Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and our highlighter series is designed to give us an opportunity to go deeper into their stories with to goal of understanding them, their thought process, how their values formed and the foundations of their stories. Check out some incredible folks below – many of whom you may have read about already and a few new names as well.
Kayla Tucker Adams
I am walking in my calling in my church, family, community, and career. I am multi-dimensional and love what God has called me to do. I love what I do and people tell me all the time that it shows. I am grateful. Read more>>
Chandler Tomayko
I am tap dancing, two-stepping, booty-shaking my way to Heard House. Heard House is a cocktail conference I have built where anyone is welcome, but it focuses on hospitality voices that are not always highlighted. It is the cocktail conference that seasoned bartenders, kitchen dish washers, or even spirit enthusiasts can attend and find value. Read more>>
Crystal Jimenez
I am walking a path. That is a deep, personal question. For me, I’m on a journey. My journey is learning how to consistently walk with the Lord and trust Him in all things, good and bad. I am human and not perfect, but through Jesus’ death and resurrection, and by God’s grace and mercy, I know I can call on Him anytime. Read more>>
FAM Andy Pham
Absolutely. This past year has been filled with moments that made me both laugh and feel incredibly proud. The biggest one was marrying my beautiful wife. We somehow managed to wrap up our family photos in about twenty minutes flat, so we could actually be present at our own wedding. Read more>>
Judge 2Heavy
We BACK At It Like A BAD Habit’ We just leveled up. The Rush It or Flush It Industry Panel was a total hit, featuring a lineup of artists who delivered show-stopping performances. Above all, the BIG RIP Tribute made the night legendary—emotional, informative, and truly epic. Tricoastal Radio is locked in for 2026. The future starts now. Read more>>
Brandy martin
A recent moment that made me feel proud was realizing how much I’ve grown in my ability to juggle multiple responsibilities without losing sight of my purpose. I’ve been hosting events I truly care about, supporting my family and prioritizing my own wellness at the same time. Read more>>
Erykah Massey
Growing up, I didn’t feel like I could relate to my peers. I was a nerd. I had braces, wore glasses, and was extremely eccentric and artistic. I was everything that most people would not consider – cool. Not only that, I grew up in a very religious household so the way I dressed made me stand out even more. Read more>>
Katelin Schebler
Be patient and trust that God has a plan for you as long as you allow him to be the guide. Read more>>
Zack Morris
I would tell my younger self not to be afraid to ask questions—and not to mistake silence for safety. For a long time, I hesitated to speak up or reach out, assuming the answer would automatically be no before ever giving someone the chance to say yes. Looking back, I see how much opportunity lives on the other side of a simple question. Read more>>
Jasmine Ohen
My faith. Strip me of everything—my name, roles, or possessions—and what will remain is my faith in Jesus. Period. Read more>>
Pascale Sylvain
100%. The version people see is the real me. I’m extremely vulnerable on social media — I share the wins, the struggles, and everything in between. I don’t believe in showing a polished highlight reel. What you see is what you get, and that honesty is what truly connects people to my story. Read more>>
Erika Leigh Nobles
Of course, Im human, like falling asleep in the porta potty, which was the best sleep ever. One day after throwing up in the porta potty, I looked at my phone and cried. I was really low and didn’t understand why my life had to be this way. Read more>>
Matthew Conley
This is an easy question. In 2023, my first year of teaching at the Academy of Dallas, I taught 4th grade. I was there 4th, 4th grade teacher by the time January had started, and they were over it by then with teachers. I remember one day, the wrote Mr. Read more>>
Jennifer Cerda
Yes, this summer of 2025. I was going through a lot, and I don’t think anyone really knows this or ever will unless you’re reading this. In August, I was in a really bad situation where I almost lost everything. I was brutally attacked and assaulted, sprained my shoulder, and hurt myself really bad! Read more>>
Maria Lopez
Yes, there were moments when giving up felt like the easier option. But those moments became turning points. I realized that everything I had overcome had prepared me to build something bigger than myself. Instead of stopping, I chose to trust my vision, my skills, and my resilience. That decision is what ultimately led to the creation of GoContract. Read more>>
