A Story of Conviction and Healing in the Face of Adversity

Imagine sitting down with someone whose life reads like an action-packed novel, filled with twists of entrepreneurship, resilience, and a deep-seated faith. That's precisely what unfolded when I had the privilege of welcoming David Pasqualone to our show. As a seasoned marketing and sales consultant, David brings to the table his unique approach to fostering growth within organizations, emphasizing the value of trust and the pursuit of objectives that transcend mere financial gains. His strategies range from comprehensive sales training to innovative web development, all tailor-made to help clients unlock their true potential. Furthermore, David opens up about his mission with the Remarkable People podcast, a platform that allows listeners to draw wisdom from the incredible life stories and practical advice shared by his guests.

Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and David's story is no exception. He takes us through the harrowing journey of battling a misdiagnosed illness that led to the discovery of a life-threatening tumor during his teenage years. The conversation becomes a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit, as David recounts the aftermath of numerous surgeries and the relentless health challenges that ensued. Despite the onslaught of obstacles, including a dental procedure that triggered trigeminal neuralgia and further complications, David's narrative is imbued with a sense of hope and the relentless pursuit of health, anchored by his unwavering faith and the strength found in advocating for oneself in the face of daunting medical prognoses.

Our conversation then ventures into the profound interplay between faith, life's trials, and the concept of success. David and I dissect the role of authentic faith in shaping our personal and professional lives, critiquing the misuse of prosperity gospel and highlighting the importance of aligning one's actions with their beliefs. We ponder the divine plan versus our own, acknowledging that our visions of success may not always align with a higher purpose. Whether it's grappling with the idea of gratitude in the midst of unfulfilled expectations or understanding the significance of the moral compass within the business realm, David's insights steer us towards a deeper comprehension of faith and growth. His story is a beacon for anyone seeking to navigate the intricate dance of life's blessings, challenges, and the pursuit of a path root

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome to the Elevate Media Podcast with your host, chris Anderson. In this show, chris and his guests will share their knowledge and experience on how to go from zero to successful entrepreneur. They have built their businesses from scratch and are now ready to give back to those who are just starting. Let's get ready to learn, grow and elevate our businesses. And now your host, chris Anderson.

Speaker 2: 0:24

Welcome back to another recording of the Elevate Media Podcast. I'm Chris Anderson, your host. Today is going to be a great episode just talking to this individual in the green room before we hit record lots that we could dive into. So we're going to see where the conversation goes, where it flows, and I think what is needed to be said and brought up is going to be and so I'm excited to have David Pasqualone. I said it wrong, I know I did. We passed him, it's easy, man. David Smith.

Speaker 3: 0:56

No, David Pasqualone man, no problems, no problems. It's nice to see you.

Speaker 2: 1:00

Chris, absolutely, man. Thanks for being on the show today. I'm excited to just have this conversation and to start things out. You know, obviously people might not know who you are. Maybe they do If they don't tell us a little high level about you know what it is you do in life.

Speaker 3: 1:15

Yeah, so professionally I'm a marketing and sales consultant and all I do is work with clients that have been with me for years or referrals from them. I'm a marketing guy who doesn't market because I want to keep within that circle of trust. I'm not just looking for a dollar, I want to really help people that you know, not just they know like and trust me, but I know like and trust them. That way we see the organizations thrive and it means more than money them. That way we see the organizations thrive and it means more than money. So what I do is I look at where their goals are, then where they're realistically at, we reverse engineer the plan for them to get there and then I either hand them the playbook, I kind of coach them and their team on the way how to get there, or we'll just do it for them and they do what they love. So that's what I do professionally in a nutshell. So it can encompass sales training, marketing, consulting, building a lot of websites the last couple of years since COVID and just anything that embodies that kind of strategy.

Speaker 3: 2:17

And then as a ministry, four years ago we started the Remarkable People podcast and, like you, I get to meet people from all around the world, all walks of life, and we not only share their personal journey of what they're able to overcome or achieve, but we reverse engineer into the practical steps of how they did it. So now our listeners can too. So we're a top 1% podcast. I'm super thankful for that. A top 1% podcast I'm super thankful for that. We've had some really just amazing remarkable episodes for four years, but the last four months have been just really strong and I'm just really thankful and enjoying the ride. I get to help people grow and glorify.

Speaker 2: 2:58

God, that's awesome. I love that and, yeah, I think it's really cool and I think podcasting just really sets the stage for a lot of that for connections, relationships, but also, you know, be able to get messages out there. And that's what I love about it, because we can elevate, you know, our own stories. We can elevate other people's stories, we can elevate brands. We can, you know, elevate faith, you know, and plant those seeds with having those conversations and, yeah, it's just a fantastic platform and the people and the stories we've been able to hear I mean, I'm sure you can agree on this is that just some of them are just phenomenal. I just never would have guessed until you talk to that person, and I think it's a good reminder too, right, you never know someone's guessed until you talk to that person, and I think it's a good reminder too, right?

