Episode 3741: Howie, The Unusual Bear – Laure Stack | Celebrating Individuality, Confidence & Self-Acceptance Through Storytelling Weekend of 7-25

Episode 3744: Growing Weeders into Leaders – Jeff McManus | Leadership Lessons That Help People and Organizations Thrive Weekend of 7-25 seg 3

Great leaders don't just grow successful organizations—they grow successful people. In this insightful episode of This Week in America, Ric Bratton welcomes Jeff McManus, nationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author of Growing Weeders into Leaders: Leadership Lessons from the Ground Level. Drawing on decades of experience building one of the nation's most admired university landscape teams, Jeff shares practical leadership principles that transform everyday employees into confident, motivated, and engaged leaders. Using memorable stories from the world of horticulture and grounds management, Jeff explains how cultivating people requires many of the same qualities needed to grow healthy plants: patience, intentionality, consistency, encouragement, and a commitment to long-term development. Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, coaching volunteers, or raising a family, these timeless leadership lessons offer practical strategies for creating a culture where people can thrive. During the conversation, Jeff discusses servant leadership, employee engagement, organizational culture, coaching, accountability, trust, and why investing in people always produces the greatest return. Listeners will discover simple yet powerful techniques for inspiring others, building stronger teams, and creating workplaces where individuals feel valued, empowered, and motivated to succeed. This Week in America with Ric Bratton is heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, thought leaders, innovators, health experts, business leaders, and inspiring personalities. Each episode delivers practical advice, compelling stories, and meaningful discussions that inform, educate, and entertain listeners around the globe. Whether you're a business owner, executive, manager, entrepreneur, educator, nonprofit leader, or simply someone who wants to become a better leader, this inspiring conversation with Jeff McManus offers valuable insights into leadership development, team building, workplace culture, and helping people reach their full potential. Don't miss this engaging episode of This Week in America. Keywords:  Jeff McManus, Growing Weeders into Leaders, leadership, leadership development, servant leadership, business leadership, management, team building, employee engagement, organizational culture, workplace culture, coaching employees, motivation, leadership skills, personal growth, business success, professional development, workforce development, leadership podcast, business podcast, This Week in America, Ric Bratton

Episode 3743: Growing Weeders into Leaders – Jeff McManus | Leadership Lessons That Help People and Organizations Thrive Weekend of 7-25 seg 2

Great leaders don't just grow successful organizations—they grow successful people. In this insightful episode of This Week in America, Ric Bratton welcomes Jeff McManus, nationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author of Growing Weeders into Leaders: Leadership Lessons from the Ground Level. Drawing on decades of experience building one of the nation's most admired university landscape teams, Jeff shares practical leadership principles that transform everyday employees into confident, motivated, and engaged leaders. Using memorable stories from the world of horticulture and grounds management, Jeff explains how cultivating people requires many of the same qualities needed to grow healthy plants: patience, intentionality, consistency, encouragement, and a commitment to long-term development. Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, coaching volunteers, or raising a family, these timeless leadership lessons offer practical strategies for creating a culture where people can thrive. During the conversation, Jeff discusses servant leadership, employee engagement, organizational culture, coaching, accountability, trust, and why investing in people always produces the greatest return. Listeners will discover simple yet powerful techniques for inspiring others, building stronger teams, and creating workplaces where individuals feel valued, empowered, and motivated to succeed. This Week in America with Ric Bratton is heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, thought leaders, innovators, health experts, business leaders, and inspiring personalities. Each episode delivers practical advice, compelling stories, and meaningful discussions that inform, educate, and entertain listeners around the globe. Whether you're a business owner, executive, manager, entrepreneur, educator, nonprofit leader, or simply someone who wants to become a better leader, this inspiring conversation with Jeff McManus offers valuable insights into leadership development, team building, workplace culture, and helping people reach their full potential. Don't miss this engaging episode of This Week in America. Keywords:  Jeff McManus, Growing Weeders into Leaders, leadership, leadership development, servant leadership, business leadership, management, team building, employee engagement, organizational culture, workplace culture, coaching employees, motivation, leadership skills, personal growth, business success, professional development, workforce development, leadership podcast, business podcast, This Week in America, Ric Bratton

Episode 3742: Howie, The Unusual Bear – Laure Stack | Celebrating Individuality, Confidence & Self-Acceptance Through Storytelling Weekend of 7-25 seg 1

