In this Thanksgiving episode, I’m joined by the boldly authentic Deb Brown, co-founder of SaveYour.Town. Deb works with rural communities to help them uncover the power they already have — one small step at a time.

This conversation is packed with laughter, heartfelt stories, tattoo confessions, and deeply grounded wisdom about personal power, community connection, and why we don’t need to wait for permission to make meaningful change.

If you’ve ever underestimated the strength you already carry — or felt disconnected from your own story — this episode will help you reconnect with gratitude, agency, and possibility.

What We Talk About
- Why Thanksgiving is the perfect moment to reflect on your power
- Deb’s Idea Friendly method and how small steps create big change
- The urban–rural divide and how better communication can heal it
- Nostalgia for “the good old days” — and what people are really longing for
- The power of permission: why most of us are waiting for approval we don’t need
- Tattoos, rewriting your story, and giving yourself more freedom as you age
- Intergenerational connection, storytelling, and healing communities
- How business owners can feel more powerful by collaborating instead of isolating
- Why conversations (not committees) change everything

About Deb Brown
Deb Brown is the co-founder of SaveYour.Town, where she and her business partner, Becky McCray, teach rural communities how to transform their environments through practical, immediately actionable steps. With decades of experience working with small towns, community leaders, and volunteers, Deb champions a refreshing truth: you already have the power to create the change you want.

She brings enthusiasm, humour, life experience, and a unique edge to community building — including tattoos she started getting at 59 (yes, we talk about that!).
Contact Deb here: https://www.saveyour.town
Get Deb's ebook here: www.buildingpossibility.com/buythebook

About the host Lynn Coleman
Lynn Coleman hosts essential conversations about power for female business owners. These conversations are lovingly created to help you help more clients. Lynn's guests all have something intriguing, useful, and personal to share with you.
Contact Lynn here: https://yourepicbusiness.com
More from Lynn here: IG @your.epic.business

“You already have the power. Most of the time, you’re just waiting for permission you don’t actually need.”

Want to discover your epic writing power? Take the quiz. https://yourepicbusiness.com/quiz/

Want to set up a writing practice for your coaching or healing business. Get the Heart-Powered Writing Journal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9082049511

Want to support this podcast? Leave us a 5 star review and subscribe. Or buy me a cup of coffee (creating podcasts is thirsty work!).
https://buymeacoffee.com/conversationsaboutpower

“Self-awareness is the foundation of strength.”

Lynn Coleman speaks with Rhonda Parker Taylor — academic, entrepreneur, and author — about life balance, leadership, and the practical power of emotional intelligence. Growing up around her father’s steel manufacturing plant, Rhonda learned early that leadership requires both resilience and care. Now on her book tour, she shares why self-awareness, empathy, and stress management are not “soft skills,” but essential tools for business and life.

This episode explores how power isn’t about doing more, but about balancing who you are with what you do. Rhonda shows us that emotional intelligence isn’t optional if we want to grow without burning out — it’s the real foundation of leadership.

Topics

Introduction to Rhonda Parker Taylor (0:00)
From Steel Manufacturing to Academia (5:48)
Discovering the Power of Emotional Intelligence (6:18)
Mentorship and Resilience in Early Education (10:20)
Leadership Lessons from EQ and Manufacturing (12:53)
Stress, Decision-Making, and Team Buy-In (18:28)
The Role of Self-Awareness in Power (29:18)
Practical Ways to Balance Life and Leadership (30:44)
The Influence of Kindness and Compassion (32:10)
Books, Crossroads, and Workbooks for Life Balance (36:17)

About the Host:
Lynn Coleman hosts essential conversations about power for coaches and healers: inner, outer, and how it affects our businesses and lives. These conversations are lovingly created to help you help more clients. Lynn's guests all have something intriguing, useful, and personal to share with you.

