Bump In The Road

A path to healing is always possible, says Asher Beckwitt. As both a trauma coach and a sexual abuse survivor, she understands that each journey is an individual one. Asher's own journey began with years of talk therapy, which laid the foundation for healing. However, it was the introduction of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy that marked a significant turning point. Th...

Amie Sponza always had a passion for theater and film, but life and responsibilities took her on a different path. Until serendipity reared its lovely head and she was asked to work on a short film which went on to win awards at film festivals. Amie Sponza's passion for storytelling was awakened and she decided to follow her heart. Today she provides coaching services to help others do the same. S...

Shawn Ellis is a passionate speaker, writer, and coach. He is a take charge guy, stressing that adaptability isn't just about responding to change—it's about mastering it. And even instigating it. To be a powerful speaker, Shawn relies on : Authenticity and Vulnerability: True connection and growth stem from being genuine and open Endings Create Beginnings: Embracing change leads to strength and n...

Denise Thomas' dreams for her children's college almost went up in smoke. A job loss meant that she and her husband lost everything. And she means EVERYTHING. What about college? With limited resources and no 401k to fall back on, Denise realized that traditional paths to college funding were no longer viable. So, she took matters into her own hands. Through extensive research and a relentless pur...

Ron Mitori's new book, "Solutions or Socialism" looks to the past and to the future as the U.S. position in the world evolves. His book starts off with stories of personal experiences under socialist regimes. One story, of Lore and her family begins: "Lore's father had been a successful inventor and businessman who owned a factory that produced household goods during WWII. He was also part of the...

Debbie Parker Oliver is a professor at Washington University and a seasoned hospice care professional. When her husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Debbie's expertise was put to the test. Debbie and her husband made a conscious decision to focus on quality time rather than aggressive treatments. This choice, influenced by their backgrounds in hospice and gerontology, allowed them to create...

Subscribers can enjoy extended conversations from this podcast. To subscribe, go to BumpInTheRoad. Substack.com The Wisdom In Dance Navigating the intricate journey of parenting is challenging in itself, but when faced with the added complexity of raising children with special needs, the path becomes even more difficult. And Joanne De Simone faced this path with not one, but two children. Through...

This is a story of a transformative journey of healing, self-discovery, and spirituality. In their book, Healing With Love, two sisters, Hillary Donato Odoy and Cindy England, each share their stories. Hillary's journey began with a cancer diagnosis that turned her world upside down. Faced with uncertainty and fear, she reached out to her sister Cindy, who had been exploring energy healing and med...

When Ann's parents announced their move to an assisted living apartment, they gave her just two weeks to empty their three-story home filled with 56 years of memories. As she sorted through the items, Ann found herself confronting childhood memories and traumas that she had long buried. It was as if each item carried an energy of its own, triggering suppressed emotions and leading her to a near-de...

In a world where the digital landscape is ever-evolving, the threat of cybercrime looms larger than ever. For Jocelyn King, a tech-savvy professional thriving in Silicon Valley, this threat became all too real. Jocelyn's story begins at the peak of her career, working with influential figures in the tech industry. However, her dream quickly turned into a nightmare when cybercriminals targeted her...

What if I told you that presence and mindfulness could be the key to overcoming life's most challenging bumps? Including isolation, a condition that many of us struggle with at one time or another.. Cole Baker-Bagwell found herself profoundly alone when she moved to a remote mountain town. Her isolation devolved into a profound sense of loneliness. She became depressed. Mindfulness, as Cole descri...

Cara Wilson-Granat was taken with Anne Frank's story. Anne Frank, as you'll recall, wrote about her experiences as a young jewish girl hiding from the Nazis as WWII approached. Her writings are published in the book The Diary of a Young Girl. So when the chance for a Hollywood audition to star in the role of Ann Frank appeared, Cara leapt at the opportunity She didn't get the role, but she did get...

Phillip Blackett's journey has taken him from the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, to the bustling streets of Wall Street, and beyond. Today he is an author. His book, Disagree without Disrespect, looks at restoring this nation's traditions civil discourse. Disagree Without Disrespect," offers a five-step framework for navigating disagreements with empathy and respect: Separate the Idea from the Ident...

Kathy Gardarian is the Founder and CEO of Qualis International Inc., a multi-million dollar sales and distribution company. She has served as a director on many boards, both corporate and non-profit, including Van's Inc., The World Business Academy, Chapman University, The Gorbachov State of the World Forum, and the Woman's Leadership Board at Harvard's JFK School. She was awarded the Lifetime Ach...

Shaan Patel is the founder and CEO of PrepExpert, an online test preparation company that has transformed the lives of over 100,000 students. Shawn's journey from struggling with SAT anxiety to becoming a successful entrepreneur and Shark Tank star is nothing short of inspiring. Shawn's story begins in the urban public schools of Las Vegas, Nevada, where he grew up in his parents' budget motel. De...

Have you ever felt like you're running through life, chasing goals, and suddenly, you hit a bump in the road? Ben Katt is a man who experienced just that. Ben was in his early thirties, a father to three young children, and a founder of three community startups. His life was full of purpose, yet one rainy morning in Seattle, while running around a familiar lake, he was stopped in his tracks by a p...

Dr. Jennifer Nash is a business leadership consultant and author of "Be Human. Lead Human," a guide for leaders who aspire to create more empathetic, connected, and high-performing teams. Jennifer's framework provides actionable steps to develop relational skills that are vital for modern leadership. Jennifer grew up in the Midwest and worked her way through school, eventually finding herself in a...

Mike Hassell was born into a family of engineers. He followed the expected path, earning his degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech. However, he soon realized that his education was narrowly focused on his profession, leaving little room for his broader interests in philosophy, humanities, and the arts. This realization led Mike to pivot his career towards publishing, focusing on the g...

This is a "how to" on surviving a divorce for your best benefit. For Stacie Shifflett, the implosion of her 28-year marriage felt like shattering into a million pieces. She likened herself to Humpty Dumpty, wondering how she would ever put herself back together. Stacie's story offers a road map for everyone going through the dissolution of a marriage. Stacie's journey began with the shock and grie...

Joe Hippensteel is an extraordinary athlete and innovator in the field of sports medicine. From a young age, Joe was passionate about sports, but his smaller stature led him to focus on track and field, specifically the decathlon. His journey was anything but easy; it involved years of intense training, often spanning six to ten hours a day. Despite facing over 100 injuries. Traditional methods an...

Mike Vasquez is a trailblazer in healthcare technology dedicated to fighting the opioid crisis. His interest in the opioid crisis is deeply personal: his oldest son and his best friend became involved with opioids. His son's friend died. In response, Mike and his wife decided to create an evidence-based opioid treatment program from scratch. Fast forward 14 years, and their program has become one...

n a world where ageism often dictates the narrative, Mariann Aalda is proving that age is not a barrier but a stepping stone to new opportunities. At 76 years of age, starring in a film showed in Cannes. Growing up in an era where limitations were placed on young black women, Marianne defied the odds and carved out a successful acting career. Mariann's story is not just about overcoming obstacles;...

In this episode Jim Flaherty, at the age of 89, shares his remarkable journey of embracing life with vigor, curiosity, and a relentless pursuit of purpose. For Jim, age is not a barrier to productivity but an opportunity to explore new avenues and enrich one's life. Jim sees our period of greatest productivity moving with an aging demographic. Is 70 the new 50? Having authored five books, created...

Caroline Paul is a a role model as a female adventurer. She's mountain biked in the Andes, climbed Denali and sought adventure wherever possible. As she ages, she continues to push her bounds. But she asks: Why aren't women, like men, encouraged to keep adventuring into old age? And what, exactly constitutes "old age"? As an aging boomer myself, Caroline's story resonates strongly. Do we discourag...