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

::CONTENT WARNING:: In this episode, the subjects of mental health and suicide are discussed.

In this deeply moving episode of Life Stories, Shara sits down with Jessica Domingos, co-founder of The Evie Effect, a nonprofit born from the unimaginable loss of her 12-year-old daughter, Evie.

Jessica shares Evie’s story with honesty, compassion, and courage and talks about childhood anxiety, the pressures of middle school, and the heartbreaking reality that so many families quietly face. Out of her family’s grief came a powerful mission: to make sure no one has to face mental health struggles or suicide alone.

You’ll learn how The Evie Effect is creating change through:

*Holding Space, a suicide-prevention workshop that teaches people how to recognize warning signs and have life-saving conversations
*Beyond the Darkness, their podcast that brings hope through honest storytelling
*Community events like their 5K and Evie Rocks Tyler, a powerful suicide-awareness concert
*Support for those who’ve lost someone, including healing retreats for survivors of suicide loss


This episode is not just about grief. It’s about connection, courage, and what happens when love becomes a lifeline. Jessica reminds us that small acts of kindness, honest conversations, and simply showing up for one another can truly save lives.

To find out more about The Evie Effect, visit https://evieeffect.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 moving episode of Life Stories, host Shara Goswick sits down with Mick Wienholt, the founder and host of the powerful video podcast When You Look. Mick shares how two life-altering events (a miraculous survival after triggering his own avalanche and the devastating loss of his son Luke at 39 weeks) became the foundation for his deep relationship with God and his calling to share testimonies.

Mick opens up about growing up around religion but without a real relationship with Jesus, until heartbreak and helplessness brought him to his knees in a hospital hallway where he cried out to God for the first time. From that moment on, everything changed—not only his life, but the legacy of his family. Today, Mick and his wife are parents to three living children, and their family is rooted in faith that began through loss.

Listeners also hear how God placed the word “testimonies” in Mick’s heart years before When You Look ever existed, and how a season of unemployment, fasting, and complete surrender led him to finally launch the show in April 2025. Now with dozens of episodes recorded, Mick hosts everyday people sharing extraordinary stories of redemption, healing, and God’s unmistakable presence.

This episode is a reminder that God often reveals Himself most clearly in our hardest moments and that when we take time to look, His fingerprints are everywhere.

To find out more about Mick and When You Look, visit https://www.whenyoulook.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 Australian author, philosopher, and happiness researcher Adam Brownlie, whose book Happypedia challenges everything we think we know about happiness.

Adam explains why happiness is not something we can simply choose, but something we must cause, much like how light causes our eyes to adjust. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy, Adam introduces the six pillars of happiness—good food, sleep, exercise, social connection, novelty, and hope and shows how they drive the brain chemicals that create emotional wellbeing.

He also shares powerful personal stories, including how a childhood medical misunderstanding deeply affected his emotional outlook and led him to seek deeper understanding of stress, fear, and forgiveness.

At the heart of Adam’s work is a profound truth: forgiveness is one of the most powerful tools for happiness. When we understand that people, including ourselves, are shaped by experiences, biology, and circumstances, forgiveness becomes easier and emotional freedom becomes possible.

This thoughtful and hope-filled conversation will leave you with a clearer understanding of why you feel the way you do and what you can do to gently move toward more peace, energy, and joy.

To find out more about Adam and his work, visit https://adambrownlie.com.au/

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Carrie Ducote is a nonprofit executive, strategist, and animal-welfare leader with over 15 years of experience helping shelters transform their operations, culture, and community impact. In this episode, Carrie shares her journey from volunteering at a small rural shelter to leading national animal welfare initiatives and founding her consulting company, Shelter Savvy.

We talk candidly about what really happens inside animal shelters, why euthanasia is often misunderstood, and how community-centered solutions can dramatically reduce suffering for both animals and staff. Carrie explains the difference between municipal and nonprofit shelters, why staff morale is the backbone of lifesaving work, and how access, not apathy, is often the biggest barrier to spay and neuter services.

This conversation is eye-opening, compassionate, and practical, offering listeners a deeper understanding of animal welfare and clear ways they can make a difference in their own communities.

In this episode, we discuss:

*Carrie’s path into animal welfare and shelter leadership
*What shelter assessments actually evaluate
*The emotional toll on frontline shelter staff
*Why euthanasia is a systems problem, not an individual failure
*The importance of community outreach and support
*Why spay and neuter access matters more than blame
*How fostering, volunteering, and adopting adult dogs saves lives

To find out more about Shelter Savvy, visit https://www.animalsheltersavvy.com/

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

Most people approach health by trying to fix what’s wrong. Glen Lubbert invites us to do something radically different: start with what’s already working.

In this conversation, Glen, co-founder and CEO of Stamina Lab, shares how a solution-focused, science-backed approach to behavior change helps people improve their energy, focus, and resilience without guilt, shame, or burnout. Drawing from his experience as a Division I athlete, tech entrepreneur, and certified performance coach, Glen explains why sustainable change doesn’t come from willpower or digging into past failures but from building momentum through small, meaningful wins.

