Diary of an Overcomer Podcast

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October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month and in this episode Carol and Alicia discuss the book "No Visible Bruises" by Rachel Louise Snyder.

"Back in 1986, one out of four women in the United States was impacted by domestic violence. Today, that number has escalated to one out of two women who will experience sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.  Journalist, writer and professor Rachel Louise Snyder is the author of the award-winning bestseller, No Visible Bruises, where she explores the domestic violence epidemic and how to combat it.  She explains why domestic violence is becoming more prevalent, why a better term for it is “intimate partner terrorism,” the signs to look out for and what steps women can take to protect themselves and their families." 

Rachel's Interview with Oprah Winfrey- https://youtu.be/UGcu6kEzrDI?si=L-gfW64WiDkO5seT

If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship abuse, you don't have to
navigate it alone. The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides free,
confidential support 24/7.
 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
 Text START to 88788
 Chat at thehotline.org

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What happens to the pets when a person flees a domestic violence situation? Our guest on today's podcast is Katie Campbell the President and CEO of Red Rover, a nonprofit that specializes in bringing animals and their people from crisis to care. (redrover.org)

71% of women in domestic violence shelters report their abuser threatened, injured or killed a pet as a means of control. Nearly half of victims stay in abusive situations rather than leave their pet behind.

To listen to this episode go to wherever you listen to your podcasts or go to our website at www.shepherdsgate.org/podcast. Let us know what you think in the comments! 

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In this powerful installment of Diary of an Overcomer, we sit down with author Daniel Marin to discuss his journey through the shadows of mental illness and the light he found on the other side. Daniel opens up about his personal battles with bipolar disorder, a journey he describes as moving from "the throne of a living hell" to a life of freedom and purpose.

Daniel's story is a raw, honest look at the "invisible chains" of depression and paranoia, and how faith and resilience helped him break them. Whether you are struggling with a diagnosis yourself or supporting a loved one, this episode offers a profound message: you are not alone, and you can overcome.

"Bipolar the Good Life: Breaking the Chains of Depression and Mental Illness" In his book, Daniel Marin details his experience wandering the streets of the city in search of hope and how he finally found the path to stability and peace. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the reality of mental health through a lens of victory.

• Order on Amazon: Bipolar the Good Life by Daniel Marin

Mental Health Resources & Support

If you or someone you know is struggling with bipolar disorder or mental health challenges, please reach out to these organizations for confidential support:

• DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance): Provides hope, help, and support for people living with mood disorders.
  • Website: dbsalliance.org
  • Phone: (312) 642-0049
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Available 24/7 for anyone in the U.S. experiencing mental health-related distress.
  • Call or Text: 988
  • Chat: 988lifeline.org
• Crisis Text Line: Free, 24/7 support from trained crisis counselors.
  • Text: "HOME" to 741741
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Offers education and support groups across the country.
  • HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
  • Website: nami.org

Connect with Shepherd’s Gate: Follow us for more stories of hope and transformation as we document the lives of those who have moved from bondage to breakthrough.

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In this episode, Carol and Jen discuss a little know and talked about threat to the peace and health of a person and that is loneliness. Carol and Jen discuss the surprising studies that have come out about the detrimental effects of loneliness and how we can help ourselves and others overcome those effects.  

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Carol and Jen welcome guest Wade Milyard.

Fresh Step Laundry was founded by Wade Milyard in the summer of 2024. The inspiration for this initiative came from his experiences meeting unhoused individuals in Frederick during his time working as a police officer. 

He observed firsthand how essential having clean clothes was for their dignity and well-being. Recognizing this critical need, he decided to create a service that offers free laundry services for people facing homelessness. 

After his retirement in January of 2025, Wade began the process of designing and building a mobile laundry vehicle that could conveniently meet individuals wherever they were. Following the completion of the vehicle’s upfitting and necessary preparations, Fresh Step Laundry officially began serving the community on September 4th, 2025. 

For more information go to www.freshsteplaundry.com

To see Wade on CBS Steve Hartman "On the Road"

https://youtu.be/QcrjPcLlPPg?si=-Drd5txzUi9pwSmW

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Carol and Jen are starting out this new season and new year talking through what it is like for those living on the streets in the colder months of the year and how we can help them in practical ways.

This episode is aimed to get us to think out of our own boxes and imagine what it would be like to live with out warm clothes, a roof over our heads, what it is like to be sick and not have access to cold medications, etc.

Jump in and let's think through this and find ways to help.

www.shepherdsgate.org

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In this episode, Carol and Jen talk about the essentials for those walking through recovery and the family and friends that love them, and how to get prepared for the holiday parties and gatherings keeping your sobriety in tact.

The National Helpline—1-800-662-HELP (4357)—provides 24-hour free and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery in English and Spanish. 

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and our guest for this episode is Celina. Celina came from a severely abusive marriage that started out loving and escalated over the years into controlling and then physical violence.

She shares with Carol and Jen what her life was like before coming to Shepherd's Gate and what it's like now. 

Her story will shock you, she is brutally honest in this episode and we hope it inspires those trapped in abuse to leave the abuser and that life can be safe and healthy again.

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Jason joins Carol and Jen on this episode to share his journey through addiction to Jesus. His Overcomer's Story is raw and real and it is inspiring! 

www.shepherdsgate.org 

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On this episode, we're confronting a crisis that has become a defining tragedy of our time: the fentanyl epidemic. While this deadly synthetic opioid is claiming lives across the entire country, its impact has been especially devastating right here in our own backyard, the Bay Area. 

From the streets of San Francisco to the suburbs of the East Bay, this powerful and often secretly-laced drug is tearing families apart and overwhelming communities. It's a crisis that has evolved rapidly, driven by cheap, illicitly manufactured fentanyl that is up to 100 times more potent than morphine. 

In this episode, we'll explore this further and how the Bay Area became an epicenter for this public health emergency and what's being done to fight back. 🎙️

Kelly Bowers is out guest.

Dr. Kelly Bowers
President & CEO, Three Valleys Community Foundation 

Dr. Kelly Bowers leads Three Valleys Community Foundation (3VCF), a place-based philanthropic organization serving California’s Tri-Valley and greater East Bay region. As President and CEO, she oversees a growing portfolio of local grantmaking, directing millions of dollars annually to nonprofit organizations addressing urgent community priorities—ranging from mental health and opioid crisis mitigation to educational equity, environmental resilience, health access, and the preservation of local journalism. 

A lifelong educator and former Superintendent of the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District, Dr. Bowers brings more than three decades of public service experience and a passion for engaging a diverse constituency in community-driven solutions. She has been honored with awards such as the California Education Champions Award and the CSU East Bay Distinguished Alumna Award for her commitment to driving and implementing meaningful, measurable change. She is a proud UC Berkeley alumna and holds a doctorate in educational leadership focused on building trust and transparency in complex systems. 

At 3VCF, Dr. Bowers champions collaborative partnerships, uplifts community voice in funding decisions, and advances innovative approaches to nonprofit grantmaking that reflect the foundation’s core mission: connecting local resources with local needs.