The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff

By SwagAbility Studios

About The SwagAbility Show

The SwagAbility Show is a faith-rooted podcast where real stories become hope for people navigating life's interruptions.

Hosted by Stephen Wagstaff—keynote speaker, resil... more

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The podcast currently has 42 episodes available.

The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff episodes:

August 30, 2026 Has New Age Spirituality Entered the Church? | Tom Snow
Has New Age spirituality entered the Christian church under new names?
Practices such as manifestation, visualization, divination, spiritual guides, and the pursuit of secret revelation may promise peace, healing, power, or spiritual enlightenment. Returning guest Tom Snow believes some of these ideas are now appearing in Christian spaces—sometimes disguised in language that sounds positive, harmless, or even biblical.
In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff and Tom examine the difference between authentic biblical faith, religious performance, and what Tom calls “woo”—spiritual practices that he believes draw people away from the true and living God.
Tom also challenges popular images of spiritual warfare. He argues that deception does not always appear frightening or obviously evil; it can arrive as something beautiful, comforting, enlightened, and spiritually impressive.
Stephen and Tom discuss:
• What Tom means by “fake spirituality”
• The difference between relationship with God and religiosity
• How religious performance can replace authentic faith
• Why Tom warns readers that his book may challenge their worldview
• What Scripture means by Satan masquerading as an angel of light
• How spiritual deception can look positive or beautiful
• Why Christians should test spiritual teachings and experiences
• Manifestation and visualization inside Christian communities
• Stephen’s recent conversation with former New Age author Doreen Virtue
• The dangers of continually pursuing the next great revelation
• Why celebrity, popularity, and influence do not guarantee biblical truth
• Church division, denominations, and the unity of Christ’s body
• How Hollywood has shaped popular ideas about Satan and spiritual warfare
• False teachers, false prophets, and the importance of discernment
• Why suffering does not necessarily mean that God has abandoned someone
• The problems with “name it and claim it” theology
• Tom’s experience with heart failure and prostate cancer
• Finding the peace of God while still experiencing adversity
• Tom’s book Set the Captives Free Too
• How believers can seek truth without living in fear
Chapters
00:00 Have Christians been deceived about evil?
00:26 Is spirituality leading people away from truth?
00:34 Welcome to The Spiritually Starved Podcast
01:07 Returning guest Tom Snow
01:40 A book designed to challenge your worldview
02:01 True spirituality versus fake spirituality
02:49 What is religiosity?
03:23 Humanity’s attempt to reach God
04:03 Tom’s definition of true religion
04:41 Breaking free from religious performance
06:12 Revisiting Tom’s first interview
06:59 What is a spiritual masquerade?
07:27 The meaning behind the book’s cover
08:00 Masquerading as an angel of light
08:35 When evil receives better packaging
09:22 Has fake spirituality entered the church?
09:43 Stephen’s conversation with Doreen Virtue
10:55 How did the church drift this far?
12:14 Walking with God instead of chasing revelations
13:01 Truth hidden in plain sight
13:13 Celebrity pastors and spiritual authority
14:12 The spiritual battle behind church division
15:19 The unseen spiritual realm
15:48 One body divided into thousands of groups
17:44 Beliefs versus belief systems
20:08 Hollywood’s misleading picture of Satan
20:56 Can evil enter a church?
22:55 Testing leaders and spiritual influences
23:30 False revelation and religious control
24:13 The choice of whom we will follow
24:40 If God is good, why is there suffering?
25:17 Is life a spiritual testing ground?
25:34 Manifestation and “name it and claim it” theology
26:35 Choosing God through adversity
27:24 Why God does not heal everyone
28:37 The peace that passes understanding
28:57 Where to find Tom Snow’s books
30:08 Why Tom waited decades to finish writing
31:23 Reaching the one person who needs help
31:41 Tom’s closing prayer
33:53 Final truth and SwagAbility encouragement
Tom Snow’s statements about New Age practices, spiritual warfare, demons, denominations, suffering, healing, and hearing God represent his personal testimony and theological perspective. Listeners are encouraged to examine the Scriptures carefully and seek qualified pastoral, mental-health, or medical support when appropriate.
Connect with Tom Snow and explore the Just To Be Clear Teaching Series:
https://just2beclear.com
Read Tom’s articles and hear additional conversations:
https://just2beclear1.substack.com
Tom’s books include:
• The Daily Stand
• Set the Captives Free
• Set the Captives Free Too
Support the SwagAbility mission:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today
SwagAbility exists to educate, encourage, and empower people whose lives have been interrupted by adversity, disability, illness, trauma, grief, caregiving, or unexpected change.
Visit https://swagability.com for additional conversations, resources, and ways to get involved.
Subscribe to The Spiritually Starved Podcast and share this episode with someone seeking biblical truth, spiritual discernment, or clarity about New Age beliefs entering Christian spaces.
Want to share your story or expertise as a podcast guest?
Join PodMatch to connect with podcast hosts and explore guest opportunities—including the possibility of appearing on a SwagAbility podcast:
https://joinpodmatch.com/swagability
#PodMatch #SwagAbility #SpiritualDiscernment #NewAgeSpirituality #ChristianFaith #BiblicalTruth

