Adventures in Adversity: an inspirational podcast

Bre Wilson
  • 4.8 (8)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED DAILY

Real people. True stories. Daily inspiration. Turn adversity into adventure, 1 podcast episode at a time. #NarcissisticAbuseSurvivor #ShareYourStory

  1. 4D AGO

    Ep 81: Strength in sorrow - Adrienne turned the loss of her 2 children into Dragonfly Grief Coaching

    Adrienne shares her incredible journey through unimaginable loss, including the passing of her two children, Mackenzie and Kyler. As a mother, survivor, and grief recovery specialist, she opens up about navigating life after loss, finding courage through adversity, and transforming pain into purpose. Adrienne’s path led her to create Dragonfly Coaching She now helps others heal, rebuild, and rediscover meaning after grief. Her story is both heart-wrenching and hopeful...a powerful reminder that even in the darkest seasons, it’s possible to rise again with compassion, purpose, and love. Takeaways: Grief is not something to overcome, but something to move through with grace. Healing comes from connection, honesty, and allowing yourself to feel. The loss of two children taught Adrienne that strength and softness can coexist. Dragonfly Coaching was born from Adrienne’s determination to help others find hope after heartbreak. Sharing stories of pain can open pathways to collective healing. “I want something good to come from this.” — Adrienne Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Overcoming Adversity 02:04 Adrienne's Journey Begins 04:02 Facing Family Health Crises 06:24 Navigating Loss and Grief 10:08 The Impact of Addiction 14:03 Coping with Multiple Losses 17:59 Finding Strength in Healing 26:52 Reflections on Resilience 28:53 A Mother’s Strength in Crisis 33:14 Cherishing Memories and Finding Meaning 38:14 Transforming Grief into Purpose 44:48 Finding Joy Amidst Loss 49:57 Sharing the Journey Through Writing Learn more about Adrienne’s story in her book: The Almost Miracle Years This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea. Visit Divini and use discount code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount! Adventures in Adversity on Instagram & Facebook #grief #resilience #cancer #recovery #mentalhealth #motherhood #loss #healing

    56 min

  2. FEB 27

    Ep. 80: From military grit, to Mama, to mercy & self-love w/Veteran & Empowerment Coach Dielle Luster

    In this episode, I sit down with Army Veteran, Empowerment Coach, Host, & speaker Dielle Luster to talk about what it really looks like to walk through adversity with honesty, faith, and community. And we laugh...a lot! It's hard not to with Dielle's infectious energy. Follow Dielle on Instagram Subscribe to her YouTube channel From the discipline and “face it head on” mindset she learned in the military to the tenderness of mercy, vulnerability, and self-love, Dielle’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s okay to not be okay...and that we’re all worth the save. We talk about the messy middle seasons: separation, shifting identities, and learning to let go of control when life doesn’t follow the plan you had in your head. Dielle shares how prayer became less of a performance and more of a raw, ongoing conversation with God, and how experiencing God in simple, everyday moments changed the way she sees herself and others. We also dig into her transition into empowerment coaching - how her desire to help others heal grew out of her own battles with negative self-talk, emotional pain, and starting over. Writing becomes a form of therapy in this conversation: a way to process grief, name hard emotions, and begin the work of self-forgiveness and spiritual growth. If you’ve ever felt like you had to be “strong” all the time, this one is for you. Dielle’s story is a masterclass in military grit meets mercy, in learning to embrace vulnerability as strength, and in finding your people - the community that reminds you “you can’t quit” when everything in you wants to tap out. You’ll hear us talk about: Growing up in the military and how “run toward the fear” became a life lessonLife after service: identity shifts, separation, and learning who you are outside the uniformHow community and friendship hold you when relationships get complicatedWhy vulnerability is not weakness, and how it opens the door to real healingPrayer as a tool for emotional processing, not perfectionExperiencing God in the everyday, not just the “big” spiritual momentsThe difference between sacrifice and mercy in your spiritual journeyLetting go of control and trusting God’s plan when nothing makes senseHow empowerment coaching became a calling born from her own adversityUsing writing as therapy for emotional healing and self-discoveryThe hard but holy work of self-forgiveness and talking back to negative self-talkWhat it means to be “yoked with God” in real life, not just in theoryWhy everyone, no matter their past, is worth the save

    1h 15m

  3. FEB 21

    Ep. 79: From deception to redemption - Christian publisher, author, & speaker Athena Dean Holtz's story

    I sit down with Athena Dean Holtz to explore her incredible journey from spiritual abuse and deception to healing and redemption. Athena shares how realizing she had been deceived became a defining moment in her faith journey. We talk openly about how taking ownership of her part in the story opened the door to real transformation. ATHENA DEAN HOLTZ - PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER Resilience Expert | Discernment Strategist Creator of The Redemptive Leadership Framework Athena's books on healing, spiritual abuse, and redemption Athena's podcast: No Longer Hiding Follow Athena on Instagram Follow Athena on Facebook Subscribe to Athena's YouTube channel Athena and I talk about the importance of recognizing red flags in spiritual movements, as well as why developing discernment can help you understand the enemy’s tactics. She also dives into the powerful role forgiveness plays in finding freedom, while reminding us of a divine truth: God meets us in our pain, uses adversity to grow us, and cares deeply about every detail of our lives. This episode is for anyone navigating spiritual confusion, betrayal, or loss of faith. If you're looking for a way to experience God’s healing presence again, or maybe for the first time, Athena’s story is a beautiful reminder that redemption is always possible when we surrender our brokenness to Him.

    53 min

  4. FEB 9

    Ep. 78: What if we could face death, not fear it? 1:1 with Death Doula & Writer Niki DiGaetano

    Living with the reality that our days are numbered can feel terrifying, but it can also be a doorway into deeper love, sharper presence, and a more honest life. In this episode, I sit down with Niki DiGaetaeno, Death Doula, Funeral Planner, & Grief Supporter to talk about what really happens when we stop looking away from death and start letting it shape how we live, love, and plan. Follow Niki on InstagramRead Niki's blogFind out about Niki's bookNiki shares her path from the Appalachian Trail to end-of-life work, what it's like sitting at the bedside, and why legacy, grief, and story are at the heart of how she serves. We get into the very human side of dying...the paperwork and planning, yes, but also the fear, the tenderness, the family dynamics, and the power of being fully present when it matters most. You'll hear us talk about: What a death doula actually doesHow hospice and doula care weave togetherGrief “hierarchies", pet loss, & losing primary attachment figuresHow validating our own experience can open the door to healing Why end-of-life wishes are one of the greatest gifts we can give people we loveWoven through it all are the lessons Niki carried off the Appalachian Trail, about impermanence, resilience, and finding beauty in what doesn’t last. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro + how this conversation came to be 00:30 – What a death doula is and how they support end-of-life experiences 04:38 – Why planning ahead/getting your affairs in order brings relief to everyone 09:07 – Niki’s path into death work through adversity, mental health, and purpose 12:35 – Where hospice ends & doulas step in 15:29 – What actually happens in hospice, including active dying phases 18:54 – The emotional experience of sitting with the dying and their families 22:35 – Facing the reality of death and practicing intentional presence 30:16 – Managing big emotions for patients, caregivers, and loved ones 33:40 – Legacy stories, guided autobiographies, & the healing power of storytelling 36:10 – How our culture treats death and how acceptance changes the way we live 43:17 – Pets as attachment figures and why their loss can rock us 45:33 – Grief validation and the trap of the “Grief Olympics” 50:34 – Practical end-of-life planning and core legal documents to consider 56:22 – Spiritual perspectives and personal beliefs about what happens after death 63:37 – What nature and time backpacking on trails revealed to Niki 67:52 – Trail lessons that translate into life, grief, and death work 75:24 – Choosing to live intentionally in the face of mortality 78:55 – Presence, ambition, and finding a more grounded pace in life 81:35 – The deep interconnectedness of life, death, and living fully 84:45 – Final reflections on honoring impermanence + showing love while we’re here Resources Five WishesAging with DignityInternational End of Life Doula AssociationWhat is a death doula?Follow Adventures in Adversity on Instagram & Facebook This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea. Use discount code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount! #death #deathdoula #endoflife #hospicecare #endoflifecare

