Inspiration Episodes

This category showcases episodes that highlight inspiring stories and experiences of individuals who have overcome challenges and made significant contributions to their communities.
Nov. 12, 2026

From Hollywood to Ground Zero: Solange Schwalbe’s Journey of Service and Resilience

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Emmy Award-winning sound editor and author Solange Schwalbe. After building a Hollywood career spanning more than 175 films—including *The Goonies*, *Die Hard*, *Black Hawk Down*, and *Moneyball*—Solange stepped away from the industry to serve at Ground Zero in the months following September 11, 2001. Her new book, *I Am Not Supposed to Know This*, shares her personal account of the clean...
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Nov. 11, 2026

The Art of Gender Neutrality: Niki J. Borger's Journey Through Life and Death

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this captivating episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are joined by the multi-talented Niki J. Borger, an international writer, actor, and producer renowned for her original plays and award-winning short films. Niki takes us on her journey from Europe to Los Angeles, where she has made a significant impact in the theater and film industry with her thought-provoking works, including her latest project, *In Between*, a collection of one-act plays e...
Nov. 7, 2026

Turning Affirmations into Anthems: Andrew Thoe on Music, Mindset, and AI

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this uplifting episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Andrew Thoe, creator of the Norvik Sessions, a musical project focused on emotional well-being, resilience, and personal growth. A sign technician who spends long hours driving across Central Texas, Andrew noticed how the songs and media he consumed could shape his mood and fuel overthinking. That realization inspired him to create music with messages of hope, gratitude, and encouragemen...
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Nov. 6, 2026

Unleashing Creativity: Mark Steiner's Journey from Adoption to Entrepreneurial Success

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Mark Steiner, the co-founder and CEO of Gig Salad, a groundbreaking platform that connects over 4 million event planners with entertainers and service providers. Mark shares his remarkable journey from his early days in acting and talent representation to building a thriving online marketplace that has transformed the event industry. Mark opens up about his unique background, including b...
Nov. 5, 2026

Illuminating the Shadows: Cindy Benezra on Healing, Storytelling, and Empowerment

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this enlightening episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome author and speaker Cindy Benezra, the founder of Cindy Talks, a platform dedicated to empowering individuals through storytelling. Cindy shares her deeply personal journey, chronicled in her memoir, *Under the Orange Blossoms*, which explores her experiences of trauma, healing, and empowerment. Listeners will discover: - The transformative power of storytelling in overcoming adversity...
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Nov. 4, 2026

From Laughter to Legends: Richard Sparks' Journey from Comedy to Epic Fantasy

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this captivating episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Richard Sparks, an English-born writer now residing in Los Angeles. Richard takes us on a journey through his diverse career, from his early days as a comedy writer for iconic British television shows to his latest venture into the realm of rock fantasy literature with his new series, *New Rock, New Rules*. Richard shares his unique perspective on discovering gaming culture later in li...
Nov. 3, 2026

America’s Grandpa: Neil Taft on Healing Family Divisions and Connecting with Grandkids

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this heartwarming episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Neil Taft, an 82-year-old author, great-great-grandfather, and “America’s Grandpa.” The author of five books, including The Bridge to Our Grandkids, Neil shares how his passion for grandparenting led him to write about building stronger family connections—and how a TikTok video sharing his advice reached more than 2 million people. Listeners will hear about: - Why caring for the mothe...
Nov. 1, 2026

Faith, Music, and God's Timing: Paula Slow's Journey Back to the Stage

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome singer-songwriter Paula Slow, whose music journey is a powerful story of faith, family, and trusting God’s timing. After stepping away from the music industry for more than 20 years to care for her family, Paula has returned to songwriting and performing, sharing songs shaped by her life and beliefs. Paula reflects on her early musical beginnings in Minnesota, her decision to put family ...
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Oct. 30, 2026

Navigating Life's Spectrum: Hussein Rifai's Global Journey of Resilience and Connection

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this captivating episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Hussein Rifai, an Australian businessman, investor, author, and entrepreneur whose life journey has taken him to over 80 countries. Hussein shares his rich tapestry of experiences, from his upbringing in the Middle East to his education in California and his professional ventures in Dubai and Australia. Listeners will gain insights into: - The lessons learned from a diverse upbringing ...
Oct. 29, 2026

Empowering Connections: John Morley's Quest to Inspire and Innovate

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are joined by John Morley, the president of the Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce and the founder and CEO of the J. Moore Connection. With nearly three decades of experience, John shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur, engineer, and motivational speaker, revealing how he empowers individuals to embrace technology and improve their lives. Listeners will explore: - The evolution of John's c...
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Oct. 28, 2026

Transforming Trauma: Garth Delikan's Secrets to Building a Better Mindset

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this compelling episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Garth Delikan, known as the Lifestyle Guy. Garth is a lifestyle and mindset coach, author, speaker, and clinical hypnotherapist who has faced significant life challenges, including divorce, depression, career collapse, and anxiety. His journey of resilience and reinvention is nothing short of inspiring. Garth shares his transformative experiences, starting from his early fascination wit...
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Oct. 26, 2026

Unveiling the Invisible War: Greg Pai's Journey to Purpose and Passion

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this thought-provoking episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Greg Pai, a multidisciplined author and systems thinker who has transitioned from a successful career in Wall Street, media, and technology to uncovering what he calls "the invisible war" that shapes our purpose, peace, and passion. Greg shares his profound journey of self-discovery, sparked by a moment in Kenya that led him to explore the disconnect between humanity's potential ...
Oct. 25, 2026

Empowering Words: Tracee Lydia Garner on Writing, Disability Advocacy, and the Art of Resilience

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this empowering episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are thrilled to welcome Tracee Lydia Garner, an international bestselling author of 22 books, a writing coach, and a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities. Tracee shares her inspiring journey of overcoming adversity, both in her personal life as someone living with muscular dystrophy and in her professional endeavors as a writer and entrepreneur. Tracee dives into her experience...
Oct. 24, 2026

Navigating Life's Storms: Skip Van Gardner's Journey of Resilience and Discovery

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we sit down with Skip Van Gardner, a businessman, storyteller, and lifelong sailor, to discuss his transformative new book, *Pivoting from Blue: One Year of Death, Divorce, and Discovery*. Skip shares the profound journey of an unforgettable year marked by the loss of his father, a painful divorce, and a near-death sailing experience that reshaped his perspective on life. Listeners will explore: - ...
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Oct. 23, 2026

Harmonizing Heaven: Rick Norris' Musical Journey through the Angelic Wars

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this captivating episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Rick Norris, an award-winning creator, writer, and composer who is pioneering a unique reading experience with his musical novels. Rick introduces us to his Christian fantasy series, *Angelic Wars*, which combines storytelling with the enchanting element of music, allowing readers to engage with the narrative on a deeper level through QR codes that trigger angelic songs. Listeners will...
Oct. 18, 2026

Clarity is Love: Jermaine Ee's Mission to Transform Estate Planning Through Connection

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this impactful episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Jermaine Ee., a passionate serial entrepreneur and the founder of HeirLight, a guided estate planning platform born from a personal journey of loss and love. After the sudden passing of his mother, Jermaine was inspired to create a tool that helps individuals navigate the often-avoided conversations about life planning and legacy. He shares the heartfelt story behind Air Light, which beg...
Oct. 17, 2026

Engineering a Legacy: Rick Moore's Journey from Vietnam to Water Solutions

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this enlightening episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are joined by Rick Moore, founder of Moore Engineering and a Vietnam veteran with over 40 years of engineering experience. Rick shares his remarkable journey from serving as a lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers to becoming an internationally recognized expert in water projects. He discusses his three memoirs that chronicle his life, including his time in the military and his successful...
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Oct. 16, 2026

Unveiling Emotions: How Devorah Brinckerhoff Uses Art to Heal Trauma

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are joined by Devorah Brinckerhoff, a talented artist with over 30 years of experience whose work spans across the United States and beyond. Devorah introduces us to her innovative healing practice, *Soul Portraits*, a mixed media approach that utilizes personal collections to transform trauma into art. She discusses her journey from gallery artist to healer and how her own experiences with tra...
Oct. 15, 2026

Pain to Purpose: Mike Hammond's Journey with Signal Relief and the Power of Healing

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this enlightening episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are joined by Mike Hammond, the innovative founder of Signal Relief, who shares his personal journey with pain and how it inspired him to create a groundbreaking, drug-free pain relief solution. As a former boxer, Mike has experienced the debilitating effects of physical pain firsthand, which has shaped his mission to help others reclaim their lives. Listeners will learn about: - The unique t...
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Oct. 14, 2026

Finding Your Footing: Nita Sweeney's Guide to Mental Wellness and Movement

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this thought-provoking episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are joined by Nita Sweeney, a mindfulness coach, certified meditation leader, and accomplished author. Nita shares her inspiring journey of overcoming mental health challenges through running, meditation, and writing. With five memoir-style books to her name, including *Depression Hates a Moving Target*, she discusses how her experiences have shaped her passion for helping others find th...
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Oct. 12, 2026

Transforming Pain into Purpose: Ioannis Skiotes' Mission to Inspire Mental Health Awareness

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are honored to host Ioannis Skiotes, a mental health survivor, author, and speaker who has turned his harrowing experiences into a beacon of hope for others facing similar struggles. Ioannis shares his profound journey through a state mental health facility, where he endured misdiagnosis and excessive medication, ultimately leading him to write his memoir, *Living with Manic Depression*. Ioannis ...
Oct. 11, 2026

Push and Breathe: Dr. Louissa K's Holistic Approach to Healing

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are joined by Dr. Louissa K, a dedicated obstetrician, gynecologist, and maternal fetal medicine specialist who has spent over two decades helping women navigate life's toughest challenges. Dr. K’s incredible journey began as a Romanian refugee, and she has transformed her adversities into a powerful mission of healing through her telemedicine practice and her memoir, *Push and Breathe*. Join us...
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Oct. 9, 2026

Surrendering to Change: Cedric Bertelli's Guide to Emotional Freedom

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Cedric Bertelli, a transformative figure who turned personal tragedy into a mission to help others. Growing up in a small village in France, Cedric's journey took him into the high-stakes world of luxury hospitality, where he appeared successful on the outside while grappling with deep emotional struggles on the inside, particularly after the tragic suicide of his mother. Cedric shares hi...
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Oct. 7, 2026

Martial Arts Mastery: Emmanuel Manolakakis on the Journey of Mind, Body, and Spirit

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail In this empowering episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Emmanuel Manolakakis, an internationally respected martial arts instructor, author, and entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience. Emmanuel shares his inspiring journey from a young martial artist to a dedicated instructor, revealing how martial arts can cultivate not only physical strength but also mental and emotional resilience. Listeners will discover: - The significance of main...