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41min
August 30, 2026 Is Your Church Keeping You Spiritually Captive? | Tom Snow
Can a person sincerely follow Christianity while remaining trapped by religious expectations, controlling leadership, and beliefs they have never examined for themselves?
Author Tom Snow believes some Christians are living in what he calls spiritual captivity—following religious systems without experiencing the personal relationship and freedom God intended.
But Tom’s story begins long before he became an author.
At 14, Tom developed a science-fair invention using asbestos brake dust. After his mother developed cancer and died, he became convinced that his experiment had caused her death. Overwhelmed by guilt, self-hatred, alcoholism, suicidal thoughts, and his own cancer diagnosis, Tom reached a point where he says only God could rescue him.
In this candid and challenging conversation with Stephen Wagstaff, Tom shares his personal testimony and explains why he believes Christians must learn to distinguish God’s voice from fear, personal conditioning, religious pressure, and spiritual deception.
Stephen and Tom discuss:
• Why Tom blamed himself for his mother’s death
• The emotional consequences of guilt and self-hatred
• Becoming suicidal while facing cancer as a teenager
• Tom’s account of finding God and experiencing healing
• Why religious activity is not the same as knowing God
• The four voices Tom believes can influence our thoughts
• How Scripture and spiritual discernment work together
• The “peace that passes understanding”
• Why believers should examine teachings for themselves
• Spiritual pride, humility, and learning to admit mistakes
• The difference between supportive and controlling church leadership
• How religious communities can judge people who arrive wounded
• Why Tom believes Christians need relationships—not empty routines
• Finding a church community built around love instead of control
• Tom’s books The Daily Stand and Set the Captives Free
• How manifestation and New Age language may enter Christian spaces
Chapters
00:00 “I thought I killed my mother”
00:17 Is the church keeping Christians captive?
00:57 Welcome to The SwagAbility Show
01:23 Meet Tom Snow
01:38 The book churches may not want you to read
02:00 A suicidal teenager facing terminal cancer
02:39 Experiencing the Charismatic Movement
03:43 What does it mean to find God?
04:05 Discovering his family’s Jewish history
05:15 Tom’s science-fair experiment with asbestos
07:33 Bringing dangerous brake dust home
08:38 His mother develops cancer
09:03 The guilt that consumed Tom
10:07 How his mother faced death without fear
12:13 Tom’s own cancer diagnosis
13:01 Anger, suicidal thoughts, and surrender
14:13 Tom’s account of miraculous healing
16:10 The four voices influencing our thoughts
17:54 Recognizing spiritual deception
21:25 Study Scripture for yourself
22:11 The peace that passes understanding
23:34 Hearing God with humility
24:13 Why believers must test what they hear
25:08 Making time for a relationship with God
25:42 Relationship instead of religious routine
27:39 When churches control rather than support
28:13 What a healthy Christian community looks like
29:03 “The hospital that judges the sick”
29:15 Why the Christian army shoots its wounded
30:10 Tom Snow’s books and teaching resources
31:06 Set the Captives Free Too
31:57 Spirituality and manifestation inside the church
32:56 Where to connect with Tom
34:10 Closing encouragement and SwagAbility resources
Tom’s statements about cancer, healing, spiritual warfare, demonic influence, religious systems, and hearing God represent his personal testimony and theological perspective. Listeners are encouraged to examine these subjects carefully and seek appropriate pastoral, mental-health, or medical support when needed.
Connect with Tom Snow and explore the Just To Be Clear Teaching Series:
https://just2beclear.com
Read Tom’s articles and listen to additional conversations:
https://just2beclear1.substack.com
Tom’s books include:
• The Daily Stand
• Set the Captives Free
• Set the Captives Free Too
Support the SwagAbility mission:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today
SwagAbility exists to educate, encourage, and empower people whose lives have been interrupted by adversity, disability, illness, trauma, grief, caregiving, or unexpected change.
Visit https://swagability.com for more conversations, resources, and ways to get involved.
Subscribe to The SwagAbility Show and share this episode with someone questioning religious expectations, recovering from church hurt, or searching for a more personal relationship with God.
Want to share your story or expertise as a podcast guest?
Join PodMatch to connect with podcast hosts and explore guest opportunities—including the possibility of appearing on The SwagAbility Show:
https://joinpodmatch.com/swagability
#PodMatch #SwagAbility #ChurchHurt #SpiritualFreedom #ChristianFaith #ReligiousTrauma

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41min
August 11, 2026 The Urinary Health Questions Nobody Wants to Ask | Dr. Jill Hudson
Millions of people have questions about bladder leakage, urinary urgency, kidney stones, sexual health, prostate screening, recurring infections, and catheter care—but embarrassment often prevents them from asking for help.
Dr. Jill Hudson is a urologic surgeon and the first woman to practise urology in New Brunswick. In this candid and practical conversation, she joins Stephen Wagstaff to answer the urinary-health questions many people feel uncomfortable discussing—even with their doctors.
From recognizing the warning signs of kidney stones and understanding prostate screening to treating overactive bladder and managing a neurogenic bladder following spinal cord injury, Dr. Hudson explains the available options in clear, approachable language.
Stephen also shares lessons from living with a spinal cord injury and managing his own bladder health, including how bladder Botox made a meaningful difference in his quality of life.
Stephen and Dr. Hudson discuss:
• How diet and hydration can affect kidney-stone risk
• The symptoms of a kidney stone—and when it may become an emergency
• How smaller and larger kidney stones may be treated
• What men should understand about PSA testing and prostate screening
• Why one elevated PSA result does not automatically mean prostate cancer
• Why medical tests must be interpreted within each patient’s health history
• Why avoiding the doctor and compulsively searching symptoms online can both create problems
• Nonsurgical options for erectile dysfunction
• The relationship between smoking, diabetes, heart health, and erections
• Why sexual health matters after spinal cord injury
• Treatments for bladder leakage and overactive bladder
• How Botox can be used to treat bladder symptoms
• What a neurogenic bladder is and how the nervous system controls urination
• How urodynamic testing helps determine whether a bladder is functioning safely
• Intermittent, indwelling, and suprapubic catheter options
• Practical considerations for reducing urinary-tract infections
Chapters
00:00 The health problems millions suffer in silence
00:19 Welcome to The SwagAbility Show
00:53 Why Dr. Jill Hudson chose urology
02:00 How to reduce the risk of kidney stones
03:01 Symptoms and warning signs of kidney stones
04:41 When a kidney stone may become an emergency
05:06 Kidney-stone treatments and shock-wave therapy
06:52 Understanding prostate screening
07:36 PSA blood tests and rectal examinations
08:35 Don’t let embarrassment prevent screening
08:51 When prostate screening may no longer be helpful
09:40 PSA testing after spinal cord injury
11:47 Why Google cannot diagnose your health
12:23 Becoming an informed health advocate
14:12 Making medical decisions around the individual
15:27 Can prostate cancer be treated successfully?
16:59 Nonsurgical treatments for erectile dysfunction
18:18 The connection between erections and heart health
18:56 Sexual health following spinal cord injury
20:36 Bladder leakage and overactive bladder
21:39 Lifestyle factors that may irritate the bladder
21:54 How bladder Botox changed treatment
22:39 Stephen’s experience receiving bladder Botox
24:09 What is a neurogenic bladder?
25:32 How the brain, spinal cord, and bladder communicate
26:01 Bladder-management options
26:29 How urodynamic testing works
27:14 Determining whether a bladder is safe
28:51 When urodynamic testing should be repeated
29:56 Choosing the appropriate catheter
30:41 Intermittent versus indwelling catheters
31:31 Understanding suprapubic catheters
32:43 Reducing urinary-tract infections
33:28 Why catheter technique matters
34:27 Hydration and catheter frequency after spinal cord injury
35:03 Final encouragement and SwagAbility resources
Important: This conversation is provided for general educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about symptoms, screening, medications, or changes to your bladder-management routine.
Support the SwagAbility mission:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today
SwagAbility exists to educate, encourage, and empower people whose lives have been interrupted by adversity, disability, illness, trauma, caregiving, or unexpected change.
Visit https://swagability.com for additional conversations, resources, and ways to get involved.
Subscribe to The SwagAbility Show and share this episode with someone managing a chronic condition, spinal cord injury, bladder problem, caregiving responsibility, or private health concern.
Want to share your story or expertise as a podcast guest?
Join PodMatch to connect with podcast hosts and explore guest opportunities—including the possibility of appearing on The SwagAbility Show:
https://joinpodmatch.com/swagability
#PodMatch #SwagAbility #UrinaryHealth #BladderHealth #SpinalCordInjury #DisabilityHealth