Speaker 3: 3:49

You never know someone's story until you actually hear it from them. Yeah, yeah, and that's so true. And it doesn't have to be a quote, unquote, famous person or a successful entrepreneur or business leader. It's just we've had people on our show that you've never heard of and their stories are amazing. We've had people on our show that you've never heard of and their stories are amazing. We've had people on our show that are world famous and their stories are great.

Speaker 3: 4:09

But the success that we want to embody is what gives us that joy and peace and freedom and draws us closer to God and glorifies him. So we've had stories where people were held at gunpoint and raped for two weeks and they talk about how they get over it. We have other stories how they were an addict and 13 tries at rehab it finally stuck, and they explain how and why. And then we have stories where people were just flat out introverted and they were afraid to speak publicly, so they talked about how they overcame it. So it's not about sensational, it's just about remarkable people who do remarkable things, and everybody in their life has value. So a lot of times they don't even see it.

Speaker 3: 4:51

So our podcast tries to draw that out and share with the world. You know things they connect with but also apply. Like, our slogan is listen, do, repeat for life. Don't just listen to great content but do it and then repeat those good things each day so you can have a great life in this world but, most importantly, an attorney to come. So that's why I turned down like again, I don't know your screen process, but we automate everything because we get we get sometimes over a hundred applications a month to be on our show. So the first part is automated, then we set up a phone call, then we go through a screening process, so by that time the guest gets to you they've already been well vetted.

Speaker 2: 5:33

Yeah.

Speaker 3: 5:34

But there's been a couple of times in four years where people snuck through and I'll just can the episode. But I don't. I don't want people who are self-serving when people who are selflessly serving that. I don't want people who are self-serving.

Speaker 2: 5:44

I want people who are selflessly serving. That's good, yeah, and it's definitely you got to have that process, especially as you go and things grow. I mean, you know, like we have that same kind of screening process because we have so much outreach, it's like we can't take on everyone. Yeah, we'd be scheduled out for years and years, but, like we also now are at the point where, like we want it to be even more value, let's bring the best value to the audience that we can, and we don't we don't necessarily just want anyone and everyone, and so I think that's that's great, that you've had that.

Speaker 2: 6:17

And you know, like what I always tell people when I'm if I'm ever on a show, that it's just you. Sometimes you get like what's the one thing you tell people listening, like the final thing? Like well, everyone has a story and everyone's story matters in one way. It doesn't matter if you climb that, climb Everest, or you know, you're just a quote, unquote average Joe, it doesn't matter. Your story does matter, though, and so I think it's beautiful what you are doing with your podcast, and that's cool to hear, because, I mean, I know you have a story no-transcript, like real general broad strokes.

Speaker 3: 7:07

Um, you know, childhood was challenging and, uh, they had a combination of like, a lot of loneliness, a lot of isolation, a lot of like my watch my grandma die for the first four years and you know I was always with her and then my mom loved me but she had, you know, her own set of issues and losing my grandmom and relational things. Uh. So you know, childhood was kind of rough. My father was out of the picture and then when we grew up, we grew up american, for and you know that always sucked, and not just because there's money and things, but, like you know, the abuses that come along with it, so to speak, from the kids at school and other people. You know it's just not a fun thing. Then, you know, when I got into my teens, I was always sick. The doctors told me I was a hypochondriac, so I stopped going to the doctors and when I did, all they do is give me antibiotics. Long story short, after six years went deaf on the second vacation of my life and then couldn't clear my ear. There was a lump in the roof of my mouth. Told the doctors to take out my tonsils and adenoids. They found a tumor the size of an orange and then they took it out. It grew back, took it out, it grew back, had radiation and that's like a whole story in itself. I should have died, I should be disfigured, I should be mentally retarded, handicapped, um, like and I'm not, that's playing it lightly like I should not be here statistically based on the first surgery, let alone two, and then radiation. But God bless, and then the whole time I was going through it, I knew he was there. I know he's a loving God, he's not an addictive God, and it was a relief to know that I wasn't crazy. After being told all these years that I was making it up, I'm like I'm not making it up. But then you start thinking it like am I crazy? Am I making it up? Am I hypochondriac? Am I seeking attention? No, it was in my head, but it was physically in my head. It was a tumor.

Speaker 3: 9:14

So once I got that, it took me two years to recover, like I was, even though, after being sick for six years, like I was, even though, after being sick for six years, having a year of surgeries major ones, then having radiation I dropped down like 135 pounds. I was wiped out. So it took me a year before I was even like practically normal, and then another year of recovery and then I went off to college. But it wasn't. You know, I was the two things that I still have to this day from that.

