Podcasts about family dynamics

In this episode, the hosts discuss various themes surrounding the challenges of delivery work, the importance of unplugging from social media, and the balance between family life and work. They reflect on aging and parenting, emphasizing the fleeting nature of childhood. The conversation also touches on the desire for entrepreneurship and the struggles of transitioning from a stable job to pursuing personal passions. In this conversation, they discuss the unique challenges and dynamics of their work environment, particularly focusing on the impact of long hours on family life, the high divorce rates among drivers, and the evolution of UPS's work culture over the years. They share personal experiences about transitioning from package car to feeder driving, the importance of financial decisions, and the sense of community that once defined their workplace. The discussion highlights the sacrifices made for job security and the changing perceptions of work-life balance within the company. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various themes related to their experiences in the workplace, particularly in the context of UPS. They touch on the changing landscape of employee benefits, regional differences in job experiences, the challenges of driving in different weather conditions, the importance of fitness and motivation, emotional awareness in fatherhood, and the significance of authenticity in communication. The dialogue also reflects a candid exploration of personal growth. www.patreon.com/aitdpod https://discord.gg/hm8WMUKVF8  takeaways Thank you to our Patreon subscribers. Navigating challenges in delivery work is essential. Unplugging from social media can improve personal connections. Balancing family life with work is crucial for happiness. Time flies when raising children; cherish every moment. Aging brings new perspectives on life and parenting. Pursuing entrepreneurship can be a path to freedom. Delivery work is physically and mentally demanding. It's important to check oneself regarding social media use. Enjoy your kids while they're little; they grow up fast. The job has one of the highest divorce rates due to stress. UPS is often described as a family by its employees. Long work hours significantly impact family life. Transitioning to feeder driving can improve work-life balance. Working nights allows for more family time during the day. Financial decisions are crucial for job security. The work culture at UPS has evolved over the years. Incentives used to motivate employees have diminished. Many employees feel disconnected from the company now. It's important to use earnings wisely to avoid financial burdens. The landscape of employee benefits has changed significantly over time. Different regions have unique challenges and rules in the workplace. Driving conditions can vary greatly, impacting job performance. Fitness and health are crucial for maintaining a good work-life balance. Emotional awareness is essential for modern fatherhood. Authenticity in communication is vital for building trust. Men are encouraged to express their feelings more openly. Parenting styles can influence children's emotional development. The importance of being genuine in social media interactions. Navigating the complexities of modern masculinity is an ongoing journey. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgments 02:07 Navigating Challenges in Delivery Work 05:07 The Importance of Unplugging from Social Media 10:05 Balancing Family Life and Work 14:04 Reflections on Aging and Parenthood 17:56 Pursuing Entrepreneurship and Career Transitions 20:39 The Family Dynamics of UPS Drivers 22:39 The Impact of Work Hours on Family Life 25:08 Transitioning from Package Car to Feeder Driver 28:22 Balancing Work and Family Time 30:01 Financial Decisions and Job Security 35:55 The Evolution of UPS Work Culture 41:54 The Changing Landscape of Benefits 44:00 Regional Differences in Employment Experiences 47:41 The Challenges of Driving in Different Conditions 47:58 Fitness and Motivation in the Workplace 50:55 Emotional Awareness and Fatherhood 55:02 Reflections on Authenticity and Communication Huge shoutout to our TOP RATE LEGENDS Tony, Starla & S_nner THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED OR VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PODCAST ARE THOSE OF THE HOSTS AND GUESTS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT ANY DELIVERY COMPANY  

