Stories With A Purpose | Inspiration | Health | Wisdom

At age forty-one—and physically the picture of health and wellness—Nancy suddenly became deathly ill and underwent an emergent liver transplant.

Colleen Connally tells her story about overcoming esophageal cancer by relying on family, great medical care, and extraordinary patient navigator.Listen to how this experience has re-energized her focus on caregiving and help for special needs kids.

Season 2 :  Episode 1 Optimism & Gratitude – Non Hodgkins Lymphoma - Laren Watson – Laren Watson was leading the lifestyle many of us aspire to lead. She was a certified Holistic Health Coach, practicing excellent nutrition and exercise in her everyday life. Then, cancer happened... twice.  In this episode, Laren talks with Jim about how she worked with her traditional medicine oncologists as well as incorporating other eastern medicine practices into her healing journey. Laren was an assertive and informed patient that created her own path back to wellness. Book: WTF? I HAVE CANCER? Non Hodgkins Lymphoma – Mantel Cell Triple Negative Breast Cancer Betrayal of a belief system Mindfullness Medidtation 6 Week Coaching Food as medicine www.larenwatson.com FB: /eatingwell.livingwell linkedin.com/larenwatson twitter: @larenwatson     Music Eternal Hope by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100238 Artist: http://incompetech.com/  

Ebby Isbill tells the story of her journey with MS, from diagnosis frustrations to her positive attitude and activism today.    Multiple Sclerosis Society Auto Immune Disease I Am Adaptive Adaptive Movement Working Wounded Games Cross Fit & Functional Movement Oakwood Baptist Dr Randal Jacks – Hill Country Medical Associates March 12, 2016 MS Walk San Antonio Texas

Do you use a personal health or fitness tracker? Chris Dancy is known as the world's most connected human because his body is constantly being monitored on over 700 data points. Chris and Jim get together this week to talk about the future of healthcare and data. What are the benefits and what are the limitations of so much information? Listen in and hear what the world's most connected man has to say.      www.ChrisDancy.com Businessweek Showtime – Dark Net Fitbit and wearable technologies Data-driven healthcare You don’t get better by counting steps, You get better by taking them Healthways Blue Zones

Merry Christmas and a happy holiday, whatever you may be celebrating, to all! We couldn't be more honored to speak with Marsha Mudge and her two little boys this week. Marsha has been a local inspiration here in our hometown at SWAP. She has shared her unbelievable journey with breast cancer-- the whole no-frills truth-- with our community so that others may gain insight and learn from her experience.  We hope that the Stories With A Purpose community may also feel inspired by Marsha's unrelenting strength and grace despite her unimaginable circumstances. It's important to remember we all have something to be grateful for in this season of giving. We at SWAP want to spread love and hope however possible, and we can't think of a better opportunity than helping out a mom that more than deserves it. Visit the Go Fund Me page set up in Marsha's name to donate towards her medical bills at: https://www.gofundme.com/MudgeStrong   #MudgeStrong John Mudge Tanner and Jackson Mudge Unicorn Football NBISD Carl Schertz Elementary North Central Baptist Hospital San Antonio https://www.facebook.com/MudgeStrong/ https://www.gofundme.com/MudgeStrong New Braunfels Texas, Thank You!

Dr. Carl Hammerschlag is known as the "Healing Doc" by many of his patients and colleagues and joins us to share some of his great wealth of knowledge and wisdom. Dr. Hammerschlag has led a fascinating life as doctor and psychiatrist, from his first job as a young doctor on the Hopi Native American reservation in Santa Fe, to providing mental health care in Peru, to clowning with Patch Adams, and his latest venture in Phoenix- the Clown Town Healing Festival on February 27, 2016. The Clown Town Healing Fest is partnered with the University of Arizona College of Medicine and Patch Adams' organization, Gesundheit! Institute, to bring a variety of healing resources together to promote health and healing in the community.     www.healingdoc.com Clown Town Healing Fest: http://clowntownhealingfest.com/  Dr. Patch Adams Yale Hopi Indians Integrative Medicine Doctor of Psychiatry “Stop S--- Shoveling” the book Mind, Body, Spirit University of AZ Medical School Staff

Ester's personal journey with addiction to crack cocaine has allowed her to bring us an amazing message today. Ester speaks with us about learning how to surrender power, accept faults, and find clarity in difficult circumstances. Ester is now a successful singer, author, and public speaker.   Inspiration | Healing | Addiction | Crack Cocaine | Soul | Recovery    www.soulrecovery.org “Soul Recovery - 12 Keys To Healing Addiction” IDKC – I Don’t Know Crap You are what you think The Divine Invitation Singing from the Heart Martin Luther King Jr. Bette Midler Rod Stewart www.facebook.com/soulrecovery

