Broken Beautiful Me - Stories of Hope, Gratitude & Resilience

What if addiction isn't something to fix… but a portal to awakening?

This week on Broken Beautiful Me, Kelly Buckley sits down with Greg Vorst and Michael Nolan — co-founders of Embodied Recovery, a pioneering treatment centre in Silicon Valley helping people transform addiction and mental health struggles into soul growth and empowered living.

Greg and Michael are doing recovery differently.

Their Empowered Living Teachings weave together psychology, ancient wisdom, and embodied practices. Drawing from therapy, 12-Step recovery, and Sundo — Korean Taoist breathwork, they guide clients back to their inner wisdom, creating spaces where spiritual transformation and nervous system regulation go hand in hand.

Their personal stories are raw, honest, and deeply human. Both men walked their own recovery paths — spanning spiritual communities, 12-Step rooms, and years of personal work — before creating a treatment model rooted in integrity, embodiment, and community.

In this powerful conversation, they open up about:

• 🌿 Reframing addiction from a "problem to fix" to a spiritual doorway to awakening

• 💨 How bottom-up healing and daily breathwork unlock transformation where talk therapy alone can't

• 🧱 Working with denial and resistance through love, trust, and gentle truth-telling

• 🎶 Rediscovering the "Melody of Love" — and how to return to it when life pulls you away

• 🤝 Why every team member at Embodied Recovery works their own recovery program — and why it matters for clients

• 🌀 How their new nonprofit Melos will offer graduates a community of spiritual practice, sober dance, and breathwork long after treatment ends

This is an episode about coming home to yourself, breaking through the noise, and remembering that the gold has always been inside you. ✨

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📌 Links & Resources

• 🌐 Kelly's Website: https://www.kellybuckley.com

• 📚 Kelly's Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com (search "Kelly Buckley")

• 🧠 Embodied Recovery: https://www.embodiedrecovery.org

• 🎶 Melos Nonprofit: https://www.melosrecovery.org (opening planned for 2026)

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🎧 If Greg and Michael's story resonates with you, share this episode with someone who's ready to stop fixing… and start awakening.

What happens when the woman who seems to "have it all" admits she's still terrified to be seen?

This week on Broken Beautiful Me, Kelly sits down with Angie Hawkins — The Inner Glow Coach and author who helps high-achieving, spiritual women stop chasing love and approval… and start radiating fierce confidence from within.

Angie's story is both breathtaking and brutally honest.

She's bungee-jumped in New Zealand, skydived, run 16 marathons, and even leapt out of a helicopter Navy SEAL-style. She packed up her life in Chicago and moved to Hawaii alone — all in the pursuit of purpose and joy.

But behind the fearless exterior was a deep fear of truly being seen.

In this powerful conversation, Angie opens up about:

• 🌿 Her journey from emotional rock bottom to rediscovering her inner light

• 🪂 How bungee jumping became a metaphor for courage and transformation

• 📱 The "Instagram vs Reality" exercise that cracks open vulnerability in her workshops

• 🌞 What it means to shine from the inside and how it ripples into every area of life

• 💬 Why facing our deepest fears is the key to real freedom

This is an episode about masks, courage, and the quiet revolution that happens when women stop seeking external validation and start trusting themselves.

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📌 Links & Resources

• 🌐 Angie's Website & Coaching: https://runningandslippers.com

• 📚 Running in Slippers — Angie's Memoir: Available in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook on Amazon (search "Running in Slippers Angie Hawkins")

• 🗓️ Book a Free Coaching Call with Angie: https://runningandslippers.com → Free Call section

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🎧 If Angie's story resonates with you, share it with someone who needs to be reminded: the glow is already inside you.

Hey Friends, welcome back to Broken Beautiful Me 💜

This week's conversation is raw, brave, and soul-shifting.

I sit down with Katie Baker—writer, advocate, and childhood abuse survivor—who has transformed her pain into profound purpose.

👉 From years of battling addiction, shame, and silence…

👉 To sitting in sacred ayahuasca ceremonies around the world…

👉 To writing her memoir When the Universe Holds Your Hair Back…

Katie shares how she reclaimed her voice, her body, and her spirit.

Her story is not just about surviving trauma—it's about reclaiming agency, finding community, and daring to live fully.

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🔖 Episode Chapters

00:00 – Katie's son says "Mom, it's your turn to heal"

02:00 – Facing childhood trauma & breaking silence

09:00 – First experiences with psychedelics & ayahuasca

16:00 – Inside a sacred ceremony: intention, process & release

25:00 – Turning pain into advocacy and writing her memoir

32:00 – Healing family relationships across generations

46:00 – What society misunderstands about survivors

54:00 – Learning self-care and finding balance

01:01:00 – Katie's legacy of hope for future survivors

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In this episode, we talk about:

• 🌱 The turning point when her son said: "Mom, it's your turn to heal."

• 🍃 How therapeutic psychedelics opened a path to transformation.

• 💔 What society still misunderstands about abuse and survivors.

• 💡 Why telling our stories breaks cycles of shame and secrecy.

• 🌍 How Katie is now helping others heal through writing, advocacy, and spiritual practice.

Katie's honesty reminds us: every scar tells a story—and every story has the power to heal.

📖 Connect with Katie Baker

Website: peaceandfirehealing.com

Book: When the Universe Holds Your Hair Back (available on Amazon, Audible, Spotify)

💜 If this episode moved you, please subscribe, review, and share with someone who needs to hear that healing is possible. Together, we shine brighter.

In this deeply moving episode, we welcome Dr. Beverly Thorn — psychologist, author, dementia caregiver, and certified end-of-life doula.

Dr. Thorn spent decades as a clinical psychology professor at Ohio State and the University of Alabama, publishing hundreds of articles and books on chronic illness. But when her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, her professional expertise collided with personal reality. She became a full-time caregiver and, later, an end-of-life doula, documenting her journey in her powerful book: Before I Lose My Own Mind: Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver

This episode dives into:

• The hidden emotional toll of dementia caregiving and why so many feel alone.

• Why caregivers must care for themselves — not just for their loved ones, but because they matter too.

• Practical tools like journaling, meditation, and support groups to reduce stress.

• Why it's vital to plan for end-of-life care and set clear boundaries as a caregiver.

• The surprising role of music, movement, and memory in dementia care.

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⏱️ Episode Chapters:

00:00 – Dementia caregiving: the hidden struggle

02:30 – Dr. Beverly Thorn's journey from psychologist to caregiver

05:00 – Writing Before I Lose My Own Mind

10:00 – Loneliness, stigma & the emotional cost of dementia

20:00 – Why caregivers neglect their own health

28:00 – Planning for end-of-life & honoring wishes

37:00 – Journaling, meditation & coping with grief

43:00 – Support systems, respite care & "the club"

50:00 – Research, resilience & final advice for caregivers

55:00 – How to connect with Dr. Thorn

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🔗 Links & Resources

• 🌐 Dr. Beverly Thorn's website: www.drbeverlythorn.com

• 📖 Before I Lose My Own Mind: Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver

– Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Ask your local bookstore

• 🎧 Free relaxation & meditation audio guides: www.drbeverlythorn.com

• 📚 Alzheimer's Association statistics & caregiver resources: www.alz.org

• 🌐 Host's website: www.kellybuckley.com

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📌 Key Topics

• Dementia caregiving myths & truths

• Why caregivers often neglect their own health

• Coping with grief before, during & after loss

• Building a reliable care team

• Finding resilience in brokenness

Welcome to another episode of Broken Beautiful Me with host Kelly Buckley.

Today's guest, Ranae Van Roekel, shares her extraordinary story of trauma, incarceration, and transformation. After childhood abuse and decades of silence, Ranae found herself serving a 51-month federal prison sentence. But instead of letting prison define her, she chose healing — and now she helps others through her platform Connecting to Cope.

