Phoenix Wisdom: inspiring stories of transformation and triumph over suicidal ideation

"Life is a film strip, not a photograph." - Scott MadererIn this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast, host Janet Sandberg interviews Scott Maderer, a stewardship coach who shares his journey from teaching to coaching, his struggles with mental health, and the importance of mindset in overcoming financial challenges. Scott discusses the pivotal moments that led him to seek help and how he now empowers others to find hope and joy in their lives. The conversation emphasizes the significance of community support, the power of language in shaping our mindset, and practical strategies for maintaining mental health.Chapters

02:54 From Teaching to Coaching: A Career Evolution

06:10 Struggles with Mental Health and Financial Burdens

08:55 Finding Hope Through Unexpected Sources

12:09 The Importance of Mindset in Financial Recovery

14:50 Strategies for Maintaining Mental Health

18:10 Empowering Others: The Role of Community

21:04 The Power of Language and Choices

23:46 Chasing Joy vs. Happiness

27:00 Advice for Those in Despair

Subscribe to hear more and share with those who might need to hear these inspiring stories.

Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠.

*****

In Crisis?

Canada:

Talk Suicide Canada call 1-833-456-4566 available 24/7. Between the hours of 4pm-midnight (Eastern time) you can text 45645 or text 988

In Quebec call 1-866-277-3553. Contactez un intervenant par texto au 535353. Service offert 24/7 partout au Québec

If you are under 18, call Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868. They offer 24/7 text service. You don’t need a data plan, internet connection or an app to use it.

If you’re in imminent danger call 911 or go to Emergency.

USA:

Call or text 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Call 911 in life-threatening situations.

"I felt trapped by my past." - Micaiah Gray

In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast, host Janet Sandberg speaks with Micaiah Gray about her journey through mental health struggles, suicidal ideation, and the importance of faith and support in overcoming adversity. Micaiah shares her experiences from adolescence, including the challenges of growing up in a tumultuous environment, her turning points in seeking help, and how she built a fulfilling life despite her past. The conversation emphasizes the significance of connection and reaching out for support during difficult times.Chapters

00:47 Early Life and Struggles with Mental Health

05:07 The Turning Point: Seeking Help and Finding Peace

09:58 Overcoming Adversity and Building a New Life

15:07 The Importance of Connection and Support

Subscribe to hear more and share with those who might need to hear these inspiring stories.

Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠.

*****

In Crisis?

Canada:

Talk Suicide Canada call 1-833-456-4566 available 24/7. Between the hours of 4pm-midnight (Eastern time) you can text 45645 or text 988

In Quebec call 1-866-277-3553. Contactez un intervenant par texto au 535353. Service offert 24/7 partout au Québec

If you are under 18, call Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868. They offer 24/7 text service. You don’t need a data plan, internet connection or an app to use it.

If you’re in imminent danger call 911 or go to Emergency.

USA:

Call or text 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Call 911 in life-threatening situations.

This episode is part of #Podcasthon 2025. Podcasthon.org is about convincing as many hosts as possible to dedicate one episode of their show to a charity of their choice and to release these episodes simultaneously, in a coordinated effort from March 15-21, 2025, creating a massive and international wave of inspiring audio content.

The objective? To raise awareness for a huge number of charities worldwide. This year, 1,675 podcasts from 47 countries are participating!I've chosen to support the 988 crisis line. You can donate here: https://988lifeline.org/donate/And now, on with the show:

In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast, host Janet Sandberg speaks with former NBA player James Donaldson about his journey through health challenges, mental health struggles, and his mission to help others. After facing life-threatening surgeries and personal losses, James shares how he found purpose in advocating for mental health awareness, particularly among youth and men. He emphasizes the importance of community support, communication, and the need for individuals to reach out for help. James also discusses his foundation, 'Your Gift of Life,' and his book, which aims to inspire others to celebrate life and seek help when needed.

Chapters

02:25 James's Basketball Career and Transition

05:22 Health Challenges and Life Changes

08:33 Struggles with Mental Health

12:30 The Importance of Community and Support

16:56 Creating a Foundation for Mental Health Awareness

20:55 Celebrating Life and Sharing the Journey

25:16 Final Thoughts and Advice

Subscribe to hear more and share with those who might need to hear these inspiring stories.

Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠.

*****

In Crisis?

Canada:

Talk Suicide Canada call 1-833-456-4566 available 24/7. Between the hours of 4pm-midnight (Eastern time) you can text 45645 or text 988

In Quebec call 1-866-277-3553. Contactez un intervenant par texto au 535353. Service offert 24/7 partout au Québec

If you are under 18, call Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868. They offer 24/7 text service. You don’t need a data plan, internet connection or an app to use it.

If you’re in imminent danger call 911 or go to Emergency.

USA:

Call or text 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Call 911 in life-threatening situations.

"Nothing is one way forever." - Tatiana Szulc

In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast, host Janet Sandberg speaks with Tatiana Szulc, a trauma and somatic wellness coach. Tatiana shares her personal journey through complex trauma, suicidal ideation, and the importance of healing the nervous system. She discusses her experiences with dissociation, the impact of her environment on her mental health, and the significance of finding community and education in her healing process. Tatiana emphasizes the need for safety in the body and the importance of finding inspiration and joy in life, ultimately highlighting that healing is a journey that requires patience and self-compassion.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tatiana's Journey

01:43 Understanding Complex Trauma and Its Impact

07:25 The Turning Point: College and Community Support

11:23 The Path to Healing: Discovering Psychology

16:28 Burnout and the Search for Inspiration

18:37 Dissociation: Understanding the Spectrum

22:01 The Role of Environment in Healing

29:54 Creating Safety and Finding Joy

35:12 Conclusion: Embracing Change and Hope

Subscribe to hear more and share with those who might need to hear these inspiring stories.

Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠.

*****

In Crisis?

Canada:

Talk Suicide Canada call 1-833-456-4566 available 24/7. Between the hours of 4pm-midnight (Eastern time) you can text 45645 or text 988

In Quebec call 1-866-277-3553. Contactez un intervenant par texto au 535353. Service offert 24/7 partout au Québec

If you are under 18, call Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868. They offer 24/7 text service. You don’t need a data plan, internet connection or an app to use it.

If you’re in imminent danger call 911 or go to Emergency.

USA:

Call or text 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Call 911 in life-threatening situations.

"This isn't love, this is manipulation." - Darla Ridilla

In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom podcast, host Janet Sandberg speaks with Darla Ridilla, a relationship coach who shares her transformative journey from a traumatic marriage to a place of empowerment and healing. Darla recounts her struggles with suicidal thoughts, the impact of emotional abuse, and the importance of support from other women. She emphasizes the significance of self-worth and personal growth, ultimately leading her to become a coach to help others navigate similar challenges. The conversation highlights themes of resilience, the journey of healing, and the power of community in overcoming trauma.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Darla Ridilla's Journey

01:16 The Impact of a Toxic Relationship

04:50 Finding Strength in Surrender

10:12 Rebuilding Life After Trauma

15:22 Embracing Change and New Beginnings

20:46 Becoming a Coach to Empower Others

25:39 Offering Hope to Those in Pain

Subscribe to hear more and share with those who might need to hear these inspiring stories.

Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Phoenix Wisdom Empowerment Circle⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Facebook for support and encouragement.

*****

In Crisis?

Canada:

Talk Suicide Canada call 1-833-456-4566 available 24/7. Between the hours of 4pm-midnight (Eastern time) you can text 45645 or text 988

In Quebec call 1-866-277-3553. Contactez un intervenant par texto au 535353. Service offert 24/7 partout au Québec

If you are under 18, call Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868. They offer 24/7 text service. You don’t need a data plan, internet connection or an app to use it.

If you’re in imminent danger call 911 or go to Emergency.

USA:

Call or text 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Call 911 in life-threatening situations.

