Kat Oltmans was an elementary and middle school teacher who lived for those "A-Ha" moments: the magical times when a kid who has been struggling with a concept finally "gets it." When she saw an exodus of teachers in her children's school, she accepted the call and re-entered the classroom. It was tough—especially when she was required to wear numerous hats in the education eco-system—but the "A-Ha" moments kept her inspired. Enter 2020. COVID protocols, the instant pivot to online, and unreasonable demands on classroom teachers found her working 12-15 hour days. Then, because of a hearing impairment that requires hearing aids, a classroom full of masked kids meant that her ability to understand and isolate language was severely limited. It was beyond discouraging. Until the day her husband said to her, "You like math. Have you ever thought about coding?" And a new passion was born. Music by: LaVoe Crowander Scott Holmes Music Gregor Quendel Maartens Schellekens Lobo Loco

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When Diana Isyanova was 16, her mother came to the United States from Uzbekistan to make a better life for her family. But to do that, she had to leave Diana behind. Alone. Three years later, Diana joined her mother in California. The teenager didn't speak English and her educational credentials didn't transfer to the American market. Now, almost 20 years later, she is an attorney. A business owner. A wife and mother of three. How did she do it? One step at a time and with a lot of hard work. Music by: LaVoe Crowander Scott Holmes Music Gregor Quendel Maartens Schellekens Lobo Loco

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Kristin Jensen is a direct descendant of Brigham Young—the second president of the Mormon Church, founder of the Salt Lake Valley, and the first governor of the Utah Territory. A few years ago, her "shelf broke." Kristin left the LDS faith because she refused to succumb to secret religious disciplinary "trials" and public shaming. Kristin's journey far more loaded, difficult, and painful than most non-Mormons can imagine. It's more than leaving a church. It's leaving almost everyone and everything you know and love behind. Music by: Crowander LaVoe Lobo Loco

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Take a peek at the show critics are calling the "breakout storytelling podcast of 2022." Host Joelle Casteix showcases extraordinary stories where you least expect them: Did you know that Mrs. Wyoming grew up in a family cult? What's it like for a descendent of Brigham Young to leave Mormonism? When you donate on GoFundMe to survivors of mass event casualties like Uvalde, who makes sure that the money is distributed fairly and the way that the community and survivors want? Alone in Uzbekistan at 16; a lawyer, mother, and American citizen at 38 ... what is the American Dream? Join Joelle each week for a new extraordinary story. First four episodes premier October 1. New episodes weekly. Subscribe now. music by Miranda Taylor and Mike Hunchback Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Face it: you have preconceived notions about beauty pageants. Time to toss them out the window. Hannah Redden is an Amazon best-selling author, speaker, passionate advocate against child sexual abuse and exploitation, mother of three, stand-in mom for her youngest brother, and wife of 13 years. She's also Mrs. Wyoming. And here's the rub: she grew up in a family cult. She's never been to school (outside of a year of preschool), was almost forced into an arranged marriage, and still deals with the fallout of breaking free and taking her brother with her. Wasn't what you were thinking, was it? Music by: Crowander LaVoe Lobo Loco Gregor Quendel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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What happens when you donate to the survivors of a mass-casualty event like Uvalde or the Surfside Condo Collapse? The process is far more complicated than passing out cash. The process—which must be transparent and fair—is about protecting victims and helping communities heal. The process is also about listening, responding, and being there. Jeff Dion is the CEO of the National Compassion Fund, which provides a single, trusted way for the public to donate directly to victims of a mass crime, such as a shooting or terrorist attack. It was developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime in partnership with victims and family members from past mass casualty crimes, including those from Sandy Hook, Aurora, Virginia Tech, Oak Creek Temple, NIU, Columbine, and 9/11. 100% of money donated goes to victims. Period. This is Jeff's story. Jeff is also the CEO of the Zero Abuse Project, which is dedicated to ending child abuse and neglect in all of its forms. Music by: Crowander LaVoe Lobo Loco Gregor Quendel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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