I Choose to Live With Purpose

Each of us is faced with thousands of choices every day that define our thoughts, our behavior, and who we are to the world. This fall’s Thrive Conference explores the idea that the choices we make hold power and provide opportunities that influence ourselves, others,...

A Girl and Her God – Jolene’s Story

This is the fourth article in our new series called “Every Heart has a Story to Tell.” As we head towards our first Thrive Conference in October, our desire is share how Every Story Matters. Jolene will be one of our speakers at Thrive! Please check back each week to...

Distracting Laugh

Do you have a distracting laugh? “Jolene’s laugh is really distracting.” That comment on a class evaluation took me off guard. As a public speaker and teacher, I have received a lot of interesting comments and feedback over the years, but no one has ever criticized my...

Alone in a Crowd

We have all been there. At a party surrounded by laughter, conversation, and energy yet feeling like we are in a bubble separate from everyone else, unable to connect with or relate to the interactions around us. I was at a conference by myself this weekend in a new...

Five Essential Tips to Engage Volunteers

Leaders resemble vessels. We have a limited capacity (yes, it is true!). Consider a ten-ounce bowl. It is impossible for it to contain eleven ounces of water. Once that bowl reaches capacity, additional water forces some to flow over the edge. The same is true of our...