"I Had to Choose the Day My Husband Died" : Erica Baccus on Love, Dementia & Letting Go

Legacy Architect Debbie Simmons: From Quadruplet Loss to Nonprofit CEO and Adoptive Mom of Nine

What would you do if you lost four babies in one day — and then built a multi-million dollar nonprofit, wrote a book, and adopted nine children from trauma backgrounds? In this powerful episode of the Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts sits down with Debbie Simmons — Legacy Architect, keynote speaker, author, and CEO/founder of Anchor Point, a nonprofit serving families in crisis. Debbie shares the extraordinary journey that shaped her: surviving the loss of quadruplet sons, battling infertility, finding purpose through grief, and ultimately adopting nine children from the foster care system. Together, Dave and Debbie explore: • How to process grief without getting stuck in the "why" questions • The founding of Anchor Point — a nonprofit offering medical care, maternity housing, parenting classes, and trauma-informed family camps • Debbie's proprietary frameworks: The Architecture of Trust and The Obedience Engine — and how leaders can identify where trust is leaking in their organizations • Why control and hustle are maladaptive survival mechanisms — and how to replace them • The realities of parenting nine adopted children from hard places • How to take the "next best step" no matter where you are in life • Debbie's book, The Heart of Legacy, is available FREE at theheartoflegacy.com [http://theheartoflegacy.com]. to teaching journeys podcast listeners. Debbie's Bio and Contact Information Debbie Simmons is The Legacy Architect™ — a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and the CEO/Founder of Anchor Point, a multimillion-dollar nonprofit changing lives every day. With over two decades of leadership at the intersection of impact and exhaustion, Debbie equips high-capacity leaders to rebuild what success was never designed to carry alone. She’s the creator of the Architecture of Trust™, a structural framework that helps leaders diagnose where trust is leaking — and the Obedience Engine™, a proprietary rhythm and decision-making model that aligns identity, trust, and forward movement. Her frameworks weren’t built in theory. They were born under pressure. Debbie has adopted nine children from trauma backgrounds, lost quadruplets, and battled a health crisis that nearly killed her. Despite the outward success — leading teams, speaking on global stages, publishing a bestselling book — her system began to collapse from the inside out. That breakdown exposed what many leaders quietly feel: they’ve built strong organizations but left their own structure weak. From that wreckage, she rebuilt. Today, Debbie is a trusted strategist to CEOs, founders, pastors, and high-level teams navigating leadership at scale. She doesn’t just speak truth — she helps leaders structure their obedience, rebuild trust at the root, and lead from a place that holds under pressure. If you’re successful but stretched, respected but unraveling, or tired but still performing… Debbie is your mirror, your strategist, and your challenger. SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.facebook.com/TheDebbieSimmonsSpeaks [https://www.facebook.com/TheDebbieSimmonsSpeaks] https://www.youtube.com/@TheDebbieSimmonsSpeaks [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDebbieSimmonsSpeaks] https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedebbiesimmons/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedebbiesimmons/] https://www.instagram.com/thedebbiesimmons/ [https://www.instagram.com/thedebbiesimmons/] To connect with Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com [http://davidrobertsmsw.com]

"I Had to Choose the Day My Husband Died" : Erica Baccus on Love, Dementia & Letting Go

What would you do if you had to choose the day your husband died? In this deeply moving episode of the Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts sits down with Erica Baccus — author, former marketing executive, and end-of-life advocate — to explore one of the most profound and rarely discussed decisions a family can face. After her husband John was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's in 2020, Erica and John made a courageous choice: rather than wait for the disease to steal everything he was, John would die on his own terms. That journey led them to Dignitas in Zurich, Switzerland — and forever changed Erica's life. In this episode, you'll hear: · What it was like the day John received his Alzheimer's diagnosis · Why U.S. aid-in-dying laws create a cruel catch-22 for dementia patients · The intimate, heartbreaking, and even humorous final moments of John's life · How Erica found the strength to choose the date her husband would die · The family's reaction — and why secrecy was necessary · Erica's book A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love · Why every person — young and healthy — should have end-of-life conversations now A powerful, compassionate conversation that will make you think differently about life, love, and letting go. Erica’s bio: Erica started her professional career in the suburbs of Chicago as an 8th grade English teacher. She went on to San Francisco to become a high-tech marketing, advertising, and research executive. She and her beloved husband John were married for 41 years. Together they lived an active and adventurous life-skiing, golfing, hiking and traveling around the world. Erica enjoys spending time with her son, stepson, stepdaughter and grandkids. Now she helps advocate and educate people about end-of-life decisions exploring the moral and ethical perils so many face. Erica’s Social Media: Website: https://ericabaccus.com [https://ericabaccus.com] Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ericabaccus/ [https://www.instagram.com/ericabaccus/] Threads:https://www.threads.com/@ericabaccus?xmt=AQF0dd2_SOOtLxTJickCWTEMu8SGa14IuGfoLb6PD1SoMS0 [https://www.threads.com/@ericabaccus?xmt=AQF0dd2_SOOtLxTJickCWTEMu8SGa14IuGfoLb6PD1SoMS0] Substack: https://ericabaccus.substack.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn9iTZX6vHaLEUPb4H0ve1jd4RW-YfGvouRzbgzDm4Loa51BkSGTvg61IkTtI_aem_M9j4EYCPiYOIDAt6UikBgA&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3_a1dennhddsnx1i [https://ericabaccus.substack.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn9iTZX6vHaLEUPb4H0ve1jd4RW-YfGvouRzbgzDm4Loa51BkSGTvg61IkTtI_aem_M9j4EYCPiYOIDAt6UikBgA&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3_a1dennhddsnx1i] 📖 Erica's Book: A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold 🎙️ Subscribe, rate, and review the Teaching Journeys Podcast wherever you listen. To find out more about Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com [http://davidrobertsmsw.com]

Walking in Joy After Tragedy: Carrie Eaton on Child Loss, Near-Death Experiences & Faith

What does it look like to find joy after losing a child? In this deeply moving episode of the Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts sits down with author Carrie Eaton, who lost her 3-year-old daughter Chelsea in 1995 — and lived to tell a story of miraculous healing and unshakable faith. Carrie shares how she navigated decades of grief, survived two near-death experiences, caught a glimpse of heaven, and ultimately found peace through her relationship with God. She also opens up about releasing 27 years of self-blame and co-writing her book Walking in the Fullness of Joy After Tragedy — which she says God gave her word by word in under 30 days. A conversation about grief, faith, healing, and the hope that joy is always waiting on the other side. Carrie's Bio and Contact Information Carrie Eaton currently resides in Elgin Texas and cares for her 92 year-old mother who has dementia and has for the past three years. God And I have written two books: Walking in the Fullness of Joy .Faith without Borders is our second book that will be out later this year. Carrie wants to give people hope that even through tragedy joy is on the other side of it. Email: chvycwgrl4@gmail.com [chvycwgrl4@gmail.com] Social Media Links: https://www.instagram.com/carrie_eaton?igsh=aXFnYWtpOTlhdjl3&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/carrie_eaton?igsh=aXFnYWtpOTlhdjl3&utm_source=qr] https://www.facebook.com/share/14adN9w3wVP/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/14adN9w3wVP/?mibextid=wwXIfr] https://www.threads.com/@carrie_eaton?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== [https://www.threads.com/@carrie_eaton?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] https://open.spotify.com/user/31wy23toaccub26to5c2osxoiqbm?si=BPT82bUCRSO9K9CF3bF8SA [https://open.spotify.com/user/31wy23toaccub26to5c2osxoiqbm?si=BPT82bUCRSO9K9CF3bF8SA] https://youtube.com/@carrieeaton8069?si=Li7csw_bQR6FzsHj [https://youtube.com/@carrieeaton8069?si=Li7csw_bQR6FzsHj] https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-eaton-485b7357?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-eaton-485b7357?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios] https://a.co/d/018Ct82R [https://a.co/d/018Ct82R] 📚 Carrie's book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. Keywords: child loss, grief, near-death experience, Christian faith, hope, healing, faith after tragedy

The Walkabout Method: How Claudia Wyatt Turned Tragedy Into Purpose and Transformed Her Life