Together, we explore how stress really shows up in daily life, why burnout is information (not failure), and how asking better questions can completely change the way we experience health, habits, and ourselves.

In this episode, we talk about:

*Why people aren’t broken—and why that belief matters
*What solution-focused coaching actually looks like in real life
*How focusing on “what’s working” builds momentum instead of shame
*A powerful reframe for stress, self-talk, and overwhelm
*Why “What do you want instead?” is the starting point for change
*How small, grace-filled shifts compound into lasting transformation

If you’ve ever felt stuck, tired of trying harder, or discouraged by “failed” attempts at change, this episode offers a hopeful, practical way forward.

To find out more about Stamina Lab, visit https://staminalab.io/

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 thoughtful conversation, Brian Ahearn—author, speaker, and expert in ethical influence—shares the powerful story behind his book Influence FROM Above. Inspired by a question from his daughter, Brian began exploring how the well-known principles of persuasion connect to biblical truth and how Christians can influence others in ways that are loving, honest, and eternal.

Brian explains the crucial difference between influence and manipulation, why listening is one of the most overlooked skills in relationships, and how God often works through ordinary moments we might otherwise miss. Through stories from his own life and from the fictional character John in his book, he reminds us that success isn’t measured by numbers but by faithfulness to what God asks us to do.

This episode will encourage you to pray specifically, extend grace to those who fall, and view every interaction as an opportunity to love people well. Whether you’re a parent, leader, business owner, or friend, you’ll walk away with practical wisdom for influencing others in ways that honor God and build lasting relationships.

In this episode you’ll hear:

*How a single question from Brian’s daughter sparked the idea for Influenced From Above
*Why influence is unavoidable and how to practice it ethically
*The danger of comparison and redefining success God’s way
*The power of listening before speaking
*Real-life stories of God’s timing and answered prayer
*Offering grace when someone disappoints or hurts us
*Brian’s new framework: “powerful, everyday opportunities to persuade that are loving and eternal”


To connect with Brian, visit https://influencepeople.biz/

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

Today on Life Stories, Blake Baumann and Pickens Calhoun share the story behind their unique partnership serving teens and young adults on the autism spectrum.

Blake, author of Autism Launch Plan, has spent years helping families navigate the challenges of neurodiversity with practical tools and compassionate coaching.

Pickens, after experiencing the tragic loss of his brother, left a successful career in tax consulting to join Blake’s mission and dedicate his life to this work.

Together, they walk alongside young people to build confidence, independence, and real-life skills through deeply personalized coaching. Their story is one of faith, purpose, and the belief that every individual has strengths waiting to be discovered.

Key Points:

*How Blake’s journey into autism coaching began and the heart behind The Autism Blueprint
*Pickens’s transition from corporate consulting to purpose-driven work after personal loss
*The remarkable timing that brought Blake and Pickens together as partners
*What individualized coaching looks like for autistic teens and young adults
*Focus areas like communication, time management, identity, and career readiness
*Real success stories of growth, independence, and renewed hope for families
*Practical encouragement for parents who feel overwhelmed or unsure where to turn
*The shared vision Blake and Pickens have for expanding this life-changing work

To find out more about this incredible coaching program, visit https://www.aia-launch.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 talks with Colin Corby, creator of The Digital Detox Coach, about how our always-on digital world is quietly impacting our health, focus, and relationships. Colin shares his personal journey from tech-driven burnout to endurance athlete, and how that experience led him to help people create a healthier, more balanced relationship with technology.

You’ll hear why digital detox isn’t about giving up your phone, but about taking back control of your time, energy, and attention — and how small changes can lead to big improvements in wellbeing.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

*What a digital detox really means and how simple it can be
*How screen time affects sleep, stress, and focus
*Why human connection matters more than ever
*What it means to become a “business athlete”
*How to start creating healthier tech habits without overwhelm

This conversation is encouraging, practical, and eye-opening for anyone who feels pulled in too many directions by their devices.

To find out more about Colin's work, visit thedigitaldetoxcoach.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 powerful and tender conversation, Beth shares how her journey as a single mom began just one week after her son was born when she left an abusive relationship and started over on her own. Years later, after moving to East Texas and putting down roots in her church and community, Beth found a way to use her background in pastry arts and her heart for ministry to serve other single moms in a deeply meaningful way.

Through her ministry Single, Not Solo, Beth provides personalized birthday cakes to children of single moms, not just to celebrate the kids, but to remind the moms that they are seen, supported, and not alone. What began as a simple act of baking for families she knew has grown into a sponsored ministry where every cake is covered through generosity, prayer, and faith. Along the way, Beth shares moving stories of families she’s served, how God continues to provide for her own family, and why caring for the mom is just as important as celebrating the child.

To connect with Beth, visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585761523330 or reach out to her at [email protected].