Adventures in Adversity: an inspirational podcast

*This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based kombucha tea -- Use code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount!* If you’d told the old me I’d be recording a whole episode about faith, I’d have laughed it off or changed the subject. But here I am—six months into the most unexpected chapter of my life, one I never thought I’d share this publicly. I always had a sense of...

**This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI , a honey-based kombucha tea -- Use code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount!** Some stories don’t just inspire you — they shake something awake. This week, Dr. Joy Kong joins me for a conversation that’s part science, part soul, and all heart. She’s a triple board-certified physician, stem-cell specialist, anti-aging powerhouse, fo...

****This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based kombucha tea -- Use code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount!**** In this powerful episode, Steve and I candidly discuss the impact of alcohol on his relationships and emotional well-being, describing the deep emotional pain and turmoil he endured. He reflects on moments of desperation where he felt completely lost,...

****This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based kombucha tea: https://livedivini.com/ -- Use code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount!**** Retired Police Officer & Gang Detective Manny Angulo shares his incredible story of turning adversity into purpose, from dropping out of high school to overcoming the challenges of police academy, patrol work, and detectiv...

*****This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI , a honey-based kombucha tea: Use code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount!***** In this powerful episode, Caralyn Dreyer shares her journey through adoption, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and an eating disorder—and the lifelong work of healing that has followed. We openly talk about reclaiming identity, building self-worth aft...

In this episode, returning guest Sylvie , first featured in Episode 41 , rejoins the conversation to share how her journey of healing from domestic violence evolved into a passionate mission to help others reclaim their power. ⁠Connect with Coach Sylvie on Instagram⁠⁠ Now a trauma recovery coach and emotional wellness advocate , Sylvie guides individuals through their own healing journeys—helping...

This episode was deeply personal and inspiring—my conversation with author and psychonaut Adam Butler cut to the heart of what it means to struggle, heal, and grow. Adam’s work, especially his book Butler’s DMT Field Guide: A Brief History, Step-by-Step Recipes, and Personal Experiences From a DMT Saturated Consciousness , captures his life-saving journey through mental health battles and hundreds...

What happens when a teacher’s favorite student grows up to become a force in the music industry—and your podcast partner, twenty years later? This episode is a celebration of those full-circle moments that remind us why sticking to your passion matters, even when the road gets tough. Back in 2005, I taught math and science to Julian, a creative seventh grader with a passion for music. Now, as a pr...

On this final day of #SuicidePreventionMonth , I hope and pray this honest conversation becomes a light for anyone struggling in the dark — and a guide for those walking alongside a friend or loved one through their hardest battles. I'm so grateful I was able to connect with Pam Sharp, a fellow mom and podcast host of "Fight Hard, Love Much". Listen or watch Pam's podcast "Fight Hard, Love Much" o...

In this episode, I sit down with Julie Brumley, a trauma-informed adoptee coach whose own story is nothing short of courageous. For over 15 years, she has helped other adoptees overcome addiction, regulate their nervous systems, and find a sense of true belonging. Julie Brumley - Trauma-Informed Adoptee Coach The Resilience Project - Where Adoptees Find Belonging As an adoptee herself, Julie survi...

In this episode, I’m joined by Wilson Munsterman, a 19-year-old author and powerful advocate for adoptees. Visit Wilson's website: MarkedByAdoption.com Buy Wilson's book on Amazon: Marked by Adoption: 10 Key Insights from an Adoptee's Perspective Follow and connect with Wilson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilsonmuns/... Wilson shares his remarkable journey from being abandoned in China...

In this episode of Adventures in Adversity, I'm honored to sit down with Retired Sergeant Alfred Brenner,⁠ a true American hero whose courage, sacrifice, and devotion to our nation serve as a powerful reminder of what it means to wear the uniform. Our candid conversation dives into the emotional journey of writing his book: ⁠Surviving with Grief: The Story of How a Marine and His Dog Survived the...

In this episode, I have the absolute pleasure of talking, learning, and laughing (a lot!) with Raquel Riggle, founder of ⁠ Menopalz . "As a certified menopause coach, health warrior, and founder, she suffered through a whirlwind of misdiagnoses (Celiac disease!) and perimenopause brain fog...and then she turned her experience into a mission. Menopalz is your warm, supportive space to navigate meno...

