A Chat with Heather Lehrman (TRANSCRIPT)

[00:00:00] Aubrey Johnson: Hello everyone. And welcome to 2020 and welcome to the road to rediscovery. I'm your host, Aubrey Johnson. The Road to Rediscovery is about reflecting on the lessons that life throws at us to learn and grow from them. And of course, pay it forwards to uplift others who are struggling. It's a new year and I am so thrilled to keep this journey going on with each and every one of you.

I have a question. Have you ever planned something, an appointment, an event, whatever. It doesn't matter. And it's nothing [00:01:00] spectacular. In fact, it's quite routine. But during this event, an incident occurs of devastating proportions that becomes a pivotal and transformational point in your life. Well, this happened to my special guest and the way she's responded is a genuine Testament to her character, heart and compassion for others in this world, she's an actress, a writer and producer she's produced her first internet TV show, hanging out with Heather and author of the book, bullied at the dog, park a story with a compelling message that applies on the many levels of society.

Coming at us from the big Apple. It gives me great pleasure to introduce Heather Lehrman, Heather. Welcome. It's so nice to have you on the show. 

Heather Lehrman: Wow. That was a great greeting Aubrey. Thank you so much. 

Aubrey Johnson: No, my pleasure. Pleasure is ours to have you on the show for sure. So, um, tell the listeners about yourself a little bit where, where you're [00:02:00] from upbringing and so forth.

Heather Lehrman: I'm born and raised in long Island, New York. And I still live here now, currently living here. Um, I, and the things you've said, but I'm also, I've owned a pet service business for eight years. Which was dog-walking pet-sitting pet taxiing, meaning taking the dog to and from bed appointments or grooming appointments.

So I'm certified in pet CPR and first aid. So that was, that's been a big part of my life for the last eight years. And like you said, I have, I've authored a book, well, bullied at the dog park and the. Um, the way it started was that I have this adorable Boston terrier named Herbie. Who's laying right next [00:03:00] to me.

And you guys might hear us some snorting going on. That's just his natural, his natural 

Aubrey Johnson: tone. No, that's beautiful. 

Heather Lehrman: And he's my baby boy. And I took him to a dog, a private little dog park, and he was bullied when he was a puppy. He was attacked by a larger dog that wasn't social over toys. And I threw a flying desk because really the word Brisbane, I could say it, but in the book I couldn't because it's trademarked.

Right, 

Aubrey Johnson: right.

Heather Lehrman: Have to know every word. 

Aubrey Johnson: Would you mind, 

Heather Lehrman: just so you guys know that out there, you have to look at everything to make sure it's not trademarked copyrighted. I mean, so. I threw the Frisbee and sure enough, he went to get it and the dog jumped on top of him and beat him up pretty good. And I was very upset, very upset.

Um, he had [00:04:00] like a little bloody eye and some bloody poor marks, uh, you know, on his leg scratch marks. So I knew from being a dog professional, that those. Two things I noticed right then and there weren't so horrible. So the owner was grabbing his dog off of him and apologize thing up and down. And I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry. Is there anything I could do? Is there anything I could do? And I said, you know, I've dealt with this before. I know how to deal with a little blood in his, I'll just, I'm going to go home and I just want to clean them up and. He's like, well, you know where to find me if anything happens. So I did take him home and, you know, he was acting fine and I know how to cleanse out an eye and clean the little scratch, bloody scratch marks on his leg.

And I wasn't really too concerned, but a few hours later, [00:05:00] We were playing any, jumped up on the coffee table right across from me. So his head was looking at me and he had he's tiny. I mean, he's only 20 pounds, but at that time he was probably 15 pounds, right. As a puppy. And he had a huge bubble sticking out of his neck, the size of it.

Oh my goodness. Well, the hematoma and it's a blood bubble. And I braked out and goodness at the time, my bet was literally down the block. So I rushed them there and they said they weren't an emergency animal hospital. They would just a smaller part of the, that the central bets station. So they're like, we gotta get him over the, driver's going to take them right now to another town, which was like a 30 minute drive.

And he's got to get that drained. And it's w [00:06:00] w I was scared to death because he was my baby boy and Oh, for 

Aubrey Johnson: sure. Yeah. 

