GAB TALKS

NYC Big Book Award: GAB TALKS with Timothy J Brown PH.D.

No One Cheers for Goliath chronicles the obstacles overcome and the leadership lessons learned by Timothy J. Brown from his journey as a first generation African American college student to academic dean. As the son of a steel worker, his path took him from the small steel mill town of Coatesville, PA through his improbable ascension into leadership positions in higher education. His story, however, started inauspiciously as he landed on academic probation after his first semester at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. He would rebound to earn two degrees in Communication Studies from West Chester University, and complete his Ph.D. in Rhetoric at Ohio University. From Ohio, he would take his first faculty position at Buffalo State College, before returning to West Chester University as a faculty member in the same department in which he was a student. After five years, he would succeed his mentor and the person who first encouraged him to go to graduate school, Dr. Denny Klinzing, as department chair (Denny served 26 years as chair of the department). Dr. Brown would serve 10 years as department chair of the Department of Communication Studies at West Chester University-a program that had over 500 majors and over 35 faculty members before being named the Dean of the James L. Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte. The Knight School of Communication is the only school in the nation that carries the Knight Foundation name. Currently, Dr. Brown serves as the Dean of Liberal Arts at Montgomery County Community College where he oversees 15 departments that span the arts & humanities and social sciences. As Dr. Brown excelled as a teacher/scholar, he became a leader on his campus and in the discipline of communication. Among his many honors includes being named a Distinguished Teaching Fellow and a Distinguished Research Fellow by the Eastern Communication Association, and being honored as a Drum Major for Justice by West Chester University's Frederick Douglass Society.

No One Cheers for Goliath revisits Dr. Brown's leadership journey in higher education through personal reflections, life experiences, and memories of the people and events that shaped his leadership philosophy of being a servant-leader. Dr. Brown's servant-leadership approach is forged upon building authentic relationships and providing individuals with opportunities and support in order for them to succeed. Through powerful personal examples and stories, Dr. Brown captures what he learned as a leader in higher education. He believes in people because others had believed in him. He supports people as others supported him. He connects with people as others have connected with him. His ability to see people through their challenges, is reflective of the challenges that he had to overcome. The people, events, and circumstances that Dr. Brown discusses in No One Cheers for Goliath are meant to motivate, to encourage, and inspire leaders and aspiring leaders. As a result, effective leadership is a transformative process where the leader comes along side others to unlock their potential in order for them to reach goals that might have otherwise seemed unobtainable.

Ever found yourself making "stupid mistakes"? Maybe searching for the right word or feeling just slower than in the past?

You think 'there's something wrong', are you "going crazy?" Relax! You're not going crazy, and this book is just for you.

Neuropsychologist Koltuska-Haskin's illuminating debut can be characterized as two self-help guides in one, delineating the elements of neuropsychology and laying out a practical model for bettering brain health. The first section of this thorough guide touches on the history of clinical neuropsychology, effective evaluation methods, and the importance of reliable medical examinations, particularly for attention deficit disorders and traumatic brain injuries. Koltuska-Haskin clearly explains the stages of a neuropsychological evaluation for clients, taking into account differing circumstances. Outlining technical procedures in unobtrusive detail, she delves into trickier aspects of medical care, such as insurance and the privacy of medical records under HIPAA. The second half of the book offers a variety of suggestions for boosting one's own brain health by attending to sleep, exercise, meditation, and other practices.
In unembellished prose, Koltuska-Haskin shines a light on the common hurdles accompanying a neuropsychology diagnosis. She avoids recondite jargon and patiently breaks down terms and procedures for the uninitiated. Readers will appreciate the enlightening case studies from Koltuska-Haskin's experience as a neuropsychologist and the emphasis on how patients, their caregivers, and their medical teams can benefit from an all-encompassing neurological investigation. In the second half, her take on nutrition is ably bolstered by easy-to-prepare recipes, and she offers tips on gardening, mindfulness, and other ways to maintain a sound supply of "emotional vitamins." For readers who have trouble meditating, she suggests a helpful roadmap to achieving a calmer state of mind and alleviating emotional and physical pains.

While the prose can become repetitive at times, it only drives the points across more clearly, and Koltuska-Haskin sustains a confident and calm voice throughout while enthusiastically guiding her audience toward realizing their cerebral potential. Offering a readable interpretation of a complicated topic, this informative guide gives an engaging, digestible account of the human brain's workings and ways to improve mental and physical health.

Takeaway: This easy-to-follow, informative guide will help readers understand the discipline of neuropsychology and how to improve brain functioning.

The Nurse Florence® book series provides quality medical information for children.  Author Michael Dow says by introducing young kids to correct terminology and science concepts, we can increase our children’s health literacy level and even prepare them for courses and jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

After a tumultuous marriage and struggling trying to keep it together, Hamilton, a university dean, sets out on a perilous emotional journey to change his life and seek the kind of love he's always wanted. He's tired of controlling his life and the lives of others.

Hamilton meets Franny, a troubled dance teacher, and accepts her job offer of organizer in her studio. When Franny injures her foot, Hamilton must step out of his secure place to help. His trepidation increases when he meets a research journalist who falls in love with him. But her life isn't what it seems. He fears controlling her, and after her convent life she needs his love.

Will Hamilton wise up and learn how a man truly loves a woman, the value of friendship and the need for prayer?

The Attractiveness of Wisdom is a Christian, literary fiction, heart-warming, enthralling novel with endearing, and unforgettable characters.

Judy Kelly presents at conferences, libraries, and meetings. She teaches fiction writing at Montgomery College, and Frederick Community College. Judy is an adjunct professor at Montgomery College teaching speech, college reading and English. She enjoys walking, live theatre, and museums.

Love Is Stronger Than Death

While I navigated the rough waters of grief after the passing of my husband and twin flame, Stephen, many experiences proved to me that love is not only stronger than death, love transcends death. In the midst of the worst event of my life, I made an amazing discovery. Although Stephen was no longer alive on earth, our souls could communicate through the veil separating this world and the next. More than thirteen years after my beloved lifted off for other realms, our sacred love tryst grows stronger every day. Through inspirational stories, meditations and poetry, I am grateful to offer you my reflections on this unique path we are blessed to walk. For I have come to know that...loss is for our learning, grief is for our transformation, and joy is eager to bring us Home to our soul, our twin flame and our True Self. ---Cheryl Lafferty Eckl

BIOGRAPHY Cheryl Lafferty Eckl is an award-winning author of 15 books. As a mystical writer and storyteller, she brings her unique talent to genres as diverse as memoir, personal growth, death & dying, inspirational poetry and spiritual romance novels.     A former musical-comedy singer and actress, she has worked as an executive assistant, a professional development trainer, a life coach and a facilitator of retreats and workshops on grief and end-of-life issues.    Cheryl holds a Master’s certificate in Transpersonal Psychology and lives in the Big Sky Country of Montana.