How to Connect with Rhonda:
https://rhondaparkertaylor.com/

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

https://www.instagram.com/rhondaparkertaylor/

https://www.facebook.com/rhondaparkertaylor/

Podcast Website:

👂 LISTEN to more episodes here: https://yourepicbusiness.com/podcast/

👁️ WATCH this episode here: https://youtu.be/iF5EV3GbfAs

Community & Calls to Action

✅ Rate & Review our Podcasts – Help others discover the show!
✅ Follow & Subscribe – Stay updated on new episodes by following us on your favourite podcast app or on our YouTube channel.
✅ Want to learn about the art of heart-powered communication with me? Start here: https://yourepicbusiness.com/quiz/

✅ Find Lynn at https://yourepicbusiness.com/
https://www.facebook.com/magnificanamethod
https://www.instagram.com/your.epic.business
and lynn@yourepicbusiness.com

✅ Share this Episode – If this resonated with you, tag us on social media and let us know your biggest takeaway!

Thank you for tuning in! See you next time.

Want to discover your epic writing power? Take the quiz. https://yourepicbusiness.com/quiz/

Want to set up a writing practice for your coaching or healing business. Get the Heart-Powered Writing Journal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9082049511

Want to support this podcast? Leave us a 5 star review and subscribe. Or buy me a cup of coffee (creating podcasts is thirsty work!).
https://buymeacoffee.com/conversationsaboutpower

War gave him camaraderie; healing gave him power.

Lynn Coleman speaks with Michael Allison, former US Marine, leadership coach, and founder of The University Academy, about resilience, camaraderie, and the discipline that saved his life. In this gripping conversation, Michael shares his journey from surviving natural disasters in Jamaica to serving on the frontlines in Fallujah, and how healing transformed his leadership. During this conversation, we talk about sensitive mental health topics.

This episode explores what it means to lead under pressure — and how the lessons forged in adversity can inspire and empower others. Michael reveals why discipline is the highest form of self-love, how camaraderie can create unshakable bonds, and why staying vigilant matters in every area of life. It’s a must-listen for anyone seeking to grow as a leader, especially if you’ve ever wondered how to turn personal trials into powerful tools for change.

Topics
Introduction to Michael Allison (0:00)
From Jamaica to the United States (1:20)
Surviving Natural Disasters and Family Separation (3:35)
Joining the Marine Corps and Finding Camaraderie (11:50)
Deployment to Fallujah and the Realities of War (15:26)
The Impact of Trauma and Bottling Emotions (24:35)
A Breaking Point and the Path to Healing (28:47)
Discipline, Self-Love, and Sustainable Growth (38:05)
Leadership and Empowering Others (42:39)

About the Host:
Lynn Coleman hosts essential conversations about power for coaches and healers: inner, outer, and how it affects our businesses and lives. These conversations are lovingly created to help you help more clients. Lynn's guests all have something intriguing, useful, and personal to share with you.
Connect with Michael:
Website: https://michaelwallison.com/speaking/
Instagram: @iammichaelwallison and @iammikewallison

Podcast Website:
Listen to more episodes here: https://yourepicbusiness.com/podcast/

Watch episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/@ConversationsAboutPower

Community & Calls to Action
✅ Rate & Review our Podcasts – Help others discover the show!
✅ Follow & Subscribe – Stay updated on new episodes by following us on your favourite podcast app or on our YouTube channel.
✅ Want to learn about the art of heart-powered communication with me? Start here: https://yourepicbusiness.com/quiz/
✅ Find me at
https://yourepicbusiness.com/
https://www.facebook.com/magnificanamethod
https://www.instagram.com/your.epic.business and lynn@yourepicbusiness.com
✅ Share this Episode – If this resonated with you, tag us on social media and let us know your biggest takeaway!
Thank you for tuning in! See you next time.

Want to discover your epic writing power? Take the quiz. https://yourepicbusiness.com/quiz/

Want to set up a writing practice for your coaching or healing business. Get the Heart-Powered Writing Journal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9082049511

Want to support this podcast? Leave us a 5 star review and subscribe. Or buy me a cup of coffee (creating podcasts is thirsty work!).
https://buymeacoffee.com/conversationsaboutpower