"Even in darkest moments, light exists." - Liz Buggy

In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast, host Janet Sandberg speaks with Liz Buggy, a life coach from Australia, who shares her journey through trauma, suicidal ideation, and the importance of seeking help. Liz discusses her experiences with counseling, the transition to coaching, and the significance of recognizing and preventing burnout. The conversation emphasizes resilience, the need for support, and the hope that exists even in the darkest times.

Chapters

01:29 Struggles with Suicidal Ideation

06:29 The Role of Counseling and Coaching

12:51 Understanding and Preventing Burnout

19:06 Finding Hope in Darkness

Subscribe to hear more and share with those who might need to hear these inspiring stories.

Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠.

Join the ⁠⁠⁠Phoenix Wisdom Empowerment Circle⁠⁠⁠ on Facebook for support and encouragement.

*****

In Crisis?

Canada:

Talk Suicide Canada call 1-833-456-4566 available 24/7. Between the hours of 4pm-midnight (Eastern time) you can text 45645 or text 988

In Quebec call 1-866-277-3553. Contactez un intervenant par texto au 535353. Service offert 24/7 partout au Québec

If you are under 18, call Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868. They offer 24/7 text service. You don’t need a data plan, internet connection or an app to use it.

If you’re in imminent danger call 911 or go to Emergency.

USA:

Call or text 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Call 911 in life-threatening situations.

In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast,Janet Sandberg speaks with Debi Roberts, CEO of theOLLIE Foundation, about the critical work they do in mental health and suicide prevention. The conversation covers the foundation's mission, the complexities of suicidal ideation, the impact of medication on mental health, and the importance of open discussions about these topics. They emphasize the need for better resources and awareness surrounding suicide and mental health, particularly in relation to medication side effects and gender differences in mental health experiences.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the OLLIE Foundation

02:49 The Mission Behind OLLIE

06:12 Understanding Suicidal Ideation

09:06 The Role of Medication in Mental Health

11:53 Prescription Safety and Awareness

15:08 The Impact of Antidepressants

17:50 Exploring Gender Differences in Suicide Rates

20:46 The Importance of Open Conversations

24:02 Conclusion and Call to Action

Subscribe to hear more and share with those who might need to hear these inspiring stories.

Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠.

Join the ⁠⁠Phoenix Wisdom Empowerment Circle⁠⁠ on Facebook for support and encouragement.

*****

In Crisis?

Canada:

Talk Suicide Canada call 1-833-456-4566 available 24/7. Between the hours of 4pm-midnight (Eastern time) you can text 45645 or text 988

In Quebec call 1-866-277-3553. Contactez un intervenant par texto au 535353. Service offert 24/7 partout au Québec

If you are under 18, call Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868. They offer 24/7 text service. You don’t need a data plan, internet connection or an app to use it.

If you’re in imminent danger call 911 or go to Emergency.

USA:

Call or text 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Call 911 in life-threatening situations.

In this episode, Janet Sandberg interviews Deborah Leblanc, who shares her harrowing journey through childhood trauma, suicide attempts, and the loss of loved ones. Deborah discusses her transformation from a victim of abuse to a successful keynote speaker and clinical hypnotherapist, emphasizing the importance of resilience and finding purpose in life. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of hope and the potential for healing, even after profound suffering.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Deborah's Journey

00:48 Childhood Trauma and Struggles

11:54 Turning Points and Near-Death Experiences

18:33 Finding Purpose Through Pain

23:23 The Shift to Hypnotherapy and Helping Others

28:58 Words of Wisdom for Those in Pain

Subscribe to hear more and share with those who might need to hear these inspiring stories.

Follow the podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠.

Join the ⁠Phoenix Wisdom Empowerment Circle⁠ on Facebook for support and encouragement.

*****

In Crisis?

Canada:

Talk Suicide Canada call 1-833-456-4566 available 24/7. Between the hours of 4pm-midnight (Eastern time) you can text 45645 or text 988

In Quebec call 1-866-277-3553. Contactez un intervenant par texto au 535353. Service offert 24/7 partout au Québec

If you are under 18, call Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868. They offer 24/7 text service. You don’t need a data plan, internet connection or an app to use it.

If you’re in imminent danger call 911 or go to Emergency.

USA:

Call or text 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Call 911 in life-threatening situations.

In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom podcast, host Janet Sandberg engages in a heartfelt conversation with Andy Grant, an author, coach, and energy healer, who shares his profound journey through the darkness of suicidal ideation to a life filled with purpose and healing.

Andy talks about his struggles with suicidal thoughts beginning at a young age, revealing the pain of childhood trauma, family dynamics, and the weight of generational mental health issues. He recounts his first attempts to end his life at just 12 years old and the feeling of hopelessness that permeated his teenage years despite the love and support from his parents.

Through a series of pivotal moments, including a transformative experience at age 19, Andy discovered the power of sharing his story and the importance of seeking help. He emphasizes that the journey to healing is not linear and that personal and spiritual growth has been vital in reclaiming his life. Andy discusses the significance of energy work and various modalities that have helped him and others find relief and empowerment.

Chapters:

(03:45) Early experiences with suicidal thoughts

(10:20) The impact of childhood trauma and family dynamics

(15:00) The turning point: seeking help and sharing his story

(22:30) The role of energy work in healing

(30:15) Defining responsibility versus blame

(35:50) The importance of self-affirmation and positive thinking

(42:00) Insights on being an empath and setting boundaries

(50:00) Encouragement for those struggling with mental health

Subscribe to hear more and share with those who might need to hear these inspiring stories.

Follow the podcast on Instagram and YouTube.

Join the Phoenix Wisdom Empowerment Circle on Facebook for support and encouragement.

*****

In Crisis?

Canada:

Talk Suicide Canada call 1-833-456-4566 available 24/7. Between the hours of 4pm-midnight (Eastern time) you can text 45645 or text 988

In Quebec call 1-866-277-3553. Contactez un intervenant par texto au 535353. Service offert 24/7 partout au Québec

If you are under 18, call Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868. They offer 24/7 text service. You don’t need a data plan, internet connection or an app to use it.

If you’re in imminent danger call 911 or go to Emergency.

USA:

Call or text 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Call 911 in life-threatening situations.

In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom podcast, host Janet Sandberg sits down with the courageous Mary Burmeister, a physical therapist and empowerment coach, who shares her powerful story of transformation from the brink of despair to a life of purpose and resilience.

Mary opens up about her harrowing experience in 2011 when she faced overwhelming grief from her father's death and the pressures of a messy breakup as a college senior. In a moment of darkness, she attempted to take her own life, feeling lost and burdened by her circumstances. However, this pivotal moment became a catalyst for change as Mary sought counseling and began her journey toward healing.

Through her story, Mary emphasizes the importance of seeking help and confronting emotional pain. She discusses her struggles with alcohol and the impact it had on her physical and mental health. By embracing fitness and self-care, Mary transformed her life, ultimately achieving milestones such as completing marathons and preparing for her first bodybuilding competition.

Chapters:

(02:15) Mary shares her background and struggles with suicidal ideation

(05:30) The impact of her father's illness and death

(09:45) The role of alcohol in coping with pain

(15:10) Turning point: seeking counseling and support

(20:00) The journey through physical therapy school

(25:30) Finding strength in fitness and self-care

(30:15) Overcoming the cycle of toxic relationships

(35:00) Advice for those struggling with mental health

(40:45) Embracing new challenges and setting goals

Subscribe to hear more and share with those who might need to hear these inspiring stories.

Follow the podcast on Instagram and YouTube.

Join the Phoenix Wisdom Empowerment Circle on Facebook for support and encouragement.

*****

In Crisis?

Canada:

Talk Suicide Canada call 1-833-456-4566 available 24/7. Between the hours of 4pm-midnight (Eastern time) you can text 45645 or text 988

In Quebec call 1-866-277-3553. Contactez un intervenant par texto au 535353. Service offert 24/7 partout au Québec

If you are under 18, call Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868. They offer 24/7 text service. You don’t need a data plan, internet connection or an app to use it.

If you’re in imminent danger call 911 or go to Emergency.

USA:

Call or text 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Call 911 in life-threatening situations.