In this episode of Life Stories, I sit down with Ryan Riggins, a former house flipper who made a powerful decision to change direction. After years of buying homes, often from families in difficult situations, Ryan realized the financial gain often came at someone else’s loss. That realization led him to switch sides and dedicate his work to protecting families instead.

Ryan now helps adult children navigate one of the most overwhelming seasons of life: managing an aging parent’s transition. He shares how predatory buyers operate, why families can unknowingly lose tens of thousands of dollars, and what options truly exist when it comes to selling a home.

We talk about the emotional weight of these decisions, the tension that can arise within families, and why preparation matters more than most people realize. Ryan also walks through practical strategies, red flags to watch for, and the importance of having honest conversations early—before a crisis forces quick decisions.

If you are caring for aging parents, walking through a transition, or simply want to be prepared for the future, this episode offers real, practical guidance you can use.

To connect with Ryan, visit https://rigginsstrategicsolutions.com/Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast

In this episode, I sit down with Eric Robinson, a retired FBI agent with a truly unique story. Eric didn’t follow a lifelong plan to join the Bureau. In fact, he applied on a whim. But that one decision led him into a career filled with intense investigations, SWAT operations, and moments that most of us only see in movies.

Eric gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to work for the FBI: from the detailed application process to the realities of working cases involving terrorism, informants, and high-risk arrests. He shares how agents build trust with people, how cases come together, and even walks us through an award-winning investigation that led to a major conviction.

We also talk about the emotional side of the job, how agents process difficult situations, the importance of teamwork, and what it takes mentally and emotionally to do this kind of work. Eric clears up common misconceptions about the FBI and explains the difference between what we see in the headlines and what most agents actually do every day.

What makes Eric’s story even more powerful is his background as a pastor. He shares how his time in ministry shaped the way he approached people in law enforcement, and how lessons about accountability, change, and character carry over into every area of life.

This is a fascinating and meaningful conversation that will give you a whole new perspective on law enforcement, purpose, and the power of the choices we make.

To connect with Eric, follow him on Instagram @_eric_robinson

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast

In this special Close to Home episode, we shine a light on something making a powerful impact right here in our own backyard: East Texas Giving Day. Kyle Penney, President of the East Texas Communities Foundation, joins us to explain how this one-day online event is transforming the way people give and how local nonprofits are supported.

Kyle walks us through how East Texas Giving Day works, from early giving to the 18-hour day of generosity and why bringing everything together in one place makes giving simple and meaningful. With over 300 nonprofits participating, this event connects donors directly to causes they care about ensuring every dollar goes exactly where they choose.

We also talk about the heart behind the event: helping nonprofits not just raise funds, but find new donors, build awareness, and continue their everyday work serving communities. Kyle shares how even the smallest donation plays a vital role and how the “viral” nature of sharing on social media helps expand the impact far beyond one person’s gift.

Beyond Giving Day, Kyle gives insight into the incredible work of the East Texas Communities Foundation, from managing endowments to awarding scholarships and helping families create lasting legacies through giving.

This episode is a reminder that there is so much good happening right here at home, and that every single one of us has the ability to be part of it.

Visit https://easttexasgivingday.org to learn more.

In this episode, I sit down with Heather Stewart, author, speaker, coach, and podcast host, to talk about something so many of us feel but don’t always say out loud… the pressure to hold it all together.

Heather shares her powerful personal journey, from a successful corporate career to a life-altering stroke that became a turning point. What she discovered during that time led her to create her Thriving Life Method, helping women move out of autopilot and into a life that actually feels like their own.

We talk about the hidden cost of constantly taking care of everyone else, how easy it is to lose yourself in the process, and why so many women feel exhausted even when everything looks “fine” on the outside. Heather also shares practical ways to start paying attention to your patterns, take small steps toward change, and reconnect with who you really are without blowing up your entire life.

This is an honest, relatable conversation about slowing down, letting go of guilt, and learning how to take care of yourself in a way that allows you to truly thrive.

To connect with Heather, visit https://heatherstewart.coach/

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast

In this episode, I sit down with Diane Sorensen, a transformational coach who helps women, especially moms, move from chaos to connection in their everyday lives.

Diane shares her deeply personal story of what looked like a “perfect life” on the outside but felt overwhelming and unsustainable on the inside. A life-changing moment involving her daughter and a sudden divorce became the wake-up call that led her to begin asking one powerful question: “How did we get here?”

Through that journey, Diane began to uncover generational patterns of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and the constant need to keep everyone else happy: patterns so many women don’t even realize they’re living in. She explains how these invisible behaviors create internal chaos and how learning to turn inward with curiosity can begin the process of real change.

We also talk about triggers, the importance of connection in parenting, and why so many struggles with our kids are actually rooted in our relationship with ourselves. Diane shares practical insights on how to recognize patterns, build stronger relationships, and begin listening differently. Not just to others, but to ourselves.

One of the most powerful parts of our conversation is around boundaries. Diane breaks down what boundaries really are (and what they aren’t), why they can feel so uncomfortable, and how they are actually the key to freedom, self-respect, and healthier relationships. She reminds us that motherhood isn’t about meeting a perfect standard. It’s a lifelong relationship that calls us into truth, presence, and growth.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, burned out, or like you’re constantly giving to everyone else while losing yourself in the process, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone and that change is possible.