Heather Lehrman: You know, and they said it's really dangerous. It came from a dog bite. So basically my point being that it came from that dog biting him right. Bit his neck while he was on top of him, but we didn't know it at the time.

So it was horrible. But. Thank goodness. It was two days of worrying to death about them, but he ended up fine. And I actually had a have a battle with these people because it was actually a couple, it wasn't just the guy, he had his girlfriend there, but she wasn't even close to the incident. And. I ran and left them a note.

I knew where they lived, but I didn't have that phone number. So I left them a note and just ask them, told them what happened after the fact. And they actually bullied me, which is hysterical because she pushed him aside and got on the phone with me. I just asked them to help with the bill, which was a [00:07:00] couple of grand.

Aubrey Johnson: Yeah, of course. I mean, that's only fair 

Heather Lehrman: and I didn't even have to be honest, but I was. Cause I'm not like that. I had pet insurance. So at a $2,000, I was covered 1300 of it with this covered. Thank goodness everyone out there, you really pet insurance really works. Just so you know, it's a great tip because people ask me all the time.

Oh, it's probably just a scam. I'm like, no, he's his bill is two grand and I only had to pay 700. Wow. That really works. 

Aubrey Johnson: That's good. Great. Yeah. 

Heather Lehrman: So, um, I just asked for the other seven, that was it because it was their fault. So she got on the phone with me the very next day, put me on speaker said, boyfriend will not be speaking from this point forward and was talking like a lawyer.

I don't know what you think happened, but your dog attacked my dog and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And right there, I just couldn't believe it. [00:08:00] And this was actually, while Harvey was still in the ICU, actually. So I was just so upset. And then listening to that tone and what you do was trying to do. Yeah. You know, once I was still vulnerable, but once I got him home and I knew he was safe and sound, then I just said to her, you know what, I'll see you in court.

And that was it. I had to, I had to take them to court. Yeah. So the bullying was around. It was the dog. It was them. And I ended up just telling you could hear him snoring. 

Aubrey Johnson: Yeah. I can hear him 

Heather Lehrman: tired. I ended up telling the story so much saying he got bullied at the dog park that, that just stuck with me.

And that became the title of my book. And I ended up turning his character into an illustration and. He had other friends that I call the smush base breeds because Boston terriers, French Bulldogs, pugs, [00:09:00] they all have the little smushed in base. So I called them my smushy and I, I made a book with him and his smushed based friends.

Right. And I turned all the, I, it started based on the true story of him being bullied. And then. I created the rest of the story where he meets, he goes on. I need to find out why he was bullied. And he's on the journey. He meets a beloved bulldog and a cute pug and two French Bulldogs. And each one of them has a story of how they were bullied in one way or another.

And each one relates to a kid like how a kid could be bullied in real life. Right. So I made the characters relate to children's scenarios and I ended up just. Writing the book. I found a great illustrator because that I'm not, um, which I was, but I don't [00:10:00] have an artistic bone in my body. Unfortunately I have the creativity, but not the artistic part.

Um, and then, yeah, no, it turned out to be a book. Okay. And next thing I know I was doing some school assemblies and the teachers, the kids, the teachers, they all loved it. And. I was actually shocked at the feedback. You know, that the kids were giving him these assemblies because after I would read it up on a big screen, They love the dog characters and they'd be like, Oh, you know, we want to meet Harvey.

Aubrey Johnson: Right, right. 

Heather Lehrman: I'll just say quickly, I brought him to a school once and that was it because they made me go to every single classroom and it was tons of hands all over him. He was so I'm stressed out. I'm like, sorry. They all want to meet them. So now I have just a live video that I could show them of him and it's good enough, you know, but yeah, but [00:11:00] in the.

After math of reading the book, I would go around afterwards in the group and say, so tell me who was bullied, tell me what happened and what, you know, what good came out of it. And I was just amazed at what the kids was shouting out and they will like, I didn't like that Herbie got bullied and, and, you know, that happened to me one day.

And they all, they all started talking about their own bullying situations. And I was like, this is amazing because this is exactly what I was going for, that it would open up lines of communications with kids and get the medic. This is very young age group, like four to eight. And you got, while they're still so young, I wanted them to learn what, what it is when someone's mean to you or leaves you out.

