A year ago, I set out to write a book that would inspire others. I chose a wide range of people to speak on important topics that affect all of us in our day to day life. I have woven my biography into interviews with a variety of actors, musicians and motivational speakers who I have had the good fortune of calling friends. We dive deep into the topics of mental health, addiction, LGBTQ equality, the loss of a parent, spirituality, activism, representation, family, the importance of mentors, the healing power of the arts and humor. All of the people in the book wanted to use their voices to raise awareness, and provide encouragement and support to those struggling with similar hardships. This book is about unity, hope and inspiration, which is so needed in today's world. My desire is for everyone reading this book to walk away feeling hopeful and optimistic, if they are struggling in any way. The following people contributed their stories via interviews: Kris Allen, Chance Perez, Adam Hurstfield, Chance Hurstfield, Abigail Hawk, Conor Michael Smith, DeVon Franklin, Marco James, Robert Palmer Watkins, Jordi Vilasuso, Wils, Davi Santos, James Byous, Liris Crosse, Aspen Kaye, David A. Gregory, Cory Jeacoma, Everett S. Weston, Damon Gillespie, Jonathan Coords, Malachi Coords, Justin Paul, Matthew Sauvé, Alan Trinca, Andy Senor Jr., CYCLE (Christien Morneweck), Virginia Coe, Derek Connors, Tania Connors, Justiin Davis, Jay Louie and Dominick LaRuffa Jr.

In 1997, Sona Mehring created the first CaringBridge website when a close friend endured a life-threatening pregnancy. CaringBridge is now used by over 500,000 people a day, with 44 million unique visitors over the past year. Through CaringBridge, Mehring has witnessed thousands of stories of hope and connection among people struggling with stroke, cancer, and other life-changing conditions. HOPE CONQUERS ALL shares some of its most touching stories. HOPE CONQUERS ALL will contain stories from people of all ages and backgrounds. The adversities they face vary greatly, from children with cancer, to adults requiring life-saving transplants, to victims of horrific accidents, but their stories are unified-hope does conquer all. And CaringBridge is a place where hope grows. It's a site that helps people reach out and stay in touch through moments of great need. It inspires them and instills hope; it helps foster and encourage much-needed emotional connection. These intimate personal stories, which reveal the underlying spiritual presence that connects us all, will encourage people to create channels of love and support in their own lives.

For those who have suffered the loss of a loved one, here are strength and thoughtful words to inspire and comfort.

Whether a death is sudden or anticipated, losing a loved one shakes us to our very core, destroying our belief in a just, safe, and predictable world. Grief often changes us quickly both physically and mentally. It is like being kidnapped and suddenly transported to a foreign land without luggage, a passport, or the language to make sense of what's happening. Even if you have a road map for getting through the pain and anguish, you still have to take the trip. The purpose of this book is to help you find threads of hope that will assist your recovery and help you carry on. By sharing inspirational stories, personal experiences, and professional advice from contributors to theOpen to Hope website, we trust that you will be comforted and inspired by learning how others dealt with their losses, what they saw as roadblocks, and how they handled them as well as what it has taken for them to not only survive, but thrive. We want to help you resume leading the life that you were meant to live--a life of satisfaction and one driven by a belief in your own personal power for change.

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis conjures up images of wheelchairs and a shortened life, but in fact it's possible to regain mobility and make a recovery. These deeply moving life stories of twelve people from around the world offer real hope to people with MS everywhere. These determined women and men have been able to halt the progression of the disease and recover mobility by making significant lifestyle changes including diet, sunshine, meditation, exercise, and for some, using drug therapy. Based on extended interviews, these stories offer an insight into the different journeys to recovery. They also highlight the challenges faced by people with different types of MS and at different stages in the progression of the disease.

High school sweethearts are reunited and old feeling resurface in the New York Times bestselling author’s heartwarming romance of love and faith. Only one person knows why Kat Thatcher left her Oklahoma hometown ten years ago. Why she ran to the city and became a workaholic doctor. Why she put off marriage . . . indefinitely. And that person is now staring her in the face on her first day back in town! Seth Washington is as handsome as ever. Way too available. And wanting to talk about the past—which Kat prefers to leave alone. Seth insists the Lord is on their side and always was. Kat’s starting to believe, but will that be enough for love?

When all seems lost, where can you find hope? Katherine and Jay Wolf married right after college and sought adventure far from home in Los Angeles, CA. As they pursued their dreams--she as a model and he as a lawyer--they planted their lives in the city and their church community. Their son, James, came along unexpectedly in the fall of 2007, and just six months later, everything changed in a moment for this young family. On April 21, 2008, as James slept in the other room, Katherine collapsed, suffering a massive brain stem stroke without warning. Miraculously, Jay came home in time and called for help. Katherine was immediately rushed into brain surgery, though her chance of survival was slim. As the sun rose the next morning, the surgeon proclaimed that Katherine had survived the removal of part of her brain, though her future recovery was uncertain. Yet in that moment, there was a spark of hope. Through forty days on life support in the ICU and nearly two years in full-time brain rehab, that small spark of hope was fanned into flame. Hope Heals documents Katherine and Jay's journey as they struggled to regain Katherine's quality of life and as she relearned to talk, eat, and walk. As Katherine returned home with a severely disabled body but a completely renewed purpose, she and Jay committed to celebrating this gift of a second chance by embracing life fully, even though that life looked very different than they could have ever imagined. As you uncover Katherine and Jay's remarkable story, you'll be encouraged to: Find lasting hope in the midst of struggle Embrace the unexpected Welcome God's miracles into your everyday life In the midst of continuing hardships, both in body and mind, Katherine and Jay found what we all long to find: a hope that heals the most broken place--our souls. Let Hope Heals be your guide along the way. Praise for Hope Heals: "As I read this book, tears streamed from my eyes even as joy flooded my heart. Jay and Katherine are a raw yet refreshing testimony to the unshakable trustworthiness of God amidst the unimaginable trials of life. This book reminds all of us where hope can be found in a world where none of us know what the next day holds." --David Platt, author of the New York Times bestseller Radical and president of the International Mission Board "Hope Heals is a beautiful, true story that illustrates the love and protection God has for us even in the darkest times of our lives. Katherine and Jay's dedication to each other and the Lord through their most devastating season is inspiring. This book will help your heart believe that He sees, He knows, He cares, and He is still working miracles today!" --Lysa TerKeurst, New York Times bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries