Real People Real Lives Podcast

After spending years helping others through life's challenges, Stephanie Gee faced one of her own: a stage three breast cancer diagnosis. Stephanie opens up about her journey through treatment, the power of community, and the unexpected strength we discover when life takes an unexpected turn.

I'm grateful Stephanie was willing to share her story, her struggles, and the lessons she's learned along the way. Her journey is a powerful reminder of how quickly life can change and how important it is to appreciate the people who show up for us.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I want to add a personal reminder: Please schedule your mammograms and stay on top of your breast health! Early detection matters, and Stephanie's experience reminds us that we should never ignore changes in our bodies.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow our Real People Real Lives Podcast page on Facebook. If you'd like to be a guest, please reach out on the page.

#RealPeopleRealLives #StephanieGee #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #GetYourMammogram #BreastHealth #CancerSurvivor #Resilience #RealStories

In this episode of Real People Real Lives, I sit down with attorney and advocate Ellen P. Lubensky, founder of The Mental Health Choice Project.

Ellen shares her deeply personal journey through years of physical disability and dependence following treatment with psychiatric medications, her difficult road to recovery, and the process of rebuilding her life.

We talk about informed consent, patient autonomy, self-advocacy, resilience, and finding the courage to use your voice—as well as the importance of choosing yourself and remembering that your needs matter.

It's an honest and heartfelt conversation about overcoming difficult chapters, finding purpose, and moving forward.

❤️ Your voice matters.

Find out more at https://www.thementalhealthchoiceproject.org/ and https://ellenlubensky.com/

In Part 2 of my conversation with Dan Clark, we move beyond the struggle and into the journey of healing.

Dan opens up about the impact trauma had on his family, the importance of community, and the work of rebuilding a life after years of serving others. He shares how seeking help changed not only his own life, but the lives of those closest to him, and how those experiences inspired him to help others facing similar challenges.

This conversation is a reminder that healing isn't a destination—it's a journey. Through honesty, resilience, and hope, Dan shows that even after life's darkest moments, it is possible to find renewed purpose and meaning.

Whether you're a veteran, a first responder, or someone navigating your own challenges, Dan's story is one of courage, compassion, and the power of never giving up.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, subscribe, and share Real People Real Lives. And don't forget to follow The Real People Real Lives Facebook page. Your support helps us bring more inspiring stories to listeners everywhere. 🎙️

Counseling that Dan referred to in our conversation: https://www.youfitcounseling.com/

Marine Corps veteran, former firefighter, paramedic, husband, father, and mental health advocate Dan Clark has spent much of his life serving others. From military service overseas to answering emergency calls on one of the busiest ambulances in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dan dedicated himself to helping people through some of their darkest moments.

But years of cumulative trauma eventually took their toll.

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Dan shares his journey into public service, the emotional weight carried by many first responders, and the moment he realized he could no longer carry it alone. His story offers an honest look at PTSD, the importance of asking for help, and the courage it takes to begin the healing process.

This is a powerful conversation about service, resilience, and the strength found in vulnerability.

Part 2 continues Dan's story of healing, family, community, and finding purpose again.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, subscribe, and share Real People Real Lives. And don't forget to follow The Real People Real Lives Facebook page. Your support helps us bring more inspiring stories to listeners everywhere. 🎙️

This special bonus episode of Real People Real Lives is a little different — and deeply personal.

I'm sharing the story of our little boy, Spike, the Boston Terrier who brought so much love, laughter, and joy into our lives. I talk about who Spike was, the bond we shared, the heartbreak of losing him, and what life has been like learning to carry that loss.

I also reflect on Jack, another deeply loved part of our family, and how losing the animals who share our lives leaves a mark that doesn't simply disappear with time.

But this episode isn't only about Spike or Jack. It's about the incredible place our animals hold in our families, the depth of grief that can come when we lose them, and the love that remains long after they're gone.

If you've ever loved an animal with your whole heart — or had to say goodbye to one — this episode is for you.

For Spike, for Jack, and for all the animals who leave paw prints on our lives long after they've left our side. 🐾❤️

For this episode of Real People Real Lives, I'm joined by Denys Meade for a heartfelt conversation about love, loss, and finding the strength to keep moving forward after life's most difficult moments.

Denys shares her personal journey through grief, the resilience she's discovered along the way, and the ways love continues to shape her life long after loss.

Together, we talk about family, healing, hope, and learning to embrace new beginnings while honoring the memories that will always remain a part of us.

Sometimes moving forward isn't about letting go—it's about carrying love with us every step of the way.

If you, or someone you know, has a story to share, send us a message on the Real People Real Lives Facebook page.

In this episode of Real People Real Lives, I sit down with Pete Colter for an honest conversation about growing up deaf, facing depression, bipolar disorder, addiction, and some of the darkest moments of his life. Pete shares how a life-changing spiritual experience gave him hope and led him on a new path as an author, screenwriter, husband, and father. His story is one of resilience, faith, and discovering that our past doesn't have to define our future. This episode is a reminder that even in life's darkest moments, hope can still be found. If you, or someone you know, has a story to share, send us a message on the Real People Real Lives Facebook page. Find Peter Colter's works here: This Is How It Will End https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/this... Home https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/home... Abused https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRNMHDRT/... The Endless Fall: Special Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTR5PPBJ/...

In this episode of Real People Real Lives, I sit down with Jack Pflanz for an honest conversation about growing up in extreme poverty, facing childhood food insecurity, and how those early experiences shaped the course of his life.

Jack shares how living without consistent access to food as a child eventually inspired him to dedicate much of his adult life to helping others — from running his own food show, The Jack And Mo Cooking Show, with his daughter, to organizing food drives to his current work with Erin's Angels of CNY, a nonprofit focused on fighting childhood hunger.

In addition, Jack opens up about living for years with an undiagnosed learning disability and attention deficit disorder, how it affected his education, career, and personal relationships, and the coping mechanisms and support systems that ultimately helped him move forward.

This episode is about resilience, purpose, advocacy, and what can happen when someone turns their own struggles into a mission to help others.

You can find out more about Erin's Angels Of CNY here:

www.erinsangels.com

Or Like and Follow their Facebook page Erin's Angels Of CNY

Email Jack directly at: [email protected] If you, or anyone you know, would like to be a guest on the Real People Real Lives Podcast, send us a message on our Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586223302936

In our very first episode, I sit down with Ron Klopfanstein, a multimedia journalist, educator, radio host, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome survivor. He hosts Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat in Utica, NY, covering local stories, community voices, and issues that matter. His work is driven by a passion for communication, connection, and telling stories that deserve to be heard.

Ron and I had a wonderful conversation about life and love and overcoming challenges. We're happy to have you join us! Find Real People Real Lives Podcast on YouTube and Facebook! If you, or anyone you know, would like to be a guest on the Real People Real Lives Podcast, send us a message on our Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586223302936