And it's never nice to leave somebody alone and leave them out. You know, I think a lot of us know the story [00:12:00] about a kid that would be sitting alone at the lunch table in school, you know? And I don't think we realized back then, if it was you or if it wasn't you, but you didn't go and invite them over.

Cause it was like, Oh, they're they have cooties, whatever, you know how horribly it affects somebody. 

Aubrey Johnson: Well, it, it tremendously does. And I'm glad you mentioned that Heather, you touched on a very good point that I wanted to kinda, I don't know, crack open and talk about it a lot, a little bit more first off.

Um, as you said a few minutes ago, you know, it's, it's a story for children and everything and, and, and that's true, but the beauty of this in my mind at least, is that while it is a story for children, this. The message behind it is applicable on so many levels, right? Preschoolers, middle schoolers, high schoolers, adults, you know, [00:13:00] and, and yeah, and I don't know about you, but when I was a kid, my parents obviously had rules for, you know, within the home and a set of guidelines in how we conduct ourselves, uh, and what to expect from the world.

Once we walk out that door. Right? So among the many things, you know, they taught my siblings that I, one lesson that resonated with me has always been like, well, you heard the golden rule, right?

Heather Lehrman: We might have two different. Golden rules. 

Aubrey Johnson: Well, what I was taught was, you know, do unto others, as you would have them do unto you or treat others the way you would like 

to 

Aubrey Johnson: be treated and want to be treated. Right. So, uh, and, and, and, and to me that just, it, it resonated with me and I carry it to this day.

Uh, but you know, my parents were very, uh, transparent. And candid with me [00:14:00] on the outside world. You know, when you walk out that door and go to the park or go to the library or walk down the street, you know, and this is something that's huge for children to learn in the lesson of your story. I was wondering, was there a lesson, a rule that your parents gave you in dealing with the outside world that, that, that may be sort of reflective in this story?

Heather Lehrman: You know, it's funny because I was just thinking about it as you were saying that, and I'm like, great that they did that with you, but they, they, I guess it was, I don't know, it wasn't that. Mmm, Mmm. Losing the word here, but it wasn't that apparent like that they were just straight out saying. Okay, listen, this is, I think it's a little different because we grew up across the street from our [00:15:00] elementary school and kindergarten, so, okay.

I don't think that they were so concerned, you know, because it was like bright, okay. Across the 

Aubrey Johnson: street. Gotcha. 

Heather Lehrman: Friends lived literally on, on our block and everyone knew each other's parents. So it wasn't, it was a little different, but it was. Funny because I got more advice when I got here older, really as a kid, what to be aware of them what's going to happen.

I don't think things were different with me, but, um, it was more when I got older that I would get some pretty funny advice. I think I mentioned to you, I did some standup comedy and part of my, not to get off track here, but part of, one of my bits once was about. You know, my dad gave me some really strange advice growing up, like, you know, you better get a job and make sure your bosses a male, [00:16:00] make sure you interview with a male because he was old school like that.

A male would hire me over a female meaning cause females. Would be jealous or, or this or that or cat. I did not want to hire these so, and make sure, because you're going to lose your looks by 30. Make sure you get a great job landed by 30 because you're going to lose your luck. So I'm like, thanks, dad. I appreciate that.

Aubrey Johnson: Oh man. Okay. I guess that's a lesson in how to operate outside the door in my adulthood. Right? 

Heather Lehrman: Well, guess what? I passed 30 and he, he felt bad saying that, cause he's like, all right, I guess. You know, and I guess I'm his, it was different in his day because 30, you were all kids, you know, like totally different.

So 

Aubrey Johnson: yeah,

Heather Lehrman: you looked 50 back then, I guess at 30. And now when you're 40, [00:17:00] you look. 30. So 

Aubrey Johnson: it's different, big time difference. Yeah. It's a different world, you know, and it was, it was another generation at that time. And my father and mother pretty old school as well when it came to that age of 30, for sure. Uh, Hey, let's get back to Herbie.

Um, now how old is Herbie? He 

Heather Lehrman: is turning nine next week, January 31st. Yes. He's been with me since he was nine weeks and he's going to be nine years. So it's been nine years together. 

