Today, we dive into the fascinating journey of Sandra Schnakenburg, author of The Housekeeper’s Secret: A Memoir. Sandra shares how a deathbed promise to her family’s housekeeper led her on a years-long investigation filled with unexpected twists, profound discoveries, and the ultimate challenge of uncovering hidden truths while writing a deeply personal memoir.

Sandra reveals the process of uncovering Lee Mottoyer’s mysterious past, including navigating false starts, life-altering surprises, and even spiritual interventions. With candor and grace, Sandra describes how writing this memoir not only fulfilled a promise but also became a powerful avenue for healing and growth.

You Will Learn:

Sandra’s story is a testament to resilience, the healing power of storytelling, and the deep connections that shape our lives.

Connect with Sandra Schnakenburg:

Connect with Lizbeth Meredith:

• Website: www.lameredith.com

Books for order wherever books are sold:

Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters

Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges into Superpowers

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time

• Podcast Updates & Contact: Join the mailing list or connect via the contact form.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review, subscribe, and share it with friends who need some inspiration. Your support makes all the difference!

Want to connect on Facebook? https://www.facebook.com/lizbethmeredithfan/

Find me at LinkedIn   https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizbeth-meredith-a7026849/

Want to be a Patron? For less than a coffee, sign up at patreon.com/lizbethmeredith

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Dr. Nancy Locklin was already an author, professor, and specialist in pre-modern Europe before she dug in to a series of unsolved murders that occurred in Tennessee a century ago. A professor at Maryville College in Tennessee, Dr. Locklin shares the incredible journey behind her collaborative project exploring the unsolved case of the Night Marauder, a serial killer who terrorized East Tennessee in the 1920s.

From engaging her students in deep research to uncovering long-forgotten community stories, Dr. Locklin's work sheds light on how the absence of modern conveniences like air conditioning, internet, and advanced forensics shaped life—and crime—in early 20th-century Appalachia.

(Learn more about her work and connect at TheNightMarauderProject.com/

Dr. Locklin also delves into her broader academic journey, including her work on an 18th-century French murder trial, and how her training in historical violence informed her sensitivity to survivor stories. Through collaboration with students, local genealogists, and archivists, her Night Marauder project has gained attention, evolving into a forthcoming book set for release in 2026.

You Will Learn:

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In this powerful episode of Persistence U with Lizbeth, we are honored to share the incredible story of Dr. Fidele Sebahizi a massacre survivor from Congo who overcame unimaginable odds to create a life of purpose and service. Dr. Fidele shares his journey from surviving a brutal attack in a United Nations refugee camp to becoming a police officer, earning a Ph.D., and inspiring others through his memoir, Creating a Life from Ashes.

You Will Learn:

• The challenges of starting over as a refugee in the United States.

• How Dr. Fidele’s unwavering commitment to education propelled him forward.

• The importance of resilience in building a new identity after tragedy.

Key Quotes:

• "I realized I was safe here, and I could finally focus on education without interruption."

• "We are all connected. My story might be unique, but others can find themselves in it too."

• "Resilience is about continuing to move forward, even when everything seems lost."

Resources:

• Dr. Fidele Sebahizi’s Website: CreatingALifeFromTheAshes.com

Links of Interest

The story of Yaguine and Fode https://iday.org/en/news-en/20th-anniversary-of-yaguine-and-fode-death/

Hop on my email list at lameredith.com.

Want to connect on Facebook? https://www.facebook.com/lizbethmeredithfan/

Find me at LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizbeth-meredith-a7026849/

Want to be a Patron? For less than a coffee, sign up at patreon.com/lizbethmeredith

Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters, available in paperback and audio, is now the Lifetime TV movie, Stolen By Their Father.

Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is now available in audio, paperback, and in digital form nearly wherever books are sold.

My new novel! Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time-https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tilka-faces-the-odds-one-man-at-a-time-l-a-meredith/1146739100

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrisha McLean, founder and CEO of Finding Our Voices, shares her personal journey from being the wife in a picture-perfect marriage to a survivor of intimate partner violence who now empowers others. Patrisha’s story highlights the courage it takes to leave a well-known partner amid public scrutiny and the transformative power of advocacy.

