"Origin Story" Monday's Warm Cocoa 1.19.2026

"Connection, influence, and real leadership begin when you tell your story authentically.” – John Bates

Origin Story

“Connection, influence, and real leadership begin when you tell your story authentically,” John said with hawk-like intent.

John didn’t stop there. He told a story himself to make his point stick. After all, he also teaches that every story told should make a point.

“Let me tell you how much we all love stories! We spend hours and hours listening to and watching stories. But, when we’re watching a movie and someone you know calls, you touch pause on the movie share in their story! That alone shows you how important the story-connection between people is,” John illustrated.

Telling a story is the very best way for us to remember something. We may not remember the entire story word for word, but we’ll remember the point of the story, if not forever, for a very long time. I can still travel to the past in a flash, to the flicker of a dancing camp fire, to be with a couple of my buddies, to relive stories forged then and there again.

I can see Kevin Young’s matted, camp fire smoked hair, cradled by his interlaced hands behind his head. I see the stars, bright in the dark sky above. One star was moving!

Kevin comments and asks, “look at that one. It’s moving! What’s up with that?”

“It’s a satellite,” I respond.

“Is that via satellite?”

My ears are tickled again by remembered-laughter as I tell him that “via satellite” means “transmitted by satellite” to your TV. At that we laugh and laugh together for a long time before settling into our sleeping bags to ward-off the dropping temperatures of the night. We were friends for years prior to that evening, but our shared experience and that story cemented our bond for our lifetime. People want and need a human such connection.

It is the human connection that allows us to mirror each other as we experience stories. We mirror facial expressions, movements and emotions! We believe the stories that the teller believes! So, give others something wonderful to mirror. How do you do that?

Begin with a story about your own origin. Tell it to others when they ask about you. Do it by purposefully thinking about who you’re talking to and what you want them to know about you.

What is it that makes you, well, you? What is it that one moment that caused you to begin to write the story of the life you’ve been living?

John says, “when you share your origin story you open space for others to share their stories with you as well. It will create deeper trust and relationships with all people. We share stories because they have an impact on others!”

Connection, influence, and real leadership do indeed begin when you tell your own story authentically. We can’t wait to hear your story!

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qmK_Rav__c636P6Vix0K8pYya7sqP0mi/view?usp=sharing

"Fish Eye" Monday's Warm Cocoa 1.12.2026

"If we dynamically look toward what nourishes us, we’ll be endowed to vigorously pursue it” – Katie Buttle

Fish Eye

“For some reason my daughter decided to get fish for a pet,” Katie said, before diving deeper. “I’m a ‘dog-person’ so the idea that fish could be a great pet was a bit befuddling.

Sometimes, though, moments of befuddlement open new currents of insight. Such opportunities are almost always tickling bubbles of unexpected surprise. And, Katie’s almost daily interaction with her daughter’s pet fish unpredictably prompted her toward a very unexpected, well, new-sight she calls seeing through “fish eyes.”

“I go into my daughter’s room regularly,” she explained. “I’m in there as part of everyday life. You know, putting away freshly laundered clothes, or pushing a vacuum cleaner over the carpet. It took me a while but I began to notice something very interesting about the fish swimming around in that tank.”

There is a small container of fish food sitting on top of the aquarium. It’s there as a reminder to feed those pet fish. After all, teenagers are often focused on lots of activities and school work. An active, busy life makes it easy to forget quietly swimming fish, gliding through temperature controlled, mechanically generated oxygenated water!

“The fish live in a fully controlled environment,” Katie continued. “Everything is provided for them. They don’t get to control anything, except for two things!”

Katie knew one of those fish-controlled actions naturally. The fish can decide if they want to eat the food given to them. But, it took her quite a bit of observation to discover the second thing the fish fully control. Where they look.

“After walking past the aquarium lots of times, I began to notice that the fish would swim toward the front glass and intently watch me! At first, I thought I was just imagining it. But, I began to go into the room just to test them. I was curious to know if those fish eyes were really tracking my movements,” She elucidated. “They were! I was so happy to know that I wasn’t delusional!”

