TrueLife - Rattled Awake - The Stories that Change Our Life

Episode Date: September 19, 2023

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Darkness struck, a gut-punched theft, Sun ripped away, her health bereft. I roar at the void. This ain't just fate, a cosmic scam I spit my hate. The games rigged tight, shadows deal, blood on their hands, I'll never kneel. Yet in the rage, a crack ignites, occulted sparks cut through the nights. The scars my key, hermetic and stark. To see, to rise, I hunt in the dark, fumbling, fear. Fearist through ruins maze, lights my war cry, born from the blaze.

The poem is Angels with Rifles. The track, I Am Sorrow, I Am Lust by Codex Serafini. Check out the entire song at the end of the cast. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the True Life podcast. I hope everybody's having a beautiful day. I hope the sun is shining, the birds are singing. I hope the wind is at your back. I have triple the show for you today.

I have three incredible women with three incredible stories and a call to action at the end that everyone is going to be dying to do. Let me just start by saying that everyone should gather around and brace yourselves for an incredible book called Rattle the Wake. Because I have not one, not two, but a triumphant trio of literary luminaries who pin the mind-bending masterpiece Rattled Awake. These three authors are so accomplished that even the dictionary turns to them for spelling advice. so original that even their pets can't predict their next move and so intrepid that they once had a staring contest with a blank page and won hands down. We have the incredible Lonnie Ray,

chef Jill Sullivan, and Erica Warren. I'm so stoked. All of you are here today. And in the beginning, I was trying to figure out where to start because each one of you have an incredible gift in the book rattled awake of which there's a workshop this weekend. People should be checking. I will put them in the show notes.

But I thought maybe what really called to me when I first started reading the chapter with Chef Jill, is her story about this transformation from a part of California to a part of Utah and a transformation of her life. And I'm wondering, Chef, could you give us a little bit of background on how the sun rises all over the world

and how your story kind of transforms? Oh, gosh. If you don't mind, I'm going to start with my last job. Is that okay? That's perfect. So my rattled awake moment came after I retired for my last job. As many of you know, and if you're retired, you know what hits you when that happens. It rattles you awake and you're like, okay, what's next?

So I was an executive chef at a recovery center for professionals like, policemen, firemen in that genre. And I felt like my true calling was service and serving them. And once that stopped, it was like, okay, what's next? Because I've always believed that through service, we become great. We have greatness when we can serve others. And for me, I know that's my calling in life is to serve others. and to give back to wherever I can.

So March 1st, I retired, and I was left wondering, what's next? And if you know me personally, you know that I'm a workhorse, that I'm in there 24-7. My job required 12-14-hour days, writing schedules and menus, and feeding the clients, which were usually 30 to 40 for lunch by myself. that required all the dishes and everything. So when that stopped, it was like hitting a brick wall. And I've always believed in taking my questions to a higher source in meditation or in prayer or whatever it may be. And so I found myself saying, okay, well, I did this and I can't do that anymore because I have back issues and all kinds of things.

what can I do? And then I met Lonnie. And I think her personality and her charm and I just wanted to get involved with anything that she had to offer because I believe in just jumping in. I don't think that you should have, you know, everything written in stone. I believe if you jump into something, it's called for you. And what's called for you is for you. And that's how my rattle-awake moment. came about is finding this book and deciding that I wanted to do it. And then after I jumped into

the book and we wrote the book, I'm like, what else can I do? What can I do for this book? Because it really touched my heart and had a place in my heart. And after writing it and getting involved, I'm like, I got to get more people into this. I want people to come aboard, right? Honey? I did that. Big time. Not a little, a lot. Whatever I can do, man, I was just like promoting and because I know that it changed my life. And it did something for me.

And so that's why I'm always sharing it now. I'm just like so about rattled and awake and how I can share that with others. Yeah. I think it speaks volumes of success. It seems to me that when you have these moments of clarity, they become contagious. And it's like finding Lonnie became the megaphone with which you could share your experience to other people. She became the mountaintop from which you climbed and started yelling, hey, just jump in the water. It's fine over here.

I want to throw something in, though. About this deal getting enrolled. It's funny how life is, guys. And out of the blue, I felt inclined to reach out to Jill. It had been a while. It had been quite a while. And she just came to mind. And I said, Bing, how's three years treated you?

How you doing? And we reconnected. And I sent her over to my How to Deal with the Dumbass, a spiritual perspective podcast. And it came at just the right time, didn't it, Jill? Yes. It lifted her up. She was searching, soul searching big time. I got lots of messages.

Like, I don't know what to do. with myself next. I don't know what's next. I'm praying God. What do I do? And by the way, your show makes me laugh. I drive hours and I listen to it and it helps. It's helping. You know, anybody out there who thinks about doing a podcast like you, Bob Whitty, it matters. And it revolutionized in some ways Jill's path and what she was going to do. At least she was able to find some humor and some ahas because it was based on my dumb ass book. And then that started a rapport that hasn't stopped. And her promotion, I cannot thank you enough, Jill.

You've sent beautiful people just like yourself to volume two. And I'm just so grateful because you do see the vision. You really do get what rattled away can do to elevate people and their ideas and their stories in a unique way that they would never have before. So thank you. Exactly. Yeah. You're welcome. Yeah. Yeah.

It's an interesting thing to think that there always has to be some people that go first. You know, and the people that go first tend to blaze a trail for other people to follow. Although sometimes there's like this thought mechanism that happens where we mourn the things that never existed. This reminds me of Erica up here who has an incredible chapter about the way in which Gen X is kind of moving through. You're doing some incredible things. Maybe you could talk about your relationship to Lonnie and your relationship to the chapter of the book. My relationship to Lonnie. Lonnie and I have been connected on LinkedIn for a few years now.

I think since the pandemic. And we just kind of supported each other's posts. And I remember she did this beautiful, beautiful video montage of a Japanese interactive experience in a museum where, like, you walked in the room and the whole thing was like the exhibit. It was insane because she knew my background was Japanese. And then there was a period of time

where I noticed that Lonnie had kind of gone. silent on the platform. And I remember thinking, well, that's weird. And, you know, I think I even tried to reach out a couple of times to the DM. And I really didn't know how to get a hold of her outside of the DM. And then she came back, guns blazing, and we reconnected. And, and then this, this opportunity came up. And then Lonnie's so sweet. You know, she's like, yeah, Erica can write. She's been writing. And writing for something like this, I'm going to tell you, for those of you who are copywriters or maybe your academic writers. I have this massive tome of a master's thesis, and that's a very different kind of writing than doing something like copywriting, which is what I do

or digital marketing. You can do this. If you've got a book in you and you've been saying, well, I'm going to get to it someday. Some days today, you know, don't let that song and you die. And so when she said, would you like to be a part of this? Same thing. You know, Lonnie and I had been tooling around with book ideas. And I just kept getting bogged down with, you know, some other projects. And I was like, yeah, it's one chapter, one weekend. I'm in.

And for me, I didn't really have that blank page. It was just, oh, okay. You know. And it was done because I'm a big believer. And you just write it down. And then you edit. One of the things about Erica that you guys might want to know is that we had had some discussions about a variety of book ideas. So for those of you out there who are like, what do I write about?

What do I focus on? I just don't know. When you come to a workshop, like we have Jill changed. You said you changed your mind four times, right? Yeah. Yeah. Easier said than done too. I sent from five in the morning till 10 at night.

Wow. finishing up what resonated with me finally. Yeah. Yeah. And ultimately, I think, you know, we can ask for a sign, you know, which way should I go? Because I think we've all had more than one Rattle Wake moment. I really do. And there's multiple versions come, multiple volumes.

You get more opportunities. But the point is, you know, figuring out what it is that you want to say this time, what's, what matters the most? What's your legacy message? What's your message for the masses? And Jill's is so inspiring with that rewrite your, your, your, you're, you're, you're your next chapter. And it's so her. It is. And it was interesting to see the process. And that's what story development's all about. That's what's cool about this workshop. It's somebody else's people are coming in and going, hey, I see this out you or I see that.

And what about this? I know you to be this. And so the feedback and the collaboration was just outstanding. With Eric's chapter and ageism and what is it, not a kuber, not a care, way more than nine pence. Is that the title? Amen. Right. Fantastic and unusual angle. And yet, if you read the stories, it's hilarious and it's horrifying all at once about what's really going on. So these aren't just stories about someone's personal journey. They're about reality, about what's really going on in the world and wake-up call. And so go ahead, Eric. Oh, no, what I was going to say, you know, to to and realizing that what I thought was the marriage wasn't the marriage and sitting in counseling

and hearing the counselor ask him, well, why did you marry Erica? And him saying, well, I thought, I thought she was pretty and she'd be good for business. Right. And this was somebody I had, our first kiss was on our wedding day. You know, we waited. And so had gone through all sorts of premarital. counseling, meeting the pastors, meeting the family, you know, and so to hear that, it was quite the shock. And at the same time, it was a gentle rattle to wait because God immediately

came in and just said, do not mourn what never existed. And I realized, I am free. But then that is what kind of saved me in the aftermath of the next several years of meeting many people on that far end of the narcissistic spectrum and realizing they're there to present something that you will soon find out never existed. And so it was a series of rattled awake moments in just how women of a certain age retreated, but especially once I turned 44. And especially once my much younger husband than boyfriend came into the picture. And the huge difference in how a woman is treated versus how a man is treated when they date somebody who is younger.