Speaker 3: 9:45

And some people are like, oh, that's awesome, but it's not, as I never feel hunger. They like fried that by accident when I had the radiation. Um, they like made a mistake one day and it fried that part of my brain. So what happens to me is I'll just work, work, work, work, work or play, play, play, play, play, play, play, play. And I don't realize it. Also like oh man, I'm tired because I haven't ate in a long time. Yeah, no, that was one side effect. And the other thing is slower. I'm physically slower, like. People are like, oh, you're fine. I'm like, yeah, I'm fine to the normal, but not where I was, like I was way faster. So those are the two things. But other than that went off.

Speaker 3: 10:23

I got to go to college, grow and then got married, had two amazing children they're 21 and 20 now Wow. But when I was in my 30s I'm running around doing business had some dental work done in Washington State and from the moment I had it done. I was in pain, but I'm too busy, busy. I was selling body armor and less lethal weapons and love my career, love my family, love my church. I had a great life and I'm just go, go, go, go go.

Speaker 3: 10:51

But I started getting sicker and sicker, and sicker. And then, um and when I say sicker it was like feeling sick to my stomach. Sometimes I'd shake, like like bad stomach ache, and I'd shake and I didn't have time to do the doctor, but I knew something was wrong. And then, um, all of a sudden we were traveling cross country and I collapsed in um, texas, wow, and we were going from. We were going from Washington state cross country to Pensacola, moving in 2007. And in Texas I just collapsed and they brought me to the ER. They told me I had an infection in my blood. They're like we're going to stabilize you. As soon as you get to Pensacola you go back to the ER. So, long story short, that set off another.

Speaker 3: 11:38

I was kind of sick and in pain for two years, but then, from that point on, I was like I had three doctors in a row tell me you need to make out your will, get your affairs in order. You're going to die. I had stuff shutting down Again. I start losing weight, got down to all the way to 140s and I'm walking around like 215 right now. So I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, I was in pain and again, long story short, what happened was a doctor went in rushing. The bad dentist not only gave me an infection, but it hit a nerve. So I had an infection festering and trigeminal neuralgia, and then it was poisoning of my body, shutting me down. I lost my gallbladder because of it, but that's nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Speaker 3: 12:22

And then I ended up pulling teeth and doing all the things you're not supposed to do. And I got better. So instead of being, I had to go to the Mayo Clinic and spend a week there. They figured it out after two years and I'm not being able to figure it out locally and they were amazing. But they told me you have trigeminal neuralgia, don't pull your teeth, and you know you're tried. General neuralgia don't pull your teeth, and you know you're just gonna have to live on drugs your whole life. So I pulled my teeth. I because I either want to die fast and go see jesus or live full right.

Speaker 3: 12:57

So I pulled my teeth and, god bless I um, they went in and did surgery while I was awake. They even didn't believe me that it started with a dentist, wow, and I told him how I could feel a lump in my mouth and you know, after having a tumor in your head you're extra cost, uh, like conscious of what's going on in your anatomy. So I was at the head at um, the Mayo clinic of the urinizing throat and they had a floor with like 200, 250 people on it and the doctor told me he's like half of those people have the same problem you have from dental implants. Oh, and um, he's like half of those people are going to commit suicide because they can't. It's just the pain's constant If anybody. I hope it doesn't happen to anybody, yeah, um, but if it happens or you know somebody who has it, it's. It's a real issue For those people. I don't know if they had it worse if they just listened to the doctors. But basically what they said is, if you pull your teeth, it'll probably get worse and you'll die or you'll commit suicide. And I'm like I'm not going to commit suicide. That's not who I am and again, I've been in pain every day now for four years. So I'm like let's get this over with.

Speaker 3: 14:11

So I went to the dentist. The oral surgeon pulled the tooth. Actually, I take that back. I'm sorry, I had that lump that I kept telling them about and they humored me. Three doctors one was the head at the Mayo Clinic and after they cut in, like they're in my head, I'm awake. They were doing exploratory surgery. Just to humor me, they're like oh wow, you have calcification active infection. We need to scrape this out. So they're in my head with like a chisel and scraping and, long story short, they found the source of the infection and what my body did is it's like here's the roof of your mouth and your bone. So my body like tried to seal it off.

Speaker 3: 14:48

It was still leaking and poisoning me slowly for those four years. But once they got that out, it stopped all the poisoning of my body and then we just dealt with the pain and their solution was just be on drugs your whole life. And um, they gave me. They said, take an anti. I don't know I'm rambling man, I don't know. This is interesting. Yeah, I just for your listeners.

Speaker 3: 15:08

My goal when I tell these details is hopefully it gives you hope and it gives you maybe thinking out of the box, because I'm not saying throw out the baby in the bathwater, don't listen to any conventional medicine, and I'm not saying go all alternative, holistic, but there's a definite balance that God created between the two. He gave us geniuses and brilliant doctors, but he also gave us herbs and stuff that grows in the ground. Right, you don't need the pharmaceuticals most of the time. So, anyways, I get the surgery. They're like holy crap, you did have infection. I'm like told you, like at this point in life I know not to listen to doctors, to listen to god and the holy ghost and me, right? Um, so then I go home and they're like you take an antidepressant drug or take an anti-seizure drug. Those both will help numb the nerves, cause I was at like a level eight to nine pain every day. So then I couldn't even focus sometimes. So I'm like, well, what's the most tried and true? And they said the antidepressant, even though I wasn't depressed. That's what they use. So I go home and I take this crap for a couple of days and I'm depressed. And then they're like, well, I call them up because now I'm back in Florida. And they're like no, no, keep going, let your body get used to it.

Speaker 3: 16:23

And then one day I remember walking in the kitchen and nothing was going on and I felt like I was in between wanting to just be completely depressed and get in bed, and being so enraged and angry I wanted to put my hand through the wall. So I'm like this has got to go. So I called up the doctor and said I'm not taking this anymore. And they're like well, you have to. I'm like I don't have to do anything. I want to get to my body. I'm like, if I'm going to be in pain, I'm going to be in pain. And they're like well, take the anti-seizure medicine. And I'm like hold on, let's review. I just took anti-depression medicine and got depressed. Now you want me to take anti-seizure medicine. I said my kids just watched me be sick for four years. That's bad enough. Now you want me to have a seizure and flop on the floor like a fish. I'm like get out of here.

Speaker 3: 17:07

So they convinced me to try another antidepressant medicine. I said what's again the oldest, tritest and true. So it was very mild, but it did take me from like a nine eight every day to like a five, six. So that was huge improvement, but I felt like a freaking zombie. So then I get off. One day I'm just like screw it.

Speaker 3: 17:30

I went to my friend who's an oral surgeon in town and I said hey, man, I'll sign any waiver you want. I'm not holding you liable. All the doctors at the Mayo Clinic said this will probably get worse. But just pull them, just pull my teeth. And I wanted to pull three. Right, he's like I'll pull one, let's see what happens. He pulled it. I had instant relief. Instant relief, chris, like instant. So I'm like yeah, man, let's pull more. You know, I let a couple of weeks go by so everything could settle. He's like whoa, whoa, whoa. He's like let's think about this. He's like the doctors are very smart at the Mayo Clinic. He's like it could be right, we could have got lucky, let's just wait.

Speaker 3: 18:13

So then almost a year passes and I'm eating like candy from Halloween that my kids got like we don't even celebrate Halloween but it came back like in a bag from their school, yeah, and I bit in that other tooth crack and I was so freaking excited because I'm like, yes, pull that bitch too, man. It's like go to the doctor and they're like, do you want this that I'm like just pull it. So they pull it out and more relief. And ever since then, no meds, no, no drugs. I'm on like every day I have maybe like level one or two pain, but it's like I almost I don't even think about it most of the time. So that's that story. And then I got bad again and live life and you know you have ups and downs, personal in every area. But yeah, that's wise, I've been fantastic.

Speaker 2: 18:55

Well, I'm glad to hear that. I mean I'm glad to hear, health-wise you've been fantastic. But so so, from these experiences you've had, has it built some sort of resilience in you? Has it? What has it helped you do to become successful in other aspects, maybe as a father or maybe in business? Has it done anything? Have you learned something from these moments?

Speaker 3: 19:17

Yeah, god's always with you, and I mean God was. He's with you in the lowest time or the best time, and he doesn't cause any of the pain or chaos. That's Satan trying to trick you If you think God harmed you or took someone for you or is causing issues in your life. No, it's just like. Or took someone for you or is causing issues in your life. No, it's just like. If you love your child, you're only going to do what's best for them, long-term, like. Sometimes you know you might let them get grounded. You ground them or you might chastise them. It's on small, short term, but that's still within a very distinct and the finite instant right. But overall, god loves us and cares for us and he's there for us. So what I learned is God's there. If it's happening, there's a reason. Follow after him. If I don't know, follow the own instincts that he gave you.

Speaker 3: 20:06

And doctors may have eight PhDs, but they don't have a PhD in me. I know my body better than anybody else and, at the end of the day, the most important thing is God and each other. So that's things that it taught me. So when I'm in business, money is like the least important thing, like money's a tool. You can have a lot of fun with it. You need it to live, but it's not the end game. So it's like how can we better people's lives, how can we grow this organization together so america becomes stronger? How can we become stronger as a community, as a home? And, at the end of the day, are people seeing christ in me? Are people seeing christ?

Speaker 3: 20:43

And the people who say they're christians right, because the you can have. I don't care if somebody doesn't believe in god. That's between them and god and I respect that person for being care. If somebody doesn't believe in God, that's between them and God and I respect that person for being honest. If somebody believes in God, I respect that person. I happen to agree with them.

