• S2E12 - Self-Love
    Apr 27 2025

    Read transcript

    Episode 23: Self Love Find Your Gems

    Meet Michelle Ballantyne:

    Michele grew up in Corvallis, Oregon, the 2nd of 6 children. She went to art school, married, divorced, married again, and has 9 children. Now she lives in Salem, Oregon. She went to Tom Brown Jr's Wilderness Awareness and Survival School called Trackerschool and found herself under all the layers she had built up around herself. She was a homemaker and mom most of her life. She just recently began writing and making art for others. Her writing contains stories from her life that have taught her things that changed her life for the better. Some are simple stories and philosophies, and some are almost unbelievable but true. She lives in a world of contrasts: her body sometimes hurts yet her soul delights in her daily life. There are emotional pains, too, that live within her and those are always present just below the surface, but she doesn't spend much time there. She entertains herself by making art and sharing her art and stories, reading to her son, reading about other people's lives, and enjoying nature. Her favorite quote is something she was told and shown in a meditation, "Our bodies are made of countless entities that have come together out of love to give us this experience." In meditation she saw that every particle is aware and cooperating and loves us.

    Michele’s website:

    https://www.MicheleBallantyneDesigns.com

    Her Blog is on her website and tells her story in book form, that grows week by week, with a new chapter that she sends out by email to her followers. She has another older blog site where she has lots of blogs about her life:

    https://www. MicheleBallantyne.com

    Email Michele:

    MicheleBallantyneDesigns@gmail.com

    Tom Brown’s Tracker School:

    https://www.trackerschool.com/

    I am a Certified Happiness Trainer

    https://www.embracehappiness.me

    To learn more about me:

    https://www.dsflemingcc.com

    Order a copy of my new book on Kindle or in Paperback:

    Defying Death: Living an Empowered Life with Multiple Disabilities

    Defying Death

    Order a copy of my first book in paperback or on Kindle:

    https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Speak+Up+For+Yourself%3A+Get+What+You+Need+and+Feel+Good+About+It&i=stripbooks&crid=1TGVTFEBCG839&sprefix=speak+up+for+yourself+get+what+you+need+and+feel+good+about+it%2Cstripbooks%2C164&ref=nb_sb_noss

    Episode Notes

    Notes go here

    Find out more at https://get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo.pinecast.co

    Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo/829076e4-519e-49a6-98fd-6023ebed0166

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    48 mins
  • S2E11 - All Aboard
    Jan 24 2025
    Read transcriptEpisode Notes Meet Ron Brooks: Ron Brooks is a graduate of Indiana University and a 30-year veteran of the public transit industry where he is focused on making bus, rail, paratransit, and other services accessible and equitable for everyone, including people with disabilities. Ron is the founder and CEO of Accessible Avenue, and he is the Senior Director for Policy and Stakeholder Engagement for UZURV, a Transportation Network Company adapted to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Ron is a frequent presenter and author on topics related to public transit accessibility, including accessible public involvement, digital accessibility, wayfinding to, from and within transit networks, autonomous vehicle accessibility, and strategies for modernizing ADA paratransit. He is a co-author of the book, “All Aboard – Conducting Accessible Community Involvement for Public Transit.” In his off time, Ron is a committed advocate within the blind/low-vision and disability communities where he serves on a number of Boards and committees for several non-profit community-based organizations. In 2023, Ron began serving as the Co-Chairperson of the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition’s Transportation Working Group, which has been working to educate AVLNC member organizations and other blind/low-vision community constituents on public transportation accessibility issues and advocacy priorities. Impactful quote: In his book, “4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals,” Oliver Burkeman points out that the average person will live for 4,000 weeks (about eighty years). There’s not enough time in eighty years to do everything that society, our bosses, our friends, our families, and we, demand of ourselves. It’s necessary to recognize this and let a lot of things go. The only real question is: “Which things do we give up?” Ron’s Company Web site: https://accessibleavenue.net/all-aboard Ron’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-brooks-066b174/ Book page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/All-Aboard-Conducting-Accessible-Involvement/dp/B0DFMQY9LX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UKTAVTWC6273&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SqC1uWLbFsdiSCnBFVQcMg.9rLL56TSCyIGPvYKc1Gk3ZMa0cemZB5NBb6QsSW28Vs&dib_tag=se&keywords=all+aboard+conducting+accessible+community+involvement+for+public+transit&qid=1737061080&sprefix=all+aboard+conducting+accessible+community+involvement+for+public+transit%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-1 Free Course: Gearing Up for Transit: Options and Advocacy Skills for People who are Blind, or have Low Vision: https://nrtc.catalog.instructure.com/courses/gearing-up-for-transit UZURV website: https://www.uzurv.com Press Release About His Book: Media Contact: Ron Brooks, CEO | Accessible Avenue Connect@AccessibleAvenue.net (602) 616-1171 Book Launch: A Guide to Making Public Outreach Accessible for Everyone Including People with Disabilities. Written for the Transit Industry by Transit Industry Veteran, this Practical and Informative Guide has Lessons for Any Industry PHOENIX, Ariz., Aug. 30, 2024 – Ron Brooks lost his eyesight while playing a pick-up basketball game with friends when he was fourteen years old. Now, as a 30-year veteran of the public transit industry, Ron is a sought-after expert for his work to make public transportation more accessible and inclusive for everyone. Drawing on both his professional and lived experience, Ron teamed up with Kristen Joyner, one of the transit industry’s foremost experts in the areas of event planning, marketing, and training, to author a brand-new book, “All Aboard: Conducting Accessible Community Involvement for Public Transit.” When a transit authority or public agency designs, builds, launches, or makes significant changes to its public transit services or the infrastructure that supports it, there’s a requirement to communicate with the public in order to obtain comments. And while many public agencies do a good job with most aspects of community outreach and engagement, people with disabilities (who depend on public transit at much higher rates than other members of the public) are often left out of the process. In their book, Ron and Kristen, with help from contributing authors, Michelle Witman and Mary Liz McNamara, explain how different types of disabilities can impact a person’s ability to participate in traditional public outreach activities. The book lays out simple steps public agencies and transit authorities can take to ensure that their in-person and virtual meetings, presentations, reports, and other documents, and even their ongoing communication strategies can be made more accessible. And while many of the book’s recommendations can be implemented for little or no cost, they can make community outreach and involvement easier and more effective for virtually everyone. In her foreword to the book, April Rai, CEO of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, points out: “Implementing an ...
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    45 mins
  • S2E10 - Document, Document, Document
    Dec 19 2024
    Episode Notes

    Get What You Need and Feel Good About It Episode 21 (10): Document, Document, Document: Written Records Trump Verbal Agreements

    Gary Ryan Blair:

    “Your mind, while blessed with permanent memory, is cursed with lousy recall. Written goals provide clarity. By documenting your dreams, you must think about the process of achieving them. https://www.everythingcounts.com/

    About Darian Slayton Fleming: I am a mom, a grandma, a widow, a therapist, an advocate, and author and a deep thinker. I am a bit of a comedian and a bit of a rebel.

    I m a woman with multiple disabilities who doesn’t let anything stop me. I own a home in Portland, Oregon. I operate a thriving therapy practice in which I encourage clients to find their voices and speak up for themselves, get what they need and feel good about it. Does your life feel like a roller coaster ride? Are you disappointed in yourself and others? Do you struggle with self-doubt, guilt, and shame? Do you feel powerless to change? I have been where you are. I have been deeply unhappy, happy for bad reasons and even happy for good reasons. Through the Happy for No Reason model for finding and maintaining true and lasting happiness I have discovered that I can be happy despite my circumstances. This is the definition of “Happy for no reason.” The key to overcoming unhappiness is changing your core beliefs, thoughts, habits, and behaviors. My mission is to encourage others to find strength and joy in present moments. I will collaborate with you to intentionally become empowered through: · Exploring and building on your strengths · Exploring and building on your interests · Exploring and building on your skills · Identifying hidden barriers to your success · Eliminating core beliefs that no longer serve you · Rewriting your story to Define what true, lasting happiness looks and feels like in the here and now. · Creating an empowered sense of self · Exploring and implementing your dreams · Living the life you love

    I am now a Certified Happiness Trainer.