And the saddest thing of all to me is I was on YouTube and I was watching a bunch of male psychologists come in defending that older woman, younger man relationship from their perspective when they dated older women, women. And they did the thing. They did the thing. She was there to teach me everything that she knows. And I was like, is that, is that it? That's the only thing, really. And so, you know, for myself and Peter, my current husband, we waited until our wedding day. And that just blew people's minds. It's like, no, no, I'm serious when I say, I'm not a cougar. That is not what that relationship was about. And so that was a rattled awake moment, you know, for the both of us to see. just how people have their preconceived notions of their own sick fantasies and they take their trauma, they take their weirdness and they projected onto you. And it was fascinating to go through and to still see people clinging to that trope of older woman, younger man and how

they think it should be. Yeah, it blows my mind. I just think love is love, right? I just think Love is love, right? It doesn't matter how old you are or anything like that. Yeah, it is. What were you saying, honey? We've just got a world full of judgmental people who think that they can put you in a box, close the lid and call it done. And it ain't done, hon. You all need to open up your eyes, let it go, and realize you can revise what you're looking at because your view may not be really realistic.

And this chapter that Erica wrote is eye popping. talk about my opening as to how ignorant some people can be. There he is. Yes, you're going to be himself. Love is no age. Yes. Well, when they're as cute as Peter is, you know. It's true.

He's a cute. You know, model material for sure. He's super supportive. I mean, he's the one that I always, when we met, I was always coloring my hair, but not because I was gray. I just, even at 44, I was not gray. I just liked to do different things with my hair, but I always swore. Once the wrinkles, once the gray hair set in, I was going to go cold turkey.

And that was before the pandemic when everybody had to quit coloring your hair, right? And so I started to see the grays and the sparkles. And I remember telling my hairdresser, all right, we're stopping the hair coloring. And he was like, you don't have enough sparkles. I was like, nope, I want to see every single one of them. and then you're going to turn me into storm. And I'm going to be like X-Men. And this thing is going to be gray, gray, gray, gray, great, great, great.

And so it's just, it's coming in in these like streaks. It's really like storm or, you know, I forget the woman who used to be on that clothing personal, Stacey London, like the Stacey London streets. And, you know, Peter was the first one to say, I'm so glad you're not doing that. I like your sparkles. I'll continue coloring my hair, thank you. Yeah. Let me ask you ladies this. It seems to me that there's this Ariadne thread that runs through the book,

and it is this idea that people come in and they write this chapter of themselves while simultaneously either getting ready to go through a tragedy in a tragedy or coming through a tragedy. And it seems like a lot of the chapters are people actually changing the way they think, and it translates to the pages there. Does that sound accurate to anybody in there? Mm-hmm. Yeah.

I'm going to say it's not really a tragedy. I really don't. I don't see it that way. I think that these are events that happen and people pivoted. And, you know, like realizing in my chapter that I rang the triangle about 2,000 food processing plants

mysteriously burning in a year, that is tragic. But okay, here's the news. Now what will you do? So that was my way of doing it. You know, Erica took on, you know, ageism and judgmentalism and so many other things. Nothing tragic in there except that it's tragic people think that way. And you can learn from how she handled it beautifully. And, you know, with Jill, it's beyond age of midlife crisis kind of thing. But it is absolutely a career crisis. and identity. That's not tragic. That's common. So I don't necessarily disagree with you, George, but what I do see is that we've all decided to select an event within the last five years that was a significant event that did cause us to put the F in shit and turn it into shift. In other words, when you spell the word out, right? You know, it just... Well, look at Russ. You know, he went through all the things. You know, he went through all

these trials with cancer. But look at him now. He's like so positive and just turned the whole thing around and wrote a chapter about positivity. And then there's Chris with MS. Oh, yeah. Who just turned that one around too. So and like for me, all the trials in my life, I've always turned them around. I don't, I have always been a positive thinker and how can I make this better and not get bitter. And actually, it's my calling also is to motivate others. And that's what I did through the hashtag sunrise around the world. How can I be someone that's instrumental during COVID when life was shit, right? Life was crappy. How can I, just this one person, changed the trajectory for so many others.

And I did that through just a simple hashtag. And I have had so many people say, what did the doctor say to you, Lonnie, that I saved her life? I wouldn't take it that far, but, you know. She did it. Yeah. Some people were pretty depressed.

Sorry, it took me a minute to pull that out. Yeah, let me just chime in on that. We had somebody who was, who shared with me that, that she was really down, like, bad. Like, you know, if you've ever felt like there's no hope, things are not going to change, it's not going to get any better, you know how that feels, how awful that feels. And that's where she was.

And she shared this with me and said, if it were not for Jill's posts, I don't know that I would be here. Because she gave me hope. That's so crazy. Yeah. And we don't know. We don't know when we're doing these things. but when somebody tells us, hey, you really saved me. And I've had more than one person, you know, text me.

So it just takes one effort from a crappy situation to say, what can I do? How can I be instrumental and actually do it? And no matter how small it is, whatever it is, what was that? What did I, that poem that I wrote from Helen Keller and you read it before we got on here, George? It says, I am one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. Exactly. And that's, that's, that's where everyone in this book had the same motto for sure.

It wasn't just mine. How can I do something? You've gotten, I think, realizing, for me, anyway, that God is economical, and he uses all things for good. All things. Even other people getting caught up in their own trauma and stupidity and projecting and gas-liding and doing everything that they're doing. It only kind of strengthens one's own testimony and one's own faith walk.

and, you know, iron sharpens iron, I guess. But it was a big lesson. And so, yeah, to Lonnie's point, could they have all been tragedies? No, but I think God is economical, and there is really no such thing, even though it feels like it when you're walking through it. Well, I also want to tip the hat over to the courage that it took for first-time writers and those who have tried before. Jill's shaking her head with big eyes for those of you who don't see the podcast.

Jill was amazing. Man, she was amazing. Jumped in. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We have, we had two people with MS, George, and one of them will never get out of a wheelchair. And, you know, her story, Leanna's story, Bravo, Leena, for coming forward and getting her story done. And she did that because Jill shared from the heart what this was like. And Leanna said, I want that experience. I think I could do a chapter in a weekend. I know I can't really type that well, but I know how to write. At least I can talk it out.

So, you know, these were people that were doing what Jill's mindset was, how can I anyway? What can I do anyway in spite of it? I think I asked you that question too, huh? What? Lonnie. What question? And it rattled you awake. Remember when you were going through tough times and I told you, I said, you may not be able to do this, but you can do this.

What can you do? Both of you have influenced me because Erica will say, she'll flip back at me and go, you don't know that. You don't know that that's true yet because my mind will go into some spin on something. And she'll be like, you don't know that yet. So you'll be right. Real you back. Real you back in. And she'd be right half the time.

And then there's Jill, which is, you know, what can you do? And for those of you don't know, I've broken my wrist and have a lot of challenges and life isn't the same. And what can I do? Well, I can now wash dishes with one hand. There's a lot I figured out to do, but it's hard. But honestly, if it hadn't happened, I might not have been thinking, what can I do? And rattled awake might not have come about.

because I was busy over here, you know, a little old freelance writer over here, write memoirs for people and nobody would have heard much for me at all. And then I had to come up with something and it sort of developed itself. And it wasn't like, oh, I'm so genius. It was, what are people going through? What did they go through? How can we feature this in a way that is not your typical self-help book?

It is not a triumph over tragedy adversity over overcome. I didn't want it to be anything like anything. we'd ever seen before. Even the bios. I said, do your name. Like, Erica Warfield is on a mission, too. And I said, what's you're on a mission to? And she's like, I don't know.

And it took her three days. It did. And you came up with a, right? That was a challenge. That was the challenge, was that stupid bio. Everything else, like, just kind of flew. Because, I mean, I'd been thinking about it for a while. I had a couple chapters kind of fleshed out and outlined.

And I was like, okay, I could revamp this. And then, you know, change it. to add humor, you know, because a lot of the stories were on the heavier side. And so I realized, even though mine was on the heavy side, I had the opportunity to try to infuse it with humor, because there was a lot that was really funny about, you know, other people's stupidity. So, but that bio, oh my gosh, I really don't like tooting my own horn. It's also, it's a challenge, George, because if people don't read the directions, I get, I swear to you, I get a page and a half of a bio from people. And I'm like, no, no, no, no, no.

