We welcome back Dr. Vernessa Blackwell aka Dr. Vee to It's Your Life with Dr. James JC Cooley! We discuss how cultivating gratitude can serve as a pathway to joy restoration and hearing about her upcoming book “Joy 365: A Devotional For Joy Restoration.” Learn the tips and tricks to creating more joy in your life! 
Collaborative Creation
• Daily Joy Practices
• Behind-the-Scenes Stories
• Impact on Readers

Dr. Vernessa Blackwell is an International Best Selling Author best known for her collaborations. 

Dr. Vee graduated from Strayer University with a master’s in business administration with an Honorary Doctorate from Trinity International University of Ambassadors. She is a certified Grief and Joy Restoration Coach which fueled her passion for writing books for her clients about grief and loss. 

Websites: www.lifeuimagined.com

https://makingheadlinenews.com/2021/08/31/finding-joy-in-the-journey-beloved-washington-d-c-author-vernessa-blackwell-composes-her-19th-book-to-date/

https://www.amazon.com/FINDING-JOY-JOURNEY-VOL-DEVOTIONAL-ebook/dp/B099JF3R4F

Brought to you by the J.C. Cooley Foundation,  "Equipping the Youth of Today for the Challenges of Tomorrow."

We welcome back Dr. Vernessa Blackwell aka Dr. Vee to It's Your Life with Dr. James JC Cooley! We discuss how cultivating gratitude can serve as a pathway to joy restoration and hearing about her upcoming book “Joy 365: A Devotional For Joy Restoration.” Learn the tips and tricks to creating more joy in your life! 
<ul>
<li>Collaborative Creation • Daily Joy Practices • Behind-the-Scenes Stories • Impact on Readers Dr. Vernessa Blackwell is an International Best Selling Author best known for her collaborations. Dr. Vee graduated from Strayer University with a master’s in business administration with an Honorary Doctorate from Trinity International University of Ambassadors. She is a certified Grief and Joy Restoration Coach which fueled her passion for writing books for her clients about grief and loss. Websites: <a href="http://www.lifeuimagined.com">www.lifeuimagined.com</a> <a href="https://makingheadlinenews.com/2021/08/31/finding-joy-in-the-journey-beloved-washington-d-c-author-vernessa-blackwell-composes-her-19th-book-to-date/">https://makingheadlinenews.com/2021/08/31/finding-joy-in-the-journey-beloved-washington-d-c-author-vernessa-blackwell-composes-her-19th-book-to-date/</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/FINDING-JOY-JOURNEY-VOL-DEVOTIONAL-ebook/dp/B099JF3R4F">https://www.amazon.com/FINDING-JOY-JOURNEY-VOL-DEVOTIONAL-ebook/dp/B099JF3R4F</a> Brought to you by the J.C. Cooley Foundation,  "Equipping the Youth of Today for the Challenges of Tomorrow."</li>
</ul>

It's Your Life with Dr. James JC Cooley a motivational speaker here to equip you to strive for greatness and overcome adversity. Life is a series of circles and cycles, phases, and stages. These are the experiences that teach you the lessons of life. You can either ignore them or EMBRACE them. Dr. Cooley offers motivation and inspiration for life's challenges.

Catch up on the podcast and listen to It's Your Life on The Answer in Dallas or San Diego, on Salem Radio Networks.

For more about James Cooley and how you can support the show or become a guest visit www.CooleyFoundation.org.

It's Your Life with Dr. James JC Cooley a motivational speaker here to equip you to strive for greatness and overcome adversity. Life is a series of circles and cycles, phases, and stages. These are the experiences that teach you the lessons of life. You can either ignore them or EMBRACE them. Dr. Cooley offers motivation and inspiration for life's challenges.
Catch up on the podcast and listen to It's Your Life on The Answer in Dallas or San Diego, on Salem Radio Networks.
For more about James Cooley and how you can support the show or become a guest visit <a href="http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/">www.CooleyFoundation.org</a>.

