Strong(er) in the Broken Places

End your year with an inspiring tale. Tabitha Bailey and mother Toni Jacobs share an unwavering belief in God’s plan. Navigating healthcare intricacies, Tabatha’s family supported her through the greatest challenge of her life - pregnant with a brain tumor. Their resilience, born in preparation for the inevitable bumps in life, deepened connection to faith and family. Mentioned in the episode: Bishop T.D. Jakes: “Get ready, get ready, get ready...” https://www.tdjakes.org/ [https://www.tdjakes.org/]  Joyce Meyer Ministries: https://joycemeyer.org/ [https://joycemeyer.org/] Check out Barb and Vicky's other offerings - visit their website [https://www.freeyourselfthrough.com/]

Birth mothers are under-represented in the triangle of adoption: often misunderstood and vilified, while living with a lifetime of grief and shame. Seeing the need for support, entrepreneur and straight shooter, Yvonne Rivers created “Birth Mom’s Real Talk”. This Facebook  group and podcast provide a voice to the women who placed their children for adoption, through choice, deception or coercion. Mothers on Yvonne’s podcast may tell different stories, but every interview offers insight and breaks the bonds of secrecy in adoption experience.  Listen to D. Yvonne Rivers’ podcast at https://birthmomsrealtalk.com/ [https://birthmomsrealtalk.com/] Yvonne also offers international business development training through her company, Phoebe Marketing Group at www.phoebemarketing.com [https://www.phoebemarketing.com/] Check out Barb and Vicky's other offerings - visit their website [https://www.freeyourselfthrough.com/]

Honest and brave, Ashley Barbour battles superficiality and appearance-based biases. As an activist sharing her experience living with cleft lip and palate, she helps thousands on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok with @cleftlove.   Inspired by her beauty and compassion, Vicky and Barb sat down to discuss resilience and learning to love ourselves exactly as we are. Want more? Listen to her brilliant podcast - Love Meets Joy with co host Iva Ballou. Sponsored by Smile Train, they offer love, laughter and deep insight into living with cleft. Podcast link: https://www.smiletrain.org/lovemeetsjoy [https://www.smiletrain.org/lovemeetsjoy] To stay in touch with Ashley Barbour find her on social media: @cleftlove Read about her story on Love What Matters: https://www.lovewhatmatters.com/when-the-nurse-removed-the-bandages-i-held-my-breath-and-squeezed-my-eyes-closed-woman-shares-journey-with-bilateral-cleft-lip-and-palate/ [https://www.lovewhatmatters.com/when-the-nurse-removed-the-bandages-i-held-my-breath-and-squeezed-my-eyes-closed-woman-shares-journey-with-bilateral-cleft-lip-and-palate/] Check out Barb and Vicky's other offerings - visit their website [https://www.freeyourselfthrough.com/]

Other people’s stories move us, build compassion and change our perspective. Award winning filmmaker Phyllis Bancroft’s latest film is personal. “With Salt” is her vulnerable look at date rape. She joins Barb and Vicky to discuss the creative process, finding her voice, and challenging the status quo. To watch Phyllis’s amazing film at a festival near you, visit www.withsaltthemovie.com Give this amazing artist a follow. Her next film explores her experience as an adoptee. Website: https://www.phyllisbancroft.com/ Instagram: @hollywoodflowonthego Check out Barb and Vicky's other offerings - visit their website [https://www.freeyourselfthrough.com/]

“What is real and what’s a dream?” Divine inspiration led musician Carol Heffler to compose music based on A Course in Miracles. Her beautiful song, I Could See Peace opens this episode. Carol’s lifetime of creativity flowed like a river within, offering strength for her own struggles as well. Music was something all her own, separate from a larger-than-life mother. In her teens, Carol’s passion for Dave Brubeck’s piano style remained secret - even from friends. After a classical music education, Carol finally found a jazz program in grad school at University of Massachusetts, Amhurst. Working for Elliot Lawrence in New York, Carol scored music for Daytime TV Soaps Search for Tomorrow  and The Edge of Night. In club performances she brought her love of Brazilian rhythms to jazz standards and her own compositions. Carol still enjoys performing, and especially nurturing a love of music in her grandson. Carol’s CDs: Available on Spotify I Could See Peace - Music of A Course in Miracles Sea Dreams - from exactly Willow Weep for Me - from pull of the moon Hero - https://youtu.be/WcQcvZVAV_Y [https://youtu.be/WcQcvZVAV_Y] Check out Barb and Vicky's other offerings - visit their website [https://www.freeyourselfthrough.com/]