DunnWise Perspectives

Episode Summary

When Bonnie Marquez's son Peyton was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at age six, her family received devastating news: there was no cure, limited treatment options, and an uncertain future. Rather than allowing the diagnosis to define their lives, Bonnie and her husband made a decision that would shape everything that followed—they would focus on making memories, creating hope, and helping others.

In this heartfelt conversation, Bonnie shares Peyton's remarkable journey, from his diagnosis and participation in groundbreaking clinical trials to the creation of Peyton's Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy and advancing research toward a cure.

You'll hear stories of courage, including Peyton's determination to climb Half Dome in Yosemite, his father's marathon journey pushing Peyton across finish lines around the world, and the family's decision to pursue a groundbreaking gene therapy treatment despite significant risks.

Most importantly, you'll meet a young man whose optimism, resilience, and unwavering spirit continue to inspire everyone around him.

This episode is a powerful reminder that while we can't always choose our circumstances, we can choose how we respond to them.

In This Episode

• What Duchenne muscular dystrophy is and how Peyton was diagnosed
• The emotional impact of receiving a life-changing diagnosis
• Participating in groundbreaking clinical trials and gene therapy
• How Peyton's Project was created to help other families
• The incredible story of climbing Half Dome together
• Running marathons and creating memories that matter
• The importance of community support during difficult seasons
• Why hope remains at the center of this family's journey

Memorable Quote

"We decided early on that we were going to make memories now."

Resources & Links

• Website: https://www.peytons-project.org/
• Barrels of Strength Gala: https://www.peytons-project.org/barrels-of-strength
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@peytondmd8053
• YouTube (Original): Peyton's Project - YouTube
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peytonproject/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peytons_project/
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: 🌺 Bonnie Marquez ~ MBA | LinkedIn

Connect with Doris

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call

Want to Be a Guest?

Have a story of resilience, reinvention, or overcoming a challenge?

I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Submit your story here: https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA

Episode Summary

At 14 years old, Adrienne Slaughter was a rising tennis star with dreams of going pro. Within two weeks, everything changed.

After developing pain in her knee during tennis season, Adrienne was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare childhood bone cancer. Doctors amputated her leg above the knee to save her life.

Most people would understand if bitterness followed. Instead, Adrienne chose joy.

In this inspiring conversation, Adrienne shares how faith, family, friendship, resilience, and self-confidence carried her through devastating loss, multiple cancer diagnoses, a life-threatening car accident, and decades of challenges.

Now celebrating 45 years cancer-free from osteosarcoma, Adrienne has spent decades speaking to audiences, mentoring patients, encouraging others through adversity, and proving that positivity can truly change lives.

This episode is a powerful reminder that even during life’s darkest storms, the sun is still behind the clouds.

In This Episode:

• Adrienne’s journey from elite tennis prospect to cancer survivor
• Losing her leg at age 14 and learning to walk again
• The mindset shift that changed everything
• Why role models matter during difficult seasons
• The power of resilience and asking for help
• Finding joy after trauma and uncertainty
• The “Four Fs” that carried her through: Faith, Family, Friends, and a little more Faith
• Becoming a role model for others facing adversity
• Why your smile may impact someone more than you realize

Memorable Quote:

“There’s a sun behind those clouds. It might not come out tomorrow, but it will shine again.” — Adrienne Slaughter

Connect with Adrienne

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.adriennespeaking.com/
• LinkedIn: Adrienne Slaughter | LinkedIn

Connect with Doris

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call

Want to Be a Guest?

Have a story of resilience, reinvention, or overcoming a challenge? I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Submit your story here: https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA

Episode Summary

In this episode of DunnWise Perspectives, Doris sits down with Andrea Davis, founder of The Resiliency Initiative, to explore what it truly means to stand your ground in the face of adversity.

From graduating high school eight months pregnant to navigating toxic workplace environments and leading large-scale disaster recovery efforts, Andrea shares powerful stories of resilience, courage, and hard-earned wisdom.

Together, they unpack what difficult experiences can teach us—about leadership, integrity, and staying true to who we are, even when it would be easier to shrink back.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why resilience isn’t something you plan—it’s something you build through experience
• How to handle toxic environments without losing your identity
• The importance of calling out what’s wrong—even when it’s uncomfortable
• Why confidence can feel threatening to others—and how to navigate that
• Practical ways to respond (not react) in difficult situations
• How to advocate for yourself when your ideas are overlooked or taken
• Why understanding your “why” is critical to getting through tough moments
• The power of reflection over reaction
• How humor—and even baking—can become a powerful coping tool

Key Takeaways

• You don’t have to accept unacceptable behavior.
• Not every battle is worth fighting—but some absolutely are.
• Clarity comes from reflection, not reaction.
• If you don’t stand up for yourself, no one else will.
• Even the worst experiences can become your greatest teachers.

About Andrea Davis

Andrea Davis is a nationally recognized leader in emergency management, known for bridging public and private sector silos to advance a unified, community-centered approach to disaster resilience. She has held senior roles across NGOs (American Red Cross, Save the Children), the federal government (FEMA, Federal Reserve), and Fortune 500 companies (Walmart, Disney), consistently leading global initiatives that promote risk-informed decision-making and inclusive engagement.

As President and CEO of The Resiliency Initiative (TRI) and founder of The Resiliency Institute, a 501(c)(3), she continues to expand her impact through innovative programs and thought leadership, including her published professional development self-help cookbook, "I only Remember Grievances and Desserts..." which translates resilience principles into practical, actionable guidance for individuals and organizations. A decorated leader, Davis has been named a Top 10 Inspiring CEO by CIOViews, Emergency Manager of the Year by IAEM, and an inductee of the Women’s Hall of Fame for Emergency Management.

Connect with Andrea

• Info About the Book and Professional Development Workshops: https://www.grievancesndesserts.com/
• My company's website: https://www.theresiliencyinitiative.com/
• Resiliency YouTube series: https://www.youtube.com/@TheResiliencyInitiative
• My nonprofit's website link: https://www.resiliencyinstitute.org/;

Connect with Doris

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call

Want to Be a Guest?

Have a story of resilience, reinvention, or overcoming a challenge? I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Submit your story here: https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA

What does it take to keep going when no one sees the battles you’re fighting?

In this conversation, Jason Rappoport shares the unseen side of resilience. From childhood bullying and addiction to loss, recovery, and a life-saving heart and kidney transplant, his story is raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful.

This episode is a reminder that strength is not always loud. The hardest fights are often the ones no one else can see.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The hidden impact of bullying and early health challenges
• Addiction, loss, and what “rock bottom” really feels like
• The turning point that led to long-term sobriety
• Redefining what it means to be “sober”
• Why vulnerability and connection are essential to healing

Key Takeaways

• You are not alone—even when it feels like you are
• Rock bottom can be the beginning of real change
• Lasting transformation starts from within
• Vulnerability and humility are essential to growth
• Connection and community can change everything

About Jason Rappoport

Jason Rappoport is a heart and kidney transplant survivor and a man in long-term recovery whose life has been shaped by resilience, loss, and transformation. With a 25-year career in high-performance sales and leadership, he understands what it means to operate under pressure, but his greatest lessons have come from the personal challenges he’s faced along the way.

Connect with Jason

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin/in/rappoportsells

Connect with Doris

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call

Want to Be a Guest?

Have a story of resilience, reinvention, or overcoming a challenge?

I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Submit your story here: https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA

In this powerful episode of DunnWise Perspectives, Doris sits down with Tremale Delano to explore a story of resilience, identity, and the unexpected paths that shape who we become.

Tremale shares his journey from being passed through the foster care system in Los Angeles to building a successful career in construction and real estate management. Raised by a remarkable foster mother who believed deeply in the potential of every child, he was taught early on that his circumstances did not define his future.

But what makes this story truly unforgettable is the belief that drove him for years—that his biological father was a successful attorney who wanted nothing to do with him. That belief fueled his ambition, his work ethic, and his desire to prove something bigger.

Until he discovered… it wasn’t true.

In this conversation, Tremale opens up about:

• Growing up in foster care and the impact of unconditional belief
• The role of forgiveness in shaping his mindset
• How a powerful—but inaccurate—story drove his success
• What happened when that story unraveled
• Why life isn’t black and white—and how perspective changes everything
• The mindset shift from “one path” to discovering new doors

This episode is a reminder that even the stories we question—or outgrow—can still serve a purpose. And sometimes, the path we didn’t plan leads exactly where we’re meant to go.

Key Takeaway

• Your beginnings don’t determine your destination
• Beliefs—true or not—can shape your trajectory
• Mindset isn’t about avoiding setbacks, but reframing them
• When one door closes, another may already be open—you just have to look
• Life is less about certainty and more about perspective

About Tremale Delano

Tremale Delano is a storyteller who takes his audiences on a riveting journey of discovery, using cinematic storytelling and honest reflections to foster transformative thinking. His signature style has been shaped, in part, by competing in the annual Toastmasters International Speech Contest, where he most recently advanced as a semifinalist in the 2024 World Championship of Public Speaking. With a degree in architecture and nearly two decades of experience in commercial construction management, Tremale uses his unique builder’s mindset to bring conceptual ideas to life.