Cyerrah Savage
One of the biggest misconceptions in my industry is that anyone can watch TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook tutorials and instantly know how to do makeup on themselves or others. That’s simply not true. Makeup requires dedication, practice, and a deep understanding of the products, brushes, and techniques—and most importantly, the why behind them. Read more>>
Shreya Talwar
What I’m being called to do right now is mentor others—especially students who are earlier in their journey than I was. For a long time, I struggled with imposter syndrome, even when things were objectively going well. When people asked how I built something or achieved a milestone, I would brush it off as luck or timing. Read more>>
Lance Bennett
I am being called to lead publicly and unapologetically—to claim the Institute not simply as a set of programs, but as a moral and intellectual project rooted in the common good. Earlier in my journey, I was hesitant to step fully into that role. Read more>>
Jaughn Meshack
The Series. Elemental Rounds started as just a concept, beginning with just one music video it has now matured into an ongoing Web Series along with the Brand. Originated as a showcase of weaponry expertise, gradually mixing in different elemental effects, abilities, and users. Read more>>
Samantha Ritz
Suffering taught me that discipline without alignment leads to burnout, and that success, especially early success, can hide that truth for a long time. There were seasons where I was doing everything “right”: achieving, producing, showing up, checking boxes. From the outside, it looked like success. Internally, it felt heavy. Read more>>
Canon Herring
Success is rewarding but it’s also enabling without a strong foundation. Suffering teaches us what it means to persevere through pain in order to reach a goal. I believe that to be successful means to suffer through failure. A reward is sweeter after hard work. I have struggled with an autoimmune disease for over 10 years. Read more>>
Chad Windham
When I was a kid, I was sure I could fly — or at least move things with my mind. Spoiler: I couldn’t. In a weird way, I still kind of chase that feeling. These days, it just shows up through the creative process — one step, one frame, one idea at a time. It’s a lot like training for a long race. Read more>>
Jen Sugermeyer
When I was younger, I believed I was too tall. At 6’1′, I stood out in a world built for average. People pointed it out, made jokes, and finding pants long enough felt impossible. I learned early to see my height as something to manage or hide, as if being different was a problem to solve. Read more>>
Danielle Mio Sogno
I believe everyone experiences impostor syndrome to some degree. I can’t prove it, and many people likely wouldn’t even admit it to themselves. Still, I suspect it’s far more prevalent than we realize—and that no one is entirely immune. I came to this conclusion in grad school. Read more>>
Yvonne Saldivar
One of the biggest misconceptions about my business is that an officiant is just there to sign the license and say a few words. In reality, what we do goes far beyond that moment. We are storytellers, cultural guides, and emotional anchors on one of the most important days of a couple’s life. Read more>>
Karyl Sands
That it can actually get quicker and better results than what people’s doctors say as they don’t know anything about recovery or the technology I use Read more>>
Ta’Nya Thurmond
I used to struggle with the fear of not being liked. That people-pleasing mindset made me shrink myself and led to identity issues. As I’ve grown, I realized that no matter how good your heart is, someone will still misunderstand you — and I’ve learned to accept that. Read more>>
Asmamr AA
Before facing major challenges, I had started to really stand on my own—Tiny Tea Party was growing, and my customers loved and trusted my work. Then COVID hit, pausing everything. As I began to recover and get back on track, I had to undergo major eye surgery, which took about a year of recovery and rebuilding everything from scratch. Read more>>
Ali Hallock
The defining wounds of my life have been the moments that shattered the version of myself I thought I had to be… the strong one, the caretaker, the girl who never broke, never needed help, never let her pain spill into anyone else’s world. Read more>>
Ashley Renee
Lately outside of work the thing that has been bringing the most joy has been family, specifically my niece(8) and nephew (12). They keep me on my toes, current, trendy, and constantly filling me up with love and laughter. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Read more>>
