All Topics in Phoenix

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  Journeys to Authorship

  Howard Gershkowitz, Author

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Educational

  Fourteen authors came together to share their stories of becoming published authors. In the recently released, #1 best seller on Amazon, 'Journeys to Authorship,' we tell all! Now, we are taking our experiences on the road: through panel discussions, we share our individual roadmaps from 'writer wannabe' to published author in an interactive way, providing insights and valuable tips. Depending on your needs, two, three, or four of us will come visit and share our successes and obstacles, heartache and triumphs, tears and laughter. MORE >

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  Rock-On – Really Connect with Early Rock Music

  Ron Meeks, Hall of Fame Musician & Civil War Historian

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Entertainment

  Ron Meeks is a Hall of Fame musician who recorded and performed professionally during the early years (first generation) of Rock and Roll Music from 1957 to 1965. He has a very unique story to share. He played with several successful bands and performed at approximately 420 public events during that period including concerts, rock and roll shows, nightclubs, etc. MORE >

  Ron was also a “studio musician” (“session musician”) and helped create approximately 25 early rock recordings for two record companies. Several of these recorded songs were released to the public and became national or regional hits. The original records are now being sold as collector records. Some of the songs are included in more than 30 different “Oldies” or “Legends” albums and collections that are still being sold by record and music companies in a dozen different countries around the world.

  Ron was NOT a “front man” (star of the group). He was one of those people playing and singing in the background. Ron Meeks played electric bass guitar, sang background harmony and was a music arranger. He performed with more than a dozen different bands including several famous entertainers from that era.

  Ron Meeks discontinued his active rock music career in 1965 and moved from Ohio to Arizona for health reasons. Once settled in Arizona, he started his commerce law and finance practice, which has been his primary profession until his recent semi-retirement.

  In 2017 Ron was added to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee as one of the “Legends that helped create Rock and Roll Music”. That Hall of Fame is now a rockabilly museum.
  Throughout Ron’s career, he has been a public speaker relating to this and other subjects of general interest at more than 60 events at many different locations in and near the United States.

  In addition to his regular business activities, Ron found time to perform free as a musician to benefit various charitable organizations, particularly at events for the homeless. Although his early years in music were primarily in rock and roll (also referred to as rockabilly music), he also played traditional jazz, blues, swing, country and gospel music to appeal to more audiences and situations. During recent years, he made recordings and public appearances playing these styles.

  Some of Ron’s most enjoyable music events occurred during the last 20 years after his children, and then his grandchildren, were growing up. All 3 of his children, and several grandchildren are musicians. Ron and his children have produced some good recordings made by his “family bands”.

  Ron Meeks has learned from experience that many people are interested in the music and lifestyle of the 1950’s and early 60’s. Although he no longer performs as a musician, he still loves to share his unique experiences through public speaking so that others can recall and enjoy their musical memories and experiences from the past while expanding their understanding of music during those early years.

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  Slaying the Debt Dragon – Financial Planning for the New Graduate

  Jeff Young, Senior Wealth Manager, Kierland Financial Group

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Financial

  You've just graduated and are ready to enter your chosen field. But you also have student loans that have to be repaid. Debt can be an emotionally draining burden to carry, but it doesn't have to be. With a solid plan and a vigorous dedication to eliminating debt, there are steps one can take to accomplish the task of becoming debt free and to begin to create a solid financial foundation. MORE >

  Jeff contends that whether you are building wealth or becoming debt-free to do so, the key is creating a flexible and accountable plan to guide your through that journey. In this session, he will teach you how to take stock of your situation, eliminate barriers to success, write a plan of success, understand your options, employ others in your quest and the value of sacrifice and self-denial to earn your success.

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  Choose How You Age

  Ryan Booher, Community & Physician Relations, Vitality SarcoHealth

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Health & Fitness

  Ryan explains that most adults over age 50 are dealing with the medical condition known as sarcopenia. This progressive loss of muscle mass and strength is the #1 cause of falls and premature loss of independence. Ryan will share stories and explain the science and research around how to reverse this process naturally. When applied most people start to feel changes in their first 3-4 weeks, and typically start to notice significant meaningful changes after 6-8 weeks. MORE >

  The good news is that you can regain your strength and muscle quality by maintaining a balance between Type 1 and Type 2 muscle fibers.

  - Type 1 muscle fibers take minimal effort and calories to maintain and preserve basic ability to move.
  - Type 2 muscle fibers require focused effort to maintain, maximize optimal body function and increase and maintain optimal metabolic function.

  Most people over 50 have too many Type 1 and not enough Type 2.

  Not having the proper muscle fiber balance has the effect of loss of structural support which results in reduced muscle and bone health, diminished balance, poor posture and increased joint and back pain. Not enough Type 2 fibers can also weaken cardiovascular health, leading to increased blood pressure, inflammation, and diminished circulation.

  A final consequence of this condition is poor metabolic function with increased A1C, and increased glucose levels. No wonder so many people are being diagnosed with diabetes and pre-diabetes! This is the consequence of a sedentary lifestyle. Too many Type 1 and not enough Type 2 muscle fibers.

  You can Choose How You Age!

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  Having a Positive Mental Attitude

  Dan McGinnis, Inspirational Speaker, The Pumpkin Man

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Motivational

  The key to greater happiness and a more enjoyable life is the creation of passion. Identifying passion can make you feel on top of the world and better off than people with millions. I will show how to bring passion into your life.

