Your Story Matters

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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In this powerful episode, Edit B. Kiss shares her raw story of overcoming childhood trauma in Hungary, experiencing panic attacks in her youth, and ultimately finding her true calling through deep healing modalities like karma yoga and source memory healing. You'll learn how she moved from managing symptoms to a thriving practice that rewires the subconscious, heals ancestral wounds, and rewrites your life story. Plus, discover how editing your energetic blueprint can unlock success in every area—relationships, career, and inner peace—by aligning with your true self. If you're tired of feeling stuck and ready for real change, this episode is your invitation to rewrite your story and heal from within. 

Source Memory Healing

Edit’s Favorite Book: Prescient Vision by Eric Pepin 

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Unlock the hidden power of your mind and body with Alexander Oxford, a visionary in fascia, neurolinguistic programming, and conscious evolution. Discover how questions unlock unlimited potential and why we often limit ourselves by outdated beliefs. Throughout the conversation, Alex digs into the importance of mentorship, high-level questioning, and cultivating a growth mindset—offering practical strategies to elevate your health, mindset, and life purpose. You'll discover how to break free from societal programming, decode your subconscious signals, and access infinite possibilities by tuning into the right frequency.

This episode is essential for healers, entrepreneurs, curious minds, and anyone ready to redefine their limits. If you're craving transformation and seeking to understand the unity of mind and body, don’t miss Alex’s profound insights on living as your most powerful, authentic self. Prepare to see life in a whole new way—because your real journey begins where your questions lead.

Alexander’s Favorite Book: Born Rich by Bob Proctor 

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Most parents never see the heartbreak coming—until they're caught in a storm of addiction, custody battles, and shattered relationships. Janelle Martin's story will change how you see trauma, resilience, and the power of transformation. She went from a tumultuous divorce and her daughter's drug addiction to becoming a licensed counselor and author, all while fighting for her family’s healing. Her journey reveals how even the darkest moments can birth profound growth—and offers a blueprint for any parent feeling overwhelmed by their child's struggles. Her story isn't just about surviving—it's about thriving and turning pain into purpose. Get inspired by her powerful insights on the role of faith, the importance of self-compassion, and why the 12-step program transformed her life.

Janelle’s Book: Losing Her, Finding Us: A Mother’s Fight, A Daughter’s Journey, and the Road to Recovery

Janelle’s Favorite Book: The Light Between Us by Laura Lynne Jackson 

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