I sit down with John Kippen, whose story is a powerful reminder that adversity can become purpose.

John shares how a brain tumor and the facial paralysis that followed completely changed the course of his life, and how he spent years learning to accept himself, rebuild his confidence, and find meaning on the other side of trauma.

What stayed with me most was John’s honesty about how long healing can take. He talks about the 12-year journey it took to truly love himself again, and how helping other people became the turning point that helped him step out of his own pain.

Through magic, coaching, and deep human connection, John found a way to turn limitation into impact.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• His brain tumor diagnosis and the facial paralysis that changed his life.

• The emotional toll of hiding, isolation, and self-image struggles.

• How magic became a path back to confidence and connection.

• Why helping others is one of the most powerful ways to heal yourself.

• His belief that being different is your superpower.

John also shares unforgettable stories from his work as a magician and speaker, including moments that showed him just how much one conversation can change someone’s life.

John Kippen’s website

*This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea.

*Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiveDivini⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and use discount code *Breanne10* at checkout for a discount!

We're back at Oakland Podcast Studio with one of my besties and a returning guest, Omaira, for a very real conversation about imposter syndrome...what it looks like in our actual lives and how we’re learning to move through it.

From building her vending machine business in the Bay Area to me growing this podcast while working full-time, we talk about the quiet ways we both downplay our wins and question whether we belong in the rooms we’ve worked hard to be in.

We unpack imposter syndrome as a “cognitive distortion,” share personal stories about internal dialogue (“I’m just a wannabe podcaster…”), and talk about the shame and cultural pressure that can make it hard to admit you’re struggling.

We also get practical: naming imposter syndrome in the moment, shifting our physical state, using accountability buddies, exploring EMDR, and leaning on faith and spirituality when our brains feel especially loud.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Who am I to do this?” this episode will help you feel seen...and remind you that doubt doesn’t get the final say.

Ep. 12: Going inward - handling loss & grief, health scares, & life's curveballs w/my friend Omaira

Bay Area EMDR therapist, Natalie Kiff

Jordan Peterson on how to overcome imposter syndrome

What's in a name? How we can use language to combat imposter syndrome

*This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea.

*Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠LiveDivini⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and use discount code *Breanne10* at checkout for a discount! Follow Adventures in Adversity on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Facebook

#imposter syndrome #self-doubt #mindset #mentalhealth #EMDR #entrepreneurship #womeninbusiness #podcasting #BayArea

In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and culture-builder Greg Selkoe, founder of KarmaLoop and co-founder of XSET, to talk about what it really looks like to build big things while battling inner demons along the way.

XSET is Pop-Gaming - transforming the creator-led gaming culture at the intersection of sports, music, and entertainment into trusted, scalable influence across a massive young audience.

Follow XSET on Instagram

Follow Greg on Instagram

*This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea.

*Visit ⁠⁠⁠LiveDivini⁠⁠ ⁠and use discount code *Breanne10* at checkout for a discount! Follow Adventures in Adversity on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Facebook

I sit down with my friend and former kiddo coach, Stevie Johnson, an East Bay basketball skills trainer and founder of One Thru Five Academy.

We talk about why his work is “bigger than basketball” and how he coaches with a holistic lens - caring about what’s happening at home, in school, and with friends just as much as what happens on the court.

Stevie shares his nontraditional path in hoops, his adoption story, and what it was like navigating identity and belonging while being raised by multiple families in very different environments.

He opens up about faith, resilience, and his mantra of “stacking days” as a way to build skills, character, and confidence over time. We dig into the role of coaches and mentors, how he reads kids’ energy the moment they walk into the gym, and the intentional ways he uses routines, humor, and simple social habits to help them grow as people, not just as players.

Talking with Stevie, a truly awesome and resilient person and coach, taught me a lot about the importance of discipline and grit.

It's conversations like this that help all the parents, coaches, adoptees, adoptive and foster families, and anyone trying to turn adversity into purpose feel less alone in their lives as they pursue their goals...one stacked day at a time.

This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by Divini, a honey-based kombucha tea.

Visit ⁠⁠LiveDivini⁠⁠ and use discount code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount!

Follow Adventures in Adversity on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Facebook

 #basketball #coaching #basketballcoach #adoptee #adopteestories #resilience

I sit down with Logan Walton, Arizona State Senate candidate and Empire Scottsdale GM, to talk about service, risk, and what happens when you actually follow that little nudge to do something different with your life.

We talk about Logan started with late nights as a Scottsdale door host to a Senate run in LD8 in the state of Arizona this year.

He shares how burnout, big pivots, and even online trolls (yep, he has them, too!) have all shaped the adventure he’s on now.

Follow Logan for Arizona on Instagram

We get into how a single DM about a bar build-out turned into his role building culture at Empire Scottsdale, a boutique coworking space and social club, proudly located in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Follow Empire Scottsdale on Instagram

We also talk about why he believes so deeply in bringing back real civic dialogue, and what he’s learned going up against WNBA-level talent on the Phoenix Mercury practice squad.

If you’ve ever looked at your “stable” job and thought, “I can’t do this forever,” this conversation is your reminder that you’re one message, one ask, one brave step away from a different path.

*This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea.

*Visit ⁠⁠LiveDivini⁠⁠ and use discount code *Breanne10* at checkout for a discount! Follow Adventures in Adversity on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

#Arizona #ArizonaSenate #LoganforAZ #Politics

Regina Hiremath shares her journey from childhood abuse and an emotionally abusive marriage to a life rooted in authenticity, healing, and purpose.

She opens up about the long shadow of trauma, what it took to finally leave a narcissistic relationship, and how she rebuilt her identity and sense of self-worth.

Along the way, Regina reveals how writing her book became both a healing tool and a lifeline for others walking a similar path

Lessons on the Way to Onesome: A Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery Through Divorce Lessons

Regina's blog - Alimonia Life

Follow Onesomebook on Regina

Having survived child abuse, she found herself in an emotionally abusive marriage for 20+ years. It wasn’t easy, but she decided to file for divorce. During that time she did a lot of introspection and healing. Journaling, therapy, working out, and self-care were the pillars of her transformation.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a painful story, this conversation offers hope, language, and practical encouragement for choosing yourself, one small step at a time.

In this episode, we cover:

-Regina’s early experiences with childhood abuse and how they shaped her view of love and safety

-Healing from emotional and narcissistic abuse in a long-term marriage

-What it really looks like to navigate the “dark path” of healing (and why it’s not linear)

-The role of authenticity in recovery and how telling the truth changes everything

-Using writing and storytelling as a tool for healing and integration

-The cycle of narcissistic relationships and the concept of “flying monkeys”

-Breaking free from abuse and rebuilding life on your own terms

-Transforming pain into purpose through community and advocacy

-Self-care, boundaries, and the ongoing work of self-discovery

-Embracing change, new beginnings, and the “journey back to oneself”

This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea.

Visit ⁠LiveDivini⁠ and use discount code *Breanne10* at checkout for a discount! Follow Adventures in Adversity on ⁠Instagram⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠

#healing #abuse #narcissisticabuse #divorce #authenticity, #personalgrowth #mentalhealth #resilience #selfcare #empowerment #AlimoniaLife

In this episode, I sit down with Ally Shaw, author of Chasing Tigers in the Dark: Life Lessons of a Fierce Survivor, to talk about how she transformed profound trauma, loss, and illness into fierce empowerment and purpose.

From abuse and cancer to reinvention and healing, Ally shares the tools, mindsets, and moments that helped her step out of survival mode and into a life guided by joy, faith, and authenticity.

Buy Ally's book

Visit her website

Follow Ally on Instagram

We explore how adversity can become a catalyst for growth, why connecting with joy and adventure is essential even in your darkest seasons, and how the Japanese Kintsugi philosophy reshaped her view of being “broken.”

Ally also offers practical strategies for healing - from EMDR and her TIGER acronym to learning to trust intuition, invest in yourself, and follow the clues of procrastination and flow states to uncover your true passions.

