Persistence U with Lizbeth

What does it really mean to “show up anyway”?

In this inspiring episode of Persistence U with Lizbeth, host Lizbeth Meredith welcomes back wellness entrepreneur, certified health coach, and author Wanda Malhotra—one of the 24 contributors to Unmapped: Solo Women Travelers – Bold Journeys of Healing, Resilience, and Self-Discovery.

Wanda’s chapter, “What Germany Taught Me About Showing Up Anyway,” closes the anthology with grace, humor, and insight. She recounts how a lost suitcase, an unexpected divorce, and a demanding business trip collided into a defining lesson on self-trust and authenticity. Together, Lizbeth and Wanda unpack what happens when life’s plans unravel—and how vulnerability and gratitude can lead us to unexpected strength.

They also discuss the heart of Unmapped: a collection of global stories that celebrate resilience, healing, and personal reinvention. Half of the anthology’s royalties benefit the YWCA, supporting survivors of domestic abuse and promoting racial justice.

You’ll learn why showing up imperfectly can still be powerful, how travel teaches perspective, and how purpose-driven work can change lives—starting with your own.

📚 Unmapped is available now in paperback and e-book worldwide.
🌐 Learn more at lameredith.com

💫 Connect with Wanda at crunchymamabox.com

Lizbeth’s links
 
Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Unmapped: Solo Women Travelers – Bold Journeys of Healing, Resilience, and Self-Discovery. Half of author royalties support the YWCA’s work with survivors of domestic abuse and their families, and to combat racism.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTSNM997   Paperback Amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS9DX6HF

Draft2Digital ebook https://books2read.com/u/312rlw

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and  is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

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In this episode of Persistence U with Lizbeth Meredith, I’m honored to introduce Dr. Tali Lando—pediatric ENT surgeon, survivor, and author of Breathless. I had the privilege of endorsing this book, and from the first conversation with Dr. Lando, I knew she was someone I could sit down with for hours over coffee.

Breathless is more than a memoir—it’s a rare look behind the curtain of physician life. Dr. Lando shares the pressure of balancing a high-stakes career, family, and her own cancer diagnosis, all while carrying the life-and-death stories of her patients. She writes with candor about the cases that shaped her career, the lessons they taught, and how those lessons seeped into her home life.

We talk about the challenges of transforming medical cases into universal life lessons, the risks and rewards of vulnerability on the page, and the power of feedback—from her teenage daughter to trusted colleagues—that helped her shape this deeply human book.

Listeners will also hear how Dr. Lando wrestled with questions many of us ask: Does my story matter? Will anyone care? Her persistence, coupled with mentorship and belief from others, carried this project from a private Word document to a published memoir that will touch lives far beyond the medical field.

Dr. Lando’s journey reminds us that resilience isn’t just about surviving illness or setbacks—it’s about allowing those experiences to transform how we live, work, and connect.

You will learn:

1. How personal health crises can transform the way we work and relate to others.
2. Why stories—whether medical cases or personal struggles—need structure, feedback, and courage to resonate with readers.
3. The universal life lessons doctors carry from their patients and how those lessons extend far beyond medicine.

Connect with Dr. Tali Lando:
 🌐 drtlando.com

 📍 Instagram: @drtaliando

📍 TikTok: @surgeontali

📍 LinkedIn: Dr. Tali Lando

Lizbeth’s links
 
Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Unmapped: Solo Women Travelers – Bold Journeys of Healing, Resilience, and Self-Discovery. Half of author royalties support the YWCA’s work with survivors of domestic abuse and their families, and to combat racism.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTSNM997   Paperback Amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS9DX6HF

Draft2Digital ebook https://books2read.com/u/312rlw

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and  is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth'...

Guest: Angela Betancourt — communication strategist, global storyteller, Air Force Reservist, and lifelong adventurer who believes bold moves shape extraordinary lives. From leading comms in Sierra Leone post-Ebola to ocean-advocacy storytelling, Angela shows how travel can unlock courage, purpose, and impact.

