Meet Michael Sheahan, Author and NYPD Detective

Michael Sheahan is a highly decorated retired NYPD Detective from the NYPD/FBI Joint Federal Task Force. Michael is also an award winning Childrens book author, Singer-Songwriter, producer and Publisher. Many years ago he formed a conglomerate of companies under Finest Worldwide Entertainment (Finest Music, Finest Books, Finest Media, Fine St Records & Finest Worldwide Management Group). Michael created a character named Mr. Holidays, and released his first book with a musical CD & Dance instructional DVD titled “Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop” It won three of the biggest awards in the children’s book industry for Best Holiday Book, Best Holiday book with music/Theatrical, and the prestigious Independent Books Publishers award.

Michael hopes he can donate over 100,000 books and ship them in time for Christmas 2017. He titled this campaign "The Gift Keeps Giving" cause he feels it was a gift from above that inspired him to create Mr. Holidays. A gift of being honored with three awards for his creation, and a gift to be able to pay it forward to bring a smile to children's faces this Christmas 2017 Holiday Season.

1. How did you come up with the character of Mr. Holidays, and what would you most like our readers to know about him?

I created Mr. Holidays to be a safe keeper of all the holidays in the calendar year. To promote the old traditions as well as create new fun ways to celebrate with family and friends.

2. What would you like people to know about you and your books?

I think your readers should know that deep down inside I’m still a big kid, and I have always loved and cherished sharing the holidays with family and friends. It was always a time in my house growing up where we just slowed down enough to continue the family traditions to spend, share and enjoy quality time with each other making new memories each and every year. Christmas wasn’t a day when I was a child. It was at least two weeks or more spread out visiting friends and family. It kind of kicked off a week after Thanksgiving. I think it’s such an important time especially for the children to be in the middle of the adults conversation with their grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, siblings, cousins and friends sharing and learning the family traditions. Just hearing the stories and old tales that were passed down from generation to generation. I feel it’s so important to their upbringing knowing that they have the support and a solid foundation helping them feel secure and loved.

3. Would you tell us a little more about how you were inspired to create Mr. Holidays?

I was inspired to create Mr. Holidays through several experiences with my own children and their friends. On one occasion we had a birthday party for our youngest child who at the time just turned six or seven. We had several friends over and had a really enjoyable day playing games and having pizza and all sorts of goodies for desert. By the end of the evening the children were settling down waiting to be picked up by their parents. I pulled out my guitar and we had a sing-along. After several songs that were known by the children I started singing a few Christmas songs because it was only a few weeks away. While every one was singing one child pipes up to all of our surprise that he does not believe in Santa. I looked at my sons face expressing a shocked questionable look, and I quickly replied well that’s fine that you don’t believe in Santa, but in this house we love Santa.

When all the children left and my little guy went to bed I asked my wife how could that little child already not believe in Santa…He’s so young? My wife replied "for some people Christmas is just another day. With both parents working full time it’s not easy..."

Thanks, Michael!

Meet Marcela Del Sol, Writer

Marcela Del Sol is an Australian writer, philanthropist, and social activist, soon to launch her new book. Marcela works on cultural and social projects with kids at risk in Chile. She co-exists with PTSD & DID. Visit her online at www.marceladelsol.net.

1. What is the title of your forthcoming book, and would you tell us a little more about it?

"KAELIDESCOPE" is a fictional story based on my experience living with PTSD and DID. It will be available by March 2016. It has erotica, thriller, crime and semi-biographical elements that linger through the dramatically different "lives" of the same person: a beautiful woman, the daughter of a drug lord, who has been through trauma since early in her life.

2. What inspired you to write your book?

It wasn't inspiration but rather a sense of cleansing, a need to free myself from what, to some extent, burdens me that pulled me, literally, to write it. I want to contribute to eradicate the stigma and shame associated with mental illness; I want to show the world how capable people like me are. Writing is my tool so I am using it for it.

This book is a baby of passion, courage, and insomnia.