Connect with Tremale

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: Tremale Delano, LEED AP | LinkedIn
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PoignantEnigma/videos

Connect with Doris

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call

Want to Be a Guest?

Have a story of resilience, reinvention, or overcoming a challenge? I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Submit your story here: https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA

Episode Summary

What would you do if one moment pushed you to the edge—and then changed the entire direction of your life?

In this powerful episode of DunnWise Perspectives, Doris Dunn sits down with Quintina Waller, founder of Hope Station, to share a story of resilience, faith, and purpose that began in one of the darkest moments of her life.

After being denied basic assistance while caring for her newborn, Quintina found herself facing overwhelming emotional and financial stress—along with thoughts she had never experienced before. But in that moment, everything shifted. What followed was not just survival, but the creation of something that has now helped thousands of women in Middle Tennessee.

Quintina shares how Hope Station was born, how she turned personal hardship into a mission, and what it really takes to keep going when the path is uncertain.

In This Episode

• The moment that sparked Hope Station
• Living in the “gap” between income and stability
• Mindset, faith, and moving forward
• The importance of focus and storytelling
• Asking for help without shame

Key Takeaway

You are not the only one going through what you're facing—and the very thing you're struggling with may be the thing you're meant to solve.

About Quintina Waller

Quintina Waller is the Founder and Executive Director of Hope Station, a nonprofit serving Rutherford and Davidson counties. Hope Station provides rent, utility, and mortgage assistance to single working mothers who fall into the gap—earning too much for government support, yet still struggling to make ends meet.

Since its founding, Hope Station has helped thousands of women maintain stable housing and navigate life’s unexpected challenges.

Connect with Quintina

• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quintina.sisney
• Website: https://www.hopestationtn.org/

Connect with Doris

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call

Want to Be a Guest?

Have a story of resilience, reinvention, or overcoming a challenge?

I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Submit your story here: https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA

Episode Summary

What do you do when life changes in an instant?

In this first episode of DunnWise Perspectives, Doris Dunn sits down with author and speaker Heidi Siefkas to talk about resilience, reinvention, and the power of mindset.

After surviving a devastating accident, personal betrayal, and later the loss of the love of her life, Heidi shares how she learned to focus on what she could control—and rebuild from there.

This is a conversation about real life, real loss, and real strength.

In This Episode

• Why mindset is the one thing you can always control
• How to “triage” your life during overwhelming moments
• The power of small steps when everything feels impossible
• Why community matters more than going it alone
• A simple daily practice to reset your perspective

Key Takeaway

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

Just take the next step—and keep going.

About Heidi Siefkas

Heidi Siefkas is an author, speaker, TEDx presenter, and host of The Look Up Mindset Podcast. She shares powerful stories of resilience and helps others navigate life’s toughest moments with strength and perspective.

Connect with Heidi

• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/HeidiSiefkas
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeidiNSiefkas
• Book link (Amazon): https://a.co/d/0qVuPEJ
• Book link (Ingram Spark): https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=cHWYFwnzpYmpVKTNuTp2affxjOntwyBCn54vfefF8rl

Connect with Doris

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call

Call to Action

If this conversation resonated with you, don’t let it stop here. Take a moment to reflect on where you might be stuck—and what your next step could be. If you’re ready for more clarity and direction, I’d love to connect.

Want to Be a Guest?

Have a story of resilience, reinvention, or overcoming a challenge? I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Submit your story here: https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA

Welcome to DunnWise Perspectives.

This podcast was inspired by a simple realization: the most powerful stories of resilience aren’t just my own—they’re all around us.

Over the past few years, I’ve been writing about mindset, growth, and what it takes to move forward when things feel uncertain. Along the way, I kept meeting people with incredible stories—stories of challenge, change, and courage.

This podcast brings those stories to life.

In DunnWise Perspectives, you’ll hear a mix of solo episodes and conversations with people who have faced difficult moments and found a way forward—not perfectly, but intentionally.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or unsure of your next step, this podcast is for you.

New episodes drop every other Friday (for now), and you can listen wherever you get your podcasts—for free.

• Real stories of resilience and personal growth
• Conversations with people who have navigated change and challenge
• Insights on mindset, clarity, and moving forward with purpose
• Practical reflections you can apply to your own life or business

Follow DunnWise Perspectives so you don’t miss an episode.

Available on your favorite podcast platforms.

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn

Schedule a Discovery Call:

https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call