People Of Distinction

She survived fourteen years of abuse that began at age four. She stayed silent for decades, building two versions of herself just to make it through the day. Then she took her abuser to court and won a $1.1 billion verdict. Now Pamela Elaine Lockridge is showing survivors everywhere that healing isn't just possible, it's a path you can walk intentionally.

Pamela returns to the network to discuss her book, Abused from 4 to 18: A Survivor's Fast Track to Mental Wholeness, now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and womensurvivorsinbusiness.org. In this conversation, she opens up about growing up in...

What if the real problem isn't the screen, it's that we've forgotten we're allowed to turn it off? In this episode, we sit down with Michael Hartfield to discuss Unplug: 101 Ways to Pull Your Kids Away From Their Electronics — the powerful book written by his late wife, Wanda Kanten Hartfield. From crafts at the dining room table to building a family identity that doesn't bend to peer pressure, this conversation is a field guide for any parent ready to reclaim their home from the screen.

Grab the book at unplug101ways.com, on Amazon, or at Barnes & Noble.

Erectile dysfunction affects millions of men worldwide, yet the conversation around it is still stuck in silence and shame. In this episode, clinician and author Seema Tangri breaks down everything your doctor might not have time to tell you: from the surprising medical conditions hiding behind ED to the treatments that are changing lives right now. Her book, The Only Way is Up, is a self-help guide that replaces fear with clarity and stigma with hope. Whether you're navigating this yourself or supporting someone you love, this is the conversation that changes everything.

He moved his wife and kids to Alaska with no job, no money, and no plan,  just a word: obedience. Bishop Eugene McCrea sits down to unpack the faith-fueled leap that nearly broke his family and ultimately built his legacy, detailed in his new memoir The Journey of Obedience. This is a raw, real conversation about trusting God when the ground gives no guarantees. Get the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and let this story challenge what you'll do with your own calling.

What if a poet answered a dead man's verse with one of his own—across a full century? Martin Bidney did exactly that, translating Rilke's poems and writing a live poetic reply to each, from a panther's caged despair to monks finding meaning in a garden. This is a conversation that shouldn't be possible, happening anyway. Grab Martin's book, Rilke's Art of Metric Melody, Volume I, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at martinbidney.org.

At 5:30 AM, a toddler's newfound freedom from a crib quickly becomes an exhausted parent's worst nightmare. In this conversation, Diana Yacobi unpacks the spontaneous storytelling strategy she invented during a single phone call to rescue her daughter from these relentless early-morning wake-ups. In her book, Everyone Is Asleep but Me, she explains how a hastily improvised tale designed to keep a little boy in his junior bed evolved into a fully illustrated resource. Discover the specific narrative trick that finally broke her grandson's early-rising habit and how this accidental method might just be the secret to reclaiming your family's mornings.

What if death isn't the end, but a door you've been standing in front of your whole life? Author Hillary R. Carraway joins us to unpack her book Soul Existence, born from a spiritual awakening and forged through unimaginable tragedy: the loss of her son to a drunk driver. This raw, unfiltered conversation challenges organized religion, explores a direct and personal relationship with God, and dares listeners to seek the divine within themselves. Grab Soul Existence: The Extended Version on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and join the conversation in the comments.

Hear how one man tracked a stranger's stolen daughter using only a chance encounter, a chill down his spine, and a discarded piece of trash to find her. Retired police officer Edwin Tazelaar joins People of Distinction to unpack the true story behind Cathy! Cathy, Where Are You?, a real-life search for an abducted six-year-old that reads like a detective thriller and a spiritual reckoning all at once. From a random meeting at a stoplight to a reunion that changed lives forever, Edwin reveals the details that didn't make it into the book. Grab your copy today on Amazon and B...

He walked into a classroom nobody wanted: the dreaded fifth period. 28 years later, he wrote the definitive guide on shaping young minds. In this episode of People of Distinction, retired educator Melvin Wendell Gates opens up about the students who changed him, the burnout that almost broke him, and why he believes every child is a gift, no exceptions. From surviving COVID-era classrooms to a former student who still texts him on his birthday, this conversation is a raw tribute to the teachers we underappreciate the most. Pick up Melvin's memoir, Fifth Period, and join the conversation about the educators...

What if the American Dream has quietly become a lie sold to keep you compliant? Eagle Scout, teacher, and author MG Montpelier joins People of Distinction to expose 50 years of trickle-down economics, eroding civil liberties, and a rigged system designed to keep ordinary Americans "eternally subjugated." From the origins of corporate political power in 1971 to the poetry he wrote to capture America's poverty, MG makes the case that freedom is disappearing in plain sight and that every vote is the only remedy left. This is not a comfortable conversation, but it's one you need to hear.

