In this episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, Ava Heinbach speaks with author Bryan Welch about how grief can become a powerful teacher. After losing his son, Bryan reflects on how profound loss reshaped his understanding of love, compassion, joy, and what it means to be human.

Rather than closing him off, grief opened Bryan to deeper empathy, unconditional care, and a greater awareness of life’s inherent sadness and beauty. This conversation invites listeners to see grief not as something to avoid, but as a path toward connection, wakefulness, and a more honest way of living.

Follow Brian's work:

Beautiful and Abundant - https://a.co/d/d1qDSo0

The Gift of a Broken Heart - https://a.co/d/425MMm9

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ranchocapp

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Stop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media Co.

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In this episode, Ava Heinbach speaks with Nate Larkin, a former pastor and founder of the Samson Society, about his decades-long struggle with porn and sex addiction, the shame that kept it hidden, and the recovery that transformed his life and marriage.

Nate shares how early exposure to pornography, emotional vulnerability, and strict religious expectations led him to live a double life in ministry. He explains how shame fueled his addiction, distorted intimacy, and rewired his brain, ultimately escalating into infidelity.

After his wife confronted him and said she was done, Nate entered recovery and learned that real healing requires honesty, community, and long-term relational work. Today, he lives in daily recovery and helps others find freedom through the Samson Society, encouraging people not to face addiction alone and reminding listeners that real connection is always worth it.

More from Nate:

“Samson and the Pirate Monks” Book - https://a.co/d/bGnLo75

Samson Society - https://www.samsonsociety.com/

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Stop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media Co.

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In this episode, Ava sits down with the legendary Mama Meg to unravel the story of her biggest heartbreak, the quiet warnings she ignored, and the inner compass that eventually pushed her toward a better life. Together they explore gut instincts, red flags, post-breakup grief, and finding clarity after chaos. It’s a conversation filled with honesty, humor, and the kind of lived-in wisdom you can only learn from Mama Meg.

Perfect for anyone navigating a breakup, questioning their intuition, or needing a reminder that life has a way of steering you exactly where you’re meant to go.

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Stop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media Co.

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In this episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, Ava sits down with her producer, Kate Kruse, to talk about how volunteering can help you find purpose, community, and connection. Kate shares how moving to Kansas City with almost no friends led her to volunteering, and also tells the unforgettable story of Halo, an eight-year-old rescue dog she once found on the side of the highway and who is now looking for her forever home. Together, Ava and Kate break down simple ways anyone can start volunteering—even if you’re short on time or money—and how giving back can change your life  in the best possible way.

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Stop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media Co.

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In this solo episode, Ava opens up about her favorite grounding exercises — the simple, practical tools she’s used since childhood to calm anxiety, soften overwhelming emotions, and reconnect with the present moment. She breaks down what grounding really means, the different types (physical, sensory, mental, and emotional), and shares her personal go-to techniques for each one.

Whether you’re looking for quick ways to soothe yourself or want to start building your own grounding toolkit, this episode is a comforting, honest guide to slowing down and coming back to yourself.

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Stop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media Co.

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In this episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, host Ava Heinbach talks with Brooklynn Sumonja — a single mother, military member, and woman of faith — about finding strength, purpose, and grace through motherhood.

Brooklynn opens up about facing an unexpected pregnancy, walking through shame and fear, and learning to rely fully on God. She shares how becoming a mom transformed her faith, healed her heart, and gave her life new meaning.

If you’ve ever struggled with guilt, identity, or trusting God through hard seasons, this conversation will remind you that you’re never alone — and that even the hardest moments can lead to redemption.

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Stop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media Co.

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In this heartwarming and entertaining episode, Ava sits down with Mimi — her lifelong friend, honorary grandmother, and former TWA flight attendant — to talk about what it was really like to work the skies during the golden age of flying. From meeting celebrities like Maria von Trapp and Jimmy Dean (yes, the sausage man) to navigating beauty standards, cigarette-filled cabins, and unexpected turbulence, Mimi shares hilarious and heartfelt stories from her five years in the air.

Beyond the glamour and chaos, she reflects on what flying taught her about people, confidence, and living fully. So fasten your seatbelts, grab a coffee, and get ready to laugh, reflect, and fall in love with Mimi’s timeless wisdom from 30,000 feet above.

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Stop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media Co.

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In this powerful episode, Ava talks with Danny Crawford, who shares his journey from addiction and rock bottom to redemption through faith. After years of partying, drug abuse, and a near-fatal psychosis, Danny found healing in recovery and a renewed purpose through Jesus. Now sober and helping at-risk youth in Kauai, his story is a powerful reminder of hope, surrender, and the freedom that comes from trusting God.

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Stop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media Co.

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In this heartfelt episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, Ava welcomes back her close friend and roommate Hannah Jarrah for an open conversation about big emotions — how they show up, how they feel in her body, and how she moves through them with more compassion.

Hannah shares her personal journey with anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation, emphasizing that emotions aren’t problems to be “fixed” but messengers that offer insight into our needs. The episode blends emotional honesty, practical tools, and genuine friendship, offering listeners comfort in knowing that big emotions are part of being human — and we can learn to ride their waves with grace.

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Stop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media Co.

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In this heartfelt solo episode, host Ava Heinbach returns after a short break to open up about where she’s been, what she’s been going through, and how she’s been learning to navigate her big emotions.

Ava vulnerably shares that she stepped away from the podcast to prioritize her mental health after a difficult personal situation that resurfaced emotions from a past relationship. She describes how grief, heartbreak, and anxiety resurfaced—and how she found healing by leaning into, rather than running from, her emotions.

Throughout the episode, Ava walks listeners through four key ways she learned to process and move through heavy feelings: naming her emotions, caring for her body and nervous system, giving herself space and time to heal, and accepting that emotions come and go. 

Ava reminds everyone that big emotions are a beautiful part of being human, and that there’s no shame in taking time to process, grow, and find balance again.

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Stop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media Co.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.