Survive and Thrive 8791 ☆ Mental Health Help ☆ ANXIETY ☆ DEPRESSION ☆ RECOVERY ☆WELLNESS

On the next episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, On the next episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Dr. Roopa Shah to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios. Dr. Shah is a well-known family physician in the Madison, WI area. Since graduating from Michigan State University, she has spent her entire professional life serving her patients for nearly a quarter century. She is on the podcast to share how she managed being a wife, mother, and doctor and playing all those roles with passion and determination.

Raised in suburban Detroit, MI, Dr. Shah didn’t venture far for her undergrad and graduate work. Michigan State University checked all the boxes for what has become a fulfilling career. SSM Health would take a chance on her right after she completed her residency in St. Paul, MN. Her medical career started in the delivery room where she helped expectant mothers bring newborns into the world. 

It wasn’t long after the start of her career when she would start her family. She would have two of her own children. As rewarding as her career was, motherhood also brought its own share of rewards and demands. With the help of a supportive husband, nannies, and hard work she managed to keep moving forward in her career. After battling some anxiety with her profession and parenthood, she leaned on exercise and some self reflection to bring balance back to her life. 

Dr. Roopa Shah has turned her passion for exercise into a pursuit to climb mountains. She uses her experiences and medical background to help her patients to live their best life. This will be a good one. You will not want to miss this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN’T WAIT!!!

On this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Sarah Carlson to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios. Carlson, a familiar face to many in Madison, WI, where she has seen action at all three stations (Ch. 3, 15 & 27). Sarah’s journey has been anything but smooth. In 2008, she began experiencing strange symptoms in what she described as “feeling funny”. Not realizing at the time, she discovered she was experiencing seizures. Her diagnosis was epilepsy, and not long after, doctors would discover a benign brain tumor. While the tumor was successfully removed, the scar tissue left behind would change everything.

In 2011, Carslon experienced an on-air seizure that forced her to step away from the news desk in order to address her health. She would move to the Chicagoland area to be near her parents, who became her biggest support system while helping care for her two young children. Eventually, her children relocated back to Madison to be with their father, leaving Carlson with a new mission: to fight for her health and find the right treatment. For many years, she tried different medications, remaining determined to regain her life, and one day return to the career she loved.

That determination paid off. In 2021, Carlson returned to Madison to be closer to her children. And after 12 long years experimenting with different medications and tons of hope, she finally found some meds that virtually eliminated her seizures. Then, in January 2025, Carlson returned to the news desk and returned to the anchor chair of the evening news.

Sarah Carlson’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and the power of never giving up. You won't want to miss this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN'T WAIT!!!

On the next episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Mark Bardenwerper to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios. At age 36, Bardenwerper started to feel “crummy” and decided to check out the walk-in clinic. Originally diagnosed with acid reflux, he would have bouts of chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

As the head wrestling coach at Watertown High School, Bardenwerper would work out with his athletes. One such workout resulted in severe nausea and chest tightness that brought some good natured teasing from an assistant coach and some of the team. He sensed something was not right.

Fast forward to the fall of 2016. A family outing with his son turned into an emergency helicopter ride via Medflight from his hometown of Watertown to the UW Health University Hospital in Madison, WI. Numerous tests showed significant blockage resulting in triple bypass surgery during Thanksgiving.

Bardenwerper, a self-proclaimed “I’m not much for doctors” kind of guy encourages people to get their physicals and have things checked out when they sense something is wrong. He enjoys family vacations, coaching his children’s sports, and his role as coach and Learning Strategist in the Exceptional Learning Department at Watertown High School. You’ll really enjoy this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN’T WAIT!!!

ATTENTION ALL WOMEN and men who have that special woman in their lives (spouse, daughter, or friend).

On the next episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Barbara Geldert, aka The Hormonista, to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios. Geldert was living her best life, a hard working professional who wore many hats right out of high school. Among her many careers, one of her greatest joys was teaching, including a memorable chapter as a teacher in Mexico.

But at age 42, Geldert’s world began to change. She started noticing changes in her body and mind. Unexplained weight gain, brain fog, and growing fatigue. Not knowing it at the time, she was entering perimenopause, a natural but often misunderstood time in a woman’s life. Despite her active lifestyle, fitness advocate, and exercise instructor, Barbara gained 76 pounds and fell into depression, unsure of what was happening to her.

At age 52, Geldert’s life took a turn. Dr. Mindy Pelz’s book, The Menopause Reset seemingly fell out of nowhere and into Geldert’s hands. A quick read that finished in one day, Geldert gained knowledge and renewed self-understanding that would lead her to feeling better for the first time in years.

Today, with training from Dr. Pelz, she is helping other women through her company, Full Cycle Hormones, where she educates and empowers women to understand their bodies and embrace every phase of menopause.

Join us as Barbara Geldert shares her powerful journey from confusion to clarity, from struggle to self-acceptance — and how she’s helping women everywhere reclaim their life, confidence, and joy. You’ll really enjoy this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN’T WAIT!!!

On this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Hugh Roberts to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios. Hugh is a man whose story is all about hard work, determination, family, and community spirit.

