This Is My Story: Women's Stories of Struggles & Triumphs Melissa Teutsch

In today’s episode, I speak with my high school best friend, Amanda Barham, whose journey growing up in the shadows of her father's schizophrenia has shaped her into the resilient person she is today. From battling severe anxiety to questioning her own salvation for 24 years, Amanda found solace and strength in the transformative power of therapy.
 
Join us as we delve into the depths of Amanda’s experiences, exploring her own stigma and struggles with her mental health, how therapy became a vessel for God’s healing grace in her life, and how Amanda came to a place of peace and understanding about her salvation. 
 
LINKS
This Is My Story website: https://www.thisismystorypodcast.com/ 
 
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisismystorypodcast1 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisismystory.podcast/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThisMyStory_Pod 

Today, I'm chatting with Jessi Caldwell, my sister-in-law. Jessi wears many hats – she's a devoted wife, a nurturing mother, and a corporate learning executive.
At just 8 months old, Jessi's life took a profound turn as she found her forever home through adoption. At 16 the sudden loss of her mother reshaped the landscape of her world. But Jessi, being the resilient soul she is, pressed on.
In the chapters of her life that followed, Jessi tied the knot and welcomed three beautiful children into her life, including a nonverbal autistic son. Her story is a testament to the twists and turns life throws at us.
Join us as Jessi reflects on her self-identity through the lenses of being adopted, coping as a teenager with the loss of her mother, and the challenges of parenting a nonverbal autistic son. 
 
LINKS
This Is My Story website: https://www.thisismystorypodcast.com/ 
 
FOLLOW
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisismystorypodcast1 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisismystory.podcast/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThisMyStory_Pod 
 

Award-winning entertainer, Katie Deal has performed to sold out houses across the US and Canada. A proud Georgia-born artist, Katie is best known for her authentic country sound. She was the 2016 recipient of the Georgia Country Artist of the Year Award and is an honored member of the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame.
​As a recording artist and singer-songwriter, Katie has worked with top Nashville songwriters and artists. She has opened shows for country legends John Conlee, Sammy Kershaw, Collin Raye, B.J. Thomas, and Country Family Reunion. Katie was honored to perform with the late country icon, Loretta Lynn, and is also a frequent guest vocalist with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra. ​
As an actress, Katie has been featured in two major motion films and numerous commercials and touring productions. She has also produced her own theatrical concerts which have toured internationally. 
As amazing as Katie’s bio sound–and as talented as she is–Katie has struggled with anxiety, depression, and self-doubt her entire life. The events leading up to August 23, 2022–when she lost both her mom and her marriage within 24 hours of each other–have changed her. She credits therapy with saving her life many times and says “I believe with all my heart in sharing our struggles with each other, I choose publicly, so that others know they are not alone. We all fight internal battles. Why not bring them to light and fight them together?”
Join me as Katie recounts the 24 hours that changed her life, the events that led up to it, and the lessons she has learned in the year since. 
Content Warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics, including domestic abuse and suicidal thoughts. Listener discretion is advised. If you find these subjects distressing, we recommend skipping this episode or listening with caution. Remember, your well-being is important, and support is available. 
 
DOMESTIC ABUSE HOTLINE:
https://www.thehotline.org/
800.799.SAFE (7233)
 
SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE:
https://988lifeline.org/
DIAL 988
 
KATIE’S LINKS:
Website: https://www.katiedeal.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/peachofadeal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peachofadeal/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatieDealMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdVuV51THCHonTRfaMVae9g?view_as=subscriber
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@peachofadeal?lang=en
Imdb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5744151/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 
 
LINKS
This Is My Story website: https://www.thisismystorypodcast.com/ 
 
FOLLOW
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisismystorypodcast1 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisismystory.podcast/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThisMyStory_Pod 
 

After years of dealing with her own dysfunctional relationship with food and exercise and being diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, Cherry Hudnall–now a  Nutrition Coach and Fitness Trainer–knew that in order for her life to look different she was going to have to be willing to do something she had never done before. With God's help she started chasing after the strongest version of herself and her passion now is helping others do the same through her program, Chasing Strong™.
This episode is an inspiring call to embrace strength over size, resilience over restriction. Cherry is on a mission to guide others towards freedom from diets, empowerment after setbacks, and the decision to never surrender, no matter the challenges.
Join me for an authentic conversation about the power of patience, consistency, and the unwavering belief that it's never too late to start "Chasing Strong™." 
CHERRY’S LINKS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherryhudnall/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Cherry-Hudnall/100090647743498/?mibextid=LQQJ4d 
Work with Cherry: https://linktr.ee/chasingstrong 
 
LINKS
This Is My Story website: https://www.thisismystorypodcast.com/ 
 
FOLLOW
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisismystorypodcast1 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisismystory.podcast/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThisMyStory_Pod 
 

In today's episode, Jennifer Wildeboer shares about religious trauma–including satanic panic, rapture anxiety, and purity culture–her journey through deconstruction, and ultimately her decision to leave the church. We also talk about living with chronic pain from a spinal injury, as well as Jennifer’s more recent diagnosis of autism. 
JENNIFER’S SOCIAL MEDIA
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@snakemeemaw
LINKS
This Is My Story website: https://www.thisismystorypodcast.com/ 
FOLLOW
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisismystorypodcast1 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisismystory.podcast/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThisMyStory_Pod 
 

In today's episode, I had the privilege of chatting with childhood friend Tiffany Sumrall and her story is nothing short of inspiring. We delved into the many heartaches she's faced in her life, from the early loss of her twin brother at the tender age of 3 to her quest to find her biological father, through the painful struggles of infertility and a miscarriage, her path to parenthood, the ending of her 18-year-long marriage and more.
Tiffany's story is best summed up in own words: "As many hardships as I've faced, struggles, and difficulties, I've faced as many miracles." 
LINKS
This Is My Story website: https://www.thisismystorypodcast.com/ 
FOLLOW
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisismystorypodcast1 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisismystory.podcast/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThisMyStory_Pod