When T.L. McCoy’s granddaughter was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome—a rare, life-threatening seizure disorder—she found a shocking gap: only 3.4% of children’s books feature disabled heroes. So she wrote one.

In this powerful interview, T.L. reveals:

✨ How her granddaughter’s journey inspired **Delilah Versus the Ghastly Grim**—a fantasy where seizures become portals to magic

✨ Why "invisibility" harms children with disabilities (and how stories heal)

✨ The delicate balance of blending real trauma with escapism 

✨ Her mission to flood bookshelves with heroes who look like "unseen" kids

Discover how an ordinary grandmother launched Blue Round Book Group to revolutionize representation—and why her call to action matters for every parent, teacher, and reader. 

🌐 Visit Blue Round Book Group: BlueRoundBookGroup.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/i-am-refocused-radio--2671113/support.

Fires, floods, a tornado, business collapse, burglary, lightning strikes—Marnie Swedberg didn’t just survive these disasters; she used them to fuel a global movement. Join us for an electrifying conversation with the international leadership mentor, 14x author, and founder of WomenSpeakers.com (the world’s largest directory of Christian women speakers).

In this episode, Marnie reveals: 🔥 How to cultivate "come-back behavior" after life’s hardest blows 🌎 Key leadership lessons from solo-circumnavigating the globe (speaking in 4 countries!) 💡 Her #1 tool for "possibility thinking" in crisis ✨ Behind-the-scenes of building a platform featuring **1,000+ women speakers** 🎙️ Why radio connection transforms audiences differently than stages Whether you’re rebuilding after loss, leading a team, or seeking purpose, Marnie’s blend of profound faith, actionable strategy, and joyful resilience will refocus your path.

Connect with Marnie:

📚 Books & Speaking: https://www.marnieswedberg.com
🌐 Find Women Speakers: https://www.womenspeakers.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/i-am-refocused-radio--2671113/support.

🔥 Get ready for a conversation that rewires how you see tech, success, and self. We sit down with Eric McHugh — serial entrepreneur, ex-Snap innovator, and visionary builder of tools like Dataing, Aces.fun & Holon Labs. With an IQ north of 140 and deep spiritual awareness, Eric bridges intense innovation with profound presence.

This isn’t just tech talk. It’s a deep dive into:
✨ Building tools that actually improve life (not just noise)
✨ Scaling code while exploring physical grind + spiritual growth
✨ Staying aligned in high-stakes chaos
✨ Why "As above, so below" fuels his mission
✨ The future where tech meets consciousness

💬 "We’re not just scaling code; we’re exploring the space between physical grind and spiritual growth." – Eric McHugh

https://dataing.io/


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/i-am-refocused-radio--2671113/support.

What if the deepest spiritual truths could be distilled into just ten words? In this episode, we sit down with Lauryn Axelrod — interfaith minister, spiritual director, and author of Ten Words: An Interspiritual Guide to Becoming Better People in a Better World. Lauryn brings her no-nonsense wisdom and grounded insight into what it means to live a spiritually centered life today.

We dive into her interspiritual path, the role of radical compassion in a chaotic world, and how ancient truths can still guide us — no matter your tradition (or none at all). From hospice care to handmade ceramics, Lauryn’s journey is a soulful tapestry of art, service, and sacred presence. This conversation will leave you grounded, inspired, and reconnected to what really matters.

Lauryn Axelrod is an ordained Interfaith/Interspiritual minister, chaplain, spiritual director, and teacher. A graduate of One Spirit Interfaith/Interspiritual Seminary, she is the founding Spiritual Director of Three Mountains Interspiritual Community and author of Ten Words: An Interspiritual Guide to Becoming Better People in a Better World. She also pens the popular Substack newsletter, Radical Spirituality: Getting to the Root of What Matters, and leads transformative retreats and workshops online and in-person. Lauryn is known for her deeply grounded, no-nonsense style and her ability to translate ancient spiritual truths into practical wisdom for modern life. She's also a hospice chaplain, End-of-Life Doula, award-winning ceramic artist, and New Monastic — blending contemplative living with active service. She lives on a serene farm in Vermont where she grows organic vegetables, cares for a maple forest, serves tea with intention, and finds peace in the quiet rhythm of nature.

https://www.laurynaxelrod.com/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/i-am-refocused-radio--2671113/support.

Yusef "Mista Yu" Marshall is a modern-day renaissance man: a chef turned minister, a government leader turned podcaster, and a stepfather whose wisdom on blended families birthed the powerful (and now rare) book The Heart of The Stepfather. A Brooklyn native who cheated death twice, Mista Yu transformed survival into service – founding the nonprofit Save The Children SC to empower youth through literacy and leadership, while building the "They Call Me Mista Yu" media empire to deliver raw inspiration, interviews, and even Giants football fandom.

Join us as Mista Yu shares:
🔥 His two life-altering "conversion stories" and how they forged his purpose
💙 The challenges and triumphs of building a strong blended family (and why it’s key to healing communities)
🎙️ Behind-the-scenes wisdom from his podcasts – from hard-hitting "mirror checks" on Inspiration Station to candid talks with change-makers
🌱 How Save The Children SC teaches kids to be "assets, not liabilities" to society
🙏 Why faith, resilience, and showing up – as a grandfather, leader, and storyteller – are the ultimate acts of rebellion

Tune in for a conversation about turning pain into purpose, and legacy into action.

https://theycallmemistayu.buzzsprout.com/


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/i-am-refocused-radio--2671113/support.

Pastor Vera McEwen is incredibly excited to give an open welcome to all at Love God Ministries! An online community where all truly are welcome, Pastor Vera embodies the Love of Christ through witness and discipleship. She founded Love God Ministries because conversations with people revealed a need for a community of believers where it does not matter how you look but recognize that you are a child of God.

