Allison Hong Merrill is an award-winning memoirist whose story of gender inequality, bravery, and finding her voice has inspired many. After being disowned by her traditional Chinese family for dropping out of college and becoming a missionary, Allison movesto Texas with limited English skills to marry a man she doesn't really know. After a cruel betrayal, Allison defies cultural expectations and embarks on an unexpected journey of self-discovery and resilience.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. How making one right choice at a time helped Allison go from being alone and penniless to finding her happily ever after
2. Which obsession can change the world
3. Why celebrating yourself can be the decision that sets you free

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"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

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Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Former stuntwoman Bunny Young was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition as a teenager. Together with her service dog, she went on to defy expectations as she chose to  live against the script, challenging society's perceptions  on her journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur, author, speaker, and consultant.

In this episode, you'll learn: 

1. What it means to advocate for yourself in the face of challenges others don't see

2. How to identify what really matters and simplify your life

3. The difference between growing up and growing in

Learn more about Bunny at www.bunnyyoung.com. Find her on Instagram @bunnyhas6legs

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"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Gorethy Nabushosi, known as Mama Gorethy, is an attorney and women's rights advocate from the Democratic Republic of Congo who fled in 1997 when her work put her and her family (including six children ages 3 to 11)  in danger. Dawn McMullan is a freelance writer and editor from Dallas, Texas.  Together, these two women formed Congo Restoration Project to lift girls and women up through education. The result has been a culture shift for the women and their entire Congolese community.

"If we would all connect with a passion that pulls at us, what a world this would be, right? It could be homeless people in your neighborhood, it could be absolutely anything where you're lifting up other people. And mine just happened to be for reasons I absolutely can't explain. In DRC." -Dawn McMullan

In 2007, while the war still raged, a grade-school friend told Gorethy that her country needed her. So she went back.

She returned to find a country devastated by war. Starting with 30 children who had lost their parents to a rebel attack on their village, Gorethy did what she could to put the pieces back together. She took the children in, gave them a house, found caretakers, and Congo Restoration was born.

Today, most of the orphans are teenagers or in their early 20s, being supported by extended family with help from Congo Restoration. 

From the original orphan program, Congo Restoration has grown into a transformative mission with the goal of  lifting up the women and children of Congo through education. 

In 2010, they started a sewing school to empower women. In 2017, they began funding college for orphans and other young adults with the Congo Restoration Collegiate Scholars program. In 2019, they opened the Congo Restoration Girls School of Compassion — offering free primary school education.

Gorethy and Dawn's story of making a difference through education in Congo is one of tragedy, resilience, and hope.

In this episode, you'll learn:
1. How to listen to your heart to make a difference in the world
2. How a powerful partnership has changed the culture for women in a Congolese village
3. How lifting up girls and women can have unimaginable ripple effects

Resources:
www.congorestoration.org

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"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

On this special episode of I Don't Know How You Do It, a powerful panel of three  parents share their stories of rare disease, debate the value of staying hopeful, and explore what it means to be resilient.

"Sometimes resilience just means getting up and doing the next thing day after day after day. It doesn't need to be big and heroic. It can just be doing the next right thing." (Nikki McIntosh)

Patti Hall is the author of the memoir Loving Large: A Mother's Rare Disease Memoir. Nikki MCintosh is the creator and founder of Rare Mamas, a resource for mothers of children with Rare Diseases, and host of the Rare Mamas Rising podcast. Daniel DeFabio is the Director of Community Engagement at Global Genes, co-founder of Disorder, the Rare Disease Film Festival, and the Disorder Channel.

In this episode, you'll learn: 
1. What oxygen tanks help people through the most challenging times
2. How we can embrace hope while also protecting ourselves from being too hopeful in difficult situations
3. What  resilience looks like in the face of a rare disease diagnosis

Books Recommendations:
1. Loving Large: A Mother's Rare Disease Memoir by Patti Hall
2. When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold Kushner
3. Hope(less) by Catherine Hammond
4. Raising a Rare Girl by Heather Lanier
5. A Sky Full of Stars by Meg Apperson
6. No Such Thing as Normal by Megan DeJarnett
7. Extraordinary: A Book for Children With Rare Diseases by Evren  & Kara Ayic
8. Still Point of the Turning World by Emily Rapp Black
9. Bewilderment by Richard Powers
10. Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

