Uniquely Qualified

Brittany's life has never been "normal." Born to teenage parents, a father who struggled with a drug addiction and who was then sentenced to 25 years in prison when she was 10, her life experience has shaped her into the empathetic, driven, solution-oriented woman she is today.This episode centers on Brittany's experience as the child of an incarcerated person, what it was like for her, how it has impacted her, and how it informs how she shows up for her life now. We are honored to amplify her beautiful voice and shine a light on the experience of 1 in 28 children nationwide: the experience of having a person serving time in prison.

Before Brooke was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, she had never experienced intensive medical intervention. But when her chronic discomfort turned to pain, things quickly changed.

Brooke's story highlights the mental and physical toll of living with a chronic condition, her journey to becoming her own best advocate, and the impact corporate food manufacturers have on the physical lives of Americans.

As always, we hope that you'll leave feeling more aware, connected, and supported the human experience.

You can follow Brooke's story on @crohnsmyway and the podcast @uniquelyqualifiedpod on Instagram.

Links:

Mayo Clinic on Crohn's Disease: Crohn's disease - Symptoms and causes - Mayo ClinicHopkins Medicine on Crohn's Disease: Crohn's Disease | Johns Hopkins Medicine

This week, Liz sits down with Cleo Childs to discuss hergrief journey in losing her mom to early onset Alzheimer’s when Cleo was just 28 years old. Cleo began caretaking for her mother while she was still in undergraduatestudies and was faced with the unexpected enormity of caring for one of her most precious relationships while her mother’s disease rapidly altered her.

Cleo’s grief experiences center primarily on losing hermother, however Liz and Cleo discuss grief if in its many forms, dating experiences while in grief, corporations profiteering off grief, and above all, the deeply human connection that we all may experience when we are vulnerable and real with ourselves and others about the reality of our suffering.

In her spoken word poetry album “Moving With” Cleo shows the path her grief took from having her mother, losing her mother, and the peace and acceptance she feels now. Her book “Moving With” will be released later this year.

Learn more about Cleo and her the projects at cleochilds.com

In this, the final installation in Amanda's episode arc, Liz and Amanda celebrate the fact that both of Amanda's daughters are now in long term recovery, living lives that bring them fulfillment and purpose.

Throughout this episode, Amanda and Liz relate to one another as fellows in recovery, sharing personal anecdotes from their life experiences.

This three-part series is dedicated to all families suffering from the disease of addiction, especially those who have or have had children struggling with substance abuse. We see you, we support you, and we recognize the many ways a heart can break as a part of this vicious cycle.

Show notes:

• Amanda mentions an educational film that was shown to her when her middle daughter was admitted into rehab and suggests it to listeners as an accessible way to learn about the brain science of addiction. The title of the film: Pleasure Unwoven

In the second part of Amanda’s story, Liz and Amanda discussthe experience of mothering two teen children during their struggles with addiction. Amanda recounts and celebrates her oldest daughter’s entrance into long term sobriety (almost three years sober!) and transition to adulthood.

The remainder of the episode centers on her middle daughter’s tribulations with drug use.

Chock full of tools and resources for folks in and out of recovery, Liz and Amanda share openly about the importance of therapy, support in addiction recovery, and loving people when they are in the depths of their suffering.

This series is dedicated to all families impacted by theopioid drug epidemic sweeping the United States. Amanda and Liz see you, hear you, and are here to support you through this podcast and beyond. We encourage all listeners to challenge society’s stigmata around adolescent drug addiction as you listen. #WeDoRecover

In 2021, Amanda faced an unthinkable parenting situation: her teenage daughters were using drugs together, both suffering in active addiction. A woman with years of clean time herself, Amanda began doing everything in her power to protect her precious children from themselves.

This episode is part one of three, where Amanda shares her story as a parent of adolescent addicts, the lengths she went to help her children find their way, and the community of people who supported her in this trying time.

With both children now in recovery, Amanda celebrates their lives as drug free young women and is grateful that their lives were spared.

This series is dedicated to all families who know the pain of seeing their children struggle with addiction. Amanda and I encourage all members of our community to challenge the cultural stigma around adolescent drug addiction. We wholeheartedly dispel any and all shame, judgement, or isolation that society projects onto suffering families.

If you relate to Amanda's story, we see you and we are here for you. We do recover.

In this week’s episode, Liz sits down with longtime friendSarah Burney, who listeners will also hear her affectionately call her Burn.

A high school student involved in competitive dance, navigating emergence into puberty, Sarah was just 15 years old when an adult man sexually assaulted her. A random stranger at the park became the perpetrator of a crime that would fundamentally alter her life, her relationships, and her sense of safety in navigating the world.

As we approach the 20-year anniversary of her assault, Sarahdiscusses not only what happened, but the incredible, inspiring journey of stepping into her power despite the justice system’s failure to deliver justice. From becoming a therapist and providing care for others, to discovering a community of friends where she is her most secure, safe, and actualized self, Sarah’s journey reminds us that what feels like the end is often not the end, that there are better days ahead, and that hope is real.

This episode is dedicated to all victims of sexual assault,especially those living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If you or a loved one needs extra support on this topic, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.4673 or visit National Sexual Assault Hotline: Confidential 24/7 Support | RAINN for additional resources.

In this episode of Uniquely Qualified, host Liz Ficken sits down with Kate to talk about her unexpected experience with Bell’s Palsy. Kate courageously opens up about the physical and emotional impact of facial paralysis, as well as the inevitable fear and uncertainty that accompanied the onset of the condition. When onset occurred, she was not only in the final weeks of pregnancy with her second son, but moving houses, developing symptoms of preeclampsia, and caring for her toddler at home. 

The onset of Bell's Palsy made giving birth, postpartum, and life in general challenging in a way that no one could have seen coming. But despite the many hurdles in her way, with the love of her supportive friends and family, Kate took action to reclaim her health and identity. 

Through the episode, Kate shares what it was like to navigate day-to-day life with a visible condition, including how it affected her interactions with others and her internal dialogue. She also discusses the slow and non-linear healing process—both physical and emotional—and how she learned to embrace patience, self-compassion, and vulnerability.

Kate’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength it takes to face the unknown, and the grace that can emerge when we allow ourselves to be seen—even in our most tender moments. Her journey offers hope and solidarity to anyone navigating unexpected health challenges.

In this episode, host Liz Ficken welcomes guest Roxanne, also known as Roxy, a Marin County native who shares her journey with scoliosis. Roxy opens up about her diagnosis, the physical and emotional challenges she faced, and how she navigated treatment and recovery.

Throughout the conversation, Roxy discusses the impact scoliosis had on her daily life, from managing pain to undergoing medical interventions. She reflects on the resilience and determination required to cope with the condition and the support system that helped her along the way. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and raising awareness about scoliosis to help others going through similar experiences.

The discussion also touches on broader themes of perseverance and self-acceptance, highlighting the mental and emotional strength needed to face a chronic condition. Liz and Roxy explore how overcoming physical challenges can lead to personal growth and a deeper appreciation for one’s body.

By the end of the episode, listeners gain insights into navigating life with scoliosis and finding strength in vulnerability. The conversation reinforces the podcast’s mission of fostering awareness, connection, and support in the human experience.

In this episode of Uniquely Qualified, host Liz Ficken sits down with Mark Goldfinger to explore the profound journey of losing a parent and the lasting impact of grief. Mark lost his father to prostate cancer seven years ago, an experience that reshaped his perspective on life and initiated him into what he calls the “Dead Dads Club.” He reflects on the early days of grief, the surreal passage of time without his father, and the ongoing process of learning to live with loss.

Rather than letting grief define him, Mark found purpose through marathon running. He has completed seven marathons, including the six World Major Marathons, dedicating each race to his father’s memory and raising awareness for prostate cancer. His journey highlights the reality that grief is not something to move past but something that evolves and remains a part of life.

This episode offers a powerful reminder of the importance of cherishing relationships, finding healing in unexpected places, and transforming pain into purpose. Mark’s insights provide comfort and encouragement to anyone navigating loss or supporting a loved one through grief.