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42min
August 10, 2026He Survived Iraq—Then One Phone Call Changed Everything | Neil Jurd
Neil Jurd survived daily mortar attacks in Iraq. But nothing in his military training could prepare him for the phone call that changed everything.
Just weeks after leaving the British Army, Neil learned that his wife, Michelle, and their two young daughters had been involved in a serious car crash. The accident happened on the evening before his 40th birthday. Michelle was kept alive until Neil reached the hospital, leaving him to rebuild life as a grieving father of two- and four-year-old girls.
In the premiere episode of Interrupted by Adversity, Neil shares what happened when military composure collided with overwhelming grief—and why surviving tragedy sometimes means accepting help, allowing yourself time to heal, and believing that moving forward is not a betrayal of the person you lost.
Neil Jurd OBE is a former British Army officer, Sandhurst instructor, leadership expert, founder of Leader-Connect, and author of The Leadership Book: A Step-by-Step Guide to Excellent Leadership.
Stephen and Neil discuss:
Losing his mother to cancer at 16

Why Neil always wanted to become a soldier

His early military experiences in Belize, Sierra Leone, Yemen, and Iraq

Leading Gurkha soldiers under daily mortar and rocket fire

The mortar explosion that left shrapnel in his face

Returning home after surviving combat

Meeting Michelle while she served as a Royal Air Force helicopter pilot

The phone call that changed Neil’s life

Raising two very young daughters after their mother’s death

Why happiness can feel wrong during grief

How long traumatic bereavement can take to process

Creating the Michelle Jurd Trust in his wife’s memory

Why accepting practical help became essential to his recovery

Giving yourself permission to survive and move forward

Why real leadership is built through connection rather than rank or control
Chapters
00:00 The phone call that changed everything
00:19 Before and after
00:39 Welcome to Interrupted by Adversity
00:48 Meet Neil Jurd
01:41 The childhood dream of joining the Army
04:02 Losing his mother at 16
05:35 Training at Sandhurst and serving in Belize
08:30 Operations in Sierra Leone, Yemen, and Iraq
10:00 Leading the Gurkhas
13:05 Arriving in a dangerous Iraq
14:20 Daily mortar and rocket attacks
19:36 The mortar that exploded beside Neil
21:16 Coming home from combat
24:51 Meeting Michelle
26:34 The evening before Neil’s 40th birthday
28:15 The long drive to the hospital
29:49 An unnecessary death
30:45 Raising two young daughters alone
33:18 When strength means simply surviving
34:35 The slow return of happiness
35:54 Creating the Michelle Jurd Trust
39:28 Turning grief into purpose
42:43 Accept help when it comes
45:16 Neil’s message to people facing adversity
47:26 Creating space to heal
47:54 Moving forward is okay
48:19 Adversity does not have to interrupt purpose
49:04 Neil’s leadership resources
51:01 The SwagAbility mission and closing
Connect with Neil Jurd
Visit NeilJurd.com to learn more about Neil’s leadership training, speaking, coaching, and work.
Explore leadership videos, courses, and resources through Leader-Connect.co.uk.
Learn about Neil’s bestselling book, The Leadership Book: A Step-by-Step Guide to Excellent Leadership, through his official book page.
Discover how the Michelle Jurd Trust helps young people develop character and experience outdoor adventure.
Neil is also available on LinkedIn.
Support the SwagAbility mission:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today
SwagAbility exists to educate, encourage, and empower people whose lives have been interrupted by adversity, disability, illness, trauma, grief, or unexpected change.
Follow Interrupted by Adversity and share this episode with a veteran, grieving parent, first responder, widowed spouse, or survivor who needs permission to believe that life can become meaningful again.
Want to share your story or expertise as a podcast guest?
Join PodMatch to connect with podcast hosts and explore guest opportunities—including the possibility of appearing on a SwagAbility podcast:
https://joinpodmatch.com/swagability
#PodMatch #SwagAbility #GriefRecovery #MilitaryVeteran #Resilience #LifeAfterLoss

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56min
August 03, 2026Unlocking Hope: A Non-Surgical Approach to Chronic Pain with Dr. William Moyle
Unlocking Hope: A Non-Surgical Approach to Chronic Pain with Dr. William Moyle
Life can change in a moment — through illness, disability, trauma, or burnout — and when it does, too many people are left feeling unseen and unheard. In this episode, Dr. William Moyle shares his groundbreaking three-step system that offers a hopeful, non-invasive alternative to chronic pain treatment. Whether you're living with pain, caring for someone, or simply seeking new ways to heal, this conversation shines a light on the body's remarkable ability to recover when correctly supported.
In this episode
The true cause of chronic pain is a problem, not just its symptoms

The proven three-step system to discover and address root causes

Why age is not a barrier to healing and regeneration

How body's cells regenerate and what that means for sustained recovery

Real stories from pro athletes and everyday heroes whose lives changed

The importance of listening to the patient over relying solely on scans

Practical steps for assessing and treating pain without surgery

How natural movement and biomechanics play critical roles in healing

Hope for those with long-standing or complex pain conditions

Resources for finding practitioners aligned with systemic, logic-based care
Chapters:
00:00 - The hidden truth behind chronic pain and a new approach
02:20 - The importance of discovering the real cause of pain, not just masking symptoms
03:49 - How the body’s cells regenerate and the impact on healing
06:42 - Surprising patient results and what sets Dr. Moyle’s system apart
08:38 - The assessments and tools that reveal the root cause
10:06 - How long it takes to see meaningful recovery and what influences it
12:57 - Real stories from athletes and clients whose lives transformed
16:17 - The personal journey that led Dr. Moyle into this innovative practice
22:05 - The intersection of chiropractic philosophy and body self-healing
26:27 - The future of pain management amid societal and technological shifts
29:04 - Hope for those with disabilities and how natural healing still works
33:59 - The importance of avoiding masking and embracing the body's natural recovery
36:03 - Practical tips on nutrition and lifestyle for reducing inflammation
38:43 - How to find a practitioner who understands biomechanics and systemic care
41:11 - Final encouragement: Your body has the potential to heal
Resources & Links
Linktree - Dr. William Moyle – Find more about his practice and resources
How to connect:
For consultations or questions, visit Dr. Moyle’s Linktree

