Lemonspark

Meet Bill Zaferos, author of Poison Pen, a funny adventure about a person who writes poison pen letters for hire.  Bill wrote Poison Pen while on an upswing with his bipolar disorder. In this episode, we discuss how many great works of art and impactful people have derived from bipolar disorder. Bill has learned to embrace his "lemon" of bipolar disorder and now works to reduce its stigm...

Listen to Nancy Novack, founder of Nancy's List, tell her story of battling Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer and what she learned about herself, and the community of cancer patients, in the process. After listening to so many patients express fear about financial loss from cancer, Nancy set out to create a nonprofit that locates resources to help cancer patients and their families get through difficult...

Overcoming Childhood Trauma and Mental Breakdowns by Embracing Vulnerability, Neuroplasticity, Control and Perspective: Miguel Olave Miguel Olave is a successful sales person, but deep down he had unaddressed trauma that at one point led to a suicide attempt and then a mental breakdown. As a Latino man, he was taught that acknowledging mental illness was a sign of weakness, but because of support...

Raising a Child with Down's Syndrome and Finding Purpose through Entrepreneurship.  In recognition of Down Syndrome Awareness Day, take a listen to Nita's story. Nita Ambedkar was loving her corporate job as an IT professional, but when she learned her second child had Down's Syndrome, she needed to find more balance. This change in her life's plan opened new opportunities, suc...

Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife grew up Mormon in Vermont. One of eight children, Jennifer wrestled with the role of women in her religion, and with not having a feeling of "abundance" when it came to material wealth. These challenges pushed her toward a career in coaching and psychology, with an emphasis on relationships and sexuality for couples dedicated to a religious community like the...

Heather Prince from Essex, United Kingdom, shares her story of divorce and trying to discover the meaning of failed relationships. Heather now shares her knowledge with the podcast and with her coaching clients who hire her to navigate choppy relationship waters. If you are interested in joining Heather's Fearlessly Moving Forwards group, learn more at https://www.therootmaster.com/fearlessly...

Angus Nelson has transformed his personal and professional life into one filled with purpose, abundance and love. The lemons that led him to this enviable place include divorce, risky behaviors, financial loss (to where he had to sell his 3000 sq. ft. house and move to a 2-bedroom apartment) and job loss. These lemons taught Angus many important lessons, but perhaps most important of all, that all...

COVID19 was just another challenge Bobbi Linkemer faced in 2020. She also lost her business, her ability to drive and moved several times, all very stressful events in life. But, the 80+ year old survivor felt "Zen" even through those tough times by leaning on her passion, which is writing. Despite all the chaos, Bobbi wrote her latest book, How to Age with Grace, Living Your Best Life i...

Happy Valentine's Day! What a great way to celebrate the day with a story from Syovata Edari, who shares her powerful story of overcoming discriminatory and abusive work and personal relationships by finding a love for making chocolate and supporting small business, particularly businesses owned by those who face disadvantages.  Syovata, or Vata, went to law school, succeeded as a federal pub...

Rene Howitt did not set out to be a child advocate, but when life threw two children in need of stability in her lap, Rene discovered her purpose. She immersed herself into the child welfare system, writing a book and joining discussions about the topic. She then founded Cope24, a nonprofit that educates teens through real life videos about the importance and skills of good parenting. Join us as w...

Isaac Johnson of Forward Moving Education, LLC is a true inspiration. Growing up in rural South Carolina, the now educator and entrepreneur shares inspiring messages daily through his social media networks. Listen how Isaac overcame a premature birth, losing his twin sister, embracing special education to become an empathetic and impactful special educator and founder of an emerging artificial int...

Isabelle Wettergren is a professional coach who specializes in helping workers overcome addiction in their places of employment. Isabelle learned first hand about the disease of addiction and how it influences the way one thinks by battling her own addiction to alcohol and marijuana. Listen to Isabelle tell her story of recovery and hope and how looking back, she is able to use her personal experi...

Kristi Sachs, owner of Workflow Mindfulness, discusses how unexpectedly losing her best friend to an illness led her down a path of reconciliation with her past and taught her how to live in the present, in peace. Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation about how lemons have a way of stopping you in your tracks and forcing you to figure out your "why."

Karen Skarra was 18 when she suffered severe physical injuries from a car accident that left her hospitalized for two months and erased at least two weeks of her memory. Hear Karen tell her story of how her accident revealed a universe of people who feel like no one knows or understands their wounds because they are not visible, but just as real as any visible wound.  If you would like to purchase...

Meet Jillian Schleger, an author and coach about how to tune into and listen to your body so that your mind can find a way forward through traumatic experience.  Jillian has helped numerous people overcome negative thinking and life's dramatic events to find peace and a path toward happiness.  But you have to want happiness, which, as hard as it is to believe, some people don't want peac...

In this emotionally-charged and inspiring podcast, hear from Lacey Paige, a young woman with incredible courage and talent. Lacey tells us about her abusive boyfriend and the horrific events that happened as she tried exiting the relationship.  Lacey explains how that traumatic experience put laser focus on her art and her mission to express female strength through her art so that others can feel...

Hear how Dr. Pamela Reilly handled an oppressive relationship with her late husband and how that experience brought her to helping others who face traumatic or difficult experiences.  Dr. Reilly provides uplifting and encouraging words to those who are looking for peace and a path forward.

Meet Rob Kanzer, a native of Massachusetts and expert in nonviolent communication training to corporate leaders, small businesses, individuals and couples.  Rob found his path after overcoming his mother's death in his early teens, and becoming a father unexpectedly at a young age and before he had any means of financial support.  Learn how Rob tuned into his strength and turned around his pe...

In this episode, learn about Rachael Rickman, a truly generous person who is determined to help as many people as she can.  Hear about her overcoming her own personal challenges, but also finding ways to help those most in need:  the homeless.  

Meet Colleen Sgroi, an artist from Massachusetts who for 18 years had a booming art studio.  When COVID19 hit, however, she was forced to shut her doors.   But, the pandemic offered her an opportunity to explore a new way to deliver her artistic talents - and to more people.  If you have faced financial loss during COVID19 or because of any other unexpected event, this podcast is for you!

Join Lemonspark Founder Barbara Zabawa for a very brief introduction to why she created Lemonspark.  If you have a Lemonspark story to share, please reach out to Barbara at barbz@lemonspark.com.  

Adam shares his story of how he found drawing to help him cope after suddenly losing his wife to breast cancer, as well as his father at a very young age, and how he hopes to create an art incubator in Omaha, Nebraska for budding artists of all types.

Join Dr. Grace Hameister as she talks about her journey through losing her juice bar and facing financial debt and how that experience gave her the skills and courage to find her true purpose as a healer.

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Karen Johnson, a licensed social worker, who discusses her work with trauma informed education to sensitize others about the impact trauma has on one's wellbeing, as well as how her personal experience involving her son motivated her to do more with trauma informed care.

Debbie Millman of Madison Trauma Center explains how her clinic cares for people suffering from trauma and discusses the importance of hearing Lemonspark stories as part of the healing process.