This conversation is for anyone navigating grief, trauma, or major life detours, and looking for a hopeful, honest roadmap to reinvention and self‑acceptance.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to the episode and Ally Shaw’s background

02:16 – Connecting with joy and adventure during adversity

04:35 – How obstacles can catalyze professional and personal happiness

06:29 – Childhood messages about emotional suppression and how they linger

08:22 – When life doesn’t follow “the plan” after tragedy

10:05 – Reframing “being broken” through the Kintsugi philosophy

12:24 – Surviving cancer and life’s “triple curveballs”

14:00 – How adversity can reveal purpose and fuel growth

16:45 – The TIGER acronym for healing and the final chapters of her memoir

18:34 – Navigating sexual assault, shame, and healing through EMDR

21:26 – Rewriting negative beliefs and finding trusted practitioners

23:30 – Trust, investing in yourself, and character growth in healing

26:01 – The kindness initiative and reducing gossip through authenticity

26:54 – Reinvention, trusting the process, and embracing life’s surprises

30:36 – Reinventing yourself after personal and professional upheavals

35:05 – Saying “yes” to divine opportunities and trusting the process

37:12 – Discovering passion through flow states and early signs of interest

40:22 – Procrastination as an indicator of buried passion

44:45 – Creating for fulfillment and loving the process, not the outcome

47:09 – Facing fears, authenticity, and the power of vulnerable storytelling

50:23 – Supporting loved ones and the strength of community support

52:59 – Letting go of others’ opinions, embracing authenticity, and living freely

55:19 – Practical advice for beginning to write and share your story

58:12 – The symbolic strength behind the title Chasing Tigers in the Dark

59:02 – Final words on hope, community, and continuous movement forward

*This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea.*

Visit LiveDivini and use discount code *Breanne10* at checkout for a discount!

Follow Adventures in Adversity on Instagram & Facebook

#AllyShaw #Survivor #Healing

In ep. 83, I talk with George Ackerman about Parkinson’s Disease advocacy, the loss of his mother Sharon, and the deeply personal mission that inspired his work through TogetherForSharon.

George shares how caring for his mom changed his life, how her journey with Parkinson’s shaped his perspective, and why he continues to raise awareness so no one feels alone in the fight.

We also discuss the creation of Together for Sharon, a family-led mission built in memory of Sharon Riff Ackerman to share Parkinson’s awareness, resources, and hope for a cure.

George opens up about caregiving, grief, advocacy, and the books he has written to help others better understand the realities of Parkinson’s Disease and the people it affects.

This conversation is a reminder that storytelling can create connection, build awareness, and help move us closer to a cure.

Books - TogetherForSharon

Subscribe to TogetherforSharon on YouTube

Follow TogetherForSharon on Instagram

Like TogetherforSharon on Facebook

This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea.*

Visit LiveDivini and use discount code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount!

## Adventures in Adversity on Instagram & Facebook

In this solo episode, I break down what I've learned about our nervous system...and what it's actually doing in seasons of stress and adversity.

Referencing the research below, I talk about how activating the vagus nerve can help you move from panic to peace.

You’ll learn simple, science‑backed practices like 4–6 breathing, orienting to the room, humming, gentle movement, and micro‑boundaries so you can regulate your body, deepen your resilience, and get through hard chapters with more calm, faith, and clarity.

Sources:

Learn more about calming your vagus nerve to calm your body

Cleveland Clinic –Vagus nerve overview

Cleveland Clinic – How to reset your vagus nerve naturally

Oxygen Advantage – How to stimulate the vagus nerve with breathing

Psychology Today – Longer exhalations and vagus nerve “hacks”

Insight Timer – 4–6 breathing to activate the vagus nerve

Charlie Health – Vagus nerve exercises (including gargling)

Somatic vagus nerve and body‑shaking exercises (YouTube)

Meditative diaphragmatic breathing and vagus nerve research (journal article)

“Vagus Nerve Reset” by Jordan K. Bennett (audiobook)

This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea.*

Use discount code *Breanne10* at checkout for a discount!

## Adventures in Adversity on Instagram & Facebook

https://www.instagram.com/adventuresinadversitypodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/adventuresinadversitypodcast/

#vagusnerve #nervousystemregulation #nervoussystem #recovery #mentalhealth #wellnessIn this solo episode, I break down what I've learned about our nervous system...and what it's actually doing in seasons of stress and adversity. Referencing the research below, I talk about how activating the vagus nerve can help you move from panic to peace.

You’ll learn simple, science‑backed practices like 4–6 breathing, orienting to the room, humming, gentle movement, and micro‑boundaries so you can regulate your body, deepen your resilience, and get through hard chapters with more calm, faith, and clarity.

*Sources - learn more about calming your vagus nerve to calm your body:*

Cleveland Clinic –Vagus nerve overview

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22279-vagus-nerve

Cleveland Clinic – How to reset your vagus nerve naturally

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/vagus-nerve-reset

Oxygen Advantage – How to stimulate the vagus nerve with breathing

https://oxygenadvantage.com/blogs/science/how-to-stimulate-the-vagus-nerve-with-breathing-exercises

Psychology Today – Longer exhalations and vagus nerve “hacks”

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201905/longer-exhalations-are-an-easy-way-to-hack-your-vagus-nerve

Insight Timer – 4–6 breathing to activate the vagus nerve

https://insighttimer.com/kriskelly/guided-meditations/4-6-breathing-to-activate-the-vagus-nerve

Charlie Health – Vagus nerve exercises (including gargling)

https://www.charliehealth.com/post/vagus-nerve-exercises

Somatic vagus nerve and body‑shaking exercises (YouTube)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_mXKIwiW2E

Meditative diaphragmatic breathing and vagus nerve research (journal article)

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9687386

“Vagus Nerve Reset” by Jordan K. Bennett (audiobook)

https://www.everand.com/audiobook/887356351/Vagus-Nerve-Reset-Simple-Techniques-to-Overcome-Anxiety-Depression-Inflammation-Brain-Fog-and-More

*This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea.* Visit [https://livedivini.com/] and use discount code *Breanne10* at checkout for a discount!

## Adventures in Adversity on Instagram & Facebook

https://www.instagram.com/adventuresinadversitypodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/adventuresinadversitypodcast/

#vagusnerve #nervousystemregulation #nervoussystem #recovery #mentalhealth #wellness

Adrienne shares her incredible journey through unimaginable loss, including the passing of her two children, Mackenzie and Kyler.

As a mother, survivor, and grief recovery specialist, she opens up about navigating life after loss, finding courage through adversity, and transforming pain into purpose.

Adrienne’s path led her to create Dragonfly Coaching

She now helps others heal, rebuild, and rediscover meaning after grief. Her story is both heart-wrenching and hopeful...a powerful reminder that even in the darkest seasons, it’s possible to rise again with compassion, purpose, and love.

Takeaways:

• Grief is not something to overcome, but something to move through with grace.
• Healing comes from connection, honesty, and allowing yourself to feel.
• The loss of two children taught Adrienne that strength and softness can coexist.
• Dragonfly Coaching was born from Adrienne’s determination to help others find hope after heartbreak.
• Sharing stories of pain can open pathways to collective healing.

“I want something good to come from this.” — Adrienne

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: Overcoming Adversity

02:04 Adrienne's Journey Begins

04:02 Facing Family Health Crises

06:24 Navigating Loss and Grief

10:08 The Impact of Addiction

14:03 Coping with Multiple Losses

17:59 Finding Strength in Healing

26:52 Reflections on Resilience

28:53 A Mother’s Strength in Crisis

33:14 Cherishing Memories and Finding Meaning

38:14 Transforming Grief into Purpose

44:48 Finding Joy Amidst Loss

49:57 Sharing the Journey Through Writing

Learn more about Adrienne’s story in her book:

The Almost Miracle Years

This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea.

Visit Divini and use discount code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount!

Adventures in Adversity on Instagram & Facebook

#grief #resilience #cancer #recovery #mentalhealth #motherhood #loss #healing