What happens when the place you go to earn a living becomes the very thing that breaks you?

In this open, deep and beautiful opening conversation, Andrew sits down with Kersten Stengel to explore one of the most underspoken yet deeply human experiences: the trauma that can come from workplace environments, and the long, winding road back to wholeness. Kersten shares how chronic pain became the signal she could no longer ignore, and how that pain ultimately became the doorway to a life she never expected to find.

Together they explore how ancient practices like yoga and meditation, grounded in thousands of years of wisdom, can work hand in hand with modern science to support genuine healing. Kersten’s story is not about quick fixes or overnight transformations. It is about the courage it takes to stop, listen to your body, and choose a different path.

If you have ever felt trapped by your circumstances, or wondered whether real healing is possible, this conversation is for you.

Subscribe to Leading Our Own Way so you never miss a story worth hearing, and if this episode moves you, leaving a review means the world.

Connect with Kersten

Website: https://www.kerstenstengel.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/kersten-stengel-32852328a

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kerstenstengel/

Yogo: https://yogaaustralia.org.au/teachers/kersten-stengel/

Key Topics

- Workplace trauma and injury recovery

- The role of yoga and meditation in healing

- The importance of self-awareness and prevention

Takeaways

- Healing isn't about becoming someone new, but reconnecting with your true self.

- Traditional practices like yoga and Ayurveda are backed by science and can significantly improve mental and physical health.

- A personalised approach to diet and lifestyle, based on your constitution, enhances well-being.

Chapters

🔴 (00:00) welcome Kersten to Leading Our Own Way

🔴 (07:00) The Startover Movement and Personal Journey

🔴 (12:03) The Incident That Changed Everything

🔴 (16:07) The Aftermath and Impact on Life

🔴 (20:45) Navigating Chronic Pain and Mental Health

🔴 (25:51) Transitioning to a New School and Support Systems

🔴 (30:47) Current Work and Future Aspirations

🔴 (32:58) Navigating Pain and Professional Responsibilities

🔴 (37:34) The Journey to Medical Intervention

🔴 (41:34) Struggles with Workplace Expectations

🔴 (45:21) Mental Health Challenges and Isolation

🔴 (49:25) Finding Purpose and Community

🔴 (55:31) The Turning Point: Embracing Change

🔴 (01:01:43) Healing Through Yoga and Meditation

🔴 (01:07:36) Connecting with Your True Self

🔴 Part 2 Drops Wednesday - Tuesday Truths Tomorrow

Everything Leading Our Own Way

🪪 https://www.link.me/leadingourownway 

🌐 https://www.leadingourownway.com 

Proud Sponsors

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Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

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🎧 Amazon Music: https://www.bit.ly/3IIyCFC  

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingOurOwnWay 

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Newsletters

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#LeadingOurOwnWay

What are you building right now that will matter when you are gone?

In Part 2 with Dr. Mitchell Levy, Global Credibility Expert, Silicon Valley entrepreneur and founder of Credibility Nation, the conversation moves from concept to practice. Mitchell shares the real strategies behind authentic connection, what it means to define your purpose with genuine clarity, and why leading with integrity is not about having all the answers but about being honest enough to seek them.

He speaks to legacy, not as a destination but as a daily choice. He speaks to vulnerability as a tool, not a weakness. And he challenges every listener to ask the question that most leaders avoid: Am I actually showing up as myself, or as the version of myself I think others want to see?

With more than 850 books published, two TEDx talks, and a coaching career that has shaped over 1,000 leaders worldwide, Mitchell brings wisdom that is as practical as it is profound.

Part 2 is where clarity meets courage. Don't miss it.

Connect with Dr Mitchell Levy

Website: ⁠https://mitchelllevy.com/⁠

Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B005VIBJOW⁠

360Thinkers: ⁠https://www.thinkers360.com/tl/MitchellLevy⁠

LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchelllevy/⁠

Key Topics

- Leadership shift and the importance of clarity

- Building credibility through authenticity and consistency

- The role of vulnerability in leadership and connection

- Legacy and the impact of your actions and words

- Strategies for defining your purpose and serving others

Chapters

🔴 (00:00) Understanding Your CPoP

🔴 (07:56) Articulating Your Audience and Message

🔴 (16:15) The Values of Credibility

🔴 (19:19) The Role of Executive Coaching

🔴 (23:49) Navigating Personal Journeys

🔴 (29:00) Legacy and Leadership

🔴 (39:54) Future Plans and Clarity

🔴 (48:56) Thank You Dr Mitchell Levy - Come back next week

Everything Leading Our Own Way

🪪 https://www.link.me/leadingourownway 

🌐 https://www.leadingourownway.com 

Proud Sponsors

🤝 ESHU Skincare:  https://www.eshuskincare.com/

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

🎧 Spotify: https://www.bit.ly/43H0Mr6 📺 

🎧 Apple: https://www.apple.co/3J34tOs 

🎧 Amazon Music: https://www.bit.ly/3IIyCFC  

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingOurOwnWay 

📚Buy My Book 📚

‘How To Lead With Purpose’ by Andrew White & Mike Nichols ~ https://www.azonlinks.com/B0C9SNQL6C 

Newsletters

📰 https://substack.com/@leadingourownway

#LeadingOurOwnWay #MitchellLevy #Credibility #Leadership #Legacy #Purpose #Clarity #Integrity #Trust #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Podcast #Authenticity #CredibilityNation #PurposeDriven #Influence #MentalHealth #ExecutiveAbundance #ExecutiveCoaching

Yesterday, we opened the door. Tomorrow, we go even deeper. But today? Today is Tuesday Truths.

In this special mid-week episode, we sit with some of the most powerful insights from our conversation with Dr. Mitchell Levy, Global Credibility Expert, Silicon Valley entrepreneur, founder of Credibility Nation, and one of the most genuinely transformative voices in leadership today.

Credibility is not a reputation you build. It is a truth you live. And in this Tuesday Truths episode, Mitchell unpacks what that actually means, why so many leaders are unknowingly trading their authenticity for approval, and how the moment you get clear on who you are and what you stand for, everything around you begins to shift.

We explore the concept of Executive Abundance, not as a business strategy but as a way of being. A way of showing up with such clarity, such integrity, and such genuine presence that trust becomes the natural outcome. We talk about vulnerability not as a weakness but as the very thing that makes people choose to follow you. And we ask the question that cuts through all the noise: Are you leading from your truth, or from your fear?

If you missed Part 1, go back and start there. And make sure you are ready for Part 2 dropping tomorrow because this conversation is just getting started.

This is Tuesday Truths. This is Leading Our Own Way.

Connect with Dr Mitchell Levy

Website: ⁠https://mitchelllevy.com/⁠

Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B005VIBJOW⁠

360Thinkers: ⁠https://www.thinkers360.com/tl/MitchellLevy⁠

LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchelllevy/⁠

Key Topics

- Credibility framework and its 10 values

- The importance of clarity, integrity, and vulnerability in leadership

- The concept of executive abundance and its impact on influence

- Building trust and authenticity over time

Takeaways

- Credibility is built through trust, respect, authenticity, reliability, and transparency.

- Leading with clarity and integrity creates momentum and lasting influence.

- Vulnerability is a strength that fosters real connection and trust.

- Executive abundance is about creating impact, freedom, and meaning by being clear on your purpose.

Chapters

🔴 (00:00) Welcome to Tuesday Truths - Mitchell Levy

🔴 (01:01) Eshu Skincare Sponsor

🔴 (01:44) Mitchell Levy: My Journey to Executive Abundance

🔴 (06:25) Defining Your Customer Point of Possibilities (CPoP)

🔴 (11:50) AI Changes Thought Leadership in 2023

🔴 (17:47) Part 2 Drops Tomorrow!

