Beth Watter's son Nick had heart surgery at less than a year old, his lungs collapsed, and he suffered brain damage due to loss of oxygen. Doctors told Beth to put her son in an institution, but she refused. This is a story of inspiration and resilience as Beth found the strength and support she needed and Nick continues to defy the odds and thrive despite his limitations.

Books:
Champions, We Are
The Making Of Champions

Vincent Tomeo is a poet and history teacher who's been all over the world. He has over 1000 published poems/essays. He even survived cancer and went blind for a year due to multiple sclerosis. He's humorous, cultured, and has won several awards for his writings. You'll enjoy hearing him talk about his experiences and what's important in life.

Books:
My Cemetery Friends: A Garden of Encounters at Mount Saint Mary in Queens, New York
The Usefulness of Hippopotamus: A Humorous Chapbook for Trying Times

Definition: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). 

Note: this episode originally aired on 11/8/25

Karen Kay Smith supressed her feelings and felt alone in helping her husband deal with Multiple Sclerosis for 15 years. This led to her developing an eating disorder. Plus, she was in charge of helping her daughter with Muscular Dystrophy. Hear how she overcame her eating disorder and feelings of deep lonliness and is now thriving while caring for her daughter and inspiring others as a certified health and life coach, author, and more.

Website: KarenKaySmith.com

Ralph Myers' son was killed by a gangmember in a drive-by shooting. In this podcast, Ralph details the incident that took his son's life, the years he spent battling the court system thereafter, and the crisis response team he helped establish in order to help other parents going through similar tragedies.

Books: 
Beneath the Law: The Plight of Crime Victims in the American Criminal Justice System
The Bergman-Schuour Destiny

Tito Ortiz was a kid who came from nothing, but through hard work and dedication, he was able to achieve the American dream. In his freshman year of high school, he joined the wrestling team and discovered he had a gift that changed his life. He eventually found his way into mixed martial arts and the rest is history! Here’s the story of how Tito Ortiz overcame poverty, drugs, and a broken family to become one of the greatest champions in UFC history!

Note: this episode originally aired on 12/28/24

Carol Jones Hasbrouck and her friend left home with $500 in their pocket and embarked on a journey volunteering with as many charities and service projects as possible. Almost 4 months and 10,000 miles later, they returned home transformed women. 

Book: 10,000 Miles of Miracles: Dames Gone Wild Summer Service Adventure Helping People, Pets and Planets

Hal Eisner spent 43 of his 58-year broadcast news career in Los Angeles. He covered fires, eathquakes, school shootings, the OJ Simpson and Michael Jackson trials, and much more! He was even nearly killed by a drunk driver, while standing and covering a story in Hollywood. For his lifetime of work, Hal received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California (RTNA) in 2023.

Book: An Accidental Career: My Fifty-Eight-Year Adventure as a Broadcast News Reporter

Jim Flaherty is 90 years old, but you'd never know if from listening to him. He's learned to love longevity and has lots of tips to help you do the same. He was a successful ad agency creative director, business owner, and was by his wife's side when she battled dementia. He's kept a positive attitude through it all and chooses to make the most of every day. He's now a writer, motivational speaker, and more. Prepare to be inspired!

Website: JamesBFlaherty.com

Jack Ratliff's quest for meaning and adventure took him from college in the 1950s to the edge of everything - enduring the punishing trials of UDT-SEAL training, commanding a destroyer under a mercurial captain, battling deadly forest fires in Yellowstone, and more!

Book: Riding the White Bull: The Making of a Navy SEAL

Frank Atchley was an active police officer for 33 years, including 12 years as a homicide detective. He helped take down Gary Ridgeway, the Green River Killer, who was convicted of killing nearly 50 women. He also prevented a woman from being sacrificed by a satanic cult. Frank shares how a homicide investigator solves crimes and how women and others can protect themselves from being potential victims.

Book: A Birthday to Die For