From finding solidarity in unexpected places to launching a statewide movement to support survivors, Patrisha's work shines a light on red flags, green flags, and the importance of breaking the silence around domestic abuse. Her organization provides practical support, from financial aid to dental care, and builds community through initiatives like survivor-led poster campaigns and virtual book clubs.

You Will Learn:

Connect with Patrisha McLean:

Don’t forget to rate and share this episode! Let’s continue the conversation and shine a light on resilience and healing.

Links of Interest

Hop on my email list at lameredith.com.

Want to connect on Facebook? https://www.facebook.com/lizbethmeredithfan/

Find me at LinkedIn   https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizbeth-meredith-a7026849/

Want to be a Patron? For less than a coffee, sign up at patreon.com/lizbethmeredith

Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters, available in paperback and audio, is now the Lifetime TV movie, Stolen By Their Father.

Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is now available in audio, paperback, and in digital form nearly wherever books are sold.

 Novel Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time--https://www.amazon.com/Tilka-Faces-Odds-One-Time/dp/B0DMTXDXNM

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Episode Summary:

Welcome back to Persistence U with Lizbeth! As we kick off Season 5, Lizbeth reflects on the ups and downs of 2024, shares personal milestones, and previews the exciting guests and topics coming in 2025. From publishing her novel Tilka Faces the Odds to planning an anthology of solo women travelers, Lizbeth discusses the power of celebrating effort, embracing resilience, and living life with intention.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

Special Highlights:

Links and Resources:

Don’t Forget:

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe to never miss an inspiring story. Here’s to a resilient and rewarding 2025!

Hop on my email list at lameredith.com.

Want to connect on Facebook? https://www.facebook.com/lizbethmeredithfan/

Find me at LinkedIn   https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizbeth-meredith-a7026849/

Want to be a Patron? For less than a coffee, sign up at patreon.com/lizbethmeredith

My fun novel-best for middle aged women who like disaster dating stories- is available now! Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time

Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters, available in paperback and audio, is now the Lifetime TV movie, Stolen By Their Father.

Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is now available in audio, paperback, and in digital form nearly wherever books are sold.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Persistence U will begin a new season in January, 2025. Enjoy the extensive backlist until then!

Wanda Malhotra is an entrepreneur, author, and founder of Crunchy Mama Box.

Connect with Wanda at CrunchMamaBox.com.

Wanda shares her journey of resilience and mission-driven entrepreneurship, from her beginnings in Brazil to building a community in the U.S. dedicated to holistic wellness and ethical beauty. Learn how her unwavering commitment to her "why" helped her overcome obstacles as a young female entrepreneur, an immigrant, and a mother.

Wanda dives into the challenges and joys of building a business that not only sustains itself but also uplifts others. She emphasizes the importance of revisiting your mission and values during tough times and shares how her platform supports indie wellness brands while educating consumers. Her story is a powerful reminder that resilience and community are the keys to long-term success.

You Will Learn:

Hop on my email list at lameredith.com.

Want to connect on Facebook? https://www.facebook.com/lizbethmeredithfan/

Find me at LinkedIn   https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizbeth-meredith-a7026849/

Want to be a Patron? For less than a coffee, sign up at patreon.com/lizbethmeredith

Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters, available in paperback and audio, is now the Lifetime TV movie, Stolen By Their Father.

Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is now available in audio, paperback, and in digital form nearly wherever books are sold.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before Kim Sorrelle was an author, speaker, and director of a humanitarian organization, she was proud to be a wife and mother to a large family. And just when she and her husband were preparing for their next chapter as empty-nesters, cancer struck them both.

Connect with Kim about her book and work at kimsorrelle.com

Kim shares her profound journey of love, loss, and resilience, and how she transformed personal grief into a purpose-driven life dedicated to serving others. Through her service work in Haiti, Kim found healing and a renewed purpose, ultimately leading her to write two books, Cry Until You Laugh and Love Is.

Kim’s journey offers powerful insights on healing, the meaning of love, and the transformative power of giving back. Tune in to hear how she turned tragedy into triumph and what she learned about love through real-life experiences, both in her personal life and humanitarian efforts.

You Will Learn:

You're invited to my launch via Zoom! Nov 18, 6PM EST. Reach out at Lizbeth@persistenceulizbeth and I'll send you the Zoom Link.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author of the inspirational memoir Laughing at the Sky, Heidi’s journey is one of resilience and determination. After surviving a violent childhood trauma, Heidi sought healing through a remarkable 12,000-mile, five-year sailing journey. Along the way, she learned to overcome PTSD through calming practices, weathering both internal and external storms.

