Forward To Joy

In this episode, I talk with Janice Erlbaum about her journey from a troubled youth to becoming an author and advocate for healing. We talk about trauma, therapy, self-awareness, and the resilience it takes to move through difficult experiences and create a meaningful life. Janice shares how understanding our past can help us find healing, purpose, and a greater sense of who we are.
Connect with Janice: https://janiceerlbaum.com/
Book: Girl Bomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I talk with Laurie Hammer about her journey from overcoming an eating disorder to becoming a pioneer in amino acid therapy. We explore how targeted amino acids can support brain health and emotional well-being, particularly when navigating grief, anxiety, and neurodivergence. Laurie shares what she’s learned about the connection between brain chemistry and mental health—and how amino acid therapy may offer another path toward healing.
Disclaimer: This episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Neither Laurie nor I are medical professionals, and this conversation is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Connect with Laurie: https://www.lauriehammer.com/
Podcast: https://lauriehammer.com/podcast

Connect with Alexandra on her website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠forwardtojoy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or send her an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Portions or topics on this show may be triggering. Please seek professional help or assistance if needed.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Healing can be exhausting—and sometimes moving forward means giving yourself permission to pause. Alexandra Wyman shares plans for an upcoming fall break from podcasting to focus on her writing and begin transitioning her blog to Substack, where she hopes to explore topics beyond grief.

Alexandra reflects on the frustration of waiting for clarity, the importance of mourning the life we hoped for, and the challenge of trusting ourselves without comparing our progress to others. Drawing on her own experiences with grief and codependency, she explores how outside support can help us reconnect with our own strength.

With more episodes still to come before the pause begins, Alexandra leaves listeners with encouragement to meet themselves where they are, rest when needed, and take their next step at their own pace.

In the meantime, buy my book, The Suicide Club: What to Do When Someone You Love Chooses Death.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another listen with Avery Cundill. We explored themes of personal growth, the importance of setting boundaries, and the journey of making bold life changes. We discussed the challenges of navigating fear, the significance of intentional relationships, and the process of decluttering both physically and emotionally. Our dialogue emphasized the need for self-care, the power of conviction, and the joy that comes from resilience. Avery shared insights from her new podcast, 'The Declutter Queen,' focusing on how to create space in life for what truly matters.
Connect with Avery:  thedeclutterqueen.ca 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I talk with Tony Stewart about his deeply personal experience of losing his wife to incurable cancer and how that loss reshaped the way he sees life. We talk about what grief has taught him about being present, slowing down, and noticing the fleeting moments that make up our lives. I explore with Tony how mindfulness can help us navigate grief and how, even in the midst of profound loss, we can begin to find meaning, connection, and moments of joy. This conversation is a reminder that grief changes us—but it can also change the way we experience and appreciate the life we still have.
Connect with Tony: 
website: www.tonystewartauthor.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonystewartny/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570889459153
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonystewart/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Julie Ryan shares her remarkable journey from successful entrepreneur and inventor to becoming a renowned medical intuitive and psychic medium. She explains how intuition is a natural ability available to everyone, explores what it means to connect with spirit, and offers practical insights into healing, energy, and finding comfort through spiritual connection. Julie also discusses how embracing our intuitive gifts can bring greater peace, clarity, and hope during life's most challenging moments.
Connect with Julie:
Website:https://askjulieryan.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/askjulieryan/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/askjulieryan/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-ryan-5224698
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@askjulieryan
http://www.youtube.com/@askjulieryanespanol
http://www.youtube.com/@askjulieryanportuges
Free Gift for listeners/watchers: Audio and Digital copy of Angelic Attendants: What Really Happens As We Transition From This Life Into The Next:http://julieryangift.com  

Connect with Alexandra on her website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠forwardtojoy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or send her an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Portions or topics on this show may be triggering. Please seek professional help or assistance if needed.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I spoke with Debbie Weiss to talk about her deeply personal journey through grief, widowhood, and finding a new sense of purpose after loss. Debbie shared how writing became a lifeline in her healing. We talked about the emotional realities of grief, what it means to rebuild a meaningful life after tragedy, and the hope that can emerge, even when the path forward isn't clear. Debbie's story is a reminder that while grief changes us, it doesn't have to define the rest of our lives.
Connect with Debbie:
Website: Debbie Weiss Author
Memoir on Amazon: Available As Is: A Midlife Widow’s Search for Love
Substack publication: The Hungover Widow
Instagram: Debbie_Weiss_Author

Connect with Alexandra on her website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠forwardtojoy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or send her an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Portions or topics on this show may be triggering. Please seek professional help or assistance if needed.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sat down with Darlene Lekowski to talk about her courageous journey of surviving childhood sexual abuse and the path she has taken toward healing. Darlene shared how writing, therapy, and the support of others helped her confront her trauma and reclaim her voice. We talked about the importance of speaking out, breaking the stigma surrounding abuse, and creating spaces where survivors feel seen, heard, and believed. Darlene's story is one of incredible courage, resilience, and hope for anyone walking their own healing journey.
Connect with Darlene: www.darlenespeaksup.com
Instagram” @darlenelekowski
Darlene’s Book: Shattering Silence: A Story of Survival, Justice and the Power of Telling the Truth
https://www.amazon.com/Shattering-Silence-Survival-Justice-Telling/dp/1958472417/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2MVZ5JP75Q1J7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6oVjDeXVgeXn8kQok1ptlA.1StPPMQEs_qWD6k77NpFPWpSMPw23-RKoghoWHArbtk&dib_tag=se&keywords=shattering+silence+darlene+lekowski&qid=1783977530&sprefix=shattering+silence%2Caps%2C557&sr=8-1

Connect with Alexandra on her website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠forwardtojoy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or send her an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Portions or topics on this show may be triggering. Please seek professional help or assistance if needed.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I sat down with Nick Prefontaine to hear his incredible story of resilience after a life-changing snowboarding accident. Nick shared how that experience reshaped his life and ultimately led him to become a motivational speaker, real estate investor, and advocate for finding purpose through adversity. We talked about the power of resilience, learning to trust yourself, and following your inner voice even when the path ahead feels uncertain. Nick's story is a reminder that some of life's greatest challenges can become the foundation for unexpected growth and new opportunities.
Connect with Nick: nickprefontaine.com
How Nick participates in real estate: https://smartrealestatecoach.com/

Connect with Alexandra on her website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠forwardtojoy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or send her an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Portions or topics on this show may be triggering. Please seek professional help or assistance if needed.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chatted with Dr. Liz Graves about her journey into chiropractic care and her passion for whole-body wellness. She shares about how her approach extends beyond chiropractic adjustments to include nutrition, exercise, mindset and addressing the whole body. Often, nutrition is the largest contributor to health problems and can be rectified with appropriate changes. Dr. Liz discusses how she also works with individuals who have experienced traumatic events or grief. She shares how she wants to get to the root cause of what is happening in order to find a path to healing. 
Connect with Dr. Liz: back2realfood.com

Connect with Alexandra on her website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠forwardtojoy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or send her an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Portions or topics on this show may be triggering. Please seek professional help or assistance if needed.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices