‘Shadow Link’ is the new science fiction novel by James Trait. Photo: Amazon
My name is James Trait and I live in upstate New York. I grew up loving science fiction and the adventures the characters had together. It helped me to escape the craziness of life and to see that there will always be better times ahead. My science fiction reflects both the adventure and the family elements I loved growing up. “Shadow Link” is my new book. (James Trait, 2023)
“Shadow Link”– Two men, two universes, endless connections. When a group of scientists discovers a device on an alien planet capable of travel into entirely new universes, the hope is to find the solution to their problems. But they soon discover one cannot gain an advantage without wreaking havoc for their counterparts. It is up to John Roman and his two teams, to determine just how to use this technology before it destroys the very people they wish to protect.
DreamWeek with Mental Health and Identity/Representation Workshop will take place on Thursday, January 19, 2023. Photo: Google
Blue Star Contemporary and Ruby City proudly announce a collaboration for a mental health and identity/representation workshop on Thursday, January 19 from 5p.m. to 7p.m. Mental health therapist and That Gray Zine creator Erica Edmonds will be leading the workshop, which is part of DreamWeek, an annual event in San Antonio that celebrates diversity and promotes dialogue and understanding among different communities. (Blue Star Contemporary, 2023)
During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on and express their experiences with the intersections of identity, representation, and mental health through writing or image making. Responses will be shared with the community with a display in front of the Contemporary the weekend of January 20 to 22. Interested participants will also have the opportunity to publish their expressions in an upcoming volume of That Gray Zine.
The workshop is open to all members of the community, the Contemporary at Blue Star and Ruby City believe that understanding and supporting our own and others’ mental health is crucial for building strong, inclusive communities, and both organizations are excited to provide this opportunity for learning and growth.
That Gray Zine, created in 2019 by Erica Edmonds, discusses all things mental health in order to reduce stigma, foster a sense of community, advocacy, validation, and empowerment. Erica Edmonds is a mental health therapist and has a group practice in San Antonio Texas. Inclusivity, intersectionality, social justice, anti-racism, and the decolonization of mental health are important frameworks for how she navigates her group practice and the zine.
Ruby City is a contemporary art center in San Antonio, TX dedicated to providing a space for the city’s thriving creative community to experience works by both local and internationally-acclaimed artists. Envisioned in 2007 by the late collector, philanthropist and artist Linda Pace, Ruby City presents works from the Linda Pace Foundation Collection of more than 1400 paintings, sculptures, installations and video works. The new building, designed by renowned architect Sir David Adjaye OBE, is part of a campus, which also includes Chris Park, a one-acre public green space named in memory of Pace’s son, and Studio, an auxiliary exhibition space which presents curated shows and programming throughout the year.
The Contemporary at Blue Star presents exhibitions with artists from San Antonio and around the world sharing their global perspectives that encourage understanding, empathy, change, and action, fulfilling our mission to inspire, nurture, and innovate. Like most non-collecting contemporary art spaces, the Contemporary contributes fresh insights and perspectives on larger issues affecting society and culture by highlighting trends, movements, and conversations happening in art. Admission to the Contemporary is always free.
‘Living Your Best Life Now’ by Sterlyn Smith is available now. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Sterlyn Smith is the author behind “Living Your Best Life Now” and “Getting Your Business On Track in The Digital Age.” He has a degree in Electrical Engineering and is a certified IT Professional and a business owner with a passion for awakening and empowering people who are getting starting with their online businesses. As an author, he hopes to create something that educates, inspires, and motivates his readers. In “Living Your Best Life Now: A Practical Guide to Personal Growth, Individual Freedom and Self-Empowerment” you will discover what it takes to change your life from wherever you are now to exactly where you want to be. (Sterlyn Smith, 2023)
“Living Your Best Life Now”– Are you feeling frustrated and disappointed in your life, and believe that there has to be more to it than what you are currently experiencing? Have you been questioning yourself wondering if you are on the right path? If you find yourself engulfed in uncertainty and asking these important questions then chances are you may not be Living Your Best Life right Now.
Within the pages of this book you will discover:
How to become more productive and self motivated in your life
How to take ownership over your happiness and reinforce your personal belief within yourself
How to remove toxic people and crush your fears
How to crush excuses and rise up after a tragedy strikes
Expand your understanding about self confidence and the power of persuasion
New ideas about finances and debt that can turn your life around
How to adjust to change and fully understand you learning style
This is a straight forward book that will help you and everyone you know who needs to find their way back to their own personal happiness. Living your best life is not a momentary situation that is established based on human emotions that can change daily. Living your best life is a full mind, body, spirit and emotional makeover where you have to develop some strength within each area of your life where weakness now exist. Stop spinning your wheels and going nowhere. Open up and read “Living Your Best Life Now” and begin the process of turning your life around so you can fill in the gaps and areas of weakness that have been holding you back for years.
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Author Sterlyn Smith. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
‘Healing Begins With Us: Breaking the Cycle of Trauma and Abuse and Rebuilding the Sibling Bond’ by Ronni Tichenor and Jennie Weaver. Photo: Amazon
Ronni Tichenorhas a Ph.D. in Sociology specializing in family studies from the University of Michigan. Jennie Weaver received her degree from the Vanderbilt School of Nursing, and is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with over 25 years of experience in family practice and mental health. In their new book, “Healing Begins with Us: Breaking the Cycle of Trauma and Abuse and Rebuilding the Sibling Bond” they share their inspiring and hopeful story of healing from their painful upbringing. (Ronni Tichenor, Jennie Weaver, 2023)
“Healing Begins With Us” is the story of two sisters who were not supposed to be friends. Ronni and Jennie grew up in a home with addiction, mental illness, and abuse issues that generated unhealthy dynamics and often pitted them against each other. In this book, they tell the raw truth about their childhood experiences, including the abuse that occurred between them. As they moved toward adulthood, they managed to come together and heal their relationship and break the cycle of intergenerational trauma and abuse in creating their own families. Using their personal and professional experience, they offer advice to help others who are looking to heal from their own painful upbringings or heal their sibling relationships. As sisters and survivors who found a way to emerge from a tragic cycle of intergenerational trauma and abuse, the authors are able to share how to undo the harmful myths and patterns of dysfunction, how to recognize the family dynamics generated by abuse, addiction and mental illness, how to navigate the rocky road of healing damaged sibling relationships in a dysfunctional family, and how to find forgiveness despite the unlikelihood of reconciliation.
It is hard enough to survive abuse and trauma, but being able to recognize it can be half the battle. In Chapter One Introduction, the authors explain that they wrote this book ‘in the hopes of making our extraordinary journey commonplace’ and they only wish is ‘that others will recognize themselves in what we share and use our story….to facilitate their own healing.’ This is because they themselves did not recognize that their parents were abusive and that their home was dysfunctional until they were in their 20s, married, and trying to create stable, loving homes of their own. According to the authors, if children experience Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), they can cause health problems as adults. These ACEs include physical abuse, psychological abuse, and mental illness in parents, among others and more than 60% of people experience at least one. They are handed down from generation to generation and can cause coping behaviors such as overeating, smoking, and substance abuse. Most of the information is presented in the form of conversations between them so the language is easy to understand. Their main focus is on the effects of their experiences and they emphasize that they do not see themselves as victims. The material is honest, direct, and oftentimes painful to read, but they just want to bring awareness and validation to people who experienced similar upbringing. “Healing Begins With Us” is a powerful testament to the will to rise above childhood traumas and create a better tomorrow by breaking intergenerational trauma. The title comes from the fact that oftentimes, the abuser does not acknowledge the harm done, so it is up to us to rise above it. It is recommended for readers interested in self help books that deal with dysfunctional families and breaking intergenerational trauma.
“We are here to say, ‘We see you. We are you.’ We are telling our story to give a name to what so many people experience but don’t fully understand, and to invite them into The Light where they can learn, heal, and create lives of joy.”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
‘The Union’ by Leah Vernon is a dystopian novel that explores the power of friendship in a future society. Photo: Amazon
Leah Vernon is an author, body-positive activist, and the first international plus-size Hijabi model. During her double master’s program, she started a blog about being a fat Black Muslim in Detroit experiencing everything from eating disorders to anti-Blackness. She has been featured in ads from Target to Old Navy and even made it to the New York Times and HuffPost. She currently resides in New York City. Her new book “The Union” is a daring dystopian novel that explores the power of friendship in a future society built on violence and division. (Amazon, 2023)
“The Union” – A thousand years in the future, a Black elite class reigns. The lower classes toil in the fields or scrape by in blighted cities, serving their rulers in a cruel, divided world. Among the Elites is eighteen-year-old Avi Jore, born to a powerful father and destined to rule. But as she comes of age, Avi cannot help but notice the injustices in her world―the treatment of enslaved workers, the oppression of the lower classes. Her disillusionment grows when she meets Saige Wilde, a mixed-race enslaved girl whose only goal is escaping beyond the borders of their brutal nation. When Saige saves Avi from an assassination attempt, their paths become intertwined in ways they never imagined. As Saige plots her path to freedom, Avi tries to enact change from the inside but it is a complicated endeavor, fraught with danger and malice. Together, their efforts could spark a revolution―and underscore the staggering power of friendship.
Publisher Note: This title was previously self-published as “Impure.” This edition of “The Union” includes substantial editorial revisions.
Taco Cabana celebrates 2023 with all new 5 under $5 menu options. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.
Launching Wednesday, January 11, 2023, Taco Cabana invites guests to kick off 2023 with its all-new, 5 under $5 menu offerings. Guests can choose one of five options including Bean and Cheese Nachos for $4.59, a Cheese Enchilada Bowl for $4.99, a three-pack of Chicken Flautas for $4.99 , a Taco Duo starting at $4.49 with tasty fillings like shredded chicken, ground beef and chicken fajita, or the recently launched Double Crunch Pizza for $4.99. (Taco Cabana, 2023)
The Double Crunch Pizza is TC’s latest menu innovation, crafted with two crispy tortillas blended with corn and flour, layered with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, chipotle ranch dressing, Monterey Jack & cheddar cheese, topped with pico de gallo, shredded cheese and drizzled with sour cream. TC’s 5 under $5 offerings will be available at all TC Texas locations.
Just in time for the Lenten Season, Taco Cabana’s delicious Shrimp Tampico Quesadillas and Shrimp Tampico Tacos return February 22, 2023 for a limited time. Both Shrimp Tampico Quesadillas and Shrimp Tampico Tacos will be served with TC’s uniquely satisfying Pineapple Chipotle Salsa.
“Taco Cabana has long been known to deliver value across the entire TC menu. In today’s environment, we recognize that many of our guests are specifically seeking menu items at a greater value, and we wanted to prominently feature a select number of current TC items under $5, as well as offer new culinary options under $5 like the enchilada bowl and the newly launched, hugely popular Double Crunch Pizza (DCP). We also look forward to bringing back a TC classic favorite, Shrimp Tampico, in February.” – Ulyses Camacho, Taco Cabana’s Chief Operating Officer
Taco Cabana’s 5 under $5 menu options and Lenten Season offerings are available in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, in the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC!® App or online.
Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and $3 tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, delivery and catering. As of January 5, 2023, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.
‘Unity of the Forgotten’ was conceived, researched, authored, edited, illustrated, and published by a multiracial collaboration of actively detained Inmates. Photo: Amazon
‘Unity of the Forgotten: An Inmate Discussion on Race and Politics During a Pandemic’ is the first and only book in the 21st century to be conceived, researched, authored, edited, illustrated, and published in its entirety by a multiracial collaboration of actively detained Inmates, without any professional assistance. If you are interested in a discussion that is real, and that has the ability to make a true difference, then this pulse-pounding edge of your seat experience is a must read for you. (A.I. Marchron, 2023)
Read about the remarkably genuine, first-hand account from Inmates of Black, White, and Latino heritage, how they unified to survive difficult circumstances, and their unfiltered message about what it takes to endure while being imprisoned during a pandemic. Learn about the round table gathering where Inmates gifted each other the unusual privilege of tolerance, as they discussed racially sensitive issues such as inequality, immigration and the border, slurs, physical abuse, and gun control. This fascinating book resides in a category of its own. See book trailer for more information.
‘Unity of the Forgotten’ – In the Prologue, A.I. Marchron, who has been designated the narrator, writes that the purpose of the book is to “help humanity to see us, and the conscientious side of our community, as what we are, people; people that have fallen, and that are trying to get back up.” The characters are real but their names have been changed to protect their identities because they are still detained. The original idea began with one person, then two, and ended up with sixteen inmates of different backgrounds, ages, economic status, and belief systems to achieve what most people would consider unfathomable: to write and publish a book while behind bars. The book is divided into four main sections: Black, White, Latino, and Unity and each has several subsections. Each of the first three sections (Black, White, Latino) has a specific ethnic historical background, and an interview with a member of this specific ethnic group which includes their personal story and point of view on current issues like politics, race, immigration, and gun control. The Unity section has a part where correction officers, one Baby Boomer, one Generation X, and one Millennial, give their thoughts on these same issues. In the Epilogue the discussion turns to environmental matters and their proposed solutions. The References section cites all sources used.
As the narrator states, people who are in jail are often forgotten once they step into a correctional facility. While it is a sad but true statement, this does not mean that they cease to have a voice. Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to the United States Congress in 1968, once said: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” In this case, a group of inmates went a step further and created their own table. They banded together to write and publish a book where they voice their opinions and concerns, and propose solutions to society’s ills. Narrated by A.I. Marchron, the language is easy to understand and the tone varies from formal to informal and is sprinkled with humor as comic relief “Napoleon was stripped of his title (and probably that nice hat from the pictures)…” The depth of the historical discussions is outstanding, given that he covers US history from the early settler days to the industrial revolution and politics, along with slavery, Europe, both World Wars, Mexico, South and Central America, and other interesting topics. Now more than ever we need a history lesson or two. One highlight is Part III Latino, section 11, Life In Left Latitudes, where he discusses Pre-Columbian history. The other is their proposed solutions to current issues like the climate crisis, immigration reform, police reform, and reparations for blacks, all of which include detailed plans of action. With the perfect balance of inmate profiles, history, and humor, ‘Unity of the Forgotten’ is an excellent insight into the inmate psyche. This fast paced, must read book is recommended for readers interested in memoirs from the perspective of an incarcerated person as well as history buffs who would appreciate a refresher course.
“Our goal was to bring you where cameras can never come, and to show you a different side of possibility. We are proud of our final product; it tells our story, and provided a rare venue for us to express ourselves and thoughts to the world in an honorable manner; and most importantly, in our “own” way, with no media outlet to filter us.” – A.I. Marchron
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
Twisted is available in digital and On Demand. Photo: Google
New horror movie release: Twisted – Available on digital and On Demand.
Twisted– A young woman seeks independence from her protective mother, only to be questioning her own sanity when newfound friends die, and her mother suggests Hannah is the cause of their death. (Twisted, 2023)
Written and directed by Vibeke Muasya Starring Vibeke Muasya, Vibeke Muasya, Nikolaj Scherfig
This year’s Slamdance Film Festival will take place from January 20 through January 26, 2023. Photo: Google
The Slamdance Film Festival is an annual film festival focused on emerging artists. It was founded in 1995 by Dan Mirvish, Jon Fitzgerald, Shane Kuhn, and Peter Baxter, along with Paul Rachman after they were unable to submit films to the Sundance Film Festival. The annual week-long festival will take place in Park City, Utah from January 20 through January 26 and is the main event organized by the year-round Slamdance organization, which also hosts a screenplay competition, workshops, screenings throughout the year and events with an emphasis on independent films with budgets under $1million. (Wikipedia, Slamdance Film Festival, 2023)
The distinctly different and impactful films making their world premieres this January in Park City, UT offer an insider’s humanistic view into the lives around us. Where a news headline could merely skim the surface, these films engage, inspire, prompt conversations, and offer hope and empathy. Each of these four films has a running time of under 90 minutes.
“Silent Love” Slamdance Competition Documentary Film “Silent Love” is an incredibly intimate observational documentary that subtly and tenderly portrays the lives of two women raising a pubescent teenager in the conservative setting of a small Polish village.
Each of the characters is completely different, both visually and in terms of character. Each faces different problems. Each has different obstacles to overcome. Together they form a new family, but most of all, it is a universal story about the hardships of raising a teenager in the face of a parent’s death and about taking on new roles.
After their mother’s death, 35-year-old Aga has to take care of her teenage brother, Milosz. There is one thing she is not telling him about: her ongoing relationship with Maja. An unconventional family is being born in a small, conservative Polish village.
Filmmaking Team: Director, Writer and Cinematographer Marek Kozakiewicz, Editors Anna Garncarczyk, Monument and Agata Cierniak, Music by Bartosz Bludau, Producer Agnieszka Skalska, and Agnieszka Dziedzic, Co-produced by Alex Tondowski, and Ira Tondowski. Running Time: 72 Minutes
Slamdance Screening Times: Location: Slamdance Film Festival Headquarters Treasure Mountain Inn 255 Main St. Park City, UT Premiere: Saturday, January 21 at 3p.m. Second Screening: Wednesday, January 25 at 11:15a.m.
“Starring Jerry As Hinself” Slamdance Competition Documentary Feature Film “Starring Jerry As Hinself” is a docu-fiction hybrid that blurs the lines of reality while staying true to the subject and his story. It employs a variety of creative filmmaking techniques to capture the world from Jerry’s perspective. The film is a genre bending meta experience, with our subject Jerry starring in his own recreation of his unique journey. The filmmakers wanted to create something unique that stood out from the traditional documentary, while also reflecting Jerry’s state of mind, so they nested a film within a film.
A family documents how their immigrant father Jerry, a recently divorced and retired Florida man, was recruited by the Chinese police to be an undercover agent, only to discover a darker truth.
Filmmaking Team: Director and Editor Lawrence Chen, Co-Writers Jerry C. Hsu (the star of the film) and Lawrence Chen, producers: Jonathan Hsu, and Lawrence Chen, composer Eric Hölljes with Cinematography by Tinx Chen, and Lawrence Chen. Running Time: 75 Minutes
“Starring Jerry As Hinself” Slamdance Screening Times: Location: Slamdance Film Festival Headquarters Treasure Mountain Inn 255 Main St. Park City, UT Premiere: Saturday, January 21 at 7:30p.m. Second Screening: Monday, January 23 at 2:45p.m.
“The Underbug” Slamdance Breakout Selection Feature Film While the nations came to a standstill owing to the pandemic, another more familiar kind of virus – that of communal violence raged more aggressively than earlier. India witnessed a uniquely cross-sectional humanitarian crisis: the burgeoning of xenophobia fueled by Covid, commingled with the toxic wave of sectarian violence. What India experienced, as did the rest of the world – we live immersed as a world in the great fracture of our times. “The Underbug” is a psychological horror that explores the psyche of people who live on the fringe of society. These are subaltern populations, easily weaponized for the narrow benefit of the political system. Thus began the story of two such men, in a deserted house, playing out what hopefully feels like the abstract psychopathology of our troubled times. The filmmakers hope that ‘The Underbug’ sparks conversation, offering an insight on hate politics and contributes in some small way towards empathy, courage and love.
As India is ravaged by sectarian violence on the eve of its Independence Day, two rioters take refuge in an abandoned house. An eerie presence in the house, however, haunts the men to the edge of sanity.
Filmmaking Team and Stars: Starring Ali Fazal and Hussain Dalal, Directed by Shujaat Saudagar, Written by Shujaat Saudagar, Abbas Dalal, and Hussain Dalal, Produced by Vikesh Bhutani, Shujaat Saudagar, and Aman Mann, Executive Producers Shaunak Sen, Richa Chadha, Ali Faz al, Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal. Running Time: 68 Minutes *In Hindi with subtitles*
Slamdance Screening Times: Location: Slamdance Film Festival Headquarters Treasure Mountain Inn 255 Main St. Park City, UT Premiere: Saturday, January 21 at 10p.m.
“With Peter Bradley” Slamdance Competition Documentary Feature Film “With Peter Bradley” embodies the cinematic storytelling that made “The Kid Stays In The Picture” an iconic documentary. “With Peter Bradley” is a celebration of artmaking, resilience, and the creative contributions of Black artists to American life. It focuses a long-overdue lens on Peter Bradley and shines a light on his rightful place in the ongoing movement toward racial equity in the arts and our society. Despite the systemic racism of society in general and the art world in particular, Peter Bradley built an incredible resumé before the age of 35: the first Black art dealer on Madison Avenue (at the prestigious Perls Galleries); likely the first Black abstract artist represented by a major New York gallery (André Emmerich); and curator of what is considered the first integrated modern art show in America (The DeLuxe Show). Peter Bradley explores innovative methods of applying paint to canvas, inspired by nature and the colorful flowers he tends daily in his garden and greenhouse.
79 years old and overlooked since the 1970s, abstract artist Peter Bradley reflects on life and shares his artistic process on the cusp of his rediscovery.
Filmmaking Team: Director, Cinematographer, Editor and Producer Alex Rappoport, Composer Javon Jackson, Executive Producers Adger Cowans, and Robina Riccitiello, Consulting Producers Diane Kolyer, and Beth Levison, and Music Supervisor Ed Gerard. Running Time: 86 Minutes
Slamdance Screening Times: Location: Slamdance Film Festival Headquarters Treasure Mountain Inn 255 Main St. Park City, UT Premiere: Sunday, January 22 at 12:45p.m. Second Screening: Tuesday, January 24 at 5:30p.m.
‘Communicate with Courage’ is the new book by communication coach Michelle D. Gladieux. Photo: Amazon
Michelle Gladieux is an author and President of Gladieux Consulting, a Midwest-based team known for top-notch design and presentation of seminars in communication and leadership topics around the U.S. She provides executive coaching and facilitates strategic planning for clients in diverse industries, in governments, at non-profits, and in academia. She has 18 years of collegiate teaching experience at three universities in her home state of Indiana, accepting her first adjunct faculty position at age 23. She has worked as a Human Resources and Training Director in the cold storage, robotics, and construction industries and enjoys visiting conferences as a keynote speaker and workshop presenter. In her new book “Communicate with Courage: Taking Risks to Overcome the Four Hidden Challenges,” she teaches readers how to become fearless and peerless communicators by confronting the psychological blocks holding them back. (Michelle Gladieux, 2023)
“Communicate with Courage”– Being a good communicator is one of the best ways to make a difference in the world, but it takes courage to open up to others and invite others to open up to you. In the Preface, Michelle D. Gladieux explains that the purpose of the book is to help with communication skills not only in the workplace, but in daily interactions with family in friends right now and in the future. As a lifelong communication coach, she has discovered four obstacles that can keep you from becoming the best communicator you can be 1) Hiding—Fear of exposing your supposed weaknesses, 2) Defining—Putting too much stock into assumptions and being quick to judge, 3) Rationalizing—Using “being realistic” to shield yourself from taking chances, engaging in conflict, or doing other but potentially rewarding actions, and 4) Settling—Stopping at “good enough” instead of aiming for something better in your interactions. Overcoming these challenges requires taking risks—to reveal yourself, question your beliefs, take a leap of faith, or move out of your comfort zone. This book is divided into ten chapters, including one for each of these hidden challenges as well as Risks Not Worth Taking, and The Most Important Conversations to Have. Each chapter includes a real-world practice called a Pro Move and an exercise, both designed to help you overcome hang-ups and take more joy in communicating.
Being an effective communicator is an important skill yet one of the hardest to improve. It requires knowing your strengths and weaknesses, constant practice, and most of all, a genuine desire to grow. According to the author, becoming a brave communicator is “achieved by looking at potential payoffs rather than focusing on what can go wrong, and pushing past mediocre.” This is a small and easy to read book, mostly because the language is simple and down to earth. With the suggested Pro Moves and exercises, readers can practice their communication skills and put them to work in their lives. The subject matter makes this a reference guide worth circling back to re-read portions that might need refreshing over time. Highlights include Chapter 8 Risks Not Worth Taking where even though she encourages taking risks, she emphasizes that you should not risk your sanity by “engaging with manipulative or unethical people” and Chapter 7 Hidden Challenge #4: Settling for ‘Good Enough’ where she states the importance of outsmarting the urge to settle; in this case, raising your hand and letting people know what you have to say, diplomatically of course – voicing your opinion and experiences. “Communicate with Courage” is an effective guide to improving communications skills to become a braver and more effective communicator. It is recommended for readers who enjoy books on business management and personal enrichment focusing on communication and social skills.
“…there’s something waiting on the other side of courageous risk-taking for you, something good, illuminating, and life-giving. Whatever it is, it won’t come fully into view until you deviate from the safe route as a communicator.”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
SA Examiner 