As summer comes to a close, I’m reflecting on a season filled with speaking, travel, milestones, and—most importantly—gratitude.
I had the honor of speaking at the Torrance Library about Living Brave-ishly and sharing stories of courage and resilience. At Lake Arrowhead, I joined Nissan as their featured travel speaker—what an unforgettable drive up the mountain and an inspiring event. I was also featured in CarBuzz for my talk there, as well as in Women’s World for my thoughts on travel. And to top it off, I attended a special evening with Qantas to celebrate the new Dreamliner route from Los Angeles to Brisbane, a reminder that adventure is always waiting across the Pacific.
Two of my proudest summer moments were carrying my Telly Award to Lake Arrowhead and celebrating my 1st Place Press Club win with a photo shoot and lunch at the historic Langham Pasadena. A glamorous Beverly Hills lunch rounded out those celebrations—reminders to pause and savor accomplishments.
Media and culture also filled my calendar: I toured KCAL CBS studios to learn about the future of news, experienced Muse/ique’s Like It Like Harlem performance, and returned to the Hollywood Bowl, one of my favorite things about Los Angeles, for a magical night of Jurassic Park under the stars.
Not every month was easy—July was a time to focus solely on family, as my mom spent two weeks at Keck USC Hospital. I didn’t share news then, but I was grateful to put everything else on hold. Health and family come first, and I am thankful she is better now.
By August, I was back on the trail—literally—spending a week hiking in Utah. Photos are coming soon!
Another highlight: my Make Your Own Map podcast is now reaching listeners in 60 countries across all 7 continents! I’ve also had the joy of being a guest on other shows, including the newest episode of Sideline Sisters—thank you, Jenny, for the great conversation. On my own podcast, you can now listen to my interview with Angela Tuell and hear my talk at the Torrance Library.
But even in moments of joy and travel, I carry a heavy heart. For nearly two years now, 695 days since Oct 7, 2023, hostages have remained in Gaza. On August 19, we marked the yahrzeit of the six beautiful souls who were murdered by Hamas terrorists after surviving nearly a year of horrific conditions in captivity: Or Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alex Lubanov, Almog Sarusi, and Eden Yerushalmi. The loss of these precious lives is felt deeply across Israel and the Jewish world.
Reflecting on their grief, Hersh’s family invited others to honor this first yahrzeit by taking action “to make our complicated world better… It can be something big or small, quiet or loud, private or public. Do it in memory of the Beautiful Six, including our Hersh. May his memory be a revolution… for goodness.”
Their words are a reminder to live bravely, act with compassion, and choose kindness whenever possible.
Looking ahead, next month marks the second birthday of my book Brave-ish—a milestone I can hardly believe has arrived. I am deeply grateful for your continued support, for the recognition of my work with a Telly Award and Press Club win, for the growth of my podcast, and above all, for health, family, and the ability to keep traveling and sharing stories.
In this sacred month of Elul, as the shofar calls us to awaken and prepare for the Days of Awe, I find myself reflecting deeply on the year that has passed. At the close of 5785, we look back with gratitude for blessings, with humility for challenges faced, and with heartbreak for lives lost and hostages still waiting for freedom. As Rosh Hashanah approaches, we are invited to begin again, to renew our commitments, and to step into the new year with intention.
May this season inspire us to carry forward resilience, curiosity, and joy, while also holding space for memory, justice, and the work of making the world better.
Media & Podcast Highlights This summer has been full of milestones I’m grateful for:
✨ My Make Your Own Map podcast is now listened to in 60 countries across all 7 continents!
I have events nearly every month–hope to see you at a live event soon–and you can invite me to speak at your conference, library, bookstore, book club live or on ZOOM!
I have students in 10 countries so far: Australia, Canada, India, Italy, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, USA! Join us on the adventure of travel writing!
THANK YOU for watching my award-winning podcast, Make Your Own Map: Are YOU ready to be BRAVE? It has now been seen and heard in 60 countries on 7 continents.
Here is the link to my video channel on YouTube where I now have nearly 2.5 Million views on YouTube! (now at: 2,472,185).