I sit down with Jim Serrano for an honest, unfiltered conversation about how adversity can shape—and remake—us. As an adoptee at 6 months old, Jim faced adversity early on in life. He brings us into his story, letting us feel the weight of childhood trauma, the confusion of searching for belonging, and the raw reality of being both lost and hopeful at the same time. Nothing here is sugarcoated: Ji...

In this episode, I sit down with Jason Heinritz and dive deep into his inspiring transformation—from chasing success in sales to finding real fulfillment in his faith as a Christian. We talk honestly about the wake-up calls that nudge us toward something greater, the power of intentional morning routines (Jason calls them “Sacred Starts”), and what happens when we return to a deeper relationship w...

In this episode, I had the delightful opportunity to chat with Benjamin Kintisch, former chaplain and creator of " Life Review: The Hospice Musical ". Watch the trailer We dove into his journey from chaplain to musical creator, proving that life is indeed a stage—and sometimes a comedy. Benjamin's stories are as entertaining as they are inspiring, and he even graced us with a live performance that...

This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with my dear friend, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) therapist Hannah Sinkovitz —someone who shows up with hope, comfort, and a genuinely safe place to land. Follow Sacred Story Counseling on Instagram Follow Howdyhannahsinko on Instagram Our conversation is a mix of laughs and real moments, where we get straight to the heart of therapy: how it...

This week on Adventures in Adversity, I had the privilege of sitting down with Sabine Lemmo , the passionate founder of Fostering Wishes —a nonprofit bringing hope and tangible support to children in foster care in Northern California, specifically in Contra Costa County. Our conversation was deeply personal and eye-opening, as Sabine shared the story of how she was drawn to fostering, the invisib...

Raheel Siddiqui’s journey is the very definition of a “Wall Breaker” story—a testament to the relentless human spirit and the power of breaking down barriers, both physical and emotional. In this episode, I had the privilege of sitting with Raheel and unpacking the mindsets and moments that helped him transform his life. What you'll hear in this episode: -The 405-pound wall: Raheel opens up about...

In this episode of Adventures in Adversity , I had the honor of sitting down with Nisha Batra —a brilliant early childhood educator and fierce advocate for people with disabilities. Nisha opens up about her experience living with a nonverbal learning disability and how it’s shaped her purpose: helping children understand the beauty of difference. Our conversation moved through some powerful terrai...

In the very first episode of my friend and business partner's new venture, The Results of Kindness Podcast , I sit down with the brilliant Meral Alizada to dig into a topic that’s become impossible to ignore: the alarming rise of narcissism in the workplace. This isn’t just a personality quirk we’re talking about—it’s a pattern that quietly poisons culture, causes high turnover, and kills producti...

In this episode, I sit down with coach, speaker, and podcast host ⁠Meghann Dawson⁠ to talk about her powerful journey through trauma, chronic pain, and deep personal healing. She opens up about the family challenges she’s faced, the lessons she’s learned, and how she’s turned pain into purpose. We talk about the messy middle—the part no one wants to talk about—and why self-love and community are c...

In this episode, I sit down with Jake and Joe Sharp—brothers, fitness instructors, and fierce advocates for mental health—in a real conversation honoring the life of their brother, Sam. With powerful vulnerability, they open up about the pain of losing Sam to suicide in 2020, the silent grip of shame, and the long road of grief that follows. As June marks Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, t...

In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the quiet lies we whisper to ourselves when life gets hard. You know the ones... “I should be over this by now.” “Everyone else is handling it better.” I’ve said them, too. I talk about why pain isn’t weakness, why time alone doesn’t magically heal us, and how comparison steals our peace. This is about getting honest, not performative. It’s abo...

In this episode, my guest Rhonda Farrah , a former psychotherapist who is now a women's empowerment coach, shares her journey of transformation through her own adversity. @helpmerhondanow_ With a foundation in psychology, Rhonda has cultivated a career that spans therapy, empowerment coaching, and holistic wellness education. In this conversation, she and I candidly discuss the importance of facin...