Never Ever Give Up Hope

In Nazi-occupied Amsterdam during World War II, young Hendrika de Vries witnessed extraordinary courage. Her family hid a Jewish child in their home, and she watched her mother join the Dutch Resistance and withstand interrogation at gunpoint after the child was discovered and taken away. These experiences would shape a lifetime devoted to resilience, hope, and helping others find their strength. Hendrika's remarkable journey spans continents and generations. From her childhood in wartime Holland to her teenage years as an immigrant and champion swimmer in 1950s Australia, and later as a young wife and mother in the turbulent United States of the 1960s, her life story is one of perseverance, adaptation, and purpose. As a young swimming instructor in Australia, Hendrika experienced a defining moment when she helped a boy whose legs had been paralyzed by polio learn to trust his upper body and move through the water. Watching him discover his own strength revealed a calling that would eventually lead her to become a family therapist in the United States. Today, Hendrika de Vries is a retired family therapist, teacher, and writer with a background in theology and depth psychology. She is the author of two memoirs, including one about a little Dutch girl who journeys from the shadows of war to a new life in Australia, confronting loss, shattered dreams, and inner struggles before discovering her unique path forward. Through her writing and speaking, Hendrika inspires audiences with a powerful message: even in the darkest times, hope and possibility remain. She believes that by sharing our stories, we become witnesses to resilience and agents of change. Her life and work remind us that courage, compassion, and the human spirit can endure—and flourish—against all odds. GET YOUR COPY HERE If you believe in the power of dreams and intentions, this inspirational coming-of-age memoir, set in 1950s Australia, where an immigrant girl swimmer turns challenges and disappointments into opportunities for success, is for you. Henny was just a little girl when she experienced brutal violence and hunger in WWII Amsterdam, but she is now a teenage immigrant swimmer in 1950s Australia, where she must learn to turn challenges into success. She is smart, she swims fast, and she has definite opinions about the kind of woman she intends to be. She hears the timeless Land speak and sees the Southern Cross as a beacon when she walks in the bush with her father. She enjoys swimming star fame and championship victories and turns to the pool in her search to belong, to face fears and dashed hopes, until at every turn she sees more clearly her unique path ahead. GET YOUR COPY HERE When a Toy Dog Became a Wolf and the Moon Broke Curfew Born in the Netherlands at a time when girls are to be housewives and mothers and nothing else, Hendrika de Vries is a "daddy's girl" until her father is deported from Nazi-occupied Amsterdam to a POW camp in Germany and her mother joins the Resistance. In the aftermath of her father's departure, Hendrika watches as freedoms formerly taken for granted are eroded with escalating brutality by men with swastika armbands who aim to exterminate those they deem "inferior" and those who do not obey. As time goes on, Hendrika absorbs her mother's strength and faith, and learns about moral choice and forced silence. She sees her hidden Jewish "stepsister" betrayed, and her mother interrogated at gunpoint. She and her mother suffer near starvation, and they narrowly escape death on the day of liberation. But they survive it all—and through these harrowing experiences, Hendrika discovers the woman she wants to become. Get in Touch with Hendrika Website Facebook

