She could have quit… but she didn’t.

In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen sits down with Julie Barth to explore what it really means to keep going when life gets difficult.

Julie shares her journey through adversity, the mindset that helped her push forward, and how resilience is built one decision at a time.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt like giving up — and needed a reminder that there’s still purpose ahead.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – The story begins

💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS

📣 CALL TO ACTION

If this episode encouraged you, don’t keep it to yourself — share it with someone who needs it today.

👉 Follow The SwagAbility Show on your favorite podcast platform

Because here at SwagAbility, we believe your story still has power — and your life still has purpose.

🔗 TAGS

#PodMatch #SwagAbility #Resilience #KeepGoing #PurposeDriven

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Have you ever noticed how people lower their voice when they say the word disability?

As if it’s something fragile… something to fix… something to avoid.

But what if disability isn’t a limitation at all?

In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen sits down with Jenna Udenberg, founder of Above and Beyond With You, to challenge the way we think about disability, accessibility, and inclusion.

Jenna shares her journey living with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and how her experiences shaped a powerful perspective: that inclusion isn’t about measurements, policies, or checklists…

It’s about relationships, respect, and representation.

This conversation will shift how you see disability—not as something to whisper about, but something to understand, embrace, and learn from.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Why people whisper the word “disability”

💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS

📣 CALL TO ACTION

If this episode challenged the way you think, don’t keep it to yourself — share it with someone who needs to hear this message.

👉 Follow The SwagAbility Show on your favorite podcast platform

Because here at SwagAbility, we believe your story still has power — and your life still has purpose.

🔗 TAGS

#PodMatch #SwagAbility #DisabilityAwareness #InclusionMatters #Accessibility

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What does it take to go from playing guitar in a dive bar… to negotiating stadium naming rights inside the NFL?

In this powerful episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with Megha Perik, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for the Jacksonville Jaguars. A Harvard-educated leader operating at the highest level of professional sports, Megha’s career is nothing short of extraordinary.

But behind the titles is a story most people never see.

Megha opens up about trauma, PTSD, and the reality of navigating mental health while performing in high-stakes leadership roles. She shares what happens when life doesn’t go according to plan—and how you begin to rebuild when everything feels broken.

This conversation goes beyond success. It’s about authenticity, resilience, and learning how to carry both pain and purpose at the same time.

If you’ve ever faced adversity, struggled silently, or wondered how people rise after everything falls apart—this episode is for you.

NFL executive Megha Perik shares her journey through trauma, mental health, and leadership—and what it really takes to rebuild your life.

What leadership looks like inside an NFL organization

Why success doesn’t protect you from trauma

The realities of PTSD in high-performing careers

How to rebuild your life after adversity

The role of authenticity in leadership and healing

Why resilience is more than just “pushing through”

Chapters:

00:00 – From dive bars to the NFL

01:15 – Meet Megha Perik

04:00 – Career journey to the Jaguars

09:30 – Trauma and mental health realities

18:00 – The myth of “just move on”

28:00 – Rebuilding after everything falls apart

40:00 – Leadership, authenticity, and purpose

Support the SwagAbility mission:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today

Want to be a guest on The SwagAbility Show? Send Stephen Wagstaff a message on PodMatch, here:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability

#PodMatch #WomenInLeadership #PTSDRecovery. #BehindTheScenesNFL. #ResilientLeadership

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What happens when your brain begins to fail you—and no one can explain why?

In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with Rob Renee to explore the deeply personal journey of facing cognitive decline, neurological dysfunction, and the fear surrounding conditions like dementia.

After experiencing severe brain health challenges, Rob refused to accept a future defined by decline. Instead, he began exploring innovative approaches to healing—focusing on the brain, nervous system, and root causes of trauma and dysfunction.

Together, they unpack how trauma impacts the brain, why many traditional treatments fall short, and what it looks like to pursue recovery that goes beyond symptoms.

In this episode: • Facing cognitive decline and early signs of dementia • The connection between trauma and brain health • Understanding neurological dysfunction • Why traditional approaches don’t always work • Exploring alternative paths to healing • Building resilience through brain and nervous system recovery • Encouragement for those navigating chronic or complex conditions

If you or someone you love is facing cognitive challenges, chronic illness, or unexplained health issues, this conversation offers hope, direction, and a new perspective on healing.

Chapters:

00:00 — Introduction and Rob’s Story 02:10 — The Onset of Cognitive Decline 05:35 — Brain Health and Early Symptoms 09:20 — Trauma and the Nervous System 13:45 — Misdiagnosis and Frustration 18:10 — Searching for Answers 22:30 — New Approaches to Brain Recovery 27:05 — Building Resilience Through Healing 31:40 — Practical Steps for Brain Health 35:10 — Encouragement for Listeners 37:00 — Where to Connect with Rob 39:00 — Closing Thoughts + SwagAbility Outro

Subscribe to The SwagAbility Show on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Subscribe and watch full episodes on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SwagAbility⁠

Support the SwagAbility mission: ⁠⁠https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today⁠⁠

Visit us online: ⁠⁠https://www.swagability.com⁠⁠

Want to be a guest on The SwagAbility Show? Send Stephen Wagstaff a message on PodMatch: ⁠⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability⁠⁠

#PodMatch #Dementia #BrainHealth #CognitiveDecline #ChronicIllness #Resilience

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Every year, more people are injured in their own homes than in car accidents.

Not because they’re careless.

But because most homes were never designed with accessibility in mind.

In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, host Stephen Wagstaff sits down with Greg Cantori, founder of Little Deeds, to talk about the hidden dangers inside everyday homes and what we can do to make living spaces safer, more accessible, and more supportive for people of all abilities.

Greg shares powerful insights from his work helping individuals and families rethink the way homes are designed — especially for aging adults, people with disabilities, and anyone recovering from injury or illness.

Together they explore:

• Why the home is statistically one of the most dangerous places for injuries

Whether you're caring for a loved one, planning for aging in place, or imply want to make your home safer, this conversation offers practical insight and a new way of thinking about accessibility.

Chapters:

00:00 – A Powerful Story About Home Accessibility

If today’s conversation helped you think differently about accessibility and safety, make sure you subscribe to The SwagAbility Show on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube so you never miss future episodes.

You can also explore our other SwagAbility podcasts wherever you listen.

If you'd like to support the mission of SwagAbility and help us continue creating resources for people facing illness, trauma, and disability, consider giving through our donation page:

👉 https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today

Your support helps us continue helping people thrive where life finds them.

www.SwagAbility.com

This episode guest connection was made through PodMatch, the best platform for connecting podcast hosts and guests.

If you're a podcaster looking for guests or a guest wanting to share your story, check it out:

👉 joinpodmatch.com/swagability

#PodMatch

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More than 50 million Americans live with chronic pain, and back pain remains the number one cause of disability worldwide. Even more alarming, one in four patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain struggles with addiction.

Stephen Wagstaff sits down with Dr. Alex Halario, founder of Chiropractic Rehabilitation Source in Yonkers, New York, to discuss the growing epidemic of chronic pain and the alternatives many people are discovering outside traditional pain management.

With over 21 years of experience, Dr. Halario explains how chiropractic care, acupuncture, and simple lifestyle changes can help restore balance to the body and nervous system. But healing, he says, is not only physical — it involves the mind, discipline, and purpose as well.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why chronic pain has become such a widespread problem

Dr. Halario also shares his journey from pre-med student to chiropractor and why helping people regain their health became his life's calling.

If you or someone you love struggles with chronic pain, this episode offers hope, practical insight, and a different path toward healing.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: Meet Dr. Alex Halario

01:42 The Chronic Pain Crisis

04:05 The Opioid Epidemic and Pain Management

07:18 Why So Many People Live With Pain

10:32 How Chiropractic Care Helps the Nervous System

14:06 Acupuncture and Natural Pain Relief

17:20 Three Lifestyle Changes That Reduce Pain

20:41 Why Movement and Exercise Matter

24:12 Faith, Purpose, and Mental Strength in Healing

28:05 Dr. Jalero’s Personal Journey Into Chiropractic Care

31:42 Encouragement for Anyone Living With Chronic Pain

34:05 Final Thoughts and Closing

Support the SwagAbility mission:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today

Want to be a guest on The SwagAbility Show? Send Stephen Wagstaff a message on PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability

#PodMatch

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One moment can change everything.

At just 20 years old, Ken Kunken was a college football player at Cornell University with a bright future ahead of him. But during a game on October 31, 1970, a devastating spinal cord injury left him paralyzed from the neck down.

Most people would have believed life as they knew it was over.

Ken chose a different path.

In this powerful conversation on The SwagAbility Show, Ken shares how he rebuilt his life after paralysis — returning to school, earning multiple degrees, becoming a successful prosecutor, and raising a family with his wife Anna.

This is a story about resilience, faith, perseverance, and discovering purpose even in life’s most difficult moments.

If you or someone you love is facing adversity, disability, or unexpected life challenges, this conversation will remind you that your story is not over.

In this episode we discuss:

• The football injury that changed Ken’s life

About The SwagAbility Show

Hosted by Stephen Wagstaff, a C5 quadriplegic from a diving accident at age 19, The SwagAbility Show shares real conversations about resilience, disability, faith, and thriving after life-altering adversity.

Our mission is simple:
To help you thrive wherever life finds you.

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For some, rock bottom is a metaphor. For Andrew Drasen, it was a jail cell.

After seven felonies, eight treatment programs, and a near-fatal overdose, Andrew’s life looked beyond repair. What followed wasn’t just sobriety — it was transformation.

In this powerful conversation on The SwagAbility Show, Andrew shares the unfiltered truth about addiction, incarceration, identity, personal responsibility, and rebuilding a life from nothing.

We discuss:

This episode includes discussion of addiction and substance use. Listener discretion advised.

At SwagAbility, our mission is simple: to help individuals thrive wherever life finds them. If this conversation impacted you, we invite you to be part of that mission.

Visit swagability.com to explore resources and become a donor.

Your support helps us continue sharing stories that change lives.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction & Andrew’s Rock Bottom

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What if the ability to text, run a business, surf the internet—or even play Xbox—could be restored using nothing more than your breath?

For individuals living with high-level spinal cord injuries, even the smallest daily tasks can become overwhelming barriers to independence. But today’s episode introduces a life-changing innovation that is redefining what autonomy looks like for people with limited or no use of their arms or hands.

In this powerful conversation, Stephen sits down with Will and Rich from QuadJoy, an assistive technology company whose breath-powered controller system is giving individuals living with quadriplegia the ability to communicate, create, work, and engage with the world again—on their own terms.

Born from tragedy and fueled by love, QuadJoy is more than just a device—it’s a pathway back to independence, productivity, and purpose.

Together, we explore:

For anyone navigating disability, caregiving, or th future of accessibility tools, this episode offers real hope—and real solutions.

Support the SwagAbility mission:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today

Want to be a guest on The SwagAbility Show? Send Stephen Wagstaff a message on PodMatch, here:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability

#PodMatch

A breath-powered assistive technology is helping individuals with quadriplegia text, work, and live independently. Learn how QuadJoy is transforming accessibility and restoring autonomy.

quadriplegia, spinal cord injury, assistive technology, accessibility tools, adaptive technology, independence after injury, disability innovation, inclusive design, breath control technology, caregiving, adaptive gaming, accessibility solutions

chapters:

00:00 – Introduction to Breath-Powered Technology

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Nicholas "Nick" Akosa wasn’t just placed on life support — he was placed on ECMO, one of the most advanced and invasive life support systems used when the body can no longer sustain life on its own.

After being put into a medically induced coma due to an unknown illness, his future was uncertain. Today, he’s stepped into the ring as a champion amateur boxer — and is also working as a world-class scientist researching therapies that could impact the future of cancer treatment.

In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, I sit down with Nick to explore what it takes to fight your way back after life-altering adversity. From surviving ECMO life support and navigating physical recovery, to managing the emotional toll of trauma and burnout, this conversation offers insight for anyone facing disability, illness, PTSD, caregiver fatigue, or life disruption.

We discuss:

• What ECMO life support is and why it’s used

If you or someone you love is navigating trauma, chronic illness, disability, or caregiver burnout — this episode offers practical encouragement and Christ-centered hope for the road ahead.

At SwagAbility, it’s our mission to help you Thrive Wherever Life Finds You.

Want to be a guest on The SwagAbility Show?

#PodMatch

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: From ECMO to Comeback

02:12 Nick’s Unknown Illness & ECMO Life Support

06:45 Medically Induced Coma & Recovery

11:18 Mental Toll of Critical Illness

17:03 Trauma, Burnout & Emotional Resilience

23:40 Faith’s Role in the Healing Process

29:55 Returning to Physical Performance

35:10 Becoming a Champion Amateur Boxer

40:22 Scientific Work in Cancer Therapy

46:05 Encouragement for Caregivers & Survivors

50:00 Final Thoughts & Moving Forward

SwagAbility Studios 2026 www.SwagAbility.com

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