BUILT THROUGH IT

Imagine waking up one morning to find that the life you've carefully constructed is no longer navigable. This is the reality Taryn Watson faced when an ordinary renovation turned into an extraordinary life challenge.

Taryn, once a proud contractor managing multiple projects, found his world turned upside down when he lost his sight. As he reflects on his past self, he describes himself as an egomaniac, driven by the need to achieve more, faster, and bigger. Yet, beneath that exterior lay a feeling of incompleteness — a sense that something was missing.

EXPLORE A SHIFT IN PERSPECTIVE

In this episode of the Built Through It Podcast, we delve into the captivating world of storytelling with Robert Bowers, a passionate storyteller whose adventures in the natural world have inspired many. His journey is a testament to the power of stories—those shared around campfires, passed down through generations, and the ones that linger in our memories long after the moment has passed.

Discover the adventures and encounters that shaped a storyteller.BOOKS ON AMAZON; ROBERT .O. BOWYERS

In today's conversation, we sit down with Nancy Jasin Ensley, a writer whose life experiences have shaped her understanding of resilience and the power of storytelling. Nancy invites us into her world, where every story holds a lesson worth sharing.

Nancy reflects on her early years, growing up in a financially struggling family where art and literature were foundational. Her father, a passionate reader, and her mother, a talented musician, nurtured her curiosity. "I wrote a poem at four and a half for my mother. When she hugged me, I saw the ability to influence other people, give them a message," Nancy shares, illustrating how her journey into writing began with a simple act of love.

Find out more about Nancy and her books

Visit www.nancyjasinensley.com

Welcome to this week’s issue, where we delve into the inspiring journey of Kerry Damiano, a woman whose life challenges the notion that great adventures are reserved for the young. With over 140 countries explored, Kerry’s story is a testament to the idea that our greatest chapters can unfold at any age.

Kerry, affectionately known as Miss World Traveller, has crafted a remarkable career that spans multiple fields — from pageantry and fashion to music and digital media. Yet, beneath these impressive titles lies a deeper narrative about curiosity, courage, and continuous evolution.

Mikella Cox's journey is a powerful testament to resilience and adaptability. Born with a disability that left her legally blind, Mikella's life story is not just about the challenges she faced but how she learned to navigate them with grace and determination.

Mikella refers to her life story as the "38DDD story," a phrase that encapsulates her journey of overcoming obstacles. Her first D represents her disability, as she was born totally blind but regained partial sight at seven months. Growing up in a faith-based family, Mikella was taught to believe in miracles, and her sight was seen as one of those miracles.

What happens when you keep showing up for the world while quietly losing touch with yourself?

On this episode of Built Through It, I sit down with Diana Gasper, a former labour-ward nurse from Tanzania who overcame unexpected career setbacks, built an award-winning African travel company, and continued to reinvent herself through some of life's most challenging seasons.

From losing her airline job during early pregnancy to building a successful business and navigating the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Diana's journey is a powerful reminder of what resilience can look like. But beneath the achievements was a deeper struggle: the weight of losses that went unacknowledged, even as life demanded that she keep moving forward.

A moment of honest reflection, sparked by a friend's observation that she was no longer the same person, led Diana to confront a question that would change her life: Why do I have systems for my business, but nothing for my life?

That question became the beginning of The Return, a 40-day, five-stage framework rooted in Tanzanian traditions and the foundation of her book, The Loss Was Real. So Is The Return.

In this conversation, we explore the grief people carry without naming it, why pushing harder doesn't always lead to healing, and how we can begin finding our way back to ourselves. We also discuss the power of community, cultural wisdom, and learning to move forward even when the closure we hoped for never comes.

Diana's story is a reminder that you can be successful and still be hurting, that unacknowledged loss deserves to be seen, and that rebuilding yourself doesn't mean becoming who you were before. Sometimes, it means discovering who you are now.

If you've ever kept going while carrying something no one else could see, this conversation is for you.

🎙️ Welcome to Built Through It — Real stories of resilience from around the world.

If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who may need to hear it, and follow the podcast for more honest conversations about resilience, healing, and finding your way forward.

Mike Enos began his career by following a traditional script: earn a degree, climb the corporate ladder, and achieve professional accolades. By 39, he had achieved what many consider success — a PhD, partnership in a consulting firm, and executive roles. Yet, behind this facade of success, he grappled with a haunting question: Is this it?
This pivotal moment led Mike to recognize that the script he had been following wasn't truly his own.

After more than two decades in the corporate world, Mike made a radical decision — he left everything behind. "Without the title, structure, and identity that work had provided, I found myself lost," he admits. But rather than succumbing to despair, he began to experiment with his life. From completing Stanford's LEAD program to training for an Ironman and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Mike discovered a profound truth: action creates clarity.

In the latest episode of the Beautrade Podcast, Clinton Iyen engages with Jay Jacobson, a funeral director with over four decades of experience navigating the complexities of grief. This conversation dives deep into the lessons learned from standing alongside families in their darkest moments, illuminating the profound insights that arise when one confronts death and loss.

A heartfelt discussion on resilience, understanding addiction, and embracing grief.

Katie Rizzo's story is one of profound loss and resilience. In a recent episode of the Build Through It podcast, she shares the heartbreaking experience of losing her son Nicholas to addiction.

In a captivating conversation, Antoine DuBose shares his journey of self-discovery, sparked by a profound question asked back in eighth grade: Who are you? This question, posed by a towering stranger, became a catalyst for Antoine's lifelong quest for identity.

 https://www.stayfocusedconsultants.com

Antoine's website is where listeners can learn more about his book, The Uncharted Path, join his email list for the November 10 release, and find the free tools he talks about on the show. It's also where schools, parents, and organizations can book him to speak. One link, easy to say on air, and it will point to the book preorder page as soon as that goes live.