Dream to Rise

Ever felt like you're just existing, not truly living? Here's the journey of Dr. Andrea Sierra Niestas, a Clinical Psychologist, has over 25 years of experience in behavioral health,was at the brink of despair to discovering her purpose.    After 101 days in the hospital, battling septic shock and depression, Dr. Andrea realized that surviving was just the beginning. She woke up unable to...

✨ Ever feel like you're waiting for the right moment to take care of your health?   💔 Jennifer Parker, founder and owner of Southern Sparkle Florals and an Ambassador for Legacy of Hope in Alabama is a breast cancer survivor and heart transplant recipient.  Her resilience, leadership, and passion for service inspire and empowers audiences wherever she speaks.   She ignored the signs, thinkin...

In today’s fast-paced world, many people find themselves stuck in patterns of negativity, unable to break free fromtheir past. In this episode, we will explore transformative ideas shared by Scott Lackey, an Army combat veteran, Ironman athlete, and author of the book "Wake Up to Die Again." He teaches us how to confront our fears andembrace change, making way for resilience and personal...

Ever wondered how an immigrant’s journey shapes their identity? Mario Cartaya’s story is a testament to resilience! 🌍❤️  Born in Havana, Mario Cartaya, is a well-known architect andauthor.  Mario’s life took a turn whenpolitical unrest forced his family to flee to the US. At just eight years old, he was faced with the heartbreaking decision to leave everything behind.  His journey is not just one...

Ever wonder how to turn your pain into purpose? Here’s the incredible journey of Coach Timothy Baker and his path to wellness.   Timothy Baker is a certified health coach and founder of The Healthy Vibration, where he helps people build healthier, more empowered lives through mindset, movement, whole-food nutrition, stress management, and sustainable habits.   Timothy’s transformation began on May...

Ever wondered how trauma can lead to purpose? David Jones III shares his incredible journey from chaos to authoring history. David Jones III is a historical fiction author and storyteller with a deep passion for early American history and the American Revolution.  His book, “Unlikely Life ofOliver Atkinson”, he combines documented historical events with compellingstorytelling to make the birth of...

Ever wondered how music can heal our heroes? 🎶💖   Meet Michael David, a passionate harp instructor on a mission to help veterans find peace through music. His program, Harps for Vets, teaches veterans to play the harp, bringing harmony and healing into their lives.   The soothing sounds of the harp are not just beautiful; they can be transformative. Michael shares how one student experienced joy...

Ever felt like the odds were stacked against you? That's howEthan felt growing up with cerebral palsy. His motto? "Watch me prove you wrong!" 💪  Valerie and Ethan Bowman are mother and son who own The Bowman Designs LLC. Ethan's journey from hearing, "You can't" to launching his own t-shirt business is nothing short of incredible. With the unwavering support of his mom, Valerie, he turned challen...

Ever been at rock bottom? Frank Chen, a hotel general manager and entrepreneur, turned his personal setbacks into a path toward clarity, success and meaningful relationships; was there, too. Here’s how he turned his darkest winter into apath of healing and growth. After a tough divorce, he found himself lost and alone. He was hospitalized, overwhelmed, and disconnected from his family. He felt lik...

Ever felt like life's challenges are just too much to bear? Here’s how I learned to rise above. 💪 Tag someone who needs to hear this!   Steve Moon, a writer, producer and director of independent films, share his journey throughthe ups and downs of filmmaking.  He faced countless obstacles—layoffs, personal struggles, and the looming question of whether he should give up. Yet, each setback became...

Ever felt like life's challenges are holding you back? Our guest experienced this too until he discovered the powerof transformation. 🌟    Growing up as the oldest of 12, Les Howard, an author and now started his own coaching business, faced immense responsibilities early on. He thought his childhood was stolen,but it was shaping him for something greater—coaching, speaking, and writing.    J...

Ever feel overwhelmed by stress and uncertainty? 🌪️ You’re not alone! Let’s talk about how to rise above it. In today’s episode of the Dream to Rise podcast, we dive deep with Unyoung Kim, a beacon of hope and resilience. Through her journey, she’s discovered the power of mindfulness and community in overcoming life's hurdles. Unyong has spent a lifetime seeking wisdom habits and practices, fr...

