Jonathan Schwartz – The Effect of Silent Trauma

Jonathan Schwartz – The Effect of Silent Trauma

Jonathan Todd Schwartz, once a towering figure in Hollywood's elite financial circles, lived a life that many could only dream of. As a power entertainment business manager at GSO Business Management, Schwartz was entrusted with managing the wealth of some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, including Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Alanis Morissette, Linkin Park, Halsey, and Gwyneth Paltrow. His reputation as one of Hollywood's most "trusted" financial advisors earned him the moniker "diva whisperer," reflecting his ability to cater to the unique needs of his high-profile clients. However, beneath the surface of this seemingly perfect life, Schwartz was hiding a dark secret. Consumed by a monstrous drug habit and an uncontrollable gambling addiction, Schwartz began to embezzle millions from his clients to fund his destructive lifestyle. His double life was a carefully constructed house of cards, built on lies and deceit, which ultimately came crashing down in 2016 when Alanis Morissette discovered that Schwartz had stolen over $4.7 million from her accounts. The fallout was swift and brutal. Schwartz's crimes were exposed, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction. The once-celebrated financial guru was now a disgraced criminal, reviled by the very industry that had once revered him. His actions not only ruined his own life but also brought significant financial losses and reputational damage to GSO Business Management. But Schwartz's story doesn't end with his fall from grace. Since his release from prison in 2020, Schwartz has embarked on a journey of redemption. Sober and a co-chair of his local Gamblers' Anonymous, he is determined to make amends for his past wrongdoings. Schwartz is now dedicated to proving that he is no longer the "defrauding monster" he once was, and is desperate to clear his name, particularly with his ex-wife and children, who continue to harbor doubts about his sincerity. Schwartz's life is a tale of extremes— from the heights of Hollywood success to the depths of criminal infamy. It raises the question: Can Jonathan truly change, or is this just another act in a long-running con? Schwartz's story is a compelling exploration of human nature, redemption, and the thin line between good and evil. In his own words, Schwartz acknowledges his flaws and the damage he has caused, but he remains committed to telling his story, hoping that it will serve as a cautionary tale for others and perhaps, one day, lead to his own redemption. His story is a modern-day parable, echoing the themes of the latest viral scammer tales like Inventing Anna, Tinder Swindler, and Bad Vegan—a once-in-a-lifetime narrative that promises to captivate and dominate public consciousness. You can learn more about Jonathan through the article he wrote at https://medium.com/authority-magazine/jonathan-schwartz-of-altus-rehab-on-how-to-go-beyond-your-comfort-zone-to-grow-both-personally-and-9992ea419846 [https://medium.com/authority-magazine/jonathan-schwartz-of-altus-rehab-on-how-to-go-beyond-your-comfort-zone-to-grow-both-personally-and-9992ea419846].

Paul Voss – Raising Two Neurodiverse Children

Paul Voss is a father of eight children. In 2022, our youngest daughter was diagnosed with autism. Like many families, we were thrust into a world of sleepless nights, constant stress, and the feeling that we were doing everything right yet getting nowhere. There were long stretches when sleep felt impossible, hope felt thin, and the future felt overwhelming. Out of that chaos, Paul wrote my first book, Autism Sucks: Finding Hope in the Chaos. He didn't write it as an expert or clinician. Rather, he wrote it as a tired dad seeking real solutions. One of his greatest goals was simple: if anything we did could help just one parent finally get six hours of uninterrupted sleep, every hard moment would be worth it. Beyond sleep, he shares how his family's autism journey reshaped them. The changes they made didn't just help their autistic child. The awareness unexpectedly helped their other kids, too. Their oldest son, who was diagnosed with ADHD, was possibly the most positively affected. What surprised the family most was that autism didn't just change their child; it changed their family. It forced them to become more patient, present, and intentional parents. As hard as this road has been, it has ultimately made his family better. Paul speaks to parents new to autism who are overwhelmed, exhausted, or quietly struggling in dark moments. His message is honest, practical, and hopeful. While autism is incredibly hard, it doesn't have to steal a family's future.