Aubrey Johnson: Very nice. Very nice. So, um, growing up, was your family a dog family? I take it. Is that where your, your love of dogs stems?

Heather Lehrman: Yeah, we had dogs our whole lives. We always had to also, and they were always rescue dogs and Herbie's only dog because. I don't well, you know what your show sentimental. So this is something I [00:18:00] never even told you. So my father actually passed away in 2011. And when he was, thank you, he was sick for a long time, but when he was at the ending stage, I didn't have, I wasn't married and I didn't have.

You know, I didn't know if I was gonna end up having a son, but I said, but that even if I do, I, I'm sorry, but I'm not gonna need it. Name him. Herbert. I just don't want that name even if I have a son, but I'm going to definitely get a dog and named them Herbie. Because it's adorable. And he just looked up at me with the biggest smile on his face and said, you would do that.

I said, of course I will. So I knew that I wanted a Boston terrier and I was going to name him Herbie. So he had a boy be a boy. So Herbie's named after my dad. 

Aubrey Johnson: Oh, that is so sweet. That [00:19:00] is, that's a tear jerker, Heather. 

Heather Lehrman: Yeah, I got you. I got 

Aubrey Johnson: you. Yeah. Yeah. You got me. I mean, for a couple reasons, number one, uh, you know, I, I lost my father in 2006 and he was sick too.

And then number two, just. You know, naming your dog after your father, uh, you know, there's, there's a, there's a true heartfelt, sentimental reason for, you know, for, for, for giving that name to, to another, you know, to another living, living thing that, that, that you love. So how much, you know, so yeah, yeah, yeah.

You got me on that one. 

Heather Lehrman: I definitely know my dad knows about him. I know that he sees that. I know that he sees us, you know, I just, I know he knows about them. I just, you could just, I've always felt it, you know? And, and I also did say that in the same sentence. So [00:20:00] I'll make you laugh a little. I said, yes, of course I will.

And I said, but. But promise me two things. You're going to send me my husband and you're going to send me the lotto numbers. And he goes, can I do, he goes, can I do that? I go, yeah, of course you can. So he did send me my husband, but I'm still waiting for the lotto numbers, 

Aubrey Johnson: still waiting for the lottery numbers.

Uh, that 

Heather Lehrman: is hilarious. He's like I could do that. I'm like, yes. 

Aubrey Johnson: Well, look, I mean, you know, first off one out of two's not bad. And then if you got one, then definitely number two's coming. 

Heather Lehrman: I hope so. 

Aubrey Johnson: That is hilarious. I love it. I love it. And, and, you know, I'm a dog lover. And, um, I have two dogs. I lost my girl dog March of last year.

Uh, she was 15. Um, my boy dog, I still have, he spent 18 now. And, uh, and so it's, you know, he's, he's, [00:21:00] he's healthy, but I'm really paying attention to, uh, you know, like hip dysplasia and all that good stuff. 

Heather Lehrman: And a dog. 

Aubrey Johnson: He's a mix between a Rottweiler and a chow. 

Heather Lehrman: Oh, okay. That's a cool mix. 

Aubrey Johnson: Yeah. His name is Tyson and, uh, and he's a beautiful dog.

And of course, you know, any dog owner, owner talking about their own dogs going to say that, but 

Heather Lehrman: yeah, no, I can imagine. Cause that's why I said that's a cool mix. I could imagine. I definitely want to see a photo, so you'll have to send me one. 

Aubrey Johnson: I will, you can count on me sending you a photo of my Tyson.

Yeah, he is. He is extraordinary now. Um, and I'm familiar with some breeds, you know, but quite honestly, I have to say I'm not too familiar with Boston terriers, but, uh, our Boston terriers and, and let's say smush face reads in general, uh, uh, friendly and social dogs. 

Heather Lehrman: Yeah. [00:22:00] Nice. He's very playful, very assertive.

So if you look up Boston terriers are black and white normally, but they can be Brown and white, and that could be a black and white French bulldog. And people will have asked me a million times. Is he a French bull? He's a French bulldog right now. He's a Boston terrier. But they mix them up because if a Frenchies could be all different colors, but if they're black and white, they could look exactly like a Boston terrier and they both snort, they both snort and still are.

