Are you a veteran? Go to this website: https://www.ccveterans.org/

A West Point graduate and a veteran of 30 years, Denton's story is one of navigating transitions, building community support systems, and advocating for comprehensive care for veterans. He shares his journey from military service to civilian life, his experience running for Congress, and his dedication to representing and supporting veterans.

Denton emphasizes the importance of storytelling and understanding the experiences of veterans. Denton's military career spanned 34 years, during which he served in various roles and locations. He taught lieutenants and commanded a mechanized company in Kuwait. He then trained units in California's Mojave Desert and spent a year in Saudi Arabia training the Saudis on equipment. He deployed twice to Iraq, experiencing combat and loss.

After retiring from the military, he faced challenges transitioning to civilian life and finding employment. He emphasizes the need for better support for veterans and their families during the transition process. Denton emphasizes the importance of welcoming home and providing care for veterans. He shares how Vietnam veterans made sure that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans received the welcome and support they didn't receive.

Denton discusses the need for sponsorship programs to help veterans transition back into society and the importance of finding and identifying veterans in the community. He encourages everyone to ask if someone is a veteran and to offer help and support. Denton also highlights the need for resources and support from the civilian community and the importance of bridging the gap between military and civilian understanding. He calls for service-oriented hearts and for everyone to find ways to help veterans and their families.

Have a story to share of your own? Email drea@dreahespen.com.

Sam Eddinger shares his extraordinary tale of loss, wisdom, and the relentless pursuit of growth in the face of adversity. The conversation explores the journey from intelligence to wisdom, the power of faith, and the transformation that leads to profound insights and living. Sam's story is not just about confronting grief, but also about the moments that compel us to change and the turning points that define us. The conversation explores the themes of cherishing loved ones, living without regrets, leaving a legacy, and finding wisdom in adversity. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing the brevity of life and making the most of every moment. The speakers discuss the role of faith in navigating difficult times and finding purpose. They also highlight the power of sharing personal experiences and wisdom to help others. The conversation encourages listeners to put themselves in the shoes of others and consider how they would feel in certain situations, in order to live with empathy and make meaningful connections.Takeaways: * Loss and grief can lead to profound personal growth and transformation.* Faith can provide comfort and strength in times of adversity.* The way we cope with grief and loss is unique to each individual.* The support and love of family and community can be a source of healing.* Appreciating and cherishing the people we love is important in the face of uncertainty. Cherish your loved ones and make the most of every moment with them.* Live your life today in a way that you won't have regrets in the future.* Leave a positive legacy by understanding and meeting the needs of others.* Adversity can provide opportunities for growth and wisdom.* Faith can provide comfort and guidance in difficult times.* Sharing personal experiences and wisdom can help others navigate their own challenges.* Put yourself in the shoes of others to cultivate empathy and make meaningful connections.Chapters00:00 Introduction: Sam Edinger's Extraordinary Journey03:24 From Loss to Growth: Navigating Grief and Transformation08:34 The Power of Faith in Times of Adversity13:18 Transforming Grief into Wisdom24:04 Cherishing Loved Ones in the Face of Uncertainty29:49 Cherishing Loved Ones and Living Without Regrets33:27 Leaving a Positive Legacy36:26 Finding Wisdom in Adversity39:21 The Role of Faith in Navigating Difficult Times44:00 Sharing Personal Experiences and Wisdom53:23 Cultivating Empathy and Making Meaningful Connections Sponsored by: VPM Solutions - Create your FREE profile here and find your new VA for Property Management or Real Estate today: https://app.vpmsolutions.com/create/?ref=bluehairgoddess If Sam's story resonates with you, or if you have your own to share, connect with us. Reach out on social media @dreabuer or email drea@dreahespen.com. Let's keep the conversation going and support each other in our journeys. Connect with Sam: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tempstguru LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameddinger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tempstguru/

Catie Brandstatter shares her 11-year experience with bullying and the challenges she faced at home. Despite the difficulties, she found strength and happiness in college, where she felt a sense of belonging and freedom. Catie credits her mom, faith, and perseverance for helping her through the tough times. In college, she discovered her true personality and gained confidence. She realized that there was nothing wrong with her and learned to internalize that belief. Catie shares her experiences of being bullied and the impact it had on her self-esteem and mental health. She discusses the challenges she faced in school and how it affected her academic performance. Catie also talks about her journey to self-acceptance and finding happiness in college. She shares her weight loss journey and the importance of choosing oneself. Catie emphasizes the need for compassion and understanding towards others, as everyone has their own struggles. She encourages listeners to persevere through difficult times and find strength in their own stories. If Catie’s story resonates with you, or if you have your own to share, connect with us. Reach out on social media @dreabuer or email drea@dreahespen.com. Let's keep the conversation going and support each other in our journeys. Thank you for listening, and remember, perseverance through the hardest times can lead to profound personal growth. Keep pushing forward, and let's uplift each other along the way. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 03:39 Dealing with Bullying for 11 Years 38:51 Finding Freedom and Belonging in College 40:18 Embracing Self-Acceptance and Confidence 40:48 Overcoming the Impact of Bullying 54:55 Finding Self-Acceptance and Happiness 55:23 Journey to Weight Loss and Choosing Oneself 01:08:48 The Importance of Compassion and Understanding 01:17:29 Persevering Through Challenges and Finding Strength Takeaways * Bullying can have a significant impact on a person's life, but it is possible to find strength and happiness despite the challenges. * Having a support system, such as a caring parent or mentor, can make a big difference in overcoming difficult times. * Faith and perseverance can help individuals navigate through tough situations and find hope. * College can provide a fresh start and an opportunity to discover one's true self and gain confidence. * It is important to remember that there is nothing wrong with you and to internalize that belief. * Bullying can have a significant impact on a person's self-esteem and mental health. * Finding acceptance and happiness in oneself is crucial for personal growth. * Weight loss journeys are unique to each individual, and it's important to listen to your body and do what works best for you. * Showing compassion and understanding towards others can make a positive difference in their lives. * Perseverance is key in overcoming challenges and finding strength in one's own story.

Noel Pulanco's life has been filled with resilience, ambition, and transformation. From his early sales career in high school to surviving a life-threatening stabbing, Noel has thrived in the world of property management and real estate. He shares his experiences of working in a shoe store, becoming a DJ, and working as a bouncer in a popular bar. Despite facing challenges and altercations, Noel's sales skills and ability to connect with people have always been his strengths. Noel shares his journey from being a bartender to becoming a successful property manager and real estate investor. He talks about his experience as a bouncer and how it taught him to handle difficult situations and manage conflict. Noel also discusses his transition from the bar scene to real estate, where he found success in property management. He emphasizes the importance of taking care of people and providing excellent customer service. Noel shares his passion for teaching and his desire to share his knowledge and experience with others in the industry. He also highlights the value of virtual assistants in streamlining business operations and improving efficiency. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction to Noel Polanco's Resilient Journey 00:08:02 Sales Career: From Shoe Store Employee to DJ 00:34:58 Surviving a Life-Threatening Stabbing 00:36:49 Conflict Resolution and Problem-Solving in Sales 00:37:19 From Bartender to Property Manager 00:39:16 Transitioning to Real Estate 00:41:41 Starting a Property Management Company 00:44:32 Building a Family-Owned Business 00:46:45 The Importance of Customer Service 00:49:08 Teaching and Sharing Knowledge 00:52:47 The Role of Virtual Assistants 00:57:00 The Ever-Changing Real Estate Industry 01:05:10 Treating People Right 01:09:04 The Power of Reviews and Referrals Takeaways * Resilience and ambition are key factors in Noel Polanco's success * Sales skills and the ability to connect with people are valuable in any industry * Working in different roles, such as a shoe store employee, DJ, and bouncer, provided Noel with diverse experiences * Conflict resolution and problem-solving are essential skills in sales and customer service * Experience as a bouncer taught Noel how to handle difficult situations and manage conflict. * Transitioning from the bar scene to real estate, Noel found success in property management. * Taking care of people and providing excellent customer service is crucial in the property management industry. * Noel has a passion for teaching and wants to share his knowledge and experience with others. * Virtual assistants can help streamline business operations and improve efficiency in property management. This episode is sponsored by YesVirtual - www.yesvirtual.com Tell your story on Before You Knew Me - email your story highlights to drea@dreahespen.com

Kevin Utz shares his experience going on a mission trip to Ukraine. The trip was organized by his church, and they had to raise money to fund the trip. They traveled to a small village in Ukraine, near the area affected by the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Kevin and his group had a schedule planned out for their activities, and they had interpreters to help them communicate with the locals. One memorable experience was visiting the local market and buying up all the Coca Cola bottles and ice cream. They also noticed the presence of wild dogs in the area. The highlight of the trip was the services they held, where they had full seating capacity and were able to share the Lord's Word with the community. This conversation explores Kevin's mission trip to Ukraine in the mid to late 1990s. Despite initial concerns and cultural differences, the team was welcomed by the community and had a positive impact through music and spreading the gospel. The experience transformed Kevin's perspective on material possessions and gratitude. The trip also highlighted the power of music as a universal language and the bravery of those who accepted Jesus in a controlled country. The key takeaways include the importance of human connection, the need for gratitude, and the ability of music to bridge cultural barriers. 00:00 Introduction to Before You Knew Me 02:27 Kevin's Background and Return to Westminster 03:48 Background of the Mission Trip to Ukraine 06:07 Fundraising and Preparation for the Trip 07:30 Journey to Ukraine and Arrival in the Village 08:54 Raising Money and Individual Contributions 10:44 Kevin's Personal Calling to Go on the Mission Trip 15:28 Arrival in Ukraine and Initial Fears 23:36 Memorable Moments and Personal Connections 28:49 Highlights and Memorable Moments 34:56 Unexpected Challenges 41:42 Greeting Government Officials in Kiev 44:05 Transformed Perspectives on Material Possessions 48:59 The Power of Music 53:45 Bravery in Faith 57:55 Gratitude and Human Connection 01:02:13 Personal Transformation Takeaways * Mission trips can be life-changing experiences that allow individuals to connect with different cultures and share their faith. * Fundraising is an important part of mission trips, and it often involves reaching out to family, friends, and the community for support. * Visiting local markets can provide unique insights into the culture and allow for interactions with the locals. * Language barriers can be overcome with the help of interpreters, allowing for meaningful communication and sharing of ideas. * Sharing the Lord's Word and experiencing worship in a different cultural context can be a powerful and emotional experience. The mission trip to Ukraine had a positive impact on the community through music and spreading the gospel. * The experience transformed Kevin's perspective on material possessions and gratitude. * Music served as a universal language and helped bridge cultural barriers. * The bravery of those who accepted Jesus in a controlled country was inspiring. * The trip highlighted the importance of human connection and the need for gratitude. Sponsored By: Respect The Brand - In today’s digital world, your online presence is your most powerful tool in real estate. But are you standing out? With Respect The Brand, we’re not just changing the game; we’re redefining real estate visibility. If you’re ready to transform your social media journey into a compelling story that captivates clients and skyrockets your brand, it’s time to get in touch. Respect The Brand: Where your real estate brand meets limitless visibility. Dive into the digital landscape with us and see the difference today. Share your story highlights to drea@dreahespen.com to record your episode on Before You Knew Me Be sure to connect with Kevin! www.facebook.com/kevinteamutz www.instagram.com/kevinutzre/ www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-utz kevinutzre.com