Why Kids Struggle to Read & The Science of Reading Explained

Wrongfully Convicted at 17: Jeff Deskovic on False Confessions, DNA Exoneration, and Turning 16 Years of Injustice Into Life Purpose

Wrongfully Convicted at 17: Jeff Deskovic on False Confessions, DNA Exoneration, and Turning 16 Years of Injustice Into Life Purpose What happens when the justice system fails a teenager so completely that he loses 16 years of his life — and then chooses to spend his freedom fighting for others? That is the story of Jeff Deskovic, and it is one of the most powerful conversations I have ever had on Wake Up Your Soul. Jeff was 17 years old when his classmate Angela Correa was murdered in Peekskill, New York. He had no criminal record, no motive, and DNA evidence that excluded him entirely. None of that stopped law enforcement from targeting him, using a six-week psychological manipulation campaign, a coercive polygraph, threats, and false promises to extract a fabricated confession — without a single second of recording. Prosecutors ignored the FBI DNA results, advanced a promiscuity theory, and a poorly prepared public defender failed to protect him. Jeff was convicted and sentenced to 15-to-life. He served 16 years. Lost seven appeals. Was denied parole every time he refused to admit guilt for something he did not do. And then — a DNA databank match identified the real perpetrator, who confessed. Jeff Deskovic walked out of prison exonerated, with no real apology from the system that stole his youth. What he did next is what this episode is really about. Jeff founded the Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice, became an attorney, helped exonerate 15 wrongfully convicted people, and passed nine laws to reform the system that broke him. In this episode, he shares his framework for surviving the unsurvivable: set a goal, make a plan, stay flexible, work hard, and never give up — and learn how to channel anger into purpose instead of letting it consume you. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like the system failed them, like the odds were impossible, or like their pain had no purpose. Jeff's story will change the way you think about hope, resilience, and what it means to fight for something bigger than yourself. In this episode: •How police psychologically manipulated a 17-year-old into a false confession •Why DNA evidence was ignored and what that reveals about our justice system •What 16 years in prison actually does to a person — and how Jeff held onto hope •The moment he was exonerated and why there were no real apologies •How he rebuilt his life, became an attorney, and freed 15 innocent people •His goal-plan-flexibility framework for turning pain into purpose •How you can support the Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice Connect with Jeff Deskovic:Website: deskovic.org  Follow on social media: @deskovicfoundation Follow Wake Up Your Soul:Instagram: @andrealynnintuitive  Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. If this episode moved you, please share it — you never know whose life it might change. wrongful conviction, false confession, DNA exoneration, criminal justice reform, Jeff Deskovic, Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation, innocent in prison, true crime, justice system failure, wrongfully convicted, exoneration stories, resilience, turning pain into purpose, Wake Up Your Soul podcast, Andrea podcast, hope after trauma, criminal justice podcast, advocacy, overcoming adversity, coerced confession Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432441/support] Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast: https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR Follow me on Ig: https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr]

Why Are Pets Dying Younger? Holistic Vet Dr. Judy Morgan on Kibble Dangers, Over-Vaccination, and Big Pet Food

Why are our dogs and cats dying younger today despite having access to more diagnostics and medications than ever before? As a mom who fights every day for my kids' health so they never have to live the life I’ve had to, I realized I needed to start fighting just as hard for my pets. In this episode of Wake Up Your Soul, I sit down with world-renowned holistic veterinarian and nine-time bestselling author, Dr. Judy Morgan. Dr. Morgan pulls back the curtain on the conventional veterinary industry, exposing how Big Pet Food and pharmaceutical companies influence the recommendations we get at the vet clinic. We dive deep into the dangers of ultra-processed kibble, the controversial new self-amplifying RNA rabies vaccine, and why over-vaccination is compromising our pets' immune systems. If you want to protect your furry family members from chronic illness, this conversation will completely change how you feed and care for them. •The Kibble Crisis: Why ultra-processed pet food is driving chronic disease and how to transition to gently cooked or raw food therapy. •The Over-Vaccination Epidemic: Understanding vaccine titers, the difference between 1-year and 3-year rabies shots, and the hidden risks of the new RNA rabies vaccine. •Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Truths: The severe neurological dangers of combination chewables and long-acting injections, plus natural yard treatments that actually work. •Advocating at the Vet: How to push back against Big Pharma influence and demand holistic, integrative care for your dog or cat. If this episode opened your eyes to the reality of the pet industry, please share it with a fellow dog or cat mom who needs to hear this. Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode, and come connect with me on Instagram @andrealynnintuitive to share your biggest takeaway! •Dr. Judy Morgan's Website & Resources: https://drjudymorgan.com/ Will Falconer website www.vitalanimal.com [http://www.vitalanimal.com/] Vet finder www.AHVMA.org [http://www.ahvma.org/] •AllProvide Gently Cooked "Constitutions" Recipes: https://allprovide.com/ • Discount Codes Here: naturallyhealthypets.com    WAKEUP50 00:00 Rabid Kitten Attack 00:18 Show Disclaimer 01:52 Meet Dr Judy Morgan 04:07 Why Pets Die Younger 05:53 Judy Goes Holistic 09:53 Vaccine Titers Explained 12:56 Big Pet Food Influence 14:47 Raw vs Cooked Diets 19:26 Kibble Processing Problems 21:37 Dental Health and Breeding 24:27 Vaccine Requirements Debate 28:23 Rabies Risks and Bats 31:41 Rabies Shots 1 vs 3 Year 33:55 New RNA Rabies Vaccine Warning 35:33 Reporting Vaccine Reactions 37:05 Flea Tick Data Dispute 38:36 Heartworm Risk Explained 41:25 Safer Preventatives Choices 42:51 Avoid Combo Products 46:24 Natural Tick Prevention 48:39 Yard Treatments That Work 49:59 Food Therapy Constitutions 54:14 Chicken Intolerance Leaky Gut 55:50 Bad Ingredients In Kibble 01:00:47 Advocating At The Vet 01:03:55 Side Effects And Research 01:08:01 Resources Discounts Wrap Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432441/support] Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast: https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR Follow me on Ig: https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr]

