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

Parenting coach and early childhood specialist DJ Stutz joins us to talk about the reality of raising children and why she calls parents “imperfect heroes.” As the oldest of seven siblings, a mother of five, and grandmother of thirteen, DJ has spent a lifetime caring for children and helping families navigate the challenges of parenting.

In this conversation, DJ shares how her journey from raising her own children to teaching kindergarten and working with families in shelters and prisons led her to start helping parents through coaching, workshops, and her podcast, Imperfect Heroes. Her goal is simple but powerful: to help parents rediscover the joy in raising their children.

We talk about why many parenting struggles actually begin with adult expectations and how understanding child development can completely change the way we respond to difficult behavior. DJ explains that discipline isn’t about punishment—it’s about teaching, setting clear boundaries, and creating a sense of safety for kids.

DJ also shares practical advice on improving communication with children, managing big emotions like anxiety, and modeling emotional regulation so kids can learn how to handle their own feelings. Often, the most powerful parenting lessons happen when children simply watch how we respond to stress and conflict.

To find out more about DJ and her books and podcast, visit imperfectheroes.net.

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

Becoming a mother is one of the most life-changing experiences a woman can have, but it can also feel overwhelming and lonely without the right support.

In this episode, Shara sits down with East Texas doula Lauren Kinnett to talk about what doulas actually do and how they help women feel supported through both labor and the postpartum season. Lauren shares how her own postpartum struggles opened her eyes to the deep need for encouragement, education, and community for new mothers.

Lauren explains that a doula is more than a birth coach. She is someone who provides emotional, physical, and spiritual support during labor. From guiding comfort techniques to praying with moms and helping partners feel confident in the delivery room, Lauren’s goal is to make sure mothers feel heard, prepared, and empowered to make informed decisions during birth.

After experiencing postpartum anxiety herself, Lauren felt called to help other women navigate the challenges that often follow bringing a baby home. She talks about the importance of community, why many mothers feel afraid to ask for help, and how simple support—whether through postpartum visits, conversations, or practical guidance—can make a powerful difference.

Lauren also shares the story behind her mission, “Take the Reins,” inspired by a conversation with her grandfather and strengthened through her faith. Through prayer, personal growth, and life changes, she found her calling to serve women in one of the most vulnerable and beautiful seasons of their lives.

Throughout the conversation, Lauren reflects on the powerful moments she witnesses in the delivery room and why every birth reminds her that this work is exactly where she is meant to be. Her passion for helping women feel confident, loved, and supported shines through every story she shares.

In addition to her doula services, Lauren is helping build community for mothers in East Texas through local gatherings, birth preparation classes, and monthly mom walks. Her goal is simple but meaningful: to make sure no mother feels like she has to go through pregnancy, birth, or postpartum alone.

To connect with Lauren, visit https://www.instagram.com/takethereins.wellness

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, Shara sits down with Patti Shales Lefkos, an adventurous writer, humanitarian, and former educator who proves it’s never too late to follow your calling. After retiring from a 37-year career in education, Patti returned to school at 60 to study journalism and eventually began writing books about her travels and humanitarian work.

Her love for Nepal led her to trek thousands of kilometers through the Himalayas and start a nonprofit helping communities rebuild after the devastating 2015 Nepal Earthquake. Through fundraising, storytelling, and partnerships with local organizations, Patti has helped build schools, rebuild homes, and support education for children in remote villages.

Patti also shares stories from her incredible 800-kilometer trek on the Great Himalaya Trail at age 77, what she has learned about resilience and privilege, and why she believes anyone can make a difference by simply taking one step at a time.

To find out more about Patti's work, visit pattishaleslefkos.com

What happens when the roots of your faith feel shaken?

In this heartfelt episode of Life Stories, Shara sits down with her friend Michelle to talk about her new devotional, Rooted to Become: A 52-Week Devotional. Michelle shares the deeply personal journey behind writing this year-long devotional, including the season of grief after losing her father that left her feeling spiritually uprooted and questioning God.

Through surrender, obedience, and a return to the unchanging truth of God’s Word, Michelle discovered deeper roots than she ever had before. In this conversation, she opens up about battling self-doubt, learning to trust God step-by-step, and why she believes every woman was created with purpose — on purpose.

If you’ve ever questioned God in a hard season, struggled with obedience, or wondered if you’re equipped for what He’s calling you to do, this episode will remind you that growth often begins beneath the surface.

You can order Rooted to Become here: https://shorturl.at/gbnhB or request a signed copy at [email protected].

In this beautiful and deeply practical conversation, Kimberly Deshields-Spencer joins Life Stories to talk about her newest book, It Matters: a guide for entrepreneurs, creatives, educators, and leaders who want to build something meaningful and lasting.

Kimberly shares the personal journey behind the book, including the early career success that left her feeling misaligned and overwhelmed. From walking away from a thriving business in her twenties to pressing pause on a 12-year brand at its peak, she opens up about the courage it takes to realign with who you truly are, even when everything looks successful from the outside.

In this episode, we talk about:

*What “It” really means in It Matters
*Why watered-down leadership leads to frustration
*The danger of chasing appearance over authenticity
*How to know when it’s time to pause, pivot, or end something
*The importance of protecting family while building a business
*Why consistency and small beginnings should never be despised
*Practical ways to recharge and avoid burnout
*How to build something that strengthens, not strains, your home

Kimberly also shares the heart behind her upcoming Behind Her Brand conference and how it’s evolving to help women build with depth, strategy, and intentionality.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, reassess, and remember your why. Because in the end, it’s not just what you build. It’s how you build it that truly matters.

