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

Shawn Langwell, Author, Speaker, Gap Mindset Coach- Beyond Recovery

Is your life out of control?

Tired of feeling stressed out and burned out of trying to hold it all together only to still feel like you're not good enough?

I know what that’s like and it sucks.

I've spent most of my adult life striving for perfection, trying to live up to the expectations of others. Trying to be the man I thought my dad should've been when he left me, my mom, and two younger brothers when I was twelve. 

That led to a series of self-destructive behaviors and addictions that nearly cost me my life. Along the way though I had many wins-- getting sober, going to college, getting married and having a son, and buying a home that I still live in today. 

In my teens, my quest for success was fueled by inspirational authors and speakers like Earl Nightingale, Wayne Dyer, and Tony Robbins. I had grand hopes and dreams to one day be an inspirational author and speaker. For the past few years, I have been living that dream.

Recently, I led a session called the Art of Presence: Pro Marketing and Self Promotion Tips for Authors and Entrepreneurs  for the Elk Grove Writers Conference. And last weekend I co-led an all-day workshop with Audrey Kalman entitled the Book and Beyond. 

I’m sharing this because a lot has happened in the past ten years since I wrote and published Beyond Recovery. I’ve written five more books, taken on more leadership roles, and had the opportunity to share my recovery story to thousands of people around the world.

I just celebrated thrity-nine years of continuous sobriety and am finalizing the updates for a ten-year anniversary edition of Beyond Recovery and at least two more books to that series.

Additionally, I have invested the past three months mapping out a blueprint and strategy for the next thirty years of my life. 

In the process, I found myself chasing all the bright shiny objects like many of us do. Ultimately, I came back to earth, back to center, back to my roots.

Earlier this week I had an epiphany that brought me to tears. It is the missing link - the cotter pin or keystone to making all of these dreams to inspire others and help them believe in themselves come true.

This episode is the first of many that will kick off the next phase of this incredible life I have been blessed to live, sober.

I cannot hide from my faith and belief in a power greater than myself and I must keep sobriety at the center of who I am. 

Today, I choose to embrace the space between fear and freedom and boldly step into the life I believe I was called to live- as a Messenger of Hope.

I invite you to have a listen to this deep and vulnerable episode and join me as I progress in the direction of my dreams, trusting that I do not have to walk it alone.

 

About Shawn Langwell:

Shawn Langwell is an Inspirational Author, Speaker, and Sales & Executive Gap Mindset Coach/Consultant. He has written several transformational books including, Beyond Recovery, Ten Seconds of Boldness and its companion workbook, Morning Motivation, and Chill. He’s also the Past President of The California Writers Club (CWC), Redwood Writers and Past President of Toastmasters of Petaluma. Shawn lives in Northern California with his wife Crissi, and Maine Coon cat Cleo.

Find him at www.shawnlangwell.com.

 

Melanie Larson, Behavior Nutritionist and Coach - Reconnecting with Who You are

Helping Middle-Age Women Move from Who and Where They Are to Who and Where They Want to Be

 

Sometimes the best gems happen after we open up, let our guards down, and become a little more vulnerable. As we become bold enough to step into our fears, reflect on our past, and become willing to want to make a few changes, that's when the magic happens...

When Mel and I start talking about processing grief and forgiveness, the whole show comes full circle. Don't miss it.

If you are a woman in midlife and trying to balance menopause with caring for aging parents, while still making time to honor yourself and your body, this show is for you.

It's a teaser into increasing self-awareness and self-love so you can start living a richer fuller life and begin to embrace who you already are: a beautiful, caring, and compassionate, driven woman who wants the best for yourself and those you love.

That's it. 

If you are struggling with a myriad of compulsive behaviors, including your relationship with food and body image, Mel can help guide you through the mental minefield of outdated beliefs and emotions and patterns around your past to help you feel more alive and comfortable in your own skin.

About Mel:

Mel is a Behavioral Nutritionist who integrates clinical knowledge with behavioral psychology and education to help individuals create lasting, meaningful change. Her approach goes beyond food choices—she helps clients uncover the emotional, cognitive, and environmental influences shaping their habits. By combining evidence‑based nutrition guidance with insights into behavior, emotion, and memory, Mel empowers people to transform their relationship with food and their well‑being.

She specializes in guiding individuals who have struggled with traditional diet culture or inconsistent habits to build a sustainable foundation for health and happiness. Through personalized strategies and compassionate support, Mel helps clients implement realistic changes that improve energy, balance, and confidence in everyday life.

Her mission is simple: to help people nourish their bodies, rewire unhelpful patterns, and thrive—not through restriction, but through awareness, connection, and empowered choice.

Find Mel here: motivatewithmel.com

 

Holiday Season Preparation Special

Tis the season…to have a strategy!

Stop the cycle of holiday chaos and the January 'do‑over'.
This year, head into the season prepared, empowered, and ready to enjoy.

Comprehensive medical + behavioral assessment
Three (3) private 50‑minute sessions
Your personalized Holiday Survival & Thriving Plan

 ALL for just $399

Reserve Your Spot Today by booking a complimentary Momentum Builder Call Here. 

 

 

Downloads of the Dare to Be Great, Dare to Be You Podcast continue to skyrocket—recently downloads were up 300%!  I have to assume it's because people are liking we talk about on the show.

If you liked this episode, please share it with friends and colleagues or leave a review and follow the show. 

If you want to learn more about what I have going on, including events, my latest books, and more, please visit: www.shawnlangwell.com. 

Kelly Langwell, Brother, Server, and Brilliant Human and Liver Transplant Survivor

All I Want for Christmas is a New Liver So I Can Live

There are best-selling guided journals out there like "Bro, tell me your story."  But those are guides, this is the raw, unedited real deal from my brother Kelly talking about his downfall with alcohol and the "Christmas Miracle" five years ago when he was literally given a liver transplant that saved his life. 

This is our heartfelt, real conversation about the incidents leading up to that miracle and how we both have battled our own inner demons from our dysfunctional upbringing, including our escape with drugs and alcohol and how we've lived to tell the story. 

Beyond these events, and the fact that our youngest brother Seth wasn't so lucky (after years of battling his own demons, he lost the battle, falling asleep at the wheel in 1999. He died instantly in a car crash two weeks shy of his 29th birthday) we are sharing this story with the world because it might help a few people or their families find the courage, strength, and resilience to keep fighting and never give up.

May the brotherly love we share be a light to guide those who are still suffering and encouragement to help them (or you) ask for help.

 

____ about this show____

Downloads of the Dare to Be Great, Dare to Be You Podcast have increased by 200% in the past 30 days. I have to assume it's because people are liking we talk about on the show.

If you liked this episode, please share it with friends and colleagues or leave a review and follow the show. 

If you want to learn more about what I have going on, including events, my latest books, and more, please visit: www.shawnlangwell.com. 

 

J. Curts Moran, Author and Nutrition Expert: Why Heart Matters and Creative Writing is a Great Elixir for Exploration and Healing

Why Heart Matters and Creative Writing is a Great Elixir for Exploration and Healing

Join me and Curtis as we talk about writing, family dysfunction,   how he turned three screenplays into an evocative new book, Lost and Found: Coming of Age. Coming Clean.

 

Synopsis:

An eighteen year old leaves his home in Philadelphia to get away from a drug- addicted mother and her abusive partner—and to track down the man he thought was his deadbeat dad. His bus trip across the country and adventures in San Francisco, bring him answers and unexpected discoveries—and a new friend. When an accident brings both mothers and dad together for a reunion of opposites, we just might discover that we can respect and appreciate our different journeys.

 

About Curtis: 

Every writer’s experiences can influence a novel’s storyline and characters. Curtis’ struggles plus those of his characters (including homelessness, addiction, sexual, or domestic abuse), might inspire readers to look into their own lives and local resources.

 

He returned to San Francisco State University to do postgraduate in screenwriting and believing his stories should entertain even when they might enlighten and empower, he converted his trilogy into a novel. That actually has allowed him to go deeper into the lives and psyches of his original characters.

 

Now living in Santa Rosa with his husband, Dr. Charles Roth, PhD, and working a few days a week in the Wellness Department at Oliver’s, he shares what he knows about nutrition. Additionally, he offer assistance to organizations such as Verity, a rape-crisis service in Santa Rosa whose mission is to help people recover and find peace and harmony in their lives.

 

Website: www.jcurtismoran.com   

Email address: curt@curtismoran.com

 

About this show and Shawn Langwell:

Downloads of the Dare to Be Great, Dare to Be You Podcast have increased by 300% in the past 30 days. I have to assume it's because people are liking we talk about on the show.

If you liked this episode, please share it with friends and colleagues or leave a review and follow the show. 

If you want to learn more about what I have going on, including events, my latest books, and more, please visit: www.shawnlangwell.com. 

 

Jonathan Mahrt, Founder, Flywheel Consulting

How to Increase Efficiency for Small Family Businesses

Join me and Consultant, Jonathan Mahrt for an Open Conversation About Making Meaningful Upgrades to Systems, Processes, Operations

 

About Jonathan:

Jonathan Mahrt is the founder of Flywheel Consulting, a boutique business consulting firm focused on digital transformation and business process improvement. Growing up and working on his family’s farm, Jonathan learned the value of hard work, creative problem solving, and doing the right things the right way.

He leverages 14 years of real world business, operations, IT, and automation experience to help his clients make meaningful changes in their businesses by streamlining busywork, modernizing operations, and automating business processes. This allows business owners to spend less time working in their business so that they can spend more time working on their business.

Find Jonathan Here:

Flywheel Consulting

jonathan@flywheelconsulting.co

707-232-5352

Website: www.flywheelconsulting.co

Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/flywheel_consulting, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558910588811, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanmahrt/

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About the show and where you can find/follow me:

Downloads of the Dare to Be Great, Dare to Be You Podcast have increased by 355% in the past 30 days. I have to assume it's because people are liking what we talk about on the show. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with friends and colleagues or leave a review and follow the show.  

If you want to learn more about what I have going on, including events, my latest books, and more, please visit: www.shawnlangwell.com. 

 

Tommie Whitener, From Journalist, to Lawyer, to Writer

Creating a "Can-Do" Mindset  for Older Aspiring Authors, regardless of skill

Join me and Tommie in an encouarging conversation about writing at any level or age.

More specifically, using his latest novel, The Bar Pilot as a framework, we talk about how to have fun with characters, themes, and start writing the novel you've often dreamed of.

About Tommie:

After graduating from UCLA in his still beloved City of the Angels, Tommie thought he would spent a quick three years at UC Hastings in San Francisco and then move to Los Angeles to practice law. Now, some 45 years later, he still lives in Marin County with his wife Svetlana and thoughts of moving south are only a dream. However, the law career, first as a criminal defense lawyer and then as a divorce lawyer, is winding down.

Instead, creative writing (novels, short stories and memoirs) is taking over.  In this new endeavor, Tommie is often able to offer intimate first hand and insightful views on that old adage, “Criminal lawyers see the worst people at their best, while divorce lawyers see the best people at the worst”.

However, Tommie has not limited his writing to criminal law and divorce. His first novel is about three couples. One member of each couple attends a series of personal development retreats and then deals with the consequences with their spouse when they return home. To say that the results are unexpected is an understatement. The second novel, to be published later this year, is a fictional account of his grandparents, Tom and Leone, in Arkansas, where they were farmers. Both were handicapped in their own way, Tom physically and Leone mentally. Yet four sons came of the union, all of whom overcame their parents to lead normal lives.

find him at: http://tommiewhitener.com/

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If you liked this episode, please share it with friends and colleagues or leave a review and follow the show. 

If you want to learn more about what I have going on, including events, my latest books, and more, please visit: www.shawnlangwell.com. 

Jessica Rios, Women's Leadership Coach & Brain Tumor Survivor

 

In January 2021, Leaning into Light founder Jessica Rios was diagnosed with a massive brain tumor. During a 9-hour brain surgery, she had a near death experience (NDE) that catapulted her greatest passion — illuminating the beauty of the human spirit by

loving humanity into remembering the truth of who we are.

Join us for a candid conversation about  trusting and surrendering to the divinity within and embracing our couargeous capacity for love from the inside out.

Jessica Rios is a prolific lifelong letter writer. Since childhood, Love has been her ' religion' and she has taken this devotion into her journey as a serial social entrepreneur, working on behalf of our planet Earth and to illuminate the beauty of the human spirit, so we can collectively create a world based more in Love, than fear. In 2021, she was diagnosed with a massive brain tumor that led her to release a lifelong addiction to food and sugar, and she now lives with more vitality than she ever knew was possible. On her 50th birthday, also the 50th anniversary of the UN declaring International Women's Day, Jessica performed a one-woman-show called Making Love to Fear. She is passionate about dancing, hiking, freestyle frisbee, cappuccino foam and singing Love songs. Raised in Fairfax, California, she has lived in Petaluma since 2013 with her daughter and their Goldendoodle, Jerry. 

 

Find Jessica at:

Website: ​www.leaningintolight.com

Social Media links: ​@makinglovetofear (IG)

 

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# Gratitude 

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Downloads of the Dare to Be Great, Dare to Be You Podcast have increased by 500% in the past 30 days. I have to assume it's because people are liking what we talk about on the show.

If you liked this episode, please share it with friends, and colleagues or leave a review and follow the show. 

If you want to learn more about what I have going on, including events, my latest books, and more, please visit: www.shawnlangwell.com. 

 

Crissi L. Overcoming Compulsive Overeating, Sugar Addiction, and Body Image Issues

This is a special treat to hear Crissi's story about Overcoming Compulsive Overeating, Sugar Addiction, and Body Image Issues.

Join us for a vulnerable and inspiring conversation about real  struggles with food and sugar addiction and her struggle to accept the concept of a higher power. A power, program, and new way of thinking and relating to food that has helped her make the positive mental, physical, emotional, and spirtual shifts with lasting results: Ilosing 50+ pounds, and reclaiming a sense of power and serenity around food and body issues over the past 2+ years.

About Crissi: 

Crissi L. is living in food recovery and has celebrated more than two years of abstinence from compulsive eating. As both an author and a storyteller, she shares openly about her journey to encourage others who are seeking freedom from food obsession and body shame. Find her on substack at foodaddict.substack.com. 

 

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Downloads of the Dare to Be Great, Dare to Be You Podcast have increased by 500% in the past 30 days. I have to assume it's because people are liking what we talk about on the show.

If you liked this episode, please share it with friends, and colleagues or leave a review and follow the show. 

If you want to learn more about what I have going on, including events, my latest books, and more, please visit: www.shawnlangwell.com.