Born without a choice

What if it’s never too late to discover the passion you were meant to pursue?

In this inspiring episode of Born Without a Choice, we sit down with Nancy Dillingham Marks, founder of Glass Arts Collective, who left behind a successful 35-year corporate career to follow an unexpected calling in fused glass art.

Nancy shares how one beginner’s class transformed her life, why self-doubt shouldn’t stop us from trying something new, and how embracing creativity can open doors to purpose, fulfillment, and personal growth. We also explore the courage it takes to reinvent yourself, the lessons learned from starting over, and why it’s never too late to create a life you truly love.

Whether you’re feeling stuck in your career, searching for your purpose, or simply looking for the confidence to take that first step toward something new, this conversation will remind you that your next chapter could become your best one.

Connect with Nancy Dillingham Marks

🌐 Glass Arts Collective:

https://www.glassartscollective.com

Discover Nancy’s beautiful fused glass artwork, learn about her creative workshops, and explore how you can begin your own artistic journey through Glass Arts Collective.

What happens when life gives you a second chance—but you have to relearn almost everything?

In this powerful episode of Born Without a Choice, we sit down with Jennifer White, retired registered nurse, brain tumor survivor, and author, whose life changed forever after brain surgery left her in a coma. Waking up meant learning to walk, talk, think, and rebuild her identity from the ground up.

Jennifer shares the emotional realities of recovery, the invisible struggles many survivors face, and how writing became the unexpected tool that helped unlock lost memories, restore purpose, and create a new future. Her story is one of extraordinary resilience, hope, and the determination to keep moving forward, even when the impossible becomes reality.

If you’ve ever faced adversity, questioned your strength, or needed a reminder that hope can be rebuilt one step at a time, this episode will inspire you to never give up.

Connect with Jennifer White

📖 Get Jennifer’s Book – The Triggering Scent:

https://www.amazon.com/Triggering-Scent-Medical-Thriller-Roberts-ebook/dp/B0GTX6ZT74

Support Jennifer by checking out her medical thriller and following her journey from survivor to author. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, healing, and finding purpose after life’s greatest challenges.

What if the seasons of emptiness, waiting, and brokenness in your life weren’t setbacks—but part of God’s design?

In this inspiring episode of Born Without a Choice, we sit down with Dawn Stephens, award-winning author, publisher, and self-proclaimed “Fruit Pot,” to explore how discovering our identity in God transforms the way we view purpose, pain, and growth.

Dawn shares her personal journey of searching for significance through careers, achievements, and titles before realizing that true purpose isn’t found in what we hold—it’s found in what God grows through us. Together, we discuss the lessons behind being filled and emptied, serving others, overcoming fear, embracing healing, and trusting the Potter through every season of life.

If you’ve ever questioned your purpose, struggled with change, or wondered how God can use your story, this conversation will encourage you to trust the process and become the vessel you were created to be.

Connect with Dawn Stephens

🌐 Website & Free Resource:

https://dawnstephensbooks.kit.com/239f41c374

Join Dawn’s community and discover how to become a “Fruit Pot” by growing the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You’ll also find her books, resources, and inspiration to help you grow in your faith and purpose.

What happens when achieving success still leaves you feeling empty? In this inspiring conversation, Daniel Sterling shares his remarkable journey from competitive ski racing and television broadcasting to a life transformed by deep self-discovery. After experiencing disappointment, emotional collapse, and years of searching for meaning, Daniel found a mentor who helped him reshape his understanding of purpose, identity, and fulfillment. Together, we explore what it means to live an examined life, embrace personal growth, heal from life’s setbacks, and raise the next generation into whole, grounded men. This episode is a powerful reminder that our greatest transformation often begins when we stop chasing achievements and start discovering who we truly are.

Contact Details:

Website / Newsletter: https://danielsterlingwriter.substack.com

Newsletter: Shared Space – Daniel’s free monthly newsletter featuring reflections on living an examined life, excerpts from Hungry, and insights from his upcoming book on raising boys into good men.

What happens when a lifetime of creativity, resilience, and refusing to follow the crowd shapes the stories you tell? In this episode, Zac Baldwin shares his remarkable journey—from dancing, stunt work, and theater to Hollywood dreams and becoming a novelist. He opens up about creating strong female heroes, honoring Vietnam veterans through fiction, and why staying true to your vision matters more than fitting industry expectations. This conversation is a celebration of courage, imagination, persistence, and the power of storytelling to preserve history and inspire generations.

Contact Details:

* Book: The Legend of Johnnie Swann (Barnes & Noble): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-legend-of-johnnie-swann-zac-baldwin/1147862102

* Email: [email protected]

What if the habits keeping you stuck aren’t about willpower at all? In this powerful episode, Coach Jon McLernon shares his incredible journey from surviving trauma, PTSD, financial betrayal, and emotional eating to losing over 100 pounds and helping others transform their lives. Together, we explore addiction, brain rewiring, healing, faith, and the science behind lasting change. If you’ve ever felt trapped by self-sabotage or unhealthy patterns, this conversation offers hope, practical insights, and a roadmap toward lasting freedom.

📍 Connect with Coach Jon McLernon

🌐 Free 15-Minute Clarity Call:

https://tidycal.com/coachjon/15-minute-meeting

Book a complimentary call to gain clarity, uncover what’s holding you back, and take your first step toward lasting transformation.

Can science become a bridge to peace? In this extraordinary episode, Dr. Zafra Lerman shares her remarkable journey from chemist and educator to internationally recognized human rights advocate and peacebuilder. She reveals how she has brought together scientists from nations in conflict, risked her own safety defending persecuted scholars, and transformed science education through the arts. This inspiring conversation explores courage, diplomacy, resilience, women in STEM, and the belief that compassion, knowledge, and collaboration can change the world—even in its darkest moments.

📍 Connect with Dr. Zafra Lerman

📖 Human Rights and Peace: A Personal Odyssey

https://a.co/d/dmrgpEw

Purchase Dr. Lerman’s memoir and discover the incredible true stories behind her life’s work. All proceeds support the Malta Conferences Foundation and its ongoing mission of building peace through science.

What does it take to rise above adversity and lead with authenticity? In this powerful episode of Born Without a Choice, Victoria Pelletier shares her remarkable journey from overcoming childhood trauma to becoming one of the youngest CEOs in her industry. Together, we explore resilience, whole human leadership, personal branding, diversity and inclusion, and the courage to reject the status quo. Victoria explains why empathy, authenticity, and purpose are essential for building thriving cultures and meaningful careers. This conversation will inspire anyone ready to turn setbacks into strength and become the leader—and person—they were always meant to be.

📍 Connect with Victoria Pelletier

🌐 Website: https://victoria-pelletier.com/

Explore Victoria’s books, articles, leadership insights, and information about her keynote speaking and executive coaching.

Can gratitude exist even in life’s hardest seasons? In this heartfelt episode, Wendy Bower shares how family rejection, breast cancer, and personal struggles led her to discover a deeper relationship with God. She explains why gratitude isn’t just an attitude but a way of living rooted in faith, love, and healing. This conversation will encourage anyone seeking hope, joy, and peace beyond their circumstances.

📍 Connect with Wendy Bower

🌐 Website: https://www.authorwendybower.com

Explore Wendy’s free resources for growing closer to God and learn more about her book, Gratitude Attack.

What happens when the world tells you what you can’t do—but you refuse to believe it?

In this inspiring episode of Born Without a Choice, Daniel Hodges shares his extraordinary journey of resilience, determination, and purpose. Born blind and living with multiple disabilities, Daniel was once told he wasn’t capable of becoming an independent adult. Instead, he defied every expectation, earning advanced degrees, becoming an attorney and healthcare leader, and founding the Peaces of Me Foundation.

Daniel opens up about overcoming discrimination, navigating chronic pain and mental health challenges, nearly losing custody of his daughter during her battle with pediatric cancer because of disability bias, and how those experiences fueled his mission to create lasting systemic change.

Together, we explore what true inclusion looks like, why accessibility benefits everyone, and how purpose often grows from our deepest pain. This conversation is a powerful reminder that our circumstances may shape our journey—but they never have to define our future.

📍 Connect with Daniel Hodges

🌐 Peaces of Me Foundation:

https://www.peacesofme.org/

Learn more about the Peaces of Me Foundation, its mission to break the stigma surrounding disabilities, and discover how your time, talents, or support can help create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.