David Little: Finding Faith In the Middle of Chaos

(* This is part of a series of posts about people using their life stories to inspire others.) David Little had his life planned out twenty years ago. He would get married, have children and practice law in the same city as his alma mater, the University of Texas in Austin. One by one, each […]

Alicia Machado: Don’t Bury That Dream

(* This is part of a series of posts about people using their life stories to inspire others.) As soon as I met Alicia Machado, I could see a twinkle in her eyes that I knew told an amazing story. The 17 year old student at Austin Can Academy took me on a tour of […]

Chrystal Smith: Creating a Village for Foster Families

(* This post is part of a series of interviews with people using their life stories to inspire, teach and love others.) Over the Thanksgiving holiday of 2013, Chrystal Smith took a trip to Mexico that dramatically changed her life story. Her family traveled to Reynosa just across the Texas border on a church mission […]

Jaimie Davis: Growing Better Health

(* This profile is part of a series of blogs about people using their life stories to teach and inspire.) Jaimie Davis sees a world of opportunity when she sees a tiny green plant.  Through her experience, she knows that one plant can spark just enough curiosity in a child to change that child’s eating […]

Helping Our Children Write Original Stories: Julie Lyles Carr

Parenting books intrigue me.  I have several of them scattered on shelves and in drawers throughout my house.  I think it’s because I’m very aware of some of my parenting pitfalls, so I need all the help I can get.  Also my heart tells me it’s one of the most important jobs I will ever […]

Julia Barnett: Re-examining Your Story

(* This profile is part of a series of blogs about people using their life stories to teach and inspire.) Julia Barnett has been acting since she was a teenager, most recently playing a recurring role on ABC’s Nashville and a role on Lifetime Network’s The Preacher’s Mistress.  Her latest project, however, is her most personal.  […]

A Heart Story for Busy Moms

Like many moms, Julia Lou spent most of her time taking care of others, until she learned taking care of herself literally saved her life.  She was on vacation with her husband and three young children in Hawaii when she felt a tightness in her chest and numbness on her left side.  She had felt […]

Small Batteries Teach Big Life Lessons

As a journalist, sometimes it takes a bit of searching to find a story you just have to tell.  Other times, the story moves in next door to you.  Literally.  I met Jennifer Buaas when her family rented the house next door to me.  I took over some cookies on Christmas Eve day to welcome […]

Writing Your Own Happy Endings

Not every story has a happy ending, but it sure is wonderful when it does.  It’s even better when it has multiple happy endings that don’t seem to stop.  This is one of those stories.  Better yet, it’s a love story.  Glorious!  But wait – don’t expect a Disney style fairy tale.  Each happy ending […]

Chandini Portteus:  Writing LIVESTRONG’S Next Chapter

When she read the words “unflappable under crisis” in the job description for the CEO of the Livestrong Foundation, Chandini Portteus had no fear.  The 36-year old had navigated through a brand crisis before at another Texas based cancer fighting organization, Susan G. Komen.  Portteus was well prepared for another battle. In her first six […]