Skip to main content

A New World of Hope - Prt. 1

Podcast – A New World of Hope . . .

"Books are filled with ideas, and it's ideas that shape our lives."

Sometimes, a book captures your imagination, motivates you to act, and fulfills a desire hidden deep within your soul.

Let me introduce you to an author and his most recent novel that I just finished reading. But before I do, allow me to set the stage for how unforeseen pivotal moments can unexpectedly touch your life for the better.

In hindsight, one of those moments was an invitation to join a local writer's group after my early retirement from GIA in 2014. It was during that experience I met and came to know Don Hanley, Ph.D.

A former Catholic Priest who left the ministry to marry. Don earned a doctorate in psychology and has worked as a psychotherapist, graduate school professor, and counseling supervisor. His writings include professional articles and booklets, three novels, and he is currently working on a fourth. Don lives in northern San Diego County.

During my more than three years attending this writer's group, Don Hanley shared chapters of books he was working on in our group. Our very informal group's job was to listen to each other's writings and provide honest, constructive feedback to help improve the prose.

I witnessed Don receive scrap pages with scribbled notes that our group submitted to him. In turn, this feedback helped him transform his drafts into printed books. At the time, I didn't think much of it. Then, my life got busy, and I could not attend these group meetings.

However, I only partially lost touch with Don Hanley. Every Christmas, he would rewrite the lyrics to a familiar tune he would sing; we would video record that song and publish it to YouTube for his out-of-state family and friends as his special holiday gift.

Well, COVID disrupted everyone's life. And during our COVID lockdown, I lost touch with Dr. Don, as I called him. Then, about two weeks ago, I received a call from Don wishing me a Happy Birthday and an invitation to lunch.

"Absolutely! Funny, I've been thinking about you. I tried calling a few times, left a message on your voicemail, and was wondering if you were okay?"

So, we met for lunch. To my surprise, Don had just finished another novel, A New World of Hope. He signed a copy as a gift, asked me to read it, and got back to him with a review.

Here's my review posted on Amazon:

Don Hanley unquestionably struck gold with his latest novel, A New World of Hope. I challenge you to get this book, read it, then share it with others. It's about what's possible in your future.

This "Back to the Future" story of a history professor from 2141 who goes back in time and captures the hearts and imagination of a (2018) world filled with nay-sayers, political knuckleheads, and misdirected folks. You will not be able to put this book down. I promise!

The characters are people you know, would love to know, or have known at one time. The story exposes situations that will surprise and delight you. And quite frankly, knowing Don as I do, a quiet, peaceful man at times, he will astonish you!

Please don't take my word for it; find out for yourself. Get the book A New World of Hope, and pass it on. You will find it on Amazon.com. Congratulations, Dr. Don Hanley.

My listening friends, I can't say enough about how this novel moved me. If you're a Kindle reader, you can download it right now for a great price.

Yes, books are filled with ideas that shape our lives and inspire our world to change. Be proactive in that change. Check out Don Hanley's book, A New World of Hope. 

If you haven't heard, this podcast is now available on Amazon Music! Just say, "Alexa play - On the Fly podcast by Patrick Ball. Also, if you would like to be a guest on my podcast or have a question, email patrickball2011@gmail.com.

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

Podcast - Part 2

Comments

Most Popular of All Time

A Heart Full of Thanks

Oh, the thanks I could think, and the thanks I could say! For the wonderful people who brightened my day. The first one is Lori, my wife, sweet and true, Who knows just the thing and knows just what to do. She whipped up a feast with a smile and a sigh, With corn on the cob and a steak cooked “On the Fly!” My neighbor, Steve, with a mischievous gleam, Said, “No fence work today! No work, it would seem! You’ll paint with some water, some colors so bright, And sign your new painting with all of your might!" I laughed and I said, “But I don’t know that skill! I’ll slap on some paint and see what sticks still!” Then there’s my friends on the Facebook machine, The best group of readers that ever was seen! They read all my blogs and they hear my podcasts, They send all their cheer that's built to last! And Billy and Linda. A Snoopy card in the mail. A wonderful surprise that was sure to prevail! From very good friends, a delightful new tale ! But the thanks didn't stop, no, not...

History Isn’t a Museum

✨ In this episode, History Isn't a Museum—It's a River . . .   History isn't a museum—it's a river, and like it or not, we're already swimming in it. Its waters carry timeless lessons forward, flowing through each generation, waiting to be rediscovered . This profound realization struck me while reading Marcus Aurelius's Meditations . Imagine: a Roman emperor and philosopher two thousand years ago, writing notes that sound like advice from a modern mindfulness coach. When he says, "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength," it feels like he's speaking directly to us. The water may change, but the river is the same. Examining this writing with a fresh, childlike perspective and a wealth of experience, I realize how consistent human nature remains over time. Every generation faces familiar challenges, marked by frustration, peace, courage, faith, baseball, and the search for meaning across the ages...

Lessons from 1872

In this episode, Lessons from 1872: Travel in the Age of No-WiFi . . .   Imagine having 80 days to explore the world, with no smartphones, no jet planes, and no money concerns. A thrilling thought, right? That’s the fantasy Jules Verne implies in his classic adventure, Around the World in 80 Days , and it's a question I've been pondering from my easy chair in Vista, California. This week’s On the Fly , we're traveling back in time with one of the most thrilling literary adventures ever written. Early on, it’s clear this is Phileas Fogg’s story—a man of clocks and calculations, whose every move is measured. His journey isn’t about discovery, but a bet—a mathematical challenge involving money, schedules, and perfect timing. But when you think he’s the engine of the story, someone else quietly steals the show. Meet Passepartout: The Heart of the Journey. Jean Passepartout, Fogg’s new valet, is Fogg’s complete opposite. A former circus acrobat seeking a quiet life, he joins Fo...

You're Not Stuck

✨  In this episode, You’re not Stuck—you’re in a habit you forgot you built. One bad moment can ruin your day, but one habit can change your life. In this episode of On the Fly , discover how small, daily actions can rewire your mindset, replace negativity with possibilities, and even lift the people around you. Your 7-day challenge starts now. You’re Not Stuck—You’re Just in a Habit.  Yes, a single bad moment, a rough headline, or a tense conversation can throw off your entire day. Before you know it, your thoughts are spinning in a hamster wheel of frustration and negativity. Here’s the reality: you don’t have to stay on that wheel.  The secret isn’t a lightning bolt of motivation—it’s something quieter but far more powerful: habit. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle. Mindset doesn’t change through grand gestures—it changes through small, repeatable actions . Your brain is constantly building pathways—tiny roads tha...