The Overcoming Odds Podcast

Voiceless.

She said, “I grew up in an environment where I wasn’t necessarily allowed to be myself or wasn’t able to grow into who I truly was.”

Many, if not most of us have times like these in our lives.

She said, “I finally found the courage to tell my story a few years ago. I was at a family funeral. My adopted dad came up to me and was trying to confront me why our relationship wasn’t great… It was just not an appropriate time. But, growing up I would have sat there, been silent and just kind of taken the words in… Don’t speak my mind… But, this time there was something different.”

This was a moment that made Brooke O’Neill take ownership of her story.

A moment that allowed her to go from victim to victor of her past.

A moment that helped shape her purpose, to Step Into Bravery, a process of acceptance, growth, and embracing bravery.

Step into your own bravery and take ownership of your story.

If you can stop comparing yourself to others and believe in who you are, and say “I am who I am. This is my name, this is who I am,” and you own that, then you can do amazing things.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

On Identity: Embrace who you are

On Growth Mindset: Stay curious

On Courage: “Know that you’re not alone”

On Self-Narrative: Own your story

Unadoptable.

A term that became a part of her identity at the age of seven.

She said, “My mother asked her neighbor to babysit while she went shopping, but she did not go shopping. Her clothes were packed, her car was loaded and she moved out of state… She never came back.”

A situation that made Rhonda Sciortino understand early on the concepts of abandonment and rejection.

A situation that left her no other option, but to live her with maternal grandparents, a mentally ill grandfather, and an alcoholic grandmother.

She said, “We lived in a little shack, about the size of a two-car garage… It didn't have working plumbing… No heat or air conditioning… Lots of times we went without food… Lots of times we had no electricity… Pretty rough upbringing.”

She continued by saying, “I was abused… Physically… Emotionally…”

A type of upbringing that most, if not all of us, would want to forget as fast as possible.

But, Rhonda is different from most people, as she did not have the luxury of forgetting.

An upbringing that took her on a journey from being a victim to becoming a survivor, and ultimately turning into an advocate.

An advocate for those who’ve suffered abuse, abandonment, poverty, filth, and hunger.

“My success is helping other people get theirs.”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

On Hardship: Identify the takeaway to prevent future hardships

On Avoiding Abuse: Learn to redirect the conversation

On Relationships: Form quality relationships with healthy people

On Communication: Give people the benefit of the doubt

What would you do if you became homeless today?

It’s a condition that is unimaginable to most, if not all of us.

A condition that made Tiffony become more resourceful, so she would never have to lay her head on the concrete ground again to sleep, or beg at a church or soup kitchen for a meal in order to survive.

She said, “I started to realize that at 36 years old if something really bad had happened… I didn’t have long-term care protection. I didn't have a saving vehicle that would allow me to take care of myself if I didn't have any income.”

This was a moment of truth that made her realize the importance of financial literacy.

A moment of truth that made her become accountable for her actions.

A moment of truth that made Tiffony Jacobs want to change the current cycle of living in generational poverty, to one of generational wealth.

“Don’t change your dream, change your plan.”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

On Future: Plan to live beyond your retirement

On Thriving: Invest in yourself

On Resilience: Define your next steps

On Courage: Find a group that shares your values

It all suddenly made sense.

He said, “A moment that clearly defined what purpose meant to me was when I first started teaching… I don’t mean to teach people skills… but to get people to believe in themselves...”

Self-belief, a concept that gives you the confidence to overcome any obstacle that’s put in front of you.

Self-belief, a concept that develops from understanding your own abilities.

He continued by saying, “I had students who I worked my butt off to create these great lessons for, and I don’t think they always walked away understanding what I tried to get them to do. But, then I would get an email back from them, a year, two, three later or a Facebook message… and they’ll share these stories of where they’re struggling in their life… and they’ll say, ‘Mr. Guay, I just wanted to reach out to you… I’m realizing who are the people that helped me realize my greatness… the things that I could do… who pushed me to be a better version of myself… and I think of you”

As Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

On Life: Live the story you want to tell

On Purpose: It’s defined by who you are, and creating something only you can create

On Adoption: “I think adoption is a superpower. I think the reason why it’s a superpower is because it puts you on a self-introspective journey”

On Teaching: Help people believe in themselves

On Relationships: They allow us to grow into the greatest versions of ourselves

He was in real, physical danger.

He said, “There was a time when I used to think that my father was going to kill me. So, I used to stay up late at night, tucked in the corner of the room.”

At school, people would ask Ron Bultongez about the bandages and bruises, but he was too afraid, to tell the truth.

So, he lied.

A set of experiences that would make most, if not all, of us, want to forget about our early days and move on.

But, Ron Bultongez was different.

He decided to use his story in order to show others the path, from being a victim, to becoming a survivor, and ultimately turning into an advocate.

An advocate for those who’ve experienced physical or mental abuse in the household.

An advocate for those whose voices are often not heard.

“The quickest way to lose hope, is believing you’re alone.”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

On Life: Understand that life is unfair and difficult

On Adversity: You don’t have to go through it alone

On Impact: Focus on changing one life, one day at a time

On Odds: Switch your mindset from “probability” to “possibility.”

It was hard.

She said, “I went through ten different foster homes between the ages of 2 & 16.”

A system filled with memories of rejection and abuse.

A system that made Stacy Johnson realize she had nothing more to lose.

A system that made her redefine the meaning of family and love.

