Shows
Persistence U with LizbethThe Neuroscience of Art: Dr. Vasu Tolia on Resilience, Creativity, and Giving BackDr. Tolia discusses the challenges of transitioning from a structured medical career to the creative freedom of art, how she merges her passion with purpose by supporting charities, and the therapeutic benefits of art for the brain.You Will Learn:1. How Dr. Tolia transitioned from medicine to art and found new meaning in life.2. The connection between art, neuroscience, and mental health.3. Why prioritizing creativity can strengthen resilience and improve well-being.Connect with Dr. Vasu Tolia:Grab your brain relaxation freebie HERE • Website: www.vasutolia.art• Newsletter Signu...2025-04-0919 min
Persistence U with LizbethFaith Over Fear: Rick Cheatham’s Journey of Resilience and EmpowermentRetired firefighter and union leader Rich Cheatham's life was forever changed by tragedy, resilience, and redemption. After the heartbreaking murder of his son and a life-altering injury, Rick faced immense challenges that tested his faith, resolve, and purpose.Rick shares how he overcame a downward spiral of anger, grief, and depression, using his AIM framework—Awareness, Intention, and Mindset—to regain control and rebuild his life. Today, Rick is thriving as a coach, speaker, and advocate, helping others overcome addiction, trauma, and loss. His story is a testament to the power of choice, faith...2025-03-2625 min
Persistence U with LizbethFrom Struggle to Service: Gina Economopoulos on Finding Purpose Through PainIn today's bonus episode, we welcome Gina Economopoulos, author of Shake the Dust Off Your Feet and Walk. Gina shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming physical disabilities, grief, and spiritual searching, which ultimately led her to discover her life’s purpose as an author and an end-of-life doula.Gina opens up about the challenges of growing up in a family of able-bodied siblings, the pivotal loss of her mother, and her path to finding peace, love, and service after years of searching. Her remarkable story of resilience, spirituality, and self-discovery is one that will resonate with anyone striving to...2025-03-1233 min
Persistence U with LizbethPromises, Secrets, and Memoir: The Story Behind The Housekeeper's SecretToday, we dive into the fascinating journey of Sandra Schnakenburg, author of The Housekeeper’s Secret: A Memoir. Sandra shares how a deathbed promise to her family’s housekeeper led her on a years-long investigation filled with unexpected twists, profound discoveries, and the ultimate challenge of uncovering hidden truths while writing a deeply personal memoir.Sandra reveals the process of uncovering Lee Mottoyer’s mysterious past, including navigating false starts, life-altering surprises, and even spiritual interventions. With candor and grace, Sandra describes how writing this memoir not only fulfilled a promise but also became a powerful avenue for healing and growth...2025-02-2629 min
Persistence U with LizbethFrom Congo to Cop: Dr. Fidele Sebahizi's Journey of ResilienceIn this powerful episode of Persistence U with Lizbeth, we are honored to share the incredible story of Dr. Fidele Sebahizi a massacre survivor from Congo who overcame unimaginable odds to create a life of purpose and service. Dr. Fidele shares his journey from surviving a brutal attack in a United Nations refugee camp to becoming a police officer, earning a Ph.D., and inspiring others through his memoir, Creating a Life from Ashes.You Will Learn:• The challenges of starting over as a refugee in the United States.• How Dr. Fidele’s unwavering commitment to education propelled him forward.• The impo...2025-01-2921 min
Persistence U with LizbethBreaking the Silence: Patrisha McLean on Finding Our Voices and Transforming Trauma into AdvocacyPatrisha McLean, founder and CEO of Finding Our Voices, shares her personal journey from being the wife in a picture-perfect marriage to a survivor of intimate partner violence who now empowers others. Patrisha’s story highlights the courage it takes to leave a well-known partner amid public scrutiny and the transformative power of advocacy.From finding solidarity in unexpected places to launching a statewide movement to support survivors, Patrisha's work shines a light on red flags, green flags, and the importance of breaking the silence around domestic abuse. Her organization provides practical support, from financial aid to dental care, and bu...2025-01-1533 min
Persistence U with LizbethLooking Back and Moving Forward: A 2024 Recap and 2025 PreviewEpisode Summary:Welcome back to Persistence U with Lizbeth! As we kick off Season 5, Lizbeth reflects on the ups and downs of 2024, shares personal milestones, and previews the exciting guests and topics coming in 2025. From publishing her novel Tilka Faces the Odds to planning an anthology of solo women travelers, Lizbeth discusses the power of celebrating effort, embracing resilience, and living life with intention.In This Episode, You’ll Hear:A recap of the most popular episodes from 2024, including guest favorites like Melamere Logan, Bill Mitchell, Kim Sorrell, Hera McLeod, and Rebecca Galli.Lizbeth’s lessons from the past year, incl...2025-01-0110 min
Persistence U with LizbethFrom Mission to Movement::A Conversation with Crunchy Mama's Wanda MalhotraPersistence U will begin a new season in January, 2025. Enjoy the extensive backlist until then!Wanda Malhotra is an entrepreneur, author, and founder of Crunchy Mama Box. Connect with Wanda at CrunchMamaBox.com.Wanda shares her journey of resilience and mission-driven entrepreneurship, from her beginnings in Brazil to building a community in the U.S. dedicated to holistic wellness and ethical beauty. Learn how her unwavering commitment to her "why" helped her overcome obstacles as a young female entrepreneur, an immigrant, and a mother.Wanda dives into the challenges and joys of building a business that not only sustains itself...2024-11-2023 min
Persistence U with LizbethLaughing at the Sky: One Woman's Journey to Healing and Bold DreamsAuthor of the inspirational memoir Laughing at the Sky, Heidi’s journey is one of resilience and determination. After surviving a violent childhood trauma, Heidi sought healing through a remarkable 12,000-mile, five-year sailing journey. Along the way, she learned to overcome PTSD through calming practices, weathering both internal and external storms.Connect with Heidi at heidiloveauthor.com.Heidi shares her experiences of how trauma affected her life, and how her dream of sailing to a healing waterfall in French Polynesia became the metaphorical and literal anchor for her healing journey. We also discuss her workbook that focuses on calming practices to...2024-10-2334 min
Persistence U with LizbethDomestic Violence Awareness with Author and Mother Hera McLeod: What Happens When Leaving Isn't the End?In this episode of Persistence U with Lizbeth, we have the of hearihonor of hearing from Hera McLeod, a survivor and advocate who bravely shares her story of unimaginable loss after leaving an abusive relationship.Connect with Hera McLeod, activist, professional speaker, and author of Defying Silence: A Memoir of a Mother's Loss and Courage in the Face of Injustice and learn more about her book at https://heramcleod.com/.Hera’s journey is both heartbreaking and empowering, as she not only endured the unthinkable but also chose to channel her pain into advocacy, helping others navigate the complex and of...2024-10-0956 min
Persistence U with LizbethRethinking Possible: Rebecca Galli's Journey from Grief to GratitudeRebecca Galli was no stranger to hardship by the time her son died of a degenerative disease, her daughter diagnosed with autism, and an unusual infection left Rebecca in a wheelchair when her children were young, shortly after her once idyllic marriage ended in divorce. Rebecca learned to parent from a wheelchair, and to turn her writing talents into a career as a columnist who continues to focus on gratitude and resilience today.Connect with Rebecca Galli, author of Rethinking Possible and Morning Fuel (published in Oct. 2024) at https://rebeccafayesmithgalli.com/.You will learn:We learn coping with setbacks from...2024-09-2534 min
Persistence U with LizbethFrom Poverty to Purpose: How Malumir Logan Transformed Her Life and CareerMalumir Logan, a dynamic leader and creative from Ontario, Canada, to share her remarkable journey from challenging beginnings to finding her voice and purpose. Malumir’s story is one of resilience, persistence, and the courage to step into the unknown.To connect with Malumir Logan, visit her on LinkedIn or check out her website at acornandburdock.ca or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/malumir-r-logan/.Malumir talks about her early years in small-town Ontario, where she juggled multiple jobs while living below the poverty line, with no formal high school diploma and little awareness of her own potential. A pi...2024-09-1128 min
Persistence U with LizbethBreaking Free: A Journey Beyond Religion and Trauma with Sarah WestbrookSarah Westbrook, author of Trauma Bonded: A True Story of Navigating Attachments Forged in Complex PTSD was raised in a tightly controlled, fundamentalist religious environment. Today,Sarah shares her journey of breaking free from the Mormon Church, overcoming generational cycles of trauma, and finding her authentic self. From challenging the concept of polygamy to raising children with special needs, including pediatric schizophrenia, Sarah’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, self-discovery, and personal growth.You will learn:Questioning Belief Systems: Sarah’s upbringing in the Mormon Church taught her the importance of questioning authority and doctrines, especially when they conf...2024-09-1141 min
Persistence U with LizbethWhen Dating Hurts: A Father’s Fight Against Dating ViolenceBill Mitchell is a devoted father whose life was forever changed when his daughter Kristin became a victim of dating violence.Connect with Bill at WhenDatingHurts.com and listen to his podcast and book by the same name.Bill shares the harrowing experience of losing Kristin to dating violence and the journey he and his family have taken since her tragic death.He discusses the pervasive nature of domestic violence, breaking down stereotypes, and emphasizes that it can happen to anyone, anywhere.Through the lens of a loving father’s memory, this episode sheds light on the importance of recognizing th...2024-08-2858 min
Persistence U with LizbethNavigating Life's Crossroads: Turning Challenges into Pages with Rhonda Parker TaylorRhonda Parker Taylor is a bestselling author, academic, and mentor whose journey is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the power of small steps. Rhonda shares her surprising path from a small-town Indiana girl who never considered herself academically inclined to becoming a best-selling author and earning a doctorate. She opens up about the struggles she faced, including feelings of inadequacy and the challenges of navigating new environments.Rhonda talks candidly about her early life, where she was the first in her family to attend college, and how the experience was both daunting and transformative. She shares her philosophy on...2024-08-1429 min
Persistence U with LizbethThe Power of Persistence: Navigating Chronic Illness with Self-AdvocacyLu is a university professor. A dancer. And a woman who's battled a hidden heart condition for many years before receiving the correct diagnosis: non-obstructive microvascular dysfunction. This episode sheds light on the power of self-advocacy, the importance of supportive relationships, and the necessity of trusting oneself in the face of persistent medical issues.You will learn:Trust and Advocate for Yourself:The journey to a diagnosis often involves navigating dismissals and misunderstandings. Our guest emphasized the importance of trusting one's own experiences and advocating persistently. She kept detailed records of her symptoms and used them to argue her case...2024-07-3150 min
Persistence U with LizbethBeyond the Scars: Marcy Langlois on Healing and ResilienceHost of Living Beyond Limits podcast Marcy Langlois had a tough start in life. Born with a cleft palate that required many surgeries, Marcy spent much of her life trying to cover the pain of not feeling pretty enough or good enough. A later car accident as a teen that left three people dead weighed on her for years, and Marcy found herself over-drinking, then over-working until she got clear on what her healing journey would look like.Marcy shares her powerful story of resilience. Her journey is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to heal and thrive.Key...2024-07-0331 min
Persistence U with LizbethA Promise Kept: Turning Tragedy into Triumph with Jack MaherJack Maher, a historical novelist and retired TV news executive, is a man of his word. Jack shares his heartfelt journey of writing his novel "Poppy," inspired by the lives of his grandfather and his late brother, Chris. Through their stories, Jack delves into themes of mental illness, survival, and the transformative power of keeping promises.You will learn:The Power of Promises: Jack Maher fulfilled a promise made to his brother Chris, transforming grief and tragedy into a meaningful and creative endeavor. This highlights the importance of keeping promises, especially those made to loved ones, as a way to...2024-06-0529 min
Persistence U with LizbethThe Daughter of Time, The Mother of Reinvention/Carmen MicsaCarmen Micsa takes nothing for granted.The podcast host of Seeds of Sunshine and successful realtor left Romania in her youth for the United States. Since then, this wife and mother of two, has found her footing as a successful realtor, a poet, a marathonrunner, and more recently, a rapper. Her pivotal moment came in her teens when she and her father peacefully protested for freedom from Communism in Romania.You will learn:What we can accomplish together is exponentially more impactful than when we operate alone.Tough times can create a perspective of gratitude during the less turbulent ones...2024-05-2324 min
Persistence U with LizbethEthical True Crime::Inside the National Center for Crime Victims with Renee WilliamsWelcome to an insightful episode where we delve into the vital work of the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) with Renee Williams, their esteemed Executive Director. Get ready to be inspired and enlightened by the transformative efforts of this remarkable organization.You will learn:· The NCVC was founded by the children of Sunny Von Bulow after their own mistreatment by the justice system, portrayed in the 1990 movie Reversal of Fortune.· The growing consumption of true crime podcasts and documentaries can be over-consumed by viewers, leading to secondary trauma.· Including voices of survivors can make the difference between retelling a...2024-05-2223 min
Persistence U with LizbethThe Transformative Power of Writing with D Arlando FortuneToday, I'm joined by D Arlando Fortune, or "Fortune" as he prefers, a self-publishing coach and PhD candidate, who shares his incredible journey from facing legal troubles and addiction to transforming his life through writing and personal development. Fortune discusses the significant role writing has played in his healing process and his passion for helping others harness the therapeutic benefits of writing.You will learn:*The Healing Power of Writing:*The Journey of Personal Change*Empowering Others Through Writing:As a self-publishing coach, Fortune is dedicated to helping others tell their stories to facilitate healing and inspire change in others...2024-04-2430 min
Persistence U with LizbethThink only women get breast cancer? Two male survivors and a fierce mom want you to know the truth.Podcaster Ron Rappaport (It's a Wrap with Rap) was stopped in his tracks when he received the diagnosis. Breast cancer?!! But he was a guy. How could that be?After Googling the matter, he found Male Breast Cancer Happens, founded by mom Peggy Miller with her son Bret Miller, who first found his lump at 17 and today is the youngest known male breast cancer survivor in the US.You will learn:* If a human has breasts, they can get breast cancer, regardless of gender.* Because men aren't encouraged to do self-examinations or know that they can get breast cancer, they...2024-03-1342 min
Persistence U with LizbethDr. Debi Silber on Healing from Betrayal and How Coaching Can Move the Needle in a Way Therapy Might NotDr. Debi Silber didn't set out to become an expert on healing from betrayal. But when life handed her one too many opportunities, she decided to re-tool, go back to school, and did research on healing from it.Today, she's the founder of the Post-Betrayal Institute and the host of From Breakthrough to Betrayal Podcast.(Connect with Dr. Debi Silber at the PBT Institute or From Betrayal to Breakthrough Podcast.)You will learn:Therapy is often beneficial, but clients may get stuck repeating the same story again and again without moving forward.According to Dr. Debi, healing from betrayal occurs...2023-05-1735 min
Persistence U with LizbethWhat if You Finally Roll the Dice, Open a Business, and the Economy Tanks? Entrepreneur and Podcaster Chris Lalomia Shares How He Weathered the Storm and Helps Other Business Owners Do the SameChris Lalomia had a fancy job in banking with all the perks. But after several years, he realized he wanted more. He wanted to be an entrepreneur. Connect with Chris at his podcast The Small Business Safari HERE or learn more about his company The Trusted Toolbox and his book HERE.With a business education, a banking background, and his trusty business blueprint in hand, he opened a handyman business with an eye for building it into multiple businesses. And then the economy collapsed.You will learn:Lean times might jumpstart growth and new planning.Entrepreneurs may find themselves performing...2023-05-1017 min
Persistence U with LizbethWhat if You Finally Reach that Big Goal, and Still Feel Empty? For Attorney Amber Fuhriman, it Led Her to Redefine What Success Really MeantAmber Furhiman's father thought she should be a lawyer. She thought it was a ridiculous idea. Then, unexpectedly, he died.Amber worked toward her law degree with renewed interest. Once she achieved both it and the financial benchmarks she set for herself, she felt empty.Connect with Amber on The Success Entrepreneur Podcast or by clicking HEREYou will learn:Living life, telling ourselves that, "If only X happened, then everything would be great," is a setup for disappointment. Finding out what void the rabid pursuit of accomplishments might fill is key to finding contentment.Living outside of our comfort zone m...2023-04-1923 min
Persistence U with LizbethGetting Beyond Surface Emotions and Why 'Bootstrapping' Doesn't Work in the Long Run: Interview with Sharon HughesWhen we don't take time to grieve and feel our tough emotions, the pain often resurfaces.That's what Sharon Hughes found after a lifetime of "bootstrapping," skimming over big issues in her life like trauma in her childhood, an assault as a teen, and a later, divorce. Today, she's a confidence coach who helps faith-based women give themselves permission to pursue their dreams and succeed, and the author of The Girl in the Garage. Connect with her at SharonHughes.net.You will learn:* Proclaiming a goal publicly can increase our accountability.*Believing a lie can be as powerful as believing t...2023-04-1224 min
Persistence U with LizbethFrom Compton to Alaska in the 60's: How One Young Black Woman Found Opportunity and Never Stopped Paying It ForwardEleanor Andrews made a huge change.A young wife in the 60's, she moved from her home in Compton, California to Fairbanks, Alaska and began life in the Last Frontier. She was one of a few Black women living there at the time. And though her husband died young, leaving her to face frigid temperatures and parenting two children alone, she opened her mind to opportunity. And those opportunities never stopped coming. Today, Eleanor is a retired businesswoman. A philanthropist. A great-grandmother. A mentor.You will learn:Having the confidence to say yes to things you've never done is critical t...2023-03-2922 min
Persistence U with LizbethHow Being a Child Misfit Inspired Heather Flynn to Later Champion Inclusion, and Why She's Proud to Have Helped Pass Title IX in AlaskaImagine a time when your ability to get a raise was not based on merit, but on whether your importance to your family merited it. That's what Heather Flynn faced early in her career, as did countless other women who did the same work as their male counterparts but were told they would be paid less money since they weren't the head of the household. You will learn:Sometimes, it's the childhood experience of being excluded that sparks a passion for inclusion.Title IX is an important part of women's history, and is the US federal civil rights law that pr...2023-03-2230 min