Joy of the Hang | Connection & Empowerment Stories

87. Bridget Gengler: You Have a Story to Tell: The Power of Encouraging the Next Generation

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432382/fan_mail/new] What if one encouraging voice could change the trajectory of a child’s life? In this heartfelt episode of Joy of the Hang, I sit down with educator, author, and storyteller Bridget Gengler, whose work has impacted generations of students over more than 30 years in education. From the classroom to the pages of her children’s books, Bridget’s mission is simple but powerful: help people recognize their worth, find their voice, and believe in their own story. We talk about: * What today’s children are truly struggling with emotionally * Why confidence and kindness must be intentionally taught * The lasting impact teachers can have on a child’s identity * Rediscovering yourself after divorce and major life changes * How storytelling helps both children and adults heal, grow, and connect * Why every person — no matter their age — has a story worth telling Bridget is the author of Hold Your Head Up and Walk with Grace, You Have a Story to Tell!, Rediscovering You: A Guide to Life After Divorce, and her upcoming children’s book You Can Do Anything! This conversation is uplifting, wise, and filled with reminders we all need — especially in a world where so many people feel unseen. 🎙️ Follow Joy of the Hang on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. 📲 Share this episode with a teacher, parent, friend, or anyone who needs to be reminded that their story matters. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432382/support]  Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang [https://instagram.com/joyofthehang] .  If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.

86. Coreena Breazeale: Women, Leadership & The Power of Strategic Connection

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432382/fan_mail/new] What happens after the introduction? After the networking event ends? After you finally get a seat at the table? In this episode of Joy of the Hang, I sit down with entrepreneur and community builder Coreena Breazeale to talk about the skill nobody teaches women: how to turn connection into real opportunity. Coreena is the founder of multiple purpose-driven companies helping women lead, grow, and scale with more clarity, confidence, and intention. Through The Collective and Revive Connects, she’s helping founders move beyond surface-level networking and build relationships, systems, and strategies that actually create momentum. We talk about: * Why networking alone often fails women * What successful women do differently once they’re “in the room” * The importance of communication, follow-through, and visibility * Building businesses without losing yourself in the process * Why authentic connection is still one of the most powerful currencies we have This conversation is honest, empowering, and deeply practical for women navigating leadership, entrepreneurship, growth, and reinvention. If you’ve ever wondered why some conversations change lives while others go nowhere, this episode is for you. 🎙️ Follow Joy of the Hang on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. 📲 Share this episode with a woman who’s ready to stop simply showing up — and start truly stepping into her power. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432382/support]  Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang [https://instagram.com/joyofthehang] .  If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.

85. The Truth About Chronic Pain No One Told You—And How to Reverse It Naturally

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432382/fan_mail/new] What if the pain you’ve been told to “live with” isn’t inevitable at all? In this powerful episode of Joy of the Hang, Sharon sits down with Bruce Phelps—creator of the Stretch n’ Release Technique, founder of The Muscle Repair Shop, and author of Stretch n’ Release—to challenge everything we think we know about chronic pain, aging, and healing. With a background in Aging Sciences and over two decades of hands-on experience, Bruce has helped thousands of people move beyond pain without relying on prescriptions, injections, or surgery. But what makes his story even more compelling is that his breakthrough didn’t begin in a lab—it began in his own body. While carrying an extra 135 pounds and battling severe back pain, Bruce set out to solve a problem most people are told to accept. Together, Sharon and Bruce explore: * Why pain is often misunderstood—and misdiagnosed * The difference between managing pain and actually fixing it * What your body is trying to tell you (and why most people miss it) * How the Stretch n’ Release Technique works in real life * What it really takes to reclaim mobility, strength, and confidence at any age This conversation isn’t just about physical pain—it’s about reclaiming ownership of your body, challenging limiting beliefs, and realizing that what you’ve accepted as “normal” may not be normal at all. If you’ve ever been told, “that’s just part of getting older,” this episode may change everything. https://a.co/d/0gS8fdAS Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432382/support]  Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang [https://instagram.com/joyofthehang] .  If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.

84. A Warrior’s Heart: Krystal Geist on Healing Trauma, Finding Strength & Rising Again

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432382/fan_mail/new] Some stories don’t just inspire you—they change you. In this deeply moving episode of Joy of the Hang, Krystal Geist opens up about her journey through trauma, survival, and ultimately, transformation. As the founder of Her Warrior Heart, she’s on a mission to help women rediscover their strength and reclaim their lives. Together, we explore what it means to heal emotionally, rebuild self-worth, and find connection after pain. This is a conversation about resilience, courage, and the kind of strength that doesn’t just survive—but rises. If you’re on a healing journey or walking alongside someone who is, this episode is for you. https://krystalgeist.com https://shadowwarriorsproject.org/the-founders/ Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432382/support]  Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang [https://instagram.com/joyofthehang] .  If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.

83. Lead from the Front: Retired Brigadier General Remo Butler on Leadership, Legacy, and Life After Service

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432382/fan_mail/new] What does it truly mean to lead from the front—not just in combat, but in life? In this powerful episode of Joy of the Hang, Sharon sits down with retired Brigadier General Remo Butler, a trailblazer, leader, and the first Black man to achieve the rank of Brigadier General in his division. With decades of military service and leadership at the highest levels, General Butler shares the principles that shaped his journey—and the personal battles he faced after the uniform came off. We explore his newly released book, Lead from the Front, and the deeper meaning behind leadership, resilience, and responsibility. General Butler also opens up about the unseen cost of service, including his struggle with PTSD after retirement—and the pivotal role his wife played in helping him recognize it and begin the path to healing. This is a conversation about courage, identity, and what it takes to lead when no one is watching. In this episode, you’ll hear: * What “leading from the front” really looks like beyond the battlefield * The responsibility that comes with breaking barriers and making history * The transition from military leadership to civilian life * The hidden toll of service—and the power of asking for help * Lessons from Lead from the Front that apply to all of us https://a.co/d/07fKuWMZ Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432382/support]  Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang [https://instagram.com/joyofthehang] .  If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.