The fish had learned that their food appeared, was delivered, when a human walked up to their tank. So, it didn’t take them long before they began to put the bubble hazed pieces together. They would see a person approach, believe that food would be provided and then place themselves into a sustenance-seizing position.

“Fish eyes taught me the importance of having a dynamic focus! I’ve been taught this principle for a lifetime, but its importance has never been as impactful until viewed through fish eyes. If we dynamically look toward what nourishes us, we’ll be endowed to vigorously pursue it for our own benefit,” Katie said of what she’s learned from those unexpected, insightful, following fish eyes.

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qmK_Rav__c636P6Vix0K8pYya7sqP0mi/view?usp=sharing

"In From the Cold" Monday's Warm Cocoa 1.5.2026

"We’ve set up a warming center in my church” – Tommy Smith

In from the Cold

In the very early morning of a cold, cold day, Tommy Smith walked into the gym all bundled. That was a big change from his normal dress of a t-shirt and athletic shorts.

“Wow! It’s cold out there,” Tommy said as he walked through the door from the anteroom. “This cold and dark makes it hard for me to get up and work out this early!”

The other eight eyes walking into the room glanced at him in agreement. It was clear that winter had arrived and everyone in the little gym was grateful to be able to come in from the cold. Even if it was for the purpose of sweating for an hour, or more. Talk of the weather was a great way to break the ice hampering conversation at 4:45 a.m. and the discussion of the impactful temperature continued between the athletic friends.

“We’ve set up a warming center at my church,” Tommy continued. “We’re in the process of getting volunteers to greet and serve those seeking shelter; coming in from the cold. Once we have enough volunteers we’ll assign shifts to make sure we have people there to help at all hours.”

“This would be the perfect shift for you to take,” one buddy in the room responded. “After all, this time is most difficult for many and it wouldn’t be even be noticeable to you. You’re here every morning with us already!”

“Right? Most volunteers won’t want the 4:00 a.m. shift,” Tommy agreed. “But, I’ll fill in where ever I’m needed. It’s cold out there!”

All of the heads in the gym were bobbing up and down, like little yellow, rubber duckies floating on an agitated pond. And, those same heads were bobbing up and down once again as the workout had finished and everyone in the room was layering on hats, gloves, pants, and coats as if decorating a layered birthday cake. Such decoration against the cold took a lot of preparation.

The cold stayed the entire day. It continued through the night and into the wee hours of the next morning, when all of the buddies hit the gym again. Well, that isn’t exactly accurate. One of the guys was absent. Tommy!

He wasn’t there when the guys came in from the cold again and began removing the thick frosting protecting them from extreme temperatures. Their heads were bobbing up and down again as one of them spoke up.

“Tommy’s missing because he’s likely helping others come in from the cold. He’s surely in his church’s warming center,” he said. “He’d never say anything, because helping others isn’t something he ever takes credit for.”

This time, there were mumbles of agreement confirming Tommy’s character and those mumbles broke the ice again because Randy said, “let’s get going! It ain’t going to happen by itself!”

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10S8aY1KXHyzkBm-Xm7gUyQecrZqeYJNI/view?usp=sharing

"On the Inside" Monday's Warm Cocoa 12.29.2025

"I had a strong feeling." – Randy Cummins

On the Inside

“I wanted to give you a call,” Randy said in an unusually subdued tone. “I wanted you to know.”

Randy was on his way home from the hospital. He had been in the hospital for a few days after suffering a considerable heart attack and receiving a subsequent surgery to restore blood flow. It was just like him to think about others! It is his natural instinct and practice, yet I was about to learn something more profound about him. Randy is led from the inside, out.

“I had a strong feeling,” he said as he began to explicate.

He had been deeply touched by the example and kindness of one particular family many years ago. They had come to his aid when his first daughter was born.

“They opened their hearts and home to us when we really needed help,” he continued. “They didn’t know us well at the time. All they knew was that we needed help. So, they assisted us without asking anything in return.”

Randy went on to say that the strong feelings he was having had created an internal, profound urgency. He was driven by the importance of expressing gratitude to this decades-old difference making family. To express the feelings of his heart, to let them know that even after many years their kindness was still impacting him. And, at the same time, he had another feeling impressing on him.

“Almost concurrently, earlier in the day, I sat with my wife and we discussed deeply meaningful things,” Randy continued. “I just thought it was an important thing to do at the moment. It wasn’t long after I had finished that I was sitting at my desk.”

Randy went to get up from his desk, after sending the message expressing his gratitude and collapsed. His son came running in to help him, followed closely by his wife. He told them he thought he’d be okay. Yet, Randy’s son immediately called for help and got him to the hospital. It was a good thing he did!

Once in the hospital Randy was rushed into life saving surgery. His call to me came two days later as he was being driven home.

“You somehow knew inside that something major was about to happen. It was a gift to be willing to listen on the inside,” I said with reverence.

“The feelings were strongly influential and I’m glad I listened,” Randy said in reply. “Because sometimes timing is indeed everything and the chance to listen ends. Listen on the inside.”

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10S8aY1KXHyzkBm-Xm7gUyQecrZqeYJNI/view?usp=sharing

"By Addition" Monday's Warm Cocoa 12.22.2025

Twenty-seven countries, one chosen citizenship.

By Addition

“All rise!”

Everyone in one particular District Court of the United States stood as the judge walked into the courtroom. She was the last person to come into an already sardine-packed-room. To say there were a lot of people there is an understatement as another close by room was also filled with interested parties.

Every person was interested in being there for one or two reasons in common. The first reason was for those who had come to take their own, initial oath of U.S. citizenship. The second reason was to watch a loved-one attain their long hoped for U.S. citizenship. There were smiles all around.

The judge was also smiling as she opened the proceeding before saying, “Let’s go around the room and have each hopeful applicant tell us their name and what nation they’re from. Each candidate then took a turn to stand, say their name and state their current nationality. There were men and women with variety of age and one common hope and sense of accomplishment, even amongst huge personal and national diversity.

“United Kingdom,” “Bhutan,” “Mexico,” “Nepal,” “Canada,” “Sweden,” “Honduras,” “Russia.” The count went on until there were twenty-seven countries having been called out. At the end, the judge spoke about strength in diversity.

“We used to speak about American as a ‘melting-pot,” she said. “But, I think of our joining together a little differently. I like to think of each person who becomes a citizen as adding their uniqueness to our whole. It is an addition that allows our nation to become continually better.”

Then, she asked every applicant to stand, raise their right arm to the square and take the oath of citizenship. She led the oath with strength and pride. When completed, the court clerk took the a newly minted, personalized certificate of citizenship and presented it to each new citizen before the culmination of the ceremony.

“I invite everyone to stand to face the flag,” the judge announced. “Please repeat the pledge of allegiance.”

The already seasoned attendees stood and put their right hands over their heart as the judge started and they participated, “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Yet what is commonplace for one is often new for another. Some of the new citizens did know the tradition with exactness. Some struggled with the placement of their hand over their heart, while others whose English was a newer language, watched the lip movement of the judge carefully. And, everyone participated with sincerity and commitment.

Because, citizenship is a commitment to a nation as well as to each other. It is a pledge to give our nation and our fellows our very best. All rise!

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10S8aY1KXHyzkBm-Xm7gUyQecrZqeYJNI/view?usp=sharing

"Granddad" Monday's Warm Cocoa 12.15.2025

"I’m busy getting a new home finished for my coming grandbaby.” – Darrell Gibby

Granddad

“I’m busy getting a new home finished for my coming grandbaby.” Darrell said over the phone, “The baby is coming soon and we’re close to getting a new home built in time for the arrival.

Darrell is not going to be living in the house. But, his son and wife and their other two young children will be living there. They’ve all been working together to finish the construction for their growing family. They started building their new home a little over one year ago and have been doing almost all of the construction themselves. So, finding time to fling a hammer or wield other tools has been challenging since both father and grandfather have demanding careers.

