Blog Archives
The Leader Connection
The Leader Connection lays out a clear and heartfelt blueprint for what leadership can look like when connection sits at the center. The book moves through personal stories, reflections, and structured explanations of leadership styles, communication, emotional intelligence, inclusivity, and the daily habits that shape teams. It blends storytelling with guidance in a way that feels both instructional and personal. The author returns again and again to one central idea that leadership is not about authority. Leadership is about people, relationships, and the courage to show up with empathy and clarity.
The writing has an honesty that makes the lessons easier to take in. It feels like sitting with someone who has lived through the highs and lows of leadership and wants to save you a few hard knocks. Some sections moved quickly and carried a lot of detail. Still, the personal moments resonated with me. The porch conversations with family, the reflections on being only “30 percent” at times, and the admission that leadership is a lifelong balancing act. These parts made the book feel warm, real, and grounded. I appreciated that it did not pretend that leadership is neat or simple. It showed the mess. It showed the growth. It showed the heart behind the concepts.
The breakdown of the eight leadership styles was one of my favorite pieces. The explanations were straightforward and avoided the kind of buzzwords that often bog down leadership books. The author talked about transformational leadership in a way that made me feel energized. Then he moved to servant leadership and cracked it open through lived experience rather than textbook definitions. I also liked how he admitted the limitations of each style. Nothing was presented as perfect. Everything had a cost and a reward. That honesty added weight to the guidance. At times, I wished for more story and fewer lists, but even then, the content stayed practical and easy to follow. The tone felt approachable, like a mentor showing you notes from a career full of lessons, some earned the hard way.
I feel that this book would be a meaningful fit for new leaders, seasoned managers who want to reconnect with their purpose, and anyone who feels the weight of responsibility and wants a clearer path forward. It is especially fitting for people who lead with heart, or who want to. The book’s message is simple. If you focus on people, if you stay honest, if you listen, if you stay willing to grow, you can make a real difference.
pages: 186 | ASIN: B0FN1VV122
Racing Against Time: On Ironman, Ultramarathons and the Quest for Transformation in Mid-Life
Racing Against Time follows Jeffrey Weiss as he moves from a late start in endurance sports to an astonishing personal transformation. The book traces his path from a worn-out teenager chasing a free t-shirt in his first 10K to a fifty-six-year-old pushing himself through ultramarathons, Ironman races, and long nights of doubt and grit. The early chapters set the tone clearly. Weiss frames running, triathlon, and extreme endurance not as sports alone but as a way to reshape the aging curve and reclaim a sense of purpose. His story grows from a simple memory of walking the last miles of a teenage race to the vivid description of cramping through the Valley of a Thousand Hills in the Comrades Marathon. It is a story of stubbornness. It is a story of self-reinvention. It is a story of learning to push past what you thought your body could do.
When I read Weiss describing that first failed 10K and how it gnawed at him for thirty years, I felt that sting in my own gut. The writing is not dressed up with fancy literary tricks, and that works. His voice is honest. He talks about fear, pride, ego, and the weird little lies we tell ourselves when we are chasing a goal that scares us. I like how he lets the reader sit with his uncertainty, especially as he deals with injury, aging, and the emotional toll of training alone. The chapter where he stands in the Marine Corps Marathon start area, wrapped in old sweats while surrounded by thousands of runners, has this intimate energy. I found myself rooting for him, even when he doubted he should be out there at all.
I also enjoyed how Weiss talks about the messy parts of chasing big goals. There is no glamor here. He describes feeling awkward in his first triathlon swim. He admits he hated running at first. He talks about the grief after his father’s death and how that loss pushed him to confront his own decline. The way he connects exercise to identity hit me hardest. It’s not a lecture. It’s more like listening to a friend unpack years of mistakes and tiny wins and then laughing a little at himself. I appreciated the warmth with which he writes about the people who pushed him along, like his coaches, his brothers, and his wife leaving encouraging notes during races. That tenderness snuck up on me, and it made the whole story feel fuller and more relatable.
This book would hit home for anyone in mid-life who feels stuck or who worries that their best years are gone. It would be great for new runners who want a companion who admits every fear they are feeling. It would be even better for people who have always wondered what it might feel like to chase a ridiculous dream just to see if you can do it. Weiss makes the case that it is never too late to change your curve, and he does it with heart.
Pages: 279 | ASIN: B0FC5MVLRM
Self-Worth in God’s Love
Identity Crisis: Who Am I, Really? shares my journey from abandonment and anger to spiritual renewal, offering readers a thoughtful, faith-centered examination of identity. Why was this an important book for me to write?
Writing Identity Crisis: Who Am I, Really? was profoundly important because my personal journey from confusion about who I truly was to clarity about my ultimate identity mirrors a struggle that I believe is universal. The book is the story of how God took me—a man defined by the lies of his past, which was marked by abandonment, neglect, and abuse—and taught me who I truly was.
My motivation stemmed from my understanding that the “spiritual chains” that bound my heart were from society’s definition of who I was, and the deepest help I could offer to others was to show them the path away from this cobweb trap. I wanted to give my readers the euphoria of their own enlightened journey from a life of angry entitlement to one of humble gratitude, from anxious performance to restful security. By surrendering my story to the “divine Author,” I found that my entire path from early childhood, including my former orphanhood, abuse, and anger, could be transformed into the very tools of faith that could help others discover their own freedom. In short, the book was necessary for me to share – I felt a deep obligation to offer a roadmap that others might use on their quests for their own true identities.
What were some ideas that were important for me to share in this book?
I emphasized several foundational, Christ-centered ideas designed to dismantle a performance-based identity in favor of establishing true self-worth in God’s love. Key ideas that are important for me to share include:
- Identity is Found in Divine Design, Not Self-Creation: The central truth is that everyone’s identity must begin with the Creator, rooted in the Bible telling us we were created in the Imago Dei (Image of God). This inherent value is endowed, intrinsic, and immutable, and it cannot be increased by success or diminished by failure. True self-discovery comes not from looking inward, but from looking up to the Creator.
- The Radical Nature of Divine Adoption: A paramount idea is that as a believer, I am not merely forgiven, but am legally and lovingly adopted as a child of God. This concept, drawn from the irreversible Greco-Roman legal practice of huiothesia, means my old debts and legal ties have been erased, and I gain all the rights of a natural-born heir. This status is permanent, unbreakable, and the ultimate antidote to spiritual orphanhood and shame.
- The Freedom of Resting in Christ’s Finished Work: Crucially, the book aims to show that the only remedy for the soul-crushing performance trap is the reader learning how their identity is obtained by stripping away old facades with the freedom obtained through grace. Their righteousness is not earned but imputed (credited) to their accounts through the substitutionary work of Christ on the cross. Because Christ bore the divine wrath, each and every one of us is given the credit of having rendered perfect obedience to the law and thus is declared righteous by God. No earthly accomplishment can achieve that! Our standing is secured by Christ’s perfection, not our own, and certainly not by how we are evaluated or judged by others.
- The Battle for the Mind: It is essential for readers to understand that the enemy’s primary tactic is deception, accusation, and distortion of truth. This will never go away, and so our ongoing work is to continuously renew our minds by demolishing all the strongholds of lies and replacing them with the truth of God’s Word. My book shows how we can do this through Scripture, prayer, and community.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
- Most Challenging: The most difficult aspect involved confronting, and then allowing myself the vulnerability of exposing, the raw experiences of my childhood—the horrible feelings of abandonment and being neglected by those who were supposed to love andcare for me, the “searing, silent language” of being branded with negative names, and myabsolute, deep-seated anger toward God for all of it. It was very difficult going back to reveal this journey, all the way from being an unwanted foster child to my role, striving to become a respected police officer who was trying to earn his own sense of worth, all the while finding a way to silence those “old, familiar names” with all their various earthbound identities. This process required immense spiritual meditation and emotional honesty.
- Most Rewarding: The most rewarding element was clearly the process of discovering and then presenting to others the glorious truth of my new identity in Christ. This “new journey” transformed my path from a life of anxious performance to one of a restful and secure identity. The reward turned out to be knowing that my most painful chapters—my orphanhood and abuse—were used by God to give others a “roadmap” to their own God-given identity and the freedom which comes from their true name as a child of the King.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
The single most important takeaway I hope for my readers is that they will understand they are created in God’s image and must stop searching for any identity in worldly evaluations, that by stripping away secular manifestations of identity, they can immediately reveal the truth of their own perfect identity already given to them through God’s love and sovereign design.
I am praying that my readers will:
- Hear God’s quiet and still voice, which cuts through every one of the competing voices.
- See themselves as God sees them: not as an orphan, but as a legal heir and child of the King.
- Understand at their core that their identity is not bound to anything from their past or anything related to achievement or performance, but that they are seen as righteous and deserving in God’s sight, forgiven and freed through the actions of His Son.
My final call to action is for readers to reject the exhausting slavery of performance and step into the joyful freedom of grace, living fully in the light of their true identity in His name, and now theirs, as well.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Why I Wrote This Book
My childhood was a chaotic collage of broken places and broken people, defined by the searing, silent language of abandonment. I learned the cold linoleum hallways of foster homes, where I tried to survive by becoming invisible, believing the cruel labels hurled at me: “stupid,” “worthless,” and “trouble.” For years, my identity was forged in a furnace of neglect, and I was utterly alone, desperately fighting for a sense of worth. I tried to seize control, to write a new story for myself through performance and success, even choosing to become a police officer as the ultimate expression of control and strength. But beneath the uniform, the armor was heavy and hollow—my self-made identity was a painkiller, not a cure.
I spent years looking around and inside me for the answer to the fundamental question, “Who am I?” It wasn’t until I stopped trying to write my own story and started looking up that I found the truth. Through His relentless grace, God took a man who was defined by the lies of his past and taught him who he truly was. The Bible became a mirror that shattered my self-made identity and revealed a glorious, God-given identity I never knew was possible.
This book, Identity Crisis: Who Am I, Really?, is a roadmap born from that journey. My prayer is that my story of moving from an angry, anxious life of performance to one of restful, humble security will help you, no matter your past failures or struggles. It is an invitation to every person asking to fill an inner void to discover that the struggle for identity ends in the heart of the God who made you. He sees you not as an orphan or a failure, but as a child of the King, beloved and secure. It’s time to stop striving, surrender your story to the divine Author, and finally come home to your true name.
Navigating Memory Loss: Essential Questions and Answers on Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Navigating Memory Loss lays out a clear and heartfelt guide to understanding dementia. It moves from the author’s personal story into practical explanations of different dementia types, then on to communication hurdles, safety issues, care strategies, and end-of-life planning. It also unpacks new treatments and ongoing research in a way that feels grounded and approachable. The book combines medical know-how with lived experience, and it makes complex ideas feel manageable.
The writing is simple, steady, and open in a way that feels like the author is sitting beside you. I appreciated how she explained science without drowning the reader in big terms. Her honesty hits hard at times. When she describes the slow changes in her mother or the fear families feel as reality shifts, I found myself pausing and taking a breath. The book has a calm tone, yet the emotional weight underneath is unmistakable. I liked that she doesn’t pretend there are easy answers. Instead, she talks in a straight line about what actually helps and what does not.
The sections on anosognosia and differing realities stayed with me the most. They made me rethink how communication breaks down, not because someone is being stubborn, but because their brain no longer gives them the tools to understand. That idea alone softened some of my own assumptions. The pieces on care planning also stirred a lot of feelings. The frank discussion about feeding, autonomy, and the way a person might slowly be kept alive without truly living made me uncomfortable and moved me at the same time. Still, the writing never feels grim. It feels like someone offering a light so you can keep walking.
This book is a solid choice for anyone who loves someone with dementia, anyone worried about their own risk, or anyone who wants to understand how memory changes shape a life. It works well for caregivers who need guidance, families who need language for hard conversations, and even clinicians looking for a more humane perspective. I’d recommend it to people who want facts and also want comfort. It reads like a companion for a long and complicated road.
Pages: 83 | ASIN : B0G16QR467
Cheated By The System
Just Another Statistic is a gripping memoir tracing your disorienting descent into autoimmune illness and misdiagnosis as you fight to make sense of a body and a healthcare system that keeps failing. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I felt cheated by the system. The doctors colluded despite overwhelming evidence. Experts defended their colleagues by glossing over facts. One doctor was brave enough to stand up against his colleagues, which gave me hope. But when the barrister pulled out the day before trial, it was devastating – I couldn’t afford to continue, and accountability became impossible.
Writing this book became essential because the story needed to be told, but not just mine. Thousands of patients – particularly those with autoimmune conditions – go through this same pattern of dismissal and misdiagnosis. They’re told their symptoms aren’t real, that they’re anxious, that test results matter more than their lived experience. I wanted to create an unflinching record that validates that experience and shows what happens when the medical system fails someone systematically – not through one dramatic error, but through countless small dismissals that compound into something life-threatening. If the legal system wouldn’t hold anyone accountable, at least the written record would exist.
How did you decide what parts of your medical journey to include, especially when so much of it was confusing or frightening in the moment?
I documented everything during my illness in real-time – the confusion, the symptoms being dismissed, the mounting evidence that was ignored. I stopped writing when I ended up back in hospital, and in some ways that natural endpoint made sense. Those initial years were the most significant – this is what fundamentally changed my life. An earlier diagnosis could have prevented so much of the damage that followed.
I also included everything that showed the pattern of medical failure. It wasn’t just about my journey – I wanted readers who might be experiencing something similar to recognise the warning signs. The moments where symptoms get overlooked, where you’re sent home when you should be admitted, where doctors prioritise their assumptions over clinical evidence. The confusion and fear weren’t just backdrop; they were part of the story. Cognitive fog isn’t a neat narrative device – it’s disorienting and repetitive, and I kept that messiness intentional because that’s how chronic illness actually feels: non-linear, scattered, exhausting.
Were there specific memories or scenes that you found emotionally hardest to write, particularly those involving cognitive fog or hospital stays?
Writing about it now has been harder than I expected. Reliving the experience and the frustration – knowing the doctors involved faced no accountability – still makes me furious. I was too ill to fight the case on my own. If I had to do it today, I’d go to court and represent myself. But they took advantage of my illness and lack of funds, and I agreed not to pursue the matter further.
However, I never agreed not to write about it. They probably didn’t worry about that anyway – my life expectancy was supposed to be short. The hospital stays were brutal to revisit – particularly the moments of desperate, uncontrolled pain. I remember begging to be hit over the head with a hammer because the pain was so overwhelming. Writing about that level of suffering, and knowing it was preventable with proper diagnosis, was excruciating. The cognitive fog sections were also difficult because I had to authentically capture what it feels like when your mind stops working properly. You can’t think your way out of not being able to think. And documenting that failed legal battle – the negligence I couldn’t afford to hold anyone accountable for – that was enraging to put on the page.
What do you hope medical professionals take away from your account of being repeatedly dismissed or misread by the healthcare system?
I hope they learn to have a sense of responsibility. Not all doctors are ‘good’, and when they’re asked to review a patient, they need to see them as a blank slate and make up their own minds. Don’t follow like a herd of sheep – it makes second opinions pointless. I was reviewed by twelve different doctors, and the pattern of collusion was unmistakable. Ultimately, I hope they’ll learn the signs of lupus, check results properly, and actually pursue concerning findings instead of dismissing them.
