What if your life story isn’t something to hide—but the very thing that makes your marketing work?

In this episode, I sit down with Melanie Whitaker, author and coach behind You Are Your Marketing and Transforming Pain Into Purpose. Melanie shares her powerful journey of being raised by a narcissist and how that experience shaped her voice, confidence, and approach to marketing.

We talk about how authentic storytelling builds trust faster than any funnel, why your lived experience matters more than polished branding, and how public relations plays a critical role in expanding your visibility without feeling fake, salesy, or exhausting.

This conversation is for entrepreneurs, coaches, authors, and podcasters who know they’re meant to be seen—but want to show up with honesty, authority, and impact.

In this episode, we explore:

Growing up with a narcissistic parent and reclaiming your voice

How to market using your story without oversharing or trauma-dumping

Why “you are your marketing” isn’t a cliché—it’s a strategy

The role of public relations in long-term brand visibility

Turning pain into purpose, credibility, and connection

If you’ve ever felt like your story mattered but didn’t know how to use it in business, this episode will change how you think about marketing—and yourself.

Melanie Whitaker

What happens when success looks nothing like the traditional path?

In this powerful episode, Laurie sits down with Corey Ihler, a realtor, single dad, and new owner of The Millcreek View, a local community newspaper. Corey shares a story that challenges how we define intelligence, education, and resilience.

Due to a rare genetic disability, Corey graduated from college unable to read, relying on visual learning and pattern recognition to navigate a world built for words. Years later, he discovered his daughter carried the same rare DNA — and together, as father and daughter, they began the journey of learning how to see and read the world differently.

Corey opens up about fatherhood, perseverance, disability, and what it means to lead with empathy. From real estate to community journalism, his story is a reminder that limitations don’t define us — how we adapt, love, and show up does.

This conversation is about legacy, learning, and the quiet strength of rewriting your story in real time.

Millcreek View

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Divorce recovery doesn’t end your story — it begins Act 2. Author and coach Tracy Glass shares how healing, faith, and renewal can rebuild life after divorce or separation.

In this episode, Laurie talks with award-winning author and Christian life coach Tracy Glass about walking through divorce, recovering emotionally and spiritually, and rediscovering purpose after separation. Tracy opens up about the grief, identity loss, and rebuilding process that many women face — and how intentional healing can lead to restoration, freedom, and a renewed life.

This episode is for women navigating divorce, separation, or a major life interruption and wondering how to move forward with hope and clarity. Tracy reminds us that divorce is not the end — it’s an invitation to healing, growth, and a powerful Act 2.

In this episode, we discuss:

Divorce recovery and emotional healing

Starting over after separation

Faith, freedom, and personal renewal

Reinventing your life in Act 2

Finding purpose after divorce

Website:

Books by Tracy Glass:

All Things New: This 90-Day Devotional

Get Up Girl, Let’s Go! Getting Unstuck and Living Free

Restored: God’s Plan to Beautifully Rebuild You After Divorce or Separation

In this powerful episode, Laurie sits down with Dean Sikes, founder of You Matter and a nationally known speaker who has spent decades bringing hope to students across the country. But before Dean ever stepped on a stage, his life was shaped by two major interruptions—almost losing his mother at a young age, and later, coming face-to-face with the man who sexually abused him at 15… in the middle of Home Depot.

Dean opens up about the trauma he carried for years, the moment everything came rushing back, and the courageous steps he took to finally get help. He shares how healing his own story gave him the clarity and passion to dedicate his life to preventing teen suicide, supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and reminding every young person that their life has value.

This conversation is tender, raw, and deeply hopeful. If you or someone you love has walked through trauma, loss, or silent battles, Dean’s honesty will remind you that healing is possible—and your story still matters.

Dean Sikes/You Matter  

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In this powerful, Laurie sits down with her own book mentor, Patrick Snow, international best-selling author and publishing coach. Patrick shares how the sudden death of his father became a life-altering interruption that deepened his passion for legacy—especially the kind we leave in book form.