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  Medicare 101 (What you don’t know might hurt you)

  Edward Givens, Insurance Agent, HealthMarkets

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Health & Fitness

  Medicare can be a confusing topic for seniors 65 & over and for their children. This topic will teach you the fundamentals of Medicare, what it covers, and what it does not cover. You will leave this session with a better understanding of the Medicare system and how to navigate it in a way that will best suit your needs. MORE >

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  Speechless: Losing My Voice and Finding My Strength

  Dr. Deitra Payne, Founder & CEO, Fabulous Coaching, Training, and Productions, LLC

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Motivational

  Just two days after losing her father on Thanksgiving 2022, Dr. Deitra C. Payne lost her memory and her ability to speak — and from that hospital bed, began one of the most extraordinary comeback stories you'll ever hear on a stage. Drawing on her personal journey from crisis to triumph, she delivers a deeply moving and ultimately uplifting presentation that blends research-backed resilience strategies with authentic humor and storytelling. If she can find her voice again, so can you. MORE >

  What followed that devastating moment was a masterclass in perseverance. Dr. Payne walks audiences through the mindset tools and inner strength that carried her back to purpose, equipping attendees with practical strategies for navigating their own adversity. Audiences leave not just inspired, but genuinely equipped — with a renewed belief in their capacity to overcome whatever stands in their way.

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  Dig Deeper – Really Connect with the Civil War (at a personal level)

  Ron Meeks, Hall of Fame Musician & Civil War Historian

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Entertainment

  Ron Meeks has been an American Civil War student for approximately 65 years! He has visited more than 50 Civil War Battlefields, read approximately 200 non-fiction books on the subject, researched the history of numerous historical places and people from that era and taken every opportunity to expand his Civil War knowledge and experiences. He became genuinely interested in studying the war because of several somewhat strange and unusual connections to the war that he experienced early in life. MORE >

  Ron was born and raised in Akron, Ohio. His family moved into a historic part of Akron in 1951. Shortly after moving in, Ron learned that two doors down the street from his house was a museum that had been the home of the famous abolitionist John Brown. The property that Ron’s house was located on was also part of the Brown property prior to the Civil War. Across the street was another museum honoring another famous individual named Simon Perkins from the pre-Civil War era. Ron was given free access to both museums, so he spent many hours in and around those museums.

  Ron’s interest in the Civil War was further primed when he visited several battlefield sites in the south during the next few years. He learned that his father was born in a Civil War Battlefield town, located very close to several other famous Civil War Battlefield National Parks. Additional research revealed that his grandfather’s childhood home had been taken over by the Confederate Army for several months during the war and was used by a prominent general for his headquarters. Ron found several books and articles mentioning that fact and showing photos of the house.

  When Ron was in his early teens, he got a job working in a nearby cemetery after school. As he worked there, he learned that the cemetery was not only for burying Akron citizens, but it was also a Civil War Memorial Cemetery containing the graves of hundreds of Civil War soldiers.

  Another surprising connection occurred as Ron researched more and more. He learned that the building next door to the McLean House in Appomattox Court House, Virginia where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant was a Meeks General Store. Ron knew that his ancestors had been in the General Store business during the Civil War but had not known that one of those stores was located in such a famous location.

  All of these surprising connections to the Civil War fueled Ron’s lifelong interest in learning more about the American Civil War at a very personal level. He continues his research to this day.
  As part of his research, Ron has studied war records of ancestors and others. These records detail their specific history during the war including where they went, what battles they fought, and other information. He has read many personal letters written by soldiers to families and friends during the war. He has studied weaponry, life and death experiences, specific battles and other aspects.
  Ron has become quite knowledgeable about the Civil War and shares this information in his speeches. He also invites the audience to join in the discussions. He looks forward to speaking before new groups of people with interest and enthusiasm.

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  The Subtle Art of Effective Listening

  Jeff Young, Senior Wealth Manager, Kierland Financial Group

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Self Improvement

  Of all the communication skills, that of listening is the most misunderstood, the least employed and yet the most important of effective interaction between human beings. Whether you are in sales or management, your ability to be a good listener is crucial to your success in your professional endeavors. MORE >

  As a successful investor for his clients, Jeff has spent a career understanding what it is people want and need from their lifetime of efforts. And to do that, he had to become an effective and efficient listener. In this session, Jeff will share with you how to set the stage, how to be an "active" listener and what listening techniques can propel you to the next level of your personal success ladder.

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  Increase Your Cash Flow Fast

  Jean Kuhn, Business Strategist / Consultant, Bounce Solutions Jean Kuhn

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  Business owners, retail or service-based, all say the exact same thing. ‘We need more customers so we can earn more money.’ It’s tough out there for business owners in 2019. Jean Kuhn “has the backs” of business owners and delivers the hard facts, the truth and some laughs, on what it takes to become the leader in their industry and a “celebrity” in their business. MORE >

  Jean shares her story of buying 2 bankrupt businesses and turning them around in 12 short months and adding $100,000 to their bottom lines. And she did it with NO customer list and NO marketing budget.

  Jean is the perfect speaker if attendees:

  * Want more customers
  * Want to make more money
  * Want to more free time
  * Want to reduce employee turnover

  Takeaways:

  * You don't need a list or a big budget
  * Low cost/no cost marketing strategies
  * Tools to turn employees into lead

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