In this episode:
Angela shares how a “non-linear” career across manufacturing, agriculture, and humanitarian work led to her dream role abroad—plus why solo travel is a powerful teacher, what went wrong (and right) in Bangkok, and practical ways women can travel safely without letting fear drive the itinerary.

You will learn:

1. Simple, evidence-based safety habits that make solo travel feel doable (and fun).
2. How purpose-driven storytelling can open doors to international, high-impact work.

Connect with Angela:
• Betancourt Group (enviro + social impact comms): groupbetancourt.com
• Personal blog: angiebetancourt.com
• Instagram: @AngieBTravels
• LinkedIn: search Angela Betancourt (communications / social impact)

Sponsor: Unmapped: Solo Women Travelers – Bold Journeys of Healing, Resilience, and Self-Discovery. Half of author royalties support the YWCA’s work with survivors of domestic abuse. Great holiday gift; links below in Lizbeth's links.

Lizbeth’s links
 
Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Unmapped: Solo Women Travelers – Bold Journeys of Healing, Resilience, and Self-Discovery. Half of author royalties support the YWCA’s work with survivors of domestic abuse and their families, and to combat racism.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTSNM997   Paperback Amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS9DX6HF

Draft2Digital ebook https://books2read.com/u/312rlw

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and  is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth'...

On this episode of Persistence U with Lizbeth, I’m joined by Melvin E. Edwards, journalist, podcaster, sixth-generation Texan, and author of The Eyes of Texans: From Slavery to the Texas Capitol. Mel shares not only his love of history but also his deeply personal journey of resilience shaped by family, loss, and a lifetime of persistence.

Connect with Melvin at Stories From Real Life Podcast HERE

Raised in Houston, Mel grew up close to his father, who instilled in him a vision of success beyond physical labor. That influence, coupled with the sudden loss of his father at age 13, shaped his writing life and his understanding of what it means to be “man enough.” His story weaves together themes of identity, fatherhood, healing, and the power of family legacy.

Listeners will also hear about Mel’s decades-long search into his family’s genealogy, including the remarkable discoveries of ancestors who lived through the Republic of Texas era and survived slavery. His books bring those stories to life in ways that honor the past while inspiring the present.

This is a conversation about resilience, the long shadow of history, and how one man turned personal loss into a legacy of storytelling.

If you enjoy this episode, please share it with a friend. Forward the link by text or post it on your social media to help grow the Persistence U community.

You Will Learn:

• How personal tragedy at a young age shaped Mel’s writing and resilience.
• Why discovering family history can be both heartbreaking and empowering.
• The importance of redefining manhood, fatherhood, and success for yourself and future generations.

Lizbeth’s links
 
Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Unmapped: Solo Women Travelers – Bold Journeys of Healing, Resilience, and Self-Discovery. Half of author royalties support the YWCA’s work with survivors of domestic abuse and their families, and to combat racism.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTSNM997   Paperback Amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS9DX6HF

Draft2Digital ebook https://books2read.com/u/312rlw

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and  is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth'...

What happens when a restless teen obsessed with learning Spanish turns her determination into a lifelong adventure? Meet Regina Winkle-Bryan, founder of Bold Spirit Travel, a company that helps women confidently take their first solo journeys in community with others.

Regina shares how failing Spanish 101 didn’t stop her—it fueled her. From immersive travel and early stumbles to building a successful women-centered travel company, Regina’s story is a masterclass in persistence, creativity, and believing in your inner voice—even when it feels out of sync with everyone around you.

We also talk about the transformative power of travel later in life—especially after divorce, retirement, grief, or illness—and why solo travel (or “solo-ish” travel) can help us reclaim independence, courage, and joy.

Whether you're dreaming of Spain’s Camino de Santiago, struggling to give yourself permission to go alone, or just need a boost of encouragement—this one’s for you.

Connect with Regina at https://www.boldspirittravel.com/journeys.

