Obstacles to Opportunities

Raised by Hope, Rooted in Belief:Tanuja Hughes Story

In this moving episode of Obstacles to Opportunities, we sit down with Tanuja Hughes, whose story begins in a crowded apartment filled with 12 people and arrives at a place few imagined a career at Google and a life of deep presence and purpose. Tanuja opens up about the emotional journey shaped by her mother’s unwavering belief, the impact of a simple “How are you?” at age 8, and how childhood adversity became the foundation for a life led with compassion, not performance. We explore what it means to rewrite the script we’re handed, and how honoring our parents doesn't mean repeating their story; it means doing better because of it. Whether you're a mother, daughter, dreamer, or builder, this episode will leave you reflecting on the quiet strength that pushes us forward and the power of intentional living.

Built to Rise: How Vicki Paquette Turned Setbacks Into Strength

In this powerful episode of Obstacles to Opportunities, hosts Jess and Heather welcome Vicki Paquette—REALTOR®, entrepreneur, and former personal trainer—whose journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From building a fitness business in her early 20s to surviving cancer, navigating chronic illness, and pivoting fearlessly into real estate, Vicki opens up about the hardships that shaped her—and the mindset that helped her rise. She shares raw and real insights on grief, resilience, reinvention, and the drive to keep going when life throws its hardest punches. Whether you’re facing your own uphill battle or craving inspiration to take a leap of faith, this episode will remind you that adversity can be the starting line—not the end. 🎧 Listen now: * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1dbMXzFeOgmUkYjK4seSuc]: https://open.spotify.com/show/1dbMXzFeOgmUkYjK4seSuc?fbclid=IwY2xjawKJtjRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEyblJGeHRReFhibFk4a3hCAR4eM_mqEoYp3qdRo7rxPYTRMVZd8YOqMptT0aaRF8qif2Sj4oeuJPUXEqdbNQ_aem_Pc7xYbw_eaNU-HTT1Y3BQQ * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/obstacles-to-opportunities/id1712714497]: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/obstacles-to-opportunities/id1712714497

Carly Oxenreider: The Power of Starting Over and Thriving Through It All

In this episode of the Obstacles to Opportunities podcast, host Jess Powell sits down with Carly Oxenreider, a serial entrepreneur, military spouse, mother, top real estate producer, coach, and mentor. Carly shares her incredible journey from growing up in eastern North Carolina to building a thriving career across multiple industries. She reflects on the challenges of being an active-duty military spouse, facing the financial turmoil of the Great Recession, and the personal growth that came from persevering through tough times. Carly opens up about the obstacles she encountered in her career—from starting over in new markets every few years to navigating the collapse of the mortgage industry—and how she learned to reinvent herself, adapt, and emerge stronger. She also discusses the invaluable lessons she's learned along the way, including the importance of mentorship, asking for help, and the power of failure as a stepping stone to success. As a passionate coach and mentor, Carly is now dedicated to guiding young entrepreneurs to overcome their own hurdles and find their path to success. Tune in for a conversation filled with inspiration, resilience, and practical advice for navigating life’s challenges. Plus, get to know Carly’s fun side—like two friends catching up over coffee!

The Heart of the Village: Inside the Mission of Foster Village SWFL with Kacie Hass

Kacie Hass is a proud Southwest Florida native, having spent 35 years living and building deep roots in Cape Coral. She's married to her best friend, Tanner Hass, a Fort Myers firefighter/EMT, and together they’re raising three beautiful children. The family is actively involved in their faith community at Christian Life Fellowship Church. Kacie is the founder of Hearten Inc., a nonprofit that merged with Foster Village SWFL in June 2024. Her mission has always been clear: to celebrate the inherent worth of every child, regardless of their circumstances. With a heart for the vulnerable, she’s passionate about standing in the gap during times of hardship—offering hope, support, and joy when it’s needed most. As the Director of Programs and Operations at Foster Village SWFL, Kacie leads with vision and heart. She implements the systems and strategies that keep the organization thriving while also serving as the team’s biggest cheerleader. Her natural gift of encouragement uplifts everyone she meets. In the world of foster care, families often feel overwhelmed and isolated. Many foster caregivers leave within a year due to burnout and lack of support. Meanwhile, 85% of people who aren’t fostering say they care and want to help—they just don’t know how. Kacie’s work bridges that gap, creating a community where no one walks alone. 🍋 Join the Movement: Be part of our "Growing the Village is Sweet" campaign! Host your own lemonade stand this May to raise awareness and support for local foster families. Sign up by April 15th to get your T-shirt + Lemonade Kit! 👕🍋 https://www.fostervillageswfl.org/lp/growing-the-village-is-sweet ✨ Want to make a lasting impact? Become an MVP – Monthly Village Partner and help sustain the mission all year long. 🤝 https://www.fostervillageswfl.org/ways-to-give 📣 Hosting a fundraiser, golf tournament, or community event? Consider choosing Foster Village SWFL as your beneficiary. Reach out to us—we’d love to connect! 👉🏼https://www.fostervillageswfl.org/

Beyond Awareness: Prioritizing Pediatric Cancer with Robyn Spoon

Join us as Robyn Spoon, a dynamic entrepreneur and founder of the nonprofit Elevate, shares her deeply personal journey that began when her son was unexpectedly diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. This life-altering event propelled her into the world of pediatric cancer advocacy, unveiling the stark realities and urgent need for reform in research funding and treatment. Robin’s story is both a heartfelt reminder of the challenges families face and a call to action for improved awareness and resources in the fight against childhood cancer. Pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in children, yet it is disturbingly underfunded. The obstacles families encounter, from outdated treatments to the lack of comprehensive support, reveal a critical gap in our medical system. Our conversation with Robin underscores the importance of empowering families with the right tools and information, while emphasizing the community’s role in driving systemic change. We share personal experiences, highlighting the need for new perspectives and enhanced advocacy to transform pediatric cancer care. My hope is to build a coalition with others with a similar desire to change the story for those who follow us…and to do it fast! And while we pursue this mission, we will arm patients and caregivers with the most current information possible so that their families are able to make critical decisions on behalf of their child.   She shares how the loss of her son to pediatric cancer has ignited a movement of others who want to change how pediatric cancer is treated. They're ready for change and they're getting a movement of others involved - this inspiring story will leave you ready to jump in and join the movement! Check out: https://elevatechildhoodcancer.org/ [https://elevatechildhoodcancer.org/] to get involved!