keeping bridal party members because of the Pandemic. Her marketing mind starts turning and she decides to market herself as a fill in bridesmaid. It’s a fun-filled romantic comedy that draws the audience in with wit, humor, and romance.

Lavelle, you are the host of the successful podcast called The DadCast Podcast. What can we find?

Lavelle: The DadCast Podcast is a platform that discusses everything from A to Z from a dad’s perspective. We are currently filming our 5th season.

It’s really been a labor of love.

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My wife encouraged me to start the podcast since I love talking to people and spreading information. We had so many memorable guests, including entertainers, musicians, singers, athletes, many of whom are Emmy winners, Grammy nominees, and award winners in other industries. To name any guests without naming all of them would be a mistake on my part, but all of the guests have been amazing! We’ve discussed relationship issues, politics, religion, mental health, entertainment, etc. And yes, we are still looking for guests, specifically men, for the remainder of the Season 5 filming, to discuss men’s mental health.

Lavelle and Devin, what is next for you?

Lavelle: We’ve got several scripts completed, including romantic comedies, sitcoms, psychological thrillers, murder thrillers, a reality show, and a drama. We expect 2024 to be an aggressive year for DTA and one that solidifies us as a notable player in the film and television industry. Lookout for the Fill In and perhaps the Red Cup Murders in 2024.

Devin: What’s next for me is more music and a big push on that end and more movies for DTA and starting another podcast. DTA is definitely doing an episodic spin off from A Very Bayou Holiday titled Brotha in Law’s. And whatever the creator puts on our hearts and minds to do next.

Yasmine Tanres Award-winning TV Host and Producer

By Jules Lavallee

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Filled with genuine passion, thought-provoking insight and sincere human interest, Yasmine has been recognized as a ‘Top Face of Hollywood’ by the prestigious Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for her professional dedication and true excellence in her field. Originally from London reporting on local news, she has grown fast into the entertainment industry in Los Angeles with her distinctive British charm, blended with her Spanish and Asian heritage. Due to her worldly upbringing, Yasmine shares a broad cultural perspective and provides unique relatability that captivates global audiences through her candid and engaging conversations.

Yasmine has prominently been featured in Good morning La pela Land, The Women in Telecommunications Network, Style LA Magazine, and The Asian Today to name a few. However, she remains grounded, having received her bachelor’s degree at King’s College London with a Professional Leadership & Skills Award. Her journey has extended to Africa as an Orphanage Assistant and to India, supporting the local Tibetan refugee community.

How did you begin your successful career in entertainment?

I started my career as a multimedia journalist at the first ever youth news-led

magazine style program, London 360 broadcast across the UK supported by the BBC. There I learnt how to pitch, write, interview on camera, film and edit news stories ready to air. It was pretty hands on, and it led me to realizing my passion for spotlighting communities underrepresented in the media. What intrigued me the most in this line of work is the abundance of communities that exist, and as a result of presenting these stories and information, how much we can learn from each other and can improve our lives and the world we live in through understanding and unity.

How has your worldly upbringing and broad cultural perspective enabled you to engage with people globally?

I’m immensely grateful for my global upbringing since a young age, as it truly broadened my mind and provided me with a greater insight into different cultures, people, and the world in general. Having lived and grown up in the UK, Europe, Asia and now America, it has exposed me to different attitudes and mentalities, which I feel I can relate with in a more fluid way. Through humor, as an example, I find myself picking up on cultural cues and perspectives. So, when I speak with and interview people, I intuitively nitpick on the subtext beneath what is being shared. At the same time, my worldly upbringing has enabled me to remain curious and not stuck ©Red Silk Carpet

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in my own mentality or outlook on life.

Tell us about the show, ‘A Look into Our America.’

A Look into Our America was born out of a need for greater cultural representation, breaking down stereotypes and amplifying the voices within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. During the pandemic we have witnessed inhumane hate crimes and even within the community it was noticeable that the connection between various Asian backgrounds was weak.

With this show we wanted to champion and celebrate all kinds of AANHPI stories to empower and foster unity, as well as forge a deeper understanding of the various communities today. By interviewing celebrities, politicians, entrepreneurs, and your everyday unlikely hero you also get a glimpse of how much people within these communities contribute towards American society. As an outsider looking in, I find it both fascinating and inspiring to witness and be a part of sharing the changes that are occurring. It is truly impressive to see how the glass ceiling over just the past couple of years has been shattered and the great motivation that now exists to keep the door wide open for future generations.

What started off as a temporary monthly show broadcast on Chime TV, the first ever AANHPI network in English in history, has fast become a permanent bi-weekly show as a result of the overwhelming response from viewers that seek genuine and relatable stories, which are both informative and entertaining.

To be able to contribute as a conduit of many important conversations and share those through the media is both humbling and gratifying. With this show, I have learnt that there is great power in elevating communities and how this can provide a wholesome sense of pride and healing as a collective.

Share a few special moments during your career.

First and foremost, finding a career I’m passionate about and getting my foot in the door initially speaking in London was truly special for me. That’s where I got to experience my firsts for everything within reporting, such as my very first celeb interview - with Richard Branson's’ son, Sam Branson, and daughter, Holly Branson during a WE Day event. For people who could have anything and do anything they wanted in the world, I had asked them, what intrigued them to be so committed to humanitarian work? They answered how their father from a young age would sit them down at the dinner table and talk about issues and potential solutions in the world. I thought that was an endearing glimpse into their personal lives that told me a lot about what they stand for, which I felt was very inspiring. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to continue building my career and falling onto unexpected paths in Los Angeles.

The most recent special moment was being recognized by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce as a ‘Top Faces of Hollywood.’ I had just emceed the first ever LA Asian Fashion Week Show and Supermodel Search Competition in 2023 hosted by the Style LA Magazine in support of charitable causes. To be awarded for my services as a host, especially in a highly competitive city like Los Angeles, reminded me how relentless passion can lead to recognizable success. I hope this small insight empowers anyone who undermines their potential and dreams!

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What does it take to succeed in the business?

Entertainment can be a really tricky, unpredictable and at the same time thrilling industry to be in. You have to really enjoy what you do and have a great personal support system! I don’t know anybody in this business who has completely made it on their own, so building and maintaining professional and personal relationships is very important.

Through the ups and downs, persistent determination, consistency, and faith is key for an upward trajectory resulting in success. From my own personal experience, you got to really know your strengths and limitations, and find ways to nurture those in order to provide the best of yourself for others. In my opinion, the death of success is when you feel like you know everything in this business. For this reason, I think the added spice to success is to continuously build upon your skills through repetition, renewed training, and education whether that be by seeing a coach, signing up to workshops or listening to podcasts. Going in with the perspective that each

performance is unique and equally important flips the mentality from my work being about me to the work being about us. As a result, I have found that fiercely committing to your craft for the benefit of all good, and being a reliable person leads to success.

Share your journey as an Orphanage Assistant in Africa.

ourselves or others. In Cameroon, people would flow and say the word ‘ça va’ which means “it’s ok” when things didn’t go according to plan.

There were many great lessons during this experience, but to witness the strong desire and need to integrate into society and be loved was the most valuable one.

What is next for you in 2024?

I had never been to Africa and due to my global upbringing, I knew I could not make assumptions of a place and needed to see what it is like for myself. Through the Humanity Exchange Program, I ended up at an orphanage that was home to children that had HIV/ AIDS, malaria, and other skin diseases.

I helped wash their clothes by hand, cooked meals and took them to school. What I quickly came to realize is that all these kids want is to be accepted and understood by society, and to ultimately be loved. What I also learnt was how much we take for granted from water to food and precious time with people that matter. In the West we tend to operate and compete with time, trying to work hard and outdo

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2024 is the year of confidence: Confidence within myself, my capabilities and ultimately that this moment is perfect as it is. I have an overwhelming year ahead planning a wedding as a newly engaged to my love who lives on the other side of the world in Singapore, all the while maintaining the show ‘A Look into Our America,’ as well as a new show I’m slated to start in Spring. Each year I lead with the attitude of it getting better and better, and even within moments of turmoil in hindsight it really does. So, for me this is the year of pure confidence in all that is. www.imdb.com/name/nm97383 93/ www.instagram.com/yasminetanr es/

Powerhouse Duo, Shelley Johnson, and Kathy Tuccaro with The Women Road Warriors E mpow erment Talk Show Podcast : Feat ures Celebrit ies t o S uccessf ul Women Leaders

By Jules Lavallee Women Road Warriors is a lively talk show featuring experts and celebrity guests on various topics that empower women. It aims to ‘power women on the road to success.’

The show is humorous, entertaining, educational, and sometimes quirky with lively banter between Shelley Johnson, Kathy Tuccaro, and their guests. Women Road Warriors is ranked by Podcast Tonight as one of the best podcasts for women. FeedSpot has rated it among the Top 100 Women Podcasts worldwide and in the 35 Best Women Empowerment Podcasts worldwide. Women Road Warriors is available on all the major podcast distribution channels and https://women-road-warriors.captivate.fm.

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Shelley: you have been described as the “Renaissance Woman.” Share your background.

That comment was made by someone who was being snarky. I let it roll off and took it as a compliment instead. I have always been tenacious and undaunted when I have a goal. I also hate the word no when it can be a yes. I have done many things during my career and have been an avid learner. I have never been a dichotomous thinker and have been blessed with numerous skills that I have parlayed in multiple opportunities. At the age of six, my first-grade teacher told my mother she saw skills in writing, art, and music. I have pursued all these areas in different ways. I always strive to do many things and do them to the best of my ability. I consider myself a work in progress - always learning - always striving and seeing what horizon and challenge I can meet today.

Shelley Johnson

I know I drove my parents a bit nuts with that, especially when it was a question they could not readily answer.

Occasionally, my curiosity got me into trouble. I remember taking the telephone apart as a threeyear-old because I wanted to know how it worked. That whole experiment would have gone unnoticed if I had put the phone back together correctly. It is that kind of curiosity and spirit that has taken me many directions. I have always been into gadgets and technology and was fascinated with a good visual story.

As a 12-year-old, I dreamed of producing a movie one summer.

I wrote a movie script and auditioned my friends. That was slightly odd and unconventional,

Learning and curiosity are part of my personality which is why I so enjoy interviewing. As I have joked before, I used to get in trouble for talking all the time as a kid, now I get paid for it. I have permission to ask a lot of questions, and no one minds. The biggest word I used as a child was “why?”

but my friends went along with it.

I even wrote the musical score that would be the theme for my movie. It is all tucked away in a box somewhere where it may still have big screen potential. You never know.

I was originally a music major for voice and piano at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

That career path requires rigorous focus, and I had many interests which included performance and theater. I wanted to explore more avenues to incorporate my interest in writing and media production. I ended up graduating from Western Michigan University where I earned a Bachelor of Science in communication with a journalism minor. As my career began, I worked in radio sales, as a disc

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jockey and news reporter. While still in my 20s, I decided to forge my own path to become a corporate consultant as a script writer, video producer, director, voiceover, and on-camera narrator. As talent, I signed with major agencies in Chicago and Detroit.

That gave me entry into the advertising world. My corporate projects honed my skills as a technical and marketing writer. I began working for Fortune 500 firms like Dow Corning, Kellogg, Ford Motor Company, and others. I briefly worked on the auto show circuit as a narrator for companies like I.T.T. Automotive. I also worked as a freelance journalist for The Associated Press and United Press International.

I eventually got a regular gig with the UPI Bureau in Detroit, writing broadcast briefs and print packages while filing national Awire stories. I provided regular voicers on stories of national significance for National Public Radio, Armed Forces Radio, and the UPI Washington D.C. bureau.

As time progressed, I saw that IT and medical writing were viable areas and honed my skills and knowledge in those areas. As media changed, I earned certifications as a digital marketer with graduate certificates in digital marketing from Cornell University. This bolstered my ability to produce engaging digital marketing collateral for clients.

I never gave up on my music.

After playing piano for a diversity day at a community college in Southwest Michigan, I was invited to become a parttime professor. That led to teaching piano and music theory for nearly two years while I worked as an accompanist for several area high school choirs and churches.

Dogged determination are two words that describe me. If I have a vision, I will uncover every avenue to make it a reality.

Despite forks in the road, I have never lost sight of my dreams and have always worked to inspire others. This is largely due to someone very significant who inspired me. As a college student, I took the liberty of reaching out to Peter Horst, an advertising icon from Leo Burnett who was instrumental in creating the

Maytag Lonely Repair Man and Morris the Cat. I sent him some of my creative writing. He called me up and requested a meeting where he offered his critique of my work and told me I was a marvelous writer who should never lose sight of my goals/dreams. That stuck in my mind and galvanized me to pursue my dreams despite any naysayers I met along the way.

Those messages when we are very young are life changing. We all need champions. I have endeavored to do the same for others which is another reason I am so inspired by our show Women Road Warriors.

Shelley, how did you and Kathy Tuccaro join forces for the Women Road Warriors Talk Show?

My mission as executive producer and co-host of Women Road Warriors is to motivate as many women as possible to accomplish their dreams and aspirations. I want to offer a show that is entertaining, educational, and uplifting with weekly episodes that help listeners feel just a little bit better about themselves with a can-do attitude. I want them to walk away informed and realize life’s possibilities are achievable. Kathy and I have lively, heartfelt, and spontaneous discussions with our guests. I like to think we provide a ray of hope and inspiration which is hard to find today where the world seems so divided. If we impact a positive change with just one listener, then we have done our job.

Kathy and I joined forces after I

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interviewed her on The Truckers Network Radio Show, a popular talk show I hosted in Houston where I interviewed industry experts, authors, and celebrities.

We discussed her career in the heavy haul industry, her life’s challenges and victories and her book Dream Big. I was inspired by her. Kathy and I had a special synergy during that interview. It all happened organically. I wanted to start a women’s talk show for the industry and I thought Kathy would be the perfect co-host. I approached her and she agreed. At first the show was designed for women in trucking. It began a natural pivot with the guests I was booking. I quickly realized Women Road Warriors should be a women’s empowerment show for all women, no matter what their career or life choice. That is an area that is really needed for women. Women listeners have responded with enthusiasm.

Everybody has a road they travel in life. The theme of Women Road Warriors is “helping power women on their road to success.”

We like to help people choose the road that is best for them while opening new directions on their route through life. We are their champions as they forge ahead. Our logo is a caricature of Kathy and me standing on a road holding shields (which are hub caps to maintain the travel theme). Being half Icelandic on my dad’s side of the family, I like to think that Kathy and I are Viking shield maidens who fight for the success of women. We are their vanguards on the road through life.

Kathy, you have inspired, motivated, and transformed others’ lives by sharing your story. Tell us about your background.

Well, it's quite the story so I wrote a book about it called Dream Big! Overcoming a Lifetime of Trauma & Abuse That Led to Dreams of Success. In a nutshell, I spent a childhood filled with trauma, violence, and sexual abuse. My only safe place to hide as a 6-yearold child was the doghouse hugging my dog, Sheba. This is where I began having conversations with God about life.

These conversations continued throughout my teenage years after a rape at 14, another attack at 15, I was drugged and raped by a photographer after a photo shoot in Miami at 18, then gang raped at 19 in Montreal. Instead of calling the police, I proceeded to make my way to the Pont Jacques Cartier (the biggest bridge in Montreal) and had one leg over the rail as I cursed God asking why he hated me so much when I was such a good Soul.

As I stood there screaming and crying, a man gently pulled me off the bridge ledge and sat with me until I calmed down, never saying a single word to me. He just held me, which is what I needed at the time. He walked me off the bridge (still without talking) and sitting there at the foot of the bridge was a taxi.

Keep in mind that this is in a part of Montreal where there are no taxis just sitting there waiting for people.

Long story short, I ended up having 3 suicide attempts and every time, a guardian angel stood with me making sure I would be okay. After the 3rd attempt, I realized how very precious the Golden Thread of Life is and decided to become a nurse in 1998. Fast forward to 2008 where I had a complete psychological breakdown due to a lifetime of undealt with trauma.

Nursing was easy for me because it took me out of my own pain so I could focus on others. The problem with that was all my pain that I thought was safely locked away, was actually festering, and becoming so infected and toxic that it affected my thinking patterns. I became

an alcoholic and the choices I made in men weren’t exactly the best, so I endured 7 ½ yrs. of extreme domestic violence.

I was strangled 3 times to the point of losing consciousness. I lived with a shovel on my porch as a reminder of what I would be buried with. I was under constant threat of being sold into human trafficking and also under threat of disappearing never to be found again. I was stalked for a year by a ruthless killer who was my boyfriend's best friend and would follow me everywhere I went so he could report to him.

All this while I was nursing. It was just awful so I would work two jobs, just so I didn’t have to go home.

In 2007, I made “The Great Escape” trying to put one foot in front of the other and survive, but alas, my inner turmoil won the battle, and I ended up losing my nursing career and becoming drunk and homeless in 2011 after a few tries at quitting drinking alcohol. If I were to show you my homeless picture, you wouldn’t recognize me!

On the 7th day of homelessness, a man named Toothless Joe, who

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is the unsung hero of my story, slapped me on the back and said, “This is the life! Live it! Love it!”

When he did that, my vision cleared, and I realized that there was more to me than standing drunk on the street beside that guy! I had been robbed and literally only had the clothes on my back, but I had the sense to make a decision and say, “This is NOT my life!” I did whatever it took to get away from that guy, which was detox at the local hospital, then back to a faith based, year long recovery treatment center for women called Wellsprings. Best decision I ever made was to take the time I needed to heal and help myself first and foremost!

I knew I couldn’t go back to nursing, but how do you change careers at the age of 42? It's not that easy, so I went to a career planning workshop to find out what I wanted to be when I grew up at 42 years old. After three days of aptitude and personality tests, the lady gave me my sheet back with big black letters on top that said, “Heavy Equipment Operator.” I laughed so hard; I just about fell off my chair! I said to her, “You’ve GOT to be joking!

K a th y Tuc c a r o

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I am a woman, I don’t even like equipment, I am not mechanically inclined and honestly, this is a man’s job! Your test is wrong!”

She responded by pulling her glasses over the edge of her nose, putting a hand on her hip, and said, “If only you would believe in yourself a little bit Missy, you would see the test is right!”

She then proceeded to send me to a local Non-Profit organization called Women Building Futures where big companies sponsor programs that help women get into the nontraditional trades.

The day I walked in was the very day ExxonMobil/Imperial Oil just happened to be there sponsoring a 12-week Heavy Equipment Operator course. I had no idea what a Haul truck was but signed up for it. I was picked out of 158 women and 16 of us took the course. It turns out that lady was right because every piece of equipment I would get on, I was good at operating it, not to mention how much I loved it! 11 out of the 16 were hired, and I started my journey in 2013 and haven’t looked back!

I now operate some of the largest mining equipment in the world up in Northern Canada and tell women everywhere that its man’s best kept secret! It's very rewarding, challenging, pays well and I will always have a job, not to mention I play in a giant sand box all day and paid well to have fun! It's been quite the ride!

I wrote my book in 2017 which is now its in 4 languages, I also have an accompanying workbook, I also wrote a children’s book which is given freely to children in need and am currently writing another book which is fiction based on true events of our playing the Ouija Board as teenagers and all the paranormal

activity that has followed me since.

I spend my free time doing charities all over the world where I have speaking engagements. I go to women’s shelters, schools, youth centers, juvenile homes, create community events and even speak at prisons when I can.

I do it all for free because most people who are suffering do not have the money to get the desperate help they need.

Besides, it's not about the money, it's about creating global change one person at a time. I tell women to always believe in themselves regardless of what people say. Change begins with having a voice in your own story and being true to ourselves. I talk about speaking up about sexual abuse and taking ownership of their own lives. By learning to flip that negative switch in their head into a positive one, life will automatically turn around.

Forgiveness and love are the number one key to walking through the arches of a better tomorrow.

What makes your show a must-listen?

Shelley: The Women Road Warriors empowerment talk show is designed to inspire women to achieve things they had not thought possible. We are a freewheeling talk show for inspiration, education and entertainment tailored to women.

We feature guests who have been trailblazers. We discuss a wide range of topics from health, mental health, career, and business along with difficult topics like domestic abuse, drug addiction, and human trafficking.

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women. We feature experts with unique information and advice to women. We choose the best guests to make sure they offer the golden nuggets of information and takeaways our listeners have come to love and expect.

Because our show is conversational with no specific questions ahead of time, it allows us to uncover information and the essence of the guest that you may not hear in other shows.

Kathy: we are creating a ripple effect of positive change worldwide one show at a time! I am very grateful to Shelley for being such an amazing co-host and executive producer of the show. We make a dynamic duo, and the listeners feel it.

Our show has incredible guests from various backgrounds and incredible backstories, most of which I am continually inspired by. We all have a story to tell, and some of the resilience we have shared is outstanding. I draw strength from our guests just as much as they do from ours. It’s a positive impact show in every aspect. Not only are we inspiring the listeners, but we have fun doing it. The conversations we have are freeflowing, natural and easy to listen to.

Shelley: The Women Road Warriors Talk Show shares stories of resilience and inspiring lessons from celebrities to successful female leaders. Tell us about your inspiring guests.

We have had so many great guests who have all been powerhouses of information. It is difficult to pinpoint just a few who are the most memorable as they all have been dynamic interviews. I hate to exclude anyone. I can list some highlights.

Celebrity Guests: Valerie Bertinelli was a pleasure to speak with. We had a lively discussion about loving yourself just the way you are and what motivated her book “Enough Already! Learning to Love the Way I Am Today.” The interview not only explored Valerie’s life in Hollywood and with Eddie Van Halen, but her own personal challenges. It gave perspectives on how women can have selflimiting ideas based on what society tells us. It left me feeling it is okay to be who you are, not who someone else wants you to be and that the word no is a full sentence which is okay to say. It was entertaining with some great takeaways for our listeners.

Ruta Lee is a Hollywood icon we were honored to interview in our premier episode. She was promoting her autobiography “Consider Your Ass Kissed.”

She was extremely entertaining as we talked about women empowerment, how she had been a trailblazer and the opportunities she had and people she had known. She has a spunky sense of humor and has been on more TV shows and movies than many of her peers. Ruta has worked with all the major stars starting with the Burns and Allen show to members of the Rat Pack and animated movies. I was impressed with her dedication to humanity and her tenacity. She discussed her work as a philanthropist and how she single-handedly got her grandmother freed from a Siberian internment camp by personally talking to the then Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. I loved the fact that she never forgot her roots and she fought for what was right despite the odds. In many ways, I felt a kinship, as I have always been an advocate and work to

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right wrongs where I can.

Most Recent Expert/Human Interest Interviews Lucia Kanter St. Amour is a recent interview that was very compelling. She is a renowned attorney and negotiator in San Francisco, and the vice president of U.N. Women USA. She is the author of “For the Forces of Good: The Superpower of Everyday Negotiation.” Lucia talked about the power of everyday negotiation. We had a lively discussion of how we all have the power to negotiate and get the outcomes we want in life every day. She walked us through negotiation techniques with examples of how to get the best compensation package for a job as well as convince a toddler to eat vegetables. These practical real-life examples were easy to grasp, and I learned some great fundamentals.

Our two interviews with Jean Peelen, a woman in her 80s who has had six careers were very inspiring. She is the author of the book “Feisty: A Memoir in Little Pieces.” Despite being told her dreams would come through the eyes of her children, she finished college and went to law school to become an esteemed federal civil rights attorney fighting for the disenfranchised.

She is a fierce women’s advocate who defied the odds and was an avid feminist who hosted Gloria Steinem in the 1970s. She is funny, down-to-earth and carries a message that women can accomplish anything they set their mind to at any age. I felt almost invincible after that interview.

Shelley: tell us about some of most memorable guests?

We have had so many powerhouse guests on our show.

It is hard to pinpoint just a few I consider memorable. They all have offered great information.

We have featured nationally renowned psychologists and psychiatrists who have talked about ADHD in women, seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D), anxiety, and bipolar disorder in women. We featured a woman doctor who had recently addressed the United Nations about women’s healthcare. We have featured fantastic experts for entrepreneurs as well as career counselors who were outstanding along with motivational speakers and consultants who help people

improve their lives through music, meditation, physical therapy and other areas. We have had guests who are champions for women such as a nonprofit that is a women’s empowerment network; guests who are working to stop human trafficking; along with women trailblazers.

Kathy: you are a much sought after speaker, can you share upcoming speaking engagements?

I currently work on a 14 day on/ 14 day off rotation and fly to Los Angeles where I live for my precious time off. This year I have a few guest appearances for CATERPILLAR INC down in Mexico for International Women’s month. I will be touring the factories where the days of the haul trucks are made, as well as the dozer blades and back rippers are made. There are 3 major factories with 5000 employees and 30% being women. I get to go share my story and create local events for women and children seeing as my books are in Spanish, I will be giving them away at shelters and orphanages.

The topics I cover are usually all personal development related to my personal story such as Mental Health in the Workplace, Building Resilience, Overcoming Adversity, Pothole Pitfalls; Rising Above the Challenges, SelfEsteem and Who am I? Discovering the beauty of our own Soul., and many more, all

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depending on the audience.

In July I will be in NYC on a daily talk show, speaking at a women’s conference, and doing a charity drive for children while there. In Oct, I am speaking at a National Recovery Conference in Dallas and in November, I will be a speaker at the Women in Trucking conference in Dallas as well. I will also be going to Peru for CATERPILLAR to tour some mines down there and speak at a career fair about my job. I will have the golden opportunity to hike up Machu Pichu while I’m there which is going to be incredible!

I started a work boot recycle program in 2014 because I didn’t have boots to start work, and a lady kindly gave me a pair of gently used boots so I could change my life. Once I arrived at work, I realized they were throwing away hundreds of perfectly good boots, so I started recycling them and distributed them to local programs that support people looking for work.

To date I have collected and distributed over 10,000 pairs of boots and over 4000 hard hats.

My company asked me to look here in Los Angeles for programs that need boots, and we will be shipping some here if I can arrange it. We will also start shipping boots to other countries in need, so this is just wonderful!

I am very grateful to work for such an amazing company as ExxonMobil/Imperial Oil. www.womenroadwarriors.com

Crypto Powerhouse, Lisa N Edwards Latest Best-Selling Book, "Become a Millionaire in One Year"

By Jules Lavallee

Enter the world of Lisa N Edwards, a force of boundless energy and unyielding determination, she describes herself as juggling everything with precision and finesse.

Lisa is not your average entrepreneur; she's an unstoppable force who dreams big and refuses to give up!

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In Lisa's latest book, "Become a Millionaire in One Year," readers are ushered into a realm where financial aspirations materialize.

Leveraging her cryptocurren cy expertise and resilient career, Lisa unveils a compelling guide to achieving millionaire status in record time. Overflowing with practical advice and real-world wisdom, this best-selling new release is more than a book—it's a transformative roadmap that empowers readers to dream big and reach new heights.

Lisa's journey of self-discovery from a psychic enthusiast led her to the realization that happiness was within her grasp all along.

Instead of relying on psychics for decisions, she embraced her own path, drawing inspiration from her experiences to fuel her creative endeavors. The result?

The Can't Fight Fate Book Series is a fictional trilogy where fate and destiny intertwine tales born from Lisa's own psychic readings and former entertainment talent agent career.

But Lisa is not just a wordsmith; she's a crypto powerhouse. As an early adopter and influencer in the cryptocurren cy realm, Lisa co-owns Gettingstartedincrypto.com plus TheMoonMag.com and owns ThousandToMillions.com. Her expertise in Elliott Wave analysis honed over 25 years in traditional stocks and commodities and now cryptocurren cy gives her an edge over the market.

Her creative prowess extends to the screen with the TV Pilot "Can't Fight Fate," a 30-minute sitcom blending the vibes of "Sex and the City" and "Ally McBeale." The show follows a rational lawyer's unexpected life

upheaval after following a psychic prediction, promising viewers a rollercoaster of laughter and unforeseen consequences.

Her foray into the world of film and TV doesn't stop with her book series and sitcom. She cowrote the psychological thriller "BLINK" and crafted the TV Series Pilot "TINDERELLA." Blending film and crypto, Lisa's multi-award-winning dramatic thriller "COINRUNNERS", is a film script combining elements of "Molly's Game," "Wolf of Wall Street," and "The Big Short". Based on a true story, it unveils the challenges faced by a successful cryptocurrency trader navigating the volatile market, her reputation, relationships, and the deal of a lifetime. Behind "COINRUNNERS" is her blockchain NFT project designed to change the way films are funded, making them a liquid transferable asset even before the movie is made.

You are a crypto powerhouse, early adopter, and influencer in the cryptocurren cy realm. What intrigues you about cryptocurren cy?

My background was originally a Talent agent, going to NIDA, and then an influencer in crypto.

My brother is quite prominent in the crypto realm and that is what originally piqued my interest in it.

My motto is “the only way to make money is make your own, and this stems from learning trading when I was 16, and it has always been something I could use to make my money stretch further.

What has given you the edge on crypto? Tell us about your latest best-selling book,

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"Become a Millionaire in One Year."

My edge in crypto stems from over 25 years of expertise in Elliott Wave analysis, initially in traditional stocks and commodities and now applied to cryptocurrency. This analytical skill has allowed me to navigate the market with precision and make my own ways and methods for trading.

My latest best-selling book, "Become a Millionaire in One Year," is a guide that leverages my cryptocurrency knowledge, offering practical advice to readers seeking financial success. Also, a lot of people come into trading and there are huge expectations of getting rich, of all trades being hugely profitable, the method behind the book encompasses the psychology of money and mindset, and that taking profits even small ones is a profitable way to make profits over time.

It’s not a get rich quick guide, but a method to help you be successful if you put in the work. Visual Media Group, which I am the managing director of, complements my crypto journey with a portfolio of leading brands in the crypto space and a focus on the entertainment industry, allowing me to be both creative and analytical.

It is more than a book; it is a transformative roadmap that empowers readers to dream big and reach new heights.

Take us through key points.

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"Become a Millionaire in One Year" is not just a book; it's a transformative roadmap designed to empower readers.

To give them knowledge, that can become understanding and with understanding I believe we can do anything.

The key points include practical advice, real-world wisdom, and the encouragement to dream big.

But also, not forgetting the psychology aspects of trading, as it is a mental game. My mission is to inspire others to achieve financial success by providing them with the tools and mindset needed to reach new heights in their lives.

How has investing in crypto changed your life?

I am truly grateful for crypto, and the crypto community, it is a space where many have huge dreams and goals, and where I get to share my knowledge to help others succeed, over the years, I have heard amazing stories, of a man renovating a house so his Dad could get into it easily in his wheelchair, another one, was a man bought the kitchen his wife always wanted; I saw pictures it was amazing. And this one here! https://x.com/crypto_badass /status/134327717266922291 6?s=20, so I guess to answer your question it has given me purpose to help others but also investing in crypto has been a life-changing journey.

It has not only provided financial independence but

has also allowed me to merge my creative pursuits with the crypto world. This synergy has opened up new possibilities, allowing me to explore diverse avenues such as writing, filmmaking, and mentoring others in the cryptocurrency realm.

You have blended film and crypto, in your multi-awardwinning dramatic thriller "COINRUNNERS", which has been coined as a film script combining elements of "Molly's Game," "Wolf of Wall Street," and "The Big Short". Tell us more!

I lived the "COINRUNNERS" story, so I am writing firsthand, and often real life is stranger than fiction, and when I read the script back, I think wow did that really happen, it doesn’t seem like my life anymore and I think I have grown and learned a lot from the experiences in the film.

The film also introduces a groundbreaking blockchain NFT project, changing the way films are funded by making them a liquid transferable asset even before production begins. So, I get to merge crypto and creativity yet again.

You have extended to the screen with the TV Pilot "Can't Fight Fate," a 30minute sitcom blending the vibes of "Sex and the City" and "Ally McBeale." What do you want people to know?

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Writing “Can't Fight Fate" was fun! My inspiration comes from a blend of personal experiences, psychic readings, and a desire to create an entertaining yet thought-provoking series that explores the unpredictable nature of life. I look at the psychology behind why people go to psychics and why they can actually believe what they say and live their life through the predictions, then get upset when they don’t happen, “Can’t Fight Fate” takes a rational lawyer and puts her in the situation where a psychic reading could actually be true and then she goes through some really hilarious situations. It is more about laughing at ourselves through the characters.

Share your vision for 2024.

In 2024, my vision is to keep pushing the boundaries. I aim to continue making significant waves in the cryptocurren cy space, pushing the limits of creativity in filmmaking and NFT projects, and ultimately getting my scripts to the screen, and hopefully changing some people’s lives for the better. As the Managing Partner of Visual Media Group, my focus is on further elevating our portfolio of leading brands in the crypto industry, and showing the world that crypto can be used for good, and it is not just the cesspool of greed and scams the traditional news portrays it to be. I aspire to inspire others to dream big, just as I am reaching for the moon in all aspects of my life. www.gettingstartedincrypto.com

Media Personality and Author,

Shunta Graham Motivates People Daily

" A ffir m a tion s with Sh u n n ie M a r ie "

By Jules Lavallee

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Shunta was born and raised in the great city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas and currently resides in Little Rock, Arkansas with her husband Hayward Graham, 3rd of 19 years. She is a published Amazon Best Selling Author and is a co-author of the Blessed Not Broken Volume 3: The Power of Transformation anthology and co-author of Daily Dose of Prayers anthology. She is also a media personality, singer, a praise dancer, a speaker and the "Healing Through the Arts Activator". She motivates individuals with her daily affirmations called, “Affirmations with Shunnie Marie". She is a podcaster and the host of her international streaming podcast called "Show Up, Manifest and Grind. Which is streaming on 16 different platforms and streaming

in 12 countries outside of the United States. She is also the recipient of the 2023 I am H.E.R International awards for Praise Dancer of the Year and the People's Choice for Woman on the Rise. She is also a 2023 finalist for the Speak Up Sis Awards in the category of Podcaster of the Year, the OneWay Radio Awards finalists for Podcast of the Year and the 2024 I am H.E.R. international nominee for Wife of the Year.

She has also been featured in five magazine publications.

Joining many projects has helped push her further into what God has called her to do. To help others who have lived silently for years in their past hurts from

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sexual assault and emotional abuse. She wants to help others find their voice to speak up and out about their traumas related to sexual assault and emotional abuse. To let others know they are not alone and to know there is always someone you can reach out to pray and coach you through the difficult days ahead.

To let others know that they too can have victory over the traumatic effects of sexual assault and emotional abuse. She has gained a new freedom associated with being a voice for the voiceless. The freedom to speak her truth without shame and to further encourage herself to know this was all in God's plan for her life and it will ALL give Him glory in the end.

You have motivated individuals across the globe with your daily affir mations called, “Affir mations with Shunnie Marie". Share your background and what led you to your calling.

In 2021, I finally stepped out on faith and decided to tell my story in an anthology called Blessed not broken. While I was through this journey of writing my chapter for the anthology, I came in contact with a lady named Dr. Althea Bates. And the word she spoke to us in that particular workshop lit a fire within me. That evening, I decided to pray and ask God what is it that he wanted me to do and how can I impact those around me. His answer was simple but challenging for me. He instructed me to go live every day for 60 days. He told me that since my struggle was low self-esteem and shyness, I was to go live and give an affirmation and talk about how that affirmation impacts my life.

It started out as "Lunch Time Affirmations with Shunnie Marie where I went live every day during my lunch period. I enjoyed doing it so much that I decided to do it in writing and from time to time I will go live.

I chose to use affirmations to help others to heal because it is what helped me to heal. My therapist is the one who encouraged me to make an affirmation mirror that I was to read every day until I believe what was written. So, when I

write or go live for Affirmations with Shunnie Marie, I am encouraging myself as I encourage others through affirmations. After starting affirmations with Shunnie Marie, I did not realize the impact that it would have on those who were on my social media platform.

This is the reason why I continue to push myself to post every day or at least Shinnie five times a week with Affirmations with Shunnie Marie.

What challenges have you faced?

One of the challenges that I have faced is having to deal with low self-esteem for the majority of my life. I did not have the confidence in myself, because I was not told that I was beautiful, smart and those things are what a child who is developing needs to hear. We don't realize what we say or don't say to a child can have such a tremendous impact on self-confidence and selfesteem. I was bullied at a very young age up until my adulthood. And by me telling my story of how I was bullied and how I was abused as a child; It helped others who have dealt with the same issue to know that they are not alone. My goal is to encourage and to help others to get through their traumas using the affirmations and the arts.

Whether it is dancing, singing, writing, speaking, painting etc. I just want them to show up for themselves just like I showed up

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for me.

Tell us about the Blessed Not Broken anthology. What is your mission?

Blessed Not Broken was created

by Dr. Tamara Mitchell Davis.

She is an outstanding author, coach and businesswoman who is committed to helping other women to tell their stories and to become published authors. Her mission is to help us as women to tell our stories and to impact the world with our stories while using our stories to start a business. So, by joining this anthology of Blessed NOT Broken, I was able to tell my story of how words do hunt you. And that the words that people say to you can follow you into your adulthood and have a tremendous impact on your life and the decisions that you make.

I want to encourage others through my story of being Blessed Not Broken to let them know that just because you had a bad start in life does not mean that you will end bad, that you can change your story because God is changing your story through your testimony.

Tell us about Volume 3: Blessed Not Broken: The Power of Transfor mation.

How have you transfor med during your jour ney?

Blessed Not Broken Vol. 3: The Power of Transformation was released in the summer of 2022 with our visionary author Dr. Tamara Mitchell Davis. With this project my life was definitely transformed. I started out as a very shy woman, who wanted to stay in the background. By writing my contribution story in this anthology it caused me to deal with the trauma that I had hidden for years. And didn't want to deal with it. but I knew I needed to, so I started attending counseling. By the end of this project. I was in a different space mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I can honestly say that because of the Blessed not Broken project, I am a new person. I no longer sink into the background. I am walking in boldness. I am walking in confidence. I am walking in who and what God has called me to be. And that is to be an impact and an overcome. I want to let others know that they too can overcome anything. Just trust the process. So that is my journey of how I transformed with being in this project of Blessed not Broken.

Share your inspiration for your popular podcast, "Show Up, Manifest and Grind.

Show up, Manifest and Grind podcast was created in the fall of 2022. I was scrolling through Facebook, and I saw a post on Leah M. Forney page. She was asking women who wanted to start a podcast or who were interested in starting a podcast to attend a master class that she was having. Before the master class even started, the Holy Spirit had already been dealing with me on this podcasting project. So, after

I took her master class, she offered an intensive program and I decided to join the intensive.

Before the intensive started the Holy Spirit was continuing to deal with me on starting my podcast. He had already told me that he wanted me to start a podcast where I can encourage men and women, but especially women across the world. He instructed me to get my story out and to let others know that they too can heal if they wanted to be healed. That they too are strong, that they are enough and that they can also show up for themselves and to work hard to manifest what they desire in life.

That is my inspiration for every episode, whether I have a guest or if it's just me talking or if I'm having a Bible study about women or if it's just a couple's corner with me and my husband.

This podcast is a platform to share the journeys of men and women across the world to let others know that they too are overcomers. You can find Show Up, Manifest and Grind podcasts on all podcasting platforms.

Whether it's Apple, Google, Amazon, iHeartRadio, just to name a few. Just google Show Up, Manifest and Grind and you will see me. Your host, Shunnie Marie.

You are a contributing author of the Daily Dose of Prayer.

What can we find?

The Daily Dose of Prayer anthology will be released March 1, 2024. And what you will find in this anthology is a collection of daily prayers. You can go through and pick out a prayer that you need for that day, or you can start at the beginning and just pray those prayers

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throughout the year. One of the contributions that I made was a prayer for those of us who minister through dance. I wrote a prayer out for those of us who are ministers through dance to help guide those who are not sure what to pray for as a minister of dance. You can follow me on all my social media sites Facebook, Instagram and TikTok all under the name Shunnie Marie to keep up for when the books will be in preordering phase.

Share your vision for 2024.

My vision for 2024 is to impact even more people locally as well as internationally. Personally, I am working on my health, because I have not been taking care of myself and self-care is very important. So, I am going to take care of myself in 2024. I am also working on releasing other book projects as well. I was shown that I am to write in a certain genre, and I am excited about it. So be looking out for new releases from me in 2024. Business wise, l want to establish my business even more.

By hosting women's brunches and Healing Through the Arts projects. I am going to manifest and grind and make it as successful as it can be with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, because this is God's business. I am going to do what God has called me to do which is to impact those around me and throughout the world with the Arts and affirmations.

Website: HTTPs://linktr.ee/shunniemarie Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shu nnieMarie

Charles Carroll Lee Finalist for the Literary Global Book Awards with First Science Fiction Novel, “Andromeda”

By Jules Lavallee

Charles Carroll Lee, a native of Petersburg, Virginia, is a distinguished alumnus of Virginia Union University and Radford University. With an insatiable passion for literature, Charles has penned seven sensational fiction novels that have garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. In 2023, Charles was selected as a finalist for the Literary Global Book Awards for his first science fiction novel, “Andromeda.”

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Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in Petersburg, Virginia. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Virginia Union University and a Master of Arts degree in industrial / organizational psychology from Radford University. Previously, I had a career in human resource management, and now I'm enjoying a career in chronic disease management, fitness, and employee wellness and engagement. My active imagination and thousands of thoughts and scenarios running through my mind led to a career in writing novels. I should get these scenarios out of my mind and onto paper. In addition, I like telling stories and captivating people.

You specialize in family drama novels and science fiction. Share with us your first novel.

My first novel, "For Better or For Worse," centers on a childless, thirty-year-old couple, Reese, and Sable Dexter, navigating their way through married life.

Things seemed well until a woman from Sable's past creeps back into the present day and causes a shift in her usually calm

and upbeat demeanor. Reese notices the changes in his wife and naturally becomes irritated by his wife's actions and secrets.

Unable to live with her secret, Sable reaches out to her fatherin-law, who has some "underworld connections," to resolve her dilemma. The other supporting characters play a significant role in the novel as each deals with personal and potentially devastating health issues.

Tell us about your book,

"Behind Every Dark Cloud."

What was your inspiration?

"Behind Every Dark Cloud" is a continuation of "For Better or For Worse." This novel tie up some loose ends between Reese and Sable and gives them some closure (for now). Also, "Behind Every Dark Cloud" introduces new characters and a dark storyline that hopefully becomes a compelling mystery.

The inspiration comes from another thought regarding the local news stories at the time of the writing. What if an essential female figure in a serial rapist's life became a victim of a sexual assault? What would be his response? How would he react?

However, the story develops and takes a life completely until its own. The other supporting characters are looking for the

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serial rapist as well to settle a deathbed request.

In 2023, you were selected as a finalist for the Literary Global Book Awards for his first science fiction novel, "Andromeda." What makes this novel stand out?

It's my first science fiction novel from someone who isn't a sci-fi reader or fan. I think "Andromeda" helps one to answer, "Yes, Earth can be a pretty tough place to live. But, if given the chance, would you want to live on a far more serene and tranquil planet and maybe leave your loved ones behind? Hopefully, the reader will see the emotional crosswords the main character, David Grant, faces as he chooses between Earth and the planet Andromeda.

Do you plan on book tours or signings in 2024? Are you working on a new book?

I would love to do some virtual book tours and live book signings. Right now, I'm not working on another novel.

However, I am talking, listening, and observing people from every walk of life.

www.charlescarrolllee.com

Author Christopher Romano Receives Global Literar y Award for Memoir about his Life with Diabetes

By Jules Lavallee

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"Inner Sanctum Exposed” is an emotional memoir by Christopher Romano that follows his health journey. At only 14 years of age, the author was diagnosed with type 1 Juvenile Diabetes and went on a downward spiral that led to underage gambling, binge eating, bulimia, anorexia, and mental issues. By the time he was in college, he was not adhering to his dietary program, and his denial of his condition caused his physical and mental health to deteriorate. He desperately wanted to feel normal and started to think the doctors and family were all against him. This affected his psyche, but with music, writing and drawing, he managed to become more responsible. Unfortunately, this was only the beginning of his troubles because he still had more hurdles ahead.

Share your background.

I’ve been employed by Westchester County for the past 29 years as a records manager for the county (record, examine and maintain property records). I’ve maintained a strong relationship with public assistance. Graduated from Westchester Community college in NY (. with an Associates liberal arts degree).

Primarily I loved to draw but found I was better at expressing myself with words (poetry). I’ve been told I have a gift but still yet to see that. I divorced in 2020, co-parenting 21-year-old twins who are in their junior year of college.

Inner Sanctum Exposed is an emotional memoir that follows your health journey and received the Literary Book Awards. You have been living with diabetes for 34 years.

How did your neglect and unawareness of your condition cause you various health problems throughout your life?

awareness.

Starting very early in life (age 14) complications could be seen.

Weight loss, loss of vision due to a stroke in the eye, frequent hospitalization due to complications, given last rights, infertility, marriage dissolved, colon surgery, gastrointestinal issues, and kidney/pancreas tp.

Definitely from a strong family support system, my 2 children and girlfriend of 5 months. I know I need to be there for them as well so by being mentally and physically so I can pay forward all the love and support toward them. I signed a contract 21 years ago to raise 2 children, so I need to be here for my children.

Strength was also gained unfortunately through trial, and error learning from my mistakes in controlling my diabetes and gratifying when I can share the experiences to help other avoid the same mistakes.

As a teen just wanted to fit in, but failed to accept I had a disease. I would eat and drink whatever I wanted, neglecting medication.

Unfortunately, at that time the mind while on other prescribed meds create a skewed perspective on mental thinking and as the way you see yourself.

Despite the mental and physical challenges, a disease or life in general may bring, at some point we need to accept it and address the situation we are in; find different outlets to help offset the negative (in my case it was music and poetry). Realize you’re not being singled out and there are others out there who do understand and can even help.

Where do you draw your strength from?

Upon reflection writing “Inner Sanctum Exposed,” what did you learn about yourself? Did you find it therapeutic?

I often say when the ink in my pen runs dry then it’s time to worry about me. But right now, my story continues and so does the message.’

Instead of drugs or alcohol poetry and writing was the best medicine allowing me to vent on paper.

Take us through your journey.

