I can not imagine a better guest to end this fourth season of Livin' What You're Given Podcast, than Robin Freed. Robin is also my last interview as I end the podcast for the foreseeable future. The reason Robin is such a great fit for this role is because she embodies all the values and encouraging messages I've tried to highlight in this show for four seasons.

Ms. Freed is a musician, playing several instruments, including piano, harp, and hammered dulcimer. She is a teacher of all of these as well. She feels that no matter what age or stage we find ourselves in, we can learn, grow and heal by playing music. Drawing from her own experiences, she relates how many adults take music lessons when they are kids but give it up for a variety of reasons. Life happens. But then as adults they can be reluctant to return to this beautiful and beneficial art form. This is what happened in her own life. She was given lessons and played for several years as a child and young adult. And after a fairly long absence returned to playing and making music.

She shares stories of her eye witness accounts of people finding healing and new directions through grief and loss by listening to and playing musical instruments, especially the harp. As an older adult student of Robin's, (recently deciding to play the harp), I can attest to the truth of these statements.

Robin believes that we are never too old to learn new ways to express ourselves in art forms. And that is why I am so grateful to have her has my last interview to reinforce what I have been saying throughout this podcast. We have value, purpose and the ability to learn and create at any age or stage.

For more information about Robin, her studio and to speak with her about possible resources, go to her email address at: [email protected], or contact her by telephone at (970)275-8996.

The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero Praise Fellowship
https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett  https://lauralpadgett.com/

My guest today holds a special place in my heart. Her name is Suzanne Chimera and she is Co-Founder of ​Hair We Share, an organization that takes hair donations and make wigs for people who are losing their hair due to a variety of reasons.

I met Suzanne in January of 2024 when I contacted her to take a donation of my sister, Mary's, hair after she passed away from cancer. Mary had long brown hair but because she had gray throughout her locks, I had to find a place that would take hair that had gray in it. I was referred to Susanne at Hair we Share and I knew this is where Mary would have wanted her beautiful hair to go in order to help others.

In this episode Suzanne shares the story of this incredible organization, how it came about, where it has gone from day one because of the request of a child to have a wig made for her because of her severe alopecia (hair loss). She talks about the overwhelming amount of beautiful donations that are sent to Hair We Share every year.

We have formed a special bond around the gift of my sister's hair. And she graciously shares the story of where Mary's hair is going even though I did not actually send it to her until several weeks after Mary's demise. As we talked over the months after she received Mary's braid, we became friends while waiting for just the right person to receive a wig made from my little sister's hair.

In ending this podcast season and perhaps the podcast at this point, I hope you will be inspired to share whatever you can to help others. That is when we understand our stories do matter.

To give a donation or money to Hair We Share, find information on how to do that at this link:  https://hairweshare.org

The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero Praise Fellowship
https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett  https://lauralpadgett.com/

My guest today, Beatrice Bruno, the Drill Sergeant of Life, joins me as we explore the idea of gratitude in all things. She talks about being thankful for each day and the opportunities she has been given by God, including her very life. As the author of books on various topics, including grief, Beatrice shares helpful hints on how to navigate life's ups and downs through being grateful at all times. For example, she reflects on how a person came to just sit with her after the passing of her husband, John, several years ago. In the encounter, she says the lady just sat with her and felt no need for words but gave Beatrice the gift of her presence.

As Beatrice travels the country, she tells stories of her journey including her experiences of life in the military. She also talks about her gratitude for the words of a young woman who thanked her for instruction and words that Beatrice had shared with her many years previously, when she was just a child. She emphasizes that this is why our stories matter, because we never know when something we share with another person will result in a positive influence in their life.

She shares her passion for continuing to move forward. She encourages us to remember that God will direct us in the ways He wants us to go. Please listen to her talking about now, at age 65, going back to school in pursuit of  a life long dream. She will inspire all listeners to reach for your heart's desire as well.

I asked her if she would like to leave any of us with some final thoughts and she said, "As we come into this season of Thanksgiving, let's just be thankful all year around. There is something to be thankful for every day of our lives. As we show that thankfulness to God, he is able to pour into us everything we need so we are able to continue on the path He has laid out before us and continue to do the work He has given us to do.

To reach out to Beatrice or read her books go to http://www.drillsergeantoflife.com

The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero Praise Fellowship
https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com/

This month, November, I am bringing on two guests who remind us of the power of gratitude even in these difficult, divided and tumultuous times. The gentleman who is my first guest in November, Stephen Ray Watts, shares with me and my audience today about how his life, ministry and music have been influenced by having a grateful heart. If you recognize the name, that is because this is one of the musicians who has lent his music to me for the purpose of enriching this podcast for the last four seasons.

Sharing from his personal journey of sobriety for 15 years, Stephen says that gratitude is a secret weapon. He tells us if we give thanks for everything, even in those things we see as not good for us, we find that we open up a realm of blessings that will flow in many different ways. So how do we do this?  According to Stephen, we ask God to show us how to give thanks and help us navigate through the tough times as well as not so tough times. Walking into submission for what God has for us is one way we can see these blessings.

Stephen gives an example of how he processed loss when his jazz club in Denver closed during COVID. He ended up delivering flowers to a detox facility and found a new ministry by helping those who are seeking recovery from alcohol addiction. To this day, he volunteers time and energy to speak with and encourage those walking the road to sobriety. He shares his experience, strength and hope.

By telling a story of what he saw was a disastrous performance experience, he states he discovered that the vanity of chasing the wind of ego is indeed unfulfilling. Letting go of his ego and allowing God to use him even in a situation where his expectations for a fantastic performance were not met, he realized the freedom of humility by releasing his need for the accolades that he has allowed to define him for many years. Prior to that experience he states, "I have spent my entire life trying to be somebody instead of just being." So many of us in the arts can fall into the trap of allowing people and an accomplishments define our purpose and worth.

The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero Praise Fellowship
https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com/

 

 My guest today is Michelle Rohlf, and she is granting me another interview to follow up her interview in May of 2023. In our last session, Michelle and I discussed the pain of having a child estrange themselves from us. She described her journey through her healing process and writing a book that chronicled that process.

Today, Michelle describes how her work has helped her and others. She says that while writing the book, "Losing Her, Finding Me" (info below) she learned not only about herself, but about her child's journey too. She describes finding understanding about her own behavior and responsibility in the estranged relationship. Additionally, in looking at her daughter's story, she came from bitterness, anger and resentment into compassion and understanding. Perhaps most importantly, Michelle teaches us that it is important when healing to look at what we had control over and what we did not.

Although a big part of healing ourselves and our relationship is to take responsibility for our part in the conflict, it is also true to honestly be willing to forgive ourselves and remember what we are not responsible for as well. Once Michelle could objectively see all elements in the equation, she was able to heal to the point of offering and accepting forgiveness of herself and her daughter. Today, her relationship with her estranged child is healed and on healthy terms.

By sharing her story, she has helped other parents online as well as in speaking engagements, book signings  and personal ministering. She shared some of her book reviews and said that she has received many letters thanking her for her willingness to tell her story so others could begin to heal and move forward in their own.

Michelle encourages others in this situation to reach out for support. She mentions various groups that offer support including a group on Facebook called "PEAC"  Parents of Estranged Adult children.

To learn more about Michelle, her book, her work with helping parents who are estranged from their children, look for her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Amazon by typing her name, Michelle Rohlf. Where she is available on these sites will come up. Or you can go to [email protected], or her website at https://michellerohlf.com

The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero   https://dotseroband.com

To connect with Laura Padgett to to  https://lauralpadgett.com

Karen DeArmond Gardner is a survivor of thirty years in a marriage where she was verbally, emotionally and at times physically abused. She talks about how her own work of writing a book, speaking to others and helping to educate communities around the issue of domestic abuse, has been helpful for her own growth and healing.