More people die by suicide in U.S. jails than from any other cause and it's happening in the first 72 hours after arrest. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Anasseril Daniel, who has reviewed over 200 correctional suicide cases in 25 years, exposes how solitary confinement, inadequate training, and a profit-driven prison system are quietly costing lives. He breaks down exactly what jails get wrong and the concrete policy changes that could save them. Grab his book When No One Is Watching at prisonsuicideexpert.org and join the conversation the system doesn't want you to have.

What if the biggest threat to your organization isn't the crisis you see coming, but the one you can't? Derek M. Stevens—consultant, author, and former programmer—joins People of Distinction to unpack Top Gun Governance, a radical rethink of leadership built on military-grade situational awareness. Drawing lessons from the 2008 financial crash, COVID, and fighter squadron doctrine, Derek explains why "gradual, then sudden" collapse is the pattern every leader must learn to spot before it's too late. This conversation will change how you think about risk, adaptation, and what it really means to lead in an unpredictable world.

At 15 years old, Jan Rustad snuck onto a freighter to Norway and gave his life to Jesus in a narrow bunk somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic. Decades later, after facing cancer, COVID, and back surgery, he brings his story full circle with his new book, "Lessons on Jesus: Who Is This Man Jesus Christ?" In this episode, Jan sits down to unpack the historical, personal, and spiritual case for the most polarizing figure in history. If you've ever wondered who Jesus really was beneath 2,000 years of tradition, this conversation is for you.

After nearly five decades serving in the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Defense, Keith Stelzer set out to answer one question: what does he actually believe? What started as a personal journal after a 2023 revival conference became What I Believe—a book that traces his walk from Operation Desert Storm's "Victory Division" to a deeper understanding of Christ's sacrifice. In this conversation, Keith opens up about the three callings God places on every believer, the tragic story behind his signature word "victory," and why you don't need a seminary degree to know your faith. 

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She says she's from heaven—literally. Dr. Nantume Sovereign opens up about growing up in Uganda, the family breakdown that reshaped her faith, and how a quiet, "reserved" girl became a woman convinced God had marked her for something bigger. In this conversation, she unpacks the heart behind her new book, God Sent: Living Under Divine Anointing, and reveals the one verse, buried on page 29, that she says changes how you see your own purpose. If you've ever felt an unexplainable pull toward something greater, this episode is your sign.

Get the book: Amazon & Barnes & Noble

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She packed a single suitcase at 17, boarded a plane to the Netherlands alone, and came back a completely different person Now, 50 years later, Margot Stornelli has turned that journey into a memoir the whole world needs to read. In this episode of People of Distinction, Margot unpacks the real story behind The Big Red Suitcase — from changing host families mid-year as a teenager 5,000 miles from home, to building lifelong friendships across three countries, to the powerful truth that home isn't a dot on the map. If you've ever felt the pull of something bigger, this conversation will light a fire un...

What if a single pair of hands could save lives, coach champions, heal souls, and warn a generation about the collapse of civilization? Vietnam veteran, rehabilitation director, soccer coach, and climate researcher Robert J. Ackerman returns to People of Distinction to unpack his profound new book I Heal You With My Hands — a decades-long reckoning with a divine message he received in 1969 that he's only now fully understood. From the soccer field to the sixth great extinction event, Robert's story will challenge the way you see God, humanity, and the fragile world we share. 

Get your copy now at...

What happens when a diagnosis lands you in a world you never asked to enter and no one around you knows what to say? Tricia Ann Roloff, author of Navigating Through a Strange Land, joins People of Distinction to share how a pituitary tumor diagnosis led her to create a one-of-a-kind resource that weaves together dozens of real patient stories into a lifeline for brain tumor patients and their families. From navigating hospitals and neuropsychologists to what family members should actually say (hint: stop with the platitudes), this conversation is raw, practical, and deeply human.

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He flew combat missions over Vietnam, got spit on when he came home, and didn't speak about it for decades—until God gave him a reason to. Colonel David O. Sheiding returns to People of Distinction to share Wings of Faith, a raw and riveting memoir that takes you from the cockpit of a warplane to the quiet courage it takes to survive what war does to a man's soul. This isn't just a soldier's story—it's a love story, a faith story, and a masterclass in resilience that will meet you exactly where you are. 

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A Holocaust survivor's son who escaped communist Hungary, swam across a river to freedom, and became a decorated physician — now he's writing murder mysteries. Dr. Andrew I. Schafer joins us to discuss The Panacea Doctor: The Mysterious Disappearance of a Beloved Physician, a gripping historical fiction thriller rooted in a real unidentified body that washed ashore in Florida decades ago. From the halls of Harvard and Penn Medicine to the small-town panhandle of Florida, this story has twists you won't see coming. 

