It's Your Story To Tell

164: I’m No Longer Ashamed of My Addicted Son: Breaking the Silence Around Addiction feat. Jody Ammerman (Part 2)

What happens when you stop hiding the pain of loving someone struggling with addiction? In Part 2 of this deeply honest conversation, Jody Ammerman shares why she is no longer willing to live ashamed of her son’s addiction story. After years of silently carrying fear, grief, heartbreak, and judgment, Jody made the courageous decision to publicly speak about her son’s homelessness and addiction—and everything changed. What began as a desperate Facebook post searching for her son quickly became a lifeline for countless other families silently walking through addiction with someone they love. Together, Megan and Jody discuss: • Loving a child struggling with addiction • Parenting an addicted adult child • Homelessness and substance abuse • Breaking shame and secrecy in families • Boundaries without abandonment • Codependency and emotional healing • Faith while loving someone in addiction • Supporting someone without enabling • Why honesty is part of healing • Creating safe spaces for families affected by addiction Jody also shares the heart behind “Keep the Light On,” a support community created for families navigating addiction, grief, fear, and hope together. This conversation is for every parent, spouse, sibling, or loved one who feels isolated while watching someone they love struggle. You are not alone, and your story does not have to stay hidden in shame. Healing begins when we bring our pain into the light. About Jody: Jody Ammerman is the founder of Keep the Light On, a support community for parents and loved ones navigating the pain of addiction, homelessness, and loving someone in crisis. Inspired by her personal journey walking alongside her son’s battle with addiction, Jody is passionate about breaking shame, creating honest conversations, and helping families learn how to hold both boundaries and hope. Through Keep the Light On, she reminds people they are not alone and that healing begins when we bring our stories into the light. Join Jody's Support Group: Keep the Light On: https://www.facebook.com/groups/keepthelighton/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/keepthelighton/] About the Host: Megan Babcock is the founder of It’s Your Story to Tell. She is an award-winning coach, bestselling author, speaker, and podcast host whose work sits at the intersection of faith and neuroscience. She equips leaders to regulate their nervous systems, heal from trauma, and rise with purpose. After more than twenty years in healthcare and her own journey through trauma, surrender, and spiritual renewal, Megan launched It’s Your Story to Tell in 2023. What once felt disqualifying became the foundation of her calling. She now helps others transform pain into legacy and live aligned, resilient, Spirit-led lives. Connect with Megan: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganbakerbabcock [https://www.facebook.com/meganbakerbabcock] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachmeganbabcock [https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachmeganbabcock] Website: https://bit.ly/ItsYourStorytoTell [https://bit.ly/ItsYourStorytoTell] Resources: Sacred Presence and Sacred Pathways: https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/Sacred-presence-&-pathways [https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/Sacred-presence-&-pathways] Unstuck Book: https://a.co/d/7CrzzZA [https://a.co/d/7CrzzZA] Free Transformation Resource Center: https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/freeresourcecenter [https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/freeresourcecenter]

163: When Faith Becomes Pride: How God Used Pain to Transform Jody Ammerman's Heart (Part 1)

Can faith quietly turn into pride without us even realizing it? In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Jody Ammerman shares how becoming deeply passionate about her faith slowly shifted into something she never expected: spiritual pride and self-reliance disguised as devotion. As a young woman, Jody believed nothing could ever shake her faith in God—until a devastating health crisis brought her to the end of herself. After years of severe pain, medical dismissal, and unanswered prayers, Jody found herself angry with God and questioning everything she believed. Doctors repeatedly told her nothing was wrong until an MRI revealed a life-threatening tumor inside her spinal cord. What followed was a miraculous encounter with God that forever changed her understanding of faith, suffering, surrender, and grace. In this episode, Megan and Jody discuss: • The danger of becoming prideful in faith • Wrestling with God during suffering • Chronic pain and medical gaslighting • Unanswered prayers and spiritual disappointment • What happens when faith is tested • Miraculous healing and surrender • Trusting God when life feels unfair • How painful seasons reshape our faith This conversation is honest, emotional, and deeply encouraging for anyone who has struggled with disappointment, pain, or questioning God in difficult seasons. Jody’s story is a reminder that God’s presence does not disappear in suffering and that sometimes brokenness becomes the very thing that deepens our relationship with Him. In Part 2, Jody shares how her journey prepared her for the heartbreaking reality of loving a son battling addiction and why she is no longer willing to live ashamed of his story. On About Jody: Jody Ammerman is the founder of Keep the Light On, a support community for parents and loved ones navigating the pain of addiction, homelessness, and loving someone in crisis. Inspired by her personal journey walking alongside her son’s battle with addiction, Jody is passionate about breaking shame, creating honest conversations, and helping families learn how to hold both boundaries and hope. Through Keep the Light On, she reminds people they are not alone and that healing begins when we bring our stories into the light. Join Jody's Support Group: Keep the Light On: https://www.facebook.com/groups/keepthelighton/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/keepthelighton/] About the Host: Megan Babcock is the founder of It’s Your Story to Tell. She is an award-winning coach, bestselling author, speaker, and podcast host whose work sits at the intersection of faith and neuroscience. She equips leaders to regulate their nervous systems, heal from trauma, and rise with purpose. After more than twenty years in healthcare and her own journey through trauma, surrender, and spiritual renewal, Megan launched It’s Your Story to Tell in 2023. What once felt disqualifying became the foundation of her calling. She now helps others transform pain into legacy and live aligned, resilient, Spirit-led lives. Connect with Megan: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganbakerbabcock [https://www.facebook.com/meganbakerbabcock] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachmeganbabcock [https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachmeganbabcock] Website: https://bit.ly/ItsYourStorytoTell [https://bit.ly/ItsYourStorytoTell] Resources: Sacred Presence and Sacred Pathways: https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/Sacred-presence-&-pathways [https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/Sacred-presence-&-pathways] Unstuck Book: https://a.co/d/7CrzzZA [https://a.co/d/7CrzzZA] Free Transformation Resource Center: https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/freeresourcecenter [https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/freeresourcecenter]

162: How Intentional Living Changes Your Marriage, Business, and Legacy (Part 2)

Complacency rarely happens overnight. It builds slowly through distraction, avoidance, busyness, and the small decisions that pull us away from the life we actually want to live. In Part 2 of this conversation, Megan and Marty Hofmann move from awareness into action as they unpack what it practically looks like to “kill complacency” and begin living with intentionality in marriage, parenting, business, and personal growth. Marty shares the practical shifts he and his wife made after recognizing the disconnect that had formed in their relationship. From intentional date nights and marriage conferences to restructuring priorities and becoming emotionally present, this conversation highlights how small, consistent choices create lasting transformation over time. Megan also shares how perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the pressure to appear “put together” impacted her relationships and parenting journey. Together, they discuss the importance of feedback, emotional regulation, apologizing to your children, and creating safe conversations that lead to healing instead of defensiveness. The conversation also expands into entrepreneurship and leadership, where Marty explains how complacency shows up in business through avoidance, lack of structure, poor financial awareness, and failure to track the details that matter. His message is clear: intentionality compounds over time, and the life you want is built through consistent action, not wishful thinking. In this episode, you’ll hear: - Practical ways to move from complacency into intentionality - How to rebuild emotional connection in marriage - Why intentional rhythms matter in family life - The importance of feedback, ownership, and repair - How childhood patterns impact leadership and relationships - Why reverse engineering your desired legacy matters - How complacency quietly affects entrepreneurship and business growth - The role of consistency in building the life you want Marty also shares details about his upcoming book, Kill Complacency, where each chapter begins with personal stories and lessons on intentional living, growth, and overcoming drift. This episode is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to change direction. You are not disqualified because you drifted. Awareness creates the opportunity to choose differently. Connect with Marty:  Website: https://www.martyhofmann.com/ [https://www.martyhofmann.com/] Podcast: https://www.killcomplacency.com/ [https://www.killcomplacency.com/] Book: 'Kill Complacency': https://a.co/d/0h5Wc0d6 [https://a.co/d/0h5Wc0d6] About the Host: Megan Babcock is the founder of It’s Your Story to Tell. She is an award-winning coach, bestselling author, speaker, and podcast host whose work sits at the intersection of faith and neuroscience. She equips leaders to regulate their nervous systems, heal from trauma, and rise with purpose. After more than twenty years in healthcare and her own journey through trauma, surrender, and spiritual renewal, Megan launched It’s Your Story to Tell in 2023. What once felt disqualifying became the foundation of her calling. She now helps others transform pain into legacy and live aligned, resilient, Spirit-led lives. Connect with Megan: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganbakerbabcock [https://www.facebook.com/meganbakerbabcock] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachmeganbabcock [https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachmeganbabcock] Website: https://bit.ly/ItsYourStorytoTell [https://bit.ly/ItsYourStorytoTell] Resources: Sacred Presence and Sacred Pathways: https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/Sacred-presence-&-pathways [https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/Sacred-presence-&-pathways] Unstuck Book: https://a.co/d/7CrzzZA [https://a.co/d/7CrzzZA] Free Transformation Resource Center: https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/freeresourcecenter [https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/freeresourcecenter]

161: The Drift That Quietly Pulls You Away from the Life You Want (Part 1)

What if the greatest threat to your life isn’t failure… but complacency?   In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Megan sits down with entrepreneur, author, and podcast host Marty Hofmann to talk about the subtle drift that happens when we stop living intentionally. From growing up as one of ten children on an Iowa farm to building businesses, raising six kids, and navigating marriage, Marty shares how complacency often hides beneath productivity, responsibility, and success.   This episode explores the difference between simply providing for the people we love and truly being present with them. Marty vulnerably shares the moment his wife confronted him about the emotional disconnect in their marriage and how that conversation became a wake-up call that changed the direction of his life.   Megan and Marty also dive into how childhood experiences shape emotional patterns, communication, perfectionism, avoidance, and the difficulty many people have receiving feedback without defensiveness. Together, they unpack how intentionality becomes the key to healing relationships, breaking unhealthy cycles, and building a life aligned with your values.   This conversation is honest, practical, and deeply relatable for anyone who feels disconnected, stuck in autopilot, or hungry for deeper connection in marriage, parenting, business, or personal growth.   In this episode, you’ll hear:  - Why complacency is often subtle rather than obvious  - The difference between laziness and emotional drift  - How childhood experiences impact adult relationships  - Why many people struggle to receive feedback  - The power of emotional awareness and healthy communication  - How intentional conversations can transform relationships  - Why presence matters more than performance   This episode is a reminder that awareness is not failure. It’s the beginning of change.   Connect with Marty:  Website: https://www.martyhofmann.com/ [https://www.martyhofmann.com/] Podcast: https://www.killcomplacency.com/ [https://www.killcomplacency.com/] Book: 'Kill Complacency': https://a.co/d/0h5Wc0d6 [https://a.co/d/0h5Wc0d6] About the Host: Megan Babcock is the founder of It’s Your Story to Tell. She is an award-winning coach, bestselling author, speaker, and podcast host whose work sits at the intersection of faith and neuroscience. She equips leaders to regulate their nervous systems, heal from trauma, and rise with purpose. After more than twenty years in healthcare and her own journey through trauma, surrender, and spiritual renewal, Megan launched It’s Your Story to Tell in 2023. What once felt disqualifying became the foundation of her calling. She now helps others transform pain into legacy and live aligned, resilient, Spirit-led lives. Connect with Megan: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganbakerbabcock [https://www.facebook.com/meganbakerbabcock] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachmeganbabcock [https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachmeganbabcock] Website: https://bit.ly/ItsYourStorytoTell [https://bit.ly/ItsYourStorytoTell] Resources: Sacred Presence and Sacred Pathways: https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/Sacred-presence-&-pathways [https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/Sacred-presence-&-pathways] Unstuck Book: https://a.co/d/7CrzzZA [https://a.co/d/7CrzzZA] Free Transformation Resource Center: https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/freeresourcecenter [https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/freeresourcecenter]

160: The Missing Piece in Healing: What to Do When You Feel Emotionally Stuck

What if the reason you still feel stuck… isn’t because you haven’t tried hard enough?   What if it’s because you’ve been trying to heal in a way your body was never designed to?   In this powerful and honest episode, Megan Babcock opens up about the years she spent in counseling feeling like she was doing everything “right” but still not experiencing the freedom she longed for. Week after week, she showed up, talked through the same patterns, and walked away feeling more emotionally activated instead of less.   Not because counseling is wrong.  Not because support doesn’t matter.  But because something deeper was missing.   This conversation gently challenges the idea that talking alone is enough to heal trauma and introduces a deeper, more integrated understanding of how the brain, body, and nervous system actually work together in the healing process.   Megan shares how trauma is not just something we think about, but something we carry in the body. When the nervous system is activated, the brain shifts into survival mode, making it difficult to process, integrate, or move forward. Instead of resolving experiences, we can unintentionally relive them, which keeps us stuck in the same cycles.   Through her own story, Megan invites you into a different approach—one rooted in curiosity instead of judgment, and presence instead of pressure.   You’ll learn how slowing down and turning toward your internal experience, rather than avoiding it, can begin to unlock understanding and create real change. Megan walks through the moment everything shifted for her when she stopped trying to push through and instead became willing to look deeper.   This episode introduces the concept of Sacred Presence, a way of showing up for yourself and others that creates safety in the body and allows the nervous system to regulate. When safety is present, clarity becomes available. And when clarity is available, you can begin to make aligned decisions that move your life forward.   You’ll also be introduced to the power of co-regulation, the science-backed reality that we are wired for connection and that healing often happens in the presence of someone who feels safe, grounded, and calm. This kind of presence does not fix or force change, but instead creates the conditions where healing can naturally unfold.   Megan also shares simple but powerful tools you can begin using right away, including three questions designed to help you move through moments of activation with greater awareness and intention. These questions help you move beyond surface-level reactions and into deeper understanding so you can respond instead of react.   This episode is an invitation to stop asking “What is wrong with me?” and begin asking better questions that lead to clarity, healing, and forward movement.  If you have ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated in your healing journey, this conversation will help you understand why—and more importantly, what you can do next.   About the Host: Megan Babcock is the founder of It’s Your Story to Tell. She is an award-winning coach, bestselling author, speaker, and podcast host whose work sits at the intersection of faith and neuroscience. She equips leaders to regulate their nervous systems, heal from trauma, and rise with purpose. After more than twenty years in healthcare and her own journey through trauma, surrender, and spiritual renewal, Megan launched It’s Your Story to Tell in 2023. What once felt disqualifying became the foundation of her calling. She now helps others transform pain into legacy and live aligned, resilient, Spirit-led lives. Connect with Megan: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganbakerbabcock [https://www.facebook.com/meganbakerbabcock] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachmeganbabcock [https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachmeganbabcock] Website: https://bit.ly/ItsYourStorytoTell [https://bit.ly/ItsYourStorytoTell] Resources: Sacred Presence and Sacred Pathways: https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/Sacred-presence-&-pathways [https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/Sacred-presence-&-pathways] Unstuck Book: https://a.co/d/7CrzzZA [https://a.co/d/7CrzzZA] Free Transformation Resource Center: https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/freeresourcecenter [https://www.itsyourstorytotell.com/freeresourcecenter]