What happens when grief, toxic relationships, and rock bottom become the foundation for your greatest transformation? In this powerful episode of the Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts sits down with Claudia Wyatt — internationally recognized keynote speaker, certified confidence coach, and founder of the Walkabout Method — for a deeply honest conversation about turning tragedy into purpose. Claudia opens up about a decade of compounding loss: the death of her father and sister within a month of each other, two toxic marriages (including one to a master manipulator), and the slow erosion of her sense of self. She shares the exact moment — a simple walk with her dog — that sparked her awakening and ultimately led to building her signature coaching framework. Whether you're a leader, a survivor, or simply someone ready to stop living on autopilot, this episode will energize and challenge you to take that first bold step forward. Claudia Wyatt Bio and Contact Information Claudia Wyatt is a globally recognized inspirational leader, international keynote speaker, consultant, coach and writer known as The Enthusiasm Igniter™ and Self-Doubt Eraser™. With over 20 years of experience coaching high-performing teams and leaders, she helps individuals and organizations break free from limiting beliefs, strengthen communication, and lead with unshakable confidence. Claudia is a certified confidence, cognitive behavior and life purpose coach with emphasis in leadership, empowerment and wellness. Having transformed profound personal loss into purpose, Claudia brings authenticity, heart, and fire to every stage she steps on. She is the founder of The Walkabout Method™, her signature framework guiding leaders & individuals to reclaim their power, elevate emotional intelligence, and lead boldly from within. Showing up as themselves for themselves and living on purpose. Recognized &verified by Influential Women. Awarded Best Executive Life & Leadership Coach – Midwest USA (2025). World’s Rising High Women Leaders Making a Difference in 2023. One of the Most Admired Women Leaders in Business to Follow in 2022. Claudia’s impact is immediate, audiences leave energized, empowered, and ready to rise. Social Media Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiawyattcoaching/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiawyattcoaching/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theclaudiawyatt/ [https://www.instagram.com/theclaudiawyatt/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554805040594 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554805040594] Company pages: LinkedIn: : https://www.linkedin.com/company/claudia-wyatt-coaching-llc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/claudia-wyatt-coaching-llc/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567176611416 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567176611416] Website: https://claudiawyatt.com/ [https://claudiawyatt.com/] To find out about Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com [http://davidrobertsmsw.com]

How to Rebuild Trust After Infidelity: A Betrayal Recovery Expert Explains

Vanessa's Bio and Contact Information Vanessa Cardenas is a Relationship Reset Expert and Betrayal Recovery Specialist who has helped individuals and couples rebuild trust, restore emotional connection, and regain clarity from the inside out since 2017. She is the founder of Understanding Ear and the creator of the HOPE Roadmap, a structured approach designed to help people stabilize after betrayal, navigate emotional disconnection, and make grounded decisions about what comes next in their relationships. Vanessa’s work focuses on emotional safety, intentional communication, and restoring self-trust when relationships feel uncertain or fractured. For years, Vanessa was considered a best-kept secret, quietly supporting clients through some of the most painful and defining moments of their lives. In 2025, her work was formally recognized when she was named Best Relationship Coach in Westchester County. Clients often describe her impact simply and powerfully. One shared, “Working with Vanessa helped me come back to myself. I stopped spiraling and finally trusted my own decisions again.” She believes empowerment begins when people feel safe enough to trust themselves again and strong enough to choose what comes next. Website * https://www.UnderstandingEar.com [https://www.UnderstandingEar.com] Booking / Sessions * https://calendly.com/understandingear/ [https://calendly.com/understandingear/] Instagram * https://www.instagram.com/vanessa_understandingear/ [https://www.instagram.com/vanessa_understandingear/] Facebook * https://www.facebook.com/UnderstandingEar/ [https://www.facebook.com/UnderstandingEar/] YouTube * https://www.youtube.com/@Vanessa-Cardenas [https://www.youtube.com/@Vanessa-Cardenas] LinkedIn * https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-understanding-ear/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-understanding-ear/] Substack * https://beyondbetrayal.substack.com/ [https://beyondbetrayal.substack.com/] Medium * https://medium.com/@Vanessa-Cardenas [https://medium.com/@Vanessa-Cardenas] Book Dealing with the Devastation of Your Partner’s Betrayal https:// [https://amzn.to/3PcA6bj]amzn.to/3PcA6bj [http://amzn.to/3PcA6bj] To connect with Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com [http://davidrobertsmsw.com]