FREEDOM UNLOCKED

Troy Haslinger is a TEDTalk speaker, medical sales professional, author, ultra-marathon runner, charity founder, and someone who has lived through addiction, mental health struggles, loss, career setbacks, and many unexpected turns in life. His memoir, Beautifully Dysfunctional, takes readers through a deeply personal journey that began on a cold, blustery day in April 2011, when Troy learned that his dream job was slipping away—and on that same day, discovered that his sister Holly had been diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer.

In this conversation, Troy opens up about the experiences that shaped the next 15 years of his life, including alcohol addiction and sobriety, losing his sister at just 39, mental health challenges, being fired from a charity he founded, running 65 miles straight, his TEDTalk, faith, and the long process of turning painful experiences into something meaningful. Most importantly, Troy reminds us that even when life feels deeply broken or dysfunctional, we are not alone.

Call to Action:

Learn more about Troy’s story and Beautifully Dysfunctional at Troy Haslinger’s official website.

Guest Details and Resources

Guest: Troy Haslinger

Book: Beautifully Dysfunctional

Website: authortroyhaslinger.com

Retirement is often presented as the reward for decades of hard work—but what happens when the freedom you've been looking forward to comes with anxiety, loss of structure, loneliness, or questions about who you are without your career?

Cheryl Fimbel spent 45 years in healthcare leadership, helping organizations navigate complex transitions and major change. But just one year before her planned retirement, her position was unexpectedly eliminated—only weeks after losing her mother. That experience exposed a side of retirement that financial planning often overlooks: the emotional and psychological transition. In this conversation, Cheryl shares what she learned about identity, purpose, routine, the critical first 90 days, and why retirement should be approached as a transition rather than a finish line.

Call to Action:

To learn more about Cheryl, explore The Hidden Side of Retirement, and access helpful retirement transition resources, visit Crown Years Media.

Guest Details and Resources

Guest: Cheryl Fimbel

Book: The Hidden Side of Retirement

Website: Crown Years Media

Episode Description

What does it take to survive when the world around you becomes dangerous simply because of who you are?

Robert J. Wolf, MD, is a neuroradiologist and author of Not a Real Enemy: The True Story of a Hungarian Jewish Man’s Fight for Freedom, a biography about his father, Ervin Wolf, who survived Nazi and Communist Hungary, lived through two wars, and escaped oppression multiple times. Growing up in affluence, Ervin was forced into a labor camp and later discovered that his parents had been deported to Auschwitz. His story is one of survival, courage, uncertainty, loss, and an extraordinary determination to remain free.

In this conversation, Robert shares why he felt compelled to preserve his father's story, the history behind the book, and the lessons he believes still matter today. We explore antisemitism, racism, refugees, freedom, the importance of remembering history, and how sharing personal stories can help future generations recognize the dangers of hatred and intolerance.

Call to Action:

To purchase Not a Real Enemy: The True Story of a Hungarian Jewish Man’s Fight for Freedom, read reviews, or learn more about the book, visit Not a Real Enemy.

Guest Details and Resources

Guest: Robert J. Wolf, MD

Book: Not a Real Enemy: The True Story of a Hungarian Jewish Man’s Fight for Freedom

Website: RobertJWolfMD.com

YouTube: Robert J. Wolf MD on YouTube

Book: Purchase and book information

Life doesn't end after heartbreak, divorce, or disappointment. Sometimes, that's where a new beginning starts. In this episode, award-winning public relations professional, speaker, and host of the Second Act Sessions podcast, Stephanie Carmody, shares how faith, healing, and resilience helped her rebuild her life after divorce and emotional abuse. Together, we explore reinvention, midlife, confidence, purpose, and the hope that God is never finished with our story.

Why do so many people spend years working hard yet still feel disconnected from their purpose? Is it possible to move from simply earning a living to truly living your calling? In this episode, leadership coach, author, and founder of Inspired Stewardship, Scott Maderer shares practical wisdom on discovering your purpose, mastering your time, managing your finances wisely, and aligning your gifts with the life you were created to live.

What does it truly mean to be a godly man in today's world? In this episode, Mark Osborne shares how a personal health crisis, depression, and spiritual dryness became the turning point that transformed his faith, restored his marriage, and reshaped his understanding of biblical masculinity. We explore spiritual leadership, fatherhood, emotional healing, overcoming shame, and how God uses broken seasons to forge stronger, more faithful men. This conversation offers practical, biblical encouragement for anyone seeking to lead with humility, courage, and unwavering faith.

Can artificial intelligence make us better thinkers? Is society becoming too polarized to discover the truth? In this episode, author and social thinker Mohamed Nabil discusses his concept of Enlightened Populism, the creation of AIDOP (AI Debates on One's Publications), and his vision for a more transparent, informed, and collaborative society. We explore critical thinking, AI, democracy, global governance, and the future of public discourse.

Success isn't built on hustle alone. It requires structure, discipline, and the ability to think like a leader. In this episode, Michael Carbonneau shares the hard-earned lessons from building himself up from nothing to becoming an entrepreneur, financial advisor, and business coach. We explore the habits, financial foundations, leadership mindset, and practical strategies that help entrepreneurs stop spinning their wheels and start building businesses that truly last.

What happens when the career you've dedicated your life to no longer reflects who you truly are? In this inspiring episode, self-empowerment creative, singer, and podcast host Kevin "Kevie The Dreamer" Jackson shares how burnout, personal loss, and identity struggles became the catalyst for discovering his purpose. Together, we explore healing, faith, creativity, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to leave comfort behind and pursue the life you were created to live.

Writing a book is one achievement. Building a lifelong writing career is another. In this episode, award-winning and international bestselling author Lana McAra shares what it truly takes to thrive as an author in today's competitive publishing world. We discuss writing, publishing, reader engagement, career longevity, and how authors can create a lasting legacy beyond a single book.