Pastor Vera has been teaching and preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ and the Word of God for over 30 years. Her primary emphasis is spreading God's Love by providing pastoral care, preaching God's Loving Word, teaching God's Light-Filled Word, and implementing God's Living relational group architecture via in home communities.

She is currently reviewing the prospects of a doctorate in religious studies with an emphasis on Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic as encouraged by her professors at seminary. In addition to her vocation as Pastor she ministers as a certified professional and personal coach.

With God's help, she implements 1 Thessalonians 5.11, motivating people to be and do their very best by building one another up. Pastor Vera is a joyous, ever singing sister in Christ who after years of being pursued by God, stopped running and answered the call, halleluiah, הַלְלוּיָה

https://www.lovegod-ministries.org/


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/i-am-refocused-radio--2671113/support.

Are you ready to craft a life worth living? In this profound conversation, we sit down with Curt Linville—author, philosopher, and rugged outdoorsman—to explore the life-changing principles from his book 99 Words: Foundational Principles for Building a Meaningful Life.

As a father, entrepreneur, and seeker of truth, Curt combines deep philosophical insight with real-world adventure. Whether he's navigating Colorado's backcountry on his motorcycle or mentoring others through his writing, his approach to life is both practical and inspiring.
In this episode, we dive into:

📘 99 Words – How bite-sized wisdom can transform your perspective & choices
🏔️ Adventure as Philosophy – Why the wilderness is the perfect classroom for life
💼 Entrepreneurship with Purpose – Building businesses that align with your values
👨👩👧👦 Legacy Through Fatherhood – Raising kids with intention in a chaotic world

🔧 Your Life as a Crafted Adventure – Practical tools to start living more meaningfully today
Curt’s insights are timely, actionable, and refreshingly authentic—perfect for anyone feeling stuck or searching for a more intentional, adventurous path forward.

https://www.curtlinville.com/


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/i-am-refocused-radio--2671113/support.

What does it take to go from U.S. Marine to bestselling author? In this episode, we sit down with G. Michael Hopf—acclaimed writer of dystopian thrillers, military fiction, and Westerns—to discuss his incredible journey from self-published breakout success to a major publishing deal, and how he’s now helping other authors do the same.

With over 40 books to his name, Hopf’s stories dive deep into the human spirit under pressure, shaped by his own experiences in the military and entrepreneurial world. But his success didn’t come overnight—it took grit, discipline, and a willingness to bet on himself.

We’ll explore:

🔥 From Marine to Author – How his military background shaped his storytelling
📖 Self-Publishing to Big Deals – The breakthrough moment that changed his career
💡 Writing as a Mindset – Why talent isn’t enough (and what really makes a successful author)
🚀 Helping Others Succeed – His approach to coaching aspiring writers
📚 The Future of Publishing – Trends, challenges, and opportunities for indie authors

Whether you’re a writer, a fan of gripping survival fiction, or someone who loves stories of reinvention, this conversation is packed with hard-won wisdom, actionable advice, and inspiration to help you push forward in your own journey.

https://www.gmichaelhopf.com/books


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/i-am-refocused-radio--2671113/support.

ABOUT SYDNEY KANE AND WIFE MATERIAL

The talented NYC-based comedian and singer-songwriter Sydney Kane has performed everywhere from off-off-off-barely-Broadway stages to the glamorous 9x16 iPhone screen, and beyond. She built a loyal following on social media with her deeply insightful takes on dating, so sharp and relatable that even straight men are taking notes.
 
Kane will be filming her musical comedy variety show Wife Material live at The Green Room 42 in New York City on June 18. With musical direction by David Dabbon (arranger for Oh, Mary!, Cat Cohen, Las Culturistas Culture Awards, SNL 50) and direction by Andrew Mullins.
The special touches on super relatable topics about the endless, exhausting loop of modern dating. While today's society seems to enjoy and glorify pushing women back to the 1950s, Kane pulls inspiration from comedic greats like Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, and more to turn and upend her perfectly set dinner table.
 
Through original songs, sketch comedy, and unfiltered storytelling, Sydney takes you on a PG-13 (leaning R) rated journey through the most universal experience there is: falling in love. And then falling out. And then falling back in. And then regretting it. And then telling your friends you're done. And then you get over it. And then you meet someone new. And then you fall in love. Does this ever end? You'll have to see the show to find out! (It doesn't. but still see the show.)

https://www.sydneymorgankane.com/



Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/i-am-refocused-radio--2671113/support.

ABOUT MEDAL OF HONOR SEASON 2 

Rewarded for bravery that goes above and beyond the call of duty, the Medal of Honor is the United States' top military decoration. The stories we tell are about the heroes who have distinguished themselves by acts of heroism and courage that have saved lives. From Judith Resnik, the second woman in space, to Daniel Daly, one of only 19 people to have received the Medal of Honor twice, these are stories about those who have done the improbable and unexpected, who have sacrificed something in the name of something much bigger than themselves. Every Wednesday on Medal of Honor, uncover what their experiences tell us about the nature of sacrifice, why people put their lives in danger for others, and what happens after you've become a hero. Special thanks to series creator Dan McGinn, to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Adam Plumpton. Medal of Honor begins on May 28. 


Episodes available here: Https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-medal-of-honor-stories-of-126797849/ 

J.R. MARTINEZ BIO 

J.R. Martinez is an Army veteran, burn survivor, actor, motivational speaker, New York Times best-selling author, and Dancing with the Stars season 13 winner. J.R. travels the world spreading his message of resilience and optimism and does it all with a smile.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/i-am-refocused-radio--2671113/support.