Interview with Doni Belau, Founder of Girl's Guide to the World

Guest Introduction: Doni Belau

Dr. Allen Lycka introduces Doni Belau, founder of Girl’s Guide to the World, a women-only tour company offering 60 unique trips to 40 different countries. With over 80 countries visited, Doni creates tours that blend cultural immersion, wellness, and adventure. Her extensive experience in the travel industry and her passion for empowering women make her tours transformational. When not leading trips, Doni splits her time between France, New Orleans, and sailing on her boat, Relish.

The Journey to Girl's Guide to the World

Doni shares her journey, from a career in politics and nonprofit work in South Africa to burnout and a desire to connect with her passion for France. Originally starting with Girls Guide to Paris in 2009 as an online guide, Doni expanded her company into a women-only tour business. Now, Girl’s Guide to the World offers trips to 40 countries, focusing on creating enriching experiences for small groups of women.

Favorite Travel Destinations

When asked about her favorite destination, Doni’s heart remains with France, but she is currently fascinated by Japan. She speaks about Japan's deep and intricate culture, highlighting its unique aspects such as onsen baths and incredible food. Dr. Lycka and Doni bond over their love for Japan, discussing the country's culture of peace, harmony, and punctuality.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Travel

The pandemic delayed trips to Asia, but Japan has reopened, and Doni’s company is running four exciting tours to Japan in the upcoming year. These include Art and Artisan, Soul of Japan, and a hidden gem trip to the Kyushu Peninsula, offering participants a chance to explore art, history, and Japan’s famous onsen baths.

Upcoming Trips and New Destinations

Doni shares her excitement for new trips in 2024. Some highlights include:

• Finland, where travelers will explore why it’s the happiest country in the world.
• India, with an Ayurvedic wellness tour and a local guide offering a cultural immersion experience, including a chai tea lesson in Agra.
• A wellness retreat to Maui and an exploration of Slovenia, one of Europe’s hidden gems.

Focus on Safety and Connection

Doni addresses the importance of safety for women travelers. She emphasizes that while solo travel can be daunting, her tours provide a safe and supportive environment, with experts and facilitators on the ground to ensure smooth experiences. She also encourages women not to let fear hold them back, as statistically, many countries considered unsafe are often safer than expected.

Creating Lifelong Connections Through Travel

One of the unique aspects of Doni’s tours is the emphasis on bonding. With small groups of 6 to 10 women, these trips foster deep connections between travelers. Many participants leave with lasting friendships, and the shared experiences make the trips more enriching.

BIO:

Doni Belau is the founder of Girls’ Guide to the World, a women-only tour company empowering women to explore 40 countries through 60 uniquely crafted tours. An adventurer at heart, Doni has traveled to over 80 countries, curating trips that range from cultural immersions to wellness retreats, all designed to inspire connection and create lasting memories.

With a background in TV production and humanitarian work, Doni blends personal growth with the joy of exploration in every journey she creates. Her 15+ years in the travel industry ensure each tour is a transformative experience.

When she’s not leading trips, Doni splits her time between France, New Orleans, and her sailboat, Relish—embracing life’s adventures wherever they take her.

Social Media:

Women's Solo Group Travelgirlsguidetotheworld.com

Doni Belau (@gg2theworld) • Instagram photos and videos

Girls' Guide to the World

BIO:

Kay Loughrey is a dynamic speaker, transformational health and weight loss coach, and registered dietitian nutritionist who tackles health from the inside out.

A trailblazer in public health, Kay has led groundbreaking initiatives at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, shaping national programs like the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, and the WIC Food Supplement Program.

With a blend of scientific expertise and compassionate coaching, Kay empowers her clients to break free from inner obstacles, transform food-related shame into confidence, shed excess weight, and embrace a joyful, healthy lifestyle.

