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
Lisa Besserman: Scaling New Heights [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:48
In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, we're thrilled to welcome Lisa Besserman, a luminary in both the technology and venture capital worlds. Lisa, the Founder of Startup Buenos Aires—which was successfully ac…
Erin Stafford: Type A Trap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:44
We’ve all experienced it: that feeling of being stuck on an endless treadmill. It can be soul-crushing, but our guest on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times is a peak performance coach is here to help us change…
Kerry Siggins: Ownership Mindset [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:19
Nothing creates team buy-in more effectively than the “ownership mindset” espoused by our guest on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times. What’s the secret sauce? Kerry Siggins, CEO at StoneAge Inc., shares with H…
Christina Luconi: Scale With Soul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:36
Seek the stress. Scale with soul. Embrace your uniqueness. These are just a few of the pearls of wisdom flying fast and furious when Christina Luconi, Chief People Officer at Rapid7, visits with Host Chris Schembra on th…
Rich Balot: Core Values At Center Stage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:56
Core values take center stage on this heartfelt episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, featuring a highly successful entrepreneur whose accomplishments reflect his commitment to creating human connection. Rich Balot, C…
Valeria Torres: Going All In [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:19
Are you all in? Our guest, Valeria Torres, wants to know! As Director of Operations & Strategic Consulting at 8 Figure Firm – a fast-growing Atlanta-based provider of professional services for law firms – she is sharing…
Patty Arvielo: The New American Dream [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:13
We’re shining a light on the difference between luck and blessings when Patty Arvielo, co-founder & CEO of New American Funding, joins host Chris Schembra on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times. Running the larg…
Coach Dar: Awaken Your Greatness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:25
Are you ready to awaken your greatness? On this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times we learn why Darleen Santore – known affectionately as “Coach Dar” – is all about cultivating self-awareness and clarity – not tomor…
Cinzia Beretta: Emotional Intelligence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:25
Welcome to another insightful episode of 'Gratitude Through Hard Times,' where we explore the profound impact of emotional intelligence in leadership and its role in fostering meaningful connections within the workplace.
Heath Ritenour: Leaning Into Vulnerability [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:30
Welcome Back to Gratitude Through Hard Times! You’ll learn on this episode how one of the nation’s insurance leaders is fueled by authenticity and vulnerability, superpowers available to all of us if we’re brave enough t…