Connect with Heidi at heidiloveauthor.com.

Heidi shares her experiences of how trauma affected her life, and how her dream of sailing to a healing waterfall in French Polynesia became the metaphorical and literal anchor for her healing journey. We also discuss her workbook that focuses on calming practices to manage emotional triggers. Heidi's work has helped many other survivors find peace, and her persistence in pursuing bold dreams serves as an inspiration for us all.

You will learn:

Healing is not linear: Heidi's journey shows that healing from trauma can have ups and downs, but staying persistent and finding what works for you is crucial.

The power of calming practices: Heidi developed a calming practice to manage PTSD, which can help anyone facing emotional triggers and fears, allowing them to stay present.

Bold dreams fuel resilience: Heidi's bold dream of sailing and finding her metaphorical waterfall gave her the purpose and strength to keep pushing forward. Bold dreams help us transcend the limitations trauma might impose.

Other links:

The article I referenced:

https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/crime-courts/2024/10/13/hundreds-of-people-charged-with-domestic-violence-child-abuse-or-duis-are-walking-free-in-anchorage/

Joint conversation on surviving domestic abuse--https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNG88wIIXtg

Hop on my email list at lameredith.com.

Want to connect on Facebook? https://www.facebook.com/lizbethmeredithfan/

Find me at LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizbeth-meredith-a7026849/

Want to be a Patron? For less than a coffee, sign up at patreon.com/lizbethmeredith

Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters, available in paperback and audio, is now the Lifetime TV movie, Stolen By Their Father.

Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is now available in audio, paperback, and in digital form nearly wherever books are sold.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Persistence U with Lizbeth, we have the of hearihonor of hearing from Hera McLeod, a survivor and advocate who bravely shares her story of unimaginable loss after leaving an abusive relationship.

Connect with Hera McLeod, activist, professional speaker, and author of Defying Silence: A Memoir of a Mother's Loss and Courage in the Face of Injustice and learn more about her book at https://heramcleod.com/.

Hera’s journey is both heartbreaking and empowering, as she not only endured the unthinkable but also chose to channel her pain into advocacy, helping others navigate the complex and often dangerous world of domestic violence. Together, we delve into the unintended consequences of leaving an abusive relationship, the failure of systems meant to protect, and the incredible resilience Hera displays in the aftermath.

As we reflect during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Hera's story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to survivors and understanding the obstacles they face long after they escape their abusers. Her advocacy work today brings much-needed attention to the shortcomings in family court systems and the dangers victims and their children continue to face even after leaving.

Join Hera and Lizbeth for a separate conversation, Beyond Survival: The Untold Consequences of Leaving Abuse on YouTube HERE

Like this episode? Please share with someone who needs it. Thanks for listening.

Hop on my email list at lameredith.com.

Want to connect on Facebook? https://www.facebook.com/lizbethmeredithfan/

Find me at LinkedIn   https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizbeth-meredith-a7026849/

Want to be a Patron? For less than a coffee, sign up at patreon.com/lizbethmeredith

Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters, available in paperback and audio, is now the Lifetime TV movie, Stolen By Their Father.

Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is now available in audio, paperback, and in digital form nearly wherever books are sold.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca Galli was no stranger to hardship by the time her son died of a degenerative disease, her daughter diagnosed with autism, and an unusual infection left Rebecca in a wheelchair when her children were young, shortly after her once idyllic marriage ended in divorce. Rebecca learned to parent from a wheelchair, and to turn her writing talents into a career as a columnist who continues to focus on gratitude and resilience today.

Connect with Rebecca Galli, author of Rethinking Possible and Morning Fuel (published in Oct. 2024) at https://rebeccafayesmithgalli.com/.

You will learn:

Hop on my email list at lameredith.com.

Want to connect on Facebook? https://www.facebook.com/lizbethmeredithfan/

Find me at LinkedIn   https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizbeth-meredith-a7026849/

Want to be a Patron? For less than a coffee, sign up at patreon.com/lizbethmeredith

Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters, available in paperback and audio, is now the Lifetime TV movie, Stolen By Their Father.

Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is now available in audio, paperback, and in digital form nearly wherever books are sold.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices