What would you do if you discovered at 52 that the story you had believed about your life wasn’t the complete truth?

For Al Isaacs, one unexpected conversation revealed something that would change his understanding of his identity forever: he had been adopted.

But the discovery came with another painful revelation — almost everyone in his family had known except him.

By then, Al’s adoptive parents were both suffering from dementia, leaving him with questions that could no longer easily be answered.

So he began searching.

Through DNA testing, genealogy research and online detective work, Al began uncovering pieces of a family history he had never known. Along the way, he discovered a half-sister who had also been searching for him.

And eventually, his search led him to his birth mother.

On this episode of Podcast with Sheila, Al shares the deeply personal journey of discovering his adoption later in life, searching for his biological family and confronting questions about identity, belonging, family and truth.

We’ll talk about:

* Discovering you were adopted later in life

* Finding out that your family knew

* Coping when the people who could provide answers can no longer do so

* Searching for biological family

* DNA testing and genealogy

* Discovering a previously unknown sibling

* Finding a birth mother after decades

* Meeting your biological mother as an adult

* Making sense of family secrets

* Resilience and moving forward

* Finding peace when your understanding of your past changes

This is ultimately a story about identity, resilience, love, family and the human desire to know where we come from.

🎙️ Podcast with Sheila — Real People. Real Experiences. Real Stories.

If Al’s story touches you, please like, subscribe, comment and share this conversation with someone who may need to hear it.

#PodcastWithSheila #AlIsaacs #FindingFamily #AdoptionStory #Adopted #AdoptionJourney #FamilySecrets #FindingYourRoots #DNAJourney #Genealogy #BirthMother #Identity #FamilyHistory #FindingYourFamily #RealLifeStories #InspiringStories #LifeExperiences #Resilience #Belonging #InspirationalPodcast #MotivationalPodcast #TrueStory #PersonalJourney #NeverTooLate

Are you living the life you truly want — or the life you believe you’re supposed to live?

For years, Lynda Leonce believed she was doing everything right.

She went to college, built a career, worked hard, achieved her goals and created what looked like a beautiful life and family.

But behind the achievements was something she didn’t fully recognise at first: fear, obligation, expectation and people-pleasing.

Lynda eventually reached a point where she could no longer ignore the feeling that she wasn’t truly being herself.

Her decision to question the “script” she had been following became the beginning of a profound journey towards authenticity, self-awareness, freedom and joy.

On this episode of Podcast with Sheila, Lynda shares her personal journey of:

✨ Breaking away from expectations

✨ Recognising people-pleasing patterns

✨ Finding the courage to speak up

✨ Discovering authenticity

✨ Learning to listen to yourself

✨ Reinventing your relationship with yourself

✨ Finding freedom after years of striving

✨ Understanding that success isn’t always the same as fulfilment

✨ Learning and growing at every stage of life

This isn’t a conversation about having all the answers.

It’s about having the courage to ask yourself better questions.

If you’ve ever felt that you are living according to someone else’s expectations, constantly trying to please people, or wondering whether there is more to life than simply achieving the next goal, Lynda’s story may give you something to think about.

🎙️ Podcast with Sheila — Real People. Real Experiences. Real Stories.

If this conversation speaks to you, please like, comment, subscribe and share it with someone who may need to hear this message.

#PodcastWithSheila #LyndaLeonce #AuthenticLiving #FindingYourself #SelfDiscovery #PersonalGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #InspirationalStories #RealLifeStories #LifeExperiences #MotivationalPodcast #InspiringWomen #PeoplePleasing #OvercomingFear #Authenticity #SelfAwareness #FindingPurpose #LifeTransformation #Mindset #EmotionalWellbeing #SelfLove #InnerGrowth #NewBeginnings #LiveAuthentically

What happens when the children have grown, retirement arrives, and suddenly you have to ask yourself: “What now?”

For Monica Marlatt, retirement didn’t mean slowing down and simply passing the time. It became the beginning of an unexpected new chapter.

After raising three children, Monica found herself looking for something meaningful to fill her days. What began as a simple love of puzzles eventually grew into an online community of more than 18,000 followers, opening the door to a completely new world of social media, photography, technology and content creation.

Today, Monica is a puzzle community builder and creator based in Toronto. Together with her husband, she also hosts social puzzling events on cruise ships, combining puzzles, travel and bringing people together.

But this conversation goes far beyond puzzles.

On Podcast with Sheila, Monica and Sheila talk about:

✨ Finding purpose after retirement

✨ Life as an empty nester

✨ Reinventing yourself later in life

✨ Discovering new passions

✨ Learning technology and social media at a new stage of life

✨ Finding confidence to try something completely different

✨ Marriage and discovering new experiences together

✨ Why it is never too late to start again

✨ Finding something that gives you a reason to wake up excited about the day

Monica’s story is a beautiful reminder that one chapter ending doesn’t mean the story is over. Sometimes, it is simply the beginning of a chapter you never knew was waiting for you.

If you’re approaching retirement, already retired, an empty nester, thinking about reinventing yourself, or simply wondering what your next chapter could look like, this conversation is for you.

🎙️ Welcome to Podcast with Sheila — real people, real experiences and real stories that inspire us to keep moving forward.

If Monica’s story inspires you, like, comment and subscribe to Podcast with Sheila and share this episode with someone who may need to hear that their best chapter could still be ahead of them.

#PodcastWithSheila #MonicaMarlatt #Retirement #RetirementLife #FindingPurpose #NewBeginnings #ReinventYourself #EmptyNester #SecondChapter #LifeAfterRetirement #InspiringStories #RealLifeStories #LifeExperiences #PersonalGrowth #NeverTooLate #Motivation #Inspiration #WomenOver50 #AgingWell #PurposeInLife

Hold On To God: A Conversation About Faith, Hope & Perseverance ✨

What do you do when life becomes challenging?

When prayers feel unanswered?

When uncertainty tests your faith?

On Saturday 15th August at 6pm UK time, I’ll be joined by Apostle Dr. Nana Agyemang — apostolic and prophetic minister, theologian, author, and founder of multiple ministries.

We’ll be discussing his powerful new book:

📖 “Hold On To God”

A book filled with biblical wisdom, encouragement, and practical guidance for navigating seasons of crisis, waiting, fear, and uncertainty.

This conversation will inspire anyone seeking:

✨ Strength during difficult seasons

✨ Deeper faith

✨ Spiritual growth

✨ Hope when life feels overwhelming

Join us LIVE on Podcast with Sheila.

Because sometimes the greatest testimony comes from the seasons where we had to learn to hold on.

📅 Saturday 15th August

⏰ 6:00pm UK Time

#PodcastWithSheila

#HoldOnToGod

#ApostleNanaAgyemang

#ChristianPodcast

#FaithJourney

#ChristianInspiration

#FaithOverFear

#TrustGod

#GodsPromises

#SpiritualGrowth

#ChristianAuthor

#ChristianLeadership

#Prayer

#HopeInGod

#BiblicalWisdom

#InspirationalStories

#RealLifeStories

#LifeLessons

#MotivationalPodcast

#FaithAndPurpose

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Podcast with Sheila!

Today, we speak with Teri M Brown, a multi-award-winning author, motivational speaker, mentor, and adventurer. Born in Athens, Greece, Teri has lived a life full of creativity, resilience, and bold adventures. From homeschooling her children to riding a tandem bicycle across the United States raising funds for Toys for Tots, she proves that determination can transform your life.

In this conversation, Teri shares:

• How personal challenges can fuel creativity and courage

• Lessons learned from life-changing adventures

• Writing historical fiction and inspirational nonfiction

• Mentoring youth and women to discover their worth

• Life lessons that inspire personal growth and empowerment

🎧 Connect with Teri:

Website: www.terimbrown.com

Books: 10 Little Rules for a Double-Butted Adventure, Daughters of Green Mountain Gap, An Enemy Like Me, Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, Feisty Deeds, Little Lola and Her Big Dream

Sign up for her newsletter for free recommendations: “10 Historical Fiction You’ve Never Heard of That Will Bring You to Tears.”

This episode is for anyone seeking inspiration, courage, and motivation to live boldly.

#PodcastWithSheila #MotivationalPodcast #InspirationalPodcast #StorytellingPodcast #RealLifeStories #WomenWhoInspire #AdventureStories #LifeLessons #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #CourageAndAdventure #AuthorLife #HistoricalFiction #MentoringWomen #LivingBoldly

PODCAST with SHEILA is back with a powerful live interview exploring coercive control, legal abuse, and high-conflict divorce through real-life experience.

In this episode, I speak

with Lisa Johnson, co-founder of Been There Got Out, a high-conflict divorce strategist and certified domestic violence advocate. After spending over $100,000 on her divorce, Lisa made the courageous decision to represent herself in family court. Her case was later published in the Connecticut Law Journal and is now used as legal precedent — an extraordinary outcome for a self-represented litigant.

Lisa’s live testimony also helped pass Jennifer’s Law, expanding the legal definition of domestic violence to include coercive control. In this honest and educational conversation, we discuss how abuse can continue after separation, particularly through the legal system, and how individuals can protect themselves while navigating high-conflict custody and co-parenting situations.

🎙️ In this episode, we cover:

• What coercive control really looks like

• Legal abuse and manipulation in family court

• High-conflict divorce and custody battles

• Co-parenting with a toxic or controlling ex

• Protecting your mental health during legal conflict

• Finding strength through real-life resilience

This episode is for anyone navigating divorce, family court, toxic relationships, or seeking clarity and encouragement through inspiring real-life stories.

⸻

🔗 Free Workshop for Listeners

If you are dealing with a high-conflict or manipulative ex, Lisa is offering a FREE online workshop to help you regain confidence and shift the power dynamic.

👉 Register here:

https://programs.beentheregotout.com/SC-Register

⸻

📌 Watch live on YouTube and join the conversation.

🎧 The full episode will also be released on all major podcast audio platforms.

#PodcastWithSheila #MotivationalPodcast #StorytellingPodcast #RealLifeStories #CoerciveControl #HighConflictDivorce #LegalAbuseAwareness #InspiringStories #WomenWithPurpose #Resilience #HealingJourney #PowerfulConversations #PodcastInterview

From Horse Farm to High Seas: Reinventing Life at 54 with Alison Gieschen

Join us for a deeply inspiring conversation with Alison Gieschen, who spent more than two decades teaching and running a thriving horse farm—and then, at age 54, sold everything to sail the world. In this episode, Alison shares how her early life as educator and equestrian shaped her courage and resilience on the ocean. She talks about leaving behind children and grandchildren, facing fear in lonely seas, finding her voice as a writer, and embracing life’s ongoing lessons in her “classroom” at sea. Whether you’re longing to reinvent your life, step into a big dream, or simply navigate change with more courage, Alison’s story will uplift and challenge you.

Listen for:

The decision that shifted her life forever

Surprising parallels between horse training and ocean navigation

How writing became her bridge to others

The hardest storms—literal and metaphorical—and how she endured

Practical wisdom for anyone seeking transformation later in life

Connect with Alison:

Website & blog: sailmates.org

Author site: alisongieschen.com

Social: @sailmates_on_equus

sailing around the world, reinvention at 50, equestrian to sailor, midlife adventure, teacher turned author, life lessons at sea

#MidlifeReinvention #SailingLife #AdventureAwaits #LifeIsALivingClassroom #FromHorsesToHighSeas #CourageousLiving #AuthorsJourney

Today on PODCAST with SHEILA, I speak with Drew Ann Long — inventor, mum, and visionary behind Caroline’s Cart, the patented, special-needs shopping cart now in thousands of stores across the U.S. and beyond.

Drew Ann’s journey is one of grit, curiosity, faith, and radical empathy: from sketching her first idea on a dinner napkin to navigating patents, engineering, retail buy-in, and scaling a movement for inclusive design.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How a mother’s frustration became a globally used invention

The mindset tools and persistence needed to push past “no”

Real stories of impact from families who’ve regained dignity and choice

The birth of Caroline’s Cause, offering scholarships to siblings of special-needs children

Advice for anyone who feels underqualified but compelled to create real change

What’s next for Drew Ann and how she sees the future of inclusive innovation

Tune in for a deeply human conversation about turning limits into breakthroughs, dreaming big while staying grounded, and designing for empathy.

“You don’t know what you don’t know — and that’s okay. Let your purpose lead you into the unknown.” — Drew Ann Long

Guest & Links

Guest: Drew Ann Long

Website / Bio: drewannspeaks.com

Caroline’s Cause (scholarship program): carolinescause.com

Media / news coverage: Caroline’s Cart in Target, Lowe’s, Kroger, etc.

Drew Ann Speaks

carolinescause.com

idrpp.usu.edu +1

#InclusionByDesign • #Innovation • #Accessibility • #Inspiration • #Mompreneur • #DesignForGood • #CarolinesCart • #SpecialNeeds • #Empowerment • #PodcastEpisode

Also consider: #DisabilityAdvocacy #UniversalDesign #SocialImpact #InventorJourney

Bishop Kevin Foreman: From Humble Beginnings to Transforming Communities | Podcast with Sheila

Shaun Murphy — Mister Motivation | Unbreakable Valor, Resilience & Motivation Music

In this episode of Podcast with Sheila, we welcome Shaun Murphy, also known as Mister Motivation. Shaun is an Army veteran, educator, musician, and author of the new book Unbreakable Valor: Triumph Through the Soul of Resilience.

From losing his father at six, to serving in the U.S. Army, to becoming a leader in education and creator of Motivation Music, Shaun’s journey is one of resilience and purpose. Today, through his Breakthrough Bunker platform, he helps young people and communities transform struggle into strength.

📌 What you’ll learn in this episode:

Shaun’s journey from tragedy to triumph

Why resilience is a mindset, not just a skill

How Motivation Music blends hip-hop and personal growth

The role of fatherhood in breaking generational cycles

Shaun’s vision for the future of resilience and leadership

👉 Subscribe for more inspiring episodes: https://youtube.com/@PODCASTwithSHEILA?si=bMpwXsTQp-OS7XSc

👉 Connect with Shaun: mister-motivation.com

#ShaunMurphy #MisterMotivation #PodcastWithSheila #MotivationMusic #UnbreakableValor #Resilience #InspirationPodcast