The directions are three to four sentences and start with your name and I'm on a mission to. And that really forces people to focus on what it is that matters the most and who they want to impact. And, you know, in story development, that's what I do is I help people to really, really, really. focus on that thing. What's that message? What's that thing for doing? Go ahead. There was, there was, I think you get the page in half because we were all copy pasting our LinkedIn about section. I'm calling it the day. But there was one thing that I know was helpful for me before we started to rattle awake. And you and I were, you know, going back and forth about a potential book in the future. And that was write five reviews of what your avatar would write after they

read your book. And I realized my avatar was Paulina Poroscova. It was women who ended up in divorce being told they're past their best by date. Nobody's going to look at them. And they're literally just kind of relegated and shoved in the closet. And I'm a mere aunt compared to Paulina Poroskova, but to hear her speak on it so eloquently, I mean, women are. And I think, I think that as I looked at that avatar and I started realizing that women who are millennials, and let's not even get into the zoomers, but the younger millennials, they have no idea how they're about to be treated. Right? This just in. Prepare to be invisible. Yeah. You're cute now. Enjoy it. Take pictures.

I'm just telling you, that's how the world treats you. And it needs to change. Yeah. It makes me wonder. In my chapter, I write about becoming an executive chef and coming through the ranks and working hard. But do you know how hard it is to get there when the men are usually the exec chefs and they don't take you serious? So we all have that circumstance of, and I wouldn't say all men, I can't categorize, but there was a few men that had huge egos and did not want me to succeed because I was a woman.

And my last job that I left, I had been working for years with old ovens. As soon as I retired and left, I came back to fill in one day and there was a new, a new stove. there and I said okay how did you get that new stove and I worked here for two years he told me it's a man's world Jill it's a man's world and you know men get what they want and you know maybe that's true maybe that's not but it was in your world it was yeah so that's the things that we you know me and Erica and all these people, we go through being pegged as somebody that, oh, you married somebody younger, so you're a cougar and whatever, whatever. And me, I'm a woman, so I shouldn't be in charge of anything.

I should be taking direction from men. That's a controversial statement, and I know that it is, but that's how I felt. Well, that's how it is in food service, Jill. I have a background in food service. And I wonder how these guys get through the door. Their heads are so big. Every day, they get bigger and bigger heads. I'm like, really, how do you even get in the car at the end of the day?

You're just so blown up over yourself. Aren't you special? You know, I could saute as fast as you, bra. Come on. Bring it. I mean, we're just as capable. Come on. Cut it out.

It's very competitive. I think one job that I had, was a prep cook. And it was after COVID. No, it was during COVID. Yeah. And I needed a job. So I took this job as prep cook, this really fancy restaurant.

Nobody spoke English. And the exec chef, you know, didn't really know all the things that I knew how to do. So I went in and I busted out some flank steak and I portioned them. out and then I went and I filleted some halibet, portion that out. I can just see you. I think they were taken back. Oh my gosh.

This girl can really do some things. I have a really nice fillet knife too. And I just, in fact, I don't know if you know this or not, but you can fillet a salmon without a knife. You just take it, hold onto it and run your hand on it. I did that to several. And, you know, I'm not bragging. I'm just saying sometimes women have to do

things like that, you know, to show you, I've got to show you. I can do these things. So to be taken, not with a grain of salt, but, you know, hey, she can do that. So do you think society is changing? Do you think for the group coming up, be it millennials, like maybe because of some of the things that you have done or the way the world is changing or people being awake, that maybe the attitudes in society between men and women are changing? Are you talking to me? Anyone who wants to take that. Yeah. What do you think, Jeff?

I think in the culinary world, it's tough. And I don't know why, but people that are in charge, they get these huge egos. And what I say is law, right? I was never like that as an exec chef. I was always real patient. And how can I serve you? How can I show you how to do what I'm doing in a kind way? You know, I was never, I don't like ego.

Ego was not part of who I am. So, yeah, but I think, I think it's real out there. Sure. So. I think it's not so much a gender divide, just like it's not so much an age divide or a political divide. I really see this as good versus evil, light versus dark, regardless of age, regardless of gender, regardless of the political affiliation.

And speaking to Lonnie's chapter, I really do believe that there is a move to just divide, divide, divide, and have us focus on the differences versus everything that makes us similar, because there's only one race, as we all know, it's the human race, which includes all ethnicities. And it's really a tragedy to see this coming down to the haves versus the have-nots or the gender or the age or the political whatever. That's just sort of my two cents on that. Yeah, I think the Rattle the Wake series is one of the reasons that's so compelling is it's better than all the narratives out there. We have all these canned narratives that you're supposed to go watch a superhero movie or watch this rom-com movie. There's all this silliness out there.

But when you read the chapters of real people who have gone out of their way and faced situations and found ways to find and create meaning in those, like that's what Rattled the Wake stories have been to me so far. And I think it's way more compelling and way more beautiful to see your fellow human being solving problems and finding meaning and building relationships. I think that that's one reason is so successful to all you ladies. Lonnie, what do you think about that? Is that something that seems to be happening? Which part? The Rattle to Wake rocks or that... We know that part's true.

We know it's part true. It is. I think that stories of hope and improvement will never grow old. And there is an addiction, I think, to chaos. And in fact, sort of a numbing out to it all that's happening through movies and television and whatever kind of frequency is behind all those being broadcasted people. That's another topic. But I think that ultimately what we consume visually and in music as well, audibly,

is having an impact. And that if we could just all be mindful and focus in on something that actually feeds the soul versus takes from it or terrorizes it or terrifies it or creates some kind of like, we'll have a much better time of life if we could all just, can we just have a good time with, you know, how can I have more fun today than ever thought possible to focus on that? Because there's a lot, there's a lot going on that if you want to focus on that and you want to doomscroll, you can. You can be busy all day and all night. And you'll find all that stuff and it never ends.

And it may or may not be true. But if you receive it that way, then you believe it that way. And so with all due respect to people and their love of zombie movies and horror films, I think, and they do, I don't get it. I just can't even watch a trailer ad for one of those. I don't understand that. But okay, there's plenty of material out there for you guys. Yeah.

Yeah, I'd love it if one of y'all were right of the way to stop doing that. And like switch the channel from I want to watch zombie movies where people get to like a culinary show. I don't know. Something productive. I don't know. Maybe that's a reach. I'm making shit up, George.

But, you know. That's my girl. Changing this subject a little bit too. I also think that all those things can be put on the shelf and away from you when you're writing and when you're writing your story. And that's why I wanted to promote. If anybody has a story within them, it helps you to get real with the things that are important and the things that might help,

you know, when you're writing, you're thinking, how can I help somebody through this story? And it actually does help people through your stories. That's why we're, you know, we're in this world together, helping each other. Yeah. Sharing our stories. So if you have an inkling to get into the next book, I'm always going to be promoted that because it was a mind-blowing experience for me. Jill, you were like the proverbial caterpillar and butterfly. Like from where you started to all the different iterations and where you finished, I mean,

it was really just a beautiful transformative process to... Thank you for helping me with all that, too. That was a fun process, wasn't it? That was all you. But another thing, too, is, you know, my background working, work, work, work, work, work. I never had time to sit still. Me, write something? I'm like, uh-uh, uh, no, I don't have time. So when I actually started writing, I'm like, hey, I really like this. And then Lonnie started putting her little, what, how would you say it?

The magic touches on it, changing how I wrote things. It just opened my eyes like, wow, this is fun. She's like, wait, sorry, my. I got bad hair day today. Look, this is hair with one hand. You cannot use a curling iron when you have only one hand. Bear with me here, mop top. You know, I shouldn't even think this is remotely funny.

Peter had a strength and conditioning coach who broke both wrists really badly in a freak weightlifting accident. Oh, God. Yeah, and he ended up with the weights on him and his arms couldn't move and it broke both his wrists. And I mean, even just going to the bathroom, he was like, what was I going to do? I was like, we don't have to go there, really, you know? And it came down to he had to buy one of those portable badees and have somebody attach it to his toilet. He was like, there was no other way.

We just don't think about what we're going to do when those things happen. And I think that's what's so great about your chapter, Lonnie, because it wasn't just you're rattled awake. It was, hey, it may not be the 2000 food plants that had burned down, you know, and it's, you know, Armageddon or it's whatever. It's, you could end up losing one or both of your wrists and you might not have family that can help you. And did you have enough stuff stopped? And it's, it's something that we all kind of need to start looking into. Yeah, it was a personal ShtF moment for sure. Shit hit the fan. And it's like that every day.

Life is not normal anymore. There's nothing about it. It's not a sympathy party. It's just that's a reality. Okay, now what? And that's honestly what premise of Rattled Awake is about. It's like, oh, okay, that happened. Now what?

How do I pivot? How do I become better or not bitter? And then share that because it can inspire other people and help them realize you're not alone. you're not the only one and sometimes that process takes years you know do you know what I'm saying what process the process of sitting in in in that moment sometimes you know you don't change your life all of a sudden sometimes the things that you go through really affect you and it takes years to come out of that God I hope you're wrong I don't think I could do this for years I'm not talking years, but I mean, it's not on our terms and our time.

Sometimes we can get out of it at these certain times, and certain things help us. Do you think everybody, sorry, go ahead. Oh, I was just going to say, I think the beauty of this book, too, is it, I think it could end up being a stepping stone, not to denigrate it or make it less than what it was, but it doesn't stop with just this anthology. I mean, each one of us could, and each new co-author and author of the next volumes, can use that to go on to larger platforms,

larger podcasts, speaking engagements, stages. I know one of the things that I thought would be kind of fun is doing the whatever podcast. So whatever podcast, if you're watching, Peter and I would love to come on and have the chats that you all have with the 304s, as you will so call them, because you just never know. You never know. And I think those young women sometimes are spoken to rather abruptly,

and sometimes it's warranted that they are spoken to rather abruptly because of what they think is acceptable and what will get them further in life. And it's really sad. It's a very sad thing to see that. that they're lessening what their value is, and they don't see what their true value is. It's interesting to see the different models change. And you had said something previously about the Rattle the Wake series being different.

As a Gen Xo, when I grew up, there used to be these commercials for like, there was like this giant quilt that went around the world, and everybody sold like a patch on there. And they had all these patches from around the world. It seems like this new modality of change coming from the ground up, where you're compiling authors coming together telling a story. It's not like you're telling a story. It's like you're telling our story.

And everybody gets an opportunity to write a chapter in our book. And who wouldn't want to read a book about our story? Like there's something in there from everyone because everyone is writing something. And that's where real change can be. Someone can identify it. Maybe they identify with Jill's story or Erica's story or your story or Russ's story. but there's something in there that explains the human condition. I think that you had spoken about like the plants and all this things that are happening in front of us,

but maybe these things are happening so we at the bottom create change from the bottom up because it sounds like every one of us wasn't born with a silver spoon in our mouth. It sounds like every one of us had to fight for the things that we have in our life that we love. There's a great quote that Jill has in her section that says, in life it's not about what you get from work, it's about who you become. I thought that was so beautiful. I think that's kind of what Rattle the Wake is doing. It's providing our story.

That's a cool model to think about, right? It really is. And on top of what Erica was saying about what this book can do for a person, it can get them onto bigger podcasts. It can get them a broader audience. There's another part of it, like with Chris Freer. And I'm looking at your comment, Bob, about your biggest event was you're learning to love your wheelchair.

I love that. Bob, that's amazing. Bob was a surfer. You guys didn't know. And so Chris was relegated to a wheelchair too and then made sure that he got out of it. He's walking. And that could be his story. That could be enough. That's inspiring.

But what's also happened is that Chris revealed that since he was a kid, words jiggle on the page when he tries to read. that's really hard to imagine that he wrote and wants to keep writing and can't stop writing. That's pretty amazing. And that's a story right there. And I think the thing that gets me about Chris's story, you know, hearing about the words wiggling, hearing how he was treated in school, you know, just all the horrible things that, you know, can go down, you know, if somebody has a learning disability, not that he does, but, you know, how teachers can be, especially back in that era, how teachers could be, is, I just lost my train

of thought. Talk about a learning disability. I completely just lost my train of thought. Anyway, to take away from that, that that was other people's dysfunction. It was other people's dysfunction and trauma and whatever else, and he took it. And you know the anointing is great upon you when there is that much being thrown at you, even as a small child. And then to come out and to do what he did, to do what Jill did, to do what, you know, Lonnie encouraged all of us to do, you know the anointing is great when you have that much garbage thrown at you to stop. And you still overcome.

A strong will. I'm a tough woman. I have always thought that I was a tough woman because, yes. have to be tough to do to ignore all the naysayers and the ego and the and push your way through you know and so you're right it you know everybody has their um cross to bear in life and and i've always thought i am so proud of myself and we all should be proud of ourselves for getting through whatever a little obstacle there was in life and coming out stronger on the other side, whether it was COVID or things in work or whatever. I mean, we pushed through it. We got through it, right? And we all

have a story to tell. So we should all get in the next book. That's your story. George, I really want to thank you. I want to pick up on what you said about this being everybody's story because we all have all had some kind of shook moment. And what I've seen that everyone, not only did we all have that in common, which is the thread that binds all of us authors and all us people and all of us readers, is that there's a, there's a consistent theme of taking back your power, taking back authority over your life. Like Jill said, you know, willpower. And that, that is contagious. That is, that's, that's something that you want to pick up on not another zombie going to eat a zombie trick. You know, like what you want is,

how can we, oh, okay, it's like that, huh? Oh, okay. Let's see what we could do about that right now. I don't like this at all. But if we can, you know, link arms and circle the wagons and, you know, with people that are all so strong and have been through a lot, and now you know who they are. It's this book and the continued series. I'm so excited. Leslie is here. She just signed up this morning. I want to give her major props. Yeah, if I could club with my airbox, you, Leslie. That's awesome. Congratulations, Leslie. Yes, it's a big deal. And I'm so proud of her. She has a great story within her. She has a great story. So, yeah, then it becomes an interesting point to figure out what is that singular message? What is that singular point and what story are we going to tell?

And so that, you know, I talk to every author before it's a yes, before, don't just sign up everybody. I don't deny so far. Everybody's been freaking great because Jill, you bring amazing people to the party. They're like so beautiful. And, you know, they have so much to offer. And you too, Erica. Dr. D. D. Clark is coming in. She's going to do a chapter.

Is she really? That's news to me. I love that. No. And so we were on the phone today also figuring out what angle, what are we going to do? How do I point this towards what it is that you want to be about in the future? And so that's, this isn't just people kind of throwing up on paper. This is, this is very targeted on purpose so that it serves the authors, the writers, and the back and the front end of the whatever, the progress.

Where do they want to be next? What do they want this to do for them? And that comes from experience working in, you know, writing that, you know, helping people because marketing is everything and everything's marketing. And what do you want this book to do for you next is really, or the chapter, how do you want this to help you and your readers? So it's not just chicken soup for the soul stories. It's more.

It is. What does the process look like, Lonnie? Like people, you get together for a week and like, maybe you can speak a little bit to what the process is like, the creative interaction between everybody. The creative interaction is, I think it's going to be different. with every group, quite honestly, George. The one for volume one was a lot of interaction.

There were a lot of first-time writers. And she was always like, that was me. I tell you, that was me. I think Lorette meant me on the web on a podcast. Yeah. So what happened is, very different from what was planned. The plan was that people would come in on Sunday morning and they would all have their chapter done and then they would exchange their chapters by little group rooms,

Zoom rooms and and commits a bit, edit a little bit, have some commentary and be done. But only one person came with their chapter done and that was Erica. And so every, right? So Sunday morning was not what was planned. And it was like, oh, okay. Erica, go have some calls. coffee, you know, they're going to write. And if you're, you know, I'm just kidding about that, but, you know, she did, she was done. And, and I think that, uh, the other people needed more time to process the, the focus. And that's why I've decided in this, in this next workshop, and from now on, I am, I, Leslie and I were on the phone for 90 minutes. And then I was on the phone with Dr. Clark for, for another hour plus. I want to make sure that we're really clear coming into this.

That it's not like, I don't know. Because that, I mean, that's the beginning of new possibilities, and that's wonderful. But we have a weekend to figure this out. And so I want to be really clear and sure with them, too, so that they have a chance over the next couple of days to mull it over. Does this still seem right? Does this still seem like what I want to talk about? Because Jill started in on the obvious, which was about food because love of foodie is her thing. And it ended up being about a personal transformation.

So it's a lot of soul searching, George, and that tends to happen in the group, but it's also, you know, in the night. At a night they go home and they're like, hmm, hmm, what really matters? And that, then in the collaboration, the viewing of each other's chapters, and there's comments that are made on these Google Docs. And like with Chris, he had somebody made some comments. They basically rewrote his, a few paragraphs for him. And I said, I, I reached out to him and I said, because he says, I don't know if I should use that. If you want to do that, whatever you want to do, Lonnie, however you want to edit it, whatever you want to do. And I said, Chris, I like the way you put it better.

I mean, she wrote it all real academic and stuff and it sounds real nice, but it doesn't sound like you. And so, you know, I really want this to sound like you. And I swear, George and ladies, I swear that. That is what pushed Chris Freer into realizing he could write. I'm about to get emotional. Oh, shit. That was a big moment for him. Yeah.

To realize he's not a lunk. He actually has a great way with words. And even the highly degrade academic didn't do a better job than George. I mean, than Chris on paper. I love his story. His story was great. his story was great that's a big deal it just proves you don't have to be some highfalut and highly degreed anything anything just be honest just be transparent and you can really have impact people

that's all it matters so we want to have impact and we want to keep it so that so they keep reading you know that's why i like to distinctify i say let's take the zip line to the finish line. Let's get this puppy done. You know, beginning, middle end, next. And that way the readers can really get through the entire book quite easily. And everybody's story has been consumed. And it's a fresh new, oh, look at this one. Oh, look at this one. It's wonderful. It's a wonderful array of people. And so that process, you asked about the process. What happens after they turn in their chapters, they turn them into me. And I become the final editor. And if I have to, I'll pick up the phone. I called Willie. Hi, Willie.

I see you here. But I was like, who's this guy? Who's this guy in the chapter? What are you talking about? And so I look for clarity. Oh, look at a kitty. Ginger. And so I make sure that it all makes sense. And that way the readers are and

the writers are honored for their time spent. And then I go into formatting and we've created a cover that will be the series. It will be the look. And there will be theme books in the future of like moms on a mission, a whole book on moms on a mission. I really want that. I don't want a whole book on young adults.

Like, what happened over the last five years for you, kids? What happened? What's your rattled awake moment? And I really would love to have that theme book. And then their photos are beautiful photos and faces are put on the back. away it goes off to Amazon and then we collaborate to make the puppy a bestseller and that's a game changer. So that's the process. I love it. You know, often we think about a lot of the times we think about when people get the flu or they get sick, it's contagious. I think the same thing's

true for healing, right? Like when people come together, like healing is contagious. Like if I see you get emotional, it makes me feel a little emotional. But it makes me think of my friend who overcame this thing. And why wouldn't it work that way if sickness is contagious? Why wouldn't healing be contagious? And why wouldn't we heal through the wounds of others by learning from their experience? I think the rattle of the wig is amazing. I think all of those could be bestsellers because every person writing them is a best seller as a best person. They're putting their best foot forward to tell a story that actually happened. It's just a, I don't know, it's very soulful and beautiful and healing in so many ways. You don't see that these days. It's been an absence of that for

so long. Well, it's frequency, right? What you're saying, you know, if we can all be together, if we can be contagious in illness, we can be contagious in healing. And so the book and the anthology is definitely setting the frequency for doing that. And for all of us, I think, as current co-authors and future co-authors, realizing that we've got to get away from whatever, the negative circumstance to negative people, you know, anything that would rob of the anointing that's already placed within you. And so, yeah, it is. It's all about the frequency. I love that you said that. Do you think that maybe these things that are happening to us? Sometimes I think it's like the universe of God or some people believe in the universe speaking to them, but maybe these things

are happening to us to sculpt us into the people we're supposed to be. You know, and if if you look at it from that angle, it's kind of inspiring. Like this thing you think is something to break you down. It's just a test. And there's no wrong answer. But you've got to pass this test. You're going to keep going through this test until you find a way to do it. And it's painful because you're being sculpted into this authentic present to the universe that is you.

Like so many of your stories. Like I read this like, oh, that's so cool the way she did that. I can't. I'm stoked that she stood up for that. Like maybe that's what's happening. And the people that are, once you write your story, all of a sudden, you, You can see someone else about to take that step. And then your job is like, I'm going to help him get through that step because I know what it's like.

And we all have this secret power and desire to want to help a younger version of ourselves go through something that could be similar. Right? It sounds like that's what you, all you ladies are doing and Russ is doing and Willie is doing. All these people are doing. I've always had the theory that you don't have to be the best. You just have to jump in. And that was always my secret sauce. Boom.

You don't have to be the best. Lonnie can attest to that. Oops, we're just waiting. I was not the best in writing, but I jumped in. And I gave it hell. And for me looking back on that, super proud of myself. And that's what I want to teach others. Get it in the book.

Just try it. Right? You don't have to be the best. Just jump in. Everybody has a good story. Yeah, that's one of the saddest things when people think that they don't have a story. The fact that you're here means you have a story to tell.

You may be working on your story right now, but you have a story to tell. And sometimes I think this irrational expectations that are forced fed to us through billboards and magazines and movies. Like these are so, they're almost pornographic in nature because they're so unrealistic. And then that forces you to set this bar like so far up here

that like, why even try? Because I can't be that person. So then you just, you get stuck. and you start getting this negative feedback in your mind. Like, well, I'll never be Brad Pitt or I'll never be this guy or I'll never be that late. But who cares about those dummies? Like you are a better person because you are your authentic person. You have your own story to tell.

And once you start doing that, you become inspiration for other people. I love it. I think, you know, and there was so much that you just said there, George. I'm like trying to pick one out. My brain just bifurcated. get away, Erica. I'm going to sit back here. Wait for a second. I know, right? Well, first, you know, I do want to, I do want to say this about Brad Pitt in case he's watching. He has, he has stated rather eloquently that he has realized you can be at the top and realize it's nothing. What is important? You know,

what is there after the accolades? What is there after, you know, so even he would say once you hit the pinnacle, if you don't have your priorities in order, it's a hard, hard letdown. You know, there's only so much money you can have and spend. Now, with that said, for everybody else who maybe doesn't want to be Brad Pitt, and just thinks, I'm the lunk, I've never written before, I've never done this, I won't amount to anything. Those are other people's trauma whispering into your brain, right? Do not mourn, you know, because that didn't exist either.

you being a lung did not exist that was spoken over you to rob you of your anointing but the fact of the matter is is we are kind of like Peter has this saying and he's probably already in wrestling getting the tar beat out of him right now and pinned and whatever else but he has this saying that the aspen tree is his favorite and the reason the aspen tree is his favorite is because the aspen tree has one root system all across the world all the husbands belong to one root system. And he says, that's like us as people. And so we have to be there for each other. And it's the saddest thing, I think, for the both of us, when we see people slandering or libeling or tearing each other down or, you know, foisting their trauma on other people, smear campaigns. It's, you know, and I, that kind of came out in my chapter a little bit, but I'm just, speaking in general, you know, to your point of, you know, us all being there for each other. Now,

you know, do I believe in being a masochist and letting people abuse you? No. I mean, but for the rest of those that are good eggs, then, you know, it's about being there for them. No Judas eggs. What's the Judas egg? There's 12 eggs in a dozen and there's always the cracked one. You know, that's the Judas egg. Sometimes I think you have to be, sometimes I think we all find ourselves cracked so that we know how to get better. Like sometimes you have to be broken to be reborn again. And there's this theme that runs through the spiritual literature of choose your book, of you find your moment, your Job moment, or you get broken. And it's there where you find the gold.

And if you read mythologies, whether it's the Homeric Verses or Joseph Campbell's the hero's journey, often where we see. stumble is where we find the goal. We stumble and we fall. But like, that's the world telling us, okay, here's the spot to dig. This is the thing that's bothering. This is the thing that's holding you back. Let's work on this. And it's hard to understand that. It's hard to get there. But once you do, you begin to see these things that happen in your life is, okay, instead of why did this happen to me, the question is, what can I learn here? And if you can begin asking better questions, you can have better answers. Because so often we're taught in life to, well, why did this happen to me. You know, if you ask a dumb question, you get a dumb answer. Well, it happened because

you're dumb. It happened because you do this. You always do that. You go down this wrong road. But if you just start asking better questions, you can change that inner dialogue in your mind of like, okay, what can I learn here? Is there a pattern happening here? Okay, if I do something different, will I have the same results? And I think that that comes, it takes us right back to rattle the wake. Because you can really learn by modeling what other people do. If we look back to the, to the times of ceremony or people, you know, you still find this sometimes when you go to different ceremonies. Like we learn through rituals. We learn through watching mentors. And so much of that has been stripped out of our society. So much of the rituals and the rights of passage have

been turned into prom dates and a first car and, you know, getting a middle life crisis and stuff. Like those, while ritualistic in ways, those are not the rituals that we should be looking towards to pass on to other people. We should be finding something. something more meaningful that a young person can watch someone go through and that an older person can help that person go through and then we change those roles. And I think that that's what rattled awake is. It's all it's it's you get to be all you get to be the young person, the middle person and the older person. And you're telling your story. It's a it's a ceremonial in some ways. Rattled awake people check it out. Are you not into hoco and promposles? Is that

what you're saying? Everything's got their place. No, I watch it all and I'm like, Thank you, George. That was beautiful. You're so excited about it and you get it. And I love your style. You're just the best. It takes one to no one. Thank you, ladies. I rattled away. Check it out. It's what I see on the future. And I think all of us have an obligation that, you know, when you get to the top, you turn around and you help the next person up. And I love the model. You have to be one step ahead in order. And I think. One step ahead in order. And to turn around and go, I'm one step ahead here. I know that, I know that next step.

That's all you need, just one step. You don't have to have it all figured out. And, you know, you talk about, you know, preserving the knowledge. And I believe in saying it forward. That's what I call this, a say it forward movement. Not just pay it forward, but say it forward. It's important that we do. And it's not AI, AI can't touch this, yo, because, you know, we are, it can't.

There's a robot. It's not going to tell you how to handle people that are snarky. It's not going to tell you how to overcome your angst and your pain from the past. It's not going to be a human substitute of any kind. In fact, no AI contents allowed in these books, none. It's all from the heart. I mean it. And Amazon will pick it up.

They poll us as we publish. Did you use AI tools? Did anybody use AI tools in this? They will kick it. And maybe they won't later. But I don't care. No machine is going to be able to duplicate your personal process and your story matters. And, you know, I believe we've all.

live to tell about it. Sometimes that's literal for some of us that we've made it anyway. And it is important to share that because there's somebody out there who's waiting to hear, you know, learn from whatever, leave a cult, you know, whatever, whatever, you know, you have no idea what your story is going to do for somebody. You may never hear it. But that, that matters that you've said it. Like, you know, Wayne Dyer said, you know, don't let the music die with you. It's beautiful. Yeah. Because why else are we here?

Because honestly, like, you know, you were using a Brad Pitt example and all the money, fame, fortune, accolades, all that. Who cares? In the end, what's endless, you know, what's endless is the satisfaction that comes from helping other people. There is nothing like that moment when somebody says, you make me believe I could do anything. Or I see myself in you. or I'm inspired that I can do this too. There's nothing like it. And that's endless.

You can't put a price on that. As soon as that happens to a person, whether you're speaking on stage and somebody says that to you, you make me believe I can do anything or in passing, you'll never forget that. And it will constantly pull. Do more, two more, two more. Yeah.

My way to do more. So that's a stream of, I don't know, reward, I guess. It has its own reward. So put pen to paper. Share your heart. It's easier than you think. And I know you guys said it was hard. And, you know, yeah, look at Jill's face.

She's all screwed her face up like, fuck, that was hard. God damn, that was horrible. When you were saying, just write it down and get it done, I'm like, Okay. Look, it took me nine hours. I took nine hours to get my final chapter. You did. I didn't, yeah.

Of course, I'm one finger Frida, but there's that. Right. Yeah. You want to talk about Determined. Yeah. I think in my chapter, what I wanted to relay to people was you can start over. No matter, you know, what you're going through. Even Lonnie with her one hand, she can see.

still do something. But during, I look back over my life and it's been not a bed of roses. It hasn't been easy. But through, like you said, George, through all the trials, it's brought me here to where I'm supposed to be just sitting here on the podcast with Lonnie and Erica sharing, sharing this rattled awake. And in my life, I've always had to, in my chapter, I talk about rewriting your next chapter. And I think I had to do that every two years growing up. We moved every two years. What a hard time.

I moved to high school in my senior year to a different school. That was tough. Yes. So, but fortitude and we got gumption now because, and it's made me tougher. It's made me just push through and say I can do it. And that's what I want to, that's my message in life and in this chapter is you can recreate yourself, even through all the trials that you've been through. You can come out stronger.

Just keep going. And listen to that small spirit that says, yes, get in this book like I did. Yes, do it. She's hired. You could be a stumbling process until you say, okay, I'll do it. and you put it out into the universe, you're always going to go, oh, I can't do this. Why do I want to do this?

It'll be hard. But once you say, Leslie says yes. But once you say yes, it's just like transformation starts. The still small voice is never wrong. Never. Beautiful. And whenever I start out my day, I always say, okay, what's next? What do you got for me?

because I never know but I'll tell you what it comes it comes and you just have to listen and you have to put some action behind that yeah you do you can't just sit here and wish on it right

right yeah you're going to say George I think there's something to be said about the act of writing as well you know there's the spoken word and the written word and I think that the written word you know I love the way in which Jill said you can rewrite your story because as you you're writing, I think you're rewiring your brain. It's like when you write, your brain is giving

your body permission to act it out. And when you do that, you change the way you think. You're writing what is possible. Therefore, you must think of what is possible. When you begin thinking of what is possible, now you have the potential to take another direction when that decision comes up again, even if you're not writing. You've already written out, I used to do this, but now I see life this way. As soon as you write that out, all of a sudden you can think about that avenue. When you talk about it, it's a dream. When you envision it, it's possible. When you schedule it. When you write it down, it becomes real. It's the art of translating vision into reality. And that's what your stories are doing. That's what rattled awake is doing. You're taking an actual

vision and turning it into reality. It's a beautiful thing. You just made me think of something I never thought of before, sort of a ding. I have we can be our worst critic we've all heard that it's not you know it's not cliche for it's it's fact our thoughts can really beat us up but I didn't and I can really give myself a swift ass kicking hard in my head but I don't do it on paper on paper what comes out are all these ahas ideas pithy one liners what can I do with this how can I help this person what could be the next you know what's the chapter it's all positive but you know in those other moments like i when i'm upset it's just like god dumbass you know whatever i say to myself that comes out so easily and that's that's from the old days

eh of of you know you're an idiot um and i was raised that way you know it's like life was always a party fell oh you fucked up again really what now jesus you know it was like that and and it isn't that oh because life is like that you're just you know you're so, you know, accomplished now is no, it's because what you do with that shit that makes a difference, it's up to you to put the F in shit and make a shift. You know, it is. Hey, it's not just because stuff happens that you're, you know, so advanced. Some people never get back up. And I think that's a shame, you know. But anyway, it was just the observation of the writing is reality that that that, that, that, that, that, that, that voice, shut the fuck out. Go away.

me alone, right? Like, stop. Find the focus on the other voice, the still small voice, like Erica said, you know, the one that doesn't lie to us, the one that isn't trying to kick our ass into the ground again. That little devil and demon and angel, whatever, I don't know, however you want to call it, right? It's real. It is happy to take you down. And, you know, writing will get that out of you, out of you if that's how you're feeling. I know I had a lot of sad stories, but it wasn't like, God, you're so stupid and you fucked up again. Those are conversations that happen. That's not writing that happens. I don't know. Maybe I'm just Sybil. I don't know. I don't think so, but I think.

Let's hope not. I'm being honest here, the thoughts that run through, because I say writing is like thinking on paper, but whenever I write, it doesn't come out bad. It's not like horrible and self-deprecating. The humor is, like my dumbass book is, deprecating as hell, but that's okay. It was by design. I was the foster child for a done it. I'm okay with that. Because, you know, you live by example, leave by example.

But for those people that are listening or that might consider like, well, what do I have to say? Just have a conversation. Let's just talk. Because I want to make sure that you feel confident in your message and that, you know, you realize that you can do it and maybe you don't know it. But I do. And, you know, borrow my faith in you. Because I have had experience with first-time writers. I've had experience with experience writers. We had experienced writers, George, that were like, this is hard. You know why?

Because they wanted to, they had a system in their head about how they told their story every time. And this, literally this process shook them up. That, and I think they were writing in different other genres. and writing like this is a completely different exercise, right? Yeah, Lonnie, you told me, yeah, you need to rewrite yours because yours sounds like a job resume. Sounds like a resume. It's funny how you start out and then pretty soon you give us some skills, hey, put this here, hey, this is funny, how about this?

And then pretty soon you're like, yeah. I could do it. And it doesn't sound like a job. And what was the other ones that you said it sounded like? And you told them to change them. A book report. A book report. Yep.

So that's where you came in and helped us tremendously. I mean, thanks. Yeah. Bonnie, what is that gift from? I'm sorry. Oh, I don't know, George. I don't know. It just, Jill asked me, she said, how do you do that?

I don't really know. I don't know. It just comes. I'm a Lonnie wannabe. I want to be just like you. I think it's funnier than hell. You're so funny. I just want to be like you.

I told her I'm like, I'm slow thinker. I'm more on the serious, you know, I'm more serious. you know, I'm more serious. But I wish I could be more, it's not my gift. You're hilarious. Stop. You don't let it out very often, but I'm encouraging her. I'm like, come on out of the shell.

Yeah. I think her next chapter is going to be a little bit more snarky. How to be snarky. We'll see. We'll see. It really comes from experience, though, to answer your question and being able to see, also to know, like, I see way down the road where they want this chapter to take them, how it can serve them and appeal to their readers at the same time.

And so it's like, okay, if you didn't have this as your goal over here, then maybe all this other stuff, the resume, that way that it was, maybe that would serve the message. But knowing that this story is headed way over here instead, we've got to pull this together, take that out, massage it a little bit, change it up, bring this up to the front, and then open with a hook that sells a book. You know, I love one-liners, things that are just like,

How? Like, well, I have to read that chapter now. I've got to, you know, or being on podcast with an opening line. So, how are you today? And what brought you here? You know, everybody's been calling me crazy, so I wrote a book about it. You don't want to listen to that person, wouldn't you? Right. Yeah. Just fucking pow him. Just do it. And then it'll be okay. You know, you want to keep it going through the show or the book. And you want to end. strong, it's just, it's a matter of finessing it, finessing a message. So that it's kind of like dancing on ice instead of, you know, banging a hole in the ice. Some of those stories are, you know, they really are, they're traumatizing to read and to hear and rather than wake isn't about that. It's about let's dance on top of this topic and see,

you know, how can, does that, did you hear it? Did you get that? Did you get that? Cool. That's all. That's all we need. We're not trying to, you know, hammer anybody with a chapter. And that I think it makes consumable. Go ahead, George. Do you have a, the next workshop's coming up this weekend. Is that accurate? It is.

It's very accurate. It's very soon. Fantastic. What if people want to get involved? What does it look like? Can they reach out to you or like, do they have to fly somewhere? Is it on Zoom? Tell us about the project coming up this weekend.

They can go to official rattledawake. and it's just one page. And it has a download of FAQs also. So it's printed and it's easy to see like how you can make money on a book. And yeah, some of the frequently asked questions. They're there. And that page also has a calendar tab, a booking tab. So that I can like Bob, I'm so excited.