Everything Leading Our Own Way

🪪 https://www.link.me/leadingourownway 

🌐 https://www.leadingourownway.com 

Proud Sponsors

🤝 ESHU Skincare:  https://www.eshuskincare.com/

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

🎧 Spotify: https://www.bit.ly/43H0Mr6 📺 

🎧 Apple: https://www.apple.co/3J34tOs 

🎧 Amazon Music: https://www.bit.ly/3IIyCFC  

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingOurOwnWay 

📚Buy My Book 📚

‘How To Lead With Purpose’ by Andrew White & Mike Nichols ~ https://www.azonlinks.com/B0C9SNQL6C 

Newsletters

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#LeadingOurOwnWay #TuesdayTruths #MitchellLevy #Credibility #ExecutiveAbundance #Leadership #Clarity #Integrity #Vulnerability #Trust #Authenticity #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #Mindset #Podcast #MentalHealth #CredibilityNation #PurposeDriven #Influence #ExecutiveCoaching

What if the reason you are not being heard has nothing to do with your skills, your experience, or your effort, and everything to do with your credibility?

Dr. Mitchell Levy is the Global Credibility Expert, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur who has built over 20 companies, published more than 850 books, spoken on two TEDx stages (with one ranked 28th most popular in 2021), and coached over 1,000 leaders worldwide. He is the founder of Credibility Nation, a Certified Stakeholder Centered Coach, and a member of the legendary Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches community.

In Part 1 of this extraordinary conversation, Mitchell breaks down what credibility truly is, why clarity of message is the non-negotiable foundation of leadership, and how vulnerability, when used with intention, becomes one of the most powerful tools a leader can carry.

This is a conversation about what it means to be truly known, truly trusted, and truly impactful in the work you do and the life you lead.

Tune in. Take notes. This one will stay with you.

Connect with Dr Mitchell Levy

Website: https://mitchelllevy.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B005VIBJOW

360Thinkers: https://www.thinkers360.com/tl/MitchellLevy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchelllevy/

Key Topics

- The 10 values of credibility: trust, respect, authenticity, reliability, transparency

- The importance of clarity in leadership and influence

- The role of vulnerability in building genuine connections

- Mitchell's framework of executive abundance

- Strategies for effective LinkedIn engagement and relationship building

Takeaways

- Credibility is earned through consistent, authentic behavior over time.

- Clarity creates momentum and helps leaders lead with purpose.

- Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness, in leadership.

- Executive abundance is about creating impact, freedom, and meaning.

- Effective social media use requires clarity and genuine relationship-building.

Chapters

🔴 (00:00) Introduction and Connection

🔴 (04:05) Mitchell Levy's Journey and Mission

🔴 (07:10) The Concept of Executive Abundance

🔴 (10:09) Transformative Experiences and Personal Growth

🔴 (13:20) The Importance of Clarity in Leadership

🔴 (16:02) Navigating LinkedIn for Business Success

🔴 (19:15) Real-World Applications of Clarity and Credibility

🔴 (22:04) Building Relationships through Social Media

🔴 (34:14) Building Connections and Credibility

🔴 (36:35) The Pursuit of Purpose and Happiness

🔴 (38:27) The Myth of Retirement and Happiness

🔴 (39:54) Creating Clarity in Your Purpose

🔴 (45:17) Understanding Your CPoP

Come back Wednesday for Part 2 and Tuesday Truths Tomorrow

Everything Leading Our Own Way

🪪 https://www.link.me/leadingourownway 

🌐 https://www.leadingourownway.com 

Proud Sponsors

🤝 ESHU Skincare:  https://www.eshuskincare.com/

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

🎧 Spotify: https://www.bit.ly/43H0Mr6 📺 

🎧 Apple: https://www.apple.co/3J34tOs 

🎧 Amazon Music: https://www.bit.ly/3IIyCFC  

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingOurOwnWay 

📚Buy My Book 📚

‘How To Lead With Purpose’ by Andrew White & Mike Nichols ~ https://www.azonlinks.com/B0C9SNQL6C 

Newsletters

📰 https://substack.com/@leadingourownway

#LeadingOurOwnWay #MitchellLevy #Credibility #Leadership #ExecutiveAbundance #Clarity #Trust #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #Mindset

If you missed Part 1, go back and start there first. This conversation gets even deeper.

Part 1 gave you the story.

Part 2 gives you the tools.

Sammy Jones, the Unbreakable Mentor, returns to finish one of the most powerful conversations we have had on Leading Our Own Way. And this time, the focus shifts from where he has been to how he got out and how he now helps others do the same.