Dave deBronkart joins us to talk about how being an empowered patient helped him get the life-saving treatment he needed after being diagnosed with kidney cancer. Dave speaks about the importance of finding the latest technology in treatment, how to find a doctor that is willing to be a partner with the patient, and much more. Listen in!   Inspiration, Health, Healthcare, Empowerment, Dave deBronkart, Kidney Cancer   "e-Patient Dave" deBronkart  International keynote speaker, author and health policy adviser Let Patients Help! A patient engagement handbook www.smartpatients.com www.inspire.com Patient empowerment     Music: "Catch and Release" by Pete Huttlinger

This Thanksgiving week we have a particularly relevant and fascinating interview with Kristi Nelson, Executive Director at a Network for Grateful Living, and lymphoma cancer survivor. She speaks to us about her cancer journey, being mindful, and the power of grateful living. She's a great example for those of us trying to find opportunities for gratitude not just on Thanksgiving, but each and every day!    Inspiration | Wisdom | Health | Healing | Cancer | Lymphoma | Gratefulness | Gratitude   A Network for Grateful Living www.gratefulness.org   Brother David Steindl-Rast – Ted Talk (link: https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=brother%20david%20ted%20talk)   Lymphoma & Kristi Nelson – “Dance Anyway”   Gratitude as an event vs. Gratefulness as a framework for living   Thanksgving all the time!       Music: "Catch and Release" by Pete Huttlinger

Kevin Leverence joins us again for a Veterans' Day episode to discuss PTSD and a new treatment called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR.   Thanks again to all veterans who are listening! We hope you enjoy the show!     Lead From The Front http://kevinqleverence.com/about-2-2/ PTSD Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Veterans Administration Veterans Day Improvised Explosive Device Emotional Risk Improvisation   Music: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by Pete Huttlinger c/o Music City Roots petehuttlinger.com musiccityroots.com

We're starting a new mini-series called "Laughter is the Best Medicine" and we need your help! Even in the most difficult moments of any crisis, it's important to keep a sense of humor. We'd like to hear your stories of a time during your healthcare experience you couldn't help but laugh.  Using the Voice Memo app on your phone, record yourself telling a 1-4 minute story from your healthcare journey that cracks you up. Then, send that voice memo in an email to jim@storieswithapurpose.com. This is your chance to help heal someone else through the power of laughter! You could be featured in the next Laughter is the Best Medicine short, so find us on Facebook and Twitter @SWAPPodcast to stay up to date. #laughteristhebestmedicine    Inspiration | Wisdom | Health | Healthcare | Healing | Comedy | Humor   Music: "Catch and Release" by Pete Huttlinger

Pete Huttlinger is professional guitarist, touring the country with his wife and publicist, Erin. When Pete had a stroke, they didn't know if he would ever be able to play the guitar again. He slowly began the process of relearning how to play, but was then hit with end-stage heart failure. Erin quickly had to become an expert caregiver during Pete's hospitalization. Together, they made it through and are now back to playing guitar and touring! Pete and Erin's new book, Joined at the Heart, recounts their incredible journey and can be found on Amazon HERE.   Inspiration | Wisdom | Health | Healing | Stroke | Heart Failure | Pete Huttlinger | Erin Morris Huttlinger    www.petehuttlinger.com Pete Huttlinger – Carnegie Hall Erin Morris Huttlinger – Gold Medal Caregiver “Joined At The Heart” – the book John Denver LeAnn Rimes John Oats ASD Atrial Septal Defect VSD Ventricular Septal Defect Vanderbilt University Medical Center Texas Heart Institute Stanford University Hospital Dr. Frank Fish  

Jennifer Warden comes back on the show for a second time to discuss with Jim and Niki the power of vulnerability. How one simple question can re-align your perspective to look for positivity in any experience. Jim, Niki and Jennifer all pool their insight together to give you a very special show. Listen In.   Health | Wisdom | Inspiration | Vulnerability | Gratitude 

Dr. James Roach is a wealth of knowledge. Listen to Jim and James talk about the approach of integrative medicine, and how it is revolutionizing patient outcomes. This is the future of medicine.  Inspiration | Health | Wisdom | Healthcare | The Future of Medicine 

Sometimes our preconceived notions about a disease can affect how both doctors and patients treat it. Lung Cancer is one of those diseases. Former NFL linebacker Chris Draft and Lung Cancer patient Allison Deusing have teamed up to change our perceptions of a deadly disease.   Inspiration | Health | Wisdom | Lung Cancer  

  Kevin Amen is a doctor unlike any other. Pulling together all the pieces, Dr. Amen is able to address the whole body with amazing success. His healing powers come from a range of disciplines including targeting your emotional state. Listen in!   Inspiration | Wisdom | Health | Healthcare | Dr. Amen | Neuro Emotional Technique

Carlos Gonzalez has been living with Cerebral Palsy since birth, but he hasn’t let it hold him back. Now living in Canada, Carlos takes every opportunity to look on the bright side. If he falls, he gets back up with a smile. Listen to how he has overcome so many challenges with unbelievable grace. 

Rich London teaches us that, despite all the challenges you will face in your life, you control your attitude. He does this by holding onto the belief that no matter how difficult the circumstance, cancer, parkinson's or a car accident, your suffering is temporary.  Parkinsons | Inspiration | Health | Wisdom

  Kevin Rose has a pretty out-of-the-box approach when it comes to treating patients. Trained as a Massage Therapist, Kevin developed a keen ability to focus his senses. Listen and learn how his experience working wolves led to a fantastic discovery about how to calm down in any stressful situation.  Inspiration | Health | Wisdom | Healthcare | Providers | Massage Therapist | Senses | Stress

  What is addiction? What causes it? How do we stop it? Candace Plattor suffered through these questions as an addict for many years. But now, years removed from her addiction, she wants to help. 

  In honor of Veterans Day, Kevin Q Leverence addresses PTSD and its affect on his life and the lives of many veterans. He tells us his story from combat, and teaches us how we can better help our troops when they return home. 

Lisa Lynn is one driven woman. Being in the fitness industry for as long as she can remember, she never expected to get sick. Once she was diagnosed with Melanoma, she had to rethink many aspects of her life. Here is her story. 

For Breast Cancer Awareness month, Katherine Stephens talks about her experience and how she was able to use a unique and authentic outlook to overcome some challenging emotional hurtles. Awareness, Attitude and Acceptance.

Tina's story is a supreme example of how the heart can heal, and how even in the most extreme circumstances, forgiveness can change a person for the better. After barely surviving child birth, Tina found out how the drug Cytotec was responsible for the death of her baby. This is her story. 

Olga Lucia Torres has battled a number of different medical challenges, everything from her asthma to diabetes insipidis. She was even poisoned by a hospital put into a coma! But she found a way of overcoming these challenges through forgiveness. She is now taking her experience to the field of narrative medicine.

Jim talks about the logo, and perspective. 

  Jim Roach is a unique sort of provider. He has been combining traditional and alternative medicine for years now, and has unbelievable insight on causes and remedies for all sorts of medical challenges. Today, we talked about how a near death experience can totally change the quality of your life.

The landscape of Healthcare is changing. Here is a small test to make sure your Doctor is the type of person that will collaborate with you. Who knows, it could save your life.

  In this short, Jim tells his story about the time he threw all caution to the Wind and decided to go climb a mountain in between Chemo sessions. Ill advised? Probably, but he learned an important lesson. 

Letha has a truly profound story. After being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer she went through a spiritual journey that has led to her survival, and a calling to a greater purpose.  Letha’s story is one you have to hear to believe.   Inspiration | Health | Wisdom | Ovarian Cancer | Faith | Healthcare |  

Karen Wells is a caregiver, in every since of the word. She has helped bother her mother and her father through their old age, and done so with grace. Karen Wells and Niki Barr discuss the things that make Caregiving so meaningful, but also difficult at times.    Inspiration | Health | Wisdom | Healthcare | Caregiving | Niki Barr | Karen Wells 

Kiran and Jim discuss how the quality of care can hinge on your attitude towards your care. Being calm and positive can greatly increase the chances of your condition improving. They also discuss the difference between focus and awareness, and how one can hinder detract from the other.    Inspiration | Health | Wisdom | Healthcare | Stress | Stress Free | Providers 

Stephanie Zimmerman has been through a lot. Being diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma at a young age, she didn't quite understand how it could effect her in the long term. Later in life she needed a heart transplant because of her treatment as a child. Her story is powerful, and a testament to how the support of friends and family, and the uplifting thoughts written on note cards, can make a big difference.    Inspiration | Health | Wisdom | Ewing's Sarcoma | Heart Transplant

Jim interviews Kaitlin and Ryan Barry in a candid interview about their experience with Cystic Fibrosis. Their faith and humility is inspiring at such a young age. Listen to how they have dealt with their disease, and what they recommend for others.    Inspiration | Health | Wisdom | Faith | Healthcare | Cystic Fibrosis | 

Jennifer Warden has struggled with her health and the health of her family since a very young age. After the early passing of her brother, Jennifer would soon find out that she too had the same cancer that took her brothers life, and would have to go through the same procedure. Listen to how she ended up using balanced nutrition to battle her way through her health issues.    Inspiration | Wisdom | Health | Healthcare | Nutrition | Hodgkin's Lymphoma 

Jim has competed in marathons, triathalons and many other types of high endurance sports; however, his most predigious award will be for how he almost drowned in a toilet on Capitol Hill.  Inspiration | Health | Wisdom | Healthcare | Shorts | Jim Skinner | 

Born a premature twin with pneumonia, Sheri Dolle, didn't have the biggest head start from birth. Later she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and was told she would never walk, while she watched her twin sister run and play. But Sheri didn't fret. She looked at it as a challenge. With her determination and the coaching of her mother, Sheri was able to overcome any obstacle that stood in her way. And now she brings that healing practice to her proffessional life as a massage therapist.    Inspiration | Wisdom | Health | Healthcare | Cerebral Palsy | Massage | Discipline 

We are introducing a new type of show. Not only do we want the opinions and experiences of the patients, but we also want the insight of the healthcare providers. In this Provider Podcast, Jim interviews Tess Coody, the CEO of Resolute Health Hospital in New Braunfels Tx. Her insight into the healthcare system is extremely valuable, as she talks about where the industry is, where its going, and what you should do about it to be prepared. Jim and Tess' candid discussion about healthcare is a must listen.  Inspiration | Health | Wisdom | Healthcare | Resolute Health Hospital | Tess Coody

Niki Barr interviews Sheri Hendricks, a survivor of Meningioma and a cancer navigator and coach. Listen to Sheri's insight on trusting yourself, and how she was able to keep her cool even after she realized that the very treatment that was supposed to save her life, may have put it at an even greater risk.  Inspiration | Health | Wisdom | Healthcare | Meningioma | Cancer Coach | Trust 

The premier storytelling coach, Geoffrey Berwind, teams up with professional listener and psychotherapist Niki Barr in a series kickoff show. Jim, Niki, and Geoffrey talk about their experiences going through and talking with people in crisis, and we get a very special story from Geoffrey.  Inspiration | Wisdom | Health | Healthcare | Testicular Cancer | Stories  You can find Geoffrey at www.StorytellingSuccess.com

The Veraza's are an inspiring group. Both Rafa's, recount an powerful tail of how they met an atypical 6 year old boy in need of a heart. Within 30 days they raised a million dollars. Their story is a powerful one, and their Altruism is an inspiration to us all. Notes:   Translplants for Children Foundation - San Antonio Tx.  Methodist Children's Hospital - San Antonio Tx. Arkansas Children's Hospital - Little Rock  Mexican President Vicente Fox Rafa Veraza Rafa Veraza Jr.  Adrian Saucedo Lisette Saucedo    

A truely unique story about how Donald Rutledge met death. A vision so vivid that it dictated the course of the rest of his life. Listen to see how he faced his cancer, Leiomyosarcoma, and how the power of prayer rippled throughout his life. 

Yvonne Sanchez has gone through hell and back. Her son, Diego, was born with a condition that remains only partly understood. He suffers from violent, potentially life threatening seizures regularly. Listen to what Yvonne and her husband did to make the system work for them, and save their son's life!    Inspiration | Health | Wisdom | Healthcare | Courage

It may sound strange, but in this story, the only way to protect my manhood, literally, was to lose all my dignity. A humorous story about going through surgery, and the things you have to do to get through it.    Inspiration | Wisdom | Health | Healthcare | Stories | Pantyhose | Humor | Surgery

Lori Owens is a very unique lady. Despite being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, she managed to keep a positive attitude and change the lives of the people around her. Using her unbelievable capacity for compassion, she helped others even when she was in her darkest hours. Leukemia | Inspiration | Health | Wisdom | Kindness

"Thats Not Good Enough"  Listen how, Gloria Whelan, and incredibly smart and persistent woman learns to integrate alternative and traditional medicine to battle her Auto-Immune disorder. Inspiration | Wisdom | Health | Healthcare | Arthritis | Diet

Jennifer Carr, although she has grown to be an expert in the industry, knew nothing of healthcare at the age of 25. Despite her best efforts, circumstance would have it that she would have her first child without any health insurance. Turns out, her first child needed quite a bit of attention. Expensive attention. Listen in and find out how Jennifer delt with an all too common situation.    Inspiration | Health | Wisdom | Resourcefulness | Stories

A quick story about how during a expedition to reconnect with friends and family, Jim's son, Jamie nearly killed him. Sometimes cancer and the chemo aren't the only things after your life.  Inspiration | Wisdom | Health | Healthcare | Stories | Climbing

A life lesson imparted from an unlikely flight coach. Just Land the Plane! A quick story about the importance of managing panic and fear.    Inspiration | Wisdom | Health | Healthcare | Stories | Flight School | Fear | Panic