The Stories Trauma Leaves Behind |Guest: Dr. Caroline Crocker

The Trimesters of Grief |Guest: Katie Rizzo

What if grief isn’t something you “get over”? What if it’s something you learn to carry? In this deeply personal episode of Born Without a Choice, Katie Rizzo shares her journey through unimaginable loss after the death of her firstborn son to addiction. As Katie navigated the painful reality of grief, she discovered that the process felt remarkably similar to pregnancy—moving through different emotional “trimesters” of shock, numbness, sorrow, and eventually acceptance. Her experience became the foundation for her memoir, The Trimesters of Grief, a powerful exploration of love, loss, and learning how to live after heartbreak. Together, we discuss the stages of grief, the unique challenges of grieving a child, the stigma surrounding addiction-related loss, and how writing became a bridge between Katie and her son after his passing. This conversation offers comfort, understanding, and hope for anyone walking through grief or supporting someone who is. 📌 In This Episode * Understanding the different stages of grief * Losing a child to addiction and navigating stigma * Why grief looks different for everyone * The connection between grief and healing * How poetry became part of Katie’s recovery journey * Learning to live alongside loss * Finding meaning after unimaginable heartbreak * Supporting others through grief 🎧 Connect with Katie Rizzo 🌐 Website:  Katie Rizzo Official Website⁠ Visit Katie’s website to learn more about her upcoming memoir, The Trimesters of Grief, her poetry collection None of Them Are You, upcoming speaking engagements, book signings, and additional resources. Because grief is not about forgetting. It’s about learning how to carry love forward. #BornWithoutAChoice #KatieRizzo #TheFiveStagesOfGrief #GriefRecovery #AddictionLoss #Healing #MentalHealth #Resilience #Hope #GriefSupport #Podcast #ConfabTV #PersonalGrowth #LossAndHealing #TheTrimestersOfGrief

Where Did You See God? Finding Faith in Life’s Hardest Questions | Guest: Paul Granger

What happens when life forces you to ask the hard questions? Questions about faith. Purpose. Pain. Doubt. Loss. And whether God is really present in the middle of it all. In this episode of Born Without a Choice, Paul Granger shares his journey of serving in ministry for more than two decades while creating spaces where people can wrestle honestly with life’s deepest questions. As the host of Where Did You See God?, author of more than 24 books, and a husband and father of three, Paul believes that authentic conversations can open the door to healing, growth, and a deeper understanding of both God and ourselves. Together, we explore what it means to trust God during uncertainty, how to persevere through hardship, why honest questions are not the enemy of faith, and how meaningful conversations can transform lives. This is a conversation for anyone searching for hope, clarity, and purpose in the middle of life’s challenges. ⸻ 📌 In This Episode * Why difficult questions can strengthen faith * Finding God in unexpected places * How to navigate seasons of doubt and uncertainty * The power of authentic conversations * Taking bold steps of faith when the outcome is unknown * Learning to trust God through hardship * Building community despite differences in belief * What it means to “love God and love others” in everyday life ⸻ 🎧 Connect with Paul Granger 🌐 Website & Podcast: https://www.wheredidyouseegod.com/ Explore Paul’s books, podcast episodes, blog posts, and resources designed to help people process faith, life, and the questions that matter most. Because sometimes the most honest questions lead to the most meaningful answers. #BornWithoutAChoice #PaulGranger #Faith #Purpose #ChristianPodcast #PersonalGrowth #SpiritualJourney #Hope #LifeQuestions #ConfabTV #PodcastInterview #WhereDidYouSeeGod #Inspiration #Resilience #AuthenticConversations

The Skills School Never Taught You |Guest: Rob Heller

Why do so many young people leave school feeling unprepared for real life? In this episode of Born Without a Choice, Rob Heller shares the lessons that classrooms often miss—people skills, character, resilience, confidence, communication, and mindset. After building and selling an eight-figure business, Rob noticed a troubling pattern: many talented young people were entering adulthood without the practical skills needed to succeed in relationships, careers, and life itself. That realization led him to create the Boost Program, a curriculum designed to help students develop the life skills that traditional education often overlooks. Together, we explore why phone-based culture is impacting social development, how confidence is built, why character still matters, and the simple habits that separate those who thrive from those who struggle. If you’ve ever felt like life came without instructions, this conversation is for you. ⸻ 📌 What You’ll Learn * The life skills schools rarely teach * Why people skills matter more than ever * How technology is affecting confidence and communication * The importance of character in long-term success * How to develop resilience after failure * What employers are really looking for today * Practical ways parents can prepare children for life * Why mindset often matters more than talent ⸻ 🎧 Connect with Rob Heller 🌐 Website: https://boostprogram.com The Boost Program helps students, educators, parents, youth organizations, and workforce development programs build essential life skills through a structured curriculum focused on: * People Skills * Character * Mindset Because success in life requires more than academic knowledge—it requires the skills to navigate the real world.

The Stories Trauma Leaves Behind |Guest: Dr. Caroline Crocker

Trauma doesn’t always end when the event is over. Sometimes its effects are passed down through generations, shaping families, beliefs, fears, and identities in ways we don’t immediately recognize. In this powerful episode, Dr. Caroline Crocker shares her unique perspective as the daughter and granddaughter of World War II survivors. Together, we explore how trauma impacts not only those who experience it firsthand, but also their children and grandchildren. Drawing from her background as a scientist, professor, entrepreneur, author, and family historian, Dr. Crocker explains how resilience is formed, why emotional wounds can echo through generations, and what we can learn from those who survived some of history’s darkest moments. This conversation is about history, healing, family, faith, and the remarkable strength of the human spirit. In This Episode: * How trauma affects multiple generations * Lessons from World War II survivors * The connection between history and healing * Why resilience matters * Family stories that shape our lives * Faith, hope, and overcoming adversity * Understanding the lasting impact of hardship ⸻ 📞 Connect with Dr. Caroline Crocker 🌐 Website & Blog: Rambling Ruminations⁠ There you can: * Explore her books and publications * Follow her blog * Learn about upcoming speaking events * Discover resources on history, faith, writing, family life, science, and personal growth About Dr. Caroline Crocker Dr. Caroline Crocker is a former microbiologist, immunologist, medical researcher, professor, entrepreneur, speaker, and author. She writes and speaks about history, faith, family, trauma, and resilience, making complex subjects accessible through powerful storytelling. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and family and is the proud mother of four and grandmother of eight.

God’s Blueprint for a Lasting Marriage |Guest: Veronica Sutherland

What does it really take to build a marriage that lasts? In this inspiring episode, Veronica Sutherland shares practical wisdom and biblical principles for creating a strong, healthy, God-centered marriage. Drawing from more than 40 years of marriage, her background in Family Life Education, and years of coaching and mentoring couples, Veronica explains why lasting relationships are built on more than feelings—they’re built on faith, commitment, communication, and shared purpose. We discuss God’s design for marriage, common challenges couples face, the importance of emotional intimacy, forgiveness, communication, and how faith can become the foundation that helps relationships thrive through every season of life. Whether you’re preparing for marriage, newly married, or have been together for decades, this conversation offers timeless insights for building a relationship that honors God and stands the test of time. In This Episode: * God’s blueprint for a lasting marriage * Building a relationship on faith and purpose * The role of communication and emotional intimacy * Overcoming challenges and conflict in healthy ways * What children learn about love from their parents * Creating a legacy through marriage and family ⸻ 📞 Connect with Veronica Sutherland Facebook Group: Kingdom Wives Restored Kingdom Wives Restored Facebook Group⁠ Author of: Unshakable Foundations: Faith-Guided Conversations to Prepare for a Marriage That Honours God Join Veronica’s community for encouragement, practical marriage tips, and faith-based guidance to help keep your marriage strong, joyful, and focused on God.