Shows
Turning Pain into StrengthMeet Castera Charles: Surviving and ThrivingHow much could you overcome when life is stacked against you from the beginning? Meet Castera Charles. Taken into child slavery in Haiti and physically branded (under 5 yrs old!), he defied the odds and built a new life in America—becoming a college football player and a dedicated sports coach and mentor, inspiring youth across the country. Castera’s story is unforgettable. Join us as we talk about how he turned every pain into strength, showing what it really means to not just survive, but thrive.2025-07-1434 min
Aspire to Inspire PodcastFrom Cancer to Comeback – Jim Olson’s Playbook for Turning Setbacks into Tailwinds
Jim Olson, a seasoned communications leader with a front-row seat to some of the most defining moments in corporate crisis history, joins Athena Koutsonikolas on the Aspire to Inspire Podcast to share the four-step crisis communications plan that has guided him through both his career in crisis comms and his fight against cancer.
From negotiating with terrorists to battling tumors and losing his sight, Jim candidly shares how crises have shaped him—both professionally and personally. He brings the audience inside high-stakes moments from his career and outlines a clear framework communicators can use to stay calm, ta...2025-07-101h 01
Turning Pain into StrengthMeet Eva Nevarez St. John: A Salute to StrengthEva's story is one of resilience and transformation, shaped by military service, profound friendship, loss, addiction, and recovery. Joining the Army in 1976 to escape an abusive relationship, Eva served in Korea, where she formed a deep bond with Janice, a fellow servicewoman. Their friendship continued over the years, until Janice's disappearance in 1981. Authorities largely dismissed Eva's concerns, but one detective believed her, leading eventually to the discovery of Janice's body. Grieving, Eva struggled with addiction for years. In 2019, a reconnection with the detective inspired her sobriety and the writing of her memoir, "When Tough Cookies Crumble." Now, Eva is...2025-04-2948 min
Turning Pain into StrengthMeet Geena Hymer: From Hard Story to Hope StoryGeena Hymer is a woman who fought binge eating disorder stemming from childhood trauma, including her parents' divorce and sexual abuse. Food became her escape, especially after a sexual assault at 20. This led her to gain weight as a form of protection. Her struggles included self-harm and suicide attempts. After reaching 320 pounds, she decided on bariatric surgery, which helped her lose 150 pounds. Geena now leads a healthier life and is writing a memoir to inspire others. Her journey emphasizes that recovery is about personal growth and intention, highlighting resilience and hope through faith and therapy.2025-03-1754 min
Turning Pain into StrengthMeet Darla Ridilla: Voices in the BodyHealing from trauma is a complex experience that is different form individual to individual. This challenging journey was the key focus in our recent podcast episode. You will hear the realities of healing from narcissistic abuse with a focus on somatic therapy and personal empowerment. My guest, Darla Ridilla, is a relationship coach and survivor of narcissistic abuse. She shares her journey from despair to strength, illustrating the powerful connection between body sensations and emotional healing. She reveals how recognizing these sensations can unlock a pathway to understanding and overcoming past trauma. Throughout the episode, we tackle di...2025-03-1044 min
Turning Pain into StrengthMeet Jonathan Sales: From Skateboarding to SobrietyGrowing up amidst family turmoil and feeling lost in a sea of changing dynamics, our guest shares a deeply personal story of resilience and transformation. Despite the stereotypes associated with skateboarding, it became his refuge during those turbulent adolescent years. But life took a sharper turn with a car accident that spiraled into a long-term battle with pain and addiction to painkillers. This episode unravels his candid journey from prescribed medication to heroin, emphasizing the impact of family, identity, and choices on his path.Lying at the crossroads of physical pain and emotional healing, our conversation navigates...2025-02-1753 min
Turning Pain into StrengthMeet Tina Djuretic: Transforming Trauma & Finding ForgivenessIn a world where many hide behind the masks of daily life, the process of unearthing childhood trauma and embracing vulnerability seems impossible. Yet, for some it is the driving force to heal. Today I am talking with Tina Djuretic, the author of “Finding My Sovereignty”. Tina bravely shares her journey of healing from childhood trauma and breaking free from toxic relationships. She opens up about the painful realization of attracting narcissistic partners, similar to her mother, and how a pivotal breakup served as the turning point for her spiritual awakening.Tina recounts her life in a Chr...2025-02-1357 min
Turning Pain into StrengthMeet Jenna Talleda: Empowerment Through Intuitive EatingWhat if overcoming personal hardships could not only heal you but empower you to help others? Join me for an inspiring episode of the Turning Pain into Strength podcast, where I sit down with Jenna Talleda, a registered dietitian who transformed her struggles with ARFID, orthorexia and a heartbreaking divorce into a journey of resilience and empowerment. Discover how Jenna's painful experiences with an excessive focus on food spiraled into a quest for control and self-worth, only to find freedom and strength through intuitive eating.Our candid conversation with Jenna unravels the complex relationship between eating disorders...2025-02-0556 minTurning Pain into StrengthHi and WELCOME!Welcome to my podcast! http://www.turningpainintostrength.com2025-02-0500 minTurning Pain into StrengthTurning Pain into Strength TRAILER!Ever wondered how some people manage to transform their pain into strength? Each week you will hear true stories as I uncover the incredible journeys of those who have faced tough times and emerged stronger, and more resilient. Besides inspiring stories, I have the honor of interviewing top health professionals and specialists from around the world, who will be sharing their journeys and expertise.Hit that subscribe button and embark with us on this uplifting journey of turning pain into strength, one episode at a time.http://www.turningpainintostrength.com 2025-01-2400 minTurning Pain into StrengthMeet Frank Rivera - Sarcoidosis WarriorFrank is an author, a rare disease advocate, President of Stronger than Sarcoidosis, President of Sarcoidosis of Long Island and a patient himself. But that doesn't stop him from helping anyone who needs it. Even on days when this rare disease has its hold on him, Frank is online advocating for those diagnosed with this rare disease.Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that causes lumps to grow inside the major organs of the body. There is no cure for this once diagnosed. This is Frank's story.2024-12-191h 01
Turning Pain into StrengthMeet Kathy O'Shea - Migraine WarriorKathy O’Shea, an English professor at Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY, has navigated the challenges of living with chronic migraines. Her personal journey with migraines spans 44 years, a topic she delves into in her book, "So Much More Than a Headache: Understanding Migraine through Literature," available on Amazon.Kathy was deeply inspired by Joan Didion's essay "In Bed" during a terrible migraine episode. As a result, she decided to help others use literature as an additional resource for managing pain. Her adventurous side has taken her to explore glaciers in Iceland and navigate the...2024-12-1642 min