Every Soul Has A Story

What do you do when a pandemic strips away your life's work? For Eric Trope, a professional ballet dancer with the Miami City Ballet, that question led to an unexpected calling. In this episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan sits down with Eric to explore his journey from a bullied kid in New Mexico to a celebrated dancer on some of the world's biggest stages. Eric opens up about the shame he felt as a young gay man pursuing ballet, the body image struggles that plague the dance world, and his parents' unwavering support that made it all possible.

When COVID-19 shut down his career, Eric co-founded The Buddy System, a nonprofit that has placed community fridges across Miami-Dade to fight food injustice. This is a story about identity, resilience, and how the arts can heal—both on and off the stage.
Keywords: ballet, Miami City Ballet, coming out, gay dancer, body image, eating disorders, bullying, COVID-19, nonprofit, The Buddy System, community fridges, food justice.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Forcing Sisters Into Plays
2:38 - Moving & Never Fitting In
3:18 - Growing Up as a Triplet
6:36 - Dad Encourages Jazz Over Fencing
10:21 - Ballet Shame & Wearing Basketball Shorts
11:44 - Knowing He Was Gay in Middle School
13:00 - Moving to NYC at 16 for Ballet
14:13 - Coming Out to Supportive Parents
16:30 - Knowing Years Before Coming Out
21:24 - Advice for Parents of LGBTQ+ Kids
24:33 - Life of a Professional Ballet Dancer
31:43 - Body Image Standards for Male Dancers
43:31 - Pivot: Co-Founding The Buddy System
52:38 - Maintaining Faith in Humanity
54:59 - Outro
RESOURCES:

•    Buddy System - Community fridge initiative in Miami-Dade County
Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:
•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com

QUOTES:
"You are seeing companies start to acknowledge that mental health is impacted by your job and the stress of your job and the intensity of our jobs. So there's a lot of things that I think that are shoved away for a long time within the arts community."
– Eric Trope

"I feel like I need downtime to kind of reboot, sort of like a solar system. I feel like I need my own sun, but it's not outside. It's kind of writing or going inward and just turning everything off and tuning in."
– Dara Levan

What if a random tarot card reader on a street corner could predict your future husband? In this episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan welcomes Jennifer Nayak-Feldman, a freelance creator who moved to the Bahamas for love. Jenny shares her incredible journey of resilience, from a heart-wrenching fetal diagnosis for her son Robbie (ACC, Autism, and Tourette’s) to navigating grief after the death of her first husband.

She discusses the profound challenges and joys of parenting neurodivergent children, the silver linings of COVID-19, and the "metamorphosis" of healing through sleep and life coaching. Tune in to hear how Jenny found her "passport man," blended a family, and discovered a path to happiness after a difficult divorce.

Keywords: parenting special needs, autism, agenesis of the corpus callosum, Tourette's syndrome, grief, healing, COVID silver lining, dating after divorce, blended families, Bahamas, Match.com, life coaching.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
1:14 - Moving to Bahamas for Love
2:11 - COVID & Hurricane Dorian Separation
4:42 - The "Festival de Niac" Scorpio Family
6:45 - Son Robbie's ACC Diagnosis
8:15 - The Devastating Ultrasound Experience
11:45 - Autism & Tourette's Comorbidities
13:45 - Grief: Neurodivergent vs. Neurotypical Kids
18:18 - The Tarot Card Reader's Prophecy
20:58 - Meeting Andre on Match.com
27:48 - Connecting the Dots to "Passport Man"
31:53 - How COVID Paved the Way for a New Life
32:24 - Outro  

RESOURCES:

Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:
•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com

QUOTES:
"As a child, your sensory levels are so much more accessible, because children haven't developed the tools to disregard it, hide it, not express it, contain it. Those are not childlike behaviors."
– Jennifer Nayak -Feldman

‘’I often tell people I'm Jewish, and so identify with our core values. But I'm not religious, I almost call myself a Judas, because I believe in just being a good human and the energy that we give others.’’
– Dara Levan

Writer, author, and speaker Rachel Sobel—a self-professed smartass who lives life with complete candor shares her journey through an 18-year relationship that ended in divorce, becoming a single mother, and eventually finding love again with her husband Jason (whom she met on Match.com).