He opens up about his newest book, a heartfelt tribute to his high school coach, and how one person’s belief in us can change the entire trajectory of our life. Patrick breaks down why your story, your wisdom, and your experiences deserve to be in print, not just for you—but for the people who need your message most.

If you’ve ever said, “One day I’ll write that book…” this conversation is your wake-up call. Patrick even offers listeners a free consultation to help you take the next step toward becoming a published author and preserving your legacy on the page.

Patrick Snow

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In this deeply compassionate conversation, I’m joined by **Cindy Meyers and Merle Meyers, founders of Grief and Trauma Chaplaincy, to explore the sacred work of grief chaplaincy and the practice of companioning those who are grieving.

We talk about what it truly means to walk alongside loss — not to fix, rush, or explain it away — but to offer steady presence, listening, and care. Cindy and Merle share how grief chaplaincy supports individuals, families, and communities navigating trauma, death, and profound life transitions, and why companioning is such a powerful alternative to traditional grief “solutions.”

We also discuss their upcoming grief companioning training, designed for those who feel called to support others through grief with compassion, boundaries, and embodied presence — whether in professional roles or personal relationships.

This episode is for anyone who has experienced loss, supports others through grief, or feels drawn to meaningful service rooted in humanity and hope.

Topics include:

Grief and Trauma Chaplaincy 

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In this powerful episode, I sit down with Gini Trask — founder of the Aligned Speaker Academy and creator of GreatLeadMagnet.com — to explore what it really means to discover your genius and build a life you love. Gini has helped grow countless businesses, and she believes entrepreneurs are “magic” — but only when they understand the label that truly represents who they are.

Gini opens up about her own story of interruption, including being fired, navigating her mother’s time in prison, and realizing that sometimes you need to step back to get aligned again. We talk about how to tell whether your “genius” is actually a trauma response, how to recognize your real strengths, and why clarity is the key to creating sustainable success.

If you’re an entrepreneur, speaker, or leader longing for authenticity, alignment, and a business that actually feels like you, this episode is a must-listen. And don’t forget to grab Gini’s free gift at GreatLeadMagnet.com — a powerful resource to help you step into your true identity and lead with confidence.

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In this episode, I sit down with Brian Trendler — founder of LAF Tech NW and owner of the PNAnw networking group — a man on a mission to reignite community through humor, connection, and service. Brian wears many hats: officiant, fundraiser, speaker-trainer, and serial networker — but at the heart of it all is one belief: people remember what moves them and makes them laugh. We talk about why “funny is a skill,” how humor and authenticity build real relationships (and real business), and why sometimes the best way to lead is with a smile. Whether you’re launching a business, building community, or simply craving real-life connection, Brian shows us how laughter can open doors — and hearts.

Laftech 

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Brian Trendler

In this powerful episode  Laurie sits down with Haley Scully, Sr. Vice President of Ministry Operations at Hope for the Heart. Haley opens up about the mission behind their newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook—a practical guide designed to equip everyday people to listen well, respond with wisdom, and offer compassionate, Christ-centered support to those who are hurting.

Haley also shares the deeply personal story behind her own book, Land and Sky, and the ways God has shaped her calling through seasons of challenge, stretching, and forgiveness. Together, Laurie and Haley explore what it means to serve others with humility, how to hold space for someone’s pain, and why forgiveness can be one of the most freeing choices we make.

If you’re passionate about faith, healing, emotional wholeness, caregiving, or simply becoming a better listener, this conversation will speak straight to your heart.

Hope for the Heart 

Land & Sky 

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In this powerful episode Laurie sits down with the inspiring Veronica Norwood for a conversation that blends grit, growth, and global adventure. Veronica opens up about her love for travel, her journey into bodybuilding, and the deep mindset work that helped her rewrite old stories and build a life filled with intention.

Together, they talk about what it really takes to reprogram your thoughts, shift lifelong patterns, and keep moving forward—even when life hits hard. This episode is all about finding strength in unexpected places, choosing your narrative, and embracing transformation one decision at a time.

If you’re craving motivation, mindset tools, or a reminder that you can reinvent your life in the middle of the mess, this conversation is for you.

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