All Topics in Phoenix

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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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  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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  Solo

  Dale Marcotte, Certified Relationship Coach

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Self-Improvement

  Learn how to thrive single, find your stride in growth and learn to love on your way to love. We cancel the effects of our mistakes as soon as we understand them; leaving time and energy to live in love. That time and energy is closer than you know.

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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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  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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  How to Get the Joy Back

  Dale Marcotte, Certified Relationship Coach

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Self-Improvement

  Presents a foundation for reclaiming the dreams, the desires, the hopes and the comfort of relationship using two simple, easy to use techniques. Audience materials are included to encourage the involvement that creates change.

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  Women & Money: Six Steps to Financial Security

  Katrina C. Lessard, CFP®, AEP®, Founder & CEO , Lessard Wealth Management

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Financial

  Today, more women than ever are responsible for their financial well-being, and the well-being of their families. But women often face unique financial challenges. That's why it's so important that no matter what life stage they're in, women know how to save, invest, and plan for their future. MORE >

  In this seminar on Women and Money, you'll learn:
  * The unique financial challenges women face, such as longer life expectancies and more career breaks for caregiving, and how they impact long-term financial security
  * Six steps women can take to help them achieve financial security, including taking control of their money, becoming more knowledgeable investors, advocating for themselves in the workplace, planning for retirement, protecting their income and assets, and creating an estate plan

  You'll also receive a free electronic workbook created just for this presentation. The workbook contains key information, worksheets, and questions to help you remember important points from the seminar.

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  Get Unstuck!

  Dr. Benjamin Benulis, Doctor of Chiropractic, Create Health PLLC

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Motivational

  Are you stuck in area of your life? Your heath and fitness? Your career? Your relationship? Often times, we can feel like there is no way out or around our current circumstances and we are STUCK. Dr. Ben shares how often times being stuck in life is actually about being stuck in a perspective around how things are, or how things must be. In this talk he shares practical nuts and bolts tips for getting UNSTUCK and moving on in life. MORE >

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  Time Management

  Howard Gershkowitz, Author

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  As a successful businessman, financial advisor, and published author, I've developed a unique system of time management in order to pursue multiple goals while still finding time to raise a family and enjoy my leisure time, which I often spend traveling with my wife of 40 years. In this presentation, you will learn the basics for plotting a course and maintaining it, even during the most challenging distractions in your day. From goal setting to establishing daily rituals, this primer on the proper use and control of your time will set you on the right path towards meeting your own, diverse objectives. 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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