You Will Learn:

• How failing at a goal (like language learning) can still lead you exactly where you need to go
• Why solo travel often creates community, not isolation
• Ways travel helps midlife women build resilience, especially after major life transitions

🎙️ Tune in wherever you get your podcasts or visit lameredith.com

Lizbeth’s links
 
Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Unmapped: Solo Women Travelers – Bold Journeys of Healing, Resilience, and Self-Discovery. Half of author royalties support the YWCA’s work with survivors of domestic abuse and their families, and to combat racism.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTSNM997   Paperback Amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS9DX6HF

Draft2Digital ebook https://books2read.com/u/312rlw

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and  is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth'...

What happens when a family secret rewrites everything you thought you knew? In this heartfelt and powerful conversation, author and mental health advocate Lisa Sugarman joins Persistence U with Lizbeth to share her story of losing her father—twice.

Told as a child that her father died of a heart attack, Lisa didn’t discover the truth about his suicide until 35 years later. That revelation not only reshaped her personal narrative but became the catalyst for a career shift toward suicide prevention and mental wellness. Lisa shares how grief changed her, the importance of breaking the silence around suicide, and how she’s now helping others through her work with The Trevor Project, NAMI, Samaritans, and her own platform, The Help Hub.

You Will Learn:

• How delayed grief and truth-telling can reframe our stories
• The impact of high-functioning individuals who suffer in silence
• Practical tools and resources for suicide prevention and survivor support

Resources Mentioned:

• National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial or text 988
• Lisa Sugarman’s resource platform: The Help Hub
• The Trevor Project: thetrevorproject.org
• Samaritans SafePlace Support Groups
• NAMI’s Storytelling Program

Lizbeth’s links
 
Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Unmapped: Solo Women Travelers – Bold Journeys of Healing, Resilience, and Self-Discovery. Half of author royalties support the YWCA’s work with survivors of domestic abuse and their families, and to combat racism.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTSNM997   Paperback Amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS9DX6HF

Draft2Digital ebook https://books2read.com/u/312rlw

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and  is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth'...

How do you keep going after unimaginable loss? In this heartfelt episode of Persistence U, grief educator, podcaster, and writer Lisa Ellison Cooper shares how the devastating death of her younger brother launched her into a journey of deep grief, self-exploration, and ultimately, healing.

Lisa discusses how writing became a lifeline—first as a way to process pain, and then as a tool to connect with others. Today, she uses her experience to support fellow writers navigating difficult personal narratives, offering workshops and coaching rooted in empathy and resilience.

Whether you're grieving, supporting someone who is, or learning to write through your pain, this conversation offers both comfort and clarity.

You Will Learn:

• Why grief often disrupts the writing process—and how to work with it, not against it
• How community and mentorship play critical roles in healing and creative growth
• Practical tips for writing your personal story with emotional safety and power

More About Lisa Ellison Cooper:

Connect with Lisa at lisaellison.com.

 Lisa is a grief educator, essayist, and speaker whose work has appeared in Hippocampus, Kenyon Review, and The New York Times. She teaches writing classes on grief, healing, and resilience and believes storytelling can bridge the deepest divides. 

Join Lisa's upcoming class, Free Your Writing Voice, Fuel Your Motivation, which will begin on September 18, 2025: https://lisacooperellison.com/free-your-writing-voice-find-your-motivation/

Lizbeth’s links
 
Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Unmapped: Solo Women Travelers – Bold Journeys of Healing, Resilience, and Self-Discovery. Half of author royalties support the YWCA’s work with survivors of domestic abuse and their families, and to combat racism.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTSNM997   Paperback Amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS9DX6HF

Draft2Digital ebook https://books2read.com/u/312rlw

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and  is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth'...

After retiring from a 27-year teaching career and realizing her pension wasn’t enough, Queen Michele took a leap of faith. She moved to Mexico, began an inward journey of healing through meditation and creativity, and eventually traced her roots to Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, through a DNA test with African Ancestry.

What began as a personal mission to avoid economic hardship became a transformative spiritual journey. In this conversation, Queen Michele shares how she connected with her ancestral tribe, the Fulani, and was embraced in her ancestral village on her 60th birthday. The experience led her to found the Fula History and Genealogy Society of America.

Now back in the U.S. temporarily, she’s created a conscious curriculum for Generation Alpha, raised awareness of generational trauma, and is preparing to return to Mexico. Queen Michele proves that healing and purpose don’t have a deadline — and legacy isn’t something you leave, it’s something you live.

You Will Learn:

• How solo travel became a gateway to Queen Michele’s emotional and ancestral healing
• The importance of reconnecting with cultural identity and reclaiming intergenerational legacy
• What Generation Alpha needs and why Queen Michele is on a mission to prepare them with emotional and social tools

Find Queen on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/fulaamerican/

Thank you to PodMatch for another great connection!

Lizbeth’s links
 
Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Unmapped: Solo Women Travelers – Bold Journeys of Healing, Resilience, and Self-Discovery. Half of author royalties support the YWCA’s work with survivors of domestic abuse and their families, and to combat racism.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTSNM997   Paperback Amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS9DX6HF

Draft2Digital ebook https://books2read.com/u/312rlw

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and  is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth'...

In this episode of Persistence U with Lizbeth dives into a deeply relatable and rarely explored topic: the estrangement of female friendships. Our guest, Susan Shapiro Barash, is a leading voice in women’s studies and author of over a dozen nonfiction books, including her latest: Estranged: Leaving Toxic Friendships and Creating Healthier Ones.

#persistenceu #susanshapirobarash #toxicfriendships#alienation #estrangement 

In this conversation, Susan shares research gathered from more than 150 interviews with women ages 20 to 80, uncovering the emotional truths, betrayals, and boundary-crossings that cause female friendships to unravel. Together, we unpack what happens when once-beloved friends become sources of stress, resentment, or grief—and how to navigate the ending of a friendship with clarity and compassion.

Why do we feel shame for wanting to walk away? How do we know when a friendship has run its course? And is it possible to honor the good times while also letting go of what no longer serves us? Susan offers thought-provoking answers, real-life examples, and powerful insight into a topic we all experience but rarely discuss openly.

 You Will Learn:
The 7 types of toxic friendship patterns and how to spot them

How to know when it’s time to step back—or step away—from a friendship

Why letting go of a longtime friend can be a powerful, self-loving decision

 Featured Book
Estranged: Leaving Toxic Friendships and Creating Healthier Ones by Susan Shapiro Barash
 Buy the book on Amazon
🔗 Learn more: www.susanshapirobarash.com

Lizbeth’s links
 
Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Unmapped: Solo Women Travelers – Bold Journeys of Healing, Resilience, and Self-Discovery. Half of author royalties support the YWCA’s work with survivors of domestic abuse and their families, and to combat racism.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTSNM997   Paperback Amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS9DX6HF

Draft2Digital ebook https://books2read.com/u/312rlw

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and  is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth'...

Three months after a car crash, Kelly Tuttle fell asleep at the wheel again—this time from brain fatigue.
She was trying to return to “normal,” but her concussion had other plans.

This week on Persistence U, Kelly shares how she turned her traumatic brain injury into a second act—retraining in neurology, writing a guide to help others return to life after injury (After the Crash), and launching resources for people with invisible challenges.

You Will Learn:

How a life-changing car accident and hidden brain injury led Kelly Tuttle to redefine her career and purpose.

The essential tools, therapies, and emotional supports that can help in recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Why Kelly chose to write After the Crash—and how she's helping others return to work, school, and life after TBI.

Her story is filled with honesty, resilience, and the courage to rebuild with purpose.

 Learn more about Kelly’s work at kellytuttle.org.  Kelly's book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury  can be ordered where books are sold.

#BrainInjuryRecovery #TBIAwareness #KellyTuttle #InvisibleInjury #ResilienceStories #PersistenceU #HealthAdvocacy #WomenHelpingWomen #BrainHealthMatters #PodcastInterview

Lizbeth’s links
 
Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Unmapped: Solo Women Travelers – Bold Journeys of Healing, Resilience, and Self-Discovery. Half of author royalties support the YWCA’s work with survivors of domestic abuse and their families, and to combat racism.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTSNM997   Paperback Amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS9DX6HF

Draft2Digital ebook https://books2read.com/u/312rlw

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and  is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth'...