What you will hear in this episode:

Sammy breaks down the practical side of healing. Not theory. Not textbook advice. Real, lived experience turned into steps that actually work for people carrying real weight.

Breathwork takes centre stage again, but this time Sammy goes deeper, explaining why it works on a physiological level and how it became one of the most powerful weapons in his recovery.

He talks about what it means to truly use your past as fuel, not as an anchor. And he shares what he now does every single day to stay grounded, stay purposeful, and keep showing up for the people he serves.

This episode is for you if:

• You are carrying something heavy and do not know where to start
• You have tried to heal but keep hitting the same walls
• You want practical tools, not just inspiration
• You know someone who needs to hear a story like this

Sammy does not just talk about transformation. He lives it. He breathes it. And in this episode, he hands you a piece of it.

Loved this episode?

Leave us a five-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It takes less than a minute and it helps this show reach the people who need it most. We read every single one.

Subscribe now so you never miss an episode, and make sure you are catching Tuesday Truths every week, short, sharp reflections to help you lead your own way through whatever the week throws at you.

Connect with Sammy Jones: 

⁠https://linktr.ee/UnbreakableSpiritCo⁠

📧 ⁠[email protected]⁠

Key Topics

- Journey from chaos to peace

- Role of community and safety in healing

- Breathwork as a tool for emotional regulation

- The importance of self-forgiveness and living in alignment

Chapters

🔴 (00:00) Life of Crime: A Glimpse into the Past

🔴 (02:19) The Chase: A Wild Encounter with Law Enforcement

🔴 (07:34) Life Inside: Navigating Jail Culture

🔴 (09:29) Moments of Clarity: The Desire for Change

🔴 (11:27) The Turning Point: Discovering Self-Worth

🔴 (13:32) Rehab: A New Perspective on Life

🔴 (15:27) Struggles of Leaving the Bikey Club

🔴 (17:28) Rebuilding Relationships: A Father's Journey

🔴 (20:18) Support Systems: The Role of Family and Friends

🔴 (23:29) Finding Love: A New Beginning with Jess

🔴 (26:48) Understanding Communication and Reactions

🔴 (29:42) The Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing

🔴 (31:45) The Role of Breathwork in Emotional Regulation

🔴 (35:43) Support Systems and Aftercare in Recovery

🔴 (39:41) The Importance of Self-Forgiveness

🔴 (42:46) Future Aspirations and Purpose

🔴 Thank You Sammy Jones - We Love You!

Everything Leading Our Own Way

🪪 https://www.link.me/leadingourownway 

🌐 https://www.leadingourownway.com 

Proud Sponsors

🤝 ESHU Skincare:  https://www.eshuskincare.com/

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

🎧 Spotify: https://www.bit.ly/43H0Mr6 📺 

🎧 Apple: https://www.apple.co/3J34tOs 

🎧 Amazon Music: https://www.bit.ly/3IIyCFC  

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingOurOwnWay 

📚Buy My Book 📚

‘How To Lead With Purpose’ by Andrew White & Mike Nichols ~ https://www.azonlinks.com/B0C9SNQL6C 

Newsletters

📰 https://substack.com/@leadingourownway

#LeadingOurOwnWay #SammyJones #UnbreakableMentor

Your past is not your prison. It is your preparation.

Sammy Jones spent years locked inside two prisons. One had walls and bars. The other was inside his own mind.

Most people looking at his life would have written the ending already. Violence. Crime. Addiction. Incarceration. A story that goes one way and stays there.

But here is the truth nobody talks about enough.

Chaos does not disqualify you from purpose. Sometimes it is exactly what qualifies you.

Sammy did not find healing in a comfortable room with easy answers. He found it through breathwork, through community, through the slow and painful work of learning to regulate emotions that had been running wild his entire life.

And now he uses every single piece of that story to help others break free from theirs.

This week's truth: The thing you are most ashamed of might be the thing someone else desperately needs to hear. Your story has weight. Use it.

Sammy Jones, the Unbreakable Mentor, joins Andrew White on Leading Our Own Way this week in a two-part conversation that will stop you in your tracks. Part 1 is out now. Part 2 drops Wednesday.

Find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 🔗

Connect with Sammy Jones: 

⁠https://linktr.ee/UnbreakableSpiritCo⁠

📧 ⁠[email protected]

Key Topics

- Journey from chaos to peace

- Role of breath work and emotional regulation

- Building community and support systems

- Future plans for mental health retreats and corporate engagement

Takeaways

- You can't heal what you don't feel.

- Safety and community are crucial for transformation.

- Embrace vulnerability to unlock true strength.

- Consistent morning routines set the tone for the day.

- Believing in your breath enhances resilience.

Chapters

🔴 (00:00) Welcome to Tuesday Truths - Sammy Jones

🔴 (00:58) Eshu Skincare

🔴 (01:38) From Chaos to Peace: Sam's Journey

🔴 (06:15) Overcoming Anger: Embracing Vulnerability

🔴 (09:17) Navigating Normal Society After Prison

🔴 (13:53) Thank you - Part 2 drops tomorrow!

Everything Leading Our Own Way

🪪 https://www.link.me/leadingourownway 

🌐 https://www.leadingourownway.com 

Proud Sponsors

🤝 ESHU Skincare:  https://www.eshuskincare.com/

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

🎧 Spotify: https://www.bit.ly/43H0Mr6 📺 

🎧 Apple: https://www.apple.co/3J34tOs 

🎧 Amazon Music: https://www.bit.ly/3IIyCFC  

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingOurOwnWay 

📚Buy My Book 📚

‘How To Lead With Purpose’ by Andrew White & Mike Nichols ~ https://www.azonlinks.com/B0C9SNQL6C 

Newsletters

📰 https://substack.com/@leadingourownway

#LeadingOurOwnWay #TuesdayTruths #SammyJones #UnbreakableMentor #MentalHealth #Resilience #Healing #Breathwork #PersonalGrowth #Leadership

What does it actually take to break free from a life of chaos, violence, and addiction?

Not willpower alone. Not a lucky break. Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom so hard that the only direction left is up.

In this powerful first part of a two-part conversation, Andrew White sits down with Sammy Jones, widely known as the Unbreakable Mentor, a man who has lived through things most of us will never experience and come out the other side with an extraordinary gift for helping others do the same.

Sammy's story is raw, honest, and deeply moving. From a childhood shaped by instability, to a life caught in cycles of violence and incarceration, Sammy found himself at a crossroads that would define everything that came after. What pulled him through was not what you might expect. It was breathwork. It was community. It was learning to regulate his own emotions when the world around him had never modelled how to do that.

In Part 1, Sammy opens up about:

• The moments of chaos and violence that defined his earlier years
• How incarceration became a turning point rather than a dead end
• The role breathwork played in rewiring his mind and body
• Why community is one of the most underrated tools in trauma recovery
• How emotional regulation changed everything for him and how it can for you too
• The journey from surviving to truly leading, with purpose and peace

This is not just a story about one man's comeback. It is a masterclass in resilience, a reminder that your past does not have to define your future, and a conversation that will stay with you long after you hit pause.

Part 2 drops this Wednesday. You do not want to miss it.

Listen now. Share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if this episode moves you, leave us a five-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It takes 30 seconds and it helps this show reach the people who need it most.

Also, every Tuesday we drop Tuesday Truths, short, sharp, and honest reflections to help you lead your own way through the week. Make sure you are subscribed so you never miss one.

Connect with Sammy Jones: 

https://linktr.ee/UnbreakableSpiritCo

📧 [email protected]

