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

Phebe Trotman is a multi-Hall of Fame athlete, award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and bestselling author of the Never Quit on a Bad Day book series. After spending decades competing at the highest levels of soccer, she discovered that some of life's greatest lessons come not from victories, but from setbacks, disappointments, and the courage to keep going.

In this episode, Phebe shares how sports helped shape her mindset, the importance of focusing on what you can control, and why growth often happens outside your comfort zone. We also talk about confidence, gratitude, resilience, and the power of taking one small step forward when life feels overwhelming.

To connect with Phebe and find out more about her books, visit https://neverquitonabadday.com/

What happens when someone who thought their life was over discovers that accountability, support, and hope can lead to a completely different future?

In this episode, Jesse Crosson shares his remarkable journey from addiction, arrest, and a lengthy prison sentence to becoming an author, advocate, and founder of the Second Chancer Foundation. Jesse opens up about the mentors, family members, and unexpected supporters who helped him rebuild his life and find purpose behind prison walls.

We also talk about the power of second chances, why connection and mentorship can change lives, and the important work the Second Chancer Foundation is doing with young people in juvenile detention. Jesse's story is a powerful reminder that no one should be defined by their worst moment and that hope can be found even in the most difficult circumstances.

To connect with Jesse or to find out more about The Second Chancer Foundation, visit https://jessecrosson.com/ and https://www.second-chancer.org/

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What started as one hour of FaceTime a week between a mother and her son became something far bigger than either of them could have imagined. After a painful separation from her son Gabriel, Kate Markland turned storytelling into a lifeline, asking one simple question that changed everything: "Do you want to be the hero of your own story?" Together they created adventures in Coral Cove, building confidence, connection, and a bestselling children's book series along the way.

In this episode, Kate shares how those stories became the foundation for StoryQuest™, a groundbreaking approach that is helping children discover their voices through creativity and collaboration. We talk about why the blank page isn't really a writing problem, the power of being heard, and how giving children ownership of their own stories is transforming classrooms around the world. This is a conversation about resilience, imagination, and the incredible things that can happen when someone truly listens.

To find out more about StoryQuest™, visit https://www.storyquestglobal.com/

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When Alexa Denaburg was 28 years old, she was building a successful career in marketing, pursuing her MBA, and living what many would consider a dream life in New York City. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, her voice began to change. What started as occasional vocal interruptions quickly turned into a long and frustrating search for answers that ultimately led to a diagnosis of spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological voice disorder. In this conversation, Alexa shares what it was like to lose control of something most of us rarely think about, our ability to speak, and how that experience impacted her confidence, identity, career, and everyday life.

Alexa opens up about the challenges of navigating misdiagnoses, advocating for herself within the healthcare system, and finding hope when traditional treatments didn't feel like the right path for her. She discusses the holistic practices that helped her reconnect with her body, calm her nervous system, and regain confidence in her voice. Through honesty, humor, and resilience, Alexa offers encouragement for anyone facing a diagnosis, a life transition, or an unexpected challenge.

Her story is a powerful reminder that even when life doesn't go according to plan, we can still find purpose, healing, and a new way forward.

To connect with Alexa, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/abalonik/

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**My love/hate relationship with Zoom shows up in this week's episodes as only audio recorded.**

In this episode of Life Stories, I sit down with Quinn Harwood, also known as Coach Q, to talk about how some of life’s most painful moments can become the catalyst for growth and purpose. Quinn shares his journey from chasing NBA dreams and playing professional basketball to walking through devastating personal loss, career setbacks, divorce, and uncertainty during Covid. Through those difficult seasons, he discovered a deeper calling to help others break through limiting beliefs and step into their full potential through life and leadership coaching.

We also talk about the power of faith, identity, overcoming self-doubt, and why so many people tie their worth to performance. Quinn opens up about the lessons he’s learned through coaching, parenting, leadership, and writing his book GrowthTime!. This conversation is filled with encouragement, practical wisdom, and honest reminders that growth often comes through the hardest seasons of life.

To connect with Quinn, visit https://coachqharwood.com/

3 ways to support Life Stories:
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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 Sue Corl: author, speaker, missionary, and founder of Crown of Beauty International, to talk about overcoming rejection, discovering identity in Christ, and helping women around the world find healing and freedom.

Sue shares the incredible story of being born with a severe cleft palate and being sent home as a baby because doctors believed she would not survive. She opens up about enduring twenty-six surgeries, years of bullying, and the deep emotional wounds caused by believing the lies spoken over her for much of her life.

