What does it mean to belong when your roots stretch across continents and centuries? In this episode of Hear Where You Belong, host Dea Irby sits down with Joseph Bolton—author, adventurer, and creator of the enchanting Old Grandmother’s Tree series. From parachuting out of planes to leading troops overseas, Joseph’s life has been a tapestry of daring adventure and deep introspection. But it’s his ancestral journey—uncovering the remarkable story of Miteouamigoukoue, a courageous 17th-century Algonquin woman—that reshaped his purpose.

Discover how Joseph’s books blend French-Canadian history, Native American mythology, and magical folktales to preserve a legacy nearly forgotten. Hear how a shawl that changes the colors of the Northern Lights, a talking turtle named Uncle McKeish, and intergenerational love bring powerful lessons about identity, resilience, and the universal longing to belong.

With every story, Joseph shows that belonging isn’t just about bloodlines—it’s about the courage to honor where we come from and share those stories with the world.

✨ Whether you’re a lover of folklore, family history, or stories that stir the soul, this episode will remind you that even the deepest wounds can give rise to the most beautiful branches.

🎧 Tune in, and let Joseph Bolton’s journey inspire you to find where you belong.

#JosephBolton, #OldGrandmothersTree, #FrenchCanadianFolktales, #NativeAmericanHistory, #PodcastInterview, #StorytellingPodcast, #LegacyAndBelonging, #FamilyHistory, #FolkloreAndMyth, #HearWhereYouBelong, #BelongingStories, #DeaIrbyPodcast, #AncestralStories, #CourageAndHeritage

What if the one thing keeping you from vibrant health, meaningful relationships, and a life aligned with your deepest purpose… was a belief you didn’t even know you had?

In this powerful episode of Hear Where You Belong, I sit down with Dr. Alain Salas—#1 bestselling author, Chiropractic Physician, and founder of the Mind Clearing System—to uncover the hidden roadblocks that keep us stuck. Dr. Salas has helped over 4,200 people around the globe reclaim their health and destiny by transforming their limiting beliefs into empowering truths.

We talk about his journey from high-speed boats in the South of France to high-impact healing work in the U.S., his battle with burnout, and how adversity launched him into the work of helping others find balance, purpose, and belonging. His story is a deep reminder that the body remembers, the mind protects, and healing is always possible—once we learn how to clear the clutter.

Whether you’re a leader, a coach, a healer, or simply someone ready for change—this episode will stir your soul, stretch your thinking, and maybe even change your life.

In Episode 54 of Hear Where You Belong, I sit down with Larry Onan—father, grandfather, author, and trusted voice in faith-based fund development—for a profound conversation on belonging, legacy, and living a life of purpose. With over 30 years of global experience coaching ministries and a record of helping raise over $150 million for the Kingdom, Larry’s not just a man of generosity—he’s a man of intention.

Larry’s newest book, Intentional Living and Giving, invites us to consider how our time, money, and relationships are tools entrusted to us by God. In our conversation, Larry opens up about the early days of his faith, the moment he first felt true belonging at a church in 1972, and how simple gestures—like being truly seen and welcomed—changed the trajectory of his life.

We talk about stewardship far beyond financial giving: building communities, mentoring the next generation, honoring our strengths, and maximizing impact through relational capital. Whether he’s taking his grandkids to the theater or texting a friend to check in, Larry shows us how generosity isn't always about dollars—it’s about showing up.

If you’ve ever felt like life is too busy, too complicated, or too fractured to make a real difference, this episode is for you. Larry reminds us that purpose is not found in the extraordinary—it’s found in the intentional.

🔗 Watch and listen now: Hear Where You Belong Podcast Episodes

#IntentionalLiving, #FaithAndPurpose, #ChristianPodcast, #HearWhereYouBelong, #LegacyLeadership, #LarryOnan, #BiblicalStewardship, #KingdomImpact, #AuthorizedWealthDistributor, #BelongingMatters, #LiveGenerously, #DeaIrbyPodcast

What does it mean to belong when life has handed you trials that would shake even the strongest foundation?

In Episode 53 of Hear Where You Belong, I sit down with Rev. Cheryl Kincaid—Presbyterian minister, author of five books, and lifelong advocate for God’s redemptive grace. From supporting survivors of violence to writing children’s books that touch the soul, Cheryl’s ministry is steeped in healing, storytelling, and a deeply rooted faith.

We talk about the power of community, what it means to feel like an outsider, and how faith becomes the compass pointing us back to ourselves—and each other. Cheryl shares from her own story of abuse, her journey to ministry, and why she believes churches must choose love over scandal and action over apathy.

This conversation is filled with heart, hope, and the quiet courage it takes to walk through the darkness and into the light.

✨ Favorite moments:

• How storytelling heals across generations

• Why shared suffering can lead to deeper connection

• The surprising lesson in forgiveness churches often miss

• Her motto: “I can’t do everything, but I can do something.”
  

If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t quite fit in—or wanted to understand how faith helps us find our place—this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite platform: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pBmnz8qGw4hNXYIQmuVtj Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hear-where-you-belong/id1757892353 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-hear-where-you-belong-196962492/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpjl2Niq170Xt_xdJ5TJYMWRFVKCjWfgH

Ever feel like you don’t belong—even in a room full of people? Dr. Albert Bramante, talent agent, professor, performance psychologist, and author of Rise Above the Script, joins Dea Irby in Episode 52 of Hear Where You Belong to dismantle self-doubt and sabotage and show how mindset, language, and community can become your greatest assets.

From childhood memories of feeling out of place in a sports-driven family to earning his PhD and building an empowering community for performers, Albert’s story is as real as it is inspiring. Learn how to rewrite the limiting beliefs etched deep in your subconscious, how language can create or destroy belonging, and how small shifts in words and mindset can lead to seismic breakthroughs.

With powerful insight into NLP, hypnosis, and the importance of creating family-like atmospheres even in the most competitive industries, Dr. Bramante shares not only how we connect—but how we thrive.

If you've ever struggled with self-worth, identity, or the inner voice that says you’re not enough—this conversation is for you.

#RiseAboveTheScript, #AlbertBramante, #PerformancePsychology, #HearWhereYouBelong, #DeaIrbyPodcast, #BelongingMatters, #MindsetShift, #NLP, #HypnosisHealing, #RewriteYourStory, #SelfSabotageNoMore, #CreatingCommunity, #TransformYourThinking

In Episode 51 of Hear Where You Belong, host Dea Irby welcomes Jeff Fisher, a man on a mission to make everyone feel seen, heard, and connected. As the Founder and Executive Director of the Ride the Wave Foundation, Jeff is no stranger to service. From leading mentorship programs and community initiatives to running NCK Equipment and hosting the Ride the Wave Podcast, his life is a living testimony of intentional impact.

But this conversation isn’t just about leadership and service—it’s about the soul behind the work. Jeff opens up about his childhood fascination with the ocean, how unexpected twists in life led him to create lasting change, and why his guiding principle, “The path is to the person,” has reshaped how he interacts with others.

We discuss loneliness, even among those who seem to “have it all,” and how authentic curiosity—asking meaningful questions—can break down walls and create waves of belonging. His story, his faith, and his focus on building up others remind us all that we’re made for connection.

🎧 Tune in for a heartfelt, high-impact conversation that will inspire you to reach out, lift up, and ride the wave of purpose, passion, and people.

Hashtags: #HearWhereYouBelong, #PodcastEpisode, #JeffFisher, #RideTheWave, #WaveMaker, #CommunityLeadership, #BelongingMatters, #FaithInAction, #InspiringConnections, #PodcastLife, #PurposeDriven, #PositiveImpact, #ThePathIsToThePerson, #MakingADifference

Hello awesome belongers… Welcome home to the Hear Where You Belong podcast! I’m Dea, your host, and today we celebrate Episode 50 with a guest whose life work proves stories are not just entertainment — they’re the blueprint for becoming who we are meant to be.

Wendy Folsom is a national award-winning playwright, senior producer at BYUradio, and a storytelling powerhouse who has spent more than 20 years weaving tales that uplift families, educate students, and transform communities. With deep experience as a teaching artist, dramaturg, and curriculum creator, Wendy brings a rare mix of performance, pedagogy, and purpose.

In this special milestone episode, we dive deep into:

• The magic of memory and how stories shift depending on the teller.
  

• Brain coupling—yes, your brain actually syncs up with others when you share stories!
  

• The power of journaling and dreams as meaning-making tools.
  

• Why children still quote stories she told them decades ago—and how it can happen for your family too.
  

• A charming tale of a caterpillar’s transformation, and the beetle who reminded it to “just be the best caterpillar you can be.”
  

Whether you’re a parent, educator, artist, or anyone longing to feel seen and heard, Wendy reminds us that storytelling is the most powerful invitation to belong—to ourselves, to each other, and to our future.

🎧 Listen now and prepare to be inspired by this gentle, wise, and utterly creative voice.

#StorytellingPower, #FamilyConnections, #PodcastLife, #TeachingArtist, #NeuralCoupling, #BYUradio, #TheAppleSeedPodcast, #CaterpillarWisdom, #EducationalPodcast, #StorytellingMatters, #BelongingJourney, #DeaIrbyPodcast, #HearWhereYouBelong, #BrainSync, #CreativeFamilyLife, #InspiringPodcasts

What if your family legacy was built on survival, escape, and the relentless pursuit of freedom?

In Episode 49 of Hear Where You Belong, host Dea Irby sits down with Dr. Robert Wolf, recently retired radiologist and award-winning author of Not a Real Enemy: The True Story of a Hungarian Jewish Man’s Fight for Freedom. This gripping memoir honors his father—an extraordinary man who escaped Nazi and Communist Hungary not once, but four times, surviving two world-changing regimes.

Dr. Wolf shares the deep lessons he inherited: the fragility of freedom, the urgency of cherishing every moment, and the cost of hatred left unchecked. Through personal reflections and historical insight, he invites us into a story that is at once a biography, a history book, and a thrilling adventure.

You’ll also hear:

• Why his father’s words—“enjoy every moment”—carry more weight today than ever
  

• The emotional journey of turning real family trauma into a book with global impact
  

• How Dr. Wolf channels his voice into fighting anti-Semitism, racism, and hate through podcasts, events, and advocacy
  

• What it really takes to publish a book that matters, and why stories of resilience still resonate
  

If you’ve ever questioned how the past informs the present, or how ordinary people rise in extraordinary times, this episode will stay with you.

🔗 Listen now and share it forward—because history only repeats itself when we stop listening.

#NotARealEnemy, #JewishHistory, #HungarianRevolution, #HolocaustSurvivor, #EscapeStory, #Resilience, #AuthorInterview, #FightHate, #PodcastInterview, #DeaIrbyPodcast, #HearWhereYouBelong, #FreedomFighter, #StopAntisemitism, #MemoirWriting, #TrueStory,

 In Episode 48 of Hear Where You Belong, I sit down with Gina Economopoulos—a powerful voice of resilience and faith. Born into a vibrant Greek-Italian family, Gina’s life has been a winding path through pain, purpose, and profound transformation. From tending bar to becoming a Franciscan sister, from grieving her mother’s death to facing rejection within her community, Gina's story is layered with heartbreak and hope.

Now a certified End-of-Life Doula and the author of Shake the Dust Off Your Feet and Walk, Gina helps others find dignity and peace in their final moments. We explore the power of journaling, sobriety, and spiritual connection, as Gina opens up about her healing journey and the hard-earned lessons of self-love and belonging. Her vulnerability is matched only by her strength—and her story may just inspire you to find your place, even after life falls apart.

#GinaEconomopoulos, #HearWhereYouBelong. #PodcastInterview, #ResilienceStory, #FaithJourney, #EndOfLifeDoula, #ShakeTheDustOffYourFeet, #SobrietyJourney, #FindingBelonging, #SpiritualHealing, #WomenOfFaith, #GriefAndHealing, #BelongingPodcast, #LifeAfterLoss, #InspirationDaily, #MentalHealthAwareness, #PurposeDrivenLife, #CatholicWomen, #AARecovery, #GratitudeHealing, #PodcastCommunity, #AuthorInterview, #WomenSupportingWomen

What if the path to joy, confidence, and belonging began not with fitting in—but with fully showing up?

In this transformative episode of Hear Where You Belong, host Dea Irby welcomes award-winning improviser, speaker, and founder of Wild Mind Improv, Anoo Tree Brod. Together, they explore what it really means to belong to yourself—especially when your name, your background, or your sensitivity has made you feel like a misfit.

From changing her name by a stream after spiritual revelation to guiding thousands in healing laughter, Anoo opens up about her journey through trauma, social anxiety, and spiritual awakening. She reveals how improv, play, and speaking our truth—especially in safe, supportive spaces—can reconnect us to our inner child, unlock leadership, and spark deep, authentic connections.

This episode dives into:

• Finding belonging in your own body, name, and story

• How water, nature, and intention raise intuition and open healing

• Using improv to move past trauma and rediscover play

• Reclaiming self-expression through comedy, Toastmasters, and spiritual guidance

• Why calling someone by their name is a sacred act of acknowledgment

• Building community, honoring neurodiversity, and living with joy on purpose
  

Anoo reminds us that healing often begins with a laugh—and that our most powerful belonging comes when we let ourselves be fully seen, exactly as we are.

💫 Ready to reconnect to your essence, rise in joy, and remember that you already belong? Then this episode is your mirror, your microphone, and your invitation home.

🔗 Connect with Anoo at wildmindimprov.com

#HearWhereYouBelong, #PodcastEpisode, #NewPodcastAlert, #PodcastCommunity, #YouBelong, #BelongingMatters, #HealingJourney, #AuthenticLiving, #WildMindImprov, #ImprovLife, #LaughterIsMedicine, #SelfAcceptance, #SpeakYourTruth, #EmbraceYourself, #LiveWithPurpose, #SpiritualAwakening, #IntuitiveLiving, #CreatingSafeSpaces, #NeurodivergentVoices, #MentalHealthAwareness