At the Root of It

** DISCLAIMER: This episode references sexually transmitted diseases which may be a sensitive topic for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.** What happens when the story you've carried for most of your life isn't the whole story? And what does it take to confront a truth that has been buried for decades?  In this deeply personal episode, our guest, Jewel, opens up about loss,...

Sometimes we don't realize how much we've neglected ourselves until our body forces us to pay attention. In this honest conversation, my guest and good friend, Jeannivè, shares her personal experience with putting her health on the back burner, the consequences she faced, and the journey she took to recover. Her story is a powerful reminder to listen to your body, recognize the warning s...

What if the story you've believed about your life wasn't the whole story? In his 80s, a life-changing discovery revealed that the man he called his father was not his biological father. With his daughter's help, they set out to uncover the identity of the father he never knew.  Bloodlines & Beginnings Pt. 4: A Father's Reflections is a deeply personal chapter about truth, i...

For the first time, the names of the DNA matches would have faces, voices, and stories. The DNA made the connection. The journey would transform them into family.  In Bloodlines & Beginnings Pt. 3: From DNA to Doorsteps,  an 83-year old man's daughter and her best friend travel to meet the DNA cousins who served as the bridge to help confirm the identity of his biological father. What beg...

Sometimes the biggest family discoveries are closer to home than you ever imagined.  Bloodlines & Beginnings Pt. 2: Family Reactions follows the emotional aftermath of a life-changing AncestryDNA discovery that completely reshaped one man's understanding of his biological roots.  This episode shifts the spotlight to his daughters and granddaughter as they share their honest reactions to t...

For more than eighty years, my father believed he knew where he came from. Like most of us, he carried a story about his family, his heritage, and the name he bore. Then, in his eighties, an AncestryDNA test changed everything he thought he knew. This story is about more than DNA. It's about identity and the enduring human need to understand our origins. How do you redefine yourself when a fo...

Twenty years ago, my mother suffered a massive stroke that changed our family forever.  For two decades, the details of that day -- the fear, the confusion, the heartbreak, and the silence that followed -- have lived behind closed doors, shared only among family.  In this episode, I'm opening that door for the first time. This episode is a way of honoring my mother's memory, and speaking...

In this episode, we sit down with Reyna, a stroke survivor. She shares what it was like in the moment she experienced a stroke, her journey through recovery, resilience, and redefining strength while navigating the physical and emotional challenges of daily life. Her story is one of courage, perseverance, and hope in the face of unimaginable change.  Send us Fan Mail Connect with us on social medi...

In our first episode, we sit down with Donnie, a stroke survivor who shares his experience suffering a stroke and the physical, emotional, and mental journey that followed. From recognizing the warning signs to rebuilding his confidence during recovery, his story is a sobering reminder that every stroke is serious and healing looks different for everyone.  Send us Fan Mail Connect with us on socia...

Welcome to At the Root of It Podcast! Whether you're here for good conversation, laughter, a sense of connection, or a little hope along the way...grab a seat and join the conversation! Send us Fan Mail Connect with us on social media!  Instagram Facebook