Skip to main content

Posts

Real life stories shared by people just like U & Some Great Books Too!

Youth Summer Program 2026

By Jodie Spartz
  Empowering the Next Generation: Why Emotional Regulation is the Ultimate Summer Skill Summer is traditionally a time for teens to take a break from school, relax, and maybe earn a little spending money. But what if a summer opportunity could offer them something even deeper? What if it could give them the tools to navigate the ups and downs of life with confidence, clarity, and resilience? This year, we are launching an exciting 9-Week Summer Program starting July 1st for youth ages 13 to 19 . It’s designed to do exactly that: provide a supportive space where teens can earn a stipend while learning how to strengthen their emotional regulation skills. Why Focus on Emotional Regulation? Being a teenager today comes with an overwhelming amount of pressure—from navigating social dynamics and future planning to managing day-to-day stress. Emotional regulation isn't about hiding or suppressing how we feel. It’s about building self-awareness, recognizing our triggers, and learning he...
Post a Comment
Read more
Recent posts

The Road Less Traveled (Book 22)

By Jodie Spartz
  Remember book reports when we were in school? For some they were a dreaded terrible thing, for others they were fun ways to recall your favorite book and an easy format to tell someone what the book was about. I've decided to post some reports of books I've read recently; let's jump right in. I also wrote and published 6 books you can check them out here:  https://www.lulu.com/search?sortBy=RELEVANCE&page=1&q=Jodie+Spartz&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00     I came across this book in a recreation room of a shelter I was staying in. I had no knowledge of this book before seeing it on the table. I asked if it belonged to anyone and took it to read. Author:     M. Scott Peck, M.D. Title:    The Road Less Traveled 25th Anniversary Edition A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth. Main Characters:    The author and the reader  Setting:  Where ever you are reading the book Plot: ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Making it Happen Regardless (2026 SR PT 4)

By Jodie Spartz
           I wrote and published 6 books check them out here:  https://www.lulu.com/search?sortBy=RELEVANCE&page=1&q=Jodie+Spartz&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00       Hey ya'll I'm back! It's been a little over a month and again so much has happened. I feel like I'm moving out of survival mode. Last we spoke I was wondering where I was going to sleep next and wondering if  the place I interned at was going to ask me to come back to work there? Also wondering if I was going to get a job from this job fair coming up Thursday? The first two nights out of the respite I stayed at a hotel in Hell's kitchen for two days. I had successfully completed the internship and wanted to treat myself. Especially since I didn't know what my next move was going to actually be.      Did I stay at the hotel with anyone? Do you know them or of them from reading along? Or did I stay alone and enjoy some me time...
Post a Comment
Read more

Bunheads, Act 2 (Book 21)

By Jodie Spartz
   Remember book reports when we were in school? For some they were a dreaded terrible thing, for others they were fun ways to recall your favorite book and an easy format to tell someone what the book was about. I've decided to post some reports of books I've read recently; let's jump right in. I also wrote and published 6 books you can check them out here:  https://www.lulu.com/search?sortBy=RELEVANCE&page=1&q=Jodie+Spartz&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00 This book came from the author Misty Copeland herself. I was able to sit in the audience of the Drew Barrymore show when she came on as a guest.  https://www.google.com/search?q=misty+copeland+on+drew+barrymore+show&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS966US983&oq=misty+copeland+on+drew&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgCECEYoAEyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigATIHCAUQIRigAdIBCjM2MDkwajBqMTWoAgiwAgHxBWF9h-PZmNVK&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:503402ee,vid:I3Nr2l7MQ...
Post a Comment
Read more

So What's NEXT? (2026 Self Reflection Part 3)

By Jodie Spartz
       I wrote and published 6 books check them out here:  https://www.lulu.com/search?sortBy=RELEVANCE&page=1&q=Jodie+Spartz&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00          I'm going to start by saying when people make it to the success they were trying to pursue in their lives; it often seems to everyone on the outside looking in that POOF they've just all of a sudden arrived. The story of how they made it to their destination is often told after the fact. I seem to be doing the opposite. I seem to be for some reason telling my story as I arrive to where ever this strange life of mine would have me be. I'm at the end of my 28 day stay at the mental health respite. I check out tomorrow. Do you think I'm leaving with a housing plan? If you guessed no, you guessed right. Show's you've been paying attention to the fact that I obviously have no idea how to work this housing system and nobody is able to give me any clear info...
Post a Comment
Read more

" And I Thought I Was Crazy!" (Book 20)

By Jodie Spartz
  Remember book reports when we were in school? For some they were a dreaded terrible thing, for others they were fun ways to recall your favorite book and an easy format to tell someone what the book was about. I've decided to post some reports of books I've read recently; let's jump right in. I also wrote and published 6 books you can check them out here:  https://www.lulu.com/search?sortBy=RELEVANCE&page=1&q=Jodie+Spartz&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00      I brought this book from Strand Bookstore. It is a huge Book Store on 828 Broadway like right off of 12th street.  https://www.strandbooks.com/hours-locations I was just walking by one day and I can't walk past a bookstore and not go in unless I'm in a hurry. I love books so much that when I'm in a hurry it pains me to just walk on by. I'll even take a picture of where it is so when I have some free time I can come back.  Author:   Judy Reiser Illustrated by: Randa...
Post a Comment
Read more

What the HELL is this part? (2026 Self Reflection PT2)

By Jodie Spartz
       Hey thanks for coming inside my head! I wrote and published 6 books you can check them out here:  https://www.lulu.com/search?sortBy=RELEVANCE&page=1&q=Jodie+Spartz&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00       I guess I can call it part 2 of my 2026 self reflection. Before coming to an understanding of what the HELL could possibly be going on; I was at the point of literally pulling my beautiful locks straight out of my head. I don't understand how I went from flying kinda high too crawling in the pits of despair. Let's start with the fact that I spent the first 180 days of this part of the journey in a rather nice apartment. Provided by a domestic violence shelter.  I had my own room, a kitchen to cook in and my own keys. The maintenance team was amazing they made sure we had everything we needed; I mean they were great. This place helped me get a lot of paperwork together but housing was never attained. They said t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Two Letters 2 Myself

By Jodie Spartz
I also wrote and published 5 books check them out here: https://www.lulu.com/search?sortBy=RELEVANCE&page=1&q=Jodie+Spartz&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00 2 Letters 2 Myself  PAST ME.                                                                  Written 12/2/25      Lil girl as my godmother lovingly called me. I forgive you for dragging us through the fire, for so many necessary and unnecessary reasons. You were so angry that every decision you made came out of it. Anger, fear, frustration, and desperation drove your every move. I understand now that living in that kind of space is the recipe for chaos and destruction. Something inside you wanted to stop living and just let it all go. While a stronger part of you wanted to FIGHT! Your past felt like war and your presence is discove...
Post a Comment
Read more

Girl Make Your Money Grow! (Book 19)

By Jodie Spartz
  Remember book reports when we were in school? For some they were a dreaded terrible thing, for others they were fun ways to recall your favorite book and an easy format to tell someone what the book was about. I've decided to post some reports of books I've read recently; let's jump right in. I also wrote and published 5 books you can check them out here:  https://www.lulu.com/search?sortBy=RELEVANCE&page=1&q=Jodie+Spartz&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00      I don't exactly remember where I got this book from. It was probably one of those little community book stands. I don't have much to say about where it came from, so let's get into it.  Author:   Glinda Bridgforth and Gail Perry-Mason Title:   Girl, Make Your Money Grow!  Main Characters:    Glinda and Gail pretty much lead the book and told other people's testimonies along the way. Setting:  It could be anywhere you are. It was almost like ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How I discovered the Writer inside me!

By Jodie Spartz
                      I wrote and published 5 books check them out here:  https://www.lulu.com/search?sortBy=RELEVANCE&page=1&q=Jodie+Spartz&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00                The year was 1993 I was 9 years old and I kept a diary and wrote in it a lot. I found some inserts from that time. I discovered a journal in my grandmothers basement that was written by 9 year old me. I had no memory of these writings all I knew for sure was they were mine. Throughout life the writing never stopped. I remember being given a word processor when I was 15 years old. I used to save all my writing to a floppy disk and just knew I would have it forever. That ended up not being the case. I don't remember now what exactly got me into trouble.  My grandmother read something I had haphazardly left on screen. I'm sure it was about sex or something along thos...
Post a Comment
Read more

Meet Jodie Spartz

By Jodie Spartz
     Hello & Welcome to expresspassion4life you amazing awesome human!        My name is  Jodie Spartz , I was born and raised in the heart of  Philadelphia, Pa.  I have been weaving stories together since I wrote my first one at 9 years old! Growing up in Philadelphia, I learned early on that life isn't always a straight line no matter how much I wanted it to be. Life is a series of peaks, valleys, and unexpected turns. For a long time, I thought I was just "surviving" those turns. But looking back at the miles I've traveled- from the energy of  Philly,  where I became a Certified Peer Specialist, more info here:    https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2017/youre-a-what/peer-support-specialist.htm .              T hen I became a Behavioral Health Technician aka BHT more info here:    https://www.gcu.edu/blog/medical-studies-sciences/what-behavioral-health-technician ...
Post a Comment
Read more

I Slept in the Lions Den (Book 18)

By Jodie Spartz
    Remember book reports when we were in school? For some they were a dreaded terrible thing, for others they were fun ways to recall your favorite book and an easy format to tell someone what the book was about. I've decided to post some reports of books I've read recently; let's jump right in. This is the first book read for 2026. I came upon this book in South Central Los Angeles at a community resource fair. I was stopping at each table to see what the organizations have to offer.  When I walked up to Cover the  Homeless ministry table I immediately felt Ms. Rose's welcoming spirit. We spoke briefly about what Cover the Homeless does and she let me know that she founded the organization and that she also wrote a book about her life and what brought her to the point of starting this organization. I was immediately intrigued and purchased the book. She signed it for me and gave me her telephone number. That was a year ago now , I never called her but after reading...
Post a Comment
Read more