How Big is Your Brave?

In How Big is Your Brave?, delve into the transformative journey of individuals as narrated by Jolene, a dedicated personal trainer. But this isn’t just about shedding pounds or building muscle – it’s about the odyssey of resilience, self-discovery, and confronting the deepest fears.

Jolene shares heartwarming tales of her clients, recounting not just their physical metamorphoses but also the mental battles they waged and conquered. Each story is a testament to the human spirit, the will to try, to fall, and to rise stronger than before.

For many, achieving fitness isn’t just a goal – it’s a testament to their grit, and often the most rewarding conquest they’ll ever embark upon. Yet, it’s that initial leap, the first step into the unknown, that’s the most daunting. How Big is Your Brave? celebrates those brave souls who dared to take that step, forever altering the trajectory of their lives. How about you? Are you ready to discover just how brave you can be?

How Lemon Happened - Beltzhoover Pride

In his previous book, Some Things I Think I Said, Waltman displayed his triple-threat writing, with his mix of short stories, poetry, and humor.

In this work, he goes deeper into the only non-fiction story from his earlier book, this sequel is a close examination of the early years of his main character, Lemon. Three days of interviews with his family, old friends, and neighbors in the black communities of Pittsburgh yielded more clarity and truth than anticipated. When Lemon Happened, How Lemon Happened – Beltzhoover Pride became bigger than just Lemon and Beltzhoover. It represents the struggles and achievements by those who grew up without the benefit of societal privilege.

How to Build a Hotel from Scratch

How to Build a Hotel from Scratch offers more than just a guide to hotel construction – it’s a soulful journey through cultures, cuisines, and human connection. Meet Tatyana, a Korean woman raised in a quaint Uzbek village, a place whose heart beats with the age-old tradition of hospitality. Nurtured by her surgeon parents, Tatyana finds her earliest inspirations within the walls of her father’s home library.

But her story transcends the mere building of brick-and-mortar structures. It delves into the philosophical foundations that underpin hospitality and asks compelling questions: What defines us as global citizens? What unites us through our diverse cuisines, histories, and cultures? Is the spirit of hospitality a universal marker of trust and goodness?

As she navigates her way from a breakthrough job with a renowned U.S. hotel brand to spectacular global locales – including Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Paris, Rome, Florence, Seoul, and Jeonju – a Tatyana garners invaluable experiences. Each destination is a stepping stone toward her ultimate aspiration: creating her own vision of a luxury, sustainable, wellness-focused hotel.

This book, then, serves as both a personal journey and a practical guide, offering readers an inside look into the intricacies of the hotel industry, informed by a lifetime of rich, international experiences.

Hug the Moments

Hug the Moments invites readers to discover the extraordinary adventures, miracles, and revelations bubbling beneath the surface of our world.

Amidst the constant barrage of negative news, there exists a faith-based love force, alive and in motion moment-to-moment.

Featuring powerful, heart-stirring dramas filled with suspense, this book aims to instil in readers the most desirable goals in life – a sense of optimism, peace, and hope.

By revealing uplifting narratives hidden within everyday life, Hug the Moments calls us to pause and embrace the beauty around us.

Humanity in Trouble and Our Failure to Act

Mankind is on a crash course with destiny and doesn’t seem to have a clue! We are witnessing rapidly accelerating global warming of our own making that could potentially result in species extinctions, including our own. Witness widespread signs of the impending disaster including super storms, record drought, floods, forest fires and climate refugees. Dangerous nuclear saber rattling by Russia and North Korea is on the upswing and the Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens to expand to Western Europe. The increasing number of fascist, autocratic, dictator-run states such as China, North Korea, Turkey, and Brazil are snuffing individual freedoms, denying social justice and fanning the flames of global conflict.  The world’s population is rapidly approaching eight billion and is well past the point of Earth’s ability to sustain us. Crushing poverty, starvation, and dozens of militarized religious and ethnic conflicts. We have polluted our planet with toxic chemicals, oil spills, reckless dumping of trash on land and sea, contaminating the oceans with fish and fowl killing plastic waste.

This book is the result of overwhelming outrage and disappointment with our species, our failure to adequately address worldwide problems that threaten our very existence. We (if there is a ‘we’) should be embarrassed and ashamed. Nature has endowed us with near perfect bodies and amazing brains and for the most part we squander our evolutionary inheritance. And the greatest gift of all, consciousness, is under-developed in most of us. In this collection of essays, the author offers insights into the human condition, the reasons we have run afoul of the natural order, along solutions to alleviate human suffering on an individual and global scale plus some playful jabs at our human folly.

Humans as Third Dimensional Beings

Explore a fresh lens on human identity in 'Humans as Third Dimensional Beings', where the author introduces a unique dimension that sets Homo sapiens apart – the Third Human Dimension (THD). Traditionally viewed as bi-dimensional entities encompassing body and soul, this book ventures beyond, inspired by a rich blend of cultural insights, social science theories, and Islamic perspectives.

Contrary to prevalent social science paradigms that label humans as Homo Oeconomicus, Homo Politicus, or Homo Sociologus, Professor Dhaouadi underscores a vital yet overlooked facet: Homo Culturus or the Third Dimensional Being. The philosopher and social scientist Herbert Marcuse once analysed ‘one-dimensional man’. This work not only challenges social scientists for overlooking the Homo Culturus aspect but also critiques anthropologists, despite their focus on culture, for missing this crucial dimension.

Highlighting the THD or the Homo Culturus is imperative for lending credibility to social sciences, especially when asserting the three Homos as fundamental aspects of human behavior. Dive into an enlightening discourse that re-evaluates human essence through the prismatic lens of culture, offering a novel conceptualization that enriches the understanding of our complex nature.

I Am a Catholic in Case of an Accident

In I Am a Catholic in Case of an Accident, Catholic priest Andy Costello reflects on over 50 years in ministry, candidly exploring what it truly means to be Catholic in today’s world. With wisdom, humor and humility, Fr. Costello ponders questions of faith, doubt, and remaining devout amidst the challenges facing the modern Church.

Drawing on a lifetime of experiences as a priest serving diverse parishes across America, he offers relatable insights on Catholic identity, sharing personal stories and perspectives that will resonate with Catholics and spiritual seekers alike. Through short vignette-style chapters, Costello examines Catholic traditions, the humanity of Jesus, models of the Church, and staying connected to one’s faith.

I Am a Catholic in Case of an Accident is an inviting, introspective read that will inspire readers to contemplate their own religious journeys and what being Catholic means to them. Fr. Costello’s conversational musings provide a compassionate guide for anyone navigating the joys and struggles of a life of faith.

I Have a Beautiful Brain, Compared to the Brains of Alcoholics and Drug Addicts

In this insightful and deeply personal exploration, Stewart Odendhal DVM PhD offers a unique perspective on the devastating effects of alcohol and drug addiction. Drawing from his professional background and personal encounters with addiction, Odendhal embarks on a mission to educate and deter young individuals from the lures of alcohol. This book is not only a narrative but a crusade against the widespread ignorance about the debilitating effects of alcohol on the brain.

Beginning with a startling revelation from a CT scan, Odendhal’s curiosity is piqued by the physical differences in the brains of alcoholics and drug addicts compared to those who abstain. This discovery propels him into an exhaustive research journey, delving into the science behind addiction, the societal implications, and personal anecdotes that paint a vivid picture of the struggles with alcoholism.

With chapters detailing his own experiences with alcoholic family members, the scientific intricacies of alcohol’s impact on the brain, and a poignant account of his battle with smoking addiction, Odendhal’s narrative is both educational and deeply human. He reflects on his interactions with Alcoholics Anonymous members, exploring the gap between scientific knowledge and the personal experiences of those battling addiction.

I Have a Beautiful Brain, Compared to the Brains of Alcoholics and Drug Addicts is a clarion call for a more informed approach to alcohol education, emphasizing the need for early intervention and awareness. Odendhal’s dedication to this cause shines through each page, making this book an essential read for anyone touched by the effects of alcoholism or seeking to understand the complex interplay between addiction and the human brain.

I Heard the Angels Sing

Have you ever felt that God was not there for you? Have you ever questioned, “Why, God, why?” One man did constantly. After an experience he cannot explain, he begins to reflect on his life, and he finds answers to those questions.

An inspirational reveal of how one man begins his journey back to God. He revisits occurrences from his life, exploring his own relationship with God. In sharing his experiences, he encourages others to discover and embrace their own relationship with God. Each chapter explores his personal memories from childhood into his adult life as he struggles with good and bad things in his life. Some experiences are small, some major and some occurrences affect him forever. He encounters great highs and deep lows in his life. And some incidents come full circle. He finally comes to the conclusion that God was always there for him.

It all began when he heard the Angels sing…

I Only Remember Grievances And Desserts

“Revenge is a dish best served cold” – Khan Noonien Singh

My more than 20 years of professional experience in the male-dominated career of emergency management has not exactly been a walk in the park. As less worn as the “path less traveled” may be, it is neither laced with ease nor filled with treasure. I have found it to be paved with judgment and spite. This was my experience as a pregnant teenager who insisted she would not be defined by the state of her body but forge ahead in life anyway. Although this was perhaps the lowest point of my life, I was able to find solace in cooking (particularly baking) and still decided to continue the path. And today, I can say that has made all the difference—which is the name of the chocolate truffles recipe I open with, along with the genesis of my difference-making choices.

On my career journey, I have encountered all dimensions of characters—the Cretin, the Quintessential Douche Bag, and the “Special Place in Hell” Vipers (made up of the Queen Bee and the BFF)—who have all attempted to rock the boat of my career advancement with their various strategies.

However, I have also encountered mentors who not only let me know I am not alone and provided astounding support but also stood by me and for me before others in the face of adversity. A combination of all these factors and the decisions I make along the way (some good, others, admittedly hasty and improperly reasoned) have culminated in the person I have become, both personally and professionally, and of course, a lot of recipes specially tailored to the various seasons I have had to go through.

I Want Freedom

I am now certain that my purpose is to be a voice for those who are suffering at this very moment from forced arranged marriages or stuck in cycles of abuse. My past made me who I am today, and while I wouldn’t wish what I’ve been through on anyone, I am proud of who I’ve become as a result. Fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, daughters and sons, I need you: without your help, this is just an empty dream. Together, we can save some of these innocent young girls and women, who in some cases are as young as five years old. Without your help, I can’t bring them to safety and provide them with the education and life lessons that will allow them to reach a brighter future. This is an issue that affects millions of women all over the world, including here in the US; we are all human, and together we can make a change.

I Was a 12-Year-Old Rock Star...

Is extrasensory perception – E.S.P – real? Can certain individuals tap into a running stream of cranial activity from the very future itself?

Can such a person engage in such tremendously overwhelming action and not be known to the world as yet? Read on to discover hidden truths, not only about the rock music of 70s and 80s, but most assuredly about your own inner being and mankind itself.