The Truth About CBD for Pets: Medicinal Mushrooms, Canine Dementia & Whole-Body Healing

Is your dog aging, struggling with cognitive decline, or dealing with chronic inflammation — and conventional veterinary medicine isn't giving you answers? In this eye-opening episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea sits down with Angela Ardolino — plant-and-fungi clinician, senior dog rescue advocate, and hemp and medicinal mushroom expert — to expose what most vets and doctors are never taught about the endocannabinoid system, full-spectrum hemp, and the extraordinary healing power of medicinal mushrooms for both pets and people. Angela shares how her own rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis led her to address root causes — diet, inflammation, leaky gut, and the endocannabinoid system — using full-spectrum hemp, adaptogens, and medicinal mushrooms. She also reveals the results of a funded clinical study on canine cognitive dysfunction using lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, bacopa, and ashwagandha — reporting no decline in severe cases and an astounding 81% improvement in moderate and mild cases. In this episode, we cover: • The critical difference between CBD isolate and full-spectrum hemp (and why it matters for your pet) • Why THC is necessary for effectiveness and the truth about CBD isolate and liver damage • The endocannabinoid system — what it is and why your doctor was never taught about it • Medicinal mushrooms for dogs: lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, bacopa, and ashwagandha • Clinical trial results for canine cognitive dysfunction and dog dementia • Hidden toxins in pet food and water that are destroying your dog's health • Why you must detox and rebuild the gut BEFORE starting any supplementation • How to find clean, third-party tested hemp and mushroom products you can actually trust • Natural support for menopause and whole-body healing using the same principles Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Aging and Telomeres 00:17 - Show Disclaimer 01:19 - Near Death Intro 01:50 - Meet Angela Ardolino 02:18 - Host CBD Experience 03:04 - Angela's Health Journey 04:09 - Root Cause Medicine 05:41 - Ulcerative Colitis Story 06:31 - The Endocannabinoid System Explained 12:52 - Hemp vs Marijuana 14:31 - Homeostasis and Deficiency 17:52 - Hemp Ban and the Industry 18:44 - Misconceptions and Proof 20:41 - Pet Toxins and Allergies 21:55 - How to Find Clean Products 25:35 - Mushrooms as Medicine 26:44 - Mushroom Types and Extraction 28:17 - How Research Gets Done 28:59 - Fast Track Drug Testing 29:16 - Librela Safety Alarm 30:08 - Rescue Research Methods 30:42 - Canine Dementia Signs 33:10 - Clinical Trial Results 34:50 - The Nootropic Ingredient Stack 36:55 - Buying Safe Hemp and Mushroom Products 38:47 - Gut Brain Healing Plan 42:36 - Questioning Vets and Vaccines 48:13 - Detox Then Rebuild the Gut 50:44 - Finding Holistic Help 52:55 - Products and Where to Find Them 54:45 - Menopause and Nature Support 56:11 - Closing and Contact Info Connect with Us: Follow Andrea on Instagram: @andrealynnintuitive [https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive] Learn more about Angela Ardolino:  https://angelaardolino.com/ https://cbddoghealth.com/ https://mycodog.com/ Listen to more episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wake-up-your-soul-with-andrea-lynn/id1793875840 #CBDForDogs #MedicinalMushrooms #NaturalPetHealth #LionsMane #CanineDementia #HempForPets #WakeUpYourSoul #HolisticPetCare #EndocannabinoidSystem #DogBrainHealth Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432441/support] Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast: https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR Follow me on Ig: https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr]

