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This week on The Show Me the Way Podcast, I had the absolute joy of interviewing one of my youngest guests — my niece, Marly Coons — and wow, does she bring wisdom beyond her years.

At just 17, Marly has already walked through experiences that have shaped her perspective in powerful ways. When she was young, her parents divorced. At first, life felt fairly routine with joint custody. After several years and many experiences later, her parents attempted to reunite, but when that chapter definitively closed, life shifted. Marly began living full-time with her mom, seeing her dad and brother about once a week.

Through it all, Marly has maintained strong, loving relationships with both of her parents. She openly acknowledges that she and her brother are very different, but she values the bond they share and the unique connection they’ve built over the years.

One of the things that stood out most in our conversation is Marly’s maturity. She admits she has often felt older than her age, but she now sees that as a gift. It’s helped shape her resilience, her perspective, and her deep understanding that hard seasons don’t last forever.

Marly carries a strong work ethic — something she proudly attributes to her mom. Throughout high school, she's balanced multiple jobs, sports, friendships, family commitments, and somehow even managed to make it so she'll earn her associate's degree alongside her high school diploma in the spring! Her drive is undeniable.

After graduation, she’s excited to attend Ohio State University alongside her best friend — a new chapter she’s stepping into with confidence and big goals.

One especially touching moment from our conversation was when Marly shared about a recent English paper she wrote. In it, she reflected on how much she looks up to her cousin Nathan and the strength he’s shown through difficult times. Watching him navigate challenges has given her perspective and reminded her that we are capable of more than we realize. That shift in thinking — choosing to see things just a little differently — can truly change everything.

Marly’s advice is simple but powerful:
Remind the people you love — especially children — that they can count on others. That even when life looks different than planned, it will be okay. Stability doesn’t always mean things stay the same; sometimes it means knowing you’re supported no matter what.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that strength isn’t about avoiding hard things — it’s about growing through them. And sometimes the most profound wisdom comes from the youngest voices.

I’m so proud of the woman Marly is becoming, and I know you’ll walk away from this conversation encouraged and inspired. 💛

Thank you for joining us for the Show Me the Way Podcast. We truly appreciate you turning into today's episode about overcoming adversity and finding your path. We hope it brought you new insights, empowered you with perspective, and inspired you to find joy in your journey. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who could use a little motivation. Until next time, keep seeking the light and showing the way.

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This week on Show Me the Way, I am truly honored to sit down with Christine Ankenbauer — a referral from one of my dear friends and biggest podcast supporters, Christine Spradlin.

Christine Ankenbauer is an incredibly strong woman who survived the unthinkable.

An avid runner, highly active, strong-willed, hardworking and positive wife and mom, Christine was used to doing it all. Long runs. Long workdays. Extra workouts. Full family life. She thrived on movement and momentum. So when she began feeling unusually exhausted in her early 50s, it didn’t make sense.

She pushed through.

Like so many women, she didn’t want to show weakness. But when the fatigue wouldn’t go away and she still felt “off,” she knew something wasn’t right. After struggling to get clear answers from doctors, her worst fear became reality.

One morning, she woke up nauseous with intense chest pain. Home alone, she realized she was having a heart attack. She crawled to her phone and called for help — a moment that would change everything.

Christine shares what it felt like to truly believe she might lose her life. She opens up about the fear, the mindset shifts, the frustration of not feeling heard medically, and the power of self-advocacy. With the support of her husband, friends, and eventually the right medical team, she was able to enter cardiac rehab and fight her way back to the active lifestyle she loves.

Her story is a powerful reminder:

 • Listen to your body.

 • Advocate for yourself.

 • Don’t ignore the subtle signs.

 • Keep moving and caring for your health.

 • Never give up.

I am so grateful to Christine for vulnerably sharing her journey. This conversation will inspire you to take your health seriously and remind you that strength isn’t about pushing through — it’s about knowing when to ask for help.

Thank you for joining us for the Show Me the Way Podcast. We truly appreciate you turning into today's episode about overcoming adversity and finding your path. We hope it brought you new insights, empowered you with perspective, and inspired you to find joy in your journey. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who could use a little motivation. Until next time, keep seeking the light and showing the way.