Follow Dr. William Moyle on Facebook for latest research insights
Brought to you by SwagAbility - thrive where life finds you!
Want to be a guest on The SwagAbility Show? Send Stephen Wagstaff a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability #PodMatch
swagability.com @SwagAbilityLive on YouTube

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49min
August 03, 2026 ECMO Survivor Becomes Champion Boxer & Cancer Researcher | Nick Akosa
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
• Recovering physically and mentally after a medically induced coma
• The emotional impact of trauma and adversity
• Navigating burnout in high-performance environments
• The role of faith in resilience and healing
• Returning to elite-level athletic performance
• Using lived adversity to fuel scientific work in cancer therapy
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?
Send Stephen Wagstaff a message on PodMatch, here:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability
#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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1h 9min
July 26, 2026The Eldercare Conversation Most Families Have Too Late | Amy Friesen
Most families do not make an eldercare plan until a fall, diagnosis, hospital stay, or late-night phone call forces them to act.
By then, important choices may already be disappearing.
Amy Friesen is a bestselling author, eldercare expert, and founder of Tea & Toast. For more than 20 years, she has helped older adults and their families navigate senior living, long-term care, caregiver burnout, and the emotionally difficult decisions surrounding aging.
In this conversation, Amy explains why preparing for eldercare does not mean surrendering your independence. In fact, planning early may be one of the most effective ways to protect it.
Stephen and Amy discuss:
Why most families enter the eldercare system in crisis

The warning signs of caregiver burnout

Why burnout is a symptom of an overloaded caregiving situation

How unaddressed caregiving pressure can affect a marriage

Why caregivers sometimes begin resenting someone they deeply love

How families can begin difficult aging conversations

Why older adults should participate in creating their own care plans

The documents and home-safety changes families often postpone

Why grab bars and other supports must be installed before a fall

How younger caregivers can find help and recognize they are not alone

Amy’s book, Breadcrumbs: From Home Care to Care Homes

Free eldercare planning resources available through Tea & Toast
Chapters
00:00 Why families fail to plan for eldercare
00:18 The caregiving responsibility many families never expect
01:10 Welcome to The SwagAbility Show
01:25 Meet eldercare expert Amy Friesen
02:39 How losing her grandmother shaped Amy’s calling
03:50 Why Amy founded Tea & Toast
04:38 Caregiver burnout remains hidden
05:33 Why caregiver burnout can become dangerous
06:45 The meaning behind Tea & Toast
09:02 Why most families wait until a crisis
10:28 How planning protects independence and choice
10:53 Leadership during emotionally charged care decisions
13:24 Warning signs of caregiver burnout
14:26 Burnout is a symptom—not the underlying problem
15:49 How caregiving pressure can affect a marriage
17:30 The CARES program for overwhelmed caregivers
18:23 How to begin the aging conversation
21:15 When should families start planning?
22:48 Giving aging adults ownership over their future
24:19 Why staying at home still requires a plan
26:03 What younger caregivers need to understand
27:23 Amy’s book Breadcrumbs
29:37 Where to find Amy and her resources
30:26 You do not have to navigate caregiving alone
32:07 Final encouragement and SwagAbility closing
Connect with Amy Friesen
Visit TeaAndToast.ca to connect with Amy and her team, book a consultation, and access practical eldercare guides, checklists, downloads, and other resources.
Learn more about Amy’s book, Breadcrumbs: From Home Care to Care Homes, and find ordering links for Amazon and Indigo at TeaAndToast.ca/ebook.
Support SwagAbility
SwagAbility exists to educate, encourage, and empower people whose lives have been interrupted by adversity, disability, illness, caregiving, or unexpected change.
Visit SwagAbility.com to discover additional resources, learn about the mission, or support our work.
Subscribe to The SwagAbility Show and share this conversation with a caregiver, aging parent, adult child, spouse, or family that needs to begin planning before a crisis takes away their choices.
Are you a podcast guest with a meaningful story, message, or area of expertise? Discover opportunities to connect with podcast hosts through PodMatch.
#PodMatch #SwagAbility #CaregiverBurnout #EldercarePlanning #FamilyCaregiving #AgingParents

