Meet Janis David: Modern Day Renaissance Woman

by

She is always eager to learn, to grow, and to enjoy good company. Nature, animals, and all people are treated with compassion and acceptance by her. She is simultaneously calming and exciting, simple and complicated.

Could you tell the readers what you do?

      I am an author of stories and books. I am an instructor of Qigong and Belly Dance, and a sensuality coach. Not long ago I owned and sold a computer software company and I still do a little work in real estate. Because I made some sound investments years ago, now at age 65 I am free to be my own boss and live in my own style.

Escapades of a Belly Dancer (vol.1 & vol.2)

What are your best qualities?

     I bring a unique perspective of energy, sensuality, and creative expression to all that I do. I put feelings into words and actions that some cannot understand, and many cannot describe. I am an existential empath who is self-actualized.

Could you talk about where you have lived and traveled?

     I previously lived in New York, California, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Utah. I have now lived in Florida for 23 years. Where I live in Crawfordville is about 18 miles south of Tallahassee and filled with natural beauty. My property is peaceful and calming, close to rivers, springs, and beaches. I have visited Italy, Australia, and England. If I ever do travel again, I’d like to see Africa. But I’m happy right here, right now.

Which are you most passionate about: art, food, or music?

     That’s difficult since they are all part of my passion for life. I love food and cooking for friends. I cook using food as medicine. I am an artist. I am a dancer who moves to music.

I’m also an artist and dancer.

What activities do you find most fun or relaxing?

     Nature’s negative ions help to mellow me out and expand my sensuality. I have a medical marijuana license and find that ingesting THC stimulates creativity. Watering my gardens and exercising are great. I also find photography, weaving, painting, and drawing very relaxing. The most fun ever was an Essence of Being seminar during which I walked on both hot coals and broken glass, and I also flew through the air on a cable. All of that was empowering and I proved to myself that I could do it.

What makes you an exuberant person?

     Mainly it is my zest for life and freedom from guilt. I like who I am, a strong and confident Scorpio. I have unconditional love for all people and animals.

What is your message to the world?

     We are all one. We need to recognize and repair racial disparities. We all have the right to believe in our God of choice since it is all the same and we just use different names.

—   —   —   —

Dang y’all! I hope you found Janis just as fascinating as I did. What did you find to be the most surprising or interesting part of the interview? What would you ask her? Please, take a moment to leave your questions and kind comments.

 

Meet Sean Wyman: Policeman Promoting Positivity

by

Overcoming adversity to become someone better has been a recurring theme in his life. As a   boy he survived childhood trauma. As a teen he survived alcohol addiction. As a 5’6” man he became a fearless Army Ranger. Against seemingly insurmountable odds he has graduated from college, become a police officer, public speaker, and best-selling author. Sean Wyman also found a deep faith that helped him become a better husband and father. The following excerpts from our recent interview further explain how his current passions do positively and proactively improve the lives of police officers and countless others.

I am becoming the best version of myself.

Could you tell me a little about your job?

     I’ve been a police officer about twenty years. I love people and it is rewarding to serve those who need my help. I earn the respect of my community by gaining their trust. Every day brings new opportunities to make a difference.

What are your thoughts on Tallahassee and on travel?

     Florida’s capital city is a great place for education with two major universities. Also, a good place for opportunity and raising a family. I would like to revisit Italy and to see Australia for the first time. A favorite travel memory was when my new wife and I spent a fun week in Key West for our honeymoon.

What activities do you find most relaxing?           

     Spending time at the beach and playing baseball with my son are both huge stress relievers for me. So is cheering on my daughter as she does swimming, gymnastics, and softball. I do sometimes cook with my wife and I love to eat.

Would you explain the passion and purpose that drives your life?

     I was on a journey to get past trauma and find courage to face my fears. Divine intervention helped me move forward toward a better life. My first book Let Go: The Movement Process was published in 2016. It helped me work through aggression and anger. God’s grace helped me understand love and healthier ways to interact with others. I found a deep need to advocate for the mental health needs of police officers and others who deal with public safety.  My second book Going Beyond the Call: Mental Health Fitness for Public Safety Professionals was co-authored with Deirdre von Krauskopf and published in 2019.

Why is this so important to you?

     There is a high suicide rate among first responders. This is the start of a courageous conversation that needs to happen. Trauma-informed care and training is important to help us look at our own past, our own survival skills and coping mechanisms, our own process of healing. We must first be able to understand our own pain and be willing to ask for help. Only then will we be better equipped to help promote functional mental health in others.

