Lisa Desatnik
Welcome Sue Schindler, To GTGA!
I am thrilled to announce that my dear friend Sue Schindler is going to be contributing to Good Things Going Around! Sue has such a special, giving heart. We first met many years ago when we both worked for an organization called the Inclusion Network, that promoted the inclusion of people with disabilities. Sue and I are also in the Toast of the Town of Kenwood Toastmasters Club. If you have followed my blog for awhile, you may have read several of her speeches that I posted. You can see them at this link. I was really touched when Sue wanted to help with Good Things Going Around. I’m looking forward to reading her contributions!
Below is Sue’s introduction in her own words:
“When Lisa Desatnik approached me about writing for her blog, I was beyond thrilled! As someone who had a high passion for writing while in high school & college, I had packed away this yearning while allowing life to get in the way. I’m grateful for this second chance of pursing something that I really want to do.
What strikes me most about Lisa’s blog, Good Things Going Around, is that I immediately smile when reading. I want to know more about “that person” and what makes them special. Everyone has a story to tell, and Lisa does this in such an interesting way. In a world that can be mean-spirited and negative, Lisa sees the good and greatness in life and others.
I look at myself as a lifetime learner. I am curious about life, how things work, and most of all-people. I’ve even taken time to be current with technology through Microsoft Suite. As someone who has lived through the dial-up computer, it’s exhilarating to have so much information at hand. However, I see how we’ve lost connectedness at the same time. I want to create stories that leave readers wanting more information. Stories that they continue reading until the end and want to talk about.
Throughout my life, I’ve loved hearing stories about others. Good Things Going Around is my opportunity to allow others to see their own uniqueness and wisdom. It’s a way to create smiles in our readers hopefully leaving them with wanting more.”
~Sue Schindler
Adopt A Book Has Given These Teens Passion
How time has flown! It was in December of 2011 when Hannah and Alexander (Alex) Laman – with help from their mom, Angela – were eight-year-olds inspired to share their love of reading with children who were less fortunate. They began collecting books from neighbors, community groups, classmates, and family and next thing I learned Adopt A Book, Inc. was registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Now those young kids are teenagers and their organization continues to grow. As of April, 2019, Adopt A Book has collected and donated close to 160,000 books. Schools, shelters, and health clinics/hospitals such as Hamilton County HeadStart programs and Healthsource of Ohio health clinic are among some of our most common recipients. Many of the kids who get those books have never been to a library, don’t have access to a library, or have never owned a book of their own.
I thought it’s be a great time to reach out to the Lehman’s to get an update on their work and their passion.
Lisa: You were in the 3rd grade when you began Adopt-A-Book. Where did the idea and inspiration come from?
(Hannah) – Alex and I had heard of schools who were less fortunate and didn’t have access to books or libraries. We had grown up reading and going to the library so we wanted to help other kids share our love of reading.
Lisa: What motivates you to keep working at it, as you are both now teenagers?
(Alex) – We are motivated by the idea that even the smallest thing can make a difference, and we want to continue spreading our love of literacy and learning any way that we can.
Lisa: What has Adopt A Book taught you about philanthropy and giving back?
(Hannah) – It has taught me that giving back is something that you’re never too old to do, and no matter what you’re doing you are still making a difference. It has humbled me as a person and made me much more grateful for all that I have.
Lisa: Do you now see yourself being a lifelong philanthropist? What does that mean to you?
(Alex) – Yes, I don’t think I will ever want to stop giving back to my community. That means putting others before myself, and doing anything that I can to help the community. Sharing the gift of literacy is such an important thing to do, and there will always be a new generation of kids to give it to.
Lisa: What is your favorite book?
(Hannah) – Alex and I have loved to read for almost our entire lives. I am very interested in realistic fiction and horror novels while Alex enjoys nonfiction and historical fiction.
Lisa: Are you involved with any other extracurricular activities at school? And how do you manage your time?
(Angela) – Hannah is a part of the drum line and percussion section in concert band, and she is also involved in student council. Alex runs cross country in the fall, is a part of the academic team in the winter, and is involved in the science bowl and science olympiad teams.
Finding FURever Homes For Dejected Dogs Is Katie’s Heart
Katie Goodpaster is one of those people whose heart is beyond measure when it comes to dogs. In fact, we had to reschedule our first get together because she had gotten an emergency call from Kentucky about a dog in dire need of immediate medical attention and she had to get it to a veterinarian right away. How fortunate that dog is to have guardian angel like Katie looking after him, and doing all she can to give him a better, fulfilled life.
Katie first got involved with the HART of Cincinnati Animal Rescue in 2009, and has since grown her role into a full-time volunteer position as the coordinator for the dog side of the organization. She does this while also attending to her own three dogs and the numerous fosters that have come to stay with them over the years.
HART is an all-volunteer, foster-home based nonprofit, that typically finds forever homes for some 500 to 600 dogs and puppies each year. (By the way, they are always looking for new foster parents. If you are interested, please reach out to HART).
Let’s learn more about Katie.
Lisa: It is obvious your passion runs deep for this work. Where does that come from?
Katie: Ever since a little kid, I loved animals. It’s funny because we were not a big animal family so I have no idea where that I came from. I think I was probably adopted.
Lisa: I’d love to hear about your first dog.
Katie: When I was 14 we got a golden retriever. I got my very first dog when I was 25 and living in an apartment. Wags was a white shepherd and she was THE best dog. Her owners had ditched her at the vet’s office because they had gotten a puppy and she did not get along with it. As soon as I met her, I fell in love.
Wags was so laid back. I was told I couldn’t have her around other dogs of off-leash because she had horrible recall. Within two months, I had her around other dogs and she did fantastic, no matter the age. She also did have fantastic recall, never chewed anything, and had no accidents in the house. She always wanted to cuddle, and was always there as a quiet presence. Somehow Wags knew if I was upset. She was my traveling companion who would listen to me when I had a bad day at work.
Lisa: And now you have 3 dogs.
Katie: I do. Next to Wags, Maverick (my shepherd/mastiff mix) is one of my best dogs. I also have a shih tzu/yorkie mix named Princess and a ten year old jack russell/rat Terrier named Roo. Maverick has taught me so much about patience. He lets our foster puppies lay all over him. They all gravitate toward him, going to him when they are scared. Princess is very loving and bouncy, and wants to constantly lick something. She loves everyone. Roo is great with people but she is getting kind of old and grouchy and wants her space. She is always curled up at my back in bed.
Lisa: What is the most rewarding part of being part of HART?
Katie: Often you get a dog that comes in that is timid, shy, scared and has no idea of what is going on. All he wants to do is cower and hide behind a table, behind Maverick. As you spend more time with him, and he begins to trust, he blossoms into this fantastic dog that is social, friendly, enjoying life, outside playing and running, and taking treats. Then you adopt him into a home that will love him….that is what this is all about. The most rewarding part of my volunteer work is finding a dejected dog, and watching it learn to trust and blossom, and go to a forever home.
Lisa: Please share one of your important life lessons.
Katie: When I was 17, my mom was killed in an auto accident and it taught me that life is indeed short. You are never guaranteed to have a tomorrow or even the next couple of minutes, and so we need to do your best to live every day like it is your last one. Do what makes you happy. Eat the foods you want. Stop worrying about the diet or what size you need to fit into, and live life like there is no tomorrow.
Do What Makes Your Heart Sing
Michael Inspires Storytelling
If you have ever gone to a TEDxCincinnati event, you may be familiar with the art and work of Michael Davis without even realizing it. Michael is one of the coaches working with some of the speakers to deliver powerful messages. And audiences typically leave those shows impacted in meaningful ways.