Bob Whitty booked a call. I'm so excited to talk to Bob. Bob is such as smart as I love him and I can't wait to see and so maybe Bob will be in the workshop it starts Friday it's it's for two hours on Friday and that's really getting to know each other that's people coming in and saying this is my mission that's the bio you know I'm on a mission too I want everybody's bio in by then so I it becomes a prompt it becomes a way to break the ice so that everybody can start sharing from the heart what they're here to do and and and then Saturday and Sunday is four hours. And that's from 2 to 6 p.m. on Eastern. And then I plan to have, I plan to keep this going. So, you know, we'll get volume 2 done. And God, the people that are coming, the people that are involved are just so excited.

Jill's coming back. Jill's coming back. I like abuse. Tell me again. Yeah. I'm hoping that Pistol Pete will do a chapter. Oh, he's got a big rattled awake moment. So is that a yes?

Well, last I heard was he was praying about it. Okay. Well, yep, and Willie J is coming back. And then, you know, we've got just a gamut. I've got a gal that I call her Human Sunshine with legs. And we've got less, she is, dude. way to, so the beauty of this is, is the caliber of people that are drawn to do this and their bonding really carries way beyond the publishing date and the networks and the, Erica has been

amazing in showing us the, where do I start to say thank you big enough? Because we have, I have learned, we have all learned. If you want to learn, you can learn from her because she's giving it away. It was amazing. And she taught us how to market and to set up a company page and fix this and do that. And this shit makes sense. And I make $5,000 to tell people this stuff. I'm giving it away to you guys.

I mean, she's been nothing but generous. I don't know what your real price is. It ought to be 30. Honestly, like, seriously, if this is what you teach people, they're lucky to be in your realm, Erica, because you are so freaking smart. And you brought so much to the book. You brought so much

to the marketing. That, that, that you have single-handedly changed the entire trajectory of how successful this, this series will be. No small words. Honest to God, the truth. You have been so big, so much help.

And look, George, I mean, talk about manifesting what was needed. I got, you know, I got Erica doing this. I mean,

listen, I'm limited. And then I got, and then I got this sister Mary Sunshine over here and chef Jill. Everybody loves her. Mary Sunshine. I can't possibly do it all. And these beautiful women have shown up and they're helping.

There was help by other people. You know, Dr. Constance Leland, she put us on her shows. Russ put us on his shows. You know, it's mind-blowing how this came together so fast. It is a true testament to if it's a big yes, if it's a nudge, if it's like, go, go, do it. Trust it because the things that you need, will show up. And this,

I'm just spontaneously telling you some of the things that I remember that some, Nicole, the gifted bipolar writer, Nicole, bless her heart. Not in the Southern way. And she's out there making us memes. I call them post. She's like, they're memes. I said, okay, whatever. Can you keep doing it?

She's doing it again for volume two. I didn't even have to ask her. She volunteered. So there's, you know, somebody doing a little advertising. I'm out of breath trying to tell you how much health there's been. We've all caught your vision. It's contagious. You see the vision.

Thank you. Yeah. I think it speaks volumes. I once heard that faith and fear can't operate on the same at the same time. So if you're fearful, like you get scared and you get paralyzed. But if you're faithful, you just take that next step. You do like the chef and just jump in the water. You know, you do like Erica.

I don't care what society says. I'm Gen X. I'm going to handle this thing. You know, it's, you do what Lonnie does. And you have people that are attracted to you like a magnet so that you can help tell their story and it can live forever. I think there's something beautiful about that too. And that's what Rattled Awake is doing.

Those stories go on forever. Once they're put down on paper, now they can travel around the world. And even what do they say, a lie travels around the world before the truth gets its pants on? I think your stories are getting their pants on. They're moving around the world. Nice. Yeah.

So it's beautiful. I want everyone listening to this to understand that you have a story in you and that you need, sometimes you need help getting it out. You need people around you to help you be faithful. You need people around you that may have been through something to help you see where you can step. And I happen to think that Lonnie is the person for that. I think Eric and Chef Jill are also the people of that. And I bet you maybe I can just, I can have you. talk, each one of you talk a little bit about what the, the Rattled Awake series has taught you.

And I'll start with you, Chef. Very Sunshine. Rattle her awake, George. Yeah. Dissertation, now. What it's taught me, it's taught me to sit in the student seat and learn from Lonnie. the teacher. It's also taught me to um really brainstorm what I wanted to say.

That was the really hardest part. That was really hard for me. Coming from the workforce into sitting still and writing. It's crazy. Also it taught me that I believe in her vision and I wanted to share it. I wanted people to know that even if they're like me and came from like no writing skills whatsoever, that you can hop in and learn from, oops, I keep pointing the wrong way, this way, learn from her. And it also taught me teamwork.

I mean, we all came together as a team and busted this out and we're super proud of it now. So those are some of the, things that it's taught me. Yeah, all valuable skills and skills that you can't learn unless you have someone to learn them with. It's beautiful, and it speaks volumes of the quote we spoke about earlier, about the reward for our work is not what we get, but who we become.

I am one, but still I am one. Erica, you have a, I bet, coming from your background, you've learned a different set of skills. Maybe you could talk a little bit about what you learned working with Lonnie and rattled the wake. Well, I didn't know how the whole Amazon process works. And so seeing how I was interested to see how the workshop was actually put together, because these are things that I kind of do, but in a different, in a different niche. So seeing that was really interesting. I think what rattled a wake reinforced for me, because again, I've never written like this. I've never really

necessarily written a chapter as memoir. You know, I'd kind of tooled around. And, you know, I'd kind of tooled around, with it at home. I had certain things set aside and I kind of pick at it and whatever. So , embracing the way I write in that way, it's something that I've come back to after probably a 30-year hiatus. There was a time, you know, my professors and the direction I was going. I ended up going into academia to swing back to come into corporate, but I had a lot of professors saying, you really need to go into op-ed because you just won't shut up. And right? And so to get to do the rattled awake, it was like, I didn't let it die. And so that was probably the biggest awakening out of the rattled awake book itself. Now, prior to that, I would say just in general, what it reinforced was, yes, I'm Gen X. And Gen X, by definition, are all a group of BAs. And I really had to take. it back to Lonnie and I were talking and I couldn't go back to when I was four. I mean,

because it was only asked five. Go back five years, not, you know, 50. So, you know, but there are times, you know, one has to remind themselves, you know, I did not get dropped off in the middle of Tehran Iran as a four-year-old off a school bus from an American private school to have to find my way back home to screw around. And, you know, and I was a four-year-old, and and not get the song out, you know, and to not believe in myself, you know. And so Rattled Awake was kind of like, if I could do that and God walked me through that because that was a God thing, I can certainly write a chapter. And so it was, it was a reinforcing, I think, a coming home to oneself.

That's a beautiful way to put it. coming full circle in a lot of ways. I'm a big fan of symbology, and I always think of the yin and yin symbol. It's got those two paisleys with like the white dot and then the black dot. It's always moving and there's chaos in order and order and chaos. It's such a beautiful image for our lives and the way we move through. But on the flip side of it, Lani,

I bet you learn something new from every single person that takes time to talk to you. That must be pretty rewarding. I wonder maybe you could speak to some of the things that, that you're learning. It's sometimes the teacher is the one who learns the most. I have, I've been, not tested,

but I've certainly had some moments of, um, I didn't know it could be like that. Um, there's, there was a lot of, a lot of shook moments in, in the beginning.

And until recently, just to get the, just to get the book, off the ground to get this vision off the ground was like lifting a lead balloon at times and and it still flew it still worked out and I had you know and I look around my place and I look sometimes at text messages or DMs and I'm like remember you've got support here remember and Jill constantly you're not alone you're not alone um I've not ever needed people, really. And so this has been very humbling. Not only do I have a broken hand,

but my spirit was pretty down. And I've been lifted up by these people. And so they have added to my story without even knowing it just by showing up. And I think I'm still processing that. I haven't given it. I haven't had a chance, really, to give it thought, like, what the hell just happened? But I can tell you beautiful things happened. And it. And everybody is a success story to me. And hopefully for them and that I hope that it changes their personal view of themselves because that they then, that person, each person becomes a frequency, a broadcast of a legacy, of a changed person, of an elevated sense of self and purpose.

I remember that, you know, there were a couple people who said, I suck at writing or I have, you know, kind of a brain that isn't really functioning that well right now. And I don't know if I can get through with this. Or I don't know if my schedule will, every single person, well, with one exception, who said, I don't think I can do this. They actually did do it. They all did it. And I don't know if, I don't know what like what point it's okay to say I'm so proud

of my adult friends, but I'm so freaking proud I can hardly stand it. I really am. This is the proof. copy. And then, you know, the real one should be here tomorrow. It won't have the band on it. But I really am so happy that this creative way of showing their pictures in these little talk bubbles and then the simplicity, because there's wisdom and simplicity. And I learned that, you know, over the past five years, what's the single biggest event that caused you to shift your perspective? That's like, that's it. That's the back cover. It is the least complicated back cover.

I've ever designed. And yet it's so profound. There's so much in this. There's so much in this book. It's that's so deep and rich. And to see everyone come forward that thought, I don't know if I can. I just don't know. I noticed that Chef Jill hasn't said once, I suck at writing because I told her to quit it.

Stop saying that because you don't because you did a great job. You got there. And just knowing that this is changing people's world. this way is it's you know what can you say about that george you know i think what's awesome though is pretty soon i'm gonna i'm gonna say suck is in the past and look at all the things that i did to become something better i like starting from suck i do you know where to go but up from that's right yeah yeah that's right if you're not you're not embarrassed.

Jill, you were like the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie. You know what I mean? There was nowhere to go but up. Everybody was like, that's the Disney ride, you know, but I'll go because there's nowhere to go but up. And then look what happened. Yeah. There's also another message in here, George, that I had to figure out some things that I

had previously delegated to someone else. And they dropped the ball multiple times. And so I spent a lot of long days and nights figuring out how to fix what went wrong. And I had some help. And I thank you to like Dr. Constance, who was able to figure out finally how to work the cover out. So it worked out. The stress of age. I was just like, God.

But that's because I genuinely care so much about it, not to suit my. own horn that i oh i really care about this but i genuinely do and and the challenge for me was how in the hell am i going to learn how to do this thing that i've always let somebody else do who charges hundreds of dollars to do it hundreds and now i can kind of see why but i also had some jacked up software and some technical issues and and and and believe me when you have a vision and you have there is no choice but you you've got to get it done you will you'll find a way if it matters you will. The enemy does not come to rob empty bank box.

Yeah, well, I got a couple of bats by the door now. I am sick of that. I mean, because think about it, Lonnie. Look at how many reviews came in so quickly. All five-star. Your book, our book, I mean, it's been so well-received. It's been so blessed. It's been, it's just such, there are no words.

There simply are no words for the blessing that that book has been to us as co-authors and to people who are reading it. And everything that came to attack you was to stop that book from touching as many people as it did. So the enemy does not come to steal, rob, and destroy an empty bank vault. So kudos. Thank you. Yeah. Yeah, I love it.

I think it's a, sometimes we don't, sometimes we may not need people, but people need us, you know, and like, I think you're reaching out to a lot of, I think a lot of people need what you're doing. And that's a powerful, that's very powerful, I think, you know, maybe you don't realize it, but just coming out here and reaching your arm out to, and inviting people, hey, I can help you tell us your story in a way that will help inspire other people. I don't know a greater gift than that. That's beautiful. I'm thankful that you're doing it. Thank you for that. Thank you, George. Yeah, I'm going to use my good arm and keep pulling them in.

Come on now. George, have you signed up? I haven't signed up. Maybe send my form over. I got a story. I got a couple I could tell. I'll bet you do. I've got a handful.

Yeah. I'll bet you do. Yeah. Yeah. We all do have a story. And, you know, it's interesting. And I just want to put this out there. Erica was instrumental in getting reviews, but people for some reason are reluctant to give a review.

And I don't know why. It only takes a few minutes to do it. It's just the act of doing it. And it does make a difference. So please, if you got the book for free or what if you didn't, if you please give us a review because it does make a difference. Because we all look at reviews when we go to buy books or I mean products, right? When you look at the product review, well, the same thing is true. So there's so many aspects of a book that for the first time writer, they're sitting there going,

let me sharpen my pencil. And what do I start? What's my first sentence? And, you know, that's where they're at. There is so much more after that. And the beauty of this is that they don't have to think about it. Just show up. Just sit down.

be willing to collaborate with people who are in the same shoes you are and, and just say, oh, okay, I'm going to, I'm going to share this, this moment. How do I say it now? And the help is there. So it takes away all that fear of why I'm stuck getting started, or I don't know how to end it or what the hell, what do I say? You know, it becomes clear. And that is a gift because it changes them forever. They're, you know, Jill's going to write a book. Right? Chris Rear is going to, is going to do a book. These are people that, They didn't see themselves writing books before. This is a change, a big change,

not just for the readers, but for the writers. Yeah. That's about it. It's beautiful. I think that's a great spot to leave it for today. But before I go, I would like to maybe just kind of come around the horn and let everybody talk about,

I'm sure there's people that listen to the podcast that may want to reach out to everybody. So maybe we'll start with Chef and we'll go to Erica and then we'll come back to Lonnie and find out how people can get a hold over where they can do Rattled Awake and what's coming up there. But let's start with Chef.

Chef, maybe if people want to find out, they want to send you a sunrise or they want to learn more about cooking skills, something like that. Where can they find you? And what do you got coming up? I actually have a small YouTube channel, Chef Jill Sullivan,

that they can look into. And I plan on possibly doing a couple of more, you know, that thing, the YouTube was something that I just jumped into during COVID, and I was just playing around with it. But I was talking to Michelle Mazzara. I am a love of foodie spice ambassador and love her spices. So I think I will continue sharing her spices and some recipes.

We're going to be doing a cooking show on Michelle Mazzara's live podcast. You could also follow hashtag sunrise around the world, where we share hope in each new day and making friendships along the way. I don't know. That's my tagline. And that was started during COVID just to share hope in each new day. And now people send me to my personal, you know, DM. They send me pictures.

of their sunrise. And I post it on LinkedIn. And there is a woman named Linda Lane, who is a psychic medium. Anyway, she shares some pretty cool captions to some of those sunrises. And me and her have worked together for three years, and it's been awesome.

So that's just a couple of ways. I'm always on LinkedIn. It's beautiful. People should reach out and check it out. I've seen some of the pictures and read some of the captions. They're mind-blowing in a lot of ways. They mirror each other just to see the different beauty on them. And thank you for doing that.

Erica, what are people looking to get a hold of you and want some of your insights and some of the things you're teaching? What can they find you? And what do you got coming up? I am mostly on LinkedIn. There are very few Erica Warfields, Erica with a K. And then I've also got Erica Warfield Sales LLC. I've got a bunch of different company pages.

I basically work within sales and names. and virtual sales mastery. Outside of that, I also have our side hustle, me and Pete. We do Warhammer juices, and we've got a company page for that on LinkedIn. And Peter is pretty prolific on IG with that and what we're doing for Hammer juices. But really, if you go to my link tree, which is just slash Erica Warfield, all the links are right there for you. So that's what I've got going. And hopefully I'll be working on getting some speaking gigs, you know,

regarding ageism and just in general, you know, what I covered in that chapter. Ask her what her tagline is for her juices. Just ask her. What's the tagline for the juice juices? This ain't no bull. Yeah. So, George, that's some of the things I love to do is come up with taglines. And I'm proud as punch that Erica, just look at that.

let that smile, that she decided, I'm looking at the air. I know, right. Lonnie's like, hey, hey, pitch my tagline stuff. Because I know it's coming to me next. One of the things I love to do is title things, tagline queen here. And it brings me great joy to do that to come up with titles that make people or taglines that are memorable. Rattled awake just, you know, is one of those kicking karma's asses and other,

how to deal with a dumb ass. Life lessons learned from Elijah Mother. I mean, they just go on and on. And so if somebody really needs a cool domain name, Willie J, he has Pure Mission, E&T.com, that's a mouthful if you're on a podcast. So I said, how about you do bookwillieJ.com? So he registered that right away. That just made sense.

So I love to come up with things that make sense for somebody who's got a message and be a message maestro. So in addition to being a concierge book producer, which means I can do everything from the ghost writing to editing. to art direction, to the marketing copy, to the publishing. I really do enjoy a service that I have, which is third-party insights, and that is, you know, basically it's like on speed dial, unlimited calls in a month for help

when it comes to marketing. If you're stuck for a message, you know, how do we do this real quick? We've got to come up with some trade show things. I used to have a business in trade show items and logoing things that were really well done, creative, different. I've worked with multinational brands. to do that. And I haven't lost my touch yet. I just stopped ordering products from China a few years

ago for some good reason. So if people want to find out about the workshop, any of them, go to official rattledawake.com. And that page will give you the FAQs and the way to get in touch with me. Otherwise, I'm hanging out on LinkedIn most times, most often. That's about it. Thank you so much for having us, man. Are you kidding me? I'm flabbergasted. This is so much fun. I love talking to every one of you, and I think the conversation was beautiful. But more than that, I think that this particular conversation can be a bridge for people to walk across to find the author that is themselves. I'm not sure if that made sense, but it sounded good in my head. But it is a bridge.

It's a bridge for people to walk across so they can learn to write so that they can find ways to think about themselves and ways they've never had. And it's something that can go out to the world. And Lonnie is first class. She's world class. She'll bring out the best in you. She'll help your ideas blossom into the delicious fruit they're supposed to become. So I think everybody should reach out, check out what you got going on. There's one coming up this weekend. And there's, you're an amazing person to talk to you. And I think people, I think people are better after talking to you. At least I feel that way. So thank you for that. And that's all we got for today. I'm going to talk to you ladies briefly afterwards. But thank you very much

for everybody today. That's all we got. Ladies and gentlemen, Aloha.