Speaker 3: 20:57

But the worst people are the lukewarm and the liars, the hypocrites, the people who say they're a Christian but live like the devil. And I'm not expecting everybody never to be sent to be totally holy, that's, that's impossible. But at least people striving for perfection. Jesus says be perfect, as I am perfect. So when people say they're a Christian, they go to church on Sunday, they get their $18 lattes and they wear their designer clothes and then they walk out of church and don't help a damn person but themselves. Those are the people that I'm not going to lie. I want to punch in the face in Christian love. Now, granted, that's not Christian love, but that's just like. If you read the Bible, the only time Jesus got upset isn't when people offended him, it's when they offended the father, yep. And when people were hypocrites and lying, he said you're a snake and viper.

Speaker 3: 21:45

And we live in this watered down, snowflake society where, even within church, you can't call somebody out for sin. You society where, even within church, you can't call somebody out for sin. You don't call somebody out. How dare you judge them? No, there's a difference between judging someone and good judgment. And if there's a clear boundary and a husband or wife is having an affair, hey, stop it. That's wrong. Get your shit together and take care of your family. Stop it.

Speaker 3: 22:13

People today condone there's more adultery in the church than in the average business. It seems so. It's. God is perfect, his church is perfect, but what we've done on earth is filthy. So, to answer your question, what have I taken into? It is it's life's all about God. And like again my language, forgive me Sometimes, like I cuss, forgive me.

Speaker 3: 22:34

Some people are really offended at cussing. Right, I'm not saying I'm right, you know clearly that's not right. However, at the same time, lying is acceptable socially, right. Right, that's way worse. People were killed in an instant for lying. So it's like god knows my heart. It talks about that over the bible.

Speaker 3: 22:54

I'm not justifying saying I'm right by cussing, but I hear people take god's name in vain all day within. They're supposed to be christians and yet if I just like, said that word, right, they think it's. I'm a terrible human. Like where's that in the bible? It's literally not in the bible. So, but I think it's like what the 10 commandments has like 14 verses, and four or five of them are centered on not taking the lord's name in vain. But if you look in the dictionary g's that's for jesus and you know, oh, my, my God, they're not praying to God at that moment. They're using his name in vain. So when people use God's name in vain, flippantly, and then they get offended at a person because they say, oh, it's a crap or shit or whatever, what's wrong with you, man? You're lining up with society, not with the scripture.

Speaker 2: 23:48

So no, I mean, yeah, I definitely. It's like kind of like that you know removes a splinter from your eye or whatever before you judge someone. Whatever that versus I'm not I don't know by heart, but no it's always about a splinter in a moat.

Speaker 3: 24:00

It's saying something small and something big. It's saying like, yeah, you're talking to somebody about you know they they did. Yeah, like that you cussed, and they treat you like you're an outcast. And this other person's having uh, what's it called? When you have sex with other people and you're married, swinging, they're swingers, but they're freaking deacons in the church, right, and you cuss, so they treat you like you're an outcast. That's kind of where we're at, and not all churches, because, god's perfect, there's a lot of great christians and churches, preachers. But I will say I've seen some ridiculous things the last five years and it's just mind blowing and it goes back to the darkness that blinded their eyes. You know, I can be wrong, you can be wrong, and every situation, either I'm right and you're wrong, you're right and I'm wrong, or both wrong and we need to seek God. So it's like. But people today just want to be right yeah how can?

Speaker 2: 24:51

people. How can people kind of navigate those decisions in life? You know, maybe they're thinking about faith, maybe they don't. What you know, I don't know, maybe this is a loaded question, it just kind of popped in my head. You know, how do you obviously seek jesus? Right would be the first, first answer to that. You got people who don't believe or people who do believe. Yeah, maybe people are kind of like on the fence a little bit.

Speaker 3: 25:17

Yeah, seriously, that's a great question. So when I was 15, I thought I was going crazy because everybody kept telling me I was a hypochondriac. There was a pastor who would always knock on my door, be on the basketball courts, always inviting us to youth group, always inviting us to church, right, pastor Carl Kuhn. I still talk to him to this day, incredible godly man and his wife Beth, and we'd hide when he'd come to the door like jump behind and then hide because you know we didn't know God, right. Well, when he did that faithfully for years. And then when I was 15, I started thinking I was going crazy. And now, looking back, I had a couple of instances, what you'd call a panic attack, just from all the pressures and all the stress, not just physical, but the stuff going on privately in my home and just life. When I went to church I didn't know the difference between a Bible and a hymnal, I didn't know etiquette the pastor was preaching. Now, we were in Milford Mass, so like 45 minutes outside of Boston and I'd go. The first one I went to was a Wednesday night. It's like maybe 50 people at the church, because New England churches aren't big, right. It's not like if you're down South, it's like 3000 people. Well, I'd raise my hand in the middle of his sermon and ask questions and, like I was in school, I was 15. He never said a word. He just answered my question. Chrisris, I'm not joking. Sunday morning, sunday night, wednesday night, I went. I just kept going and asking questions and then, about a month into this, nobody said a word in that church. They just smiled and politely answered me. Nobody ever said stop interrupting the pastor. Great though, yeah, okay, they were just really like hey, we say we're here to witness to people. This kid's asking questions, right, so he comes up to me after a youth group on a thursday night. He's like dave. He's like. You know, sadly we have a small church. I don't have a lot of men and the men we have, you know they're busy, they have wives, kids, businesses, he's like. But it seems like you have a lot of questions. He's like I got a friend at town over in bellingham, tony stefanini, would you mind if he came by like once a week and discipled you? And I'm like. I guess I'm like, but what's discipled? Yeah, I knew nothing, and he's like he just laughed. He's like, basically, he sits down and answers your questions out of the Bible. I'm like, oh yeah, that would be great. So because of that I got assurance of my salvation. My four of my best friends got saved and then later I got to lead a fifth one to Christ and it just like changed my life radically and that was all because of that pastor.

Speaker 3: 28:05

So when you say where does someone start, like maybe they don't believe in God, maybe they had a terrible issue like pain in life, like abused, just beyond belief Stuff that's worse than that's on TV, right? Yep, god didn't cause that, satan did, and if you're still around, there's a purpose for you. So it's hard to say in the old 20 years ago you say go find a good church that preaches the bible, you'll be fine. So you do want to find a good church. But if you're home alone, start by charles stanley videos online. He's passed away, but, godly man, straight up, good content.

Speaker 3: 28:39

Read your bible. Probably. Start off in the book of john right and if it might be hard to understand, but but just read it slow. It's not like a book where you're trying to read cover to cover fast. Just read it slow until you understand it and then write down your questions.

Speaker 3: 28:53

And then when you're done, when we pray, that's us talking to God. That's all it is. We have a free pathway to God 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 366 days a year for our whole life. So when we pray, we talk to God. Be real with him and ask him anything, say anything, because he already knows your heart Right. And then when we read, that's one way he speaks to us. So that's where I'd say for someone to start. And in business, you know, over and over and over again, I've just seen God bless like things that should never have happened, just huge blessings in abundance. And then other times where they were like, wow, this you're going to get just trampled and killed. I've seen miracles happen. So sometimes you fail quote, unquote fail but it leads into a better, better path. Yeah, but having God there is where the peace and joy is, so you can be in the worst. Even when I was sick and dying, I had peace and joy and that's what made it bearable and that's a great point.

Speaker 2: 29:57

Like that's a really yeah. So like obviously I'm made of faith and prayer is important and you know it says you know them with. You know, says you know them with you know prayer petition, um seeking, you'll find knocks, the door be open for you, kind of thing. And like now that I have two little kids, two little boys, like I started thinking about all this and it's like okay, so if I was praying to god and like he's my hope, like he would want me to ask for things, he would want me to tell my hurts, my fears, my anxieties, my good things, all this like that's what. Like because I want my boys to be able to do that with me. And like my boys want something like I want, like I want them to come and ask and you know it might not be right away that I can give it to them or whatever, or they might think it's something they need, but it's not. I can explain that and like eventually give them something that's even better or gives them what they want, and to be able to see their joy in their face. And it's like, but I never know what they wanted unless they told me.

Speaker 2: 30:57

You know this conversation and like I did just, it's just a complex thing, but but like, thinking of it, like, especially being a dad now, like my conversations with God change, because I know well I would have my son said come talk to me about like, and opened up that communication with me in good and bad. And so it's like, okay, so I can bring, like literally, and I knew this, but it's like I don't know, I get like, I don't know I get shifted. It made it real, yeah, like, yeah, I didn't bring anything to them, but now it's like oh, yeah, like, I want them to like, I want them to bring it all to me. So like, why, why should I feel bad asking god for something? Because he loves me, he wants to know, he, even though he knows everything, but he wants to hear me ask for and like, so it's an interesting thing, like even right now, like, yeah, that differently as I've grown and had kids.

Speaker 3: 31:47

So yeah, and what you're describing is that there's verses, not just one, but it talks about how, as an earthly father, we know how to bring our children good gifts. How much more so does God know to bring us Right? And it's like you know, there's times where, like well, I'm praying for this and I need this, and we're convinced we have to have it. Like you know, like, oh man, I'm about to lose the house. Like I need business. Okay, as weird as it sounds, god's always going to care for our main needs, but that may not be something that we necessarily do need. So it's like if your kid came to you at six years old and said, dad, I want a brand new, you know, high performance sports car, and you're like, no, yeah. And then if your kid comes to you at 16 and says, dad, I got my license, I want this brand new, high performance sports car, you're going to say, no, you're going to drive a used Honda civic for the first year or two, cause you're going to get in accidents and fender benders. You're going to learn. Then, when they're 18, they'll be like okay, now I want the new. No, no, you're way too young, you're way too ego. And you make them work for it, yeah, and then when they're in their 20s or 30s, they can buy their own sports car. Yeah, so, but it's because you love them, you don't want to spoil them, and that's our. Just like you said, you're getting it to a deeper level the older you get. You have children. Now I'm getting at a deeper level the older I get, and everybody, hopefully, we keep growing. But when it comes to God, the father, there's the balance. There's some people. I'm going to say it straight up.