A system that helped her find her purpose in life, to help other foster youth rise from all of the above.

Three years ago, Stacy started Central Texas Table of Grace, an emergency foster youth shelter.

An organization, whose name was inspired by the following lyrics, “…At the table of grace, the cup's never empty. The plate's always full, and it's never too late. To come and be filled with love never ending. You're always welcome at the table of grace…”

An organization, that helped her find healing and meaning in life.

Are you living a meaningful life?

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

On Escaping Abuse: Find an outlet that will allow you to escape your situation

On Healthy Mind: “Garbage in, garbage out”

On Goal-Setting: Visualize the outcome

On Life: “Your life is the lens you see it through”

Born and abandoned.

She said, “When I was found by the Ahmednagar police, I was severely malnourished, miasmic, and suffering from dysentery.”

An event that’s difficult for most, if not all, of us to imagine.

An event that first showed Rebekah Mallory what rejection and lack of belonging felt like.

But, this wasn’t the only time Rebekah experienced rejection and lack of belonging.

She said, “I was seven years old… I don’t remember what brought it on or what caused it, but one of my friends was making fun of me for being black… One of the first times I was aware that I was being humiliated for being different.”

An instance that questioned her identity once again.

But, it is an instance like this that made her stronger.

An instance that made her realize how we should focus on our similarities rather that our differences.

An instance that made Rebekah embrace who she was.

Remember: Everyone has a story. Embrace it. Live yours.

“As an adoptee, there is nothing more you need than other adoptees... who bring new perspectives to the table”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

On Living Life: Look forward, not into the past

On Rejection: Be aware that it may happen

On Community: Find people who care about you

On Connecting with Others: Don’t be afraid of abandonment and rejection

***

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For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)


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It was devastating.

She said, “I thought if other people heard it or if they knew about my early story, then they would see me as less able to do the job that I was doing. Somehow scared, less desirable to hire.”

A set of feelings that were difficult to escape.

So, she hid it for as long as possible.

Until one day a breaking news story developed.

She said, “I was on the news desk, reading this story coming down on the prompter about a homicide that had happened… The suspect was the adopted son of this couple… It said ‘the adopted son’ over and over again.”

A story that made Michelle realize that we cannot run from the truth of who we are.

A story that helped her embrace her adoption as a strength, not a weakness.

A story that helped Michelle define her purpose in life, to ensure that the adoption community is heard, seen, valued, respected, and understood.

“I want to help people rise… I want to help them overcome.”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

On Becoming Resilient: Make the decision to move forward

On Life: Your decisions control your life, not the events that happen in it

On Identity: Don’t hide from your story

On Advocacy: Rise up every morning and be passionate about your work

***

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving us a short review? It takes less than 60 seconds, and could make a huge difference in spreading the word of these inspiring/courageous conversations.


For information on how to join any of the upcoming, “Courageous Conversations”, please leave us a message via the “contact us” page on (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)


Interested in sponsoring any of our upcoming events? Please contact us via email ([email protected]) or website (https://www.overcomingodds.today/)


For more daily inspirational content, consider following us on:

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_overcomingodds?lang=en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overcomingodds/?hl=en

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/overcomingodds.today/

Unknown.

A word that can be used to describe much of her early beginnings, especially her experience related to adoption.

She said, “There is so much that’s lost because my birth mother is no longer on the planet.”

A person, with whom April Dinwoodie wishes she had developed a stronger connection with.

A person, who may have helped April find answers to some of her burning questions, such as “Were my birth parents in love? Were they connected in some significant way? Was there a forced sexual experience?”

A list of questions that will always remain a part of her identity.

An identity that was formed by taking bold steps forward, not backward.

Helping her gain significant experience in the process, including CEO at The Donaldson Adoption Institute, founder of Adoptment and host of the rapidly growing podcast, Born in June Raised April.

Leading her to experiences that have helped her position herself as a thought leader within the adoption and foster care community.

A thought leader, whose efforts continuously challenge the norm.

A thought leader, whose efforts could be looked upon as inspiration for future leaders.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

On Claiming Identity: Embrace your differences

On Transracial Adoption: Be fierce about protecting your child, physically and emotionally

On Qualities of Great Mentors: Commitment, Patience, and Presence

On Advocacy: Strive to become an influencer

October 15th, 2014.

The day she received her diagnosis.

It was thyroid cancer.

She said, “I have been working with cancer for almost 20 years and I have never had it before. So, to get diagnosed with it was shocking.”

A condition that is often times kept as a secret.

But, for Pamela Cordano it was different.

It was an opportunity to learn things she didn’t already know.

To develop a mindset that helped her excel as a being, adoptee, and psychotherapist.

A mindset that has made her life more meaningful.

I asked, “How does one find meaning?”

She said, “Meaning is available to all of us, all the time… I think that when our lives aren’t meaningful or we’re lacking meaning in our lives, it’s when we’ve become disconnected from it… There is an abundance of meaning around us all the time that’s just waiting for us.”

She continued by saying, “Meaning can be experienced through our senses… things that we do like our work or an art… people, places and things that we love… important stories from our past… the legacy we want to leave in the future… attitudes that are important to us when we encounter adversity or life’s limitations.”

Are you living a meaningful life?

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

On Cancer: Treat it as an opportunity for learning and growth

On Abuse: Speak up if you can

On Development: Elevate others first

On Resilience: Move into an expanded state of mind

On Happiness: Give before you receive