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This week on Show Me the Way, I sat down with someone very close to my heart, Tanner Locke. I’ve known Tanner since he was little, and it has been incredible to watch him grow into a resilient, grounded young man who continues to shine a light for everyone around him.

A member of the Ohio Northern University men’s soccer team for the last four and a half years, Tanner’s college career looked a lot different than he expected. While he was a powerful contributor and a true leader, much of his time was spent in rehab, recovering from multiple surgeries, injuries, and ongoing medical challenges. Not every day felt hopeful. But Tanner never quit. Each setback seemed to build a deeper determination in him, and he found a way to come back stronger every time.

In this episode, Tanner opens up about the emotional toll of hospital visits, the frustration of being sidelined, and what it took to keep moving forward. He talks about the people who carried him when things felt heavy — his parents, brothers, girlfriend, teammates, their families, and the coaches and staff who stood beside him.

Above all, Tanner shares how his unwavering faith in God anchored him through and helped lead him to an injury-free, incredibly successful final season.

I know many listeners are in my age group, but this is a conversation to pass along to your kids, their friends, or anyone who needs a reminder that the past doesn’t define the future. Tanner’s story is proof that resilience, community, and belief can carry you farther than you ever imagined.

If this one moves you, share it with someone who might need that spark of hope 🤍

Thank you for joining us for the Show Me the Way Podcast. We truly appreciate you turning into today's episode about overcoming adversity and finding your path. We hope it brought you new insights, empowered you with perspective, and inspired you to find joy in your journey. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who could use a little motivation. Until next time, keep seeking the light and showing the way.

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In this week’s episode, I sit down with my friend and referral partner, Emily Bauman. Emily and I have spent some time together in a networking group that meets three times a month, and through that time I’ve come to know her and I knew she would offer powerful perspective and that she would teach us something meaningful along the way.

Emily and her husband began their marriage with a strong foundation, but after the loss of his father, her husband wasn’t sure fatherhood was in his future. Emily, however, had always known she was meant to be a mom — it was nonnegotiable. By giving him space while still being honest about her deep desire for children, he ultimately realized he was meant to be a father too.

Soon after discovering their first pregnancy, Emily experienced the heartbreak of miscarriage. Without clear answers and while carrying the heavy question of why, she still felt called to keep trying. Through life transitions and multiple moves, she and her husband stayed intentional about building their family.

After that first loss, they welcomed a beautiful daughter. In the years that followed, although they were blessed with two more children, Emily endured additional miscarriages. Together, she and her husband walked through intense grief and trauma. Yet through it all, Emily held tight to her calling to be a mother. Because she was physically and medically able to continue, they kept going until they had the family they cherish today.

Emily shares vulnerably and emotionally about perseverance, intentional living, and the strength she found in her faith. Even if you’ve never experienced miscarriage, you will connect deeply with her story if you’ve ever faced disappointment, uncertainty, or a season that required you to keep going when it felt impossibly hard.

Interested in more of what Emily has to share or how she can help you with your intentions? Check out 12 Trees Coaching by visiting ⁠https://www.12treescoach.com/⁠.

Thank you for joining us for the Show Me the Way Podcast. We truly appreciate you turning into today's episode about overcoming adversity and finding your path. We hope it brought you new insights, empowered you with perspective, and inspired you to find joy in your journey. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who could use a little motivation. Until next time, keep seeking the light and showing the way.

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This week on the Show Me the Way podcast, I sit down with my high school friend, Shamin Sanders—someone I remember as incredibly inclusive, kind-hearted, and full of joy. Even though we haven't seen each other in person in many years, Shamin is one of those people who has felt deeply connected to my family’s journey after Nathan’s diagnosis. She is truly someone God placed in my life for a reason.

Shamin is a mom of two daughters. Her youngest has been diagnosed with autism and is nonverbal, which means communicating her thoughts, feelings, and physical needs can be incredibly challenging. Shamin, her husband, their older daughter, and a loving circle of family and friends have spent years learning what works best for their family and how to best support their daughter.

However, recently, Shamin experienced another profound hardship—the loss of both of her parents within a very short time. She lovingly describes them as the mayor and first lady of her family, and their absence deeply changed the way her household functioned, especially when it came to care and support for her daughter.

In this episode, Shamin vulnerably shares the emotional toll of grief, the exhaustion that comes with constant caregiving, and what it was like to leave a career she loved so she could stay home and be fully available for her daughter. While every day brings new challenges—and often requires a pivot—Shamin and her husband have learned how to lean on one another, grow stronger as partners, and create the best life possible for both of their girls.

Shamin’s love for her family shines through every part of our conversation. The wisdom and encouragement she shares are powerful for anyone facing adversity—whether you’re navigating a child’s diagnosis, grieving loved ones, or walking through a season that feels overwhelming. She reminds us how important it is to seek support, take time for ourselves, give our partners space to do the same, and intentionally build a safe, loving, and trusting home base.

I know you’ll love this episode and learn just as much as I did. 💛

Thank you for joining us for the Show Me the Way Podcast. We truly appreciate you turning into today's episode about overcoming adversity and finding your path. We hope it brought you new insights, empowered you with perspective, and inspired you to find joy in your journey. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who could use a little motivation. Until next time, keep seeking the light and showing the way.

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This week on the Show Me the Way podcast, host Andrea Miller returns with a solo, reflective episode centered on three meaningful reminders for everyday life. Andrea encourages listeners to be proactive while still living in the present, recognizing that tomorrow is never promised. She also shares a simple but powerful grounding tool for stressful or triggering moments—pausing to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth to help calm your body and mind. Finally, Andrea reminds us of the importance of finding your tribe, leaning into community, and accepting help when it’s offered, knowing that support is always reciprocal. As we reach the end of a long month, this episode offers hope for brighter days ahead and gentle reminders to carry forward. And as always, Andrea believes everyone has a story worth sharing—if you feel called to share yours, reach out. Let’s show each other the way.

Thank you for joining us for the Show Me the Way Podcast. We truly appreciate you turning into today's episode about overcoming adversity and finding your path. We hope it brought you new insights, empowered you with perspective, and inspired you to find joy in your journey. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who could use a little motivation. Until next time, keep seeking the light and showing the way.

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This week on the Show Me the Way podcast, I had what can only be described as a miracle conversation with my guest, Carla Haun.

Carla was introduced to me by one of my biggest supporters and frequent guest-connector, Christine Spradlin, who knew Carla carried an incredibly special and inspirational story that needed to be shared.

In 2020, Carla was diagnosed with COVID, and it hit her hard. Her condition quickly worsened, leading to hospitalization, sepsis, and multiple strokes. She became one of the first COVID patients to be placed on ECMO, a life-support machine used to help her lungs function, and spent many days in a coma.

Carla bravely shares the terrifying reality of her experience—how many times she truly believed she was going to die, the unimaginable pain of having to say goodbye to her family on more than one occasion, and the emotional toll of fighting for her life. She recounts seeing the light and being reminded by God that she still had work to do in this life, especially as a mother. That moment fueled her determination to fight her way out of the coma, survive without ECMO, and move forward with her life.

Having this conversation at all feels surreal, as Carla firmly believes it is nothing short of a miracle that she is alive today. She also speaks beautifully about the importance of community—her family and friends who stood by her like family—and reminds us all of the power of faith, positivity, and perseverance.

This episode is a powerful reminder to never give up, even in our darkest days, and to lean on the people who love us when we need them most.

✨ An episode full of faith, resilience, and hope—you won’t want to miss this one.

Thank you for joining us for the Show Me the Way Podcast. We truly appreciate you turning into today's episode about overcoming adversity and finding your path. We hope it brought you new insights, empowered you with perspective, and inspired you to find joy in your journey. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who could use a little motivation. Until next time, keep seeking the light and showing the way.