Aubrey Johnson: Yeah. I didn't know. Snorting was like one of the characteristics,

Heather Lehrman: listen for a second.

Now that I want them to do it, he stopped like what's going on. Um, yeah, he snores all night, like 300 pound truck driver. I said 

Aubrey Johnson: Colin, 300 pounds. I love it. [00:23:00] You know, that's, that's a great vivid description for sure. 

Heather Lehrman: The 20 pound Boston terriers. So people don't realize it until they are aware of it, but every commercial with dogs has a Boston terrier in it.

Really, and they use them for a reason because they attract the eye that you'll notice. Now you're going to notice in commercials, any dog commercial that is always a Boston terrier. So it's because they're so assertive and smart that they could be on TV and learn how to do things easily. Yeah, because they're, yeah, just a unique looking breed that catches the eye.

So I always say. You know, I'm biased, but I'm really not because my boss then happens to be so cute. Like he just has such a cute face, some Boston's okay. Right. Box, like a [00:24:00] box looking. 

Aubrey Johnson: Right.

Heather Lehrman: But he's like round headed and people really don't. They think sometimes is he a pug? Is he a French bulldog? They don't get right away Boston, but any Boston Terri IC anywhere.

If I'm walking around the streets of Manhattan or where I live. Ice I'll stop my car and get out because it's like, they're this special breed. And my friend had one that I got really close to while my dad was passing away. So I said, I'm getting one. And it was the only dog. I didn't rescue that. It wasn't a rescue dog from, but I said, you know what?

I think we definitely. We grew up rescuing dogs, plenty of them. So all the people that, and of course, I'm one of them now that still will stay rescue a dog over buying a dog from a breeder, never a pet store don't ever, ever buy a dog from a pet store. I mean, her became from a breeder, but I wanted her to be for a [00:25:00] specific reason.

And now, you know,

and also because my dad had. Uh, beetle when we were growing up and the Volkswagen beetle came back, you know? Oh, 

Aubrey Johnson: like Herbie, the beetle. 

Heather Lehrman: Right. So Herbie love. 

Aubrey Johnson: Yeah. The love bug. 

Heather Lehrman: Yeah. Yeah. So my dad loved that show. That was actually a real show. And then it became a Lindsey Lohan movie years later. 

Aubrey Johnson: Yeah. I remember when it was original, the original, I think it was a Disney movie, but yeah.

Yeah. 

Heather Lehrman: Yeah. So Herbie, the love bug is his real, like he's Herbie, the love bug. And, and so it went, it went with the car and the dog for my dad. 

Aubrey Johnson: No. Well, in that case, that makes perfect sense. Absolutely. I see, I see the tie in, at every level, right? From your father to the vehicle, to your dog. Yeah. It all ties together.

So it's, it's, it's so purposeful. That is, uh, [00:26:00] that is, that, that is amazing. You know? Um, Heather, so the book you've shared with children, um, you've asked children to. Just in a quick review of the story, who's the bully and, and, and how should it be like re received by a, the person being bullied or by the dog being bullied and, and, and, and you've covered so much and went as far as to bring.

Herbie to meet the children. Now you share a video with them. So I'm, I'm sure you are impacting so many young lives in how they should treat others out there in that cold world and how to respond. If they're mistreated, you know, 

Heather Lehrman: And I do separately from the book. If I do do a school assembly, I do a little bullying lesson where I have my sheet [00:27:00] that I really drill into them.

And I put it up on the screen too. And basically I just took the word bullying and spelled it out, going, you know, Downward like B yeah. Vertically. Yeah. And next to the be, be nice to everyone next to the, you know, upstander, you have to stand up for your friends. If they can't do it themselves, you know, or go help them, get someone to help.

You know, there's a lot of kids that feel bullied that don't tell anybody. Right. And if you're friends with a kid, if you're friends with someone that, you know, even in an adult, you have to be an upstander. You, if you can't, if your friend can't stand up for themselves, you have to do it for them, you know?

And then the ELLs for Mmm. I can't even think right now, but basically at the end of that lesson, [00:28:00] that's what they always shout out when I say, okay, so what's the biggest thing and you learn today and they yell out, be nice to everyone. Never leave anyone out. And that's the message of my book. 

Aubrey Johnson: That is wonderful.

That is wonderful. And the children, you know, as I know it's cliche, but they are our future. Right. And there is so much going on in the news today with. Just people disrespected each other, mistreating each other, whether it's a domestic abuse or just strangers having fights due to road rage and all of this, you know?

And, and I think, I mean, you're giving. Our future, the recipe for making the world a better place in treating each other with love and respect, uh, as the generations progress here on this earth. So I can't thank you enough for that investment in the future. [00:29:00] In spite of the devastating, uh, um, uh, incident that happened as a result, you know, you you've turned it around in a big way, just as I mentioned when I, uh, when I introduced, um, so here's my question.

I, can you talk to us about. Your ongoing initiatives with her and the slushies. Um, what, what, what are some of those initiatives that you want to, you really want to take this to the next level to champion your message and making the world a better place? 

Heather Lehrman: Yes, absolutely. So anyone who looks. On, at my looks for my book, bullied at the dog park, you could either see it on Amazon or bullied@thedogpark.com, but anyway, and it just takes a quick peek.

We'll see, see that the characters come alive and they look like a cartoon already. And that's been my dream for the last two years I've been working on pitching [00:30:00] a series is where every episode the kids will learn a valuable life lesson. And at the end, Herbie will come out and say, recap, what happened?

So bullied at the dog park would be the pilot episode, obviously, right. And other episodes would be written, but it's really tough. You know, you have to get picked up by a network or a production animations. Very, very expensive. So I took a lot of my savings and I worked on making my own animated short.

Film. And if anyone wants to see just a cute little two D trailer clip, it's on my website, bullied at the dog part where they can see them come alive in a cartoon. And I have a seven minute short film that's been accepted and said three children's films, festivals already. And it just won a bunch of awards at one in September.

And I was so. Proud and so happy because I [00:31:00] put so much work into it. I was the executive producer. I was a voiceover playing mommy. I, I had to work with the animator on a daily basis. The other actor, the voiceovers, you know, I put it all together, our blood, sweat, and tears and all my money. And now my dream is that it does end up being a series and it's on every TV screen because it could be.

I just picture being on every Saturday morning cartoon that the kids watch with their family. Like I did, you know, growing up, watching cartoons on a Saturday morning. I know these days it's different. It's 24 seven and they're all on every tablet, but just that, I just want it to be out there where it could be a weekly series and every week they learned something.

And again, this is for preschool and kindergarten age, mostly. Right. Rinse can learn from it too. 

[00:32:00] Aubrey Johnson: Oh, for sure. Yeah. Parents can learn from it too. And, and that's, and that kind of segues, and I know I said this before, but it kind of segues to my next question, for sure. It's a tremendous message. And this is through man's best friend, right?

Since the beat, since the beginning of time, to me, that's part of the beauty also, you know, I know in my heart of hearts that our listeners. Who are parents out there can certainly use your book, not only for guiding their children. But also to connect with them, right? I mean, in the world of tablets and mobile devices and, and streaming TV and all this stuff, it's so easy to put a child in front of one of those devices and say, here you sit with this and I'm going to go cook dinner or vacuum the living room or something like that, you know, but, but, but.

In an effort to, to [00:33:00] connect with them at, at the deepest level. Right. Um, just by look and feel and being next to each other, reading the book, talking about it, uh, The connection right there. I see this book as a tremendous vehicle for making that happen. So how can our listeners, I know you mentioned Amazon and bullied@thedogpark.com, but is there any other way that our listeners can, can, can read an excerpt from your book or follow you or follow you on your journey?

Heather Lehrman: Absolutely. I mean, everything's on my website and I would definitely say go there. First, you can purchase the book on Amazon too, but that just shows you the front cover and the back cover, which is great. The back cover has a synopsis of the whole book, but if you just go out to bullied@thedogpark.com, you'll see testimonials from teachers and parents.

And that I think is the most important thing for them. [00:34:00] For anyone who wants to buy the book to read, coming from somebody who it made a difference in their lives already. And I have some great testimonials on there from parents that they couldn't believe after reading the book that their children started, that the child opened up about what bullying that happens with among her and her friends.

And she said, I never thought by just getting another, I thought it would be another children's book. But it was read four or five times. And this is a woman who does a huge mom blog. And the fact that it went out on that blog, I was thrilled because that's what I wanted. That's I wanted to hear that. And when I saw that review, write a little testimonial, come back.

I was. So happy because that's exactly what I wanted to hear, that she literally used the words I use. It opened up the lines of communications between me and my kids. Like I honestly didn't know [00:35:00] that it would have such an impact. So that book really does open up the lens of communications. I mean, for sure.

Yeah. I mean, it could be one little thing that one character says. Right chip the child's mind about something that happened. And then that's very relative. It's. I love it. I love that. Cause when I, I love reading it to groups, teachers, all the teachers out there, you have to buy the book because I'm not saying it like for sales, I'm saying it because every teacher I know, bought the book to read to their classroom because they, and they they'll reread it to their classroom a lot.

And my book, my book is pretty much. Has it made it across the country. You know, people purchased it in California, all different States. My other goal, besides having. The film, [00:36:00] the cartoon picked up is that the book is in every elementary school, across America, because I really believe it should be in every elementary school, even if it's in the school library and the teachers for the grade levels that they think it should be read to, they grab the book.

And I just wanted to say that too, that I made the book. A very sturdy, beautiful, hard cupboard book that people just don't do anymore. It's PR it's much more expensive to print a book though. Right? So people, yeah, 99% will say, you know, soft cover. And to me, that's not a children. I love the field and the sturdiness, and it's going to sit in the bookshelf for years and people.

You'll look back 10 years later at this, the book will still be beautiful because it's so beautifully made. 

Aubrey Johnson: I see what you're saying. So it speaks [00:37:00] to the authenticity and how genuine the book is. I'm just like, just like back in the day, right? When, uh, again, before. The internet before multimedia and social networks.

When people read books and books, they had, they were massive and they had substance to them. The, the cover, yeah, you can tell was a cover. It wasn't only slightly thicker than the pages. It was, it had mass and substance to it where it will last. Right. And, and so, yeah, and, and that, to me, that just, that just speaks to, uh, the nostalgia of how we remember books to be.

And you're bringing it to a current book today. That is, that is amazing. Yeah. 

Heather Lehrman: And I have to tell you that I. Um, just going back quickly. I did this big meeting with a bunch of kids networks. Last year. And I [00:38:00] just carried my book around. I was pitching the series. You're not really, you can't really pitch the book because unless you're a top, a top selling author, like on the bestselling list, they're not going to adapt anything from a book, but they all grabbed them the book from my hand because they just happen to all be looking for that young age kinship.

And I'm still fingers across. I'm still waiting on a few that were, seemed very, very interested. I actually got an amazing email today. I don't want to jinx it, but I got an email today that I'm going to have a call with PBS. In a few weeks. So 

Aubrey Johnson: that was exciting, Heather. 

Heather Lehrman: Yeah, but you can never, because you know, it's hard to be excited because it's just the first call.

But when they saw the book last year at this. Screening this summit, they grabbed the book. They loved it because [00:39:00] it's, it is PBS. It's exactly PBA educational. Yes. Um, so, um, I just, I had a really good feeling about them last year and they apologize for not really getting back to me and why it took so long.

And they said, absolutely, we're going to set up a call right now with you. Cause the same. Summits going on in Florida again in a week. And they said the week after we come back and I, and they literally set the Skype call up. So it's just a great step. But you know, people say be realistic, cause it could take years and blah, blah, blah, blah.

But I just feel very positive. I just, everyone gave me positive vibes and, you know, send them my way. Cause this would be, this is my dream. 

Aubrey Johnson: Well from the road to rediscovery, I will tell you right now, Heather, we are sending positive vibes, your way they're [00:40:00] coming to you in waves. Okay. I feel really good about this and sure.

It could be a long process, but you know what the longest journey starts with a single step, 

Heather Lehrman: right? Yes, absolutely. 