To connect with Diane, visit https://www.dianesorensen.net/

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast

In this episode, I sit down with John David, a debut novelist whose first book The Bystander is already making waves in the thriller world. John shares what his career looked like long before fiction: spending decades in public relations, crisis communications, and ghostwriting and how writing has always been a thread running through his life.

We talk about what it really takes to write a novel (spoiler: it’s a lot of words and a lot of persistence), and how one real-life news story sparked the idea for his book. John walks us through his unique writing process, the challenges of staying motivated, and why pushing through self-doubt is one of the most important things a writer can do.

He also gives an honest look at the publishing world—what it’s like to face rejection, how hard it can be to get your work seen, and why he believes the industry is due for change.

Whether you’re a reader, an aspiring writer, or just someone who loves hearing how people step into something new, this conversation is full of insight and encouragement.

To connect with John, visit https://byjohndavid.substack.com/

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Angel St. Clair, co-founder of 7 Roses, a nonprofit born out of unimaginable loss and deep love. After losing her 21-year-old son, Payton, in a tragic motorcycle accident, Angel and her family chose to honor his life in a way that brings hope and purpose to others.

7 Roses was created to keep Payton’s memory alive while serving the community he loved so much. From scholarships for students pursuing careers as linemen and firefighters, to creative fundraising efforts and community events, this organization is making a meaningful impact while bringing healing to a grieving family.

Angel shares the reality of navigating life after loss—the unexpected challenges, the importance of remembering loved ones out loud, and how grief, though painful, can also hold beauty. She offers encouragement for anyone walking through grief and reminds us that honoring someone doesn’t have to be grand—it can be found in small acts of love, remembrance, and service.

This episode is a powerful reminder that even in the deepest pain, there is still purpose, connection, and light.

To connect with Angel and learn more about 7 Roses, visit https://shorturl.at/Eqm09

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast

In this episode of Life Stories, I talk with Stacey about a topic that so many women quietly struggle with: what to wear and why it feels so hard. Stacey shares how her journey into style and wardrobe simplicity began during a challenging season of motherhood and health struggles, when getting dressed became overwhelming and uncomfortable. Out of that experience, she developed what she now calls the “uniform framework,” a simple system designed to help women take the stress out of their daily wardrobe choices.

We talk about the concept of capsule wardrobes and how simplifying your clothing options can actually give you more freedom, not less. Stacey explains how much time women spend each day deciding what to wear and how that adds up over time, along with the mental load it creates. She also shares how something as simple as choosing the right colors can boost confidence, improve mood, and make your entire wardrobe more functional.

Our conversation goes deeper into why clothing matters more than we think. Not from a surface level, but because of how it affects our confidence, mindset, and ability to show up fully in our lives. Stacey also shares real-life stories of women she has worked with, including how simplifying their wardrobe helped them navigate both everyday life and incredibly difficult seasons with a little more ease.

At the end of the day, this episode is about more than clothes. It’s about removing unnecessary stress, embracing simplicity, and creating space to focus on what truly matters. Stacey’s heart is to help women feel confident in who they are and to experience freedom in their everyday lives and sometimes, that starts with something as simple as getting dressed.

To find out more about Stacey and The Youniform Framework, visit https://radiantlydressed.com/

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast

In this episode, I sit down with Doreen Virtue to hear her story. One that is both surprising and deeply personal.

For years, Doreen was at the top of her field, traveling the world, writing bestselling books, and speaking to large audiences. From the outside, it looked like she had everything. But as she shares, what she experienced internally was very different.

Doreen opens up about the moment everything changed for her while reading Scripture, and how that moment led her to reevaluate her life, her work, and what she truly believed. What stands out most in this conversation is not just the shift itself, but her willingness to take responsibility, to walk away from success, and to publicly admit she was wrong.

We talk about what it looked like to leave that life behind, the challenges that followed, and the peace she says she never experienced before. Doreen also shares what she’s doing now: writing, speaking, and helping others who are asking similar questions or searching for something more.

This is a conversation about conviction, humility, and what it really means to start over with purpose.

To connect with Doreen, visit https://servantsofgrace.org/doreen-virtue/

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Caton, someone who has spent years helping business owners figure out one of the hardest parts of running a business: sales. But this isn’t a heavy business conversation. It’s real, honest, and full of practical insight for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed trying to do everything on their own.

Steve shares his journey from starting his own business at a young age, to working with growing companies, and eventually building Altezza to help founders step out of the sales role so they can actually lead their business. We talk about why so many people struggle with sales, and he breaks it down in a way that just makes sense—whether it’s fear of rejection, feeling like sales is “slimy,” or just not feeling like you have the personality for it.

We also talk about what it looks like when things start to feel like too much, and how to recognize those moments before burnout hits. Steve shares simple, real-life signs to look for, along with encouragement for anyone who feels stuck or unsure of what to do next.

Of course, we talk about his podcast, Whiskey Is for Closers, and the stories he’s heard from other business owners along the way. It’s laid back, it’s honest, and it’s all about learning from each other.

This conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to figure everything out alone, and sometimes the best thing you can do is ask for help and learn from someone who’s been there before.

To connect with Steve visit https://altezzasolutions.com/.

To watch Whiskey is for Closers, visit http://www.youtube.com/@WhiskeyIsForClosers

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast