Adventures in Adversity: an inspirational podcast

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Nick Prefontaine , a speaker, author, and real estate investor who knows a thing or two about defying the odds. At just 14 years old, Nick was in a snowboarding accident that left him in a coma. The prognosis? Grim. But Nick didn’t just survive—he came back with purpose, and a fire to help others rise through adversity. Now, Nick is teaching others how to...

In this episode, my friend Sylvie opens up about something many people live through but rarely talk about out loud — the quiet, confusing world of emotional abuse. From the complexities of domestic violence to the subtle but deeply damaging patterns of narcissistic abuse and manipulation, she walks us through what it’s like to lose your sense of self… and how she found her way home again. Sylvie’s...

It's #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth! Making it extra special that I had the pleasure of interviewing Jackie Durnin, founder of Hinterland Health Retreat in Australia. Instagram: @hinterlandhealthretreat Hinterland Health Retreat mental health programs Connect with Hinterland Health Retreat on LinkedIn We dive into Jackie's personal healing journey - her professional education and training as a founde...

In this deeply meaningful episode, I talk to Mohan Rao about his journey through adversity, the impact of writing two deeply personal books about his life, and the importance of authenticity. Mohan shares heartfelt memories of his beloved daughter Yogita, who was born blind and passed away from cancer at the age of 9. He shares how he navigates the complexities of grief and loss while celebrating...

Part 2 with Meral Alizada , a kindness advocate and founder of  Results of Kindness (ROK) Instagram:  @ResultsofKindness We explore the profound impact of kindness in the face of adversity, particularly in the context of narcissistic relationships. Meral explains the spectrum of kindness and cruelty, the importance of self-kindness, and how experiences of adversity can fortify one's mission to spr...

In this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Meral Alizada , a kindness advocate and founder of Results of Kindness (ROK) . Instagram: @ResultsofKindness We discuss Meral's journey towards establishing ROK, the importance of kindness in the workplace, and how it can lead to increased productivity and profitability. In her own words: "As a global citizen belonging to three cultures, namely,...

In this episode, I am so very honored to interview my new friend, author, speaker, storyteller, advocate, and all-around amazing human being, Anne Mok. Visit Anne's website, PurposeinView.com Connect with Anne on Instagram @purposeinview Watch her Tedx talk: Blind Sighted Pre-order Anne's book on Amazon: Resilience and Purpose: Discovering strength and connection in life's cracks After struggling...

In this episode, I interview Kijuan Amey , Air Force Veteran, author, and outstanding human being who shares his incredible journey from military service to surviving a life-altering motorcycle accident. Though this accident left him with daily pain, with bouts of PTSD, and without his sight, Kijuan remains unstoppable. He is passionate about living out his original vision: helping people around t...

I sit down with 2 of my fantastic and hilarious friends, Megs and Nic, for a real, unfiltered chat about the ups and downs of life throughout parenting, marriage, and life, and how humor and creativity help us stay sane through it all. Megs opens up about going through 6 miscarriages and how she was able to find joy again after these devastating losses. Nic openly talks about how he navigated the...

In the first episode of "Shootin' the BREEs", my Iowa bestie (Bree) and I (Bre) reminisce about our lives as young teachers in our 20s in 2004 in Spain and 2005 in Arizona. We delve into our experiences with adversity that comes with parenting, with building confidence, with self-image, and all the things that arise when you're talking to your bestie of 20+ years about life. Briana is a wife, a ma...

In this episode, I share an inspirational story about veteran Steve Baskis, a US military veteran who lost his sight due to a roadside bomb in Baghdad. Despite the challenges he faces, Steve has adopted a positive perspective and has since become an advocate for adaptive sports, helping others with disabilities find their paths to resilience and adventure. In about 9 minutes, I read a blog post ab...

In this episode of Adventures in adversity, I sit down with my buddy Raj, a family friend who we've coached soccer with and have been fortunate to get to know over the past few years through our kids' school and sports. We are grateful to call him and his family friends. Raj and I talk about the adventures of parenting two elementary school-age kids and the impact of cultural backgrounds on person...

