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Changemaker Interviews

Created for More: The Journey of Dr. Esther Graham

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Created for More: The Journey of Dr. Esther Graham

Dr. Esther Graham’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and purpose. From navigating corporate leadership to founding multiple businesses, her life’s work has been about empowering others—especially women—to step into their calling and create lives of fulfillment and success. But like many who pursue greatness, she battled self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the fear of failure.

The Path to Transformation

Despite her success as a CEO, consultant, educator, speaker, and coach, Dr. Esther struggled with the question that lingers in so many minds: Do I have what it takes? She wondered if she truly belonged in the entrepreneurial space and if she was capable of building a multi-million-dollar company.

But instead of letting fear dictate her future, she did what every strong leader does—she sought guidance. Through prayer, mentorship, and a supportive community, she leaned into her fears, set practical goals, and took the necessary steps to grow.

She didn’t just build businesses—she built herself.

A Personal Journey Back to Herself

Several years ago, Dr. Esther embarked on a deeply personal journey she called “The Journey Back to Me.” Though she had already achieved success, she knew she was capable of more. She had three businesses at the time (now she has four), but something was holding her back.

That’s when she discovered the power of personal development. She attended a transformational retreat, and during that experience, she began to unpack past traumas that had been silently limiting her growth—not just in business, but in every aspect of life.

Self-awareness became her superpower. She realized that healing wasn’t a one-time event but a continuous process. By leaning into her past, she created a future filled with purpose and clarity. This shift didn’t just change her—it revolutionized her business model and the way she helped others.

Empowering Others to Step into Their Calling

Dr. Esther’s mission is to help people—especially women—embrace their power, heal from their past, and build businesses and lives that align with their purpose. Through her company, Festa Della Donna, she offers transformational retreats, leadership training, and executive coaching for individuals, businesses, and organizations.

As a Certified Neuro Transformational Coach and Lisa Nichols Certified Trainer, she provides high-impact coaching that helps leaders break through mental barriers and unlock their full potential. Her programs, like Rising to Your Destiny and Dare to Live Fully, inspire people to step out of fear and into possibility.

She’s not just talking the talk—she’s walking it.

Giving Back and Building a Legacy

Beyond coaching and entrepreneurship, Dr. Esther is deeply committed to her community. She believes in creating opportunities for others, especially those who might not have the resources to access personal development.

Her impact includes:

  • Hosting pro bono coaching sessions and retreats.
  • Organizing an annual free baby shower for families in need.
  • Leading parent personal development training to support family growth.
  • Running a nonprofit teen program called Designed Naturally Amazing.
  • Hosting community health fairs, laundry takeovers, and philanthropy projects.

Her dedication to service isn’t just a part of her business—it’s a part of who she is.

A Vision for the Future

Dr. Esther isn’t slowing down. Her vision includes franchising her schools and expanding Festa Della Donna to reach more people through transformational retreats and programs. She wants to help humanity go farther, dream bigger, and realize their power to create the life they want.

Her message is simple but profound: We are created for more.

Connect with Dr. Esther Graham

Dr. Esther Graham’s story is proof that transformation is possible—for anyone. If you’re ready to step into your purpose, elevate your mindset, and create a life you love, her work offers the tools and support to make it happen.

Follow her journey, attend a retreat, or dive into one of her powerful coaching programs. Because the life you want? It’s waiting for you to claim it.

Website: https://www.fddwomen.com/home
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU2Ig4iTOjXTvgsvJeKenvA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/festadelladonna_esthergraham/

Your transformation starts now.

Changemaker Interviews

Mike Turner Is Building Brands That Move With Clarity

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Mike Turner Is Building Brands That Move With Clarity

Mike Turner has spent more than a decade helping people and businesses grow—not just in scale, but in clarity, confidence, and direction. His career has spanned brand development, business growth, and customer success. But what ties it all together is his steady focus on delivering results with purpose.

“I’m a builder and a problem-solver,” he says. “I love helping people identify what’s working, remove friction, and scale with confidence.”

It’s that mindset that led Mike to launch his consulting work. Today, he serves as a strategic advisor for entrepreneurs, executives, and teams who want to level up without losing themselves in the process. He brings clarity, presence, and structure to brands that want to grow more intentionally.

 

Making Growth Practical and Personal

One of Mike’s core strengths is helping people move better—faster, clearer, and more aligned. His work helps leaders sharpen their voice, present themselves with more polish, and improve how their business operates behind the scenes.

“I focus on both brand and operational performance,” Mike explains. “It’s not just about the message—it’s how everything flows and supports the bigger picture.”

That focus on sustainable, system-driven success is rare in a world that’s obsessed with hustle. Mike’s approach is different. It’s calm, intentional, and rooted in values.

 

Why He Does the Work

Mike’s motivation comes from a simple place: helping people show up stronger. Over time, he noticed how many small businesses and entrepreneurs had a powerful vision—but lacked the systems to scale it. That gap became the driving force behind his consulting.

Through strategy, leadership coaching, and brand alignment, he equips others to lead with excellence and communicate with clarity. And when the foundation is clear, growth follows.

