The Forge Within Podcast - Lived Experience Survivor Stories on Mental Health & Childhood Trauma

Real talk on mental health stigma and chronic pain: Emma Moseley-Strand shares her story of endometriosis and resilience.

In this episode of the Forged Within podcast, host Sam David Wilkes speaks with Emma Moseley-Strand about her long journey with endometriosis and its profound impact on her mental health and identity. Emma shares her experiences of isolation, dismissal from medical professionals, and the eventual validation she received through diagnosis. The conversation highlights the importance of believing in oneself, advocating for personal health, and the need for open discussions about mental health. Emma's story is one of resilience, empowerment, and the drive to help others facing similar struggles.

Real talk mental health conversation: An 18 year old shares his views on mental wellness, faith, and personal growth during challenging times.

In this episode of The Forge Within Podcast, I sit down with my son for an open and honest conversation about his experience of mental health.

We talk about how Covid impacted him, what it was like navigating friendships and relationships during that time, and how he experienced seeing me struggle with my own mental health.

He also shares how faith helped him make sense of difficult moments and supported his mental wellbeing in ways he didn’t expect.

This isn’t a conversation about lessons or advice.
It’s about listening, understanding, and giving space to a young person’s voice.

This episode is for parents, young people, and anyone who’s ever wondered how honesty, trust, and openness can shape emotional growth.

In this very first episode of The Forge Within Podcast, my mother and I sit down and talk honestly about what it’s like to love someone who is struggling, the quiet worry that lives in families, and how survival affects more than just one person.

This episode isn’t about blame.It isn’t about fixing anything.

It’s about understanding.

This podcast is for people who’ve survived things they never had the words for and for the people who stood beside them.

Being a dad isn't just about showing up — it's about surviving the storm while trying to stay strong for everyone else.

In this raw and honest episode, I dive into what it really feels like to be a father living with mental health struggles. From the guilt and pressure to the unspoken fears we carry behind closed doors, this is a conversation for every man who’s ever felt like he's drowning in silence.

I talk about my own journey — the mistakes, the pain, the guilt of not being 'enough' — and what it took to start showing up differently, both for my kids and for myself.

No fluff. No filters. Just real talk about what it means to be a dad in a world that tells us to 'man up'.

If you’re a father, or you’ve got one, this one matters.

🔥 The Forge Within Podcast — Real talk. No therapy. No bullshit.

We all wear masks. The strong one. The joker. The overachiever. The one who says “I’m fine” when they’re anything but.
In this episode, Sam strips back the layers and explores the hidden emotional toll of pretending to be okay. With raw honesty and lived experience, he unpacks why so many of us hide behind roles and expectations — and what it really costs us.

This isn’t just a conversation about mental health. It’s about identity, survival, and learning to live without the mask.

In this episode of The Forge Within Podcast, we dive headfirst into the raw, unfiltered reality of living with anxiety. This isn’t a clinical breakdown or a polished pep talk — it’s a real conversation from someone who’s been in the trenches.

Sam opens up about the panic attacks, the silent spirals, the isolation that hides behind everyday smiles — and what it really takes to survive it. Not manage it. Not mask it. Survive it.

This episode explores:

• ​The invisible war inside your head
• ​Why anxiety doesn’t always “look” anxious
• ​The strength in admitting you’re not okay
• ​And the small, gritty wins that keep you going when nothing makes sense

If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in your own mind… this one’s for you.This is not therapy. This is real talk. Welcome to The Forge Within.

In this deeply personal episode, Sam Wilkes opens up about the truth behind The Forge Within — not the brand, not the book, but the man. From childhood bullying and silent panic attacks, to high-stakes humanitarian work in Thailand, a crushing breakdown at university, and the moment he nearly ended it all in 2018… this is the story he never thought he’d tell.

But survival changes you.

Fatherhood, guilt, recovery, and the slow, painful process of rebuilding — Sam takes you through every fire that forged the voice you hear today.

This isn’t therapy.
This is raw.
This is real.
This… is his story.

🎧 Whether you’re struggling quietly, carrying years of shame, or just need to hear someone say “me too” — this one’s for you