”Inspire Us” with J. Paul Nadeau

Episode 10 - Sarah M. Carlson: Former C.I.A. analyst Sarah M. Carlson discusses her time in Libya during a revolution and how she dealt with her Post Traumatic following her return to the USAStress

In this episode, Sarah M. Carlson joins J. Paul Nadeau on the show. Sarah served as a targeting analyst in the CIA's Counterterrorism Center. Before that, she served as a counterterrorism analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency. She also completed rotations to the National Counterterrorism Center and U.S. Northern Command. Her counterterrorism career focused on groups operating in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia and she traveled throughout those regions.
She was in Libya in 2011 around the time Muammar Gaddafi was killed and rebel opposing tribes fought each other viciously to take power. Her time in Libya was intense. She discusses her mission and the constant threat she and her team were under during a revolution that threatened their lives and safety until they were able to escape. What she touches on is how, under extreme duress, one's body can simply shut down. One of the secrets to preventing that is to "stay busy," Sarah says.
Sarah's mission there caused her trauma, and one of the consequences of trauma is that it very often leads to "hiding." Many veterans who return home from war often hide and don’t tell people what they’re nightmares are, or tell others how they’re struggling emotionally, or mentally. Because for a lot of people who experience trauma or who have been emotionally abused - or as in Sarah’s case - have suffered PTSD, where it feels like your mental health is spiraling downward, it can feel like an embarrassing or shameful revelation, and the fear of being ignored or unsupported can be overwhelming. Again, it comes down to the stigma attached to opening up and asking for help.
In Sarah’s case, as you’ll hear, she didn’t receive the help or support she needed – nor did any of her team, once they returned from mission. The CIA did not offer her help, but, as you’ll hear, Sarah recognized her need for help and received it from her loving and supportive family as well as receiving professional help. She’s a survivor and has carried on serving to help others plan for any kind of disaster or evacuation – something she knows about, first hand. In these COVID19 times, having too much idle time on our hands can cause more anxiety and stress, and recognizing that you may be experiencing trauma is the first step to getting help.
Since leaving the CIA, Sarah has continued in public service with local government in the Seattle area as an emergency manager at the county and city levels, where she has specialized in all-hazards preparation, disaster response, and alert and warning.  
She has published multiple articles and her first book, In the Dark of War, is now available. You can find out more about her at www.sarahMcarlson.com.
 

Episode 9 - Stuart Knight: Could this pandemic time actually be the best time of your life? Serial entrepreneur Stuart Knight shares creative ways of dealing with COVID19

Twenty-two years ago, Stuart Knight did something courageous, daring and uncommon. He listened to his heart. It told him that too many people were not living up to their potential, and he decided to do something about it.
At the ripe age of 24, with no money or experience, he wrote an inspiring theatre show for teenagers. Within a short amount of time, it was picked up by Coca-Cola and toured nationally for three years.
From there he decided to become the first Canadian ever to write and star in a musical that he produced in his own loft. No small feat considering he couldn’t play an instrument. It became the longest-running play of its kind, and A-list influencers lined up to witness sold-out shows in a theatre Stuart not only built, but also lived in.
During that time, some of the world’s biggest business leaders recognized Stuart as a visionary who could help their organization reach new levels of success. Since then Stuart has been flown around the world, speaking in places such as Sydney, Malta, Edinburgh, Mumbai, New York, Frankfurt and Las Vegas helping Fortune 500 companies learn what it takes to be the best.
As Stuart Knight’s success flourished, he wanted to do something that would help raise thousands of dollars for charities around the world and decided to create the Top Ten Event, which is now one of Canada’s biggest speaking extravaganzas. The event has quickly grown into one of Canada’s must-see events, garnering over 30 million media impressions and has starred such names as Jim Cuddy, Deepa Mehta, Mary Walsh, Steven Page, and two-time Oscar Award Winner Jane Fonda.
On top of all of this, Stuart Knight is an award-winning entrepreneur, a critically acclaimed author of two books, an expert panelist on numerous television shows, the host of a hit radio show, has a sought-after podcast, and has over twelve thousand people from around the world tuning in each week to watch his thought-provoking videos online. As a disrupter, thought leader, and maverick, Stuart Knight has inspired over one million people to reach greater success, find deeper joy, and to ultimately boycott what they thought.
In this episode, Stuart joins Paul to share his ideas on a number of topics including how to make the best of this COVID19 pandemic.
For more on Stuart, be ready to boycott what you thought and visit his websites at:
www.stuartknight.com
https://toptenevent.com/
 
 
 

Episode 8 - B.A. Crisp: How an exotic dancer survived her tough past and went on to help in the fight against human trafficking. A story of survival, passion and victory.

B.A. Crisp has had her share of hardships. From foster homes and being molested at the age of 8, on the streets and raped at 16, and eventually becoming an exotic dancer who went on to co-own a club. Through it all, not only did she survive her troubled past, but she went on to help combat human trafficking. 
Her story is a reminder that our pasts do not define us and that no matter what hand we're dealt, we can make a positive difference in this world.
She is the author of the book Red Bird https://tinyurl.com/y6y3k5yc and for more information on this remarkable woman, visit www.bacrisp.com 
 
 

Episode 7 - Mark Henick: Every suicide can be prevented. In this episode, Mark Henick, whose TED Talk on suicide is among the most viewed of all time, tells us how

Every suicide can be prevented. In this episode, Mark Henick shares his thoughts on how, and also on how we can each deal with our own anxiety and depression in these difficult times. 
Mark himself first thought of committing suicide at the age of 10, and his first attempt was at the age of 12. He's discovered ways to deal with his own anxiety and depression and he shares many of these in this episode.
Mark has dedicated his life from an early age to opening minds and creating change.
Now he regularly speaks to diverse audiences about mental health, mental illness, suicide, advocacy, recovery, and hope. Mark’s TEDx talk on suicide is among the most-watched in the world.
His keynotes, panels, workshops, and media appearances aim to break the stigma that prevents people from speaking openly about their mental health. Mark believes that freedom is found in overcoming the barriers that stigma, disempowerment, and disconnection build. Mark has seen countless times, personally and professionally, that each and every person has the potential to unlock their most true and hopeful self regardless of how dark it may seem.

Episode 6 - Gary Noesner: Former Hostage Negotiator Gary Noesner, who negotiated with David Koresh during the Waco Texas siege in 1993 talks about the challenges of that negotiation

In this episode, your host of Inspire Us, former hostage negotiator J. Paul Nadeau, chats with retired FBI agent and fellow hostage negotiator Gary Noesner. Gary reviews his role as one of the hostage negotiators involved in the tragic 1993 Waco Texas siege, that lasted 52 days involving David Koresh and members of the Branch Davidians. The outcome was tragic: 76 members of the Branch Davidians died in that crisis, and this event stresses the extreme importance of teams working together, whether within an organization or with others outside their organization. The lessons Gary shares in this episode are priceless. He also shares how this case impacted him and how he got through.
Gary has an impressive background, to say the least. He served more than 30 years as an FBI agent, and 26 of those years were served as a special agent. In his career, he’s investigated and negotiated numerous crisis incidents such as prison riots, right-wing militia standoffs, terrorist embassy takeovers, airplane high jackings, and over 120 overseas kidnapping cases involving American citizens. Gary continues to consult independently and has appeared on many television news broadcasts, documentaries, and has been featured in many publications.
His book, “Stalling for time – my life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator” is what inspired the popular TV mini-series, "Waco," now available on Netflix.
 In this episode, Gary also shares his approach on how to avoid and resolve conflict in these troubling times, as well as how to truly connect with others to develop relationships of mutual respect and trust.
To find out more about Gary, check out his website: www.garynoesner.com
His book is available online and is a must-read.
 
 

Episode 5 - Ally Salama: How a 24-yr-old overcame depression living 10,000 miles from home and going on to inspire others

In this episode, Paul speaks with Ally Salama, a 24-yr-old Cairo born Artrepreneur who overcame depression after moving from the Middle East to Canada, finding himself in a new land with new challenges. Ally opens up about slipping into clinical depression and what it took to find his way out with the help and support of an empathetic friend. 
Ally's bio is quite impressive.
Born in Cairo, 16th of September 1996, Ally is a Social Artistpreneur, Speaker, Podcaster, Ex-Pro Athlete, and The Middle East’s Mental Health Ambassador.
Ally is a graduate of Canada's Ryerson University. He graduated with a degree in Entrepreneurship. He co-founded Visit Egypt, Egypt’s largest travel media network before dedicating his life to EMPWR Mag, the first mental health magazine in the Middle East.
During the 2018-2019 academic year, he became the recipient of Ryerson’s Bright Ideas Scholarship Award in Entrepreneurship in addition to the Ryerson’s Mental Health Outreach Champion Award. 
On March 1, 2019, Ally founded empower-mag.com, the first Mental Health Magazine in the Middle East, winning Harvard's Top 7 Most Impactful Social Initiatives in 2019 & earning recognition from the World Health Organization.
Currently, Ally’s purpose is to empower youth to become impactful change-makers in the world. He currently hosts Apple’s #1 Charting Youth Leadership Mental Health Podcast “Empathy Always Wins”. He is also the host of the Middle East’s Celebrity Mental Health Show, Asrar El Nafs.
Living in Toronto, Canada, Ally dedicates his full-time to serving the Middle East’s mental health community, public speaking, podcasting, and consulting social enterprises and change-makers on strategies to help build powerful communities. To enroll in Ally's podcast course (complete with a 50% discount code) follow this link: http://theartofpodcastingschool.com/ and use the coupon code RATETHEPODCAST

Episode 4 - J. Paul Nadeau: Take Control of Your Life & Your Mindset and live the life you deserve to live

In this episode, Paul talks about the importance of taking control of your life and your thoughts. Where we are right now in our lives when it comes to happiness, relationships and mental wellness has so much to do with the decisions, choices, and actions we've taken. As importantly, it also has to do with what we tell ourselves about our circumstances. Having the right mindset is key, and in these troubling times we're responsible for having the right mindset.
Paul also discusses victim mentality and how to un-hostage yourself from your past. Self-examination and exploring whether the bad things that happened in your life actually happened to you or for you can change everything.
Join Paul and discover how to let go of the past, live fully in the moment, and take control of your life! It is within each of each to choose happiness.
For more about "Inspire Us," please visit our website at www.inspireus.ca
and to purchase Paul's book, "Take Control of Your Life" follow these Amazon Links or check out most popular online book stores or bookstores.
Amazon Canada: https://amzn.to/2FXCn9Q or 
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/33KX7tL
 
 

Episode 3 - J. Paul Nadeau: Paul's personal story on how he went from being severely abused as a child, fearing he'd amount to nothing, to becoming a hostage negotiator, published other and more

This hour-long podcast is a glimpse into Paul Nadeau's past; his upbringing, trials, setbacks, and successes. 
Life is a mix of good and bad. How we survive the bad is largely dependant on the choices we make and our mindset. We can choose to remain a hostage to our negative circumstances, or we can choose to rise above them.
In this episode, Paul shares what it was like growing up in an abusive home, not believing in himself, with little hope of amounting to anything. He discusses the moment that all changed for him and how that change led to the many successes he's had in his life. From abused kid to Hostage Negotiator, International Peacekeeper, TED Talk speaker, Keynote and Motivational Speaker, Published Author, and more: it's all here.
Join Paul in this tell-all episode, and then ask yourself what you might use in your life from what he's shared to help improve your circumstances.