What happens when a mother refuses to let adversity define her family? In this moving episode of Soaring Through Adversity, Marla O’Neill shares her journey as a mother, advocate, and “Momager” who has walked through autism, addiction, and heartbreaking loss — and turned those experiences into a mission of hope.

Listeners will hear how Marla’s fierce love helped her son find his voice, earn a degree, and launch a career in journalism, while also honoring the memory of her son Jake and supporting her son Joshua’s ongoing recovery. This conversation is raw, real, and deeply inspiring — for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone facing life’s storms who needs to be reminded that faith, love, and resilience can carry you through. 

He’s got wrestling hot takes, football opinions that’ll make you laugh (or argue), and a heart so big it fills the room.

Jared is 40 years young, a Special Olympics legend, and a firecracker of joy, resilience, and unforgettable

This episode is packed with laughs, legacy, and life lessons from someone who’s been breaking barriers and making people smile for over three decades.

Trust us—you don’t want to miss Jared.

What do gold medals, scary movies, and early mornings on an egg farm have in common? Meet the incredible woman behind it all in our latest episode of Soaring Through Adversity.

This week, we sit down with Mary, a tech-savvy, fiercely determined dreamer who’s not only mastered bowling and bocce ball—but is also chasing her dreams of college, independence, and a driver’s license.

She doesn’t see herself as someone with a disability—and she doesn’t want you to either. She sees herself as a kind, capable, and normal person… because that’s exactly who she is.

In this episode of Soaring Through Adversity, you’ll hear how this inspiring woman challenges assumptions, embraces her strengths, and reminds us all of one simple truth: kindness and respect go a long way.

Listen in and be reminded what true strength looks like.

In this episode of Soaring Through Adversity, host Renee Breazeale welcomes Amanda Kotter and Nicole Thompson, two passionate leaders and coaches within the Special Olympics community. Together, Amanda and Nicole share inspiring stories about the power of inclusive sports to foster confidence, connection, and community for individuals with disabilities. They discuss the origins and global impact of Special Olympics, highlight the challenges and triumphs of athletes, and emphasize the importance of advocacy and volunteerism in creating a world where everyone belongs.

This episode is a celebration of resilience, inclusion, and the unstoppable spirit that drives the Special Olympics movement worldwide.

A New Year's Eve call changes everything. Join Renee Breazeale as she speaks with Karla and Scott Dougan about a life-altering accident. Hear their raw, emotional story of unexpected challenges, and the long road to recovery. 'One Choice, One Moment' explores resilience and the strength in the face of unimaginable adversity, and shows that anyone can become disabled at the blink of an eye. 

In this episode of Soaring Through Adversity, host Renee Breazeale welcomes Eva and Kevin Potts, co-founders of the Mary Carmel's Light Foundation, to discuss a condition that often goes unrecognized—Charles Bonnet Syndrome.

Eva and Kevin share their personal journey, inspired by their late mother, Mary Carmel, who lived with the condition and was misdiagnosed with dementia. Their experience navigating the medical system and the lack of resources led them to create a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals affected by Charles Bonnet Syndrome and their families.

Together, they break down what Charles Bonnet Syndrome is, how it impacts those who have lost significant visual acuity, and the importance of raising awareness to ensure others don’t face the same struggles alone.

Tune in for a compelling conversation about advocacy, resilience, and the power of shedding light on the unseen.

In this heartfelt and empowering episode of Soaring Through Adversity, "Life Reimagined", host Renee Breazeale is joined by her friend Christa Tyson for an unforgettable conversation. Christa, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at just 44, opens up about the challenges and lessons of navigating life with a disability.

Together, Renee and Christa share personal stories, including Renee’s journey of discovering a life-altering brain tumor. This episode dives into how they’ve both turned life’s unexpected challenges into opportunities for growth, resilience, and even a bit of humor.

This episode of Soaring Through Adversity, titled "Unstoppable Voice," features Susan and Lexi Haas, a mother-daughter duo dedicated to disability advocacy and education. Together, they co-authored The Year of the Buttered Cat, which shares Lexi’s extraordinary journey.

Susan and Lexi share their story of resilience, advocacy, and triumph, inspiring listeners to embrace the potential within every challenge.

Today's guest is Madison, a 36-year-old professional with roots in West Palm Beach, Florida, who grew up in Union County, North Carolina. Madison’s story is one of determination, from balancing single parenthood, a full-time job, and her studies to earn a communication degree from East Carolina University, to her successful corporate career as a business analyst at Siemens, where she's worked since 2014.

On New Year’s Day in 2017, Madison’s journey took a sharp turn when she suffered a massive stroke that initially left her unable to walk and permanently affected her left arm and leg. With six weeks of inpatient therapy in North Carolina and ten weeks at Atlanta's Shepherd Center, her resilience carried her through the intense recovery process. Today, Madison remains focused on her professional goals and cherishes time with her two sons who continue to be her inspiration.