Real Stories. Real People.

How to Rewrite Your Story with Paul Forchione

February 15, 2022 06:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MB

As an infant, Paul Forchione was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and his mother was told he would never be able to walk. His mom refused to take that for an answer and after months of searching was able to find someone who could help. Paul learned how to walk and eventually made the varsity baseball team. Tune in to hear Paul share his inspiring story as he discusses how to rewrite your story. Connect with Paul Forchione Paul's Website | acalltoaction.coach Instagram | @acalltoaction80 Co...

Why Men Hide Their Feelings | Andy Grant

January 04, 2022 05:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MB

Today we have Andy Grant talking about why men hide their feelings by sharing his personal story. Andy is a suicide attempt survivor, a transformational energy coach, the founder of Real Men Feel, and an Amazon best-selling author. Andy is also a husband, world traveler, actor, speaker, teacher, lifelong learner and suicide prevention activist. Andy believes in living a life you love and creates books, workshops, and programs supporting that. Andy can be found at theandygrant.com. There's...

S2 E30 | Host of the Elevated Entrepreneur Discusses Being a Young Mom | Jenessa MacKenzie

July 06, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 47.3 MB

At the age of 20, Jenessa MacKenzie became a mom. Ready or not, she was forced to tackle everything that came along with motherhood. She did everything necessary to survive and provide for her daughter - living on state aid, clipping coupons, and asking for help. After some time with her daughter, she started dating and got married. Eventually, she found herself in the midst of narcissistic abuse avoiding an inevitable divorce. Over time, Jenessa has been able to heal and discover her lif...

S2 E29 | After the Show | Carly, Charlene, Kawan, & Samantha

June 29, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 44.5 MB

Join Sam and Mandi for a discussion surrounding the stories of Carly Israel, Charlene Gethons, Kawan Glover, and Samantha Laycock. Throughout this After the Show, they discuss: The impact of social media on mental health How recovery impacts everyone involved Sitting with your problems The misconceptions surrounding mindfulness The common elements in each of the stories There's lots to cover, so tune in, and hang on, because here we go. Support the show

S2 E28 | Healing from Sexual Assault After Hiding It for 11 Years | Samantha Laycock

June 22, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 43.2 MB

Being a survivor of sexual assault, Samantha’s story is painful, raw, and heartbreaking. In 2014, Samantha reached a breaking point in her life. She was depressed and lonely despite the fact that she put a smile on her face every day and pretended everything was okay. By sharing the story of her sexual assault through a blog post, Samantha embarked on a journey filled with self-growth, self-healing, and self-love. Now, as an avid blogger, Samantha helps women share their stories through bl...

S2 E27 | How Suffering from a Stroke, Opioid Addiction, and Surgery Helped One Man Find His Life’s Purpose | Kawan Glover

June 15, 2021 05:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MB

Kawan Glover is many things, but the word survivor is definitely at the top of the list. He survived a stroke, opioid addiction, multiple brain surgeries, and a battle with depression. Throughout the process of it all, Kawan found his life’s purpose. Kawan now an author and life coach who uses his story to inspire others and transform them from victim to victor. Kawan detailed his transformative journey in a book called Favor: How Stroke Struggle and Surgery Helped Me Find My Life's Purpos...

S2 E26 | When the Phrase 'Hit by a Bus' Develops a Whole New Meaning | Charlene Gethons

June 08, 2021 04:00 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MB

About eight years ago, Charlene was hit by a bus. Yes, a real bus, an actual bus, like the phrase so many of us use, “I feel like I was hit by a bus.” Well, Charlene actually was. So, before you say that phrase again, think about Charlene and Charlene’s story. Being hit by a bus fractured Charlene's skull and caused significant brain swelling. This led to four neurosurgeries, a bone infection, and a chronic non-healing wound. Being left with a traumatic brain injury, Charlene embarked on a...

S2 E25 | 'Seconds & Inches' Author Discusses Childhood Trauma, Having an Ill Child, & Recovery | Carly Israel

June 01, 2021 04:00 - 56 minutes - 38.5 MB

Carly Israel is the author of Seconds and Inches and founder of the podcasts Must Love Self, In Your Corner Divorce, and Northstar Big Book. In addition to her book, she has written about parenting, divorce, and recovery. Carly is an executive relationship and divorce coach, mother of three boys, seeker, and lover of life. Throughout the episode Carly discusses what it was like growing up with two alcoholic parents, how she found recovery, the difficulties of divorce, and what life has bee...

S1 E24 | Motivational Speaker Discusses His Anorexia & Suicidal Ideations | Kevin Nahai

April 06, 2021 05:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MB

Kevin Nahai is a public speaker and personal coach who focuses his work on dating and relationships, anxiety management, and self-respect and confidence. Kevin’s personal experience being diagnosed with a chronic incurable disease, struggling with anorexia, and combatting suicidal ideations allows him to be an excellent mentor. Throughout the conversation, you’ll hear Kevin share how he found his purpose in life and is now helping others with some of the same struggles he has had. Episode ...

S1 E23 | The Shock of Grief, Loss, and Death When Your Sister Having a Heart Attack Turns Your World Upside Down | Dana Hansen

March 30, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 53.8 MB

Dana Hansen and her two siblings Kasey and Bryce experienced a traditional midwest upbringing being raised by their parents on the family farm. Dana's childhood memories include 4-H, watching Saturday Nebraska Cornhuskers football games, and helping her mom prepare for family gatherings. Their family bond continued well into adulthood. In fact, Dana and Kasey even lived together for a while and shared a love of sports, Netflix, and dogs. One day in 2017, their families lives changed foreve...

S1 E22 | After the Show | Dr. Shalee, Payton, Megan, & Larry

March 25, 2021 05:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MB

Join Mandi, Sam, and Ashley and they discuss the stories shared by Dr. Shalee, Payton, Megan, and Larry. Throughout episode 22, they'll cover the topics of: Adverse childhood experiences Parenting Infertility Binge eating disorder Getting help and asking for help Suicide awareness and prevention Tune in, and hang on, because here we go. Stories Covered E21 | Lawrence Sprung E20 | Megan te Boekhorst E19 | Payton Lynch E18 | Dr. Shalee Horstman Additional Resources American Foun...

S1 E21 | Member of the National Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Discusses What You Can Do to Help | Larry Sprung

March 23, 2021 05:00 - 52 minutes - 36.1 MB

Lawrence Sprung, also known as Larry, is the founder and wealth advisor of Mitlin Financial. Larry is the Host of the Mitlin Money Mindset - a podcast about the financial, money, and recreational mindset needed to successfully plan for and live your best life. Larry serves as an active volunteer on the National Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. He and his wife Denise have raised more than 1.5 M dollars for the Keith Milano Memorial Fund in memory of his brother-in-l...

E20 | Begging for Help Amidst a Battle with Binge Eating Disorder | Megan te Boekhorst

March 16, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 52.8 MB

Megan te Boekhorst was born and raised in Canada. As a teenager, she found herself in an emotionally abusive relationship. Shortly after ending that relationship, she realized that her relationship with food was unhealthy. Megan sought out on a journey to find the help she needed and live a life of recovery. Being diagnosed with binge eating disorder, this was no easy task as it has only been in recent years that binge eating disorder was recognized as an official diagnosis. After finding ...

S1 E20 | Begging for Help Amidst a Battle with Binge Eating Disorder | Megan te Boekhorst

March 16, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 52.8 MB

Megan te Boekhorst was born and raised in Canada. As a teenager, she found herself in an emotionally abusive relationship. Shortly after ending that relationship, she realized that her relationship with food was unhealthy. Megan sought out on a journey to find the help she needed and live a life of recovery. Being diagnosed with binge eating disorder, this was no easy task as it has only been in recent years that binge eating disorder was recognized as an official diagnosis. After finding ...

E19 | Rise from the Ashes Aspiring Author Payton Lynch Discusses Her Journey with Infertility

March 09, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 46.6 MB

Growing up, Payton was the oldest of five children. Captivated at a young age by Disney’s storytelling, Payton dreamed of dancing down Main Street, USA. She now holds her dream job and tells stories through the magic of Guest engagement as a Product Manager at The Walt Disney Company. Payton always thought she would have a large family of her own, but after meeting the man of her dreams, securing her dream job, and beginning to settle down, things didn’t go as planned. Payton and her husba...

S1 E19 | Rise from the Ashes Aspiring Author Payton Lynch Discusses Her Journey with Infertility

March 09, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 46.6 MB

Growing up, Payton was the oldest of five children. Captivated at a young age by Disney’s storytelling, Payton dreamed of dancing down Main Street, USA. She now holds her dream job and tells stories through the magic of Guest engagement as a Product Manager at The Walt Disney Company. Payton always thought she would have a large family of her own, but after meeting the man of her dreams, securing her dream job, and beginning to settle down, things didn’t go as planned. Payton and her husba...

E18 | The Power of Storytelling, Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences, & Happiness Hygiene | Dr. Shalee Horstman, PhD, LPC, EMDR, CASA, CFI

March 02, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 46.7 MB

During this special episode of Real Stories Real People Mandi is joined by Dr. Shalee Horstman to discuss the healing power of storytelling, understanding adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and happiness hygiene. Dr. Shalee Horstman is a psychotherapist and the founder of Denver Counseling Group where therapists provide a refreshing alternative to the traditional medical visit. She works with children, adolescents and adults who are suffering from stress, anxiety, depression, self estee...

S1 E17 | After the Show | Kourtni, Rick, Laddan, & Jody

February 25, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 49.1 MB

Ashley, Mandi, and Sam get together to discuss episodes 13 to 16 which feature the stories of Kourtni, Rick, Laddan, and Jody. Their discussion is real, raw, and honest. So tune in, and hang on, because here we go! Podcast Disclaimer This show covers a wide variety of topics related to mental health and life in general. These topics can be difficult for some people so use your best judgement when listening to the show. We are not therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. Info...

S1 E16 | Growing Up in a Large Family, Struggling with Alcoholism, Getting Sober, and Finding Recovery | Jody Allen-Bisio, CATC

February 23, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 42 MB

Growing up the youngest sibling in a large family, Jody Allen-Bisio wasn't always 'in the know.' As a result, she struggled to find herself and discover her individuality. After being taught that drinking a glass of water would solve every problem in the world, Jody quickly learned that picking up a glass of alcohol seemed like it would. Little did she know the journey this would take her on - one that led to alcoholism, getting sober, and eventually recovery. Ashley and Jody first met in ...

S1 E15 | Laddan Abbasi | Identifying a Toxic Work Environment, Setting Boundaries, & Embracing Equality in the Workplace

February 16, 2021 06:00 - 58 minutes - 39.9 MB

Laddan Abbasi is an extrovert who often found herself questioning, am I a loner, do I fit in? Laddan's life journey has helped her understand how to identify toxic relationships, establish healthy boundaries, and the importance of embracing equality in the workplace. Throughout Episode 15 of Real Stories Real People Laddan and her friend Sam Montgomery revisit many of Laddan's defining moments in life and discuss the importance of standing up for yourself and being firm in your morals and b...

S1 E14 | An Inspiring Story About Overcoming Life's Challenges After Becoming a Quadriplegic, Finding Joy, & Not Holding Back

February 09, 2021 06:00 - 58 minutes - 40.2 MB

In Episode 14, Ashley meets with Rick Werry. Rick was born in a small town in Utah. He grew up the youngest of four kids on a dairy farm. As a teenager Rick loved sports and being outdoors. In 2007, Rick married his college sweetheart Tara. One year later while building their house, Rick was in a construction accident and broke his neck. His life changed that day as Rick became paralyzed from the chest down. Rick was scared, sad, and unsure what the future may hold when a nurse came into...

S1 E13 | Life in the Throes of Depression, Anxiety, Not Having a Father, Raising Twins, & COVID

February 02, 2021 06:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MB

Since a young age, Kourtni Wolfe has struggled with anxiety. In Episode 13, Kourtni meets with her life-long friend Samantha Montgomery to discuss her struggles, how she finds hope in the midst of them, and what helps her cope with everything life brings her way. Throughout the episode Kourtni and Sam discuss: When Kourtni realized that she had anxiety. What life was like for Kourtni being raised without a father. How Kourtni has managed her depression and anxiety throughout various ph...

S1 E12 | After the Show | Sabrina, Paul, & Keith's Story

January 28, 2021 06:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MB

Show Disclaimer: This show covers a wide variety of topics related to mental health and life in general. Episode 12 specifically discusses suicide and being molested at a young age. These topics can be difficult for some people so use your best judgement when listening to the show. We are not therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. Information shared on this show is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical ad...

S1 E11 | Healing After Sexual Trauma, Alcoholism, & Struggling as a Black Man Asking for Help | Keith Smith

January 26, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 45.7 MB

Important Note About Episode 11: Episode 11 includes discussion about sexual trauma and molestation that began at a young age. If this is something that may trigger you, you may want to sit this episode out. During Episode 11 of Real Stories Real People, Ashley meets with her dear friend Keith Smith to discuss sexual assault, alcoholism, and struggling as a black man asking for help. Keith’s story is met with trials and tribulations but also filled with resilience, discovery, strength, a...

S1 E10 | Who Pastors the Pastor? Struggling with Depression as a Christian Man & Finding Joy Daily

January 21, 2021 06:00 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MB

In Episode 10, Ashley meets with Paul Calcote a fellow podcaster and pastor who has struggled with depression. Paul was born and raised in Mississippi by his parents who were also pastors. He currently resides in Houston, Texas and serves as a Young Adult Pastor at Champion Forest Baptist Church - Champions Campus. Throughout Episode 10, Paul and Ashley discuss: How he has dealt with depression multiple times throughout his life. Why not meeting 'cultural norms' when it comes to the time...

S1 E9 | Dealing with the Unexpected that COVID Can Bring and Finding Gratitude in It All | Sabrina Van Schepen

January 19, 2021 06:00 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MB

In Episode 9, Mandi meets with her life-long friend Sabrina Van Schepen to discuss mental health and COVID-19 and all of the unexpected a COVID diagnosis can bring. Throughout the show Mandi and Sabrina discuss: What it was like for Sabrina to receive a COVID diagnosis just before Christmas. How Sabrina handled being isolated over the holidays. Why Sabrina had to abstain from social media during her isolation. How you can support someone who is quarantined or in isolation. This episo...

E8 | After the Show | Episodes 5, 6, & 7

January 14, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MB

During After the Show, Mandi and Ashley discuss Case's story, the story of the Stetson family, and Sam DeCosmo's story. The topics of illness, grief, death, experiencing suicidal ideations, and finding joy amidst hardship are discussed. If you have lost someone you love, have experienced suicidal ideations, or are looking for ways to find joy amidst hardship, this may be the episode for you. Tune in, and hang on, because here we go! Links and Resources Tom & Lindsay's Nonprofit : SpreadJO...

S1 E8 | After the Show | Episodes 5, 6, & 7

January 14, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MB

During After the Show, Mandi and Ashley discuss Case's story, the story of the Stetson family, and Sam DeCosmo's story. The topics of illness, grief, death, experiencing suicidal ideations, and finding joy amidst hardship are discussed. If you have lost someone you love, have experienced suicidal ideations, or are looking for ways to find joy amidst hardship, this may be the episode for you. Tune in, and hang on, because here we go! Links and Resources Tom & Lindsay's Nonprofit : SpreadJO...

S1 E7 | Headaches for 16 Years, Chronic Illness, Depression, & Suicidal Ideation | Sam DeCosmo

January 12, 2021 06:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MB

In Episode 7, Ashley meets with Samantha 'Sam' DeCosmo. Sam is a wife, a rescue dog mom, and a blogger who believes in the power of sharing stories to help others feel less alone in theirs. Throughout Episode 7, Sam eloquently shares about: Her journey with chronic pain. The headache that lasted for 16-years and still occasionally rears its head today. How she struggled in her journey to find answers about what was causing her pain. How pain led her to a point of extreme depression. W...

S1 E6 | The Stetson Family, Finding Joy in Life's Challenges and Learning to SpreadJOY, A Tribute to Lindsay Anne Stetson

January 07, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 54.5 MB

After receiving a poor prognosis while fighting a battle with cancer, Lindsay Anne Stetson made it her life goal to live like she was dying. In the midst of her own pain, she found ways to SpreadJOY to others on a daily basis through social media. In her last days on earth, she filed paperwork to start a nonprofit, SpreadJOY. The mission of SpreadJOY is to fulfill needs for and give a pick-me-up to people going through a difficult time in their life. Throughout Episode 6, Ashley met with L...

S1 E5 | The Life & Death of Cornelius John Brewer in the Throes of Terminal Illness, End of Life Care, Saying Goodbye, & Learning to Live Again | Ashley Brewer

January 05, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 42.5 MB

Ashley's world came crashing down on her the day that she turned 23-years-old when her son, Cornelius John Brewer, was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and given a 50% chance to live to see his second birthday. How does a parent grasp this type of news? During Episode 5, you'll hear Ashley and Sam discuss the life and death of Ashley's son, Cornelius John Brewer, or baby Case as many know him. It's a story that includes highs and lows, ups and downs, joy and sorrow. So tune in...

S1 E4 | After the Show | Episodes 1, 2, & 3

December 31, 2020 06:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MB

Join Ashley, Sam, and Mandi for the very first After the Show where we discuss common themes, statistics, data, and listener feedback from the previous episodes. During Episode 4, we discuss anxiety, depression, showing up for people who are struggling, and so much more. Tune in, and hang on, because here we go! Disclaimer: This show covers a wide variety of topics related to mental health and life in general. These topics can be difficult for some people so use your best judgement when lis...

S1 E3 | Perfectionism, Anxiety, and How Suicide Affected Her Family | Samantha Montgomery

December 29, 2020 06:00 - 46 minutes - 32.2 MB

Anxiety began for Samantha "Sam" Montgomery at a young age, but she didn't know what it was or what to do about it. It was in a college psychology class where Sam finally realized that there was a name for all of the thoughts and feelings she had been experiencing for so many years - anxiety. She reached out to her mom, sought the help of a professional, and began on her own personal recovery journey. Throughout Episode 3, Sam and Ashley connect to discuss her coping mechanisms and recovery...

S1 E2 | Teen Pregnancy, Parent's Divorce, & a Raw Personal Journey with Depression | Mandi Wolfswinkel

December 24, 2020 06:00 - 58 minutes - 40 MB

Mandi Wolfswinkel is a mom, a wife, a third grade teacher, and one tough woman. Her story hasn't always been easy, but through it all she has realized that life is so much better when it’s done with each other. Not perfectly…..but authentically, and most importantly…together. During Episode 2, life-long friends Mandi and Ashley connect to discuss Mandi's journey in life thus far. Mandi very openly shares about: Her struggle to fit in while in high school. What it was like to navigate her ...

S1 E1 | A Journey with Anxiety, Divorce, Self-Harm, Grief, Addiction, & Co-Dependency | Ashley Brewer

December 22, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 41.8 MB

During episode 1 of Real Stories Real People, Could've Been Me Founder, Ashley Brewer, discusses her journey of finding recovery with her life-long friend Mandi. Ashley's journey Is both difficult and inspiring at the same time. Ashley wouldn't be who she is today if it weren't for her experience in life and the community of people who has been there for her through it all. Throughout episode 1, Ashley and Mandi discuss: How being bullied as a young child impacted Ashley's emotional stat...

E0 | Real People. Real Stories.

December 05, 2020 14:00 - 9 minutes - 6.86 MB

Welcome to Real Stories Real People - a personal journal, mental health, and self-improvement podcast. We're shattering stigma, one story at a time. The numbers related to mental health and other challenges in life are astonishing: Nearly 1 in 5 adults lives with mental illness. 17% of youth experience a mental health disorder. 50% of lifetime mental illness begins by the age of 14. 75% begins by the age of 24. 40 million adults experience some form of anxiety. Most people develop ...