Overcomers Overcoming

Amanda Blackwood survived human trafficking and child abuse. Through her life experiences, she is a public speaker, published author, and trauma recovery mentor for those seeking ways to combat PTSD and trauma responses. Amanda's mission is to be a catalyst to work with as many people as possible to lead them to live a fulfilled life through Christ. She's a woman who transformed her trauma into re...

What can keep a relationship together even when people are very different? Character and values are defining attributes of each person. Our personality defines who we are or how we are "wired." Our personality will largely explain how we express our values and character. Those values and character traits will largely determine how we respond to life encounters. In the context of a lasting relation...

Susan Gold was raised in a small rural town in central Pennsylvania and faced trauma as the middle child in a violent and chaotic household. Her brilliant, alcoholic, astrophysicist father and equally ingenious, mentally ill, homemaking mother have collided in dysfunction. As a sibling in a family of five children in short succession, she experienced rampant covert and overt abuse. Hurt and damage...

Sammy Joe Ferrens has a life story of gratitude. His mother had polio and lived her life in a wheelchair. Throughout her life, she taught Sammy strength, happiness, endurance, and love. Her gift to Sammy as she passed away was one of gratitude. Sammy's purpose is to help others live a life of gratitude and obtain their greatness. By expressing gratitude, some people have reversed thoughts of suici...

Michaela Cox was born blind, widowed early by the love of her life in her second marriage, and is now a single mother and author. She is a multi- published author and speaker. She writes on various passionate topics and often takes from her life experience and journey. She is the author of five series, including 'Take a Sip, Take a Breath and Go ...' series on motherhood, " Before the Clock Strike...

The U.S. Army investigated LTC Jason G. Pike, arrested him, and tried to break him. He is A Soldier Against All Odds. Diagnosed at age seven with an acute learning disability and failing first grade that year, Jason was sent back to repeat it. At age nine, he was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a crippling bone disease dissolving the bone of his knee that added to his academic challenges and a signi...

Jon Katz made a major lifestyle change to discontinue the drugs, alcohol, and eating habits that had consumed him to take on a healthier lifestyle. He realized his habits were adversely affecting others, and he decided not to continue doing what he was doing and become what he was becoming. One of the inspirations to change this mindset was the realization that his perspective was adversely affect...

Jon Katz made a major lifestyle change to discontinue the drugs, alcohol, and eating habits that had consumed him to take on a healthier lifestyle. He realized his habits were adversely affecting others, and he decided not to continue doing what he was doing and become what he was becoming. One of the inspirations to change this mindset was the realization that his perspective was adversely affect...

Dennis Volpe returns for a second episode to discuss emotional intelligence and its application to learning more about ourselves. We all respond to various stimuli, which can be somewhat predictable based on knowing our emotional "triggers." We can know the influence an external factor will likely have on us as we know our emotions. We can learn more about Dennis Volpe at https://dennis-volpe.com/...

Nearly everyone experiences anxiety of varying degrees throughout life. Allowing fear to go unchecked can lead to health problems, and stress is one of the leading results of anxiety. We need to learn how to manage (or cope with) anxiety while also knowing those factors in our life that cause fear of the unknown. We need to know how to reduce or even eliminate those factors that cause uncertainty...

Dr. Irvine Nugent discusses emotional intelligence. Many have heard the term without knowing what it is or how to apply this intelligence in our lives. While our intelligence quotient (IQ) might be formed in our 20s, our EQ (emotional quotient) increases with life experience. Self-awareness is largely a part of our EQ. Said another way, our EQ helps us determine how we are "wired" to better adapt...

Rollins Walker chronicles a portion of his life experience in this fourth episode. Based on his life experience, he makes an impassioned appeal of the importance of men being the rock of their respective families. Nearly 25% of today's children live with one parent, and women are frequently awarded custody in divorce cases. God calls men to be courageous. Rollins addresses his life as a chain brea...

Barby Ingle chronicles her life of "pebbles and rocks" resulting from a severe automobile accident. Barby's life fulfillment came through her dream of cheerleading and dancing. However, the accident was the genesis of her life repurpose. Through three years and 42 medical misdiagnoses, she determined the cause of and treatment for her chronic pain. Through this ordeal, she defined her life purpose...

David Richman is an ironman triathlete who speaks with and through his heart. He has a passion for reaching those who are battling cancer. David has more endurance than most people can even think about. His book, "Cycle of Lives" chronicles his passion to reach people in person to "hear" their heart. He wanted to speak with each person diagnosed with cancer in person and profile them in his book....

Amanda Blackwood survived human trafficking and child abuse. Those with a nefarious intent to exploit vulnerable people do so through cell apps and internet means. What are some of the vulnerabilities that might make a person susceptible to trafficking? Amanda addresses this topic in this episode. Through her life experiences, she is a public speaker, published author, and trauma recovery mentor f...

Jerry Fu chronicles his life and leadership experiences of working with people to up-level their behavior. Some people are low performers because of habits that keep them from performing at their potential. But, how do we correct poor performance or bad habits of those within our circle of influence without alienating them? This podcast offers suggestions to overcome those anxieties that many of u...

Kareemah Emordi addresses connected relationships from a biblical perspective using the example of the relationship lessons of Boaz, Ruth, and Naomi. God's account of their relationship can serve as a model for connected relationships. Finding the right life partner can seemingly be an arduous process. However, as we know what to look for from God's perspective and His design for creation, we can...

Ron and Marty Cooper discuss a part of their life story and how they overcame "mountains," "troubled seas," and "spiritual deserts." Are you a victim or a victor? Are you an opportunity optimizer? Do you believe there are multiple solutions to any life dilemma? Religion sometimes manifests itself as a plastic, artificial façade that, for some people, as they explain the value of a relationship wit...

Sharon Hughes briefly describes a portion of her previous life where a "date" treated her as a valueless commodity. Seven hours after being drugged, a friend discovered her in a garage. Hoping for compassion, she did find what she needed in others. Through a committed relationship with the God of the Bible with whom she confirmed her value, she began the process of developing a healthy self-confid...

Jack Beavers explains, in this episode, his experience with three daughters who were bullying targets. He describes his perspective of this near-epidemic societal topic where the bully focuses on denigrating and intimidating others. While we may have little control over the bully, we do have an adult responsibility to nurture our children and/or grandchildren to ensure they have a healthy self-ima...

Keyboard combatants and verbal assailants. Our world seems to be full of those who need to win or even crush the "competition." Some people look for opportunities to engage in a debate because winning is all-important. However, with life and work experience, and mentors who have great people relationship skills, we can change a combative mindset. Let's consider, 1) What are your values", 2) What i...

Pastor Greg Jackson, Jr. was a division one college basketball player who was born with Sickle Cell Disease. Having to endure a bone marrow transplant, multiple collapsed lungs, and a double lung transplant, Greg relied on his faith in Jesus to carry him through each trial. Listen to how his life and faith were shaped by his family's love and support. "There were times I thought it didn't matter w...

Harjeet immigrated to Canada from the United Kingdom in 2001. She is the mother of four children. She separated from her husband in 2009 and was hospitalized with bipolar disorder in 2010. Her work performance between 2010 to 2015 was up and down, and she published a romantic fiction novel in 2015. She has not had physical or verbal contact with her first two children through manipulations. She ha...

Jimmy Clare is a motivational speaker, autism advocate, author, and fitness advocate. He is autistic but likes to refer to it as "slightly autistic" because he is not as severe as others. Doctors told Jimmy's parents he could not walk without braces or crutches. Irrespective, his Mom and Dad loved him for who he was. He was also bullied in school from elementary school through high school. He stoo...

Elizabeth Bennett has over 35 years of teaching, administration, and coaching experience. She offers a unique blend of leadership, vision, and knowledge. As a retired, award-winning principal, she is passionate about empowering people to take on their lives with joy and love.  She is dedicated to sharing her desire to create positive, connected relationships, focusing on community and business lea...