Hey, Life with Justin Stephens community! Justin here, checking in with a journal entry on a heavy week that's stirred my soul. I haven't posted since the public assassination of Charlie Kirk—may he rest in peace. I didn't think it would hit me as hard as it did, but the last week has been very emotional for me. Let's unpack it, as we document this journey through personal finance, success, business, sales, and marketing—because life's raw moments are where real growth happens.

The Shock and Outpouring: A Time of Division and Love

Charlie's death was shocking, a stark reminder of the deep divides we're facing. I love the outpouring of love and tributes honoring his life, his faith, and his passion for our country. But it's hard to see the people celebrating the death of someone who shared his beliefs so boldly. It made me realize how small I've been playing the game of life—holding back my voice, fearing judgment or pushback. If I truly believe what I believe, why am I afraid to share it? Charlie lived unapologetically, and that's lit a fire in my soul to do the same.

America's Holding Company: Time to Build Publicly

This tragedy has pushed me to be more prominent with my vision for America's Holding Company. I've been afraid to share it fully because of early pushback—the idea has evolved drastically since inception, but the core concept remains: A collaborative platform for shared prosperity, blending finance, business, and community impact. The plans and paths change, but the foundation is solid. Those plans will now become part of my regular content—sharing steps, seeking feedback, and building publicly so others can see what I'm doing. No more hiding; it's time to invite collaboration and refine through real conversations.

Gratitude: Together, We Make It Real

I want to thank everyone for following along on my journey and supporting me through this—it's together that we'll make this a reality. Your encouragement means the world, especially in emotional times like these.

Why This Matters for Your Journey

Grief can awaken purpose, pushing us to live bigger—in finance (bold investments), business (unapologetic sharing), and life (authentic voices). Charlie's legacy reminds us to stand for what we believe.

At Life with Justin Stephens, we share raw Journal Entries like this, alongside Point of View stories, Life Strategy tips, Resources, and Great Causes to inspire your path in finance, business, sales, marketing, and beyond.

Call to Action: Subscribe at justindcstephens.com for daily motivation. Share your thoughts on Charlie or bold sharing, and comment: What's one belief you're ready to voice?

P.S. Tomorrow, a Life Strategy post on turning grief into action. Stay tuned!

To your success,
Justin Stephens