I help people survive and thrive.

What makes you an exuberant person?

     Well, I am not anything special, but I just have a lot of energy. I am a rational and positive person who is not afraid to talk to anyone. I want to keep becoming the best version of myself while I help reduce suicides and help people survive and thrive.

What is your message to the world?

     Be prepared and don’t put off working on your own mental and physical health. Preparation leads to preservation while procrastination leads to devastation.

—    —    —    —

Sean Wyman is quite humble. In February 2020, he received the “Back the Blue” award as Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody thanked him for his work with first responders and mental health.  Dang y’all, I’d say that makes him extraordinary!  What do YOU think?  Your comments will be welcomed and appreciated.

Meet Michelle Bono: A Champion for Challenges

by
Show heart… share value.

She has helped organize a flash mob. She has helped organize a funeral for a tree. She has helped groups of leaders, mentors, government workers, and many others find deeper value in sharing their own stories. She has helped countless individuals learn from taking a risk and doing things that had never been done before.

What is the essence of your job?

     What I do, and teach others to do, is help people communicate better or become a stronger part of a team. My role is to bring opposing sides together when they’ve been going crazy over some challenging crisis with complex issues. I help them show heart and use real words. I help them see value and know that their opinions have been heard. Then they make difficult decisions and gain deep satisfaction by being part of a positive change.    

What are some rewards of your work?

     By being a good listener and helping others build trusting relationships, I have earned respect and a good reputation. I get to champion projects which I personally support.

Do you think Tallahassee is a great travel destination?

     Yes! Tallahassee is absolutely the prettiest slice of heaven. The many waterways for kayaking, the parks and canopy roads for greenery.  It is a wonderful area for families and for retirement; I highly recommend viewing the website ChooseTallahassee.com for tons of helpful information.

Any other places you have been or that are on your bucket list?

     Epinal, France was a great experience. So were Italy and Ireland. Also, my family and I attended an unusual New Year’s Even event in North Carolina called the Possum Drop in which a possum in a plexiglass cage was lowered at midnight. The trip at the top of my bucket list is a Viking river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest.

Learn from every good challenge.

What other fun activities do you enjoy?

     My family and I love exploring and having adventures. We have snorkeled with manatees, made peach ice cream, and had epic sing-alongs in the car. We are very blessed to enjoy family card games, board games, and playing piano. I have fallen in love with pickleball, which is a fun and competitive sport a bit like tennis. I am fairly competitive, not for the win, but for the natural high and the thrill.

What makes you an exuberant person?

     I am an optimist with an open heart. I am the happy, and perhaps slightly naïve, woman who will whistle while walking through a cemetery. I avoid using bad language because it just is not necessary. I learn something from every good challenge, and I know without a doubt that tomorrow will always be better.

What is your positive message for the world?

     God’s got this! You and I have got this! Please try to take a deep breath because things will improve, and we will be okay.

—    —    —    —

Michelle Bono is quite an inspiring lady. Please share YOUR comments about this interview because, dang y’all, this is truly a time when caring means sharing.  Thank you!

Meet Tiffany Underwood: Authentic Creative Expression

by

Getting to know a person who comes across as both genuine and genial is exciting. Getting to know a strong and sensible woman is even more exciting. Tiffany Underwood is one person I sincerely enjoyed spending time with recently. Here are some of the highlights of our talk.

How do you earn a living?

I am a part-time merchandiser for American Greetings. I clean and restock the card and gift displays in several retail locations. Sometimes I get to help people find the perfect card they are seeking. The job is enjoyable and is the way I survive and get to eat. But there is so much more that defines who I am.

My life is like a canopy road.

Would you care to elaborate?

I am a wife to a wonderful man who is a 911 operator. I am a mother to an awesome daughter who is a math whiz in the seventh grade. I have tons of hobbies and one very strong passion.

Could you please explain your passion to the readers?

Theatre and acting has always been my passion, my fun, my creativity. What I bring into a role is the creative expression of both having fun and telling the hard stories. I have a good technique for memorizing lines. It thrills me to give a voice to the stories of strong women. I have done theatre and short films. Some female actors I love are Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep, and Helen Mirren. In my acting and in my real life, I am always authentic.

And what about those hobbies?

