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.
Beverly Biehl
I really think I am now. In the past, I was afraid of being seen as ‘weird’ or ‘too woo-woo’, but the reality is that I AM weird and woo-woo! If I don’t embrace and support the systems that have served me so well, how could I possibly expect others to be confident in sharing such an intimate experience with me? Read more>>
Darrin Kobetich
Obviously I was born into this. I never do what I’m told. Read more>>
Setara Monzon
I’ve always been wandering, I was born a daydreamer. The idea that there’s a certain path to what I want in life sounds too strict. Life has many outcomes. I am the artist, creator, designer I am today because I allow myself to wander. I recently heard the term “the art of noticing”, I feel like that speaks for how I live my life. Read more>>
TooBrightSHINE
I’ve been wandering all my life. I’m finally at a point where I have direction and I found myself. I no longer have any limits. Read more>>
Durant Searcy
Yes! Actually, a few recent moments have made me laugh, cry and feel proud. I had the opportunity to collaborate with a brand called SKNMUSE, which has since closed, but we experienced some success together. At one point, several of their items even sold out, which was really exciting. Read more>>
Gandhi Joseph
The fear that’s held me back the most has been the fear of being misunderstood. As an artist, I’ve always expressed myself through imagery and emotion more than words, and there were times I worried that people wouldn’t truly see what I was trying to say through my art. That fear made me hesitant to share certain pieces or step fully into my purpose. Read more>>
Christie Joy
My uncle was an accomplished artist He studied art and in my eyes was the best! As a young girl watching him sketch us at the dinner table, I would think, I would love to have his talent. Why are some people born to have such talents and others not? He encouraged us but I knew this was not in my future. Read more>>
Cynthia Appiah
What makes me lose track of time and find myself again is music. Music is my soulmate. I love how the rhythms move through my body and the emotions that wash over me when I listen. The lyrics of songs resonate deeply with me, brightening my day and providing comfort and inspiration. Read more>>
Courtney Paige
I always lose track of time when I’m at the barn with my horses. It’s my peace. My serenity. The one thing that always brings me back to a grounded place, especially when dealing with the chaos of filmmaking. Read more>>
Haggai Goudeau
A belief and project I’ve fully committed to is opening my first storefront building and eventually expanding into three locations. My ultimate goal is to build generational wealth not just for myself, but for my family and future generations. There’s no specific timeline for that, because success doesn’t happen overnight. Read more>>
Hiroto Ochiai
We’re committed to a long-term vision that goes beyond simply running a restaurant — we want to create a bridge that connects Japanese culture and craftsmanship with the world. Through our work in the restaurant industry, we hope to introduce more people to the beauty, depth, and creativity of Japan. Take sake, for example. Read more>>
Saad Ayub
I would choose integrity above intelligence or energy. Without integrity, both intelligence and energy can easily be misdirected. A brilliant mind without honesty can manipulate facts or exploit others. Boundless energy without moral grounding can drive harmful or reckless actions. In contrast, integrity acts as the compass that ensures intelligence is applied to solve meaningful problems and energy is directed toward productive, ethical goals. Read more>>
Charlene Williams
I give my best every single day, whether I’m being a mom and running my household or being a business owner. It’s not about getting praise.I don’t need that. What matters to me is the self validation that I know I’m giving my all, raising my kids well, taking care of my home, and putting my heart into my business. That’s what truly feels rewarding. Read more>>
Kimberly Richardson
I traveled for so many years thinking it would be more fulfilling than Royse City. I was young, I still am, and I figured it would be different. And yes, it was different. The cultures, the landscapes, cities, people, languages, religions and I mean, almost everything. So why is it the same? What was I consistently missing? Read more>>
JT Barnett
Experience teaches you the difference. I’ve lived through multiple eras of disruption; from tape and analog to digital workflows, and from traditional TV syndication to the rise of streaming. I watched giants like Blockbuster ignore the signals while Netflix built an empire on understanding the shift. For me, a fad burns bright but fades fast; a foundational shift quietly redefines the entire ecosystem. Read more>>
Elena Sanchez
I would stop spending time on physical things and focus on spending as much time with my family and making sure to leave the world a better place than I found it. Read more>>
Michelle Palacios
If I retired tomorrow, I think my clients would miss having a space where they don’t have to be “on.” So many of the people I work with are used to being the strong one, the problem-solver, the person everyone relies on. In our sessions, they finally get to exhale — to stop holding everything together and start figuring out what they actually need. Read more>>
Alberto Garcia
Me haha ! Read more>>
Rhonda Willingham
What breaks the bonds is pain. It’s when you get tired… tired of trying, tired of pretending, tired of being hurt. When you’ve had enough. Addiction isolates you — it convinces you that you’re alone, that no one cares, and that you’re too far gone to be reached. Read more>>
Sheila Bunton
A bond or bondage can only be broken when an individual finds the courage to confront what has them bound. Acknowledgment is the first and most powerful step, because it positions a person to face the truth and begin the healing process. It is through this process that one moves toward genuine freedom from oppression, shame, and the limitations that once held them captive. Read more>>
Michael W. Green
I would say Time will break the bond depending on your mindset but your JOURNEY Experiences will restore you when time breaks you. Read more>>
Shantaé Morgan
What breaks the bonds between people, more often than not, is fear—fear of difference, fear of vulnerability, fear of losing control. When we stop seeing each other as full human beings and start seeing each other as categories or opinions, that’s when connection fractures. Read more>>
Shaundale Rénā
Wow! This is such a heavy but necessary question. In a time when self-care is considered the norm, these are the kinds of conversations we need to have. I’d say what breaks the bonds between people, from personal experience, is dishonesty. Deception is one of those things you can’t come back from with me; it hinders all progress, once exposed. Read more>>
Hunter Rutledge
A lot of times people assume that running a photography business is all fun and creativity — and while it truly is rewarding, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Just like any other small business, we experience ups and downs, and lately, it’s been tougher than ever. Read more>>
Nancy Peham
Even though the name of my job, or calling, is “professional organizer”, most of my new and potential clients’ first question when they call me is “what exactly do you do?” It’s a great question, because organizing and its related tasks can encompass so many things. Read more>>
Karter Ware
Sometimes people don’t realize how much I can do. I don’t just cook, I explore new snacks and restaurants, create my own spice blends, and teach others how to make food too. I want to visit schools and show students, especially boys, that cooking is a life skill, not just something for girls or grown-ups. It’s creative, powerful, and something we all need. Read more>>
Melissa Dieterich
I think the most thing misunderstood thing about being a photographer is thinking all we do is point the camera and click. There’s definitely a lot more to it than that. Especially being a maternity and newborn photographer. I’ve spent many hours learning how to pose both moms to be and newborn babies. That is flattering and safe. Read more>>
Robbyn Evette
I think others struggle with depression but are ashamed and not comfortable to talk about it! There are some households that sweep the talk about depression under the family living room rug. Being shameful that it would make the family look bad. Some people also get made fun of or the talk of the family, even the community. Read more>>
Keyring
I think most folks will misunderstand my departure from drag to music. Arguably, as of this point in time, I have had so much more commercial success as a drag artist than I’ve had as an independent musician. I started injecting estrogen in July of 2020 in Brooklyn (I remember my friend did the shot in my ass and I passed out lol). Read more>>
Michaela Longoria
That working in this field, essentially serving others, is beneath them or below. It’s not, and it’s an act of love and an essential component of society. Acts of service are valid in so many cultures and religions, which makes it valid and intricate to how people function. Giving to others is important, and I wish more people would want to give and serve. Read more>>
Drako Tyshawn
Recently the social media world split over a conversation pertaining to how one interprets or receives the religious belief of Jesus Christ and its connection to God. The controversy lived in people disagreeing with a rapper who stated “We have been taught to praise our brother more than we worship our father” and honestly I agreed. Read more>>
Laura Britton
My days start and end with unconditional furry Love. I wake up and feed my 19 cats and making sure that my 16 year old elderly cat eats enough of his special food. I feed my 3 dogs. While everyone eats I get ready for work as an industrial mechanic. I make sure I get a furry hug or boops from everyone before I leave. Read more>>
Daryl Mayfield
I wake up around 3:00am to record audiobooks or audition for new voiceover opportunities. I stop around 6:00am to help my wife get our 3 kids ready for school. I leave at 8:00am to work my full time day job as and electrical engineer, depending on crunchyroll’s schedule, I’ll go in any time of the day to record for an anime Read more>>
Don Longo
In my retirement, I fill my days working in my studio in our backyard for hours at a time, creating artwork. I love painting and creating new compositions from abstraction to realism. Read more>>