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In this episode, the Show Me the Way Host, Andrea Miller, shares about a recent traumatic experience she and her family went through after Nathan was injured in a car incident. Although everything is still fresh and raw, she describes what happened and all the emotions attached, and shares how she, her husband and Nathan are figuring out how to move forward and how to gain knowledge and perspective from this experience.  Andrea has been working on her relationship with God and her faith and has really had to lean on both over the past few days.  She recognizes how God is there - in the Hills and the Valleys.  Listen to see if you can relate and also check out the beautiful song - Hills and Valleys from Tauren Wells.

Thank you for joining us for the Show Me the Way Podcast. We truly appreciate you turning into today's episode about overcoming adversity and finding your path. We hope it brought you new insights, empowered you with perspective, and inspired you to find joy in your journey. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who could use a little motivation. Until next time, keep seeking the light and showing the way.

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This week on the Show Me the Way podcast, I’m joined by my friend and fellow Duchenne mom, Kelly Fitzpatrick. Kelly is an energetic, strong-willed, and fiercely independent superhero mama who has worn many hats over the years — including Army veteran, dental hygienist, yogi, and mom to three boys.

Kelly’s life has taken her across multiple states through her military service, education, and career. She married a fellow serviceman, and together they welcomed three boys close in age. When her oldest began showing signs of muscle weakness, Kelly trusted her instincts and started digging for answers. That search led to a devastating diagnosis: Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Soon after, she learned she was a genetic carrier — and heartbreakingly, that her two younger sons were also affected.

As if that wasn’t enough, Kelly found herself navigating profound loss and change all at once. Within the same year as the diagnoses, her marriage ended in divorce, and a few years later, she also lost her mother. Today, Kelly cares for her boys mostly full-time, facing new challenges daily. While she has some support from family and friends, she’s still learning how to ask for — and accept — help.

Despite enduring an incredible amount of adversity in a short period of time, Kelly continues to show up for her boys with love, strength, and determination. She is deeply reflective in this episode, sharing how she’s beginning to better understand her own needs — even as she so often puts her children first, sometimes at the expense of her own self-care.

Kelly’s story offers powerful lessons for all of us, regardless of our circumstances. She reminds us to stay present, to ask for help specifically and accept it when we need it, to say no when something isn’t right, and to never give up — because there is always a way to figure something out.

Kelly and her boys offer incredible perspective, resilience, and grace. I’m truly honored she shared her journey and wisdom on the show.

Thank you for joining us for the Show Me the Way Podcast. We truly appreciate you turning into today's episode about overcoming adversity and finding your path. We hope it brought you new insights, empowered you with perspective, and inspired you to find joy in your journey. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who could use a little motivation. Until next time, keep seeking the light and showing the way.

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This week on the Show Me the Way podcast, I sit down with the true inspiration behind this show—my 16-year-old son, Nathan.

As expected, Nathan brings an incredible outlook on life, sharing his beautiful perspective, positivity, and wisdom far beyond his years. Even from his wheelchair, he understands that life has required him to do things Nathan’s way—and he’s figured out how to navigate every challenge that comes his way. From a very young age, he showed us just how capable and intuitive he was, often teaching us the way we needed to adapt and support him.

After his diagnosis, his dad and I knew our path would look completely different than what we originally imagined. Nathan reminds us every single day that this is okay. He teaches us to live in the present, to release expectations that may not come true, and to accept that life doesn’t always go as planned—sometimes you have to make a left instead of a right.

Nathan also opens up honestly about the harder parts: being part of a clinical trial, taking medications, being poked and prodded, and navigating life in a wheelchair. While these things can be difficult, he shares how they can also be okay—especially when you’re surrounded by love and support. Nathan speaks with gratitude about feeling deeply loved, the support of Nathan’s Ninjas, and the excitement of getting to choose an upcoming Make-A-Wish experience.

I’m so grateful Nathan was willing to join me for this conversation. I know you’ll learn from his perspective just as much as I did. 💙

Thank you for joining us for the Show Me the Way Podcast. We truly appreciate you turning into today's episode about overcoming adversity and finding your path. We hope it brought you new insights, empowered you with perspective, and inspired you to find joy in your journey. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who could use a little motivation. Until next time, keep seeking the light and showing the way.