The Reality of Human Trafficking: Survivor Stories, Trauma Healing & Prevention

Did you know that human trafficking is happening right in our own backyards, and that 92% of people being prostituted desperately want out? In this eye-opening episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea sits down with Dan Emr, founder of Worthwhile, to shatter the misconceptions surrounding human trafficking and survivor recovery in the U.S. Dan reveals the dark reality of familial trafficking and explains how social media has drastically amplified grooming and manipulation tactics. We discuss the critical warning signs every parent and school needs to know, the profound effects of trauma on the body and mind, and how cultural entitlement fuels the demand. Most importantly, Dan shares incredible stories of survivor recovery and explains how we can all take action to help them heal. In this episode, we cover: • The biggest misconceptions about human trafficking in the U.S. • How grooming and manipulation tactics are amplified by social media • Critical warning signs for parents and schools to watch out for • The myth of "choice" and the heartbreaking reality of familial trafficking • How trauma affects the body, memory, and self-worth • Incredible survivor success stories and the power of trauma care • How cultural entitlement and sexual desensitization fuel the demand • Actionable ways you can help through Worthwhile and the ACT Challenge Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Basement Trauma Story 00:30 - Show Disclaimer 01:20 - Podcast Intro and Guest 02:16 - Intro Bloopers and Laughs 04:48 - What People Miss About Trafficking 05:30 - Misconceptions and US Reality 07:29 - How Dan Got Started 12:20 - The Choice Myth and Familial Trafficking 15:07 - Grooming and Manipulation Tactics 17:20 - Protecting Kids and Warning Signs 21:11 - Teaching Boundaries and Brave Voices 25:25 - Survivor Success Stories 27:33 - Healing Through Trauma Care 30:41 - Understanding Trauma Effects 33:40 - Society's Demand Side Problem 35:00 - Buyers And Commodification 35:26 - Porn Culture And Grooming 36:07 - Love People, Use Stuff 37:05 - Go-Getter Versus Entitlement 38:54 - Wait Til The End Book 40:04 - When Mission Hurts Family 41:55 - Clicks, Likes, And What Matters 42:56 - Culture Shifts: California to Texas 49:11 - Finding Purpose Through People 52:19 - Everyday Compassion Stories 56:11 - Grace, Mercy, And Serving Others 58:37 - Healing In a Safe Community 01:01:50 - How To Get Involved with Worthwhile 01:04:57 - Final Thanks And Wrap Up Connect with Us: Follow Andrea on Instagram: @andrealynnintuitive [https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive] Learn more about Worthwhile: https://www.worthwhile.org/ Listen to more episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wake-up-your-soul-with-andrea-lynn/id1793875840 #HumanTraffickingAwareness #TraumaRecovery #ProtectOurKids #EndHumanTrafficking #ParentingTips #WakeUpYourSoul #AndreaLynn #Worthwhile Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432441/support] Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast: https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR Follow me on Ig: https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr]

Why Kids Struggle to Read & The Science of Reading Explained

Is your child struggling to read, or are you wondering if their school is actually using the right methods to teach them? In this episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea sits down with Jessica Reid Sliwerski—a former teacher, literacy leader, breast cancer survivor, and the founder of Ignite Reading. Jess shares her fearless mission to ensure every child learns to read on time using the "science of reading." We dive into why traditional ways of teaching reading are failing our kids, how evidence-based phonics and data-driven instruction can rapidly turn things around, and what parents can do at home to advocate for their children's education. From being banned from volunteering at her own daughter's school to launching a nationwide virtual tutoring program during the pandemic, Jessica's story is one of raw hope, resilience, and relentless advocacy for our youth. In this episode, we cover: • Why the "science of reading" is the critical missing piece in early literacy • The problem with traditional reading instruction in modern schools • How Ignite Reading uses virtual 1-on-1 tutoring to close the education gap • Why kindergarten and first grade are the most crucial years for reading development • Actionable tips and word games for parents to build vocabulary at home • Jessica's inspiring journey of navigating a breast cancer diagnosis while scaling her mission Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - A Cancer Survivor’s Purpose & Mission 00:45 - Show Disclaimer & Intro 02:18 - Welcome Guest: Jessica Reid Sliwerski 03:24 - Early Teaching Struggles & Failing Methods 04:24 - Discovering the Science of Reading 09:18 - Scaling Literacy Impact in Schools 10:45 - Banned From Volunteering at Her Daughter’s School 14:19 - Proving All Kids Can Learn to Read 15:47 - The Pandemic Zoom Breakthrough 17:22 - The Vision for a Virtual Reading Corps 19:14 - The Reality of Kindergarten Reading Skills 21:22 - The Daily Alphabet Debate 23:51 - The Phonics "Schwa" Problem Explained 25:37 - The Need for Strong Instructional Leadership 27:28 - How Tutors are Trained for Success 28:38 - "Mind Movies" and Reading Comprehension 31:37 - Word Games to Build Vocabulary at Home 33:56 - Navigating a Breast Cancer Diagnosis 35:42 - How Ignite Reading Actually Works 38:55 - Funding and Scaling Access for Students 40:05 - Why Early Literacy Matters More Than Ever 43:12 - The "First Grade Promise" Mission 47:20 - Parent Tips and Reading Benchmarks 51:54 - Home Programs and Episode Wrap-Up Connect with Us: Follow Andrea on Instagram: @andrealynnintuitive [https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive] Learn more about Ignite Reading: https://ignite-reading.com/ #ScienceOfReading #EarlyLiteracy #TeachKidsToRead #ParentingTips #IgniteReading #WakeUpYourSoul #AndreaLynn Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432441/support] Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast: https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR Follow me on Ig: https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr]