Sean Wheeler is the executive director and founder of Starfish Ministries, survivor, speaker and leader for those working in the sex trafficking industry. He grew up with his family in a small Midwestern town, where he was groomed and sexually trafficked between the ages of 5 and 9. For over 15 years, he experienced further abuse, including being exploited in child pornography. Even after his family moved away, predators continued to target Sean until his late teens, with the last assault occurring when he was 19.

At that point, Sean vowed to never be a victim again. Decades later, he found healing through his faith, which gave his life renewed purpose as an advocate for those who cannot speak out. Sean and his wife started Starfish Ministries to combat child sex trafficking in the United States and abroad, providing a voice especially for boys.

Through his book Wretch: Haunted by Shadows – Rescued by Jesus and his ministry work, Sean shares his story of survival and hope. God gave him strength to overcome his traumatic past and inspire other survivors, as well as raise awareness about the horrific realities of child exploitation.

00:00 - Intro

01:49 - How Did Sean Become A Survivor of Sex Trafficking

05:40 - Dispelling The Myth That Sex Trafficking Happens Only to Girls

07:30 - Trapped in Plain Sight: Living a Normal Life Under Sex Trafficking

09:42 - What Are The Hidden Signals That You Are A Wanted Child

11:26 - How Can We Be Aware & What Are The Signs of Child Sexual Abuse

15:09 - How Trauma Changed Sean’s View Of The World 

17:30 - Distinguishing Imagination From Dissociation in Children  

19:20 - The Role Of God In Sean’s Life & Breaking Through Shame, Guilt And Fear

25:03 - Sean’s Book And His Experience From Sharing His Testimony

28:38 - How Sean And His Wife Started “Starfish Ministries”

32:22 - The Power of Forgiveness & Finding Peace in God's Hands

36:53 - Sean’s Journey to Empathy And Compassion 

40:33 - How Sean Healed From Guilt And Shame

42:42 - Escaping The Lie: Finding Hope in Jesus' Love

46:06 - Sean’s Final Words And Prayers

Show Links:

Sean’s Website: www.starfishcolorado.org

Sean's Book: Wretch: Haunted by Shadows – Rescued by Jesus

Silvia Davis has been a member of the Church of Christ for thirty-two years. She is a devoted wife to her husband, John, and is a mother of two. Silvia’s primary goal in life is to motivate and encourage others.

Through public speaking and the utilization of social media, she has helped hundreds prioritize the value of self-worth and self-care both spiritually and physically. She currently lives in Arizona and is the author of the award winning devotional: Living a Parable: Finding Lessons in Unlikely Experiences.

00:00 - Intro

02:10 - Silvia’s Spiritual Journey & Gaining Courage and Hope by Putting God First

10:02 - How Silvia’s Life Changed Ignited by God's Spark

14:08 - Humbling Yourself, Letting Go of Control and Leaning on God 

16:39 - Cultivating Humility and Trusting God 

20:58 - The Inspiration Behind Silvia’s Book  

29:41 - The Amazing Life Lesson We Can All Learn From Sea Turtles

39:33 - Silvia’s Bible Study Routine and Her System for Tracking Notes

43:54 - Final Words from Silvia

Show Links

• Silvia’s Bio
• Silvia’s Book

Alex Woodrow is a best selling author of the book series, “You Are The Rock Star” as well as a coach, yoga guide and an original member of the rock band Our Last Night, currently one of the biggest independent rock bands. After two decades rocking with his band, Woody embarks on a solo adventure as a musician, author, and yoga teacher. This artistic leap allowed him to connect with his true self and pour his emotions into his music. 

He discovered a profound beauty in embracing the unknown, surrendering to what life throws his way, and letting go of rigid expectations. Woody's journey is a testament to the power of self-belief, a force that can guide us even through the toughest times. Now, his mission is to inspire others to find their own spark and embrace the magic woven into every moment.