✨ In this episode, you'll hear:

• The trauma Ranae carried for decades and how silence shaped her choices

• Why prison became the start of her healing

• The life-changing moment when she chose recovery over despair

• How she now helps others through Connecting to Cope

• Insights into the U.S. criminal justice system and the First Step Act

💬 Share this episode with someone who needs hope, resilience, and the reminder: you are not the worst thing you've done.

👉 Connect with Ranae:

• Website: www.connectingtocope.com 🌐

• Instagram: @connectingtocope 📸

• Facebook: Connecting to Cope 👍

👉 Connect with Kelly:

• Website: Kelly Buckley 🌐

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustOneLittleThing/ 📘

• Instagram: @kellysbuckley 🌸

• YouTube: Broken Beautiful Me ▶️

🎧 Subscribe for more stories of hope and resilience!

In this episode of Broken Beautiful Me, host Kelly Buckley sits down with John Beyer, author of Live a Little Better: One Man's Journey of Survival, Sobriety and Success. 🌟 John's story is one of resilience, hope, and transformation: • Born to addicted parents and raised in chaos & poverty • Hit rock bottom before finding sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous 🍃 • Sober since March 31, 1986 • Built Men on the Move, one of Long Island's largest independent moving companies • Faced his son Gregory's autism diagnosis head-on and became a passionate advocate • Helped found & support autism organisations: David Center, Autism Speaks (Long Island Chapter), Spectrum Designs, The Nicholas Center • Writes and records music — leaving a legacy for his children & grandchildren This powerful conversation will inspire you to see that even through brokenness, healing is possible. 👉 If you've faced addiction, family struggles, or unexpected challenges, John's story will remind you: you can live a little better. ⸻ Resources & Links Mentioned (Verified): 📘 Live a Little Better (memoir by John Beyer) → Simon & Schuster | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 🚚 Men on the Move → menonthemove.com 👕 Spectrum Designs (employing adults with autism) → spectrumdesigns.org 🤝 The Nicholas Center → tncnewyork.org 🎵 John Beyer Music → johnbyermusic.com ⸻ Connect with Kelly Buckley: 🌐 kellybuckley.com 🎙️ Podcast: Broken Beautiful Me (available everywhere) ⸻ Timestamps: 00:00 – Kelly's welcome & introduction 00:28 – John Beyer's early life & memoir background 07:36 – First AA meeting & beginning of sobriety 10:56 – Daughter's push to write his book 17:42 – Gregory's autism diagnosis & resilience 27:02 – Advocacy, Men on the Move & Spectrum Designs 35:15 – Music, family legacy & songwriting 45:11 – Closing & where to find John's work

What happens when a Navy Commander becomes one of the world's most trusted spiritual mediums?

In this deeply moving conversation, host Kelly Buckley welcomes Suzanne Giesemann — spiritual teacher, medium, and author named on Watkins' list of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People.

Together they discuss grief, signs from spirit, practical tools to connect with loved ones, and Suzanne's journey from military leadership to becoming a guide for millions seeking comfort and healing.

✨ Topics in this episode:

• Signs from loved ones after death

• How "The Sip of the Divine" can open you to spirit in just 3 minutes

• The Awakened Way: Living from love and interconnectedness

• The story of Wolfe's Message documentary

• Finding meaning through grief and discovering wholeness at the soul level

📚 Learn more about Suzanne's books, classes, and events: SuzanneGiesemann.com

💜 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Broken Beautiful Me.

How do you survive unimaginable loss — and even find healing through it?

In this emotional and inspiring episode of the Broken Beautiful Me Podcast, host Kelly Buckley talks with John DeDakis — award-winning novelist, writing coach, and former CNN journalist — about turning pain into purpose.

John opens up about losing his sister and his son, and how writing became his lifeline. Together, Kelly and John dive deep into:

✨ Writing as a path to healing and self-discovery

✨ How men and women grieve differently in relationships

✨ Why gratitude and resilience matter in grief

✨ The power of storytelling to transform pain into hope

✨ Lessons from John's career in journalism and fiction writing

This conversation is raw, real, and filled with wisdom for anyone who has faced loss — or wants to better understand the healing journey.