Aubrey Johnson: Yeah. Yeah. It, it truly does. And so, um, For the listeners out there. Look, I know your parents and I know some of your teachers, you have to pick this book up and share it with your children, share it with your students.

There is a tremendous message behind it. We hear so much about children growing up, either disrespecting their elders or, uh, maybe disrespecting each other, you know, mistreating each other. Uh, and we want. To really, really leave this world in such a way that our children have the proper mindset to treat each other with love and respect, and that really will help the world become a better place.

[00:41:00] Uh, at the most elemental level, it's really easy. It's just sharing story like this with them. So urge teachers, parents. Look out for this book, go on Amazon. We will have information with direct links in the show notes of this episode of how to acquire Heather's book. Heather, man, I have really, really enjoyed this conversation with you.

I've learned some stuff, stuff about Boston terriers and smush faces. Um, and, and, and I just, I, I appreciate your spirit. I appreciate how you take such a devastating incident and you turn it around to, uh, to help others grow right. And especially our children. So, uh, so, so thank you so much for that. And, uh, and I'll, I'm, I'm in your corner.

I'm one of your fans now. 

Heather Lehrman: Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. And I really [00:42:00] enjoyed this conversation as well. Oh, 

Aubrey Johnson: thank you. Awesome. So now we have come to the segment. I like to call three for the road. Now, Heather, these are where, this is where I'm going to ask you three kind of rapid fire questions, um, to foster, uh, spontaneous thinking, right?

Uh, in given a response, I like to challenge my guests and given a response in five words or less. Now, if you. If you get on a roll with your answer. Um, and it's more than five words. That's okay. There won't be any avalanches or, you know, rocks or landslides or anything like that. Um, that's okay. Uh, but these are designed to be rapid fire, five words or less yet thought provoking, um, um, hypothetical questions.

You think you're up for 

Heather Lehrman: it? Bring it on or Bri, 

Aubrey Johnson: I love that competitive spirit. [00:43:00] I can hear it through your voice. I really can't. All right. Well, here we go. Heather three for the road, starting with question. Number one,

you are anointed the queen of the world and you can rule the world, but with only one law, what would it be? 

Heather Lehrman: Everyone's equal. 

Aubrey Johnson: Everyone's equal. I like that. That's it. Two words you did. Pretty good. Alright. Yeah. So you're one for one so far. Alright. Number two, complete the following sentence. The number one thing we can learn from dogs is 

Heather Lehrman: unconditional love.

Aubrey Johnson: Two more words, unconditional love. I'm digging it 100% and it's so true. They demonstrate [00:44:00] that from the minute they're born until their last breath. For sure. Alright. Cool. Alright. Number three.

If you could walk out your door and cross a bridge to a place, any place in the world. What place would that be?

Heather Lehrman: The heaven that I perceive it to be.

Aubrey Johnson: I like that. I like that. Uh, and, and I'm just going to take a guess, okay. It's just the staff, but being a lover of dogs and the heaven that you picture it to be, and I've heard a long time ago that all dogs go to heaven. I'm imagining your heaven would. Consists of dogs 

Heather Lehrman: and we'll definitely have tons of dots.

Aubrey Johnson: That is [00:45:00] awesome. 

Heather Lehrman: But I'd like to see some family members too. 

Aubrey Johnson: Oh, of course, of course. Yeah. Yeah. Um, I think, I think we all would I for sure, definitely would. And I'd sprinkle some dogs around too. 

Heather Lehrman: Yeah. I will always be surrounded by dogs. 

Aubrey Johnson: Awesome. Fantastic. So for the listeners to get direct links to Heather's website, And for picking up her book on amazon.com, check out our show notes, which can be downloaded from Apple podcasts, Spotify, the roads, rediscovery.com and more.

Heather. Thank you. So, so, so much for coming on the show, it was great having you here. 

Heather Lehrman: Thank you so much. 

Aubrey Johnson: Oh, my pleasure. My pleasure. And thanks to all of you for tuning in and listening. I invite you to subscribe via Apple podcasts. If you haven't done so yet, and feel free to leave a rating and short review, guess what?

We're all roadies on this journey of life and it sure feels good having you on the road with me. Thanks again for listening everyone. [00:46:00] We'll chat again soon.