We talk about how those painful experiences shaped the way she viewed herself and how Psalm 139 became a turning point in helping her recognize that she was truly “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Sue also shares how God helped her break free from feelings of rejection, inferiority, and self-hatred through renewing her mind with truth from Scripture.

Sue explains how her own healing journey eventually led her into missions work across Asia and later to founding Crown of Beauty International, a ministry that now reaches women all over the world through conferences, Bible studies, leadership training, and discipleship.

This conversation is filled with encouragement for anyone who has struggled with insecurity, painful words from the past, or believing they are not enough. Sue reminds us that our identity is not found in what others say about us, but in who God says we are.
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In this episode of Life Stories, I sit down with Valerie Jones, a Christian life and leadership coach, podcast host, and founder of The Purpose Project. Valerie opens up about the season in her life when burnout, overthinking, grief, and pressure nearly caused her to walk away from leadership, ministry, and even her sense of purpose. What looked strong and successful on the outside was hiding exhaustion and emotional struggle underneath, and Valerie shares honestly about what it took to rebuild her faith, identity, and courage.

Together, we talk about the connection between faith, emotional health, and spiritual growth, and why so many women silently struggle while continuing to show up for everyone else. Valerie explains how The Purpose Project was born out of her own difficult season and how she now helps women move from overwhelm and overthinking into clarity, confidence, and purpose. This conversation is full of encouragement, honesty, and practical wisdom for anyone feeling stuck, discouraged, or unsure of what comes next.

To find out more about The Purpose Project, visit https://www.thepurposeproject.us/

3 ways to support Life Stories:
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For more than 50 years, Rick Hill has lived what many doctors once believed was impossible. Diagnosed at just 24 years old with Stage 3 Embryonal Cell Carcinoma and given little hope of survival, Rick made the controversial decision to walk away from chemotherapy and radiation and pursue an alternative path focused on nutrition, enzymes, B17, detoxification, and lifestyle changes.

Today, at 75 years old, he remains cancer-free and prescription-free.

In this powerful episode, Rick shares the emotional story of receiving a terminal diagnosis, the moment a pastor encouraged him to seek treatment at Oasis of Hope Hospital, and how that decision changed the course of his life forever. He discusses the importance of immune health, the role of mindset in healing, and why he believes our bodies are designed by God to heal when given the right support.

Rick also opens up about discipline, nutrition, organic living, emotional health, and the importance of hope. Whether listeners agree with every perspective or are simply curious about alternative approaches to wellness, this conversation challenges people to think deeply about health, healing, and the choices we make every day.

To receive the free ebook, World Without Cancer, visit www.b17works.com

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

What if your child is incredibly smart but still struggles to read?

In this episode, I sit down with dyslexia expert Dr. Rebecca Troy to talk about the real challenges families face when children struggle with reading, spelling, and language processing. Rebecca shares how dyslexia has impacted her own life, from growing up in a dyslexic family to raising dyslexic children herself and explains why so many struggling readers are often misunderstood.

We talk about early warning signs of dyslexia, how the dyslexic brain processes language differently, and why traditional classroom settings can sometimes leave these children behind. Rebecca also explains neuroplasticity in simple terms and shares how families can help retrain the brain through practical strategies used right at home.

This conversation is filled with encouragement for overwhelmed parents who feel lost trying to navigate diagnoses, tutoring, school systems, and daily frustrations. Rebecca shares a powerful success story of a young boy who went from struggling tremendously to thriving in just a few months, reminding parents that labels do not define a child’s future.

If you are a parent, grandparent, teacher, homeschool family, or someone who loves a child with learning differences, this episode will leave you feeling hopeful, informed, and empowered.

To connect with Dr. Rebecca Troy, visit https://drrebeccatroy.com/

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Today’s guest is wildland firefighter and SAFE SOSS® founder Nicholai Allen. After the 2018 Woolsey Fire impacted his own family, Nicholai became passionate about helping homeowners better protect their homes from wildfires—especially from the wind-driven embers that destroy most homes during wildfire events.

In this episode, Nicholai shares what it’s really like on the fireline, the emotional impact of watching communities threatened by wildfire, and why preparation before fire season matters so much. He explains simple and affordable ways homeowners can create defensible space, protect vulnerable areas of their homes, and prepare their families before an evacuation ever becomes necessary.

We also talk about the creation of the SAFE SOSS® Block • Seal • Defend system, now available through Lowe’s, and how these tools are helping families take practical steps toward wildfire safety. This conversation is eye-opening, educational, and full of helpful information every homeowner should hear.

To find out more about Safe SOSS visit https://www.safesoss.com

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