00:00 - Intro

01:48 - Conveying Your Message and Connecting With People by Being Fully Present

04:53 - Believe in Yourself: Use Failures as Your Guide to Your True Path

08:22 - The Invisible Synchronicities & The Magic of Collaborative Creation 

09:27 - The Natural Progression of His Musical Journey: How it Led Him to His Authentic Self

13:43 - Evolving by Letting Go of Your Expectations and Surrendering to Uncertainty

17:15 - Why Serving Ourselves First is Essential for Serving Others

22:02 - A Look at Woody's Music Through His Latest Lens 

26:08 - Life After Leaving His Band & Using Our Hardships to Empower Ourselves and Others

31:34 - Using Death As A Reminder to Live In The Present Moment

39:05 - Advice on Creating Authentic Music 

45:23 - The Process of Writing His Lyrics

48:54 - Finding Out What Light You Up by Challenging Yourself and Experimenting

58:40 - Final Words from Alex

Show Links

• Woody's Music
• Woody's Book (1/3)

Sabine Kvenberg is a communication and confidence coach - a Distinguished Toastmaster, actress and operator of Performing Arts School for 27 years. In this episode, Sabine shares some powerful tools to conquer our nerves before going out on stage. 

From breath-work exercises to the magic of positive self-talk, she'll guide us through techniques for hitting the stage with confidence. Sabine dives deep into the secrets of crafting a presentation that truly captivates the audience. She believes that we all have an important mission and message to share and the better we can communicate that the more impact we can have on people’s lives. 

00:00 - Intro

02:12 - The Story of Sabine's Stage Performance and The Beginning of Her Career Journey 

06:00 - Techniques to Conquer Your Pre-Speech Jitters 

11:02 - Strategies for Taking Your Speech to The Next Level

14:29 - The Importance of Communication in All Areas of Life

18:44 - Top Tips for Confident Virtual Communication 

22:17 - How to Start A Career As A Public Speaker

23:36 - The Motivation Behind Writing Her Book 

28:39 - Sabine’s New Book

31:58 - Inspiring Other People and Sharing Our Message

34:56 - Sabine’s Final Call To Action 

Show Links:

• Sabine's Website
• Sabine’s Book

Shawn Dreben is a personal trainer, a health coach and works with PEMF therapy. His love for fitness began at 14 with a gym membership. He learned techniques by observing bodybuilders, but this unfortunately led to a rotator cuff injury. Physical therapy for his injury sparked Shawn’s interest in anatomy. After recovering and learning proper lifting techniques, he faced a new challenge: mitral valve prolapse causing heart racing and panic attacks.

Shawn underwent a successful but difficult 10-hour surgery to address his heart condition. Just three weeks later, he demonstrated his determination by passing the NASM Certified Personal Trainer exam. The recovery period was physically and emotionally challenging, with pain and depression. A turning point came when his mom's cousin introduced him to PEMF therapy through a magnetic mattress pad, pillow, insoles, and necklace. Shawn experienced significant improvement within four weeks, inspiring him to integrate PEMF therapy into his personal training practice.

Shawn’s personal experiences with injury, heart surgery, and the benefits of PEMF therapy shaped his approach to fitness and health. His story is one of overcoming obstacles and using his experiences to serve others. Shawn’s journey in the world of health and wellness is one of passion, resilience, and a desire to help others.

00:00 - Intro

01:58 - Shawn's Health Journey: Discovering Heart Disease

07:54 - The Story of Shawn's Life Saving Surgery

10:32 - Post-Surgery Struggles & How Magnets Transformed Shawn's Recovery

15:27 - The Remarkable Results of Bringing PEMF Therapy into His Training Practice

17:21 - How Shawn’s Love of Going to The Gym Evolved Into a Career of Helping Others

21:44 - Essential Tips for Creating a Safe and Healthy Living Environment 

26:46 - Understanding Redox Potential and How It Affects Our Wellbeing

29:13 - Tuning Into Our Bodies and Eating Based on Our Specific Needs

31:25 - Doing Regular Self-Checks & Building Healthy Habits One Step At A Time

40:34 - How Our Mood and Well-being Impacts Every Part of Our Life

44:00 - The Importance of Communicating Your Feelings Effectively

45:35 - Maintaining Emotional Hygiene: Strategies for a Calmer Mind Before Bed

49:58 - Shawn’s Self Healing Journey & How His Heart Surgery Inspired a Life of Service

55:37 - The Power of Vulnerability and Embracing Our Emotions  

57:13 - The Micro Traumas We All Have & Why Our Needs Matter

1:02:00 - Final Words 

Show Links:

• Shawn’s email
• Shawn’s Website

Jack Barsky is a former KGB spy and author of “Deep Undercover”. Raised in post-WWII East Germany, he confronted the oppressive realities of communism – poverty, limited healthcare, and a suppressed spiritual life.Despite these hardships, Jack achieved success, solidifying his initial belief in the system. However, his life took a dramatic turn when the KGB recruited him as a spy in the U.S. Facing a challenging dilemma, he ultimately defected, choosing his new life.

