Your Story Matters

In this year-in-review episode, Michaela celebrates 100 episodes and reflects on how creating the show has become a source of healing and growth. Looking back on Season 04, Michaela shares why she considered taking a break and what’s changing for Season 05: monthly solo episodes, a new life coaching framework, and a renewed focus on the Enneagram. She also explains how the podcast, newsletter, blog, and personal writing will each serve a distinct purpose going forward.

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Lauren Watt shares her journey from a childhood marked by speech therapy to eight years of severe chronic illness that left her largely homebound and bedridden. She describes navigating invisible illness, medical uncertainty, isolation, and the challenge of holding onto faith when healing felt out of reach.

After COVID worsened her symptoms, Lauren found a path toward recovery through nervous-system regulation, visualization, somatic practices, and brain retraining. She emphasizes that her symptoms were real, while learning to see them as signals rather than sources of fear. Her health has improved dramatically, though she continues to live at a slower, more intentional pace.

The conversation also explores Lauren’s changing relationship with her body, faith, hope, and purpose. Writing became a vital outlet during her illness and eventually grew into a way to encourage others. Today, she works remotely in creative and marketing roles, shares her story through writing, and holds her future with openness—focused less on a fixed plan and more on loving God, serving others, and taking the next faithful step.

Lauren’s Favorite Book: Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson 

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In this episode of Your Story Matters, Tanya Lakins shares her journey from growing up in a small Indiana town to serving 11 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. She discusses the challenges she faced as a woman in the military, including having to repeatedly prove herself despite holding the same rank as her male peers. Tanya speaks openly about the difficulty of transitioning back to civilian life. After leaving the Marines, she struggled with depression, isolation, alcohol use, anxiety, and the loss of structure and purpose. She explains that veterans are often expected to return to “normal life” without receiving enough support for the emotional and psychological changes that military service creates. 

The conversation also explores Tanya’s experiences with military sexual trauma, PTSD, suicidal ideation, and the long process of healing through therapy, veteran programs, and community support. She describes how becoming a mother motivated her to change, seek help, and create a healthier life for her children.

Tanya’s Favorite Book: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk 

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Ann Buoy shares how stepping away from her family’s expected path shaped her work with parents and children. After leaving college, traveling full-time with her family, and rethinking conventional homeschooling, she developed a values-led approach to education centered on freedom, self-trust, and helping children become capable, confident adults. At its heart, the episode helps families trade fear and conformity for connection, confidence, and a more intentional way of raising and educating children. 

Ann’s Favorite Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear

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Alicia Smith was a college dance star with her future mapped out—until one night in Tucson changed everything. Shot with an AK-47, she survived against less than a 1 percent chance and began the long process of learning how to live as someone new. In this raw conversation, Alicia discusses identity, trauma, resilience, forgiveness, and the difficult truth that healing isn’t about returning to who you were. She shares her experience with 17 abdominal surgeries, PTSD, anxiety, therapy, and the community that helped carry her family through crisis.

Alicia also explains how prison ministry led to a life-changing moment of closure and how she transformed her experience into a new purpose through survivor advocacy and gun violence awareness. This episode is a powerful reminder that trauma does not get the final word—and that healing can become a source of purpose, strength, and hope. 

Alicia’s Favorite Books: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck

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Laura McGregor’s episode is a powerful story of healing, faith, and creative rebirth. She shares how leaving a controlling and spiritually harmful marriage and church environment forced her to confront trauma, rebuild trust in God, and rediscover her own voice. The conversation traces her journey from survival mode into a new season of creativity, where poetry, a newsletter called The Lighthouse, and a forthcoming memoir became tools for processing pain and offering hope. 

Laura’s Favorite Book: Safe People by Henry Cloud 

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Jacqueline Cabello’s episode is about healing, self-discovery, and reclaiming personal power after years of chronic pain, burnout, and emotional trauma. She shares how a high-achieving career, divorce, and childhood wounds contributed to depression, anxiety, and a painful bladder condition, and how traditional medicine only helped her manage symptoms. The turning point came when she discovered Vipassana meditation, which helped her learn equanimity, detach from pain, and eventually experience major physical and emotional healing. 

Jacqueline’s Favorite Book: Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda 

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In this episode of Your Story Matters Podcast, Dr. Neja Zupan shares her profound journey from a childhood filled with health challenges to becoming a pioneer in holistic healing. She discusses the importance of energy in our lives, the cultural perspectives on medicine, and how connecting with our soul can lead to true healing. Dr. Zupan emphasizes the need to work on an energetic level to transform our health and well-being, debunking myths surrounding energy healing and encouraging listeners to embrace their spiritual nature. 

Dr. Neja’s Favorite Book: Yogananda Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda  | The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

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Kayla MacDonald shares her deeply personal journey from childhood trauma and a long struggle with food, binge eating, and body shame to becoming a food freedom and embodiment coach. She explains how, for years, she tried to solve her eating issues with “wellness math” — chasing the perfect diet, macros, or willpower — only to realize the real issue was much deeper.

The conversation explores how food can become tied to stress, comfort, control, and nervous system regulation, and why eating struggles often have emotional, psychological, and cultural roots rather than just nutritional ones. Kayla breaks down the difference between binge eating, bulimia, and anorexia, and challenges the myth that more discipline or willpower is the answer.

The episode is ultimately about rewriting the narrative around food, body image, and healing — especially for high-achieving, creative women who feel like traditional wellness advice never quite fit them. 

Kayla’s book launches September 22nd: Food Freedom Fantasty: The Art of Turned-On Consistency & Embodied Self-Trust

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Failure and uncertainty aren’t signs of weakness — they’re signs you’re evolving. Alison’s honesty about her own story—including a TEDx debut, career pivots, and the struggles of forging her own path—reminds us that greatness comes from perseverance, curiosity, and self-trust.

Perfect for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone craving authentic growth — this episode will inspire you to challenge your inner dialogue and build a life of purpose, courage, and clarity. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really holding you back and how to finally break free finally, this conversation is your catalyst for transformation. 

Alison’s Favorite Book: The Gift of Imperfection by Brene Brown

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