A Light In the Darkness

Jenny Gunnell stops by the podcast to share her journey with infertility, adoption, living with stage 4 cancer, and losing her mom after a short 7 week cancer journey herself.  Jenny is someone who I have always looked up to.  She radiates the Light of our Savior.  You will be blessed to learn from her through this conversation.

You can read more about Jenny's story, and find the most recent updates on her journey here.

Bostyn Corrigan Moody stops by to share an AMAZING story of resilience and faith through some of the most difficult trials anyone has had to face.  She talks about how the murder of her dad and subsequent emotional abuse by her first step dad played a big part into her developing an eating disorder.  She is only 18 years old, but is wise beyond her years.  She teaches us how to help our teens if we think they may be experiencing something similar, and how turning towards music has helped her heal.

You can find a video of a song Bostyn wrote called "In Your Arms Again" here.

You can watch a video of Bostyn and her twin Bailey singing here.

You can find more information about her story, and her mom Ashlee Boyson here and on her instagram here.

If you or someone you know is suffering with an eating discorder, please reach out to someone you trust.  You can also find some resources here.

We are so excited to be able to share this conversation with Todd Sylvester: Author, Speaker, and Mental Fitness Coach.  Todd shares his story of becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol at a VERY young age, the damage it did to his life, and the miraculous way he found healing and light.  Todd now uses his own experience to help others through their own struggles.

You can find more information about Todd's books, speaking engagements, coaching opportunities here.

You can listen to Todd's Beliefcast here.

You can get daily inspiration from Todd on his Instagram found here.

Mindi Barker is the wife of a “ridiculously good looking man” and mother of 6 amazing children and one incredible son in law. She was raised in Sandy, Utah by the most caring parents, who instilled in her a love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She has a zest for life that is contagious, and she loves to make people laugh. She always looks for the bright side in everything she does and you will rarely see her without a smile on her face. Mindi thoroughly enjoys music, playing the piano, singing, reading, cooking, running, kayaking, speaking, teaching seminary, serving the youth, playing basketball and pickleball, playing board games and spending time with her family. She is a BYU sports fanatic and LOVES football season! She has been married for 25 years and finds joy in just about everything.

Her life hasn’t always been easy though. Mindi will share with us her journey through her father’s murder, struggle with infertility and multiple miscarriages, battle with depression and anxiety, and the heartache of watching her teenage daughter go through cancer. There have been times she truly understood why someone would want to end their life, but she is here to tell you there are ways to find peace and hope, through the Savior, Jesus Christ, and the people He puts in your life along the way.

Moroni 7:35-37 "Has the Day of Miracles Ceased?"  Carly Robison shares the literal miracle she has experienced the past couple of months, and encourages her listeners to look for miracles in their own lives.

Podcast episode about Carly's sister can be found here.

Podcast interview with Carly's therapist can be found here.

More information about EMDR can be found here.

It’s been a long, long time since I’ve had a new podcast episode. There have been some very difficult, excruciatingly painful things going on in my life. I’m not able to talk about them at this time. But they have made it so I haven’t been able to do interviews and produce new episodes. I promise when I’m able I will be right back here, sharing inspiring stories with you. 

But I have been prompted for a while to do a short episode about thoughts I have had as the world starts to open back up, and we return to our “normal” lives. It's my hope and prayer that it will be our life back to normal, but better.

Talks Carly refers to in the Episode:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/34eyring?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/36nelson?lang=eng

This week Carly talks about the power of gratitude in our lives and how it can actually help you when you are going through difficult times.  She shares her own experiences, quotes from talks she loves, and the thoughts of two of her friends.  Carly hopes that this episode can help you get through your own dark times, including as we all deal with many challenges due to COVID-19.

Here are the links for Jeanette's practice and infertility group: https://www.facebook.com/RisingLotusCounselingServices/  SLC Infertility Support Group

Here is the link to Camille Johnson's podcast: Finding the Floor

The link to the talk Carly quoted: Grateful In Any Circumstances by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Mark Davis is a husband, dad, and awesome DJ.  In this episode he shares with us his experiences of growing up with a dad who had a severe form of Multiple Sclerosis, that left him physically and eventually even mentally impaired. As an adult his worst fear was realized when he was also diagnosed with MS.  Mark tells the lessons he had learned from his dad, the tender mercies and miracles that have carried him, and the wonderful people who have supported him through this journey.

Mark talked about a new treatment that put his MS into remission.  His doctor has unfortunately since retired, but you can find more information here.  He has had friends do the same treatment here with miraculous results, just like his. https://hsctmexico.com/

If you want to contact Mark you can email him at [email protected]

In this episode I talk to my friend Gina Hansen.  We talk about her life, family, and a miraculous experience that they all went through just about a year ago.

Gina Gates Hansen was born in Richfield, Utah and grew up there until she was 12 and we moved to South Jordan, Ut. Gina grew up with 3 brothers and 3 sisters.  Gina tried school and different jobs after graduating high school, and her parents and some of her family moved to St. George. She decided to I moved there and attend college at Dixie, where she met her husband Paul. He joined the Army National Guard shortly after they were married. Gina’s husband has been deployed 2 times, and has come home safe and he works so hard for us. Together Gina and Paul have 7 kids.  They have had their ups and downs, but the gospel, Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father get them through them.

Heidi Swapp is a busy wife and mom to five amazing kids ranging from 13-23 years old. She’s the creative force behind her own brand of signature craft and memory-keeping products which can be found online and in craft stores throughout the world.  In 2015 Heidi and her family suffered a devastating loss as her 16 year old son Cory died by suicide. I have been amazed at her strength and resilience as she faced this terrible heartache in the public eye, with her large social media following rallying behind her.  Heidi has continued to share and connect, becoming an advocate for suicide prevention through community events and her podcast called Light the Fight, where she talks about how important it is to have a genuine relationship with your children.  

To find resources as a parent or a teacher, or to listen to her podcast, Light the Fight, click here: https://www.lightthefight.com

To contact Heidi, learn more about her story, or find information about her memory keeping products, click here: https://www.heidiswapp.com

The website/app Heidi talked about, that is a great local to Utah resource for people who are feeling suicidal, or if you want to report anonymously that you are worried about someone: https://safeut.med.utah.edu

Click here for more resources and the national support hotline, click here: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org