On a cold January 1994 day, tragedy struck when Hugh and his wife Jane were on their way to a funeral and their vehicle was hit by a train. Hugh was med flighted from his hometown of Randolph, Wisconsin, suffering a neck injury that required a halo device for stabilization. His wife was taken to another hospital nearby. Hugh says his faith in God, determination, and an incredible work ethic, which he learned growing up on the family farm helped lead to a speedy recovery.

Prior to the accident, Hugh’s life had already been filled with hard work and determination. A minor league baseball player in the 1950s and ’60s, he had a dream of making it to the big leagues. When his father passed away, he returned home to carry on his father’s legacy by running the family farm and turning a small painting business into a thriving business.

But Hugh’s impact didn’t stop with farming and painting. In the late 1970s, he started the Randolph Boys & Girls Basketball Club, a program that became the foundation for many state championships for this small community. Later, founded Roberts Bros Painting AAU basketball program where he helped develop young athletes from across the state of Wisconsin into college and professional athletes.

Now 91 years young, Hugh continues to inspire everyone around him with his humility, kind heart, and love of sports. His life story is so inspiring. You’ll really enjoy this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN’T WAIT!!!

Coach Tim Decorah shares his story of survive and thrive. Episode #1 starts at the beginning. December 2021, Coach Decorah's anxiety ridden life is interrupted by two co-workers who show up at his door to do a wellness check. When there isn't an answer, both co-workers leave. They return a couple of minutes later. Coach Decorah meets them at the door and makes a statement that would transform his life. Coach says, "I NEED HELP." One month later, Coach Decorah returns to his job as a physical education teacher and starts his mental health recovery journey.

Join Coach Decorah on Survive & Thrive 8791 as he and his guests will share stories that will make you cry, laugh, and think. You will learn coping strategies from guests that will touch on subjects such as mental health, addiction, grief, trauma, and other situations that have caused people to muster up strength, courage, and persistence to get better.

Survive & Thrive 8791, LET'S GO!!!!

On this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Kelsey (McCarthy) Townsend to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios.  In this heartfelt episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Kelsey Townsend, a mother of four, who fought an 84-day battle with COVID-19 while pregnant with her fourth child.

Kelsey’s story is a testament to the power of hope, grit, and the loving support of family, friends, community, and complete strangers. After contracting COVID-19 late in her pregnancy, Kelsey’s condition took a turn for the worse, leading to a medically induced coma that lasted 60 of those grueling days. Her family faced an agonizing waiting game, holding onto faith while doctors worked tirelessly to save her life.

Against all odds, Kelsey awakened on Jan. 1, 2021 to the surprise of her care team. For the first time in 60 days, she was able to reach out to her husband via text message and began her road to recovery. In this emotional interview with Townsend, we find out how important her family, and her medical team, were in her fight to stay alive in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Kelsey Townsend (McCarthy) and her journey of survival, the strength of motherhood, faith, and the lessons she learned about life, love, and second chances. You don’t want to miss this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN’T WAIT!!!

On this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Tom Anderson to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios. Anderson is a visionary entrepreneur and owner of Buck & Honey’s restaurants in the Madison, Wisconsin area. With four locations in the Madison area, one is always near. Anderson has built a reputation for offering more than just food, he’s creating a memorable experience for his guests. With their great food AND drink menu, 5 star customer service, and a welcoming AND vibrant atmosphere, people keep coming back. Buck & Honey’s has been recognized as one of Madison’s best restaurants.

Anderson’s journey to success didn’t come easy. In 2008 and 2009, his world faced a financial crisis and housing market collapse that hit him especially hard. Faced with worry and fear and professional setbacks, he went to what he knew best: restaurant hospitality. Following in the footsteps of his father, who owned a successful restaurant business, Anderson took a leap of faith. In 2010, he opened the very first Buck & Honey’s in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. What he wanted to do was to give the community something it truly needed: a place where people get a great meal at a decent price, enjoy craft cocktails, and an opportunity to forget about the troubles of the world.

In the last fifteen years, Buck & Honey’s has become a household name in the Madison area, serving as both a local favorite and a destination for visitors looking for an unforgettable dining experience. Today, Tom Anderson shares his story of calculated risks, hardwork, and dedication to build a restaurant rooted in integrity, vision, and passion. You won't want to miss this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN'T WAIT!!!

On this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Katie Valk to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios. Katie shares her deeply moving story of loss and resilience. In August 2021, Katie’s mother tragically passed away, leaving behind her husband and three children. Katie, just a junior in high school at the time, faced uncertainty. She talks openly about how this devastating loss forced her to mature quickly, cope with grief while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in her life.

Through heartbreak and sadness, Katie has learned not only to survive, but to thrive. She reflects on the lessons she’s gained from her mother’s passing—how it deepened her family's bond, and inner strength. Katie’s journey is a testament to resilience, showing that it gets better but it will always hurt.

Join us for this heartfelt conversation as Katie Valk inspires us with her strength, outlook on life, and the remarkable way she’s choosing to honor her mother’s memory while building a future full of memories. You don’t want to miss this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN’T WAIT!!!