Life Stories Podcast with Shara Goswick: Real People. Inspiring Stories. Making a Difference.

In this episode, I sit down with Bridget Truxillo, a former Deputy Sheriff, SWAT officer, undercover narcotics detective, and now employment attorney and founder of Lady Law Shield. Bridget shares her remarkable journey from serving on the front lines of law enforcement to advocating for first responders across the country. She opens up about the challenges she faced as the only woman on a SWAT team, what ultimately led her to law school, and why she felt called to continue serving those who protect our communities.

We also talk about the hidden mental and emotional toll that law enforcement officers carry, the warning signs of burnout, and why seeking help should never be seen as a weakness. Bridget offers practical advice for current and future first responders, shares how Lady Law Shield is helping officers navigate workplace challenges, and reminds us why supporting the people who serve others matters now more than ever.

Whether you know someone in law enforcement or simply want a better understanding of the people behind the badge, this conversation is filled with insight, compassion, and hope.

To connect with Bridget, visit https://ladylawshield.com/

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

Teenage girls today are facing more pressure than ever to fit in, measure up, and find their place in a constantly changing world. This week, I'm joined by Margaret Humphrey, founder of Choose to Live Freely and Dream Freely, to talk about why identity matters and how one caring adult can change the course of a young person's life.

Margaret shares how her own mentors inspired her passion for serving teen girls, the vision behind the first-ever Dream Freely Gathering, and why helping girls become anchored in Christ is more important than ever. We also talk about the role parents, grandparents, and mentors can play in encouraging the next generation with grace, patience, and unconditional love.

To find out more about the Dream Freely Conference, visit https://choosetolivefreely.com/.

To purchase Margaret's book, visit https://a.co/d/08hazaQC

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

Sandy Rosenthal never imagined she would become the face of a movement that challenged one of the most powerful government agencies in the country. After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, she found herself asking hard questions, searching for answers, and ultimately founding Levees.org to uncover the truth about why the city flooded. What began with one determined woman and a simple website grew into a nationwide nonprofit that changed the conversation surrounding one of America's greatest disasters.

In this episode, Sandy shares the story behind her advocacy, the lessons she learned about courage, leadership, and perseverance, and why she believes ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference. We also talk about her book, Words Whispered in Water, the Flooded House Museum, what gives her hope today, and why she wants future engineers to learn from past failures so history doesn't repeat itself.

To connect with Sandy, visit levees.org

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

What does it look like to follow a calling that begins with a simple desire to help others? In this episode, Simone shares how a heart for children and a mission trip to Uganda eventually led her to found Simone's Kids while she was still in college. What started as one small act of faith has grown into a thriving nonprofit that provides education, nutrition, and holistic care for hundreds of children. Along the way, she explains why empowering local leaders and building sustainable programs has always been at the heart of the ministry.

Simone also opens up about living with chronic illness, supporting her husband through medical school and residency, becoming a mother through adoption after infertility, and learning how to lead without losing sight of her faith. She offers practical encouragement for anyone feeling called to make a difference, reminding us that faithfulness often begins with one small step and the courage to keep going, even when the journey is difficult.

To find out more about Simone's Kids, visit https://www.simoneskids.org/

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

What does it take to turn a dream into reality, especially when the odds seem stacked against you? In this episode, I sit down with award-winning children's author and writing coach Rosie J. Pova to talk about her incredible journey from immigrating from Bulgaria to becoming a traditionally published children's author. Rosie shares how a lifelong love of words, years of perseverance, and a willingness to keep learning helped her build a successful career inspiring young readers and aspiring writers alike.

We also talk about the importance of reading to children, nurturing creativity at home, the realities of traditional versus self-publishing, and why encouragement can change the course of a child's life. Whether you're a parent, teacher, aspiring author, or someone chasing a dream of your own, Rosie's story is a reminder that persistence, purpose, and believing in yourself can take you farther than you ever imagined.

Matthew Kenslow was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at six years old, but he never allowed a diagnosis to define his future. In this inspiring conversation, Matthew shares what life was like growing up with autism, the challenges he faced socially and academically, and the determination that helped him pursue his dream of becoming an educator. From speech therapy and special education classes to earning his teaching credentials and becoming a beloved substitute teacher, Matthew's story is one of perseverance, purpose, and hope.

We also talk about his books, his YouTube channel, and his mission to help others better understand autism. Matthew offers practical encouragement for parents, educators, and anyone navigating life's obstacles, reminding us that disability does not diminish purpose. His message is simple but powerful: don't give up on who you are meant to be.

You can connect with Matthew on his website: https://matthewkenslow.com/ or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@matthewkenslow722

Twenty years ago, Liz Brewer turned one of the most difficult experiences of her life into a mission that continues to impact families today. After losing her father to Stage 4 lung cancer, she recognized a gap in support for families facing medical crises and created the Foundation Angel Program to connect them with practical help, financial assistance, and compassionate volunteers.

What happens when a former school counselor, juvenile probation officer, gang investigator, and private investigator spends more than 30 years on the front lines of the drug crisis?

In this eye-opening conversation, Dave Kopeny shares what he's learned about teen substance abuse, addiction, and the critical role parents play in prevention. Drawing from both his professional experience and his personal story of growing up in a family impacted by addiction, Dave offers practical, real-world advice for parents who want to protect their children before problems begin.

Dave explains why he believes the traditional "war on drugs" has failed, how today's drug landscape is more dangerous than ever, and why every parent needs to have proactive conversations with their children. We discuss warning signs parents shouldn't ignore, common misconceptions about teen drug use, the impact of social media, and how parents can become their child's biggest influence when it comes to making healthy choices. Dave also shares details about his upcoming book, Tip of the Spear, and his free parent resource community, ASAP Community.

If you're a parent, grandparent, educator, or anyone who cares about the next generation, this conversation is full of insight, hope, and practical steps you can take today.

To connect with Dave, visit https://asapcommunity.org/

In this episode, Carolyn shares the deeply personal story behind her memoir, My Personal Holocaust, and the years-long journey that led her from hidden trauma to healing and freedom. After experiencing severe symptoms of PTSD in adulthood, she began a counseling process that uncovered repressed childhood memories and helped her understand the ways trauma had shaped her life. Carolyn explains dissociation in a relatable way and offers insight into how God designed the mind to protect us during overwhelming experiences.

Throughout the conversation, Carolyn discusses the role faith, counseling, and supportive community played in her healing. She shares why hope is often the key to moving forward, what true forgiveness really looks like, and why healing is rarely a straight path. This honest and encouraging discussion offers hope to anyone carrying wounds from the past and reminds listeners that freedom is possible, no matter how long they've struggled.

To connect with Carolyn and learn more about her books, visit https://cordsofgrace.com/

What if the life you're looking for is already here?
In this thoughtful conversation, Ulrika Torquato shares her remarkable journey from medical doctor to opera singer, and ultimately to creating Joyering®, an app designed to help people notice the small moments of joy that are already present in everyday life. Born in Sweden, raised in Brazil, and now living in Switzerland, Ulrika's path has been anything but linear.
Together, we discuss the pressure of chasing success, the challenge of living with uncertainty, and why so many of us overlook the meaningful moments happening right in front of us. Ulrika explains how learning to slow down, pay attention, and appreciate life's simple gifts transformed her perspective and inspired the creation of Joyering®. This conversation is a gentle reminder that fulfillment may not be found in achieving more, but in noticing what is already here.
To find out more about Joyering, visit https://joyering.com/