👉 Learn more about John DeDakis & his books: https://johndedakis.com

👉 Explore Kelly Buckley's work & books: https://kelleybuckley.com

💬 What's helped YOU heal in your grief journey — writing, art, music, community? Share in the comments so we can support each other.

📌 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to join us for more healing conversations.

In this powerful episode of Broken Beautiful Me, host Kelly Buckley sits down with Malisa Hepner — a social worker, author, and host of the Emotionally Unavailable podcast — to explore her raw, unfiltered story of surviving extreme childhood trauma, battling shame, and reclaiming her life through radical self-love and authenticity.

Malisa's journey began in the chaos of neglect, foster care, and the devastating loss of both parents. She shares how years of perfectionism and emotional unavailability led her to a breaking point — and the turning point that inspired her to choose life, leave a secure job, and start a podcast and private practice dedicated to helping others heal.

This episode dives deep into:

• Overcoming childhood trauma and the lasting impact of the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) score

• The truth about shame archetypes and how they shape our relationships

• Shifting from perfectionism to authentic, messy humanity

• Why gratitude and presence are essential for surviving life's "dark nights"

• Practical tools for ending the cycle of overthinking and reconnecting with your true self

• How Malisa's affordable workbooks are helping people worldwide heal from shame and emotional disconnection

Malisa's story is proof that even in our most broken moments, we have the power to rewrite our narrative. Whether you're struggling with your past, battling self-criticism, or learning to love yourself for the first time, this conversation offers hope, practical wisdom, and a reminder that you are already enough.

Resources & Links:

• Malisa Hepner's Website & Workbooks: empoweredwithmelissahepner.org

• Follow Malisa on Instagram: @melissa.hoeppner

• Listen to the Emotionally Unavailable Podcast

• Connect with Kelly Buckley: kellybuckley.com

In this heart-opening episode of Broken Beautiful Me, host Kelly Buckley sits down with Alyssa Scarano, licensed counselor and founder of Collective Therapy and Wellness, for a deeply compassionate conversation about grief, trauma, childhood wounds, parenting after loss, and the transformative power of therapy. Alyssa shares her holistic approach to therapy—one that integrates mental, physical, and spiritual healing. She emphasizes the importance of moving away from clinical diagnoses as identity markers and toward whole-person healing that fosters self-compassion, emotional safety, and authentic connection. From supporting bereaved parents and guiding clients through anxiety attacks, to trauma-informed parenting and the value of presence, Alyssa provides insights and strategies that resonate with anyone navigating loss or emotional pain. In This Episode, We Cover: • The vision behind Collective Therapy and Wellness • How holistic therapy integrates mind, body, and spirit • Breaking generational patterns through self-awareness • Creating emotional safety in virtual therapy spaces • Supporting bereaved parents and children through trauma • How grief manifests emotionally and physically • The role of anxiety, control, and vulnerability in trauma recovery • Practical grounding tools for anxiety and grief attacks • Why gratitude can be a lifeline in grief • Navigating parenthood when you're grieving • The power of saying "I don't have it all figured out" as a parent • The future of therapy and the importance of relational healing • Why "You Matter"—a message everyone needs to hear 🌟 Powerful Quotes "Our emotions work like hunger—they are cues. And when we treat them with judgment, we invalidate their message." – Alyssa Scarano "Gratitude doesn't erase grief. But it can anchor us to the present moment." – Kelly Buckley "You matter. Your feelings are valid. You don't have to have it all figured out." – Alyssa Scarano 🔗 Connect with Alyssa Scarano & Collective Therapy 🌐 Website: www.collective-therapy.com 📸 Instagram: @livecollectivewellness 🗺️ Serving clients in: Florida, New Jersey, New York, Missouri, and Texas 📅 Offers: Therapy, coaching, group sessions, workshops & affordable community options 🙏 About Broken Beautiful Me Broken Beautiful Me shares powerful stories of hope, resilience, and healing. Hosted by Kelly Buckley, each episode explores how people rise through life's hardest moments and find meaning in their brokenness. Subscribe for more conversations that matter. 💛