Phoenix Wisdom: inspiring stories of transformation and triumph over suicidal ideation

"Life is right here." - Dallas Collis In this episode, Janet Sandberg interviews Dallas Collis, who shares his profound journey through trauma, addiction, and self-discovery. Dallas emphasizes the universal quest for happiness and the weight of personal stories that shape our identities. He discusses the importance of radical responsibility, the illusion of time, and the power of belief...

"Start thinking about your thinking." - Liz Jakoi In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast, host Janet Sandberg speaks with Liz Jakoi , an entrepreneur and ADHD coach, about her personal journey with ADHD. Liz shares her experiences of being diagnosed later in life, the challenges she faced, and the impact of ADHD on her mental health. They discuss the importance of understanding ADHD, especi...

"You don't have to stay where you are." - Pamela Topjian In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast, host Janet Sandberg speaks with Pamela Topjian , a former nurse turned hypnotherapist, who shares her profound journey from trauma to healing. Pamela discusses her experiences with childhood trauma, mental breakdowns, and the importance of therapy in her recovery. She emphasizes th...

In this episode , Janet Sandberg speaks with Lizz Luker, a mother of five and entrepreneur, who shares her harrowing journey through trauma, addiction, and the fight for her children. Lizz discusses her experiences with PTSD, the challenges of being a single mother, and her mission to support other mothers facing similar struggles. Through resilience and determination, Liz has transformed her pain...

"Life is a film strip, not a photograph." - Scott MadererIn this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast, host Janet Sandberg interviews Scott Maderer , a stewardship coach who shares his journey from teaching to coaching, his struggles with mental health, and the importance of mindset in overcoming financial challenges. Scott discusses the pivotal moments that led him to seek help and how...

"I felt trapped by my past." - Micaiah Gray In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast, host Janet Sandberg speaks with Micaiah Gray about her journey through mental health struggles, suicidal ideation, and the importance of faith and support in overcoming adversity. Micaiah shares her experiences from adolescence, including the challenges of growing up in a tumultuous environment, her turning...

This episode is part of #Podcasthon 2025. Podcasthon.org is about convincing as many hosts as possible to dedicate one episode of their show to a charity of their choice and to release these episodes simultaneously, in a coordinated effort from March 15-21, 2025, creating a massive and international wave of inspiring audio content. The objective? To raise awareness for a huge number of charities w...

"Nothing is one way forever." - Tatiana Szulc In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast, host Janet Sandberg speaks with Tatiana Szulc , a trauma and somatic wellness coach. Tatiana shares her personal journey through complex trauma, suicidal ideation, and the importance of healing the nervous system. She discusses her experiences with dissociation, the impact of her environment on her mental...

"This isn't love, this is manipulation." - Darla Ridilla In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom podcast, host Janet Sandberg speaks with Darla Ridilla , a relationship coach who shares her transformative journey from a traumatic marriage to a place of empowerment and healing. Darla recounts her struggles with suicidal thoughts, the impact of emotional abuse, and the importance of supp...

"Even in darkest moments, light exists." - Liz Buggy In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast, host Janet Sandberg speaks with Liz Buggy , a life coach from Australia, who shares her journey through trauma, suicidal ideation, and the importance of seeking help. Liz discusses her experiences with counseling, the transition to coaching, and the significance of recognizing and preventing burnout...

In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast, Janet Sandberg speaks with Debi Roberts, CEO of the OLLIE Foundation , about the critical work they do in mental health and suicide prevention. The conversation covers the foundation's mission, the complexities of suicidal ideation, the impact of medication on mental health, and the importance of open discussions about these topics. They emphasize the...

In this episode, Janet Sandberg interviews Deborah Leblanc , who shares her harrowing journey through childhood trauma, suicide attempts, and the loss of loved ones. Deborah discusses her transformation from a victim of abuse to a successful keynote speaker and clinical hypnotherapist, emphasizing the importance of resilience and finding purpose in life. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of...

In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom podcast, host  Janet Sandberg  engages in a heartfelt conversation with  Andy Grant , an author , coach, and energy healer, who shares his profound journey through the darkness of suicidal ideation to a life filled with purpose and healing. Andy talks about his struggles with suicidal thoughts beginning at a young age, revealing the pain of childhood trauma, f...

In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom podcast, host  Janet Sandberg  sits down with the courageous  Mary Burmeister , a physical therapist and empowerment coach, who shares her powerful story of transformation from the brink of despair to a life of purpose and resilience. Mary opens up about her harrowing experience in 2011 when she faced overwhelming grief from her father's death and the pressure...

In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom podcast, host  Janet Sandberg  is joined by the resilient  Rachel Coleman , an author, speaker, and adventurer who shares her incredible journey from the depths of suicidal ideation to living a life filled with purpose and passion. Rachel opens up about her childhood struggles with sickle cell anemia and growing up in a conservative environment while grappling...

In this episode, host  Janet Sandberg  welcomes  Jeremy George , a TEDx speaker and founder of BucketMatch , who shares his transformative journey through suicidal ideation and the profound impact of living a deliberate life. Jeremy opens up about his experience with suicidal thoughts beginning in April 2019, despite having what appeared to be a successful life in New York City. He discusses the c...

In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom podcast, host  Janet Sandberg  is joined by the inspiring Dr. Jeannie May , a board-certified physician with expertise in geriatrics, hospice, and addiction medicine. Dr. Jeannie shares her profound journey from battling lifelong depression and suicidal ideation to discovering the transformative power of breath work. Dr. Jeannie opens up about her early strugg...

In this episode, host  Janet Sandberg  welcomes  Katherine Knight , a compassionate caregiver, coach, and advocate for those navigating the challenges of dementia. Katherine shares her transformative journey from overwhelming despair to becoming a coach for others facing similar struggles. Katherine opens up about the emotional turmoil she experienced while caring for her mother and mother-in-law,...

In this episode, Janet Sandberg welcomes Stu Morris , a passionate advocate for neuroplasticity and cognitive health. Stu opens up about the pivotal moments in his life, including the impact of his grandmother's dementia, the loss of his father, and his own struggles with physical and emotional pain. He recounts how these experiences fueled his passion for helping others through the science of neu...

In this episode, Janet Sandberg welcomes Kevin Palmieri , a dynamic podcast host and self-proclaimed "ultimate cat dad." Kevin shares his profound journey from a seemingly successful life plagued by insecurity and suicidal ideation to finding fulfillment in podcasting and personal growth. Kevin opens up about the pivotal moment when he realized that external success did not equate to internal happ...

In this episode, host Janet Sandberg welcomes Justin McSweeny , a passionate interviewer, philosopher, and advocate for understanding the human experience. Justin shares his journey from a tumultuous childhood and teenage years marked by depression and suicidal ideation to a life of curiosity and philosophical inquiry. Justin opens up about his early struggles with self-destructive behavior and su...

In this episode, host Janet Sandberg welcomes Jen Yundt Coles , a functional medicine and integrative health coach who shares her journey through anxiety, chronic health issues, and the profound impact of her brother's suicide. Jen opens up about her childhood struggles with anxiety, perfectionism, and digestive issues, and how these experiences shaped her path in life. Jen recounts the challenges...

In this episode, host Janet Sandberg welcomes Amy Taylor , a resilient single mom who has navigated the complexities of living with bipolar disorder, ADHD, and anxiety. Amy shares her journey from childhood trauma and suicidal ideation to finding hope and healing. Amy shares the pivotal moments in her life and how she eventually found the courage to reach out for help. Her mother's unwavering supp...

In this episode, host Janet Sandberg welcomes Jeni Simas-Layte, who has navigated depression, divorce, and the challenges of raising a special needs child. Jeni opens up about her struggles during 2021, a year marked by weighty depression and feelings of hopelessness. Jenny recounts the overwhelming challenges she faced, including the isolation of pandemic lockdowns, the stress of single parenting...

In this episode, host Janet Sandberg welcomes Dr. Robb Kelly , a renowned psychologist and behavioral scientist, who shares his remarkable journey from the depths of alcoholism to becoming a leading authority in addiction and childhood trauma recovery. Dr. Kelly recounts his personal battle with alcoholism that began at the tender age of nine and led him to lose everything, including his family an...