Noland Amsel Interview

by Olivier Jethro DuBois

Your very own Olivier Jethro DuBois (that’s me 😘) sat down with my role model, and the infamous rogue head of our generation, Noland Amsel, to discuss his leadership style and disregard for the direction of one Joash ben Yahweh.

: Noland Amsel Interview

Olivier: “I’m sitting down today with Noland Amsel to discuss how he has managed to be such a revolutionary Bekhor. Noland, thank you for joining me.”

Noland: “Olly, we hang out at the Farmacy all the time- What are you…”

Olivier: “Make sure you talk into my phone, please. I’m recording this for later.”

*Noland cocked an eyebrow at me for that*

Olivier: “Right. So, Noland, what would you say are the four pillars of your resolution and drive?”

Noland: *looking a little taken aback by my prowess in professionalism* “Um, I guess I want to make sure I’m doing what’s best for my friends, and humanity. I want to do whatever it is God wants done. I hate seeing a misuse of power to alienate people who should be welcomed. And I guess I am positioned in such a way that bears some responsibility to see that done. Or I was- I thinking you’re forgetting, I’m not actually a Bekhor anymore.”

Olivier: *scoffed at the absurdity of this notion* “Of course you are. It’s not like the council get to make that call.”

Noland: “Actually, they-“

Olivier: “Everyone who matters still looks at you as Bekhor. No offense to Emile, if he is reading this…”

Noland: *rolled his eyes at me lol*

Olivier: “That must be a really demanding and stressful position. How do you always seem to keep your cool under pressure? I mean, you always seem to know exactly what to do.”

Noland: “I don’t know that that is true. But I guess I tend to ruminate on worst case scenarios. So, when things come up, I’ve already thought through what I would do if that scenario ever did happen. So, I kind of just have back up plans for my back up plans in my back pocket. Granted Achaia’s reckless abandon and flagrant disregard for her own safety definitely keep me on my toes.”

Olivier: *laughing with pride for my bestie* “Yeah, she seems to make up new kinds of chaos.”

Noland: *nods* “Yeah, I’m having to get more creatively ominous in my brainstorming. My back pocket is starting to overflow with those back up plans.” *chuckles*

Olivier: “But you love her anyway.”

Noland: *Shrugs* “We all do. She brings her own strengths to the table that really help to balance out the added chaos. I think that is what I love most about us.” (He meant all of our friends here) “We are a pretty radical combination of personalities and strengths- and that serves us well.”

Olivier: “So, would you say that having a great team makes it easier to be a good leader?”

Noland: “Oh, definitely! I wouldn’t be a ‘leader’ if no one was following me. Having such a great team is what really challenges me to rise up and continue to grow and develop myself.”

Olivier: “I bet you wish Joash viewed his position the same way. I know I do.”

Noland: “I can’t speak to his experience. I don’t know what it really means to have known Heaven and to have fallen. I’m guessing there’s more to his bitterness than I could ever understand. But it is discouraging that he insists on holding onto it, and wielding it against those who don’t deserve his contempt.” (Pretty sure he was thinking about Achaia here)

Olivier: “You’re a lot more gracious with him than I am. But there you are setting that good example again! What are your areas of focus, and what practices do you implement to do that? I’m asking for a friend…” *I winked at him here, which made him chuckle*

Noland: “Well physical training is obvious, and since I train you, you already know the routine there…”

Olivier: “But for our readers?”

Noland: *Sighed* “Is anyone really going to be reading this?”

Olivier: *my jaw dropped with offense, because I mean duh!* “Hundreds of people! If not thousands!” *okay, maybe an exaggeration but a guy can hope!*  

Noland: *cocked his eyebrow at me- he is picking this trait up from spending too much time with Achaia I think lol* “What people?”

Olivier: “The cool ones. Please, go on-”

Noland: “Our bodies are easier to master than our minds. If we can’t conquer our flesh, how can we hope to discipline the spirit. So, we start with intentionality- bringing the three together using breath work. Then we go into drills and sparring, then we stretch, and drink a ton of water.”

Olivier: “That was a very brief overview, but for time’s sake I guess you can move on. What are your other practices, or disciplines, if you will?”

Noland: “I spend as much time as possible in intentional prayer and meditation. I also dedicate a large portion of my day to study. I like to hunt down my areas of weakness and turn them into strengths.”

Olivier: “So, self-awareness is key.”

Noland: “Oh, definitely! If others are going to be looking at me for what to do, or God forbid, who to be, then I need to make sure that I am putting in the work to be someone worth looking toward.”

Olivier: “Which practice would you say is the most important?”

Noland: *thought about this for a few minutes while sipping his mead float* “I guess since I am also a guardian and my role demands the ability to protect, it isn’t so easy to say that the inside is more important than the outside- but it is what guides what I do with the external form. So, I would say those practices which inform and strengthen my convictions.”

Olivier: *I think I looked at him super confused, because he went on talking*

Noland: “I think the state of our hearts influence the state of our minds and thoughts, which in turn guide the body. So, if we prioritize the root- our hearts- then the rest can follow suit.”

Olivier: “Ah! Gotcha. Now I’m tracking. Who would you say has been your greatest mentor?”

Noland: *smiled sadly* “Definitely my dad. Even though he died when I was young, he taught me a great deal through his actions what it really meant to be a man, a guardian, and a great Nephilim. And if I’m ever blessed enough to have a family, I hope to be a father in his image.”

Olivier: “Does Achaia know you want kids?”

Noland: “What does that have to do with being a Bekhor? I’m not discussing romantic asides in this interview Olly. That’s private.”

Olivier: “Okay. I’ll just ask her later…”

Noland: *Rolled his eyes at me again.*

Olivier: “So, if you had one piece of advice for say, a third party observer, on how to be more like you? What would it be?”

Noland: “Don’t.”

Olivier: *I cocked my head at him so he kept talking*

Noland: “You should always be working toward becoming the best version of yourself. Others may inspire ideas as to what skills or characteristics you wish to develop- and may be able to offer advice or insight into how to make that happen- but you should always pursue it in a way that is true to becoming more like the you that you want to be tomorrow, and the day after- never to become a copy of another. God made us all unique and different for a reason. He doesn’t need two of any of us. Because then one of us would be missing, and that one is unreplaceable.” *he gave me a deep penetrating look here for some reason even though I thought I made it clear I wasn’t asking for myself*

Olivier: “Right… Well thank you so much for sitting down with me today. And I’ll let you get back to your float and grilled cheese now.”

Noland: “Thanks…” *bites into previously neglected and now cold grilled cheese*

Olivier: *Sips delicious tootsie float and contemplates whether I will be able to open one of these in Heaven after the end times. *

Olivier and Noland are characters featured in The Kingdom Come Series by Brandy Ange. You can join them on their journey’s starting in book one, Transgression which is available from all major book retailers.