In this powerful second segment, Stacey Glass shares how an estranged mother–daughter relationship was redeemed through persistent love, faith, and everyday invitations—calls, cards, short visits, and “keeping the door open.” Hear the pivotal moment her mom asked, “Why did you forgive me?,” the quiet watching that rebuilt trust, and how integrity at home matched what her mother saw in public. Stacey recounts a sudden health crisis, a brain tumor diagnosis, treatment, relapse, and 30 sacred hospice days filled with bucket-list grace—motorcycle ride, skydiving, and, ultimately, baptism. We talk practical reconciliation steps, healthy hope vs. forcing outcomes, breaking generational cycles, self-forgiveness, and how community and God’s love heal what trauma breaks. If you’re navigating an estranged parent, grief, or starting over, this testimony offers faith-filled encouragement and actionable ideas.

Topics: reconciliation with an estranged parent, Christian forgiveness, restoration, healing from childhood trauma, grief and hospice, mother–daughter story, keeping boundaries and invitations, breaking cycles, hope, “Grace Between the Cracks.”

Connect with Stacey: staceyglass.com | @StaceyGlassAuthor.

Join host Beth Graham for Lessons From Living’s 100th episode—a heartfelt look back at the podcast’s original vision: elevating ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Beth revisits the story that started it all (Episode 1: Will Reynolds and his life-changing kidney donation), reflects on a growing body of work, and shares behind-the-scenes challenges of finding humble, never-before-featured voices alongside seasoned storytellers. Discover insights on perseverance, the power of a singular voice in audio, steady growth, faith interwoven with resilience, and what keeps this inspirational podcast moving forward.

Help shape the next 100 episodes:

• Share stories of everyday heroes in your life
• Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• Subscribe and share with a friend
• Watch episodes on YouTube
• Email Beth: [email protected]

In this powerful episode of Lessons From Living, Stacey Glass shares her remarkable journey from a traumatic childhood marked by addiction and abandonment to finding hope through the loving hands of a church community. Discover how a pastor's family driving 20 minutes out of their way three times a week, a music director who saw potential beyond circumstances, and surrogate families who opened their doors changed the trajectory of not just one life, but generations to come.

Stacey's story reveals the profound impact of small acts of love - from picking up a third-grader for church to encouraging musical talents to providing a safe home when nowhere else existed. She also candidly discusses the lasting wounds from careless words by teachers and coaches, showing how both positive and negative influences shape our self-perception.

This episode explores themes of resilience, the irreplaceable longing for maternal connection, finding worth in Christ versus performance, and the ripple effects of showing up for hurting children. Whether you're in ministry, education, or simply want to make a difference in someone's life, Stacey's story will inspire you to see the extraordinary power of ordinary kindness.

What does success really mean? After two heart attacks derailed his Wall Street career, Adrian Jones had to completely redefine his markers of achievement. In this deeply personal conversation with Beth Graham, Adrian shares how health crises forced him to confront the truth: traditional success was literally killing him.

Discover Adrian's powerful framework for career reinvention, including the Japanese concept of Ikigai (a life worth living), the "I Want" exercise for radical honesty, and why self-compassion isn't "woo-woo"—it's essential survival. Adrian reveals the hidden costs of living misaligned with your purpose, from regret to physical deterioration, and explains why transformation happens best in community, not isolation.

Whether you're at a career crossroads, feeling burned out, or simply questioning if there's more to life than your current path, this episode offers practical tools and hope for reinvention. Learn how to give yourself permission to choose YOU, build a foundation of self-compassion, and find work that lights up your soul—before a crisis forces the decision.

In this powerful Lessons From Living episode, Adrian Jones shares how surviving two “widow-maker” heart attacks—one in 2016 and another in 2024—finally forced him to transform his life. We explore what his life and definition of success looked like before these health crises, why the first heart attack wasn’t enough to spark lasting change, and why it often takes a life-threatening “wake-up call” for us to finally listen. Adrian opens up about stress, lifestyle, ambition, and the mindset shifts that followed his second heart attack, offering honest insight for anyone ignoring warning signs in their own life.

In this encouraging episode of "Lessons From Living," couples counselor Raffi Bilek shares invaluable insights into the art of communication in relationships. Explore how humor can enhance dialogue, how even gridlock can be navigated and discover effective strategies for couples when one partner is resistant to improving their communication skills. Raffi discusses the impact of cultural, gender, and family of origin differences on communication styles. He reveals the one essential practice couples should remember, shares an inspiring success story, and highlights the broader societal implications of his work. Tune in for a hopeful message aimed at rekindling connection for struggling couples!

Join us on this illuminating episode of Lessons From Living as we sit down with seasoned couples counselor Raffi Bilek to explore the art of effective communication in relationships. Discover the critical gaps in communication guidance that Raffi addresses in his insightful book, "The Couples Communication Handbook." We delve into common myths about relationship communication, uncover ineffective patterns, and identify the biggest challenges couples face when implementing new strategies. Plus, learn a practical technique you can start using today to strengthen your connection, create lasting communication habits, and understand the powerful role emotions play in our interactions. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your relationship skills and move from being right to truly listening and being heard!

The Couples Communication Handbook: The Skills You Never Learned for the Marriage You Always Wanted, Raffi Bilek

In this transformative episode of Lessons From Living, we're diving deep into the world of self-improvement and personal growth. Discover why investing in yourself is essential for happiness, fulfillment, and success. We'll explore the importance of recognizing areas for development, setting SMART goals, and creating actionable plans to achieve your aspirations.

Join us as we share inspiring stories of individuals like J.K. Rowling and Tony Robbins, who faced challenges but overcame them through dedication and resilience. Their journeys remind us that we all have the power to change our lives for the better.

Whether you're looking to enhance your skills, boost your confidence, or improve your relationships, this episode offers practical tips and motivational insights to guide you on your self-improvement journey. Embrace the power of growth and take the first step towards unlocking your true potential today!

Join us for an inspiring second segment with Iranian-American activist Zolal Habibi, as we delve into her unwavering quest to raise awareness for the Iranian people. Discover how Zolal overcomes fear and danger to share her vision for a brighter future and what motivates her resilience. We explore her insights on whether American youth would cherish their freedom enough to defend it if roles were reversed, and we uncover the most significant life lesson she's learned along her journey. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion that highlights the power of perseverance and the importance of cultural awareness.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/IranNCR/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashrafi4ever/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/ashrafi4ever

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

Email: [email protected]

WhatsApp: https://wa.me/+393312094616

In this compelling episode of Lessons from Living, join us as we delve into the remarkable story of Zolal Habibi, an American-Iranian resistance member. Discover the profound impact of her father's tragic loss to the regime at a young age, the unwavering dedication of her mother to the resistance, and Zolal's courageous decision to leave a prestigious medical career to fight for freedom. We explore the realities faced by the Iranian people, the complexities of government policies toward Iran, and the reasons behind Iranians' reluctance for foreign intervention. Gain insight into the current state of resistance and learn about the potential timeline for genuine revolution in Iran. This is just the first installment of a captivating journey into the heart of a nation's struggle for liberty.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/IranNCR/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashrafi4ever/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/ashrafi4ever

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

Email: [email protected]

WhatsApp: https://wa.me/+393312094616