Very often, those of us who are natural care-takers, nurturers, and healers find trouble maximizing our ability to give by not giving enough to ourselves. Maria Nagel's story is a shining example of personal growth and discovery.

Towards the end of high school, Maria was inspired to become a nun which resulted in her living as a religious sister for several years. She eventual came to profound self discovery which led her away from the convent and towards a career as an occupational therapist.

Maria's story shows us what it can look like to cultivate an authentic sense of self built on loving and respecting our deep intuition. Everyone will be able to walk away from this episode learning something that will serve them on the road to becoming a better version of themselves.

Lauren Seidman entered college with a well thought out plan. Work hard, use her intellect to the fullest, take the LSAT, and build a strong career.  The plan was to do what she felt she was "supposed to do". You know, live a normal life. But life had other plans for Lauren. In feeling the disconnected from her work in consulting Lauren strove to find a career that filled her with passion and inspiration, she made the tough decision of leaving her job and embarked on an unexpected journey towards becoming a childbirth educator.

Lauren’s transition from consulting to childbirth education wasn’t smooth, with stigma and judgment surrounding her decision to leave a promising career and to become a stay at home mom. Yet, she persevered, recognizing that life isn’t about choosing between one path or another, but more about finding harmony and compromise between your strengths and passions. Today Lauren is the driving force behind the Birth Positive Childbirth Education program.

Lauren's Website
https://bebirthpositive.com/

Lauren's Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/birth_positive

To hear Lauren's Birth Stories
https://prenatalyogacenter.com/community-birth-story-from-hospital-birth-to-home-birth-with-lauren-seidman/

Tim Wragg has worn many hats in life; Teacher, barista, professional counselor, and now a land manager at Snipes Farm in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. Throughout a series upheavals, Tim has managed to not only adapt but thrive. In this uncharted exploration, we journey through Tim's life, understanding how he has cultivated resilience and adaptability in the face of drastic challenges. Tim sees his life story as a battle between meaning and nihilism. Love and meaninglessness. If you have ever felt shame because you don't think you are "on pace" with where you feel you should be in life, Tim helps us learn how to find self compassion and get on track with who we want to be in life.

Snipe's Farm
https://www.snipesfarm.org/welcome.html

Snipe's Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/snipes_farm/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Dave Steele, also known as The Blind Poet, joins us today to paint a vivid recount of not just living with vision loss, but also the battles with homelessness, mental health struggles, and the resilience it takes to navigate life's adversities.

What does it mean to be blind? Does it imply a life of limitations or can it be a world full of potential and opportunities? Dave tackles these misconceptions head-on, sharing how his retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis may limit his sight, but it has ignited his vision. Today, Dave's poetry serves as a lifeline for many who are dealing with similar situations, echoing a message of resilience and hope.

The Blind Poet’s Website
https://www.theblindpoet.net/

Dave’s Video with Meta
https://m.facebook.com/Meta/videos/the-blind-poet/683055240000348/

The Blind Poet’s Facebook Page
https://m.facebook.com/theBlindPoetRP/

If you're feeling stuck in life and you cannot find the energy to blast through the obstacles in your way, this is the episode for you. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of meeting Jacqui Kapinowski knows that there is only one word to describe her, unstoppable.  Jacqui has survived two bouts of bacterial meningitis, a stroke, thyroid cancer, throat cancer,  and currently lives with Stiff Person Syndrome, SPS, a rare neurological disease effecting one in one million people.  Jacqui has not only overcome and continued to contend with these challenges, she has thrived. 

Jacqui is a two-time American Paralympian having competed in curling in the 2010 Winter Paralympics and Rowing in the 2016 Summer Paralympics. If that weren't enough Jacqui has competed in a combined nine world championships in curling, triathlon, wheelchair racing, and rowing. She has also competed in 90 marathons, 19 as a runner and 71 as a wheel chair race or hand-cyclist. It may be possible that she is the only woman to have competed in the Boston and New York City Marathons in the Running and Wheelchair categories. Understandably, she was a 2022 inductee into the Adaptive Sports Hall of Fame.

Somehow after all her athletic endeavors, Jacqui still found the time and energy to create Shifting Gears United, an organization which provides adaptive sports programs, equipment, coaching, training, and educational clinics in order to change the lives of individuals with various disabilities.

Shifting Gears United
https://shiftinggearsunited.org/

Freedom Coast Ride - November 11, 2023 Registration
https://shiftinggearsunited.org/freedom-coast-ride-registration/

It is with heavy hearts that we have to tell you that our former guest, Gloria Ginsberg passed away on September 23rd, 2023. In this update Kim and Jacob take some time to reflect on Gloria and ways in which she touched their lives.

To listen to Gloria's Interview and feel inspired by profound strength in the face of trauma, her humor, and her love of life, please click the link below.

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gloria-ginsberg-on-embracing-the-unknown/id1701689858?i=1000623847520

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4H6pGUaC6z9nz2XNJT4JWc?si=6263551ceadf42e6

Buzzsprout
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2224264/13371440

May we only hear good news. 

Dr. Alex H Cohen is the Chief Marketing and Accessibility Officer at AccessiblePharmacy, a tenured professor in the Marketing Department at West Chester University, and president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Alex's story is a testament of what you can achieve if you embrace that you are your own best advocate.

Alex delves into how his passion for the hospitality industry led him from Philly to Las Vegas. By 25 years old, Alex was already a general manager of a hotel in Philadelphia. His professional career didn't stop there. We also explore Alex's efforts in networking and his initiatives in DEI and disability that facilitated his entry into a doctoral program.

In the final segment of our conversation, we uncover the story behind AccessiblePharmacy, a company that offers home delivery services to the blind and low vision community. Alex, along with his team, established this company amidst the chaos of a global pandemic. We delve into the challenges faced by Alex and the significant role his wife Sarah played in his journey. Additionally, we explore the differences between low vision and blindness, the commendable work of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, and Alex's optimistic perspective towards the future. Don't miss out on this episode filled with resilience, inspiration, and the power of hope.

AccessiblePharmacy
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/
https://www.instagram.com/accessiblepharmacy/?hl=en

Foundation Fighting Blindness
https://www.fightingblindness.org/

West Chester University
https://www.wcupa.edu/business-PublicManagement/aCohen.aspx