Grab your copy now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

What if 40 years of hard-won career wisdom could be absorbed in the time it takes to drink your morning coffee? Author and systems engineer Michael Alan Bell joins us to break down his book 40/40: 40 Years of Career and Life Advice in 40 Minutes — a razor-sharp guide built for busy professionals who are done wasting time on fluff. From leading without brute force to creating "islands of tranquility" in a demanding career, this conversation is packed with no-nonsense advice that hits no matter where you are in your journey. 

Grab your copy at beta4helps.com or on Amazon and Bar...

He carried the weight of Vietnam for over 50 years and then he wrote it all down. In this episode of People of Distinction, Vietnam Marine veteran, Robert Janicki, opens up about his 13 months on the front lines with the 3rd Marines, surviving the Tet Offensive, and the survivor's guilt that never left him. Looking Back isn't just a war memoir — it's a raw, unfiltered account of what it costs to answer your country's call, and what it takes to live with that answer for the rest of your life. 

Grab your copy at robertjanickilookingback.com or on Amazon and...

He never lost a battle, was mourned by 10,000 people including a sitting U.S. president and today, almost no one knows his name. In this episode, author David Stinebeck joins us to unpack the deliberately buried story of Civil War General George Henry Thomas, a Virginian who chose the Union over his own family, and whose extraordinary leadership was systematically erased by the very men who feared his legacy. This isn't just a history lesson, it's a mirror held up to the fractured moment we're living in right now, and a powerful reminder that the people brave enough to stand...

What happens when a dream becomes a message the world desperately needs to hear? Vietnam veteran and postal worker Keith Scott joins People of Distinction to share the story behind his novel A Time and Place for Healing — a beautifully simple tale about an unlikely connection that quietly challenges everything we think we know about community, division, and the quiet power of showing up for someone else.

She was six years old, hiding under a table in fear and decades later, she would hold the very woman who caused that fear as she took her final breath. Leah Beth's memoir How God Breathed Life Into Me is a raw, unflinching account of growing up in an Amish Mennonite home marked by rejection, rage, and silence and the long, unlikely road to genuine forgiveness. This conversation will challenge you to examine the walls you've built, the grudges you've nursed, and whether you're ready to let God into the parts of your heart you swore you'd never open.
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What if the miracle you've been waiting for was never a moment, but a community? In this episode of People of Distinction, author Cleous G. Young takes us from a boyhood dream of becoming the next Pelé in Jamaica to a divine writing journey that produced The Mountain of Miracles, a story about a grandfather, a grandson, and a hidden village built on something the world is desperately running short on: respect. This conversation goes far deeper than a book review; it's a wake-up call about greed, division, and what we owe each other as neighbors, parents, and human beings.

What if one simple act of kindness could change everything? In this episode of People of Distinction, we sit down with author John W. Sangwin to explore Johnny's World: The Series in One; a heartfelt, coming-of-age story about friendship, belonging, and the quiet power of showing up for someone who feels like an outsider. From John's unexpected journey into writing to the timeless lessons woven through TNT, Johnny, and the gang, this conversation will have you reflecting on the people who shaped you and the person you could be for someone else.

Pick up your copy on Amazon...

She was born unable to breathe and for nine years, no one knew why. Seena Rothrock sits down to share her memoir I Survived: Bilateral Choanal Atresia, an unflinching account of medical neglect, growing up deaf in a hearing world, and the one curious doctor who finally changed everything. Her story isn't just about survival, it's a call for all of us to be better witnesses to the quiet battles happening around us.

Grab your copy on Amazon and stay tuned for her upcoming sequel, I Survived: Chaotic Driveway.

What if the deepest wounds of war aren't in your head, but in your soul? Retired Army Chaplain Wayne A. Keast spent decades watching soldiers medicated into silence, and he discovered that the answer to PTSD isn't in a pill bottle, it's in ancient scripture. In this episode, Wayne breaks down the "invisible wound" that the medical community keeps missing, and why Biblical Cures for the Wounded Spirit is a lifeline not just for veterans, but for every loved one trying to carry the weight alongside them.

Get your copy on Amazon and Barnes & Noble now.

What happens when a brand-new dinosaur moves into a magical paradise of unicorns and decides to ruin everyone's fun? In this episode, we sit down with Connie Clanton, author of Trouble Comes to Bagel Mountain to explore the chaotic arrival of Sam the dinosaur and the toll his bullying takes on his new neighbors. But when Sam pushes things too far and gets hurt, he receives a shocking lesson in unexpected kindness from the very peers he tormented. Listen in to hear how this heartwarming story tackles tough playground dynamics, empathy, and the incredible power of a second chance!

