The Lemon Tree - Memoirs of Courage

The Lemon Tree - Memoirs of Courage

Growing up Southern Baptist with a self-absorbed Mother and often absent Father, Jo Alch was forced to spend most of her childhood with an abusive Grandmother who believed that hard work was the only way to get to heaven. On weekends, while her Catholic friends were watching cartoons and playing with the latest toys, Jo and her siblings were polishing silver and starching linens with military precision. Her Grandmother’s personality at church was gentle and kind, unlike the often cruel and harsh one only her family saw. Jo’s life changed when she stumbled upon a little shop not far from her home, where a perfect stranger gave her the hope for a brighter future. That shop was called 'The Lemon Tree' and that's the story that inspired Jo to write her first book 'The Lemon Tree Book - Memoirs of Courage'. Tune in to be inspired by stories of those who triumphed over adversity.

Episodes

REPLAY: Meet the Author part 2

February 19, 2020 • 42 mins
On part two of 'Meet the Author' Jo Alch explains the chapters regarding her adolescence, on facing her parents' divorce in a very conservative Baptist Church; keeping appearances at Church and adapting to life with an absent mother.

Jo delves into how she learned to survive, how her relationship with God shifted, her abusive grandmother and how the Lemon Tree became a beacon of hope in her life.

If you'd like to know more about 'The...
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Author Michael Gray - Ep. 23

February 5, 2020 • 32 mins
In this episode of The Lemon Tree, Jo Alch sits down with Author Michael Gray.

About Michael: I love writing books for other people. I feel like I’ve been writing my entire life, and the fact is I have. At fourteen, I taped my first work of satire to the refrigerator and waited for the laughs. Although muted, they did come.

Buoyed by that success, I moved into other arenas, publishing my first work in 1989. Ten years later, I publis...
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The Lemon Tree Special Episode - Ep. 22

January 30, 2020 • 24 mins
This week, Jo sits down with Sarah Strackhouse from The Strackhouse to discuss her book, The Lemon Tree. She details her tough childhood and how one stranger she met at a shop not far from where she lived changed her life forever. Jo is now the CEO of one of the largest senior-living companies in the southern part of the United States and hopes her story can help others who are struggling. To learn more information about Jo and her...
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So you want to write your story? The Benefits of a Memoir Writing Class: Ep. 21

January 22, 2020 • 40 mins
In this episode of The Lemon Tree, Jo Alch sits down with Author Alice Parker. Originally from Chicago, Alice has degrees in psychology, marketing, and English ESLbilingual–bi-cultural studies in graduate school. Her Memoir has 45 pages of poems, setting up the chapters and sections, as she’s been an award-winning poet since the mid-1970s. She joined the Poetry Society of Texas, where she won first place in the state several times ...
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"It all comes back to you!", Beth Duke- Ep. 20

January 15, 2020 • 17 mins
In this episode of The Lemon Tree, Jo Alch sits down with Beth Duke, author of "It all comes back to you!".
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Christine Hoza - Ep. 19

January 8, 2020 • 27 mins
In this episode of The Lemon Tree, Jo Alch sits down with author Christine Hoza to learn about her story of courage and the journey of writing her memoir.

You can reach out to Christine through her profile:
https://www.facebook.com/christine.stallingshoza
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REPLAY: Meet the Author part 1

December 4, 2019 • 48 mins
Growing up Southern Baptist with a self-absorbed Mother and often absent Father, Jo was forced to spend most of her childhood with an abusive Grandmother who believed that hard work was the only way to get to heaven. On weekends, while her Catholic friends were watching cartoons and playing with the latest toys, Jo and her siblings were polishing silver and starching linens with military precision. Her Grandmother’s personality at ...
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So you want to write a book... Where to Start - Ep. 18

November 13, 2019 • 29 mins
In this episode of The Lemon Tree, Jo Alch delves into the process of writing her own book with Barbara Glass from 'Write Around the Corner' and lays out what the process if you're wanting to write your own book.

If you wish to learn more, please visit:
http://writearoundthecorner.net/

Connect with Barbara on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaraglass1
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'Go Tell It!', a book about testimony, trauma and healing - Ep. 17

November 6, 2019 • 21 mins
1 in 3 women in America has gone through an abortion. In her book 'Go Tell It!', Debby Efurd talks about her journey with abortion, faith and how she was able to overcome the trauma and recover.

To Purchase Debby's book please visit:
https://www.amazon.com/Go-Tell-Debby-Efurd-ebook/dp/B00WRKAW8G
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'Lost and Found', with Linda Denke - Episode 16

October 30, 2019 • 24 mins
Linda Denke joins Jo Alch on this episode of The Lemon Tree Podcast to talk about her journey as a mother coping with her son's mental illness and her efforts to break the stigma and bias about her family's mental illness story.
In her book Lost and Found, Linda talks about her story of courage, faith, and resilience and how she found purpose through her journey. 

