EPISODE 733 - Joel Steele - Life Switch - How to Experience the Power of Living ON by Discovering Your Potential, Passion, and Purpose

Joel Steele joins the conversation to explore the journey behind his book Life Switch—a project rooted in the idea that anyone can learn to “flip the switch” from living an ordinary life to an extraordinary one. Speaking from his home in southern New Jersey, Joel blends real-life stories, raw honesty, and practical lessons that challenge listeners to rethink how they approach success, failure, and personal growth.

Joel’s message begins with a simple but crucial insight for aspiring authors: a great book alone isn’t enough. Without an audience or a network, even a life-changing message risks being unheard. He reflects on his own experience of releasing a well-received book without first building a following, encouraging new writers to spend just as much time creating relationships as they do crafting their manuscripts.

From there, Joel dives deep into the personal transformation that birthed Life Switch. Once describing himself as “average to below average in everything,” he shares the moment he decided to redefine his limitations. Asking the question “Why can’t I?” became the catalyst for achieving one goal after another. He calls this awakening the moment he turned his life switch “on.” By visualizing his goals, writing them down, and pursuing them with commitment, he proved that seeing is believing—and believing is achieving.

At the heart of his philosophy are the “Three P’s”: Potential, Passion, and Purpose. Potential reminds us that our capability is limitless, expanding each time we push past old boundaries. Passion fuels that drive, offering the excitement and energy that makes hard work feel meaningful. And Purpose serves as our personal GPS—without it, Joel says, we’re simply driving in circles. Together, these principles form the backbone of the Life Switch mindset.

Joel shares compelling personal stories, including the cautionary lessons from a risky real estate partnership that turned into a test of responsibility and resilience. He reflects on how taking ownership—rather than placing blame—was the difference between financial ruin and recovery. These lessons reinforce his core belief that setbacks are not dead ends but raw material for future success.

Throughout the discussion, Joel speaks directly to anyone at a crossroads: graduates, career changers, or those rebuilding after loss. He invites listeners to visualize their lives like a puzzle—every piece is already within reach; it just needs to be arranged with clarity and persistence. And he reminds us that fulfillment doesn’t come from perfection but from progress and self-honesty.

Joel’s Life Switch mission extends beyond personal empowerment. With a pledge to donate one million dollars to charity when the book reaches one million sales, he demonstrates his belief that success means more when it serves others. Each purchase, he notes, becomes part of that larger purpose.

Key Takeaway: Life doesn’t change by accident—it changes when you decide to live “on.” By embracing your potential, fueling it with passion, defining your purpose, and acting with accountability, you can turn every struggle into a stepping stone toward the extraordinary life you were meant to live.

https://bookjoelsteele.com/

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Episode 592 - Joe McClean - Screenwriter, Author and Director - Putting Yourself Out There and Into Your Story, That is Where the Opportunity Lies

Joe made a bunch of short films and one feature length movie with friends and no money. To this day, I enjoy watching those early attempts to craft a story, but essentially this era of on-the-job-training was my film school. Now it was time to take my first big swing.

I wrote a script I felt I could raise enough money to shoot myself, a found-footage film, and I spent a year begging for cash and favors. The star of a hit TV show, who had gone to the same high school as me, graciously agreed to act in it. An NBA player made a small investment. Actor, comedian, and Late Show with David Letterman regular, Jay Thomas agreed to make a cameo. The snowball was growing and eventually I scraped together enough cash to direct Life Tracker. The movie played over 20 science fiction conventions and got a digital distribution deal with Charter Communications (now Spectrum) and streamed into millions of American homes.

Life Tracker

Great! Now I needed a follow up to prove that my work ethic couldn't be mistaken for beginner's luck.​ Taking advantage of a group of talented actor friends and another who owned property outside of Fresno, I wrote and directed a super-low-budget homage to The Big Chill called The Drama Club which can currently be seen on Tubi.

