About
It all started back in 2004, when Izabella Gates (author names Izabella Little and Izabella Little-Gates) wrote her first book, the best-selling Life Talk for a Daughter, subsequently followed by Life Talk for a Son (with Patrick Wilson), Life Talk for Parents (with psychologist Thomas Burkhalter) and The Tug of Life (a fun methodology that identifies the ‘tug-of-war’ between good and bad choices) – and the rest as they say, is history.
The terrific response to the Life Talk books prompted the formation of the Life Talk® Forum, a youth and parenting forum and non-profit organization headed up by Izabella. The Forum reaches thousands of young people and parents each year, providing a fascinating bird’s-eye-view of the issues and challenges (and solutions) that are out there. Izabella believes that a key part of the solution is to make God and Jesus an active part of our daily lives – and it was this conviction that inspired her to write Life Talk with God.
Q & A
- What is Life Talk with God about – and why is it generating such excitement?
- It’s the only book that tackles such a comprehensive range (85 plus) of issues/dilemmas faced by teens and twentysomethings, in a down-to-earth yet godly way.
- Each chapter is short (young people don’t enjoy lengthy reading) and provides insight about the issue, gives key tips and ends with a prayer.
- Topics cover practical aspects, relationship issues and the tough stuff of life. They range from: friends, self-esteem, working smart, finding happiness, choosing a career, cooking and pets – to relationships, sex, social media, boundaries, peer pressure – and tough stuff like: drugs, abuse, mistakes, STDs, unwanted pregnancy, depression and many other dilemmas.
- Written in a chatty, entertaining and engaging style, it is thought-provoking and potentially life-changing.
- What is the book’s objective?
- To inspire young people to make godly, life-enriching choices.
- To empower teens and twentysomethings to become their best selves.
- To convey the message that nothing is ever too small, or too big, to talk to God about.
- To reach many young people and to help maximise the wonderful world God gave us.
- Who might buy the book?
- Teens and 20-somethings.
- Parents, relatives, schools, churches, sponsors and anyone else who would like to give a meaningful gift to a young person.
- What’s the author’s background?
Izabella was born in Kenya, to Polish parents, and spent her childhood in the Kenyan and Tanzanian bush. She completed her schooling at a convent in South Africa and went onto a successful career in IT, eventually establishing a market-leading IT resourcing company (SilverLine Resources) and spending 16 years as its CEO. After it was sold to Dimension Data she turned to writing the books mentioned earlier. Many of the valuable lessons Izabella learnt through her own diverse experiences are contained in her books.
The Life Talk books were subsequently translated into various languages including Mandarin Chinese and Arabic, and Tug of Life is in English and isiZulu – and the four titles have sold in excess of 100,000 copies to-date. The many enthusiastic emails that Izabella receives bear testimony to the powerfully positive impact that her books and messages have on people’s decisions, actions and lives.
Izabella is MD of Life Talk Forum NPC, has been a frequent guest on radio and TV programmes, and gives talks when her schedule allows. She is an enthusiastic Christian, continues to dedicate her time to working on youth issues, and her key focus areas are to get teens and young adults thinking about their choices and actions, and to get them into a closer relationship with God.
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