Beyond sharing his captivating story, Jack emphasizes the valuable lessons gleaned from his struggles. He recounts how these hardships, shared by many others, shaped his resilience and perspective. Discussing the role of faith in his life, he emphasizes that serving others is the highest form of love. Jack's remarkable journey shows that God truly works in mysterious ways and underscores that there are universal moral laws for all of us, regardless of our beliefs. 

00:00 - Intro

01:45 - Jack’s Parents, His Childhood & The Struggles After the End of World War 2

16:05 - How His Parents Met and The Relationship He Had With Them

24:04 - The Absence of God in Jack’s Early Life and The System’s Societal Conditioning

29:18 - The Suppression of Christianity under Communist Rule

35:02 - Censorship and Repression in East Germany & The Inevitable Decay of The System

46:01 - Life after KGB and The Power of Brainwashing

51:42 - Escapism Through Distraction in Today’s Society and The Consequences of That 

54:23 - Losing His Job After Expressing Religious Views  

56:06 - Starting A Professional Career in The US and Discovering His Passion for Creativity

1:00:11 - Jack's Transition to Management and How It Changed His Views on Christians

1:03:48 - Losing Control Over His Life and The Depression That Followed

1:07:18 - The Tense Trip to The US and Going Through Customs With A Canadian Passport

1:11:14 - The Universal Moral Laws That Guide Humanity

1:17:14 - Living with the Holy Spirit Within Your Heart   

1:17:51 - Service: The Greatest Expression of Love

1:25:14 - Why Self Denial Leads to the Inability to Love and Serve Others

1:26:30 - Escaping KGB and Choosing to Stay With His Daughter in The US  

1:39:08 - The Unconscious Presence of God in Jack’s Life

1:43:00 - How Has The Past Influenced Jack’s Relationship With His Children

1:49:30 - Jack’s Life’s Purpose

Show Links:

- Jack’s interview
- Jack's website
- Jack's book: Deep Undercover

Aaron was a professional motocross athlete when he sustained a spinal cord injury. He became a quadriplegic being paralyzed from the chin down. His mindset and his rebellious nature inspired him to master fundamental tools for the mind and body that he teaches everyday. 

He is 24 years into his recovery, and now he is a father, author, entrepreneur and ambassador for spinal cord injuries. His to road of recovery and all the difficult moments he is been through inspired him to put all the experience into his book “The Rebellious Recovery: Transform Your Adversity Into Adventure”. Aaron’s motivational and rebellious view of recovery and going through tough moments in life is a true inspiration.

00:00 - Intro

02:21 - Aaron's Inspiration For Rebellion and Recovery

05:09 - Aaron's Childhood and Biggest Lessons
06:53 - Aaron's Injury and Road to Recovery

11:02 - The Fragility of Life and The Power Within

15:12 - The Hope and Patience To Go One Step At a Time In Difficult Moments In Life

18:53 - Moving Forward in Life and The B.A.S.I.C.S. Method

24:52 - Feeling Like a Burden and Getting Over the Ego

30:03 - Working With Anger As Fuel For Constructive Action

33:37 - Aaron's Book And The Process of Recovery

37:29 - Life is Hard And We Don't Have All the Answers But We Move Forward

43:24 - How to Focus Only on Today

47:19 - Connect With Aaron

Show Links:

• Get Aaron’s book 
• Aaron on Instagram
• Aaron on YouTube
• Aaron's Website

In this inspiring episode, we meet Aditi Shah, a woman who has defied limitations. Losing her sight at 15 didn't stop her from pursuing her passion for cybersecurity. Aditi journeyed from India to the US, overcoming challenges and earning a spot as a Senior Applied Scientist at Microsoft. 

Through her personal story and insights, this episode is a powerful message for anyone looking to achieve their dreams. It underscores the importance of self-belief, dedication, and taking life one step at a time. Whether you're facing personal obstacles or simply need a reminder of your potential, Aditi's story will leave you empowered and motivated.

