Close Up Radio

Michelle Dobbins is vice president of marketing at Credit Union of Georgia, where she leads marketing and business development while managing community outreach teams and the foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in public relations from Kent State University. She serves on the board of the National Financial Educators Council’s Georgia chapter and Multimodal AI

James L. Newman is the owner and managing partner of Newman Consulting Group

Guapo’s Tales is a children’s book series by Janet Zappala, a multiple Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist and award-winning author. The books star Guapo, a real 3,000-pound steer and gentle giant who serves as the series’ goodwill ambassador. Each story draws on true animal rescue experiences to teach children kindness, compassion, patience and understanding, and to encourage a love of reading

M. Teresa Lawrence is a former attorney, author, and the founder of The Trueness Project. The Trueness Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Daniel, Wyoming. Its tagline is “Inspiring Authenticity Through the Leadership of Play.” She also is the sole author of “Gloriousness” and speaks widely on kindness and leadership

Ann Mracek has written symphonies, conducted them, and now built a book around one. ‘Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life’ recently won Author of the Year, Self-Help, at the 2026 International Impact Book Awards in Hollywood

Steve Gordy is a retired industrial trainer, training manager and technical writer who now works as a college instructor and creative writer in Aiken, South Carolina. He also is the founder of BLS Aiken