Social Media:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/SweetLifeWellness

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KayLoughrey

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sweet.life.wellness/

Surviving and Thriving After Tragedy with Sally Raymond

Host: Dr. Allen Lycka

Guest: Sally Raymond, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Introduction

Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes back Sally Raymond, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Sally's journey into advocacy and mental health began after the tragic suicide of her eldest son in 1992. Since then, she has dedicated her life to helping others through therapy, teaching, writing, and speaking on suicide prevention, wellness, spirituality, and mental health. In 2021, she published her book, The Son I Knew Too Late: A Guide to Help You Survive and Thrive, based on her experiences and her son's story.

Lessons from Personal Tragedy

Key Points:

• Sally reflects on the painful lessons learned from her son's life and death.
• As a newly licensed psychotherapist at the time, Sally realizes she missed critical signs of her son's pain due to a lack of awareness about developmental stages and core issues in each stage of a child's growth.
• Her experience led her to understand the importance of parents being aware of these stages to support their children's development effectively.

Early Signs and Missed Clues

Key Points:

• Sally shares that the first missed clue was at her son's birth when he cried excessively due to a broken collarbone that went undiagnosed, leading to a deep mistrust from the outset.
• This incident created a lifelong impact on her son's ability to trust and form bonds, which Sally believes contributed to his eventual suicide.

Overcoming Adversity in Childhood

Key Points:

• During the early years of her son's life, another critical incident occurred when he was molested as a toddler, severely affecting his development.
• Despite these traumas, Sally's son excelled academically, demonstrating his resilience and intelligence.
• Sally emphasizes the need for awareness and support systems for children who have experienced trauma.

The Impact on Sally's Other Son, Brett

Key Points:

• Sally's younger son, Brett, faced his own struggles, feeling overshadowed by his older brother's brilliance.
• Brett’s journey from struggling in school to excelling and working on major projects like the visual effects for The Lord of the Rings showcases resilience and self-responsibility.
• Brett’s story highlights the importance of learning how to learn, a skill he mastered on his own terms, which led to his success.

Turning Tragedy into Triumph

Key Points:

• After her son’s suicide, Sally chose to view her son as a teacher rather than a tragedy.
• She committed to understanding what went wrong and to making a difference in the lives of others by sharing her insights and experiences.
• Sally's work focuses not only on individual and family healing but also on improving societal structures to support mental health and resilience.

The Importance of Taking Responsibility

Key Points:

• Dr. Lycka and Sally discuss the importance of taking responsibility for one’s life and decisions, a critical factor in overcoming adversity and achieving success.
• Sally believes that by taking full responsibility, individuals can transform from being victims to achieving triumphs.

A Message of Hope

BIO:

Since 1991, Sally Raymond is a survivor of her eldest son’s suicide. Since 1992, has been a practicing Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT), a fashion/print model, a high school communication and leadership skills coach, and multiple-award winning, top Toastmaster. Sally has appeared in numerous interviews and published articles on suicide prevention, wellness, spirituality and mental health. In 2021, Sally published The Son I Knew Too Late: A Guide to Help You Survive and Thrive, a unique, story driven suicide prevention book dedicated to help everyone else at any age know what to do and not do to avoid the needless tragedy no one really survives.

Social Media:

Website: sallyaraymond.com

LinkedIn: sallie4th

Facebook: Sally A Raymond

Interview with Jennifer Riggs

Introduction

• Guest Introduction: Jennifer Riggs, a certified hypnotherapist and mindset coach, shares her journey and insights on emotional processing and subconscious mind work.
• Dr. Allen Lycka's Introduction: Discusses Jennifer's background and the importance of her work in helping people live happier lives by changing thoughts and behaviors.

Jennifer Riggs' Journey

• Personal Challenges: Jennifer shares her difficult experiences, including her parents' divorce, a miscarriage, her own divorce, and a misdiagnosis of leukemia. These challenges led her to seek ways to heal herself.
• Healing Journey: Through her journey of healing, Jennifer discovered hypnotherapy, which helped her address the emotional baggage she was carrying.

Hypnotherapy: A Path to Healing

• Discovering Hypnotherapy: Jennifer explains how traditional talk therapy provided some relief, but it was hypnotherapy that brought profound change by accessing the subconscious mind.
• Subconscious Mind: The subconscious mind drives most of our behaviors and thoughts, often based on past experiences and traumas.

Common Misconceptions About Hypnotherapy

• Mind Control Myth: Jennifer dispels the myth that hypnotherapy involves losing control of one's mind, explaining that it's actually a heightened state of awareness.
• Trance State: She clarifies that people are already in a "trance" of repetitive thoughts and behaviors. Hypnotherapy helps break this trance by addressing the subconscious beliefs driving those patterns.

Jennifer's Book: "Free from the Cage"

• Book Inspiration: The title was inspired by a piece of art Jennifer created years before. It symbolizes breaking free from negative beliefs that keep us trapped.
• The First Step - "Taking Out the Garbage": Jennifer emphasizes the importance of addressing and processing negative emotions rather than just covering them up with positive thinking.
• Tools for Change: The book offers keys to unlocking the "cage" of limiting beliefs and changing one's life.

Healing and Growth

• The Role of Fear: Jennifer discusses how fear often holds people back but facing fear can lead to growth and new opportunities.
• Victim Mentality vs. Responsibility: She highlights the importance of taking responsibility for one's life and actions, rather than staying stuck in a victim mentality.

Abundance vs. Scarcity Mindset

• Scarcity Myth: Jennifer and Dr. Lycka discuss the misconception that resources are limited. In reality, abundance is possible, and there's enough for everyone.
• Encouraging Others: Supporting others in their success doesn't diminish one's own opportunities but rather creates a positive, abundant environment.

Authenticity and Self-Worth

• Being True to Yourself: Jennifer encourages embracing authenticity, even if it means not pleasing everyone. Being true to oneself attracts the right people and opportunities.
• Self-Worth Issues: She shares that many people struggle with self-worth, which is often at the root of their challenges. Addressing this is key to living a fulfilling life.

Living a Fantastic Life

• Jennifer's Take: She shares that turning challenges into opportunities and finding the blessings in difficult situations has helped her live a fantastic life.
• Growth Through Challenges: Emphasizes the importance of using life's challenges as stepping stones to personal growth and success.

BIO:

Jennifer Riggs is a certified Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who is passionate about helping people process their emotions to change their thoughts and behaviors so they can live a happier life.

Social Media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSUQY4i72E6Y3DE-QhHG3Kw

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090248955213&mibextid=LQQJ4d

https://jennifer-riggs.com

Preserving LGBTQ History and Human Rights with Robert Kesten

Guest: Robert Kesten, Executive Director of the Stonewall National Museum, Archives, and Library

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Allen Lycka sits down with Robert Kesten, a prominent human rights advocate and the Executive Director of the Stonewall National Museum, Archives, and Library. Robert shares his inspiring journey from witnessing pivotal moments in civil rights history to leading an institution dedicated to preserving LGBTQ history and culture. The discussion covers the importance of human rights, the challenges faced by LGBTQ communities, and the significance of education in protecting democracy.

Key Topics Discussed

1. The Impact of 1968 on Robert Kesten

• Robert reflects on how the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy in 1968 shaped his worldview and motivated him to make a difference in the world.

2. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• Robert discusses his work in promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights globally and the importance of democracy in safeguarding human rights.

3. The Stonewall Uprising

• A detailed recount of the Stonewall Uprising in 1969, which marked a turning point for LGBTQ rights, leading to the formation of organizations and the first Pride March.

4. The Stonewall National Museum, Archives, and Library

• An introduction to the Stonewall National Museum, which began as a small library and archive and has since grown into a major institution for LGBTQ history and culture.

5. Recreating the Stonewall Bar

• Robert describes the museum's latest exhibit, a recreation of the Stonewall bar as it appeared during the uprising, and its significance in educating both older and younger generations.

6. Challenges Faced by the LGBTQ Community

• The conversation touches on the current challenges, including book bans and legal restrictions, and how the Stonewall Museum helps to combat these by preserving and sharing LGBTQ history.

7. The Importance of Democracy and Civic Engagement

• Robert and Dr. Lycka discuss the critical role of civic engagement in maintaining democracy and protecting human rights, emphasizing the responsibility of "We the People."

8. Future Plans for the Stonewall Museum

• The museum’s upcoming plans, including a pop-up in New Orleans and a traveling exhibit commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.

Quotes from the Episode

• Robert Kesten: "The arc of history moves towards justice."
• Dr. Allen Lycka: "Education is expensive, but the cost of ignorance is much more expensive."

How to Connect with Robert Kesten

• Website: Stonewall National Museum
• Social Media: Find the museum on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok for the latest updates.

How to Connect with Dr. Allen Lycka

• Website: Dr. Allen Lycka

Conclusion

Robert Kesten’s dedication to human rights and LGBTQ history is a powerful reminder of the importance of education, civic engagement, and the ongoing fight for justice. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in history, human rights, and the preservation of freedom.

BIO:

Robert Kesten is the Executive Director of the Stonewall National Museum Archives & Library, a leading institution preserving LGBTQ history and culture. As a human rights advocate, he has produced an award-winning Holocaust documentary, worked on the Ghanaian Constitution, coordinated Ukrainian independence events, and promoted LGBTQIA+ inclusion and decriminalization efforts. Kesten has also been active in the West Bank, Egypt, and Tunisia during significant political movements.

Social Media:

Website: https://stonewall-museum.org/

IG - @StonewallArchive

TikTok - StonewallMuseum

Threads- User - StonewallArchive

Tribel - User - StonewallMuseum

Guest: James Keyes

In this episode, Dr. Allen Lycka interviews James Keyes, a world-renowned business leader who rose from humble beginnings in Central Massachusetts to become the CEO of 7-Eleven and Chairman of Blockbuster. They discuss James' journey, his approach to learning, overcoming adversity, and the valuable lessons he has gleaned from his experiences.

The Power of Learning

James attributes his success to the concept of "learning to learn." He explains how his ability to adapt, grow, and master new skills has allowed him to excel in various fields, from flying airplanes to running major companies. This philosophy has been the cornerstone of his achievements, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and curiosity.

Overcoming Adversity

James reflects on his challenging childhood, growing up in poverty with numerous hardships, including a condemned home and a lack of basic necessities. He shares how these experiences shaped his resilience and taught him to view adversity as an opportunity for growth. James highlights the importance of a positive response to challenges, which can turn difficult situations into opportunities for success.

The Role of Imagination and Creativity

James discusses how growing up without material wealth led him to develop a rich imagination, which became a key asset in his later life. He contrasts his experience with wealthier children who had more material comforts but less freedom to explore their creativity. This freedom of imagination, he argues, was more valuable than money and played a significant role in his development.

Leadership and Resilience

James and Dr. Lycka talk about the challenges of being a leader, including dealing with envy and resistance from others. They agree that successful leadership often involves upsetting others, but it's essential to focus on one's goals rather than the negativity of others. James also shares insights from his time learning about business, including his association with Dan S. Kennedy, who emphasized the importance of making bold decisions as a leader.

The 7-Eleven Journey

James recounts his time at 7-Eleven, explaining how the company was in bankruptcy when he joined. He describes how the company's focus on convenience, rather than just selling products, was the key to its turnaround and eventual success. James highlights the importance of innovation and adapting to changing customer needs, which allowed 7-Eleven to grow into the world's largest convenience retailer with 80,000 stores globally.

The Blockbuster Story

James addresses the common misconception that Blockbuster failed because it didn't adapt to digital streaming. He provides a detailed account of how Blockbuster was actually ahead of its time, partnering with Enron in the early 2000s to develop a digital movie delivery system. However, the financial crisis of 2008 and the company's heavy debt load hindered its ability to fully transition to streaming. James also discusses the potential for the Blockbuster brand to return as an aggregator of streaming content in the future.

Social Media:

Instagram @jkeyesauthor

X @jkeyesauthor https://x.com/jkeyesauthor

TikTok @jkeyesauthor https://www.tiktok.com/@jkeyesauthor

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Keyes/61551901501319/

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@jkeyesauthor

LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-keyes-a0947215/

LinkedIn Book: https://www.linkedin.com/company/education-is-freedom-by-james-w-keyes/posts/?feedView=all