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

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

In this episode, I talk with Travis Cournoyer about his book Courageous Curiosity and the journey that led him to write it. He shares openly about carrying a secret for years and how finally telling the truth became the foundation for everything he’s building now. We talk about what it really means to ask a “stupid question” and why those are often the very questions that lead to growth, clarity, and change.

Travis explains how fear and shame often keep us quiet, even when we know we need answers, and how learning to push through that discomfort can impact every area of life, from career decisions to relationships to parenting. He shares practical insight into how to slow down, reflect, and understand our own reactions instead of avoiding them, and why curiosity should be something we protect, not suppress.

We also get into the idea of creating a “curiosity comfort zone,” where people feel safe to ask anything without judgment, and how powerful that can be in families, friendships, and workplaces. Travis talks about his business, Ask Anyway, and his bigger vision for helping people reconnect in a world that often feels disconnected.

This conversation is honest, thoughtful, and encouraging. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to have everything figured out, but we do have to be willing to ask.

To find out more about Travis and his work, visit https://www.askanyway.org/

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’m sitting down with Nika Maples, someone who played a really meaningful role in my own journey.

What started as a desire to improve my writing turned into something much bigger, and in this conversation, we talk about how that happens more often than we realize. Nika shares how she went from being an English teacher who couldn’t quite figure out how to write a book, to someone who now helps others do exactly that. She breaks down the difference between short-form and long-form writing, and why writing a book requires a completely different kind of endurance.

We talk honestly about what holds people back from writing, especially the feeling that no one wants to hear what they have to say. Nika reframes what many people call “imposter syndrome” and explains why that label doesn’t really fit. She shares practical ways to get started, whether you have no idea what to write about or you already have a topic but feel stuck. From collecting stories from your own life to creating what she calls a “book bank,” she gives simple, doable steps that take the pressure off and help you move forward.

We also talk about writing the hard parts of your story and how to approach that in a healthy, thoughtful way. Nika shares her own experience writing honestly while still honoring the people involved and why slowing down in that process matters.

This conversation is a mix of practical writing advice, encouragement, and a reminder that most of what you need is already in you. You just have to start getting it out on paper.

To find out more about Nika and her work, visit nikamaples.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 Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO and founder of Futuro Health. From arriving in the United States as a refugee at just six years old to becoming one of the top 50 women leaders in healthcare, Van’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and a deep desire to give back. She shares how her early experiences shaped her passion for education and opportunity, and how that passion led her to create a nonprofit that is changing lives by helping people enter the healthcare field without taking on debt.

We talk about the critical shortage in healthcare workers and what’s really behind it, and Von breaks it down in such a simple, eye-opening way. She also shares real stories of people whose lives have been transformed through Futuro Health, reminding us that sometimes all someone needs is a path and a little support to completely change their future.

Van also opens up about taking a leap of faith to start something new, even when fear was present, and how looking back at her own life gave her the courage to move forward. We talk about mentorship, the importance of women supporting women, and what it looks like to step into your “superpowers” when you find something you truly care about.

This conversation is full of encouragement, inspiration, and a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to start something new or make a difference.

To connect with Van, visit https://futurohealth.org/

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: For the Love of Books, I sit down with author and former television producer Claire St. Amant to talk about the fascinating and often intense world of true crime storytelling. Claire spent years behind the scenes working on major investigative television programs like 48 Hours and 60 Minutes, where she helped bring complicated criminal cases to national audiences. In our conversation, she shares what it was really like to be in the middle of those investigations and how the experience eventually led her to write her book.

Claire explains how journaling throughout her life helped her capture the details that would later shape her story. From early morning “morning pages” to reporter’s notebooks filled with notes from courtrooms and interviews, she had an incredible record of the moments that defined her career. Those notes became an important part of telling the story behind the scenes of television crime reporting and the emotional toll that can come with chasing the truth.

We also talk about the persistence it takes to stay in a story when things get difficult. Claire describes herself as someone who doesn’t give up easily, and that determination played a huge role in her work as a producer. She shares how following a story all the way through sometimes led her to unexpected places and how that same mindset helped her transition from television production to writing.

This conversation offers a unique look at the world behind true crime television and the real people working tirelessly to uncover the details of a case. Claire’s journey is one of curiosity, perseverance, and storytelling, and it’s a reminder that sometimes the most powerful stories come from simply refusing to give up.

To connect with Claire, visit https://www.clairestamant.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 powerful and heartfelt conversation, Stephen and Julie Wagstaff share the story behind SwagAbility, a mission born from hardship, faith, and a desire to help others navigate life’s most difficult moments.

After a diving accident at 19 left Stephen a quadriplegic, and decades later a mysterious illness resulted in a seven-month hospital stay, the couple began asking an important question: How can our experiences help someone else who is facing a life-changing moment? What started as a simple online video has grown into a nonprofit focused on encouragement, education, and real relational support for people navigating disability, caregiving, and adversity.

Stephen and Julie open up about the realities of caregiving, including the often-unspoken struggle of caregiver burnout. Julie shares how isolation and lack of communication nearly cost them their marriage, and how learning to ask for help and prioritize self-care transformed their relationship. Together they emphasize the importance of community, honest conversations, and remembering that no one is meant to carry life’s burdens alone.

The couple also discusses their growing podcast network and their mission to walk alongside people dealing with disabilities, illness, grief, and unexpected life changes. Through storytelling, coaching, and practical support, including help accessing assistive technology, SwagAbility seeks to remind people that even in the hardest seasons, purpose, hope, and joy are still possible.

To connect with Stephen and Julie, visit https://swagability.com/

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

At 24 years old, Asha Mevlana’s life changed forever when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. What could have been a story defined by fear instead became a turning point that gave her permission to live differently. Instead of playing it safe, Asha created a list of everything she had always been too afraid to try—and started saying yes.

That decision led her on an extraordinary journey: moving to Los Angeles to pursue music, touring the world as a violinist, performing with major artists, and eventually becoming the lead violinist for the legendary Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Along the way, Asha also embraced unconventional adventures—living in a custom tiny house featured on Tiny House Nation, traveling internationally with a community of families while raising her toddler, and documenting her experiences in her new memoir To Hell With No Adventures.

In this inspiring conversation, Asha shares how fear doesn’t disappear—you simply learn to move forward despite it. She also talks about becoming a single mom through surrogacy, surviving a second cancer diagnosis, and how her perspective on success has shifted from chasing achievements to living with more peace and presence.

Her story is a powerful reminder that courage isn’t about being fearless—it’s about taking the next small step, even when it feels uncomfortable.

To find out more about Asha and her work, visit https://www.ashamevlana.com/

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