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

Finding Strength in Grief: The Power of Asking How Over Why to Heal and Thrive with Debbie Simmons EP | 184 It's Jon Emery, and in this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Debbie Simmons for a raw, uplifting conversation about how life's hardest moments can spark powerful change. Debbie shares her incredible story of overcoming heartbreak, building resilience after losing her quadruplets,...

Your 2026 Goals Depends On This In this solo episode of Life's Checkmark, I reflect on my personal journey of growth, faith, and vision as we kick off a new year. Inspired by stories in Genesis and my own experience launching the Life's Check Mark project podcast, book, and community, I challenge you to look up, think big, and imagine your own stars in the sky. Everyone's path is unique, and our s...

Surviving Stroke to Inspiring Others: Stacie Jones's Journey of Hope and Purpose EP | 182 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Stacie N Jones, a resilient travel agency owner whose life took a major turn after a stroke in 2022. Stacie shares her inspiring story of pushing through the challenges, her journey from corporate life to living her childhood dream, and how she helps famili...

Rising From the Ashes: Christopher Wesley's Journey of Reinvention After the Eaton Canyon Fire EP | 181   In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Christopher Wesley, a creator, survivor, and inspiration. Christopher shares his experience as a fire survivor who lost his home, possessions, and sense of identity in the Eaton Canyon wildfire. We talk about grief, picking up the pieces, re...

Share Your Journey on Life's Checkmark Podcast Addiction and Rebuilding Life: Emilio Roman's Journey of Redemption EP | 180 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Emilio Roman to hear a powerful story about navigating life's toughest moments, from facing addiction to finding discipline in the Marine Corps and rediscovering the importance of faith. Emilio opens up about the real chall...

What Happens When You Ignore Your Fears and Trauma with Anni Eza EP | 179 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with master healer Anni Eza for an honest conversation about facing fear, doing shadow work, and breaking free from the patterns that hold us back. From her own journey of overcoming childhood challenges to guiding thousands through transformation, Anni opens up about the power...

Struggling With Failure & Pain? Hear This Real Faith Comeback Story with Giselle Quintanilla EP | 178 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Giselle Quintanilla, a mom of three, an entrepreneur, and a true God woman, to talk about her powerful journey from a challenging upbringing to walking with faith and purpose. We chat honestly about the setbacks, hard lessons, and breakthrough m...

Combat PTSD and Transforming Trauma: Brian Arbor's Journey EP | 177   I'm Jon Emery, and in this episode of Life's Checkmark, I connect with Brian Arbor, a veteran, podcaster, and passionate advocate for mental health. Brian opens up about his powerful journey from battling post-combat PTSD and burnout to seeking real healing beyond traditional personal development. He shares how his relentless pu...

Family Trauma, Healing, and Hope Through Cassidy Kloth's Journey EP | 176   In this episode, I sit down with Cassidy Kloth for an honest look at navigating family pain, mental health battles, and the road to healing. Cassidy talks about working with her mom after years of a rocky relationship, shouldering adult responsibilities as a teen, and how she learned to focus on her own well-being while ca...

Courage, Change, and Gratitude: Tisch McDaniel's Near-Death Car Crash EP | 175 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Tisch McDaniel, whose life was forever changed after a near-fatal car accident. Tisch opens up about her transformation from someone living fast and chasing recognition to becoming a true servant leader and source of encouragement for others. Her story reminds us all...

Hope After Suicide: A True Survival Story with Lindsay Stadel EP | 174 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I welcome Lindsay Stadel, whose powerful journey through divorce, abuse, and surviving a suicide attempt brought her to a life filled with purpose, family, and mission. Lindsay opens up about the struggles that led her to the edge, the pain she faces every day, and the changes she's made to...

Breaking Free: Kim Croley on Healing, Mental Wellness, and Finding Faith After Trauma EP | 173 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Kim Croley, a mental wellness coach, speaker, and author, who opens up about her path from personal struggles and trauma to deep healing, self-acceptance, and faith. Kim shares how therapy, education, and a renewed relationship with God transformed her...

Tatyana Deniz's Struggle With Identity and the Beautiful Way She Fought for Herself EP | 172   In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Tatyana Deniz, an artist, teacher, and devoted mother, whose journey is all about courage, creativity, and transformation. From growing up in the Soviet Union with no formal art experience to embracing her creative spirit later in life, Tatyana opens u...