The Drama Club

Looking back from that point, I could see the years of work I'd put in. Meeting people. Working with casts and crews. Going on adventures together. taking risks and building trust. Jobs started to fall into place. I signed my first manager. I joined the Writers Guild of America. I pitched big shot producers at legacy studios and powerhouse production companies. Always searching for that next opportunity. That's when I met Blair Underwood. A business lunch turned into an attachment (and a friendship), and soon I was hitting up everyone I'd ever done business with to see who wanted to join the team.

Viral was written and produced by me, it's directed by and stars Blair, and he shares the screen with Sarah Silverman, Jeanine Mason, and the incomparable Alfre Woodard! The movie is finished and we're actively working with our sales team to bring it to audiences.

In the mean time, I’m working with Amistad (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishing) on a two-book deal titled Sins of Survivors about the plight of a family who lived in the once vital African American neighborhood of Black Bottom in 1930s and 40s Detroit. The first book is currently available everywhere books are sold, and the second hits shelves in the summer of 2026... So, go to your local bookstore's website get your copy!

Why "Ginger Beard," you ask? My wife's maiden name is "Beard," and when our son was born he had a reddish tint to his hair. So, my company is named after my son, my "Ginger Beard"... It's only a bonus that I have red facial hair.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-mcclean-6668b018

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0565697/

https://www.gingerbeardfilms.com/

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

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Episode 525 - Richard DeVeau - Light's Out - We Paint a Picture of a special forces veteran, CIA officer, and leader of Boston's Homeland Security team

About the author

After majoring in marketing at Bentley University, Richard spent a career as a copywriter and creative director serving such clients as Red Lobster, Ducati Motorcycles, Marriott Hotels, and Clorox. He also brought his writing skills to bear for communications agencies that serve nonprofit organizations, including American Red Cross, Wounded Warrior Project, Toys for Tots, CARE, Special Olympics and many others. And he was a frequent editorial contributor to Fundraising Success Magazine.

In 2000, he helped launch acclaimed author Stephen King’s internet publishing debut and the world’s first mass- marketed e-book, Riding the Bullet. Richard wrote the online ad campaign that prompted more than 400,000 people to purchase and download the novella.

His screenplay, Graven Image, placed in the top twenty percent of the Academy of Motion Pictures’ Nicholl Fellowships international screenwriting competition in 2014.

Richard is also an accomplished fine art painter. Over the past thirty years, he has exhibited work in numerous solo and group shows. His work was represented by two commercial art galleries in his native Boston and is now represented by a gallery in Chicago, where he currently resides.

Richard and his wife have four adult children and two grandchildren.

Book: Light's Out

A retired couple are murdered in their Wisconsin home - art and other valuables are stolen. A Lake Michigan oil tanker explodes and sinks that same night.

Eve Taunt - special forces veteran, CIA officer, and leader of Boston's Homeland Security team - believes there is a connection between these two events.

She and her team quickly find themselves in pursuit of a domestic terrorist - an M.I.T. educated, military trained missile genius with Ted Bundy-like psychopathy - to stop him before he carries out his next devastating attack. This one is even more lethal than the overhwelming inferno he just unleashed on Boston.

As Eve closes in, she discovers these attacks are orchestrated by a US senator and a powerful cabal of highly placed leaders and lawmakers with a hidden agenda.

https://a.co/d/2yD92bj

Episode Date - Monday, April 14, 2025

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BONUS - Share Your Story, Poem and Writings Here on Living The Next Chapter

Thanks for supporting this podcast! I am putting in place a new way to support authors, writers and poets in their writing journey!

I want to feature your writings here on Living The Next Chapter. Share your poem, a portion of your chapter, something that you are working on - and do so right here on the podcast. The opportunity to share your work in progress with the world!

Go to my website, click on the "Speak Pipe" link right there on the website and record up to 5 minutes of audio (use it multiple times if need be) and read us your poem, snipit or portion of your work in progress for listeners of this show to hear.

If you want to avoid recording audio, then siimply email me what you want to have read and shared on a podcast episode featuring your work and don't forget to include how a fellow listener can connect with you - social media link, website, email - you never know who might hear your work in progress, your poem etc.

