What happens when a twelve-year-old refuses to let pain have the final word?

In this powerful episode of Listen Bitch Presents: Tell Me Why You’re Special, Branden sits down with bestselling young author and anti-bullying advocate Shanti Hershenson to discuss how writing transformed her life and helped her find her voice during one of the most difficult seasons of her childhood.

Shanti shares how bullying, identity struggles, and feeling misunderstood led her to discover a passion for storytelling that would eventually result in dozens of published books before adulthood. She opens up about the healing power of writing, the realities of social media bullying, the challenges young people face today, and how creativity can become a path toward purpose.

The conversation explores overcoming fear, trusting yourself before the world validates you, building an audience online, balancing authenticity with growth, and why so many aspiring writers never finish their first book.

Whether you’re a writer, entrepreneur, parent, student, or someone who has ever felt invisible, this episode is a powerful reminder that your story matters and your voice deserves to be heard.
Shanties first two novellas were published when she was in the sixth grade, although her writing journey started long before then. Ever since she could hold a pencil, marker, or crayon, she was creating stories. They started from pictures, mere scribbles, and eventually, turned into captivating tales.

​She lives in California with her parents, sister, and furry friends. Besides writing, she enjoys skateboarding, fencing, being a regular teenager, and of course, reading.

She writes in a variety of genres, including Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Contemporary, although she mostly sticks to Sci-Fi.

As an anti-bullying advocate, you may find her volunteering or performing powerful poetry at open mic nights.
​
Shanti is eighteen years old and a senior in high school. She plans to study Creative Writing at Bryn Mawr College.

https://www.amazon.com/Shanti-Hershenson/e/B08QRF5LP4?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1645593351&sr=8-1

http://shantihershenson.com/

What if your story is part of something much bigger than you realize?

In this powerful episode of Listen Bitch Presents: Tell Me Why You’re Special, Branden sits down with Air Force Academy graduate and author Terrence Rotering to discuss faith, spiritual warfare, purpose, and the incredible journey behind his massive Chronicles book series.

Terrence shares how a military career that included flying jets and working at NORAD eventually led him into writing an expansive science fiction and fantasy universe spanning multiple worlds, thousands of characters, and a battle between good and evil that ultimately points readers back to biblical truth.

The conversation explores spiritual warfare, the reality of evil, God’s purpose in our lives, faith in modern culture, and the challenge of communicating truth without becoming preachy. Terrence also shares several remarkable “God wink” moments that strengthened his conviction that he was called to write these stories.

Branden and Terrence dive deep into Christian responsibility, sharing your testimony, overcoming fear, the nature of heaven, and why every individual has a unique role to play in God’s larger story.

Whether you’re a reader, writer, believer, creative, or someone searching for deeper purpose, this episode will challenge you to see your life through a much bigger lens.

Terrence graduated from the United States Air Force Academy. He retired from the United States Air Force after twenty years of service as a weapon systems officer on fighter aircraft worldwide and fifteen more years at North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Author of the ten book Chronicles Series, Terry gives readers an epic adventure of fantasy, science fiction, and spiritual warfare; following in the footsteps of the giants in all three genres.

https://chroniclesoftrinian.com/

What if motivation isn’t actually the thing holding most people back?

In this eye-opening episode of Listen Bitch Presents: Tell Me Why You’re Special, Branden sits down with elite performance coach and Propel Health Australia Managing Director Grant Jenkins to explore the connection between performance, recovery, nutrition, gut health, and long-term wellness.

Drawing from his experience working with elite athletes, including professional tennis players, Grant shares the pivotal moment that changed his perspective on human performance and led him to focus on foundational health rather than simply athletic achievement.

The conversation dives into genetics and athletic potential, differences in training approaches between men and women, recovery strategies that actually restore energy, and the hidden role gut health plays in motivation, nutrient absorption, physical performance, and overall well-being.

Grant also discusses concerns about food quality, glyphosate exposure, supplement industry standards, regulatory differences between Australia and the United States, and why consumers need to become educated advocates for their own health.

Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, parent, or someone simply trying to feel better and perform at a higher level, this episode offers practical insights into creating a healthier, stronger, and more resilient life.

propelhealthaustralia.com and use code - special5

Grant is the Managing Director of Propel Health Australia and a high-performance coach with more than 25 years of experience working with elite athletes, health professionals and everyday Australians seeking better health outcomes.

Grant has coached athletes across four sports at World Championship level and worked at all four Tennis Grand Slams, including helping develop former World No.1 Ash Barty.

Today, he combines performance coaching with his work in the health and supplement industry, focusing on evidence-based nutrition, gut health, metabolic health, recovery, cognitive performance and anti-aging.

As the founder of the international brand Propel Health, Grant is passionate about helping people cut through health misinformation and understand the science behind supplements, performance, recovery and long-term wellness.

Podcast topics may include:
• Gut health and the microbiome
• Supplements that actually matter
• Performance, recovery and creatine
• Men’s health over 40
• Anti-aging and longevity
• Health industry myths and misleading marketing
• Building a health brand in Australia
• Elite sport and mindset
• Entrepreneurship, resilience and reinvention

https://propelhealthaustralia.com/

propelhealthaustralia.com and use code - special5