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Mike is on a mission to find everyday people who are Delightful... The people I interview have attractive energy and a positive outlook on life, and I want to provide a platform for them to share their journeys and stories with you! I will uncover the life experiences of my guests, which have enabled them to look at life in such an inspiring and delightful way. Is it possible... while in our Darkest hours we are given the tools and gifts, we personally need, to find the light which leads to our greatest Delights?
Episodes
Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
Taylor takes us on the Journey he and his family have been on, experiencing major trial after trial, through the complete year of 2020. It all started in 2019 when their beloved dog Wilson was hit by a car in front of his oldest son, Bentley. Fortunately the big teddy bear Wilson survived, he is now thriving on 3 legs, but this was the start of a very long, difficult, and soul wrenching journey that the Napierski family had to endure in 2020 which included the Death of Taylor's Mother to Brain Cancer in a few short months.
Moving into their custom dream home, and only 31 days after moving in it started on fire with 2 of their children inside. PTSD and Trauma from the fire that left them exhausted from sleepless nights for months after the fire. Mental Health concerns as a result of PTSD. Moving from their dream home, to be near Taylor's mother, unexpectedly she died during a hospital visit one day before they were scheduled to move up to Utah to be near her. Corona virus shaking up Taylor's company and concern over losing his job right in the middle of buying their new home. Last but not least, on the day after Christmas their son Bentley had a tragic accident riding his new bike, which left him hospitalized and on the verge of death due to a laceration to his liver.
Through it all, the Napierski's held onto each other, and as they did their best to manage all of these incredibly hard trials Taylor found himself lying awake Desperate for help. It was then that he decided to say a prayer, which was not something he does, and immediately after reaching out to God for help... Taylor looked up to see his wife Jana, who had not slept in weeks due to PTSD from the fire, sleeping peacefully. Taylor talks about the Gifts he received during these overwhelming trials as he talks about the gift of Gratitude. He shares his gratitude for his wonderful wife and her love that kept them all holding on together, and He shares his witness of God and how he has come to recognize that he is known by God, God listens to us, and that God cares about each one of us.
Although Taylor has struggled with his faith for years, his story is laced with the threads of faith that he knew in his most desperate and darkest hour he could reach out to the one who created us and he trusted that He would show up enough that in his most desperate moment he reached out. He shares a wonderful message about considering the Alternatives to any choices that we make. The Grass is not always greener to all choices and some of those choices look pretty wonderful in the initial thought.
Taylor, thank you for sharing your journey with us. I can't believe what your family has experienced this past year. Because of your resilience and faith to hang on and keep fighting, I am inspired to do the same with my struggles. If you would like to reach out to Taylor or his wife Jana, please do, they are eager to help others who may be in the midst of their own battles. taylorandjana@gmail.com
Thursday Jan 07, 2021
Thursday Jan 07, 2021
Todd Sylvester host of podcast "Beliefcast" is a dear friend of mine, hero, and genuinely one of the most caring people I know. Because of the pain he experienced, which almost lead to suicide, he is now on a mission to find people in their hopelessness and help them believe that they can change, and overcome any "giant" or addiction they are facing. This man's story will inspire you! And the Lemonade stand story.... WOW!!
Todd Sylvester shares his amazing journey from a Dark place lost in addiction to a soul on Fire now working full time to help others believe in themselves and gain the determination to believe in themselves and creating a great life. Todd currently works as an Addictive Voice Recognition Counselor at an addiction recovery treatment center for those struggling with with drug or alcohol addiction, where he provides one-on-one mentoring to both local and international clients. Described as having “a unique gift to develop trusting relationships quickly,"
Todd has guided hundreds to sobriety and other behavioral successes through the individualized support he offers to each client. His ability to “speak to a person’s soul and help them find their true motive to change” has been the key for inspiring others to make permanent lifestyle changes. Todd’s profound influence grew from his own personal experience — a journey from self-hatred and hopelessness to faith and recovery.
At a young age, Todd was exposed to drugs and alcohol and quickly became addicted. Years of rampant drug abuse lead to devastating failures and a conclusion that his young life had nowhere left to go. Change can come from the most unlikely of places. For Todd, that place was a neighborhood lemonade stand, when he made the spontaneous decision to become one little girl’s most generous customer. This simple act – and the positive reaction that came with it – provided Todd with a sense of hope that he had never felt before. Todd’s strengthening sense of purpose sparked a fervent determination to change his life and to prevent others from enduring the physical and emotional pain that had threatened his very existence. As he moved forward with newfound faith and a desire to serve others, Todd learned that the human soul – on fire – is more powerful than any addiction.
Today, Todd utilizes his firsthand fight against addiction to connect with fellow addicts on an authentic level and provide hope to thousands of teenagers, parents, and adults. His story was recently told through a popular YouTube clip titled “The Hope of God’s Light,” that received over 3 million views and has been translated into 3 languages. Todd has been married to his sweetheart for 23 years. They have four children and live a happy, busy life together. Check out Todd's Podcast found on all major podcast channels called,
Beliefcast: https://toddsylvesterinspires.com/beliefcast/
His personal Website can be found at address: https://toddsylvesterinspires.com/
Todd, God bless you in your efforts to change lives. You are a great man and a hero of mine. See you soon brother!
Tuesday Jan 05, 2021
Tuesday Jan 05, 2021
From the day we are born into this world we have many idea's, theories, teachings, and traditions forced upon us. We are not to be blamed for this, as we are all products of the environment we are born into, however, as we learn and grow, we are presented with opportunities to gain new information, truth, and insights that can cause us to question some of those former mentioned ideas to determine if they are actually right or wrong. I believe in Jesus Christ, He has rescued me when I had no business to be rescued, and as His disciple I look to Him as the perfect example for how to love others. That said, people who identify as LGBTQIA+ have been people I have stayed away from, thinking that avoiding would be the best way for me to "love" them, you see it didn't quite fit into "my beliefs"... However, something miraculous happened in my heart as I prayed to God to help me love ALL others more. I started to meet some of the most amazing people I have ever known, like Richard Ostler, Stacey Harkey, and George Deussen, who immediately challenged my beliefs about loving as Jesus does, without saying a word... They showed me in action what Jesus' love truly looks like, and Stacey's story will help you understand, like I know now, that the idea of loving as Jesus does means to love in such a way that we pursue ALL people unconditionally, no matter what, and we bring them to the table. Unconditional is key! Let Stacey's story sink into your heart and if you do not already love ALL unconditionally, challenge yourself to abandon old narratives placed in your mind by sources other than Jesus Himself, and love as He does.
Stacey Harkey, who some of you may know from his acting days on Studio C, shares his amazing story growing up a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving a Mission, attending school at the Church owned University BYU, and coming out as Gay.
The interview was particularly special due to Stacey's love and devotion to God throughout this entire experience. He talks about being younger and realizing there were things that were "different" about him than other boys, and how he took a part of himself that is very real and tried to lock it away in order to deflect some of the shame which caused him to question who he is.
After serving a faithful 2 year mission for his Church, he returned home to start college at BYU. Stacey talks about his experiences dating women, and although he really liked some of the women he dated, he never felt an attraction to them so it felt like he was wasting their time. He had always been attracted to Men but this was against everything he believed was right and that he was supposed to do, so he kept it hidden with everyone but God. He talks about taking his attraction to men to God and asking him to help and change it, but that never happened, and one day instead of asking God to change him, He asked God "Tell me what to do, and I will do whatever you want". He felt immediate peace and the sense that God loved him exactly how he is, and in fact created him to be just that... Himself. Stacey felt that God was saying to him "Why do you hate the way I made you?" and realized how arrogant he was being thinking that the perfect Creator (God), who doesn't make mistakes, somehow made a mistake on him." Trusting this answer to his prayers he finally was able to embrace his authentic self and gain the courage needed to talk to his religious leaders, friends, and family. He now feels more peace and freedom than he has ever felt. Stacey loves God, and I could feel his deep love for God throughout our conversation.
His journey is amazing and so needed as young people growing up in families where coming out as LGBTQ is not safe, and some are even ending their lives to suicide feeling ashamed. Stacey is an example to show that it's ok to be yourself, to want true love in your life, and have the courage to talk about who you are. Stacey is a hero to me, and has opened my eyes up quite a bit to the idea that loving the sinner and hating the sin, is a cheap valueless way of attempting to show acceptance to someone that is different than you. I learned from Stacey, in a much deeper way, that it is my actions surrounding my words that bring value and if I love all as God commands, then I need to love all regardless of their "sins" or differences of opinion/beliefs.