She points out that churches are not always equipped to deal with this issue.  She states it is better to go to shelters, support groups, therapy and advocates who will listen and point victims to the resources needed to begin living life apart from the abuser. Karen also says that social media can have groups that may be helpful. She gives us some practical steps when attempting to help those we may encounter who are in the situation.

Karen's work in her book, link listed below, has not only helped her to heal and move forward in the aftermath of domestic abuse, but she shares stories of how telling her story has helped others. She calls our attention to the fact that when we judge women for not leaving, we need to understand there are reasons why they do not feel they can leave. Her book emphasizes the process of healing and the very real difficulties women can face when choosing to leave the abusive relationship.

She also states that experiencing the love of God and understanding that it was never His plan for women to be abused was a tremendous addition to her healing. Although most of us grew up with thinking that saving a marriage regardless of cost to a partner in that union, it is a false narrative.

To learn more about Karen's ministry and find resources visit Amazon and find her book.  Hope for Healing from Domestic Abuse: Reaching for God's Promise of Real Freedom by Karen DeArmond Gardner.

Visit her website at: Another One Free website https://anotheronefree.com/

The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero   https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com/

Today, my guest, author and speaker Lori Ann Wood, discusses where her story of a divine detour has taken her and how sharing her story has helped other people. After discovering she had end-stage heart failure, she began to ask the questions of God that we are trained not to ask. This is a follow up to our original interview that took place on March 8, 2023 called, "Involuntary Tide Turning." Please feel free to go back and listen to that for more of her backstory.

Her journey began nine years ago and she says it has been up, down and anything but linear. During this time, she encountered so many faith questions as she found she was not the only person who was on a detour and had questions as well. She says people are looking for similarities and when we find that we are not alone, it becomes easier to bear life's difficulties and especially those detours we didn't plan on. 

Lori Ann says she was afraid to ask questions because she was sure she would break the fragile faith base that was handed off to her from her mother. She was concerned that she would lose her faith if she got in, dug around and asked the hard questions about what was happening to her. She tiptoed into asking questions when she had nothing to share with blog subscribers, friends and family in terms of good news.

Quoting Romans 8:8 which says, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them," she began to wonder if God was true to His word. She asked why she was seeing things in her life as not working out for what she considered to be to the good.

She asked questions like, "Is this all there is? And is God really good?" As she wrote her story and talked to others she began to hear others ask the same questions. Accepting that this situation did not make sense and she may not see problems resolved in this life helped her to move forward.

She wrote her book, "Divine Detour: The path you'd never choose can lead to the faith you've always wanted," in a short story format. That proved to be helpful to other people because when people are in pain and confusion, their attention span is very short, as was hers initially. People have reached out and said her story resonated and began to share stories in texts and emails. She now saw the burden was being made lighter (not taking difficulties away) for her and others.  This gives people permission to ask and wrestle with their own questions. 

Lori states that sharing stories of our lives and trials, we can trace the thread of God's grace throughout mankind's history. We are all in a bigger story than just our own lives. Our chapter in God's story is being used for a bigger purpose. Even though we may not get the ending we would like, Lori Ann emphasizes that the story does not end when we take our last breath.

To reach out to Lori Ann, find her books or other resources please go to https://loriannwood.com/

The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero   https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com

In a rare presentation of a solo episode, I talk about my philosophy that we can indeed learn to love, speak and walk with dignity, even in a world where winning at all costs is everything. Pulling from real-life experience, I share a story from my 2018 publication "Jesus in Shorts: Twenty-five Short Stories of Life-Changing Jesus Moments."

The lead story in that collection of short stories is one about almost losing a life-long friend because of my insistence on being right.  While in the dentist's chair, I learned a valuable lesson about trying to talk intelligently with my tongue numbed. In short it is dangerous and harmful, not only to others but to myself as well.

Being led into God's Truth about the danger of an unbridled tongue, (James 3:8), I was also led to make an amends to someone I hurt, and accept her amends to me.  A lesson I share in hopes of helping others realize they are not perfect and sometimes we can hurt others. But there is redemption in the form of forgiveness in God’s love. That truth will help make us bold enough to ask forgiveness from one we may have hurt, and accept the amends of one who has hurt us.

