In her freshman year of college, Beth Cole found herself in a detour situation that would change her life forever. Fast-forward 27 years later, in the middle of a pandemic, Beth receives a call that the baby she had given up for adoption was searching for her. Through the help of DiscoverFamily.net, Beth and her daughter Rebecca were reunited first by phone and then in person, and Beth learned some even more amazing news!  I know you will enjoy listening to this uplifting story of love, hope, and joyful reunion during a time that has been full of separation.  Be sure to share this episode and Beth's website www.hopereunited.com with anyone who may be pregnant and considering adoption, anyone who is searching for a adoptee or birth parent, or with a parent who chose adoption and needs support. Beth and Rebecca wish to encourage those who find themselves in a similar situation.  

The Detour Podcast

Rebecca & Beth | Hope Reunited: An Adoption Story 27 years in the Making

Lea Tran is a dynamic speaker who experienced a harrowing journey of escaping Vietnamese communists to seek freedom in the late 70's. At just 16, Lea, her parents and siblings boarded a boat in hopes of a better life. After being raided by pirates 4 times and floating directionless with a broken engine and no food or water, the "boat people of Vietnam" were rescued in an amazing way. For many decades, Lea struggled to find her voice and after 40 years, she shared her story  on the TEDx stage, and now in her book "I Did Not Miss the Boat- Memoir of a Vietnam-Hoa Refugee". Through her passages, Lea learned that no matter how difficult your challenges or how dire your situation seems, you have the power to navigate your way through by embracing the unexpected change. If you ride with the wave instead of against the wave, you will find opportunity among the adversity. Lea’s message is to inspire people to find the strength to transform themselves, to step out of the shadow of fear or regret to live a life of freedom, passion, and purpose. You can purchase her memoir on Amazon or on her website: www.LeaTran.com *November 2020 website only special*  Buy 2 books for friends, get 3rd autographed book for FREE Lea is available to book as a inspirational & motivational speaker for events. To connect with Lea: FB page- @LeaTran Author FB Private group - @Dont miss Your Boat LinkedIn - @LeaTranAuthor Instagram - @IDidNotMisstheBoat Youtube - Look for Lea Tran          

Lea | I Did Not Miss The Boat

GATTON  You're going to want to remember this name because in the very near future I predict you'll be saying " I heard him when..." This talented, heart-centered young man is going to make a huge impact in the world! I can see his name in lights. Wise beyond his 22 years, Gatton is a singer, songwriter, artist, and creative director who is on a mission through his various art form to remind the world that we are "More the Same than Different".   He has recently had a huge accomplishment with two of his songs hitting 1 million downloads and he tells us about that, but it's almost a side note to the messages of love, diversity, self-reflection and healing that he wishes to encourage us with.  True to his Enneagram 4ness, we go deep, profound, up and down in our conversation, but I think you'll be as impressed as I was and happy that the world has young people like Gatton stepping up in this next generation of leaders.   Download his music on Spotify @Gatton Follow @Gatton on IG, FB and Youtube as well to see videos, pictures and musings. 

Gatton | More The Same Than Different

Debbie is a Christian mom of 4 boys. She grew up with a Christian Family, went to Christian school, married a Christian man and even won an award for Best Christian Testimony, three times! She and her husband were involved in ministry and they turned to the Bible and pointed their children to God for everything.  Her life and their children's lives were in service to God and His Church, and then everything she believed and trusted was tested after a tear-filled confession by her son that he was gay.  This confession took Debbie on a journey of research, rejection, righteousness, religion and responsibility. What does the Bible say about homosexuals?  Should she turn her son away? Where was the support system of the Church? What did any of this mean to God?  What was Debbie's responsibility to her child, her God and His People? Join Debbie and Sheila on an emotional and challenging conversation as we hear Debbie's experience and wrestle with all those questions.  They say you aren't supposed to talk about Sex, Religion and Politics or you are sure to step on some toes. Well, at least we left out politics. To reach out to Debbie, email us at tinyshinyblessings@yahoo.com and we will connect you. 

Debbie W. | I Love Jesus and My Gay Son

Stephanie Leroux is a novice author with a love for writing fictional novels. Though she had a passion for making words dance on the page since college, she didn’t start to write seriously until she was encouraged to use her stories to touch readers’ lives. Her first book Empty Spaces came to her almost all at once as an inspired "download" straight into her mind. Even so, the process of writing, editing and publishing the book took perseverance and tenacity, and 6 years to completion.    Stephanie shares the download, detours, delays, and distractions and the ultimate intimacy and revelation she gained through this process. A great listen for inspiration in life and the writing process.    Empty Spaces is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Books-a-million, Walmart in the US and is available online in Canada, the UK, and other European countries.    Contact Stephanie via  website: www.stephanie-leroux.com facebook: @authorleroux instagram: @stephanieleroux1920 twitter: @stephanielerou2 email: Stephanie@stephanie-leroux.com    

Stephanie | Author of Empty Spaces

Virtual Travel Stop in...Havana, Cuba! Our guest Sandy tells us about her visit to Havana as a port of call during her belly dancing cruise. Lots of adventures ensue as we learn about the world famous Tropicana Night Club, the sights and sounds of Havana and the Cuban culture.  Grab your mojitos & virtually travel with us to Havana!

Sandy | Havana

Another Virtual travel destination as we vacation with Lisa and her family through California.  Enjoy this chat and let your mind wander & senses imagine a road trip that... Tastes like warm tortillas & delicious wine Feels surprisingly cool & not humid Smells like a walk through magnificent forests Sounds like the ding of trolley bell Looks like celebrity sightings Take the Detour and Enjoy the Wander as Lisa fills us in on the sights and delights of traveling from San Diego to San Francisco California with her husband and 3 children.

Lisa | California

Our passports are on the shelf right now so let's do some Virtual Travelling! Our first stop is Buenos Aires, Argentina with our guest Luanne! Let your imagination explore as we chat about the sights to see, culture, people, food & more.  Here's some hints to get your senses intrigued It tastes like Steak & red wine, smells like pastries, looks bright and colorful sounds like tango music and feels like Take Your Time, Amigo!  

Luanne | Buenos Aires Argentina

Debbie Franek, and her husband Andy, were very intentional in raising their 3 children. They made great effort to follow healthy habits, have great nutrition, use holistic healing & natural products, instill an appetite for learning, a strong faith and to be in service to others. When their youngest son Andrew moved out of state to pursue a career in firefighting, they felt they had given him the best foundation of health that they could. Then Andrew got sick his first week on the job, but they all thought his healthy immune system (along with some meds) would help, him get well quickly. Instead, Andrew/s immune system began to attack his body, affect his nervous system and actually paralyze it through a rare illness called Guillain- Barre Syndrome (GBS).  Debbie walks us through this journey from the first worried call, the 10 hour trip from FL to TN, the weeks long hospital stay, the isolation and horror of watching her son deteriorate from GBS to the point of being ventilated and her reaction the night Andrew coded. She shares what it was like to be on this journey with her child as they literally fought beside him for his life and future.  All great journeys teach something along the way and she shares all that she learned and experienced from her perspective.  There is so much more to Andrews story! So many incredible details that were not mentioned in the interview as well as Andrew's own words in this Youtube video of Andrew's Story :Guillain-Barre Syndrome at https://youtu.be/VWvrHhs2jps   Debbie Franek is a certified aromatherapist, yoga teacher, birth doula, Reiki healer, and trapped emotions release facilitator. She would love to connect with listeners through Facebook (just search her name) to talk about GBS or any of the other things mentioned in the episode.   

Debbie | Our Journey with Guillian- Barre Syndrome

Suicide. It's a word that has a stigma. It's a word that's hard to say and talk about. But, for those who have been affected by it, it's a word that's even harder to live with, and that's why Tammy White has a mission. Through the Bobby White Foundation, she and her volunteers hope to change the stigma...open the dialogue... educate the community...to hopefully prevent a suicide. And for those that are left behind when it can't be prevented, she wants to offer help from someone who, sadly, gets it. According to experts, it is really important to care for our mental health all the time but especially during this pandemic. Suicide rates are up and when 1 suicide can affect on an average 137 other people, that makes it is a community crisis. In this episode you will hear... Tammy's story of why she created the foundation What local communities may be missing in services for those affected The Purple Folder Program Why we need to think differently about "mental health" Staggering statistics related to suicide including what makes people 400 TIMES more likely to attempt or die by suicide  4 things that can help reduce completed suicides or prevent suicide attempts How the Bobby White Foundation is helping the local community and how YOU can help the foundation in it's efforts If you or someone you know are struggling, call 1-800-273-TALK(8255) Or Text TALK to 741741 For more info & resources, please visit the Bobby White Foundation Facebook Page and the website at www.BobbyWhiteFoundation.org May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Consider designating The Bobby White Foundation to receive donations when you shop through smile.Amazon.com

Tammy |Suicide Prevention and Education through the Bobby White Foundation

Today's episode is recorded via ZOOM while we all #StayHome to combat the COVID 19 virus. Sheila talks with Marcia J. Kozera, MA, the President/CEO of LIVEFULL Consulting Company, about using her SAWPA strategy when trying to control anxiety and make tough decisions. Marcia used her education in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology, as well as her 20 years of experience in Relationship dynamics in the workplace to develop this helpful step by step technique. Marcia believes using the SAWPA strategy will help us during this difficult quarantine time as well as in our regular lives as parents, partners, employees and family members. Your health, wellness and relationships are sure to benefit from applying even one of these techniques. We hope you are healthy and staying safe during this momentous World Detour!    Marcia Kozera can be reached via email at marciakozera@gmail.com or on Facebook at LIVEFULL.   

Marcia | S.A.W.P.A. Technique for Anxiety Control and Decision Making

Tina Levene is a motivational Speaker, an Author of 5 books, a Staff Development Trainer and advocate for youth. She has been a Christian Talk Radio and TV show Host as well as a clean Comedian.  In today's episode, she shares the Truth about a past that is barely recognizable to her now. That past began with a tragic event when she was 7 years old. This trauma put her on a path of destruction early in her life that included dangerous behavior, drugs, alcohol and more trauma. Tina struggled for years until she finally realized what it would take to finally heal and find her way to life of redemption and of helping others find heal and hope. This episode is informative, inspirational and full of encouragement. A Must Listen for everyone, as the addiction statistics soar, it is no doubt we have all been affected by addiction in some way. Tina Levene can be reached on all the social medias by searching Tina Talks Truth or on her website www.TinaTalksTruth.com Her books can be found on her website or on Amazon Let Your Lessons Become Your Blessings Let Your Forgiveness Become Your Freedom Little Book of Big Truth (for youth) Preventing Burnout, Igniting Passion (professional development) Heartbeat of a R.E.A.L. Leader (Leadership/ Professional)      

Tina | TalkingTruth About Addiction

This episode is like The Karate Kid, Gremlins, and Eat, Pray, Love rolled into one. After a chance meeting with an "odd little Japanese man", Rebekah's life began to change in ways she could not understand. It sent her on a journey that would change everything about what she thought was possible for her life.  Rebekah "Rani" is a meditation coach, guiding her students and clients through the transformative experience of meditation for over 7 years. After 10 years as a supply chain and IT professional, working for lululemon athletica and other big retail brands, she hung up her corporate hat to train closely with respected spiritual teachers. She underwent strict spiritual discipline; learning the ancient languages and practices to transform her own internal world from a dark place riddled with trauma and depression to one of healing, gratitude and giving.   Instagram: @rani_rightnow facebook: facebook.com/inhaleandrelease website: https://inhaleandrelease.com

Rebekah | Finding my "Shiny" through Meditation

Sharon Kistler is a popular motivational speaker and effective Empower Life  Coach and healer. She is passionate about helping others to heal emotions in order to remove blocks, behaviors and limiting beliefs that hold us back.  As a EFT Emotional Freedom Practitioner and REIKI Master, she uses various Stress Relieving Techniques and Life Coaching Programs to Release Stress and Restore well-being! On today's episode she tells about her life detour from stress and anxiety to peace and wellness. Along the way, she gained understanding and a passion to help others and give them hope and she shares many great tips to get started on this episode. She believes that while we may be practicing habits and acting through beliefs that we've had for YEARS, it does not take years to heal when you have the life tools and learn Self-Master techniques to breakthrough the unconscious patterns that may not serve you well. you have the Power to Heal Now! To make an appointment for personal or group coaching she also offers phone coaching and webinars. Contact her through her website www.sharonkistler.com or through Facebook by searching "Sharon Thompson Kistler". You may also call 727-687-5764. She is also a founder and director of a women’s empowerment organization and Network: TheAmazingWoman.Org, a great “Sisterhood for Positive Living”!, which has an online presence as well as meetups in the Tampa Bay Area. She has worked with hundreds of people to open to their unlimited possibilities and would love to help you!

Sharon | EMPOWER to HEAL NOW

Continuing with the Body, Mind & Spirit Series, we meet Nicole a 16 y/o who has lost more than 100 lbs! She was always a "chubby kid" that loved cookies and junk food, and loved to binge eat with her friends until she realized that her poor food choices were standing in the way of her goals and putting her at risk for health problems. Through hard work and determination, Nicole has changed her whole life and body and also found a passion for weightlifting and training others. This conversation is quite motivating and uplifting and full of wisdom anyone can appreciate. Listen and send all the High Fives to this teenager who is crushing it & is a great example to us all.   PS. In the podcast I said that Nicole was the youngest guest on the The Detour Podcast. Jazzy, age 13, is technically the youngest guest when she joined in with her dad on the episode "Brad & Jazzy | A Year without Shelly".  So Nicole, you aren't the youngest guest but you are technically the youngest SOLO guest. Either way, you were wise beyond your years and did a great job! Check out the gym that helped Nicole reach her goals and then hired her to help train others at www.LoadMorePlate.com and on Facebook @loadmoreplate    

Nicole | 16 y/o Loses 110lbs & Finds her Passion

“Every road is the ‘right’ one if you take the Detour moments in life and make it part of the journey. Conversations with fellow travelers who have had a Detour moment in life as well as those who love to create adventure through travel. Heartfelt lessons on the Human Journey mixed with practical advice for touring the world. One Part Human Experience, One Part Travel Experience. Take the Detour...Enjoy the Wander!

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The Detour Podcast

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