To learn more about Linda Denke please visit:
http://www.lindadenkewri...
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Grandparents and the Foster Care System - Episode 15

October 23, 2019 • 33 mins
2.7 million children in the US have at least one parent in prison; 400,000 are currently in foster care, and 765,000 are separated from a parent in the military. These are staggering numbers that need to be addressed through a strategy that involves getting those who know the children best: their families.

To explain the hurdles that grandparents are facing in raising their grandchildren, Jo Alch welcomes former podcast guest Beverl...
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Saving my Assassin - Episode 14

October 16, 2019 • 31 mins
On this episode of The Lemon Tree, Jo Alch sits down with Virginia Prodan, author of "Saving My Assassin", an incredible testimony of a woman's experience against an oppressive regime.
Virginia had spent her entire life searching for the Truth. When she finally found it in the pages of the most forbidden book in all of Romania, Virginia accepted the divine call to defend fellow followers of Christ against persecution.
For this a...
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'Dementia of the Mind But Not of the Heart' - Episode 13

October 9, 2019 • 32 mins
On this episode of 'The Lemon Tree', Jo Alch sits down with first-time author Eugene Vezina, to learn about the story behind his book 'Dementia of the Mind But Not of the Heart'.

The love story of almost 60 years of marriage is the backdrop of the book, with Vezina offering the unique perspective of a man caring for his wife as she embarks on the journey of Alzheimer's.

As he explains the struggles he went through, he also shares ab...
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Grand Love - Episode 12

October 2, 2019 • 32 mins
Beverly Maunus founded Grand Love to provide resources, support and community for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. A Grandmother herself, Beverly wants to raise awareness of the epidemic that is taking place with millions of grandparents stepping up to take care of their grandchildren to avoid the trauma of foster care for their grandchildren.

Learn about Beverly's journey through Faith, overcoming her own story o...
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Putting the Pieces Back Together After Child Abuse- Episode 11

September 25, 2019 • 40 mins
"Don't remember a day of my childhood where I wasn't sexually abused" - this is Dr. Gregory Williams' powerful book opener. On 'Shattered by the Darkness: Putting the Pieces Back Together After Child Abuse', Dr. Greg explains how he overcame his childhood abuse, and how he is using this book to bring healing, understanding, and awareness to this topic.

Jo and Dr. Greg talk about the similarities between their stories, religion, fune...
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Surviving Human Trafficking - Episode 10

September 18, 2019 • 28 mins
On this week's episode of 'The Lemon Tree - Memoirs of Courage Podcast' Jo Alch hears from Human Trafficking victim and author Chong Kim, who shares her story of courage.

In her book 'Broken Silence', Chong describes her first-hand experience in Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Child Sex Exploitation, and how she overcame the trauma and how she became a world-renown speaker, raising awareness to the topics.

To know more abo...
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The struggles of a writer, featuring Mike Maden - Episode 9

September 13, 2019 • 22 mins
On this episode of The Lemon Tree, Jo Alch welcomes author Mike Maden to talk about his struggles, how he channels his emotions in the writing process and his moments of courage throughout life's hardest hurdles.
Mike also explains how his talents landed him a place in the legendary Tom Clancy franchise.

If you'd like to know more about 'The Lemon Tree' book, please visit the official website:
http://thelemontreebook.com/
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Mrs. Bailey's Smile - Episode 8

September 4, 2019 • 24 mins
On this episode of 'The Lemon Tree - Memoirs of Courage' podcast, Jo Alch interviews Carolyn Jennings, author of Mrs. Bailey's Smile a book focused on compassion, segregation and living in the 1950's America.

In 1952, young Rebecca is feeling isolated in her new home in a backward farming community. Surrounded by country cemeteries and desperate for friendship, she yields to peer pressure in order to gain acceptance. Will the betray...
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Meet the Author part 4 - Episode 7

August 28, 2019 • 35 mins
On part four of Meet the Author, Jo Alch delves into the book's chapters concerning senior dementia: how the experience of both her grandmother Honey, her Father and Mother all going through dementia strengthened her passion and empathy for seniors growing through the disease, and how that later directed her to found 'Acappella in Home Care'.

Jo and Krissa also discuss the benefits of joining her Church's choir, the power of fellows...
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"Why me?" - Episode 6

August 21, 2019 • 20 mins
Sarah Burleton is the author of 'Why me?', an Amazon instant best-seller book which made the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal non-fictional Best Seller List. Who is the woman behind the story? Tune in to the first episode of The Lemon Tree - Memoirs of Courage to discover the inspirational story of the woman behind the book.

You can purchase Sarah's book on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Why-Me-Sarah-Burleton-ebook/...
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