Diabetes, although a debilitating disease, can be controlled and we can lead a normal life. We not only pay attention to the signs but also address them before things get out of control. “Be in control of the disease, don’t let the disease control you.” With diabetes we are constantly learning, by making the necessary changes with diet, exercise and meds if needed we can live a normal life and avoid the tragic stories in dealing with complications. All about self©Red Silk Carpet

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I learned just how resilient the human body can be and when we are focused on things, we can achieve just about anything. I also learned that through my downfall.

Inner Sanctum can be found on Amazon: www.amazon.com/INNERSANCTUM-EXPOSEDCHRISTOPHERROMANO/dp/B0CGYVQF9Y

Author Mark David Albertson “Jemez” Finalist for Literary Global Awards

By Jules Lavallee

Born in the “Atomic City,” Los Alamos, New Mexico, once the secret site of the Manhattan.

Mark loved and spent most of his time outdoors. Mark joined the navy right after high school at the end of the Vietnam conflict and became a radioman on a destroyer escort. He left the navy with a dream of someday writing a novel incorporating the adventures of a young sailor, and in 2021 made that happen.

Mark spent over thirty years as

an attorney and private investigator, both as a prosecuting attorney and in private practice.

Since his navy days, Mark was always a writer. During his time practicing law, he published books and law journal articles both nationally and internationally, but he always longed to write novels. Mark had left the navy with colorful memories of travel to many countries and of the challenges serving at the end of Vietnam and during the cold war.

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In 2017, Mark left the practice of law to write his first novel, the acclaimed thriller, “Steaming: A Sea Story.” In 2021, he published the second book of his Sea story series entitled, “Spying: A Sea Story,” and is scheduled to have the third novel in the series, “Stalking: A Sea Story” was on the shelves in 2022. His fourth novel, still featuring the protagonist from his first three books is “Jemez,” set in the scenic mountains of Northern New Mexico.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

For the most part, I’m a pretty open book, so I’m not really certain anyone would be surprised about anything.

Perhaps the most surprising thing to everyone (except my family) is that I’ve got a little Walter Mitty in me. I am always looking for adventure, to try new things, and, unlike Walter Mitty, I just plunge forward and go for it, without regard to the many of the consequences they have on my life. I joined the navy with about three minutes of thought, went to law school without knowing what it meant to be a lawyer or even talking to one, became an armed private investigator just because I was bored with my law practice and wanted to do something more interesting, and even became a certified hypnotherapist, simply because it was a different challenge. Many people would see these things as a sign of mental illness, and frankly, I might have been more successful if I had “stayed” the course, but, in the end, when people ask me if I would change anything about my life, I would have to say a resounding “no.” If you change one thing, you change everything, and I’m very comfortable being who I am and where I am.

Your fourth novel, “Jemez,” was published in May of 2023, and achieved Amazon’s bestseller status in the first week of publication. It was

also a finalist for the Literary Global Award. What makes this book unique?

Jemez is something of a departure from the first three books I wrote. While Matt Bertram is still the protagonist, he has left the navy and NCIS because of the tragedies in his life. The book takes place in the beautiful Jemez Mountains of Northern New Mexico, and while there is still crime, thrills, and adventure, it’s a very different book. Two authors who have had a big influence on me are Tony Hillerman and Carl Hiaasen. Hillerman, known for his wonderful crime novels that take place on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico, had the capacity to paint a picture of “place” better than any author I have read. Hiaasen, is a master at creating colorful and quirky characters, making a serious story humorous, and advocating for positive change in the world. I really thought that the Jemez Mountains, not very well-known outside of New Mexico, was a place that I could bring Matt, tell a page-turning story, and surround him with interesting, quirky, and heroic characters. I grew up near the Jemez Mountains as a child and they will forever be my happy place. My passion for those mountains and the many different cultures and how they coexist made it a joy for me to write such a novel.

Everyone who writes strives to do their best work and improve their craft. From my perspective,

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Jemez was my best work yet. I learned a great deal about storytelling writing this book, and the characters and surroundings are in my heart. That makes it much easier to put a good story on paper. I was very honored that New Mexico Magazine chose to feature my book in their article, “Page Turners.” Out of any place that has mentioned my book, it was a special honor to see the magazine I grew up reading, honor me that way.

What’s next?

I am well into my fifth novel which I (and my publisher) hope to see on the shelves in 2024. This book is a bit of a change of pace for me. The book takes place in Las Vegas and I’m calling it a “quirky crime-ish” novel. It will be far more humorous than my other books, and yet will be filled with an odd assortment of wanna-be organized criminals, an inept protagonist, drag queens, the FBI and lots of thrills and spills along the way. The book is set in one of the oddest places on earth, “fabulous” Las Vegas, where I now live. I’m having a great time writing it. I realize that I left a cliff-hanger in Jemez, however, and I want to reassure my readers that a sequel to Jemez is already on the drawing board. I promise they will see it soon! www. mdalbertson.com

Jacob Jones with "Heroes Rising: The Beginning Book #1" Recognized as a Finalist in the Literary Global Awards

By Jules Lavallee

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Jacob Jones is a talented new author who has written a book titled "Heroes Rising: The Beginning Book #1". He has been recognized as a finalist in the Literary Global Awards in the Fiction Fantasy and Fiction New Age categories. The accompanying review quotes, "Jones delivers an engaging series opener that promises an exciting exploration of the classic battle between good and evil. Fans of fantasy and adventure will find themselves captivated by Jacob Jones's knack for creative storytelling." Jacob has recently finished writing his second book, "Heroes Rising: The Forbidden Forest", and is currently working on his third book in the series.

Although the title for his third book is yet to be decided, he is determined to continue bringing his world and characters to life.

Jacob resides in Southern Maryland and works full-time while also being a devoted husband and father. He hopes that his readers will enjoy exploring the world he has created with his words.

Your book “Heroes Rising: The Beginning Book #1" is a captivating fantasy novel taking readers through an epic saga spanning across centuries. When did you discover your passion for writing?

I first discovered my passion for writing when I was a child. I always had a great imagination about being a hero and saving the world. So, one day I decided to start writing my stories down in notebooks and eventually on

the computer. I mainly write fantasy-based because of saving the world and being the hero who overcomes all odds.

Your book has been recognized as a finalist in the Literary Global Awards in the Fiction Fantasy and Fiction New Age categories. What was the inspiration for the main character?

I was shocked I became a finalist in the Fantasy and Fiction New Age categories. I hoped I would have made a finalist in one of the categories, but not two. My inspiration for the main characters came from listening to my music, watching movies/anime, and of course, playing D&D. I wanted to make characters of different races band together to save the world. The world I have created is currently in chaos and they turn to the adventurers to help them find out what is happening with the magical surge that arises. This is when you meet the group of adventurers who travel south and investigate the designated area they were assigned.

What is your mission for this book?

I want people to be able to enjoy reading a good story. When they read it, I want them to be able to feel the events that are unfolding before them. My story will also show that even though we come from different backgrounds, we can band together to survive and overcome horrific events, sometimes at a cost. My book is mainly for teenagers and above.

Tell us about your second

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book, "Heroes Rising: The Forbidden Forest." What can we expect?

My second book in the Heroes Rising series The Forbidden Forest takes place in the forest.

The heroes travel to the forest because the group of adventurers that went to investigate has failed. They travel and stumble upon an Elvish hunting party in which they help them out and in exchange they help them find the Elvish kingdom. They find it and discover something more dire is happening around them.

You can also expect to find out some mysteries from the first book and new ones in the second. The second book is more thrilling, and I guarantee you will be on the edge of your seat when you read it.

How have you evolved as an author?

I became better at storytelling; I took what I had learned and applied it to my second book along with everyday life. I feel like I accomplished something inside me. I know I am not your typical author, but I hope I can continue to grow and turn into an author people will recognize.

Can we expect a third book in 2024?

My second book will be available no later than the end of January 2024. I am currently writing my third book and hope to have it finished by the fall of 2024. It will be out in 2025.

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Author Kaleb I. Thompson Shares His Amazon Best-Selling Inspirational Poetry Book Titled, “Peace in the Midst of the Storm”

By Jules Lavallee

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Storm”, which primarily focuses on encouraging and inspiring others to overcome their challenges, regardless of how difficult they may be. As one who has deeply struggled with anxiety and fear, Kaleb seeks to advise that faith, resilience, and empowerment will give us the hope and content that we need in order to instill the confidence within ourselves to never give into defeat.

Kaleb is a native of North Myrtle Beach, SC, has always embraced himself as an optimistic and ambitious individual who continually exudes positivity and gracefully lives life to the fullest. Born in Wilmington, NC, Kaleb was blessed to be in the hands of very strong-willed and selfless parents with his father being a dedicated pastor and his mother being a passionate teacher’s assistant. With their innate ability to serve and impact others, his upbringing was significantly infused with love and a sense of community that stemmed from the church and his family.

Unwavering faith and intricate morals and values have enabled Kaleb to breed success and to grow spiritually, mentally, and emotionally as a whole.

In December of 2021, Kaleb also published the Amazon bestselling inspirational poetry book titled, “Peace in the Midst of the

How have your parents been a beacon of love and shown a sense of community for you?

Thankfully, my parents have both instilled their faith, kindness, selflessness, and grace within me due to their strongwilled, generous, and sharptongued parents. Therefore, the foundation of strength, courage, integrity, humility, and charity stems from their positive impact that has greatly inspired a generation. Throughout my life, my parents have raised me to remain committed within my faith as well as maintain a genuine spirit through my upbringing within the church.

Besides my father being a dynamic Pastor, my maternal grandfather currently serves as a passionate deacon while my paternal grandmother is currently deemed as the Mother of her church. With this being said, they have both served in their respective churches for many years, showcasing the dedication and respect that they have poured into people and ministry.

As I reflect on my very strong Christian background, I am very blessed to come from a loving family who exude warmth, joy, and positivity and who continue

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to live in their honest truth of remaining together through prayer. My parents are an example of God’s grace and love which serves as a testament of the morals and values that they have placed within me. Through them, I was taught to not only love God but also myself which would then foster my growth in showing love and respect towards others. Because of this, that is where a strong sense of community is created because of the willingness to invest time in encouraging each other and being at peace with each other, regardless of our imperfections.

That’s where true harmony and togetherness lies and because of my parents investing their lives into me, it only makes me become the best man that I can be throughout this rewarding journey of life.

What led you to write your inspirational poetry book titled, “Peace in the Midst of the Storm?”

My inspiration behind this beautiful book came from a vision that God gave me in September of 2020. Of course, during that tumultuous year, we were all hurting and in moments of disbelief and unhappiness primarily due to COVID-19. It felt that the world was changing for the worse with many experiencing grief, depression, anxiety, self-doubt, anger, and suicide. Therefore, while sitting in my living room, I was then compelled to write my first poem, “Lord, Remember Me, and then afterwards, my need to write spiritual poetry came into play.

Focusing on various topics including faith, love, envy, family, and resilience, this led me to create a work of art that not only resonated with the brokenhearted and the spiritually grounded but also myself as well.

Writing this book gave me the freedom to become vulnerable in sharing my personal experiences that I’ve faced throughout my lifetime such as coping with anxiety and fear.

Because of my faith, I strongly believe that God chose me for a time as this to share words of wisdom and encouragement because at this point, we have people who are hurting, fighting silent battles that not even those close to them know nothing about, and who are struggling with mental illness. I also believe that I was led to write this book because of the purpose to inspire others through any challenge or obstacle that they may be facing and that they have the innate ability to overcome it, regardless of the difficulty that it brings. “Peace in the Midst of the Storm” is simply just that possessing the strength to overcome and remaining steadfast to reach your breakthrough. Faith, resilience, empowerment! This is what the world needs now!

place my trust and life in his hands. As I have stated before, my upbringing in the church has enlightened me to embrace my designated purpose and to know that what God has for me is for me. No matter what the storm may look like and regardless of how it is raging, I know that it will not last always. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen so I know that God will continue to bless and strengthen me as long as I continue to honor and obey him because anxiety and fear are not of him.

God did not promise me an easy life, but he promised to never leave me nor forsake me and guide me every step of the way.

Also, prayer comforts, heals, and changes for the better. When I speak to him, I know he hears me, and it brings me great pleasure to know that he is working on my behalf and helping me overcome obstacles with the strength that I thought I never had. I always reflect on my position as a preacher’s child as I believe that is what has helped mold me into strengthening my relationship with God and to remain grounded in him.

Therefore, I fear nothing because he is always with me and because light forever shines in the midst of darkness.

How has your faith helped you to be resilient in the eye of the storm of anxiety and fear?

Why do you think “Peace in the Midst of the Storm” is resonating with the hearts and minds of people worldwide?

My faith is centered around God as he is my source of refuge and comfort. Without God, I would be nothing and through him, I

“Peace in the Midst of the Storm” is a spiritual testament of hope, fulfillment, and strength.

It brings forth the authentic and

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powerful purpose of uplifting, encouraging, nurturing, guiding, and motivating the brokenhearted as well as the free. This book also resonates with the hearts and minds of people because my poems are not only composed of a spiritual essence but also contain heartfelt stories and messages that will make one cry, laugh, meditate, and feel. In a world where there is so much negativity, “Peace in the Midst of the Storm” strives to encourage every reader to know that God will bring them out of any situation and that by his strength comes a lasting peace that will help them conquer their toughest battles.

Also, I wrote this book with the distinct value of readers strengthening their relationship with God and having the ability to trust him more because it is through faith that he will continue to bring us through.

Anxiety and fear may be prevalent but with faith, resilience, and empowerment, this will encourage readers to know that their storms will dissipate, and contentment will manifest from within.

What is next for you?

This will NOT be my first and last book, so I plan to write another one in the very near future. I believe that God has destined me to continue to write spiritual poetry because healing and strength are very much needed in this world. Also, I do have a commercial/product ad of “Peace in the Midst of the Storm” coming out very soon so stay tuned!

Austin C. Smith’s New Book, “A Perilous Road” Receives Literary Global Award

By Jules Lavallee

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Austin was born in Colorado and raised on the West coast. His family relocated to Kansas when he was a teen, and he fell in love with a farmer's daughter during high school. He married while attending college and has lived in Kansas ever since.

He spent a number of years working in fire and emergency medical services until an injury forced him into a different career path. Now, he’s a retired teacher, working in a medical field.

The story that began his "Companions of Fate" fantasy series was conceived in the mid 90’s. However, it wasn't until 2005 that he started writing what would become A Perilous Road, and A Fighter's Destiny, books I and II. He finished them in 2009, and while he managed his job, family, and life, they collected dust on a shelf for 13 years. Then in the summer of 2022, after constant encouragement from family and friends, he tried marketing the story.

A Perilous Road was released in October of this year, and A Fighter's Destiny is now under contract with Atmosphere. It will go to production this coming February and be released next fall.

You had struggles with reading comprehension in your younger years. Share your background and what led you to your magnificent fantasy fiction today.

From my earliest memories, I've always loved to hear stories.

When I began reading as a child, I was captivated by the images evoked from the words on the

pages. During my grade school years, I was a slow reader, and testing poorly on books that I had read quelled my desire to continue. Grudgingly, I persisted, and with the help of my parents and teachers, I eventually overcame the issue. I had two very passionate and motivational English teachers during my teen years who profoundly changed my life, showing me the absolute need for effective communications. Armed with writing skills, an active imagination, and a love for medieval history, I began writing stories which eventually led me to my "Companions of Fate" series.

Tell us about "Companions of Fate”.

I conceived this story in the 90's as my debut novel titled, Hunt for the Shadow Knight. I began writing it in 2005, and soon realized it would be too long for just one book, and I had enough adventures in mind for the protagonists to make it a series.

So, I split it into two books, A Perilous Road, and A Fighter's Destiny. I finished them in 2009, and while my life unfolded, they sat on a shelf, constantly reminding me of an unrealized dream. Finally, in 2022, I began marketing the story and quickly found an interested publisher.

My story is centered on the lives of four protagonists, a diverse group of friends who share a unique, unconditional bond. Each will do or give anything to protect the others, and their mutual trust and loyalty is unwavering. I would compare their relationship to that of lead roles in other books like Louis L'Amour's The Sacketts, or Larry McMurtry’s

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Lonesome Dove.

January 2024

A Perilous Road was released this year. What is it about medieval history that you enjoy the most? Please delve into the storyline.

Simplicity. I long for the quiet, slow, unencumbered life that people lived during the medieval age. I know it could be harsh and brutal, but it was, in my opinion, calm and benign compared to modern times. Today, we're all in a perpetual state of anxiety, measuring success by the number of deadlines we meet, or the number of friends we have online. We seldom take time to appreciate the things in life that should matter the most: faith, family, friends, and how we spend our allotment of the one precious commodity we cannot replenish.

Time.

In A Perilous Road, Gustin, a former cavalry officer, resigned his commission after becoming disillusioned with the military bureaucracy. Faelintari descends from a long bloodline of great fighters yet struggles with the moral dilemma of taking a life.

Erin, naive, orphaned as a young girl, searches for the man who murdered her parents, willing to forsake all to exact her revenge.

And Draigistar, a youthful wizard, appears carefree, yet privately values his friends and their needs far more than they realize. An altruistic band of adventurers brought together by fate, they share the common values that make them unbeatable: integrity, loyalty, and empathy. And facing the evil unleashed by the story's antagonist, the Shadow Knight, they remain united, determined to rid society of the nefarious dark tide that seems insurmountable.

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Tell us about A Fighter's Destiny .

What is your hope for your stories?

A Fighter's Destiny literally picks up where A Perilous Road leaves off. So far, I've had positive feedback from those who've read the first book.

Readers have enjoyed my descriptions of the ever-changing scenery, and they love my characters, which is the best compliment they could give since I write my adventures to showcase the relationships of the characters involved. But I must warn, I leave you hanging at the end of A Perilous Road. Hollis McNeall hired my protagonists to escort him to the City of Queens by road, and on to the Twin Cities by sea. A Fighter's Destiny picks up the story just before the group reaches the capital, and then they sail on to the Twin Cities aboard a ship owned by a roguish captain who will undoubtedly endear himself to the readers. Along the way, they engage in sea battles, and eventually mount a daring raid on the Shadow Knight's main compound in hopes of crushing the evil league for good.

A Fighter's Destiny delves even deeper into the personas of my four main characters: their demons, their motivations, and their relationship with each other. I'm sure the readers who already love these characters will find it hard to stop turning pages and put this book down.

Your family has been a great support system. How has their support been so important to your success as a writer?

I'm the seventh of eight siblings in my family and was blessed to grow up in a home with two loving parents who instilled many values, including the importance of family. I've passed that on as an adult, a husband, and a father. The love and support I receive from my wife, Dianna, is foremost. Over the years, she's made many sacrifices of time and attention

to my selfish pursuit of writing. Our son is now grown and married with his own household, but he, too, remembers the endless hours I spent writing when he was a child, growing up.

I'm still close to my siblings today, and I would be shamefully remiss if I didn't give credit where it is due. My sister, Sharon, works as my publicist, marketing consultant, and social media manager. And my brother, Paul, is my technology support specialist who designed and manages my website. I'm fortunate beyond measure to have people filling these roles who not only have great expertise, but whom I can trust completely to make every decision based on my best interests. I owe them both an enormous debt of gratitude for their tireless efforts.

creative control. It's literally been three decades since I conceived this story, so I'm not about to let someone ruin it, along with my reputation. I believe a fine quality, exciting, romantic, fantasy adventure story can still be told in good taste without graphic violence, and with the actors keeping their clothes on.

Some of my favorite examples: Silverado 1985 - Kevin Klein, Kevin Costner, Scott Glenn, Danny Glover

(4 protagonists) Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves 1991- Kevin Costner

Cut Throat Island 1995 - Geena Davis

You are working on book III, A Relentless Enemy . What can we expect? What’s next for you?

Signings? Movies?

King Arthur 2004 - Clive Owen

A Relentless Enemy continues the conflict between my protagonists and remnants of the Shadow League. I can't give too much of the story line away, but you will see a discernible transformation in the protagonist's individual personas, as well as their collective relationship. The most accurate description would be that it starts out strained and less harmonious, as all relationships can be at times, but then returns to the norm as they prepare for the new adventure coming books IV and V.

My website: shadowlandsentertainment. com is where I sell both print and digital versions of my books. I also have other merchandise for sale, and regularly post blogs and a monthly newsletter, along with an occasional podcast.

Signings? Yes, I have a couple of commitments now with tentative dates, and I hope to arrange more.

Movies? I certainly hope so. I've always felt this story would make a great motion picture, and book III also has that potential. Releasing the movie rights would not come easily for me, less because of monetary compensation than relinquishing

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CONTACT INFORMATION

You can find me on Facebook and Instagram at: Shadowlands Entertainment. Here, I post information about my writing, as well as less formal things that give readers more insight into who I am, my opinions, likes and dislikes, fun facts, and trivia, etc.

I just started a YouTube channel: Shadowlands Entertainment, where you can see my podcasts, book trailers, and an upcoming televised interview.

I also now have a presence on Pinterest.

D r . J u a n P. C h i s h o l m , A u t h o r , I n v e s t o r, a n d M o t i v a t i o n a l S p e a k e r

By Jules Lavallee

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As a published author, Dr. Chisholm has received both a Five out of Five Star Golden Seal Recognition from Reader View and a Five out of Five Star Recognition/Seal from Reader’s Favorite for “Mission Possible:

How to Graduate From College Debt-Free.” Dr. Chisholm is also one of the current recipients of the prestigious 2023 Florida Book Award for his book, “Mission

Possible: How to Graduate From College Debt Free.”

Additionally, Dr. Chisholm is honored as a 2023 International Book Award Finalist for

"Mission Possible: How to Graduate From College DebtFree.”

Dr. Chisholm is the Founder of Young Investors , Inc.

(www.YoungInvestors.org), a non-profit that educates highschool students, college students, and young adults regarding financial literacy and investment strategies. Dr. Chisholm is also the Executive Director of the Graduate Debt-Free Club® (www.GraduateDebtFreeClub.co m).

When did you discover the importance of financial literacy and investment strategies?

Before going to college, I learned about the importance of financial literacy and investment strategies from my parents, Mr. Eugene, and Mrs. Alnora Chisholm.

Although both of my parents had graduated from college and had professional jobs, my parents would often share the importance

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of being financially literate and having a plan of action to invest.

Specifically, my mother, who worked as a nurse for over thirty years before she retired, would talk about the importance of having multiple streams of income or as she would say it “having different pockets of money.” On the other hand, my dad, who had earned his Bachelor's degree from Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida and Masters Degree from Florida A & M University (in Tallahassee, Florida) would talk about the importance of having money to invest in businesses, real estate, and land.

I can still remember my dad sharing with me as a kid that he had $75,000 to invest into something and he asked me to help him to look for a business, real estate project, or land to make an investment in. We drove around the city of Jacksonville looking for something for him to invest in.

This type of positive interaction and other financial dialogues between my parents and I planted a seed in me that led me to start my first business venture in high school, an investment club called, The Trojan Investors Club and many years later has helped me to blossom into the person I am today.

Currently, I invest in over 60 companies, I have my hands in commercial real-estate, I am a teacher, I am an entrepreneur, and I am an award-winning author that believes in sharing what I have learned to empower others.

In college, you published your first book, How to Make Your Past, A Blessing to Your Future. What was the synthesis for your book?

My first book, How to Make Your Past, A Blessing to Your Future is a “How To” investment book aimed at younger Investors or people starting their investment journey for the first time. The book is designed to help people to become financial literate and it is a “How to” book that covers the topics of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, certificates of

deposits, high interest saving accounts, real-estate, how to start an investment club, the importance of having a will, and other related topics.

Moreover, the book highlights some of the investment strategies and investment opportunities that I learned about from my parents and mentors. The first book also shared a lot of the knowledge I had learned from investing in the stock market and had gained from running an investment club.

Your recent book, MISSION POSSIBLE: HOW TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE DEBT-FREE has received global accolades including, “Finalist” for the Annual Best Book Awards, 2023 Paris Book Festival Award Runner-up, to name a few.

What are key points from your book?

In short, Mission Possible: How to Graduate from College Debt-Free is aimed at parents, high-school students, college students, and anyone else interested in going to college and graduating debtfree. I believe Mission Possible: How to Graduate from College DebtFree helps its readers to achieve this goal by addressing ways to find money for college tuition, college housing, and books for college classes and other related expenses. Mission Possible: How to Graduate from College Debt-Free also includes a special section called “Basic Ingredients” that gives readers a checklist of things

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to include in their application when applying for a scholarship or other financial opportunities that will hopefully drum up their application and help the person to get money for college.

To date, Mission Possible: How to Graduate from College Debt-Free has received seven (7) book awards/recognitions including receiving five out of five-star recognitions from three (3) separate organizations: Reader Views, Readers’ Favorite, and Readers’ Choice. Additionally, Mission Possible: How to Graduate from College Debt-Free was recognized with one of the medals in the Young Adult Category from the Florida Book Awards. It was also recognized as a "Finalist" in the Young Adult Category from the International Book Awards and as a "Runner-Up" in the Young Adult Category from the Paris Book Festival. Mission Possible: How to Graduate from College DebtFree has also been recognized as a “Best Book Finalist" for College Guides from the Best Book Awards sponsored by the American Book Fest organization.

My personal belief is that Mission Possible: How to Graduate from College Debt-Free has received these accolades for three (3) reasons: 1) it is easy to read; 2) easy to follow the step-by-step recommendations and 3) the information in the book works.

I also teach an online class every month on www.GraduateDebtFreeClub. com that will help a person apply the concepts in the book to their specific situation to help them to make a plan of action to graduate from college debt-free.

What would you tell your younger self about the value of money?

I would just tell my younger self that you are on the right track and keep making great financial decisions.

Tell us about the Graduate Debt Free Club.

The Graduate Debt Free Club is an organization I started that is designed to help people go to college and graduate debt-free.

The goal for this organization is for it to continue to be recognized at high-schools and colleges in America and across the globe as an organization that will provide its members with a roadmap that will help them to go to college and graduate from college debt-free.

You are the Founder of Young Investors , Inc. (www.YoungInvestors.org), a non-profit that educates highschool students, college students, and young adults regarding financial literacy and investment strategies. Tell us about your important work.

Young Investors, Inc. has been around for over twenty years. I am the founder, creator, and official trademark owner of the Young Investors brand. Young Investors, Inc.

continues to be an important organization because it teaches financial literacy, which is something that is not always taught in schools. Our goal with Young Investors (www.YoungInvestors.org) is to use what we have learned to empower others to start investing "young, often, and purposefully." We also welcome people to join our organization and/or start a chapter of Young Investors, Inc. at their middleschool, high-school, college, or church by learning more at www.YoungInvestors.org.

You are a leading speaker.

What are your topics? Can you share your speaking engagements for 2024?

I teach financial literacy, how to graduate from college debt-free, and about Investitude , which focuses on teaching people about the stock market and ways to level-up their personal finances.

Currently, I have two virtual speaking engagements coming up. One in February and one in March. Since both of these opportunities are virtual, they can be registered for and viewed at www.GraduateDebtFreeClub.c om.

I will also be speaking live at the 22nd Annual Revolution Leadership Retreat in April 2024 at the University of Central Florida. This is a live, face-toface, educational leadership program for high-school juniors and seniors. My topic is on “How to graduate from college debtfree.”

These are some of the speaking opportunities that I have already

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committed to doing in 2024.

Special acknowledgements?

I would like to thank God for giving me the blessings, talents, and the opportunities. I would like to acknowledge my amazing wife, Audrey K. Chisholm, for being so loving and supportive of me. We are blessed to have four awesome children. Also, I would like to thank the incredible organizations that have recognized my book to give it this global platform as well as my publisher, Greenlight Books & Publishing, LLC (www.greenlightbooks.org).

I also would like to acknowledge my Mission Possible Book Team and everyone that has purchased the book and/or will purchase the book in the future. I would also like to thank my mentors and the people that have seeded into me. Thank you to Jules Lavallee for this incredible interview.

Donna Norman-Carbone, Award -Winning Author of All That is Sacred Wins Women’s Fiction Award

By Jules Lavallee

Donna Norman-Carbone, the award-winning author of All That is Sacred, published by Red Adept Publishing, has a passion for writing women’s fiction that tugs at the heartstrings. Donna is also co -host of the podcast, Authors Talking Bookish, and a tour guide for the Bookish Road Trip. Her writing affiliations include membership of WFWA, WNBA, and CAPA. Donna is an English teacher in a small CT suburb, where she and her husband have raised three children, two Labrador Retrievers and a Siamese cat. In her spare time, she enjoys reading a good book on a sunny Cape Cod beach (her happy place), spending quality time with family and friends and traveling overseas.

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When did your passion for writing begin?

My mother tells me that I started writing at age four, and I haven’t stopped. I recall my first short story entitled “Blinky the Camera” that I wrote as an eight-year-old. Essentially, I was people-watching at a train station with my grandmother while waiting for my parents to come in from a trip; I passed the time by recording everything I saw. I began writing poetry inspired by the poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost which was included in S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders in middle school to work through my teen angst. Poetry has stuck with me. In college, I published my first poems in a few literary magazines which is when the idea of becoming a published author felt pretty cool to me.

I wrote my first novel before I graduated from high school. It was a knock-off of the movie Hannah and Her Sisters with a Little House on the Prairie vibe. In college, I took as many creative writing classes as possible. I was fortunate to have future Pulitzer prize-winning author Richard Russo as both my college advisor and fiction writing professor. When it came time for me to declare a major, he asked what I wanted to do with my life. My response was simply, “to be a writer.” He laughed and gave me advice from his own personal experience that I needed a job to pay the bills. I declared teaching English as my major and would eventually take on a job teaching as an adjunct at a local state

university and later as a high school English teacher. But, always in the back of my mind, I knew on my bucket list was to publish a novel.

As a teacher and the mother of three, I wrote in bursts, mostly over the summer, and mostly novels. I honed my craft by working with a book coach and several critique partners and beta readers. All That is Sacred began as a micro-memoir-turnedfiction, and this was the one I kept returning to; I felt the necessity to publish this story.

After about fifty rejections, I got the one phone call I’d hoped for: an offer from Red Adept Publishing. Going through the process of seemingly endless peaks and valleys is tough, but the reward is incredible.

Your debut novel, All That is Sacred, was released in June 2023 and has earned the 2023 American Fiction Award for Inspirational Fiction and two 2023 Firebird Awards for Inspirational and Friendship Fiction. Share your inspiration for your book and why you think it is resonating with the masses?

In addition to winning 2023 American Fiction Award for Inspirational Fiction and two 2023 Firebird Awards for Inspirational and Friendship Fiction, All That is Sacred won the 2023 Literary Global Book Award for Women’s Fiction, and a BookFest award that featured my book, among the other winners, on the tower billboard in Times Square, NYC last month. What a thrill! I am

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honored that All That is Sacred has garnered such recognition.

The inspiration for this book came from two real events. The first was a message I received from a medium, Suzann Northrop, who suggested I reconnect with my childhood friends because we were going “to need each other.” A year later, a friend I’d had for thirty years died in a tragic car accident. At first, I wrote the story to work through my own grief, but it eventually morphed into a fiction that is really an ode to friendship.

I think what resonates with people are two things we all experience: grief and friendship, both of which in many forms.

This story mostly takes place over a long weekend where the remaining four friends gather at a familiar beach side cottage on the one-year anniversary of their friend’s death to remember what shaped their bond in order to heal from what tore it apart.

So many readers have told me that they felt like they were reading their own story, others have said it reminded them to reach out to old friends. I created this story to share my belief that friendships, relationships, and love transcend the physical world. And in the physical world, we can feel these connections if we open ourselves up to them. I hope this story opens its readers to the possibility.

Your book Tugs at the Heartstrings. Share a passage that is deeply moving.

“If I could go back, I would remain in the present just a little longer, allowing shimmers of anticipation to linger, marinating in all the possibilities on the horizon.”

“The setting sun and rising moon, visible at once in the sky, hung in the balance like us, friends on the precipice between leaving our childhood behind and an uncertain but alluring future.”

You are the co-host of the podcast, Authors Talking Bookish, and a tour guide for the Bookish Road Trip. What can we find?

Around the time I signed my publishing contract (2022), I found an online book club called Bookish Road Trip founded on two things I love: reading and travel. I joined, not realizing how instrumental it would become in my author life that I had just begun to foster. There, I made so many connections to other writers and influencers; eventually, they asked me to become the director of programming which includes the scheduling of many shows featuring authors, panel discussions, a book club, podcasts, newsletters for readers and writers and online events.

As if working full time as a teacher, volunteering as an administrator for an online book club, and arguably working full time as an author wasn’t enough, I decided to start a podcast in June 2023 with my friend and debut author, Hope Gibbs.

Authors Talking Bookish addresses everything we learned the hard way in hopes of clearing the path for others on their writing journeys. It broadcasts twice a month on Wednesdays,

across many podcast platforms, and each episode focuses on a different facet of the writing, publishing, and marketing processes. Because we are both published by the same small press, we quickly learned that marketing lies solely upon us.

We’d often joke about it, which materialized into the idea of creating a platform for other writers, and interested readers, to learn from.

world and the powers she acquires being in this place. To what extent could she see, feel, hear her loved ones? How is her setting and abilities affected by the status of her loved ones on earth? It took some research about near-death experiences, my own beliefs about the afterlife and a lot of imagination to create her world. She was certainly the most challenging and fun character to write.

You are often a speaker at book clubs, book talks, and writing workshops. Please share a few of your topics and where we can see you in 2024.

As much as I’ve come to enjoy speaking to an audience of readers, the consummate teacher in me prefers working with writers, talking about process, the planning and research that goes into writing a novel, characterization and story arcs, the endless list of what a writer must consider. One of the high points of my tour was speaking at the school where I teach to a library full of students and hosting a workshop following.

As a result of publishing my novel, I’ve attended several speaking engagements, which honestly scared the hell out me.

One would think teaching in front of seventy-five to one hundred students on a daily basis would prepare me for public speaking. It didn’t. But my motto since I signed a publishing contract has been to “walk through the fear” and to “embrace every authorexperience as it comes.”

When I look back on the events of the past year, I’m amazed by the experiences I’ve had and the many ways I’ve grown.

What is next for you?

During these events, I’ve read a chapter from my book. I select which chapter based on the audience. Because All That is Sacred is told on a non-linear timeline–the story addresses the five women from their teens into their forties–it tends to appeal to a wide audience.

People are always interested in my author journey and the inspiration for this story, and I typically end with a Q & A. My favorite question always has to do with Lynn, the character who narrates most of the story from the “in-between;” she isn’t quite in heaven, but she certainly isn’t alive either. I had to create her

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I’m winding down my book tour for All That is Sacred in order to begin planning for my second novel Of Lies and Honey, to be released some time in 2024. This novel features three women, two time periods, entangled by one secret that threatens their roles as mothers and daughters.

I’m sure I’ll be promoting both novels when I begin booking for the upcoming year. If you are interested in where you can find a list of appearances, how to invite me to an event and subscribe to my monthly newsletter, please visit my website www.donnanormancarbone.com

Antrone Harris, Actor and President of Black Indie Filmmakers (BIFA)

By Jules Lavallee

Antrone Harris embodies a multitude of roles, standing as a devoted husband, a Houston-based businessman, a proud owner of Antrone Harris Enterprise, a devoted father of four, a community advocate, an active actor, and the President of the Black Indie Filmmakers Association (BIFA). Born in Rochester, New York, on October 5, 1984, Antrone's diverse journey reflects his multifaceted talents and unwavering dedication. As the President of BIFA, he stands at the

forefront of championing diversity and inclusivity in cinema while fostering the talents of filmmakers from various backgrounds.

His acting career spans diverse mediums, including stage, film, and television. You might recognize him from local commercials for H.E.B and Taco Cabana, or from national campaigns representing BBVA Compass Bank (now BBVA USA), Southwest Airlines, Mercedes-Benz, Ford Motor Company, and more.

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Mr. Harris is not just an actor; he's deeply involved in community work. His passion lies in inspiring youth, firmly believing that the adage "Iron Sharpens Iron" applies universally, regardless of age.

Actively engaging with local elementary schools, The Boys and Girls Club, and lending support to mentoring young men at The Elliot-Chandler Foundation form a significant part of his community commitment.

Beyond his family-owned business, NEH Express Carrier, Antrone is the driving force behind Antrone Harris Enterprise. This multifaceted company serves as a conduit for sharing his extensive experience and knowledge within the entertainment industry. AHE's offerings include acting classes, business development, and specialized marketing strategies tailored to the needs of entertainers. His vision extends to expanding the company's horizons by venturing into stage plays and producing movies and short films, aiming to spotlight the abundant talent within Houston.

His stellar performances have earned him recognition in Forbes Magazine for the Michael Sterling movie, "Harvey.” Antrone's portfolio spans various network platforms, including memorable appearances on Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva," TV One's "Snapped," "Killer Couples," "Fatal Attraction," and the acclaimed Sci-Fi series, "Defiance." On Amazon Prime, his standout performance can be seen in the Jonathan Milton film, "Behind Closed Doors."

Antrone Harris, known as an "actor's actor," not only possesses remarkable talent but also harbors a deep affection for his community. His steadfast commitment involves extending a helping hand to his community and sharing his wealth of knowledge with fellow actors and enthusiasts. His dedication and versatility make him a cherished figure both on-screen and offscreen.

When did your passion for acting begin?

My passion for acting began in the year of 2010. I had just finished playing college football and I was pursuing the NFL. During that time, I got a parttime job for a security company to make extra income. I met a guy by the name of Shannon Washington (A local film producer in Houston Texas). He was also working on the job. It's funny how things happen in life because I always said if I'm not ever able to play football again, I want to act for a living. I just didn't know how I would get started. During our break Shannon approached me, he stated that he heard I played football, I told him yes, it's true.

We began talking and sharing our backgrounds with one another.

He told me that he was a local Film Director and writer. I was so shocked and amazed, because I could not believe I was sitting and meeting with a guy that was doing something that I had always had in the back of my mind. I was in total shock (laughing at myself) After we talked for a while, he then said something that pretty much launched me into my acting career. He stated that he and his team were participating in a 24hour film festival. "If you like you can come and join us on the set".

As I'm answering this question.

I'm laughing at myself because at that very moment I can remember feeling like "Wow!” I just met my long-lost big brother and he's introducing me to something I've always wanted to do. To make a long story short, I met up with him and his team. I was so amazed, not only was it my first time being on a movie

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set but also my first time being around real actors. Then Shannon said something I would never forget. He said, "Antrone get in there". After he said that the rest was history, I had officially gotten bitten by the acting bug. 15 years later we are still good friends.

You earned recognition in Forbes Magazine for the Michael Sterling movie, "Harvey." What intrigued you about your role?

Shooting the movie Harvey was a wonderful experience. I gravitated towards the role of Cedric, because I personally had good friends that had personal experience like the character Cedric. They had to relocate their entire family from Louisiana to Houston because of hurricane Katrina. Then later finding themselves and their backs up against the wall because of hurricane Harvey, just as Cedric did. Once I read the script. I knew I was the perfect person for this role because of my personal experiences with my close friends that shared their experience and story with me during that horrific time. When accepting a role, I always look to see if I can empathize with the character.

Tell us about your recent project, “Twisted Justice.”

How did it stretch your acting abilities?

Twisted Justice is a thriller. I would say this role really stretched my acting ability because there were so many colors that I had to portray and control. I believe this movie will keep the audience at the edge of their seats.

Do you have a favorite role?

Yes, a superhero.

Who would you like to work with in 2024?

Denzel Washington, Leonardo Dicaprio, Robert Downey Jr, Halle Berry, and Scarlett Johansson.

Tell us about Antrone Harris Enterprise. What do you offer to artists?

Antrone Harris Enterprise is a multi- faceted creative service provider for thespians, with a community service component.

Combining the arts, entertainment, business, and community outreach. When working with me, people will notice my work ethic and my willingness to help others to achieve their goals.

You are the president of Black Indie Filmmakers Association (BIFA). What is it about supporting Indie Filmmakers that you enjoy the most?

I especially enjoy working with independent filmmakers because it's like finding a diamond in the rough. These filmmakers find a way to create a good storytelling

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film. Indie filmmakers have grit and grind that contributes to the imagination of the story itself.

The BIFA Film Festival has some exciting events, including a meet and greet V.I.P Gala, awards ceremony, film showings, monologue competition, music and more.

What’s next for you?

I have several upcoming projects that I'm excited about. I'm excited to be filming my very first horror film as well. https://www.imdb.com/name/ nm4701192/?ref_=ext_shr

F i na l A ut ho r Sca r let t Jens en “I n s id e t h e Tr e e o f L o v e ”, a Literar y Global Books Award Winner

By Jules Lavallee

Annabella Coetzee Pen name: Scarlett Jensen is a creative and poetic writer in South Africa. Her 1st book ‘The Angel with Burnt Wings’ (2013), is a non-fiction spiritual story of crime, punishment, and victory. Being a reviewer of books for 9 years, she researched the topic of love and life and finds it a meaningful tool for self-expression and enrichment, while serving her fellow authors and their readers with enlightening views.

In her 2nd book published in 2023, she tells the story of soulmates and their intense

revelation of eternal love. Human Sciences, Spirituality, Philosophy of Ethics, Morality and Fine Art are her passions.

Creative writing is her joy. She loves wisdom and curiosity in nature. We should never close our minds but keep them open, free of bias, true awareness to ensure truth, honesty and sustain elements to improve all life.

Your recent book, “Inside the Tree of Love” is a Literary Global Books Award Winner.

Tell us about your inspiration.

The book inspires us with Adam and Anima the protagonists’ very

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human journey of discovery and awakenings to their own nature, weaving in the wisdom of many meditative traditions and explorers. The book invites us to plunge in and nurture our own deepest questions and hope to discover our own awakenings of what the universal truth is and evolve towards a surreal dimension beyond our physical lives.

“Inside the Tree of Love” is about the author’s spiritual journey—part memoir and part guidebook for anyone who is searching for his truth.

The author has not given in to the temptation of using spirituality to escape ordinary life.

Instead, she uses it to embrace ordinary life. Her spirituality is grounded in reality. The aim is getting rid of egotistic thinking which will help freeing yourself from a self-inflicted victimhood, and shackles that restrict and force you to fit into a time-space limiting spectrum, defying infinity, and eternity.

In every individual a spiritual element is manifested that gives life to all that exists, and that this spiritual element strives to unite with everything and like nature, to itself and attains this aim through love.

What is the beauty of a metaphor?

Aristotle was onto the science of storytelling 2000 years ago when he said that metaphors are what give a language its verbal beauty.

“To be a master of metaphor is the greatest thing by far,” he once wrote. Metaphors instantly convey feelings, logic, value, and wisdom to those you want to persuade and influence. It gives the intangible and abstract real meaning. A metaphor allows us to communicate complexity, simply. And that’s the beauty of metaphor. This story is written and sealed with metaphors, to let the spark of love persist eternally and describe what is invisible to the physical eye.

The truth that stands out is: The capacity to paint… all you see is art.

The capacity to make visible all that you do not see is poetry.

That is the goal of the metaphor.

How is the book a journey to self-discovery?

We can love our friends, our children, our community, even our country. We can also talk about loving more abstract things, like justice, beauty, or wisdom. Is there something that all these different kinds of love have in common? And which kinds of love are the most essential to a well-lived life?

What, then, is love and why do we love? I cannot define it for you, except to say that it is the total absence of fear and the recognition of a complete union with all life.

the opposite of love, courage, and the expansion of the self. Live from the heart and focus on thoughts, words, and actions.

Open to love, understand and feel love. Everything is love.

The truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect … If you cease selfdiscovery you cease to follow the truth … The author thrives with one essential thing: to set man free and to free us from all cages, from all fears and delusions.

What is next for you in 2024?

It seems to me that l am still waiting for the “word” to catch up to the feeling—The book will show you that love is much more than a feeling. It is life.

My next book raises a point which takes us on another journey into a reality and shows the importance of self-inquiry, to learn who we really are and discover our true nature. The search that springs from this realization is that “I’m going to die.” The quest is not just for an explanation of death, but the understanding of our fear of death. It is the continuation of a search for your true self and to pave your way to the end of our time on this planet. Is it also the end of our lives? The question “what is time?” and the passing of time, towards another dimension will also be scrutinized. “Inside the Hour Glass- Essence of Time and Life, could be the next title.

What is the overall message for your book?

Amazon Author’s Profile / Biography

Love is a fearless state of being given by God that the beholder receives in trust to adopt a bigger perspective. It is a state of acceptance, to forgive and let go of the past and surrender. Fear is

https://www.amazon.com/stores /author/B00IWWLH9G/about

Many of us have been in love, and there have been countless great poems and popular songs written about it. So, you would think we all know what it is. Yet a lot of what has been written points to a deep mystery. So, is love a treasure to be found? Yes! You might further ask me what it has been like for the first two people, who fell in love, before the word “love” was conceived?

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https://wordpress.com/post/sc arlettjensen.com

R E D SILK CARPET VIP LIST January 2024 COVER STORY Dr Forbes Riley

Dr. Anuraag Guglaani

Scarlett Jensen

Larry Thompson

Donna Norman-Carbone

Dunston Pereira

JB Yanni

Antrone Harris

Sammi Turano

Jacob Jones

Laurie N. Robinson Haden

Lisa N Edwards

Britt Boardman

Shelley Johnson

Dorinda Dawn

Kathy Tuccaro

Ruth Wishengrad

Yasmine Tanres

Nahrin Chowdhury

Leah M. Forney

Jennifer Snow

Karen Levine

Robin De Lano

Jacob Jones Lavelle J. Lemonier Sr. Devin Wilburn

STARS in DIOR

Kaleb D. Thompson

Austin C. Smith

Kieran Culkin

Shunta Graham

Robert Downey Jr.

Dorinda Dawn

Noah Baumbach

Jean Fallacara

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Femino

Steven Yuen

Charles Carroll Lee

Yorgos Lanthimos

Mark David Albertson

Bill Hader

Christopher Romano

Jeffrey Wright

Kaleb I. Thompson

Matteo Garrone

Austin C. Smith

Dominic West

Jon Baptiste

Daniel Kaluuya

Dr. Juan P. Chisholm

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A u t h o r J B Ya n n i Wr i t e r o f T i m e Benders Series: T im e Tr a ve l Adventures Set in the 1970’s

By Jules Lavallee

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Writer of the Time Benders series, JB has shared the story of the Fitzgerald siblings with readers for the past three years.

