Focused on Forward

Our Story Pt. 2 - Series Finale 3 years ago I started this journey of storytelling. To be honest, story sharing, is probably more accurate. This journey was started on the heels of the most intense thing I have endured as a person and as a parent, and so I decided to share "Our Story" in Episode 1. My daughters diagnosis of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) and the 97 day hospital stay to follow shaped our future more than we would know at the time. Coming home from the hospital didn't take away the problems, and it made me want to know how to move forward in life. I wanted to talk with people who had endured all that life could throw at them and who walked away with their heads held high. Those who had looked life in the eye and decided to fight back. Those who were TRULY - Focused on Forward. And for 3 years you have joined me on this journey. You have heard these amazing stories from truly inspirational people who are choosing to be Focused on Forward. These people are the stars of this show and I am forever thankful that they entrusted me, just a guy Michigan who had been through some stuff to help them share that story. I am deeply honored. Today though, we close out the show. This is the series finale. And I say WE for a reason - today I am joined by my daughter Kendall and we talk about Our Story Part 2. How we got from there to here ... And again ... from my family to yours, THANK YOU!

Addiction, Mental Health, and Recovery This week's guest has chosen to remain anonymous, and we will only call him Sam. Sam is a recovering Alcoholic with years of sobriety, still attending his AA classes. He tells us about his small town, religious upbringing. He talks about how that affected his outlook on life, his relationship with his parents and resulted in his being sent to boarding school. He tells us about how he started drinking, how it sent him to rock bottom. He also tells us about his struggles with his own mental health, the need for counseling and why the stigma around mental health hospitals needs to go away. There is a lot here to unpack and there are parts of this story that you have to hear to understand. Please share Sam's story with those you know who either need to enter recovery, or who are fighting for their sobriety. For more information - Alcoholics Anonymous - www.aa.org Narcotics Anonymous - www.na.org Suicide Hotline - suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call 800-273-8255 Find us on Social Media - Instagram - @focusedonforward Twitter - @podcastfof buy us a Coffee here - https://ko-fi.com/focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Looking to Love and Wellness We talk with serial entrepreneur Tal Zlotnitsky about moving past heartache and looking to love and wellness. Tal tells us about moving from Israel with his family at a young age to America. He moved from his home country and experiencing some level of fame on Israeli TV to the UNited States and being an unknown. He talks about feeling like an outcast, being the new kid and treated unkind by his schoolmates. He talks about falling in and out of love and being a single parent at an young adult age. But most importantly, he tells us how he has moved past these things to be successful in his life, his businesses and why he feels that love is needed more now than ever before. Please check out his company, which specializes in love and wellness - Our.Love For more on Tal Zlotnitsky, please check out the following - www.talzlotnitsky.com our.love on your app store Instagram - @taljzlotnitsky Twitter - @tjsmind Find us on Social Media - Instagram - @focusedonforward Twitter - @podcastfof buy us a Coffee here - https://ko-fi.com/focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

