Shows
Narrative PodcastEp. 82 "I Have to Fit in to be Valuable" Steve Leitch's False NarrativeSteve “Moby” Leitch was a swimmer before he was a Moby, a man before a ministry leader, and a wanderer long before he ever became rooted. Born into the world of evangelical Christianity—his father preaching alongside giants like Billy Graham—Steve grew up in the polished halls of faith, where sin was unspoken and perfection expected. But he found more belonging in the locker room than the pews. While swimmers laughed freely, churchgoers seemed like porcelain. And so he drifted.
Trying to fit in led Steve to addiction—first to connection, then to substances, and finally to isolati...2025-06-2143 minNarrative PodcastEp. 81 "I Don't Belong In Groups That Have A Collective Benefit For One Another" - Ryan Woodruff's False NarrativeRyan Woodruff grew up a quiet and shy boy, shaped by constant moves and a fractured home. With no father figure and a mother working multiple jobs, Ryan built his identity on survival and self-isolation. A sense of direction came from the film Full Metal Jacket, which introduced him to the idea of brotherhood in the military. He joined the Marine Corps in 2005, seeking belonging and purpose. But war delivered trauma, not healing. Alcohol and avoidance became his coping mechanisms, stretching through deployments and into civilian life.
Years later, at rock bottom—newborn twins at home, a be...2025-05-1038 minNarrative PodcastEp. 80 Epsilons in Narratives w/ Jonathan HeasletJonathan Heaslet has been many things over the years. An economics & mathematics major, military, minister, healthcare executive, and more. Jonathan never planned on taking the long way around, but life has a funny way of handing you detours. He spent years chasing certainty, believing that success was a straight line—only to find that some of his best moments came from the unexpected twists.
As a kid, he thought confidence was something you either had or didn’t. He learned the hard way that confidence is built, brick by brick, in the moments when you push forward desp...2025-04-0842 minNarrative PodcastDave Guyor - Narrative Men's Leadership Summit 2024"How 'abby' normal is your normal?"
This powerful talk with Dave Guyor from our 2024 Narrative Summit dives deep into the loneliness epidemic, the impact of technology, and how we can reclaim the art of meaningful relationships.
2025-03-151h 07Narrative PodcastEp. 78 "I Must Constantly Prove My Worth To Earn Approval" - Kellan Fluckiger's False NarrativeIn the glamorous world of high-powered executives, Kellan Fluckiger seemed to have it all – wealth, success, and influence. But beneath the Armani suits and corporate victories lay a man drowning in cocaine addiction, failed marriages, and a desperate need to prove his worth to a mother whose harsh discipline had left deep emotional scars. For decades, Kellan rode a destructive roller coaster of success and self-sabotage, making and losing fortunes, ruining three marriages, and struggling with thoughts of suicide. His teenage daughter once told him matter-of-factly that they expected to receive a call about his death any day. Then ca...2025-02-1042 minNarrative PodcastEp. 77 "Achievements Matter More Than Relationships" - Chris Bolinger's False NarrativeChris Bolinger grew up in a high-achieving family with three accomplished older sisters and parents who modeled excellence in everything they did. As the youngest and only boy, he was somewhat spoiled but also inherited the family's drive for achievement and discipline. While this upbringing instilled many positive traits, it also led to two significant challenges: an excessive self-reliance that made him believe he was in control, and a tendency to value achievements over relationships. After a successful career in tech that culminated in selling his WiFi company for a substantial sum in his forties, Chris embarked on several...2025-01-2741 minNarrative PodcastEp. 76 "Conflict is Dangerous and Will Make People Abandon Me" - Scott Mawdesley's False NarrativeGrowing up in Michigan, Scott's early life was marked by dramatic changes. His family went from financial stability, with his father running a successful chiropractic practice, to severe hardship after a failed business relocation. Between ages 8 and 18, Scott lived in 13 different houses, including a period in a tent, and his family relied on their faith community for basic needs like food. The instability peaked when his mother temporarily left with his younger brothers, leaving Scott with his father and older brother for about a year and a half. When his mother returned, Scott's father told him and his brother...2025-01-2033 minNarrative PodcastEp. 75 "You Can Be So Good That You Don't Need God" Chris "Harp" Harper's False NarrativeGrowing up poor in backwoods Kentucky, Chris "Harp" Harper lived between two destructive narratives: believing he could become entirely self-sufficient and feeling utterly worthless. After losing his brother to a drug overdose and his mother to cancer, with an alcoholic father in the background, he became determined to overcome his circumstances through any means necessary.
His drive for success led him to become outwardly confident and charismatic, but inwardly he was deeply insecure. He would lie about achievements, manipulate relationships, and do anything for attention or validation. This pattern continued until after a research trip t...2024-11-2433 minNarrative PodcastEp. 74 "No Matter How Hard I Work, I Won't Get What I Want" - Shamara "Star" Cox's False NarrativeFrom a young age, Star was plagued by a deep-seated belief that no matter how hard she tried, she would never get what she wanted in life. This stemmed from heartbreaking experiences with her father, who would make promises to her but then fail to follow through.
When Star was 10, she asked her father for a bike, but after months of waiting, the bike he finally gave her was much too large. Other requests were met with similar disappointment - her father would tell her to just wait, but by the time he followed through, the opportunity...2024-11-1629 minNarrative PodcastEp. 73 “I Am Unworthy Of Having My Needs Met” - Mike Hatch's False NarrativeFrom an early age, Mike Hatch learned to believe he was unworthy of having his needs met. Growing up in a tumultuous Christian household, he witnessed his parents' marriage fall apart, culminating in a pivotal moment when he and his brother had to call 911 during one of their fights. This experience led teenage Mike to conclude he was entirely on his own. This belief shaped his relationships into transactional exchanges, where he helped others solely to gain their approval. His unmet emotional needs and feelings of unworthiness eventually led to a pornography addiction. The turning point came when his...2024-11-1537 minNarrative PodcastEp. 72 "I Am Alone" Clint Hatton's False NarrativeWhen Clint Hatton was 12, his world crumbled as his father's affair tore apart their seemingly normal Southern California family. His mother's subsequent suicide attempts and a failed family relocation to Montana left young Clint with a deep-seated belief: he was completely alone in life.
This false narrative drove him into drugs and alcohol by his early teens. By 21, he was caught in a nine-year meth addiction. Though he managed to hold down a job in car sales, his first marriage ended in divorce.
Then came transformation. At 31, Clint found faith, quit meth cold turkey, and...2024-11-1538 minNarrative PodcastEp. 71 - Tim Croll & Steve Gohl "Healthy Narratives Vs. False Narratives"In this episode, Tim and Steve reflect on the past few months of Narrative and discuss the influences that weigh on us in a false narrative. We know instinctively that everyone wants to own and be the author of their own story, but not too many people feel like they have that control with the different factors that are going on in our world.
Connect with Tim & Steve: narrative.live
Follow us on IG and Facebook @narrativelive
Join our Discord to continue the conversation!
https://discord.com/invite/pKXYuda9Hu...2024-11-1524 minNarrative PodcastEp. 70 "Social Drinking Is Just Something You Do" - Garry VonMyhr's False NarrativeGarry VonMyhr, a Michigan-based serial entrepreneur and father of four, never saw himself as having an alcohol problem. Like many, he viewed drinking as a normal part of social life and business networking. But as the COVID-19 pandemic dragged on, Garry found himself questioning this ingrained habit.
"I started feeling sluggish and less present with my kids," Garry reflects. "I realized I wasn't being the dad I aspired to be."
This awakening sparked a journey of introspection that went beyond just alcohol. Garry began scrutinizing all aspects of his lifestyle, from hi...2024-11-1532 minNarrative PodcastEp. 69 "Christians Need to Build an Army to Dominate the World" - Greg Tull's False NarrativeRaised in a conservative Christian homeschool environment, Greg's journey led him from the cornfields of Missouri to the bustling streets of New York City and the rigorous world of the Coast Guard.
Greg's foundation is built on his Christian faith, but his experiences taught him to question and refine his beliefs without abandoning his core values. Greg advises to "enter every conversation with the assumption that you might be wrong.”
As a marketing director, endurance athlete, and father, Greg embodies the art of balancing professional ambition with personal well-being. He emphasizes the importance of consistent ha...2024-11-1532 minNarrative PodcastEp. 68 "I Didn't Want People to See That I Was Different" - Jake Fedida's False NarrativeBorn with nerve damage on the right side of his body, Jake Fedida faced a world that wasn't designed for him. As a child, he hid behind his mother's leg, ashamed of his differences. But a chance encounter with his hero, Derek Jeter, changed everything.
On August 6, 2003, ten-year-old Jake met the Yankees legend. To his surprise, Jeter thought Jake's unique way of playing baseball was "awesome." This simple affirmation from his idol transformed Jake's perspective overnight.
"That was all I needed," Jake recalls. "I said, screw you. My hero thinks I'm co...2024-11-1533 minNarrative PodcastEp. 67 "I'm Not Safe" Mike Stapleton's False Narrative"If the creator of the universe knows everything you're ever going to do and everything you ever might do. If you're so bad, why would he make you? Obviously, it's a rhetorical question, because, he wouldn't." - Mike Stapleton
Mike had a pretty rough childhood, dealing with sexual abuse and later his parents' separation, which left him feeling a constant sense of shame and insecurity. He didn't feel safe and developed what he described as split personalities. Michael was the person he had to be daily, coping with the challenges, while Mike was the confident guy he...2024-07-2735 minNarrative PodcastEp. 66 How Open Communication Is the Key to Supporting Change and Mutual Growth"There's something about real community. If you have real community and real friends and allies and people that understand and want to understand your story and what your life's about, that's huge." - Steve Gohl
Life is not perfect for anyone. It may seem as though someone you know has it all but I promise you they too have faced hard times. What do you do in hard times? Do you journal? Do you have a community to lean on? In this new format we’ll be offering how to advice once a month in addition to al...2024-07-2032 minNarrative PodcastEp. 65 "You Are Supposed To Go To College, Get a Job, And Retire." Vance Morris's False Narrative"You won't profit unless you implement. And if you take the word profit out and you want to put in the word success, you won't have success unless you implement." - Vance Morris
"You're going to college" said Vance Morri's parents and he didn't question it. That's what you were "supposed to do right?" Go to college, get a job, and eventually retire. Vance had success at Disney and then a retirement community. Until he didn't. Vance wanted to do things his way and the standard didn't allow for any deviations. Vance soon realized he was a l...2024-07-0631 minNarrative PodcastEp. 64 "Be the Best, To Get the Best, So Others's Think You Are the Best!" Jen Pointer's False Narrative"It's not something that I can change from my past, and I wouldn't change my past. My past has gotten me to where I'm at today." - Jen Pointer
Growing up, Jen Pointer's identity was shaped by a false narrative that she had to conform to societal expectations and define herself through external achievements. She felt the pressure to follow a traditional path of success, leading her to believe that her worth was tied to her job title and accomplishments.
A pivotal momentS came when Jen faced significant "bends in the road" that challenged...2024-06-2935 minNarrative PodcastEp. 63 "I Need To Escape My Family" Vinnie Fisher's False Narrative"Be the encourager for everybody. That you want for yourself." - Vinnie Fisher
Vinnie Fisher has a captivating journey from a childhood marked by poverty and dysfunction to becoming a successful entrepreneur and mentor. Vinnie shared how he initially believed the false narrative that "I need to escape my family"due to his circumstances, define his future, but his determination to excel in academics and sports set him on a different path.
Despite facing adversity, Vinnie found inspiration in his wife, Debbie, who challenged him to confront his manipulative tendencies and strive for authenticity. However...2024-06-2233 minNarrative PodcastEp. 62 "I Have To Fight For the Underdog" Mike Thomas's False Narrative"Everybody has a story to tell regardless of what they look like, regardless of where they come from." - Mike Thomas
Mike Thomas, a man whose journey from an emotional childhood to a purpose-driven adulthood always placed him in a position to fight for the underdog. Raised in a challenging environment, Mike's older brother, Bub, was born with Aperts Syndrome. He had physical deformities but was not mentally challenged. Throughout school, Mike tried to include his brother. He hated the idea of anyone being left out for whatever reason. Thus was born, "I have to fight for...2024-06-1533 minNarrative PodcastEp. 61 "I Can't Be Successful In School" Warren Mainard's False Narrative"What does God say about me? And what God says about me is that because of Christ and what he did for me, I am good enough." - Warren Mainard
Warren had an abundance of confidence that he could do anything. But when Warren's kindergarten teacher identified Warren Mainard as having dyslexia, he was forced to repeat Kindergarten. The message Warren took from that was he was flawed, he'd never be good at school, and school was easier for the other kids. We discussed how the teacher taking action FOR Warren felt AGAINST him to Warren. Warren...2024-06-0831 minNarrative PodcastEp. 60 "I Don't Measure Up" Matt Clark's False Narrative"My true purpose, my true mission in life, is masculinity, marriage, and mindset." - Matt Clark
Matt Clark shares his childhood struggles with imposter syndrome in baseball, shaped by a false narrative that he didn't measure up. Growing up Matt grappled with feelings of inadequacy which is common today due to societal pressures and the impact of social media. Despite putting on a brave front and a successful career, he felt like he was constantly falling short of expectations, leading to a deep internal conflict.
However, a significant "bend in the road" shifted Matt's childhood...2024-06-0135 minNarrative PodcastEp. 59 "Money is a Four Letter Word" Neil Twa's False Narrative"It's who I know that gets me in the door, and it's what I know that keeps me there." - Neil Twa
Neil Twa shares how a false narrative of a scarcity mindset, around money, shaped his perspective on life from a young age. He saw other's with money so he just had to figure out how he could get some too. Discover how his early experiences of getting out of town set the stage for a journey of self-discovery and growth.
Then, a significant "bend in the road" altered Neil's trajectory, challenging his beliefs...2024-05-2537 minNarrative PodcastEp. 58 "Be a Good Girl and Don't Let Down My Parents" Gerry Wilson's False Narrative
Gerry Wilson was an only child. She watched her father work 12 hour days. She saw her parents sacrifice to provide an idyllic childhood. Somehow she learned that she needed to be a good girl which meant being perfect and she didn't want to let her parents down!
Gerry grew up and got married. Eveything seemed in place until her fairy-tale marriage took an unexpected detour, she found herself at a crossroads. The cracks in her perfect facade revealed a new path filled with twists and turns, challenging her to redefine her narrative. She began teaching at a preschool. She had a...2024-05-1830 minNarrative PodcastEp. 57 Another Look At "My Work Is My Identity" from Kathy Izard False NarrativeI knew Kathy Izard's episode was worthy of revisiting. We discussed the powerful theme of "My Work Is My Identity." Kathy's early years were dominated by a high-achieving, picture-perfect family facade in Texas, where ambitions were high, and family struggles were kept behind closed doors. Discover how these early experiences forged a false narrative that conflated personal value with professional success, setting the stage for a profound personal journey.
Hear about the pivotal "bend in the road" that challenged everything Kathy thought she knew about success and self-worth. A combination of her husband’s unexpected health crisis and...2024-05-1135 minNarrative PodcastEp. 56 "Success Means Staying In One Career And That Is Your Identity" Gery Deer's False NarrativeI sat down with Gery Deer, diving into the early narratives that shaped him from a young age. Growing up surrounded by specific societal and familial expectations, Gery discusses how these early influences scripted his life in ways he didn’t initially see. Ever wonder how much of your life is shaped by what you're told you should do versus what you want to do?
Gery hits a major crossroads during his college years, where everything he thought he knew about his path comes into question. From losing scholarships to shifting academic and personal relationships, his “bend in t...2024-05-0439 minNarrative PodcastEp. 55 " Go to School and Get a Degree to Make Something Successful Out of Yourself," JC Chanowsky's False NarrativeJC Chanowsky's early years were filled with traditional Sunday dinners at his Italian Grandparent's house until upheaval struck, leaving him feeling unanchored and prone to bullying. How did a young JC navigate the chaos of constant moves and a family split? Tune in to discover the adversity that influenced his formative years.
As his personal life spiraled, JC found mentors in unexpected places. A friend’s father became a makeshift role model, offering stability during turbulent times. And his stepfather, who would prefer to talk sports but left no need unmet for JC.
After hitting roc...2024-04-2731 minNarrative PodcastEp. 54 "If I Do Everything Right, Life Will Turn Out Well" Josh Latterell's False Narrative"If I do everything right, life will turn out well", this is the mentality that turned Josh into a bit of a people pleaser. Being a people pleaser is how he ended up in an unhealthy marriage. And in business, because Josh could figure things out, he noticed the expectations of him at work entailed more than just his job description. And guess what? Life didn't turn out well.
Josh grew up in Northern NM being home-schooled with his 9 other siblings. His only other friends were his parent's friends' children. That environment grew social awkwardness in Josh...2024-04-2031 minNarrative PodcastEp. 53"A ConservativeLife Is a Successful Life" Geoff Wollerman's False NarrativeHave you ever witnessed a child rebelling against their parent? Like, the more the parent says "This is the right way", the more the child continues to try to do it their way? That's kind of how Geoff Wollerman was growing up. He got the message early that you get married and find a job and that is how to find success in life. He rejected this ideology. In high school, he started down a rebellious path. Plus, he's an idea guy so his mind was always racing with ideas, and drugs and alcohol gave him a break! He...2024-04-0643 minNarrative PodcastEp. 52 "Bad Choices Do Not Equal Bad People" Tamantha's NarrativeWhen Tammy thinks back to her upbringing all she can do is offer empathy for her father. Her biological father made some very bad choices. But did that make him a bad man a bad person? Tammy knows how his parents were and understand how they shaped who he was. You have got to hear about her upbringing and things she can remember from a very early age like 2 years old.
Tammy's mother was careful to never throw her biological dad "under the bus." Her mom was wise enough to know that in time Tammy would glean t...2024-03-3037 minNarrative PodcastEp. 51 "I Must Be the Smartest Person In The Room BUT Not Shine Too Bright." Susan Finn's False NarrativeGrowing up somehow Susun Finn understood that she needed to be the smartest person in the room but because she was a female, it was important not to outshine the boys.
Susan got pretty smart and worked as a food scientist at a Dairy Farm. Susan ended up leaving that job to take care of her 4 children and the others who had adopted their family. Unfortunately, one day her mother was in a terrible accident and she became her mother's full time caregiver. Susan was so busy taking care of those who depended on her she eventually...2024-03-2331 minNarrative PodcastEp. 50 Narratives: Because Every Story MattersWhy narratives? Because every story matters. You know, so many people ask, "Is this a Christian podcast?" This is not the focus but what we know about personal development is that it usually includes an aspect of Spiritual, Mental, Physical, and Social growth. Some stories have a strong message from one of those areas, religion may just be easier to notice.
We are so grateful to everyone who has shared their stories. We also hear "Why share MY story?" In each episode we explore 3 components, what WAS the core belief, what was the bend in the road t...2024-03-1634 minNarrative PodcastEp. 49 " I Will Wait For a Spouse That Is a Good Fit" Melissa VanOss's NarrativeMelissa Van Oss, watched her grandparents as she grew up, they represented the perfect couple. They complimented each other and one was never far from the other. Their example of a life long relationship became Melissa guiding light for her life.
However, when she looked to her parents for that same example she saw divorce. She shared how she processed that loss and how it changed her view of what she wanted for herself. She knew she wanted to wait for a connection that would last.
In her waiting, she grew quite independent. Melissa crafted a...2024-03-0939 minNarrative PodcastEp. 48 "I Have to Fill In the Gaps" Tyler Schmoll's False NarrativeTyler Schmoll, self-proclaimed "gap filler" and human version of Curious George got vulnerable about how those personality characteristics ultimately made him close his business. Tyler had gotten good at filling the gaps, doing those things others didn't want to do. Or when things went arye, he was "Johnny On the Spot" willing to help in any way, shape, or form. At the same time being curious, "How do we, how can I, solve this problem?"
It all came to a head when he saw his wife struggling due to his desire to fill gaps at work and at h...2024-03-0239 minNarrative PodcastEp. 47 "I Am Going To Be a Hero." Rob Hohmann's NarrativeRob Hohmann's dad did a good job protecting his family and country, and Rob was watching. He too wanted to be a protector. He fell in love, got married, and before the year was up found himself getting a divorce. He felt like he'd gone from hero to zero. But like a true hero, he didn't give up on life and love. He learned the lesson of "What may seem like a short coming, could be a blessing in disguise."
Actually, the same year his divorce was final he found himself promising vows to another woman. An...2024-02-2436 minNarrative PodcastEp. 46 "It's a Cold, Dark, and Isolating World." Keegan Schaefer's False NarrativeWhen you grow up in abuse, neglect, and abandonment, it's easy to draw the conclusion Keegan Schaefer did. Keegan shared just a few of the injustices he suffered, as little as 2 years old. When he was 12 years old he weighed the pros and cons of continuing his Ritalin medication. It was one of the best decisions Keegan has made in his life. Keegan has since used his adversity to understand human behavior and the power we hold in making decisions in our lives.
He shed light on how life was 6 generations ago and how our evolution through...2024-02-1740 minNarrative PodcastEp. 45 "If I Chase After the Things I Want, Everyone Might Suffer For it." Adam Troy's False NarrativeHow do you turn into a nice guy? Adam Troy grew up bigger than the other kids his age so his mom warned him not to get upset and react physically because he could hurt them. After a traumatic evening of simply wanting mac and cheese, he got what he wanted but then his house blew up with arguing and emotions. Throughout life, Adam put others first so they got to be happy. Time and time again Adam had ot put others first so as to not let them get hurt.
This proved to not be beneficial...2024-02-1033 minNarrative PodcastEp. 44 "It's About What You Can Do, Instead of What You Can't" Betty Galligan's NarrativeOne would think that growing up with two deaf parents was not fair. Betty Galligan, our guest today, never picked up on that attitude from her parents and never experienced it herself. Betty and her siblings didn't know there was anything wrong with their parents until the rest of the world pointed it out. Her large extended family focused on what they could do instead of what they couldn't.
And Betty found out that she could do a lot of things. Listen as she shares her successes in life. Late 80's 90's culture was to work harder n...2024-02-0235 minNarrative PodcastEp. 43 "You Are Going to Take Over the Family Business" Trunnis Goggins II's NarrativeOn December 24th, 1995 Trunnis Goggins III was born and Trunnis Goggins II knew he needed to get his act together to provide and protect this little human who would be depending on him.
Trunnis Goggin II, from Buffalo, NY, had been told from an early age that his dad's "empire" would be his. He felt like he lived in his dad's shadow. But Trunnis had no passion for managing businesses and refused to accept that he'd take over. While his peers dreamed of what they would do and then pursued it, Trunnis's future was planned. So he d...2024-01-2737 minNarrative PodcastEp. 42 "Do The Right Thing. Don't Take Risks" Drew Deraney False Narrative"No Skateboards, you'll hurt yourself. No climbing trees, I don't want you to fall and get hurt. No guns in the house!" These were the rules of Drew Deraney's mom while his dad was away working to provide for the family. Little did he know, it was because of an incident in their family, that Drew's mom sheltered him so much. Drew was taught not to take risks, do the right thing, and life will work out.
This was not Drew's experience. He let loose in college, took himself too seriously when he entered the workplace, and th...2024-01-2033 minNarrative PodcastEp. 41 ”As a Woman, I Will Get Married, Have Kids, and Then Focus On a Career” Hannah Larrew’s False NarrativeWhat Hannah Larrew gleaned from life, growing up, is that as a woman her priorities should be to get married, have kids, and then focus on herself and her career. We discussed the pros and cons of this reality. The gift of being a wife and mom with the other side of that being sacrifice. She always felt like what she wanted to do was not as important as what the person sitting next to her wanted to do. This led her into an abusive relationship. Hannah was vulnerable about how that relationship ended. She'd had enough and had...2024-01-1332 minNarrative PodcastEp. 40 ”I Know Who and Whose I Am!” Rob Fenstermaker’s NarrativeThere are two different types of people in this world, Rob Fenstermaker pointed out. He used the example of the movie Shawshank Redemption. Two men were released from prison. One, Brooks, was so comfortable with the walls that had been around him that he didn't know what to do with himself. The other character, Red, was honestly a little lost too at first. But when someone showed him the way, he took action in his life. The most important thing we can do, Rob stressed, is take action. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make...2024-01-0636 minNarrative PodcastEp. 39 ”If I work really hard my life will be perfect like my parents” Kathy Izard’s False NarrativeGrowing up with two high-achieving parents, Kathy Izard, naturally thought that if she too worked hard then her life would be perfect like her parents.
The harsh reality was that her mother suffered from bipolar and her dad spent a lot of time taking care of her and keeping the peace. To others and apparently their children, her parent's lives seemed perfect.
Kathy and her husband spent a lot of time working towards achieving their goals too. Untill a little whisper wouldn't leave her alone. At 44, she found herself switching career roles to something she kn...2023-12-3034 minNarrative PodcastEp. 38 ”Adversity Is a Gift with Opportunity Waiting On the Other Side” JD McCabe’s NarrativeImagine waking up in a psychiatric institution not knowing how you got there! Listen as Danny gives the accounts of his ex-wife’s cruel treatment to him. He’d been complacent and explained how he didn’t see things were taking a turn for the worst until it was too late. Had she ever loved him? But the final straw was the third gift she gave him. It was so great that he wrote a book about it! You gotta listen to find out what it was and why Danny sees it as a lesson learned that adversity is a gift...2023-12-2336 minNarrative PodcastEp. 37 ”Life Is Cruel, Life is Hard, I’m Just Surviving” Michael Stover’s False Narrative“The life you live is a lie. I have plans for you.” Michael Williams Stover II heard as he was being attacked by 6 guys when he was 19. Michael had a cruel childhood living in section 8 housing, seeing cop cars drive by not to mention the gangs. Michael's mom spokes lies into him and he believed them.
When Michael’s brother was born he assumed the protective role over him. His mom was here and there and the men floating in an out of their lives found the boys to be an inconvenience. His mom would often point out tha...2023-12-1630 minNarrative PodcastEp. 36 ”I Don’t Belong” Bobby Peterson’s False NarrativeWhere are all the listeners that grew up in the country? Were your siblings your best friends? For Robert Peterson that was the case. He and his sister played together a lot due to the nearest neighbor being over a mile away.
When Robert was little he went by Bobby. Little Bobby got bullied and took to heart all the terrible things the other kids said. He never felt like he belonged. He felt alone like he was the only one going through this. Then, the end of eigth grade, he got news that his dad was...2023-12-0930 minNarrative PodcastEp. 35 ”I’m Alone” Edwina Adam’s Narrative
"Edwina the Encourager" as she introduced herself, actually Edwina Adams. She hasn’t always been that way though. She grew up as a middle child - 8 years apart, on either end. She didn’t have much in common with them nor did she have cousins her age like her sisters did. This left her feeling alone often. And it’s funny because her family told her then and tell her now…it wasn’t like that
Edwina has faced many significant adversities and learned “good things will come out of this adversity.” Edwina looks at her personal life and her work life simil...2023-12-0227 minNarrative PodcastEp. 34 ”My Life Will Mirror My Parents Life” Al Getler’s NarrativeSome people get to grow up with pretty normal childhoods. They get to see an example of a father who works hard as the Captain of the Fire Dept. who also became Mayor but maybe plays a little too hard too, a little mother with a beautiful voice to raise you, and 4 brothers and sisters to look up to. They may not have said “I love you” all the time but they all knew they were loved.
Al Getler really had it all when he was 7. Imagine the family’s surprise when his parents announced baby #6 was on the...2023-11-2536 minNarrative PodcastEp. 33 ”I Don’t Know How to Get the Carrot Dangling In Front Of Me” Dave Englund’s False Narrative"Pick their brains" was a phrase David's mother said to him once. This made him a curious person. He also knew he wanted to be a business owner. David was so impressed one day seeing a stack of his dad's business cards. But how was he going to get there?
He also loved music so when he wasn't pursuing art, he was pursuing music. He worked with a business partner for quite some time until the day came when the business dissolved and David knew it was his time to become the business owner he wanted to b...2023-11-1833 minNarrative PodcastEp. 32 ”I Don’t Matter” Jeff Wickersham’s False NarrativeIn the last episode we talked about false narratives holding us back from our goals. In example, if your narrative is that you don't deserve love, then when you find it you will likely end up self-sabotaging it.
Jeff Wickersham knows this "game." His false narrative was that he didn't matter. He really struggled to identify his self-worth. So when he got close to taking the next step toward success he would hit the brakes, back away, or take his foot off the gas pedal.
Jeff's mother was always a great source of positivity. When sh...2023-11-1131 minNarrative PodcastEp. 31 Unraveling False Narratives: How Deceptive Stories Impact Our LivesSteve Gohl and I, Tim Croll, sat down to talk about the Narratives that have been shared so far. It's funny how we craft these false stories in our heads as truth. Somewhere along the way, our guests have found holes in those narratives and are now forming new narratives that actually positively serve them. What false narratives have you created?
We discussed the trends, we have noticed, in how these narratives were formed. We agreed there are three common ways we form narratives in our formative years. We form them through something someone said to us, g...2023-11-0428 minNarrative PodcastEp. 30 ”I Have To Go To College”: False NarrativeIt was great growing up so close to Grandma and Grandpa. They were such a great example of a loving relationship. It was also a place a kid like Mark Copeland could score a sweet treat and escape to when things were tough at home. Mark spent a lot of time with his grandpa and learned a lot. He explored nature and asked Grandpa lots of questions. But then Grandpa made him find the answers. Mark learned to be curious and look for unique experiences.
Before Mark headed to high school he and his grandfather did a...2023-10-2828 minNarrative PodcastEp. 29 ”I’ve Gotta Be The Best”: False NarrativeIt’s funny how our children desire relationships but due to our personalities or our circumstances, sometimes the way we show love is through providing for them. Dave Myers's dad worked hard to provide for his family, but Dave really wanted more from his relationship with his dad. So he ended up writing a narrative to fill in the gaps in his heart with applaudable acts.
Dave’s ego grew. The more praise he got the more he strived to be the best. One day his girlfriend pointed out that they were going in different directions. She desi...2023-10-2133 minNarrative PodcastEp. 28 ”My Worth Comes From Accolades”: False NarrativeWith a strong Military male presence in his father, Fred Young too wanted to be a strong male as a pilot. But once he got to college his ambition died a little and grades got the better of him. He fell into broadcasting and realized he had a talent for it. He was collecting accolades but still felt something missing.
One day in Missouri, it all changed when he was invited by his wife to church. On top of that, she was now expecting. The focus shifted from how great am I to the child on the way. H...2023-10-1427 minNarrative PodcastEp. 27 ”I Have No Significance” Karen Wulff’s False NarrativeTo hear her speak, you will not agree with her false narrative as a small child. She believed she had nothing to say because she was of no significance and she felt her voice was too deep. She believed this for a while and it made it difficult to cultivate friendships.
But when you get a new pair of shoes and decide to tackle the hill in your neighborhood, life changes. Karen ran up that hill and her lungs filled with air, the blood ran faster in her veins, and she felt her heart pumping! She felt ali...2023-09-3030 minNarrative PodcastE. 26 ”I Don’t Know My Identity” Robert Saul’s False NarrativeAs children, we aren't given road maps for this thing called life. As Robert (Bob) Saul was growing up he was bullied, didn't "fit in", and often had stomach issues. He was lucky enough to have a childhood psychologist see him and help him figure a few things out. That Dr. had such an impact on Bob that he wanted to go into medicine. In his junior year of college is when he felt a strong pull to pediatrics. He felt this was the space he could have the greatest impact. He finally knew his path.
Bob lear...2023-09-2330 minNarrative PodcastEp.25 ”If You Don’t Do Something Praise Worthy Then You Are Not Worthy of Love” Evan VanDyke’s False NarrativeWhen you grow up as the baby of 6 kids in your family you have a lot of people to watch as you are growing up and forming your values. Evan Van Dyke was doted on by his family and told he was going to grow up and be successful. So naturally Evan thought he needed to do something that his family would be impressed with, enough to sing his praises. Evan equated success with money. His mom was the epitome of positivity. Evan wasn't sure it was ok to be negative.
There came a time when Evan start...2023-09-1628 minNarrative PodcastEp. 24 ”You’re Gonna Be Defeated” Kelly Tyan’s False Narrative"You're gonna be defeated." Maybe this wasn't a struggle for Kelley Tyan when she was younger but it really played a role in her adult life. In her younger years, Kelley watched her mom struggle with rheumatoid arthritis. She saw her mom rely on her faith, push through pain, and show up. Kelly knew she could too.
But as she got older and bad things happened and she started playing the comparison game, that negative voice in her head got louder and louder. She's a breast cancer survivor, her daughter has been in two very serious accidents, and...2023-09-0930 minNarrative PodcastEp. 23 ”To Make a Big Impact, You Have To Make a Lot of Money” Ian Garlic’s False NarrativeWhen you grow up around successful people and your friends are highly successful, you see their glamorous lifestyle. You start to think things matter. The car. The house. The trips. The impact. That's what Ian Garlic used to think, in order to have great impact you have to have great wealth!
Until one day he realized, he'd rather enjoy the journey than worry about the ultimate conquest which wouldn't result in satisfaction. He'd seen his parents lose everything and pick themselves back up. This example about mindset. When things get hard you have to push through. He lear...2023-09-0230 minNarrative PodcastEp. 22 ”Because I’m not enough, I will be perfect to prove my value” Sara Whedon’s False NarrativeSomehow Dr. Sara Whedon established a picture of perfection that she strived for daily. Around age 16 she knew she could not keep up this perfect life. In her 20’s, she questioned “When did I start thinking ‘I should be ___ by now’”? But she couldn’t figure out how to let it go of the norms she believed and what a perfect life looked like. But when her mom was diagnosed with cancer she had to fall into being present and problem solving and that did not reflect perfection.
That opened a whole new chapter of life where she decided...2023-08-2630 minNarrative PodcastEp. 21 ”I Grew Up With Perfect Parents Like Everyone Else” Lynn Catalano’s False NarrativeThrough the eyes of a child, Lynn Catalno compared her parents to Ward and June Clever. But at 12, she realized something was off about her father and his behavior. Her mother was an enabler and enabled him to act like a narcissist.
Lynn finally addressed how she felt about her father, as an adult. She had such clarity over what had happened. She decided for herself that she had value and deserved unconditional love. She had not received that from her father but knew that's what she deserved going forward in other relationships.
Immediately after her...2023-08-1934 minNarrative PodcastEp. 20 ”I’m Comfortable Doing The Bare Minimum!” Travis Curnutte’s False Narrative"I spent so long not doing anything, I didn't learn how to do anything!" Travis Curnutte, our guest today, shared this realization. This became clear to him as he knew he needed a course correction in his career and life. Travis grew up with a successful father and he knew he wanted to be in business one day too despite having Tourretts.
Many years later, Travis was in business just not the tech world he wanted to be in. He wasn't actually ok with doing the bare minimum there was just no challenge and no one was askin...2023-08-1231 minNarrative PodcastEp. 19 ”As a Christian Women, My Service Is To Be In the Kitchen.” Becky Mason’s False NarrativeWhat do you do when you grew up in a conservative Christian home? You are taught to follow the rules. You watch and respect your elders. When Becky went to church functions she'd see all the women being of service in the kitchen. Naturally, she thought she was supposed to serve in this way too.
That didn't sit well with Becky. She knew what she believed but for some reason felt there was a need to reel in her fun and crazy side. This feeling was always there.
When the Captivating Conference in Colorado came up, sh...2023-08-0531 minNarrative PodcastEp. 18 ”I Have To Fit In and Hide My Family’s Shame” Alex Pauls’s False NarrativeCoooome-a, Come-a, Come-a, Come-a, Come-a, Chameleon...Alex Pauls growing up felt like he had to behave like a chameleon and fit in. He finally had enough and decided to be OK with who he was, regardless of his desire to have everyone like him.
He found the spark of "I'm special" again he felt when he was 3 or 4 years old. Alex worked on himself and became "The Character." Not choose the character that he felt like he had to be around each person. He lost some friends as he found himself and his worth. Catch the full st...2023-07-2929 minNarrative PodcastEp. 17 ”I’m Not Like Others” Tucker Nielson’s False NarrativeDiscover the journey of Tucker Nielsen, a young computer science master's student at Michigan Tech, as he shares the power of embracing his uniqueness. At 15 he was diagnosed with a form of autism called pervasive developmental disorder. Tucker recounts his transformative journey from uncertainty to clarity. Tucker harnessed his superpower of intense focus and empathy. From battling depression and anxiety to finding purpose and fulfillment, Tucker's story is empowering for anyone struggling to find their path in life, when you don't feel like others. Listen as he shares his passion for writing, teaching, and using Lego bricks to empower c...2023-07-2226 minNarrative PodcastEp. 16 ”You’re Gonna Get a Job, Get Your Pension, Get Married and Live on Staten Island”: False NarrativeA pension? Who gets a pension these days? But when Erika Andresen was a child she heard her parents talk about them. She just assumed she'd follow in their footsteps until she went to tour a college with her sister.
At 10 years old Erika changed her path. Erika was determined to get into NYU! She did get there. She did graduate. But she has learned along the way how to reinvent herself. She keeps refining her path as she learns about what lights her up from different Lawyer niches to joining the Army, and now an entrepreneur!
Er...2023-07-1531 minNarrative PodcastEp. 15 ”I Have To Use Masks Of Manipulation”: False NarrativeDo you switch masks depending on what group of people you are around? Larado Bulkley found him in this situation but it was to manipulate. There was so much dysfunction at home. Larado needed a way to get his needs met. He shared manipulation in school, marriage, and home. He didn't care who he hurt. He remembers caring more about animals than people at this time in his life, so to hurt them or disappoint them didn't matter to Larado.
Despite his abusive childhood and low self-esteem, he just had a hunch there was something more to this...2023-07-0829 minNarrative PodcastEp. 14 ”Money is Everything”: False NarrativeChase Winslow grew up in an extremely poor family. At 13, his family began falling apart, which made him turn to drugs to escape from his problems. After high school, he got an exhausting job which fueled his drug use even more. He ended up quitting his job to sell drugs, but with a twist of fate, he met his wife, and slowly things changed. Funny how a baby on the way makes you rethink life.
He began his work journey of trial and error, trying to figure everything out on his own through Google and online courses...2023-07-0136 minNarrative PodcastEp. 13 ”I will never be invited into the company of other men”: False NarrativeFind out how David Guyor crafted his own narrative by making a DRASTIC change from the false narrative about I will never be invited into the company of other men to a reality where he is actually doing the inviting of other men to come into his company/presence.
A genuine dreamer since early childhood, and an idealist by temperament, David was both the person who once said God, I never hear from you, you're just a concept, I think all this is a joke. To God, if you keep doing what you're doing, I can't bare it...2023-06-2431 minNarrative PodcastEp. 12 ”My Future is in the Military”: False NarrativeAndrew Dibble shared his life’s story full of twists and turns, life-changing events, and personal development. Growing up, he developed a strong relationship with his grandmother, whom he lived with, by helping her at the farm. At 17, with military lineage in his family, he joined the Marine Corps.
After spending 8 years as a Marine, he decided to quit, which is when life first hit him hard. He struggled with the change of dynamics going from military to civilian. Trying to cope with that, he turned to high-adrenaline sports and suffered an injury that made him rethink hi...2023-06-1730 minNarrative PodcastEp. 11 “I’m only qualified for dead end jobs”: False NarrativeHang on tight for a vulnerable tale of perseverance. When the discussion starts with Keith Kalfas accounting he has had 32 homes (one being his car for 3 months), attended 14 schools, more cars than you can count, and multiple jobs (some seasons working 94 hours), you know you will walk away learning one of his many lessons learned so far!