Finding Your Voice: Raquel Soto's Powerful Journey of Self-Acceptance, Healing & Impact EP | 171 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Raquel Soto, a true burst of energy and inspiration. Raquel opens up about her path from childhood struggles, being told she was "too much," and facing tough setbacks, to becoming a "GPS for success" for entrepreneurs. We talk through how she found s...

Trauma Counselor Dave Roberts Shares How to Navigate Grief and Healing EP | 170   In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I talk with Dave Roberts, a dedicated educator, therapist, and podcaster whose life changed forever after the loss of his daughter. Dave shares how his own journey of grief and healing led him to help others with trauma, addiction, and bereavement, both in and out of the classroom...

Breaking the Burnout Cycle: Paige Brown on Purpose, Mindset, and Female Success in Business EP | 169 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I finally connect on a deeper level with Paige Brown, a powerhouse coach and heart-driven entrepreneur. Paige shares her personal journey from counseling to launching her own business, her battles with burnout, and how she found a calling to help female entrepre...

Healing After Abuse: Amanda Hietter on Starting Over, Faith, and Owning Your Journey EP | 168 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Amanda Hietter, a travel advisor and event host, who is all about creating transformative experiences. Amanda opens up about surviving an abusive relationship, hitting rock bottom, and the real work of healing even years later. We discuss the power of f...

After Burnout and Heartbreak, Brittany Russell Now Empowers Women Over 35 EP | 167 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Brittany Russell, a former aviation professional turned passionate health and life coach. Brittany's story is powerful—through workplace exhaustion, tough breakups, and years of feeling stuck, she found a way to step into a new purpose. We talk about what it reall...

Share Your Journey! We all have moments that shaped us—where are you today, and what have you learned from your life's checkmarks? Share your story in the comments or tag @lifescheckmark to inspire others and join the conversation with our community of listeners.   Attracting Your Ideal Love Partner with Angus Scott EP | 166   In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Angus Scott, a tru...

Life at 40: How To Turn Your Life Around at 40 with Nell Tice EP | 165 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Nell Tice, YouTuber, podcast host, and co-owner of Enticing Media, to talk about confidence, embracing the present, and what it really takes to succeed as an entrepreneur. Nell opens up about overcoming childhood challenges, the pressure of turning 40, and her journey from se...

Podcasters and Aspiring Podcasters Come Together in Podcaster's Hub!  Become a part of the HUB. Click the link to discover all the perks and join: ⁠⁠https://www.lifescheckmark.com/podcastershub     Finding Authentic Leadership and Personal Growth with Rayna Schroeder EP | 164   In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I chat with Rayna Schroeder, an experienced leadership coach who knows firsthand how...

Podcasters and Aspiring Podcasters Come Together in Podcaster's Hub!  Become a part of the HUB. Click the link to discover all the perks and join: ⁠⁠https://www.lifescheckmark.com/podcastershub   Single Mom Escapes Toxic Narcissist: Yara Ortiz's Journey to Healing and Empowerment EP | 163 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Yara Ortiz, a speaker, author, TV host, and personal fina...

Crush Money Blocks & Manifest Abundance with Carmen Croonquist EP | 162  In this enlightening episode of Life's Checkmark, I talk with Carmen Croonquist, a coach helping heart-centered entrepreneurs and healers create wealth while living in alignment with their purpose. Carmen opens up about her journey from a Minnesota farm to a thriving global practice and shares how she uses brain science, Thet...

Surviving Trauma & Finding Strength: RJ Fisher's Journey from Survival to Advocacy EP | 161 This week on Life's Checkmark, I'm joined by RJ Fisher, a prison guard, writer, and single mom who shares the gripping account of surviving a violent attack by an ex-boyfriend and the real steps she took to rebuild her life. RJ talks openly about her struggles with trauma, the challenges of single parenting...

Your Imposter Syndrome Brings Real Healing Breakthroughs with Kaile DuttonEP | 160 In this episode of Life's Checkmark, I sit down with Kaile Dutton, artist, energy healer, and all-around creative leader. Kaile gets real about living with chronic illness, moving past imposter syndrome, and resisting the pressure to fit into a business "box." We talk about her journey from burnout, learning to say...