For more of my short stories, please consider purchasing a copy of my first short story anthology (title listed above) which is available for purchase on my website or on Amazon.  You can also find short stories on my blog on my website at 
https://lauralpadgett.com/

The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero   https://dotseroband.com

Please note:  This is a rebroadcast of an episode that I ran in 2023. Because we are still in the political chaos, or perhaps worse, I feel it is important for us to remember that we can have a voice, we can turn this tide and we can bring unity to our beautiful U.S.A. by turning from the chaos to the reasonable and unifying voices. 

 I was excited to sit down with former senator and house representative, Don Coram, from the Western Slope of Colorado today. Our conversation focused on a frank and honest discussion about how we can begin to turn from toxic political division in America, and toward unity and healthy discourse with civility. 

When asked how we, in the USA, have gotten to this point of malignant polarization, Senator Coram offered his opinion based on his experience as a lawmaker and a citizen. He tells us that we now have elected officials who are being rewarded for bad behavior. We've turned a blind eye to the fact that these people are not concerned about the future of this country, or the issues we are facing, but rather on making a name for themselves.

When asked how we can fix this situation, he replied that when the voters get sick of the extremists on both sides running the show, we will become more involved in the changes that need to be made. He encourages people to get involved by having dialogues with people who think differently. Calling on his own experience in authoring bipartisan bills in the Colorado chambers of government, he believes that regardless of party, most of us see things the same way about 80% of the time.

One of Senator Coram’s passions is educating our youth on our history, all of that. He calls this education without indoctrination and reminds us that if we do not know our history (especially the not so pretty parts of it), we are bound to repeat our mistakes.

Some of the organizations that are helping to spread the word on unity over party are listed below along with their websites. Also listed below is contact information for  our musician, Gabriel Tafoya.

 Unify America at https://www.unifyamerica.org/

Unify Montrose at https://www.unifymontrose.org/

Restore the Balance at https://www.restorethebalance.org/

Country First at https://www.country1st.com/

To catch up with Gabriel Tafoya, the composer, producer and performer of the song "The Pivot" on this episode, go to [email protected]

The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com

 
Note:  This is a rebroadcast of the episode with Kevin Kuns in July of 2023. Because we seem to be in the same or worse political situation than when this was first recorded, I felt it worth a revisit of the wisdom, strength and hope in the words of people like Kevin Kuns.

Drawing from personal experiences of living in different countries, having a diverse employment background, running successful companies and being involved in the Colorado Democratic Party, my guest today, Kevin Kuns and I explore how we can turn the tide on the toxic political landscape we are now living in. We also discuss what the word "patriot means" and how that word is being used against our groups of citizens today.

Kevin helps us identify some ways we have become polarized politically, what is dividing us and how we can begin to walk into unification beyond our differences. He shares his experiences on the campaign trail when he was running for office to represent District 58, on the Western Slope of Colorado. One of the things that impressed him most was that people he spoke with were not angry about issues. They were angry and frustrated by not being heard.

He stresses that a lot of people in the USA are moving away from extremism and the divisiveness that are threatening our democracy. He says we need to move into dialogue and listening to each other, while understanding we all pretty much have the same values and respecting each other's right to hold different opinions.

By way of encouraging us to be in conversation and respect for each other, he referenced a book called, "A Bigger Table," by John Pavlovitz. This book is available on Amazon Books.

Besides the ideas above, Kevin encourages us to check out some of the organizations around the USA dedicated to restoring civility and offering all voices a chance to be at the table. Some resources for finding and/or participating in these organizations are found below.

Unify America at https://www.unifyamerica.org/

Unify Montrose at https://www.unifymontrose.org/

Restore the Balance at https://www.restorethebalance.org/

Country First at https://www.country1st.com/

To catch up with Gabriel Tafoya, the composer, producer and performer of the song "The Pivot" on this episode, go to [email protected]

The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com