12 Minute Convos W/ Engel Jones

Paul Andrew Skidmore is a Tennessee-based author, filmmaker, and creative storyteller whose work spans books, films, audiobooks, and podcasts. He is best known for titles like God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Kindling, Ciao Bella, and The Darkness Rolled Over Her. Notably, The Darkness Rolled Over Her has been adapted into a feature film, produced and directed by Skidmore himself, with a scheduled release in 2025. This emotional and gripping story is gaining early attention and is expected to resonate with audiences worldwide. You can explore all of Paul’s creative work—including his books, films, and podcasts—at parabolos.com.

Max Shippee grew up in rural Maine and knows the woods well. His own journey took him to Hollywood, California by way of Oklahoma, Nevada, Texas, DC, and even Bali, Indonesia. For the last 20 years, he has been busy as an actor, a gym owner, a husband, and a father. Along the way, he's had some stories brewing in that silver-haired head of his. He thought he best write them down. You can find his spontaneous science-fiction installments on Reddit, and now, Moonshine: The Series has begun with Path of the Raven.

Cathy Colver Garland, oldest daughter of Dr. Randy Colver, has published Revelationship: Transformative Intimacy With Christ (Enroute Books & Media, Fall 2024) and Revelationship Devotional & Study Guide (Enroute Books & Media, December 2024). Available on Amazon, http://Revelationship.net , and other fine retailers. She also writes Gracefull Musings, a blog providing women a moment of rest and challenge before those little fingers appear under the bathroom door. A former Vice-President of a software company, she currently consults with institutions and companies on marketing, sales, and strategy. She also mentors women in professional, spiritual, and personal development. Saved and living an "absolutely surrendered" life, her passion is to teach people to hear God's voice and obey, surrender their lives absolutely, and walk in freedom. She is married to Mickey and has two children in elementary school. Website

I am a writer in New York City where I live with my family, surrounded by books, records, CDs—and a lot of snacks. I am an editor at Lilith Magazine and have been a journalist for many publications (some that still exist and others that no longer exist!), reporting on activism and culture, and writing essays, cultural criticism, and the occasional opinion piece. THE SINGER SISTERS, born out of my fascination with families who put their struggles into art, was published by Flatiron Books in summer 2024 and was a USA Today Bestseller! It was such a pleasure to write, a project that helped me through the frustrations of balancing early motherhood with work, life and living in a broken world. I hope you get some of the same escape and solace reading it as I did writing it, and it feels like listening to a beloved song. Some random things I love: "getting outdoors," jumping into bodies of water, Jane Austen and 19th century Brit Lit, Bridgerton, Bruce Springsteen, being an eternally-amateur yogi, Tolkien, bikes, t

Art recently published his first book, "Making SEAMless Sales," based on twenty-five years of presales and sales enablement expertise after twenty years of industry and sales experience. The book helps sales professionals in B2B industries increase annual recurring revenue, total contract value, and margin by being laser-focused on client success, from hello to commission. Art began in engineering and quickly moved into the application space as a customer and implementer of technology. Art was recruited into a presales role at a major software company, leading to sales and sales management positions. In 1999 Art transitioned to sales enablement and subsequently worked for a global learning company for 3 years. In 2009 Art founded his own company, Team Sales Development. One of Art's outstanding successes was implementing a sales transformation program for a global electronics manufacturing outsourcer that resulted in them garnering a 22% increase in bookings in the first two years and increasing their win rat

Patrick W. Naughton Jr. is a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army and a military historian. Currently he is an instructor at the US Army's Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Patrick is also currently serving as a Fellow with the Simons Center for Ethical Leadership and InterAgency Cooperation, a program of the CGSC Foundation. In addition to various tactical, operational, and strategic assignments held over 28 years in the Army, Patrick has also served as a legislative liaison to the US Senate, an interagency fellow with the Department of Labor, and a Congressional partnership program fellow with the Partnership for a Secure America. He has also served as a senior fellow with West Point's Center for Junior Officers. Patrick is also a recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award. He holds a master's degree in history from CGSC, where he was an Art of War Scholar, and a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Patrick has published wit

Dr. Jen O'Ryan is a consultant and strategist specializing in Human and Organizational Behavior. She combines a PhD in Human Behavior with 15 years of experience instigating change at Fortune 100 companies and a few small-but-mighty startups. Jen's background in the technology sector includes designing new experiences for customers, transforming enterprise-wide workflows, and making order out of chaos. Blending humor, storytelling, and evidence-based approaches, Jen meets people where they are and shows them a way forward. As the author of two books, she frequently speaks at conferences, events, and podcasts related the future of organizational health, navigating resistance, and influencing change. Outside of work, Jen is a travel enthusiast and avid runner. She also has a strange affinity for bad 80’s music, getting lost in new cities, and scary movies. Links: Link to my website  LinkedIn profile  Links to my books  Inclusive AF: A Field Guide for 'Accidental' Diversity Experts

