Your Story Matters

In this year-in-review episode, Michaela celebrates 100 episodes and reflects on how creating the show has become a source of healing and growth. Looking back on Season 04, Michaela shares why she considered taking a break and what’s changing for Season 05: monthly solo episodes, a new life coaching framework, and a renewed focus on the Enneagram. She also explains how the podcast, newsletter, blo...

Lauren Watt shares her journey from a childhood marked by speech therapy to eight years of severe chronic illness that left her largely homebound and bedridden. She describes navigating invisible illness, medical uncertainty, isolation, and the challenge of holding onto faith when healing felt out of reach. After COVID worsened her symptoms, Lauren found a path toward recovery through nervous-syst...

In this episode of Your Story Matters , Tanya Lakins shares her journey from growing up in a small Indiana town to serving 11 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. She discusses the challenges she faced as a woman in the military, including having to repeatedly prove herself despite holding the same rank as her male peers. Tanya speaks openly about the difficulty of transitioning back to civilian life....

Ann Buoy shares how stepping away from her family’s expected path shaped her work with parents and children. After leaving college, traveling full-time with her family, and rethinking conventional homeschooling, she developed a values-led approach to education centered on freedom, self-trust, and helping children become capable, confident adults. At its heart, the episode helps families trade fear...

Alicia Smith was a college dance star with her future mapped out—until one night in Tucson changed everything. Shot with an AK-47, she survived against less than a 1 percent chance and began the long process of learning how to live as someone new. In this raw conversation, Alicia discusses identity, trauma, resilience, forgiveness, and the difficult truth that healing isn’t about returning to who...

Laura McGregor’s episode is a powerful story of healing, faith, and creative rebirth. She shares how leaving a controlling and spiritually harmful marriage and church environment forced her to confront trauma, rebuild trust in God, and rediscover her own voice. The conversation traces her journey from survival mode into a new season of creativity, where poetry, a newsletter called The Lighthouse,...

Jacqueline Cabello’s episode is about healing, self-discovery, and reclaiming personal power after years of chronic pain, burnout, and emotional trauma. She shares how a high-achieving career, divorce, and childhood wounds contributed to depression, anxiety, and a painful bladder condition, and how traditional medicine only helped her manage symptoms. The turning point came when she discovered Vip...

In this episode of Your Story Matters Podcast, Dr. Neja Zupan shares her profound journey from a childhood filled with health challenges to becoming a pioneer in holistic healing. She discusses the importance of energy in our lives, the cultural perspectives on medicine, and how connecting with our soul can lead to true healing. Dr. Zupan emphasizes the need to work on an energetic level to transf...

Kayla MacDonald shares her deeply personal journey from childhood trauma and a long struggle with food, binge eating, and body shame to becoming a food freedom and embodiment coach. She explains how, for years, she tried to solve her eating issues with “wellness math” — chasing the perfect diet, macros, or willpower — only to realize the real issue was much deeper. The conversation explores how fo...

Failure and uncertainty aren’t signs of weakness — they’re signs you’re evolving. Alison’s honesty about her own story—including a TEDx debut, career pivots, and the struggles of forging her own path—reminds us that greatness comes from perseverance, curiosity, and self-trust. Perfect for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone craving authentic growth — this episode will inspire you to challenge your...

In this powerful episode, Edit B. Kiss shares her raw story of overcoming childhood trauma in Hungary, experiencing panic attacks in her youth, and ultimately finding her true calling through deep healing modalities like karma yoga and source memory healing. You'll learn how she moved from managing symptoms to a thriving practice that rewires the subconscious, heals ancestral wounds, and rewri...

Unlock the hidden power of your mind and body with Alexander Oxford, a visionary in fascia, neurolinguistic programming, and conscious evolution. Discover how questions unlock unlimited potential and why we often limit ourselves by outdated beliefs. Throughout the conversation, Alex digs into the importance of mentorship, high-level questioning, and cultivating a growth mindset—offering practical...

Most parents never see the heartbreak coming—until they're caught in a storm of addiction, custody battles, and shattered relationships. Janelle Martin's story will change how you see trauma, resilience, and the power of transformation. She went from a tumultuous divorce and her daughter's drug addiction to becoming a licensed counselor and author, all while fighting for her family’s h...

Most moms are drowning in mental load without even realizing it — but what if the secret to reclaiming your peace is simpler than you think? Michelle Akester-Marsh, a holistic therapist turned mindset coach, reveals how small, intentional shifts can free you from the overwhelm—and unlock a calmer, more fulfilled life. Her story of moving from chaos to calm, from English suburbia to Scottish mounta...

Enneagram coach and culture expert Kenzie Olejnik reveals why understanding your team’s true motivations is the game changer, and how a simple assessment can unlock a workplace where everyone feels seen and valued. In this episode, Kenzie shares her journey from a news reporter passionate about storytelling to a culture coach dedicated to cultivating authentic connections at work. Learn how her di...

In this episode, Stephanie Mitchell shares her journey from aspiring actor to accomplished memoir editor and coach. She discusses her early love for storytelling, her transition from acting to editing, and her passion for helping others tell their personal stories. Stephanie emphasizes the therapeutic and societal value of memoirs, highlighting how they can provide insight and foster empathy. The...

In this episode featuring Shaina Hargens engages in a heartfelt conversation with Shaina, a speaker, coach, and creator of the Anchoring Admits journal. Shaina shares her journey through personal challenges, including grief and loss, and how these experiences shaped her mission to help women build resilience and find steadiness in life. She discusses the creation of her sisterhood community and th...

In this episode, Sarah-Jayne McNaughton shares her journey from a successful corporate career to becoming a life strategist and business coach. After experiencing burnout, she embarked on a path of self-discovery, leading her to help solopreneurs and small business owners. Sarah-Jayne emphasizes the importance of personal development alongside business strategy, focusing on clarity, confidence, an...

Gary Parker is a prolific author with twenty traditionally published novels and six screenplays, known for his eclectic storytelling and deep historical research. His stories span genres but are united by his passion for truth and character-driven narratives. Join us for a conversation packed with craft tips, surprising historical insights, and a masterclass in epic storytelling that will leave yo...

In this episode, Michael Mirza shares his journey of rediscovering his artistic identity. He reflects on how his early passion for art was set aside for practical career choices in marketing and ministry. Now, as he approaches a new chapter in life, Michael is embracing creativity through pattern design and his podcast "Define Play." He discusses the importance of balancing personal pass...

Most people spend decades searching for their purpose — Romi Grossberg's journey from rebellious teen to global mental health advocate proves it’s never too late to find your true calling. In this powerful episode, Romi shares how her life's twists and turns led her from a sports teacher in Australia to managing youth centers in Cambodia, and eventually to authoring life-changing books on...

Alison Zeidler shares her inspiring story of overcoming childhood chaos, learning to communicate, and embracing holistic healing to transform her life. Discover practical insights on incremental change, self-awareness, and helping others. Alison’s Challenge for Celebrating What We’ve Done: Look at yourself in the mirror Pat yourself on the back and say, “good job. I’m here. I’ve been through stuff...

***Trigger Warning - Alcohol Related Suicide*** In this episode, Colleen Clifford shares her transformative journey from a life marked by binge drinking and personal tragedy to one of healing and empowerment. After the alcohol-related suicide of her late husband, Colleen vowed to change her life and help others by sharing her story. She discusses the impact of grief, the dangers of binge drinking,...

Most women don’t realize just how much their subconscious is running the show—and how it’s keeping them stuck in anxiety, self-doubt, and overthinking. MJ Cassese, a mindset coach and RTT practitioner, shares her powerful journey from living with high-functioning anxiety to uncovering the secret weapon that rewired her mind—and her life. Her story reveals how deep childhood messages shape our fear...

Discover how Lucinda Shore, an author, resilience educator, and creative visionary, shares her inspiring journey of healing, faith, and self-awareness. This episode explores the profound ways life's challenges can serve as catalysts for inner growth, emotional mastery, and spiritual connection. This episode provides inspiring insights into harnessing life's challenges as opportunities for...