Rock the Bottom©

Join Rock the Bottom Podcast's hosts as they have a roundtable discussion with Dr. Marni Hill Foderaro about her transformation from devout atheist to believer in the supernatural after having said experience at her garage sale. Hear how this and other similar experiences have allowed her to reshape her life, perspective, and how she has evolved from the distraught divorcee to the empowered, confident woman who inspires thousands with her story. Purchase Dr. Foderaro's book here: https://www.amazon.com/God-Came-My-Garage-Sale/dp/198223475X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BOXYEEL5ZR03&keywords=god+came+to+my+garage+sale&qid=1667672363&sprefix=%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-1

Dr. Marni Hill Foderaro was living the American Dream – great income, married with children, big, beautiful home. But then she would start to see a huge fault line in her perfectly constructed world when she discovered her husband of many years was deceiving her, mismanaging their finances, and jeopardizing all they had worked for. Navigating a divorce and feeling her kids slip away from her left Marni in a state of turmoil and trauma, but this would begin to change in the most unexpected way: a supernatural experience at her garage sale. An atheist all her life, Dr. Foderaro couldn't believe the supernatural experience she had at a garage sale she'd put on to rid herself of things she'd accumulated within her marriage. Without giving too much away of it here, let's just say it included a swarm of dragonflies. Dr. Foderaro was so touched by this experience that she published a book entitled God Came to My Garage Sale. Purchase Dr. Foderaro's book here: https://www.amazon.com/God-Came-My-Garage-Sale/dp/198223475X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BOXYEEL5ZR03&keywords=god+came+to+my+garage+sale&qid=1667672363&sprefix=%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-1

Last week's interview with Judging Meghan podcast host, Meghan Judge, led to a roundtable discussion about the power of positive self-talk that Meghan used to initially break through the difficulty of being concerned with what others thought about her. Rock the Bottom hosts engage this podcast host in an uplifting conversation about ways we can all use our pain to help ourselves and others. Listen to Meghan's podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3qGVLI2yQPoTCl0m2WYh4X Follow Meghan on Instagram @judgingmeghan Meghan's website: http://judgingmeghan.com/

Host of the popular mental health podcast, Judging Meghan, opens up about her mental health struggles, trauma, isolation, and self-esteem issues that started in childhood and exacerbated as she became an adult. Meghan's rock bottom includes intense suicidal ideation after being triggered by being excluded by her closest friends that eventually led to her reclaiming her power by using her pain to help empower others reclaim theirs. Meghan started a podcast to highlight her mental health woes and show people they are not alone. She had no idea it would be downloaded hundreds of thousands of times, rated in the top 1% of over 2 million podcasts, garner corporate sponsorships, and literally save lives across the world. But Meghan is also candid about the fact she still has down days despite her success and offers encouraging nuggets that help her through these battles. Listen to Meghan's podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3qGVLI2yQPoTCl0m2WYh4X Follow Meghan on Instagram @judgingmeghan Meghan's website: http://judgingmeghan.com/

In last week's interview with Helen, we had to follow up with discussing the way she was able to stubbornly refuse to allow her disability to define her or even limit her fulfillment in life. Her sheer determination to purposefully maximize her potential and satisfaction in life is nothing short of remarkable, and we wanted to dive deeper with her so you may come away inspired and enlightened on ways you can replicate this mindset. Follow Helen on Instagram @wheelybraw View her work on YouTube Here: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=wheely+braw

Helen Lear-Grant was a young, vibrant, adventurous woman who instead of exploring her world in a care-free sense was suddenly battling for her life after being stricken with a rare medical affliction that, initially, she assumed was a virus that would subside but in fact left her paralyzed. Having every reason to sulk, lament, and bemoan what had been taken from her at no fault of her own, Helen rejected such a response and instead decided her energy would be channeled into what she could still do: enjoy new adventures in life more profoundly understanding life is not guaranteed from day to day. In this newfound approach, Helen has not only lived her life to the fullest but in doing so has been confronted with the many challenges many face in accessing public places. This has compelled Helen to take up this fight in bringing to the fore the need to greater wheelchair access in public places. Follow Helen on Instagram @wheelybraw View her work on YouTube Here: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=wheely+braw

Mary Beth's Rountable Last week's interview with retired federal judge, Mary Beth O'Connor, who had to overcome a fierce addiction to methamphetamine to get her life on track led to a further exploration into the topics of self-awareness and individualized recovery. Hear how she was able to carve out her own path for recovery and why she thinks others should as well. Should we strictly adhere to a well-established recovery program because it is proven to be effective? How does self-awareness play into this decision? Listen to your Rock the Bottom hosts and Mary Beth delve deep into these concepts. Purchase Judge O'Connor's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Junkie-Judge-Womans-Triumph-Addiction/dp/0757324568 Follow Judge O'Connor on Twitter @MaryBethO_

Before she was the Honorable Mary Beth O'Connor, administrative law judge, she was a woman who struggled mightily with an addiction to methamphetamine for over a decade. This was the result of prolonged childhood abuse that was never acknowledged or treated, leaving her to fend for herself in trying to cope. Drugs became that mechanism. After initially being introduced to the 12-Step model, Mary Beth was resistant to buy in completely because she was an atheist who did not like the idea of relying on a higher power for her recovery; thus, she carved out a path that suited her needs and provided her with recovery tools that were personalized. Mary Beth became Judge O'Connor years later and became a staunch proponent advocate, and board member of treatment programs that encourage personalized treatment goals, plans, and strategies. She retired from the bench in 2020 but still serves on the board of She Recovers Foundation and LifeRing Secular Recovery. Purchase Judge O'Connor's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Junkie-Judge-Womans-Triumph-Addiction/dp/0757324568 Follow Judge O'Connor on Twitter @MaryBethO_

Bob's Roundtable Discussion Last week we interviewed Robert Lustyik, former FBI agent who went to prison for obstruction of justice, and one of the main tenets to his story was his ability to humble himself while incarcerated, and in doing so it allowed him to find his humanity. Listen to this roundtable discussion with Andrea, Martin, and Robert as they discuss the concept of humanity, how we find it, and why it is critical to our well-being.

Decorated veteran of the FBI, Robert Lustyik (Bob), went from an esteemed career as a counterintelligence officer to a 6 by 9 prison cell for eight years after being convicted for obstruction of justice. Robert candidly and humbly discusses how his ego-driven career got the best of him and led him to the other side of the bars where he underwent a radical transformation of humility, self-discovery and humanity. Bob details how he as a former law enforcement officer had to carefully navigate the rigors of prison culture where he knew he would have a target on his back daily. In his new identity, he found ways to relate to those he had spent his career looking down upon. He came to see men differently and realized he – as we all do – has a duty to use his gifts to enhance those around him. Before long, Bob was teaching and training men in exercise, yoga, music, and other forms of self-care. In turn, this taught Bob the valuable lesson of our connectedness as humankind. Book Bob to speak through the link below: https://speakerhub.com/speaker/robert-lustyik

Taylor Greeson had the tragic misfortune of losing her grandfather at the age of four at the hands of an unrepentant drunk driver only to then have this tragedy repeated years later when a drunk driver killed her uncle. Taylor takes Rock the Bottom listeners through her arduous journey of processing two traumatic losses as a preadolescent and teen, how it manifested negatively in her behavior, and how she eventually channeled her pain into something productive. As Taylor began to understand the criminal justice system, activism and how she could use her voice to effect change, she sought ways to effect change. Taylor, now 22, has been a regular speaker at DUI victim impact panels where she speaks to first-time DUI offenders about the consequences of drinking and driving. She currently attends Michigan State University in pursuit of a law degree that she will use to right wrongs in the justice system. Follow Taylor on Instagram @taylorrgreeson

Thanks for joining us for season 1!!  In this closing episode we discuss what our takeaways were for the season and what to expect in season 2.

Laurie White, retired Canadian RCMP officer, had no idea what had happened when she accompanied fellow officers to respond to a domestic violence call and found herself dumbfounded by the smoke that was coming from her leg. Her brain then makes the connection that one of the bullets flying her direction must have struck her. Laurie would spend weeks in the hospital undergoing numerous surgeries before the decision would be made to amputate her leg. Naturally, Laurie's adaptation to this life-changing event would take her through a tumultuous journey mired in depression, helplessness, and reframing how she saw herself. What emerged from this harrowing timeline is a woman who was determined to return to work, reclaim her agency, and not allow the loss of a limb to define her. Laurie worked many more years, recently published a book entitled 10-33: An officer down steps back up, and spreads her message of hope and inspiration to all who have hit rock bottom.

Sending your kids off to college is usually met with smiles, tears, pride, and a range of emotions of the bittersweet nature of such a transition. Never does a parent think this milestone will lead to the brutal murder of their dear child. This would be the fate of this week's guest, Craig Plunkett, when he sent his fun-loving, gregarious son Eric to the prestigious, well-protected school for the deaf known as Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. After enduring a lengthy, emotionally taxing trial preparation period for the murderer, Craig had hardened his heart toward anyone who had murdered another human being. But it would be a weird twist of fate that would make this his avenue to befriend many murderers currently incarcerated. In a program Plunkett designed to compel inmates face the harms they had caused other families, Craig learned about the human traumas and circumstances that affect us all differently. He gained compassion for those he once despised. Sharing his story across the country and working with inmates of all backgrounds has caused tremendous change in the hearts of many. You will likewise be deeply impacted by the words he shares here.

“Konstant”- the music artist, candidly discusses her historic struggles with sexual identity and coming out, grappling with mental health challenges from a young age and suffering a brutal drugging, abduction and sexual assault as a vulnerable young woman of 25 . The internalized shame and burden of the attack taxed her mental health journey. Left alone to deal with the aftermath of the trauma, Konstant the artist emerged from the pain, and she began to pen her thoughts and feelings. What started as a form of self-care therapy evolved into an artistry platform where she performs on stages for the masses, illuminating her struggle and overcoming in her raw, inspiring lyrics. Konstant's survivor mentality is illustrated through her music and will leave you in tears of pain and joy from the opening bar. Her message to those in the struggle: “It's okay to feel however you feel in the moment you are feeling it . . . it's incredibly human to feel yourself in whatever state you are in.”

First, this episode was especially released today - and not last Thursday - in honor of our guest's, Jamar Summerfield, birthday. Happy Birthday, Jamar. We hope this episode makes your birthday a bit more enjoyable. Jamar Summerfield grew up in difficult circumstances and witnessed things at a young age that no nine- or ten-year-old kid should have to. It helped shape his resolve and determination years later that would fuel his altruism in helping those who look like him and hail from his neighborhood get their lives on track after release from prison. But before that would happen, Jamar had to endure his own adversity of incarceration. Jamar went to prison for nearly a decade in a self-defense case that wasn't deemed so in the state of Oregon, and his young life was in a constant state of flight-or-fight. It wasn't until years into his sentence that he invoked the invaluable lessons instilled by his beloved grandmother that helped turn things around. Now a pillar in the community who devotes time, energy and resources into to those in the same predicament, Jamar inspires us all to use our worst of times to help others in theirs.

Imagine a parent's worst nightmare: burying your first-born child. Now imagine it came at the hands of the one you love and have vowed to spend the rest of your life with. This is exactly what our guest Chloe Van Vegten endured and has not only managed to keep her marriage firmly intact but shows how to truly lean on one's faith to conquer all. Chloe's riveting story, however, begins far before this tragic rock bottom. She delivers her narrative as openly and honestly as one can ask for, leaving listeners with no questions as to how she managed to get through each adverse circumstance that befell her starting in childhood. The grace and strength exhibited by this guest is second to none, and she has no other desire than to inspire others to lean into their own inner strength and faith to navigate their own rock bottoms.

Nathan pursued the dream of becoming a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Member at the age of 21. The realities of the career began what Nathan called " a slow death of a thousand cuts". Within the span of his career, Nathan grappled with PTSD and addiction. The rigors of the job, along with hypermasculinity within the culture of policing made asking for help when he needed it most both challenging and shaming. He balanced medication, therapy, treatment, the uprooting of childhood trauma and his career until something had to give. Listen as Nathan takes us through his journey of struggling and juggling his mental health , substance misuse and a demanding career alongside the proactive approach he took that helped him reach a place of clarity, freedom and eventual peace. A vulnerable look at trauma exposure on the job- unearthing childhood trauma and PTSD. Nathan Kapler hosts the podcast Ten Thirty Three and navigates the complex world of trauma recovery from the perspective of a retired Police Officer. Available on all platforms.

Laced with careful introspection, spontaneous humor and emphatic words of wisdom, Brandon Hoggans delivers a compelling interview with Rock the Bottom. Brandon sits down for what feels like a conversation in our living room to discuss his adolescent troubles, which eventually landed him in prison at a young age for over 7 years – but this was not his rock bottom. Brandon had a long way to go, and he is not shy about taking us through that difficult journey that brought with it many hard lessons. Brandon would discover things about himself through his college education that provided invaluable insight he knew he could use to help others who struggle with making good choices at young ages. Brandon eventually uses his experiences and educational pursuits to land a job where he comes to work every day to help kids like he once was.

*Note: This interview's audio is slightly distorted toward the end due to recording conditions but is still hearable. Imagine meeting the person of your dreams as you are the young mother of an infant child. This person instantly bonds with your child, assuring you that he is the one you were meant to be with. Life is going wonderfully until one day you are interrupted by a late-night knock at the door from your friend who breaks the shattering news: your fiancée has been killed in a vehicular crash. Cate Duke had to endure this agonizing pain as she saw her future with John deteriorate within seconds. The months that ensued were very troubling for her as she grappled with this devastation and not knowing how to positively cope. But one day it dawned on her that she still had a small child to take care of. Cate's turn around included her returning to school, graduating, embarking on a career, and thrusting herself into a lifelong commitment to reducing DUIs by bringing awareness, getting on the Governor's board of DUI prevention, and serving as the head of Oregon's MADD Chapter.

Speaking through the prison phone, Eric sits down with Martin and Andréa for an intellectual conversation detailing how his life went from youthful trouble to a 25-year-to-life prison sentence to recently completing his PhD from Liberty University in Counseling. Eric does not hesitate to take full accountability for his costly actions that landed him in prison for a life sentence but also makes a point to expand the lens by giving listeners his perspective of what caused him to find himself in a position to take one's life in the first place. He impresses with his keen insight into abnormal human behavior and what is needed to remedy it – starting with his own rehabilitative efforts. This interview is shorter than most due to time constraints within the prison but lacks nothing in deep reflection, inspiration, and truth. It is one that will leave listeners asking how they can improve their own lives – wherever they are.

Monique Kelley was 27 years old when her life drastically changed with a life-threatening event that left her paralyzed and having to not only relearn how to live for herself but care for her 5-year-old son. Kelley takes us through her emotional journey and the exact horrific moment where her life hung in the balance: “And I remember being in the ambulance and knowing that this was going to be my last opportunity to say good-bye to my son.” Turns out she would not say good-bye to her son but hello to a purposeful life that involves her enjoying a level independence no one could have predicted. She took up surfing and now creates opportunities for access to our beaches for those who are paralyzed. Monique Kelley shares how she got here and what it feels like to have taken her rock bottom and transform her own life, inspiring hope in others like her.

Known for his rigorous workout routines he punishes new coming members to his gym with, Amar Dosanjh flips the script and exudes raw emotion and passion in this sit-down interview. He opens up about the difficulties he faced as a kid with origins in Indian culture growing up in small town America and how his identity formation process quickly set him on the wrong path while searching for inclusion and acceptance. Despite the positive correction from his uncles who tried to channel Amar's inherent physical ability into body building, Amar still craved the adulation that came with selling drugs and being “the man” – so his criminal activity led to an incarceration that finally turned his life around. From a man who clearly has discovered his life's purpose and uses his talents to help thousands of people across the globe, Amar offers listeners nuggets of wisdom that shifted his mentality from a wayward youth to the prosperous, purposeful life he now enjoys.

Andréa, co-host of Rock the Bottom podcast, shares how she navigated her own rock bottom and the critical life lessons she learned along the way. Beginning with an excerpt from her book, also entitled Rock the Bottom, Martin Lockett opens the interview with reading the moment when everything changed for Andréa. She then picks it up and takes listeners through the agony – mentally and physically – that gripped her life and led her into a dark valley and a suicide attempt. With nowhere else to go, Andréa learned what it truly meant to show up in life and began to put together a life of meaning and purpose. She explains: “It took having to show up; it being a compulsory course I had to show up for every single day, in every moment, that allowed me to really see what this whole thing was potentially about and answer the question of ‘why me?'

Martin Lockett, spent 17 years in prison for DUI manslaughter. Also a co-host of Rock the Bottom, Martin is the first interviewee and does not disappoint as he takes listeners through the despair he felt when he was told he'd been responsible for two innocent lives while also staring at nearly 20 years in prison! Martin, interviewed by his co-host, Andrea Vawda, opens up in heartfelt candor about what it felt like to carry the weight off his recklessness and how it impacted families he had never met, his own family, and the community that would miss those lost. Martin invites listeners into the mental and spiritual process that enabled him to turn this tragedy into a direction of meaningful purpose. He talks about self-condemnation that plagued him and how he overcame this to vigorously pursue his passion and mission. Now released from prison for several months, Martin confidently and proudly talks about what he is doing to live out his purpose and continue to make amends for the harm he caused his community. Inspiring and moving testimony is what Martin gives listeners in this powerful interview, making us all feel that we can overcome our own rock bottoms. (Note: Martin's book Palpable Irony has been republished as Prison to Purpose Pipeline). Credits: Darrel Pope - Music, Risa Rae - Announcer

Andréa and Martin introduce themselves in a conversational piece that explores how their unlikely journeys converged and how their common thread of struggle and overcoming led them to create Rock the Bottom podcast. Both hosts outline their harrowing journeys of hardship and how they forged a friendship that neither could predict due to their stark life differences. They openly share about the grief of their individual rock bottoms and what it took to conquer them and truly “rock the bottom”! Andréa and Martin invite you to join them in discovering how we are all connected through our pain and struggle and how we can likewise find healing in our common bond. They promise to deliver compelling, inspiring and uplifting stories on their platform. Credits: Darrel Pope - Music Risa Rae - Announcer

Something unthinkable happens that strips you of all you thought you knew.   No way to hide from it, no way to erase it and no way around it. One evening, one decision, two tragic deaths. A catastrophic health crisis leaving life to hang in the balance.  No way....except to face it, to feel it and to find greater purpose because of it. That's just what each of our hosts did.  ROCK THE BOTTOM! Join Andréa Vawda and Martin Lockett as they celebrate humanity and connect with inspiring people who have overcome their own stories and found purpose in the process. Credits: Darrel Pope - Music Risa Rae - Announcer