Turning Struggle Into Purpose: Alexa's Story

Finding Fulfillment Beyond Success with Ulrika Torquato

What if the life you're looking for is already here? In this thoughtful conversation, Ulrika Torquato shares her remarkable journey from medical doctor to opera singer, and ultimately to creating Joyering®, an app designed to help people notice the small moments of joy that are already present in everyday life. Born in Sweden, raised in Brazil, and now living in Switzerland, Ulrika's path has been anything but linear. Together, we discuss the pressure of chasing success, the challenge of living with uncertainty, and why so many of us overlook the meaningful moments happening right in front of us. Ulrika explains how learning to slow down, pay attention, and appreciate life's simple gifts transformed her perspective and inspired the creation of Joyering®. This conversation is a gentle reminder that fulfillment may not be found in achieving more, but in noticing what is already here. To find out more about Joyering, visit https://joyering.com/

The Power of One More Step with Phebe Trotman

Phebe Trotman is a multi-Hall of Fame athlete, award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and bestselling author of the Never Quit on a Bad Day book series. After spending decades competing at the highest levels of soccer, she discovered that some of life's greatest lessons come not from victories, but from setbacks, disappointments, and the courage to keep going. In this episode, Phebe shares how sports helped shape her mindset, the importance of focusing on what you can control, and why growth often happens outside your comfort zone. We also talk about confidence, gratitude, resilience, and the power of taking one small step forward when life feels overwhelming. To connect with Phebe and find out more about her books, visit https://neverquitonabadday.com/

From Incarceration to Inspiration with Jesse Crosson

What happens when someone who thought their life was over discovers that accountability, support, and hope can lead to a completely different future? In this episode, Jesse Crosson shares his remarkable journey from addiction, arrest, and a lengthy prison sentence to becoming an author, advocate, and founder of the Second Chancer Foundation. Jesse opens up about the mentors, family members, and unexpected supporters who helped him rebuild his life and find purpose behind prison walls. We also talk about the power of second chances, why connection and mentorship can change lives, and the important work the Second Chancer Foundation is doing with young people in juvenile detention. Jesse's story is a powerful reminder that no one should be defined by their worst moment and that hope can be found even in the most difficult circumstances. To connect with Jesse or to find out more about The Second Chancer Foundation, visit https://jessecrosson.com/ and https://www.second-chancer.org/ 3 ways to support Life Stories: *Like and share this episode! *Subscribe to this channel! *Buy me a virtual coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/lifestoriespodcast Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast

Giving Children a Voice, One Story at a Time with Kate Markland

What started as one hour of FaceTime a week between a mother and her son became something far bigger than either of them could have imagined. After a painful separation from her son Gabriel, Kate Markland turned storytelling into a lifeline, asking one simple question that changed everything: "Do you want to be the hero of your own story?" Together they created adventures in Coral Cove, building confidence, connection, and a bestselling children's book series along the way. In this episode, Kate shares how those stories became the foundation for StoryQuest™, a groundbreaking approach that is helping children discover their voices through creativity and collaboration. We talk about why the blank page isn't really a writing problem, the power of being heard, and how giving children ownership of their own stories is transforming classrooms around the world. This is a conversation about resilience, imagination, and the incredible things that can happen when someone truly listens. To find out more about StoryQuest™, visit https://www.storyquestglobal.com/ 3 ways to support Life Stories: *Like and share this episode! *Subscribe to this channel! *Buy me a virtual coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/lifestoriespodcast Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast

Turning Struggle Into Purpose: Alexa's Story

When Alexa Denaburg was 28 years old, she was building a successful career in marketing, pursuing her MBA, and living what many would consider a dream life in New York City. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, her voice began to change. What started as occasional vocal interruptions quickly turned into a long and frustrating search for answers that ultimately led to a diagnosis of spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological voice disorder. In this conversation, Alexa shares what it was like to lose control of something most of us rarely think about, our ability to speak, and how that experience impacted her confidence, identity, career, and everyday life. Alexa opens up about the challenges of navigating misdiagnoses, advocating for herself within the healthcare system, and finding hope when traditional treatments didn't feel like the right path for her. She discusses the holistic practices that helped her reconnect with her body, calm her nervous system, and regain confidence in her voice. Through honesty, humor, and resilience, Alexa offers encouragement for anyone facing a diagnosis, a life transition, or an unexpected challenge. Her story is a powerful reminder that even when life doesn't go according to plan, we can still find purpose, healing, and a new way forward. To connect with Alexa, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/abalonik/ 3 ways to support Life Stories: *Like and share this episode! *Subscribe to this channel! *Buy me a virtual coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/lifestoriespodcast Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/lifestoriespodcast