I like to cook. I make a fettuccine sauce from scratch that is delicious. While I’m not a crafty person as such, I do really appreciate beautiful pottery and ceramics.  I love to read, listen to music, walk through a peaceful cemetery, and spend time at the beach. Oh, and I love photography, especially taking pictures at sunset.

Could you share thoughts about Tallahassee and travel?

I was born and raised in Tallahassee. It is full of history and nature galore. It has canopy roads and friendly people. It is where I took a ride on a hot air balloon on my 16th birthday. Also, it is close to other fascinating Florida places like Wakulla Springs and St. Marks. As far as travel, I’ve been to Texas and Hawaii.  An anniversary cruise to St. Thomas was fun and unforgettable. A place I wish to visit one day is Ireland.

Live by your own code.

What makes you an exuberant person?

I am comfortable in my own skin. I am able to live in the moment. I am loyal, imaginative, and I respect the beliefs of others. My life is like the canopy roads, mostly great with occasional thorns and bumps.

Do you have a message for the world?

Yes, live your life for you without the worry of what other people think. Live by your own code.

—   —   —   —   —

Dang y’all! Tiffany Underwood is likeable and adorable. Her body of work has included everything from the delightful comedy Calendar Girls to the short drama Viola. She has a healthy zest for life and a happy way of being her best self. 

You are invited to leave your comment. Tiffany and I are both eager to hear from you.

Meet Cathy Schroeder: For Clarity and the Greater Good

by

She believes in keeping her ideas clear and simple. She believes in the principles of altruism and commitment to the greater good for all people. She believes in the value of humility and kindness. She does acts of goodness for strangers without taking credit or seeking attention. She is the type of person who can restore our collective faith in humanity.

I generate clear and simple messages.

Could you tell me about your job and how you feel about it?

       My job in communications is to make things easier to understand. That encourages people to take action and create change. I love learning new things and then generating clear and simple messages that anyone can grasp.

What are some of your biggest strengths?

       I consciously align myself, both personally and professionally, with people and projects that are clearly for the greater good. Smart people from fields like politics, education, or the water industry explain their goals and I help to achieve those goals. I am quick-thinking, articulate, and sincere.

What do you enjoy most about Tallahassee?

       The unique canopy roads and gentle hills make this area special. The amount of government here insulates us from many challenges faced by other Florida cities. There is a wonderful small-town feeling, yet the people are educated and very well informed.

What travel destinations interest you?

       I would love to return to Vienna, Austria. It has remarkable food, culture, and architecture. I am also fascinated by the Pitcairn Islands in the south Pacific. It would be so educational to immerse yourself into their culture.  I’m not much for boating so that makes for a hard decision. I do like the inflatable banana boat rides that you find at popular beaches. Oh, and the most fun thing I ever did was a Jeep tour in Arizona. The mountains were really rough. It was fun but I would get so nervous that there were times I just couldn’t stop laughing.

What types of hobbies and passions do you prefer?

       I like cooking lots of good foods. Cooking seems very instinctual to me. I mentor a young boy who is quite good in math. That really feeds my soul. I read a wide variety of book genres and lately have enjoyed historical fictions. Of course, I love simply spending time with my husband and daughter.

Love & Justice Always Find A Way!

What makes you an exuberant person?

       I am optimistic, engaging, and empathetic. I explain things in a clear way and consider how my words impact my audience.

What is your message to the world?

       My message is quite simple; love and justice always find a way.

—     —     —     —

Dang y’all, didn’t you just love this article? If so, please be KIND enough to leave your positive comments. Thank you.

Meet Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey

by

Seriousness Fused with Fun

As I walked into the elevator at City Hall, I was both nervous and excited in anticipation of my first meeting with the mayor. Would he be pompous or subdued? Would he be phony or inept? It turns out that he is none of those things! In fact, we chatted so comfortably in his office. I felt honored. I felt proud. I felt patriotic. John Dailey is a good man who has a strong commitment to the great future of Tallahassee.

What is a clear and simple way to explain your job?

       My job as Mayor is to be sure that our municipal services are doing all we can to improve the quality of life for all residents of Florida’s state capital.

How do you feel about your job?

       It is very rewarding to truly be able to help solve the problems and concerns of citizens. Every day is completely different and has a mix of seriousness and fun. I appreciate those I work with and the wide variety of local people that I am privileged to meet. I am aware of my own deficiencies and my great team is always ready and willing to assist.  

I listen with unconditional respect.

How do you handle the difficult parts of your position?