The Plush Lyfe - From Prison to Peace I talk with author and podcaster Anthony Jae Gonzalez about his transformation in life from being a drug dealer who was in and out of prison to man who can accept his shortcomings and what he did that got him into negative situations in life. We talk about how his former street life impacted him, his family and his children. We talk about how he began writing his book, why he wrote his book and what he's doing now. He certainly does not glorify drug dealing or his street life, but he explain things that everyone else may not understand about that life and what he changed to become Focused on Forward. For more on Anthony Jae Gonzalez, please visit the following - His Book - https://amzn.to/3E9fnyY Instagram @papi_jai73 Find us on Social Media - Instagram - @focusedonforward Twitter - @podcastfof buy us a Coffee here - https://ko-fi.com/focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Understanding Neurodiversity We welcome author and podcast host Sara Gullihur-Bradford to Focused on Forward this week to talk about her series of children's books and her podcast - The SJ Childs Show, but also to talk about Neurodiversity and how a little bit of education for non-neurodiverse folks can really go a long way. We talk about Sara's husband and children, all of whom are on the spectrum. We talk about experiences they had with one of their children being non-verbal and how they sought to communicate with them and the steps taken. We talk about why she writes those books and hosts her show, and how she shines a light on Autism. For more on Sara Gullihur-Bradford, please the following - Website - https://sjchilds.org/ Links for her books and the SJ Childs Show are available there. Find us on Social Media - Instagram - @focusedonforward Twitter - @podcastfof buy us a Coffee here - https://ko-fi.com/focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Into the Thriver Zone From Susan Omilian's website - "Susan Omilian is an attorney, author, motivational speaker and nationally recognized expert who has worked to end violence against women for the last forty years. In the 1970s, she founded a rape crisis center and, in the early 1980s, represented battered women in divorce proceedings. She also litigated sex discrimination cases, including helping to articulate the legal concept that made sexual harassment illegal in the 1990s." After the murder of her beloved niece, Susan decided that she would extract her revenge by helping women everywhere to avoid or overcome abuse and sexual harassment. Enjoy the story of this trailblazing woman. Find out more about Susan Omilian, please visit the following - Her website - www.thriverzone.com Find us on Social Media - Instagram - @focusedonforward Twitter - @podcastfof buy us a Coffee here - https://ko-fi.com/focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Becoming Me While Raising You I talk with Kim Muench about her work as a coach, author and podcaster for her show and book entitled - Becoming Me While Raising You. But I also talk to KIm as a Mom and how she helped her oldest son overcome his addiction to Alcohol. We talk about how she realized there was a problem, how they moved forward in life and how hes fighting for his sobriety 12 years later. Kim shares some of her own misconceptions about Alcoholism and addictions and what recovery looks like. For more on Kim Muench, please visit the following - website - https://reallifeparentguide.com Find her book here - https://amzn.to/3tqoW8V Find us on Social Media - Instagram - @focusedonforward Twitter - @podcastfof buy us a Coffee here - https://ko-fi.com/focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

A Gap Between Two Worlds Today we speak with Author, Speaker and podcast host - Kevin McNulty about Transitions. We may not think that transitions in life are something that we need help overcoming, but these times of uncertainty can cause added stress, anxiety and even bouts of depression. We listen to Kevin compare this area to being a gap between two worlds and how to navigate that gap successfully, even in times of distress. For more on Kevin McNulty, please visit the following - www.kevinmcnultyspeaks.com For his Book - A Gap Between Two Worlds - https://amzn.to/3Ibbytt Grow Yourself Podcast - available on all podcast providers Kevin McNulty Speaks YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7il9thEehy7kpDVH8bjszQ Find us on Social Media - Instagram - @focusedonforward Twitter - @podcastfof buy us a Coffee here - https://ko-fi.com/focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

From Rescue to Recovery Tracey Brown is a former Coast Guard Small Boat Swimmer who details her own personal trauma of being burned at a young age and the emotional damages of returning from unsuccessful rescue operations. We talk about the years of repressed trauma with layers of new trauma and how she found her way into therapy and recovery from PTSD. We talk about her books and her ability to share her story and why talking about PTSD and helping others overcome and reclaim their lives has become her life's work. You can find out more about Tracey Brown, her books and speaking engagements at her website here - www.rescuetorecovery.com You can buy her book - Rescue to Recovery here - https://veteransguide.samcart.com/products/rescue-to-recovery Find us on Social Media - Instagram - @focusedonforward Twitter - @podcastfof buy us a Coffee here - https://ko-fi.com/focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

The Financial Worries of Single Parenthood My guest this week is someone who not only talks the talk, but who has walked the walk. She knows what its means to "magic money" when things were tight, and anxiety that followed due to the lack of finances. Catherine Thomas-Humphreys shares with us the challenges she faced in an unhealthy relationship which led to her being a single parent that wanted to provide something better for children than unstable finances and constantly moving from rented home to rented home. Katherine is now a successful financial planner who wants to help, and has the heart to do so. For more on Catherine Thomas-Humphreys please visit her website - www.thefinfluencer.co.uk Find us on Social Media - Instagram - @focusedon forward Twitter - @podcastfof buy us a Coffee here - https://ko-fi.com/focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward

Oh, The Stories We Tell I have an amazing chat with Chris Templeton this week about growing up with a narcissist for a father and mother who just wanted to be happy. We talk about how those could have created some very unhealthy habits in his life, but how and when he became Focused on Forward in his life. We talk about the work he does now and the three questions that may have a major impact on your life, along with finding out what it means to live above the line in "Little Me Land" There is a lot to unpack here, and I suggest that you check out his information below to find out more about Chris and the work he is doing. For more on Chris Templeton Website - www.ohthestorieswetell.com Instagram - @ohthestorieswetell Twitter - @OhStoriesWeTell YouTube - Oh The Stories We Tell Find us on Social Media - Instagram - @focusedon forward Twitter - @podcastfof buy us a Coffee - https://ko-fi.com/focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward

From Identified Problem to Identified Possibility ft. Dedee Pfeiffer We talk with Dedee Pfeiffer about her dealing with lifelong addictions with alcohol and more. As a high functioning alcoholic, Dedee was able to have a career, children and marriages. She was able to accomplish many things while carrying this problem of addiction on her back and trying to hide her struggle. We talk about her progress through her addiction, her progress through rehab and why family and her community are what keep her moving forward in life and sobriety. Our goal in this conversation is to help us to see that the stigmas attached to addiction and rehab need to go away. To help people see that this is a problem that can affect anyone - addiction doesnt care about you, your family, how much money you have in check book or what kind of car you drive. Instead - building a community around you to help you move past that stigma. PLEASE - if you are struggling with some form of active addiction - PLEASE reach out. Get the help that you and your family deserve. For more information on Dedee Pfeiffer - Instagram - @dedeepfeifferofficial Find us on Social Media - Instagram - @focusedon forward Twitter - @podcastfof buy us a Coffee - https://ko-fi.com/focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward

Postpartum Depression and New Mothers Meet Angela Knappenberger. Angela was a new mother with a baby who just decided that she didnt need to sleep. There was issues with sleep, latching on and more. Angela began to experience postpartum depression and was running on emotional and physical fumes. Eventually she began the process of sleep training for her new baby and to allow her to get some sleep as well. Angela also tells us how and why she became a sleep coach to help other families work their way through this journey as well. For more information on Angela and her work as a sleep coach, please visit the following website - https://lehighvalleysleepcoach.com/freenewbornsleepworkshop/?fbclid=IwAR2qHqr-EmKalAh_FAKzqVYv_6AkatOBa_Zb-zmgeYmRGbh-_OVcEAo-8rE “Register for Lehigh Valley Sleep Coach's FREE Newborn Sleep Workshop! LIVE daily sessions at 10 EST February 14-18 to help you build an awesome sleep foundation and have the best sleeper on the block!” Buy us a Coffee - https://ko-fi.com/focusedonforward Find us on Social Media - Twitter - @podcastfof Instagram - @focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward

Tis But a Scratch Necrotizing Fasciitis. No matter how you say it. It doesn't sound good. Anytime you hear or see the word Necrotizing, nothing good follows. And the story of Chris DT Gordon surviving Necrotizing Fasciitis isn't that much different. We talk with Chris about his journey - how he got it, how he fought it, and how he survived it. We talk about how Chris is now a podcaster and motivational speaker. Chris hosts a podcast called Scarbearers ( I have been a guest on his show) and talks to people who have overcome, but still bear some scars from what life has dealt them. Come for a story of survival, stick around to be inspired by one of the nicest guys you will ever get a chance to meet. For more information on Chris DT Gordon, please visit the following - www.chrisdtgordon.com Chris DT Gordon - YouTube Channel Scarbearers Audio Podcast on all major podcast providers Please visit Focused on Forward on our Social Media Pages - Twitter - @podcastfof Instagram - @focusedonforward Facebook - Focused on Forward TikTok - the_podcast_guy Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward

Challenges of the Caregiver This is my friend and fellow podcaster, Lisa Zawrotny. Lisa has been kind enough to have me on her show called - Positively Living. Lisa is a Productivity Coach certified in time and stress management, but that's not why we have her on the show today. Lisa tells us about the challenges she endured helping her husband care for his aging mother who was having end of life issues while at the same time becoming a new mother. We talk about the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual toll this all took on her, her husband and her new family. We talk about how Lisa got to a point of being able to move forward, and what has helped to stay Focused on Forward. Be sure to stick around for the end and hear the best piece of advice that Lisa ever received through her process. I had to think about it for a long time and it affects nearly every facet of our lives. For more on Lisa - please visit - www.positivelyproductive.com to learn more about her coaching and about her awesome podcast to which I subscribe and encourage you to do the same. For our Social Media Accounts Twitter - @podcastfof Instagram - @focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward

From Queens to Queens This is Jaimie Sherling. Her family has been fighting and dealing with cancer with many years. Her father had cancer and won. Her brother had cancer and lost. Jaimie has also fought breast cancer once, and won. And now she's fighting it for a second time. But she shares with us how she managed her way through cancer in both her personal and family life, and the important lessons that she learned along the way. But there are other issues that popped up into her life while she was fighting cancer, which are covered in her book - From Queens to Queens. For more information about Jaimie and her book, please visit her website - www.ydysweets.com Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward

Iowa Makes Break Out in Handcuffs Meet Wendy Weiner Runge, a film and television producer who was wrongly convicted and sentenced to 10 years in an Iowa prison. She tells her story of overcoming and learning how to find the light in the darkness. Wendy also tells us that Iowa is an acronym for "I Oughta Went Around" And if you had endured his mistreatment by the State of Iowa, you to may feel the same way. Be sure to check out Wendy Weiner Runge on IMDb, Linkedin and you can find out more about her new show, "My Golden Blood" at www.mygoldenblood.com Follow Focused on Forward on our social media sites - Twitter - @podcastfof Instagram - @focusedonforward Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward

Wounds ft. Razel Jones & Daniel Abbott Season 3 starts next week with a story of learning to overcome racism, but dealing with the wounds that have resulted. Its an insightful conversation with two men - Razel Jones and Daniel Abbott, who grew up together in northwest Michigan. They tell the stories that lead them to writing their book and sharing their "Wounds" - You can buy their book on Amazon with this link - https://www.amazon.com/Wounds-Razel-Jones/dp/1735363731 Follow Focused on Forward on our social media sites - Twitter - @podcastfof Instagram - @focusedonforward Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/focusedonforward Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward

Surviving the Holocaust In our season 2 finale we present the story of Dr. Alex Hershaft. We talk about living in the Jewish Ghetto of Warsaw, Poland. We talk about what life was like inside the walls the Nazi party put up to limit the movement of the Jews inside the walls and why it was essentially just a large concentration camp. He talks about living near an actual concentration camp and the sights he saw, and what traumatic images were burned into his memory. But there was a turning point. He was able to escape and eventually able to move to America and begin his studies. We then talk about how and why he became an animal rights activist and why he feels so strongly and passionately about the topic at hand. And when you hear his story, and see it from his perspective, it becomes awfully to refute his logic. We also talk about the lessons he's learned and how we can avoid, as a society, remaking those same mistakes and treating people once again like animals. For more information on Dr. Hershaft and his work in the fields of Human and Animal Rights - please visit the following - www.neveragain.global - Human Rights www.farmusa.org - Animal Rights On a side note, it has been my absolute pleasure over the last two seasons to bring you stories of everyday people overcoming tremendous obstacles in their life. I am taking a small break to focus on my family and the health of my daughter, but I will be back for a season 3 with more amazing and inspiring guests! See you all very soon! Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward

Chasing the Vice This week on Focused on Forward I talk with Brock Bevell from the podcasts Chase the Vase and Agents of Recovery. Brock is a former Police Officer who was on Anti-Drug Task Forces, and working to get drugs off the streets. Unfortunately, due to injuries received over the years in the field, he was medically retired. And thats when the trouble with prescription pain medications started. The irony here is that the officer who had spent his career trying to remove drugs from the street, was now fighting his own fight with addiction. Brock is VERY open about his own addiction, what it cost him and what he lost along the way. He is now working to help others in programs to move past their addictions and part of two very powerful podcasts. Be inspired by Brocks story,. But be encouraged by the good work this man is doing now to help his community and anyone who will listen. Please go check out Brock Bevell on Chase the Vase and Agents of Recovery. Subscribe to the those shows as well. Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward

Facing Fears and Moving Forward ft. Janice Burt This week on Focused on Forward, we welcome Janice Burt. Janice talks about something we all have to deal with in our everyday lives - Fear. We all deal with fear and it can be detrimental to our mental and emotional health. Janice talks about how fear held her back, how from a young age fear prevented her from going forward and reaching our for the things in life she needed and wanted. But we also hear from Janice how she became Focused on Forward and how she made the changes in her life to allow her to face her fears and do the things she need and wanted to do. Listen to Janice's story of overcoming and be inspired to make changes in your life, and not allow fear to hold you back anymore either. For more on Janice Burt - Please visit - www.janiceburt.com or www.spanishjanice.com Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co

Episode Notes From issues to being diagnosed with EDS ( Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) to having issues with pregnancy and childbirth, not once but twice, Carrie Creed has seemingly been through it all. But what you wont hear from her when you listen to her speak is a feeling of being lost of hopelessness. Carrie is a very driven person with goals and standards in life. When you listen to Carrie you begin to understand how and why she was able to be able to push through these things that life set in front of her. Personally, I had to look what EDS was before I sat down with Carrie. I wanted to understand, to a reasonable degree, what she had gone through and why she was hospitalized for as long as she was. EDS is not a simple disease and not easily dealt with. I hope you are as inspired by Carrie Creed and her story as I was, and still am. Carrie is a fighter, a motivator, and just a generally good human being. For more on Carrie Creed - Please visit her Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/CarrieCreedSpeaker Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co

The Long and Winding Road to The Tick Joshua Schubart grew up in the Long Island New York area. His childhood wasn't easy or a storybook, and it's easy to say that Joshua had a rough childhood. Joshua has struggled with a stutter, he's been homeless and he got bounced around in the foster care system. Joshua tells us about how he discovered acting and comic books at a young age and how both of these things are what helped save him. And Joshua talks about the importance of Mental Health and the importance of asking for help and getting help when you need it, and even the forms of Therapy that have been helpful for him. From a rough childhood has spawned a healthy acting career, a marriage and a new child. Joshua has become Focused on Forward in his life and is working with his family for a better tomorrow. You can watch Joshua on the Amazon Primes "The Tick" as Frank in the Ramses the IV Pyramid Gang and on IFT Networks After. For more information on Joshua Schubart, please visit - http://www.joshuaschubart.com/ Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co

The Good Divorce I have never thought of divorce of a good thing, its gone against how I was raised and my own personal beliefs. Plus I cant think of a good example of what could be considered a "good divorce". Now although Tom is not advocating divorce as a fix all for marriage ills, and Tom is still very pro marriage. What Tom does advocate is a good divorce where both sides work for a common good and especially if there are children involved. Tom tells his personal story of marriage, children and unfortunately into divorce. But he also now hosts a podcast entitled - "The Good Divorce" where he helps people to share their stories of a good divorce to encourage others who have taken this step as well. For more on The Good Divorce and Tom Kendrick - please visit The Good Divorce on Twitter @divorcegood and instagram @gooddivorcepodcast You can find this podcast on all your favorite podcast destinations Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co

Episode Notes After experiencing betrayal in many forms in life, and perhaps most devastatingly in her marriage, Debi Silber found herself wondering why? Why was she her and what could she do? Instead of sitting back, Debi took charge and put herself back into school and worked for her doctorate at an age when many would look past that as an option. What emerged was Dr. Debi Silber who began to break down the science of betrayal and begin to work with others to help them overcome the hurt, the pain and the personal agony left behind by betrayal. Helping people work towards a complete transformation from the person who was betrayed, and into someone who can live, work, love and function better in life. For more about Dr. Debi Silber and her book Trust Again, please visit the following website - https://thepbtinstitute.com Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Ascend and Conquer. What a fitting title for tonights Focused on Forward LIVE show! Our guest Tina Marie has had to learn how to ascend and conquer multiple issues in life, some recent and some in her past. Learning to navigate those troubled waters can be difficult, but as Tina Marie will tell you tonight, its worth it to find out who and what you really are on the other side. Enjoy tonights conversation with Tina Marie here, and look for her new show also called "Ascend and Conquer" on your favorite podcast destination. Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Rhiannon Baker was kidnapped and she was assaulted by a very bad man. By some luck she was able to escape and get to safety. What was to follow was years of learning how to manage and cope with what happened to her at a young age. How to take the PTSD she understandably had from those events and not allow it to control her. Rhiannon tells us just that. Yes, we of course talk about what happened to her, but let's focus on the amazingly strong and empowered woman she has become. She has moved herself forward through life, choosing to set her own boundaries, and not allowing life to any longer set them for her. Rhiannon is amazing and inspiring. A wonderful real life example of inner-strength and learning ways to cope. She has overcome. She is stronger now than ever. Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co

Episode Notes You may best know Swampy as the Co-Creator of Phineas and Ferb, Milo Murphys Law and many other animated classics. But tonight, we are going to talk with Jeff and his son, Django, about a project that is near and dear to both of their hearts. We welcome Jeff "Swampy" Marsh and his son Django to talk with us about the charity "A Walk on Water". We'll talk about how and why they got involved, how their level of involvement has grown over the years, where its based out of, and of course - how you can help this amazing charity! Please feel free to ask questions in the comments - but lets make sure to have them related to the topic on hand. For interviews about his work on Phineas and Ferb, and more - please visit the Funny Science Fiction Podcast and see our interview with him there about that. For more on A Walk On Water, please see the following website www.awalkonwater.org Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Kara Fernstrom is an amazing podcast host who cut a little time out of her schedule to have a fantastically open discussion about her backstory. What lead her here and how she got started in podcasting. Kara was an open book about her life growing up, between abuses, addictions and other issues, how it lead to the need for therapy, counseling and a rediscovery of herself. We talk openly and honestly about those things, but also about the autoimmune health issues she has picked up along the way. We see how those have impacted her life, but more importantly, we see how she wouldn't let them take away her conquest of bliss. Kara has health issues to deal with everyday, but you wouldn't know it. She tells us how she became Focused on Forward and what she's doing everyday to be happy. For more about Kara Fernstrom - please check out her podcast - The Conquest of Bliss Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Incarcerated for 16 years on a wrongful conviction. Our guest Jeffrey Deskovic talks about the mental and emotional strain placed upon him with this, how hes moved forward in life, and how he is helping others as a lawyer. We do experience some technical issues, but we do our best to power through. Help the Milbys here - https://gofund.me/3fbb816e Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Hey everyone! Say hello to Reena Friedman Watts! Reena has an amazing back story of being a news junkie, someone who loved to chase down a story. This love for news and a good story led her to work on the Jerry Springer show as a story chaser and eventually being a producer on the Jerry Springer show. But eventually she felt burnt out and was in need of a change. Part of that change was the desire to start a family, and to do something different. From there we come to the start of her podcast with her most trusted advisor - her daddy. So enjoy the story of Reena, where shes been, and whats shes doing. For more information, check out Reena on social media and look up her show - Better Call Daddy! Twitter - @reenareena LinkedIn - Reena Friedman Watts Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co

Episode Notes We will be talking with the author of "Ordinarily Extraordinary". A story told from personal experiences of loss and overcoming by Patrick P. Long. Patricks lost wife Melanie to breast cancer 2 years ago and had to learn how to raise their 4 children alone. He talks very openly about his marriage, his wife, her death and how he worked at picking up the pieces afterwards. Patrick ended writing a book called "Ordinarily Extraordinary" about his experiences. You can find his 5 star, award winning book at Amazon.com and every major book retailer. For more information on Patrick P. Long - please visit www.patrickplong.com For more information on Camp Kesem - please visit www.campkesem.org For more information on the American Cancer Society - please visit www.cancer.org Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co

Episode Notes A Positive mental attitude. Our guest this week, Ann CK Nickell can tell you all about why its important. She can tell how she was able to move around and navigate through a harrowing story of surprise illness, hospitalization and learning to walk again despite the negative forecasts from the doctors and their staff. Ann tells about her Dad and how she learned how to focus on the positive from him, despite the medical and health difficulties that clouded his last few years of life. Listen to Anns story, her fathers story and be inspired by the stories of two people who were truly Focused on Forward, no matter what life threw at them! For more information on Ann CK Nickell - please visit the following - www.anncknickell.com Blogs, Books, Journals, Planners and more await you on her website. Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Tonight we talk with author Anne Feustel about her own journey through Mental Health and how movies and cinematherapy helped her navigate depression and anxiety issues that she has dealt with since the age of 10. Her book is called "Our Favorite Movies : How Films Affect Our Mental Health" We talk about her go to movies and the positive self help tools and sustainable personal growth she gained from the movies she includes in her book! You can find out more about Anne Feustel at www.wearewritingwisely.com You can find her book at Amazon and other fine book retailers everywhere! https://www.amazon.com/Our-Favorite-Movies-Affect-Mental/dp/1732902232 Support Focused on Forward by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/focused-on-forward Find out more at https://focused-on-forward.pinecast.co

This week on Focused on Forward we talk with Lois Hollis.  And there really is no better description for Lois's story than from her own website - "Once upon a time… Shame and guilt came to stay with Lois and became her uninvited guests. However, they overstayed and refused to leave. They told her many lies. Shame and guilt said to her that she was stupid and would not amount to anything because she stuttered and couldn't read. They said she deserved beatings and needed to do penance for being a bad child. Lois tried to silence them, but they only grew stronger. Despite the shame/guilt bullies, Lois had many career successes. Nevertheless, the shame and guilt intruders deepened her depression and added physical distortions to her body. She developed severe scoliosis with heart, liver, and lung disease, as well as childhood skull and rib traumas. Lois held firm to her inexhaustible spirit that knew a way to heal but not to her, yet. Soon she realized that shame and guilt did not belong to her but influenced her feelings, thoughts, and body. They used a disguise to hide, and she unknowingly lived in the prison of mediocrity and defeat. They changed her passion into anger and her love into hate. Lois decided to take control. She befriended her emotions and earned their trust. She realized that shame and guilt made her and her emotions miserable. Her emotions supported her. Shame and guilt sabotaged her. She wants everyone to know that “shame and guilt are not ours to own or give.” Each one of our emotions, either happy or sad are ours." In this Episode we talk with Lois about overcoming her abuse, both physically, emotionally and mentally. We talk about the work she is doing now as as counselor and educator, helping people overcome their backstory to have a happier and brighter future.  For more on Lois Hollis - please visit her website www.loishollis.com  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

For our 7/9/21 LIVE show, we welcome Lydia Knorr. Lydia is going to tell us her story of surviving cancer, dealing with being widowed and becoming a single mom to three daughters, and how she took all of that and moved forward with her life. She is a co-author of the book - "Ignite Your Inner Spirit" Join us for Lydia's story and be inspired by her journey! For more about Lydia Knorr, please visit her website - www.lydiaknorr.com , where you can talk one on one with her and order her book. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

Author Belle Lockerby stops by to share her new book and talk about how she overcame loss, both to cancer and suicide, and how she learned to reach out with her own feelings and emotions. How she learned to transform her life so she could be happy. Belle shares some great tips, gives practical advice, with a side of humor. For more on Bell Lockerby - please visit her Twitter page @bellelockerby or her Facebook page @bellelockerby - and be sure to check out her book, “Awkward is the New Brave”, is now available everywhere --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

We talk with new author Brittany McEnteggart about overcoming a young life of Physical, Emotional and Sexual Abuses. But we will also be Focused on Forward, so that we can see how she overcame her past to live her life to the fullest now and how her book can help others who are going through similar traumas to know that there is a way out and a happier ending then what they are enduring or have endured. Be sure to join us at 8PM Eastern - Live on Focused on Forward's Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Channels. To watch on Twitch - please visit @the_podcast_guy For more information about Brittany McEnteggart please visit the following - Website - www.resilienceanautobiography.com Instagram - @resiliencetheautobiography Facebook - @ResilienceTheAutobiography --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

This week we chat with the amazing Lisa David Olson and find out how she went from a traumatic childhood to being a public speaker at a Ted Talk. Along the way she has found power in the humor and comedy and is even a fellow podcaster! Join us to see how Lisa David Olson is living a life that is Focused on Forward! For more on Lisa David Olson - Please visit - www.lisadavidolson.com Facebook - Lisa David Olson --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

Paul Forchione is a fellow podcaster and a motivation coach. But what makes Paul's story unique is that Paul was born with Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy is a congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture. And it can affect muscle movement and coordination. Paul discusses how he learned to deal with this life long disability, and he became Focused on Forward in his life. Be sure to check out our YouTube Channel and subscribe there as well. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7U3GhXwO8RjkjW97XGeWSA For more information on Paul Forchione - please visit the following links - Actions and Limits Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/ActionsandLimits A Call to Action Motivational Coaching - https://www.facebook.com/A-Call-To-Action-106527044023448 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

SHOW LESSJoin us tonight at 8pm EDT #addiction #recovery #sobriety #abuse #drugs are just some of the topics we will cover with our special guest Eric Harazi, the CEO of Coherently Aware Now. Be inspired by his story of overcoming and what he's doing now to help others For more on Eric and his company - please visit https://www.thesafecircle.org/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

We talk with Susan Hannifin MacNab about the sudden loss of her husband, and raising her young son on her own. In her journey to deal with grief and mourning, she fell back into her training as a social worker and began to work through her loss. In her work she came to began to work up the multi-award winning book called the A to Z Toolbox. You can find out more about her work with another group called Soaring Spirits, a group that works to help Widows and Widowers alike. You can look them up here - www.soaringspirits.org For more information on Susan and her award winning book, please go to her website - www.a2zhealingtoolbox.com - where you can find links for her book and an online copy of the toolbox for your immediate use. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

