Life Stories Podcast

In this powerful episode of Life Stories, Carrie sits down with Michael Podolny, founder of Theodora Africa, a social impact enterprise that is transforming the lives of women who have survived trafficking and exploitation. After spending decades in investment banking and business consulting, Michael and his wife began traveling the world—and what they saw changed everything. In Ghana, he witnesse...

Carrie Ducote is a nonprofit executive, strategist, and animal-welfare leader with over 15 years of experience helping shelters transform their operations, culture, and community impact. In this episode, Carrie shares her journey from volunteering at a small rural shelter to leading national animal welfare initiatives and founding her consulting company, Shelter Savvy. We talk candidly about what...

Most people approach health by trying to fix what’s wrong. Glen Lubbert invites us to do something radically different: start with what’s already working. In this conversation, Glen, co-founder and CEO of Stamina Lab, shares how a solution-focused, science-backed approach to behavior change helps people improve their energy, focus, and resilience without guilt, shame, or burnout. Drawing from his...

In this thoughtful conversation, Brian Ahearn—author, speaker, and expert in ethical influence—shares the powerful story behind his book Influence FROM Above. Inspired by a question from his daughter, Brian began exploring how the well-known principles of persuasion connect to biblical truth and how Christians can influence others in ways that are loving, honest, and eternal. Brian explains the cr...

Today on Life Stories, Blake Baumann and Pickens Calhoun share the story behind their unique partnership serving teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. Blake, author of Autism Launch Plan, has spent years helping families navigate the challenges of neurodiversity with practical tools and compassionate coaching. Pickens, after experiencing the tragic loss of his brother, left a successful c...

In this episode of Life Stories, Shara talks with Colin Corby, creator of The Digital Detox Coach, about how our always-on digital world is quietly impacting our health, focus, and relationships. Colin shares his personal journey from tech-driven burnout to endurance athlete, and how that experience led him to help people create a healthier, more balanced relationship with technology. You’ll hear...

In this powerful and tender conversation, Beth shares how her journey as a single mom began just one week after her son was born when she left an abusive relationship and started over on her own. Years later, after moving to East Texas and putting down roots in her church and community, Beth found a way to use her background in pastry arts and her heart for ministry to serve other single moms in a...

In this milestone 200th episode, Shara sits down with podcaster, founder, and pro-aging advocate Ande Lyons for a deeply affirming and energizing conversation about purpose, visibility, and staying engaged at every stage of life. In this episode, we talk about: *Why ageism is wasting generations of talent *What “pro-aging” really means—and why anti-aging messaging is harmful, especially for women...

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Hilary Powers shares her extraordinary journey, from childhood fame as the voice of Sally Brown in Peanuts to addiction, trauma, recovery, and a life devoted to helping others heal. Hilary opens up about growing up in an abusive and chaotic home, how early trauma shaped her identity, and why success on the outside doesn’t always reflect what’s happe...

In this episode, Shara sits down with Dana DiPrima, founder of the For Farmers Movement and host of One Bite Is Everything , to talk about why small farmers matter, how a personal journey turned into a national movement, and simple ways anyone can stand shoulder to shoulder with the people who grow our food. In this episode, you’ll hear about: How Dana went from “never wanting to be a farmer” to b...

In this episode of Life Stories, host Shara Goswick talks with Dan McQueen, a two-time traumatic brain injury survivor and keynote speaker. Dan shares how a sudden brain hemorrhage in London in 2014 changed his life forever and how he rebuilt it through grit, perspective, and a commitment to being better than yesterday. From waking up from a coma unable to walk, talk, or smile, to setting a bold g...

Today's update episode includes to incredible former guests who continue to help others in unique and powerful ways. My first guest is Jeaneen Tang, author, speech-language pathologist, and early childhood expert, for a warm and honest conversation about life, balance, and the exciting work she’s doing behind the scenes. She shares the process of building her new online course for parents, edu...

Hospital stays can be overwhelming, confusing, and at times unsafe—and most families don’t know what to look for or how to speak up. In this episode, Dr. Julie Siemers, a nurse, educator, and patient safety expert with more than 40 years of experience, shares the real risks inside hospitals and the practical steps every patient and family member can take to stay safe. Her stories are powerful, her...

In this episode, I sit down with Debbie Weiss, best-selling author, speaker, and host of the Maybe I Can podcast, to talk about what it really looks like to rewrite your story after decades of caregiving, loss, and self-sacrifice. Debbie opens up about becoming a caregiver at just 17 years old, navigating her father’s stroke, raising a son with multiple diagnoses, supporting a husband through ment...

In this episode of Life Stories: People Helping People , host Shara Goswick sits down with Frankie Casey , co-founder of Floss , a groundbreaking new platform using emotional intelligence to match patients with the right dentist. Frankie shares his journey from a 22-year career in wealth management to launching a tech-driven healthcare startup alongside his wife, a practicing dentist in London. To...

In this powerful episode of Life Stories: People Helping People, Shara sits down with Janelle Martin, founder of the Mind Connection Brain Health Center in Houston, Texas. Janelle opens up about her deeply personal journey through abuse, parental alienation, and her daughter’s battle with addiction. What began as heartbreak became a mission — to understand recovery, heal her family, and help other...

In this fascinating episode of Life Stories: People Helping People, Shara talks with Mica L. Anders, a professional genealogist, historian, and artistic placemaker whose work helps individuals uncover forgotten family stories. What started as a hobby turned into a calling — helping people trace their roots, heal old family wounds, and understand their identities in a deeper way. Mica shares how he...

In this heartfelt episode of Life Stories: People Helping People, Shara speaks with Stephanie Fluger, founder of Connection Therapy Clinic in California, a clinic born from her own experience as a mom raising a son with autism. After years of navigating therapy sessions, missed milestones, and feeling isolated and unheard, Stephanie decided to do something about it. Stephanie teamed up with her so...

In this inspiring and deeply honest conversation, Jordan Bailey shares how creativity, faith, and healing have shaped her journey. From discovering her artistic gifts and pursuing design school to launching her playful baking brand Weirdough , Jordan’s story is one of courage, growth, and rediscovering her worth in God. ::CONTENT WARNING: Attempted suicide is discussed in this conversation.:: We t...

In this episode of Life Stories, I chat with Ben Albert, the creator of the Real Business Connections podcast network and founder of Grow Getters. When COVID hit, Ben was furloughed from his corporate marketing job, but what looked like a setback became the start of something extraordinary. Ben shares how he transitioned from “Music Ben” to “Business Ben,” building a thriving podcasting and market...

In this inspiring episode of Life Stories, I sit down with Morgan DeNicola, Executive Director of the DeNicola Family Foundation, a global organization centered on four key passions: World Health, Humanitarian Recognition, Conservation, and Cultural Diplomacy. Morgan shares how her family’s entrepreneurial spirit and deep sense of service led her to discover her purpose in humanitarian work. From...

On today’s special anniversary episode, I’m reflecting on three incredible years of Life Stories! Join me as I share some of the most memorable moments from this past year, make a few exciting announcements, and recognize five standout guests with this year’s Life Stories Awards. It’s a heartfelt look back at the inspiring people, powerful conversations, and meaningful connections that have made t...

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Short, co-author of The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom, to talk about the inspiration behind the book he wrote with his longtime friend and financial advisor, Mark Schlipman. Together, they explore how money fits into a meaningful life — not as the goal, but as a tool that should align with what matters most. Their book encourages readers to look at fin...

In this episode, I sit down with Paris, a licensed financial services agent who’s passionate about helping people build a solid financial foundation and take control of their future. Paris shares how he got started in the industry, what keeps him motivated, and the importance of education when it comes to money. He’s not here to sell — he’s here to serve, and that shines through as he talks about...

In this powerful episode of Life Stories: Ministries Making a Difference, I sit down with Stacey Womack, founder of Abuse Recovery Ministry & Services (ARMS). ARMS is a nonprofit she began nearly three decades ago after feeling a clear call from God to help those impacted by abuse. What started with a stay-at-home mom homeschooling six children has grown into a worldwide ministry offering free rec...