My guest shares how at just 3 years old she was taken from her home in Mexico and was put up for adoption. For many years she suffered from sexual, physical and emotional abuse. She turned to alcohol to escape the pain and looked for love in all the wrong places. At 18 she had her first intimate encounter and soon after found out she was pregnant. Crippled with fear and pressure from those around her she made the heart wrenching decision to terminate her pregnancy. For years she lived will the guilt and shame of her decision to have an abortion. Tune is as she shares how God helped her to forgive herself, overcome years of pain and find true healing!  Today she is the Founder of Create In Her, a non for profit that  serves woman who have faced very difficult challenges where they can find community, sisterhood and support. Reyna is the author of Dear Daughter, Live Abundantly Free and Women's Sermon Notes Journal sold on Amazon.  Reyna's most important roles are those of wife, mother and forgiven daughter of God. Connect with her on IG:@renyamorrisco@create.in.heror at Createinher.org

My guest shares the frightening journey of how at just 8 years old she and her little sisters were forced to leave Honduras and cross the border via a coyote from Mexico into the states. She believed she would finally be able to be with her family and live the American dream, but that was just the beginning of her painful journey. She and her sisters experienced verbal and physical abuse from their family and were later put into the foster care system where they were mistreated and separated.   Later she became a teen mom and was in an abusive relationship with her sons father. Then one day she gets a call and was told her sons father was murdered. It was in the days that followed, God intervened and opened the door to a new foster care home. It was there she finally found true love and acceptance by her foster mom. She says "the greatest gift Ms. Wendy gave me, was sharing the love of Christ." Today at just 20 years old she is a single mom of 2 small children who dreams of buying her own home and opening a daycare so she can support other struggling moms who are fighting every day to give their kids a better life. Listen to her foster moms episode which aired on 6/6/22 - The journey of a foster parent - PART 2 with Wendy Anleu. Also listen to PART 1- 9/21/20 - How one night changed her life forever - Wendy Anleu  

In Sept 2020 my guests first shared her story of strength as she overcame several traumatic experiences. As she began to heal God had been pressing her to become a foster parent.  In 2021 she left her job, home and financial stability to pursue her life's calling and become a certified foster parent.  Today she is fostering 7 children whom she loves as her very own and is trusting Gods plan to use her to continue to provide a safe and loving home to any child in need. Tune in to Part 1 of her story - 9/21/20 - How one night changed her life forever. Also tune in to her foster daughters story - 6/13/22 - How a single mom held on to HOPE in the midst of pain - Mercy Castro Connect with Wendy at wendy.anleu@ms.w.anleu@gmail.com

Bewindi Bobb was born in St. Lucia and came to the US in search of the American dream. Early on she knew she wanted to help and serve people but was fighting her calling. She eventually found her purpose and decided to become a licensed clinical social worker.   Little did she know that an amazing job opportunity would later turn into the most difficult experience of her professional career. It was her faith the allowed her to overcome. It was that difficult experience the led her to start her own business and today she is the Founder/CEO of Against All Odds Professional Counseling Services where she proudly serves those who are struggling, who have been rejected and discarded to walk in freedom.  Bewindi is also a published author and Podcast Host of "Empowered to Empower You Podcast."  Connect with Bewindi Bobb: Instagram @empowered2serve Facebook: Bewindi BobbYoutube: Bewindi BobbTwitter @Bewindi Bobb Website: www.bewindi.com and www.aaopcs.net You can find her books on Amazon!

My guest shares how she grew up in a loving and supportive family in Yonkers, New York. Then at age 15 she fell in love and left home to start a new life. Little did she know that the next 5 years of her life she would be living a life of physical and verbal abuse. Until one day she decided she had enough and found the courage to leave to give her girls a better life. Today she is happily married and a certified life coach who serves woman that have been impacted by domestic abuse. Connect with her at: Instagram - @gods_love_never_fails (wendy love)Facebook - @wendylove

How the 2020 pandemic inspired two women from different parts of the world to each start a podcast in midst of chaos and loss around the world. Two complete strangers from different parts of the world who connected over social media with different perspectives and beliefs both on a mission to bring encouragement and hope to the world.  My friend Sana believes you can overcome any obstacle in life if you just flex your COURAGE muscle. Tune in to this inspiring conversation. From Chicago, IL-USA - Tune in to Courageous Podcast with Madeline Hernandez on Podbean, Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music/Echo and Alexa.Connect with Madeline: Instagram - @courageous_podcast / FB - courageous2020; From Perth, Australia - Tune in to Courage Unravelled with Sana Turnock on Apple Podcast.Purchase her Courage Journal on Amazon. Connect with Sana on FB: @joyful living and Instagram: @courageunravelled; Website - www.courageunravelled.com

My guest shares how losing two important people in her life set her on a path to destruction. She was an active gang member and drug dealer who was 100% committed to the street life. Then as she was starting to turn her life around her past caught up with her and she ending up on trial and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. She says it was the unrelenting love and prayers of her mother that kept her safe and got her through the hardest moments in her life. Today she is grateful to God and her mother for never giving up on her. Today Eroica is a college graduate, speaker and Trauma Response Specialist who serves her community and provides all the resources available to help, support and encourage others impacted by the street life. Connect with her on Instagram:@rapunzel_424

My guest Ria was born and raised in Alabama. Like many, she faced great adversity very early in life. Ria was sexually abused by her father from age 12 to 19, forced to play the role of his wife and even shared with other men.  Desperate to escape she left home at 19 without a job, a car or a high school diploma. It was her now husband, who she has been with for over 20 years who gave her the confidence and courage to leave home and start a new life. Ria says "God doesn't cause the pain in our lives, but he can use it to help others overcome their own adversities." Today, Ria is a motivational leadership speaker, certified trainer, TEDx speaker, and author of 13 books. Ria also founded Fearfully and Wonderfully Me, empowering women to become the leaders they are destined to be.  YOU CAN FIND HER ON:IG @ria.storyFB @ria.storyLinkedIn @ Ria Storywww.riastory.comYou can purchase her books on Amazon!

My guest first shared her story on Courageous back in May of 2020 where she shared how childhood trauma and unprocessed pain negatively impacted her life. For years she struggled in silence with crippling fear and nightmares due to her past trauma. Then one day she decided it was time to seek help and find true healing.  For years God had been pressing upon her to share her story and even write a book to help others who were suffering from the same pain. Brenda has been a certified speaker, coach and trainer with the John Maxwell Team since 2018. Today she is the author of "Do Not Conform" Transformation Awaits - A Guide to Healing and Thriving. This book is a roadmap of new possibilities and a life-changing perspective of the infinite powers that we possess within to overcome. The details of Brenda's life are a testament to GOD, who created you and has a perfect plan for your life. You can find her at www.brendacertifiedcoach.com ANDInstagram  - @transformationawaits You can purchase her book on AMAZON

The words a parent never wants to hear is "Mom I have cancer!" My guest will share her account of how she was there to support her daughter as she fought breast cancer and the pain of losing her in the end. Then several years later she loses her husband and best friend after 50 years of marriage. She says "it was the hardest time in my life but my faith was never shaken, it was my faith in God that got me through it.  As a pastor and leader in her church she continues to support and ministers to those who have experienced the same time of loss. She says "there is strength through God, there is strength through your faith and you can't give up." Tune in and listen to her son-in-law & her sons courageous stories: Part 1- Loosing his wife to cancer - Ismael "Brat" HernandezAnd Part 2 - A pastors journey through loss and healing - Pastor Rico Altiery

As a little girl Susan always dreamed of changing the world but a traumatic experience led her to turn to food for comfort. By the time she was 13 she weighed close to 300 pounds. Then one day she met a weight loss coach who believed in her dreams and helped her loose 160 pounds. Today she is an Entrepreneur, Author and Founder of Sullivan Leadership Solutions where she passionately coaches woman who have faced the same struggles as she once did. She says "God gives us all gifts to use on this earth and he can turn your mess into a message." Connect with Susan Sullivan and purchase her new book at:Susansullivan.net or join her Facebook group at "Start with Vision."

My guest share's the tragic story of how her mom was killed in the midst of political unrest in El Salvador in the 80's. After the loss of her mom at just 8 years old she went to live with her father, but never felt part of his new family. In 1992 she moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and eventually was given up for adoption by her father. Thankfully her grandparents and brothers were there to love and support her. Later she discovered that her hearts desire was to help and serve children in the mission field in South America. Her faith and trust in God allowed her to live out her calling and travel all over the world as a missionary. Today she is grateful to God for using her to serve others in her current mission field as she helps children with special needs. She says "no matter where you come from or what you've been through, if you put your trust in God he will lead you to walk in your life's calling." Connect with her on social media at: IG & FB at heidi.paredes

From the young age of 4 years old Shavon was raped and abused for many years. At 9 she began to drink to mask the pain of her abuse. At the age of 14 she joined a major gang in Chicago where she found a sense of family. After being a several abusive relationships she didn't know she was being groomed to be trafficked by her boyfriend. After years of abuse and threats against her life by her trafficker she was finally able to break free and contacted the Chicago Dream Center which is a safe haven for woman who are being abused and need to find healing. Today she is focused on being a mom to her 6 kids and building a life with them. At 40 years old she's an artist, singer, song writer, producer, speaker and advocate against sex trafficking. She said God was always with her throughout her journey and she wants people know that God is loving, he's merciful and he will pick you up and out of your situation, just as he did for her. Connect with her at www.sparrows-ink.comorIG - ykforever_sparrow

My guest will share how throughout her life she has faced many challenges and has overcome due to her strong faith in God. Then in 2020 as the country is impacted by social injustice her faith is tested more than ever as she questions who she is as a christian and what God is calling her to do in the midst of chaos. She is the creator of Becoming Her Experience and HER Transformation. Today she mentors young single woman by preparing them for a strong, lasting Christ centered marriage.  Connect with Stephanie at:IG -  @the_becomingher_experienceor join her email list at Stephaniekellerher.com

My guest will share her story of survival when at just 39 she was diagnosed with stage 5 breast cancer. While coping with this recent diagnosis she loses her father suddenly. Although her doctor fought her at every turn she finally found her voice and a new doctor who listened and respected her decision to have a double mastectomy. It was an encounter with God that helped her overcome this difficult time in her life. Later after having reconstructive surgery she decides to leave her nursing career to become a Certified 3D Areola Tattoo Artist. Today she is the founder of Pink Ink Tattoo where her passion and purpose is to help others look and feel whole again.  She says "I am right where I am suppose to be, I am living my second act." Connect with her at pinkinktatoo.comFacebook - pinkinktatoollcInstagram - pink_ink_tattoo  

Happy Anniversary Courageous Podcast! Courageous launched in May of 2020 and throughout the year has shared some incredible stories of strength, hope and faith. Courageous has been downloaded 4000+ times in over 23 countries around the world. In this episode I will share who made it to the top 4 of the year and how they each impacted me and our many listeners. I also round off the top 10 episodes and share a special message of gratitude for being part of this amazing journey. To all the guests, fans, listeners and followers thank you for making the first year of Courageous so successful. I appreciate your support and thank you for helping me spread the love and hope of Christ. Please tune in to all our episodes and continue to share this platform. Courageous Podcast where you story has the power to inspire the world! Please follow and connect with me on:Facebook - @courageous2020Instagram - @courageous_podcast Please follow and subscribe to Courageous Podcast on your favorite podcast listening platform.

My guest was only 18 years old when she joined the Air Force. On her first deployment to Afghanistan a fellow soldier began to take an interest in her which later turned into harassment and stalking. Unfortunately her superiors did not believe or support her. It wasn't until she brought statements from witnesses and social media that they finally took action. She's says "if it wasn't for my friends watching over me I don't know what could've happened, it's sad that in 2020 woman and men are still dealing with these types of issues. Today as she looks back at her 12 year career she wants to encourage others to stand up and fight because at the end of the day the only person that's going to be there for you, IS YOU!

My guest shares after seeing the tragedy of 9/11 unfold, he felt deeply called to serve his country and joined the Marines. In 2010 while on foot patrol in Afghanistan he stepped on an explosion and lost both legs and part of his left arm. It was the unconditional love of his wife, the support of his family and his faith in God that gave him the strength to overcome. He and his wife are co-authors of "Standing Together" where they share their inspiring true story of healing. Today they are traveling the world supporting other wounded warriors and their families by bringing the hope and love of Christ. Carlos says "today I am touching more people with one hand and leaving more footprints with no feet."  Purchase the book "Standing Together" at Amazon!Support their non-profit at www.crevans.org.

My guest will share how she struggled with her identity and how to fit in as a Puerto Rican girl growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her dream was to be on tv and become a reporter. At 19 she got pregnant, married and divorced by age 22. Although she faced many challenges along the way she was determined to be on television and eventually achieved her dream. Today she owns a production company and runs a non profit where she inspires not only Latinas, but a diverse community of woman where they can learn, grow and achieve their dreams together.

My guest will share how growing up to a single mom in the infamous Cabrini Green Projects in Chicago were some of the most difficult years of his life. Growing up he didn't have time to dream about the future as he didn't think he would live past high school. He was inspired by his girlfriend to go on to college where he was the first in his family to obtain a BA and Masters degree. He shared he would not change a thing as its made him the man he is today. He says "there's a god who has our back and controls it all, if we just pray and have faith."