It's Your Life Podcast

It's Your Life

"Unveiling Joy," with Dr. Vernessa Blackwell - International Best-Selling Author, Grief and Joy Restoration Coach

Show Highlights

·       Dr. James JC Cooley along with Co-Host Dr. Michael Mantell-  renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author have a sit-down conversation with Lee Jordan, MS, NBC-HWC, SHRM-SCP- Adjunct Professor of Kinesiology & Integrative Wellness, Nationally Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, ACE Subject-Matter-Expert, author, speaker and consultant.

Fears – “Will I (HWC’s) be replaced?

Historical examples where skilled workers felt threatened by emerging tech but were actually elevated. One example is the emergence of calculators in the 70’s – instead of declining the mathematician profession, it took away tedious tasks and created time for conceptual thinking – automation of routine tasks raised the value of complex thinking and judgement. Another example more directly connected to health and wellness, when telemedicine rapidly expanded during and post pandemic there was concern in-person traditional practice might take a hit $ and erode. Instead, telemedicine expanded access and increased efficiency.

Primary Difference – “AI can hear but it can’t listen.” AI is very good at behavior tracking, personalizing engine for lifestyle data, admin and content tasks. A health coaches’ value is our ability to “be with someone” to be fully present, People crave acceptance and connection – they want to be valued NOT for what they can DO, but simply for who they are. AI can imitate but it can’t replicate the human experience. Listening is the True Superpower to facilitating the change people seek. This type of listening means we are listening to people’s words, emotions and expressions. We hear and notice not only what is being said, but what is not being said. The experience being delivered is that I have time for you… not just time to address your problem… time with and for you.  

The Link is What you Think - What HC’s chose to think about AI and their future as HC’s and how it impacts the people, they are called to serve will significantly shape their experience in the field.

Word on the street – Daniela Amodei, cofounder and president of Anthropic, an AI company (Claude) that raised $30 billion in Series G funding valuing their company at $380 billion, says, “The things that make us human will become much more important instead of much less important… “And what I mean by that is when we look to hire people at Anthropic today, we look for people who are great communicators, who have excellent EQ and people skills, who are kind and compassionate and curious and want to help other people.

 

Lee Jordan, MS, NBC-HWC, SHRM-SCP

Biography

Lee Jordan lives out his purpose to "show up for people in meaningful and transformative ways" through his work as an Adjunct Professor of Kinesiology & Integrative Wellness, Nationally Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, ACE Subject-Matter-Expert, author, speaker and consultant.

Lee helps people throughout the United States live a full life through his physician-endorsed behavior change program, 30 Seconds to Victory™. In his role as a consultant he has helped shape and deliver corporate health and wellness coaching programs and works with digital health companies creating apps engineered with evidence-based health behavior constructs. Lee speaks on health and wellness coaching and other wellness-related topics at conferences such as the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) and the IDEA Nutrition & Behavior Change Summit. Lee is dedicated to equipping a legion of passionate wellness professionals with the practical competencies needed to transform lives.

Social Media:

www.linkedin.com/in/leejordanhealth

Show Highlights
&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dr. James JC Cooley along with Co-Host Dr. Michael Mantell-&nbsp;&nbsp;renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author have a sit-down conversation with Lee Jordan, MS, NBC-HWC, SHRM-SCP- Adjunct Professor of Kinesiology &amp; Integrative Wellness, Nationally Board-Certified Health &amp; Wellness Coach, ACE Subject-Matter-Expert, author, speaker and consultant.
Fears &ndash; &ldquo;Will I (HWC&rsquo;s) be replaced?
Historical examples where skilled workers felt threatened by emerging tech but were actually elevated. One example is the emergence of calculators in the 70&rsquo;s &ndash; instead of declining the mathematician profession, it took away tedious tasks and created time for conceptual thinking &ndash; automation of routine tasks raised the value of complex thinking and judgement. Another example more directly connected to health and wellness, when telemedicine rapidly expanded during and post pandemic there was concern in-person traditional practice might take a hit $ and erode. Instead, telemedicine expanded access and increased efficiency.
Primary Difference &ndash; &ldquo;AI can hear but it can&rsquo;t listen.&rdquo;&nbsp;AI is very good at behavior tracking, personalizing engine for lifestyle data, admin and content tasks. A health coaches&rsquo; value is our ability to &ldquo;be with someone&rdquo; to be fully present, People crave acceptance and connection &ndash; they want to be valued NOT for what they can DO, but simply for who they are. AI can imitate but it can&rsquo;t replicate the human experience. Listening is the True Superpower to facilitating the change people seek. This type of listening means we are listening to people&rsquo;s words, emotions and expressions. We hear and notice not only what is being said, but what is not being said. The experience being delivered is that I have time for you&hellip; not just time to address your problem&hellip; time with and for you.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
The Link is What you Think&nbsp;- What HC&rsquo;s chose to think about AI and their future as HC&rsquo;s and how it impacts the people, they are called to serve will significantly shape their experience in the field.
Word on the street &ndash;&nbsp;Daniela Amodei, cofounder and president of Anthropic, an AI company (Claude) that raised $30 billion in Series G funding valuing their company at $380 billion, says,&nbsp;&ldquo;The things that make us human will become much more important instead of much less important&hellip; &ldquo;And what I mean by that is when we look to hire people at Anthropic today, we look for people who are great communicators, who have excellent EQ and people skills, who are kind and compassionate and curious and want to help other people.
&nbsp;
Lee Jordan, MS, NBC-HWC, SHRM-SCP
Biography
Lee Jordan lives out his purpose to "show up for people in meaningful and transformative ways" through his work as an Adjunct Professor of Kinesiology &amp; Integrative Wellness, Nationally Board-Certified Health &amp; Wellness Coach, ACE Subject-Matter-Expert, author, speaker and consultant.
Lee helps people throughout the United States live a full life through his physician-endorsed behavior change program, 30 Seconds to Victory&trade;.&nbsp;In his role as a consultant he has helped shape and deliver corporate health and wellness coaching programs and works with digital health companies creating apps engineered with evidence-based health behavior constructs.&nbsp;Lee speaks on health and wellness coaching and other wellness-related topics at conferences such as the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) and the IDEA Nutrition &amp; Behavior Change Summit. Lee is dedicated to equipping a legion of passionate wellness professionals with the practical competencies needed to transform lives.
Social Media:
<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/leejordanhealth" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">www.linkedin.com/in/leejordanhealth</a>

360° Health: AI and Health and Wellness Coaching

Dr. James JC Cooley along with Co-Host Dr. Michael Mantel - renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author have a sit-down conversation with Linda Roszak Burton –NBC-HWC, ACC, BBC, BS, is President of DRW Coaching. Linda is an executive and board-certified health and well-being coach, academic researcher, author and public speaker
Summary:

Harnessing the Science of Gratitude: Blending positive psychology, neuroscience and gratitude research to elevate individuals, teams, organizations and communities. 

1)Individual Well-Being - purpose, values and strengths, personal GPS and fuel system.

2)Teams - stronger collaboration, psychological safety, moral cognition, more prosocial behaviors (IHB)

3)Leaders – presence - starts at the top, enhanced engagement, virtuous cycle

4)Community - enhanced social bonds and a greater sense of community

 

Biography

Linda Roszak Burton, NBC-HWC, ACC, BBC, BS, is President of DRW Coaching. Linda is an executive and board-certified health and well-being coach, academic researcher, author and public speaker. As a coach, Linda champions humanism in healthcare. She is committed to bringing well-being and strength-based coaching methodologies to her clients—methodologies informed by cutting-edge research and evidence-based practices in neuroscience, positive psychology, gratitude and positive organization behaviors (POB).

 

As an academic researcher, she supports initiatives in leadership development, employee engagement, and the fostering of a healthy, positive work environment. Her international studies include gratitude interventions to support stress management, mental health of nurses, managers and support staff and employee engagement and meaningfulness of work.

 

Linda is a credentialed executive coach through the International Coach Federation, a National Board Certified Health and Well-being Coach (NBC-HWC), a certified Brain-Based Coach through the NeuroLeadership Institute, a certified Positive Psychology-Based Health and Well-Being Coach through the College of Executive Coaching, and a Charter Member of A Loving Organization. A member of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School Affiliate, she holds a B.S. in Health Education from Virginia Tech and has completed coursework pursuing an M.S. in Conflict Management at the University of Baltimore.

Linda is the author of Gratitude Heals®- A Journal for Inspiration and Guidance (Available on Amazon). Additionally, her Great Mills TEDx Talk on Gratitude- The Power to Heal the World was released in December 2022. Linda has been a regular contributor to the Wharton Healthcare Quarterly on the science of gratitude since 2017.

 

Website www.drwcoaching.com

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindaroszakburton/

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

Dr. James JC Cooley along with Co-Host Dr. Michael Mantel - renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author have a sit-down conversation with Linda&nbsp;Roszak Burton&nbsp;&ndash;NBC-HWC,&nbsp;ACC,&nbsp;BBC,&nbsp;BS,&nbsp;is&nbsp;President&nbsp;of DRW Coaching.&nbsp;Linda is an executive and board-certified health and well-being coach, academic researcher, author and public speaker Summary:
Harnessing&nbsp;the Science of Gratitude: Blending positive psychology, neuroscience and gratitude research to&nbsp;elevate&nbsp;individuals, teams, organizations and communities.&nbsp;
1)Individual Well-Being - purpose, values and strengths, personal GPS and fuel system.
2)Teams - stronger collaboration, psychological safety, moral cognition, more prosocial behaviors (IHB)
3)Leaders &ndash; presence - starts at the top, enhanced engagement, virtuous cycle
4)Community - enhanced social bonds and a greater sense of community
&nbsp;
Biography
Linda&nbsp;Roszak&nbsp;Burton, NBC-HWC,&nbsp;ACC,&nbsp;BBC,&nbsp;BS,&nbsp;is&nbsp;President&nbsp;of DRW Coaching.&nbsp;Linda is an executive and board-certified health and well-being coach, academic researcher, author and public speaker.&nbsp;As a coach,&nbsp;Linda champions&nbsp;humanism in healthcare. She is committed to bringing well-being and strength-based coaching methodologies to her clients&mdash;methodologies informed by cutting-edge research and evidence-based practices in neuroscience, positive psychology, gratitude and positive organization behaviors (POB).
&nbsp;
As an academic researcher, she supports initiatives in leadership development, employee engagement, and the fostering of a healthy, positive work environment. Her international studies include gratitude interventions to support stress management, mental health of nurses, managers and support staff and employee engagement and meaningfulness of work.
&nbsp;
Linda is a credentialed executive coach through the International Coach Federation, a National Board Certified Health and Well-being Coach (NBC-HWC), a certified Brain-Based Coach through the NeuroLeadership Institute, a certified Positive Psychology-Based Health and Well-Being Coach through the College of Executive Coaching, and a Charter Member of A Loving Organization. A member of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School Affiliate, she holds a B.S. in Health Education from Virginia Tech and has completed coursework&nbsp;pursuing&nbsp;an&nbsp;M.S.&nbsp;in&nbsp;Conflict&nbsp;Management&nbsp;at the University of Baltimore.
Linda is the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gratitude-Heals-Journal-Inspiration-Guidance/dp/0578481529" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Gratitude Heals</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gratitude-Heals-Journal-Inspiration-Guidance/dp/0578481529" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">&reg;</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gratitude-Heals-Journal-Inspiration-Guidance/dp/0578481529" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">- A Journal for Inspiration and Guidance (Available on Amazon)</a>.&nbsp;Additionally, her Great Mills&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paXMGo8cHSo" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">TEDx Talk&nbsp;</a>on&nbsp;Gratitude- The Power to Heal the World&nbsp;was released in December 2022.&nbsp;Linda has been a regular contributor to the Wharton Healthcare Quarterly on the science of gratitude since 2017.
&nbsp;
Website&nbsp;<a href="http://www.drwcoaching.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">www.drwcoaching.com</a>
LinkedIn&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindaroszakburton/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="5">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindaroszakburton/</a>
Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/_lroszakburton/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="6">https://www.instagram.com/_lroszakburton/</a>

360° Health:  Harnessing the Science of Gratitude

Show Highlights

·       Dr. James JC Cooley along with Co-Host Dr. Michael Mantell- renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author have a sit-down conversation with

Dr. Harvey Castro -- AI Futurist, Healthcare Visionary, and Author.

·       The Good: Where AI Is Already Delivering Real Value

·       The Bad: Risks We Cannot Ignore

·       The Unknown: Agentic AI and the Shift from Advisor to Actor

·       The Leadership Imperative: Building Human-Centered AI

SUMMARY:

In healthcare, AI is already delivering real value by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, accelerating research, optimizing workflows, and supporting more personalized patient care—the clear “Good.” At the same time, the “Bad” includes serious risks such as algorithmic bias, patient privacy concerns, cybersecurity threats, regulatory gaps, and the danger of overreliance on automated systems in high-stakes clinical environments. The “Unknown” emerges with the rise of agentic AI, which could move beyond supporting clinicians to independently initiating actions, fundamentally shifting AI’s role from advisor to actor and introducing new ethical, safety, and accountability challenges. This reality creates a leadership imperative: healthcare organizations must intentionally build and govern human-centered AI systems that prioritize transparency, equity, oversight, and trust to ensure technology strengthens clinical judgment and patient outcomes rather than undermines them.  

Biography

Harvey Castro, MD, MBA known online as #DrGPT is an emergency physician, AI futurist, and Chief AI Officer at Phantom Space. A 5× TEDx speaker and advisor to governments and health systems, Dr. Castro focuses on building human-centered AI that enhances safety, performance, and trust from hospital systems to space-based health innovation.

He is the author of ChatGPT & Healthcare and a leading voice on responsible AI governance, digital twins, and the future of clinical decision-making. With over 50,000 LinkedIn followers, he helps clinicians and executives move beyond hype toward practical, safe AI deployment.

Website

www.Harveycastromd.com

Social Media Platforms

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveycastromd

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/harveycastromd

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

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

Twitter: harveycastromd

Show Highlights
&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dr. James JC Cooley along with Co-Host Dr. Michael Mantell- renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author have a sit-down conversation with
Dr. Harvey Castro&nbsp;--&nbsp;AI Futurist, Healthcare Visionary, and Author.
&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Good: Where AI Is Already Delivering Real Value
&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Bad: Risks We Cannot Ignore
&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Unknown: Agentic AI and the Shift from Advisor to Actor
&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Leadership Imperative: Building Human-Centered AI
SUMMARY:
In healthcare, AI is already delivering real value by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, accelerating research, optimizing workflows, and supporting more personalized patient care&mdash;the clear &ldquo;Good.&rdquo; At the same time, the &ldquo;Bad&rdquo; includes serious risks such as algorithmic bias, patient privacy concerns, cybersecurity threats, regulatory gaps, and the danger of overreliance on automated systems in high-stakes clinical environments. The &ldquo;Unknown&rdquo; emerges with the rise of agentic AI, which could move beyond supporting clinicians to independently initiating actions, fundamentally shifting AI&rsquo;s role from advisor to actor and introducing new ethical, safety, and accountability challenges. This reality creates a leadership imperative: healthcare organizations must intentionally build and govern human-centered AI systems that prioritize transparency, equity, oversight, and trust to ensure technology strengthens clinical judgment and patient outcomes rather than undermines them.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Biography
Harvey Castro, MD, MBA known online as #DrGPT is an emergency physician, AI futurist, and Chief AI Officer at Phantom Space. A 5&times; TEDx speaker and advisor to governments and health systems, Dr. Castro focuses on building human-centered AI that enhances safety, performance, and trust from hospital systems to space-based health innovation.
He is the author of ChatGPT &amp; Healthcare and a leading voice on responsible AI governance, digital twins, and the future of clinical decision-making. With over 50,000 LinkedIn followers, he helps clinicians and executives move beyond hype toward practical, safe AI deployment.
Website
<a href="http://www.harveycastromd.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">www.Harveycastromd.com</a>
Social Media Platforms
LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveycastromd" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveycastromd</a>
YouTube:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/harveycastromd" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">https://www.youtube.com/harveycastromd</a>
Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/harveycastromd" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">https://www.instagram.com/harveycastromd</a>
Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HarveyCastroMD" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">https://www.facebook.com/HarveyCastroMD</a>
Twitter: harveycastromd

"Unveiling Joy," with Dr. Vernessa Blackwell - International Best-Selling Author, Grief and Joy Restoration Coach

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