I will make an episode just about you, sharing your writings right here!

Looking forward to putting the spotlight on you!

https://poets.org/anthology/poems-your-poetry-project-public-domain

Original Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024

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EPISODE 494 - Donny Young - The 4MIDABLES, Inspector Gadget, The Cannonball Run Movie and Putting Yourself Out There

Author and screenwriter Donny Young shares an inspiring journey through a creative career built on persistence, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace opportunity. From writing episodes of Inspector Gadget on a Smith Corona typewriter to developing his newest young adult adventure series, The 4MIDABLES, Donny reflects on the experiences that shaped both his storytelling and his outlook on success.

Listeners are taken behind the scenes of the entertainment industry as Donny recounts how one opportunity naturally led to another. He shares stories from writing for one of television's most beloved animated series, appearing alongside legendary Hollywood stars in The Cannonball Run, and learning valuable career lessons through unexpected encounters with industry icons. Throughout the conversation, a common theme emerges. Creative careers are rarely built through a single breakthrough, but through consistently showing up, saying yes to new experiences, and remaining open to where those experiences may lead.

Donny also introduces The 4MIDABLES, a project that has evolved over many years from an animated television concept into an ambitious young adult novel series. Designed around teamwork, empathy, problem solving, and family friendly storytelling, the series reflects his belief that exciting adventures can inspire young readers without relying on violence or sensationalism.

For aspiring writers, Donny offers thoughtful advice drawn from decades of experience. He discusses the value of studying acting to better understand character, reading widely within your chosen genre, embracing rejection as part of the creative process, and continually improving your craft. Above all, he encourages writers to remain patient with themselves and to remember that every experience adds depth to the stories they will eventually tell.

This conversation is both a celebration of storytelling and a reminder that success often comes from perseverance, preparation, and the courage to keep creating, even when the next opportunity is still out of sight.

Key Takeaway

Creative success is rarely the result of one defining moment. By continuing to learn, putting yourself in places where opportunity can find you, and refusing to let setbacks define your journey, you give your work the best chance to reach the audience it was meant for.

Writer for the iconic “INSPECTOR GADGET” cartoon series.
Inspector Gadget: Volcano Island (Gadget Goes Hawaiian)
Season 1, Episode 15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlb-BKVhS3g

Extra in Cannonball Run
The Cannonball Run Final Scene and End Credits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUOaxwA5Wic

Excited to introduce 4 amazing Teens who solve major crimes anonymously!

https://www.instagram.com/the4midables/

Original Publish date: Friday, January 31, 2025

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E142 - Laura Cayouette - Actor, Writer, Producer, Blogger - Character Development and Author Tools

A professional actor for over 25 years; Django Unchained, Now You See Me, Kill Bill, Enemy of the State, True Detective, Friends & more.

Endorsements from actor/filmmakers Richard Dreyfuss, Kevin Costner, Lou Diamond Phillips, Reginald Hudlin, Adam Rifkin & more.

Private coach available through Zoom, Skype and FaceTime for actors/writers/filmmakers, UNO Adjunct teaching directors how to work with actors​​. Guest teacher. Speaker.

LEARN HOW LAURA WENT FROM WRITING 1 BOOK IN 20 YEARS TO 5 BOOKS IN 4 YEARS!

Go from an idea to a completed book – no matter your writing skill level.

Avoid writer's block. Feel stimulated and creative – while moving at a pace you never thought possible.

Let Laura help you tell your stories in less time and with less stress.

https://lauracayouette.com/

Original Publish Date:

Feb. 23, 2023 @ 6AM

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EPISODE 732 - Rich Lyons - Life Is Sales, sales mastery includes self awareness and embracing the unknown

In this episode, Dave welcomes Rich Lyons, author of Life of Sales, entrepreneur, and former CEO of Lyons Consulting Group. From escaping the Chicago winter for the warmth of Zihuatanejo to reflecting on a career rich with lessons in integrity, leadership, and purpose, Rich shares an intimate look at his personal and professional evolution.

Now an author, speaker, and mentor, Rich discusses the twenty-year journey behind his book Life of Sales—a title that grew from a simple domain name idea into a full reflection on human connection, business growth, and the belief that everyone, in some way, is selling. Whether it’s convincing a client, inspiring a colleague, or encouraging a child, Lyons sees “sales” not as persuasion but as service. He emphasizes patience, persistence, and the willingness to ask good questions and truly listen.

Drawing on his background as an engineer turned entrepreneur, Rich recounts how he built a leading e-commerce consulting firm from the ground up. His leadership philosophy centered on culture—creating an environment where both employees and clients thrived. He tells a striking story about offering an unconditional money-back guarantee early in his company’s history, a bold decision that nearly cost him financially but ultimately defined the company’s reputation for trust and integrity.

Throughout the conversation, Rich touches on the changing world of sales in an AI-driven era, highlighting that while tools evolve, the fundamentals remain: authentic relationships, attentive communication, and ethical decision-making. He explores emotional intelligence in business, reminding listeners that awareness of fear, trust, and empathy transforms not only how we serve customers but how teams connect with one another.

Lyons also offers insight into leadership development and his focus on helping entrepreneurs grow as transformational leaders. His upcoming book, Business Is Culture, will expand on building purposeful organizations from the inside out—starting with personal awareness and alignment between values and actions.

Listeners will find wisdom in Rich’s calm, clear perspective on leadership, growth, and conscious success, as well as his ability to redefine what “sales” truly means in work and in life.

Key takeaway: True sales is service. When you lead with awareness, empathy, and integrity, you don’t just sell—you build trust, culture, and connection that endure.

https://www.lifeissales.com/

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EPISODE 731 - Lance Hillsinger - Child Welfare Social Worker to Author - Navigating Legal Documents to Authorship

In this thoughtful episode, author and retired social worker Lance Hilzinger joins us from San Luis Obispo, California, to reflect on a lifetime of service in the child welfare system and his journey into writing. With three decades of experience advocating for children and families in Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo Counties, Lance offers a candid look behind the courtroom doors of juvenile and foster care cases. He shares how both frustration and hope became the foundation for his writing, leading to several books that examine social policy, history, and faith.

Lance began his career with a master’s degree in psychology from Vanderbilt University before realizing that academia wasn’t his calling. A twist of fate led him to a social work position where he found his true purpose—helping families heal, understanding parents struggling with addiction, and advocating for vulnerable children. Over the years, he witnessed the evolution of the foster care system, including new programs supporting youth up to age twenty‑one, and the ongoing challenges of poverty, substance abuse, and a shortage of foster homes.

Discussing his writing, Lance explains how technical report writing in court shaped his clear, factual, and concise storytelling style. His first book captured the evolution—both progress and pitfalls—of child welfare practices, inspiring readers to consider becoming foster parents or court advocates. Later works broadened his focus: “Build a Better Bridge: Social Policy for the Twenty‑First Century” revisits America’s War on Poverty, calling for smarter, long‑lasting solutions to chronic social issues, while “Beyond Amelia: Lesser Known Women of Yesteryear” celebrates unsung female pioneers in science, leadership, and exploration. His newest book, “Matthew, Mark, Luke and John: A Court Investigator Examines the Gospels,” blends logical analysis and faith, exploring timeless biblical truths through a modern lens.

Lance also shares his experiences with publishing—its rewards, challenges, and lessons learned about contracts, editing, and choosing the right partner. Throughout the conversation, he returns to one unshakable theme: the importance of compassion, honesty, and consistency, whether in social work, writing, or personal faith. He reminds listeners that real change happens slowly but meaningfully, through persistence and integrity.

Key Takeaway:
Lance Hilzinger’s story is a testament to serving others with empathy and endurance. Whether guiding a family through hardship or crafting a book that bridges understanding, his work invites us to believe that steady, thoughtful effort can make systems—and lives—better.

https://www.lancehillsinger.net/

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