Relentlessly Resilient Podcast

Surviving a spouse is always difficult, even when the spouse has a high-risk military career. For Gold Star wife Traci Voelke, losing her husband and high school sweetheart Major Paul C. Voelke was a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of connecting with those we love. After Paul’s death in his fifth deployment overseas, and facing raising their two sons alone, Traci has chosen to continue serving the military community as a lawyer and as part of the Army’s Survivor Advisory Working Group. Through The 98 Fund’s Alaska Project, she helps provide a safe space for military family survivors to vacation and learn new skills. She joins this episode of the Relentlessly Resilient podcast to share how connection and service have helped her deal with grief.  

Even though we live in challenging times we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband Major Brent Taylor was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward. 

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Patti Elliott knew from an early age her son was a “kind of adrenaline junky,” but she didn’t know the heartache that would leave her with. At the age of 21 her son, Army Specialist Daniel Lucas Elliott passed away on his second deployment due to a roadside bomb in July 2011. Taking her from a Blue Star to a Gold Star mother. Now, years later, Patti shows resiliency by sharing his story with others and continuing to volunteer and serve in the military community. 

Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband Major Brent Taylor was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward. 

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Addiction is not only dangerous for the victim but devastating for the people that love them. For Jeff and Rosemary Masters of Oklahoma addiction took their 28-year-old son Jeremy to an overdose in October 2019. The military couple had always lived a dream-type life, even being nicknamed Ken and Barbie by friends. But when their only son took pills at a party, the addiction spiral took them on a nightmare beyond their capacity. They join this episode of Relentlessly Resilient to share Jeremy’s story, and how they have found hope amid the grief through programs like Hope is Alive Ministries and more. You can find resources to help with Mental Health and Substance Abuse at https://www.usa.gov/mental-health-substance-abuse. 

Even though we live in challenging times we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband Major Brent Taylor was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward. 

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen. 

Back-to-school time can lead to lots of back-to-school stresses, and in this special Cohost Conversation episode of Relentlessly Resilient, our hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf talk about how they have delt with that stress, as well as other dramas in 2022. We take the time to catch up on new houses, lost romances, and the continuing struggle that is learning to let go of our personal expectations. 

Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband Major Brent Taylor was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward. 

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

In late 2018 Utah’s governor signed a medical marijuana compromise into law, legalizing medical cannabis in some instances in the state. But for years before the legalization, patients and caregivers lobbied for medical cannabis acceptance, often taking risks into their own hands by illegally obtaining the drug for relief. One such advocate and lobbyist is Christine Stenquist, a brain cancer survivor who lived 16 years post-surgery basically bedridden due to pain and nausea. When she discovered how much responsible marijuana use added to the quality of her life, she went to the state capital to advocate for legalization and founded Together for Responsible Use and Cannabis Education (TRUCE). Through her and many others’ efforts, the 26-61a. Utah Medical Cannabis Act eventually gets passed. Christine joins this episode of Relentlessly Resilient to share her story. 

Even though we live in challenging times we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband Major Brent Taylor was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward. 

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Jennifer Ballou is many things from a speaker, yoga instructor, Army Veteran, mother of three, and a trained teacher of resilience. After the loss of her husband, Staff Sgt. Edward “Eddie” Loredo, in 2010, she was invited by the Army to take, and then teach, lessons on resilience. She has grown as a person to be someone who helps women associated with the military, live well to lead well. Recently Jennifer helped celebrate her passed husband as Eddie was recognized by The Unquiet Professional in their Memorial Mile event for 2022. She joins this episode of Relentlessly Resilient to tell her story of resilience and share some of the lessons she has learned with listeners. 

Even though we live in challenging times we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband Major Brent Taylor was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward. 

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Nathan Whiting knew a bit about resilience as he wrestled for his high school team, but little did he know that the power to keep getting up would assist him in reaching his dreams. After an early marriage and early divorce, he wasn’t sure if he could reach his goal of becoming a veterinarian. With hard work, determination to learn, and a new supportive wife and family, he was able to reach his dreams in his 40s. Now he joins this episode of the Relentlessly Resilient podcast to share what he has learned as he has wrestled with life’s disappointments and come out ahead. 

Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband Major Brent Taylor was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward. 

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

The loss of a loved one is something that hurts forever. And for Gold Star Widow Melissa Ault Ricci, 15 years after losing her husband, Army Specialist Alexander Rosa Jr. to an improvised explosive device in Iraq in 2007, she is still building tools of resilience to overcome that pain. As a retired military member herself, she understands the risk they both signed up for, and is now sharing how she has worked to develop a sense of ‘Compassionate Courage’ in the face of fear and loss. Mellisa joins this episode of Relentlessly Resilient to share her story.  

Even though we live in challenging times we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband Major Brent Taylor was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward. 

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Army Survivor Advisory Working Group member Aaron Hudgins, a Master Sergeant with the Oklahoma Army National Guard, knew that service in the military would help shape his life but not that it would help him find the love of his life. After a whirlwind romance, he and Staff Sergeant Jari "JJ" Jeanine Hudgins married in 2018. Soon after, JJ suffered a tragic injury that sent her down a spiral of depression and ended in her suicide. While both spouses had been trained in the Army ACE Suicide Intervention Program, JJ knew the signs Aaron would be looking for and hid her intentions from him. Now, years later with the support of their kids, Aaron is sharing their story with others and speaking out about the importance of mental health for members of the military and beyond. 

Even though we live in challenging times we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband Major Brent Taylor was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward. 

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

As Summer starts, Americans start to celebrate their nation with Memorial Day, Independence Day, and for the state of Utah, Pioneer Day. While we enjoy our picnics, parades, and fireworks, hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf share their thoughts on bringing those celebrated patriotic values beyond the events and into the fiber of our daily lives. Together they explore what patriotism is and how we can honor the legacy of our founding fathers and trailblazing pioneer ancestors. 

Even though we live in challenging times we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband Major Brent Taylor was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward. 

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.