Tonight we talk with Joy Gandell of the podcast - "Being with Joy". We will talk about her daughters cancer diagnosis, and how it affected the family mentally and emotionally. We will talk about the remission process, and how shes doing with her health now, but also how the family worked to become Focused on Forward through this process. We will for sure talk about Joys podcast, what she covers and how she got into podcasting. Starting tonight at 8PM Eastern! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

This week we have a great conversation with the amazing Mel Butcher. Mels story starts in her youth, but didnt really bloom until the year 2009 when she made some major decisions in life - leaving her steady job, leaving an unhealthy relationship, and trying to figure out her next step. At the same time as this was going on, she lost both of her grandfathers ... Eventually Mel went back to school even though she was told that Science and Engineering wasnt for women. Im happy to say Mel proved them wrong ... Listen to her story here and then go to the following to find out more about Mel Butcher www.,melbutcher,.com Lead to Soar Podcast Underdogengineers.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

This is a replay of a discussion we had with Nancy Sovran. Nancy is the executive director of a very important charity called Wish Upon A Teen. She not only has a personal interest in the success of the charity, but she has a personal experience with her daughter Hope and how Wish Upon a Teen helped hope during an extended hospital stay. PLEASE go to www.wishuponateen.org and donate to help them offset the lack funding that 2020 & 2021 has brought them due to Covid shut downs. Also if you go tohttps://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/13102576-rswof?ref_id=22912&store_id=754465- 100% of merchandise profits go to Wish Upon A Teen. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

In this episode we have an open conversation with Jenny Marie about her relationship with her mother as she was growing up. The verbal, physical and mental abuse she endured were very trying and caused some issues along the way. But shes also very clear about how and why she chose to forgive her mother and how she is moving forward in life. Jenny is now a Life Coach and wants to help others to learn to overcome just as she has learned to overcome. If you are interested in learning more about Jenny - visit her website www.jennymariecoach.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

5/28/21 Live Show Fellow podcaster and host of the Nowhere To Go But Up Podcast, Sean Dustin, joins us to talk about his journey through life dealing with abuse, addiction and prison, how he made changes to that story, and what hes doing now. Be sure to check out his show as well - Nowhere to Go But Up. You can find him on all your favorite podcast destinations! Visit Sean on his website nowheretogobutuppod.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

Larry Sprung lost his brother in law Keith Milano to suicide years ago, and since then, he and his wife have been working hard to raise suicide prevention awareness. In fact - Larry now sits on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Board as a very active member. He champions mental health and advocates for those who do not yet know how to use their own voice. We have a discussion about losing loved ones, the difficulties suicide leaves on the everyone else around them, and how we may be able to prevent others from ever having to deal with this too. You can find out more about the Keith Milano Memorial here - https://keithmilano.org and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention here - https://afsp.org If you are in need of someone to talk with - PLEASE CALL 800-273-8255 - YOU ARE NEEDED! You can find out more about Larry Sprung on his podcast - The Mitlin Money Mindset --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

This week on our live show we sit down with the amazing voice actress Anna Graves ( Duchess Satine Kryze on Star Wars Clone Wars) to talk about being the parent of an autoimmune child, what that means in a COVID world, and how they have adapted their life to be "Focused on Forward" If you have questions for Anna about her experiences with this topic - please include them in the comments, and we will do our best to include them onscreen! For more information on Anna Graves and her voice over work - please look her up on IMDb or follow her on Twitter as @gravyvoice --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

Tracy Lowry is the host of the Mulitform PTSD podcast. I had the pleasure of being interviewed on her show (also released today - go check it out!) and talking about why I started this podcast. But here we talk with Tracy about being a survivor of sexual assaults and how that weighed upon her mind and spirit. We talk about her breakdown and the realization that she needed to do SOMETHING to confront her trauma head on. We talk about Tracy became Focused on Forward and how she became a podcaster! Wonderful and inspiring, thats how I would describe Tracy. Hopefully after this episode, you will too. For more on Tracy Lowry - please look her up by her name and see her podcast - Multiform PTSD. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

On 5/14/21 at 8pm EST we will talk with Kate Wallinga - the host of the podcast "Ignorance Was Bliss". Kates podcast is about making just about anything sound normal, from PTSD to podcasting to serial murder. She also has her own story of overcoming after having broken her back in 2014. So lets chat with Kate, about her journey through life with her careers in different fields, talk about her back and lessons learned in her recovery, and about her podcast. Lets find out if Ignorance was Bliss? You can find out more about Kate at IWBpodcast.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support