At 16, after seven years of isolation, pain and physical and emotional abuse Christine Sadry reached a breaking point. She was battered, bruised, and could no longer see a way forward. In that moment of deep despair, she attempted to take her life. As she was slipping into unconsciousness, something deep within her stirred — a spark of life that refused to go out. She called a friend just to thank her for her friendship. Her friend heard something in Christine's voice and sensed something was wrong. That phone call saved her life. And it also became a turning point. That moment of hopelessness became the beginning of her strength. Christine Sadry was born in Poland, behind the Iron Curtain, and was adopted in 1964 by a Polish American couple living in the United States. After graduating from West Catholic Girls High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she worked at the United States Social Security Administration from 1973 to 1979. She started her 31-year career with the United Nations in 1979, working on international conferences. Later, she began working with the United Nations peacekeeping missions in Angola, Mozambique, former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 13 Years Lost was selected as a finalist for the Independent Book Publishers Award! The ceremony in St. Paul, Minnesota, was a beautiful celebration of literary voices and creative spirits. Grab your copy NOW Christine had a deep need to give voice to her story that was buried for so long to help others who have endured pain in silence. She wanted to show that even in the face of abandonment, trauma, and isolation, it is possible to heal, to rise and to live a life with hope and meaning. Standing alone in the baggage claim of JFK International Airport, nine-year-old Christine Sario anxiously awaited the arrival of her new parents. After the untimely death of her beloved mother and the abandonment by her father, Christine was sent by her grandmother to the United States and the hope of a better future. Her resilience led her to New York City, where she started over with her daughter, Dana. There, she will begin a remarkable, exciting career at the United Nations. This is the extraordinary story of a Polish immigrant who overcame unthinkable challenges and embraced the American dream. Follow Christine as she defies the odds, travels the world, is blessed by the Pope, and finds true love. C

David Ask states boldly that everything rises and falls on men leading well. When men fail to lead—or to love well—everyone loses. But when men lead with courage, nobility, and kindness, everyone wins. David Ask is an entrepreneur with products in over 3700 retail stores, including giants like The Home Depot and Lowe's. David collaborates closely with Dr. Andy Garrett as the Lead Coach for the transformative True North Resiliency program. David believes that understanding who you are on a very granular level is the key to understanding why you do what you do. "Never start with WHY; start with WHO." Today, David is going to share his story: a 15-year struggle of spinning his wheels and feeling disillusioned about purpose and joy. Many of you will relate to and appreciate his story of success. Tune in to The Ask Experience The Ask Experience is a bold, honest, and deeply personal podcast for people who refuse to live small, distracted, or disconnected. Hosted by David Ask - entrepreneur, vocalist, and author of the upcoming book "The Guardians of Grit" - this show goes straight to the heart of what it means to truly know WHO'S you are and who you are and then have the courage to live from that place every single day.

Lori Pappas plodded with a slow, heavy pace against resistance in her youth. Her parents had her committed when she was 16 years old because they could not control her. She was rebellious, and her mother, a religious fanatic, was convinced she was possessed by the devil. While there, she heard rumors that she was scheduled for shock treatments. She devised a plan and escaped - armed with only her smarts and determination. Lori made the difficult decision to become the architect of her life without emotional support or a safety net. She married the first man who loved her but gave up trying to navigate his paranoia when her career took off. Divorced, she started a business before falling into another unsatisfying relationship. She was like two different people for years. Her career defined her and was applauded professionally (award-winning and nationally acclaimed.) Homelife, however, was a different story, complicated and exhausting. She juggled being a mother of three, a wife, and a businesswoman for a long time. Lori sold her company for millions of dollars at the height of the tech market and tried to retire at 49. But the "American Dream life" bored her. At 57, Lori traded in her cushy life to start a non-profit to help Indigenous people gain a chance to live a healthy life. She moved to Ethiopia to build and implement initiatives for 100,000 extremely marginalized people in South Omo Valley (the corner of Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Kenya). In her 60s, she met the love of her life online. She now has the time and mind-space to share the insights of her inner wise woman. You will love her story, and she will inspire you to live your life as you were destined to be. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE When did you last choose yourself without feeling guilty? Can't remember? You're not alone. Most of us spend our lives helping others while our own dreams collect dust. I did it too—even after breaking out of a mental institution at seventeen, building a multi-million-dollar tech company, and transforming 100,000 lives in Africa. I was still helping others while ignoring my needs to feel loved, connected, and at peace. That's when I created the D.R.E.A.M. method to save myself—and wrote The Magic of Yes to share it. This isn't just another self-help book. It's your practical guide to breaking free from what you can't even see. Inside, you'll get concrete tools to: Set boundaries that actually stick—without the guilt Stop people-pleasing—and start trusting your own voice Forgive yourself and others—so you can finally move forward Navigate major life transitions—empty nest, career changes, relationship shifts Access your inner wisdom—through proven D.R.E.A.M. prompts at the end of every chapter Each chapter blends real stories (mine and other women's), research-backed insights, and customizable exercises you can adapt to YOUR specific challenges. Whether you're drowning in "supposed-tos," exhausted from putting everyone first, or simply ready to reclaim your voice—this book meets you exactly where you are. Connect with Lori Here Website Newsletter Facebook Group LinkedIn Instagram

At 13 years old Sandra Schnakenburg was hit by a car traveling 100 mph while riding her bike. In addition to having her face reconstructed, she suffered a traumatic brain injury long before such injuries were widely understood. Her parents struggled to cope with her forgetfulness and memory loss, and they gave up trying. Thus began her 10-year struggle with bulimia, which shaped her in profound ways and deepened her appreciation for resilience and healing. Sandra Schnakenburg, a dual American/Australian citizen, holds a BS in Finance and International Business from Arizona State University and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from USC. After leaving a corporate finance career in 2010, she pursued creative nonfiction through courses at Writespace, Rice University, and The Writers University. From an early age, Sandra envisioned herself leading an amazing life, even during the darkest times. Every day she consciously chose to have a good attitude and looked for the positive, even in painful situations—asking herself, "What can I learn from this?" "Life has a way of continually testing me. When I overcome one challenge, a bigger one often appears. But I believe this is how our souls evolve—through adversity, we grow. My faith is my anchor, even as it is constantly tested, and it keeps me grounded through each trial." In her interview, Sandra challenges the listener to do the same. INTERVIEW WATCH BOOK TRAILER HERE For fans of stranger-than-truth stories, Sandy Schnakenburg uncovers rattling and unprecedented revelations in The Housekeeper's Secret -- a powerful memoir of love, secrets, and survival. When Lee Metoyer is hired to be the new housekeeper, she has no idea that she's about to become the anchor to a family in an abusive patriarch's home, setting a mystery in motion that will take decades to uncover. At the age of seventy-two, Lee falls ill and, on her deathbed, asks Sandy to author her story. The only problem is, Sandy doesn't know the story. What happened to Lee was unimaginably horrific – nearly impossible to survive. Yet, she found a way to reinvent herself, adopting a new name, birthdate, and even fabricating an entire past. Forbidden from asking questions and often reprimanded for prying, Sandy had little insight into Lee's true history. Embarking on a quest to honor Lee's final wishes, Sandy takes an emotional and thrilling journey, unveiling shocking truths not only about her beloved housekeeper but also her own upbringing. As she digs further, she learns that Lee came to her family's sprawling estate in Barrington, IL, harboring a secret past. For decades, she's been in hiding. But Lee is not the only one with secrets; Sandy's quest forces her to grapple with her own family history as well, and to finally confront the effects of the psychological abuse she suffered as a child. Both chilling and exciting, The Housekeeper's Secret is a gripping tale of love and survival that illuminates the resilience of the human spirit. CLICK HERE TO BUY BOOK Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Linked-In

John Graham graduated from college with no real training, no direction, and no one to help him. As a result, he went through eight career detours, moving from state to state, feeling helpless, alone, and not knowing what to do or where to go much of the time. It was not until he and his wife committed to helping others who were struggling more they were and founded Good Samaritan Home that he found his place and a sense of purpose. John Graham had gone from homelessness, a series of career restarts over the years, to a business owner and a published author. He was a door-to-door salesman, children's home counselor, substitute schoolteacher, truck driver, fireman, building contractor, minister, and journalist. At 75, he published his debut novel called Running As Fast As I Can, which had been rejected nearly 200 times. John is familiar with second, third, and fourth chances that many of us need to reach our goals. It is in developing what he calls calloused hands and a tender heart, along the journey. Click HERE to buy book For Fans of WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING, A LITTLE LIFE, and FORREST GUMP "... often profound historical novel. Our verdict: GET IT!" - KIRKUS REVIEWS Growing up in the mill slums of Pittsburgh, Daniel Robinson was a punching bag for his drunken father, ignored by his mentally ill mother, and trapped in the grip of poverty. He's finally freed from the torture of that home, only to crash land in another hell when he's abused by the pastor who takes him in. Daniel escapes once again, spending the next decade wandering homeless throughout the country during the turbulent 1960s. On his journey, he gets caught up in the hippie drug invasion in San Francisco, racial violence in Cleveland and Detroit, and especially a deadly anti-war protest at Kent State. Daniel finally finds love with someone who was running from her own demons. Together, they get a second chance at happiness and the family they both want. Because of his experience on the street, Daniel is offered a job helping men coming from prison. When asked to find housing for Charles Vickers, a black man who spent twenty years in prison for a rape that Daniel is convinced he never committed, he and his wife open their own home to him. This enrages the community, especially when a local girl disappears. Violence erupts—with Daniel as the focus of their rage. Should he stay and fight for Charles—and put his family at risk, or run away again? RUNNING AS FAST AS I CAN is an unforgettable, multi-award-winning story about overcoming childhood abuse and the generational trauma of poverty to find love, forgiveness, and redemption. Daniel's story, with its harrowing social themes conveyed through an intense personal odyssey, vividly portrays a traumatic period in our history, while grappling with intense emotional and social issues we still face today. CONNECT WITH JOHN HERE Website Good Samaritan Home Website Personal Amazon Substack Instagram Facebook

From her humble beginning as a bartender to the sacred halls of the convent and through the trials of tumultuous relationships and alcoholism, Gina Economopoulos grapples with loss, grief, and the pursuit of self-discovery. From the agonizing decision to leave the convent behind to the numbing embrace of alcoholism, every step of her journey is fraught with uncertainty and pain. Yet, through sheer resilience and unwavering determination, she begins the process of healing, learning to let go of the past and forge new connections in the present. Gina Economopoulos was born in Syosset, NY, to a strong Italian and Greek-loving family. She graduated from Eastern CT State University and bartended before embarking on a 12-year convent journey after her mother's passing. Settled on the Jersey Shore, Gina now works as an End-of-Life Doula, extending her compassionate heart to those in their final chapter. She found solace in sobriety as a proud Alcoholics Anonymous member, and her story of resilience through tragedy and faith inspires others to face life's challenges. Gina found her fiancé dead from alcoholism a month before her wedding day. Her story is raw and passionate. It will inspire you to never ever give up: INTERVIEW CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK From bartending to the nunnery and back again. Embark on a transformative journey with Shake the Dust Off Your Feet and Walk, a stirring memoir that traces Gina Economopoulos's path from despair to redemption. From her humble beginning as a bartender to the sacred halls of the convent and through the trials of tumultuous relationships and alcoholism, she grapples with loss, grief, and the pursuit of self-discovery. With honesty, she invites readers to witness her quest to reclaim her life amidst chaos. As the author navigates the labyrinth of her own emotions, readers are drawn into the landscape of her struggles. From the agonizing decision to leave the convent behind to the numbing embrace of alcoholism, every step of her journey is fraught with uncertainty and pain. Yet, through sheer resilience and unwavering determination, she begins the arduous process of healing, learning to let go of the past and forge new connections in the present. Her unwavering faith serves as a guiding light through the darkest of nights, illuminating a path toward self-acceptance and forgiveness. Through her words, she offers a profound insight into the human condition, reminding readers of the power of resilience and the transformative nature of love. Shake The Dust Off Your Feet and Walk is more than just a memoir—it is a testament to the power of the human spirit to find healing in faith, time, and self-discovery. By the journey's end, readers are left with a profound sense of admiration for Gina's courage and perseverance. Her story serves as a reminder that no matter how daunting the road ahead may seem, there is always hope waiting to be discovered in the most unlikely of places. Join the author on a journey of self-discovery and redemption in Shake The Dust Off Your Feet and Walk. Let her words inspire you to confront your own struggles with grace and resilience and emerge stronger on the other side. This memoir is a testament to the enduring power of faith to rise above adversity and find peace amidst the chaos.