Dare to Be Great, Dare to Be You Hosted by Shawn Langwell

John Wallace, Founder/CEO Surviving The Odds Project- No Warning Shots Fired

"No Warning Shots Fired in This Unit"

 

This is the sign on the wall at San Quentin Prison where John served 8 years.

Since his release, John Wallace, aka Freedom, has made a complete 180-degree turn from a life of gangs and drugs to one of hope and service.

Leaders and youth from all walks of life can learn from this vulnerable and inspiring, unedited conversation I had with John on my Dare to be Great, Dare to Be You Podcast.

John embodies and lives up to his stage name—Freedom.  He not only talks the talk, he walks the walk.

From head to heart to hands, John's mission and purpose to "pass it on", is freaking incredible!

Pull up a chair and listen to this raw, real, and open conversation about hope and freedom.

On a personal note, it has taken me 25 episodes to find my sea legs as a podcast host. I believe from the depth of my soul that THIS episode is what the universe was preparing me for.

I guarantee you will be inspired. After listening, some of you may want to even change the world.

To paraphrase John's wisdom:

Start small, be humble, and listen. We all want to belong.

My hope in this and all episodes of this show is for listeners to not only become inspired, but to become bold enough to trust your inner voice and DO SOMETHING that will make a difference in your life, the lives of others, and ultimately,the world.

This show is fast becoming a launching pad where dreams are reignited. I encourage you, wherever you are at this stage of your life, to dare to be great and dare to be yourself and see what happens.

Furthermore, there are many more stories like John's in differing arenas that you will hear in the weeks, months and years to come.

If you like this, subscribe.

Better yet, Pass it on. Please, SHARE IT!

About John:

John grew up in Marin City and found refuge in the arts as an escape from a troubled home life. Street life and drug use caught up to him, landing John in Marin County Jail numerous times and eventually to San Quentin State Prison for several years. Refusing to give up, John worked hard and earned his GED while in prison. John wrote over 75 songs about his lives experience while in prison.  After he was released, John went on to attend classes at College of Marin, Santa Rosa Junior College and Butte College. He is currently a recognized musician, tattoo artist, and hairstylist who often provides his services at low or no cost to those in need. John believes in the importance of giving back and understands the therapeutic value of art and music

 

Articles:

from https://sanquentinnews.com/sq-parolee-helps-troubled-teens/

"By the time John Wallace was released from San Quentin, he had written 75 songs.

John Wallace, 39, who discharged in 2003, founded a project called STOP (Surviving the Odds Project) to help deter at-risk youth from falling into the school-to-prison-pipeline. Fifteen years after his release, he’s showing kids the creative outlet he wished he had at their age.

The former gang member now empowers at-risk youth through musical self-expression at Legion Beats in San Rafael, reported the Marin Independent Journal. His first class of 13 students will write, record and create a music video over the course of a few weeks. In May, they’ll have their first live performance.

“I wanted to give back to where a kid wouldn’t have to suffer any longer or blame others for what they’re going through and learn how to express themselves,” said Wallace, who grew up in Marin City.

https://sanquentinnews.com/program-helps-at-risk-youth-through-music/

https://www.marinij.com/2018/04/06/former-san-quentin-inmate-empowers-at-risk-youth-with-music/

https://redwoodbark.org/84140/culture/lifestyles/breaking-through-chains-john-wallace-empowers-youth-with-his-nonprofit-stop/

"John had been sent to Marin County Jail 19 times for disorderly conduct before going to San Quentin State Prison in 1995, where he was incarcerated for eight years. While in prison, he discovered his love for making music.

“[San Quentin] was a dangerous reality to walk into,” John said. “While I was [in San Quentin State Prison], I wrote over 75 songs. I didn’t know that I was a musician at the time, but while I was in there, I didn’t want to feel alone anymore [and music helped me with that].'"

 

Find John here: 

https://www.stoproject.org/

Please donate if you are so inclined.

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-wallace-b47136161/

 

From the Host:

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day all!

May each of us learn to become bolder and open our hearts to help those less fortunate than we are.

May the world be better because of our courage to dare to be great and bravery to be ourselves!

God bless,

Love, Shawn

 

Find me at: 

https://shawnlangwell.com/

Read my story here:

Beyond Recovery: A Journey of Grace, Love, and Forgiveness

https://a.co/d/gv02C5h

#recovery

#Survivingtheodds

#Courage

#Forgiveness

 

Embracing Play- Anthony Amunategui

Anthony Amunategui is a freaking Unicorn!

