My blurred opinion

Empower your sobriety

Jennifer shares her powerful story of struggling with alcoholism, the toll it took on her life, and the multiple rehabs she underwent before achieving sobriety. She talks about the turning points in her journey, including a high-speed chase that led to her final wake-up call and a transformative hospital stay. Jennifer’s story highlights the importance of support systems, faith, and the commitment to recovery, offering hope and inspiration to others in similar situations
 
 Her website https://www.jenalaisobercoach.com/

An 8 hour healing journey

Lots of people live as prisoners to their past traumas, but it doesn't have to be that way. Jamie Fleming is a survivor of sexual abuse and was healed from 34 years of childhood sexual trauma in just 8 hours using psychedelic-assisted therapy (Ibogaine & 5MeO DMT). Now, she shares her incredible true life healing story and what it's like to live life without a trauma filter everyday and helps others find healing in their own lives.  We discuss all the she went through as a kid, all the sexual abuse , that led to crippling trauma.   
 
Her website  www.AfterTraumaArt.com

Cutting through tradition

This episode is with Douglas Katz, he's a West Point graduate, disabled Army veteran, and adaptive product innovator on a mission to change lives in the kitchen. With an extensive career spanning the military, telecom, and lending, Doug has brought his problem-solving skills to a new frontier—adaptive technology. Inspired by his personal experiences as a disabled veteran and as a caretaker for an octogenarian, Doug set out to create the NULU knife, an adaptive kitchen tool designed to empower people of all abilities to cook safely and confidently. I really enjoy talking to him because he's got a big heart, and he's found a niche on how to make an impact, and help those who have disabilities.
His website https://linktr.ee/dougkatz
His TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nuluing
His Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/d.m.katz/
His YouTube channel  https://www.youtube.com/@gnulou
 

Yes, I have a disability, but I'm Kathy

This episode is with Katherine Knight. I met her on Facebook. It was a random day when I was just perusing through random videos when I stumbled upon her. She was so forthcoming and transparent that I instantly loved and respected her just through the videos alone. She was born with Proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD), a rare birth defect that affects the upper thigh, bone, or femur. It's also known as congenital femoral deficiency. She is a disability advocate, who doesn't shy away from how she really feels, she talks about the differences in how she was treated because of her disability, and how all that made her feel, and it made her the advocate that she is today. 

The bear whisperer I'm all right how are you?

Our next guest is John Holland. He's like my little brother, I met him at a job we used to work at, and we instantly became friends. We bonded over sports, movies, and TV shows; of course, we both had visual impairments. When we were paired together, I got to see how he works, with all his ailments on display, and I was very impressed.  Because of a birth defect, he was born with missing bones in his left arm, and wrist, which affects the mobility of his arm tremendously. But where most people would allow that to get them down, John keeps it moving, and will still try to lift whatever he has asked to lift. If there's one thing you can take from John story is that he is not a quitter, he has many health issues that are affecting him currently, but he still gets up every day and puts in a quality effort

Don't feel bad for us, just accept us

Our next episode features Chris Westbrook. Chris has the trifecta of disabilities: He's totally blind, partially deaf, and has mobility issues. Though Chris may have his troubles, he's very independent, outspoken, and a good representative of those with disabilities. In the episode, we discussed accessible technology, Chris's upbringing, mental health, and a lot more.

Survivors of hopelessness

Our next episode is with Deborah and Brian. They are partners, and they are here to share their own individual stories and experiences with hopelessness and the eventual attempt at suicide. Though they have two different stories, two different backgrounds, they have the same common goal, and that is to let you know that Suicide is NEVER an act of selfishness or a cry for help. Rather it is an act of pure desperation. They didn't mean to leave all that hurt behind for their family and friends. They just became overwhelmed. And we don't refer to a death from suicide as a "successful attempt" Rather we refer to it as having been "completely overcome." They were completely overcome by hopelessness. And hopelessness will keep coming back until it wins.

Doing it the Erin way

This next episode is with Erin Miller. She is a strong woman who faces many challenges but thrives while doing so. Erinb has the condition Arthrogryposis multiplex congenital (AMC). AMC is a term used to describe a group of congenital (present at birth) conditions characterized by joint contractures in two or more joints of the body. Therefore, AMC is a descriptive term for over 400 conditions rather than a single diagnosis. In the episode, we discuss health, family loss, and so much more. I've actually had the personal pleasure of watching her navigate life with this condition, and though she makes it look easy, it is not. 
https://amcsupport.org
 

Thriving while struggling

 
This episode is with Rebecca Sparks. I first noticed her on TikTok. I was impressed by her openness to talking about her struggles. She embodies what a mental health warrior is. We talk about her past, depression, suicide, anxiety, and so much more.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK(8255)
Her Instagram @conspiracytheoriesofabeautiful mind

Shake the dust off your feet and walk

Gina's life story makes her a captivating and inspiring speaker for all audiences. Through raw vulnerability, she shares how she overcame immense adversity—enduring multiple surgeries from childhood, devastating loss, a crisis of faith leading her to join and later leave the convent, the grips of alcoholism, and the struggles of tumultuous relationships. Yet, Gina's unwavering resilience, strengthened by her profound spirituality, enabled her to reclaim her life's purpose. Gina's very presence is a testament to the power of the human spirit to persevere. Her story reminds us that hope can be discovered even in our darkest moments and will leave an audience inspired.
Her website https://www.ginaecon.com