From recording in her closet to escape her kids, to leaving a toxic PR job to pursue writing full-time, Rachel opens up about finding her voice, setting boundaries, and staying authentic online. She discusses her work as a contributor for PopSugar, Mommy Nearest, and Scary Mommy, and her third anthology essay in Jen Mann's New York Times bestselling series. This conversation is packed with humor, wisdom, and real talk about motherhood, divorce, and reinvention.

KEYWORDS
Rachel Sobel, Every Soul Has a Story, Dara Levan, divorce, single mother, second marriage, dating after divorce, Match.com, writing career, authenticity, social media, motherhood, parenting, toxic work environment, PR, tech PR, freelancing, anthology, PopSugar, Mommy Nearest, Scary Mommy, Jen Mann, I Just Want to Hang Out with You, raising tweens and teens, self-care, Peloton, boundaries, trust, vulnerability, co-parenting, divorce recovery, reinvention, finding your voice, mental health, emotional wellness, humor, Jewish humor, authenticity, content creation, writer, author, speaker

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro with Dara Levan
0:34 - Recording from the closet
1:43 - Raising an 11-year-old "mini-30-year-old"
3:30 - Toddler tornado at age 3
5:10 - Two daughters, different dads
7:18 - Finding confidence as a mother
9:37 - Divorce and discovering identity
11:17 - Rebound relationships after divorce
12:43 - Dating as a single mother
15:23 - Meeting husband Jason on Match.com
17:35 - Surprises in second marriage
20:21 - Embracing the "crazy"
22:37 - From PR to full-time writer
24:03 - Leaving a toxic work environment
26:38 - Anthology and writing career
27:54 - Authenticity and social media
31:32 - Love/hate relationship with social media
33:36 - Trust, boundaries, and discernment
36:48 - Handling social media trolls
39:58 - Making time for intimacy
42:59 - Final advice: Don't give up
43:52 - Self-care with Peloton and cooking
45:03 - Closing and wrap-up

RESOURCES:

Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:
•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com
•    https://whineandcheezits.com/ 

QUOTES:

"You only heal if you're willing to like relinquish control a little bit. And I'm very bad at that."
– Rachel Sobel

"Growth doesn't happen in the good times. You know, growth is really uncomfortable and that it's supposed to be."
– Dara Levan

Dara Levan sits down with Joel Nagelbush—a professor, life coach, and motivational speaker who has faced unimaginable challenges. In 2002, Joel was diagnosed with thyroid cancer while simultaneously learning he would become a dad. His son Justin was born a month early and by three months old, his liver had fully cirrhosed, requiring a life-saving transplant. Justin received his new liver on August 7th, 2003.

Now, 17 years later, Joel shares the devastating news he received just yesterday—Justin's body is in chronic rejection of his liver. Through tears and raw honesty, Joel reveals how he processes fear, maintains his spiritual beliefs, and guides his son through this terrifying moment. This conversation explores the power of purpose, the illusion of control, and finding gratitude even in life's darkest moments.

KEYWORDS
Joel Nagelbush, Every Soul Has a Story, Dara Levan, thyroid cancer, liver transplant, fatherhood, chronic rejection, organ donation, survival, purpose, no accidents, spiritual awakening, grief, trauma, PTSD, fear, uncertainty, catastrophic thinking, mindfulness, self-compassion, resilience, growth, motivation, life coaching, professor, Jackson Memorial Hospital, organ transplant, immunosuppressed, COVID-19, pandemic, family, healing, gratitude, authenticity, hospice volunteer, Make-A-Wish, motivational speaking, parenting, teenager, hope, connection, emotional wellness

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro with Dara Levan
0:56 - No accidents: Finding purpose
1:53 - Thyroid cancer and becoming a dad
2:12 - The surreal bubble of trauma
4:16 - 107 countries by age 28
5:10 - Justin's liver transplant diagnosis
6:18 - Three-month checkup discovery
8:02 - Justin's 17-hour transplant surgery
9:54 - PTSD of being a cancer survivor
13:04 - Global awakening and COVID connection
17:07 - Justin's lab results and chronic rejection
22:24 - Joel and Justin's sacred time together
25:42 - Humor and a ghost conversation
28:18 - The "Jedi moment" with Justin
35:04 - Catastrophizing and spiritual practice
40:38 - Closing gratitude and wrap-up
RESOURCES:

Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:

•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com
•    https://jacksonhealth.org/ 

QUOTES:

"When dealing with traumatic illness, when dealing with critical illness or death, the uncertainty becomes almost the greatest plague."
– Joel Nagelbush

We have to be shaken to awaken, but more than that, once you see, once you awaken, you can't unsee.
– Dara Levan

In this inspiring episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan sits down with Wendy Spencer—a Renaissance woman who has dedicated her life to service. Currently President and CEO of Leadership Florida, Wendy previously served as the Chief Service Officer for the nation, leading AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and VISTA under President Obama. Despite being a Republican, she received unanimous Senate confirmation and worked closely with the Obama administration, including Vice President Joe Biden.

Wendy shares her remarkable journey from small-town Georgia to the highest role in national service, the rigorous White House vetting process, and her experiences working with multiple presidents. She also offers powerful insights on COVID-19 disaster response, the importance of mental health, and how volunteerism and connection are more vital than ever.

This conversation is a masterclass in leadership, bipartisanship, and the transformative power of service.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro with Dara Levan
1:47 - Working under Republican governors in Florida
4:00 - Chair of America's State Service Commissions
5:27 - The White House phone call
8:35 - Rigorous vetting and Senate confirmation
11:37 - Working with President Obama and Joe Biden
13:31 - Service events with the First Family
16:05 - Growing up in small-town Thomasville, Georgia
18:33 - The importance of connection and listening
20:40 - COVID-19 disaster response planning
24:01 - Mental health during quarantine
27:01 - Family connections during COVID
30:47 - Volunteering online during the pandemic
35:16 - Humor and connection in leadership
36:03 - Inducting AmeriCorps from space story
41:15 - Closing gratitude and wrap-up32:24 - Outro  

RESOURCES:

Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:
•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com
•    https://www.leadershipflorida.org/

QUOTES:

I think when you approach someone, you show an interest in them and you start asking questions about them. And people really like that. And they, then they start getting interested in you as well.
 – Wendy Spencer

I always think about legacy, and what am I doing? How can I impact my world, my zip code, my community, my county, my country? You never know if what you're doing is really going to change the life of someone else.
– Dara Levan

In this heartfelt episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan sits down with international jewelry designer Julie Miles—a stage 4 appendiceal cancer survivor and scleroderma warrior who turned her health crisis into a thriving creative empire. Julie shares how she discovered that doing what she loved every day was essential to survival, leading her to create her now-famous pearl jewelry collections.

Three key takeaways:

1.    Why making yourself "number one" is essential to showing up for others
2.    How stress and adrenaline contributed to Julie's cancer diagnosis
3.    The importance of being present and embracing imperfection

Join us for this inspiring conversation about resilience, self-care, and finding your soul's purpose through creativity and connection.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro  
0:22 - Julie’s accidental author origin  
1:17 - Why she stopped writing  
2:45 - Midlife crisis awakening  
3:45 - Montana writer’s retreat  
4:24 - Crafting memoir for readers  
7:44 - Memoir cover symbolism  
8:48 - People Magazine accolade  
11:00 - Universal reader resonance  
19:48 - Platform-building struggles  
22:00 - Arrival fallacy revelation  
26:13 - Family permission to publish  
31:32 - Julie’s gratitude to Dara  
32:24 - Outro  

RESOURCES:

Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:
•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com
https://juliemiles.com/


QUOTES:

"When you're creating, it's something that, you know, it's hard to put down. It's like a good book or a good movie. You know, you don't want it to be over."
– Julie Miles

"When we find our passion and our path and our purpose. It's my belief that it isn't difficult. It is easy because it lights your soul on fire."
– Dara Levan

What happens when a graffiti-obsessed teenager from Queens walks into a gallery with a painting under his arm and walks out with a contract that changes everything?

Legendary artist and Def Jam creative director Cey Adams shares his remarkable journey from drawing comics in his bedroom to designing album covers for the biggest names in music. Cey reflects on the 1980s downtown art scene alongside Basquiat, Haring, and Warhol, the lessons he learned about patience and presence, and how his iconic LOVE murals have touched countless lives—including a four-year-old boy who painted a single yellow brick.

With wisdom gleaned from decades in the creative trenches, Cey reveals why he never chases success, how he learned to appreciate wherever he is, and why art is meant to connect hearts. From meeting Glenn Frey in a bathroom to reuniting an artist with a lost masterpiece, this conversation is a masterclass in living with intention, creativity, and love. Perfect for artists, creatives, and anyone seeking inspiration in uncertain times.


Target Keywords: Cey Adams, Def Jam, graffiti artist, album cover designer, love mural, Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, downtown art scene, Keith Haring, Basquiat, Andy Warhol, art and connection, mindfulness, creativity, COVID-19 impact on artists, book project, Jackson Browne, Glenn Frey, Go-Go's, Kathy Valentine, art storytelling, Wynwood, Art Basel

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro & "I'm just an artist"
1:22 - Growing up in Queens, New York
7:35 - Graffiti artist beginnings in the 1970s
9:31 - Def Jam & designing album covers
11:16 - Downtown art scene: Basquiat, Haring, Warhol
17:19 - No regrets: everything led somewhere
22:11 - Therapy, patience & appreciating where you are
26:49 - COVID, creativity & itching to get busy
30:53 - Impact on exhibitions & book projects
36:41 - Book uncertainty & staying grounded
42:51 - Music influences & meeting Jackson Browne
58:05 - The heartwarming art restoration story
1:07:40 - Outro & final gratitude

RESOURCES:

Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:
•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com
@ceyadams

QUOTES:

"You can't be in two places at once. And it doesn't make sense for your body to be in one place and your mind to be wishing you were somewhere else."
– Cey Adams

"I don't believe in coincidence. There's no accidents in life. That's how I live!"
– Dara Levan

What happens when a high school feminist meets an unsupportive teacher—and decides to speak her truth anyway?

College admissions expert and co-founder of Expert Admissions, Dr. Bari Norman, shares her journey from a misunderstood Miami teen to a leading college counselor who's helped countless students find their perfect fit. Dr. Bari Norman reveals how an independent counselor changed her life trajectory, why she chose Barnard against all her original criteria, and how her parents' unconditional love shaped her philosophy of zero judgment. With COVID-19 upending the college admissions process, Bari offers timely advice on deferrals, campus life, and making decisions without enough information.

She discusses the importance of asking students what they don't like about schools, why great college essays come from thoughtful reflection, and how this historic moment could actually create stronger bonds among incoming first-year classes. Perfect for parents, high school students, and anyone navigating uncertainty.


Target Keywords: Dr. Bari Norman, Expert Admissions, college counselor, college admissions, COVID-19 college impact, Barnard College, college essays, college fit, independent college counselor, high school students, college applications, deferrals, parenting, unconditional love, COVID-19 and education

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro & New York quarantine experience
2:40 - Parenting through COVID-19
3:53 - Growing up in Miami & wanting to leave
6:45 - Beth Wald: The counselor who changed her life
9:56 - Barnard: Finding her perfect fit
13:09 - Struggling freshman year & transfer applications
19:41 - Growth through challenge & accountability
22:41 - Parents' unconditional love & no judgment
26:31 - Mother's contentment & father's self-judgment
30:20 - The D in math & "did you try?"
34:43 - Using personal experiences to counsel students
39:08 - Handling overachieving parents & students
42:59 - Integrity in choosing clients
46:14 - COVID impact on college admissions
50:50 - Range of students & learning differences
54:25 - No judgments & honoring student differences
57:28 - Admissions panel insights on COVID-19
1:01:09 - Historical parallels: 9/11, Katrina & resilience
1:04:41 - Great college essays from thoughtful reflection
1:06:04 - Acceptance & making decisions without full information
1:09:03 - Patience & leaning into uncertainty
1:10:21 - Outro & closing

QUOTES:

"I always say to people that you have to think about the fall, right? When nobody gives a sh*t about where you are and they're focused on themselves, it will not matter what the name is on the gate."
-    Dr. Bari Norman

"Relationships don't die, people do, but connections don't."
–  Dara Levan

Are you stress eating your way through quarantine?