 

Building a Career with Intention

Mike didn’t stumble into leadership—he built it brick by brick. He currently leads initiatives that support both corporate and entrepreneurial ecosystems, and he serves as President of a corporate Toastmasters chapter. He’s also been nominated as a board advisor for a nonprofit, adding service and community leadership to his resume.

Each role he takes on is guided by the same values: structure, clarity, and long-term value. “Leadership isn’t about control,” he says. “It’s about orchestration.”

 

Leading Without Micromanaging

Mike describes his leadership style as calm, focused, and purpose-driven. He values structure and emotional intelligence. And he believes in creating an environment where people feel seen, supported, and trusted to lead themselves.

“I don’t micromanage—I systematize,” he says. “That gives others the confidence to operate with autonomy while still staying aligned.”

It’s a balance many leaders struggle to find, but Mike leans into it with ease. He knows when to speak up, when to delegate, and when to let the systems do the work.

 

Lessons in Business and Growth

Mike’s path hasn’t been without challenges. But each one taught him something valuable. The biggest lessons? Clarity matters. Culture matters. And if you want to scale, you need more than talent—you need systems.

“I’ve learned that structure accelerates growth,” he explains. “Ambiguity slows everything down.”

He’s also learned the importance of listening. His strategies aren’t one-size-fits-all—they’re informed by what real people need and the environments they’re navigating.

 

What Keeps Him Going

In difficult seasons, Mike relies on purpose and perspective. “When your why is strong, your resilience follows,” he says.

Instead of getting stuck in the emotion of a challenge, he focuses on the data. What can be learned? What needs to be shifted? It’s that mindset—objective and strategic—that allows him to stay grounded and move forward with intention.

 

Staying Innovative in a Fast-Changing World

Mike keeps one foot in execution and one foot in observation. He studies trends, listens to what people aren’t saying, and turns those insights into repeatable, actionable strategies.

“Innovation doesn’t have to be chaotic,” he says. “It can be systematized.”

That approach allows him to bring fresh energy to every project without losing traction. Creativity and efficiency don’t have to be opposites—they can work together to drive results.

 

Looking Ahead

Mike’s not slowing down anytime soon. He plans to keep building platforms and partnerships that support growth-minded individuals while staying grounded in service and long-term strategy. His ultimate mission? To normalize success that doesn’t burn people out—to show that growth can be sustainable, clear, and deeply human.

Every time he helps someone lead better or a brand show up stronger, he moves one step closer to that vision.

 

Connect with Mike Turner
Website: www.miketurnercoaching.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/miketurnerinternational

 

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Changemaker Interviews

Lacey Artemis Is Building the Community She Spent Years Searching For

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Lacey Artemis Is Building the Community She Spent Years Searching For

Lacey Artemis grew up quiet, unsure, and often overlooked. For years, she struggled to find a place in the world—a space where being curious, creative, and deeply thoughtful wasn’t just accepted but celebrated. Today, she is the founder of Arty Mix Events, a speaker, podcast host, performer, and unapologetically multi-passionate creative who’s making that space for others.

Lacey’s journey is one of persistence and self-discovery, built through years of exploring different passions, overcoming self-doubt, and finally realizing that their strength was in being more than one thing. She now uses her voice and work to support other neurodivergent creatives and grownups who long to reconnect with their sense of play and purpose.

 

From Hobbyist to Creative Professional

Lacey’s creative streak started young, but when she studied design in college, the message from instructors was clear: this path won’t pay the bills. So, like many others, she chose a “safe” administrative route and kept their creativity alive as a side project.

“I lived a double life for 15 years,” she said. “I kept working to prove what I could do.”

What Lacey didn’t know then was that their passion wasn’t just a hobby—it was a clue. Over time, she combined skills in writing, performing, media, and design into something that not only worked but lit them up. Eventually, she founded Arty Mix Events, creating spaces for people to connect, play, and express themselves in ways that typical event spaces rarely allow.

 

Podcasting, Performing, and the Power of Conversation

In their late 20s, Lacey started a podcast to learn more about people’s careers. It was a quiet project that slowly revealed something powerful—she loved deep conversations. That podcast eventually evolved into a more expansive show, HAT COLLECTING, which allowed Lacey to blend many of their talents into one platform.

She also realized she had a gift for the stage. Performing became a way to reclaim the confidence their younger self lacked. “Every time I get on stage or have a microphone in my hand,” Lacey shares, “I get further redemption for a younger me who was always doubted or overlooked.”

Even after facing burnout and pauses along the way, Lacey always returns to the mic—and to the communities their work brings together.

 

No One Path, No One Box

Lacey’s biggest challenge wasn’t choosing between creative passions. It was the pressure to choose only one. Coaches and peers told them to focus. But that advice never worked. What Lacey needed was someone who understood what it means to be multi-passionate.

“I thrive when I can meld three or more interests together,” she explains. “Burnout didn’t come from doing too much—it came from doing it alone, without support.”

Late-diagnosed neurodivergence, gender transition in their 30s, and ongoing struggles with money and trauma only added to the uphill climb. But Lacey kept pushing forward. And eventually, she found the right community and the right people to help them grow.

 

Creating the Events She Longed For

After years of craving meaningful, inclusive, in-person events that weren’t centered around bars, clubs, or surface-level small talk, Lacey took matters into their own hands. She launched Arty Mix Events to offer something different—spaces that are creative, accessible, and built for genuine connection.

“The events I wanted didn’t exist. I finally decided to change that,” Lacey says.

As someone who knows the loneliness of being misunderstood or left out, Lacey builds with intention. Their events welcome people who are often excluded elsewhere—those with invisible disabilities, neurodivergent thinkers, and adults who miss the playful parts of themselves.

 

Built on Curiosity, Creativity, and Community

Lacey’s work is guided by three core values: curiosity, creativity, and community. A coach once told them to only say yes to opportunities that fit one of those pillars—and that advice changed everything.

Now, Lacey is seeking stages and spaces where she can share their story, connect with others who’ve felt invisible, and continue shining while encouraging others to do the same. “Some might say I’ve done almost all of this the hard way,” Lacey says, “but as a result, I can help others skip some of the circles I ran in for a decade.”

 

A Life That Finally Feels Like Theirs

For Lacey, success isn’t about fitting into a mold—it’s about building a life that feels right, one decision, one event, one brave moment at a time.

She has transformed years of feeling unseen into a mission that creates space for others to show up fully as themselves. Every time someone walks into an Arty Mix event or listens to a podcast episode and finally feels like they belong, Lacey knows she is doing exactly what she was meant to do.

“I spent a long time climbing hills alone,” she says. “Now, I want to make the path easier for the next person—and remind them they’re never as alone as they think.”

Lacey Artemis is no longer chasing a place in the world. She’s creating one—and making room for the rest of us to join in.

Connect with Lacey Artemis

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Changemaker Interviews

Rising Above Adversity with Sheldon Crocker

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Rising Above Adversity with Sheldon Crocker

Sheldon Crocker knows what it means to fight through hardship—and win. As an award-winning author, inspirational speaker, and resilience-building expert, he has turned his own story of struggle into a message of hope for people around the world. From childhood trauma and physical limitations to addiction and deep emotional pain, Sheldon has faced more than most. But he never let those challenges define him. Instead, he used them as stepping stones toward a life of purpose, strength, and service. Rising above adversity, his work today empowers others to do the same: to face adversity head-on and come out stronger.

A Voice Born from Experience

Sheldon’s mission began in silence. For years, he carried the weight of abuse and addiction alone, unsure if he had the right to dream of something more. But over time, he realized that his story could become a lifeline for others—if he had the courage to share it.

“I was inspired by my own battles,” Sheldon says. “People around me were suffering in silence, like I once did. I knew I had a voice to help them rise.”

From that realization came a commitment to speak, write, and teach in a way that is raw, honest, and deeply personal. His message is clear: your past doesn’t define you—your response does.

 

Keep on Walking

One of Sheldon’s most powerful principles is what he calls “KEEP on WALKING.” It’s not about giant leaps or instant fixes. It’s about small, steady steps—especially when the path feels impossible.

“I faced physical limitations and emotional scars that nearly broke me,” he shares. “But I kept walking. I surrounded myself with people who believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.”

That mindset became the core of his resilience work. Through talks, books, and his growing Empowerment Course, Sheldon helps others find their footing when life knocks them down.

 

Rising Above Adversity

Sheldon’s journey has shaped everything he teaches. He doesn’t lead from theory—he leads from lived experience. That’s what gives his work its impact.

“I bring practical tools and authentic storytelling to help people create real transformation,” he explains. “Adversity isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of something powerful.”

His approach is grounded in integrity and purpose. He’s not interested in quick fixes or surface-level motivation. He wants people to dig deep, rise strong, and make lasting change.

 

Connecting Through Truth

At the heart of Sheldon’s work is connection. His audience includes anyone who has struggled—anyone who’s ever felt broken, stuck, or invisible. He reaches them by being real, by offering strategies they can actually use, and by showing up with his full self.

“Relatable stories and actionable steps are how I connect,” he says. “I’m not here to preach. I’m here to walk alongside people.”

That connection is what makes his message stick. People don’t just hear Sheldon—they feel understood by him.

 

Defining Success Through Impact

To Sheldon, success isn’t about awards or applause. It’s about the lives changed. The letters he gets. The people who tell him they kept walking because of his words.

“Success means living with purpose and staying true to my mission,” he says. “It’s about impact. It’s about creating hope where there was none.”

It’s also about staying grounded. For Sheldon, values like authenticity, compassion, and service are the compass points that guide every decision he makes.

 

What’s Next

Looking ahead, Sheldon is focused on expanding his reach. He’s booking more speaking engagements, growing his workshop offerings, and building partnerships that allow his message to spread farther and faster.

He’s also continuing to develop his Empowerment Course, Unleash Your Inner Strength: A 6-Week Journey to Emotional Empowerment and Personal Transformation, and plans to publish more books designed to guide readers through their own journeys of resilience. His free guide, Unlock Transformation: 7 Steps to Unleash Your Potential, is already helping people take the first steps.

But no matter how big his platform grows, his goal remains the same: to help people rise.

Connect with Sheldon Crocker

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