"I took up space. I didn't know that that's what I would call it now, but I took up space. I was bold, I was courageous, I was honoring of people, but I was also very intentional about making other people's voices heard because I knew that my voice and my thinking was different."
- Tai Beauchamp

Tai Beauchamp started her career in the magazine industry, where she climbed the ladder and made history at Seventeen magazine as the first Black and youngest Beauty and Fitness Director. But Tai got burnt out and left the industry to start a job- readiness training program for young people in Newark, before taking up the mantle of entrepreneurship. Now she's a self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur, whose work centers on elevating and empowering women. She's also an award-winning TV host and producer, co-founder of Brown Girl Jane, and host of Morning Mindset with Tai. Tai was named one of the 50 most influential people in the multicultural market by WWD.

In this episode, youll learn :
1. What it feels like to be the "only" in a room and take up space .
2. What it takes to launch a successful business.
3. What are the different kinds of rest and how you can incorporate them into your routine for  optimal wellness.

Resources:
https://www.instagram.com/taibeau/
https://morningmindsetwithtai.com

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Vickie Leuenberger went on a 2-week vacation and found her life's dream.  She fell in love with life on the water, and fell in love with who she was on the water.  Vickie returned home and spent four years learning about sailing, diesel mechanics, astronomy, and so much more so she could turn her dream into a plan. Then she quit her job, gave up her home, bought a small sailboat and set out for the sea.

 Vickie's courage and determination are tested over and over -- when her engine breaks, when she dislocates her shoulder, when her toilet sinks in the ocean. Vickie faces unexpected obstacles and the fear of not being good enough for her boat.

You will learn:
1. What it's like to give up everything and move for a life of adventure? 
2. How to make a big life change, even if it's scary. 
3. What to do when you're feeling stuck.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Jacqueline Arlen epitomizes a mama on a mission. She advocated for her daughter, Victoria Arlen, for years, while Victoria was in a vegetative state and doctors had given up hope of recovery. During that time, she found her faith and learned to get out of her head and listen to her heart.

Her heart would serve her well after Victoria recovered and Jacqueline had to find her own purpose. Jacqueline founded Project Walk Boston,  an activity-based recovery center for people with any mobility related disorders, based in Stratham, NH. Jacqueline explains that this was her calling not only so she could help her own daughter walk again, but for countless others who benefited as well.  

But that wasn't all. Next, Jacqueline co-founded Victoria's Victory Foundation to   provide awareness and advocacy for access and inclusion as well as assistance for everyday needs for people living with mobility challenges.  

You will learn:

1. How Jacqueline found her faith and how it carried her through her daughter's illness

2. How she decided to open Project Walk Boston even though she was petrified

3. How parents can find their own purpose once their children are flying solo

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Victoria Arlen is a testament to resilience and strength. After slipping into a vegetative state at age 11, Victoria found the power of faith, hope, and love to miraculously communicate with a  blink of her eye,  igniting an unstoppable journey to fulfill her promise of using her voice to be a voice for the voiceless. She defied the odds and went on to break records at the Paralympics, become a sportscaster for ESPN, and compete on Dancing with the Stars. She's also the author of the book, "Locked In," and a founder of  Victoria's Victory Foundation.

You will learn:

1. How did Victoria Arlen find her message in her mess?

2. What motto did Victoria create that helps her move from strength to strength?

3. How did Victoria go from being told she could never walk again to becoming a Paralympic champion and contestant on Dancing with the Stars?

4. What accomplishment leaves Victoria speechless?

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Jessica Fein welcomes Effie Parks to the I Don't Know How You Do It podcast to discuss Effie’'s journey as a rare-disease mom. Listen in as Jessica and Effie talk about how Effie went from being a hairdresser to becoming a leader within the rare-disease community. Find out what her oxygen tanks are that get her through every single day, how she describes what real self-care looks like, and how she found the connections that changed her trajectory. Effie's mission is to lift voices of the community, connect people to resources, and to leave this world better than she found it.

Follow her at www.effieparks.com and www.onceuponagenepodcast. 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Do people look at your life and say, "I don't know how you do it?" And who do you look at and say that very thing? Whether they were thrust into extraordinary circumstances or chose the road less traveled, find out how people whose lives seem unimaginable live, love, and laugh in the midst of it all. Welcome to the journey.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells