Book 101 Review

Mark Powell
Born and raised in Missouri, J. Mark Powell now lives near Columbia, South Carolina. He writes the nationally syndicated Holy Cow! History column. He was a journalist for over 25 years, reporting everywhere from the county courthouse to the White House. He received the Alabama Associated Press Best Documentary Award for a documentary on the 125th anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh. For 17 years, he was a senior news writer and editor at CNN in Atlanta and was part of two Emmy Award-winning news writing teams. Additionally, he served as a press secretary on Capitol Hill and as communications director in the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. Before that, J. Mark lived in Kentucky for eight years, where he fell in love with thoroughbred horse racing. He was even fortunate enough to acquire a micro-share of Authentic, winner of the 2020 Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup. A lifelong ardent Civil War enthusiast, he has curated a collection of over 560 letters and more than 5,000 original Civil War-era CDV photos. He was the 2000 Volunteer of the Year at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield and is a member of the Honorary Order of Kentucky Colonels. His family tree includes a substantial number of Revolutionary War soldiers and notable Civil War generals, as well as Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Zachary Taylor. J. Mark Powell is also the author of the political thriller Tell It Like Tupper and co-author of the historical thriller The Curse of Cain. Witness to War is his first non-fiction work.

Geoff Grant
Guiding You Back To What Makes You Feel Alive.
For more than 25 years, I have been deeply engaged in the caregiving experience first supporting my mother, and later my wife, Karen. This lived experience has given me a practical and nuanced understanding of the emotional, physical, and systemic realities caregivers face every day. Caregiving is often framed as an act of love, but it is equally a complex role that demands resilience, adaptability, and sustained support. Through years of navigating healthcare systems, managing long-term care, and balancing personal well-being with responsibility, I have seen firsthand how easily caregivers can become overlooked within the care ecosystem. Karen remains the inspiration behind this work. Her belief that creativity sustains the human spirit continues to inform my approach, especially in recognizing that quality of life matters at every stage of care. These experiences have shaped my commitment to advocating for caregivers as essential partners in health outcomes not as an afterthought. Today, I work to support caregivers and collaborate with healthcare professionals and organizations to promote more compassionate, inclusive, and sustainable models of care. My focus is on ensuring caregivers are seen, supported, and equipped because when caregivers are strengthened, the entire care system benefits.

Clayton Johnson
Storyteller - Designated Hitter.
Clayton R. Johnson helps people perform at their best when the pressure is on. After years of observing a simple but powerful principle used by elite athletes, he developed the Walk-Up Protocol, a practical framework that uses music to help people shift their mental and emotional state before life's biggest moments. Whether it's a high-stakes presentation, a difficult conversation, a sales call, or a pivotal opportunity, Clayton teaches audiences how to stop letting fear, doubt, or the room's energy dictate their performance. His message resonates because it is simple, memorable, and immediately actionable. Rather than relying on complicated theories or long-term mindset work, he gives listeners a practical tool they can use the very next time they face pressure. Clayton is an engaging storyteller who blends insights from sports, psychology, leadership, and everyday life into conversations that inspire audiences to show up with greater confidence, presence, and intention. If your listeners want to overcome self-doubt, elevate their performance, and learn how to walk into life's defining moments ready to lead, Clayton brings a fresh perspective they won't soon forget.

After more than 55 years of marriage, Belle Gayer shares the wisdom, lessons, and insights she has learned about building a love that truly lasts. In Are Relationships for Suckers?, she challenges the myths of fairy-tale romance and reveals the real truth about relationships lasting love is not luck or fate, but a skill that can be learned and practiced.
Drawing from decades of experience and thousands of relationship questions she has answered, Gayer explores how communication, commitment, flexibility, and genuine devotion create strong and enduring partnerships.
Honest, compassionate, and deeply insightful, this book offers guidance for anyone who has loved, lost, struggled, or wondered if lasting love is still
possible.

Cory Chadwick
This isn't therapy, it's good to great. Helping leaders and high performers show up at their best - consistently. Founder/CEO of Lyceum - The Mental Gym. Husband. Dad of 2 boys.
Just like we go to a gym for our bodies, Lyceum is for your mind. It’s a mental gym – live-online, coach-led, group “workouts” together with other smart, growth-driven leaders and high-performers who want to show up as the best versions of themselves. Cory envisions a world where people proactively – not reactively – manage their mental health and consistently grow as individuals and leaders, creating a ripple effect of positive change. Working with people from brands like Scotiabank, Nestle, Hilton Hotels, and LuluLemon, he realized that even in the non-stop, demanding reality of modern work and life, people don’t just want to cope, they want to thrive – but they lack a modern, relevant solution designed for them. Lyceum was built for people who wanted something different – not therapy, not self-help, not your typical corporate leadership training either – but a relatable, down-to-earth space built for real growth and performance. A place to connect, strengthen their mindset, elevate as authentic leaders, and proactively prioritize their mental health and well-being – moving them from good to great together.