Speaker 3: 33:14

I don't care if people hate me or love me, but if you really think of this unbiasedly, what's being said, if you told me, would you listen to Joel Osteen speak? He's a great motivational speaker, but when it comes to a man of god and a preacher, oh, he's breaking scripture all over the place. So I would not want someone going in thinking they're going to hear the word of god and prosperity doctrine, because that's a bunch of crap. Because, because, if prosperity, gospel, go, go, go, go, go, everything you want, god's a magic genie, right, we'd all be spoiled, little brat children. So that guy's just doing it to get filthy rich. You know, like there was the hurricane, he didn't want to let people in his freaking his stadium because he didn't want to get the carpet dirty. Yeah, that's not the love of Christ, that's a freaking millionaire, rich bastard who's greedy Right. So, anyways, I don't want to get off on Joel's theme, but again, as a speaker he's great, but so was Hitler, and look what he did. So you can, you can take a good order either way.

Speaker 2: 34:15

Yeah, and I think that's a good thing to state, because you know we can ask for things. We might not get it, and it's not because he doesn't love us, because he knows what's best for us. And I guess that's the huge thing, like, because, yeah, because people are like, well, I asked him for, you know, a bunch of money or ask for a new car. I didn't get it. I was like, but, yeah, like, look at big picture, like in the moment, like something could happen, like you don't know. The full picture. It's like that.

Speaker 2: 34:41

Uh, the image. It's an image of jesus kneeling, uh, with his little kid, and jesus has this really small bear. He's he's appearing to take it away or not give it to the kid. A kid's like please, I want the little bear, um, and he says no, but he's got this really big bear behind his back, like this is stuffed bear. That is like so much better, but the kid's whining for the little tiny thing, little stuff there, because he doesn't realize what god has in store. Uh, yeah, I always go back to that, like you know, and I think part of it too is plays, a part is what we focus on as well, because if we ask all this stuff. We are only focused on what we don't have or what we lack or what's negative, like that's we're going to continue to get, like because that's what we're focused on, instead of focused on, like, the joy and peace that comes from him and the positivity, you know, of being grateful for what we do, the small little things, I think oh yeah being grateful and thankful.

Speaker 3: 35:40

100. I agree with you the law of attraction. I think you can trace that back to the Bible and see it throughout Old Testament and New. But there's balance Old Testament, New Testament. False balance is abomination to the Lord. But a just weight is his delight. So if you're trying to rub a genie, you're in the wrong spot. If you think everything is gloom and doom and you have no control, you're in the wrong spot. But when you have that trust in God, you're in the wrong spot. But when you have that trust in god, you're beautiful, you're gonna do great and you can be grateful with a honda civic yeah or you go a lexus, a ferrari.

Speaker 3: 36:14

As long as you're grateful and thankful, it's gonna turn out okay yeah, and that's gonna always.

Speaker 2: 36:18

I always think like, do I have aspirations for different things in life, to have to get to different levels? Yeah, I'm not there, so I'm not. I think that means I'm not ready yet. So he's teaching me something, uh, and even if I never get those things or do those, I still think I still have to progress. You know, to get anything else to be, you know, wise enough, have better, best, better discernment, things like that, to be able to even get to that next level, whatever that looks, looks like. So I try to remind myself you're right where you need to be Learn, enjoy it, be grateful for what you have and whatever comes comes.

Speaker 3: 36:55

Yeah, and again it goes back to balance. Have a vision. When there's no vision, the people perish, but he that keepeth the law happy is he. And then you kill it. You work that vision, you do everything you can. You exhaust yourself in a good way, not exhaust like I'm drained, but like, as you get full of the Holy Ghost, it overflows to, hopefully, the rest of the world.

Speaker 3: 37:14

You can't give what you don't have right. So if you're not feeling loved, it's hard to give love. Right Now you're giving sacrificially instead of from the abundance. So, but to go back to what you're saying is like, when you're working, do all things as unto lord, not unto men, shoot for a goal and be praying at the same time. God, if I'm going for the wrong goal, show me right. Like change my direction, but in the meantime, go to kill that goal, like just just slay it in a good way, you know right, yeah, so yeah. But then again I don't want to. I forgive me if this show has been not your normal, but oh, that's good. Anywhere you want to go, like I said, just let me know. In business, personal.

Speaker 2: 37:52

but no, this has been a great conversation because we talk about elevating life, elevating business. So I think this this tracks right along uh, genre that and I think people can really take a lot away. And you know, I hope people listening, you know, even if you don't believe, you know you're not, at least maybe start questioning it a little bit more, maybe go go ask questions for yourself, you know, dig into it for yourself and see what the truth is out there. And, um, you know, yeah, you know, just, even if this is planted in the seed of one person, that it changes their life and then they, you know, go out and do it to hundreds or even one other person, like having that ripple effect. So I think it's been fantastic.

Speaker 2: 38:29

And so, uh, you know, david, I appreciate your time, I appreciate you sharing your. You know a little bit about your past and how it's changed you and you know your whole story in your face and, uh, I truly am grateful for that and the time and what you shared. So, if people want to connect with you closer, hear more about your podcast, what you do in business, and maybe just reach out to you personally, what's the best way for people to do that?

Speaker 3: 38:52

Yeah, no problem. So the best way for people to reach me is through my website, davidpascualonecom, or you can type in remarkablepeoplepodcastcom and it'll forward there. So everything's at a central hub on my website. I'm on social media, but it's going to be a delayed response because I'm on social media all day for my clients. I'm almost don't touch it myself, right? It's like a mechanic that doesn't fix his own cars, right? So so that's it. So get ahold of me there. Uh, the podcast, check it out. If you have any questions, let me know.

Speaker 3: 39:32

I want to help you any way I can. Because of the nature of what I do, I don't have free things that I can give to your audience, but I do have the free promo code. If you go to mypillowcom, forward slash remarkable or call up and just use the promo code remarkable, get up to 80 off everything, and right now I'm in free shipping. So everything you order at mypillowcom you can have that, because anyone that's a listener of our show there are. They're our primary sponsor. So anybody who uses promo code remarkable. My pillow, great american organization sells product. You get amazing. There's over 250 products on my pillow and most people don't know that there's shots in mattress, toppers and slippers. There's all sorts of stuff I personally use. Before they were an affiliate Um, but now you get up to 80% off. So as a gift to your listeners, use promo code remarkable. You support our show, you support a great American company, but you support your own checkbook and wallet and get some cool stuff to sleep on.

Speaker 2: 40:26

Yeah, awesome, yeah, definitely, everyone. Make sure you get connected with David. Yeah, check out that promo because it's awesome. I appreciate you sharing that. And again, this has been a fantastic conversation, excited for people to listen, dive into it and grow and expand their faiths. And so again, david, thanks so much for being on the Elevate Media podcast today.

Speaker 3: 40:42

Oh, it's been a pleasure. And can I say one more thing? Yeah, absolutely. If you're a Christian and you've trusted Christ as your savior which means you just said God, I know, you're the only way. I know that my life's yours. I can't do it without you, you know. However it is, if you've truly been saved and ask God to save you, don't be afraid to share it publicly and lead your business that way. We're trained from children in America.

Speaker 3: 41:05

The separation of church and state. That's not at all what the founding fathers meant. The separation of church and state means the state doesn't control the church. That doesn't mean you can't talk about God in school. That doesn't mean you can't talk about God in business. That doesn't mean you can't live a life that's outstanding and honorable.

Speaker 3: 41:24

So if you're in business, you know I got all the time, from when I was at the infancy of my career to literally last week, people were like you talk about God so much. Doesn't that lose you a ton of business? I'm like not that I can see. I said, in fact, if it loses me business, it's business I don't want and the business it brings me are great people. I said so I'll talk about God all day, if I was poor, if I was rich, if I was sick, if I was healthy, because doing the right thing is the right thing, so do it. And so if you're a business person listening and you say you believe in God, show it Like talk about God, challenge God in a good way and say God, you know I'm going to take these steps, what do you want me to take? And then let them work through you, let him be God and you just be the vessel and you're going to see some awesome stuff and probably prosper from it.

Speaker 3: 42:20

But the thing is, don't be afraid. Um, yeah, so right now we're in a cancel culture. Right now we're in like people are insane, listen, you know. Like boys have penis, girls have vagina. That's kindergarten call from the 80s. You said that today People want to crucify you. You know what I'm going to say it? I'd say it to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris at the White House there's one race, the human race. To Joe Biden and Kamala Harris at the White House there's one race, the human race. There's two genders. And if you don't like it, welcome to reality.

Speaker 2: 42:49

Right, yeah, spot on, I agree. So, david, again, thank you for sharing, thank you for being open about it all and getting out there. I love it, I love connecting with people like you and I can't wait to get this out there once we get the team edits from our end. And, yeah, I should keep doing what you're doing and I'm glad we're connected. So, thanks again.

Speaker 3: 43:09

You too, chris. Let's stay in touch. Man To your audience. Thank you for being here today. Hopefully it helped.

Speaker 1: 43:14

Thank you for listening to the Elevate Media Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review. See you in the next episode.