00:00 - Intro

01:50 - Aditi’s Background and Coming to the US

05:10 - Adjusting to Sight Loss

08:25 - Adapting to the Gradual Loss of Sight & The Role of Technology

10:11 - Accessibility Issues and How We Should Develop Accessible Products

12:41 - Microsoft’s Focus and Advances Toward Accessibility For Everyone

15:19 - What Is Accessibility Champion

16:25 - The Future of AI In Supporting the Daily Life of People With Disabilities

20:15 - The Successful Practices Of Women In Tech and Defining What's Possible

22:06 - Relating and Looking Up To Different Role Models For Different Skills

23:34 - The Courage to Get Into and Excel in the Field of Data Science and Cyber Security

25:31 - Taking Life One Step At a Time

26:45 - Where To Connect With Aditi

Show Links:

- Connect with Aditi on Linkedin
- Be My AI

Taniya Faulk was born with a rare genetic disorder, called Osteogenesis Imperfecta or Brittle Bone Disease. She has 104 broken bones to this day, but that didn't stop her from moving forward in life and living fully. Empowered by her mother's spirit, Taniya tackles challenges head-on, sharing her journey in her book, "Perfectly Broken." She delves into the emotional shift from being a patient to her mother's caregiver, discovering newfound strength along the way.

In this episode, Taniya talks about grief, acceptance, determination and the power of self-reliance. Through it all, Taniya's faith and resilience shines brightly, reminding us that perfection is an illusion and now is the perfect time to start living our dreams. This empowering episode urges listeners to embrace their unique qualities and seize life with courage and optimism.

00:00 - Intro

02:35 - Taniya’s Trip to the Athens and Breaking Her Toe on The Way to The Acropolis

04:21 - Living With Brittle Bones Disease and Moving Forward in Life Despite Disability.

08:30 - Her Mother’s Empowering Spirit That Paved Taniya's Journey to Independence

13:05 - The Vision Taniya’s Mom Held for Her That Made Her Believe She Can Do Anything

14:39 - Seeing The Bigger Picture and Pushing Through Life Despite Barriers. 

15:32 - Inspiring Others by Overcoming And Sharing Our Struggles

16:23 - Taniya’s Book

17:54 - Losing Support & The Power of Self-Reliance

21:36 - Traveling Solo With A Disability

23:51 - Not Losing Faith in The Face of Constant Challenges

25:02 - Looking For a Lesson in Every Hardship, Learning From It and Moving Forward.

32:18 - Don’t Wait for The Perfect Moment to Start Chasing Your Dreams

36:30 - How to Get In Touch With Taniya

37:15 - Final Words From Taniya

Next steps:

• Connect with Taniya on Facebook or LinkedIn
• Visit Taniya's website
• Read Taniya's book “Perfectly Broken: My life with Brittle Bone Disease and finding peace in the pieces” on Amazon

Kate Minnihan is a passionate individual focused on personal growth, her love for adventure has led her to different professions including experiential learning, career development, helping students figure out what's next along their journey. Kate is also a professional coach, working with individuals and teams, helping them move towards their goals, employing the Enneagram personality tool focused on self-awareness and transformation.

Kate’s experience in habit formation, moving out of addiction and creating alignment between goals and personal motivations is very interesting and insightful. She turns our attention to overcoming past influences, the power of mindfulness, and the importance of accountability when going through a transformation and working towards a big goal. Kate illustrates these concepts with her journey as a triathlete, showing how aligning her training with her desire for connection led to greater fulfillment and success. Gain a fresh perspective on new habits and Kate’s inspiring story.

00:00 - Intro

01:50 - Kate Minnihan's Background 

03:26 - Discovering Who You Are and Your Motivations

05:44 - Focusing On the Things We are Naturally Good At

07:21 - Discerning Between Authenticity and Protective Coping Mechanisms

13:38 - Training for Triathlon and Building Structure, Consistency & New Friendships

20:50 - Personality Types and Forming New Habits

27:14 - The Importance of Accountability and Daily Small Steps Towards a Big Goal

32:33 - The Obstacle of Our Old Image for a New Habit Formation

34:16 - Where to Follow and Connect with Kate Minnihan

Next steps:

• Follow Kate on Instagram
• Kate's LinkedIn
• Kate’s Website