What happens when life as you know it shatters, and you realize you've spent decades living for everyone but yourself?

Michelle Bishop shares her journey of rediscovery after the tragic loss of her husband. From shedding emotional weight to healing from breast cancer and long-haul COVID, Michelle shares how choosing herself first transformed not only her health but her entire life.

Michelle is the author of the inspirational book, "Choose You First"—a guide to embracing your true self, setting healthy boundaries, and reclaiming your joy.

✨ Top 3 Takeaways:

(1) Self-Care Is Not Selfish—It’s Essential. Michelle explains how putting herself first—after decades of people-pleasing—unlocked her capacity to truly support others from a place of fullness.

(2) Healing Begins on the Inside. Her physical transformation (including a 112-pound weight loss and remission from serious illness) was sparked by letting go of emotional baggage and embracing holistic self-care.

(3) Fear Is the Greatest Block to Empowerment. Michelle encourages listeners to face fear, acknowledge it, and let it go—because the worst-case scenario often leads to the best-case growth.

📣 Call to Action:

If you’re feeling stuck, depleted, or unsure of who you are—start by choosing you first.

Learn more about Michelle’s coaching and her book, "Choose You First" at https://BishopLife.com.

And don’t forget to follow Real Things Living for more real, empowering conversations like this one.

The hardest experiences in life can become the most meaningful stories—especially when told with honesty, heart, and hope.In this deeply moving episode, Brigitte Cutshall speaks with Tony Stewart, author of "Carrying the Tiger: Living with Cancer, Dying with Grace, Finding Joy While Grieving."

The conversation unfolds on the day of the book’s official release—a memoir chronicling Tony’s journey as a caregiver to his wife Lynn during her six-year battle with stage 4 non-smoker’s lung cancer.He reflects on the highs and lows of caregiving, the toll it took on his mental and physical health, and how their love deepened through hardship.

They discuss:

• The emotional and logistical challenges of long-term caregiving.
• Why he chose the metaphor of “carrying the tiger”.
• The importance of honesty, flexibility, and letting go of “battle” language when it comes to illness.

The episode is a tribute to vulnerability, resilience, and the enduring power of love.🔗 Learn more about Tony and his book at https://TonyStewartAuthor.com

What if your lowest moment became the launchpad for your greatest impact?

In this powerful episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall speaks with Dan Metcalfe — author of "Born Superhuman" — whose astonishing story of healing after paralysis reminds us of the untapped strength within each of us.

3 Key Takeaways:

(1) Mindset Shapes Your Recovery: After being told he’d never walk again, Dan refused to accept defeat. He healed his body through an intense mindset shift—proving that belief, not just hope, fuels transformation.

(2) The Brain Leads the Body: True movement begins in the brain. Dan’s Total Balance approach, developed after a traumatic brain injury, has helped thousands—proving that when you train the brain, the body follows.

(3) The Seven Pillars of Natural Health: Dan outlines his holistic framework for optimal living—oxygen, hydration, sleep, nutrition, exercise, mindset, and challenge—all rooted in the power of self-love and personal responsibility.

Ready to tap into your innate power to heal? Listen now and explore Dan’s work at https://BornSuperhuman.com.

Cynthia Moore went from chasing applause on stage to helping others heal in silence.

Her story is a powerful reminder that true transformation begins when we tune in—to our bodies, our intuition, and our past. In this soulful conversation, Cynthia shares how creativity, trauma, and healing intertwined to shape her calling as a therapist and author.

Cynthia Moore is an award-winning playwright, author of "Dancing on Coals," and mental health counselor.

3 Takeaways:

(1) Resilience Emerges from the Inside Out: Cynthia reflects on how trauma shaped her early identity—and how real strength came from learning to sit with discomfort and listen inward.

(2) Healing Is a Spiritual Practice: Whether through meditation, movement, or writing, Cynthia believes that tending to our inner world is essential for integration and peace.

(3) Be All of Who You Are: Midlife is not a crisis—it’s a sacred invitation. Cynthia urges listeners to express their whole selves and honor the voice within.

This episode invites you to slow down, reflect, and embrace the messy beauty of personal evolution.

Let Cynthia’s journey inspire your own.📚 Learn more at https://CynthiaMooreWrites.com

Don't miss out on more insights for a better life – subscribe to Real Things Living today!

In an era of rapid change and AI advancements, the job market can feel daunting. But what if you could not only navigate it but thrive, increasing your income and job security?

On this episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall welcomes Delaney William, founder of Elevated Technologies, to reveal how he's helping people do just that through remote work and innovative strategies like "job stacking."

Key Takeaways from Delaney William:

• Leverage AI for Job Market Advantage: Becoming proficient with AI tools is crucial, as companies prioritize candidates who can use AI to boost efficiency and productivity.
• Optimize Your Job Applications with AI: Utilize AI tools to tailor resumes and LinkedIn profiles with relevant keywords, increasing your chances of passing initial algorithmic screenings and getting noticed by recruiters.
• Explore "Job Stacking" for Income & Security: Working multiple remote jobs simultaneously can significantly increase income and provide financial stability, especially in a job market with little corporate loyalty.

You can learn more about Delaney William and Elevated Technologies by visiting their website at ElevatedTech.us.

They offer a free course and opportunities to connect with their team.

You can also find Delaney active on Instagram at @delaneywilliam.

What happens when a high-achieving attorney walks away from a prestigious career without a plan B—but with a deep knowing that her soul needs something more?

Serena Low did just that, and she’s now helping others do the same.

In this uplifting conversation, Brigitte Cutshall speaks with Serena Low, a trauma-informed coach and host of The Quiet Warrior Podcast.

They explore how quiet achievers—especially women—can embrace their strengths, navigate major life pivots, and redefine success on their own terms.

3 Key Takeaways:

Connect with Serena on LinkedIn

How do you rebuild your life when it feels like everything’s been taken from you? After a devastating motorcycle accident left Kijuan Amey blind and battling a traumatic brain injury, he chose resilience, humor, and healing over despair.

Kijuan opens up about the moment everything shifted and how he found purpose on the other side.

His book, 'Don't Focus on Why Me,' serves as a testament to his journey and a source of inspiration for others facing challenges.3 Key Takeaways:

1. You Are More Than Your Labels
   Kijuan refuses to let blindness, brain injury, or PTSD define him. His message is clear: “Don’t let your situation define who you are—you define who you are.”

   
   

2. Therapy Comes in Many Forms
   From music therapy to improv comedy, Kijuan has discovered healing through creative outlets. His passion for drumming and performing not only aids his recovery—it helps others heal too.

   
   

3. Stories Save Lives
   Encouraged by friends and a deep sense of purpose, KiJuan wrote his memoir Don't Focus on Why Me. His powerful storytelling is a reminder that sharing your journey can help others feel seen, understood, and inspired to keep going.

   
   

🎧 Listen now to hear how Kijuan turned tragedy into triumph—and why he believes healing starts with humor, hope, and honesty.

Visit AmeyMotivation.com to learn more, book Kijuan for a speaking event, or grab his book Don’t Focus on Why Me on Amazon, Audible, or Apple Books.

Let his story move you and motivate you.

Grief doesn’t follow rules and neither does love.

In this heartfelt conversation, Brigitte Cutshall speaks with Sally McQuillen, a psychotherapist and author of Reaching for Beautiful. Sally shared her powerful journey through grief following the unexpected loss of her son, Christopher, and how that experience inspired her to write a memoir.

The episode explores the layers of parental love, the challenges of navigating modern mental health—especially in the digital age—and how storytelling can be a profound tool for healing. Ultimately, the discussion is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of finding beauty and meaning in the midst of loss.

📘 3 Key Takeaways:

• Writing Heals – Grief led Sally to write, turning pain into purpose and a powerful memoir.
• Vulnerability Connects – Sharing her son’s story helps others feel seen and less alone.
• Stories Live On – Through storytelling, Christopher’s spirit—and love—endures.

Learn more about her at: https://www.sallymcquillen.com/

Check out Sally McQuillen’s book, Reaching for Beautiful: a Memoir of Loving and Losing a Wild Child.

Share this episode with someone who may need a message of hope, love, and healing today.

What happens when your identity is tied to your achievements?

In this energizing episode, Elizabeth Parsons shares how retirement isn’t an end, but a powerful beginning. She is the author of "Encore", and a former international law firm attorney who made a bold mid-life pivot to create a more intentional life.

The discussion dives into how our culture overemphasizes financial planning and underprepares us for the emotional transition of retirement, the myth of time abundance, and the importance of reclaiming personal agency through small, proactive steps.

3 Key Takeaways:

(1) Retirement Isn’t Just About Money
Many people entering retirement are financially prepared—but emotionally lost. Planning for purpose and identity is just as critical as planning for income.

(2) Time Abundance Can Be Paralyzing
After decades of time scarcity, having “oodles of time” can feel daunting. Creating structure and intentionality is key to navigating this new reality.

(3) Proactivity is a Muscle
High-achievers often spend years reacting to others’ demands. Retirement requires retraining that muscle—to stop reacting and start creating a life that reflects your true priorities.

What happens when you walk away from your dream and return with deeper purpose?

Singer, songwriter, and healer Tally Koren shares how she rediscovered her voice, stayed true to her art, and found healing through music and spirituality.

Tally opens up about the emotional detour that paused her music journey and the powerful return that followed. She discusses the importance of authenticity, trusting the creative process, and using music as a form of healing.

This conversation explores the deeper connection between art and the soul, and why it’s never too late to live your purpose.

3 Takeaways:

(1) Music is a spiritual mirror that helps us heal and connect.

(2) Staying authentic matters more than chasing trends or fame.

(3) Trusting your path—even in uncertainty—can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.

Listen now to be inspired by Tally’s story and reconnect with your own creative spark.

🔗 Learn more at https://www.tallykoren.com

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