His ability to help others craft and strengthen their stories has been tested well beyond Cincinnati. Michael has also successfully coached competitors of the World Championship of Public Speaking; and he is a
A certified World Class Speaking Coach, Michael speaks, coaches people, and offers free speaking tips through his company, Speaking CPR. I know him as one of the founders of my Toast of the Town Toastmasters Club. I can tell you, when he presents, you want to be there to here him. We just recently had a rare opportunity to offer a workshop by him on storytelling and it inspired me to learn more about this man who makes a living helping others sound their best.
I was actually surprised to learn that his passion for this work comes from his own personal growth, a journey that has taken him from a shy child to a financial planner who gave workshops that ‘were really awful’ (in his own words). In fact, “they were so bad that my boss sat me down and said, ‘you better get better or else.’”
Talk about motivation!
Michael soon found Toastmasters…and the rest is, well, how a journey can stray way off course only to point you in the direction you were always meant to go.
Lisa: How long did it take you to build your speaking and communication skills?
Michael: It did not happen overnight. It was about ten years.
I remember the one day in a Toastmasters meeting that I learned a valuable lesson, out of desperation. No one showed up that day and so I was asked to speak. I wasn’t prepared which was completely out of my comfort zone. When I finished, I sat down and berated myself. But fellow member Chris Nachtrab, a Toastmaster regional champion and international semi-finalist, told me that he has never seen me more authentic. He told me to keep doing what I was doing. It was an eye opener.
Lisa: What do you tell people who are fearful about speaking?
Michael: I tell them you just have got to get up and speak. The more you do it, the more comfortable you will be with it. It is normal to be nervous. We are wired to be afraid of speaking. You are alone in front of an audience with all these eyes you. Some researchers believe we feel we are in attack when on stage. But the audience WANTS you to do well.
I hear this often, ‘I want to get up and be perfect.’ I tell them no. It is about connection, not perfection. I wanted that for a long time. People have told me I looked polished, but then I realized after my speech, that it is about being real. You will make mistakes. Learn from it and get better.
Lisa: What do you enjoy most about the coaching?
Michael: I love seeing people who were in the same place I was years ago, who get it. They say, ‘ok, I can do this. I can deliver a message in a way that impacts people.’ They say, ‘you won’t believe how I impacted people.’
That is the greatest feeling. To me, the benefit of becoming a speaker is growing your confidence, being comfortable in your own skin. You can be better known in your field and create opportunities for advancement. You can definitely make more money. It is a great time saver too, especially for sales people when you can present your message, story and pitch before a group of prospects.
Lisa: What is a piece of advice you have for others when it comes to speaking?
Michael: The best way to overcome anxiety is to prepare. Something will go wrong, but when you know your speech you can step away from it. You know you know your presentation.
Lisa: What is one of your life lessons that experience has taught you?
Michael: I’ve come to realize that when I go up in front of an audience, and I don’t get my point across, that I haven’t failed. I see it now as a learning lesson. It is not permanent. You try again.
In 2002, I met Darren Lacroix, then the reigning World Champion of Public Speaking, and thought, ‘that is a guy I’d like to emulate.’ I asked him if he would coach me and his answer was, ‘well, I might.’ I replied, ‘What do you mean?’, and his answer was that I need to read a book called Stand-Up Comedy. Then I remembered a story from his speech. He was a young comedian and his mentor pulled him aside. His mentor told him, ‘I will always give you a slot to open for me but if you ever turn me down, you will lose that spot.’
After reading the book I asked Darren what was next. He was surprised I was the only person who read the it. He wanted to see that I was serious. My lesson from that is that when the test comes up to open a door, even though it might not be what you are looking for it, walk through the door and take the test, and trust that something good will happen on the other side.
Darren and I are close friends today, and I am one of the coaches for his Stage Time University on public speaking.
Lisa: What is something people may not know about you?
Michael: I am an Indy car fanatic and once rode an Indy car 150 mph on the race track. I’ve been to Indy 39 times….
and I am not ashamed to admit is that an 8 pound chihuahua runs my life.