Bill Gruber is an accomplished CEO, leadership expert, and author of The Leadership Blueprint: A Guide for Building and Leading a High-Performing Team. With over 20 years of experience in the medical device industry, Bill has raised more than $80 million in venture capital, spearheaded innovative product launches, and led strategic exits totaling over $270 million. He’s known for his expertise in team-building, innovation, and navigating complex challenges in high-growth, regulated markets. As a thought leader, Bill is passionate about empowering leaders to create transformative change in their organizations. His practical and actionable insights have made him a sought-after guest on podcasts, including Entrepreneur’s United and Financial Freedom for Physicians. Whether discussing leadership strategies, innovation, or his journey as an author, Bill engages audiences with authenticity and expertise. Email Links: Website LinkedIn  Instagram

Rosanne is a seasoned yoga teacher with over 20 years of experience and a recognized expert in the chakra energy system. Her passion for sharing the ancient wisdom of the chakras led to the creation of The Chakra Way—a holistic platform dedicated to helping individuals achieve balance, clarity, and spiritual alignment. Through The Chakra Way, Rosanne offers: Online courses rooted in chakra healing Personalized chakra readings Guided meditations to support energy flow and mindfulness Transformational yoga retreats that promote inner peace and deep connection As a meditation leader and spiritual guide, Rosanne blends yoga philosophy, chakra alignment, and practical tools to support others on their journey of self-discovery and energetic balance.

Vicki is originally from Pittsburgh and had spent over 40 years in the corporate world before retiring in 2018. Vicki spent the last 17 years of that career as a Project Manager for large scale, multi-year programs. Volunteering is a huge part of her life and one reward of that was to be selected as one of the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay runners. In 2017, just prior to early retirement, she joined Neora, an anti-aging and wellness company. Their mission to help people Look Better, Feel Better, and Live Better fit right into Vicki’s long-term vision and goals. Her love of self-development led her to become a Toastmaster in 1998 and has served every leadership role from club to being an International Region Advisor for Region 2 in California where she mentored District leaders on leadership, conflict resolution, and strategic positioning. Vicki has devoted the last 10 years building the district 44 Youth Leadership program and continues to help children 8-17 improve their confidence by instructing them on effectiv

Stephen Box is a Faith-Based Health & Habits Coach and founder of Unshakable Habits. After losing 80 lbs and transforming his own life, he dedicated himself to helping Christian men strengthen their faith, health, and discipline through sustainable habits. A National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach with over a decade of experience, Stephen teaches men how to align their daily routines with their values so they can stay consistent even when life gets busy. Learn more at UnshakableHabits.com. LinkedIn

Jenny Severson, Ed.D. is an award winning teacher and principal. She began her teaching career in Chicago, Illinois, named principal at the age of 26. Her latest book  The Playbook is about movement and the effect size that comes with engaging  kinesthetic learning, "when the bum is numb, the brain is dumb!" She's written 4 books and worked with 100's of school districts all over the globe, improving instruction, decreasing discipline referrals and creating pipelines for green and growing leaders. Her new book, The CLIMB Experience leans on courage and belonging as cornerstones for growth. Jenny earned her doctorate in Educational Psychology at Loyola University in Chicago and resides in Minnesota with her three children and husband, Todd Johnson. Jenny is known throughout the country for her work with Algebra Camp, Freshman House programs, building leadership pipelines. Website

Adam Malone is a leadership consultant, corporate keynote speaker, and father of five, known as "The Tenacious Operator." After a 20-year career in the corporate world—17 years with one company where he rose from analyst to VP—Adam left in 2024 to pursue his passion for helping high performers become great leaders of resilient teams. His mission is to help leadership teams and mid-level managers identify barriers to performance, enabling their teams to function cohesively and thrive even in high-pressure environments. Adam's philosophy is that most leadership behaviors are simple but require consistency, especially on the hardest days—transforming "soft skills" like trust and empathy into real strengths that build engagement and inspire change. Adam is ready to inspire your audience with thoughtful, actionable advice in 30-minute segments. He's an engaging speaker and shares his journey transparently on LinkedIn and in his bi-weekly newsletter.

Tim Stout is a seasoned entrepreneur, sought-after speaker, coach, and former professional fighter. He has been a guest on HGTV House Hunters, American Dream TV Selling Atlanta, and Robert Kiyosaki's The Rich Dad Channel. He brings over 35 years of experience in combat sports and over 22 years in business leadership. With a strong presence on Social Media, Tim attracts self defense students, investors, real estate agents, and book lovers wanting to increase their discipline. His expertise in combat sports and business leadership sets him apart in the industry. Tim is the author of Forged in Fire: 50 Fight-to-Win Tactics to Help Your Business Succeed, which blends motivational insights with practical steps for real-world impact, and the author of How to Sell 100 Homes a Year: A Tactical Playbook which delves into the intersection of resilience and personal development in the real estate industry. He has empowered leaders across various industries, and his story of transformation from athlete to successful busi

As an Executive Mentor, Author, Speaker and Team Trainer Robert White utilizes a rich personal history of entrepreneurial and high-impact learning successes in working with executives and their teams to develop extraordinary personal leadership skills, focus, alignment, and commitment. Robert’s experience includes founding and leading leadership development training industry success stories Lifespring and ARC International. These companies graduated over 1,300,000 leaders from high-impact experiential learning seminars. His international experience as a CEO includes living and working in Japan, Hong Kong and Mainland China for a total of 23 years. Robert White also founded, served as Publisher and later sold Woodlands Press which produced nine, award-winning coffee table books about our National Parks including Yellowstone, Olympic, Mount Rainier, The Great Smokies and The Grand Tetons. Robert is a Baden Powell Fellow of the World Scout Foundation and serves on the Board of Directors of Plant It 2020. Having

Steve Anderson is an expert in strategic risk and business growth. Drawing on decades of experience in the insurance industry, he wrote The Bezos Letters: 14 Principles to Grow Your Business Like Amazon, which has become a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and international bestseller. With hundreds of thousands of followers, Steve has been handpicked by LinkedIn as one of the world’s most influential thought leaders. Steve Anderson's Website LinkedIn

With over 50 years of experience, Larry W. O’Nan is a respected author, fund development consultant, church governance coach, and mentor in biblical lifestyle stewardship. His latest book, Intentional Living and Giving, is available now through your favorite book retailer or at LarryONan.com. A Legacy of Impact in Ministry and Fund Development A 1966 graduate of the University of Colorado, Larry dedicated 18 years as a full-time staff member with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ). His leadership contributed to the raising of over $150 million for evangelism and development programs across the globe. In 1984, Larry became Vice President of Stewardship Strategies at Management Development Associates, where he spent over 30 years guiding Christian ministries. His expertise helped organizations design and implement effective stewardship-focused programs that raised tens of millions of dollars. Speaker, Consultant, and Global Stewardship Leader Larry remains active in the field today, speaking across the United Stat

Margie Zable Fisher is the co-author (along with her late mother) of The Cabernet Club, published by Sibylline Press on January 31, 2025. Completing and publishing the novel fulfilled a promise Margie made to her mother right before she passed away. Margie is a wife and mother, loves Cabernet and the pool, and competed in her first triathlon after age 50. She plays pickleball several times a week and considers it a good day if she achieves genius status playing the New York Times Spelling Bee. She and her family live in Florida. Before becoming a full-time writer and author after age 50, Margie owned a P.R. agency for 20 years. Her articles have been published in the New York Times, AARP, Fortune, Next Avenue, and more. She runs a community for women over 50 on Facebook (The 50-Year-Old Mermaid). You can learn more about Margie and The Cabernet Club  LinkedIn

Jennifer Spor is the CEO and Founder of her namesake company, co-Author of two bestselling books, and Host of Path of the Awakened Heart podcast. She is also a Spiritual Mentor, Channel, and Multidimensional Healer for Spiritual Visionaries. Despite checking all the boxes off the list of what traditional society has taught it means to achieve success Jennifer was unfulfilled in her corporate retail career and life. She felt the call to make a bigger difference in the world. It was her own dark night of the soul and spiritual awakening that served as the catalyst to align her with her higher destiny. It became Jennifer’s mission to empower others to live as their most authentic self, align with their purpose and mission, and bring their highest vision for sharing their gifts and being of service into reality. Working with Jennifer is highly activating and deeply transformational. Her expertise as a Spiritual Mentor, Channel, and Multidimensional Healer in the Akashic Records, combined with her experience as an

My mission is to help people experience the Light.  By this, I mean finding the light within and connecting to the Light Source (God), that they might experience life more fully and expand their vision of what is possible. My spiritual journey includes growing up as a Presbyterian, being “Baptized in the Spirit,” going to Oral Roberts University and being deeply involved in charismatic and evangelical churches for 40 years.  Then suddenly in 2019, my faith began to unravel and deconstruct leading to a "dark night of the soul," which ultimately led to embracing the mystical Christian path.  Quantum physics, critical analysis, Ayahuasca and psilocybin, meditation and breathwork have been part of my journey of transformation.  And it continues, as I learn what it means to “die that I might live.” My life has been an adventure!  I am an entrepreneur and owned my own financial planning and investment advisory firm.  Our firm adopted a rural village in India.  I have been to over 30 countries, from Iceland to Kir