The Diamond Within: Michelle Kuei's Journey from Machu Picchu, to a Top 15 coach

"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]

Surviving Domestic Violence: How Courage, Curiosity & Connection Lead to Healing

Host Dave Roberts welcomes Kat Polsinelli to the Teaching Journeys podcast to discuss how a decade-long abusive relationship shaped her life and mission. Kat, a domestic violence and PTSD survivor, shares her journey of leaving at 28 with two children, rebuilding identity, and helping others through speaking, her podcast Real Chat with Kat, and The Lotus Effect. She emphasizes that survivors are not alone, that abuse is often emotional and psychological, and that common biases and stigma—especially toward men—harm understanding; she cites domestic violence prevalence and deaths. Kat and Dave highlight why “just leave” is complex, the importance of safety planning, and how helpers can hinder by talking over survivors or taking control. Kat presents her TEDx “three Cs”—courage, curiosity, connection—plus a simple practice for judgment-free conversations, and previews a mid-May support community. Kat's Bio and Contact Information From stepping onto a stage at just 10 years old to stepping out of a decade-long abusive relationship, Kat Polsinelli's journey is one of courage, resilience, and radical transformation. Now a sought-after speaker, bestselling co-author, and host of Real Chat with Kat—a top 5% globally ranked podcast airing on four radio stations and two public TV stations—Kat is on a mission to shed light on the unseen wounds of emotional and psychological abuse while empowering others to reclaim their strength and rewrite their stories. A survivor of domestic violence, PTSD, and the challenges of single motherhood, Kat speaks with raw authenticity about the invisible scars that linger long after the abuse ends. She chose to leave, to rebuild, and to lean into courage every day—and now she helps others do the same. Through her own story and hard-won insights, she challenges audiences to rethink what they know about trauma, healthy relationships, and resilience, offering a powerful look at the emotional and psychological toll of abuse and the path to healing. Kat's talks go beyond inspiration—they spark deeper conversations and deliver practical change. She brings a no-nonsense approach with a compassionate heart, making her a powerful voice for colleges, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and advocacy organizations. Whether she's speaking to students, educators, social workers, or criminal justice professionals, audiences walk away with greater understanding of the survivor experience and actionable tools to support those affected by abuse. Featured in NashvilleVoyager, CanvasRebel, and Her Nation, Kat has taken the stage at universities, domestic violence awareness events, and criminal justice panels. She's here to challenge perspectives, create change, and prove that even the darkest moments can become catalysts for transformation. Connect with Kat Polsinelli: Website: www.the-lotus-effect.com [http://www.the-lotus-effect.com] Podcast: Real Chat with Kat (available on all major platforms) Socials: @KatPolsinelli To connect with Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com [http://davidrobertsmsw.com]