Professor of Perseverance Podcast

Ep 221 JenniSue Jessen Resilience Unveiled: A Survivor's Journey from Trafficking to Triumph

From the ages of 4-17, Jennisue survived commercial sexual exploitation (child sex trafficking). Now, she is the founder and CEO of an international counter-trafficking organization and worked for 2 years helping inform federal counter-trafficking policy.

With over 25 years of personal experience and professional involvement in the counter-trafficking movement, I have gathered intimate knowledge of the depths of trauma survivors endure. Having been sold into the sex trade at a very young age, I have seen the darkest corners of humanity. However, rather than letting those experiences define me, they have ignited a passion within me to contribute to cultural and systemic change in this sphere.

At Compass31, our hearts break for those who have been victimized by human trafficking, and we firmly believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. Our mission is to fight this crime through prevention, restoration, and leadership development. We aim to offer transformative hope and healing to those trafficked for sex or labor and prevent this crime from perpetuating through our global education initiatives.

Website: https://compass31.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenni.jessen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compass_31/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennisue-jessen-b59316156/

You may also contact him through email, Jamesperduespeaks@comcast.net or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 220 Marcy Langlois a Chronic Illness of 20+ Years/Sobriety Who Coach Others to Live Beyond Their Limits

Since birth, Marcy Langlois has faced formidable difficulties, undergoing more than twenty surgical procedures to address her cleft lip and palate. This physical struggle only compounded the emotional burdens she endured. Marcy was subjected to relentless teasing and bullying during her childhood, as her appearance and speech differed from her peers.

In her quest to silence the nagging voice in her mind, Marcy turned to alcohol during her middle school years. While it temporarily numbed her pain, it accelerated a downward spiral. The tragic car accident she was involved in during high school claimed the lives of three individuals, fueling her guilt and deepening her reliance on alcohol as an escape. Thus began a decade-long struggle with alcoholism that resulted in the loss of employment, devastated relationships, and a battle with chronic illness that nearly cost Marcy her life.

Marcy Langlois exemplifies the power of resilience in the face of daunting challenges. Her journey serves as an inspiring testament to the possibilities of personal growth and triumph over adversity. Marcy's story resonates with individuals navigating their journeys, reminding them that healing, self-discovery, and the redefinition of their narratives are always within reach.

Website: https://marcylanglois.com/

Facebook: https://marcylanglois.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcylangloisofficial/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKl_GSHXhRLLaav2Ws-UqFg

You may also contact him through email, Jamesperduespeaks@comcast.net or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 219 "What's GOOD About TODAY? A Purpose-Driven Life" Chris Cochran Shares His Amazing Son’s Life Journey

Do life's challenges weigh you down? Are your days filled with a sense of emptiness and a tendency to focus on the negative? Have overthinking, anxiety, and anger consumed your mind and heart?

Finding Positivity in Adversity: Lessons from Christian's Journey Explore how Christian's daily mantra, "What's good about today?" can help people find positivity even in the darkest times. Discuss practical ways to shift focus from negativity to gratitude.

Chris' amazing son, Christian, taught him about embracing joy and living each day to the fullest. In his brief, but notably well-lived 23 years of life, Christian's uplifting spirit, powerful words, and brilliant example not only inspired his dad and others but also drew a map that led him down the path to a purpose-driven life.

Now, Chris is sharing the journey of his family, including the challenges they faced and the valuable lessons they learned, to help show others how to find the good within each day.

Books: https://www.amazon.com/Whats-GOOD-About-TODAY-Purpose/dp/B0D79Y3HP3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UBELSVIEUE43&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZcXGH9jg1aPa6AN0CDhutg4mwTe0nnWbFfyQafV0J2CnZsg_STNWO_ZrxQ1xQc1zTjVORtLdQSZMSQMedR8hCd9D-updkBl-a2gumIHI6IRh_D5NCqLZdhrbXQQb0n_zNrf5xmdBwbZ3T4nFohAEtjsSBXMCSNtPTMngm3b5a52kxF2cWc9oypzu50hMAewo_kbDL250t4z7lyXhf7I9vNIAN5f1n8i6ZQPsTNSHB5g.BmMLZa9DoN8QewxcRSw9UePJydI72JRXOmSZEFTlY8A&dib_tag=se&keywords=what%27s+good+about+today&qid=1722467934&sprefix=%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1

Website: https://www.chriscochranspeaks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.cochran.948/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriscochranspeaks/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pghcochran/

X: https://x.com/WGAT__

You may also contact him through email, Jamesperduespeaks@comcast.net or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 218 James Perdue Shares His Personal September 11 Inspiring Life Story

My story on how I became a quadriplegic.

Books: https://www.amazon.com/One-More-Play-James-Perdue/dp/1449768709/ref=sr_1_4?crid=24CYR9HW15NKM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BlF7s7f0a1R5UHA5JdxMzTJovT-yDydH9hAzO6t-_27HmJ2Y8imbXQJEMQv5nU5uKURFTCoz414lj-QooAMoVf7F5e6Sgu6AAS6XtntNwuG-SBhe1KRhaXAa1V62SSItFMiWhsjZtZfBn8U-Rhg7mbOXRQRTZ6Jt_aEEpj-SWRGyQOkFLzhCBrpKdQPK9mZOfeyLI_EsvI9F-kLXMrXc4VyOmVhb-cxDJMh0gLuMziY.3JbL4GJcaNe9lyoULBEWDTROF2qyc2WyyfLHZA1CZSg&dib_tag=se&keywords=james+perdue&qid=1726239869&sprefix=james+perdue%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-4

Website: https://professorofperseverances.podbean.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professorofperseverance/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesperduespeaks/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessorofPerseverance

You may also contact him through email, Jamesperduespeaks@comcast.net or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 217 Carolyn Sophia Skowron Shares Her Inspiring Life Story of Being Unbreakable

For many years she had silently struggled with depression and anxiety. Carolyn also struggled in school. No matter how hard she worked or how many tutors she had or how hard she studied, she still did not feel successful. Having depression and anxiety compounded her feelings. She internalized every situation and every interaction.

During her sophomore year in high school, she found out that she had a learning difference called Non-verbal Learning Disability. When she first found out she had a "disability" Carolyn felt so alone and questioned what was wrong with her. It took her many years to realize her disability is her strength.

Books: https://www.amazon.com/unbreakable-Breaking-silence-Finding-Sharing/dp/1636769608/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1EAQ848KCO2H&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AwtCaKlS6asDDYGy20mdtF-qkoNuM6mfCQZSERa4qEFY-bTiJo_3mcJV2_QPMZ2MR4uLdbKdKoGHZ2tUMaYuo8GnM4x-ePRDCVB5aRfo5azVLyHx7FWzKn67Adpm5hkywhDADsEeTV2qbzdPWbsn3OqpqqUTqycHSeiFEyRZWUUqnMFLtVBCfWAqLxKbEmjsZxFz4XpTfbZyuthIGdqduA.xDE_kGipW2EDb7MC9DWUOHCUABXfzoPITxlCNEiWceA&dib_tag=se&keywords=unbreakable+carolyn&qid=1726237658&sprefix=unbreakable+carolyn%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-1

Website: https://www.carolynsophia.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolyn.skowron/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-sophia-skowron-919624152/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@carolynsophiaskowron9249

You may also contact him through email, Jamesperduespeaks@comcast.net or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 216 Lt. Col. Jason Pike Severed 31 Years of Military Service Shares His Inspiring Life Story

The Army investigated him, arrested him, and tried to break him, but Lt. Col. Jason Pike is undoubtedly A Soldier Against All Odds. A decorated combat veteran with multiple deployments, Pike has become a National Best Selling Author, sharing his journey in three powerful books.

Books: https://www.jasonpike.org/a-solider-against-all-odds

Website: https://www.jasonpike.org/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonpike.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-pike-7b6774137/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjasonpike/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxrZDR6ANjBsBvf04G2Kglg

X: https://x.com/JasonPike9

You may also contact him through email, Jamesperduespeaks@comcast.net or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 215 Kenneth Kunken Quadriplegic Lawyer and Father of Triplets with Inspiring Life Story

In 1970, while a junior in Cornell University’s College of Engineering, Ken Kunken broke his neck making a tackle on a kick-off in a lightweight football game against Columbia University. Ken sustained a spinal cord injury at the C 4-5 level, rendering him a quadriplegic, almost totally paralyzed from the shoulders down. Ken spent more than 9 months in various hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. While still a patient, Ken testified before a United States Senate Sub-Committee on Health Care, chaired by Senator Edward Kennedy.

In 1971, almost 20 years before the Americans with Disabilities Act, Ken returned to the Cornell campus, where he completed his undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering. Ken estimates that he had to be pulled up or bounced down close to 100 steps just to attend his first day of classes. Ken is the first quadriplegic to graduate from Cornell University.

Upon graduation, Ken decided to change his career goal. He wanted to work with and help people, particularly those with disabilities. Ken went on to earn a Master of Arts degree at Cornell in education and a Master of Education degree at Columbia University in psychology. Ken is the first quadriplegic to earn a graduate degree from Cornell University.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Things-Never-Kunken-Story/dp/1946074411/

Website: https://kenkunken.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/ken.kunken

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-j-kunken-b4b0a9a8/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ken.kunken/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdUUa2hyQF8ubUmEARY9WKA

You may also contact him through email, Jamesperduespeaks@comcast.net or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 214 Agam Dhawan Helping Young Men Take Back Control of Their Mental Health

Agam Dhawan is a psychiatrist who specializes in treating mental health issues in young male gamers. His mission is to defeat gamer loneliness by transforming gamers into men other guys want to be and women want to be with.

Wesite: https://www.agamdhawanmd.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agamdhawanmd/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LevelUpPsych/videos

To learn more about James, visit Professor of Perseverance. You may also contact him through email, Jamesperduespeaks@comcast.net or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 213 Edward Miskie Getting Cancer Free to Everything Falling Apart in Life

Edward Miskie is a sole survivor of a rare cancer. This year is his 10 year cancer survivorship anniversary, an anniversary he didn’t think he was going to get! So, he is celebrating with his book "Cancer, Musical Theatre, and Other Chronic Illnesses" as featured on INSIDER and ABC (available at Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Booktopia, Indigo, Apple Books, and Amazon).

Edward Miskie from diagnosis to cancer free status, the things that go down in your life, the things that shift and change and redirect is insurmountable. I was broken up with, had one of my best friends stop talking to me, missed out on huge career opportunities, all while losing my hair, my body, my sense of identity, and having to plan a funeral - mine.

Wesite: https://www.edwardmiskie.com/author

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edwardmiskie/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardmiskie/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwardmiskie/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdwardMiskie

To learn more about James, visit Professor of Perseverance. You may also contact him through email, Jamesperduespeaks@comcast.net or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Ep 212 Clint Hatton, Big Bold Brave, Shares His Story of Losing His Son

Clint Hatton is a former drug addict and a divorce to a pastor to losing his 17-year-old son in a plane crash to inspiring people to be courageous humans...He has lived a very layered life. At 12 years old he was nearly killed twice due to his mom suffering from suicidal ideation after his dad's affair. During his 20-year marriage, him and his wife experienced a miscarriage, two premature births, and his wife struggling to come out of anesthesia during a 3rd pregnancy. They never stopped carrying hope and overcoming every gut punch life throws.

Wesite: https://www.bigboldbrave.us/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clint.hatton.5/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clinthatton/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clint.hatton/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/clinthatton

To learn more about James, visit Professor of Perseverance. You may also contact him through email, James@professorofperseverance.com or call 615 – 336 – 2181