    1h 29m

  5. FEB 2

    Ep. 77: Amber’s story - Losing her son Kyle to fentanyl, recovering from abuse, & finding healing

    In this episode of Adventures and Adversity, I sit down with Amber, a woman whose journey exemplifies the strength it takes to rise from unimaginable hardship. Amber opens up about her life with raw honesty, taking us through years marked by early motherhood at age 16, toxic relationships, addiction, trauma, and profound grief. Through it all, her story is one of courage, faith, and rediscovery, proof that even in our darkest moments, healing and transformation are possible. In our conversation, Amber shares: What it was like becoming a mother at 16 and navigating a turbulent family dynamic.Her experiences in troubled relationships and the pain of addiction and betrayal.The powerful story behind her sobriety, now five years strong, and her renewed spiritual connection.The heartbreaking loss of her son Kyle to fentanyl this past November, the grief that followed, and the signs she feels from his spirit in nature.Insights about healing from narcissistic abuse, rebuilding self-worth, and finding community through service.How sharing her truth has become both a personal act of healing and a way to help others find theirs.This episode is a reminder that even after immense loss and suffering, we have the power to transform pain into purpose. Amber’s story calls us to be honest with ourselves, with others, and with whatever higher power guides us, because recovery and renewal begin there. Helpful resources: Celebrate RecoveryBook: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der KolkResources for Narcissistic Abuse RecoverySpiritual Significance of Eagles and DovesNative American Spirituality and Connection to NatureConnect with Amber on Instagram Follow Adventures in Adversity on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Facebook This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by ⁠DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea⁠. Use discount code Breanne10 at checkout.

    1h 16m

  6. JAN 28

    Ep. 76: Find strength in being YOU w/Dr. Kendal Anderson, DPT, author of children’s book "Different..."

    This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea. Use code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount! Adventures in Adversity on Instagram & Facebook You know those people who just radiate warmth and authenticity the moment you meet them? That’s my friend, Kendal Anderson. She’s a doctor, a physical therapist, an author, a mom, a wife, an entrepreneur, and honestly, just one of the kindest souls I know. ⁠⁠Buy Kendal's children's book, "Different..."⁠⁠ In this episode, we chat about how we first met at a fashion event (because life has a funny way of connecting the right people at the right time) and dive into the story behind her beautiful NEW children’s book, "Different." Kendal shares what inspired her to write it and why helping kids embrace who they are is so close to her heart. From there, we get real about what it’s like to work as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in an acute care California hospital, the power of empathy, and how adversity can actually shape us in the best ways. Kendal’s perspective on faith, personal growth, and finding purpose through challenges is inspiring and can be applied to everyday life, no matter what your daily life looks like. This conversation with my awesome friend is full of reminders that being “different” isn’t something to fix. It’s something to celebrate. Takeaways: Our differences are what make us shine. Kindness and empathy go a long way, especially when things get hard. Adversity often prepares us for something greater. You never know what someone’s carrying or how far a kind word can go. Sound Bites: “Adversity can prepare you for something greater.” “Being different is so beautiful.” “You never know what someone is carrying.” Chapters: 00:00 Our Friendship Story 04:17 The Inspiration Behind Different 09:58 Writing a Children’s Book 14:41 Embracing What Makes Us Unique 24:44 Kendal’s Work as a Physical Therapist 30:07 Finding Strength Through Adversity 41:10 Faith and Growth 55:27 Reflections on Gratitude and Purpose LINQ Wellness is a women-owned business created by licensed Doctors of Physical Therapy who believe in "Living in Quality." Check out Kendal's business "We are invested in optimizing wellness for individuals and groups at home, in their community, and in their workplace. Our team is comprised of brain, body, and movement experts who believe in the brain and body connection. At LINQ, we help individuals and groups optimize their movement and feel good in their bodies, no matter where they are physically and mentally. We specialize in custom wellness programs that cater to the evolving needs of individuals at various stages of life." #childrensbooks #different #embracedifferences #kidsbooks #physicaltherapy

    1h 7m

  7. JAN 23

    Ep. 75: From trash bags to "Comfort Cases" w/father, foster care ally, host, & author Rob Scheer

    In this episode, Rob shares how he grew up in the foster care system, the abuse he endured, and how he often carried his entire life in a trash bag. He opens up about how those experiences shaped the advocate, father, and leader he is today. We talk about what it means to break cycles of neglect, to choose empathy in the face of pain, and to build the kind of community support every child deserves.

    46 min

  8. JAN 12

    Ep. 74: Exec Protection Specialist/Bodyguard "Big Adamm" on safety, purpose, God, & accountability

    This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by Divini, a honey-based Kombucha tea. Visit and use code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount! Follow Adventures in Adversity on Instagram and Facebook In this episode: I sit down with "Big Adamm" Mangieri From playing offensive line in college football to protecting A-list celebrities like Andreea Boccelli, J-Lo, and Shawn Mendes on world tours, as well as tech executives, politicians, and more, Adamm's professional life for the past 20+ years may seem glamorous, but he shares that there's a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to private security. Adamm's story is really about something deeper: how adversity becomes your greatest teacher. We talk about what it means to stand firm in your values when the stakes are highest. He shares what it was like working security on the floor for Elon Musk at Charlie Kirk's memorial, a day that shifted everything for him about what legacy truly means. And we dig into the reality of executive protection: the discipline, the pressure, and why genuine human connection matters more than any spotlight. This is a raw, real conversation about faith, purpose, safety, politics, community, tolerance, and what it takes to stay authentic when the world is watching. What we explore How Adamm's journey from athlete to bodyguard and executive protection specialist revealed his true callingWhat he has learned about faith, humility, and courage while touring the world with global tech, biotech, & finance executives, pastors, politicians, and celebritiesBeing on the floor at Charlie Kirk's memorial, and how that moment recalibrated his entire perspective on what mattersThe discipline, pressure, and hidden truths of executive protection workWhy real community is built through genuine presence, not social mediaHow listening to your intuition can save your life, and guide your soulAdversity isn't punishment...it's the refining fire that prepares you for your next chapterFaith brings clarity when the world feels chaotic and overwhelmingTrue community is built offline, through real and lasting human connectionMaterial success means nothing without integrity, service, and inner peaceListening to your gut is both a safety instinct and a spiritual compassLiving authentically (no matter who's watching!) is where real freedom beginsKey takeaways Adversity isn't punishment...it's the refining fire that prepares you for your next chapterFaith brings clarity when the world feels chaotic and overwhelmingTrue community is built offline, through real and lasting human connectionMaterial success means nothing without integrity, service, and inner peaceListening to your gut is both a safety instinct and a spiritual compassLiving authentically (no matter who's watching!) is where real freedom begins Why watch this episode If you've ever questioned your path, felt the weight of staying true to yourself when it's hard, or wondered what real courage looks like, this episode will speak directly to you. Adamm's story reminds us that our greatest challenges often become our greatest strengths. #executiveprotection #protection #bodyguard #faith #purpose #celebritybodyguards

    2h 4m
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out of 5
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Real people. True stories. Daily inspiration. Turn adversity into adventure, 1 podcast episode at a time. #NarcissisticAbuseSurvivor #ShareYourStory

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