He is the the Founder of CDO Group, a National Commercial Construction firm he started about 24 years ago with a small group. Today they have built over 1 million square feet of retail space, working with some of the world's largest brands. He has a true passion for finding out what makes people successful in business and in life.

Anthony loves diving into conversations about what the future holds for us personally and professionally, and the adventures that shape the journey.

Always a treat to have real, open, and honest conversations with my guests, Anthony hits it out of the park in the episode and pulls no punches.

As the co-owner of of a multimillion dollar construction firm he knows people, negotiation, project management, and more importantly, what matters most in life.

Newsflash, it's not more money!

Listen in as we talk about letting go of our attachment to chaos andhow we individually and collectively can learn to lighten up and enjoy the true values of life- family, friendship, community, and PLAY!

 

Here's how to reach Anthony:

Contact Info:

Owner of CDO Group / Host of Future Factory Podcast

Email: anthony@cdogroup.com

Website: CDO Group: https://cdogroup.com/

Future Factory Podcast: https://www.futurefactorypodcast.com/

Anthony’s Socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyamunategui/

FFP: https://www.instagram.com/futurefactorypodcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FutureFactoryPodcast

 

Find me at: https://shawnlangwell.com/

and buy my books wherever they are sold.

 

 

Best- Selling Author Jeff Goins -The Art of Being Interesting: How to Succeed as a Writer Without Selling Your Soul

Jeff Goins is the best-selling author of five books, including The Art of Work and Real Artists Don’t Starve. His award-winning blog Goinswriter.com has been visited by tens of millions of people, and through his online courses and events, he's taught over 20,000 writers since 2012. Jeff lives outside of Nashville with his family, where they spend most of their free time listening to records and making homemade pasta.

Books:
You Are a Writer 
Real Artists Don’t Starve
The Art of Work 
What Is Writing?

Website: goinswriter.com
Substack: jeffgoins.substack.com

 

Jeff will be Keynote presenter at the 2024 Sonoma County Writers Conference on October 19, 2024 hosted by Redwood Writers Club.

Both Jeff's Keynote and Workshop will be avaialable for purchase and download after the conference.

If you are near Sonoma County and want to attend in person, learn more or register here: https://redwoodwriters.org/2024-conference/

 

Ray Engan: Love to Write But Hate to Sell? Create Comfortable Conversations That Sell Your Book

Ray Engan: SESSION - Love to Write But Hate to Sell? Create Comfortable Conversations That Sell Your Book

 

Every Year, thousands become first time authors. Every year thousands of books sit in the garages of their authors, waiting for the orders to come through. Today you will walk away with concrete ways to move those books out and bring cash in. The Lean In Factor will guide you in how to use your voice to sell your writing.

 

About Ray:

Ray Engan was a shy little boy who avoided talking to strangers by walking inside the safety of his Mom’s wrap around skirts. He went on to a career in stand-up comedy, performing with and writing for some of America's best comedians. He created a skill of connecting through comedy in the business world and became the sales manager of America’s most award winning small business, Ray has testified before a presidential task force, and appeared on MSNBC, as a Voice of small business in America.

Today, Ray is an award winning motivational speaker, coach and Sales coach to entrepreneurs. He created the program, The Humor Algorithm, which demystifies the process of humor and can make anyone funnier. Currently the President and CEO of Leadership Through Laughter and has coached over 2 dozen National Speakers Association Hall of Fame speakers. His upcoming program, The Lean In Factor, is designed for entrepreneurs who present to make quicker connections, faster friendships and bigger sales, and is due out inthe fall of 2024.

• RayEngan.com
• LeadershipThroughLaughter.com
• medium.com/@ray_37327
• www.facebook.com/ray.engan/
• www.linkedin.com/in/leadershipthroughlaughter

 

If you are reading this before 10-18-2024 visit: https://redwoodwriters.org/2024-conference/ to learn more or to register. The Sonoma Coujty Writers Conference is held every other year (even years), in Sonoma County and is the Most Comprehensive Writers Conference in the North Bay.

Registration is $125-250 for California Writers Club Members; $150-175 for Non-Members.

Visit https://redwoodwriters.org/ to learn more about our events and opportunities to help you become a better writer and book marketer.

Visit: www.shawnlangwell.com for other upcoming writers workshops.

Finding Freedom and Joy in Recovery with Max Nijst: Life and Recovery Coach and Podcast Host

Max Nijst is the founder and spirit behind Fearless Happyness Coaching & Consulting.

Max’s mission in life is to help high performers, executives, and CEOs avoid losing what they have worked so hard to attain.  He helps their families by educating about the disease of addiction so they can better support their loved ones.

Max is a motivational speaker, published author, and substance abuse recovery coach.  He is also the host and voice you hear behind the mic on The Fearless Happyness Podcast.

 

THE FEARLESS HAPPYNESS PODCAST

The Fearless Happyness Podcast showcases phenomenal individuals, from all around the world and from all walks of life, who overcame serious traumas, life obstacles and challenges to living the life of their dreams. Listen in each week as Max and his guests sit down to share their experiences and spread strength, hope and faith to help others also become fearless and find their own path to FEARLESS HAPPYNESS!

https://maxnijst.org/podcast/

https://maxnijst.org/read-fearless-happyness/

Book:

Fearless-Happyness-Addiction-Battles-Recovery

 

Connect with Max here:

https://maxnijst.org/

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=max%20nijst

Jose Salazar Teacher, Parent, Coach!

Jose Salazar cares about the youth of Sonoma and Napa Counties.

He has a heart for teaching and service and is making a difference in the lives of teens and young adults who may not have father figures to encouarge them.

With more than 28 years of experience working with Santa Rosa City Schools, he's basically done it all: elementary, middle school, high school and even the collegiate level with Santa Rosa Junior College. se has also beenan adjunct faculty instructor for the Department of Public Safety since 2017.

The bottom line is, Jose cares and his actions match his words.

He served in the Sonoma County Probation Department as a sworn in peace officer from 2008-2017 and has been with Napa County from 2019 to the present.

He's coached football at Santa Rosa High School, Montgomery HS and with SRJC. 

I moved up to Sonoma County back in 1993 to attend Sonoma State University. I was a Cossack. I went on to earn a BA, multiple credentials and a MA in Education Leadership.  Married since 1995, he he and his wife have three grown up daughters and two grandchildren.

If you have a kid who wants a shot at playing collegiate football, please visit:

SRJC football program https://ets.rocks/3SwEOSv

Judy Baker: Book Marketing Mentor and Cancer Survivor

Judy M. Baker helps authors take the friction out of book marketing and make real money from their books.

2024 is fueled by her renewed commitment to coaching, writing, and creativity. She is planning to publish three books this year. The first is The Book to MoneyMaker RoadMap which is in final edits.

Judy is President of Redwood Writers and past president of the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association. When she isn’t writing, teaching, or volunteering, you can find her at the gym or creating healthy recipes.

Find out more at:

https:// bookmarketingmentor.com

Social Media links: 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Judy-M.-Baker/author/B08JM6M3PS?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

https://www.facebook.com/JudyBaker.BookMarketingMentor/

https://www.facebook.com/judybaker54/

https://www.instagram.com/bookmarketingmentor/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/judybaker/

https://www.youtube.com/user/brandvines

Author Spotlight Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4GL_lhkkuTOmuQNnTxOVcp9EWn4xan1h

https://www.pinterest.com/bookmarketingmentor0210/

 

If you want to learn more about writing, publishing and marketing. also visit: https://www.redwoodwriters.org/

 

Steve Almond NYT Bestselling Author on Imposter Syndrome and Writing for Your Life

In this episode I chat with NYT Bestselling Author Steve Almond on Imposter Syndrome and Writing for Your Life

He will also be a featured presenter at the Redwood Branch of The California Writers Club on July 20, 2024.

CWC Members and non members can register here https://www.redwoodwriters.org/, to see Steve in-person or listen to a recording of his talk a week after the event.

 

Steve Almond, author of Truth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow, will discuss the emotional struggles that we bring to our writing, everything from the anxiety of exposure to the crippling doubts that drive us into writer’s block—without judgment or platitudes. No question is off limits: Can I tell the truth about my abusive parent? Is it wrong to be jealous of a famous friend? What if I’m just not good enough? At the center of our discussion is radical question: Is it possible to view moments, and even eras, of creative doubt as necessary and even essential to our artistic growth? How can we move from anxiety and self-loathing to a posture of forgiveness and curiosity.

Register for this event here: How to Conquer Writer’s Block, Ego Need, Envy and the Other Evil Voices Inside You

 

About The Featured Speaker at Redwood Writers:

Steve Almond is the author of twelve books of fiction and non-fiction, including the New York Times Bestsellers Candyfreak and Against Football. His first
novel, Which Brings Me to You, was made into a movie that is streaming on Amazon and Hulu. His second novel, All the Secrets of the World is being developed for television by 20th Century Fox. His new book, Truth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow is a book about the craft of writing, the meaning of stories, and the emotional and psychological struggles we face in telling our stories.

Find him at stevealmondjoy.org.