Registered dietitian and nutritionist Ronni Litz Julien understands—she's been there herself. In this intimate conversation, Ronni shares her personal journey from a family history of weight struggles to becoming a trusted nutrition expert, all while managing her own diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. She reveals why food cravings are never truly biological, how to create structure when the world feels chaotic, and why sitting has become "the new smoking." Ronni offers practical advice on immune-boosting foods, the importance of strength training as we age, and how to be compassionate with yourself during these unprecedented times.

From Swedish fish confessions to the power of Zumba, this episode is packed with wisdom for anyone struggling with emotional eating, seeking better nutrition, or simply trying to stay sane at home. Plus, learn why fish might just be the most important food on Earth!


Target Keywords: Ronni Litz Julien, registered dietitian, nutritionist, emotional eating, stress eating, quarantine weight gain, immune system, anti-inflammatory foods, ulcerative colitis, food addiction, mindfulness, structure, self-compassion, carbohydrates, omega-3 fatty acids, Zumba, strength training, eating disorders, telehealth nutrition

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro & Quarantine reflections
1:42 - Feeling fulfilled, not stuck
2:21 - Caterpillar to butterfly metaphor
3:13 - Personal weight struggles & emotional eating
4:36 - Finding nutrition as a career
8:40 - Mindfulness & impulse control
10:40 - Swedish fish confession
12:08 - Balance, compassion & coping skills
13:23 - Eating disorders & team approach
16:42 - Creating structure & routine
22:48 - Immune-boosting foods & nutrients
25:33 - Carbohydrates: Not the enemy
28:39 - Personal ulcerative colitis journey
32:36 - Exercise: Sitting is the new smoking
36:51 - Final wisdom & self-compassion
38:46 - Outro & closing

QUOTES:

"It is 50 percent how you eat and what you put in your body. And it is 50 percent exercise. There is not one without the other."
-    Ronni Litz Julien

"Without the suffering, and the challenges, we don't grow."
–  Dara Levan

What happens when your body, trained for Ironman competitions, suddenly betrays you? Randi Schwartz, a health and wellness coach with a master's in physical therapy, shares her extraordinary journey from endurance athlete to multiple myeloma warrior.

After months of dismissing subtle fatigue as overtraining, Randi discovered she had a blood cancer that would require a stem cell transplant and complete isolation. In this raw and inspiring conversation, she reveals how her athletic background prepared her for cancer treatment, why vulnerability creates deeper connections, and how she's learned to find gifts in life's most challenging moments.

From dancing on her IV pole to running the Boston Marathon after transplant, Randi's story proves that what seems impossible is truly possible. She shares powerful lessons about building community, listening to your inner voice, and embracing life's unexpected detours. Perfect for anyone facing health challenges, seeking inspiration, or learning to navigate uncertainty.

Keywords: Randi Schwartz, multiple myeloma, cancer survivor, stem cell transplant, Ironman athlete, endurance sports, health coach, physical therapy, vulnerability, community, resilience, butterfly symbolism, Boston Marathon, cancer advocacy

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro & Randi's background
0:48 - Multiple myeloma & immune system
2:34 - Isolation & "bubble girl" experience
4:20 - Gifts from slowing down
7:19 - Listening to your body
8:32 - Athletic background & triathlon
12:50 - Subtle fatigue & gut feelings
16:38 - ER visit & kidney failure diagnosis
24:38 - Sports helped her know her body
26:57 - Endurance lessons applied to cancer
28:46 - Connection during isolation
31:54 - Grieving & sitting with feelings
39:43 - Butterfly symbolism & final wisdom
43:38 - Dancing through cancer & closing

QUOTES:

What seems impossible initially and overwhelming and insurmountable, as you kind of chip away at it and have a plan and stay with it, you realize what seems impossible is really possible.
-    Randi Schwartz

You have to sit with those uncomfortable feelings before you jump to the silver lining. That in between, that's where the work is.
–  Dara Levan