       I listen to all people with unconditional respect. I know that respect can move mountains and bring about transformational change.  

How do you feel about Tallahassee?

       I grew up here and really love it. I attended FSU and love Seminoles football. Tallahassee is unique and fun and has so much natural beauty.   It is the seventh largest municipality in Florida, yet still has an excellent small-town charm. It is a great place for education and also a premiere retirement destination.

Could you say a little about other travel destinations you have seen or would like to see?

        I have had great times in London and in Costa Rica. I have backpacked across Ethiopia and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Eventually I hope to travel to all seven continents.

Are you passionate about any particular activities or hobbies?

       Food, art, and music are important to me because they fuel the mind, body, and spirit. My wife is from Louisiana and has introduced me to lots of great Cajun food. For physical activity I like hiking or playing squash. Reading helps me to relax. I also love to play Legos with my two sons.

Mayor John Dailey and writer Angela Dowdy

What makes you an exuberant person?

       I have a good philosophy of life. It is crucial to pay serious attention to the important things. It is even more necessary to stay upbeat and positive. And it is absolutely essential to have fun.

Do you have any message that the world needs to hear?

       Yes! Let’s all take a deep breath, stay calm, and smile. These are unusual times, but we are all going to make it through this together.

—    —    —    —

Mayor John Dailey of Tallahassee is everything a man should be. He loves his family, his job, his town, and his constituents.  He knows how to mix seriousness and fun. He is very approachable. He knows how to make a positive and lasting impression.

MEET CHUCHA BARBER (life of abundance)

by

Sophisticated, stunning, classy, and confident… only begin to describe Chucha Barber. This incredible baby boomer with business acumen is the president of Chucha Barber Productions.   She has won numerous awards and recognition for her talents as a producer.  As I visited in her home recently, she spoke with deep passion about her job and so much more.

Could you tell me about what you do for a living?

       I’m a storyteller. My production company turns ideas into documentaries, videos, programs, and podcasts. We learn about significant topics and amazing people, then create ways to inform the public. I love the opportunity to capture a vision and help people understand. It can be some deeply poignant and painful truth or a topic much more lighthearted and humorous.

Which topics have really touched your heart?

       While each one is memorable, a few are important on a deeper level. One was regarding the Miami Grand Prix and another was the truth about oysters and their impact on the environment.  We also worked with Lauren’s Kids Foundation to shed light on various forms of child abuse. My most personal project is still in the works. It is about my father. He was the first Latin-American editor at the Miami Herald and had unique interactions with Fidel Castro.

How do you unwind and relieve stress when not working?

       Finding the right balance between work, nutrition, exercise, and rest is the key. I love to cook and to garden. Or enjoy quiet time with nature. Food, art, and music are all dear to me.

Could you say a bit more about that?

       I’ve loved music since my youth. Later I served as a museum director and came to appreciate art. Every piece in my home has a wonderful story to go with it. Now food made with loving hands is beautiful, no matter how simple or complex. A loaf of bread is a feast for the senses. Shredded hearts of palm from the Amazon rainforest is one of the most delicious and memorable dishes ever.

I have a lot of gratitude, which is why I continue to live a life of abundance.

What’s the most fun thing you’ve ever done?

       Marry my husband! He’s my best friend and we have a huge crazy family of many shades and colors. We are a big happy variety and lucky to all love each other.

How do you feel about Tallahassee and about travel?

       This part of northern Florida is beautiful because of all the canopy roads, springs, and trails. Everything grows well in the soil here, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and orchards. I’m grateful to have traveled many places. I look forward to going back to Los Angeles and also plan to some day visit Norway.

Any advice on how people should treat one another?

       People need to maintain respect and a sense of humor in order to promote healthy dialogue. We all need to focus on the present instead of the past. We just need to learn how to listen to one another.

What makes you an exuberant person?

       It comes back to my high energy and finding a balance in all I do. I have a lot of gratitude, which is why I continue to live a life of abundance. There are always reasons to be joyful.

What would you like to say to the world?

       The most important human organ is the heart, which allows us to love others. Some people focus too much on the skin and color. Choose to be fully alive as long as your heart is beating. If we love all people and choose to listen to the heart beats of others the world will truly be a much better place.

—    —    —    —    —    —

Dang y’all!  Chucha Barber has so many great stories and great life lessons to share. Here’s hoping we all listen to others as we find that balance in our own lives.

Please leave your comments on what you loved best about this interview.

Verified by MonsterInsights