Some grandparents would simply say they’re too busy, too old or too tired to throw themselves into such a large project. But not this Granddad! And, he is also busier than many others. He practices law, having his own firm, helps to care for aging parents and works as a volunteer, donating countless hours each week in his community. It is almost as if he is a “constructive tornado”! He does so much, one might be tempted to think of him as a “unicorn granddad.” Yet, if he is a mythical unicorn granddad he’s not the only one.

I sent a message to my friend Rob Surom two days ago asking if I could come over to visit. He’s “retired.” I was surprised to receive his unexpected response.

“It would have to be after 2 p.m. today,” he responded before I asked to come over at 4 p.m. that afternoon. But my schedule unexpectedly cleared so I sent a follow up request asking if I could come a little earlier. That’s when I received another text from him saying, “We’re home. You can come now.”

I wondered who the “we” was referring to as I knew his wife was working busily at the Children’s Hospital. My question was answered when I was invited into his home to find a baby girl held in this former naval aviator’s arms.

“I spend my days watching my grandkids,” Rob said with his disarming smile.

“Granddad,” I said to myself as Rob’s granddaughter looked at me and began to cry!

Rob immediately comforted her and in no time at all her tears were gone and her eyes were again a bright cerulean blue. Those cute eyes weren’t the only blue I saw after spending time with Rob and Darrell.

I saw a promising blue sky ahead for their grandchildren and I understood the use of “grand” as a precursor to the term grandfather and grandad!

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10S8aY1KXHyzkBm-Xm7gUyQecrZqeYJNI/view?usp=sharing

"Bryan's Recipe" Monday's Warm Cocoa 12.8.2025

"It all starts with the dough.” – Bryan Brandon

Bryan’s Recipe

I was sitting across a table from Chef Tyler Rogers. He’d been crafting a new menu over the past year. One focused on local food products and producers. After explaining the basis of his menu, he brought out a couple of dishes for tasting.

The first dish, smoked shrimp with smoked pimento cheese, came with a beautiful slice of sourdough bread. When I tasted these in combination my eyes rolled back into my head. It was sublime! I had never tasted such layered, complimentary flavors. And, it was anchored solidly by the bread.

“This bread is amazing,” I said, before asking, “Did you make this bread in-house?”

“No,” Chef Rogers answered. “We get it here locally from Ozark Natural Breads.”

I made a mental note of that, excitedly thinking that, perhaps I would be able to purchase some of this crusty, tasteful bread to eat at home. But alas, my hopes were quickly quashed when Chef Rogers went on to tell me that the bread was only available on a wholesale basis. Still, I never gave up hope and before long I thrilled at the sight of Ozark Natural Breads in a farmer’s market.

That’s where I met company owner, master baker and artisan Bryan Brandon. Since then we’ve become friends and he’s been kind enough to teach me a little about what makes his offerings so delectable.

“It’s all about the dough,” Bryan told me in his bakery yesterday.

His sourdough starter began twenty-two years ago. Since then he added a cooling room to make it more vigorous. And, he’s worked to become better at his craft every day since he received his Bachelor’s Degree from the American Institute of Baking, completed an apprenticeship in a French bakery near Normandy and purchased the bakery from his parents. As a result, he’s an extraordinary artisan baker.

As an artisan baker he is constantly experimenting. He’s always working to improve his product and offerings. And he showed me his diversity by taking me on a little field trip to one of his latest ventures, Wicked Wood Fired Pizza. 

It’s a great little shop anchored by a colorful, large wood fired pizza oven, highlighting the side of his small restaurant. When I tasted his pizza, it filled my mouth with the flavor of red oak smoked sour dough!

When I pointed that out, Bryan looked at me with his big, wide, welcoming smile and said, “It’s all about the dough.”

That’s when I agreed, “Yes! A good, happy life requires a great base enhanced by constant experimentation and adaption. Then, when you throw in additional quality ingredients such as spice and diverse toppings, you have Bryan’s recipe for pure joy!

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14AsoipiePjMdj7ds-f80BAGFyGWst-em/view?usp=sharing