Tree of Trust Podcast

Motivational speaker and health advocate Swapna Kakani has overcome personal adversity to share hope with others facing rare and chronic diseases. Her inspirational life story is one of triumph, resilience and self-determination in the face of life-threatening, health challenges and organ transplant.

In part two of Rob Scheer's special story, the Comfort Cases founder goes in depth with Melissa and Christy about his own experiences in foster care and how that inspired him to bring dignity and hope to all children in the foster care system. Rob and his husband Reese not only adopted 4 children through the system, Rob founded Comfort Cases, a nonprofit that strives to eliminate trash bags once used for foster youth to move their belongings from home to home. www.ComfortCases.org

In part one of a special two part story, founder of Comfort Cases, Rob Scheer tells his story of overcoming childhood abuse and struggles with mental illness and moving through the foster care system. Rob and his husband created a forever family through adoption of children in the foster system. The story of hope Rob shares is a beautiful tribute for Father's Day. www.ComfortCases.org    

The World’s Smallest Bullet – Retired Neurosurgeon Dr. Mark Weissman recounts the ground-breaking surgery he performed removing a bullet from a newborn’s brain. The baby was shot in utero and delivered by cesarean when Dr. Weissman and his team at a major trauma center successfully performed this life-saving procedure.

If your Mother's Day isn't always (or ever?!) a picture-perfect Hallmark Holiday - we get it! For single moms, women dealing with infertility, loss of a child, women not called to motherhood and more- the day can be tricky.   This episode, co-hosts Christy and Melissa share advice from experts and personal tips for getting through this "Mayday" - with self-care, mindfulness and distraction.    #singlemom #singleparent #estrangedchild #estrangedparent #mothersdaystress #infertility #lossofchild

Special guest Jim Bradley, a retired alcohol and drug addiction counselor, talks about his past experience with substance abuse (including run ins with and running from the law!), recovery, and helping others.

Lyric Morton who is an inspirational blogger, poet, and spiritual life coach based in Birmingham Alabama talks about the day her best friend attempted suicide.

Today we speak to Nashville Poet and Writer Lukas Hawley who was physically assaulted by his girlfriend. This episode sheds light on a wildly under-reported fact: men are also victims of domestic violence.

Nashville-based poet and writer Kat Marsh, recalls walking with her Grandmother who suffered with dementia - a bittersweet journey shared with love. www.lrdrkat.com @lrdrkat

When a friend has a tragic loss, often words fail. In this episode your hosts Christy and Melissa, who have both lost loved ones suddenly, offer practical tips - things to say, do (and not to say) that can help you walk alongside those who are grieving. Spoiler alert: It's ok not to know what to say - listening is a gift.  

Martha Smith is a strong woman with twin boys – who found herself paralyzed with fear, anxiety and struggling to do every day tasks after the birth of her third child. This, she learned, was Post-Partum Depression – a severe form of depression which is debilitating yet treatable. She shares the journey of suffering in silence before learning there is hope and support and has become an advocate for any women to shed light on something that has too long been a source of stigma and shame.

Melissa spent almost a year in a wheelchair following a near-fatal boating accident. As her social circle shrank away, she discovered a passion for writing and a whole new empathy and compassion for people with emotional scars. Story first published in Shattered Magazine November 21, 2016. "Healing from the Inside Out"

High School student Marielle Cornes suffers from social anxiety, which worsened to a debilitating point after her family relocated and she had to form new friendships in a new school. Through counseling, she learned coping skills that are allowing her to thrive. Today she competes on the debate team, has given a TEDx talk and advocates for mental health support for teens. TreeofTrusPod@gmail.com

Actor, Musician and Comedian Gary Jenkins shares poignantly about growing up with a mother who suffered from mental illness. In the 70’s in small-town Alabama, no one talked about bipolar schizophrenia, but Gary learned his mom’s “fits” were an illness beyond her control; that his mom was loving and broken; that both can be true. The journey was bittersweet. To learn more about Gary visit www.GaryJenkins.Net. TreeofTrustPod@gmail.com