Conversations with Sekani

After surviving trauma in her 20s, Linda Knipe spent years believing that strength meant burying painful emotions and simply moving on. Decades later, therapy transformed her understanding of healing, vulnerability, and what it means to live an authentic life. Retired school counselor and author of *Braving Therapy: Rape, Buried Trauma, and the Triumph Journey Over PTSD*, Linda now helps others un...

For more than 25 years, Jeff Grant has experienced caregiving firsthand — first supporting his mother after her stroke and later caring for his wife, Karen. Through those experiences, he gained a deep understanding of the emotional, physical, and often unseen realities caregivers face every day. In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Jeff shares: • What life looked like in his 20s before careg...

Sleep underpins everything — focus, mood, performance, immune function, and even joy. Dr. Melissa Milanak, clinical psychologist, executive consultant, and internationally recognized expert on stress, anxiety, burnout, and sleep, has spent more than 20 years helping leaders, athletes, healthcare professionals, and everyday people reclaim their quality of life. In this practical and eye-opening con...

With nearly two decades of experience, Tetiana Kobza (Tanya) is a product designer and behavioral design expert who builds software products people actually want to use. She’s the creator of the Competence Framework and shares practical insights through her weekly #BehavioralDesignThursday series. In this insightful conversation, Tanya shares: • Growing up in Kyiv, Ukraine, as the country was newl...

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Drew Mc holm has worn many hats — youth minister, worship leader, entrepreneur, business leader, musician, and now pastor of the Holistic Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Through every chapter, one mission has remained constant: changing hearts. In this warm and grounded conversation, Drew shares: ​ Growing up adopted in Scotland and the lasting influence of his fath...

She started university as a double major in physics and fine art, later became a published author with over 30,000 books sold, and eventually created Meditative Drawing after navigating her own trauma and PTSD. Jean Kropper, founder of Meditative Drawing, shares how combining drawing, breathwork, and mindfulness can help people find peace and resilience. In this gentle and insightful conversation,...

He’s completed the legendary Bigfoot 200 ultramarathon, eight Ironman-distance triathlons, and more than 200 endurance events. But Mark Hopkins’ story isn’t just about the races — it’s about what those races revealed. Author of *Hard Things*, Mark explores resilience, identity, anxiety, emotional endurance, self-worth, and the hidden reasons many people keep pushing themselves beyond exhaustion. I...

What does it mean to grow up human in a world engineered to constantly capture your attention? Chris Rogers (Rh Chris), educator, speaker, worship leader, and recovery coach, helps young people navigate the complicated reality of growing up online in the age of AI, endless simulations, and algorithm-driven content. In this timely conversation, Chris shares: • Why he got into this work — his own ex...

She spent 30 years as a mechanical engineer before following a new calling into mental health. Judy Richardson Morin, licensed marriage and family therapist, ADHD coach, and parent coach, is the mother of four children with ADHD and the wife of a husband with ADHD. Her work is shaped by both professional expertise and deep lived experience. In this insightful conversation, Judy shares: • Life in h...

She built her identity around achievement, resilience, and always having everything under control — until a catastrophic spinal injury during pregnancy changed everything. Desirae Terry, licensed psychotherapist, speaker, and author of the upcoming memoir *Spinal Tap: How My Medical Trauma Uncaged Me*, shares how medical trauma forced her to confront a deeper question: Who are we when the roles we...

Caring for aging parents is one of life’s most emotional and often overlooked journeys. Ingrid Hanson, author of *Becoming an Orphan: The Caregiver’s Guide to Lovingly Letting Our Parents Go*, shares her story of walking alongside her mother through her final years and later supporting her in-laws. In this heartfelt conversation, Ingrid discusses: • Life in her 20s after losing her father suddenly...

How much of who you think you are was actually inherited? Marta, author of *You Are the One You've Been Waiting For*, challenges us to examine the family roles, cultural conditioning, and unconscious stories that shape our identity, fear, and self-worth. In this eye-opening conversation, Marta shares: ​ Leaving Poland at 20 and finally seeing cultural programming clearly ​ How much of “personality...

What did Jesus actually teach about how we should think, live, and love? James Early, Bible teacher, speaker, and host of the Bible Speaks to You podcast, has spent more than 50 years studying scripture with that central question. In this thoughtful conversation, James shares: • What his 20s looked like as a young man of faith • Learning humility and listening for God’s voice • How unanswered ques...

