There are those precious moments in life that you just want to savor before sharing with the world. One of those moments happened to me in January 2024 during an unexpected snowstorm in Portland. Like thousands of others, Bob and I lost electricity, heat, and even internet—for 12 days!… Read More

When I left my work in the education field 6 years ago, I made a decision to talk, present, and influence adults.

For 30 years until 2018, I motivated, influenced, and educated middle school, high school, and college students. While I enjoyed it immensely, I realized that since parents have the greatest influence over their children, I wanted to address adults and parents. My goal was to empower them to bring my messages into their interactions and parenting. In the last six years, I’ve reached a great number of people.… Read More

In just a couple of weeks, I will be presenting to women leaders at the University of Memphis. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to be a woman leader. How different is it for women compared to men?
In my last training, I witness a conversation between professional women in the real estate world. They spoke about the expectations men often have of them—“Will you take notes for the meeting today?” or “Can you please make us a good cup of coffee?” They also shared experiencing imposter syndrome, thinking, “Perhaps I don’t belong here; they all seem so much smarter and better than I am.”
I recognize where these feelings are coming from, but the question is, what can be done to address them?… Read More

I just returned from an incredible conference for speakers, the National Speakers Association (NSA) conference. Imagine the best of the best national speakers all in one place—over 4,000 of them! It was an impressive and truly awesome experience.
However, it can also be quite intimidating. At times, I let my saboteurs take over, feeling intimidated and thinking, “Can I do this? Will I be this successful? Everyone seems more successful than me.” None of these thoughts are true, and most are not logical, yet they still crept into my mind.… Read More

It’s no accident that I chose my brand to be “Oy to Joy!” One of the most surprising elements of resilience I share during my talks is the value of joy. It’s not just about bouncing back—it’s about thriving and finding joy even in the face of challenges. Joy exists in the chamber of NOW.

Joy isn’t something you plan for the future. You don’t say, “I’ll be joyful tomorrow,” right? Joy is something you feel in the present. So how can we conquer Joy?… Read More

Never underestimate your power.

There will always be moments when you are put to the test—at work and at home, dealing with projects or people, managing your emotions while trying to help others.

So often, we think hard about how to solve a problem, focusing on what we need to do right now. We rely on our analytical minds to find solutions. Yet, when we over-rely on our analytical minds, we can miss some of the solutions because we have tunnel vision, seeing only what’s in front of us.… Read More

The Practice of Positive Intelligence: Enhancing Wellness, Relationships, and Performance
 And I purposefully list them in this order.
Wellness is the Foundation
Can you sustain a positive, long-term relationship if your wellness isn’t at its best? Can you achieve consistent productivity and higher performance at work without prioritizing your wellness? Not likely. … Read More

If man is by nature a social animal, as Aristotle indicated, then we know we’re influenced by the culture that surrounds us 🌍. Culture is immensely important, and I realize its significance more and more each passing day.

So, what exactly is culture?… Read More

Ever feel like you’re standing at a crossroads, knowing you need to change but resisting the thought of it?

I love good food. My morning coffee with homemade banana or pumpkin bread, a glass of wine once a week, a nice pasta dish with crusty bread, a juicy piece of meat, some popcorn in front of the TV, and a sweet dessert after dinner.

Sounds delightful, right? What could possibly go wrong?… Read More

Curled up in my airplane window seat recently I watched for the second time the movie “Joy.” It wasn’t just entertainment; it was a serendipitous encounter with a reflection of my own journey. Watching Jennifer Lawrence embody Joy Mangano, the tenacious inventor, sparked a memory – my own transformation from education director to “hope activator” a path paved with unexpected twists and the ever-present power of belief. Self-belief.… Read More