In this short reflection, I look back on the wisdom imparted by my Dad, aka Pops, through inspirational Post-it notes he left for me and my older brother throughout my childhood. I share personal anecdotes that highlight life lessons learned from these notes, connecting them to broader themes of positivity, mindfulness , and the metaphor of baseball as a representation of life's challenges and adv...

In this episode, Mark Connor shares his unique journey from a young aspiring athlete to a boxing trainer and writer. He discusses his early influences, the pivotal moments that led him to boxing in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and how the discipline of the sport shaped his life. Mark reflects on the mental and physical preparation required for boxing, drawing parallels between the sport and life itself....

In this conversation, Professor Sam Vaknin and I delve into the complexities of narcissism , exploring its definitions, development, and the impact of childhood trauma. ⁠ ⁠His YouTube channel ⁠ ⁠ features 1,955 videos that have garnered 90,135,484 views (and counting) and 418,000 subscribers, as of August 25th, 2025. @narcissismwithvaknin About Sam: Professor of Clinical Psychology, Business Manag...

In this episode, I interview my friend Michelle, who shares her personal journey with her BRCA1 gene mutation diagnosis . Michelle discusses the importance of understanding family medical history, the emotional challenges of her diagnosis, and the preventive measures she took, including 4 surgeries. She emphasizes the need for support systems and the power of knowledge in making informed health de...

In this episode, I discuss my personal journey with mental health, focusing on my experiences with OCD and body image issues. I emphasize the importance of mental health awareness, social connections, and the various components that contribute to mental well-being. Throughout the episode, you'll hear which strategies work for me to manage OCD, including therapy, medication, and exercise, while als...

In this episode, I share my experiences coaching my kiddos' soccer teams for the past few years. I reflect on the challenges and rewards the importance of self-awareness and personal growth in parenting and mentoring. Throughout the episode, I reflect on how my own healing journey has positively impacted my coaching style, allowing me to foster resilience and confidence in young athletes. Hear whi...

In this episode, my dear friend and former colleague, Josh Lebowitz, and I explore the importance of humor in navigating life's adversities. Josh is HILARIOUS. He and I hop on the mic (and I mostly laugh) as we share personal stories about friendship, Josh's career in comedy, and the challenges of parenting...oy vey, as Josh would say! Our chat shines light on how critical community support is dur...

In this episode, I reflect on my journey of starting a podcast, discussing the challenges and growth I've experienced over the past 8 months. I share insights on building confidence, embracing creativity, and overcoming imposter syndrome. Key moments: Starting a podcast has significantly boosted my confidence. It's important to focus on the process, not just the results. Learning to be an active l...

In this episode, I speak with my new friend Jayy, a fitness trainer in the UK who is living his life to the fullest, despite being diagnosed with Cerebellar Ataxia at age 15. We discuss Jayy's journey with his disability, the importance of independence, and the role of community and support systems in overcoming adversity. Jayy shares his insights on challenging perceptions of disability, the sign...

In this episode, I interview Aanchal Arora, the author of the book of poetry she wrote and published, called The Efflorescence . We discuss various themes in the book, including love, loss, motherhood, self-love, and feminine health. Anshal shares her journey into poetry and how it became a form of therapy for her. We also talk about the importance of self-love and the power of vulnerability in wr...

In this episode, I interview Parker Melendez, an emergency management specialist, about how stoicism has helped him navigate adversity in his career. We discuss the principles of Stoicism, like controlling what you can and accepting what you can't, and how it applies to emergency situations. Parker shares how he discovered Stoicism and the impact it has had on his emotional resilience. He also tal...

Have you ever noticed that everything feels hard when you talk to yourself like shit? I have! In this episode, I reflect on my own journey of overcoming adversity in the form of that good old inner voice. You know...that one cheers you on when you're doing great, but also blames you for everything and is never quite satisfied with your efforts. I talk about positive self-talk and how it has transf...

In this episode, I reflect on the power of the pause and how it is helping me to better navigate life's inevitable challenges. I share my personal experiences and insights on how pausing before reacting has helped me improve my communication and regulate my emotions, and ultimately, it helps me make more educated, more informed, and more rational decisions. I highlight 3 ways the power of the paus...