The Fitzgerald kids have been on many time traveling adventures. A subject that always fascinated JB, and one she always knew she had to explore in writing. The challenge of science and math sometimes got in the way, but the historical places and people were always fun! Always a voracious reader, JB believes that books open doors to new discoveries, new people, and new ideas.

Born in central Illinois and raised outside of Chicago, JB began exploring her creative side at a very young age, winning art awards at the local art league and writing stories for volunteer jobs at summer camp for young children. After several twists and turns through careers of family therapist, operations manager and compliance officer, JB ultimately landed back where she started, writing.

Literary Global Book Awards announced Time Benders and the Chase Through Time, Book IV are finalists in Science Fiction.

Have you always been a creative?

I have always had a creative side, much to the chagrin of my family, with my siblings being way more adept at mathematics

and sports. I was a bit of an oddball. I started out drawinganything. Beginning with the trees in the backyard, the fences, the kids on the playground, I advanced to still life, printing, and photography.

My mother and maternal grandmother supported this by enrolling me in art classes at the art league and teaching me to paint. However, I was also a voracious reader and started writing short stories and notes about books I wanted to write from the time I was a teen. Until Time Benders and the Machine, the first book, these stories rarely saw the light of day. My creative side still flourishes through many outlets.

I quilt, paint, sew and work with clay when I’m not writing.

You have shared the story of the Fitzgerald siblings with readers for the past three years. Tell us about the Time Benders series. Can you delve into the main characters?

The Time Benders series really began many years ago when I was traveling for work and spent many hours waiting in airports. The idea of time travel has always fascinated me. Later, when my children were growing and all three had reading issues, the Time Benders stories were resurrected. I had one child with a vocabulary way above her years who couldn’t find material I would approve of, and two boys I could barely

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find material that would interest them. This drove the foundation of the Time Benders stories in that I wanted something that would interest both boys and girls and be written for the young adult. Time Benders is a tale of four siblings, Ken, Deb, Joe, and Kim. Set in the 1970’s, it introduces these four shortly after they lose their parents in a plane accident. While addressing that grief, placed in a boarding school, they discover an unfinished mathematical formula and when they solve it, discover they have unlocked the secret to bending time. They begin their adventures by trying to change something that will prevent the accident their parents were in, but later they try to help friends and others as they find a way through their grief, and their understanding of time travel, history, and the impact of what they’re doing evolves. Ken is the oldest and carries the burden to shelter and protect his siblings. Deb is the quiet researcher, who spends a great deal of time reading and figuring out details. Joe is the mathematical wizard, but he struggles with his parents’ death the most, and Kim, as the youngest, but most insightful of the bunch, strives to find a way to fit in and contribute. They grow up in the pages of the Time Benders books, doing normal teen things, and learn that together they can do almost anything.

What is it about time travel that fascinates you?

My fascination with time travel finds its base in my love of history. I revel in reading about people and events that change the direction of the human understanding. The idea of time travel to go and meet some of these people and witness some of the events is what fascinates me the most.

I’d love, as an example, to spend the afternoon with Margaret Thatcher, or Madame Curie. But it sometimes is much more simple. We all have said at some moment of our lives that we wish we could do something over again. That’s time travel. I make it a theme in my writing primarily as a vehicle for the Fitzgerald siblings to work through their issues, and discover truths about history, about how events impact our lives in both good and bad ways. All the while striving for the reader to come away thinking, “that could happen.” The Fitzgerald’s’ get to visit Dallas in 1963, the atomic testing in 1957, Fort McHenry in 1812, Gettysburg, and New York city in 1929 so they see a lot of history!

Family is very important to you and is translated through your storytelling.

I have a large extended family and we have been an integral part of one another’s lives. We have, together, faced many trials. In my own life, this family has helped me through

divorce and miscarriages, as well as celebrated birthdays and these books. It is greater than that, however. I look at the world through a lens that tells me I can try anything, accomplish anything and be anything because I have such a strong foundation of family. I know that isn’t everyone’s experience, but that is part of the reason there are four siblings in the Time Benders stories. It allows me to show what a family can be.

Literary Global Book Awards announced Time Benders and the Chase Through Time, Book IV are finalists in Science Fiction. Why do you think your stories are resonating with readers?

Since the first book was published in 2018, I have heard from many different readers that have been touched by the Time Benders stories. Some say it is the relatability of the characters, some say it is nostalgia, and some say it is the underlying messages. For me, the greatest measurement of success as a writer is having this feedback. It surprises me sometimes that I get as much feedback from adults that have read the Time Benders books as from the targeted teen audience. I strongly believe there are stories out there for everyone, but I think Time Benders resonates because we all want to see a group of young people accomplish great things, we all want to see the hope and

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positive message and, let’s face it, sometimes you just want to read a book with no violence, no vampires and no wizards, no matter how fun those can be.

You are often asked to be on podcasts and radio shows.

What are your topics?

I have been extremely lucky to get to meet so many great people in the last six years! Talking with other writers, discussing time travel and the science and math of that, and sharing experiences of writing and getting published. The fact of the matter is that I will cover any of those topics, and just love to interact with readers and other writers. Most recently, I have had two notable appearances. One with Agnes Wolfe, who hosts a podcast called Author’s Alcove and the other with Gina B and Mama D at The Fox Den. Two very different groups to be sure. The Author’s Alcove spends time giving feedback, tips, and ideas between writers, while The Fox Den loves everything spiritual and other-worldly. On the first I was able to offer information and tips for finding editors, selfpublishing and getting published, and the other I was able to explore all the possibilities and pitfalls of time travel.

www.jbyanni.com www.covertocover.net

Sammi Turano Owner of TVGrapevine: Releases Cookbook with Family Recipes and a Twist of Pop Culture, Taste of TV - Based on Her Favorite TV Show and Movies

By Jules Lavallee

Sammi Turano dreamed of being a journalist since she was a little girl and watching ladies like Leeza Gibbons, Murphy Brown, and Barbara Walters on TV. She loved the idea of reporting (and wearing pretty dresses!) and would often imitate these ladies in games of pretend.

Several years later, that dream became a reality. After four years of studying journalism and political science at The College of New Rochelle and interning for major politicians and journalists (including Geraldo Rivera), she was given the opportunity of a lifetime to work in her chosen field.

Working for TVGrapevine began as a twice a week job recapping So You Think You Can Dance

and America’s Got Talent.

Before long, she was recapping other shows and interviewing big name celebrities on a regular basis.

This led to set visits, red carpet events and eventually becoming a member of The Critics Choice Association. She has attended the sets many shows, including Psych, Suits and Red Band Society and been a red-carpet correspondent for Big Brother, America’s Got Talent, Celebrity Apprentice, the Critics’ Choice Awards, and many other events.

Each event holds a special place in her heart and allowed her to meet many interesting, diverse people from all walks of life.

Sammi is now the owner of

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TVGrapevine and after fifteen years shows no signs of slowing down. She is also in the process of penning her first book, Taste of TV, which is a memoir/cookbook honoring the fifteenth anniversary of her career beginning.

Please share your background.

I grew up in NY and attended the College of New Rochelle, where I got BAs in Communication Arts and Political Science. I also attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh to get my Digital Design degree at the advice of someone in the field who told me that online/digital was the way of the future.

In 2008, I was interning at Ballroom Dance Channel, where I met my mentor, Sharon Balik.

She was writing for TVGrapevine and promised to get me work when it was available. A few months later, she called me and had me do a recap for So You Think You Can Dance....in a half hour. I submitted my first published piece for the site that night and the rest is history.

Fifteen years later, I own the site and have opportunities to interview people from all walks of life, cover celebrity and entertainment news and do a show called Grapevine in High Heels with Sammi. I also launched a sister site called Football in High Heels (which is currently under construction), and I am launching my new cookbook, Taste of TV on Feb 3.

Your new pop culture cookbook is sensational. It blends family recipes and your love for Pop Culture. What delicious recipes can we find in your cookbook?

You can find many family recipes that I grew up cooking and eating…. with an added pop culture twist.

Some of my favorites include the Table Flipping Good Pasta and Vodka Sauce (inspired by Real Housewives of New Jersey).

Both my mom and my confirmation godmother Bonnie made this recipe and taught me how to make it. Using both their versions, I was able to come up with my own recipe, which has been a hit with friends and family for years.

Another fun recipe is my Unsolved Mys-Doris Sour, which

is based on my love for the series Unsolved Mysteries. I have fond memories of watching with my grandma Bonnie, who lived with us when I was a child. Whenever she babysat me (or I visited her downstairs apartment in our house) she would have this on, so I would cuddle up with her to watch. She passed away when I was ten and I wanted to find a way to honor her. The recipe itself is a Midori Sour, which is a drink I often enjoy with my friend Jaclyn, who has also been such an important part of my life.

recipes. I decided to use both ideas to make my book.

I also knew I wanted to add something extra with pictures, so I called up my friend Denise, who has been one of my closest friends since third grade. She is an incredible artist and hand drew pictures based on my recipes and stories. She really got my vision for what I wanted, and I was so glad we got to share this experience!

Finally, the dessert section features my America’s Got Ice Cream Cake. One of my earliest assignments for TVGrapevine was recapping America’s Got Talent and I would go on to do red carpet interviews for the show. Since I love ice cream cake, I decided to use my recipe to honor the show. The recipe also has special meaning because it honors the year my sister got engaged to her husband Sal. That Christmas, my family went to see Sal’s family. One of the cousins taught me how to make ice cream cake, which was the dessert that night. I experimented with my own until I came up with the version in the book. I knew I wanted to find a way to honor my sister, so this was perfect!

Denise is the biggest reason the book is so unique. While my stories and recipes are unique in themselves, she really went above and beyond with her artwork.

Her art is all hand drawn with colored pencils and her vision is above and beyond anything I could have dreamed.

I also think my book is unique because it tells my story in a special way. I get to share my favorite moments of my life and career….as well as recipes that have been in my family for years.

How much fun did you have putting together your cookbook?

I had a BLAST! It was always on my bucket list to write and publish a book, but I wasn’t quite sure what to do. My mom suggested a cookbook based on my journalism career, which was genius. I used her idea with ideas from Ross Mathew’s book Name Drop, which told stories of his career, coupled with his favorite ©Red Silk Carpet

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Your cookbook is really a vision. What makes it unique?

Where can we find your cookbook?

Amazon.com and TVGrapevine.com starting February 3rd!

Facebook: Grapevine in High Heels with Sammi TikTok: Grapevine in High Heels X/Twitter: TVG_Sammi Instagram: official_tvgrapevine -www.tvgrapevine.com (Sammi-T)

www.twitter.com/tvg_sammi Become a Fan on Facebook: facebook.com/sammit.tvgrapevin e.official.page

Laurie N. Robinson Haden Award -winning Lawyer, President, and CEO of Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC)

By Jules Lavallee

Laurie N. Robinson Haden is an award-winning lawyer and agent of change—truly personifies the 21st century businesswoman whose skills, passion and commitments are multi-faceted and the beneficiaries of her associations and accomplishments are many.

Mrs. Robinson Haden is the Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of CBS Corporation, where she reports directly to the company’s Executive Vice

President and General Counsel. In addition to her role at CBS Corporation, Mrs. Robinson Haden is the founder and CEO of Corporate Counsel Women of Color®, a non-profit professional organization, which she created in 2004 to advance women of color attorneys and to foster diversity in the legal profession. Her leadership and ability to galvanize has resulted in the growth of the organization’s membership from 30 members to over 3,000 ©Red Silk Carpet

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members within a nine-year period. Mrs. Robinson Haden is responsible for spearheading the 2011 groundbreaking research report on the career progression of women of color attorneys entitled “Perspectives of Women of Color Attorneys in Corporate Legal Departments.” In 2013, Mrs. Robinson Haden joined the board of directors of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.

You are an award-winning lawyer and agent of change. Share your background.

I am the President and CEO of Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC). In 2004, I founded CCWC to advance women of color attorneys and foster diversity in the legal profession. I worked for 18 years in multiple leadership roles at the CBS Corporation, including Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of Litigation. I have been recognized as one of the country's "Most Influential Black Lawyers" by Savoy magazine.

My husband, David Haden, and I have recently launched a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit foundation, Parents Supporting Excellence in Education, in Prince George's County, Maryland. I was a NAACP Legal Defense Fund board member for seven years. I serve on the Board of Visitors of Indiana University Maurer School of Law at Bloomington and North Carolina Central School of Law, where I served as chair (2022-2023). I am also on the Compensation Committee of the National Sales Network. I am the author of It's Time to Shine: A Guide for Professionals of Color. I earned my Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina Central University (magna cum laude) and my Juris Doctor from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law at Bloomington.

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You have received accolades for your leadership including being recognized by the Coca-Cola Company’s legal department and receiving the Women’s Venture Fund’s Highest Leaf Award, the Groundwork, Inc. Impact Award, the Black Women Lawyer’s (Los Angeles) Power of One Award and the Black Women Lawyer’s (Chicago) to name a few. What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership means inspiring and guiding others towards a common goal. It is about taking responsibility and positively impacting the lives of those around me. As an attorney and advocate for justice, I believe leadership is essential in creating meaningful change and promoting equality. Leadership is not about holding a position of authority or power but rather about using my influence to empower others and make a difference. It requires strong communication skills, empathy, listening, and understanding different perspectives. A true leader leads by example, demonstrating integrity, honesty, and a commitment to ethical principles.

In the legal field, I believe that leadership involves advocating for the rights of others and working towards a more just and equitable society. It means standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. A leader in the legal profession is someone who fights for justice, represents the underprivileged, and works towards systemic change. Leadership extends beyond the professional realm.

It is about being a role model in

the community and making a positive impact on the lives of others. Whether it is through volunteering, mentoring, or supporting charitable causes, a leader actively contributes to the betterment of society.

Leadership is not about seeking personal recognition or glory but about serving others and making a lasting impact. It requires humility, self-awareness, and a commitment to continuous learning and growth. Authentic leadership is not about personal gain but empowering others and creating a better world. In summary, leadership is about inspiring and guiding others toward a common goal, advocating for justice and equality, and making a positive impact on the lives of others. It involves integrity, empathy, and a commitment to serving others.

Authentic leadership is not about personal gain but empowering others and creating a better world.

As president, and CEO of Corporate Counsel Women of Color, what is your vision for 2024?

The 2024 vision for Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC) and its 20th anniversary of celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion in the law is one of continued progress, empowerment, and impact. By 2024, I envision a genuinely diverse, inclusive, and equitable legal profession where women of color have equal opportunities for advancement and leadership roles. CCWC aims to achieve this vision through several key

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initiatives and strategies. Firstly, CCWC will continue to provide a supportive and empowering community for women of color in the legal profession. Through networking events, mentorship programs, and educational resources, CCWC will foster connections and provide the necessary tools for women of color to thrive in their careers.

The organization will also expand its reach and influence by partnering with other diversityfocused organizations and collaborating with industry leaders. Secondly, CCWC will advocate for policy changes and institutional reforms that promote diversity and inclusion in corporate legal departments.

The organization will work closely with corporate leaders, law firms, and legal associations to develop and implement best practices for recruiting, retaining, and promoting women of color.

CCWC will also engage in public advocacy and awareness campaigns to address systemic barriers and biases that hinder the progress of women of color in the legal profession.

Additionally, CCWC will focus on empowering the next generation of women of color in the legal profession. The organization will invest in educational programs, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities for law students and young professionals. By providing guidance and support early in their careers, CCWC aims to create a pipeline of talented and diverse leaders who will shape the legal profession's future.

Furthermore, CCWC will leverage technology and innovation to amplify its impact and reach. The organization will develop online platforms and resources that provide virtual networking opportunities, training programs, and access to legal expertise. This digital transformation will enable CCWC to connect with a broader audience and provide valuable resources to women of color in the legal profession, regardless of their geographic location.

In summary, the 2024 vision for Corporate Counsel Women of Color and its 20th anniversary of celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion in the law is one of continued progress, empowerment, and impact.

CCWC aims to create a diverse, inclusive, and equitable legal profession where women of color have equal opportunities for advancement and leadership roles. Through communitybuilding, advocacy, empowerment of the next generation, and leveraging technology, CCWC strives to make a lasting and transformative impact on the legal profession.

What can we find in “It’s Time to Shine is a guide for Professionals of Color!”

It's Time to Shine is a motivational platform that empowers women to excel in all areas of life. The platform emphasizes the importance of self-belief and reminds women that no matter their challenges, they can shine. The message is clear: no one can dim your light unless you allow them to. The platform encourages women to embrace their unique gifts and talents, recognizing that these qualities can positively impact their workplace, home, and

community. It's Time to Shine serves as a reminder that every woman has the potential to achieve greatness and make a difference in the world.

Who has inspired you the most?

My mom, Frances Robinson, is my ultimate role model and source of inspiration. She has been a guiding force in my life, instilling in me the values of resilience, determination, and compassion. As a single mother, she faced numerous challenges but never let them define her. She taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and the power of education. My mom's unwavering support and belief in my abilities have been instrumental in my success. I admire her strength, grace, and steadfast love and strive to emulate her in all aspects of my life. My mom's influence has shaped me into the confident and accomplished woman I am today.

Share the proudest moment of your career.

My proudest moments include breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women of color professionals. I take pride in advocating for equal representation and empowering women to excel in their careers. I am proud of my impact in inspiring and mentoring the next generation of leaders. I celebrate the achievements of women of color professionals who have overcome obstacles and achieved success. My proudest moments also include seeing the positive changes in society as more organizations embrace diversity and inclusion. My proudest moments stem from my dedication to creating a more equitable and inclusive world. ©Red Silk Carpet

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In 2024, what would you like to see on a global scale for Professionals of Color?

In my vision for 2024, I see a world where women of color have attained unprecedented success and global recognition.

Breaking through historical barriers, it is crucial for them to have equal opportunities in leadership and decision-making roles.

I foresee women of color professionals overcoming systemic biases and discrimination, being celebrated for their unique perspectives across various industries—from technology and finance to politics and the arts. I envision women of color leading multinational corporations, assuming heads of state positions, and actively shaping policies that champion equality and social justice.

Moreover, I aspire to witness women of color professionals being acknowledged as role models and mentors for the next generation. By sharing their stories and experiences, they can inspire and empower young women of color to pursue their dreams and overcome obstacles.

Ultimately, my vision entails women of color professionals being globally celebrated and valued for their talents, skills, and achievements. In this world, their voices resonate, their contributions are recognized, and their impact is pervasive across all corners of society. www.laurierobinsonhaden.com CCWC:Corporate Counsel Women of Color ccwomenofcolor.org

Chicago’s Britt Boardman Makes Directorial Debut: in HBO Max’s South Side

By Jules Lavallee

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Chicago’s

Britt Boardman recently made her directorial debut. As a young woman in her 30s, this is a pretty big jump from Production Assistant to Director.

Britt got her start when she was 14 at Second City and has worked most of her career in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Britt’s path to success started in the Windy City, where she started in the teen improv and sketch comedy programs at Second City.

She later went on to work as a Script Supervisor and Production Assistant on numerous Hollywood sets, including working alongside Ron Howard on the film, "The Dilemma." Her directorial debut was for an episode titled "DJ Alderman," which debuted on South Side's Season 3 in December 2022.

Adds Actor Diallo Riddle: "We had the honor of having Brittany be an amazing Script Supervisor on the first two seasons of the show. Her comments and the things that she noticed in video village were always extremely helpful, so when we went looking for additional directors in season three, we felt like she was more than capable. She has a knack for directing comedy and, when I think about some of my favorite moments from season three, her episode has so many of them."

The series moved to HBO Max for its second season on November 11, 2021, making the series a "Max Original".

What led you to the entertainment industry?

When I was eight years old, my parents signed my older sister and me up to be extras on television shows shooting in Chicago. One day, the show “Early Edition” starring Kyle Chandler on CBS needed younger background talent, and I got cast as a kid waiting for ice cream at an ice cream truck. As soon as I stepped foot on set, I fell in love. The amount of people, effort, and equipment required to complete just one scene was mind-blowing. Creating stories and entertainment for a living sounded thrilling and I really went for it. I begged my parents to continue letting me work as an extra and they said as long as I kept straight A’s, I could skip school as much as I wanted in order to work on set. I then made it a point to get to know the Chicago-local Assistant Directors and crew over the years in order to get hired as a Production Assistant once I graduated from Purdue. And that’s exactly what I did! I worked my booty off and now I’m proud to say I’ve made it all the way up to my dream job as a director!

What was it like to work alongside Ron Howard on the film, "The Dilemma?"

Ron Howard is one of the most respectful and brilliant storytellers I’ve ever worked with. He’s a quieter person and his direction is so refreshing, subtle, and intelligent. So, I felt incredibly lucky to have worked anywhere near him at such an early stage in my film career. When I was younger, I was exposed to a lot of directors that just kind of yelled out direction, ignored the hard efforts of the crew, and just generally saw making stories as

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work rather than a privilege. But Ron showed me the exact opposite of that. He proved that you can maintain a calm and respectful set and still make entertaining, creative, and successful stories. And his ability to spot comedy in places that aren’t even scripted was such a thrill for me since my concentration has always been in comedy.

Why are you so passionate about comedy?

My parents and older sister let me watch Saturday Night Live as a kid and I quickly became obsessed. I wanted to be on the show or involved in the show in any way possible. To see Will Ferrell, Jon Belushi, Kristen Wiig and so many others make people lose their minds laughing and break character on the show was incredibly fun to watch and I was mesmerized by their talent. Then I found out that one of the improv training theaters that a majority of the Saturday Night Live alum graduated from was only an hour away from my hometown! So, my parents agreed to let me sign up for improv classes at The Second City theater when I was only 14. They were kind enough to ride the train with me and wait for me to finish class and then take me back to Indiana every weekend until I was old enough to do it on my own.

I’m so incredibly grateful for their support. They also just knew I was a natural weirdo and loved to laugh and make people laugh.

Britt Boardman www.imdb.com/name/nm2938 393/

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Recently you made your directorial debut in the episode titled "DJ Alderman, which debuted on South Side's Season 3 in December 2022.

Tell us about your experience.

I started out as a Script Supervisor (maintaining continuity) for South Side on the first two seasons, so I was super familiar with the comedy format and my Showrunners’ sense of humor. I also became so close with the cast, crew, and my bosses, so the show just felt like family to me. It was such the perfect fit for my first time directing something big, because I just felt really supported and unafraid to take risks. I got to show them my ability to mold comedy and encourage the actors’ flow in each of their characters. I was obviously incredibly nervous to begin the work, but on my very first day on set, something came over me and I just had this enormous confidence to do my thing! And it worked out! I’m so thankful to the EPs Diallo Riddle, Bashir Salahuddin, Michael Blieden, and Sultan Salahuddin and also to HBO Max (now Max) for trusting me with their comedy baby. I feel like the luckiest person in the world.

You worked with Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin. What did you enjoy the most?

Diallo and Bashir are just so incredibly intelligent and supportive – their comedy is tremendously thoughtful and their ability to riff and create absolutely weird and hilarious scenes is something I will never stop being

impressed by. Diallo and Bashir have very different personalities, but they balance each other out perfectly and it became so clear to me why they create everything together. I also appreciate their desire to give new talent chances to tell stories with them – that not only includes me but includes so much of the local comedic talent wherever they’re shooting. It’s refreshing to see new faces on a show and experience different senses of humor. In addition, Diallo and Bashir are supportive and truthful – something that is rare in film. They’ll (kindly) tell you the truth if your idea sucks – it happens to all of us, but instead of just dropping your idea, they will help you build on it, so it works. Comedy is not an exact science!

What would people notice when working with you?

I really strive to maintain a collaborative and KIND workspace. I’ve been on a lot of film sets where everyone is exhausted, arguing, or not being treated with respect and the result is that the content suffers. The majority of those shows ended up getting cancelled pretty quickly. I don’t believe good storytelling and filmmaking be created with an unhappy cast and crew. And have you ever tried being funny when you’re in a terrible mood?

It doesn’t work well. So, I try to make sure my actors and crew are comfortable, and I keep my ears open to anyone who may have issues, misunderstandings, or anything that is easily solvable with just a little communication.

What do you want Hollywood

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to know about Female Directors?

I just think diversity in general with directors is incredibly important – it doesn’t necessarily need to be related to gender or gender identity. People with different backgrounds, hardships, senses of humor, and refreshing tales to tell are so necessary so as to not stagnate the stories produced on any type of platform. I really appreciate that efforts have been made to diversify the directing talent out there, but we have a long way to go!

My dream would be to creatively collaborate with Greta Gerwig.

What a baddy for making Barbie an absolute world-rocking film.

I’m thoroughly impressed by her journey to where she is now, and I hope to someday come even remotely near as successful as she is.

Please share your upcoming projects for 2024.

There is a lot bubbling for 2024 that I can’t speak about yet! I’m still tight with Diallo and Bashir and they have some really great projects in the works. Second City has a lot coming as well! I know there are also hints at getting South Side a new home since we were cancelled after season 3. So, everyone please help us to do that! Demand more South Side any way you can! Let’s all laugh more in 2024.

Nahrin Chowdhury Visionary Founder of Unstressified, LLC

By Jules Lavallee

Nahrin Chowdhury is the visionary founder of Unstressified, LLC., and the creator of The Unstressified Method. She has served as an education professional and leader for two decades in New York and Los Angeles. Nahrin has dedicated her career to inspiring and empowering each individual and driving transformative change in underserved schools. A certified practitioner in stress management, mindfulness, and meditation from Harvard University, she seamlessly blends her educational background with cutting-edge wellness practices.

The Unstressified Method, a science-based approach tailored for individuals and organizations, reflects Nahrin's commitment to reducing stress, enhancing well-being, and fostering a life filled with happiness and fulfillment. Nahrin practices meditation herself. She also enjoys working out, going to the beach, and great with family and friends.

You have spent your career inspiring and empowering individuals. Share your backstory.

I've been driven by a lifelong passion for helping others, instilled in me by my parents. Pursuing a career in education provided the ideal avenue for inspiring and empowering individuals, especially in underserved communities. The transformative nature of my work became evident as I reflected on my personal journey, marked by overcoming adversity and using each challenge as a catalyst for positive change. Stress arises when our reality does not match our expectations. My own experience with a challenging divorce was full of stress as my envisioned life no longer matched and the unfolding reality.

You have spent your career inspiring and empowering individuals. Share your backstory.

I've been driven by a lifelong passion for helping others, instilled in me by my parents. Pursuing a career in education provided the ideal avenue for inspiring and empowering

individuals, especially in underserved communities.

The transformative nature of my work became evident as I reflected on my personal journey, marked by overcoming adversity and using each challenge as a catalyst for positive change. Stress arises when our reality does not match our expectations. My own experience with a challenging divorce was full of stress as my envisioned life no longer matched and the unfolding reality.

This discomfort became a catalyst for huge personal growth. What initially seemed like a setback propelled me beyond my initial dream of being a teacher, leading me to attain two master's degrees. Venturing beyond New York, I took on a leadership role in transforming Los Angeles public schools. In this journey, I achieved not only professional milestones but also personal wins, including becoming healthy and fit, finding my voice, overcoming fear, and exploring the world.

With these experiences, I discovered the power of spirituality and

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January 2024

mindfulness in managing stress effectively. Rooted in my commitment to serving and assisting others, it became crucial to empower individuals to embrace change, conquer stress, and attain a heightened level of happiness. I took an opportunity during a challenging injury to transform my own stress into healthy coping mechanisms, leading to the creation of Unstressified, LLC. It's a testament to the belief that discomfort often leads to the most remarkable transformations.

You are the Visionary Founder of Unstressified, LLC., and the creator of The Unstressified Method. Tell us about your important work.

As the Visionary Founder of Unstressified, LLC., my commitment lies in adopting a scientific approach to ensure sustained positive outcomes. At the core of Unstressified is The Unstressified Method, a structured three-step process designed for both individuals and companies seeking lasting transformations.

1. Self-Discovery: ▪ Self-Assessment / Life Inventory: Delve into deep selfreflection, assessing your current state, recognizing patterns, and surveying the overall landscape of your life.

▪ Identify Values & Affirm Identity: Explore your core values, understanding what truly matters, and affirm your unique identity.

2.

Strategic Planning:

▪ Create a Vision & Vision Statement: Envision your ideal life and craft a clear vision statement that serves as a guiding light.

▪ Strategize Micro Changes to Implement Daily: Break down your vision into actionable, achievable steps. Develop micro-changes for daily implementation.

3.

Implementation and Reflection:

▪ Implementation for X Amount of Time (e.g., 21 Days): Make a commitment to your plan.

Implement micro-changes consistently for a set period, fostering new habits and perspectives.

▪ Reflect & Stack a New Strategy: Regularly assess your progress, reflecting on what's working and what needs adjustment. Integrate new strategies onto your established routine for continuous growth.

▪ 4. These three steps are carefully designed to lead individuals and companies through a transformative journey. By incorporating

small changes aligned with personal values into daily life, significant transformations unfold—resulting in reduced stress levels and elevated happiness. Unstressified is dedicated to facilitating this positive change through a method grounded in science and sustainability.

Share 2024 and how you have helped people.

As the new year unfolds in 2024, I find great joy in reflecting on the ways I've been able to help individuals in their transformative journeys. The start of a year is often marked by excitement, and I've had the privilege of working closely with clients not only on goal setting but also on creating effective systems to turn those plans into reality.

In particular, I've collaborated with two clients who decided to take a bold leap into entrepreneurship. Together, we navigated the challenges of managing stress associated with starting a business, and we developed robust systems to ensure their lives remained both productive and joyful.

Witnessing their success has been truly rewarding.

Moreover, 2024 has provided a unique opportunity to help individuals move beyond gym resolutions. Many have expressed a desire to make lasting, healthy lifestyle changes.

It's been a gratifying experience to work alongside clients in developing personalized plans that go beyond mere resolutions, aiming for sustainable lifestyle adjustments.

Overall, 2024 has been a year of positive transformations and impactful collaborations, as I continue to support individuals in

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achieving their goals, managing stress, and embracing healthier, lasting changes in their lives.

What are your goals and aspirations for 2024?

In 2024, I'm thrilled to embark on several projects that promise to be both fun and uniquely transformative endeavors that I encourage everyone to keep a close eye on. My goals for the year revolve around addressing key areas in stress management: ▪ Rising Loneliness / Community: Initiating projects that foster a sense of community and connection, tackling the challenge of rising loneliness in today's fastpaced world.

Authenticity, Not Perfectionism: Promoting a culture of authenticity over perfectionism, recognizing that true growth and fulfillment come from embracing one's genuine self.

▪ Self-Love: Advocating for and cultivating self-love, emphasizing the importance of self-care practices and a positive self-image.

▪ Powerful Women: Empowering women to embrace their strength and potential, fostering a community where powerful women uplift and support each other.

These goals align with my commitment to creating positive, transformative experiences in the realm of stress management. I look forward to the exciting journey ahead and the positive impact these projects can have on individuals navigating the complexities of life in 2024.

www.unstressified.com

Meet Dorinda Dawn Own e r / Fo u nd er o f He y Y’ al l N a s h v i l l e Va c a t i o n R e n t a l s : A P e r f e c t Va l e n t i n e ’ s D a y G e t a w a y

By Jules Lavallee

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Dorinda Dawn is the Owner/Founder of Hey Y’all Nashville Vacation Rentals and Co Founder of Barrels Of Fun Nashville Tours and Transportation. Dorinda moved to Nashville in 2016 with a dream and vision in mind: To share her passion for music and love of Nashville with visitors from all over. This is when Hey Y’all Nashville Vacation Rentals and Barrels Of Fun Nashville was born. Dorinda and her team strive to provide a boutique experience for everyone who visits Nashville. Hey Y’all Nashville and Barrels Of Fun is what southern hospitality is all about!

Share your passion for music and love of Nashville.

I love southern hospitality.

Everyone is so nice here. In addition, there is an inherent energy/vibe that is like no other place I have lived or visited. This makes Nashville a neat place to live and visit.

Nashville is known as the “Bachelorette Party Capital.”

Tell us about Hey Y’all Nashville Vacation Rentals.

Why is it a perfect solution for bachelorette parties and birthday parties?

Our portfolio consists of a variety of home sizes for all groups visiting Nashville. From studios to four bedrooms allowing us to cater to any group size and their needs. We provide a boutique experience for our guests allowing each person to feel like it’s their home away from home with comfortable accommodations.

We also help take the guess work out of planning by providing a thorough list of Nashville “Must Do’s” from a local's perspective and helpful tips and tricks to make our guests’ Nashville vacation that much more memorable and fun!

Please share some of the amenities.

With over 3000 reviews and 12x Superhost status on Airbnb, each

vacation rental has its own unique charm and is beautifully designed.

Our most popular amenity is our signature get ready vanity stations.

Guests love having their own personal space to get ready before exploring Nashville. The decor in each of our units has been specifically planned out to provide a unique experience tied to our Music City. We add special details that our guests rave about including the quality of our furniture, linens and toiletries.

We focus on the details by providing a coffee station and makeup wipes.

What are the hot spots in Nashville?

We offer a variety of rental locations here in Nashville. If guests want to stay close to all the action, we have rentals within walking distance to Broadway (Honky Tonks, Bridgestone, The Ryman), Nissan Stadium, Germantown (First Horizon Park, Brooklyn Bowl), The Gulch and 8th Ave South.

Tell us about Barrels of Fun and the VIP treatment.

Barrels Of Fun Nashville provides roundtrip transportation to explore local distilleries, breweries and wineries. Custom itineraries are available for private groups to create a topnotch personalized experience. Several of our guests take advantage of our transportation offerings during their stay and they love the option of having a fully encompassing experience.

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How much fun is The HEY Y’ALL DISTILLERY CRAWL?

Guests love that we offer different package options. Guests appreciate getting to choose how to customize their day. Whether it be a full day of distilleries or a mix up of breweries and wineries.

It allows them to try local spirits, brews and wine that are all specific to Nashville while enjoying responsibly with fullservice transportation from Barrels Of Fun. HEY YALL NASHVILLE TESTIMONIALS:

“My mother said staying here was like staying in a Nashville museum”. - Molly M. Amazing stay. The space was

bigger than it looks - very spacious for a small group. The room was very clean, comfortable and organized. Also, Adorable!

Would definitely stay here again. Katherine F. BARRELS OF FUN NASHVILLE TESTIMONIALS: We had a wonderful day doing the 3 distilleries and winery tour.

We had a private tour at the 1st distillery which was my favorite!

We got to enjoy tastings of vodkas, seltzers, liquors and whiskey/bourbon. I highly recommend doing the 3 distillery and winery one. It was worth every penny. The winery is a little bit out of town with a beautiful view and the drive is gorgeous!

My husband and I wandered off on our own and had a flight of

wine and charcuterie at our own little picnic in the trees. Our driver was super accommodating, and we had a blast all day.

Thanks Barrels of Fun! - Lindsay P. Barrels of Fun set up a great day for my group of 14 people. They arranged for tours and tastings at two distilleries and a brewery.

They picked a great mix of small/new vs old established spots. The bus driver was very nice and friendly. I would recommend this company to anyone looking to have a day visiting spots in Nashville. Very easy to work with and very accommodating. - Wes B.

Tell us about the short-term rentals.

Choosing to stay at a vacation rental makes great economic sense for travelers.

It’s great having full amenities in a home environment versus a hotel. A full kitchen and washer and dryer in the home are just a few perks. In addition, staying at a vacation rental helps travelers avoid hidden resort fees.

What have you enjoyed the most over the years owning these successful businesses?

I have enjoyed being able to offer memorable experiences to those visiting Nashville. Being a local gives me the insight to really know and feel what guests will enjoy while in Nashville. I know all the hot spots and latest trends in the city and I use this knowledge to make my guests’ visit exceptional. www.heyyallnashville.com www.barrelsoffunnashville.com

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Indulge in Irresistible Flavors this Valentine's Day with Hickory Farms and Wicked Good Cupcakes The 2024 Collection Includes Unique Sweets and Snacks to Delight Loved Ones this Valentine’s Day CHICAGO, Jan. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Cupid readies his bow and arrows for the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday, it’s time to start thinking about how to share the love with someone near and far. This year, you can impress that special someone with savory and sweet Valentine's Day creations from Hickory Farms and its partner brand, Wicked Good Cupcakes.

Available now, the Valentine’s Day collection includes nearly 20 exclusive offerings for every taste bud and every budget such as the Valentine's Day Charcuterie & Chocolate Gift Box, a premium meat and cheese gift box including Signature Beef and Spicy Beef Summer Sausages, Three Pepper Dry Salami, Smoked Gouda Blend, Mission Jack Blend, Farmhouse Cheddar, Hot Pepper Bacon Jam, Champagne Dill Mustard, Cranberry Pistachio Crisps as well as the brand’s Signature Chocolate Collection and Heart Pretzels make this gift extra indulgent. There is also a Valentine's Day Charcuterie & Chocolate Gift Box with Wine.

Wine lovers can delight in the Valentine's Day Cupcake 2-Pack & Sparkling Wine Gift Set, which pairs Cupid's Confetti and Valentine's Velvet cupcake jars from Wicked Good Cupcakes with Ilo Blanc de Blanc Brut sparkling wine, making it the perfect way to celebrate love.

Those who prefer a sweeter holiday can indulge in the Valentine's Day Favorites Cupcake 4-Pack featuring two each of Wicked Good Cupcakes flavors Cupid’s Confetti and Valentine’s Velvet.

"At Hickory Farms, we're overjoyed to present a curated collection destined to elevate any Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day celebration,” said Judy Ransford, CEO at Hickory Farms. “We believe in the power of pampering and celebration on this special occasion, and with our premium assortment of products crafted for gifting and hosting, we aim to make this season an unforgettable experience.”

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Additional items in the Valentine’s Day collection include: Love at First Bite Gift Set - Treat your special someone to the perfect date night in! This charcuterie gift set starts out with savory bites like Classico Dry Salami, Smoked Gouda Blend, and Strawberry Fig Jam to create a gourmet meat and cheese board. Chocolate Hearts and Cherry Sours add to the Valentine's Day fun. Heart Shaped Bamboo Cutting Board and Cheese Spreader make creating your Valentine's Day board easy. ($39.99) Valentine's Day Cupcake 2-Pack with Red Blend Gift Set - Cheers to the one you love with this decadent Valentine's Day gift! Cupid's Confetti and Valentine's Velvet Cupcake Jars from Wicked Good Cupcakes that are deliciously paired with Ilo California Red Blend. ($59.99) Valentine’s Day Cupcake 6-Pack & Rosé + Moscato Gift Set - Send a decadently delicious Valentine's Day gift! This cupcake and wine gift box comes with three jars each of Cupid's Confetti and Valentine's Velvet Cupcake Jars from Wicked Good Cupcakes. They can enjoy alongside Ilo California Rosé and Sparkling Moscato for an indulgent way to celebrate. ($99.99) Valentine's Day Favorites Cupcake 2-Pack - Treat your Valentine to an indulgent gift! This Wicked Good cupcakes two pack features Cupid’s Confetti, made with vanilla cake, vanilla buttercream frosting, and colorful confetti sprinkles. It's perfectly paired with Valentine’s Velvet, made with decadent red velvet cake, cream cheese frosting, and adorable heart decoration on top. Contains one jar of each flavor. ($25.99).

Valentine's Day Snacks Gift Box - Say "Happy Valentine's Day" deliciously with this gift box filled with savory Hickory Farms favorites. Signature Beef Summer Sausage, Smoked Gouda Blend and Farmhouse Cheddar cheeses, plus Sweet Hot Mustard all pair beautifully to create the perfect bite. Then, for a sweet and salty treat, there's Cranberry Pistachio Crisps and adorable Heart Pretzels. The specially designed Valentine's Day box adds a thoughtful touch. ($42.99) Little Bit of Love Sampler - Send a little love to the snacker in your life! This meat and cheese sampler features Signature Beef Summer Sausage, Smooth & Sharp Cheddar Blend, Sweet Hot and Honey Pineapple Mustard, and Golden Toasted Crackers to stack up savory bites. The Valentine's Day box adds a special touch! ($21.99) Hot Stuff Summer Sausage & Cheese Gift Box - Give a spicy twist on our best-selling, most loved gourmet gift! This meat and cheese gift box is perfect for your Valentine who loves snacks with a kick. They can combine our Signature Beef Summer Sausage and Spicy Beef Summer Sausage with a selection of Smoked Gouda Blend, Jalapeño Cheddar Blend, and Smoked Cheddar Blend cheeses. Along with Spicy Sriracha and Sweet Hot Mustards, these tasty bites are ready to dip and delight. The signature designed Valentine's Day box adds a fun touch to this gift. ($54.99) Valentine's Day Cheese & Sausage Lover's Gift Box - Wish your special someone a happy Valentine's Day with this gift box filled with their favorite flavors! This meat and cheese gift features Signature Beef, Spicy Beef, and Sweet & Smoky Turkey Summer Sausages that pair deliciously with Harvest Cheddar Blend, Farmhouse Cheddar, Jalapeño Cheddar Blend, Three Cheese & Onion Blend, and Smooth & Sharp Cheddar Blend for a wide variety of flavor. The Valentine's Day box makes this gift extra special. And because it’s gluten-free, this gift makes a great pick that almost anyone can enjoy! ($69.99) Valentine's Day Sweet & Savory Gift Tower - This Valentine's Day gift is a stack of signature designed boxes filled with treats they'll love. Signature Beef Summer Sausage, Farmhouse Cheddar, and Belgian Ale Mustard pair perfectly to create savory bites. Heart Pretzels, Milk Chocolate Covered Sandwich Cookies, and Cherry Sours add sweetness to this gift. Send as a special way to celebrate with your favorite snack lover. ($49.99) Valentine's Day Cabernet & Snack Collection - Celebrate Valentine's Day with a collection of perfectly paired smoky, spicy, and savory flavor combinations. Three Pepper Dry Salami's rich and spicy flavor is deliciously complemented by creamy Smoked Gouda Blend and Sweet Hot Mustard. Serve with the Generosity Cellars California Cabernet Sauvignon for a sophisticated bite. The Mini Chocolate Hearts, Signature Chocolate Collection, and pretty Valentine's Day ribbon and tag add a special touch to this gift. ($59.99) Get ready to embark on a journey of decadence and delight, where every bite tells a tale of love and celebration at www.hickoryfarms.com.

All alcohol gifts have shipping restrictions. Generosity Cellars, Ilo, Aunar, and Contollo wines are shippable to all but the following states: AK, AL, AR, DE, HI, KY, MS, RI, SD, UT. Brand name wines and champagne are available to ship to CA, FL, MN, and DC. Find out more at www.hickoryfarms.com ABOUT HICKORY FARMS, LLC Since 1951, Hickory Farms LLC has been a leading retailer of food gifts and specialty foods available online, in catalogs, and in leading mass merchants, supermarkets, and a variety of seasonal retail shopping locations in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.hickoryfarms.com or join the conversation on Instagram; Facebook; Pinterest; or Twitter.

ABOUT WICKED GOOD CUPCAKES Wicked Good Cupcakes began when mother-daughter team Tracey Noonan and Danielle Vilagie took cake-decorating classes to spend time together. The popularity of their cupcakes spread and after captivating the nation on Shark Tank, their business took off. Now part of the Hickory Farms family, Wicked Good Cupcakes offers a wide selection of classic and seasonal flavors perfect for every occasion. For more information, visit www.wickedgoodcupcakes.com or www.hickoryfarms.com/sweets/cupcakes-in-jars/. Join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook.

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Business Coach, Ruth Wishengrad Known as the “Get It Done” Lady, Helps Thought Leaders Build Training and Development Programs

By Jules Lavallee

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Ruth Wishengrad, known as the 'Get It Done’ Lady, has over 30 years of experience in teaching, training, and design. While serving as an editor at Houghton Mifflin, an educational publishing company, she simultaneously earned her Master’s in Education from Lesley University. Ruth is passionate about facilitating mindset transformations and elevating self-confidence, aimed primarily at entrepreneurs and transformational leaders who want to unlock their fullest potential.

Ruth helps thought leaders build training and development programs aligned with their passions and experience. Her proven method is a unique blend of neuroscience techniques and expert mentorship that effortlessly turns her client’s 'how?' into 'wow!’ This approach has been the key to countless entrepreneurial breakthroughs and several six-figure launches.

Her extensive expertise is also evident in her development of professional training, educational, and certification programs that set industry standards.

Ruth also acts as an accountability consultant, ensuring that her clients' commitment and progress are more than just buzzwords, they translate into real results. At the core of her coaching philosophy is the unwavering belief that anything is possible when you get out of your head and connect with your heart.

Whether she's guiding clients through the development of revenue-generating programs or nurturing their individual growth,

Ruth transforms the journey from vision to action, leading to significant results.

You are passionate about facilitating mindset transformations and elevating self-confidence. Share your background and how you are working with entrepreneurs and transformational leaders.

As a coach dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and leaders, my journey began with a pivotal personal experience, which years later turned into my passion for helping others build resiliency and confidence. When I was growing up, I used to struggle a lot with low self-esteem and was often labeled as 'the weak one.’ Little did I know the decision to join a 3-month Outward Bound program at age 21 would profoundly impact the rest of my life. This program tested my limits, it really pushed me and, more importantly, became a major turning point for my physical and emotional growth. At the end of the first day, after an extremely challenging experience that started to label me as “the weak one” again, I was in a desperate search to find a way to cope with tough situations. It was then that I remembered the simple, yet powerful mantra 'I think I can, I think I can,' from the story, 'The Little Engine That Could.’ This mantra wasn't just a bunch of words; it became my go-to for getting through physical and emotional obstacles. It helped me get through my first-ever biathlon, pushing me beyond pain

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and doubt. It was more than just getting through a tough physical challenge; it was a game-changer in how I saw myself and what I could do.

This change was just the start of my journey in teaching, training, and mentoring. I've worn a lot of hats over the years – teacher, editor, curriculum developer, graphic and web designer, and even singer-songwriter. Each role built on the next, giving me a solid base of experiences and proven approaches. I've been an invited speaker at conferences in

Beijing and Hong Kong, launched my own company, and played a key role in several big product launches.

Now, as a coach, I’ve integrated my varied experiences into my work with entrepreneurs and leaders. I've developed a multilayered approach that delivers results. My goal is to help people shift from 'I can't' to 'I can,' guiding them to unlock their full potential. This process is based on my belief that true change happens when you get out of your head and into your heart. In my heart-first approach, I support people in connecting with their inner strength and encourage thinking that expands beyond their usual limits. This approach builds confidence and opens the door to many new possibilities.

From my own experiences, I've learned about the powerful combination of heart and mind, especially when facing life's challenges. I bring this understanding to my work, helping others harness their inner strength and resilience to 'get things done.’ My approach is all about changing the story from doubt to feeling empowered, making sure no one feels stuck because of the limits they think they have.

What training and programs do you offer?

My training and programs focus around ‘Getting It Done’!

In the "Get Reel. Get On Screen.

Get It Done! 2-Day Bootcamp," participants dive into an immersive, hands-on experience, focusing on creating marketing and social media videos.

Over two days, they learn technical setup, content refinement, and authentic presentation, culminating in producing multiple usable videos.

This intensive bootcamp is ideal for crafting content for your homepage, landing pages, speaker reel, and more, giving you tangible results to enhance your digital presence.

The "6-month Get It Done Mastermind" is more than just a program; it's the essential program for achieving your goals. With monthly mastermind meetings

and weekly focused work sessions, it offers a unique combination of accountability, personalized support, and expert insights. This mastermind is your key to real progress and getting things done efficiently.

In addition, I offer one-on-one coaching and consulting services.

Tell us about your heartcentered approach. What will people notice when working with you?

My heart-centered approach is all about connecting deeply with each entrepreneur/leader I work with, regardless of where they are in their journey. Whether someone is just starting out and feeling overwhelmed by everything, or they've been in business for a while and aren’t achieving the success they're after, I'm there to support them.

In our sessions, I meet clients exactly where they are. Facing a massive to-do list without a starting point, or seeking the best strategy for a project, I'm there to listen and provide guidance. My focus is on intently listening and guiding them through a process that's effective and also resonates with them personally. Working with me, people often notice my commitment to prioritizing their individual needs and concerns, ensuring that every step we take is in harmony with their heart and vision.

Testimonials from clients: My name is Maryann Piazza, a psychotherapist and energy healer. I struggled with feeling overwhelmed and with completing year-long projects,

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until I started working with Ruth Wishengrad. Her approach is direct, kind, heart-centered and technically skilled, effectively discerning and meeting my needs.

Thanks to her, in just 2 months, I completed my website, a 6-week program, and two lead magnets!

I wholeheartedly recommend Ruth for efficient and effective project completion.

I’m Michele Janisse and I coach executive women in menopause.

As I transitioned from my corporate job into coaching, I was overwhelmed with "all the things" and would shut down, unable to move forward with anything.

Fortunately, I was introduced to Ruth Wishengrad. She transformed overwhelm into effortless progress for me in a matter of weeks. Her expertise combined with her enthusiasm helped me achieve my initial goals and gave me a framework that I find myself using almost daily.

Ruth's skills are truly remarkable, and I highly recommend her.

How are you turning your clients “how?” into “Wow!” Great question. This is one of my favorite things to witness. I've developed a multi-step approach that's all about tuning into what my clients need right in the moment, whether we're in a oneon-one or a group setting. It’s kind of like mining for gold.

Sifting through all the “stuff” to find the gold nuggets. So, I listen for the clues to find a path through the overwhelm.

One of the best things about what I do is seeing that 'wow moment' in action. This is when clients figure out and break through what's been holding them back.

A lot of clients come to me feeling swamped. They talk about how they've been putting things off or feeling stuck because there’s just too much on their plate and they don't know where to start. My approach combines some neuroscience tricks with hands-on mentoring. It's all about moving them from feeling stuck in the 'how?' to that exciting 'wow!' moment.

A typical scenario looks like this – clients come in asking: • ‘How’ am I going to complete everything in time?

•

‘How’ do I do [fill in the blank]? (It's usually something technical.)

• ‘How’ can I get more [leads, clients, income]?

And they leave with a confident, “Wow, I know exactly what to do!”

By the time our session wraps up, they don't just have a plan.

They've got the skills and the right mindset to make it all happen."

What have you enjoyed the most during your career?

Oh, there have been so many things that I have enjoyed in my career. If I had to pick one, I’d say it’s finding creative, out-ofthe-box solutions. This could range from troubleshooting

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technical issues to editing content to make it clear, concise, and compelling, or even helping clients add creative angles to their services or products.

For example, I worked with a client who was struggling to simplify a complex project she was passionate about. She needed a catchy and memorable way to present it. My suggestion to streamline her ideas led to an energetic brainstorming session.

Within just 5 minutes, we had a breakthrough, and she ‘whooped’ with joy – it was priceless! It's moments like these that remind me why I love what I do.

www.ruthwishengrad.com

Mark Femi no Ta k e s C e n t e r S t a g e O n c e A g a i n w i t h H i s L a t e s t S i n g l e , " T h a t I s To d a y . "

By Jules Lavallee

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January 2024

Mark Femino has been a professional musician, performer, and teacher for nearly 30 years.

His active touring days started in the mid 90’s with the jam band, Blind Man’s Sun. This band sold roughly 10,000 albums, toured the Northeast, had thousands of fans, and enjoyed some radio plays. It was a blast, and definitely a spectacle to see live.

In the early 2000’s, Mark embarked on his own musical journey, which saw the release of a 5 song EP, The Light and The Dark (Chiaroscuro), in 2003.

This EP also did reasonably well and was highly regarded by critics.

One album review stated, “Femino, sounding like a second generation cross between Paul Simon and Sting, sings with the same kind of youthful exuberance that made the two songwriters so prolific.” - Face Magazine; high praise indeed. During this period, Mark also got to play on the ABC Weekend Morning Show to an audience of some 500,000 and had the good fortune to tour more and get airplay on college radio.

Femino had a daughter in 2003.

It was time to accept the challenge of being a good dad and offer a stable life for her. During this time, Mark became a teacher, choir director, conductor, and still managed to play in bands and perform shows regularly. As a prolific writer, he couldn’t help but keep writing and recording during this period of life. Some of those ideas and songs are still finding their way onto releases to this day.

Somewhere around 2013, Mark was handed a ukulele. Not exactly knowing what to do with it, he started tinkering away.

What started as light-hearted,

frivolous fooling around on a tiny, friendly little instrument turned into a full-fledged 15 song release in 2015 - The Flea Jumpin’ Juke Joint. He simply couldn’t believe the depth that the ukulele contained. Mark is still extremely proud of this album to this day.

It is so different from what one might think a ukulele album to be - like his jam band in the 90’s, there are so many different styles on this album: singer-songwriter, rock, funk, pop, Latin, classical, bluegrass, and blues, to name a few. It is definitely worth a listen if you are in need of something truly unique.

Over the next several years, Mark resumed performing in a big way.

It became very important to him to make an income as a gigging musician. He began to play 1-3 gigs a week in Boston at places like The Barking Crab, The Hard Rock Cafe, and The Harborside Lounge, where he enjoyed a 3year weekly residency. He is still performing at least once a week while simultaneously releasing and performing original material.

2020 - the Pandemic hit…

At first, like many musicians, Femino put out live videos and/or live streams. But then it seemed clear that it was time to make another album. Femi La Bouche was born. This album was a new adventure that combined a singer-songwriter’s sensibility with hip-hop and electronic beats. The result was a funky, danceable progressive rock album.

At the tail end of 2022, Femino released a hard rock album called Ferilus - “Fearless, feral, and slightly perilous, this is the album known as Ferilus.” This album goes all the way back to Mark’s days of hammering it out with

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garage rock bands. It was incredibly fun for him to make, a little dirty, and very powerful. If you have been in need of a solid, throw down the gauntlet, and rock your socks off album, this one might just do the trick.

In 2023, Femino released another more acoustic album entitled These Are The Moments. This album has given him some of his most impressive statistics to date with Cooha and Bonnie hitting 50,000 and 60,0000 streams respectively on Spotify.

Moreover, his song, Freddie The King, is being turned into a children’s book for release in 2024. Starting in October of this year, Mark started releasing singles. Said And Done, Running Around, and Dyed In The Wool have all been released helping Femino continue to steadily grow in both the social media and streaming realms.

Today, Femino is a seasoned, realized musician. He’s at the peak of his musicianship and is poised to get all his material out into the world. He is continuing to release a single every month while maintaining an active playing schedule. The first single of 2024, That Is Today, was released on January 11th and a rocking, love song, Heaven Surrounding Us, will come out just in time for Valentine’s Day.

You have been described as sounding like a second generation cross between Paul Simon and Sting. Share your career and what makes you an indie troubadour sensation.

My inspirations have definitely been a lot of the greats: Paul Simon and Sting of course, but the classic rock bands: Beatles, Stones, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, etc. The Seattle bands were big for me: Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains. Kind of grew up playing more in harder rock bands actually. In college I studied classical guitar, and that brought me into my finger-style guitar sound. I was in a jam band in my 20's and got influenced by some of those songwriters: Dave Matthews, Bela Fleck, Black Crowes, etc. Nowadays I seem to gravitate to more underground and often female singer-songwriters: Jesca Hoop, Lake Street Dive, Madison Cunningham.

I definitely like things that have more twists than your average pop songs.

Tell us what it is like to have a successful music career in the heart of Boston.

The dirty water?!?!?! Just kidding.

Not sure exactly. I'm successful in that I gig a lot, supplement my income, and do reasonably well on Spotify, but we're all struggling to make our mark. Boston is great because there are so many high-level musicians in lots of different genres. So, you can be inspired anywhere. Maybe the seasons and the outdoors are helpful for inspiration too.

Tell us about your new release "That Is Today” and your album entitled “These Are the Moments” What was your inspiration?

That Is Today was written about a

former girlfriend who was also a writer, thus the writing metaphors throughout the song. It was funny; we were off and on for years, and then when we finally called it off that song just felt right to write. It truly was the end of one era and the start of another.

The title, "These are the Moments" was taken from the song of the same name. In that song, I was struggling with my life, having a daughter from a tough relationship, and a job I didn't understand. I ended up having a sort of cathartic experience at a friend's wedding and the lyrics came to me: these are the moments you just can't let get away. Squeeze every ounce of life and hope for a better way..."

All the songs on that album are

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different little snapshots of moments that were happening around that time.

“Femino embarks on a poetic exploration of heartbreak, utilizing vivid writing analogies and metaphors to craft a narrative that resonates deeply with listeners.” Explain I already sort of answered this above. That relationship was heart-breaking - we almost got married and we loved each other.

I explained the writing metaphors - hopefully, they're vivid and captivating. That song is a story to me. I don't know if the listener hears it that way, but it very much tells the story of the first, second, and third tries at making our relationship work.

Heaven Surrounding Us, will come out just in time for Valentine’s Day. Why do you think this will resonate with hearts globally?

sexy, but no one will get that.

Your song, Freddie The King, is being turned into a children’s book for release in 2024. What makes this song so special?

Heaven Surrounding Us is the most unabashedly romantic song I've ever written. It seems appropriate to release it on Valentine's Day for that reason (not that I'm particularly into the holiday). What can I say? I was madly in love with her. It's almost desperate. And no, it didn't work out. LOL.

Freddie The King is one of the most beautiful, serendipitous songs I've ever written, and hard to explain without telling you personally.

I think it will resonate with listeners because love is a universal emotion, regardless of race, gender, or politics. The sentiment is sincere. That's why I hope it will resonate. Plus, 6/8 is

I was teaching a 2nd grade class, and we were using boomwhackers. I asked the kids to line up in a scale (Do-Re-MiFa-Sol-La-Ti-Do, or largest to smallest). They lined up Do-Do (high)-Mi-Fa-Sol-Re-Ti-La. It was wrong, but it was AWESOME!!! So, I told them I'd record it and come back next week, and we'd write a song.

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They helped me come up with the whole story and I put it all together. Years later, we had an author visit the school, and it dawned on me that this would make a great children's story, like Puff The Magic Dragon. It's almost done.

What’s next?

What's next indeed? I am working with a few publicists who are helping with my releases.

A new song is being released every month. I play about once a week currently while teaching full time, directing a musical, teaching ukulele at night, and paying for college. Busy, busy.

www.markfemino.com

Jennifer Snow USA Today Bestselling Author Releases “Glimpse”

By Jules Lavallee

Jennifer Snow is a USA Today Bestselling author and screenwriter of over 40 novels and 30 screenplays.

Writing romantic comedies and thrillers for Harlequin, Grand Central, Entangled, Penguin Random House and Thomas & Mercer, her books have won awards such as the Booksellers Best Award and have been translated into many foreign languages, as well as optioned for film. Her produced credits include 14 Love Letters (Hallmark), Christmas Lucky Charm (UPTV), Sworn Justice (BET+), The Recipe Files (QVC+), Christmas in Maple Hills (INSP/GAC).

Formerly an Edmonton Public Library Spotlight Author and Audrey’s Books Writer in Residence, Jennifer enjoys

offering writing workshops and mentoring aspiring writers. She will be a mentor at the September 2024 Rocaberti Writers Retreat in France and the May 2024 Good Word Writers Retreat in Greece. Originally from Canada, she now resides in Spain.

You've had a hugely successful career as a USA Today Bestselling author and screenwriter for over 40 novels and 30 screenplays. What sparked your creativity when you began your career as a writer?

I’ve been writing stories since I was five years old. I always loved to read and knew from a very early age that I wanted to be a writer. I wrote my first novel – a YA romance – when I was fifteen and submitted the ©Red Silk Carpet

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handwritten manuscript to Harlequin. Incredibly, an editor took the time to read it and respond with a rejection letter that said my writing showed promise and to keep writing.

Flash forward many years and many rejection letters later and I sold my first full novel to Harlequin’s Heartwarming line in 2013 through my wonderful, very patient first agent. From there, I continued to write sweet and sexy romance stories for Harlequin, Grand Central, Entangled and Penguin Random House.

Things were going well, and my publishing schedule was steady, but then in 2017, I had what, in hindsight, I’ve affectionately termed my ‘Year of No’. Every new book idea I pitched was rejected and I wasn’t sure what my author career looked like moving forward.

I’d always wanted to write a thriller, so I thought maybe I’d have better luck exploring dark, twisted stories and characters. So, I wrote All the Lovely Pieces (just optioned for a movie as well). It was published under a pen name, J.M. Winchester and it’s become my bestselling novel, I guess I must have a dark and twisted side.

That year, I also decided to try writing screenplays. I’d always wanted to write one and my writing in general is somewhat lean, episodic, and fast-paced, so I downloaded scripts to read, read every book on scriptwriting I could find and then spent a week adapting one of my earlier novellas to see if I could do it. With that completed script, I headed to American Film Market in Santa Monica in 2018 and with the help of an interested manager sold it.

From there, I was hooked! I love writing novels, but the shorter format, the focus on dialogue and character rather than description and prose in scripts appeals to me.

Writing both has given me a really nice balance and script writing forces me to plot more, which has been beneficial to my novel writing. Luckily, inspiration for stories has never been a problem – I’m intrigued by everything and everyone around me. I’m nosy, inquisitive, and bold, so chasing ideas and opportunities has never intimidated me. My biggest fear is dying before I get a chance to write all the stories I want to tell. I grew up with the most incredible mother who always said I could do anything I wanted to do, and I believed her.

Tell us about your proudest works.

I’m so incredibly grateful to be able to do what I love to do as a career. I’ve looked at the journey as a marathon, not a sprint and really worked my way from one career milestone to the next, so I’m proud of every book and

screenplay along the way because with every project there’s a moment when I lose all faith that I can complete it, but somehow, I push through. I learn from each one and I try to get better from working with amazing editors and development executives in the industry. But I am really excited about Glimpse/All Signs Point to Malibu. The speculative angle is a new direction for me and I’m anxious to hear how my readers especially react to the new work.

And having the possibility of seeing it come to life on screen through Convergent Media is exciting.

Your recent screenplay "Glimpse" has been described as "My Best Friend's Wedding” meets “About Time.” What inspired you to write this screenplay? Take us through the comedic story.

The idea of a life coach who could see into the future came to me one day when I was at a crossroads regarding my writing career, and I wished I had someone who could without a doubt know the outcome of both decisions and then guide me toward success – wouldn’t anyone want that?! I’d never written speculative fiction before, so I wasn’t sure I could pull off the story the way I wanted to, so I shelved the idea, but it just kept coming back to me and refused to be ignored. I’ve heard other authors say that’s how you know the idea is one you should pursue, so I gave in. But I decided to write it as a screenplay first because I felt I could visualize it better that way and because the shorter format seemed less of a risk. I can write a screenplay in a few weeks versus a few months for a novel, so the invested time if it didn’t work out didn’t feel as daunting. I wrote the screenplay and when I talked to my editor about the story, she was interested in it as a novel which was such great news as I’d been itching for ©Red Silk Carpet

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my next book project and felt this one would be the right step in a new direction in my author career.

Novelizing it was so fun and getting to be inside the heads of the main characters even more was great in helping to understand their motivations better and really flesh them out as characters. Which in turn also made the script stronger.

Having this project in both formats is seriously a dream.

Hailey's Daily Rule for Success: Don't put off until tomorrow the doomed wedding you can sabotage today!

Hailey Harris can't stop messing with fate. A successful life coach, her ability to glimpse the future lets her guide clients down the right path, but her gift has made her own life lonely. After all, having a real friend would mean asking someone to believe the unbelievable.

The one person she might have confided in is now her ex, Liam Jensen. And when a minor earthquake brings them back together, Hailey wonders if it's a sign. Then one of her visions predicts a not-so-happy ending for Liam and his brand-new fiancée.

But before Hailey can launch operation breakup, Liam's sexy, irritating best man starts messing with her plans.

Warren Mitchell—who still blames Hailey for ruining his pro football career—insists on "helping" her plan the engagement party. And shockingly, Warren is helpful...and funny...and sweet. Between sleeping with the frenemy and watching her careful plans spiral out of control, Hailey learns the real cause of Liam's future heartbreak. But now that she knows the truth, will Hailey keep on fighting fate, or trust in the love she never saw coming?

Glimpse" has caught the attention of Robin De Lano here, Casting Director and Producer. How did you connect with Robin?

he said he wanted to option it.

Easily one of the best meetings of my life.

I connected with the lovely Robin through Dan Reardon who originally optioned the project last year at MIPCOM in Cannes.

Robin will be co-producing the project with Dan and I’m so grateful for an opportunity to work with her. She’s smart and driven and I know I’m going to learn a lot from her. Meeting Dan at MIPCOM was the highlight of my market. I was there to pitch holiday romance concepts to various producers, but my main goal was to find a home for Glimpse. Dan and I met on the first day of the conference and I pitched the project (or more likely desperately pleaded that he consider it). I’d seen his previous projects – Meet Cute, The Hating Game, Maggie Moores and I knew he was the right producer for this one. He asked me to send the script that afternoon and said he’d read it that week - while at the market. I was surprised because the market is such a busy time, and I didn’t fully believe he could possibly read it that quickly. But he did.

We met again three days later, and

You enjoy offering writing workshops and mentoring aspiring writers. Tell us about the May 2024 Good Word Writers Retreat in Greece.

It’s going to be fantastic! Located in Patmos, Greece, the venue is inspiring and secluded enough to offer writers a great escape to focus on creating without everyday distractions. With amazing mentors attending and one of my favorite TV execs, Crissie Miller (UPTV) accepting pitches from writers, it’s sure to be a great opportunity for writers to learn, network and be inspired.

I’ll be offering a 2-day class on connecting with production companies and fostering those relationships.

What does it take to be a successful writer today?

I think it’s important to always be chasing opportunities but recognize that the ones you are chasing may not be the ones that fabricate (right now) and to be open to what the universe sends you. There’s been so many times

I’ve been pushing for one opportunity, but a different one would appear. I’m a big believer in manifesting and showing gratitude for the things in my life, what I’ve accomplished already, and I truly think that makes a difference in my outlook and my output. Trusting the timing is also something I’ve learned to do.

I’ve had a few screenplays produced that were originally book ideas that didn’t sell in that ‘Year of No’ and I’m so happy those ideas were rejected back then because they likely wouldn’t have made it screen and I think that medium was the better format for these projects. And finally, don’t give up on the ideas that stick with you and demand to be written.

What's next for you?

Hopefully more movies and books! I just pitched another speculative women’s fiction idea to my publisher, so I’m hopeful I get to continue writing in this sub-genre. I have new holiday romance movies releasing this year on TV networks and I sold a reality TV show concept last year that I’m hoping goes into development this year. Busy but exciting 2024 ahead!

www.jennifersnowauthor.com IMDB Page https://www.imdb.com/name/ nm10591316/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg _0_tt_1_nm_7_q_jennifer%25 20snow

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Robin De Lano Singer, Actress, Casting Director, and Now Producer!

By Jules Lavallee

California native, Robin De Lano, began her professional career in entertainment at the tender age of twelve, when she was asked to sing on a series of children's albums. Since that time, she has worked both in front and behind the camera, singing, acting, and casting. Robin’s casting journey kicked off interning with Joey Paul Jensen assisting with the casting of Nickelodeon's Even Stevens and helped Disney fulfill roles on some of their TV pilots. Fifteen years later, under the tutelage of Sande Alessi and Kristan Berona, Robin found herself kneedeep in the trenches of background casting where she met her now casting- partner-in-crime, Nicole Dionne.

At Sande’s Robin and Nicole cast some of the biggest mega-hits to grace the screen, like the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, and the legendary HBO sensation, Entourage.

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After a handful of years casting background players, Robin and Nicole decided to crank up the casting adventure and start their own company - Stella Nova Casting. Before they knew it, they were magnets for award-winning indie gems, national commercial campaigns, indie pilot award winners, a few music videos, and even—an Oscar-winning short in 2021, Two Distant Strangers. Since the birth of Stella Nova Casting, in 2008, Robin and Nicole have cast talent for films that have appeared at TIFF, Sundance, Lifetime, Amazon, Shudder, Netflix, Tubi, and most recently, Hallmark.

Robin and Nicole are the undisputed champions of unity and integrity in the casting universe. They believe that happy directors make happy actors, and happy actors make for a one-of-akind project!

When did you begin your professional career in the entertainment industry?

I began my career behind the mic as a professional singer when I was sixteen, and that was the first time I was paid for a skill I had!

It was really fun! However, my initial venture into casting took the form of an internship during my college years, and it was under the guidance of the amazing casting director, Joey Paul Jensen.

Learning from her, a seasoned casting director with a keen eye for talent, was an invaluable experience. Landing in her office as an intern was such a great opportunity.

During my time there, I gained insights into the dynamics of a fast-paced casting office and honed my skills and knowledge about working behind the scenes

in episodic television and also features big and small. The experience provided me with the unique opportunity to witness the early careers of many now wellknown talents. One noteworthy project I contributed to was the TV show "Even Stevens," featuring a then-unknown talent – Shia LaBeouf!

Under the tutelage of Sande Alessi and Kristan Berona, you found yourself knee-deep in the trenches of background casting where you met your now castingpartner-in-crime, Nicole Dionne.

You and Nicole had cast some of the biggest mega-hits to grace the screen, like the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, and the legendary HBO sensation, Entourage.

Tell us about your experience and your decision to start your own company. There is nothing like extras casting! It was exciting, fun, but an around the clock job. You never knew when you’d get a call from an AD requesting a replacement on set, sometimes you could get a call in the wee hours of the morning with an absentee extra. There was never a dull moment, and the movies we worked on are legendary. We had an open casting call for Pirates of the Caribbean, and I believe close to ten thousand extras showed up to get their picture taken. It was really quite amazing.

Working with Sande and Kristan was like working in a family. All of the interns, assistants and casting employees were really close. We loved our jobs even though it was stressful and crazy at times. This is where I met my now casting partner, Nicole Dionne.

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Working at Sande’s was great, but Nicole and I always played with the idea of moving into principal casting thinking we’d have a bit more flexibility to our schedules, however after about six months after launching Stella Nova Casting, we were busier than ever!

Within that time, we cast our first national commercial and our first Indie Feature which ended up getting into TIFF. You have been magnets for award-winning indie gems, national commercial campaigns, indie pilot award winners. Tell us about Stella Nova Casting. Nicole is the one who came up with our name Stella Nova – it's loosely inspired by the definition of a Stella nova which is, a star in the sky yet to be discovered. We thought it embodied the kind of talent we wanted to work with.

Working and collaborating on indie films is our passion, especially when we get to focus on finding truly amazing actors.

We thrive on the raw and real aspects of filmmaking!

My mantra for good acting is simple – I have to believe what you're saying. If that connection with the material isn't there, then the role may not be the right fit for the talent. We also look for interesting and unique talent, I love to see when actors really take the scene and shake it up - it may not work well for everything but in Indie film talent has more room for interpretation as opposed to a TV show that has already been going for a few seasons. Overall, casting is always looking for talent who commits, and draws us in with their storytelling.

Over the past few years, Nicole and I have found ourselves living in the LifeTime and Hallmark genre, and we love it! We love to see actors take a LifeTime script and really ground it. Sometimes the dialogue can be challenging to make your own, but the actors bring it, and we’ve really grown to love this genre. Plus who doesn’t love a good LifeTime or Hallmark movie on a rainy day, or celebrate Christmas all year round?

Tell us about Co-producing Jennifer Snow's, new screen play, based on her book, Glimpse.

What intrigued you about this project? The script made its way to me through a really good EP friend of mine, he wanted my opinion, and when I started reading it, I felt myself just loving the story. I’m obsessed with psychics, and I love a good romance, so there really couldn’t be a better fit.

Tell us about Glimpse and your vision for the project in

2024. Glimpse is about a successful life coach who relies on her psychic ‘glimpses’ of the future to help her clients achieve success…the catch is her clients don’t know she has this super power. What really captivates me about this is how the lead character, despite her success, grapples with self-doubts. While she has never been wrong in a prediction, everything takes a turn when a new love interest enters the picture. Suddenly, she starts questioning if this could be the first time, she's wrong in her entire life.

I feel like all of us, no matter how successful we are, doubt our skills and our success at some point.

My goal is to make a heartfelt RomCom that everyone of all ages can enjoy!

Can you share your proudest moment during your career? Pinpointing just one moment is tricky. There are many moments that have shaped where

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I am today. I'd probably have to say I take pride in the fact that I've sustained a presence in this industry for almost two decades, both in front and behind the camera, with not that much down time in-between.

Are you looking to produce more projects in 2024? Yes, for sure! I am currently in development on a new dating show with the fabulous duo, Dr. Drew Pinsky (Celebrity Rehab) and his wife Susan Pinsky. We’re really excited about it! I have been wanting to bring a dating show out to the world for a while now, and I can’t wait for this one to pop!

www.imdb.com/name/nm12205 65/

KIERAN CULKIN The celebrities dressed in Dior by Kim Jones to the 81st Golden Globe Awards KIERAN CULKIN WORE A DIOR MEN’S COLLECTION BLACK WOOL PEAK LAPEL TUXEDO, A BLACK SILK CD DIAMOND EMBROIDERED SHIRT AND BLACK LEATHER DERBIES.

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. The celebrities dressed in Dior by Kim Jones to the 81st Golden Globe Awards ROBERT DOWNEY JR. WORE A CUSTOM MADE DIOR MEN’S COLLECTION BURGUNDY WOOL AND SILK PEAK LAPEL OBLIQUE SUIT, A BLACK COTTON SHIRT, A BURGUNDY SILK TIE AND BLACK LEATHER BUFFALO LACE UP BOOTS.

NOAH BAUMBACH The celebrities dressed in Dior by Kim Jones to the 81st Golden Globe Awards NOAH BAUMBACH WORE A DIOR MEN’S COLLECTION BROWN WOOL AND SILK PEAK LAPEL TUXEDO, A CLASSIC WHITE COTTON SHIRT, A BROWN SILK BOW-TIE AND BLACK LEATHER DERBIES.

DIOR The celebrities dressed in Dior by Kim Jones to the 81st Golden Globe Awards

MARK RUFFALO The celebrities dressed in Dior by Kim Jones to the 81st Golden Globe Awards MARK RUFFALO WORE A DIOR MEN’S COLLECTION NAVY WOOL AND SILK PEAK LAPEL OBLIQUE TUXEDO, A CLASSIC WHITE COTTON SHIRT, A BLACK SILK BOW-TIE AND BLACK LEATHER DERBIES.

STEVEN YUEN The celebrities dressed in Dior

by Kim Jones to the 81st Golden Globe Awards STEVEN YEUN WORE A DIOR MEN’S COLLECTION BLACK WOOL AND SILK PEAK LAPEL TUXEDO, A CLASSIC WHITE COTTON SHIRT, A BLACK SILK BOW-TIE AND BLACK PATENT LEATHER DERBIES.

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YORGOS LANTHIMOS The celebrities dressed in Dior by Kim Jones to the 81st Golden Globe Awards YORGOS LANTHIMOS WORE A DIOR MEN’S COLLECTION NAVY WOOL AND SILK PEAK LAPEL TUXEDO, A CLASSIC WHITE COTTON SHIRT, A NAVY SILK BOW-TIE AND BLACK PATENT LEATHER DERBIES.

DANIEL KALUUYA The celebrities dressed in Dior by Kim Jones to the 81st Golden Globe Awards DANIEL KALUUYA WORE A DIOR MEN’S COLLECTION BLACK WOOL AND SILK PEAK LAPEL TUXEDO, A CLASSIC BLACK COTTON SHIRT, A BLACK SILK BOW-TIE, A SILVER BRASS BROOCH AND BLACK LEATHER DERBIES.

JEFFREY WRIGHT The celebrities dressed in Dior by Kim Jones to the 81st Golden Globe Awards JEFFREY WRIGHT WORE A MADE-TO-MEASURE DIOR MEN’S COLLECTION BLACK WOOL AND SILK PEAK LAPEL TUXEDO, A CLASSIC WHITE COTTON SHIRT, A BLACK SILK BOW-TIE AND BLACK LEATHER DERBIES.

MATTEO GARRONE The celebrities dressed in Dior by Kim Jones to the 81st Golden Globe Awards MATTEO GARRONE WORE A DIOR MEN’S COLLECTION BLACK WOOL AND SILK PEAK LAPEL TUXEDO, A CLASSIC WHITE COTTON SHIRT, A BLACK SILK BOW-TIE AND BLACK LEATHER DERBIES.

DIOR The celebrities dressed in Dior by Kim Jones to the 81st Golden Globe Awards

DOMINIC WEST The celebrities dressed in Dior by Kim Jones to the 81st Golden Globe Awards DOMINIC WEST WORE A DIOR MEN’S COLLECTION BLACK VELVET SHAWL COLLAR TUXEDO, A CLASSIC WHITE COTTON SHIRT, A BLACK SILK TIE AND BLACK PATENT LEATHER DERBIES.

BILL HADER The celebrities dressed in Dior

by Kim Jones to the 81st Golden Globe Awards BILL HADER WORE A DIOR MEN’S COLLECTION BLACK VELVET SHAWL COLLAR TUXEDO, A CLASSIC WHITE COTTON SHIRT, A BLACK SILK BOWTIE, A SILVER BRASS BROOCH AND BLACK LEATHER DERBIES.

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JON BAPTISTE The celebrities dressed in Dior by Kim Jones to the 81st Golden Globe Awards JON BAPTISTE WORE A DIOR MEN’S COLLECTION BLACK WOOL TWILL OBLIQUE ASYMMETRIC SUIT WITH SHAWL COLLAR AND A BLACK COTTON TUXEDO SHIRT.

THE ACADEMY MUSEUM OF MOTION PICTURES ANNOUNCES “OSCARS® SEASON AT THE ACADEMY MUSEUM” JANUARY 28-MARCH 31 PROGRAMS INCLUDE OSCARS NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, OSCAR® SUNDAYS FILM SCREENINGS, NOMINEE PROGRAMS, IN-GALLERY TOURS, AND MORE THE 96TH OSCARS WILL AIR LIVE ON SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2024 AT 7PM EDT/4PM PDT ON ABC

View the Oscars Season Trailer here

Los Angeles, CA, January 24, 2024 – The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures announces “Oscars Season at the Academy Museum,” running January 28-March 31, which invites the public to celebrate the 96th Oscars® and immerse themselves in Academy Awards® history through rich and expansive one-of-a-kind Oscar®centered events and activities.

“Oscars Season” will see the Academy Museum campus activated for visitors to experience Oscar-winning film screenings, family workshops, i n-gallery tours, Oscars Nominee Programs, exclusive store merchandise, and special pricing for the Oscars Experience and Oscars Night at the Museum –an evening to celebrate this year’s nominees and iconic Oscars moments.

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January 2024

“The Oscars, and the Academy Museum, celebrate achievements in filmmaking across disciplines. We are thrilled to expand our annual Oscars Season programming at the Academy Museum with even more screenings, panels and programs for the public,” said Amy Homma, Academy Museum Chief Audience Officer. “Now in our third year, the Academy Museum has become the go-to destination for visitors from Los Angeles and around the world to learn, celebrate, and interact with Oscar-nominated films and filmmakers.”

Oscars Season festivities kick off on January 28 with a special book signing of 50 Oscar Nights with Turner Classic Movies host Dave Karger. Following the signing, Karger will be joined by actor Topher Grace for a moderated discussion of his book.

The Academy Museum Store will expand its collection of exclusive Oscars merchandise for the 96th Oscars. The collection includes the 96th Oscars Poster, the Oscars Viewing Party Kit, special Oscars popcorn, a neon sign, mugs, t-shirts, books, and a limited edition of Pantone Oscars Gold products.

On weekend afternoons this January, February, and March, the museum’s popular Weekend Short Cuts series will screen Oscar-winning animated short films from the past 10 years. Screenings will be held in the David Geffen Theater and are free with general admission. Titles in the program include Feast (2014), Bear Story (2014), Piper (2016), Bao (2018), and Hair Love (2019).

February will include Oscar Sundays Screenings that highlight Black milestones in film at the ceremony and Drop-in Family Workshops focused on Oscar-winning animated short films and feature-length films. Oscars Gallery Tours of the Academy Award History Gallery and Oscars Gallery will explore the history behind the industry’s biggest night and provide insights into historic and memorable Oscar winners.

March will include Oscar Sundays Screenings, Drop-in Family Workshops, and Oscars Gallery Tours. The month kicks off with Breaking the Oscars Ceiling, a conversation program celebrating the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community at the Academy Awards, on March 1. The week of March 1-9, leading up to the Oscars broadcast on March 10, guests can enjoy screenings of all Oscar-nominated live action and animated short films and attend Nominee Programs with this year’s nominated filmmakers in the Animated Feature Film, Documentary Feature Film, International Feature Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Production Design, Visual Effects, and Best Picture categories.

On the days of the Animated Feature Film, Visual Effects, Makeup and Hairstyling, and Production Design nominee programs—as well as the Animated Short Film nominees screening program —visitors can view a showcase of items from the nominated films in the Sidney Poitier Grand Lobby.

On Sunday, March 10, from 3pm to 8pm, the third annual Oscars Night at the Museum celebrates the nominees and winners of the 96th Oscars. At this spectacular viewing party, guests will have access to special photo opportunities, access to the museum galleries, food by Wolfgang Puck, wine from Clarendelle & Domaine Clarence Dillon, and access to the David Geffen Theater and Fanny’s to watch the Oscars broadcast live on ABC. Guests must be 21 years and older with a valid ID, and black tie, cocktail, or formal attire is encouraged. Ticket and event information can be found here.

After the 96th Oscars, screenings of some of this year's award-winning films will be held March 14-17 at the David Geffen Theater.

And the Museum’s restaurant and cafe, Fanny’s, joins the Oscars festivities with a special cocktail menu inspired by this year's Best Picture nominees. Whether enjoying a drink at the bar or a meal in the dining room, guests can sip through each of the 10 films' corresponding libations, conceived by bar director Marisa Mercado, from February 1 until March 31. ©Red Silk Carpet

January 2024

Visit here for the full Oscars Season program schedule.

Ticket Information: Tickets for film screenings and Nominee Programs are sold separately and do not require general admission to the museum. All tickets are available through advance online reservations via the Academy Museum’s website here.

Film screening and Nominee Program tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (age 62+), $5 for students, $5 for children (ages 17 and younger), and $8 for museum members.

Oscars Night at the Museum is a separately ticketed event and prices range from $200 - $450 and can be purchased via the Academy Museum’s website. Guests must be 21 years or older with a valid ID. General admission tickets for the museum’s exhibitions are $25 for adults, $19 for seniors (age 62+), and $15 for students (age 18+ with valid ID). Admission for Academy Museum members, visitors ages 17 and younger, and California residents with an EBT card is free. Pricing for the Oscars Experience presented in the East West Bank Gallery is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for students, and free for visitors ages 17 and under.

Credit Line: Nominee Programs and Oscars Night at the Museum are supported by Clarendelle & Domaine Clarence Dillon, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures' official wines. Additional support for Nominee Programs provided by Delta Air Lines.

Academy Museum film programming generously funded by the Richard Roth Foundation. Chase is the presenting partner of Oscar Sundays. The Oscars Experience presented in the East West Bank Gallery.

Image Credit: ©Academy Museum Foundation. Oscar statuette ©A.M.P.A.S.® High-resolution photos from all Oscar Week events will be posted for download at https://press.oscars.org/. ###

About the Academy Museum The Academy Museum is the largest museum in the United States devoted to the arts, sciences, and artists of moviemaking. The museum advances the understanding, celebration, and preservation of cinema through inclusive and accessible exhibitions, screenings, programs, initiatives, and collections. Designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Renzo Piano, the museum's campus contains the restored and revitalized historic Saban Building — formerly known as the May Company building (1939)—and a soaring spherical addition. Together, these buildings contain 50,000 square feet of exhibition spaces, two state-of-the-art theaters, the Shirley Temple Education Studio, and beautiful public spaces that are free and open to the public. These include: The Walt Disney Company Piazza and the Sidney Poitier Grand Lobby, which houses the Spielberg Family Gallery, Academy Museum Store, and Fanny’s restaurant and café. The Academy Museum exhibition galleries and store are open six days a week from 10am to 6pm and are closed on Tuesdays and Christmas Day. About the Academy The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is home to a global membership of more than 10,500 of the most accomplished film industry artists and leaders. The Academy recognizes and celebrates all aspects of the arts and sciences of moviemaking through renowned awards for cinematic achievement, including the Oscars®. With the world’s largest film museum and collection, the Academy preserves our cinematic history and presents honest and powerful programs about cinema’s past, present, and future. Across all initiatives, the Academy connects global audiences – its members, the film industry, and film fans – through their shared passion for making and watching films.

The 96th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.

©Red Silk Carpet

January 2024

In the 75th year of Porsche, PCNA retailed 75,415 new vehicles selling a new U.S. record

Atlanta, Georgia. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) today announced that 2023 retail deliveries in the United States totaled 75,415 cars – a new record – and a 7.6 percent increase versus the previous record set in 2022.

“A remarkable and cherished year for so many reasons – from celebrations of our 75th anniversary to the introduction of the new Cayenne to the record number of customers across America choosing a Porsche.

To each and every one of those who purchased one of our vehicles, we express our sincere gratitude.

Through our network of independently owned and operated dealers, we are elated Porsche ranked number one among luxury brands in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index Study.” said Timo Resch, President and CEO of PCNA. “We enter 2024 thriving in the U.S., focused on supporting our customers today, and inspiring the customers of tomorrow, through the debuts of several exciting and truly special new cars.”

Amongst the model lines, the 911 and Macan were the stars of 2023. For the first time since 2007, PCNA sold more than 11,000 911 models in a single year, an increase of 14.6 percent versus 2022. The Macan set a new annual record with 26,947 deliveries against a previous high of 24,716 set in 2021. Versus last year, Macan sales grew 13.8 percent. Sales of the Taycan grew by 4.1 percent to 7,570 cars, representing 10 percent of PCNA sales in 2023. In parallel, the 718 was the fastest-growing model line in 2023 with an increase of nearly 30 percent in 2023 to total 4,526 cars. The introduction of the third-generation Cayenne during the course of 2023 drove sales past 20,000 vehicles for only the second time in PCNA history.

Porsche Approved Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales in the U.S. totaled a record 38,788 cars a 17.7 percent year-over-year increase. ©Red Silk Carpet January 2024

Model

Oct - Dec Sales

Full Year

2022

2023

2022

2023

ALL 911

2,793

3,032

10,204

11,692

ALL 718

1,058

997

3,484

4,526

ALL TAYCAN

1,497

2,358

7,271

7,570

ALL PANAMERA

1,261

1,040

4,224

4,205

ALL CAYENNE

6,611

5,559

21,194

20,475

ALL MACAN

7,735

6,106

23,688

26,947

TOTAL

20,955

19,092

70,065

75,415

PCNA is reporting new car sales from January 4, 2023, to December 31, 2023.

About Porsche Cars North America, Inc. | One Porsche Drive, Atlanta, GA 30354 USA Established in 1984, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) is the exclusive U.S. importer of the Porsche 911, 718 Boxster, 718 Cayman, Macan, Cayenne, Panamera and Taycan. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1998, PCNA is home to the first Porsche Experience Center in North America, which features two module-based 1.6 mile driver development tracks, a business center and Restaurant 356. The campus is also home to the U.S. headquarters of Porsche Classic. The company operates a second Porsche Experience Center near Los Angeles. That complex features a driver development track with eight educational modules totaling 4.1 miles, a business center, Restaurant 917 and the headquarters of Porsche Motorsport North America. PCNA supports 198 independently owned and operated Porsche centers, two Porsche studios and five satellite stores in the U.S., including supplying parts, service, marketing, and training. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the Porsche brand's 75-year history of leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. PCNA is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.

At the core of this success is Porsche's proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000-plus motorsport wins to date.

Follow us: twitter.com/porsche | facebook.com/PorscheUSAOfficial | instagram.com/porscheusa facebook .com/PECAtlanta|instagram.com/pecatl|facebook.com/pecla | instagram.com/pecla

©Red Silk Carpet January 2024

2024 GRAMMYs Performers: Burna Boy, Luke Combs And Travis Scott Announced Burna Boy, Luke Combs and Travis Scott have been added to the performer lineup for the 2024 GRAMMYs. They join previously announced performers Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo. The 2024 GRAMMYs air live Sunday, Feb. 4, on CBS and Paramount+.

JOHN OCHOA |GRAMMYS/JAN 21, 2024 - 09:23 PM Burna Boy, Luke Combs and Travis Scott have been added to the performer lineup for the 2024 GRAMMYs. Unveiled earlier today on CBS, these newly announced performing artists join previously announced 2024 GRAMMYs performers Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo. Additional performers will be announced in the coming days and weeks. See the full list of performers and host at the 2024 GRAMMYs to date.

The 2024 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 66th GRAMMY Awards, will broadcast live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 4, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on the CBS Television Network and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.^ Prior to the Telecast, the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony will broadcast live from the Peacock Theater at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on live.GRAMMY.com. On GRAMMY Sunday, fans can access exclusive behind-the-scenes GRAMMY Awards content, including performances, acceptance speeches, interviews from the GRAMMY Live red-carpet special, and more via the Recording Academy's digital experience on live.GRAMMY.com.

Two-time GRAMMY-nominated comedian, actor, author, podcast host, and former "The Daily Show" host Trevor Noah returns to host the 2024 GRAMMYs, marking his fourth consecutive year as host of Music's Biggest Night; Noah is currently nominated at the 2024 GRAMMYs in the Best Comedy Album Category for this 2022 Netflix comedy special, I Wish You Would.

Learn more about Burna Boy, Luke Combs and Travis Scott and their current GRAMMY nominations below.

Learn More: How To Watch The 2024 GRAMMYs Live: GRAMMY Nominations Announcement, Air Date, Red Carpet, Streaming Channel & More GRAMMY Award winner Burna Boy is nominated for four GRAMMY Awards this year including Best Global Music Album (I Told Them...), the inaugural Best African Music Performance ("City Boys"), Best Global Music Performance ("Alone"), and Best Melodic Rap Performance ("Sittin' On Top Of The World").

Learn More: Here Are The Nominees For Best African Music Performance At The 2024 GRAMMYs Past and current GRAMMY Award nominee Luke Combs is up for one this year for Best Country Solo Performance for his cover of Tracy Chapman's iconic, GRAMMY-winning song "Fast Car." Read More: 6 Artists Influenced By Tracy Chapman: Luke Combs, Brandi Carlile, Tori Amos & More Past and current GRAMMY Award nominee Travis Scott is nominated this year for Best Rap Album (Utopia).

Read More: 5 Takeaways From Travis Scott's New Album UTOPIA The 66th GRAMMY Awards are produced by Fulwell 73 Productions for the Recording Academy for the fourth consecutive year. Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor and Jesse Collins are executive producers. ^Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on demand in the United States. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs in the U.S. only.

2024 GRAMMYs Ticket Giveaway: Enter For A Chance To Attend The 66th GRAMMY Awards In Los Angeles

©Red Silk Carpet

January 2024

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF THE RECORDING ACADEMY

The 2024 GRAMMYs will air live on Sunday, Feb. 4, on CBS and Paramount+.

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF THE RECORDING ACADEMY Facebook Twitter E-mail NEWS How To Watch The 2024 GRAMMYs Live: GRAMMY Nominations, Performers, Air Date, Red Carpet, Streaming Channel & More Music's Biggest Night returns Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, airing live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Here's how, where and when to watch the 2024 GRAMMYs. MORGAN ENOS |GRAMMYS/OCT 10, 2023 - 11:58 AM Editor’s note: This article was been updated on Friday, Nov. 10, to reflect the nominees at the 2024 GRAMMYs; on Wednesday, Dec. 13, to add information about the host; and on Monday, Jan. 15, and Sunday, Jan. 21, to add information about the performers.

GRAMMY season is officially underway! In just a few short months, music fans worldwide will reconvene for the 2024 GRAMMYs. The Recording Academy announced the nominees for Music’s Biggest Night on Friday, Nov. 10, via a star-studded nominations livestream event.

Next year will see a lot of exciting and new developments at the 2024 GRAMMYs, including the debut of three new GRAMMY categories. And to help prepare you for the big show, we've put together a helpful guide outlining how to watch the 2024 GRAMMYs as well as all the exciting news and announcements happening on the road to Music's Biggest Night.

Read More: 2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List

©Red Silk Carpet

January 2024

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF THE RECORDING ACADEMY ©Red Silk Carpet

January 2024