3. How did your previous work as a ghostwriter prepare you to write your own book?

It only did in a practical sense; this is a completely different scenario for me and the most difficult of all as I had an idea and the knowledge about what I wanted to convey but not a schedule or guidelines or anything that provided me with structure or a linear path, which generally exists when you write for someone else.

It was also somehow taking a piece of me and leaving it out in the open for all to see, which is very scary, but I need to do it not only for me. Nothing prepares you to undress your soul to strangers and although the stories in the book are fictional, the process of it all is something intimately aligned with my reality.

4. What would you most like people to know about the experience(s) of living with mental disorders?

As my wonderful editor said to me: I am not broken. This made me think that perhaps "we" are touched by some kind of magic wand (I don't mean it in a literal sense!) that allows us to experience life and emotions at a more profound level that most. I would like everyone to be able to rid of the shame and the silence that accompany mental illness. Feel valid because you are amazing! You go through life with a much bigger weight on your shoulders; know you can be whoever you decide to be and take that power with you wherever you go.

I strongly believe in the power of one: I know that coming out and telling a bit of what is like to live like me will impact at least one more person and so on, and I hope one day we live in a world that knows and understands and doesn't discriminate because of ignorance.

5. What are your goals and hopes for the new year, 2016?

2016 will be a year of implementation and to harvest. I have decided to make some drastic changes in my life, including spending an extended period in Chile where I was born; this means my children will stay in Australia with their Dad and although my heart feels only half full, it is something I must do in order to regain certain degree of balance.

I have social projects that I want to start developing further, like encouraging kids at risk to communicate and/or enjoy art. I've been talking to some other people in the arts world and am very interested to connect and form a collective to use our combined powers to create better societies where it is most needed.

In the world of words, I am working on a dark/erotica poetry book, but living with DID means things can be very inconsistent at times so the plans could change or grow. I only clearly know that I want my kids to be happy, I really just want to be a good human being, and I hope to contribute wherever I can. I practice gratitude, and I would like to reciprocate the opportunities I have, for I believe no one should be not allowed to explore their full potential and to experience happiness.

Thanks, Marcela!

Meet Ryan Eagle, Entrepreneur

Ryan Eagle is a successful serial entrepreneur who got his start building websites and selling virtual items for Diablo II. With his network of websites, he began expanding into AdSense and affiliate marketing income. After many years of running online businesses, he shifted into importing/exporting through his business, Response Commodities, and he continues to pursue other "tangible" business opportunities. Ryan also has a strong interest in doing philanthropic work.

1. When you first became interested in computers, what was it specifically about the internet that made you direct your efforts there (rather than, say, writing software)?

To be honest, I don't know what exactly attracted me to the internet, computers in general, or business! I was generally a normal kid otherwise--I played sports, rode bikes, loved camping, and preferred to be outside. I've been using computers since Windows 3.2 although I remember I really gained more interest when I was in 4th grade. Since I was a young kid, my role model was Bill Gates, and I always admired his work and what he was able to accomplish from his life. When I was in 2nd or 3rd grade I had dreams of building my own software company called "EagleCOM."

When I moved back to Chicago from Texas, I remember the first winter I endured and I couldn't go outside. I spent the entire winter on the computer learning the ins and outs. When I was in 5th grade, I made my first website from scratch by reading HTML for Dummies. When I was 14, I made my first money online. When I was 16, I was catapulted into massive success from websites that I had created and never looked back.

2. Why did you decide to shift your career from affiliate marketing and ad-based income into a "tangible business"?

I started doing affiliate marketing in 2005, and after closing my last affiliate marketing based business I wanted a challenge. I didn't want to default to my comfort zone knowing that it would make me quick money fast. I wanted to develop new businesses in new sectors that were a challenge to me; I wanted something new; I needed a new challenge.

3. In your experience, what are some of the challenges for someone with a long history in online business to move into a very different field?

For me, the biggest challenge was basically starting from scratch and learning something from the ground up. I learned huge lessons from my last companies that I pulled into new businesses, but when transferring to completely new sectors, it was quite the challenge. At times, I wanted to jump back and get right into affiliate marketing again for the quick money, but I remained determined. I refused to give up, and like every time in the past, it paid off.

4. How do you currently balance your time between your companies and your philanthropic work?

To be honest, I could do a lot more than I currently do. I take the easy road out by doing things like donating my money rather than actually getting involved. Instead of committing funds to specific foundations, I've been trying to invest into individuals by paying for scholarships and things along those lines. This question reminds me that I need to get a lot more involved, both financially and physically.

5. You describe materialism as being a good motivator, but what would you say keeps you grounded--or to put it another way, what makes you happy at the very end of the night when reflect on how your day went?

Material things are far less important to me than they used to be. At the end of the day, all of those flashy things are simply metal objects or clothing with cool symbols on them--they come and go, just like money itself. Nowadays, I live a lot more modestly than I used to, and I prefer to keep a lower profile than I ever have because all of that does nothing but build a false ego. At the same time, I don't deprive myself of the rewards of working hard--it's just not as important to me.

To keep grounded, I pray to God and give him thanks for anything that I've been given. I also value my relationships with others far higher than anything material. My family, my girlfriend, and my true friends mean more to me than anything I can buy. They are the ones that stick through the tough times--and like any person I’ve endured those times, too.

Thank you for taking the time to interview me! I really appreciate the opportunity.

Thanks, Ryan!

Kelly Le Brock Takes Action for National Hunger Action Month

Did you know that September is National Hunger Action Month? Actress and model Kelly Le Brock (I know you remember her in The Woman in Red and Weird Science) is busy with a project that both helps food banks across the country and helps families eat in a healthier way.

The project is a collaboration with foodtweeks™, a mobile app that you download for your Android or iPhone. The idea of the app is that it suggests tweaks to help you adjust your diet in little ways that add up to big reductions in calories. The cool part is that foodtweeks™ donates the same amount of calories you save to food banks across the US.

When you set up your free account and use the promo code KELLYLEBROCK, foodtweeks™ will double your donations. Kelly Le Brock is also doing some special social media campaigns where you can add even more to your donations. Check out her Pinterest page as well as Instagram. Kelly will be using hashtags such as #healthycooking and #foodtweeks4foodbanks and #hungeractionmonth. Keep an eye out on Facebook and Twitter as well.

Kelly will be doing public service announcements and other publicity throughout September to promote National Hunger Action Month and increase awareness of the needs of our food banks. In her off-screen life, Kelly has been a rancher for the past ten years and raises her own food for her family. She hopes to promote healthy eating choices through her work with foodtweeks™.

Introducing Eli Verschleiser, Investor and Philanthropist

Having participated through his companies in over six billion dollars worth of real estate transactions, Eli Verschleiser is a real estate professional who has an eye for successful commercial and residential projects, particularly on the east coast. He has been involved as an investor or adviser with such high-profile properties as Trump Tower in Philadelphia and 88 Leonard in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York.

With his wife Shani, he has also been very active in charitable work, with a particular emphasis on education, support, and mentorship of Jewish youth, through organizations such as Our Place, which counseling and rehabilitation services for troubled teens.

On the business side, he currently is president and treasurer of United Realty Partners. Learn more about Eli Verschleiser through this slideshare presentation.

Meet Mickey Mikeworth, Business Consultant

Mickey Mikeworth was presented with the honor of being voted the "Top Women in Finance" twice by her industry, hosted by Finance and Commerce Magazine. She works with communities and private clients on the topics of business and philanthropy. She also hosts a six week class called "The Everyday Philanthropist."

Learn more about Mickey's work through this video.

1. As a business consultant and financial educator, how do you help people achieve prosperity in difficult economic times?

Building prosperity for the average person's budget is the same in good times and rough times.

You have to create an action that leads to positive growth. Turn your attention to actions that create positive change, which is first looking at your current fiscal relationships to see if they are the best ones.

I find that 8/10 people are doing business with banks they hate, use credit cards that have awful rates, have investments that are inappropriate, or have no idea what they actually ARE insured for. These relationships run large portions of our lives, but most people just "accept" the relationships as being fine.

Everyone could use a prosperity tune-up.

2. What are some important connections between prosperity and philanthropy?

This is where the magic really is. If done well, they feed each other, especially in business.

Philanthropy is a private act that does a public good, and prosperity is an action that leads sustainable growth.

You can't just give blindly and expect sustainability: it needs to match emotionally, physically, and financially. When our actions of gifting to the world also gift back to us, it creates a thriving circle of life. The more you give in actions that also support you as an individual, the more you are able to give. It just takes a bit of thought...

An example as a business owner is that the ways you give back to the community can also build social capital, create sales, and change the lives of others in a meaningful way.

Philanthropy should be a natural expressions of self.

3. If business owners are feeling the financial pinch, what can they do to continue to participate in giving back to their communities?

Business has the most to offer the world and the least amount of great advice on HOW to give back in a meaningful way. So many owners are left with a sort of paralysis on the philanthropy subject.

Business can find so many ways to be a valued partner in the community. Here are 7 ideas most business owners may have missed:

1) Create internships which offer training with pay, create smaller jobs that are after school hours and provide jobs for teens, or add in extra staff for an event.

2) Consider matching gifts the employees make to other organizations in a specific dollar amount.

3) Give staff paid time off to volunteer in the community.

4) Take a consistent paid advertisement in publications from organizations that need the support to do other great work in the community: a high school concert playbill, small press paper, or community program newsletter.

5) See what can be gifted "in kind": this may be giving away extra stock, recycling items that are not in use, gifting the services the company provides, or offering use of space. Then define the organizations that would benefit from those gifts.

6) Put together an annual drive and invite the community in. Many businesses offer an in-store benefit for participation: coat drive, book drive, pantry drive...

7) BOGO: BUY one, GIVE one. This is great fit for a retailer and also offers a chance for client sales to drive gifting. Pick items that are needed in the community and have a simple "BUY one and the business will GIFT one" exactly like it to the community.

4. What are some strategies individuals can use to be more philanthropic even when they are short on resources?

OK, I am going to jump on top of my chair and start yelling into my bullhorn! The number one thing philanthropy needs is ORGANIZATION. If you can organize, you can totally save the world.

The virtual world has made it a BILLION times easier to share information and gather resources from others. Forwarding an email, inviting people on your mailing list to participate on a project, or physically gathering items are all ways that help projects move forward.

We had a homeless shelter that was empty of resources, so I asked eight people to host a truck in front of their house for a single Saturday. We sent a flyer around the neighborhood that asked neighbors to bring good stuff they did not use to the truck for families in need. We raised 18,000 pounds: that is nine TONS.

Philanthropy needs organization. Groups are always looking for someone to help in organizing a fundraiser, and the budgets for non-profits shrink every second of the day. Want to get started immediately? Pick something that is meaningful to you personally, and look for ways to add your special sauce. Be specific when you offer your skills to the organization because the organization may not know how to utilize your network. (I have 10 hours available to help do graphic design work; I would like to host an event; I have 300 handbags to donate for a fundraiser.)

5. How do you personally incorporate philanthropic giving in your own life as a financial professional and community member?

I make a plan with my heart and THEN with my expertise. Finding what feeds a person emotionally, intellectually, and physically is part of the job description of being a great philanthropist. Each of us needs to do the internal work needed to identify what we have to offer the world; if you start the equation the other way--"what does the world need"--the internal drivers may get lost.

First I look at the gifts I love to share with the world and identify if those gifts will also offer benefit to a specific organization. I am an excellent consultant and a speaker, so I set aside 100 hours a year to donate my services at no fee. I will teach, consult small start-up non-profits, or lead business groups and share my knowledge.

I gave philanthropy a budget in my business model that is attached to a percentage of sales, and 2% of all sales automatically flow into the philanthropy budget.

I also share resources in meaningful ways; I am part of the World Community Grid, so I share the office computers' spare memory on a secure grid that does lengthy calculations that match organ transplant donors. I offer my office to non-profits that need a meeting area, and I help others make connections in the community.

Thanks, Mickey!