Finding Your Inspiration

Jill Van Balen
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  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Weekly

Ignite a spark of inspiration, unlock your boundless potential, and pursue your passion with the Finding Your Inspiration podcast! Join host Paul Tully as he delves into captivating stories of individuals who have defied odds, conquered challenges, and pursued their dreams with unwavering courage. Each story is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, celebrating the resilience and triumphs of individuals from all walks of life. Co-created by National CORE Founder Jeff Burum, FYI Host Paul Tully, and National CORE SVP of Marketing/Communications Jill Van Balen, Finding Your Inspiration is a National CORE Production benefiting the Hope through Housing Foundation. Prepare to be moved, motivated, and transformed as we unearth the power of inspiration and the life-altering paths that led our guests to accomplish amazing feats. This is Finding Your Inspiration.

  1. 4d ago

    #127 | They Left 30-Year Careers to Open an Ice Cream Shop | Kelly & Daniel Decker

    In this episode of Finding Your Invspiration, we sit down with Kelly and Daniel Decker, the husband-and-wife team behind Bruster's Real Ice Cream in Rancho Cucamonga, whose decision to leave more than 30 years of corporate careers began during the uncertainty of the pandemic.  Kelly and Daniel share how a simple conversation during a walk turned a childhood dream into reality. Despite having no experience in the food industry, they took a leap of faith, invested in a franchise, and navigated financial risk, construction setbacks, and the fear of starting over. But this conversation is about more than opening an ice cream shop. It is about building a life around joy, creating a gathering place for the community, and developing young employees into confident leaders. Their Rancho Cucamonga location eventually became the number-one Bruster's store in the country without a drive-through. Kelly and Daniel also discuss the strength of their partnership, the role faith played in their journey, and why waiting for the "right time" can prevent us from pursuing the life we truly want. 🎬 Produced by National CORE Productions 💙 In support of Hope Through Housing Foundation ================================================ 🍦 Bruster's Rancho Cucamonga 📸 https://www.instagram.com/brusters_ranchocucamonga/ 💙 Hope Through Housing Foundation 🌐 https://hthf.org/ 🏢 National CORE 🌐 https://nationalcore.org 🎙 FYI's Socials 📸 https://www.instagram.com/fyi_podcast/ 🎧 New episodes every Monday 👍 Like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs this today. 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an inspiring story.

  2. 4d ago

    #126 | Why Art Is More Important Than Ever in 2026 | Gabriel Enamorado's Journey

    In this episode of Finding Your Invspiration, we sit down with Gabriel Enamorado, a artist, designer, photographer, and executive director of Stay Arts whose lifelong relationship with creativity began during a difficult childhood. Gabriel shares how drawing Dragon Ball Z characters, discovering graffiti, and earning two dollars for one of his childhood drawings helped him recognize the value of his creativity. That passion eventually led him to organize community exhibitions, co-found Stay Arts, and build an organization that now employs more than 35 artists and brings arts education to schools, families, and underserved communities throughout Southeast Los Angeles. But this conversation is about more than building an arts organization. It is about transforming pain into purpose, finding the courage to follow your creativity, and protecting the authentic human experience of making art in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Gabriel also discusses the boundaries between AI and human creativity, the importance of making art accessible to everyone, and why creating space for the next generation of artists may be his most meaningful work yet. 🎬 Produced by National CORE Productions 💙 In support of Hope Through Housing Foundation   ================================================ 🎨 Stay Arts 📸 https://www.instagram.com/stayartsorg/ 🖌️ Stay Studio 📸 https://www.instagram.com/staystudio/ 💙 Hope Through Housing Foundation 🌐 https://hthf.org/ 🏢 National CORE 🌐 https://nationalcore.org 🎙 FYI's Socials 📸 https://www.instagram.com/fyi_podcast/ 🎧 New episodes every Monday 👍 Like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs this today. 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an inspiring story.