To find out more about Kimberly and her work, visit https://www.uimpact.net/kimberlydeshieldsspencer-1

You can purchase It Matters here: https://shorturl.at/9ZiAg

In this powerful and honest conversation, communication coach and author Arnie Buss shares how his own marriage nearly ended in divorce before one life-changing class transformed everything. After decades of repeating the same unresolved arguments, Arnie discovered that the problem wasn’t a lack of love. It was a lack of effective communication skills.

Arnie explains how learning to truly listen by what he calls “tracking” helped him move from trying to be right to becoming curious about his wife’s perspective. That shift not only restored peace in their relationship but led to a renewed marriage that is now approaching 45 years.

You’ll learn:

• Why “never make anyone wrong” changes everything

• The difference between hearing words and hearing the message

• Why feelings are always true—even when beliefs may not be

• How childhood patterns show up in adult conflict

• Why communication skills often fail when emotions are high

• A simple way to express your needs without creating defensiveness

Arnie also shares how these skills have helped reconcile estranged family members and save struggling marriages.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the same argument on repeat, this episode will give you practical, hopeful tools to begin again.

Enjoy this free resource from Arnie: https://aware-heart.mykajabi.com/download-stop-arguing

You can find out more about Arnie's work at arniebuss.com

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Shara sits down with author April to talk about her book The Room to Be Brave and the healing journey behind it. April shares how she once believed she had “overcome” her trauma, only to realize she had merely survived it. After making the life-changing decision to stop drinking in 2024, she finally found herself able to revisit the “rooms” of her past and begin true healing.

April opens up about surviving bacterial meningitis at 22—losing three and a half fingers and completely redefining her identity. She discusses growing up as a stepchild and the lingering belief that she was “in the way,” how ADHD and anxiety are simply information—not identity—and what it means to break generational cycles in imperfect but intentional ways.

The conversation also explores motherhood, regret, changed behavior, journaling as a healing tool, and the humbling realization that survival is not the same as freedom. April shares how service became a turning point in her healing, leading her into occupational therapy, accessible travel planning, and the launch of the JD Builds Foundation in honor of her late brother-in-law.

This episode is about courage. It’s about revisiting the rooms we’ve closed off. And it’s about learning that healing isn’t polished or perfect. It’s simply different.

To learn more about April's work and her book, visit https://www.aprildaygarcia.com/

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1718977880777072342a16683

In this episode of Life Stories, Shara sits down with filmmaker, author, teacher, and global traveler Craig D. Forrest, whose career has taken him across the world to tell stories through television, film, and now books.

Craig shares how he discovered his calling at just 22 years old while living in Brussels , a moment that set the course for a lifetime of directing, traveling, and storytelling. From working on major television productions like The Amazing Race to filming documentaries overseas, Craig opens up about what life behind the camera really looks like, including the long nights, the solitude, and the deep connections formed along the way .

He also talks about his love for teaching and mentoring, why it matters to pour into the next generation, and how patience, listening, and perseverance shaped his career. Craig gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at writing his memoir Night Train to Cairo, sharing how years of experiences from Paris cafés to traveling with his children became a powerful story of a life lived fully.

To find out more about Craig and his work, visit: craigdforrest.com and matchstickmedia.org.

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast?Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1718977880777072342a16683

In this heartfelt and honest episode, Shara sits down with Rick and Clancy, the hosts of The Loud Quiet, a podcast created to help couples navigate the often emotional transition into the empty nest.

What began as a single vulnerable conversation, “What if we don’t like each other when the kids leave?” turned into a life-changing realization that this season requires intention, not just endurance. Rick and Clancy share how that moment sparked their podcast, their book, and a renewed commitment to each other.

Together, they talk openly about:

*Why the empty nest can feel painfully quiet — and why that quiet can be “loud”*How moms and dads experience this season differently*What happens when your parenting identity suddenly shifts*Why intentional connection is essential when the kids move out*How travel, community, and spontaneity helped them rediscover each other*How to emotionally prepare when your last child is about to leave*Why feeling everything — sadness, joy, fear, and excitement — is not only normal, but healthy

They also share touching stories about launching their children into adulthood, the emotional moments that surprised them most, and how watching their daughter confidently step into independence gave them peace and hope for the future.

Rick and Clancy also introduce their podcast The Loud Quiet and their upcoming book, both designed to help couples not just survive the empty nest but truly thrive in it.

To find out more about Rick and Clancy's work, visit https://www.theloudquiet.com/

Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1718977880777072342a16683

In this episode of Life Stories, Shara sits down with Candi Rose, author, TEDx speaker, real estate investor, and single mom, to talk about healing, shame, faith, and the courage it takes to tell the truth about your past.
Candi shares:
*Why she wrote her memoir, Naked
*How toxic shame nearly cost her her life
*What growing up bullied and hurting led her to seek escape through drugs and risky behavior
*How success didn’t bring healing — and why she walked away from everything to find herself
*How moving to Spain changed her life
*The journey from hiding for decades to speaking on a TEDx stage
*Why telling the truth sets you free
*How God can turn your deepest pain into your greatest purpose
You’ll also hear her wisdom for parents, for those walking through shame, and for anyone who feels stuck in their past and unsure how to move forward.
This episode is raw, faith-filled, honest, and deeply hopeful.
To find out more about Candi and her work, visit https://www.candirose.com/

Watch Candi's TEDx talk here: https://youtu.be/AApYIyGW6YQ?si=2sBVEusPe82qFO-j
Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1718977880777072342a16683