Keith's mom was single, manic, and struggled with drugs. Keith became a successful self-made man by the age of 19. But, he crashed under the pressure and basically had a mental breakdown at 21! If you met him today you would not gue...2023-06-1033 minNarrative PodcastEp. 10 ”I’m Not Deserving of Love”: False Narrative“Everything is a gift or an opportunity”…But Evan Mestman didn’t always think this way! Evan was a sickly child and didn’t think he was deserving of love. He regularly saw a chiropractor that poured into him. She was speaking into him, non directly, words of love, support, and encouragement! The faith she shared with him broke down all the walls he’d built up. He looks back and can see how much love she gave him but he didn’t realize it at the time.
Through his faith and life journey of weight loss Evan now pours...2023-06-0328 minNarrative PodcastEp. 9 ”My Lot in Life is to be a Mom and Wife”: False NarrativeWhen you grow up in small-town Iowa, you don't realize how big the world really is. As Tiffany Mason grew up she watched her mom and observed her being a good mom and wife. Like a lot of us, we think we'll grow up to be similar to our parents. Tiffany learned her lot if life was to be a supportive mom and wife.
Until a few years ago, that's what Tiffany did. Her husband was successful and was recruited for new opportunities which meant multiple moves. Six years ago, they settled in Florida and the kids were...2023-05-2732 minNarrative PodcastEp. 8 ”If It Needs to Get Done...I’m Gonna Have to do It”: False NarrativeGod has a funny way of slowing you down when you won't!
Analisa Woods shared how she was a responsible second oldest sister, growing up in a family with 7 children. She got things done. As she got older she started to believe that if it was going to get done she had to do it, from previous experiences.
Analisa was always busy completing to-do lists that others ideally should have been helping to complete. People relied on her and knew she'd get it done! Till one day when God slowed her down. She was in a ter...2023-05-2029 minNarrative PodcastEp. 7 ”I’m Not Qualified to Teach the Bible”: False NarrativeScreaming your wife's name, dripping sweat, after waking up from a nightmare! This was where my guest Tim Woods found himself after hearing from, what he believed was God, saying "You've been taught right from wrong, and if you died now, you'd be here, in hell!"
You don't know what you don't know. Or you only know what you are taught, right? Tim was raised in a Christian home being taught the "right" way to look, dress, and act!
Tim knew the life he was living wasn't on track with what he'd been taught but he...2023-05-1333 minNarrative PodcastEp. 6 ”I’ve Always Been On My Own”: False NarrativeWes Grant’s life was a rough start. He had a single mom who married into an abusive marriage. Wes experienced abuse too. Soon, Wes found himself hanging around with the wrong crowd doing the wrong things. Wes’s story is that of falling in and out of trouble.
When he felt he had hit his lowest point, in Nicaragua, his old friend Luke offered him somewhere to stay and food in his belly. On his first night, Luke looked at him and said “You’ll be all alone in the world unless you find God.”
Listen i...2023-05-0629 minNarrative PodcastEp. 5 ”Pretend Everything is Ok To Prove You Have Value”: False NarrativeAfter Kathleen was adopted, she learned to pretend everything was ok. Who did she learn this from? Her mom, as she put Kathleen in ice skating even though they couldn’t even pay their bills. Then Kathleen lost her dad and pain set in. She found herself turning to drugs for the second time. See Kathleen had learned the game of pretending everything was ok all the while it was a mess under the surface. She knew how to put on the perfect facade. Kathleen hid her drug addiction pretty well until she didn’t.
Her world chan...2023-04-2935 minNarrative PodcastEp. 4 ”Go to College So You Can Be Successful”: False NarrativeMany people also believe the false narrative of "Go to college so you can be successful!" Ian quickly realized this wasn't HIS path.
Ian opened the Iron Pig in MI to start the path of entrepreneurship. When the pandemic hit, his curiosity to challenge authority and government gave way. Ian felt it was important to take a stance, be honest about it, and keep money flowing during the pandemic, going against the emergency order to shut down. This choice came with backlash.
By failing his way to the top by "risking it for the brisket" he...2023-04-2232 minNarrative PodcastEp. 3 ”I Have to Take Care of Everyone”: False NarrativeTim Croll grew up in a legalistic Baptist home. He was put in charge of his younger siblings. This made Tim feel responsible for all his sibling's safety and their actions. "I have to take care of everyone." Through empty promises from his parents, he too learned he couldn't trust anyone.
As an adult, Tim followed the other false narrative of "Just get a job and everything will be ok." But it wasn't!
Now Tim leans on mentors for authentic conversations and perspectives.
To learn more or to Connect with Tim and Steve: WW...2023-04-1532 minNarrative PodcastEp. 2 ”If you stand in your own way, you’ll never see your potential”: False NarrativeOnce Corey Samz had earned his way into the Magnet Program in high school (he was selected due to his artistic talent) a teacher shared with Corey that if he didn't get out of his own way, he'd never see his potential.
When his employer, whom he was loyal to, despite others saying he could do more, laid him off, Corey realized his potential. This was an open door to explore and his wife supported him. Due to his severance package, he had the freedom to explore that potential. There was an opportunity to teach about what h...2023-04-1529 minNarrative PodcastEp. 1 ”Work Hard and Get Promoted, Right?”: False NarrativeAs Steve watched his dad growing up he absorbed two narratives. First, if you work hard you will get promoted. And the other was that your career was your identity.
When life didn't seem to be playing by those rules, Steve took note. He decided to change his narrative. He would not be defined by his career. Everything was there for the taking. He also found the value of an infrastructure of having people he trusted to talk to.
Listen now to Steve's story
To learn more or to Connect with Tim and Steve...2023-04-1529 minNarrative PodcastTrailer: Finding TRUE StoriesCo-Hosts Tim Croll and Steve Gohl are excited to bring this podcast to you about real people, real struggles, and real victories!
Tim and Steve started to ask "What if?" Through authentic conversations with others, Tim and Steve got to know them. Tim and Steve share their stories and heard others' stories. Now they do life with these people and know it's a safe space to vent, troubleshoot, and celebrate. They are not alone. This stoked a passion in their souls.
Here are some of those real stories...because real stories matter.
To lea...2023-04-1115 min