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38min
July 24, 2026He Finished College Reading at a First-Grade Level | Russell Van Brocklen
Russell Van Brocklen finished college while testing at a first-grade reading and writing level.
After being removed from mainstream classes, placed in special education, underestimated by educators, and later given 15 failing credits despite earning a recommended A-minus, Russell decided he had experienced enough discrimination.
He went to law school—and discovered that the same brain educators struggled to understand could become one of his greatest strengths.
Today, Russell is known as the Dyslexia Professor. In this conversation, he explains why dyslexia is not an indication of low intelligence and introduces a writing-first approach designed to help dyslexic children and adults organize their ideas, strengthen their reading and writing, and build confidence.
Stephen and Russell discuss:
What Russell experienced after being placed in special education

How he completed college with first-grade reading and writing kills

Why traditional teaching methods can fail dyslexic students

What dyslexia may look like inside the brain

Why a student’s strongest interests can unlock learning

How writing can help organize fast-moving ideas

A practical exercise parents can begin at home

Why dyslexic learners may possess extraordinary intellectual strengths

How Russell’s approach can also support adults
Chapters
00:00 Russell’s experience in special education
00:29 Welcome to The SwagAbility Show
02:20 Growing up with undiagnosed potential
08:07 Recognizing that he learned differently
10:14 Discrimination changed Russell’s direction
12:10 Understanding dyslexia and the brain
13:58 Russell’s writing-first approach
17:12 How one determined student transformed her reading
20:01 A learning strategy parents can try
25:12 Life beyond the special education classroom
26:34 Finding the brilliance inside a student’s interests
29:20 Dyslexia, career strengths, and artificial intelligence
30:45 Russell’s advice for overwhelmed families
32:07 Can this approach help adults?
33:47 Russell’s free guide and consultation
34:49 Closing thoughts and SwagAbility resources
Connect with Russell Van Brocklen
Visit DyslexiaClasses.com to download Russell’s free guide and request a complimentary 30-minute conversation.
Support SwagAbility
The SwagAbility Foundation exists to educate, encourage, and empower people whose lives have been interrupted by adversity, disability, illness, or unexpected change.
Learn more about the mission, discover additional resources, or support the work at SwagAbility.com.
Subscribe to The SwagAbility Show and share this episode with a parent, educator, adult learner, or family who needs to hear that struggling differently does not mean lacking intelligence or potential.
Are you a podcast guest with a meaningful story, message, or area of expertise? Discover opportunities to connect with podcast hosts through joinPodMatch.com/swagability
#PodMatch #SwagAbility #DyslexiaAwareness #LearningDisabilities #SpecialEducation #Neurodiversity

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42min
July 19, 2026 I Thought God Was a Myth… Until the Evidence Changed My Mind | Former Atheist Doug Ell
I Thought God Was a Myth… Until the Evidence Changed My Mind
For years, Doug believed believing in God was irrational.
As a former atheist, MIT graduate in mathematics and physics, and attorney, he trusted evidence above everything else.
Then something unexpected happened.
The more he studied science, philosophy, history, and Christianity, the more convinced he became that the evidence pointed toward God—not away from Him.
In this episode of the Spiritually Starved Podcast, Stephen Wagstaff and Doug explore some of life's biggest questions:
• Does science actually disprove God?
• Can faith and reason coexist?
• Why doesn't suffering eliminate God's existence?
• What historical evidence exists for Jesus?
• What changed Doug's mind?
Whether you're skeptical, curious, questioning, or simply searching for truth, this conversation invites you to examine the evidence for yourself.
chapters
00:00 — "Believing in God Was Irrational"
00:28 — Welcome to Spiritually Starved
01:10 — Meet Doug: Former Atheist & MIT Graduate
04:15 — Why Doug Began Questioning Atheism
11:20 — Can Science and Faith Coexist?
20:05 — Evidence for God's Existence
31:40 — The Historical Case for Jesus
43:15 — Why Suffering Doesn't Disprove God
53:10 — Christianity Compared to Other Worldviews
59:45 — Encouragement for Seekers
01:03:00 — Final Thoughts

✅ Faith is not the absence of evidence.
✅ Science and Christianity are not opponents.
✅ Honest questions can lead to deeper truth.
✅ Historical evidence for Jesus deserves serious consideration.
✅ Suffering raises difficult questions—but doesn't eliminate God.
✅ Christianity invites investigation, not blind belief.
Have you ever wrestled with questions about God, faith, science, or purpose?
What part of Doug's story challenged or encouraged you the most?
Share your thoughts in the comments. Your story may help someone else who is searching for answers.
If today's conversation encouraged you, challenged your thinking, or helped strengthen your faith, would you consider supporting the work of SwagAbility?
Your generosity helps us continue creating conversations that point people toward hope, resilience, purpose, and truth.
Together, we're helping people thrive wherever life finds them.
Support the mission:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/swagabilitys-dollar5-to-thrive-drive
Do you have a story of faith, resilience, overcoming adversity, disability, leadership, caregiving, healing, or purpose?
We'd love to hear your story.
Connect with Stephen Wagstaff through PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability
SwagAbility is a faith-first nonprofit dedicated to helping people thrive wherever life finds them through authentic conversations about faith, resilience, disability, grief, trauma, leadership, healing, and purpose.
Because your story still has power—and your life still has purpose.
#PodMatch
#SwagAbility
#SpirituallyStarved
#ChristianPodcast
#FaithAndScience

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1h 8min
July 14, 2026 PTSD Changed Everything—Then a Service Dog Changed Her Life
What if your greatest source of healing came on four legs?
In this powerful episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with Lee Atherton, who shares her incredible journey through childhood trauma, PTSD, panic attacks, family rejection, and the remarkable service dog that helped change her life.
For years, Lee lived with invisible emotional wounds that few people could see. Night terrors, anxiety, and overwhelming fear became part of everyday life—until an extraordinary service dog named Shadow entered the picture.
Together, Stephen and Lee explore how PTSD affects far more than military veterans, why childhood trauma often remains hidden for decades, and how healing can come through faith, community, and unexpected relationships.
This conversation isn't simply about surviving trauma.
It's about discovering hope, reclaiming purpose, and learning that your past doesn't have to define your future.
Whether you're living with PTSD, supporting someone who is, or simply searching for encouragement during a difficult season, this episode offers practical wisdom, compassion, and hope.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – When Trauma Follows You Everywhere
01:15 – Welcome to The SwagAbility Show
02:00 – Meet Lee Atherton
03:00 – Childhood Trauma & Family Rejection
06:00 – PTSD Beyond the Military
08:00 – Living with Panic Attacks
12:00 – Remembering Childhood Abuse
18:00 – The Weight of Invisible Trauma
25:00 – Meeting Shadow
34:00 – How Service Dogs Change Lives
43:00 – Faith, Healing & Purpose
52:00 – Hope for Anyone Living with PTSD
59:00 – Final Encouragement
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ PTSD affects millions of people—not just military veterans.
✅ Childhood trauma can remain hidden for decades.
✅ Service dogs can become life-changing partners in recovery.
✅ Healing doesn't always happen quickly—but it is possible.
✅ Faith, resilience, and community matter.
✅ Your story doesn't end with your trauma.
Have you or someone you love experienced PTSD, childhood trauma, anxiety, or another invisible disability?
What has helped you find hope?
Leave your thoughts in the comments. Your story may encourage someone who needs it today.
Help us continue sharing stories of resilience, disability, faith, healing, and hope around the world.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today
Do you have a story of overcoming adversity, disability, chronic illness, caregiving, resilience, faith, leadership, or purpose?
We'd love to hear your story.
Apply through PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability
SwagAbility is a faith-first nonprofit dedicated to helping people thrive wherever life finds them through authentic conversations about resilience, disability, trauma, grief, healing, leadership, and hope.
Because your story still has power—and your life still has purpose.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
1h 8min

FAQs about The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff:

How many episodes does The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff have?

The podcast currently has 42 episodes available.