Life's Checkmark: Life Stories To Encourage and Inspire You

From the Marines to Faith: Louie's Journey Through Transition, Purpose, and Healing EP | 209 In this inspiring episode of Life's Checkmark, I connect with Louie Alessio, a retired Marine who opens up about his personal journey after 25 years of service. Louie shares his battle with identity loss, the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life, and the moment faith sparked a new pat...

Purpose, Identity, Life-Changing Healing, and Living Unbreakable with Theresa Pore EP | 208 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Theresa Pore, an inspiring identity architect and founder of the Unbreakable movement. Theresa and I talk honestly about the struggles behind our "walls," what it really takes to get free from invisible barriers, and how hard moments can transform into a...

Rediscovering Purpose After Loss: Jessica Moyer on Reinvention, Real Health, and Finding Community EP | 207 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Jessica Moyer, an inspiring coach and wellness advocate who knows firsthand what it means to start over and face life's hardest moments head-on. Jessica opens up about moving to a new state at 50, growing her wellness business, and the jou...

Breaking the Cycle: Wendy Hushon on True Lasting Change Beyond Weight Loss EP | 206 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Wendy Hushon, a mom of two and the founder of UpLevel Wellness. Wendy opens up about her journey from feeling overwhelmed and stuck in motherhood to creating a thriving health and wellness community. We dig into how small, consistent changes, not grand moments, c...

Resilience, Purpose & Finding Your Path: Daniel Umstead on Bouncing Back from Life's Setbacks EP | 205 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I connect with Daniel Umstead, whose journey through divorce, homelessness, and tough academic setbacks shows the real power of never giving up and believing in yourself. Daniel opens up about his unexpected entry into podcasting, his music journey, and why he...

The Power of Sharing Your Story EP | 204 Ever wondered what could happen if you just said "yes" to one opportunity? In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I open up about my own journey, how this podcast transformed my life, gave me new purpose, and let me connect with people worldwide. I talk about the impact of showing up, growing alongside my guests and listeners, and the launch of an inspiring n...

Financial Abundance: Clarity for Imperfect Families with Bill Walters EP | 203 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Bill Walters, the CEO and founder of Perfectly Imperfect Families. Bill opens up about his own path from numbers-focused jobs to helping families, especially those with special needs, find financial clarity and long-term security. We talk about practical budgeting, se...

Leadership, Letting Go, Faith, and Finding Purpose After Corporate Life with James Rogy EP | 202 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I connect with James Rogy, a former pharmaceutical executive who opens up about his powerful transition from a 25-year corporate career to a life full of new opportunities, faith, and coaching. We talk about what it feels like to have your world shaken when your job...

Building Business and Trust: Networking, Mindset, and Faith Practices with John Prather EP | 201 In this powerful episode of Life's Checkmark, I connect with John Prather, a standout former college and pro football player turned business coach and network marketing leader. We walk through his inspiring journey from Maryland to carving out a thriving entrepreneurial life blending sports discipline...

Relationship Lessons, Resilience, and Authentic Growth with Vanessa Cardenas EP | 200 In this milestone 200th episode of Life's Checkmark, I reconnect with Vanessa Cardenas, recently awarded Best Relationship Coach in Westchester County. We meet at The White Room, just over a year after she inspired audiences as a surprise speaker at my podcast event. Vanessa opens up about unexpected opportunitie...

Trusting Your Gut and Breaking Comfort Zones with Will Cook EP | 199 On this episode of Life's Checkmark, I'm joined by Will Cook, a longtime therapist and coach, to talk about facing life's big moments, loss, and personal growth. We get into his journey, why he started his podcast, how his father's final days shaped his courage, and what it really means to help people lean into the hard stuff. We...

Finding Your Resilience and Authenticity In Life's Storms with Dr. Stephanie Johnson EP | 198 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I chat with Dr. Stephanie Johnson, a life and leadership coach whose story will inspire anyone who's ever faced a hard season. Stephanie shares how she's navigating recovery after a stroke, the lessons she's learning about slowing down, and why embracing our imperfecti...

Authentic Leadership: Carol Murray on Divine Feminine, Burnout & Reinventing Yourself | EP 197 On this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Carol Murray, whose journey through leadership, personal hardship, and rediscovering the Divine Feminine is truly inspiring. Carol shares how early experiences on a farm shaped her views, the tough price she paid for living out of alignment, and her pi...

Breaking the Chains of Trauma and Abuse for Real Emotional Healing with Kandace Cain Rather EP | 196 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I connect with Kandace Cain Rather., an author, healer, and inspiring advocate for facing life's toughest moments head-on. We talk about breaking cycles, the real journey behind her memoir, and how anybody at any age can begin to shift their story for a better l...

How Holistic Nursing Saves Lives and Inspired Izzy's Legacy with Marilyn Morales EP | 195 This episode of Life's Checkmark features Marilyn Morales, a holistic nurse with over 40 years of experience, who shares how life's hardest moments shaped her unique approach to healing. We talk about how her daughter's leukemia journey led Marilyn to see patients as people, not just diagnoses, and inspired h...

From Trauma to Triumph: Patsy Dullea's Real-Life Recovery & Self-Love Journey EP | 194 In this special episode of Life's Checkmark, I welcome Patsy Dullea, a woman whose life journey is full of perseverance, healing, and hope. Patsy opens up about overcoming childhood trauma, addiction, and loss, and how she learned to love herself along the way. We discuss openly her lowest points and the strengt...

Share Your Journey! Your story matters. After listening, I encourage you to share your own journey or challenges. Whether you're in recovery, overcoming tough moments, or searching for your next chapter, your experience can inspire someone else. Connect with me on social media or email me at lifescheckmark@gmail.com   From Addiction to Hope: Andrew Lidman's Inspiring Recovery & Life Transformation...

AI SOPs for Entrepreneurs: Scale and Simplify with Penny Hopkinson EP | 192 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I connect with Penny Hopkinson, a longtime journalist and the mind behind Manual Magic AI. Penny shares how her career, her passion for structure, and her expertise in franchising led her to create an AI-powered platform that's changing the game for business owners everywhere. We talk a...

  How One Man's Mission Fed 200,000+ Kids with Tom Cottar EP | 191 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Tom Cottar, the heart behind Backpack Friends, a grassroots effort that's provided food security for over 200,000 kids in Texas. We talk about Tom's personal childhood as one of "those kids" in need, the challenges and mistakes along the way, and how something small grew into a m...

Optimize Your Health: Milvia Pili on Blue Zone Nutrition & Reversing Hypothyroidism Naturally EP | 190 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I connect with Milvia Pili, a nutritionist from Sardinia, one of the world's five Blue Zones, famous for longevity. Milvia shares how she reversed her hypothyroidism and other chronic conditions without medication, simply by embracing traditional food wisdom a...

Faith and Hope After Tragedy: Carrie Eaton's Story of Loss and Recovery EP | 189 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Carrie Eaton, who opens up about her journey through profound loss, grief, and the power of faith. Carrie shares how caring for her mom, writing two books, and trusting God's plan brought her out of darkness and into a place of hope. We talk about family struggles,...

Purpose Through Connection:  The Power Of Community With Jon Emery In this episode, I open up about feeling alone, reaching out for help, and how joining communities, from men's groups to podcasting networks, helped me grow into who I am today. I share real moments of hitting rock bottom, the breakthroughs I had connecting with others, and how stepping outside my comfort zone changed everything. Y...

Are You In A Toxic Relationship? Navigate Exiting A Toxic Relationship with Rania EP | 187 In this heartfelt episode of Life's Checkmark, I talk with Rania, a resilient relationship coach and survivor from Toronto who gets real about her upbringing, breaking cultural molds, and facing toxic relationships head-on. Together, we get honest about recognizing signs of conditional love, finding the cour...

Balancing Business and Relationships: Daniela Roman Shares Her Story of Food, Family, and Resilience  EP | 186 In this inspiring episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Daniela Roman, a powerhouse in the kitchen, entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Daniela's Delicious Delights. Daniela opens up about growing up in a traditional Italian family, launching her own catering business, and supporti...

Battling Thyroid Cancer, Anxiety and Desperately Searching For Joy with Courtney Hancock EP | 185 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Courtney Hancock—nurse, mom of four, podcast host, and author of "My Diamond Within." We talk about balancing motherhood, health battles, and building something meaningful even when life feels overwhelming. Courtney opens up about battling thyroid c...