How do you rebuild your reality when a high-speed police chase crashes into your world and shatters everything you know? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Kaitlyn Daly, author of In the Blink of an Eye to hear the harrowing story of their near-fatal 2019 collision and the grueling journey of trauma recovery that followed. Sharing raw insights from her darkest moments, she offers a lifeline of hope for anyone navigating the complex labyrinth of physical and emotional healing. Tune in for an inspiring conversation packed with practical coping mechanisms that will empower you to overcome the unthinkable and...

Have you ever been done dirty, left deeply hurt, or forced to say a painful goodbye? We dive into the new book, Quotes for the Mentality Notes for the Reality, by Antonia Harris, to untangle life's messiest situations and emotional plot twists. Hit play to discover how reading just one quote a day can completely transform the way you navigate the hard notes of your reality.

What happens when ambition quietly becomes obsession and costs you everything? In this episode, we sit down with Michael Maxon (aka Dr. Johnny Delirious), author of The Need for Greed: Dracula's Curse, a memoir that draws haunting parallels between his own rise and collapse, the fall of the Roman Empire, and the state of America today. From a national magazine empire to devastating personal loss, Michael shares a raw formula for recognizing and escaping the curse before it consumes you.

Grab your copy at drjohnny.net, and don't sleep on this one.

She survived molestation, addiction, and a family torn apart by dysfunction and then she wrote every word of it down so you wouldn't have to face yours alone. Marlene Essence Dotts joins People of Distinction to discuss her raw, redemptive memoir Coming Out of the Woods. A book that wasn't written for fame, but to save lives. Eight years sober and still showing up for others, Marlene's story is proof that clarity isn't gifted, it's carved out of the very things meant to destroy you. 

Get your copy at dorothycelestinbooks.com or wherever books are sold.

Step right up to the deadliest show on earth, where the price of admission might just cost you your humanity! In this episode, author Kristopher McClendon takes us inside the twisted world of his novel Freak Show, where the sinister Shadow Carnival is abducting citizens and transforming them into super-powered, chaotic monsters. Listen in to discover how one teenager faces down a circus of nightmares in this thrilling conversation about dark fantasy, supernatural stakes, and unlikely heroes!

What if being the kid who didn't fit in was never the problem, it was always the point? Author Lonnie Beerman joins us to discuss Tears of the Phoenix, a coming-of-age novel that readers are calling a lifeline for men, boys, and the women who love them; exploring friendship as survival, the quiet brutality of boyhood, and why the things that nearly broke us are often what make us whole. Beerman unpacks the emotional blueprint behind the book, the one rule about manhood he burned to the ground, and why now is exactly the right time for this story.
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What happens when a retired oncologist, trained across three continents, fluent in healing, turns her life's grief and wonder into poetry? Dr. Maya Mitra Das returns to People of Distinction to share Rhythms Primeval, a collection that maps the fault lines between loneliness and love, despair and transcendence, the cosmos and the human heart. If you've ever needed a reminder to rise above and move forward, this episode is for you.

Get Rhythms Primeval + her other books: drmayamitradas.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

What happens when a development economist, lifelong social justice advocate, and grandmother of four decides she's had enough and writes the progressive answer to Project 2025? Jacqueline Brux joins People of Distinction to break down her brand-new book Project 2026: A Mandate for Leadership on the Progressive Promise. A raw, week-by-week account of surviving Trump's second term and a bold policy blueprint for what comes next. From the 45 million people facing starvation due to the Iran war's ripple effects, to the single-payer healthcare math both parties refuse to touch, this conversation goes places most podcasts won't.

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For decades, the western world has sensationalized Filipino psychic surgery and mediumship, but what is the true story behind these profound indigenous practices? In this eye-opening episode, researcher Scott Matthew Taubold dives into his groundbreaking work, The System of Healing Used by the Filipino Espiritistas, revealing the authentic truth of this system straight from the healers' own cultural perspective. Stripping away the biases of skeptical parapsychologists and western doctors, Taubold explores the deep, fascinating connection between human consciousness, illness, and alternative medicine. Tune in to uncover the essential principles of this unique healing model and discover what the Espiritistas can...

What happens when a casual college séance turns into a terrifying brush with demonic forces and undeniable premonitions of your own death? In this gripping episode, Kent Lyle Hutchinson shares the harrowing true story behind his deeply personal book, Good People Don't Go To Heaven: Only Saved People Do. Journey back to a 1970s fraternity house where dangerous dabbling in witchcraft pushed Kent to absolute rock bottom, ultimately leading to a miraculous, life-saving encounter with Jesus Christ in a remote Indiana cornfield. Listen in to hear a raw, unforgettable testimony of radical redemption that proves why simply being "good" is...