Pursuing Uncomfortable with Melissa Ebken

Brent Cassity is the author of the Book Nightmare Success: Loyalty, Betrayal, Life Behind Bars, Adapting, And Finally Breaking Free: A Memoir. He is a host of the popular podcast Nightmare Success In and Out. Brent was an innovative CEO of Forever Enterprises, a national company, which he grew from a regional company to operating in 22 states. He was recognized by the national media; TIME, CNN, FORTUNE, Forbes, WALL STREET JOURNAL, cover story of ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT to name a few. HBO even did documentary The Young and the Dead that spawned the popular HBO Series Six Feet Under. Just when he thought he had it all, he lost it all and found himself standing at the Gates of Leavenworth to serve a 5-year sentence. What happens when your worst fear becomes your reality? He has coined the phrase “Nightmare Success” because everything you want is on the other side of fear. How did the one thing that Brent most feared...the one thing he said would never happen to him...happen? Brent is an engaging storyteller that has a real-life transformational story.
Brent describes his father as a larger-than-life character that he idolized. The Dad, living in the small rural town of Buffalo Missouri, became a D-1 basketball player, graduated number 1 in his law school class, and busted onto the legal scene winning televised cases. Then growing a business empire in his late 20’s and early 30’s. Brent wanted to be just like him. At 14 years old, Brent’s Dad is indicted for tax and bank fraud and goes to prison for 6 months. Showing second chances are possible, he lands on his feet growing a company that was saved by putting the ownership in his wife and sons names. Brent joins the company 10 years later and moves to Texas and builds the fastest growing team in the company. His Dad, Doug Cassity, turns over the sales and marketing to the young 25-year-old, so he can pursue growing what he loves stocks and investments in the insurance company.
Brent’s brother Tyler enters the company, and the brothers set out to revolutionize the way people remember a life with their innovative lifestories that could be viewed on touchscreen consoles of their loved ones at the cemetery. Forever Enterprises is born and the brothers are seen as the innovative pioneers of the funeral industry unaccustomed to change. They buy several cemeteries, but none are as well-known as Hollywood Forever that was bought out of bankruptcy. The brothers begin receiving national attention, but smoke begins to rise over the hills from regulators with the Cassity’s insurance company. Their Dad was known to push the limits into the gray area. Brent is asked by his Dad to be the voice and face of the company to go meet with regulators because his Dad is a convicted felon. A six-year investigation of the company ensued and 6 people were indicted including Brent and his Dad. Plea bargains were offered, and Brent was sentenced to 5 years and his dad to 10 years.
Brent is using his experience to make a difference with people who may have lost hope or do not believe a second chance is possible. Brent speaks to audiences about his 5 survival tools that are strategies that are helping those who are stuck or are fearful to take the next step forward. His podcast Nightmare Success In and Out interviews people who have been to pr

Support the show

More From Melissa and Pursuing Uncomfortable:
ResourcesfiLLLed Life NewsletterYouTubeLeave a reviewPursuing Uncomfortable Book

Kara's journey has taken her through various phases of life. She initially entered the workforce in the restaurant business, working long hours for someone else. However, when she discovered that her son was being mistreated in daycare, she made the brave decision to quit. This led her unexpectedly into a career in photography, specifically in the wedding industry, where she thrived for 20 years. A life crisis prompted Kara to attend a Tony Robbins event, which transformed her perspective on personal development and wellness. Delving into this new world, she began by volunteering and eventually earned a staff position, touring with Tony Robbins across the globe. This chapter brought her immense joy and fulfillment. As circumstances changed and required extensive travel, Kara decided to pursue her own path. She returned to her roots as a wedding professional, only to be met with the onset of the pandemic. This crisis reminded Kara of the relevance of the lessons she had learned and the skills she had developed throughout her career and personal growth journey. Realizing the increasing need for support in the mental and emotional space during these tumultuous times, Kara launched a podcast. Her goal was to initiate meaningful conversations and provide answers to the profound life questions that many people grapple with. In October 2021, tragedy struck when her brother-in-law lost his battle with PTSD. This event served as a turning point for Kara, propelling her fully into the arena of mental and emotional well-being. Recognizing the greater demand for her expertise in this field compared to the wedding profession, Kara decided to dedicate herself full time to helping others navigate their mental and emotional struggles. Today, she is committed to making a difference in this space and fulfilling the needs of those seeking guidance and support.
Follow Kara
WebsitePodcastX (Twitter)InstagramFacebookYouTubeLinkedInTikTok

Support the show

More From Melissa and Pursuing Uncomfortable:
ResourcesfiLLLed Life NewsletterYouTubeLeave a reviewPursuing Uncomfortable Book

Urmi Hossain is a full-time female worker in the financial services industry. She has been working in this industry for about six years and comes from an educational background in Finance. She is currently pursuing her CFA designation.
In her free time, she volunteers for causes such as women's empowerment and giving back to the non-privileged.
She is a big proponent of self- investing and continuous learning.
She has her own blog and Youtube Channel. She has also written her first book, Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle, where she talks about her own struggle in finding her identity. She considers herself to be Italian- Bengali.
Ambitious and Go-Getter are two words that describe her the most. Indeed, one of her big ambitious goals is to deliver a TED Talk.
Her favorite motto is - be comfortable with the uncomfortable.
Follow Urmi:
Get her book here.LinkedIn
Blog
YouTube

Support the show

More From Melissa and Pursuing Uncomfortable:
ResourcesfiLLLed Life NewsletterYouTubeLeave a reviewPursuing Uncomfortable Book

Lisa Michelle Zega is a Life Coach for spiritual people experiencing loss that mere religion can’t hold. She guides them to process grief through LOVE and move from the emptiness of rigid certainty to the vibrancy of a life flourishing in hope and mystery. She helps them metabolize grief to assimilate its nutrients, learning, and wisdom and release the waste, so they can begin again with joy, confidence, hope, and love for the sake of the world.
Follow Lisa:
InstagramWebsiteLinkTreeCheck out the Free Loss Inventory, Discovery Call, and Waitlist of Living with Loss Circle

Support the show

More From Melissa and Pursuing Uncomfortable:
ResourcesfiLLLed Life NewsletterYouTubeLeave a reviewPursuing Uncomfortable Book

Rev. Dr. Lisa W. Davison is the Johnnie Eargle Cadieux Professor of Hebrew Bible at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, OK. A native of Radford, VA, Dr. Davison has a BA (Religion & Spanish) from Lynchburg College; an MDiv from Brite Divinity School (TCU), and an MA from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Davison received her Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from Vanderbilt. She is ordained in the Christian Church (DOC) and has served congregations in Texas & Kentucky. Davison’s first book, Preaching the Women of the Bible, was published in June, 2006. Her other publications include: the commentary on the book of Job for The New Interpreter’s Study Bible, essays on the major prophets for The College Study Bible, an essay in Tabletalk, entries for the Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement, a sermon in Those Preaching Women: A Multicultural Collection, commentaries for the New Proclamation Series, Year C, and the essays on “Ruth & Naomi” and “Bathsheba” for Just Women Bible Study. One of her sermons was selected for inclusion in The Living Pulpit: Sermons that Illustrate Preaching in the Stone-Campbell Movement 1968-2018. She also wrote 6 essays for The Preacher's Bible Handbook, ed by Wes Allen (WJK). Dr. Davison's lates book, More Than a Womb: Childfree Women as Agents of the Holy. Prior to joining the faculty of Phillips Theological Seminary, Lisa was Professor of 1st Testament at Lexington Theological Seminary (1996-2009) and Professor of Religious Studies at Lynchburg College (2009-2010). Dr. Davison is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature. She is often invited to speak to local congregations and retreats on the topics: books in the Hebrew Bible, women in the bible, sexuality and the bible, and Christian use and misuse of the Hebrew Bible. Dr. Davison is married to the Rev. Michael Davison, and the two of them enjoy traveling (especially to tropical climates) and gourmet dining.
Follow Dr. Davison:
"Clobber Passages" free download
Facebook

Support the show

More From Melissa and Pursuing Uncomfortable:
ResourcesfiLLLed Life NewsletterYouTubeLeave a reviewPursuing Uncomfortable Book