Thank you for your support! Are you one of my 4,645 subscribers? I hope you will join me and subscribe! For more We Said Go Travel articles, TV segments, videos and social media: CLICK HERE
People always ask me where is it best to buy my book. I recommend you go into or call your favorite local book store and ask them to order it for you and pick it up IN THE STORE! You never know what other treasures you will find. Any bookstore can order my book because my publisher is Post Hill Press and it is distributed by Simon and Schuster. My book is now in the library on Quark Ultramarine and in the store at Dubray bookstore on Grafton in Dublin, Ireland! Brave-ish is available all over the globe!
In the face of growing anti-Israel and antisemitic conduct in public schools, the Los Angeles Unified School District has delivered an important victory for our community.
The site is now home to Milken’s Upper School, serving students in grades 9 through 12, and expands the school’s footprint across its three campuses to 28 acres.
A well-designed Israel experience cannot resolve every question. But it can give young people context, relationships, language, and a sense that they belong to a people and a story larger than themselves.
Some have accused me of anti-Muslim bias. Let me answer that plainly: I have none. My issues with El-Sayed would be the same whether he were Jewish, Christian, Hindu or Baha’i.
I write to you, all you first and second generations, and I assure you from generations five, six and seven that if we keep doing what we need to do, if we stand together, keep our traditions, educate ourselves in our ancient wisdom, keep Hebrew spoken and sung in our midst, we will not only endure. We Jews will thrive.
Kwall, the Raymond P. Niro Law Professor at DePaul University College of Law, argues for a center defined by enough common commitments to make communal life possible.
If we want our younger generations to love our faith, our culture, and our peoplehood, we need to be welcoming when they show interest and have a spark of curiosity.
It turns out that claim about Israel being a democracy wasn’t just propaganda. The two million Arabs who live in the world’s only Jewish state really do have the power to vote.
Overall, the anti-Netanyahu bloc is projected to win 53 seats, while the Netanyahu-led right-wing religious bloc is projected to win 50. Both are expected to fall well short of a 61-seat majority.
Grateful, Brave, and Looking Ahead: Niver’s End of Summer News
Lisa Ellen Niver
August News 2025 Niver’s Newsletter 187
As summer comes to a close, I’m reflecting on a season filled with speaking, travel, milestones, and—most importantly—gratitude.
I had the honor of speaking at the Torrance Library about Living Brave-ishly and sharing stories of courage and resilience. At Lake Arrowhead, I joined Nissan as their featured travel speaker—what an unforgettable drive up the mountain and an inspiring event. I was also featured in CarBuzz for my talk there, as well as in Women’s World for my thoughts on travel. And to top it off, I attended a special evening with Qantas to celebrate the new Dreamliner route from Los Angeles to Brisbane, a reminder that adventure is always waiting across the Pacific.
Two of my proudest summer moments were carrying my Telly Award to Lake Arrowhead and celebrating my 1st Place Press Club win with a photo shoot and lunch at the historic Langham Pasadena. A glamorous Beverly Hills lunch rounded out those celebrations—reminders to pause and savor accomplishments.
Media and culture also filled my calendar: I toured KCAL CBS studios to learn about the future of news, experienced Muse/ique’s Like It Like Harlem performance, and returned to the Hollywood Bowl, one of my favorite things about Los Angeles, for a magical night of Jurassic Park under the stars.
Not every month was easy—July was a time to focus solely on family, as my mom spent two weeks at Keck USC Hospital. I didn’t share news then, but I was grateful to put everything else on hold. Health and family come first, and I am thankful she is better now.
By August, I was back on the trail—literally—spending a week hiking in Utah. Photos are coming soon!
Another highlight: my Make Your Own Map podcast is now reaching listeners in 60 countries across all 7 continents! I’ve also had the joy of being a guest on other shows, including the newest episode of Sideline Sisters—thank you, Jenny, for the great conversation. On my own podcast, you can now listen to my interview with Angela Tuell and hear my talk at the Torrance Library.
But even in moments of joy and travel, I carry a heavy heart. For nearly two years now, 695 days since Oct 7, 2023, hostages have remained in Gaza. On August 19, we marked the yahrzeit of the six beautiful souls who were murdered by Hamas terrorists after surviving nearly a year of horrific conditions in captivity: Or Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alex Lubanov, Almog Sarusi, and Eden Yerushalmi. The loss of these precious lives is felt deeply across Israel and the Jewish world.
Reflecting on their grief, Hersh’s family invited others to honor this first yahrzeit by taking action “to make our complicated world better… It can be something big or small, quiet or loud, private or public. Do it in memory of the Beautiful Six, including our Hersh. May his memory be a revolution… for goodness.”
Their words are a reminder to live bravely, act with compassion, and choose kindness whenever possible.
Looking ahead, next month marks the second birthday of my book Brave-ish—a milestone I can hardly believe has arrived. I am deeply grateful for your continued support, for the recognition of my work with a Telly Award and Press Club win, for the growth of my podcast, and above all, for health, family, and the ability to keep traveling and sharing stories.
In this sacred month of Elul, as the shofar calls us to awaken and prepare for the Days of Awe, I find myself reflecting deeply on the year that has passed. At the close of 5785, we look back with gratitude for blessings, with humility for challenges faced, and with heartbreak for lives lost and hostages still waiting for freedom. As Rosh Hashanah approaches, we are invited to begin again, to renew our commitments, and to step into the new year with intention.
May this season inspire us to carry forward resilience, curiosity, and joy, while also holding space for memory, justice, and the work of making the world better.
Media & Podcast Highlights This summer has been full of milestones I’m grateful for:
✨ My Make Your Own Map podcast is now listened to in 60 countries across all 7 continents!
✨ Guest appearance on Sideline Sisters—thank you, Jenny, for the inspiring interview.
✨ New on my podcast: conversations with Angela Tuell and my Living Brave-ishly talk at the Torrance Library.
✨ Featured in CarBuzz for my travel talk with Nissan at Lake Arrowhead.
✨ Featured in Women’s World on the joy and importance of travel.
So grateful for these opportunities to share stories and spark conversations around travel, courage, and living Brave-ishly.
Qantas Launches New Dreamliner Route: Brisbane ⇄ Los Angeles
Nissan Summer Travel Summit at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa
Celebrating at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena
Like It Like Harlem by Muse/ique
BRAVE-ish at the North Torrance Library
My 2025 Telly Award unboxing
KCAL/CBS: the future of News!
1st place WINNER! #grateful
My 1st place win! Thank you Jewish Journal
Learn more about my events: click here and my articles here
I have events nearly every month–hope to see you at a live event soon–and you can invite me to speak at your conference, library, bookstore, book club live or on ZOOM!
Want to travel more? I have a Travel Writer 101 class on Udemy. CLICK here for a coupon to take my class for FREE!
I have students in 10 countries so far: Australia, Canada, India, Italy, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, USA! Join us on the adventure of travel writing!
THANK YOU for watching my award-winning podcast, Make Your Own Map: Are YOU ready to be BRAVE? It has now been seen and heard in 60 countries on 7 continents.
Have you heard my recent podcast episodes?
WATCH my podcast, “MAKE YOUR OWN MAP: ” on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Podcast, Google Podcasts, Audacy, Audible, Anchor, Pandora & iHeart Radio
What an honor to win 1st place for my podcast. Watch the podcast segment here: Ireland: Neville’s Stories at Giant’s Causeway
Watch the full Telly Award-Winning Ireland TV special, Celtic Charm here
WHERE CAN YOU FIND MY TRAVEL VIDEOS?
Here is the link to my video channel on YouTube where I now have nearly 2.5 Million views on YouTube! (now at: 2,472,185).
Thank you for your support! Are you one of my 4,645 subscribers? I hope you will join me and subscribe! For more We Said Go Travel articles, TV segments, videos and social media: CLICK HERE
Find me on social media with over 150,000 followers. Please follow me on social @LisaNiver TikTok, X Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, BlueSky and at LisaNiver.com.
Do you LOVE my book BRAVE-ish? PLEASE WRITE A REVIEW!! Click here to go directly to rate or review BRAVE-ish on Amazon (now at 61 reviews. Help me get to 75) You can find my book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Simon & Schuster, Post Hill Press, Target, Walmart, BookShop, BAM! and wherever you get your audiobooks!
People always ask me where is it best to buy my book. I recommend you go into or call your favorite local book store and ask them to order it for you and pick it up IN THE STORE! You never know what other treasures you will find. Any bookstore can order my book because my publisher is Post Hill Press and it is distributed by Simon and Schuster. My book is now in the library on Quark Ultramarine and in the store at Dubray bookstore on Grafton in Dublin, Ireland! Brave-ish is available all over the globe!
You can also find me now on SUBSTACK!
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