Key Topics

- The real cost of a chaotic life and moments of clarity

- The role of breathwork and emotional regulation in healing

- Building community and safety for sustainable change

Takeaways

- Rock bottom can be a slow build, not a single moment

- Healing involves small, consistent steps like breath and vulnerability

- Using past trauma to serve others creates purpose and impact

Key Frameworks

- Emotional Regulation

- Trauma Healing

- Community Support

Chapters

🔴 (00:00) From Chaos to Peace: A Personal Journey

🔴 (06:04) Leading Our Own Way: Purpose and Mission

🔴 (17:19) The Power of Breathwork in Healing

🔴 (22:34) Community and Connection: The Importance of Support

🔴 (28:11) Emotional Development and Parental Relationships

🔴 (32:16) The Impact of Bullying on Mental Health

🔴 (33:41) The Cycle of Violence and Self-Defense

🔴 (35:43) Finding Strength Through Conflict

🔴 (37:29) The Role of Education in Personal Growth

🔴 (38:47) The Influence of Drugs on Identity

🔴 (40:45) Navigating Family Dynamics and Expectations

🔴 (42:28) The Struggles of Adolescence and Rejection

🔴 (44:39) Returning to Australia and New Challenges

🔴 (46:35) Becoming a Parent and Seeking Change

🔴 (49:47) Friendships and Family Dynamics

🔴 (50:45) The Journey Through Jail

🔴 (51:37) Life of Crime: A Glimpse into the Past

🔴 (52:33) Future Aspirations and Purpose

🔴Come back for Part 2

Everything Leading Our Own Way

🪪 https://www.link.me/leadingourownway 

🌐 https://www.leadingourownway.com 

Proud Sponsors

🤝 ESHU Skincare:  https://www.eshuskincare.com/

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

🎧 Spotify: https://www.bit.ly/43H0Mr6 📺 

🎧 Apple: https://www.apple.co/3J34tOs 

🎧 Amazon Music: https://www.bit.ly/3IIyCFC  

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingOurOwnWay 

#LeadingOurOwnWay #SammyJones #UnbreakableMentor

In Part 2 of this deeply moving conversation, Andrew continues his journey with Karl Waddell, and what unfolds is a story of extraordinary courage.

Karl opens up about living with OCD and the way mental health challenges layered on top of grief can make even the smallest moments feel overwhelming. He shares what it truly means to keep going when the weight of loss is still so present, and how the decision to turn pain into purpose became the anchor that kept him moving forward.

This episode explores what it looks like to build something meaningful in memory of someone you love. Karl speaks about the growth of River’s Gift, the Geelong-based organisation he founded to raise awareness of safe sleep practices and fund critical research into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and the community of people who have gathered around the cause in River's name.

There is something quietly powerful in this conversation about legacy. About what we leave behind. About the idea that love does not end, it simply finds a new way to move through the world.

If Part 1 moved you, Part 2 will stay with you.

To learn more about River’s Gift and support the work Karl is doing in River's name, visit https://www.riversgift.org/.

Connect with Karl

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlwaddell/⁠

Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/RiversGift⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.riversgift.org/⁠

Key Topics

- Mental health and grief recovery

- The impact of OCD on trauma processing

- The role of community and connectedness in healing

- Creating Rivers Gift to raise awareness and fund research into SIDS

- The importance of purpose and leaving a legacy

Everything Leading Our Own Way

🪪 https://www.link.me/leadingourownway 

🌐 https://www.leadingourownway.com 

Proud Sponsors

🤝 ESHU Skincare:  https://www.eshuskincare.com/

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

🎧 Spotify: https://www.bit.ly/43H0Mr6 📺 

🎧 Apple: https://www.apple.co/3J34tOs 

🎧 Amazon Music: https://www.bit.ly/3IIyCFC  

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingOurOwnWay 

📚Buy My Book 📚

‘How To Lead With Purpose’ by Andrew White & Mike Nichols ~ https://www.azonlinks.com/B0C9SNQL6C 

Newsletters

📰 https://substack.com/@leadingourownway

#LeadingOurOwnWay #RiversGift

Tuesday Truths is your mid-week moment to pause, reflect, and take something real into your day.

This week's truth comes from one of the most moving conversations Andrew has had on Leading Our Own Way. Karl Waddell joins us to share a glimpse of his journey through grief, mental health, and the profound power of turning pain into purpose.

After the loss of his son River, Karl found a way to channel that love into something bigger than himself. He is the heart behind River’s Gift, a Geelong-based charity dedicated to raising awareness about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and creating meaningful change for families who know this kind of loss.

In this short but powerful episode, Karl speaks to resilience, community, and what it really means to carry someone's legacy forward.

If this resonates with you, Part 1 of the full conversation is out now. Part 2 drops tomorrow. You do not want to miss it.

To learn more about Rivers Gift, visit https://www.riversgift.org/⁠⁠

Connect with Karl

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlwaddell/⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/RiversGift⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠https://www.riversgift.org/⁠

Key Topics

- Resilience in the face of tragedy

- The power of community support

- Turning grief into purpose through charity

- Understanding mental health and OCD

- The importance of safe sleep practices

Takeaways

- Resilience is about facing hardship and believing in a better tomorrow.

- Community support is vital when you're barely holding it together.

- Turning pain into purpose can create meaningful change.

- Mental health struggles like OCD shape how we process trauma.

- Safe sleep practices are crucial in preventing SIDS.

Chapters

🔴 (00:00) Tuesday Truths with Karl Waddell

🔴 (00:45) Eshu Skincare Promo

🔴 (01:26) Facing Unexpected Hardship: Karl's Journey

🔴 (04:09) Safe Sleep for Babies: Expert Advice

🔴 (08:22) Overcoming OCD: Karl's Journey

🔴 (12:16) Thank you for Tuning In - Part 2 drops tomorrow!

Everything Leading Our Own Way

🪪 https://www.link.me/leadingourownway 

🌐 https://www.leadingourownway.com 

Proud Sponsors

🤝 ESHU Skincare:  https://www.eshuskincare.com/

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

🎧 Spotify: https://www.bit.ly/43H0Mr6 📺 

🎧 Apple: https://www.apple.co/3J34tOs 

🎧 Amazon Music: https://www.bit.ly/3IIyCFC  

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingOurOwnWay 

📚Buy My Book 📚

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#LeadingOurOwnWay #RiversGift

Some stories arrive quietly and stay with you forever. This is one of them.

In this episode, Andrew sits down with Karl Waddell, a father navigating one of life's most unimaginable losses, the passing of his beloved son, River. What Karl has done with that grief is nothing short of extraordinary. Rather than letting the darkness consume him, he has channelled his love, his pain, and his purpose into something that could save lives and support families walking the same devastating road.

Karl shares openly about the mental health journey that followed River's passing, the role community played in holding him upright when he could barely stand, and the power of turning heartbreak into meaningful action. Together, he and Andrew explore what it means to grieve with honesty, to find identity after loss, and to discover that purpose can be born in the most painful of places.

Karl is also the driving force behind River’s Gift, a Geelong-based organisation dedicated to raising awareness and funding critical research into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). River’s Gift is doing vital work, not just for the families who have experienced loss, but for every parent who deserves to feel safer and more supported.

This conversation is raw, real, and full of love. Whether you are walking through your own grief, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand the incredible resilience of the human spirit, this episode will stay with you long after it ends.

To learn more about River’s Gift and the work Karl is doing in River's name, visit https://www.riversgift.org/

Connect with Karl

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlwaddell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiversGift

Website: https://www.riversgift.org/⁠

Key Topics

- The journey of grief and purpose after losing a child

- The importance of safe sleep practices and research funding for SIDS

- The role of community and vulnerability in mental health

- Insights into the human brain and mental resilience

Chapters

🔴 (00:00) Introduction and Connection

🔴 (04:34) Resilience and Purpose in Life

🔴 (07:33) Facing Hardship and Personal Journey

🔴 (10:32) Mental Health and Well-being

🔴 (13:23) The Birth of Rivers Gift

🔴 (16:33) Research and Education on SIDS

🔴 (19:24) Safe Sleep Practices and Advice

🔴 (23:13) Community Engagement and Support

🔴 (26:02) Public Speaking and Advocacy

🔴 (29:07) Growth and Future of Rivers Gift

🔴 (32:01) Family and Personal Reflections

🔴 (42:01) Navigating Grief and Family Dynamics

Everything Leading Our Own Way

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Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

🎧 Spotify: https://www.bit.ly/43H0Mr6 📺 

🎧 Apple: https://www.apple.co/3J34tOs 

🎧 Amazon Music: https://www.bit.ly/3IIyCFC  

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingOurOwnWay 

📚Buy My Book 📚

‘How To Lead With Purpose’ by Andrew White & Mike Nichols ~ https://www.azonlinks.com/B0C9SNQL6C 

Newsletters

📰 https://substack.com/@leadingourownway

#LeadingOurOwnWay #RiversGift