Ray DeForest: Live Your Truth

Ray DeForest: Live Your Truth

Author: Chris Schembra October 26, 2021 Duration: 54:36
If you aren't living your truth, then you aren't living the life you are meant to live. Ray DeForest knows just how necessary it is to live your truth. Performer, producer, activist, community leader, Ray DeForest, may also be known to some as his popular theatrical character, Doris Dear. 3-time winner of the MAC Award, actress and comedienne Doris Dear, has been featured in numerous movie and TV productions, performs in her own sold-out cabaret-style shows, and stars in her series "Doris Dear's Gurl Talk" on the BroadwayOnDemand streaming service. Ray created the series at the height of the Covid pandemic as a way to bring Doris to a new audience while live theater was on hold. Ray writes, directs and produces the series now currently filming season 3. The show was an immediate hit and won the prestigious Silver Telly Award for season one. In addition to entertaining audiences and raising funds to support theatre development, Mr. DeForest is a member of the prestigious Dramatist Guild of America. It is through his lifelong love of theatre that Ray nurtured his storytelling and comedic talents, as well as his ability to connect with an audience and take them on an emotional journey. "Art requires reaction," he proclaims. Long before theatre life beckoned Mr. DeForest to Manhattan, he found himself growing up in 1950-1960s Staten Island, where idyllic "Americana" was a real-world version of Norman Rockwell's iconic paintings. But what is one to do when they don't fit the traditional mold? "Admitting who we are is never easy," states Mr. DeForest. But, this challenge of self-expression found a creative outlet through character development and performance and continues to be richly rewarded by audiences who react to the experience and find a safe space in his character's maternal presence. Bravo! In this episode, Ray shares vital lessons from living his authentic life.

Chris Schembra, known as the "Gratitude Guru" by USA Today and a columnist for Rolling Stone, hosts Gratitude Through Hard Times. For nearly a decade, he has traveled the globe facilitating meaningful human connection, work that extends directly from his #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book of the same name. In this podcast, he moves beyond simple self-help platitudes, creating a space where ancient Stoic wisdom meets contemporary neuroscience and psychology. Each episode is a practical exploration of how to find genuine appreciation and resilience not in spite of difficulty, but because of it. Schembra acts as both guide and fellow traveler, using his experience as a dinner host and facilitator to frame profound questions and share conversations that dissect the mechanics of fulfillment. Listeners will hear a blend of personal narrative, philosophical insight, and actionable science, all aimed at reframing life's inevitable challenges. This isn't about blind optimism; it's about building a durable, grounded perspective that serves in both business and personal relationships, in moments of entrepreneurial stress and cultural shifts. The Gratitude Through Hard Times podcast provides a thoughtful, evidence-based toolkit for anyone seeking to cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and connection in a complex world, proving that gratitude is a skill forged precisely when it feels most out of reach.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Gratitude Through Hard Times
Podcast Episodes
David Landman: The Long Exhale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In this inspiring episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra sits down with David Landman, a former senior HR executive at Goldman Sachs, to explore his transformative journey from corporate success to…
Mitch Warner: The Power of Self-Awareness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In this insightful episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra welcomes Mitch Warner, Managing Partner at The Arbinger Institute and co-author of Leadership and Self-Deception. Mitch guides us through th…
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Michael O'Brien: Igniting the Joy of Work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:59
In this insightful episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra sits down with Michael J. O'Brien, founder of The BluePrint Toolset®, Inc., to explore how leaders can ignite the joy of work and foster pos…
Tony Nader: Consciousness Is All There Is [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:03
In this powerful episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Dr. Tony Nader, a leading neuroscientist, global head of the Transcendental Meditation (TM)…
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Duration: 40:30
In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra sits down with Ash Shehata, Chief Information Officer of AHMC Healthcare System, to explore the intersection of leadership, adaptability, and human con…
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Duration: 42:36
In this episode of "Gratitude Through Hard Times," host Chris Schembra welcomes Francesco Pastore, the Chief Marketing & Sales Officer and Corporate Communication Director of the global paper leader, Sofidel.Francesco di…
Steve Tcherchian: Return on Rock Bottom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:30
In this episode of "Gratitude Through Hard Times," host Chris Schembra welcomes Steve Tcherchian, Chief Product Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at XY Pro, to discuss the profound impact of gratitude, resil…
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Duration: 38:43
In this episode of "Gratitude Through Hard Times," Chris Schembra welcomes Elaine Knight, the Chief People Officer at Behavioral Health Link. Elaine shares her journey and insights on creating a positive and supportive w…
Enrico Galasso: The Power of Empathy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:05
In this conversation, Chris Schembra interviews Enrico Galasso, the CEO of Peroni, an iconic Italian beer brand. They discuss Enrico's new book, “Per I Prossimi 175 Anni”, the importance of empathy and meaningful connect…