Live the Life Podcast with Toni Mattson

Dave and Christi Dyke know what it means to carry the weight of service—and the scars that come with it. In this episode of Live the Life , we talk about what’s really beneath the badge —marriage, trauma, resilience, and finding your voice when it matters most. They’ll be on stage at our upcoming Strength in Service Summit, but today they’re here with me for a raw, heartfelt conversation you won’t...

What does it really mean to have permission—to be where you are, and still grow? In this conversation, Pastor Paul Berthiaume of Jacob’s Well Church gives us a fresh look at faith, resilience, and renewal. He shares why he said yes to the Strength in Service Summit, how mind, body, and spirit all weave together, and why invitation—not condemnation—changes everything. It’s real, it’s hopeful, and i...

"Some of the best people I’ve ever met never talked about what they’ve been through. They just showed up, kept showing up—and music was how I could show up for them." —Chris Kroeze Today on Live the Life , you’ll meet a guy with a beard, a guitar, and a story that’ll surprise you. Singer-songwriter and The Voice finalist Chris Kroeze talks growing up in a town of 2,000, playing to millio...

This week on Live the Life , I sat down with my longtime friend Rob Goodland—firefighter turned horseman, trauma survivor turned healer. From running into burning buildings to standing in the arena with horses, Rob’s story is raw, layered, and powerful. He shares the moments that can’t be explained, the buckets of water he now carries for others, and what he’s bringing to the Strength in Service S...

"Regaining your health—and keeping it—doesn’t come from a pill. It’s small, intentional steps, done daily, that create lasting success." – Dr. Kevin Schultz Today on Live the Life , we’re sitting down with Dr. Kevin Schultz—chiropractor and founder of Foundational Health—to talk about what it really takes to build lasting wellness from the ground up. For over two decades, Dr. Kevin has h...

Today on Live the Life , you’ll hear a story the headlines got wrong—straight from the woman who lived it. She never fired a shot—but the world called her a hero. Soldier, veteran, and former POW Jessica Lynch sets the record straight and reflects on the kind of strength that doesn’t always make the news: staying grounded in truth, honoring the fallen, and finding resilience in the aftermath. This...

This episode wraps up the Brave Beyond Service series—and it’s one we hope stays with you. It pulls together the stories, struggles, and soul work we’ve shared so far. It’s about what happens next. After the identity crisis. After the hard questions. After the quiet rebuilding begins. If you’ve ever wondered, “Where do I go from here?” —this episode is for you. We’ll revisit the truths you’ve unco...

Your Way Back Doesn’t Have to Match Hers What if healing isn’t about what works—but what fits? In this episode, Toni speaks directly to the women who’ve tried the “right” things but still feel off. Therapy didn’t land. Group circles felt isolating. And the idea of “healing” seems more like a buzzword than a breakthrough. Toni shares what she’s learned after walking 16+ years beside veterans who’ve...

For every woman who’s ever been underestimated—this one’s for you. She wore the uniform. She stepped up. She showed up. She served. So why—after all that—is she still questioned? Still overlooked? Still mistaken for “the spouse”? Why is her story minimized while her sacrifice goes unseen? This episode was built from the voices of women like you—through surveys, stories, and sacred conversations. I...

She came home to family—but is in a fight to find herself. She hung up the uniform and returned to the life she left behind… but nothing feels the same. Not her routine. Not her relationships. Not even herself. In this episode of Brave Beyond Service , we’re talking about what really happens when a woman comes home from military service—and realizes she’s not the same, and neither is the world she...

You’re doing all the things. Showing up. Keeping it together. But inside? You’re barely hanging on. In this episode of Brave Beyond Service , we’re naming what so many female veterans carry silently—PTS, anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion—and the shame or stigma that tells you to keep quiet about it. You’ll hear real stories from women who look strong on the outside but are unraveling insid...

You’re not lost—you’re becoming. She served. She sacrificed. She took the uniform off. And now she’s left wondering— Who am I without it? This first episode of Brave Beyond Service kicks off the conversation so many female veterans are already having—quietly, internally, and often in isolation. It’s about the identity crisis that sneaks in after the mission ends. The part where life gets less stru...

What would you do if you were given only months to live? In my next episode of the Live the Life podcast, you’re invited to sit in on a deeply personal and unfiltered conversation with my dear friends of over 40 years. We talk about their journey through a terminal diagnosis, facing death, and how their incredible faith is the key to the peace and certainty they’re living. It’s a message that spea...

In this episode, Toni explores the journey beyond military service—embracing the unknown, letting go of labels, and discovering new strengths and purpose. With insights on fulfillment and curiosity, she guides listeners through finding meaning and honoring the journey ahead. Tune in for inspiration and practical steps forward.

Toni dives into the emotional journey veterans face after service. This episode explores the shift from mission-driven life to finding a renewed sense of self, emphasizing the power of inner strength, identity, and purposeful rediscovery beyond the uniform.

In this special Veterans Day episode, we honor more than just the service—we honor the journey that follows. Join me as we explore the courage it takes for veterans to find purpose and identity beyond the uniform, the silent battles they face, and the strength it takes to build a new path. This episode is a heartfelt look at what it truly means to come home after military life.

Excited to share a glimpse of what I’ll be speaking about as the guest speaker at the Rewriting Recovery Event on September 21st at the Red House of Hope in Mondovi, Wisconsin! In this episode, I'll dive into some of the key themes and powerful stories that will be at the heart of my talk. Whether you're on a journey of recovery or supporting someone who is, this event promises to inspir...

Discover the upside of trauma in our latest episode! Join me, Toni Mattson, as we explore Post-Traumatic Growth and hear inspiring stories from veterans who’ve turned their toughest battles into incredible breakthroughs. Change the narrative, embrace growth, and be inspired. Listen now and share this powerful episode with others who need hope and healing.

Can one word change everything? Tune in as we reveal how shifting from 'Post Traumatic Stress Disorder' to 'Post Traumatic Stress Response' can transform lives. In this first episode, "Shifting the Narrative," we explore this powerful idea through compelling stories and expert insights. Let's redefine PTSD, reduce stigma, and inspire hope together. Get ready for...

Questions have been coming in like crazy about Toni's full knee replacement, so this week Toni has decided to give you all a guide to the prep & recovery! 

In today's gripping episode of "Live the Life," host Toni Mattson brings us the raw, transformative journey of Michael, a veteran navigating the constant "Danger Ahead" signs of life post-combat. Through his eyes, we witness the profound struggle and eventual beacon of hope that arises from the depths of despair. Don’t miss this episode and share it to spread a powerful me...

There's such an excitement in hunting for treasure, isn't there? The clues, the chase, the big reveal...It's all so thrilling, but the treasure hunt I'm inviting you on today isn't about those things.  It's about finding something far more precious than that. It's about spotting those God moments tucked away in our daily lives. 

Join us for an episode of exploring the essence of our path through the lens of joy and blessings - Embracing the idea that it's not just about where we are going, but the rhythm and movement of how we get there. 

Picture this: Governor Tony Evers stepping into our world of equine therapy. Yes, the governor himself! It was an incredible day, to say the least. Why Tune In: - A Visit Unlike Any Other: Imagine the governor, right here with us, diving deep into the impact of our equine-assisted therapy and youth development. It's a unique glimpse into a meaningful exchange. - Powerful Stories: You'll...