Every child deserves to know they are enough—just as they are. In this inspiring episode of This Week in America, Ric Bratton welcomes author Laure Stack to discuss her heartwarming children's book, Howie, The Unusual Bear. Howie isn't like the other bears. He enjoys different things, sees the world in his own unique way, and longs to find someone who accepts him for exactly who he is. His journey becomes a touching story about friendship, belonging, self-confidence, and embracing what makes each of us special. The book is written for young readers but delivers a meaningful message that resonates with parents, grandparents, teachers, and anyone helping children build confidence and self-esteem.  Laure also shares how more than twenty years as an educator inspired her to create stories that encourage children to dream big, believe in themselves, and understand that being different can be their greatest strength. Her books help young readers navigate feelings of self-doubt while celebrating kindness, resilience, and individuality.  This Week in America with Ric Bratton is heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, thought leaders, innovators, health experts, business leaders, and inspiring personalities. Each episode delivers practical advice, compelling stories, and meaningful discussions that inform, educate, and entertain listeners around the globe. If you're looking for an uplifting conversation about children's books, confidence, self-acceptance, friendship, emotional growth, and helping young readers embrace their uniqueness, you won't want to miss this inspiring interview with Laure Stack and Howie, The Unusual Bear. Keywords: children's books, picture books, Laure Stack, Howie The Unusual Bear, self confidence for kids, self acceptance, friendship, embracing differences, individuality, kindness, resilience, social emotional learning, children's author interview, parenting podcast, education, family reading, kids literature, elementary education, emotional development, This Week in America, Ric Bratton

Episode 3741: Howie, The Unusual Bear – Laure Stack | Celebrating Individuality, Confidence & Self-Acceptance Through Storytelling Weekend of 7-25

Every child deserves to know they are enough—just as they are. In this inspiring episode of This Week in America, Ric Bratton welcomes author Laure Stack to discuss her heartwarming children's book, Howie, The Unusual Bear. Howie isn't like the other bears. He enjoys different things, sees the world in his own unique way, and longs to find someone who accepts him for exactly who he is. His journey becomes a touching story about friendship, belonging, self-confidence, and embracing what makes each of us special. The book is written for young readers but delivers a meaningful message that resonates with parents, grandparents, teachers, and anyone helping children build confidence and self-esteem.  Laure also shares how more than twenty years as an educator inspired her to create stories that encourage children to dream big, believe in themselves, and understand that being different can be their greatest strength. Her books help young readers navigate feelings of self-doubt while celebrating kindness, resilience, and individuality.  This Week in America with Ric Bratton is heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, thought leaders, innovators, health experts, business leaders, and inspiring personalities. Each episode delivers practical advice, compelling stories, and meaningful discussions that inform, educate, and entertain listeners around the globe. If you're looking for an uplifting conversation about children's books, confidence, self-acceptance, friendship, emotional growth, and helping young readers embrace their uniqueness, you won't want to miss this inspiring interview with Laure Stack and Howie, The Unusual Bear. Keywords: children's books, picture books, Laure Stack, Howie The Unusual Bear, self confidence for kids, self acceptance, friendship, embracing differences, individuality, kindness, resilience, social emotional learning, children's author interview, parenting podcast, education, family reading, kids literature, elementary education, emotional development, This Week in America, Ric Bratton

Episode 3739: Family, Hope & Second Chances | Mark Atkins and Miles To Go Before Redemption

What happens when tragedy forces a young teenager to become the strength his family desperately needs? On this episode of This Week in America with Ric Bratton, author Mark Atkins discusses his inspiring debut novel, Miles To Go Before Redemption, a moving coming-of-age story about family, resilience, responsibility, and the healing power of unconditional love. Fourteen-year-old Miles enjoys a life filled with stability, love, and family harmony until an unexpected tragedy changes everything. Suddenly faced with responsibilities beyond his years, Miles steps forward to support his mother and younger siblings while searching for his own identity in the absence of his father. Along the way, he discovers that courage isn't about having all the answers—it's about continuing to move forward, one step at a time. Filled with emotional depth, memorable characters, and powerful life lessons, Miles To Go Before Redemption explores the importance of unity, forgiveness, perseverance, and the unbreakable bonds that connect families through life's greatest challenges. In this episode you'll discover: • What inspired Mark Atkins to write his first novel after a successful Wall Street career • Why Miles is a relatable hero for readers of all ages • The powerful themes of family, responsibility, and redemption • How adversity can become an opportunity for personal growth • Why stories about hope and resilience continue to resonate with readers Mark also discusses his own life journey, including his transition from a 35-year career on Wall Street to becoming a novelist, and how his personal experiences helped shape the emotional heart of this compelling story. This Week in America with Ric Bratton is one of America's premier syndicated radio shows and podcasts, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, business leaders, health experts, historians, innovators, and thought leaders. Heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, each episode delivers practical advice, inspiring stories, expert insights, and thought-provoking discussions covering business, personal development, health, wellness, technology, history, education, entertainment, and the issues that matter most. Whether you're drawn to family fiction, coming-of-age novels, inspirational stories, emotional dramas, young adult fiction, or books about resilience and redemption, Ric Bratton's conversation with Mark Atkins offers an uplifting look at the strength of family, the importance of compassion, and the hope that can emerge even after life's greatest hardships. Don't miss this inspiring episode of This Week in America. Keywords: Mark Atkins, Miles To Go Before Redemption, family fiction, coming of age, coming-of-age novel, inspirational fiction, family drama, redemption, resilience, hope, grief and healing, overcoming adversity, second chances, emotional novel, young adult fiction, teen protagonist, family relationships, father and son, parenting, perseverance, courage, compassion, forgiveness, inspirational books, contemporary fiction, literary fiction, debut novel, Wall Street author, African American fiction, character driven fiction, motivational stories, book podcast, author interview, Ric Bratton, This Week in America, podcast interview