Joyce Feustel – It's Never Too Late

Joyce's supervisor suggested appealing to baby boomers about social media. Near the end of her sales career, when she was 61, her boss pointed out, "You've got a real knack for helping our clients understand social media." He then asked whether she had ever thought of helping others in her age group understand social media. She had to contemplate that possibility for a while, but she decided to start her own business. Before starting her business as a social media coach, she devoted 17 years to sales, helping businesses grow and succeed. During that time, she discovered her unique ability to explain complex concepts in a way that made sense to people. It was then that she realized her true calling! Within six months, she launched her business, Boomers' Social Media Tutor, which focuses on tutoring baby boomers (and others!) on social media, with a specialization in LinkedIn. Her path to becoming a social media coach has come full circle. When she graduated from high school, she planned to follow in her family's footsteps and become a teacher. However, life led her into the world of sales instead. Now, she is fulfilling that teaching dream by educating business owners and job seekers on navigating the ever-changing landscape of social media.

Angela Weinberger – Overcoming My PTSD

Angie Weinberger is an inclusive entrepreneur based in Zurich, Switzerland. She combines executive coaching with expertise in global mobility. She is an interculturalist, a certified Master Coach with a background in systemic consulting and the VERMEULEN® method, and a transactional analysis practitioner. Weinberger also serves as a workshop facilitator, intercultural trainer, guest lecturer, speaker, and consultant. She has coached more than 600 clients. Her company, Global People Transitions, was founded in 2010. As an entrepreneur, she brings strategic thinking, business development, social media, and technology expertise to her work. To reach this point in her life, she had to understand and overcome post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) later in life. For leaders, it is possible that you have people within your circle of influence who exhibit symptoms similar to Angie's. Leaders must become aware of these symptoms and know how to work with those whose performance is adversely affected. Weinberger has lived and worked in Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, India, and Australia, spending 30 years in an international environment. As a university guest lecturer, she focuses on global mobility and inclusive leadership. She also writes and has authored several workbooks, including The Global Rockstar Album – 21 Verses to Find Your Tact as an Inclusive Leader (2023), The Global Mobility Workbook, Third Edition (2019), and The Global Career Workbook (2016). Her working languages are English and German. She speaks French and Spanish at a conversational level, understands Swiss German, and is studying Arabic.

Leah Ellis – Children are Entrepreneurs

Leah Ellis is self-professed and diagnosed as neurodiverse. She is an entrepreneur. When working with her and other neurodiverse children, she understands that children can also be entrepreneurs. It's about discovering and nurturing their talents. Leah founded The Society of Child Entrepreneurs after seeing how much kids can surprise us with their bravery, ideas, and grit, especially when they're given the chance to build something from the ground up. Whether that's writing engaging stories like Astra & Zeke or guiding young leaders through the Ignite – Empower - Lead curriculum, the focus is on creating real-world impact through hands-on learning. The nonprofit Society of Child Entrepreneurs is committed to equipping young minds with the knowledge and confidence to start and run their own businesses, preparing them to succeed in an ever-changing world. The organization empowers children by fostering entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and financial literacy through practical experience. Fostering an entrepreneurial mindset early is essential. By offering hands-on experiences and educational resources, the society seeks to develop leadership skills and financial knowledge among children, enabling them to innovate and make a positive impact in their communities. The programs emphasize hands-on learning, where children learn by doing. Through structured workshops, mentorship, and real-world projects, participants acquire valuable skills in business planning, marketing, budgeting, and teamwork. These experiences support their academic growth and teach essential life skills such as critical thinking, resilience, and problem-solving. You can learn more about Leah Ellis and The Society of Child Entrepreneurs at https://societyofchildentrepreneurs.org/ [https://societyofchildentrepreneurs.org/].