Amber Vilhauer is a business strategist and author who has spent twenty years helping impact-driven leaders bring their authentic voices into the world. As co-author of What Nature Teaches Us, she partnered with her son Clay to create a book about emotional resilience, connection, and hope.

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Guest Resource

Choose the Light – Check out Amber’s website to learn about “What Nature Teaches Us”, launching October 13th.

3 Value Bombs

1. Resistance is data, fear can reveal where your greatest growth lies.

2. Nature builds emotional resilience by creating space for meaningful connection and self awareness.

3. Keep your heart open, choosing love and generosity creates a ripple effect of connection.

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.

Today’s Audio MASTERCLASS: What Nature Teaches Us

[1:36] – Amber shares something she believes about becoming successful that most people disagree with.

Resistance and fear aren’t necessarily things to avoid; they can be signals pointing toward your greatest potential.
She encourages people to move toward the things they fear rather than allowing fear to dictate their choices.
Taking action despite fear can open the door to a bigger, more impactful life.

[3:29] – Amber talks about what inspired her and Clay to write “Be the Light Together”, and why was this the right story to tell.

Clay’s first word was “light,” which she saw as an early indication of the impact and love he would bring into the world.
At age six, Clay announced that he wanted to write a book.
She and Clay began taking walks through the forest while she asked him questions about what he wanted to teach other children.
Their first book, “The Long Forest Trail”, followed a mother and son navigating obstacles through positive thinking and perseverance.
Clay chose “Be the light” as the dedication for the book, a phrase that became central to their work together.

[5:43] – Amber talks about how she got her community involved and turn Clay’s first book into a larger impact project.

Rather than relying solely on traditional book sales, Amber created a silent-auction fundraiser.
The fundraiser generated $40,000, enough to purchase 10,000 copies of the book.
The books were donated to children’s hospitals and Boys & Girls Clubs.
She emphasizes creating win-win opportunities where a community can benefit alongside your own project.

[6:24] – Amber talks about how the idea for “What Nature Teaches Us” developed.

When Clay was eight, he wanted to create another book, this time, bigger.
During their walks, she began asking him what different elements of nature could teach people about life.
Clay offered surprisingly profound observations, such as the sun shining on everyone and clouds carrying heavy things while continuing to move forward.
After a year of these conversations, they developed a book built around 15 elements of nature.
What began as a children’s book evolved into a gifting book intended for people of any age.
The book launches October 13th.

[8:29] – Amber tells why emotional resilience is such an important skill for children, and why shouldn’t we leave it to chance.

Adults are navigating significant change and disruption, making emotional regulation and resilience increasingly important.
Parents need to model and teach these skills rather than assuming children will develop them on their own.
Amber is concerned about children spending too much time in front of screens and AI without enough real-world interaction.
Nature can provide a distraction-free environment where parents can ask questions and children can develop their own answers.
These conversations can help children prepare for challenges involving school, relationships, family conflict, loneliness, and social pressure.

[10:15] – Amber shares why she chose nature as the guide, and what makes it such a powerful teacher.

She has always felt better when surrounded by nature and experienced firsthand how adding plants and natural elements to her environment helped her feel calmer.
Her experience living in the Rocky Mountains made the connection between nature and inner peace even more apparent.
Walking through nature with Clay led them to consider what the natural world might be intentionally teaching us.
One lesson she draws from trees is that they “sway in community”; a reminder that people can support one another rather than operating solely from individual self-interest.
Nature offers lessons that can apply to both children and adults.

[12:22] – A timeout to thank our sponsors.

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[16:04] – Amber talks about what conversations she hope families will continue after reading “Be the Light”.

Clay wants to create a movement encouraging families to “choose the light” and be a positive force in the world.
He wants families to spend less time on screens and more time in nature.
Parents can ask children thoughtful questions that help them articulate their ideas, feelings, desires, and perspectives.
Curiosity can reveal what children are thinking about their family, school, community, and the world.

[17:31] – Amber talks about how educators, counselors, and mental health professionals can use the book to help children.

She envisions “What Nature Teaches Us” in schools, homeschool environments, therapists’ offices, waiting rooms, and children’s hospitals.
The book can serve as an entry point for conversations about whatever a child or adult is experiencing.
Its poetry is designed to encourage readers to reflect on personal questions and cultivate inner awareness and intuition.
She says the book can help people move through resistance and fear toward becoming the person they’re capable of being.
Educators in different countries have already expressed interest in the book and its potential curriculum.

[20:36] – Amber shares what “Be the Light” means to her personally.

She describes it as the experience of being present for someone and watching that person feel better or begin to flourish.
For her, being the light means cultivating the discipline to keep her heart open.
Despite experiencing pain and suffering, she has intentionally chosen not to harden herself.
She strives to lead with love, generosity, and presence.
She believes our thoughts, feelings, and energy affect the people around us.
Keeping your own light on can encourage others to do the same, creating a contagious ripple of generosity and connection.

[22:57] – Call to action.

Choose the Light – Check out Amber’s website to learn about “What Nature Teaches Us”, launching October 13th.
Amber is conducting a six-state book launch tour.
She is offering free workshops teaching families how to write, publish, and launch their own bestselling children’s books.
Entrepreneurs can also reach out to discuss writing a children’s book or an adult nonfiction book.
Amber highlights children’s books as a potentially faster and less expensive publishing path, with opportunities to generate revenue or create a meaningful give-back project.

[23:20] – Thank you to our Sponsor!

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What Nature Teaches Us with Amber Vilhauer

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