But I’m always left questioning the financial incentives at play. I was in a private hospital where doctors had a blank cheque. Some would pop into my room, nod for two minutes, and charge £100 for the privilege. The longer I stayed misdiagnosed, the more money was made. Perhaps people think I’m paranoid, but the medical notes – and the ones that went missing – tell their own story. When accountability is impossible and financial incentives align with prolonged treatment rather than accurate diagnosis, patients are left vulnerable. That’s the uncomfortable truth no one wants to acknowledge.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
At twenty-nine, a successful currency trader’s life was derailed by mysterious symptoms that baffled doctors for eighteen critical months. Misdiagnosed with tuberculosis, he endured toxic treatments for a disease he didn’t have while lupus systematically attacked his brain, kidneys, and joints. He nearly died multiple times—not from his illness, but from the medications meant to cure him.
Just Another Statistic: Battling Invisible Autoimmune Illness and Visible Medical Failure is a raw, unfiltered memoir written during active illness. Unlike most medical memoirs crafted from the safety of recovery, this account preserves the authentic voice of a mind under attack—the obsessive thoughts, fragmented reasoning, and cognitive chaos that lupus inflicted on the author’s brain.
The repetitive sections and circular thinking aren’t poor editing; they’re genuine symptoms documented as they happened. This book offers something most medical literature cannot: real-time insight into how autoimmune disease fundamentally alters consciousness and thought processes.
From the butterfly rash that doctors dismissed to the blood tests that were ignored, from seizures in hospital corridors to the desperate fight for proper diagnosis, this memoir exposes the human cost of medical arrogance and the life-saving importance of patient advocacy.
Essential reading for anyone with chronic illness, their loved ones, medical professionals seeking to understand patient experience, or anyone who simply wants to survive their next medical encounter. A stark warning about what happens when the system fails—and a testament to human resilience in the face of institutional indifference.
Fiercely ME
Fiercely ME, by Stephanie Rowe, is a poignant, nonfiction narrative that delves deeply into the life of a woman who has faced unimaginable hardships. Neglected by parents battling addiction and haunted by suppressed memories of sexual abuse and domestic violence, Rowe’s journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Her path to self-actualization, marked by intense therapy and a burgeoning sense of control over her destiny, underscores a powerful message: one’s past does not dictate the future.
The book draws parallels with Sapphire’s Push, offering an unvarnished look at a life riddled with pain, yet it surprises readers with moments of dark humor. Rowe’s playful prose, amidst the recounting of her harrowing experiences, adds a layer of complexity to her story, showcasing her indomitable spirit. As readers navigate through the emotionally charged narrative, they encounter a profound exploration of healing and empowerment. Rowe’s discussions on therapy and personal growth illuminate the transformative power of facing one’s demons with courage and finding the right support.
While Fiercely ME is a challenging read, laden with raw and often unsettling truths, it is also an inspiring account of overcoming adversity. Rowe’s willingness to share her story demands respect and attention, inviting readers to bear witness to her truth. This book is not just a memoir; it’s a resonant declaration of resilience, offering hope and guidance to those who may tread similar paths. Through her unwavering determination and vulnerability, Stephanie Rowe presents a powerful narrative of triumph over trauma.
Pages: 252 | ASIN : B0FHY75LK4
Dancing with Chaos: Embracing the Complexity of Nature
Dancing with Chaos lays out a sweeping tour through the hidden order that sits inside disorder. It begins with the building blocks of complexity and walks through the birth of life, the rise of humans, and the fragile ecosystems that now depend on us. Each chapter ties natural patterns together with stories about cells, galaxies, evolution, and culture. The book pulls all of this into one big picture that shows how chance and necessity constantly shape everything around us.
As I moved through the chapters, I felt pulled in by the author’s sense of wonder. There is a warmth in the way he connects scientific ideas to patterns we see in onions, trees, and even human families. The writing feels steady and thoughtful. Sometimes it slows down to explain a concept with care, and other times it leaps into a new idea with a burst of excitement that feels contagious. I liked that the book never pretends the world is simple. It makes complexity feel alive, almost like a character of its own, and that gave me a sense of respect for how little we usually notice. At times, the explanations run long, but the clarity and the enthusiasm kept me engaged.
I also enjoyed how personal the book felt, even when the subject was huge. The stories about early life and evolution made me pause and think about how fragile everything is. When the author shifted to modern issues like climate change, the tone sharpened and carried a quiet urgency. The way he blends science with human meaning worked for me because it felt honest. The ideas are big, but the writing stays grounded. It speaks plainly and never hides behind heavy language, which made the whole journey feel approachable.
This book is for anyone who loves to step back and look at the world with fresh eyes. It suits readers who enjoy science but prefer it told with heart and curiosity instead of stiff formality. If you like learning how life fits together, and you don’t mind being nudged to think about your place in it, this book will land well.
Pages: 319 | ISBN : 1419613154
Most Talented and Most Misunderstood
Thriving in the Modern Workplace is an empowering guide that helps young professionals, particularly Gen Z, navigate real-world challenges with practical tools, relatable stories, and updated career strategies designed for today’s changing world. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Gen Z is one of the most talented and most misunderstood generations we’ve ever seen. Every generation comes with its own style and challenges, but theirs have been amplified by everything they’ve had to face: a pandemic that disrupted their lives and education, a mental health crisis that few were prepared for, and the pressure to adapt to AI and constant change before even finding their footing.
As both a parent and a professional, I saw this disconnect up close. Many parents, educators, and employers want to support Gen Z but simply don’t know how to meet them where they are. The communication gap between generations is real, and it’s costing us trust, connection, and opportunity.
That’s why I wrote Thriving in the Modern Workplace. It’s a guide to help Gen Z navigate the realities of today’s world with confidence and clarity, and just as importantly, it gives the adults who teach, hire, and lead them the insight they need to truly understand and empower this generation.
As the parent of two Gen Z young adults, I found this a refreshing take on how to help them navigate this changing world. What are some key ideas you felt were important to cover to grab this generation’s attention and make your book stand out from other career guides on the market?
I am also a parent of two Gen Z young adults, and this book came straight from the heart. I wasn’t writing from a distance. I was writing as someone who’s watched this generation struggle, grow, push boundaries, and ask for things many of us were never taught to ask for. I wanted this book to feel like real guidance, not another lecture.
At the core of Thriving in the Modern Workplace are three foundational ideas: mindset, confidence, and purpose.
Those three themes shape almost every challenge Gen Z faces.
- Mindset, because the world they’re entering moves fast, and how they think determines how they adapt.
- Confidence, because they’re talented but often second-guess themselves in environments that don’t always see or understand them.
- Purpose, because this generation won’t stay anywhere they can’t find meaning and I believe that’s a strength, not a flaw.
By grounding the book in these essentials, I wanted to give Gen Z something relatable, practical, and empowering… and give the adults around them a clearer window into who they are and what they need to thrive.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
I wish someone had told me to believe in myself first before waiting for anyone else to validate me. Confidence isn’t something you earn from the world; it’s something you choose to build from within. When you don’t trust your own voice, you dim your potential before it even has a chance to grow.
Self-belief shapes how you lead, how you show up, and how boldly you go after the things you want. When you genuinely believe in who you are and what you bring to the table, you don’t just participate in your life, you own it.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Thriving In The Modern Workplace: A Gen Z Guide to Success?
I want every reader whether they’re Gen Z or from another generation to understand that success is personal. It’s not defined by a job title, a milestone, or someone else’s expectations. It’s something you get to shape on your own terms.
And for Gen Z specifically, I hope they walk away knowing this: you don’t need a title to lead. You already have the talent, the perspective, and the potential. What truly matters is your intention: choosing to grow, choosing to show up fully, and choosing to become the best version of yourself every single day.
If you can do that, you’re already winning.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Instagram | Website
LITERARY TITAN 