My blurred opinion

Peace of me

I was born blind, and with other disabilities as well. Growing up, the school system assumed that I was incapable of learning enough to become a fully functioning adult. This ultimately led to a situation where I actually missed out on grades 7-11 entirely. Thus the idea that I would end up with multiple advanced degrees was inconceivable to most of the adults in my life. I have also experienced other trials such as nearly losing custody of my first child due to disability discrimination. This occurred while we were helping her through treatment for a pediatric cancer, no less. She turned out ok, but those memories catalyzed me to strive for systemic change. As someone who lives with chronic pain and mental health struggles, I have found the beauty in serving as a means for survival. I know what it means to fight for opportunities and defy expectations on the path to becoming who we are meant to be. Moreover, I know what it means to sooth our own pain by helping someone in need reclaim the hope that they deserve. I feel blessed for having the chance to help people step into their brilliance, and facilitate changes within organizations that unleash the best in their people. In my mind, these are two sides of the same coin.
 
His website https://www.peacesofme.org/

Helping people see not just who they are, but who they can become

Andrew Drasen is the author of A Vision of Hope and the creator of a 90-day framework that helps people transform pain into growth and live on purpose, not by accident. His work began with his own journey through adversity, loss, and rediscovery—experiences that forced him to rebuild from the ground up and ultimately inspired him to create a structured program others could follow. Andrew believes that everyone has something to recover from. Whether it is addiction, grief, trauma, burnout, or the setbacks that life inevitably places in our path, his work resonates because it is both deeply personal and profoundly universal. What makes his message unique is that he doesn’t stop at inspiration. Instead, he delivers a framework: a practical roadmap built on rediscovering identity, clarifying direction, and creating measurable steps forward. His audiences and readers don’t just walk away inspired, they leave with tools they can put into practice immediately.

I couldn't ignore it anymore

John is our next guest and he is somebody that I met for my mother who came highly recommended. As I sat down and talked to him, I knew we had a lot in common, and that our conversation would be a deep one. John talks about childhood drama addiction, being infected with the HIV virus , mental illness and so much more. 

awesome Jenn

My name is Jenn. I will be 58 years old on 4/17 . I had a very toxic upbringing. I was abused in pretty much anyway you can't think of. I left home at 18. And tried to start my life over
Which was not easy to do. And in 2015 I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. I went through almost a year of chemo as well as radiation and many, many surgeries. I still struggle today with all the side effects from treatment. I am in and out of the hospital monthly. I also have severe depression, anxiety, and PTSD from my childhood. I try to wake up thankful every day & push past it. Thank you, Tim, for allowing me to share my story.

Braving therapy

As a retired high school counselor, I worked in a rural school setting where distance and transportation constraints made school counselors the only available personal counseling opportunity for many students. Mental health concerns impact the functioning and success of individuals, so my colleagues and I spent a significant part of our day providing crisis and often ongoing personal counseling to students. I hold a Master's Degree and Certificate of Advanced Study in Counselor Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo preceded by a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from SUNY Potsdam. My careers prior to counseling were in social work and as a Red Cross Executive Director. I also spent several years as a trade magazine executive. I have traveled extensively and am an active volunteer and leader in my community.
 
Check out her website https://lfeigknipe.com/

Are you ok Ep1

This episode was inspired by my friend Sarah who had an ideas, she wanted to just sit down and talk about whatever was on our minds. We discussed mental health, of course, our current physical situations with our health, Sarah's and eyes similarities and differences with our living situations and much more. 
Her TikTok is @sincerelysarah86

Feisty and fierce

This episode is with Marina. She's somebody I met on my TikTok live a while back, and we instantly clicked. I believe Marina is very misunderstood, and a lot of of it has to do with her upbringing and all that has happened to her in our past. This is a very good episode, but there's a lot of dark , sad, and heartbreaking moments. We discussed the mental, sexual abuse that she suffered by the hands of her family members over and over, and how that led to her out and about, are coming to addiction and getting in trouble. As I said earlier, she may be misunderstood in my view, but she's an amazing person, and one of the strongest people I've come across in this world.
 
Follow her on TikTok @marinafox30

Erin on wheels

In this episode, I sit down for a second episode with my good friend Erin. She tells her long journey of trying to get a van and being able to get her license so that she can drive while also being in a wheelchair. We discuss all the roadblocks and barriers that were thrown in front of her, her training, the test she took to get her permit, how she got her van, and more. I am very proud of Erin because I know this was something that really meant a lot to her, as it does for anybody with a disability to find their true independence.
The driving school where she got her training done https://brantsdrivingschool.com/
A place where you can buy your accessible van https://www.braunability.com/us/en.html
 
 

As long as I like me, I don't care who likes me

This episode is a very important episode for me personally, for a multitude of reasons. This is episode 300, and this is an episode where I get to sit down and talk to my grandma and ask her about her life. My grandmother is very important to me, her wisdom, sense of humor, and the abundance of love she has shown me over the years, has made me realize how valuable and important she is in life in general. She's 94, she has seen, and been through so much, but yet she keeps a level head. This is something that we should all hope to one day reach. We discuss her upbringing, poverty, how she met my grandfather, his eventual, passing and ser, coming to multiple sclerosis, we also discuss her health issues over the years, and how she feels about her life 94 years later.

Amputee strong

Hello my name is Matthew colello im a new englander born and raised. Growing up i never felt like I fit in. Always was thr odd one out. I never truly felt like myself. On november 5th 2024 my life had completely changed. I was involved in a motor vehicle accident where a car struck me causing me to lose part of my left leg. November 6th 2024 I had surgery and had my left foot removed due to no circulation or feeling. Because of this accident ive tried to embrace who I am and make the best of any situation no matter how tough. I wound up finding a job working with other amputees in my community, and I can finally say. I feel like I have found myself. No matter what you go through in life, it truly is mind over matter. Got to see the light in every situation. Thank you for taking the time to hear my story and hope it helps others. You can find me on tictok @Amputeestrong thank you everyone.