Mike talks with the founder of The Come Home Project John Commins on his journey in the Military, How it affected his marriage, and how he and his wife now help other military marriages through their organization TheComeHomeProject.org.
Thanks 2019
Mike is joined by his son-in-law Tate Cox to reflect on 2019 and how much they have to be thankful for. What are you thankful for in 2019?
Everything Changes
OpaZao guest Cody Spencer shares how he has overcome and continues to grow following the death of his father and all of his upcoming life choices after college.
The Need for Listening
Yet, people spend around 70-80% of their day engaged in some form of communication, and nearly 50% of their time is devoted to listening.
The Power of Next
A Compass Without a True North
The Power of the Pause
Mary Ellen
You Are my Sunshine!
For the Love of Jerry
room for dessert at the moment when my daughter was being teased for not having a boyfriend.
Before you could say anything, my mom interjects, “You don’t have a boyfriend? I do.” Under
“normal” circumstances this statement wouldn’t be too surprising. But let’s take a look back for
a moment. We had just moved my mom to an assisted living community near our home as her
Alzheimer’s Dementia began to reveal itself on a regular basis. So, now my mom has her own
apartment in an assisted living community, and a boyfriend? Who is this man?
A self-made salesman near Chicago turned business owner in California grows a family with a
loving wife who unfortunately succumbs to cancer, leaving this patriarch to age gracefully on his
own. Yet, he finds himself in an assisted living community in Southern California struggling
with physical challenges as he approaches his 90’s. In progressively ailing health, he struggles to
find the inspiration to move forward. One day, as fate sought to intervene, the Activities’
Director of the facility played matchmaker and asked if he would sit next to and welcome their
new guest on the outdoor patio. And as they say, “That was that.” Love had stricken this man for
a second time.
Here I was, watching my mom begin to act emotionally like a schoolgirl. It drove me nuts. I
struggled every day knowing what most likely lay ahead was not a pleasant rode, yet, my mom
was happy, happier than she had been in forever. My mom’s love for music forged quickly with
this man’s talents. He began slowly and consistently to woo my mother by taking advantage of
her love for music as he began to assemble a very thick notebook of songs that they both loved to
sing together. (Great, now they’re singing together. This is getting a little too serious for me). I
must admit that in the back of my mind always lingered the concern of what dementia would
bring into my mom’s life, relationship or no relationship. But this guy just wouldn’t leave my
mom alone. They ate together. They sang to each other. They held hands at community events.
My wife and I even took them out to dinner, mainly to check this guy out.
After becoming convinced of this man’s honorable intentions with my mom, I began to address
him as Jerry (well, that is his name). As the symptoms of dementia began to grow within my
mom, I witnessed a manifestation of love that I did not get to see as a child. The more
challenging the disease became, the greater Jerry’s unconditional love revealed itself. From
walking slower to walking with a walker and ultimately a wheelchair, Jerry stood by her side and
assisted her both physically and emotionally. I would rarely ever seem them apart unless one of
them found themselves in a hospital battling illness. But their love helped them overcome each
short-term illness and return to each other with a renewed motivation for whatever lay ahead of
them. Capacity for daily exercises began to dwindle. Jerry’s love grew. Mobility slowly declined
and Jerry’s love grew. Ultimately, my mom’s capability to eat disappeared and Jerry’s love
grew. During many, if not most, of my visits, I found myself interrupting my mom and Jerry.
Yet, near the end, I could see the worry and fear begin to plant seeds of uncertainty in Jerry’s
eyes. And still, Jerry’s insatiable desire to have my mom “get better” drove him to keep pushing
her to “stay awake,” “open her eyes,” or “sing with me.” Only days before my mom became bed-
ridden, a remarkable moment took place. As my daughters and I were visiting grandma, Jerry
leaned over and gently moved my mom’s head from sliding downward in the wheelchair. He
said, “Birdie (mom's nickname from Alberta), we never give up.” He repeated this phrase a few times. And just when I wondered if my mom was even conscious and aware enough to realize her surroundings, she opened one eye and slowly mumbled, “We… never.. give up.” OK, this is one of those moments when you want to just burst into tears from the emotion of the moment. Overlay some music on this moment and you have the makings of a Lifetime movie.
...Finished loading the last of my mom’s things into the truck from her room. As my wife and I
walked back into the room, there sat Jerry, all alone just looking at the bed where my mom once
lay. “What am I going to do now? I told her not to go anywhere and to WAIT for me.” I looked
at Jerry and told him two things. “Birdie lived as long as she did because of you. And she IS
waiting for you Jerry, just not here anymore.” Jerry is fortunate enough to have loved deeply
twice in his life. Not a day goes by that I don’t wonder what would this journey have looked like
if it weren’t ‘for the love of Jerry.’
Mike Bearden
Founder & Developer of Thepowerofnext.org and the NextListener.com program
I Could Have Listened More During the Game... Gregg Olson
One of MLB's greats Gregg Olson opens up and shares how listening, or the lack of, played such an important role in his personal and professional life. Even now, Gregg seeks to pass on this value in his family as he continues to move forward in life. Thanks Gregg for your time.
Kids Hear Everything in Divorce
Mike Bearden interviews Zaundra Grant on the importance of listening for both the parent and the child (no matter his/her age) during and after a divorce. Zaundra provides incredible insight into practical steps that all can take during these rough seasons.
Mother's Day 2019
Greg Padilla and Mike Bearden Share love to all the Mothers on Mother's Day while recognizing Greg's last day with us.
How to Thrive After Divorce
Zaundra Grant joins Mike Bearden to share how she helps individuals thrive after divorce by overcoming hurdles like Fear, Guilt, and the Inability to Forgive. Learn more from Zaundra at majormark.org.
Priority and Perspective bring Peace and Purpose
Mike and Greg share a challenging message on how your Perspective will determine your Priorities and NOT the other way around. Many times the end result will also bring Peace and Purpose to your Priorities.
Create a Listening Movement With Us
Mike and TC GO LIVE on Facebook and Instagram, listen to their viewing audience, discuss the vital need for developing listeners, and put out the invitation to become a Next Listener.
Instagram LIVE Q&A
Mike and TC take live questions from Instagram and share the value of listening to every unique question they received.
MOTA Listening
Mike and TC listen to Jose Mota (Professional Baseball Broadcaster) share how listening has helped him both personally and professionally. Jose shares how baseball taught him to listen at an early age and how he now transfers this to others through his communication career.
Hound of Heaven with Father Darrin
Mike and TC interview Father Darrin in Los Angeles. Fr. Darrin will be launching a "Hound of Heaven" TV interview show coming this year and focuses on "reversion" stories. A great man with a great heart.
Askers vs. Tellers
Mike and TC define "Askers vs. Tellers" and how Listening can actually help a person from continuing to "vomit at the mouth."
Don't Give Up
Mike and TC are joined by Lisa, a mom who shared about the value of listening as her family continues to work through Mental Health and its impact on their family.
To Love is to Listen
OpaZao has its in-studio Guest (Leonor Bearden) and Live Phone Call with Fausto Liriano in the Dominican Republic all a part of discussing Love through Listening.
Better Health Through Listening
Why do we have TWO ears and ONE mouth? We NEED to listen more than we talk. True health comes from this type of wisdom and a calm heart. Next Listener will launch in 2019 with providing a much-needed gift to everyone called listening. Enjoy your better health through listening.
Farm Life
Mike and TC call a friend outside Lexington, Kentucky and discover the value of new friendships and the wisdom they bring into our lives.
The MLK Way
This @next_opazao podcast episode reflects on the positive impact of MLK, what we can learn from him, and how we can apply this in the lives of others.
2019 Year of Positive Action
Mike and TC welcome Greg back as they stepped up their podcast as they entered 2019 and realized that Listening will be the strongest positive impact in our world this year. A visit from Squatch also provides a unique addition to our discussion.
Welcome our Authentic 2019 of Awesomeness
Opazao launches 2019 with a message and challenge of hope, authenticity, and awesomeness (is that a word?). Mike @mtbearden, TC @TCstefani and our in-studio guest Greg @imgspk have fun listening and sharing their turn of the New Year.