Meet Lara Love Hardin, a true embodiment of resilience. Lara is a four-times New York Times bestselling writer, memoirist, mother, literary agent extraordinaire, and former drug addict and convicted felon. 

From a seemingly perfect suburban life to a journey through addiction and incarceration, Lara's story is one of enduring hardship and incredible redemption. With an uncanny ability to rebound from life’s most formidable challenges, she climbed the social ladder in jail, earning the endearing nickname Mama Love for the way she nurtured and helped fellow inmates. Now a prolific author and empathetic literary agent, Lara works on projects with the likes of Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu. Her Oprah Book Club selection, The Sun Does Shine, which she coauthored with Anthony Ray Hinton, depicts a powerful narrative of strength and defiance against all odds.

Lara's memoir, The Many Lives of Mama Love, takes us through her incredible journey from the picture-perfect soccer-mom life through her time in jail to rebuilding her life and claiming her voice.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What it means to live in the power of now
• Why real power is quiet power
• What can happen when we own our story
• Why we need to look beyond a single season of someone's life
• And so much more

Learn more about Lara:

Personal Website
Business Website
The Gemma Project Nonprofit
TedX Talk
Instagram   

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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

We're all familiar with "conventional" grief, but what happens when you're grieving somebody who is still alive? It's a grief that feels all-consuming, yet can be totally invisible to others and doesn't carry with it any of the societal norms or customs we experience when someone dies.

Today's guest is Stephanie Sarazin, a brave soul who's traversed the labyrinth of ambiguous grief and emerged as a guiding light for others. Stephanie's world was majorly disrupted by the discovery of chronic betrayal in her marriage. The destabilizing experience sparked a quest in her to understand ambiguous grief and formulate a way to navigate it. She then went on to develop a pioneering model that defines the ambiguous grief process. Stephanie's  Gold-winning book, Soul Broken, serves as a helping hand to the 96 percent of people who will experience ambiguous grief at some point in their lives.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Draw back the curtains on ambiguous grief, including its manifold challenges and coping methods.
• Embark on an exploration of various healing practices that are effective after life-altering events and periods of grief.
• Unmask the common practice of concealing trigger events in ambiguous grief to safeguard loved ones
• Discover what it means to be soul broken.
• Find out why hope is a double agent.
• Learn how to put away things you can't control. 
• Embrace the internal hope that allows you to live the life that is, rather than the life you used to have.

Connect with Stephanie on Instagram
Read Soul Broken

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

If you're feeling overwhelmed and isolated, constantly putting on a facade of strength for your family, but deep down struggling with your own mental health issues, then you're not alone.

Today's guest is Beth Starck, a remarkable woman whose resilience shines through her personal and professional journey. An advocate for mental health awareness, Beth is a single mother who has faced and overcome significant hurdles including bipolar disorder and postpartum depression. A clinical supervisor at a nonprofit organization, Beth holds a master's in social work and uses her personal experiences to support others battling mental health issues. Following her diagnosis and recovery from alcohol addiction, Beth uses her story to help dismantle the stigmas surrounding mental health within motherhood.

In this episode, you'll be able to:

• Gain a deeper compassion for mothers grappling with mental health issues and learn what they wish others knew.
• Hear a powerful story of recovery that inspires resilience.
• Realize the healing power of sharing your true story openly.
• Shed light on the stigmas around mental illness and learn why it's crucial to dismantle them.
• Learn how you can help a friend who is struggling.

Learn more about Beth:
Watch
Instagram
Facebook

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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

David Ambroz invites us into his incredible life journey, from being a neglected, homeless child to a nationally acclaimed advocate for child welfare. His experiences have fueled a relentless drive to change society’s outlook on poverty and homelessness, inspiring masses and even earning recognition from President Obama. 

In this conversation, you'll hear about how it's possible to find hope, grace, and forgiveness even in the most unimaginable of circumstances. You'll also be inspired to make your voice heard and channel your energy into action.

Ambroz offers loads of practical solutions to the issues he's passionate about, including child poverty and the foster care system. But he also challenges each of us to find the issues that we care about and to step up to make a difference. And he explains how!

We are not helpless bystanders but active participants who can shape the world around us. David provides us with practical steps to turn our sense of responsibility into concrete action. His words serve as a sterling reminder that every individual has the power to effect change and make a difference in their communities.

You'll learn:

• One thing you can do today to start taking action
• How to make the most of the 20 seconds in an elevator or the 3 minutes before your Zoom call starts
• How forgiveness can save your life
• Why making change is a slog, and why you should stick with it anyway
• A new way to end the sentence, "I can't."

And so much more...

Connect with David here:
Website
Instagram   
Twitter   
Linkedin

Buy "A Place Called Home" by David Ambroz

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

What happens when you're faced over and over again with choices where the decision that feels right to you isn't the "conventional" one? How do you find the courage to follow your conviction when others are likely to judge your choices?

Meet Kristina Driscoll, a woman defined by her fierce determination and unique life journey. Venturing off the conventional path, Kristina married a man 24 years her senior. Her unwavering convictions served as her north star as she navigated the challenges that followed - from becoming the caregiver to her husband with early onset Alzheimer's while raising their young son, to deciding whether to date as her husband's illness progressed. She's learned patience and resilience in the face of adversity and now shares these lessons as the host of her own podcast, She's Brave.

In this episode, you'll:

• Discover empowering ways to care for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's.
• Learn to navigate the daunting world of complex  decision making, finding the middle ground between instincts and expert advice.
• Understand the vital role of self-care in caregiving, and realize the importance of involving professionals in this journey.
• Explore the realm of unconventional choices in caregiving, learn about the courage it takes and the difference it can make.
• Get insights on how to balance personal desires, such as love and companionship, with dedication to your role as a caregiver.

Connect with Kristina:
Facebook
Instagram
Website

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

What happens when your life course is turned upside down? When everything you thought you understood about your present and your future is irrevocably altered?

Joanne Goughan, a resilient working mother of five, shares her journey of unexpected motherhood and the challenges and beauty of raising a child with Down Syndrome in a raw and inspiring conversation about prioritizing what truly matters.

None of us have any guarantees of what the future is going to hold for them or with them. We sign up to become parents, we roll the dice of what life is going to throw at us. - Joanne Goughan

When Joanne Goughan found out she was expecting her fifth child at 41, she never imagined the emotional rollercoaster that was about to unfold. As she welcomed baby Charlie into the world, she was blindsided by the news that her little girl had Down Syndrome. Struggling to come to terms with this new reality, Joanne experienced deep grief and a sense of loss for the life she had anticipated. However, she began to see the incredible strength and love that her daughter brought into their lives, and slowly embraced her new role as a mother to a child with special needs. Joanne's story is a powerful reminder that sometimes life's most challenging moments can lead to our greatest growth and understanding.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• To celebrate your own extraordinary journey and stop comparing yourself to others
• What it's like to immerse yourself in the experience of unforeseen motherhood and cope with a child's unexpected diagnosis.
• The crucial role of promoting awareness and advocating for individuals with disabilities and their family members.
• How parenting while running a business help you be better at both
• How to prioritize time effectively and concentrate on what holds the most importance.

Learn more about Joanne here:
Facebook
Instagram

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

Any great movement requires not only the ability to generate creative ideas but also the skill of mobilizing people around those ideas and bringing them to life. How do you do that?

Introducing Nell Merlino, a creative catalyst and trailblazer who has dedicated her life to advocating for women's empowerment and raising visibility and recognition of women and girls' contributions. With an impressive track record of mobilizing people and ideas, Nell brought Take Our Daughters to Work Day to life, reaching an astonishing 25 million people worldwide. As the founder of Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence, she also facilitated women's access to billion-dollar financing, grants, contracts, and markets. Nell's current project, Crown Quest, further amplifies women's achievements by creating beautiful visual tributes to their influence and impact.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The first step in taking an idea from theory to reality
• How inspiration can be found in unexpected places
• Why we have to recognize our own value
• What it means to be a lioness
• The power of being able to read a room

Learn more about Nell here.

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

Taking the first step toward pursuing your dreams can be daunting, especially for people re-entering the job market after years at home. But breaking your goal into smaller, more manageable steps can make the whole process less overwhelming and more achievable.  

Meet Sheena Melwani, whose brother told her to "just start. Take one step today because that will mean one less step tomorrow." 

Pursuing her lifelong dream to be a singer, Sheena Melwani found her path unexpectedly altered as she embraced motherhood and put her music career on hold. But with determination and an amazing support system, Sheena found her way back to music and to a brand new way of connecting with people through humorous videos with her husband. The world responded, with billions of people viewing Sheena's videos, embracing her sense of joy, and connecting to her laughter.  

But that's not all. Sheena and her family knew there were other ways to spread joy. After experiencing years in the hospital with her sister's child, Sheena and her family started a nonprofit to bring "joy boxes" to kids with long-term illnesses. 

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to work backwards to realize a dream
• Why taking that first step can feel like a mystery ... and why you should do it anyway
• How being authentic and relatable is the best way to connect with your people

Learn more about Sheena  and Spread the Joy here.

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

A mother's world is turned upside down when her daughter is born nine weeks early and sent to the NICU. Just when things seem to be stabilizing, a catastrophic birth defect is revealed. 

Meet Corey Corrigan, a remarkable mother whose journey through parenthood has been anything but ordinary. Tune in as two rare mamas talk about what it's like to raise a child with complex medical needs. You'll hear about:

• How  you can adapt when your life takes a devastating turn
• Whether toxic positivity is actually toxic
• What you really mean when you say, "I can't do it"
• Why you might feel isolated, even with people who are in your same situation
• How to find a new measure of happiness
• Why hearing things like, "you're a superhero," can actually make you feel like a failure

Find our more about Harper's Village
Read Corey's blog

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

What's it like when the whole world is on a first-name basis with your father?

Whether or not you've read it, you've definitely heard of the book, "Tuesdays With Morrie." It's one of the bestselling books of all time. Now, Morrie's son, Rob Schwartz, has come out with a new book by Morrie, The Wisdom of Morrie: Living and Aging Creatively and Joyfully.

In this episode, I sit down with Rob to talk about what he learned from his father about the power of creativity and human connection, the tension of opposites, where to find true joy, and so much more.

You'll learn:

• What it means to "stay human"
• How to find what creativity means to you
• Why...and how...joy and despair are connected
• How to deal with regret

Find out more about Rob, The Wisdom of Morrie, and the upcoming mental health music benefit Rob's producing, Onetopia:

The Wisdom of Morrie
Onetopia
Instagram

Email Rob directly at [email protected]

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