Ellen O’Clover writes stories about love, identity, and belonging for both teens and adults. Her debut romance, The Heartbreak Hotel, was a Book of the Month selection and a regional indie bestseller. Her debut young adult novel, Seven Percent of Ro Devereux, was named a Best Book of the Year by The Bank Street Center for Children’s Education and a finalist for both the Colorado Book Award and the Florida Sunshine Young Readers Award. Ellen lives near Boulder, Colorado with her rocket scientist husband and two perfect bulldogs. Read more about her and get signed copies of her books at ellenoclover.com.
Jane is a highly experienced and trained professional nurse, holistic health coach, health and wellness advocate, grief educator, speaker, and workshop presenter. As a master facilitator of lifestyle change, Jane knows that certain approaches and techniques bring about the changes people want and need to feel healthy and whole. This perspective and practices come directly from integrating her professional and personal life as Jane has experienced health challenges throughout her life and most recently as a bereaved parent after her middle son died 2 years ago. These experiences along with her educational experiences have created methods and techniques she now shares with her clients and her audiences. If you are looking for a proven presenter who will connect with and engage your audience—all while educating them around how to find ways to move forward in their life with greater health, compassion, and meaningful experiences everyday - you’ve come to the right place.
Malisa Hepner is a therapist, podcast host, and public speaker who helps people quiet the noise of trauma, reconnect with themselves, and embody the light. She’s the host of Emotionally Unavailable and one of the hosts of Unquiet Soul, two shows that open space for deep, real, and transformative conversations. Malisa is also the creator of healing workbooks like Safe to Be Seen and The Beauty of Imperfection: Good Is Enough. Drawing on both her professional expertise and her lived experience as a survivor of complex PTSD, she’s passionate about helping people move beyond overthinking, perfectionism, and fear of visibility to live more grounded, authentic, and joyful lives.
Kanika is a Radiant Empowerment Coach and Akashic Records Reader. She guides spiritual entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers who are ready for more—more radiance, more freedom, more soul. Kanika helps clients break through invisible ceilings, awaken their unique gifts, and step into a new level of clarity, self-trust, and authentic leadership. Through her work, clients move into joy in everyday living, where inspired action flows naturally, opportunities align with purpose, and their voice and presence are finally seen and valued in their field.
Nicholas Ruchlewicz was in a single vehicle motorcycle crash on March 15, 2016, and suffered a separated pelvic circle, broken Sacro-iliac, crushed left orbital, massive concussion, and a right-side brain bleed and hematoma. He was in ICU, for 2 weeks, non-cognizant, then in an acute rehab hospital for 2 weeks, learning how to focus, move his left side, and see.
His trauma and brain injury have allowed him to become an advocate, he calls it “A Gift of Perspective”. He is very vocal about his mental health, and advocates for males, and others for mental wellness. He is a volunteer for https://www.traumasurvivorsnetwork.org/, a Peer Mentor” at an Acute Rehabilitation Hospital, as well as a political advocate for accessible mental health and support. He believes we all have emotions, and its “Okay to not be OK”.
He has done a lot of work with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) before his trauma, and that is a reason, he believes, he is “still here.” He believes that, "Our minds can be dark, and it's important to look at the corners for the light. Life is a 4-letter word, it depends on how you use it.”
Angie Hawkins is an Inner Glow Coach who transforms high-achieving, spiritual women from chasing love and approval to radiating fierce confidence so they can finally feel happy, free, and loved for who they are.She works with women who’ve done therapy, read the books, tried the spiritual path, but still feel like something’s missing. Through deep inner work and identity transformation, she helps them break the cycle of not feeling “enough,” so they can experience real love, confidence, and peace without having to change who they are.She is the author of Running in Slippers, a raw and vulnerable memoir about finding resilience after emotional rock bottom.Angie has moved from Chicago to Hawaii on her own, jumped out of a helicopter and into the ocean Navy SEAL-style, bungee jumped, skydived, and cliff jumped, yet is still terrified about allowing herself to be seen.
Ashley Perkins, PharmD, is a mental health advocate with a background as a pharmacist and
educator. She graduated from Butler University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in
2008 and is currently in the EdD program at Marshall University, with a focus on curriculum and
instruction. In March of 2020, with John Bollinger, they began the process of forming We Matter
Too, Inc. which focuses on helping those with mental health issues and mental illness through
first-person narratives of experience. When removing the biggest barrier to seeking help or
treatment, stigma or the fear of judgment, you can possibly help more people find help or seek
treatment if they so desire.
Julie Barth is a mom and an author who has experienced grief on so many levels from the struggles with her daughter's health, the death of her husband, and later, being in an abusive relationship. Her story is one of courage and overcoming obstacles that kept coming. We appreciate Julie's authentic storytelling and know you will too. For more information about Julie, her writing, and her not for profit, visit: https://www.juliebarthauthor.com/.
Noah May is from Alabama. He graduated from Auburn University in 2024 with a degree in journalism. He has dealt with mental health struggles since he was 13 and is no longer staying silent. Join us as Noah shares his story and more about how podcasting has become his outlet. You can hear more from Noah on his own podcast, Lethal Venom, wherever you listen to podcasts.
Leah Chrest is the author of At the Edge of the Jordan and It's Okay to Be Okay. She is a high school teacher, mom, step-mom and wife. She also serves as a lay preacher and a teacher of Christian meditation.
Walker Posey is a fourth-generation funeral director and embalmer with a family history dating back 130 years in funeral service. Walker provides resources, grief groups, etc. at Poseycares.com, illustrating how much he cares about supporting those in their time of need. He also provided us with some amazing tips that we hadn't even considered. Learn more from Walker's unique perspective in observing grief and working with those following the loss of a loved one.
When she was just 17, Susan Snow lost her father, an LAPD detective who was murdered as retaliation for testifying in a court case. She has overcome a lot of obstacles to get to where she is today and prides herself in helping others to heal. She is an author of the book, The Other Side of the Gun, a public speaker, and a Trauma Resiliency Coach. For more information about Susan, visit Susansnowspeaks.com.
Lisa Sugarman is a three-time survivor of suicide loss, author, and longtime mental health advocate. She co-hosts a podcast called The Survivors Podcast with Gretchen Schoser. Lisa is the creator of The Help Hub, a site with a comprehensive list of mental health resources. She also has a book coming out soon entitled, The Surviving.
Dr. Bruce Chalmer has been a couples counselor for over thirty years. He joins us today to talk about the grief we experience after a betrayal. As we often discuss on this podcast, we don't only grieve death, but so many other things.
Dr. Chalmer is the author of several books including his latest on this topic, Betrayal and Forgiveness: How to Navigate the Turmoil and learn to trust again. He also co-hosts a podcast with his wife, Judy Alexander, called Couples Therapy in Seven Words.
Christine tragically lost her husband a few years ago, but the grief she felt transcended his death due to family complications and social media. Her story is a hard one to hear, but a stark reminder about our words can leave an impact in person and online.
This episode discusses suicide, murder accusations, and a missing persons case. If these topics might be triggering to you, we ask that you take caution when listening.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text 988 for the Suicide Prevention Hotline.
Joshua Wilson authentically shares his story of losing his brother. Josh is a wonderful father and husband and involved in his community in Atlanta, GA.
This episode might be hard for some listeners as Josh's brother died by suicide. If you or anyone you know is in crisis, please call 988 to speak to someone who can help.
Though you may know Ben Higgins from Season 20 of ABC's, "The Bachelor," (which ultimately led to his platform that he uses to share more about his faith and hope for humanity), he's also the cofounder of Generous International, a for purpose company dedicated to contributing profits to social issues around the world and he has partnered with Culinary Creative Group to start over 20 restaurants worldwide. Ben is also a husband a new dad to daughter, Winona. Ben released his first book, Alone in Plain Sight in February of 2021, which is focused on reconnecting with yourself, others, romance, and with God. This book will be relaunching soon, so be sure to follow Ben for more information.
We are super fans of Lisa's! Lisa Keefauver, MSW is a Grief Activist who transformed her personal and professional experiences with loss into a mission to reimagine grief. As host of a top-rated grief podcast, TEDx and keynote speaker, grief-smart workplace consultant, grief guide, and author of the highly-acclaimed book, Grief is a Sneaky Bitch: An Uncensored Guide to Navigating Loss, she is expanding our collective story of grief. Learn more about her work at www.lisakeefauver.com
Dr. Javan Reed is a dynamic and visionary leader whose steadfast commitment to student success has driven transformative change in higher education. His career is marked by a passion for empowering students, fostering inclusive learning environments, and ensuring institutions deliver meaningful and lasting educational experiences.
As the former Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Simmons College, Dr. Reed prioritized student-centered strategies that expanded academic offerings and strengthened institutional sustainability. Under his leadership, Simmons College developed seven new academic programs, including its first graduate degree, generating over $12 million in tuition revenue and grant funding. His approach to higher education leadership has been deeply rooted in sustainability, faculty development, and ensuring students have the resources and support they need to thrive.
Dr. Reed’s dedication to education extends beyond the classroom. As the founder of J. Reed &Associates, he provides strategic consulting services to institutions striving for academic excellence. His innovative methods, which place student success at the core of institutional growth, have earned him national recognition from esteemed organizations such as the
Kentucky Association for Blacks in Higher Education, the John Gardner Institute, and the United Negro College Fund.
A scholar and advocate for social impact, Dr. Reed holds an Executive PhD in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University. His groundbreaking dissertation, Factors Influencing Persistence Among Formerly Incarcerated Nontraditional Students through the Lens of Anti-Deficit Framework, explores how post-secondary education reduces recidivism and advances Black student achievement. His research has informed national conversations on education policy and student support, shaping initiatives that help students overcome barriers to success.
Recognized as a transformative leader, Dr. Reed successfully launched the Second Chance Pell Grant initiative at Simmons College, creating educational pathways for incarcerated individuals in Kentucky prisons. His expertise in developing student-focused programs has positioned him as a sought-after consultant for HBCUs nationwide, ensuring that education remains an
accessible and life-changing opportunity for all.
Beyond academia, Dr. Reed is deeply engaged in community service and the arts. He serves on the boards of the Home of the Innocents and Kentucky Shakespeare and has collaborated withPropel and Apple to integrate Arts and Entertainment into Simmons College’s curriculumthrough the Black Film and Media Studies concentration. These initiatives reflect his broadervision of enriching students’ educational experiences and expanding career pathways.
Nikki Thompson Frazier is a journalist, culinary entrepreneur, speaker, and creator of A Life Worth Tasting. As the founder of Sweet Encounter Bakery Café and the innovator behind the nationally shipped Cupcakes in a Jar, Nikki blends purpose, passion, and storytelling into everything she does. She’s on a mission to help people heal, rise, and reclaim joy whether through a journal, a cupcake, or a conversation. Check out her YouTube Channel and new show: The Sweet Life with Nikki.
Nikki lives in Lansing, MI, with her husband Terrence, their daughters Melia and Madison (MJ), their sister Shona, and their dog Biscuit.