    Coming soon:

    https://www.embracehappiness.me

    To learn more about me:

    https://www.dsflemingcc.com

    Order a copy of my new book on Kindle or in Paperback:

    Defying Death: Living an Empowered Life with Multiple Disabilities

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKWCRVXD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YYN5DMX3FS12&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MhfjbxMdL7zLHR7pCWeJLA.SxxBBVYPwAutUDtb8puxbzkl0fHFsgEPeCsM2QmjdwI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Defying+Death%3A+Living+an+Empowered+Life+With+Multiple+Disabilities&qid=1729899459&sprefix=defying+death+living+an+empowered+life+with+multiple+disabilities%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1

    Order a copy of my first book in paperback or on Kindle: Speak Up for Yourself: Get What You Need and Feel Good About It: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Speak+Up+For+Yourself%3A+Get+What+You+Need+and+Feel+Good+About+It&i=stripbooks&crid=1TGVTFEBCG839&sprefix=speak+up+for+yourself+get+what+you+need+and+feel+good+about+it%2Cstripbooks%2C164&ref=nb_sb_noss Notes go here

    Find out more at https://get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo.pinecast.co

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    32 mins
  • S2E9 - Tips for Staying Organized
    Nov 16 2024
    episode Notes

    Get What You Need and Feel Good About It Episode 9: Tips for Staying Organized: How Using a Schedule Helps Manage Appointments Company: EZ2See® Products LLC https://EZ2SeeProducts.com Edward Cohen is a senior living in Minnesota. In 1995 at age 45, he was declared legally blind due to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP.) Throughout his life, he used print planner style weekly calendars to manage his professional and personal life. After retiring in 2010 it became progressively difficult to use the calendars, he had been using that were called large print. By 2014 he decided to make one for himself that he could easily see and use. Upon seeing it, people with and without vision challenges, asked where he got it. They would say either they could use it, or they knew someone who could. When told where it came from, they encouraged him to start making them because it would help others. After much consideration and effort, in 2015 he came out of retirement, became an entrepreneur, and launched EZ2See Products. Annually, thousands of that original calendar design are sold. Its design incorporates unique features not found elsewhere, which is why it is so accessible. Since starting, he has added additional print-based products useful for staying organized. See and order his products on Amazon.com and on his website at EZ2SeeProducts.com.. Check out his Retailer’s page for a possible local location. If you prefer ordering over the phone call, (800) 234-8291. By email, reach his exclusive distributor at Info@PreventProducts.com. His website also offers other information. It includes a growing list of testimonials from actual customers, A blog page filled with both practical tips and thoughts on dealing with vision loss and a way to begin receiving his monthly newsletter. Quotes: “I’m doing as much as I can, as long as I can, as well as I can.” – Edward Cohen - I’ve always been creative and handy with my hands. But vision decline required coming up with alternative techniques or even ending certain tasks. So this is where that saying comes from. Edward uses this one at appropriate frustrating moments as a way to laugh. “Why are simple things so complicated?” Carry on Accessibility: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCraSGW8s4NMaFKrJ5YbjB4w Darian is now a Certified Happiness Trainer. Coming soon: www.truelastinghappiness.com To learn more about Darian Slayton Fleming: https://dsflemingcc.com Order a copy of Darian’s new book on Kindle or in Paperback: Defying Death: Living an Empowered Life with Multiple Disabilities https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKWCRVXD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YYN5DMX3FS12&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MhfjbxMdL7zLHR7pCWeJLA.SxxBBVYPwAutUDtb8puxbzkl0fHFsgEPeCsM2QmjdwI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Defying+Death%3A+Living+an+Empowered+Life+With+Multiple+Disabilities&qid=1729899459&sprefix=defying+death+living+an+empowered+life+with+multiple+disabilities%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1 Order a copy of Darian’s book in paperback or on Kindle: Speak Up for Yourself: Get What You Need and Feel Good About It: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Speak+Up+For+Yourself%3A+Get+What+You+Need+and+Feel+Good+About+It&i=stripbooks&crid=1TGVTFEBCG839&sprefix=speak+up+for+yourself+get+what+you+need+and+feel+good+about+it%2Cstripbooks%2C164&ref=nb_sb_noss Notes go here

    Find out more at https://get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo.pinecast.co

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    32 mins
  • S2E8 - Transform Your Relationship with Success
    Oct 26 2024
    Episode Notes

    Get What You Need and Feel Good About It Episode 8: Transform Your Relationship With Success: Seen Through the Eyes of An Ultimate Frisbee Coach Meet Brent Steepe:

    One of Brent Steepe’s main goals in founding Advanced Training Techniques was to guide clients away from pain killers and other medications and supplements, helping them to establish healthy lifestyles and to get in tune with their body signals. “All too often we, as a society, became too quick to ‘lean’ on the ‘crutches’ of pain killers, blood medications, supplements, fat burners, and bad advice without even giving the body a fighting chance with lifestyle changes and proper body signaling,” he says.

    Through his company, which he founded on a vision to make personal training affordable for all, he’s been able to do just that,

    through on-site training, video training through Skype, as well as post-rehabilitation therapy, multi-level fitness instruction, massage, healthy living seminars and lifestyle coaching. “In every journey in life I seek to better those around me,” he notes on his LinkedIn profile, “thus providing a more positive and productive life for myself in the process.”

    Quote: Success is a natural conclusion to preparation, persistence and integrity. Swim upstream everyday. Challenge yourself to challenge others.”

    Website:

    https://www.brentsteepe.com/

    LinkedIn:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentsteepe/

    Detroit Mechanix Team Website:

    www.detmechanix.com

    Breaking the Historic Losing Streak Article:

    https://www.watchufa.com/league/tuesday-toss/2024-ufa-week-9-recap

    CBS News Clip on Breaking the Streak:

    https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=367643316375597 Powerfirm.fit Fitness and Movement Tool www.powerform.fit

    Darian is now a Certified Happiness Trainer. Coming soon:

    www.truelastinghappiness.com

    To learn more about Darian Slayton Fleming:

    https://dsflemingcc.com

    Order a copy of Darian’s new book on Kindle or in Paperback:

    Defying Death: Living an Empowered Life with Multiple Disabilities

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKWCRVXD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YYN5DMX3FS12&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MhfjbxMdL7zLHR7pCWeJLA.SxxBBVYPwAutUDtb8puxbzkl0fHFsgEPeCsM2QmjdwI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Defying+Death%3A+Living+an+Empowered+Life+With+Multiple+Disabilities&qid=1729899459&sprefix=defying+death+living+an+empowered+life+with+multiple+disabilities%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1

    Order a copy of Darian’s book in paperback or on Kindle: Speak Up for Yourself: Get What You Need and Feel Good About It: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Speak+Up+For+Yourself%3A+Get+What+You+Need+and+Feel+Good+About+It&i=stripbooks&crid=1TGVTFEBCG839&sprefix=speak+up+for+yourself+get+what+you+need+and+feel+good+about+it%2Cstripbooks%2C164&ref=nb_sb_noss Notes go here

    Find out more at https://get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo.pinecast.co

    Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo/c9f1b0a5-eef1-4513-8abd-a9ba1478c179

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    52 mins
  • S2E7 - Writing to Heal
    Sep 28 2024

    Get What You Need and Feel Good About It Episode 6: Write to Process and Express Yourself

    Meet Ann Chiappetta:

    Ann Chiappetta, M.S. Poet and author Ann’s award-winning poems, creative nonfiction, and essays have appeared internationally in literary journals, popular online blogs, and print anthologies. Her poems have been featured in The Avocet, the Pangolin Review, Plum Tree Tavern, Magnets and Ladders, Oprelle, Western PA Poetry Review 2024and Breath and Shadow, and others. Ann’s short story, The Misty Torrent appeared in the Artificial Divide anthology published by Renaissance Press (2021).

    Ann is the recipient of the 2019 GDUI Excellence in Writing award and the WDOMI 2016 Spirit of Independence award. Independently published since 2016, the author’s six volume collection includes poetry, creative nonfiction essays, short stories, and contemporary fiction. Diagnosed in 1993 with a rare form of progressive retinal disease, Ann accepts vision loss as part of her life but doesn’t let it define her as a whole person.

    Contact Ann by visiting her website: w ww.annchiappetta.com subscribe to Ann’s blog www.thought-wheel.com Facebook

    Interview Questions

    1.Welcome, Ann. Please tell us a little about your journey. How did you decide to become a writer? What needs does writing fulfill for you? 2.Tell us about one or two barriers you have had to overcome in your profession as a writer. 3.What has helped you stay your course? What gives you meaning on this journey? 4.Let’s talk about how writing is a way to process and express our feelings. How does it help us process, clarify, heal those parts of us that need expression and release? What kinds of ideas might we find ourselves writing about in these times? Loss, confusion, hope, joy? Let’s have you read a piece or two that you have written to address these kinds of feelings you have experienced. How does writing fill your cup? 5.Where can people find writing prompts if they need support to get started? 6.In closing, do you have a piece you want to read to leave our listeners with?

    Darian is now a Certified Happiness Trainer.

    Coming soon:

    www.truelastinghappiness.com

    Coming Soon: Defying Death: Living an Empowered Life with Multiple Disabilities By Darian Slayton Fleming

    Order a copy of Darian’s book in paperback or on Kindle: Speak Up for Yourself: Get What You Need and Feel Good About It: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Speak+Up+For+Yourself%3A+Get+What+You+Need+and+Feel+Good+About+It&i=stripbooks&crid=1TGVTFEBCG839&sprefix=speak+up+for+yourself+get+what+you+need+and+feel+good+about+it%2Cstripbooks%2C164&ref=nb_sb_noss To learn more about Darian Slayton Fleming go to:

    https://dsflemingcc.comEpisode Notes

    Notes go here

    Find out more at https://get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo.pinecast.co

    Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo/df3969a1-9897-468b-87ef-0ff0b35c4d5d

    Read transcript

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    31 mins
  • S2E5 - Mindful Parenting
    Aug 30 2024
    Meet Julie Womack:

    mindfulmom808@gmail.com

    Julie is a mother and grandmother of one beautiful adult daughter and three precious grandsons, ages 3, 6, and 13. She became a single parent when her daughter was about 3. If it weren’t for her family, particularly her mom She was not sure how her daughter would’ve turned out. Other than having divorced parents her upbringing was full of love with no real drama. She was born and raised in Hawaii. Had 2 wonderful hard-working parents, 4 siblings and grew up in the 60’s. It was a wonderful time. When she was little, she always felt different. She never really excelled in school and went through the motions of trying to be a good student.

    She never really had any ambition for herself. She was a dreamer but not very ambitious. Instead she was more interested in what her friends were going through and the feelings they carried with them. It’s clear to her today that being the supporting, nurturing figure has always been important to her even as a little girl. So now as she has her own life experiences, she finds herself wanting to relate and help others struggling through their adversities. A big part of that is why she started Mindful Moms. She wants to take her personal mom experience and share what she did to break down the stories we create in our heads and how to deal with it while staying fulfilled. Most recently, an unfortunate incident led her to a path of deep personal growth. She dabbled in the personal growth arena before but now more importantly she is implementing and practicing it to create real change in her life.

    Since being retired and on her own she now has the time to rediscover who she truly is and what is possible. She lives a very simple life, but she loves going to the beach. The water is very healing, and she loves being out in nature. She also likes to bake and love shopping for little gifts that remind her of special people in her life. She also loves sending out handwritten notes. For her it’s a way of sharing her love and energy with people in her life that she doesn’t always get to be with. Julie’s quote to herself: “Awareness is the key to how I want to be.”

    Coming Soon: Defying Death: Living an Empowered Life with Multiple Disabilities By Darian Slayton Fleming

    Order a copy of Darian’s book in paperback or on Kindle: Speak Up for Yourself: Get What You Need and Feel Good About It: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Speak+Up+For+Yourself%3A+Get+What+You+Need+and+Feel+Good+About+It&i=stripbooks&crid=1TGVTFEBCG839&sprefix=speak+up+for+yourself+get+what+you+need+and+feel+good+about+it%2Cstripbooks%2C164&ref=nb_sb_noss To learn more about Darian Slayton Fleming go to:

    https://dsflemingcc.com

    Notes go here

    Find out more at https://get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo.pinecast.co

    Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo/fa369b16-9b18-4c4c-9199-1b7ada8c1e05

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    42 mins
  • S2E4 - Do You Complain, Shame Or Blame Yourself Or Others?
    Jul 31 2024
    Episode Notes

    Get What You Need and Feel Good About It Episode 4: Do You Shame Complain Or Blame Yourself or Others? Strategies For Letting Go of This Habit

    Meet Dr. Lori Criswell.

    Lori was born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania and raised in Allentown Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from West Chester University and her Master of Physical Therapy at the University of Delaware. She then went on to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2014 at the University of South Florida- Morsani College of Medicine. Lori is the director and CEO of Palm Coast Physical Therapy, founded 18 years ago and located in Naples Florida. She has been a physical therapist for 33 years specializing in Myofascial release, vestibular dysfunction, Cervicalgia, and headache relief. Lori has specialty training in manual therapy from the University of Saint Augustine and is a certified lymphedema therapist. Lori has recently become impassioned and intrigued in the areas of happiness, energy work, quantum and metaphysics, and epigenetics as they relate to healing. She has attended Dr. Joe Dispenza’s weeklong intensive coursework and is currently training to be a facilitator of Dr Sue Morter’s Energy codes. Most recently, she completed her certified trainers program for “Happy for no Reason” by Marci Schimoff. When Lori is not working or attending classes, she enjoys hiking, biking, and being in the outdoors with her dog Ollie. She spends as much time as she can with her 90-year-old mother and makes it a daily practice to meditate and exercise.

    Check out Patty Lennon:

    https://magic.pattylennon.com/thereceivingschool

    Your Year of Miracles:

    https://youryearofmiracles.com/

    Brene Brown:

    https://brenebrown.com/ "The Sedona Method: Your Key to Lasting Happiness, success, peace and emotional well-being. www.sedona.com

    Coming Soon: Defying Death: Living an Empowered Life with Multiple Disabilities By Darian Slayton Fleming

    Order a copy of Darian’s book in paperback or on Kindle: Speak Up for Yourself: Get What You Need and Feel Good About It: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Speak+Up+For+Yourself%3A+Get+What+You+Need+and+Feel+Good+About+It&i=stripbooks&crid=1TGVTFEBCG839&sprefix=speak+up+for+yourself+get+what+you+need+and+feel+good+about+it%2Cstripbooks%2C164&ref=nb_sb_noss To learn more about Darian Slayton Fleming go to: https://dsflemingcc.comNotes go here

    Find out more at https://get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo.pinecast.co

    Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/get-what-you-need-and-feel-goo/12632421-3d5b-4752-9e22-5ebb7df5fdd7

    Read transcript

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    41 mins