Ever felt lost in a new city?  Here’s how our guest, Gabriel Concordia, a professional chef, turned a leap of faith into a culinary adventure! Tag someone who’s thinking of making a big move! Moving to Fresno wasn’t just about a job; it was about discovering who he is outside of his family expectations.  Leaving Northern Virginia was tough.  He traded familiarity for uncertainty, and it wasn’t eas...

Ever felt stuck in a cycle of negativity? Here’s how I turned my life around after hitting rock bottom. Listen to the story of Dave Murphy, a father, a published author and podcaster. He uses his podcast andbooks to spread messages of resilience, fatherhood, and second chances. Tag someone who needs this!   Two decades of battling PTSD and alcohol addiction left me at my lowest. A pivotal moment w...

Ever felt life pushing you in a direction you never intended? Here’s how a twist of fate led me to nursing.  Tag someone who needs to hear this!  Life took me from dreams of glassblowing to the heart of nursing, all because of an unexpected turn.  When I left the military, I had plans for a different career. But just weeks before starting school, everything changed.  My mom suggested nursing, a fi...

Ever feel like you’re just going through the motions? Let me share my wake-up call moment that changed everything. Tag a friend who needs to hear this! After 15 years in corporate, I found myself at a breaking point. A routine doctor's visit revealed high blood pressure and weight gain I hadn’t noticed. But that day, I made a choice. Instead of letting fear take over, I decided to embrace my j...

From heartbreak to hope.  Charlene Crowley, a volunteer board member of 2Unstoppable, will share with us her story on how she turned her pain into power, inspiring cancer patients a 2Unstoppable through physical activity and community.

I have been told I need to hide my vulnerability to seem strong – but what if true strength is showing your real self? When I faced a diagnosis that threatened my life, I realized hiding my fears only made things worse.  So, I chose to face it head-on, sharing my story honestly – because real strength isabout vulnerability, not perfection. It is okay to be scared, to ask for help, to admit you’re...

"The moment when they say ‘I don’t accept abuse’ — that’s a turning point." Ever think about how childhood experiences shape their future? 💭 I used to watch kids accept bad behavior because they felt they had no choice. But what if we teach them how to stand up for themselves early on? Saying "Yes, I hear you" and then gently setting boundaries can change everything. It’s not...

In a world where emotional connection often takes a backseat, Xanet Pailet, a renowed sex and intimacy coach, sheds light on the transformation power of intimacy.  Her journey from a high-powered legal career to becoming a beacon of hope for couples worldwide is nothing short of inspiring. Discover how emotional bonds can transform relationships and break social taboos.  Tune in to our latest epis...

In this enlightening conversation, Tracy Kyler shares her transformative journey from overcoming adversity to becoming a spiritual mentor and business strategist. She discusses the importance of healing, self-love, and setting boundaries while navigating family dynamics and building a purpose-driven business. Tracy emphasizes the power of faith, resilience, and meaningful connections in achieving...

In this episode of the Dream to Rise podcast, host Cynthia Concordia engages in a heartfelt conversation with Debbie Fourth Weekly, a divorce coach who shares her personal journey of overcoming the challenges of divorce. Debbie discusses the emotional struggles she faced during her marriage, the impact on her family, and the tools she discovered to navigate her healing process. The conversation em...

Before passion ignites, there’s always a quiet beginning, a moment when you rediscover what you truly love, often when you least expect it. A reflective journey through those in between spaces where purpose slowly takes form. This time,it’s about choosing to love first the kind that grounds you, heals you and ultimately makes your passion mean something real. Our guest, Nick Shelton, the creator o...

Childhood doesn’t always end when we grow up sometimes, the pain follows. How childhood abuse and trauma quietly shape our 20s and 30s, our relationships, our boundaries, our sense of safety, and even the way we see the world. It unpacks the journey from survival to self-awareness, from silence to storytelling. It’s for those who learned to be strong too early, who carried more than they should ha...

A light on the inspiring journeys of immigrants in America. It tells the story of individuals who left their homelands, started with little to nothing, and worked their way up to achieve success. Alongside their triumphs, we explore the emotionalrealities of living far from family, the sacrifices, the longing, and the resilience that shape their experiences. From humble beginnings to powerful brea...