Next of Kin After Stroke: When Your 19-Year-Old Has to Decide For You Kylie Ralston was 56, living alone in Sofia, Bulgaria, and getting back into shape after a divorce. Three mornings a week she ran. On the morning everything changed, she was doing a local park run with her friend Rebecca when she slowed to a walk, then tried to run again and couldn’t. “It was like the message wasn’t getting through from my brain to my legs,” she says. No headache. No fatigue. Nothing that felt like an emergency. She finished the run, registered her time, and went home. It wasn’t until she collapsed getting out of the car that anyone understood what was happening. By the time Kylie reached hospital, she had suffered a left frontoparietal haemorrhagic stroke, a spontaneous brain bleed roughly 7.5cm across, with none of the usual risk factors. No high blood pressure. No cholesterol history. No aneurysm, no AVM. She was placed in an induced coma for four days. When she woke, she couldn’t move her right side, and she couldn’t speak. What “Next of Kin” Really Means When a Stroke Hits Abroad Kylie was a permanent resident of Bulgaria, not a citizen, divorced from her daughter’s father, and living on her own. When the hospital needed someone to authorise emergency surgery, there was exactly one person available to make that call: her daughter, then 19 years old, splitting her time between her separated parents’ homes. It’s a detail easy to skim past, but it sits at the centre of this episode: next of kin isn’t a role most of us think about until a hospital needs an answer immediately. Kylie hadn’t nominated her daughter out of any formal planning process; it simply fell to her, because she was the only adult relative in the country who met the age threshold. A 19-Year-Old Signing Consent-to-Operate Forms Kylie’s friends contacted her daughter directly. She rushed to the hospital, and unconscious, unable to advocate for herself, her mother’s care now depended on decisions made by a teenager under enormous duress. Kylie’s first memory afterward is her daughter arriving in the ICU in a hairnet and scrubs, holding her hand, telling her she loved her. It’s the kind of moment that rarely makes it into conversations about stroke recovery, because the focus so often lands on rehabilitation milestones: walking, speaking, returning to work. But before any of that, someone has to be legally empowered to say yes to surgery, and for Kylie, that someone hadn’t expected the responsibility for another few decades. The Gap Between Acute Surgery and Real Rehabilitation Bulgaria’s acute care, Kylie and her friend Nicole Nott both stress, was world-class surgery within roughly two hours of the stroke, the kind of outcome her friends still describe as a miracle given the size of the bleed. What came next was a different story. In the public hospital, physiotherapy visits totalled two sessions. There was no speech therapy. After 14 days, still unable to move her right side or speak, Kylie was expected to go home. Her partner, Guido, refused to accept it, and the couple began privately funding rehabilitation themselves. This is a distinction worth sitting with if you or someone you love is navigating stroke recovery in a country or even a region with limited public rehab funding: acute survival and functional recovery are not the same fight, and they are not always resourced the same way. When a Friend Becomes the Rehab Team Nicole Nott, an occupational therapist and Kylie’s friend since they were 16, found out about the stroke through a message she initially suspected was a scam. Within days she’d cleared her schedule and flown from Australia to Bulgaria. What she found in the private rehab hospital was a caring but under-trained care team, kind staff with, as Nicole puts it, “no rehab expertise.” Nicole spent close to two weeks restructuring Kylie’s room and routine around basic stroke rehabilitation principles: approaching from Kylie’s affected right side to address her spatial inattention, built-up cutlery to force use of her weaker hand, a balloon tapped back and forth for shoulder strength, word games layered on top for speech practice, pegs and curtains repurposed into arm exercises. She also pushed back hard against hospital staff who tried to stop her from helping Kylie transfer to a shower chair or toilet, at one point being told outright she wasn’t permitted because she was a woman. Her single goal before flying home: get Kylie toileting independently again, for dignity as much as mobility. Kylie called her from Dubai airport, mid-transit, to tell her it had happened. Living With Aphasia Fourteen months on, Kylie’s right-side weakness has largely resolved. What remains, she says, is the hardest part: expressive aphasia. “I can’t express myself like I used to.” It’s a small, telling detail of the condition that even the phrase “I can’t” is itself shaped by the aphasia; the words available to describe the loss are affected by the loss. The Unexpected Gains Both women point to what came out of the crisis alongside the hardship: Kylie’s relationship with her daughter deepened. Her circle of friends in Bulgaria proved itself in ways she hadn’t anticipated. And in the rehab hospital, her partner Guido proposed something; he told her he’d already decided before the stroke but simply hadn’t gotten around to asking. If this episode raises questions about who is legally positioned to make decisions for you and whether that person actually knows it, it may be worth a conversation with your own family before a crisis forces the issue. For a deeper account of navigating identity, recovery, and unexpected transformation after stroke, Bill’s book The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened is available at recoveryafterstroke.com/book. If this show has helped you, you can support it at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke. This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your health or recovery plan. Kylie Ralston: Stroke, Bulgaria, and the Friend Who Flew Across the World When Kylie had a stroke abroad, her 19-year-old daughter became her next of kin, and a friend flew in to help her recover. Bill’s Book: The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened Support the Recovery After Stroke On Patreon Highlights: 00:00 Introduction – Next of Kin After Stroke03:47 The Day of the Stroke08:55 Rehabilitation Challenges in Bulgaria16:32 Coping with Language Barriers22:08 Reflections on Healthcare Systems32:50 Setting Goals and Achievements38:29 Family Dynamics and Support Systems45:36 Finding Meaning in Recovery54:44 The Impact of Caregiving58:22 Reflections on Recovery and Gratitude Transcript: Introduction – Next of Kin After Stroke Bill Gasiamis (00:00)And one of my first horrible thoughts was, is this a dreadful hoax? Is someone, you know, is this some horrible scam? And it made me feel quite sick actually And then I rang her son who lives in Australia and he’s like, Yeah, I’m so sorry. I haven’t told you. Yes, it’s true, mum’s had a stroke. Bill Gasiamis (00:16)Welcome back to Recovery After Stroke. I’m Bill Gasiamis, and today I’m joined by two guests, Kylie Ralston and her friend Nicole Nott. Kylie was 56 living in Bulgaria when she suffered a left frontoparietal hemorrhagic stroke, a spontaneous brain bleed with none of the usual risk factors. Nicole is an occupational therapist and one of Kylie’s closest friends since they were teenagers. And when she found out what happened, she got on a plane to Bulgaria to help. In this episode, we get into what it means to have a stroke far from home in a country where you don’t speak the language, and public rehabilitation funding barely exists. We talk about who becomes your next of kin when you least expect it, what it’s like to advocate for a friend inside a hospital system that won’t always listen. And what recovery actually looks like 14 months on, before we get into it, if you want a deeper look at identity, recovery, and unexpected transformation after stroke, my book, The Unexpected Way That Stroke Became, the best thing that happened, is available at recoveryafterstroke.com/book. And if this show has helped you And you can support it to keep me on the path of getting to a thousand episodes, you can do so At patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke Bill Gasiamis (01:37)Kylie Ralston and Nicole Nott, welcome to the podcast. lovely to be here, Bill. Thanks for having us, Bill. Kylie, tell me a little bit about what life was like before the stroke. I was very active and I had a full life and I was working full time. and I was living in Sofia in Bulgaria, in my on my own, in my own apartment. I was renting, actually. and I was getting back to fitness. So I was g getting I was running regularly. So two two or three times a week I was hitting the gym and hitting the tr the treadmill. And that had been happening for like a few month like six months or something like that. but before that I was very fit and active. What kind of work were you involved in? I was a HR work. I was a ha HR leader and so I had my own consultancy I had a team of people that I’ve managed. I had thirty five people, so and that they were people in Germany, Poland, Czechia, Portugal, France, so everywhere in in Europe, basically. Yeah. Wow, how how does an Aussie end up in Bulgaria with staff or clients in that many countries? short answer is I came here with my family, so with my ex husband. and shortly after I arrived we separated and and ultimately got divorced. and I stayed on because my daughter is here. So she was only eleven at the time and I could just couldn’t leave her. The Day of the Stroke So you were living at home with your daughter? she was sharing her time between between us both. Yeah. got it. Okay. So both parents are there. So your daughter was going backwards and forwards. On the night of the stroke or on the day of the stroke, can you take us through that? What were you experiencing? Was there anything unusual that happened that made you think something was wrong? How did it go down? I was with my friend Rebecca. And she was running ahead of me as she she was faster than me, so sh and she often often ran ahead of me. and I’d slowed down to a walk and when I started to run again or try to run again, it it was like the message wasn’t getting through from my brain to my legs. And I thought, that’s strange, that’s that’s really odd. ‘Cause I didn’t feel like tired or anything and I didn’t have a headache and well stuff like that. and I just walked through the rest of the park run. And then when Rebecca saw me coming to the finish line, she waved me over and she said, come on, let’s go register your chip. and so I did that. and she said afterwards that there was a little bit of fumbling with with my phone and there’s a there was a little bit of fumbling when I put my jacket on, but other than that, I just seemed exhausted from a run. do you recall after the experience of feeling exhausted from the run where you ended up? Did you need help? Yeah, I do. So so she didn’t notice that I wasn’t talking because I n I’m normally an endless talker, so I she didn’t notice that I wasn’t talking. And she said that that that is one thing that should have alerted her to what was happening. but it it didn’t. And so I’d caught the bus to the park run and her husband was there and so he drove me home. And I j I remember the journey home and when when we when I went to get out, I just couldn’t. And so and Mark came around to my side of the car and help tried to help me out and I just collapsed against him. And so then that so then they said, quick, something’s wrong something’s I don’t remember what they  They they said, you know, they basically took me straight to the hospital. Yeah. And also rang Guido, my now fiance, but my partner at the time. Uh-huh. So you you went from the run, attempted to go home, and then from that attempt to get you out of the car, actually into your home, it was pretty clear that that wasn’t gonna happen and you ended up in hospital. so Did you guys drive to hospital? Do you recall that? Yes. Yes. We do how far is it from your home? it’s pretty close. I don’t know about kilometres or time, but it’s but it’s like ten or fifteen minutes. Yeah, so it’s not too far. But they didn’t know what was going on, of course. They just knew something wasn’t right and then they figured one of the best things to do is just get it to a hospital. You get to the hospital Do you know what happens after that? Do you get admitted? do you get tested for anything? I suppose what I’m asking is when is the first time you realise that that you’ve had a stroke? When do they report that back? When I came out of the coma. So I was put I was put into an an induced coma straight away. so I I obviously don’t remember anything of of that. and but Rebecca’s told me afterwards. so she’s filled in the f filled in the filled in the blanks for me. and by that stage her husband thought it was a stroke. So she’s he said he said to the staff at the hospital, we think she’s having a stroke. And so yeah. So how long were you in the coma, do you know? Has somebody told you how long it was? Yeah, four four days. Four days, okay. And do you know what kind of stroke you had? Yep. I had a left Frontoparietal hemorrhagic stroke. Wow, that’s a good effort. So you had a brain bleed. Yep. Do they know what caused it? No. It was spontaneous and I didn’t have any of the risk factors. So I didn’t have high blood pressure, a history of high blood pressure, but admittedly I’d hadn’t tested my blood pressure immediately before the stroke. but you know That’s un that’s unlikely to be the cause. And I didn’t have a hi a history of high cholesterol. and so they just and I didn’t have an aneurysm and I didn’t have like what’s the other thing? The An AV AVM. AVM, yeah, I didn’t have any of that. And how old were you? Fifty six. Okay. So you had a spontaneous Bleed in the brain. That happens. People do have that happen from time to time. And sometimes they don’t have any symptoms leading up to it or anything like that. and this is the bizarre nature of like there’s an unlimited number of ways, unfortunately, for people to have a stroke. Now, you woke up in hospital four days later. What kind of deficits did you have? I couldn’t move my right side and I couldn’t speak. Okay. Now I’ve got an idea of well, I haven’t got an idea, but my mind immediately kind of says like if you’re in hospital in Bulgaria, that’s not a hospital in Melbourne. That’s not the Royal Melbourne hospital where no shit is unreal, like it’s perfect and it’s got the highest technology and it doesn’t matter how many things we can bitch and moan about the system being here like compared to Bulgaria, my expectation is that we’re world class. Perhaps that’s not the case in Bulgaria. Would you agree with that statement? I would have agreed before and my my my expat friends here would have agreed before, but now we’re all saying maybe Bulgaria is better than we thought. That’s brilliant. Awesome. Okay, so Rehabilitation Challenges in Bulgaria As far as like medical interventions and all that type of stuff, you felt like that was handled like any other world class hospital would have handled it. Yeah. In that in that s it in that stage it was. but there’s no like that was a public hospital and there’s no there’s no public funded rehab after. or or very li very little. So so that’s where that’s where Australia is ahead. So when you knew you had deficits, was there any rehabilitation whatsoever? Did you get any of that while you were still in hospital? Minimal. So the the physio came to see me twice. and so that’s so that’s all and I got no speech therapy and stuff like that. and but when I was discharged from the public hospital here and went and so they they expected me to go home from the public hospital. And so Guido said she just can’t like like what what the fuck? After how many days? After how many days, how long? Fourteen. Wow, your right side was still offline and you still had problem. Yeah. Okay. So we we just paid for paid for private rehab. got it, right. Yeah. And how long were you in private rehab for? another like two months or something like that. Right. Okay, that’s pretty cool. So i even though you couldn’t access it publicly, you were still able to Access a private now. Are you a citizen in Bulgaria? Not a citizen, a permanent resident. Okay. So do you have are you as a result of the fact that you’re a permanent resident and not a citizen, do you have different things that you are able to access because of your status? No. no. I’m it’s I have the same rights as a citizen. The only one the only right I don’t have is I’m I’m not able to vote here and I’m not I’m not able to work in other EU countries. Got it. Okay. So that’s pretty traumatizing, the whole experience, and then to have to deal with overcoming your left side and your speech deficits after the two month mark, roughly where were you at where you where you are now? Because you kinda sound pretty good. Okay. No, yeah. no and and the other thing the other thing that I must say about Bulgaria is I don’t speak Bulgarian. very very little. So that was a problem. Yeah. I can imagine, yeah. so maybe you can come in here, Nicole, and and talk about where I was at when you came to see me, because that was very very very early on in my in in the private rehab hospital. Yeah, Nicole, tell me a little bit about what it’s like to receive a phone call to find out that your friend has had a stroke. I was absolutely hellish. the way I found out is I got a message through social media from someone saying, Hey, I’m a friend of Kylie’s and she’s in hospital in Bulgaria. And one of my first horrible thoughts was, is this a dreadful hoax? Is someone, you know, is this some horrible scam? And it really, you know, it made me feel quite sick actually thinking this is that’s not someone I know. It does look like a name I’ve seen in Kylie’s kind of social media world. And then I rang her son who lives in Australia and he’s like, Yeah, I’m so sorry. I haven’t told you. Yes, it’s true, mum’s had a stroke. and I was kind of beside myself because by training I’m an occupational therapist, but Kylie and I have known each other each other since we were about 16. and it was really hard to get the information that I wanted as a friend, but also as a health professional. I was wanting to understand what kind of stroke is it? Where is it? What’s the rehab? What can we do? How’s it going? And at that stage the information that I had was that you know, it was really seriously affected the speech part of the brain and obviously the hemiplegia, the weakness down the right side and knowing that Kylie was right handed. so, you know, it’s the friendship part that your heart’s breaking and it’s also the therapist part that’s wanting the information to be able to, you know, reconcile it for myself, professionally what that was going to look like as a consequence for Kylie. Yeah, and you’re so far away, so you really can’t do anything and kind of have to like take information second hand, third hand, and be kind of in a position which is really uncomfortable for, I imagine, a friend, but also a therapist, right? So as an occupational therapist, that’s not the information you work on. You work on actual facts, scans, reports, like a whole bunch of things. So are you also playing it out in your mind? Are you kind of Doom thinking it, like are you how does it affect you personally? I think for me I was all I was really very conscious of not stressing other people. So like friends, family, because sometimes when you are a health professional, you know, you have knowledge and information and you know, you sometimes you you’re keeping that to yourself to some extent because you do know what can happen to people and you do know what consequences can be. So I was really trying not to ask too many questions of people as well. but I was seriously desperate for information. And so I remember I’d gone to a party and I didn’t really want to go because I was actually, you know, upset and stressed for Kylie. And I did end up going to a party and during the party I was really kind of outside having a bit of a downer really by a campfire. but I got a phone call or a message to say that I think you’d said some words, Kylie, and were kind of waking up. so you’re still in the acute hospital then and that you’d been able to move your leg a little bit, I think. Yeah. And you know, joy in that moment. And yeah, I felt very, very far away. And then What happens over the next few days? Like do you guys continue to communicate somehow? Do you keep getting information? Are you being updated? Yeah. Yeah. I wasn’t able to get my into my phone or my any of my devices. So I wasn’t able to able to because I couldn’t remember my password, right? And so and and I tried like d different ones and I you know I just got locked out. So and when I was able to get in then that made it it made it easier t because I was able just text short messages. So so Nicole and I kept in touch that way. and before English-speaking Before you came, Nicole, I think I was talking, but not not not as well as I am now. Yeah. So was it, Nicole, in your mind, you were always going to fly over to Bulgaria and beath your friend? Or did you guys have to work that out? Like what happened now? It’s so cool that you get to have a somebody in your corner that is also a Fred, but also a medical professional in the exact field that you’re struggling with now. Right. Like how do you just drop everything and go overseas and be with your friend? Yeah, well, very grateful that I had an up to date passport. So that was that was a good thing. Kylie, it was interesting because the texting, like if I go back and look at that history, it’s like you can see the progress in the texts. So you can see that Kylie was using kind of more single words and having struggles with spelling and putting sentences together. And then over time, you know, they became more fluent. but the thing that happened was that Kylie and I were talking and she was able to you know, she got some speech back and we were talking. And she was just saying about the rehab care that the the the kind of caring staff just seemed to have no rehab expertise. So the physios were amazing. I think they were great. There was no active speech therapy for Kylie. I think we ultimately found an English speaking speech therapist but who still had Bulgarian as a first language. And there’s very few occupational therapists in Bulgaria, seems to be some expats. And Kylie was talking to me a jab about just you know, really basic things like not being taken to the toilet. and that’s probably what broke my heart. It’s like I cannot leave her in bed, not being able to go to the toilet. I just can’t do it. And so I just said to my partner, I think I just need to go to Bulgaria. And luckily I’m self-employed. So I just kind of cleared my schedule, got on a plane and yeah, I was just I suppose I’m incredibly grateful to have the skill. incredibly grateful to have the financial ability to do it. and yeah, and the skills to do it. And you know, you don’t always get an opportunity in life to do the right thing, or sometimes you don’t make that decision and later you think, Why didn’t I do X, Y, and Z? I try not to live my life like that. I try to actually do those things. So, yeah, I got on a plane and basically arrived at the airport, got on a train straight out to see Kylie at the Rehope Hospital. You’re a real superhero. I’m very grateful to Nicole. Yeah. I rec you know, my story is kind of well, it has a similar kind of thread to it. I one of my best friends is a radiographer and he was a radiographer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital where I was a patient for nearly two and a half years because I was in and out with a number of brain hemorrhages. I had three in total in the same spot, but over two and a half years, then I had brain surgery. And I can’t tell you how many scans I had, but being a radiographer, he was the one who was in the room taking the photos through the MRI. Yeah. And then he would come out. And he would tell us what he saw in the RI, which was against the rules. that’s why I won’t name him. But but that meant that we didn’t have to wait a month to get our results and the the meeting for the results was just more of we’ll go through the process and and have the meeting. Yeah. And and and it was like and I regretted my life when at school I used to throw his books on the roof of the canteen just to mess with him going to s to class late to get in trouble. and I’ve apologised profusely for that and thanked him every day for the fact that, you know, he was able to lend his well, you know, he was able to be in the room. He was able to have that conversation with us and he was able to ease our minds. over that two and a half year period and then you won’t believe it. Like his daughter had an AVM at seventeen. And she went through that and and has recovered from that somewhat now in the last few years. and I got to be I mean I hate that I had to be this guy, but I got to be the guy that supported him through that really acute phase and There is just nothing to describe what it’s like to be able to a repay the favor. and then but B, when I was in that situation to have somebody kind of well, you know, like put their arm around me and really walk me through every stage. Me and my wife and my family walk us through every stage of that part of it, other than intervening as a brain surgeon. But he was the one that put us in char in in touch with my brain surgeon. like Everything that happened was just the most amazing experience to be able to be guided like that. And I know it’s a privilege and many people don’t get that opportunity. so I see Chris, I haven’t told him this in person. I see him as like a bit of a superhero, but he doesn’t know that. I’ve told him I love him in the way men tell each other that they love each other by s abusing him and swearing at him and telling him that the team that he follows is terrible and all that kind of stuff. Reflections on Healthcare Systems so you arrived in Bulgaria. take me from the airport to the hospital. Like what happens? How is that? Actually the flight was really good. Customs was pretty easy. There was some annoying folk in front of me who I wanted to punch in the face and tell them to hurry up, but I was just, you know, needed to to get there. Kylie’s daughter met me at the airport. And then we got the train together out to the hospital. So, you know, obviously I’m seeing my first sight of Bulgaria. I’d never been there before. so not really taking a tourist route at this point. so went out to see Kylie. And, you know, when you just eyeball someone and I, you know, just thank God I’m here, I’m in front of her. Her she’d had a shaved head. she had some pretty spectacular surgical scars, a couple of very big scabs still on her head. she looked skinny, she looked pale, she had started doing a little bit of movement and the hospital room was really kind basic and crazy. Her friends had funded a pressure mattress for her that didn’t exist. And some of these things I had been liaising with Kylie’s friends in Bulgaria about what could we do, how you know, what do we want to prevent? So we want to prevent anyone pulling on from. Her weak shoulders and like don’t let anyone pull her by the arm. this is how I want, you know, to help her with posture in bed or in sitting. and you know, like speaking in single kind of actions at a time and just take your time, say something, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Just allow Kylie’s brain to, you know, take that information on board. Don’t speak for her. and when I got there, it was really clear that. She had an inattention to the right hand side as an effect from the stroke. So then I was a bit of a ball breaker, rearranging the whole room. No, no, no, no, no. Where, you know, everyone come from the right, everyone sit on the right. no cutler, you’re not allowed to have your phone in your left hand, you’re having your phone in your right hand. I’d taken some things with me from Australia to Bulgaria that I thought she might need. like some built-up cutlery, because I wanted her to use her right hand to feed herself. I took a couple of kind of activities that I thought we could do to look at some retraining for the right arm. what I’ll still bring with me, try to remember now. Benjamin. So yeah, just try kind of going into early stroke rehab principles. Yeah. Did you go there well you went there as a friend. But when you were there, were you able to be a professional and also have a conversation with the local team? Kylie and I laughing. Do you want to tell that story, Kylie? Which one are you thinking about? Where I got told off. No, I don’t remember that. well, Kylie was in act like, you know, there was still quite a lot of weakness, but she was also so determined for her own rehab. And in the system there their carers really don’t have a rehab focus. They have a I’ll provide you a meal focus and I’ll occasionally do some cleaning and I’ll occasionally change the bed linen and but really not a rehab focus. So I’ve personally found it quite easy to help Kylie to like stand move. And so the very first weekend I was there, it was a long weekend and what I didn’t realise later was that they were actually quite understaffed. Which worked in our favour because I was helping Kylie to get onto a shower chair, taking her to have a shower, us taking her to the toilet, because prior to that time they were just, you know, using pads for toileting because Kylie couldn’t stand up or move on her own. And because I’m trained, I found it very easy. She’s a lightweight person and she and I just work together and I could do that. I think it was the Tuesday, person who I refer to as Nurse Ratchet. remembering now kind of intercepted me bringing Kylie back from the bathroom to her room and just like, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope. What are you doing? Stop that, stop that, stop that. and you know, she and I are having a bit of a a discussion. And basically she’s refused and I’m allowed to move Kylie. So Kylie is sitting out in the corridor. I think I’d luckily kind of covered you up for privacy. and she’s like, No, you’re not allowed to move her. I’m gonna go and get the physio. I think at least forty minutes went by and then she comes back, well, okay, and I said, Look, I am a trained person, it’s easy, it’s safe. no, I’ll think about it. And then after I think another fifteen minutes she pushed your chair into the bedroom. And then I think it was probably another fifteen minutes where she just decided to move Kylie herself at that point. even though that was out of policy and the physios had to do it. And then it was all this discussion with me that you can’t do it. And in the end it was you can’t do it because you’re a woman. Not strong enough, you know. so yeah. Then Kylie and I kind of would go on clandestine missions because again, from a rehab point of view, being able to stand transfer, it’s putting all the weight through the leg, it’s giving feedback to the brain. I really wanted to make sure Kylie’s bladder and bowel were gonna work properly. And you know, sitting in bed and that’s just not ideal. So then Kylie’s like, Nicole, I want to go to the toilet. I was like, I’m banned, I’m banned, Mother Nurse Ratchet, I’m not allowed to take you. And I was like, shit. So I would go on a little mission, go look down the corridor, make sure she was nowhere to be seen. And then I quickly stole the shower chair and then I found a bucket. And so Kylie and I were doing secret Wii missions in the bedroom. until w on one of our missions I just hadn’t quite got the bucket in the right place. And so then I it was also then later on a cleaning mission. So it was it was a pretty crazy environment. yeah, just for that lack of t whole team approach to rehab. Whereas, you know, in Australia the nurses would all be rehab trained. They would be transferring someone physios would come in, speech would be coming, OTs would be coming. So I was kind of desperately trying to convince Kylie or to get her rehab to a standard where she’d be able to come back to Australia to get some more rehab. You know what’s good about this conversation other than the hilarious nature of it also is that I as an as a person who hadn’t had a stroke before my hadn’t known anyone who had a stroke before my experience, if I had come across somebody who had had a stroke, I wouldn’t have known what to look out for and what to say to support them in a situation where perhaps something was being neglected. Because I don’t know what I don’t know. I’m not a professional, right? Just like those nurses and therapists that weren’t specifically trained. Yeah. In certain things. I mean, you may as well be not only talking a different language, but you may as well be making it up as you go because as far as they know, now this is what we do for stroke patients. This is how we handle that. is it a lack of understanding of what r stroke rehabilitation requires, or is it a lack of resources, or is it a little bit of both? Do you feel in Bulgaria when you were there? I think I think it’s a lack of of all all of that but it’s the lack of maybe money. So it’s a lack of training. So th there’s there’s not enough there’s not the the nurses or the orderlies or whatever they’re called here, are are aren’t paid very much. So they so And t just like, even though I was in a private rehab hospital, so you would have expected that more. It’s you would have expected more, but I just think that they just don’t have the money to to train those people. Yeah. it wasn’t really a role, was it, Kylie? Like they really were more like housekeepers in a sense. It was more like cleaning a meals. I have to say the physios were excellent. and a lot of the physios had good English as well, which was for your rehab was so important. because again a lot of the carers they would come into the room and you know, again, just from a speech therapy point of view, in Australia, say if someone came into the room who was the person who did the menus or filled up the water bottles or the cleaners, Kyler could have spoken to all of those people and had   incidental communication the whole day in English. But because of all of those p incidental people coming in didn’t speak English, you know, reasonably in Bulgaria. it just for me, I was worried about the lack of just exposure to English language as well. So not even speech therapy, just incidental language through the day. Which is very helpful and people don’t realise how helpful it is to be able to speak to a nurse about how you’re feeling or what’s happening. Yeah. And all the usual stuff. And Kylie’s chatty and friendly and she would have just been having conversations galore, but it just it it it couldn’t be. Yeah. Yeah, it’s another another barrier. so you know when you go overseas, it’s your friend and you’re a professional. How do you handle that? Because you know, like are you emotional? Are you trying to put a lid on it? Are you allowing yourself to Gonna be emotional. How does that work? We had some killer laughs, didn’t we? I mean, I’m a joker anyway. And so, like the first time Kylie got to do a poo on the toilet, I just did a poo dance for her. So I I felt half my job was you know, cheering her up and keeping it light and having fun and chatting about stuff we would just always chat about. as well as doing as much rehab because it was very exhausting because, you know, p after a stroke, it’s very fatiguing. you know, so to Kylie was really tired and needed lots of rest. So and because I had just you know, obviously dropped tools to go over quickly, I was just working sometimes. So I just have my computer and if Kylie was asleep I’d just stay with her and and her partner Guido as well, who was there with her as well. So just, you know, emotional support wise. But Yeah, I do some work. And I stayed in Kylie’s apartment. So I w was I just stayed at her place and I I train out to see her each day at the hospital. W how many hours would you spend in hospital with her? What do you think, Kylie? you would often arrive at like ten in the morning and you wouldn’t go till like five in the evening or six in the evening. Yeah. So technically visiting hours kind of finished at six. So I just try and stay most of the day. A full shift. Yeah. Yeah. Unpaid. Unpaid labour. Slave driver. Yeah. yeah. But nah. That’s what friends are for. I very what I very much wanted to stay the whole day because I did really, really wanna like especially the toileting thing. I just really wanted that. Setting Goals and Achievements I had this bit of a goal for myself for Kylie that she would be able to take herself to the toilet before I left the country. So just from a dignity point of view, from a mobility point of view, transfers, you know, bladder control. So yeah, that was one of my big goals. And she rang me when I was in transit at Dubai Airport on my way back to Australia and said, Nicole, I just took myself to the toilet. Wow, that’s cool. Yeah. Yeah. And and I was having physio two physio sessions a d a wi a day. So I was having other than Nicole. So I was having like about one session about of about an hour in the morning and one session of about an hour in the in the afternoon. Got it. You Kylie seem like pretty mm chill, pretty calm. how are you handling it though, emotionally? How’s the aftermath Treating you because there’s a little bit of you know, there’s all that acute stuff. It’s awesome when your friend is there, but then your friend goes home, right? So how how does that transition kind of happen? Yeah, I might start crying. because I’ve just recently spent seven months in Australia. So I I went to Australia in October last year and I came back in just in May. and I had more rehab there. So I had I had student led rehab at at first and then I got in got accepted into Birch, which is the brain injury rehab community and home in Ad in Adelaide. so that’s that is is a whole team of people. So I had I had physio and I and a occupational therapist and a a e exercise physiologist and a speech therapist and stuff like that so I th that’s really good. now the most frustrating part for me is the aphasia so I I can’t I can’t express myself like I used to. Yeah. You know what I love about interviewing people who have aphasia is when they say I can’t in a sentence to describe something to me it triggers the part of the condition which doesn’t allow the words to come out. It’s so interesting. That happens so so often. And it’s just a for me, I noticed this I’m saying it just from a perspective is maybe I can’t is not the right word. I don’t know. You might remember this, you might not, but maybe I can’t is not the right word. Maybe the right word is Something that helps you get to the word that you need to get to. And okay, now that’s just me, the uneducated stroke survivor on a phasia guy. Like I don’t know about that. But it’s so interesting, it happens every time. but then Nicole goes home, you go home, your partner is kind of now taking over the caregiving role, and you still have some deficits. phage is one of them. what about your right side? How offline was it? I I also moved in with Guido after the after the stroke. So so that was that was a has was ha was and has continues to be a challenge because we’re still getting used to living together because we weren’t living together before. and I was very in very independent before. And I was living in Sofia and he and he and I now live in a in a village. So I live in in a village just outside of Sofia. And I’m not driving yet. but I was medically cleared to drive in Australia before I left. So I’m going through the process here. so anyway, all of all of those things together make it very challenging. don’t get me wrong, I I l I love him, but but you know, and and I d and and I made that decision because my apartment is was was on the fourth floor and th there was no lift. Wow. Yeah. So back to your question. When I was when I was when I came here, when I was discharged, I continued with as an outpatient and and the physio continued to come at home twice a week. So I was having more physio maybe like five times a week. and like it were ha had started to come my right side had was all already back online, but I would I was just working on building strength and and I would get still very tired. Yeah. And did your daughter end up coming to live with you as well? No. but she she at the beginning she she was my next of kin. So at the ripe old age of nineteen, she signed the consent to operate forms. yeah, so that was that was very difficult for her. I didn’t know that at the time, obviously. but yeah. And did that happen, did she become your next of kin because your former partner, her dad, and you had separated and then his that role wasn’t gonna be his anymore. It’s just passed down to the person who was the closest to you. Like how did that happen? Family Dynamics and Support Systems We’re divorced. I I’m divorced from her dad. Yeah. So he’s definitely not my next kin. Right. So that ha changed after the divorce and she was the only person you could nominate because she was over is there an age limit to the next of kin? Eighteen. Yeah. Okay. So she had hit that criteria, you nominated her and then at nineteen she got to make a decision. Which she never and you never would have expected ever for that to be a thing. I didn’t nominate her, it would just happen. So I was I I was unconscious at the time that she signed those forms. So yeah. So my friends actually contacted her. and she she rushed to the hospital. so it was all under duress. It was like this is what happened to your mum, you’re her Next of kin, whether you like it or not, you have to decide. Yeah. Far out. Okay, that’s pretty full on for a 19 year old. Yeah. Yeah, seems like she did a good job. How did she handle this whole mum’s not well situation, this stroke thing? Like how did she deal with it? she was very good. my first memory actually is of her coming into the ICU with with the with the whole, you know, the whole like the the hairnet and the mask and the and the and the what’s it called the scrubs. Scrubs, yeah. and she held my hand and said t that she loved me. so that was pretty special. And incidentally I have an a another memory of Guido coming into the ICU as well and singing singing to me. So he he said that he said that I always wanted him to sing and he refused before. And so did did I want him to sing to me now? And I squeezed his hand or on the on the left he’s was holding my left hand and I squeezed his hand and so he knelt down beside my bed and started singing. Wow. Can he actually hold the tune or is he hard to hear? Yes, see he’s he’s very musical. Okay. Thank God. If my wife had asked me to sing a w if I had asked my wife to sing, it wouldn’t have been a good experience at all for either of us. Yeah, he was he was a busker in i in his younger years. Yeah. and now he decided to come good. Fair enough. Well that that’s important. You know, things like that are important. It lightens the the mood and it makes Yeah. You kind of feel like your family’s around and that you know you know, maybe kind of things might be all right. Like it gives that glimmer of hope. Is that how you received it? Yeah, I did. yeah, but I’m also very, very determined. So I’m a I’m a very normally very strong woman and so everyone said to me that if if well not to me, but w we had a we had a group WhatsApp chat so and I was added to it later and everyone said in that that if anyone can get through this, Kylie can. Yeah. So you know when you’re told you’ve had a stroke, you wake up with all the deficits and everything. Are you like how do you take it? I woke up, couldn’t use my left side. I I did not for one minute. It did not cross my mind like for one minute that this is not a good thing. Like I mean, clearly I wasn’t able to move, etcetera. But it never kinda went a lifesaver, I’m fucked. Like I never had that happen. Me as well. yeah. I I’d I’ve never thought that. I don’t know whether I even thought that It was n like you said, that was not a good thing. I just put one foot in front of the other and or not literally, but the Yeah. Metaphorically. Yeah. Metaphorically. so one foot in front of the other and just got on with it. Yeah. Nicole, like you come across in your work, you come across a lot of different versions of patience, right? Like you get people who might just be by design more negative to a bad experience and then people that are half class full to a bad experience. Just from a professional perspective, what’s the difference like when you’re trying to rehabilitate somebody that has kind of that different mindset? From perhaps what Kylie and I described. Yeah, I mean I’m probably in the last half full camp as well. So as an OT, I suppose we always meet people where they’re at. because everyone is a combination of their past experiences, aren’t they? So and cultural things, like there’s a very significant cultural differences in how people respond to pain or disability and expectations of kind of family and I suppose cultural expectations in Australia are even about you know, what what what should be publicly available. So, you know, from an expectations point of view, I think a lot of it is based on, you know, previous experience. So as a therapist, we’re obviously there to support, you know, emotional well being, physical well being, and try and find the things for people that connect with them. So meaningful, like OTs are our absolute core is meaningful occupation. So how do we find something that’s meaningful to that person that we think is going to get them from kind of, you know, here to there and it’s gonna be very different different motivators, you know. Kylie is probably, you know, very self motivated as described. Sometimes it’s about people really have a d strong desire to get back to work, or people have a really strong family structure that they want to be able to get back to do something with their family. So finding the way or the thing hopefully that’s going to motivate them. But we certainly work with people who you know, have a high level of distress from what’s happened to them and and on an ongoing basis. One of the things I’ve got a little quote on my desk that you can’t see here, but it says, I’m still me, just a different version of me. And it’s what someone one of my clients told me recently who has MS. and often we find need to find the new version of someone. and the new meaning for someone if that, you know, needs to happen. So that’s our great challenge, I suppose. That’s a big job, especially very early on when identity is so tied up into who they were literally days ago. You know, like a week ago. The mobile person, the working person, the money making person, the father, the mother, the whatever. Finding Meaning in Recovery And then, you know, you’re dealing with a physical crisis, the existential crisis, the identity crisis, like you’re dealing with it all in the one moment, and you’re trying to get them to sort of see, well, you know, you’re still you and how we’re gonna move forward with the still you person, like we’re still gonna move forward with that person. And then later does come an adjustment of what that you looks like. did for me like it’s a massive adjustment into what me looks like. But my identity wasn’t so much tied up in a one label specifically, although, you know, I s I was the person who felt like they needed to be the main breadwinner, you know, that you know ran a business that did all these things. I I had a big strong identity. But I think one of the things this is going to sound weird or might even sound logical depending on like w who you are and why you’re listening to this podcast. But for me, the fact that my brain went offline was a really good thing because it and that allowed my emotional side to come to the fore. Like it really enabled me to see things with a different intelligence, you know, and access part of me that my emotional intelligence perhaps that I hadn’t that I perhaps suppressed previously, you know, and just battled through things. And that kind of allowed my identity to come with me, it allowed me to leave some stuff behind and allowed me to bring into my identity this emotional side of me, you know, which who cried, who got excited about new and different opportunities, you know, that my head didn’t convince me out of. You know, so there was a lot of silver linings that I didn’t I wasn’t able to iterate back then. I wouldn’t have been able to tell you that it was a silver lining. But now and a few years later, after it all happened, I was definitely able to talk about those silver linings. Kylie Do you you’re fourteen months or so out, right? So maybe you’re not there yet, I don’t know. But are there some silver and I know a hundred percent Nicole was one of those silver linings, I get it. but do you see some silver linings in this whole saga? Yep. I do. my relationship with my daughter got stronger. Yep. So that was all s that was definitely a silver lining. and you know, I I’m was very grateful before, but it cemented how g how grateful I am for my circle of friends. Yeah. Kylie’s friends were amazing. Yeah. Your friends were amazing. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Big family still in Australia is is there a big family in Australia, Kylie? Not not a big one, but my mum and dad are still still alive. So they’re they’re in Melbourne. and my sister is in on the Gold Coast and my brother is in Melbourne as well. Yeah. And my and my son is in Adelaide. Okay. So you still have some family here, but then you were able to create a community in the years before the stroke in Bulgaria. Yeah. you you were doing it a little bit tough after the stroke. Yeah. Correct. Yep. So that’s spot on. Did you Nicole tag team with some of those people as well? Yeah, so Kylie’s friends were beautiful and they were looking after me too. So When I was in Bulgaria, they were looking after me, you know, giving me dinner and what have you, and kind of giving me emotional support as well. And I think they were grateful that I was there from a skills point of view, like they were doing a beautiful job of supporting Kylie emotionally. But and I did kind of train them up a little bit in in some rehab as well, you know, how to help with approaching from the right and how to communicate and also just even doing some activities. Kylie and I had the balloon and we were tapping it back and forward to each other for strengthening up the right arm. And then we’d play some kind of word games as we were doing that for some speech therapy. So I was educating her friends around that kind of stuff. But the other thing, Kylie, that you and I have spoken about is, you know, after the stroke is knowing what’s important and how to let some sh shit go that would have been, you know, annoying or you know. focus on something and now it’s just you you just know it’s just not important. Yeah. Being able to just let crap go. Correct correct. and the other silver lining is that I got engaged. Yes. Did he propose soon after? Yes, in the in the rehab hospital. what a romantic Yeah. But he but he said that he’d already decided before the stroke that he wanted to marry be ma be married to me. So he just hadn’t got around to asking me yet. Yeah, fair enough. That stroke has a way of interrupting people’s plans and the things that they think they’re gonna do. so Nicole you normally treat your patients. They get to a stage. Usually they’re a lot better than they were when they first met you. And part of what you do is you send them off into the big wide world like a kid. I’ve grown you know, I’ve raised them, you know, like they know how to comb their hair now. And you kinda send them off and it’s kind of bittersweet, I imagine, but also a very important part that the people who you’re helping get better actually go off into the world on their own. And stop needing to be supported by you. I know there’s some people who need more support and that continues for longer and some people who don’t get enough and it and it’s never enough. But what’s it like knowing the job is not done, but you still have to leave and go home? that was heartache. I mean, Kylie and I both balled our lies out. it was a long flight home. Yeah. Yeah, it was a long flight home. with lots of reflections. I suppose the good thing at that point was Kylie was easily able to speak on the phone or message each other. So and also, you know, I think at that stage maybe I got to see the brain scan and I was just like, my god, how have you even survived this? ‘Cause I think was it about a seven centimeter bleed, Kylie? Yep. seven and a half. Yeah. To be precise. It truly felt like a a miracle. And again, full kudos to the surgeons in Bulgaria, truly, for that acute care. Because I think Kylie, I feel like you were in surgery in about within about two hours or something after the stroke, which is phenomenal. And, you know, your friends really saved your life. taking you straight to the hospital and prevented like, you know, more serious outcomes from the stroke. So yeah, so for me, I was proud of myself as well. and I, you know, I like to live my life by thinking I can look myself in the mirror. And I felt like I can really I’ve got a tear, really look myself in the mirror. Yeah. Doing the right thing. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. You came to the need of somebody who was in need and needed specifically not only your love and support as a friend, but also your skills. Like you had the complete package for them at that time. How long did you end up staying in total? Was I ra away about just under two weeks probably with the flights and everything like that? So yeah. so yeah, leaving was leaving was horrible. But the goal of being able to go to the toilet was met. and also just the skills for, you know, skilled up a few other people and Kylie, you know, had her good networks. I also went out to Kylie’s property out in the village to have a look at any home modifications. So that was another kind of OT type role that that was done. and she’s got an amazing property out there, but it is kind of needs a bit of love and so that was also just reassuring her partner too, like reassuring Guido that no, look, Kylie’s got this. There were a few times where it was like, Nicole, I don’t want her to do this. Like I’m like Guido, she’s safe. She can do it. She’s got sitting balance. She’s okay to sit over the side of the bed. She can wiggle sideways. But he was anxious. And so again, part of my job was to reassure him to make sure that he let her do things. and didn’t step in too quickly. And so as an O T, we’re all used to like sitting on our hands and taking time and letting people struggle a bit. And it was hard for him to let Kylie struggle. So to just encourage him to let her struggle a bit so that she could do it herself and just wait. Just take the time, especially with communication. so yeah, I I kind of obviously knew there was a lot more rehab to be done, but I also had seen Kylie’s determination and that, you know, she kind of knew what to do. and and so that was I I was grateful again for that. Kylie, what was it like when your friend had to leave? I was heartbroken. The Impact of Caregiving I felt like she was a lifeline and I felt like that that had been cut because obviously she speaks English and obviously like Obviously we have a really good relationship. and I felt like I was in a like how do I describe it? In a in a sea of not n of people not understanding. So yeah, not my friends, but the hospital staff, basically. So not the not the physios. Like Nicole said, the physios were exceptional. but, you know, just the hospital staff. Yeah, just generally speaking. So did you feel like she had put you on the right path? Were you more confident with kind of where she left you as opposed to where you guys started and was that enough to kind of give you the foundation for what you needed to take responsibility for when she left? Definitely. yeah, definitely. Yeah. Man, w what a kind of interesting whole situation. You know, if this was fifty years ago, there’s no way anyone’s going anywhere to help anyone with anything. you know, like your hospital s experience in country like Bulgaria after what they’ve been through would have been completely different. You know, your s the chance of surviving telling your story is probably s you know, very much decreased. I know this is gonna sound weird, but like it’s never been a better time to have a stroke in in most of the world. Like let’s face it. the the possibilities are just endless. I’m a miracle from all the medical professionals that put all their time and effort in. I am eternally grateful to my occupational therapists and physios and surgeons and people who invent X ray machines and people who make C T scanners and The plastic bottles where drips go in, like every single thing is just an an absolute miracle of God or medicine or science or I don’t care what, like whatever you want to call it. And it just to me, it you know, here’s a really terrible situation and here and and but look at all the amazing things that came out of it. Somebody from the other side of the planet to be able to come over and intervene in that way, train people up. Like, man, it’s the Perfect like feel good story, you know. Everything’s going okay, things turn shit, and then something good comes out of it and yeah hopefully there’s more good to come, you know. Like, man, it’s just an amazing experience. I just feel really privileged to be able to hear it and share it further. No, not not not me, personally. but now that you say that I will s I will think about it now. the most thing that that Nicole and I reflect on is, you know, like like we’ve already said, how good was that my friends got me to the hospital quickly? How good was the the surgeons the surgeons because it could have all gone wrong. or gone gone a different way. so that’s the stuff we reflect on more. and just just like my amazing recovery. Reflections on Recovery and Gratitude Because I recovered so quickly and so well, like I’ve thrown everyone away here. So so my new my neurologist, my my physios, ever everyone here is like well, back then was like really surprised. So we it’s when I first walked into the n neurologist, she said, like, wow, No one expected you to recover that quickly from such a severe stroke. Yeah. That’s such a good outcome. I like to I like to think that those things wouldn’t have been possible without your most amazing superhero friend Nicole. Nicole, your final thing I’d like to kind of run by you is that your whole career you’re working towards making things better. Yep. Like for people who are going through all really difficult times. have you had you ever dealt with a family member who needed your intervention or family friend or someone like that that needed an intervention with your specific skills before this? man. yes. So when I was quite a young therapist, probably in my early twenties, my dad told me that his One of his like great aunts or cousins elderly relative had had a stroke and she was in hospital and I didn’t really know her. Like she wasn’t someone in the family that I I had knew had known. And I said to Dad, I’ll go and visit her in hospital. And and so I went to the hospital and I found out she was in this room and I walk into the room and there were four people. And I see this gorgeous little old lady who is all crumpled in her chair and squashed and nearly falling out. And I I just walked in and I was horrified. And I just walked straight over to her. And I just said, look, can I help get you more comfortable, get you into a better position? And then I realized it was it was my own relative. and I said to her, I’m Nicole, I’m John’s daughter. you know, dad’s asked me to come and see you. And and she just said the most cutest thing ever. She said, when you walked into the room. You just look so lovely and I hoped you were here to see me, but I I wouldn’t have known what I could have done to deserve that or something something dead cute. anyway, she’d had a very dense stroke and they were basically saying that she wasn’t a candidate for rehab and that she should go straight to a nursing home. And her daughter was a nurse. And she said, Nope, Mum’s not going to a nursing home and she ended up taking her home and I used to go every night after work and do rehab with her. she ended up being able to walk quite with a pretty awkward gait and a and a stick. but she got back to, yeah, walking and living at home and I just again always think that if she didn’t have her daughter, the nurse and myself, she probably would have ended up not not walking. Yeah, being in a nursing home. It’s not that quality of life. So there’s people who definitely go through that. And what I love about you sharing that part of the story is there’s people listening and they’re paying attention and maybe they haven’t been given the amount of therapy that they feel they deserve or need. And maybe that’s going to trigger people to go, you know what, stuff this, I’m gonna find a way to get more therapy, I’m gonna ask. I’m gonna hassle some people, I’m gonna be a pain in the butt to some people, I’m gonna do more. for myself to get me further. I love that you shared that part of the story. That’s kind of the unique experience that a that a a seasoned occupational therapist can kind of impart on us who are early on in the recovery about like how you need to advocate for somebody or yourself for more physical therapy. And and even if you Can’t access that people listening and watching YouTube channels. Go to YouTube. There are a ton of awesome therapists on YouTube showing people how to do exercises at home. Yeah. And I mean, I just took some really basic things. We s I, you know, stole some things out of Kylie’s flat to take in. And Guido’s son gave me some toys and we use those like stacking things to, you know, do rehab with Kylie’s hand. I took some pegs from her house and we made an activity of pegging up the curtains to do shoulder and arm rehab. So you can often do a lot without, yo

Marijn Bergsma joins Greg and JP to talk about growing up as a third culture kid, raising gifted children, and feeling the familiar pull back toward international life. The conversation moves through childhood in the United States and Japan, returning “home” to the Netherlands, parenting highly capable kids who do not always fit neatly into school systems, and the possibility of becoming an international educator later in life. It is a thoughtful, funny, and very human conversation about family, restlessness, learning, burnout, and why overseas life has a way of turning ordinary years into unforgettable chapters.The Rubiks Cube Link to learn Rubik's Cube-more information-The International Teacher Podcast is a bi-weekly discussion with experts in international education. New Teachers, burned out local teachers, local School Leaders, International school Leadership, current Overseas Teachers, and everyone interested in international schools can benefit from hearing stories and advice about living and teaching overseas.Additional Gems Related to Our Show:Greg's Favorite Video From Living Overseas - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWKBwzF-hw⁠Signup to be our guest  ⁠https://calendly.com/itpexpat/itp-interview?month=2025-01⁠Our Website⁠ -  ⁠https://www.itpexpat.com/⁠Our FaceBook Group - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/itpexpat⁠⁠JPMint Consulting Website  - ⁠https://www.jpmintconsulting.com/⁠Hannah's Personal IG - https://www.instagram.com/thatexpatfamily?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Greg's Personal YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs1B3Wc0wm6DR_99OS5SyzvuzENc-bBdO⁠Books (on Amazon) By Gregory Lemoine:Stay for the Show (2026) | Greg's first Childrens Picture Book⁠International Teacher Guide: Finding the "Right Fit" 2nd Edition (2025)⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.⁠⁠"International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education"⁠⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.Apps by Greg:https://apps.apple.com/app/6755244840  1. Who's That? Name & Face Trainer  Nov 21, 2025https://apps.apple.com/app/6756509803   2. Facetag | Memory Trainer   Dec 16, 2025Chapters(00:00) Introduction and Name Origins(01:31) Marijn's International Journey(04:28) The Itch to Travel and Family Dynamics(07:21) Navigating Education for Gifted Children(09:57) Cultural Differences and Family Adventures(13:09) The Challenges of School Systems(15:59) The Importance of Parental Involvement(18:59) Creating Chapters in Life Through Travel(22:06) Engaging Gifted Children in Learning(25:07) The Process of Learning and Curiosity(34:39) The Power of Learning Together(37:06) Navigating the Teaching Journey(39:08) Embracing Change and New Challenges(44:14) The Importance of Connection in Teaching(49:04) Overcoming Immigration Challenges(56:08) Finding a Sense of Home Abroad

Fluent Fiction - Danish: Summer Road Trip Tensions: Finding Harmony in Denmark Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2026-08-01-22-34-01-da Story Transcript:Da: Solen skinnede klart på den danske sommerhimlen, da Freja, Jens og Sofie satte sig ind i bilen.En: The sun shone brightly in the Danish summer sky as Freja, Jens, and Sofie got into the car.Da: De var på vej ud på en familieudflugt gennem det smukke landskab.En: They were heading out on a family excursion through the beautiful landscape.Da: Landskabet omkring dem var fyldt med grønne marker, spredte gårde og små landsbyer, der gled forbi, mens de kørte ad de bugtede landeveje.En: The scenery around them was filled with green fields, scattered farms, and small villages that slid past as they drove along the winding country roads.Da: Freja sad på bagsædet sammen med Sofie, som allerede så ud til at kede sig.En: Freja sat in the backseat with Sofie, who already seemed bored.Da: Freja ønskede sig en stille og rolig tur, men hun vidste, at det kunne blive svært.En: Freja wished for a quiet and peaceful trip, but she knew it could be difficult.Da: Der var en konstant spænding mellem Jens og Sofie.En: There was constant tension between Jens and Sofie.Da: Jens, forudsigelig som altid, havde planlagt ruten ned til mindste detalje.En: Jens, predictable as always, had planned the route down to the last detail.Da: Sofie, derimod, ønskede blot at tage tingene, som de kom, og insisterede ofte på spontane stop.En: Sofie, on the other hand, just wanted to take things as they came and often insisted on spontaneous stops.Da: "Far, kan vi ikke tage en lille omvej og se noget af den gamle by derovre?"En: "Dad, can't we take a little detour and see some of that old town over there?"Da: spurgte Sofie, da hun fik øje på et skilt, der pegede mod en nærliggende landsby.En: asked Sofie as she spotted a sign pointing toward a nearby village.Da: "Nej, vi holder os til planen.En: "No, we're sticking to the plan.Da: Vi har en tidsplan at følge," svarede Jens kort.En: We have a schedule to follow," Jens replied curtly.Da: Freja bemærkede allerede den første knurren mellem dem.En: Freja already noticed the first rumblings between them.Da: Hun tog en dyb indånding og sagde roligt, "Måske kunne det være sjovt at se noget uventet, far?En: She took a deep breath and said calmly, "Maybe it could be fun to see something unexpected, Dad?Da: Vi har jo tid nok."En: We have plenty of time."Da: Jens mumlede noget og fortsatte med at følge GPS'en.En: Jens mumbled something and continued to follow the GPS.Da: Stilheden i bilen blev kun brudt af hjulenes susen mod asfalten.En: The silence in the car was only broken by the whirring of the wheels against the asphalt.Da: Efter nogle timer begyndte samtalen igen, da Jens og Sofie ikke kunne enes om, hvilken vej de skulle tage.En: After a few hours, the conversation began again as Jens and Sofie couldn't agree on which way to go.Da: Stemningen blev ophedet, og det føltes som om bilen blev mindre og mindre.En: The atmosphere heated up, and it felt like the car was getting smaller and smaller.Da: Freja kunne ikke længere holde sig tilbage.En: Freja could no longer hold back.Da: Hun rejste sig en smule fra sit sæde og sagde med en fast stemme, "Vi er nødt til at lytte til hinanden og finde en kompromis.En: She rose slightly from her seat and said in a firm voice, "We need to listen to each other and find a compromise.Da: Det her skal være en tid for os alle til at nyde, ikke skændes."En: This is supposed to be a time for us all to enjoy, not to argue."Da: Sofies øjne mødte Jens', og for et øjeblik blev der stille.En: Sofie's eyes met Jens's, and for a moment, there was silence.Da: Til sidst nikkede Jens modvilligt, og Sofie trak på skuldrene.En: Finally, Jens reluctantly nodded, and Sofie shrugged.Da: Freja havde formået at styre stormen og bringe ro tilbage.En: Freja had managed to steer the storm and bring back calm.Da: De drejede ind på en smal grusvej, der førte til en malerisk eng med udsigt over en lille sø.En: They turned onto a narrow gravel road that led to a picturesque meadow overlooking a small lake.Da: Det var det perfekte sted til en picnic.En: It was the perfect spot for a picnic.Da: De bredte tæppet ud og spredte maden ud imellem sig.En: They spread out the blanket and laid the food between them.Da: Efterhånden som de spiste, begyndte stemningen at løsne op.En: As they ate, the mood began to loosen up.Da: De begyndte at fortælle minder fra tidligere somre, der vækkede smil på deres ansigter.En: They started sharing memories from past summers, which brought smiles to their faces.Da: Freja lyttede til Jens, da han fortalte historier fra sin barndom, mens Sofie grinede af sine egne erindringer.En: Freja listened to Jens as he told stories from his childhood, while Sofie laughed at her own memories.Da: Da de ryddede op efter sig, følte Freja en lethed, hun ikke havde følt længe.En: As they cleaned up afterwards, Freja felt a lightness she hadn't felt in a long time.Da: Hun havde lært, at hvis hun kunne finde sin stemme, kunne hun også skabe en bedre forståelse mellem dem alle.En: She had learned that if she could find her voice, she could also create better understanding among them all.Da: Familien havde stadig sine udfordringer, men nu var der en lille åbning mod forbedring.En: The family still had its challenges, but now there was a small opening towards improvement.Da: På vej tilbage mod bilen kiggede Freja ud over det glitrende vand.En: On the way back to the car, Freja looked out over the shimmering water.Da: For første gang på turen følte hun, at det virkelig var sommer.En: For the first time on the trip, she felt that it was truly summer.Da: Ikke kun udenfor, men også mellem dem alle.En: Not just outside, but also among them all. Vocabulary Words:shone: skinnedeexcursion: udflugtlandscape: landskabscenery: landskabwinding: bugtedebackseat: bagsædetbored: kedetension: spændingpredictable: forudsigeligcurtly: kortrumblings: knurrenwhirring: susenatmosphere: stemningencompromise: kompromisargue: skændesreluctantly: modvilligtnarrow: smalgravel: gruspicturesque: maleriskmeadow: engloosen up: løsne opmemories: minderchildhood: barndomlightness: lethedimprovement: forbedringshimmering: glitrendenoticed: bemærkedeinsisted: insisteredespontaneous: spontanesteer: styre

Fluent Fiction - Korean: Unity at Gyeongbokgung: A Family's Journey to Reconnection Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2026-08-01-07-38-20-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 경복궁의 여름 축제 날이었다.En: It was the day of the summer festival at Gyeongbokgung.Ko: 햇빛 아래 궁궐은 아름다웠고, 전통 음악이 울려 퍼지며 번화한 분위기를 더했다.En: Under the sunlight, the palace was beautiful, and traditional music resonated, adding to the bustling atmosphere.Ko: 곳곳에 매달린 알록달록한 등, 그리고 전통적인 건축물이 어우러져 있었다.En: Colorful lanterns were hung everywhere, blending with the traditional architecture.Ko: 민지, 성호, 그리고 현우가 그곳을 방문했다.En: Minji, Seongho, and Hyunwoo visited the place.Ko: 민지는 가족이 오늘 하루를 특히나 잘 보내기를 바랐다.En: Minji hoped that the family would have an especially good day today.Ko: 최근 서로에게 좋아 보이지 않는 부분들이 있었지만, 그녀는 그것을 해결하고 싶었다.En: Recently, there were things that didn't look good between them, but she wanted to resolve them.Ko: 성호는 근심 어린 얼굴로 서 있었다.En: Seongho stood with a worried face.Ko: 머릿속엔 일이 가득했다.En: His mind was filled with work.Ko: 그는 가족들과 함께 있었지만, 그들과 함께하지 않는 듯했다.En: He was with his family, but it felt like he wasn't really there with them.Ko: 섭섭했다.En: He felt disappointed.Ko: 성호는 혼자 서서 하늘을 응시했다.En: Seongho stood alone, gazing at the sky.Ko: 현우는 조금 떨어진 곳에 서 있었다.En: Hyunwoo stood a little distance away.Ko: 그의 눈은 자신의 휴대폰 화면에 고정되어 있었다.En: His eyes were fixed on his phone screen.Ko: 모처럼의 가족 휴가에 혼자는 아니었지만, 자신이 동떨어진 느낌이었다.En: Although he was not alone on this rare family vacation, he felt detached.Ko: 그는 손가락을 빨리 움직이며 메시지를 주고 받고 있었다.En: He was quickly typing, exchanging messages.Ko: 민지는 실망하지 않으려 애썼다.En: Minji tried not to feel disappointed.Ko: 그녀는 생각했다, "어떻게든 가족이 함께 어울릴 방법이 필요해."En: She thought, "We need a way for the family to get along somehow."Ko: 그래서 그녀는 가족의 손을 잡고, 전통 놀이가 이루어지는 곳으로 갔다.En: So she took her family's hands and went to a place where traditional games were being played.Ko: "우리, 제기차기 한번 해보자," 민지가 말했다.En: "Let's try playing jegichagi," Minji said.Ko: 모든 사람이 처음엔 망설였지만, 곧 둥글게 모여 제기를 차기 시작했다.En: Everyone hesitated at first, but soon they gathered in a circle and started playing jegichagi.Ko: 미소가 피어났고 웃음소리가 번졌다.En: Smiles bloomed, and laughter spread.Ko: 그런데, 놀이 중에 현우가 제기를 세게 차서 성호의 머리 위로 날아갔다.En: However, during the game, Hyunwoo kicked the jegi hard, sending it flying over Seongho's head.Ko: 민지는 재빨리 다가가 중재했다.En: Minji quickly stepped in to mediate.Ko: 작은 다툼이 일어났지만, 그것은 곧 서로의 마음속 이야기를 듣게 되는 계기가 되었다.En: A small argument broke out, but it became an opportunity for them to listen to each other's feelings.Ko: "아빠, 우린 정말 아빠가 어떻게 느끼는지 알고 싶어요," 민지가 조심스럽게 말했다.En: "Dad, we really want to know how you feel," Minji said carefully.Ko: 그 순간 성호는 깊이 숨을 내쉬었다.En: At that moment, Seongho took a deep breath.Ko: "요즘 일이 많아서 정신이 없어. 너희들한테 신경을 못 써서 미안해," 성호가 말했다.En: "I've been so busy with work lately that I haven't been able to pay attention to you. I'm sorry," Seongho said.Ko: 민지는 다시 입을 열었다.En: Minji spoke again.Ko: "그리고, 현우도. 너도 우리와 함께 있어줬으면 좋겠어."En: "And, Hyunwoo, too. I hope you'll be with us."Ko: 현우는 생각에 잠김 듯 고개를 끄덕였다.En: Hyunwoo nodded thoughtfully.Ko: "맞아, 나도 무심했던 것 같아. 미안해."En: "Yeah, I guess I've been neglectful. I'm sorry."Ko: 가족은 그 순간 서로를 마주 보았다.En: The family looked at each other at that moment.Ko: 그들의 옆에서 흘러 나오던 음악은 따뜻하게 변했다.En: The music flowing beside them turned warm.Ko: 민지는 미소를 지었다.En: Minji smiled.Ko: 그녀는 느꼈다, 작은 변화가 시작되었다고.En: She felt that a small change had begun.Ko: 그 날 이후, 가족은 서로에게 솔직해지기로 했다.En: After that day, the family decided to be honest with each other.Ko: 민지는 자신이 필요로 하는 것에 대해 더 적극적으로 이야기할 것이다.En: Minji would be more proactive in talking about what she needed.Ko: 이제 그들은 함께 걷기 시작한 것이다, 더욱 단단한 가족으로.En: Now they began to walk together, as a stronger family. Vocabulary Words:resonated: 울려 퍼지다bustling: 번화한architecture: 건축물disappointed: 섭섭했다gazing: 응시했다detached: 동떨어진mediate: 중재하다neglectful: 무심하다proactive: 적극적인resolve: 해결하다hesitated: 망설였다bloomed: 피어났다exchange: 주고받다sincerely: 조심스럽게honest: 솔직하다transformed: 변했다hover: 날아가다hesitation: 망설임initiative: 적극성worthy: 필요하다unfolding: 일어났다opportunity: 계기gesture: 섬세하다dreary: 곤란한dubious: 의심스러운embellishment: 장식하다inevitable: 불가피한perceptive: 민감한steadfast: 확고한contemplative: 명상적인

Fluent Fiction - Serbian: Breaking Free: Milica's Journey From Village to Belgrade Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sr/episode/2026-08-01-22-34-02-sr Story Transcript:Sr: Сунце је сијало на малу села, где су црвени кровови вирили из зеленог дрвећа.En: The sun was shining on the small village, where the red roofs peeked through the green trees.Sr: Иако лепо, село је било попут кафеза за Милицу.En: Although beautiful, the village felt like a cage for Milica.Sr: Путеви су били уски, а куће старе и уморне.En: The roads were narrow, and the houses old and tired.Sr: Милица се осећала стегнуто у свом дому.En: Milica felt confined in her home.Sr: Имала је 26 година, амбициозна и пуна снова.En: She was 26 years old, ambitious and full of dreams.Sr: Јован, њен отац, тежио је очувању породице.En: Jovan, her father, valued preserving the family.Sr: Породична традиција му је била светиња.En: Family tradition was sacred to him.Sr: Милица је седела за кухињским столом, гледајући кроз прозор.En: Milica sat at the kitchen table, looking out the window.Sr: Поглед јој је често бежао ка престоници где је чекала нова каријера.En: Her gaze often wandered towards the capital where a new career awaited.Sr: "Тата," рекла је тихо, "добила сам понуду за посао у Београду.En: "Dad," she said quietly, "I got a job offer in Belgrade."Sr: " Јован је подигао поглед са дневних новина.En: Jovan looked up from the daily newspaper.Sr: "Породица је важнија од било каквог посла," одговорио је тврдоглаво.En: "Family is more important than any job," he replied stubbornly.Sr: У том тренутку, часопис је прелетео собу.En: At that moment, a magazine flew across the room.Sr: Станко, њен млађи брат, поново је донео вест о невољама.En: Stanko, her younger brother, once again brought news of trouble.Sr: Овога пута је учествовао у тучи.En: This time, he was involved in a fight.Sr: Његово понашање је било извор сталне тензије у породици.En: His behavior was a constant source of tension in the family.Sr: "Зашто, Станко?En: "Why, Stanko?"Sr: " викнула је Милица.En: Milica shouted.Sr: Њен глас је био уморан, испуњен разочарањем.En: Her voice was tired, filled with disappointment.Sr: Морала је помоћи, скућана између брата и сопствених снова.En: She had to help, caught between her brother and her own dreams.Sr: Те ноћи, ситуација је ескалирала.En: That night, the situation escalated.Sr: Станко је ушао у кућу са модрицама на лицу.En: Stanko came into the house with bruises on his face.Sr: Бурна расправа је експлодирала у дневној соби.En: A heated argument erupted in the living room.Sr: Милица је покушала да смири страсти, али су емоције кључале.En: Milica tried to calm things down, but emotions were boiling over.Sr: Јован је коначно видео тежину терета који је Милица носила.En: Jovan finally saw the weight of the burden Milica was carrying.Sr: "Милице," рекао је са тугом, "можда сам погрешио.En: "Milica," he said sadly, "maybe I was wrong.Sr: Твоји снови су важни.En: Your dreams are important."Sr: "Сузе су јој натапале образе док је грлила оца.En: Tears soaked her cheeks as she hugged her father.Sr: Била је то први пут да је осетила његову подршку.En: It was the first time she felt his support.Sr: Станко је, свестан своје улоге у напрегнутости породице, обећао да ће се уписати у програм који ће му помоћи да се врати на прави пут.En: Stanko, aware of his role in the family tension, promised to enroll in a program that would help him get back on the right track.Sr: Следећег јутра, сунце је опет обасјало село, али сада је било другачије.En: The next morning, the sun shone on the village again, but now it was different.Sr: Милица је отишла у Београд, носећи са собом благослов својих најмилијих.En: Milica left for Belgrade, carrying with her the blessing of her loved ones.Sr: Пут је био непознат, али срце јој је било лакше.En: The path was unknown, but her heart was lighter.Sr: Научила је да њена жеља за промјеном може донети светлост и истини породици.En: She learned that her desire for change could bring light and truth to the family.Sr: У свем том миру, нашла је храброст да се бори за своје снове и сопствену срећу.En: In all that peace, she found the courage to fight for her dreams and her own happiness. Vocabulary Words:shining: сијалоpeeked: вирилиconfined: стегнутоambitious: амбициознаpreserving: очувањуsacred: светињаgaze: погледstubbornly: тврдоглавоtrouble: невољамаdisappointment: разочарањемbruises: модрицамаboiling: кључалеburden: тежинуsupport: подршкуsoaked: натапалеenroll: уписатиblessing: благословunknown: непознатcourage: храбростcareer: каријераdesire: жељаheavenly: небескоexploded: експлодиралаcalm: смириerupted: експлодиралаconflicted: скучанwandered: бежаоimportant: важнијаargued: расправљалаtension: тензије

Dr. Marilee Adams shows you how to ask the questions that drive improvement and innovation. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) How your inner questions shape your decisions and behavior 2) Why brainstorming often falls short–and what to do instead 3) The hidden assumptions that limit your thinking and creativity Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1171 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT MARILEE — Marilee Adams, PhD, award-winning author, is a pioneer in inquiry-based coaching, leadership, and organizational culture. The originator of the Question Thinking methodologies, she is CEO and founder of the Inquiry Institute and a consultant for organizations large and small. Dr. Adams is an affiliate instructor for Weatherhead's Executive Education Program at Case Western Reserve University and for ten years was an adjunct professor in the Key Executive Leadership Program at American University.• Book: Change Your Questions, Change Your Life, Fifth Edition: 14 Powerful Tools for Leadership, Coaching, and Results• Book: The Art of the Question: A Guide to Short-Term Question-Centered Therapy (Wiley Series in Couples and Family Dynamics and Treatment)• Email: marilee.adams@inquiryinstitute.com• Website: InquiryInstitute.com• Tool: Choice map— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Book: How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth by The Moth, Meg Bowles, Catherine Burns, Jenifer Hixson, Sarah Austin Jenness, Kate Tellers, Chenjerai Kumanyika, Padma Lakshmi• Book: The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better by Will Storr— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Shopify. Sign up for your free trial at Shopify.com/awesomepod• Monarch. Get 50% off your first year with code AWESOME at Monarch.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this year's fourth installment of Star Wars 101, David Jesse joins my English classes to explore family relationships in Star Wars. From fathers and sons to siblings, mentors, found families, and generational legacy, we examine how the saga uses family to drive conflict, redemption, and hope. Because every family has drama. Most just don't end with someone losing a hand. ----more---- Thank you so much for listening! Please help us spread the word by leaving us a 5-star review!  Hosts: Craig Dickinson: x.com/CraigMDickinson Corey Heitschmidt: x.com/HeitSolo Justin Eldon: x.com/justineldon7  Connect with us:  Website: readingbetweenthereels.podbean.com X: x.com/ReadBtweenReels Facebook: facebook.com/ReadBtweenReels Email: ReadingBetweenReels@gmail.com SpeakPipe: speakpipe.com/ReadingBetweentheReels You can also join our Facebook group. It's a safe place to share your thoughts and discuss all things related to movies. You can find us at facebook.com/groups/readbtweenreels Visit our TeePublic store for t-shirts, hats, hoodies, mugs, and more! You can hear David on the “Tatooine Sons” podcast   Website: tatooinesons.com X: x.com/TatooineSons Facebook: facebook.com/TatooineSons Instagram: instagram.com/tatooinesons If you are interesting in advertising on this podcast, please go to: podbean.com/advertiseonRBR The following music was used for this media project: Music: "Neon Fury" by Sascha Ende Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/12190-neon-fury License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Explore Your Personality: https://PersonalityHacker.com    Why do sensors and intuitives sometimes seem to experience completely different realities? In this episode, Joel and Antonia explore how dominant and inferior perceiving functions shape uncertainty, family conflict, and the way people interpret the same situation. They also share practical ways to bridge personality differences through shared values, humor, low-stakes activities, and healthier boundaries around responsibility.

(00:00:00) Trust Lost By The Bucketful (AUDIO) (00:02:46) Navigating Treatment and Family Dynamics (00:06:24) Trust, Relationships, and Recovery (00:11:54) The Importance of Self-Work in Recovery (00:17:51) Rebuilding Trust and Moving Forward (00:23:43) Family Support and Individual Healing (00:25:31) Navigating Relationship Challenges in Recovery (00:28:43) The Importance of Commitment in Recovery (00:32:05) Rebuilding Trust and Communication (00:34:41) The Family Dynamics of Addiction (00:37:47) Preparing for Transition and Rebuilding Relationships (00:42:28) The Power of Intelligent Self-Care (00:45:01) Taking Action: Steps Toward Recovery Episode 143 (74) Trust Lost By The BucketfulPositive Connections Radio (Podcast) HALT and Call for BackupCoast to Coast with Mike Koch and Jim McLintockSummaryIn this episode, we discuss the complexities of addiction recovery, the impact on families, rebuilding trust, and practical steps for healing and moving forward.Ever felt like you're walking on eggshells with a loved one in recovery? You're not alone. Navigating the emotional rollercoaster of addiction recovery is tough. Families often face a whirlwind of fears: Will they stay sober? Will this be the last time?  Trust erodes over time, and the stress can feel overwhelming. It's not just the person in recovery who struggles; family members are left to manage the fallout of broken promises, emotional turmoil, and the fear of relapse.  But healing is possible!!! It starts with recognizing that you need to focus on yourself too. Establish healthy boundaries and encourage your loved ones to take their recovery seriously.  Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup. Prioritize your own well-being first, and together you can navigate these challenges.  What's your experience with this?  Let's talk about it!Key  topicsImpact of addiction on family dynamicsTrust erosion and rebuilding strategiesImportance of self-care and boundariesRelapse warning signs and preventionRole of therapy and support systemsTakeawaysTrust is lost by the bucketful and gained by the dropper full.Recovery is a continuous process, not a one-time event.Self-love and honesty are crucial for lasting change.Family involvement and support are vital for recovery.Relapse does not mean failure; it's part of the healing journey.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene02:46 Navigating Treatment and Family Dynamics06:24 Trust, Relationships, and Recovery11:54 The Importance of Self-Work in Recovery17:51 Rebuilding Trust and Moving Forward22:43 Family Support and Individual Healing25:31 Navigating Relationship Challenges in Recovery28:43 The Importance of Commitment in Recovery32:05 Rebuilding Trust and Communication34:41 The Family Dynamics of Addiction37:47 Preparing for Transition and Rebuilding Relationships42:28 The Power of Intelligent Self-Care45:01 Taking Action: Steps Toward Recovery“Be Strong, Stand Up, Speak Your Truth, and Break the Stigma.”Music by Rod Kim-Let's Play-SoundtrackFirstresponder-wellness.comMentalHealthNewsRadionetwork.comPositiveconnectionsradio.comMcLintockcounseling.comhttp://www.youtube.com/@HALTandCallforBackuphttps://www.instagram.com/haltandcallforbackup/?hl=en

Send us Fan MailRyan Leaf explores addiction, accountability, identity, and why lasting transformation begins with radical self-honesty.-Podcast Chapters:00:00 Ryan Leaf's redemption journey05:46 Caring about family opinions only09:07 Taking control of daily attitude11:14 Sharing personal experiences openly15:39 Reflecting on personal accountability17:40 Discussing vulnerability and accountability23:32 Diagnosing and understanding CTE26:12 The impact of football on players29:54 Reflecting on life and priorities33:51 Quoting 80s movies 37:25 Commitment to helping veterans38:24 Building a partnership with Menninger46:52 Watching classic WrestleManias-Quotes to open episodes:No matter where you are there you are.  “Learning is a gift, even when pain is your teacher!” ― Michael Jordan-People and Names mentioned in the episode:Reno HightowerShane FalcoJonathan MoxonUSA NetworkChris NowinskiJay GlazerDrew BledsoeJalen RoseDanny Wuerffel Armando E. Colombo The Menninger Clinic-Ryan's Resources:Website: https://theryandleaf.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandleaf/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryandleaf/ Support the showConnect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartinMore Amazing Stories:Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing You From Bond That Make You InsecureEpisode 81: Kurt Warner – Perseverance, Humility, and Lighting the Way Episode 90: Michelle 'MACE' Curran – How to Turn Fear into Fuel------------© 2026 TORCH LEAP®, LLC. All rights reserved.

#105: What happens when one decision changes the trajectory of your life? In this episode of Reckoning, I sit down with James Stone to talk about his incredible journey from addiction and unhealthy habits to living with purpose, discipline, and intention. James shares the honest story of the night he decided enough was enough, how he began his fitness journey with nothing more than an old tire, a hand-me-down treadmill, and a pull-up bar on his front porch, and how that decision ultimately led him to win the MTN OPS Conquer Challenge, day hike Mount Whitney, complete ultra races and rucks, and build a life he's proud of. We also dive into: • Growing up in Texas and being introduced to the outdoors • Hunting, fitness, and fatherhood • His sobriety journey and navigating the social side of giving up alcohol • Building discipline when motivation fades • His community, The Forged Union, and helping other men become stronger in every area of life James was incredibly open throughout this conversation, and I'm so grateful he trusted us with his story. Whether you're working toward better health, considering cutting back on alcohol, chasing a goal, or simply looking for encouragement, I think you'll find something in this episode that resonates.  Follow James: https://www.instagram.com/jamesstone1933 and www.theforgedunion.com  Chapters:  00:00 Introduction and Background 05:36 Transition to Hunting and Archery 11:41 Life Changes and the Impact of Alcohol 14:44 Struggles with Addiction and Family Dynamics 17:29 Turning Point and Journey to Sobriety 20:31 Health and Fitness Transformation 23:31 Navigating Social Situations Post-Sobriety 26:29 Reflections on Family and Relationships 29:28 Conclusion and Future Aspirations 30:34 Building a Home Gym and Fitness Journey 34:11 Diet Changes and Alcohol Impact 35:49 Meal Prep Strategies for Success 36:55 Endurance Training and New Goals 38:44 Winning the Mountain Ops Challenge 40:58 Summiting Mount Whitney 45:18 Transitioning to Ultra Marathons 46:14 The Challenge of Trail Running 54:17 Evolving Training and Aging 57:08 Discipline and Motivation in Fitness 58:01 Understanding ADHD and Personal Growth 59:23 Supporting Loved Ones in Recovery 01:00:45 The Role of Honesty in Relationships 01:01:36 Emotional Support in Health Journeys 01:03:19 Building a Community for Men 01:04:29 The Forge Union: A New Initiative 01:06:23 Navigating Personal Change and Growth 01:10:00 Bucket List Adventures and Hunting Dreams 01:18:22 Favorite Wild Game Recipes and Snacks 01:21:28 Current Challenges and Future Aspirations Get our FAVORITE links, codes & more here! EPISODE MENTIONS:  Watch the show on YouTube HERE Submit your favorites at thereckoningpodcast.com/submit OLLIN for the best digiscoping systems out there use code: RECKONING for 10% OFF SHOP HERE FIRST LITE for the best hunting pants, shirts, jackets, coats and more use code: RECKONING15 for 15% OFF HERE SHEEPFEET for custom orthotics, the best hunting shoe and the hideout hoodie use code: RECKONING for 10% OFF SHOP HERE MTN OPS for the best supplements and gear. Use code BRITT for 20% OFF your order! RUGGED ROAD COOLER GET 10% OFF your lightweight and organized cooler here or USE CODE: LONG  Have Reckoning create content for your brand, learn more HERE! Follow Us on Social:  Brittney Long IGReckoning IG Affiliate Disclaimer.  Show Notes may contain affiliate links. If you click through my referral link, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.  Thank you for supporting RECKONING LLC.

Can parenting influence a child's sexuality? It's one of the most debated questions in Christian circles—and one that's often answered with extremes.In this episode of Calibrate Conversations, Brady Cone responds to the claim that "bad parenting doesn't make kids gay" and explores what Scripture, discipleship, and years of ministry reveal about family dynamics, childhood wounds, and same-sex attraction.This conversation is not about blaming parents. It's about understanding how emotional attachment, trauma, and the lies we believe can shape our hearts while remembering that every person is responsible before God and that true healing is found in Christ.If you're a parent, someone wrestling with same-sex attraction, or simply trying to think biblically about these issues, this episode is for you.In this episode:Do parents cause same-sex attraction?Can childhood trauma influence sexuality?What role do emotionally distant fathers and anxious mothers play?Why grace for parents matters.Understanding the difference between influence and blame.How Romans 1 informs discipleship and healing.Shepherding your child's heart with humility and truth.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:45 Responding to the Facebook claim03:17 Parents aren't to blame06:38 Family patterns that matter07:07 The role of sexual abuse09:35 Three parenting categories13:23 Romans 1 and believing lies15:31 Why ignoring root issues is dangerous18:00 Understanding the past without excusing sin20:10 Encouragement for parents22:48 Final encouragement and ministry invitationIf this conversation encouraged you, like this video, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs biblical clarity and hope.Join us weekly as we strive help people embrace God's standard for sexuality! Other ways to listen:https://linktr.ee/calibrateconversations#Parenting #Discipleship #BiblicalTruth

Cherish children's obedience; Foster fatherly encouragement.

Stay informed on current events, visit www.NaturalNews.com  - Trump's Allegations and Election Fraud Claims (0:10) - Proposed Solutions for Honest Elections (3:28) - Trump's Blame Shift and Historical Context (6:50) - Calls for Action and Legal Proceedings (13:02) - Impact of Election Fraud on Society (16:28) - International AI Cooperation and U.S. Government Weaponization (17:34) - Economic and Environmental Implications (25:50) - Case of Medical Kidnapping in Texas (45:33) - Details of the Kidnapping and Legal Proceedings (57:53) - Corruption and Exploitation in the System (1:13:15) - Mechanics of Abuse and Predatory Petitions (1:15:07) - Personal Experiences and Legal Challenges (1:18:01) - Patricia's Competency and Legal Struggles (1:21:43) - Family Dynamics and Legal Complexities (1:26:05) - Advocacy and Public Awareness (1:29:27) - Patricia's Personal Testimony (1:32:46) - Final Thoughts and Next Steps (1:37:17) Watch more independent videos at http://www.brighteon.com/channel/hrreport  ▶️ Support our mission by shopping at the Health Ranger Store - https://www.healthrangerstore.com ▶️ Check out exclusive deals and special offers at https://rangerdeals.com ▶️ Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed: https://www.naturalnews.com/Readerregistration.html Watch more exclusive videos here:

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Penny Freeman, our Clinical Supervisor at ServingLeaders, to discuss the complex generational family dynamics that influence our lives. We talk about how to understand (and have context for) the differences and challenges we experience between us and our parents, grandparents, and children. We also talk about how to change family dynamics over time and experience God's redemption in even the hardest family challenges.A personal recommendation from ServingLeaders Ministry Director, Tucker Else: “Penny's vast experience and wisdom should be required listening for young counselors and church leaders, and anyone who longs to serve others in a Godly, thoughtful, clinically-informed way.” Reflection QuestionsInformation about generations

Solve the issue of constantly reacting to elder care emergencies by identifying symptoms and root problems of supporting aging parents' bad habits. Schedule family discussions to identify elder care strategies around caregiving resources and personal time. Identify bad habits that contribute to challenging family dynamics, elderly care needs, and senior health problems that negatively impact caregivers' time, money, physical, mental, and emotional energy, and health. In this first episode of year nine of The Caring Generation podcast, caregiving expert Pamela D. Wilson shares practical steps to raise awareness among all family members, including the elderly parent who needs care, about the cost of responding to unnecessary emergencies that pull caregivers away from their jobs, families, and personal priorities.To find show transcripts and educational links on the topic mentioned in Episode 249 and other The Caring Generation podcasts, click here to visit Pamela's website: https://pameladwilson.com/caregiver-radio-programs-the-caring-generation/For more caregiving, aging, and elder care tips for your caregiving journey, visit Pamela's website at https://www.PamelaDWilson.comLearn about Pamela D Wilson as a caregiving expert, her professional background, and her 25 years of professional caregiving and elder care experience: https://pameladwilson.com/pamela-d-wilson-story/Schedule a 1:1 elder care consultation by telephone or video call with Pamela: https://pameladwilson.com/elder-care-consultant-aging-parent-consultation-managing-senior-care-needs-meet-with-pamela-d-wilson/Learn about Pamela D Wilson as an expert witness in caregiving, guardianship, fiduciary litigation, power of attorney, care management, and non-medical in-home care: https://pameladwilson.com/conservatorship-guardianship-expert-witness/ https://pameladwilson.com/expert-witness-caregiving-home-care-guardianship/ https://pameladwilson.com/power-of-attorney-advisor-or-protector/Check out Pamela's online course Caring for Aging Parents: https://pameladwilson.com/support-caring-for-elderly-parents-overwhelmed-caregiver-support-online-course/Sign up for Pamela's newsletter here: https://pameladwilson.com/contact/Join Pamela's Online Caregiver Support Group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecaregivingtrapFollow Pamela on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pameladwilsoncaregivingexpert/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pameladwilsoncaregiverexpert/X: https://www.x.com/CaregivingSpeakPamela D. Wilson is a professional family caregiving and eldercare expert. As a caregiving consultant, expert witness, eldercare mediator and speaker, she provides caregiver advice and tips, individual and family caregiver support, and resources for aging and elder care decision-making. Pamela's 25 years of professional experience inform caregiving discussions, eldercare strategies, and care plans that encompass health, healthcare, financial, and legal aspects, as well as family dynamics. Visit Pamela's website at www.PamelaDWilson.com to access caregiver resources, online courses, her caregiving blog, library, book, videos, and podcast transcripts, offering practical advice and tips for aging adults and family caregivers providing elder care support. ©2018, 2026 Pamela D Wilson. All Rights Reserved

Marriage doesn't just bring two people together. It also brings together different families, expectations, traditions, and experiences. Today we're talking honestly about some of the most common challenges that come with in-law relationships, from feeling the weight of comparison to navigating boundaries and unmet expectations. While we can't solve every complicated family dynamic, we hope this conversation reminds you that your feelings are valid, you're not alone, and you and your partner can work together to build the family culture you want.Key Topics Covered:Why comparison between grandparents is natural and how to appreciate different ways of showing loveHow healthy boundaries protect relationships instead of damaging themWays couples can stay united when navigating difficult family dynamicsPractical ideas for handling extended visits, grandparent favoritism, and differing expectationsWhy speaking up gives family members the opportunity to make positive changesLINKS AND RESOURCES:LMNT: Free Sample Pack with purchase:  drinkLMNT.com/HERSELF Join us at Tricky Foods in Madison, WI on Thursday, July 30th for Moms' Night Out! Learn more and get your ticket here: https://www.herselfpodcast.com/shop/p/herself-moms-night-out-1 Let's connect!HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcastHERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcastMEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskieferMEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreenThis episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY (The Qualifications of an Enabler). Are you part of the problem or part of the solution? In this episode, we explore the complex dynamics of enabling behaviors, the qualifications of enablers, and how to recognize and address codependency in recovery. Join us for insights, personal stories, and practical advice to foster healthier relationships and support lasting sobriety. The Montyman answers email from our listeners. Closing song: The Games People Play by Joe South, performed by the Bad Boys of Reggae.Key Topics ·         Qualifications of an enabler·         Signs of enabling behavior·         The impact of enabling on recovery·         Boundaries and consequences in relationships·         The role of self-care and support groups in recovery#recovery #alcoholic #twelvesteps #wedorecover #addiction 

MAFS 20 Ep 1 Recap: A Perfect Match Podcast A new era kicks off as Aysha Welch and Jason Reed break down the premiere of Married at First Sight season 20. With three couples headed to the altar and fresh experts on the scene, this Peacock launch brings big personalities, unexpected connections, and a spotlight on accountability. From a surprise bachelor party call to a cliffhanger that leaves everyone guessing, this season promises plenty to talk about. Aysha and Jason Reed dig into each new match, examining how the show's revamped format speeds past old traditions like dress shopping and cuts right to the drama. They dissect the focus on “fixer-upper” husbands, debates about personal habits, and the new experts' approach to matching. The episode also covers group dynamics at bachelor and bachelorette parties, the evolving place of family, and a memorable twist when Marissa recognizes her groom at the altar. Strategies and red flags come to the surface quickly, giving fans a slate of couples whose compatibility, and commitment, are immediately in question. Key moments discussed include: Aysha and Jason Reed reacting to the new experts and the end of the Pastor Cal era, sizing up how Paul and Lisa select matches The group's take on Felipe's nightlife lifestyle and what it signals about casting for drama over genuine readiness for marriage The on-air breakup call, where Adam must end things with a situationship in front of Paul, highlighting the push for accountability A look at the men's strong personalities dominating early screen time, and concerns about the women's stories getting enough spotlight The wedding cliffhanger as Marissa instantly recognizes Adam at the altar, with speculation on what this prior connection means for their marriage As season 20 begins, will these new experts' bold pairings and tighter episode rhythms pay off, or is the season already stacked against long-term love? With couples already questioning each other's choices, and the audience left wondering about past connections, there's plenty to unravel from the very first episode. Catch the full premiere recap for a detailed breakdown of matches, personalities, and the reality TV chaos as Married at First Sight heads into uncharted territory. 0:00 Perfect Match coverage of Married At First Sight Season 20 Starts 6:21 Peacock and Format Changes 12:24 New Experts, New Approach 17:09 Casting Fixer Wives for Men 25:12 Bachelor Party Personalities Clash 35:25 Tori's Wedding Day Nerves 46:10 Wedding Ceremony Format Shifts 54:58 Mecca and Bellajolie Matched 1:03:01 Family Dynamics and Bold Introductions 1:16:41 Cheek Kiss and “Call Me Maybe” 1:23:02 Adam Forced to Call Off Date 1:33:40 Marissa Recognizes Adam at Altar Married at First Sight is a reality show where professional matchmakers help individuals find their perfect match. The catch? They don't see their forever-and-always until they walk down the aisle and say “I do!” Would you get married without ever laying eyes on your partner? Do you think these marriages will last? Catch up with us on Twitter and let us know how you liked this podcast (@RobHasAPodcast)! LISTEN: Subscribe to the Perfect Match RHAPUp podcast feed by visiting https://robhasawebsite.com/feed/mafs WATCH: Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube SUPPORT: Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks! Previously on the Love at First Sight Feed: Love at First Sight Recap Archives

MAFS 20 Ep 1 Recap: A Perfect Match Podcast  A new era kicks off as Aysha Welch and Jason Reed break down the premiere of Married at First Sight season 20. With three couples headed to the altar and fresh experts on the scene, this Peacock launch brings big personalities, unexpected connections, and a spotlight on accountability. From a surprise bachelor party call to a cliffhanger that leaves everyone guessing, this season promises plenty to talk about. Aysha and Jason Reed dig into each new match, examining how the show's revamped format speeds past old traditions like dress shopping and cuts right to the drama. They dissect the focus on “fixer-upper” husbands, debates about personal habits, and the new experts' approach to matching. The episode also covers group dynamics at bachelor and bachelorette parties, the evolving place of family, and a memorable twist when Marissa recognizes her groom at the altar. Strategies and red flags come to the surface quickly, giving fans a slate of couples whose compatibility, and commitment, are immediately in question. Key moments discussed include: Aysha and Jason Reed reacting to the new experts and the end of the Pastor Cal era, sizing up how Paul and Lisa select matches The group's take on Felipe's nightlife lifestyle and what it signals about casting for drama over genuine readiness for marriage The on-air breakup call, where Adam must end things with a situationship in front of Paul, highlighting the push for accountability A look at the men's strong personalities dominating early screen time, and concerns about the women's stories getting enough spotlight The wedding cliffhanger as Marissa instantly recognizes Adam at the altar, with speculation on what this prior connection means for their marriage As season 20 begins, will these new experts' bold pairings and tighter episode rhythms pay off, or is the season already stacked against long-term love? With couples already questioning each other's choices, and the audience left wondering about past connections, there's plenty to unravel from the very first episode. Catch the full premiere recap for a detailed breakdown of matches, personalities, and the reality TV chaos as Married at First Sight heads into uncharted territory. 0:00 Perfect Match coverage of Married At First Sight Season 20 Starts 6:21 Peacock and Format Changes 12:24 New Experts, New Approach 17:09 Casting Fixer Wives for Men 25:12 Bachelor Party Personalities Clash 35:25 Tori's Wedding Day Nerves 46:10 Wedding Ceremony Format Shifts 54:58 Mecca and Bellajolie Matched 1:03:01 Family Dynamics and Bold Introductions 1:16:41 Cheek Kiss and “Call Me Maybe” 1:23:02 Adam Forced to Call Off Date 1:33:40 Marissa Recognizes Adam at Altar Married at First Sight is a reality show where professional matchmakers help individuals find their perfect match. The catch? They don't see their forever-and-always until they walk down the aisle and say “I do!” Would you get married without ever laying eyes on your partner? Do you think these marriages will last? Catch up with us on Twitter and let us know how you liked this podcast (@RobHasAPodcast)! Previously on the Love at First Sight Feed:Love at First Sight Recap Archives LISTEN: Subscribe to the Perfect Match RHAPUp podcast feed by visiting https://robhasawebsite.com/feed/mafsWATCH: Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTubeSUPPORT: Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Schroeter has been selling land in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota for nearly 30 years. He estimates that 90 percent of the sellers he talks to are dealing with some version of the same situation: land that is jointly owned, inherited, or headed toward a forced sale because life got in the way. In this conversation, he breaks down everything that can go sideways when multiple people own the same piece of ground, and more importantly, how to keep it from happening. Ryan covers the difference between joint tenancy and tenants in common, why the latter can quietly multiply your ownership partners over generations without anyone realizing it, and why inherited land is essentially a forced partnership that families never agreed to. He explains why getting a power of attorney before you list is one of the most important things a multi-owner group can do, walks through a real transaction that required 16 signatures at every decision point, and lays out the tax tools available when a sale finally happens, including step-up in basis, 1031 exchanges, and Delaware Statutory Trusts. His closing advice is short: get a plan, get it in writing, and remember that it is always easier to divide up money than it is to divide up acres. Talk to Ryan Schroeter!  https://nationalland.com/real-estate-agent/ryan-schroeter   Visit National Land Realty to see our Listings!  https://www.nationalland.com 

Have you ever had someone choose to step away from a relationship with you? In this heartfelt episode of The Spiritual Cupcake Podcast, Candace shares an unexpected conversation that began with a simple question about her sister's garden and unfolded into a meaningful discussion about family, boundaries, and personal growth. When Candace's son asked why someone might not want a relationship with a family member, it opened the door to an important life lesson: we all get to choose who we invite into our circle, and others get to make that choice too. Candace reflects on being blocked by her sister on social media and why, surprisingly, she feels grateful for it. If being connected to someone doesn't bring peace, joy, or well-being, perhaps the most loving thing we can do is respect their decision and release the need to hold on.

Notes Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Genesis 25:19-34 In this episode, we explore the parable of the soils from Matthew 13, examining its themes of faith, receptivity, and the nature of God's grace. We also discuss the story of Jacob and Esau from Genesis 25, highlighting themes of family dynamics, favoritism, and divine purpose. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Pulpit Fiction Podcast 05:12 Exploring the Parable of the Soils 10:26 The Role of the Sower 16:24 Judgment and Compassion in the Parable 19:38 Tending the Garden: Community and Support 22:23 The Fruit of the Spirit and Generosity 24:53 The Nature of Soil and Spiritual Growth 27:00 Deconstruction and Spiritual Resilience 29:47 Exploring the Abrahamic Narratives 31:40 The Rivalry of Jacob and Esau 39:01 Subversion of Norms in Biblical Narratives 44:58 Tension and Resolution in Family Dynamics

Fluent Fiction - Serbian: Finding Roots: A Family's Journey to Reconciliation Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sr/episode/2026-07-04-22-34-01-sr Story Transcript:Sr: Лука је стојао на брду, гледајући сликовито село које се протезало доле испод.En: Luka stood on the hill, looking at the picturesque village stretching out below.Sr: Ветар је носио мирис свеже покошене траве и цвркут птица.En: The wind carried the scent of freshly cut grass and the chirping of birds.Sr: Након много година проведених у иностранству, вратио се кући, испуњен носталгијом и жељом да поново пронађе своје корене.En: After many years spent abroad, he had returned home, filled with nostalgia and a desire to find his roots once again.Sr: Испред старе фарме, кућа се шепурила традиционалним мотивима украса за Петровдан.En: In front of the old farm, the house stood proudly adorned with traditional Petrovdan decorations.Sr: Дрвене греде, украшене разним цвећем и белим чипкастим завесама на прозорима, давале су јој топао и добродошао изглед.En: Wooden beams, decorated with various flowers and white lace curtains on the windows, gave it a warm and welcoming appearance.Sr: Јована је, као обично, била заузета око безброј послова на фарми.En: Jovana, as usual, was busy with countless tasks on the farm.Sr: Њене руке су биле пуне, али лице сувише озбиљно.En: Her hands were full, but her face too serious.Sr: Била је практична, увек држећи породицу на окупу, и често без много поверења у Лукину помоћ.En: She was practical, always keeping the family together, and often without much confidence in Luka's help.Sr: "Лука, добро је што си овде, али ми имамо доста посла," рече она, подижући канту воде.En: "Luka, it's good you're here, but we have a lot of work," she said, lifting a bucket of water.Sr: "Желим да организујем прославу за Петровдан," одврати Лука са осмехом. "То ће нас све зближити."En: "I want to organize a celebration for Petrovdan," Luka replied with a smile. "It will bring us all together."Sr: Милан, најмлађи од тројке, стајао је у сенци старе јабуке.En: Milan, the youngest of the three, stood in the shadow of the old apple tree.Sr: Недавно је завршио факултет и музи су се мешале – град или село, амбиције или традиција.En: He had recently graduated from college, and he was torn between the city or the village, ambition or tradition.Sr: Док је сунце залазило, село је оживело.En: As the sun set, the village came to life.Sr: Људи су долазили, носећи китњасте народне ношње.En: People were arriving, wearing ornate folk costumes.Sr: Све је било спремно за прославу.En: Everything was ready for the celebration.Sr: Сто је био препун традиционалних јела и пића, а ваздух је био препун звукова смеја, гусала и песама.En: The table was full of traditional food and drinks, and the air was filled with sounds of laughter, gusle music, and songs.Sr: Док је ноћ одмицала, стара огорченост је испливала на површину.En: As the night wore on, old grievances surfaced.Sr: Лука и Јована су се успротивили.En: Luka and Jovana opposed each other.Sr: "Јована, покушавам да помогнем," рекао је Лука. "Ми смо породица."En: "Jovana, I'm trying to help," said Luka. "We are family."Sr: "Ја сам овде била све време," одговори она одашиљући му поглед.En: "I've been here the whole time," she replied, giving him a look.Sr: Милан је стекао храброст. "И ја морам донети одлуке. Град или село?"En: Milan gathered his courage. "I also have to make decisions. City or village?"Sr: Сви су заћутали.En: Everyone fell silent.Sr: Било је то време суочавања и отварања.En: It was a time for confrontation and openness.Sr: На крају, Лука предложи: "Можда треба да нађемо баланс.En: In the end, Luka suggested, "Maybe we need to find a balance.Sr: Да се помажемо.En: To help each other.Sr: Јована, мање сам уместо умети управљати свиме."En: Jovana, I'm less adapting instead of controlling everything."Sr: Јована је коначно попустила: "У реду, хајде да пробамо."En: Jovana finally relented, "Alright, let's give it a try."Sr: Милан је схватио да не мора да бира између два света; може имати најбоље од оба.En: Milan realized he didn't have to choose between two worlds; he could have the best of both.Sr: Те ноћи, под светлошћу звезда, схватили су колико је важно држати се заједно.En: That night, under the starlight, they realized how important it is to stick together.Sr: Породица је најпре.En: Family comes first.Sr: Њихове руке, спојене у завет помирења, су сведочиле о новој почетку.En: Their hands, joined in a vow of reconciliation, bore witness to a new beginning.Sr: Ветар је и даље мирисао на траву и песме су и даље одзвањале, али сада, на тој старој фарми, било је више него само песма - било је то обновљено породично јединство.En: The wind still smelled of grass, and the songs still echoed, but now, on that old farm, there was more than just a song—it was renewed family unity. Vocabulary Words:picturesque: сликовитоnostalgia: носталгијаadorned: украшенаbeams: гредеlace: чипкастеpractical: практичнаambition: амбицијеornate: китњастеgrievances: огорченостconfrontation: суочавањеrelented: попустилаvow: заветreconciliation: помирењаunity: јединствоcountless: безбројconfidence: поверењаgraduated: завршиоtorn: мешалеfolk: народнеgrievances: огорченостsurface: испливалаopposed: успротивилиbalance: балансadapting: уметиechoed: одзвањалеtraditional: традиционалнихshadows: сенциmotivated: мотивимаwitfulness: остављено

Big stuff on Love Island this week while Nathan keeps his cool on Below Deck and Lindsay and Kenny's real talk on In the City hits home with me.To support the podcast and access bonus episodes, join the community on Patreon here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Miano grew up with nothing — a mother addicted to drugs a father who wasn't in the picture and a childhood spent bouncing between family homes. He found the family he was looking for in the Gangster Disciples and quickly rose to becoming a recruiter for one of America's most notorious street gangs. In and out of jail from a young age — an attempted firebombing in New York finally put him away for 3 years. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Pastor Michael Miano tells the complete story of how prison became the turning point that changed everything — how he found his life's purpose behind bars and what it took to build a completely new life on the other side. From gang recruiter to pastor — this is one of the most dramatic redemption stories we've ever told on this show. _____________________________________________ #gangster #truecrimecommunity #prisonlife _____________________________________________ Connect with Pastor Michael Miano: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastor.mike.miano/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmiano Book: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B007XI7Y1A _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 From Gang Life to Pastor — The Complete Story 03:00 Growing Up on Long Island — the Home Life and Aspirations That Shaped Everything 07:00 Family Dynamics and Sibling Relationships That Defined His Early Years 10:00 The Pivotal Childhood Moments That Pushed Him Toward Gang Life 14:00 His First Encounters With Gang Life and What That World Really Looked Like 17:00 Inside Gang Recruitment and the Early Activities Nobody Talks About 23:00 Arrests School Struggles and the Double Life He Was Living 29:00 The Escalating Violence and Legal Troubles That Defined That Chapter 35:00 His Prison Sentence — Facing Reality and What Loyalty Really Meant Inside 39:00 Life Inside Prison — the Survival Tactics and Reflection That Changed Everything 45:00 Searching for Identity — Tattoos Politics and What Prison Life Really Looks Like 53:00 The Turning Point — How He Went From Gang Life to Complete Transformation 01:00:00 Reintegrating — His Plans for Life After Prison and What That Required 01:06:00 Returning Home — Finding Work and the New Beginnings That Followed 01:10:00 Building a New Life — Jobs Faith and the Ministry That Gave Him Purpose 01:17:00 Becoming a Pastor and What Giving Back to His Community Really Looks Like 01:20:00 His Mindset His Reflections and the Advice He Wants the Next Generation to Hear _____________________________________________ To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Miano grew up with nothing — a mother addicted to drugs a father who wasn't in the picture and a childhood spent bouncing between family homes. He found the family he was looking for in the Gangster Disciples and quickly rose to becoming a recruiter for one of America's most notorious street gangs. In and out of jail from a young age — an attempted firebombing in New York finally put him away for 3 years. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Pastor Michael Miano tells the complete story of how prison became the turning point that changed everything — how he found his life's purpose behind bars and what it took to build a completely new life on the other side. From gang recruiter to pastor — this is one of the most dramatic redemption stories we've ever told on this show. _____________________________________________ #gangster #truecrimecommunity #prisonlife _____________________________________________ Connect with Pastor Michael Miano: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastor.mike.miano/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmiano Book: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B007XI7Y1A _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 From Gang Life to Pastor — The Complete Story 03:00 Growing Up on Long Island — the Home Life and Aspirations That Shaped Everything 07:00 Family Dynamics and Sibling Relationships That Defined His Early Years 10:00 The Pivotal Childhood Moments That Pushed Him Toward Gang Life 14:00 His First Encounters With Gang Life and What That World Really Looked Like 17:00 Inside Gang Recruitment and the Early Activities Nobody Talks About 23:00 Arrests School Struggles and the Double Life He Was Living 29:00 The Escalating Violence and Legal Troubles That Defined That Chapter 35:00 His Prison Sentence — Facing Reality and What Loyalty Really Meant Inside 39:00 Life Inside Prison — the Survival Tactics and Reflection That Changed Everything 45:00 Searching for Identity — Tattoos Politics and What Prison Life Really Looks Like 53:00 The Turning Point — How He Went From Gang Life to Complete Transformation 01:00:00 Reintegrating — His Plans for Life After Prison and What That Required 01:06:00 Returning Home — Finding Work and the New Beginnings That Followed 01:10:00 Building a New Life — Jobs Faith and the Ministry That Gave Him Purpose 01:17:00 Becoming a Pastor and What Giving Back to His Community Really Looks Like 01:20:00 His Mindset His Reflections and the Advice He Wants the Next Generation to Hear _____________________________________________ To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Paula Burns shares her journey from feeling small and timid to embracing her true self and building confidence through reflection, creativity, and intentional living. Discover practical tips on how to listen to your inner voice and live authentically. Key TopicsThe impact of family dynamics and birth order on self-esteemThe importance of reflection and quiet time for self-awarenessPractical strategies for building confidence in public speaking and businessThe role of faith and inner voice in decision-makingHow to create a 'Happiness Fountain' for daily joyChapters00:00 The Journey of Healing and Fitting In02:55 Overcoming Timidity and Embracing Creativity05:55 Family Dynamics and Personal Growth08:59 Recognizing the Need for Change12:06 Bursting Out of the Shell15:06 Building Confidence Through Experience17:57 Navigating Career Transitions20:57 Life Lessons from Loss22:18 Reflections on Health and Life Lessons25:09 Rediscovering Self-Identity29:31 From Events to Coaching: A Journey of Discovery31:38 Listening to Your Inner Voice35:04 The Importance of Reflection39:04 Creating Your Happiness FountainFollow Links:Sign up for the BreathHealing Release Practitioner and Conscious Connected Breathwork Facilitoator Certification here:https://influentialbreathwork.com/bhrFollow Anna Parker-Napleson Instagram:⁠  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/healingafterthehardstuff⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/annaparkernaples⁠⁠LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaparkernaples⁠⁠https://www.paulaburns.net/Join the Inner Confidence GLOW Experience© https://www.paulaburns.net/inner-confidence-glow-experience/https://www.facebook.com/paula.burns.3150https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulaburnseventsandmentoring/https://www.instagram.com/paulaburnsmentoring/

In this conversation, Lawrence reflects on three years of the Family Disappeared Podcast and the recovery community that has grown through shared stories of parental alienation and family estrangement. Rather than focusing on what has been lost, this episode explores what it means to rebuild a meaningful life through healing, connection, and daily practice.From mindfulness and Nonviolent Communication to community support and emotional resilience, Lawrence shares the lessons that continue to shape long-term recovery. This conversation is a reminder that healing is not measured by whether reconciliation happens, but by how we choose to live in the meantime. Living fully is not giving up, but an act of love, integrity, and hope.KEY TAKEAWAYSCommunity support is vital for healing from parental alienation.Self-work and emotional regulation are key to reconnecting.Resources like 12-step programs and somatic work are invaluable.Future initiatives include trainings, live events, and expanded online resources.Sharing stories and experiences fosters hope and connection.CHAPTERS00:00 - Introduction and Community Building 03:00 - Reflections on the Podcast Journey 05:52 - The Importance of Community and Support 09:01 - Empowerment Through Service and Recovery 11:49 - Tools for Healing and Communication 14:38 - The Role of Joy and Laughter in Recovery 17:56 - Future Directions and Upcoming Break 20:50 - Reconnecting with Family Dynamics 23:39 - Exploring Sibling Relationships 26:36 - The Child's Perspective on Alienation 29:57 - Engaging with Professionals and Community 32:47 - Conclusion and Call to ActionSupport & Community:Parental Alienation Anonymous (PAA): Join our free 12-step support group with 16 online meetings weekly for parents, grandparents, family members, and previously alienated individuals seeking healing and recovery.PA-A.org: Parental Alienation Advocates is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fostering education, advocacy, and support for individuals grappling with the distressing impact of parental alienation, estrangement, erasure, and family disconnection.All our services are free and sustained by grants and community donations. Your support helps us continue offering these vital resources.Donate here: https://pa-a.mykajabi.com/donations-for-the-12-step-programConnect with Us:Email your questions or insights: familydisappeared@gmail.comLike, share, and comment to help us reach more families in need.If you wish to connect with Lawrence Joss or any of the PA-A community members who have appeared as guests on the podcast:  Email - familydisappeared@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lawrencejoss(All links mentioned in the podcast are available in Linktree)This podcast is made possible by the Family Disappeared Team:Anna Johnson- Editor/Contributor/Activist/Co-hostGlaze Gonzales- Podcast ManagerConnect with Lawrence Joss:Website: https://parentalalienationanonymous.com/Email-         familydisappeared@gmail.com

FORGIVE & FORGET: My Mom Is Suddenly Insisting We Pay To Use The Family Beach House... full 801 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:30:38 +0000 FxnfDoSgwwj5gzFuzkG97RUV4FVPnsfj advice,family,drama,family dynamics,family issues,forgive and forget,forgive & forget,family drama,beach house,music,society & culture,news Kramer & Jess On Demand Podcast advice,family,drama,family dynamics,family issues,forgive and forget,forgive & forget,family drama,beach house,music,society & culture,news FORGIVE & FORGET: My Mom Is Suddenly Insisting We Pay To Use The Family Beach House... Highlights from the Kramer & Jess Show. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Music Society & Culture News https://

Send us Fan MailBlending a family is about much more than combining households—it's about building trust, creating stability, and learning to carry life's invisible load together.Deb sits down with Carly for an honest conversation about what has helped her blended family flourish. From partnership and communication to clearly defined roles and mutual support, they explore how putting the relationship first can create a stronger foundation for the entire family.A thoughtful conversation about intentional parenting, teamwork, and redefining what family can look like. Added to that, healthy boundaries, faith, letting go of shame, and dancing around in the kitchen, to help ease some of that Invisible load.Real parents. Real stories. Because it takes a village to raise a child — and a community to raise their parent.WATCH THIS EPISODE on YOUTUBE HERE"I NEED MY SASS BACK"  Music Video YouTubeSpotifyApple Music IG - @sassandsmalls (Main)        @sassandsmalltalkpodcastFB/TIKTOK/WEBSITESUBSCRIBE YOUTUBEListen HERERequests HERERATINGSIf you're a parent/caregiver carrying an invisible load & like what you hear? Please share and rate us 5 Stars  BYE BYE BURNOUTMY GO-TO for Cortisol-balancing, Gut-healing, Stress Resillience:  "HAPPY" DRINK $10 OFF 

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, Brian, Travis, and Courtney celebrate the podcast's two-year anniversary while reflecting on the impact of sharing real foster care stories and experiences. The conversation explores the realities of foster care from both the perspective of foster parents and those learning about the system from the outside.The hosts discuss the different types of foster care placements, including emergency, short-term, long-term, and youth in conflict placements, as well as the intake process and the difficult decisions foster families must make when accepting a child into their home. They highlight the importance of understanding family dynamics, communicating boundaries with caseworkers, and recognizing the emotional and logistical challenges that come with fostering.The conversation also dives into the first month after placement, the overwhelming nature of adjusting to a new child in the home, the responsibilities foster parents carry, and the importance of strong support systems. Topics include visitation with biological parents, navigating relationships within the child welfare system, and the misconceptions many people have about foster families.Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize that foster families are everyday people making an extraordinary commitment. By sharing personal stories and practical insights, the podcast aims to build empathy, educate the community, and encourage greater support for children and families involved in foster care.Learn more about becoming a foster parent with our "Fostering Front Door" resources:https://americaskidsbelong.org/lp/ffd-potential-foster-parent-journey/TakeawaysThe Foster Friendly Podcast celebrates two years of conversations focused on educating and supporting the foster care community.Sharing real foster care stories helps bridge the gap between those involved in foster care and those who may not understand the system.Foster care placements can include emergency, short-term, long-term, and youth in conflict situations.The intake process involves carefully evaluating a child's needs and circumstances.Foster parents often receive placement calls unexpectedly and must make difficult decisions quickly.Families should communicate their preferences, boundaries, and limitations with caseworkers.The decision to accept a placement should consider the needs of both the child and the foster family.Foster care impacts entire families and requires thoughtful consideration of family dynamics.The first month after placement can be one of the most challenging and overwhelming periods for foster families.Strong relationships with caseworkers and community members can make the foster care journey more manageable.Foster parents handle significant responsibilities, including appointments, paperwork, daily care, and emotional support.Visitation with biological parents is an important part of many foster care experiences.Foster families are not extraordinary people—they are ordinary people choosing to do something extraordinary.Community involvement and support systems are essential for helping foster families succeed.Greater understanding and empathy can come from learning about the realities of foster care.The needs of the child should remain the central focus in every foster care decision. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

Most people think enmeshment is love. They think it's loyalty/ being a close family or maybe it's just caring deeply about the people around them, but what if the reason you struggle to make decisions, set boundaries, trust yourself, or put your partner first has nothing to do with love and everything to do with enmeshment? In this powerful conversation, we sit down with therapist Aliza Shapiro to unpack one of the most misunderstood relationship dynamics: enmeshment. We explore how family loyalty can sometimes become control, why so many eldest children become parentified, how cultural expectations shape our identities, and what it takes to build healthy relationships without losing the people we love. Whether you're constantly seeking your parents' approval, feel responsible for everyone else's emotions, or struggle to put your own needs first, this episode will help you understand where those patterns come from and how to begin changing them. If you've ever felt guilty for choosing yourself, this conversation is for you.

JUDGE JESS: My Husband Needs To Spend Father's Day With His Kids, NOT Golfing! full 471 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:42:15 +0000 0h1nP16k7yRTkR5z4muZL1guJE1yAIhi advice,kids,fathers day,family,golfing,family dynamics,judge jess,family drama,music,society & culture,news Kramer & Jess On Demand Podcast advice,kids,fathers day,family,golfing,family dynamics,judge jess,family drama,music,society & culture,news JUDGE JESS: My Husband Needs To Spend Father's Day With His Kids, NOT Golfing! Highlights from the Kramer & Jess Show. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Music Society & Culture News https://player.a

From Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz-Beckham to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, we've watched family rifts play out publicly. But behind the headlines is a dilemma many people face in their own lives: what happens when the person you love doesn't fit into the family you come from? This week, Kate Langbroek sits down with world-renowned relationship therapist Esther Perel to discuss one of the most emotionally complicated tensions of adulthood — choosing your partner while trying to maintain your relationship with your family. Why do some parents struggle to accept their child's partner? Why can falling in love feel like betrayal? And when family conflict erupts, how do you protect your relationship without losing the people who raised you? Together, Kate and Esther unpack family estrangement, difficult in-laws, loyalty, intimacy, and the relationship patterns we inherit from our parents — and whether it's possible to build a marriage that looks different from the one we grew up with. Support independent women’s media and get our biggest offer of the year. Subscribe here for 30% off your annual Mamamia subscription. Code applied at the checkout. Offer ends June 30. You can now watch our show in full length video on the Apple Podcast app - make sure your phone is up to date and we can't wait for you to see. CLICK HERE. What To Listen To Next: Listen: Georgie Tunny & Rob Mills: The Marriage And Baby Conversation Everyone Keeps Asking About Listen: The Love Of My Life Was My Best Friend. Then She Died At 34 Listen: Jeni Haynes Created 2681 Personalities To Survive Her Abusive Father Listen: Kate Ceberano Has Spent 40 Years Trying To Figure Herself Out Listen: Maisie Peters Has Moved On From Mid Men Listen: EXCLUSIVE: Stephanie Browitt Survived The White Island Volcano. This Is Her Mother’s Story Too. Listen: Sophie Smith Lost Her Premature Triplets And Then Her Husband. This Is How She Kept Going Listen: Patrick Brammall Turned Down The Devil Wears Prada 2. Then He Got A Call Discover more Mamamia Podcasts here. Watch No Filter on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram here. Follow us on TikTok here. Feedback: podcast@mamamia.com.au Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. CREDITS: Guest: Esther Perel Host: Kate Langbroek Executive Producer: Bree Player Audio and Video Producer: Julian Rosario Social Media Producer: Olivia Colman Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever feel like your home is a swirling hive of chaos? That's daily life for author, podcast host, and wellness trailblazer Jeff Krasno. In this special Father's Day episode of Modern Dadhood, we welcome Jeff—father to three teenage daughters and creator of the new Diaries of a Dance Dad podcast an audio book. From the hilarious trenches of dance competitions to the poignant depths of father-daughter relationships, Jeff  brings wit, honesty, and wisdom to the ever-shifting role of dadhood. You'll recognize more of yourself in these stories than you think. Jeff sticks around after the chat to join in on an installment of Confessions! Conversation topics include: • Navigating fatherhood as the sole man in a house full of teenage daughters • The inspiration behind Diaries of a Dance Dad and how sharing personal essays about parenthood connects with others • The emotional spectrum of parenting: from laughter to tears, and finding meaning in both the joyful and challenging moments • Exploring intergenerational threads between fathers and children • The importance of modeling vulnerability, ethical behavior, and presence for kids • Reflections on mindful living and the value of being present amid the chaos and unpredictability of parenthood • And more!LINKSDiaries of a Dance Dad (homepage)Diaries of a Dance Dad (Apple Podcasts)Jeff Krasno (homepage)Jeff Krasno (Substack)Commune (homepage)Jeff Krasno (Instagram)DEATH AND (YouTube)This Headache Journey (Apple Podcasts)Caspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

“Relationscapes” is the current podcast by Fireside host Blair Hodges. Enjoy this sample episode! Be sure to subscribe directly to Relationscapes now, because this episode will fall out of the Fireside feed next month!

In today's episode, Christie Thomas is back to talk about the quiet strength of gentleness and why it matters so deeply in our homes. Christie shares how gentleness is not weakness or passivity, but strength held under control for the good of others. We discuss parenting through the fruit of the Spirit, responding instead of reacting, and how our kids learn about the character of Jesus through the way we handle frustration, conflict, and mistakes. We also talk honestly about the exhaustion of parenting, spiritual dry seasons, postpartum anxiety, worship as prayer, and simple ways to stay connected to God when you feel overwhelmed. This conversation is full of practical encouragement for parents who want to build homes marked by patience, safety, grace, and the gentleness of Christ.(00:00) Introduction to Christie Thomas and Her Journey(03:10) Understanding Gentleness: A Deeper Meaning(06:04) Gentleness in Parenting: Balancing Authority and Compassion(08:51) The Role of the Holy Spirit in Cultivating Gentleness(12:09) Discipling Our Children Through Our Actions(14:50) Practical Steps to Grow in Gentleness(18:05) The Impact of Gentleness on Family Dynamics(21:02) Resources for Growing in Gentleness(24:03) Conclusion and Final ThoughtsResources MentionedEveryday Prayers for Gentleness bookLittle Shoots Deep RootsInstagramPrefer video? Find this and other episodes on YouTube!The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

ITP - 148 follows Scott and Amanda as they share their international teaching journey from Dubai, Shanghai, the Philippines, Thailand, and Riyadh to their upcoming move to Jakarta. In this episode, they talk about meeting through OkCupid across continents, transitioning from teaching into school counseling, supporting student mental health in international schools, and what it is like to have a baby in Saudi Arabia while living overseas as educators.The conversation also explores raising a child as a third culture kid, navigating maternity and paternity leave abroad, international healthcare experiences, taxes and residency considerations for overseas teachers, and the realities of moving countries with pets, a newborn, and a teaching career. This episode is especially relevant for international teachers interested in counseling, family life abroad, overseas childbirth, and long-term expat living.-more information-The International Teacher Podcast is a bi-weekly discussion with experts in international education. New Teachers, burned out local teachers, local School Leaders, International school Leadership, current Overseas Teachers, and everyone interested in international schools can benefit from hearing stories and advice about living and teaching overseas.Additional Gems Related to Our Show:Greg's Favorite Video From Living Overseas - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWKBwzF-hw⁠Signup to be our guest  ⁠https://calendly.com/itpexpat/itp-interview?month=2025-01⁠Our Website⁠ -  ⁠https://www.itpexpat.com/⁠Our FaceBook Group - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/itpexpat⁠⁠JPMint Consulting Website  - ⁠https://www.jpmintconsulting.com/⁠Hannah's Personal IG - https://www.instagram.com/thatexpatfamily?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Greg's Personal YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs1B3Wc0wm6DR_99OS5SyzvuzENc-bBdO⁠Books By Gregory Lemoine:⁠International Teacher Guide: Finding the "Right Fit" 2nd Edition (2025)⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.⁠⁠"International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education"⁠⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.Apps by Greg:https://apps.apple.com/app/6755244840  1. Who's That? Name & Face Trainer  Nov 21, 2025https://apps.apple.com/app/6756509803   2. Facetag | Memory Trainer   Dec 16, 2025Chapters:(00:00) Introduction and Location Check-In(02:38) Scott and Amanda's Journey in International Education(05:51) Navigating Long-Distance Relationships in Teaching Abroad(08:18) Transitioning from Teaching to Counseling(10:58) The Role of Counselors in International Schools(13:53) Cultural Perspectives on Mental Health(16:38) The Importance of Counseling in Diverse Environments(19:19) Advisory Programs and Their Impact(21:51) Mental Health Awareness and Support(24:42) Parenting and Teaching Abroad(25:32) The Birth Experience: Teams and Protocols(27:30) Emergency Situations and Communication Challenges(29:29) Healthcare Experiences: Comparing Countries(31:24) Maternity Leave and Support Systems(35:13) Raising Third Culture Kids(38:47) Family Dynamics and Long-Distance Relationships(45:17) Choosing the Right Place to Live(47:54) Navigating Life Changes and Challenges(49:50) Understanding Tax Implications for Expats(52:41) Creating a Sense of Home Abroad(58:50) Adventures with Law Enforcement(01:00:52) Final Thoughts and Reflections

Join Victoria as she interviews her sister and cousin, April, sharing her powerful journey through a brain tumor diagnosis, surgery, and the unwavering faith that carried her through. This heartfelt conversation highlights God's providence, family support, and the transformative power of trusting in Him during life's toughest trials. TOPICSFaith and trust in God's plan during health crisesThe emotional and spiritual journey through a brain tumor diagnosisThe importance of family support and community in healingGod's providence and miracles in modern medicineTrust God's plan even when facing unexpected health crises.Family and community support are vital during difficult times.God's providence can be seen in medical miracles and personal stories.Maintaining faith and hope can transform fear into peace.From Diagnosis to Divine Hope: April's Miraculous Brain Tumor JourneyFaith in the Face of Fear: April's Story of God's Providence"It's a miracle, and miracles are everywhere.""God kept His hand on me through it all.""Nothing takes God by surprise."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Family Dynamics and Personal Struggles01:04 Navigating Anxiety and Medication Decisions05:37 Understanding Health Anxiety and Its Impact08:41 The Journey to Diagnosis: From Symptoms to Scans13:51 Receiving the Diagnosis: A Life-Changing Moment19:21 Surgery and Its Implications: Facing Fears22:55 Reflections on the Experience and Moving Forward23:15 The Importance of Faith in Trials25:53 Personal Stories of Divine Protection28:27 Navigating Anxiety and Trusting God30:48 The Role of Family Support32:39 Miracles in Modern Medicine43:15 The Impact on Family Dynamics46:22 Encouragement for Others Facing Similar Challenges50:29 Embracing Change and Connection52:30 The Power of Community and Faith55:38 Transforming Thoughts and Mindsets59:36 The Impact of Family Legacy01:06:03 Closing Reflections and Prayerkeywordsfaith, brain tumor, surgery, God's providence, family, hope, Christian faith, overcoming fear, medical miracle, spiritual journey

Sometimes you just need an impromptu therapy session with absolutely no professionals present. From the adult who calls their parents by their first names to the person who orders a salad at a pub, Clare, Amelia and Em are unpacking the exact types of people we just don’t trust. SUBSCRIBE to Mamamia and never miss a word of Out Loud. Plus get access to every story and our exercise app, MOVE. Australia’s fertility rate has sunk to a record low, but researchers swear they’ve found the one simple trick to get women to have more babies. It does involve your home office’s proximity to the bedroom, but not quite in the way you might think. Plus, how are powerful women like Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan still being target with 300 year old Salem tropes like ‘Ditch The Witch’? Julia Gillard, like us, has thoughts. Also, Madonna just dropped a star-studded 10-minute musical short film called Confessions II. We’re breaking down every single celebrity cameo you might have missed. And, we explain the reason why Taylor Swift, Timothée Chalamet and Ben Stiller are in orange and blue all over your social media feed. SUBSCRIBE here: Support independent women's media What To Listen To Next: Listen to our latest episode: 3 (Celebrity) Weddings And A Guest Drama Listen: Spoiled Pig Syndrome & Our List Of Things That Are Just Not Working Listen: Sorry Clare. There’s No Better Time To NOT Have A Baby Listen: The Boy ‘Mom’ Trap & Actually, We’ve Met Listen: The Married People Claiming 'Hot Divorce Energy' Listen: Don’t Go To Uni, Baby Doll Dresses & The World’s Coolest Wedding Hat Listen: Reading-Gap Relationships & The 'Daddy' Of It All Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts Discover more Mamamia Podcasts here including the very latest episode of Parenting Out Loud, the parenting podcast for people who don't listen to... parenting podcasts. SUBSCRIBE here: Support independent women's media You can now watch our show in full length video on the Apple Podcast app - make sure your phone is up to date and we can't wait for you to see Mamamia Out Loud on Apple What to read: 'Five words from someone I trusted nearly broke me. Here's what I know now.' HOLLY WAINWRIGHT: Want to start a fight in 3 words? Work from home. The real reason less of us are having babies in 2025. Your 5-minute news explainer to get you up to date on June 9, 2026. THE END BITS: Check out our merch at MamamiaOutLoud.com GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening. Send us an email at outloud@mamamia.com.au Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message. Join our Facebook group Mamamia Outlouders to talk about the show. Follow us on Instagram @mamamiaoutloud and on Tiktok @mamamiaoutloud Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At age 13, Dr. John Demartini left home after being told by the “experts” around him that his life would never amount to much. People claimed his physical and learning challenges were too much to overcome…Nearly six decades later, John is living the life none of those “experts” could've ever imagined, as a world-renown teacher who helps his students come to a greater understanding of human behavior and maximizing their potential.John shares his amazing journey from his early days as teenage surfer without a home, then explains why he gave up the self-help movement — it's a moral trap — and reveals the importance of asking the right questions of ourselves and others this week on Spirit Gym.Find out more about John and his work on his website and on social media via Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and YouTube. Listen to his podcast, The Demartini Show, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to them.Also, John invites Spirit Gym listeners to take advantage of some free gifts:· Download his 7 Steps to Expand to the Next Level of Empowerment workbook.· Watch John's inspiring presentation, Awakening Your Astronomical Vision.· Complete the Demartini Value Determination Process, a 13-step process that helps you determine your highest values or priorities in life.· Take his master classes, Increase Your Deserve Level and Finally Get What You Want and Discover The Hidden Order and Its Power to Transform Your Life.Timestamps5:34 John leaves home at age 13 to hitchhike cross-country and surf.8:31 John's life-changing encounter with Paul Bragg.19:59 From learning-challenged to speaking to University of Houston students daily.35:20 “Everything that's going on our life is on the way to help us be our most magnificent self.”46:00 Lean into your uniqueness and authenticity with help from your teachers.53:29 The Demartini method.1:01:45 Holy curiosity.1:13:32 “I really believe all of the randomness that we have is missing information.”1:22:29 “The Master lives in a world of transformation, not the illusion of gain, loss, pleasure, pain or polarities.”1:27:39 John's research leads him to give up the self-help movement.1:39:32 “Quality questions are ones that make us aware of what we're unconscious of when we're interpreting things in this polarized way.”1:41:47 What is depression?1:54:56 True science and true religion mirror each other, but with different languages.2:03:25 John's definition of evil: An incomplete awareness of a mental construct.2:12:59 Good and evil: The only labels we impose on things that are exaggerations rather than synthesis.2:15:41 The soulmate question.2:31:05 “The first thing I tell my students: Whatever you perceive in me, let's find it in you.”ResourcesEssentials of Emotional Intelligence by Dr. John DemartiniSpecial Relativity and Classical Field Theory: The Theoretical Minimum by Leonard Susskind and Art FriedmanThe Principles of Quantum Mechanics by P.A.M. DuracThe C.T. Bauer College of Business at the University of HoustonDr. John Demartini's heated conversation with Aubrey Marcus on YouTubeThe Science of Mind: The Complete 1926 edition by Ernest HolmesThe Law of Eristic Escalation explained by Dr. John DemartiniThe Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent PealeThe work of Jack LaLanne, Buddy Miles, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Claude Shannon, Frank Tipler, Stephen Wolfram, Vera Rubin, Sri Aurobindo, Stephen Hawking, Edward Edinger and EpictetusThe Schrödinger equationRudolf Clausius and the second law of thermodynamicsThe Boltzmann equationHeraclitis and the LogosWhat is Life? by Erwin SchrodingerGeocentrismThe RigvedaCosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind by Richard BuckeGate control theory by Ronald Melzack and Patrick WallThe Secret (film) on YouTubeThe Trans-Planckian problemPaul's podcast conversation with Sean O'LaoireFind more resources for this episode on our website.Music Credit: Meet Your Heroes (444Hz), Composed, mixed, mastered and produced by Michael RB Schwartz of Brave Bear MusicThanks to our awesome sponsors:PaleovalleyBIOptimizers US and BIOptimizers UK PAUL15Organifi CHEK20Wild PasturesPique LifeSpirit GymCHEK InstituteWe may earn commissions from qualifying purchases using affiliate links.

Fluent Fiction - Hungarian: Family Bonds & Tea: Sharing the Weight of Responsibility Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hu/episode/2026-06-09-22-34-02-hu Story Transcript:Hu: Késő tavaszi délután volt Budapesten.En: It was a late spring afternoon in Budapest.Hu: A kellemes meleg napsugár bevilágította a kis teázó belsejét, ahol Zoltán és Réka egy asztalnál ültek.En: The pleasant warm sunbeam illuminated the interior of the small tea house where Zoltán and Réka were sitting at a table.Hu: A teázóban ültetett tóthagymák illata keveredett a jázmin tea édes illatával.En: The scent of the planted garlic in the tea house mingled with the sweet aroma of jasmine tea.Hu: "Réka, tudod, hogy mostanában sokat gondolkodom a szüleink jövőjén" - kezdte Zoltán, miközben egy bögrényi gőzölgő teát kortyolt.En: "Réka, you know, I've been thinking a lot about our parents' future lately," Zoltán began, while sipping a mug of steaming tea.Hu: Réka mosolygott, melegséggel a tekintetében.En: Réka smiled, warmth in her gaze.Hu: "Persze, Zoltán.En: "Of course, Zoltán.Hu: Mindannyian aggódunk értük.En: We are all worried about them.Hu: De nem szabad mindent egyedül vállalnod.En: But you shouldn't take everything on yourself."Hu: "Zoltán sóhajtott.En: Zoltán sighed.Hu: "Én vagyok a legidősebb.En: "I'm the oldest.Hu: Úgy érzem, hogy nekem kell mindent irányítanom.En: I feel like I have to manage everything.Hu: De Dávid egyelőre nem mutatott nagy érdeklődést.En: But Dávid hasn't shown much interest so far."Hu: ""El kell kezdenünk bevonni őt is.En: "We need to start involving him too.Hu: Nem hagyhatjuk ki a döntésekből.En: We can't leave him out of the decisions.Hu: Ő is a család része" - válaszolta Réka, meggyőződéssel a hangjában.En: He's part of the family too," Réka replied, conviction in her voice.Hu: A teázó békés hangulata és a természet hangjai kívülről megnyugtatták Zoltánt.En: The peaceful atmosphere of the tea house and the sounds of nature from outside calmed Zoltán.Hu: Tudta, hogy Rékának igaza van, de a szívében még mindig kételkedett Dávid elkötelezettségében.En: He knew Réka was right, but he still doubted Dávid's commitment in his heart.Hu: Ahogy tovább beszélgettek, a beszélgetés egyre feszültebb lett.En: As they continued talking, the conversation grew more tense.Hu: Zoltán kezdett hangot adni aggodalmainak.En: Zoltán began to voice his concerns.Hu: "Mi van, ha Dávid nem vállal részt?En: "What if Dávid doesn't take part?Hu: Mi lesz akkor, ha minden rajtam marad?En: What will happen if everything falls on me?"Hu: "Réka azonban nem hagyta magát elbizonytalanítani.En: However, Réka was not deterred.Hu: "Beszéljünk vele őszintén.En: "Let's talk to him honestly.Hu: Szabjuk meg a határokat és feladatokat.En: Let's set boundaries and tasks.Hu: De együtt kell csinálnunk.En: But we have to do it together."Hu: "Ez a vita végül áttörést hozott.En: This discussion finally brought a breakthrough.Hu: Zoltán rájött, hogy bátyjaként vezethet, de nem kell egyedül viselnie a terhet.En: Zoltán realized that as the older brother he could lead, but he didn't have to bear the burden alone.Hu: Közösen döntöttek úgy, hogy Dáviddal is leülnek egy közös megbeszélésre.En: They decided together to sit down with Dávid for a joint discussion.Hu: Ott világosan megbeszélik, ki mit vállal.En: There, they would clearly discuss who takes on what.Hu: Néhány hét múlva Dáviddal leültek ugyanabban a teázóban.En: A few weeks later, they sat down with Dávid in the same tea house.Hu: A beszélgetés során mindhárman megosztották gondolataikat és érzéseiket.En: During the conversation, all three shared their thoughts and feelings.Hu: Dávid megértette a helyzetet, és elkötelezte magát, hogy aktívabban részt vesz a családi ügyekben.En: Dávid understood the situation and committed to being more actively involved in family matters.Hu: Ahogy a napfényt átengedő csipkefüggönyön keresztül fény áradt a teázóba, Zoltán szívében megkönnyebbülést érzett.En: As light streamed into the tea house through the lace curtain that let the sunlight through, Zoltán felt relieved in his heart.Hu: Végre nem volt egyedül a felelősség súlya alatt.En: He was finally no longer alone under the weight of responsibility.Hu: A testvérek közös erővel biztosították, hogy szüleik a lehető legjobb gondoskodást kapják majd a jövőben.En: Together with their combined efforts, the siblings ensured that their parents would receive the best possible care in the future.Hu: Ez a pillanat nemcsak praktikus megoldást kínált, hanem megerősítette a testvérek közötti kötődést is.En: This moment not only offered a practical solution but also strengthened the bond between the siblings.Hu: Zoltán megtanulta, hogy a család támogatása erő és nem teher, és hogy a felelősséget meg lehet osztani, hogy közösen vigyázzanak szüleikre.En: Zoltán learned that family support is a strength, not a burden, and that responsibility can be shared to jointly take care of their parents. Vocabulary Words:illuminated: bevilágítottainterior: belsejétscent: illatamug: bögresteaming: gőzölgőwarmth: melegséggaze: tekintetsigh: sóhajtmanage: irányítaniconviction: meggyőződéscommitment: elkötelezettségatmosphere: hangulatdeter: elbizonytalanítaniboundaries: határokbreakthrough: áttörésburden: teherweight: súlyabond: kötődésstrengthened: megerősítettebear: viselniresponsibility: felelősségensured: biztosítottákactively: aktívanlace curtain: csipkefüggönyrelieved: megkönnyebbüléstjoint: közösdiscussion: megbeszéléspractical: praktikussolution: megoldássupport: támogatás

Should Jess Reconnect With Her Relative After 7 Years? full 324 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:09:58 +0000 99B8JmGzkkTbc3o8DkpvjgR8JH1mab34 family,family dynamics,family issues,family drama,no contact,music,society & culture,news Kramer & Jess On Demand Podcast family,family dynamics,family issues,family drama,no contact,music,society & culture,news Should Jess Reconnect With Her Relative After 7 Years? Highlights from the Kramer & Jess Show. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Music Society & Culture News https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?f

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. What happens when a family business advisor is also navigating the realities of family business at home?In this episode, host Natalie Kling sits down with Craig and Joyce Hettrich of The Hettrich Group to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that family-owned businesses face as they grow.Drawing from decades of leadership experience and years spent helping entrepreneurs scale their companies, Craig and Joyce share practical insights into one of the most difficult aspects of family business: separating emotion from facts while preserving the passion that makes family companies special.The conversation explores succession planning, accountability, leadership development, bringing in outside talent, and the delicate balance between family relationships and business performance. They also discuss their own journey as spouses, business partners, and parents working alongside the next generation.Whether you're a founder struggling to let go, a next-generation leader looking for greater responsibility, or a family business owner navigating growth, this episode offers valuable lessons on leadership, trust, and building a legacy that lasts. You can learn more at Hettrich Group EOS.Chapter List00:00 Family Business and Leadership Foundations 04:04 Launching The Hettrich Group 07:09 Working Successfully as Spouses 11:12 Bringing the Next Generation into the Business 14:06 Separating Emotion from Facts 17:16 Letting Go and Scaling a Company 20:52 When Leaders Are in the Wrong Seat 25:15 Accountability, Ownership, and Family Dynamics 33:47 Building Trust and Bringing in Outside Talent 39:10 Creating a Family Legacy for Future Generations 43:17 Understanding EOS and Growing with Intention 45:02 Hard Work, Luck, and Building SuccessTo learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE. To learn more about River City Bank and how they can benefit your family business, visit www.rivercitybank.com

Sadie Johnson spent three decades as a writer and editor in newspapers, magazines, and marketing. Storytelling comes naturally to her, and it's the narrative of her family - and how it shaped who she became and refused to become - that she's turning toward now and joined me to discuss.Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.comCheck out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.com/Check out our Patreon to support the show at:https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbookJoin our Facebook Group at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-storeVisit The True Crime Times Substack at:https://truecrimemessenger.substack.comThe Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roselyn Lizetter Higgins-Sparrow, hailing from Columbus, Ohio, and shaped by her formative years in Lynchburg, Virginia, offers a unique perspective on family dynamics and upbringing. Raised in a church-oriented home by her parents, Bevo and Darling Darlene Higgins Graham, Roselyn experienced a disciplined environment that was both nurturing and challenging. While she values the structure and strong values instilled by her upbringing, she also recognizes the importance of love and care, striving to balance these elements in her own family life. Her journey, marked by academic hurdles and personal growth, highlights her enduring belief in the significance of nurturing connections, especially amid life's inevitable hardships, as reflected in her family gatherings and relationships.(00:01:26) Dynamic Family Relationships in Lynchburg, Virginia(00:09:02) Impact of Trauma on Childhood Development(00:10:30) Impact of Neglect on Mental Health Outcomes(00:17:02) Sparrow Family Bonds: Marriage and Relationships(00:24:35) Impact of Family Dynamics on Support(00:35:08) Importance of Supportive Family Networks(00:43:00) Maternal and Generational Parenting Contrasts(00:46:49) Siblings' Influence on Roselyn's Upbringing(00:54:21) Cherishing Family Bonds During Thanksgiving Milestones

What happens when Kentucky roots, a life in radio, and a passion for understanding people come together through the power of voice? In this down-to-earth episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts reconnects with Jonathan Mertz host of It's Your Break for a conversation about creativity, reinvention, and what it truly means to use your voice with purpose. From Kentucky roots to radio beginnings, Jonathan shares how his journey has taken him through IT, consulting, voice work, and even working in a jail each chapter shaping how he sees people and the stories they carry. “There's power in speaking and even more power in learning to understand people.” Jonathan opens up about fatherhood, mentorship, weight loss, knee surgery, and the uncomfortable seasons that force growth. He reflects on his late grandmother's influence, the importance of education, and how family continues to ground his creative path. The conversation also explores his wife's experience discovering her biological father later in life, highlighting themes of identity, connection, and healing through truth. Reena and Jonathan dive into the art of voice acting, podcasting, and storytelling discussing how tone, presence, and authenticity shape the way we connect with others. This episode is a reminder that every voice carries weight and every story has the power to change how we understand one another.

In honor of the 50th anniversary, Jonathan talks with Mike Rogge, the owner & editor of the Mountain Gazette, about one of his all-time favorite books, ‘A River Runs Through It,' by Norman Maclean.Note: We Want to Hear From You!We'd love for you to share with us the stories or topics you'd like us to cover next month on Reviewing the News; ask your most pressing mountain town advice questions, or offer your hot takes for us to rate. Email us at: info@blisterreview.com RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Enter Our Free Weekly Gear GiveawaysTOPICS & TIMES:Shoutout: New BLISTER+ Members (3:03)Meeting Up @ The Library Of Congress (3:54)When Did You First Read 'A River Runs Through It' (5:51)Montana's Second Bible (17:16)A Book about Grief (33:36)Neal & Old Rawhide (41:19)Family Dynamics (45:33)The Book vs The Film (49:50)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.