Free Your Story, Free Your Life

Jennifer Levinson wanted to be a mom and build an incredible family with her then husband. However, very soon after the birth of her first child, she started facing physical and emotional challenges. She was dealing with postpartum depression and extreme mom guilt along with health challenges with her firstborn. At the same time, she wasn't feeling supported or connected with her husband.   As her two children grew up and Jenn took on the bulk of the responsibilities, she started to feel the similar chaotic energy that was characteristic of her childhood home. While she knew something needed to change, she didn't really know where to start or what to do.   When the difficulties continued to mount and her physical body even started to breakdown, Jenn knew that she had to make a drastic change before things became even worse. And what she discovered about herself in the process is inspiring and shows that no matter where you find yourself in life, you can always start again.  Learn more about Jennifer Levinson and her story: www.Devotionaldoula.com [email protected] IG: @devotionaldoula FB: @Jennifer.G.Levinson

At 12 years old, Casey Martin took control of his life by picking up a gun to protect his mom. Abuse, infidelity, and a lack of a consistent father in his life had become norms at that point. His home life was so far away from the ideal Cosby Show family dynamic that he so wanted to be a part of.  But instead of allowing his trauma and pain to continue to control his life, Casey decided to break the curse by simply deciding to do different and be different. Though it was definitely easier said than done, he is making changes by first being true to himself. Then, he is choosing every day to make the change with his children, his girlfriend, and his friends.  Tune in to hear how real men are choosing to embrace their trauma and tell their stories without shame.

Phung Nguyễn grew up in an immigrant family and was no stranger to hard work. Unlike other kids his age, Phung spent most of his time helping his entrepreneur dad with construction projects.

He struggled to communicate with his parents and felt like the black sheep of the family. And living in rural Louisiana didn't allow him to find real connections with other people.

The feeling of loneliness and believing that he didn't belong in the world led him down a destructive path. He leaned into heavy drug use and was suicidal for most of his early 20s.

Then, he decided to try one of the most dangerous drugs, DMT. His experience completely shifted his perspective on who he is and what he is meant to do on this Earth.

Join us as Phung takes us deep into the emotions of his DMT experience and the light that followed the darkness.

Link to Phung's Book "Fist Bumps & High Fives"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQG6X16R?tag=phung0a-20

Follow Phung Nguyen:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/phungdotcom/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/phungdotcom

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ineedthismarketing.com

I knew what I wanted to do with my life when I was a sophomore in high school. But it was a heart centered dream, and heart centered dreams are terrifying. Now, almost 25 years later, I feel as though I've created an emotional writing coaching program. In this episode, I talk about the journey that led me back to my heart and the healing I've experienced through writing.   

I'm tired . . . aren't you? Of advertising my happiness while shoving my pain into a dark corner. Of chanting all the happy mantras and elevating all the feel good emotions while silencing the gravity of life's yin and yang.   Maybe we are all tired of it. I hope so. Because if not, we create entire generations of people who have become skilled hiders. We simply become better at avoiding and escaping pain. Instead of celebrating what it is --- beautifully chaotic. Pain is our teacher. Pain is our conscious. Pain is transformational. Pain is just as valuable as love.   So, I'm choosing to celebrate it instead of fixing it. If you want to join in the celebration, let's go.

Most of our searching can be traced back to our desire to feel at home. But when you find home within yourself, you don't have to search outside of yourself anymore.

I'm sharing an interview that I did with my friend and business partner, Coach AK. 

Amy Kochek is a writer and business owner who believes that your story is the most powerful asset you possess.   

In this episode of The Unbranded Podcast, Amy shares her own story and the power she found within by going back to her story to find the answers she needed.

It's a topic that is largely ignored, silenced, or discredited, and yet the amount victims suffering in silence warrants a louder, more conscious conversation.   

To heal is to first acknowledge the gravity of what was experienced, even if the connotation of those words is strong. Once you acknowledge, healing can then take place and real recovery can then occur.   

Join the conversation and share your experiences. Your voice and your story matters.

I've only survived on the doing aspect of life. I need quantifiable proof that I am loved and successful and worthy and valuable and you fill in the blank.  When I first started this trip, I had a list of doing. I was going to do until I was "living the life of my dreams."  

But then my trip started and I kept getting pushed into a deeper level of healing that kept telling me, "just be."   

I panicked. If I'm just being, where is the quantifiable proof? My panic led me into my past trauma where doing was introduced at a young age. Doing was all there was.   

And now, I'm learning how to just be. If you are moved by the phrase but completely clueless about what that really means, so am I. But, let's figure it out together.

Making a major life changing decision can be difficult, especially when it goes against the norms of society or opposes the standards of how you were raised. When decisions are scary, they can make us doubt our own internal nudges that are pushing us into a state of complete discomfort and uncertainty.

Know that everything you are feeling in those moments are perfectly normal. Know that big decisions will cost you everything. Know that you are going to disappoint people. Know that many people who said they loved you will walk out the door.

It will be painful. But, and this is a massive but, it will be worth it. Because everything that you are holding on to that is suffocating you and making you feel trapped can be lifted with the mere decision that says, "No more of this."

And on the other side of that hard decision is a life that you could have never even imagined existed. The rewards you receive on the other side of that decision pale in comparison to what you will lose.