Thank you for your courage Stacey! May God continue to bless you on your journey my friend! Keep making us laugh, always! If you don't know Stacey's work on Studio C, I encourage you to check it out by searching on YouTube either using his name or Studio C. Studio C is family friendly clean humor that has had huge success. Keep your eye out for his upcoming projects under JK Studio's he and his friends recently started.
Monday Sep 21, 2020
Monday Sep 21, 2020
Jared Smith is an incredible guy that went through a traumatic accident without any warning while having a great time rafting the river as a Young Men's Leader.
He talks about the experience from not only his memory but the memory of others in his party that told him he was underwater for 10-12 minutes, without a pulse, and had to be brought back to life by CPR. The moment as you can imagine was complete chaos, so for the first few minutes his party did not even realize he was missing, then while collecting their gear someone noticed what they thought was a blue cooler, but to their utter surprise it was jared face down in the river. The group sprung to action, people who were not supposed to be there showed up to help, and Miracles happened.
Jared gives us the gift of believing in Miracles, remembering how much God loves every single one of us, and the realization that to God, each one of us had unlimited and eternal value. The near death experience also gave Jared a stronger witness that we can stop worrying about things that "don't matter", and we can start putting our thoughts and energy into things that are eternal and lasting.
He shares a tender experience about his last thoughts before nearly dying, being of his wife and 4 children and the sweet embrace he shared with his 2 year old little girl when he returned home from the hospital. Jared is one of the most Humble and Meek men that I have ever met, but don't let those words fool you... Jared is a Mighty Soul and anyone that is fortunate to cross paths with him is fortunate!
Monday Aug 24, 2020
Monday Aug 24, 2020
Jake is one of those guys you meet and immediately you recognize that there is something special about him. His smile and energy are contagious and you feel like he is your best friend after a few short minutes with him.
From the beginning of Jake's life "all odds were against him". His birth Mother and Father never married and separated before he was born. His mom was an alcoholic and Jake had to grow up fast, remembering many nights that he had to put her to bed. At 8 years old Jake watched his mother be handcuffed and hauled of to jail which left him feeling all alone in a big scary world. He went to live with his recovering Alcoholic Dad and Step Mom, and at first it was a stable home which Jake flourished in and got a taste a Happy Life.
In his Teenage years Jake's Step Mother committed Suicide without warning, which wrecked Jake because they became very close. Jake talks about how the community rallied around him at this point. He had friends reach out to him in love who helped him learn about God and his value as God's Son.
Faith entered Jake's life and as it did Doors opened for him to serve a two year Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which changed him. When he came home he had some "demons of the past" that he had to face.
Through the Power of Prayer and with his amazing wife, right by his side, he faced those demons head on and experienced a lot of growth as a result.
Jake is brilliant, and his life is absolutely inspiring! No matter how many times life knocks you down... Get Back Up and Never Quit. Put your Faith in God, Pray and ask for guidance, and He will take you by the hand and lead you to light, love, and joy!
Monday May 11, 2020
Monday May 11, 2020
Bailey Roquemore, blew us away. As a young 20 something fighting Glioblastoma Brain Cancer she is strong! I am in awe of the faith that she lives by and her focus on finding her "team" and surrounding herself with people who will fight this battle with her head on. Bailey's positivity and light are recognized by all she crosses paths with, which is mind blowing considering the type of Cancer she is fighting. Dan and I are proud Team Bailey Members and two of her biggest fans. Let her inspire you!
Friday May 01, 2020
Friday May 01, 2020
Mike discusses his path to finding delight in his life. After a childhood of unfulfilled dreams, ADHD and struggles in School, Depression, and the shame of not living up to unrealistic expectations, Mike’s life changed when he found God began to realize that service to others and getting outside of oneself provides peace and happiness, which lead him to a decision to serve a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Indiana. Although Mike’s mission was an incredible experience for him and he returned home “on fire” to continually serve others and live of service, Mike lost his footing, went through a divorce, began drinking and using drugs again, which lead to full blown addiction, and after years of this he found himself all alone in pure shame, guilt, and darkness. On the edge, contemplating suicide Mike had an experience through prayer that taught him his value to God and which gave him the courage to, rise up, face the life he had created. Mike decided to forgive himself and take ownership of his life and to carry no shame for past choices but rather to choose to see them as valuable experience that no allows him to serve others in their own dark places. He speaks about the “failures” of his life as his greatest blessings which now give him purpose, Shame as a dark lie, and rising each time we fall.