  3. Aug 27

    3 Minutes of Inspiration That Will Change Your Perspective

    Sometimes, all it takes is one message to shift your perspective. In this special compilation from Finding Your Inspiration, we look back at some of the most powerful words, lessons and moments shared by our guests. From perseverance and purpose to taking chances, overcoming adversity and refusing to give up, these stories are a reminder that inspiration can come from anywhere. Featuring in order of appearance Eric Dickerson, Amanda Filimon, Sheila Conlin, ThemeParkCasual, Johnny Cannizzaro, Kandice Gonzales, Jeff Burum, Efrain Ramirez, Aram Ramirez, Jean Paul San Pedro & Stephanie Stevenson, Andrew Grinsfelder, Andrew Morris, Carlyn Ray, Ronnie Marmo and Laura Cifaldi. No matter where you are in your journey, we hope these words encourage you to keep moving forward, believe in yourself and continue finding what inspires you. Subscribe to Finding Your Inspiration for more conversations with people who have overcome challenges, followed their passions and turned their experiences into something meaningful. 🎬 Produced by National CORE Productions 💙 In support of Hope Through Housing Foundation 💙 Hope Through Housing Foundation 🌐 https://hthf.org/ 🏢 National CORE 🌐 https://nationalcore.org 🎙 FYI's Socials 📸 / fyi_podcast 🎧 New episodes every Monday 👍 Like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs this today. 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an inspiring story

  4. Aug 27

    #125 | Andrew Grinsfelder's Incredible Story of Courage During the Palisades Fire

    In this episode of Finding Your Invspiration, we sit down with Andrew Grinsfelder, a UCLA cognitive science student whose life changed overnight during the devastating Palisades Fire. When Andrew's family was forced to evacuate their home, they made the courageous decision to return and do everything they could to protect the place where they had built a lifetime of memories. Together, Andrew and his mother spent days preparing their home, relying on years of planning, teamwork, and the simple Boy Scout principle of "Be Prepared." But this conversation is about much more than surviving a wildfire. It's about family, community, resilience, and discovering what truly matters when everything you own is suddenly at risk. Andrew also shares how growing up in the Palisades shaped who he is, why preparation can make all the difference in moments of crisis, and the lessons he hopes others will take away from his family's incredible experience.  🎬 Produced by National CORE Productions 💙 In support of Hope Through Housing Foundation

  5. Jul 30

    #124 | The Mindset That Took Joel Mejia to Ink Master

    In this episode of Finding Your Inspiration, we sit down with Joel Mejia, tattoo artist, creative entrepreneur, and Ink Master competitor, to explore the mindset that helped him turn a lifelong passion into a career. Joel shares how believing in himself long before anyone else did opened doors he once thought were impossible. From discovering his love for art at a young age to pursuing tattooing despite uncertainty, he reflects on the importance of trusting your vision, embracing every opportunity, and staying committed to your craft through every challenge. Together, we discuss the lessons he's learned along the way, what it really takes to build a career as an artist, and why your mindset can become your greatest advantage when chasing a dream. This is a conversation about self-belief, perseverance, and having the courage to bet on yourself. 🎬 Produced by National CORE Productions 💙 In support of Hope Through Housing Foundation

  6. Jul 30

    #123 | From Local Dance Studio to the Super Bowl (Part 2)

    In this episode of Finding Your Inspiration, we continue our conversation with JP and Stephanie, founders of Salsa With Stephanie, as they share the next chapter of their incredible journey. In Part 2, they discuss the impact of building a community through dance, Stephanie's inspiring recovery after a drunk driver left doctors believing she would never dance again, and the unforgettable opportunity that led her to perform alongside Bad Bunny on one of the world's biggest stages. JP and Stephanie also reflect on the lessons they've learned as entrepreneurs, the importance of staying true to their mission, and why creating a place where people feel like they belong has always been at the heart of everything they do. This is a conversation about resilience, purpose, and the incredible places passion can take you. 🎬 Produced by National CORE Productions 💙 In support of Hope Through Housing Foundation

  7. Jul 14

    #123 | Everyone Said They Would Fail... They Built It Anyway (Part 1)

    In this episode of Finding Your Inspiration, we sit down with JP and Stephanie — entrepreneurs, dance instructors, and founders of Salsa With Stephanie, a thriving dance studio that has empowered thousands of people through movement, confidence, and community. But their journey to building a successful business wasn't easy. Before opening the doors to their studio, they faced uncertainty, setbacks, and countless people who questioned whether their dream could ever become a reality. From overcoming personal hardships and life-changing obstacles to taking a leap of faith together, JP and Stephanie share the moments that shaped not only their business, but their lives. In Part 1 of this conversation, they reflect on their individual journeys, how dance brought them together, and the challenges they faced while pursuing a vision that many believed would never succeed. They also share the mindset, resilience, and unwavering belief that kept them moving forward when giving up would have been the easier choice. Their story is a reminder that every successful dream begins long before anyone sees the finished product. This is a conversation about perseverance, partnership, and having the courage to build something bigger than yourself. 🎬 Produced by National CORE Productions 💙 In support of Hope Through Housing Foundation Salsa With Stephanie 🌐 https://www.stephaniestevenson.com/ 📸 Stephanie's Instagram    / salsawithstephanie   📸 JP's Instagram    / silverbackyogi   💙 Hope Through Housing Foundation 🌐 https://hthf.org/ 🏢 National CORE 🌐 https://nationalcore.org 🎙 FYI's Socials 📸   / fyi_podcast   🎧 New episodes every Monday 👍 Like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs this today. 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an inspiring story.

  8. Jul 8

    #122 | From Sleeping in Her Car to Living Her Dream as a Glass Blower Artist: Carlyn Ray

    In this episode of Finding Your Inspiration, we sit down with Carlyn Ray — glassblower, artist, entrepreneur, and founder of Carlyn Ray Designs, whose breathtaking glass sculptures and installations have transformed homes, businesses, and public spaces throughout Texas, California and beyond. But Carlyn's journey wasn't always filled with success. Long before becoming an accomplished glass artist, she faced years of uncertainty, sacrifice, and struggle while pursuing a dream that many people told her was unrealistic. At one point, she was sleeping in her car, doing whatever it took to continue creating and building a future through her art. In this conversation, Carlyn shares what first drew her to the world of glassblowing, the challenges of choosing passion over security, and the lessons she learned from refusing to give up. She reflects on the realities of building a career as an artist, the resilience it takes to succeed, and how working with molten glass has shaped not only her craft, but her outlook on life. From sleeping in her car to becoming an award-winning glassblower whose work inspires communities, Carlyn's story is a powerful reminder that success rarely comes overnight—but perseverance has a way of opening doors. T his is a conversation about resilience, creativity, and what can happen when you refuse to quit on your dream. 🎬 Produced by National CORE Productions 💙 In support of Hope Through Housing Foundation

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About

Ignite a spark of inspiration, unlock your boundless potential, and pursue your passion with the Finding Your Inspiration podcast! Join host Paul Tully as he delves into captivating stories of individuals who have defied odds, conquered challenges, and pursued their dreams with unwavering courage. Each story is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, celebrating the resilience and triumphs of individuals from all walks of life. Co-created by National CORE Founder Jeff Burum, FYI Host Paul Tully, and National CORE SVP of Marketing/Communications Jill Van Balen, Finding Your Inspiration is a National CORE Production benefiting the Hope through Housing Foundation. Prepare to be moved, motivated, and transformed as we unearth the power of inspiration and the life-altering paths that led our guests to accomplish amazing feats. This is Finding Your Inspiration.

Information

  • Creator
    Jill Van Balen
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    127
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Finding Your Inspiration