Are you functioning through your days but feeling disconnected from your own life? Jess Vanrose, trauma-informed guide in nervous system regulation and identity, and host of the Life After Trauma podcast, helps people move beyond survival mode into presence, intention, and authenticity. In this grounded conversation, Jess shares: • What her 20s looked like after a traumatic upbringing • Clear sign...

What happens when you bet on your curiosity instead of the “safe” path? Dr. Pardis Madavi — acclaimed author of nine books, former university president, provost, and dean — shares her journey from Iranian-American bridge-builder to education futurist. In this thoughtful conversation, Dr. Pardis discusses: • Life in her 20s: dreams of changing the world and bridging cultures • Taking the risk to le...

A registered nurse for over 30 years, Nancy Thompson’s own hormone breast cancer diagnosis completely changed how she views healthcare. Today, as a functional medicine coach, she helps women navigate perimenopause, menopause, and holistic recovery by looking at the root causes instead of just symptoms. In this insightful conversation, Nancy shares: • Life in her 20s as a young nurse and new mom •...

How do you lead with ambition and faith without compromising your values? Dr. Michael Wright, Christian leadership expert, executive coach, and host of Kingdom Conversations, shares practical wisdom on aligning faith, purpose, and strategy for lasting impact. In this grounded conversation, Dr. Michael discusses: • How to lead boldly without compromising your beliefs • Using Jesus as the ultimate l...

He’s been called the world’s greatest podcast guest — with appearances on over 800 shows. Nicky (Niki), two-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of E-Circle Academy, and creator of the Thought Leader movement, shares how he went from an Iranian immigrant fleeing revolution to helping entrepreneurs become recognized authorities. In this high-energy conversation, Nicky discusses: • Escapi...

Have you ever woken up and barely recognized the woman in the mirror? Tiffany Tidwater, identity reclamation strategist and founder of Crown from Ashes, helps women rebuild after toxic relationships by restoring confidence, redefining purpose, and creating real financial independence. In this powerful conversation, Tiffany shares: • Clear signs you’ve lost yourself in a relationship • Why many you...

She was winning on paper — 14 years in finance, leading major deals — until her body and mind completely broke down. Alyssa Smith, certified holistic health coach, functional nutrition counselor, and Inog practitioner, shares how burnout forced her to rebuild her health from the inside out. In this practical and eye-opening conversation, Alyssa discusses: • Life in her 20s: hustling hard, long hou...

What if the reason most strategies fail is because we treat organizations like machines instead of living systems? Norman Wolfe, founder and CEO of Quantum Leaders and creator of the Living Organization Framework, has spent more than 40 years helping leaders across Fortune companies and high-growth startups bridge the gap between strategy and execution. In this insightful conversation, Norman shar...

Still in his 20s, Mr. Whiskey is already a US Navy veteran, speaker, author, preacher, comedian, addiction recovery coach, and founder of the Couple Olds podcast. He openly tackles the topics many avoid — mental health, addiction, trauma, faith, and rebuilding after hardship. In this raw and insightful conversation, Mr. Whiskey shares: ​ Growing up in a household of control, abuse, and addiction ​...

At 20 years old, Jordan Mendoza was told he might never walk again after a devastating truck accident. Today he’s the founder and CEO of Blaze Your Own Trail Consulting, a keynote speaker, author, father of six, and host of a globally top-ranked podcast. In this powerful conversation, Jordan shares: • The life-changing accident that flipped his world upside down • The long, painful recovery and ho...

It’s never too late to discover what you were made for. Kirk McCarley — the Seed Sower Coach — spent more than 35 years as a human resources executive before launching a new chapter helping people find their purpose. At 68, he’s still coaching, writing, working with ESPN, and teaching spinning classes. In this encouraging conversation, Kirk shares: ​ Life in his 20s: college, meeting his wife, and...

What happens when external success no longer feels like you? Helen Edmonson, multi-award-winning author, intuition mentor, and spiritual guide, left a high-powered senior government executive career after a profound spiritual awakening to help others reconnect with their inner wisdom, purpose, and authenticity. In this insightful conversation, Helen shares: • Life in her 20s as a first-generation...