In The Blink Podcast

Meagan Oberle
  • 5.0 (35)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

In The Blink is a podcast about resilience, healing, and the strength it takes to rebuild after life-altering experiences. Hosted by Meagan Oberle, this show dives deep into the realities of grief, trauma, and mental health, sharing personal stories of survival and transformation. Through candid conversations with experts, survivors, and those navigating their own journeys, In The Blink explores the resources, strategies, and support systems that help people heal. Because life can change in an instant—but so can the path to hope.

  1. FEB 20

    22. Mae Scott | The Only Way Out Is Through: Surviving Abuse, Systems, and Starting Over

    A raw and unflinching conversation, this episode explores the hidden realities of coercive control, narcissistic abuse, and the devastating aftermath survivors face long after leaving. Through the story behind An Embarrassment of Pandas, Mae Scott shares how an abusive marriage escalated over time, how systems meant to protect can instead retraumatize, and why trauma-informed reform in family court is urgently needed, offering both validation for survivors and a powerful call for awareness, accountability, and change.   "This was just kind of a way to get it all out there and tell people this is happening. This is happening to somebody really, just like you. I'm not unique really. And this book could be you. I never thought it would be me. It could be any one of us, and that's scary."-Mae Scott   What You'll Gain: Abuse often escalates gradually: early red flags like love bombing, jealousy, and control can evolve into severe emotional, physical, and sexual violence over time. Couples counseling can be dangerous in abusive relationships, as it may intensify control and retaliation when an abuser feels they are losing power. The criminal justice system can work, but family and divorce courts often retraumatize survivors through legal abuse, financial coercion, and lack of trauma-informed understanding. Legal abuse is real and devastating, with endless motions, financial sabotage, and intimidation used to exhaust and punish survivors post-separation. Survival depends heavily on support systems, including trusted friends, family, therapists, and survivor communities, no one gets through this alone. Healing is possible but requires long-term work, including trauma-informed therapy, boundaries, and reclaiming safety, identity, and healthy relationships—powerfully reflected in An Embarrassment of Pandas.   About Mae Scott: Mae Scott is a dedicated mother of three and a social worker by trade. As a survivor of a nearly 19-year abusive marriage, she is now a free woman, passionately advocating for the peace and freedom every individual deserves. By choice and experience, she is a writer, speaker, and supporter for others.   If this conversation resonated with you, the story doesn't end here. Read An Embarrassment of Pandas—a powerful, unfiltered account of survival and reclaiming your life. https://amzn.to/46AklnC Connect with Meagan: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Group Community Apply for a prosthetic eye here: www.intheblinkltd.com

    57 min

  2. JAN 30

    21. Ronni Vlaminck | Stormy's Brave Beginning

    This heartfelt episode shares the true story behind Stormy's Brave Beginning, a children's book inspired by a tiny, injured kitten rescued during a season of burnout, grief, and transition. Author Ronni Vlaminck reflects on how love, kindness, and quiet bravery shaped both Stormy's healing journey and her own, offering a gentle reminder that even after loss, overwhelm, or feeling "different," life can still unfold beautifully with compassion and support.   "Just because something happens to you that doesn't really define who you are or what your outcome is going to be." - Ronni Vlaminck   What you'll learn: Small acts of kindness can completely change a life: One simple decision to stop, notice suffering, and help became the turning point not only for Stormy, but for an entire family's story.  Healing doesn't erase pain; it grows alongside it: Stormy's recovery and Ronni's personal journey show that love doesn't remove past trauma, but allows something meaningful to exist beside it.  Being different doesn't mean being broken: Stormy's one eye is never framed as a limitation, reinforcing the message that challenges don't define worth, identity, or future potential.  Love creates safety, and safety allows healing: The episode highlights how consistent care, gentleness, and presence create the emotional foundation needed for true healing to happen.  Stories can help children process grief without overwhelming them: By telling the story quietly and tenderly, the book gives kids space to feel, relate, and find hope without being confronted by heavy language.  Unexpected life changes can open doors to meaningful purpose: What began as burnout and transition ultimately led to creativity, authorship, and a new way to serve children who are struggling   About Ronni Vlaminck: Ronni Vlaminck is a mom, physical therapist assistant, and small business owner who works alongside her husband in their family business. After years of supporting others and navigating significant personal loss, Ronni chose not to let those experiences define her — instead, she followed an unexpected creative spark that changed everything. That spark arrived when her husband rescued a tiny, sick kitten from the side of the road. Stormy, who later lost one eye, quickly became part of their family and inspired Ronni to write Stormy's Brave Beginning — a children's book about courage, second chances, and finding a place where you belong. Dive into the Stormy world—find Ronni books, download free coloring pages, and shop the merch on her website!   Connect with Meagan: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Group Community Apply for a prosthetic eye here: www.intheblinkltd.com

    19 min

  3. JAN 9

    20. Dylan and Hannah Bond | Crafting Confidence: Helping People Feel Seen Again

    This episode explores what happens when art, calling, and compassion intersect, as ocularists Hannah and Dylan Bond share how making custom prosthetic eyes became both their life's work and a form of healing service. From career pivots, illness, legacy craftsmanship, and falling in love at an ocularist conference, to building EYEMKR from the ground up during COVID, the conversation reveals how prosthetic eyes are not just medical devices but powerful tools for confidence, identity, and recovery, especially for children and those navigating trauma, insurance barriers, and life after eye loss.   "You're loved, you're cared about, you're important. The things that you've gone through are traumatic and difficult to deal with, and it's gonna be okay. There's people out there that care about you, that dedicate their whole lives to helping people like you." - Dylan Bond   Important points covered: Prosthetic eye-making is a calling, not just a skill: Both Hannah and Dylan were led to the profession through unexpected life shifts that felt deeply purposeful. Art and medicine are inseparable in ocularistry: Precision, creativity, and emotional sensitivity are all required to restore both comfort and confidence. Every prosthetic eye is fully custom, like a fingerprint: No two eyes, sockets, or life experiences are the same, making personalization essential. Children experience profound emotional healing through care-centered spaces: Creating a non-clinical, joyful environment helps kids process medical trauma safely. Insurance remains one of the biggest barriers to care: Despite being medically necessary, prosthetic eyes are often under-covered or denied. DIY eye kits expand access across the globe: EYEMKR's at-home molding kits allow patients worldwide to receive custom eyes without travel. "Cool eyes" can unlock confidence and self-expression: Choosing to stand out rather than blend in can be a transformative moment for many wearers. Community and connection are critical after eye loss: Support groups, foundations, and shared stories reduce isolation and restore hope.   About Dylan and Hannah Bond:  Dylan and Hannah Bond are the co-founders of EYEMKR, a homegrown practice creating custom prosthetic eyes that blend artistry and innovation. Dylan entered ocularistry in 2018 at a high-volume practice in Sacramento, while Hannah joined him in 2019, bringing with her a deep family legacy in the craft that spans six generations. In 2022, they relocated to Chico, California, to launch EYEMKR with a mission to make prosthetic eyes more accessible, expressive, and empowering, serving clients both in person and worldwide through their groundbreaking EyeMaker Kit, a DIY mold-making experience. Connect with Dylan and Hannah: Email: Sparkle@eyemkr.com / dylan@eyemkr.com Website: www.eyemkr.com Instagram: @eye.mkr  TikTok: @eye.mkr  Connect with Meagan: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Group Community Apply for a prosthetic eye here: www.intheblinkltd.com

    48 min

  4. 12/26/2025

    19. John Fowler | The Parts of Grief We Don't Talk About

    In this deeply moving episode, John Fowler shares the raw, unfiltered journey of loving and losing his wife Nickie to cancer—from diagnosis and years of caregiving to hospice, grief, and the long road toward healing. Through stories of helplessness, community, anger, gratitude, and letting go of the life he thought he'd have, the conversation offers an honest look at grief as both devastating and transformative, reminding listeners that healing often begins when we allow ourselves to feel everything and slowly open to a new chapter.    "You have to let go of what you thought your life was going to be and be open to all the possibilities that are still out there for you." - John Fowler   Key Insights: Grief is not just losing a person—it's also losing the life and future you imagined.  Caregiving can be profoundly isolating, especially when you're helpless to ease someone's pain.  Community support can become a lifeline, even when it arrives during the darkest moments.  Gratitude should not be used to suppress anger, sadness, or resentment—those emotions need space too.  Children are deeply affected by grief, but honesty and closeness can strengthen the parent–child bond.  Healing often requires change—sometimes leaving behind familiar places to truly move forward.    About John Fowler: John Fowler is a devoted father and widower who spent four years caring for his wife Nickie as she bravely battled colon cancer. Now raising four adult children — including one with special needs — he approaches life with resilience, patience, and a deep, unwavering compassion. A natural storyteller and a steady presence, John brings strength, warmth, loyalty, and humor into every space he enters. Connect with Meagan: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Group Community Apply for a prosthetic eye here: www.intheblinkltd.com

    32 min

  5. 12/19/2025

    18. Jamie Estelle Roth | Healing as Surrender: Seeing What's True Without Eyes

    In this episode, Jamie Estelle Roth shares how losing her central vision became the catalyst for a profound spiritual awakening, leading her into soul contracts, ancestral healing, intuition, psychedelic medicine, and the surprising angels who guided her along the way. Through humor, honesty, and deep surrender, she reveals how blindness stripped away old identities, opened her heart, reconnected her to her purpose, and transformed her pain into clarity, connection, and a new way of seeing.   "I love myself more than I've ever loved myself, and not in a "I'm so amazing" kind of way. I think all of us should love ourselves for who we are. And if there are things you want to change, then look inside and listen to your spirit." - Jamie Estelle Roth   Episode insights: Vision loss became her portal into intuition, spiritual sight, and a deeper version of herself. Soul contracts reframed her suffering from "Why me?" to "Why not me?" and helped her see the experience as divinely chosen. Angels and human "messengers" showed up in unexpected ways to guide, comfort, and heal her. Psychedelic experiences like psilocybin and MDMA revealed past lives, subconscious truths, and a deeper knowing beyond physical sight. Energy work and "woo woo" practices filled the emotional gaps that Western medicine couldn't reach. She confronted long-buried trauma, lineage wounds, and old identities, learning to shed everything that wasn't truly her. Losing her sight forced radical presence—listening deeply, feeling more, and seeing others beyond the physical. Her purpose emerged through surrender: to hold space, share her light, and help others navigate their own darkness.   About Jamie Estelle Roth: Jamie Estelle Roth is a bestselling author, podcast host, and visually impaired storyteller whose memoir Should've Seen That Coming chronicles her journey of sudden vision loss and spiritual transformation. Now newly released as an audiobook, narrated in her own voice, Jamie brings listeners even closer to her story with honesty, humor, and heart. Based in California, she's a mom of three, wife, and dog-lover who inspires audiences to find purpose, joy, and resilience in life's most unexpected moments. Connect with Meagan: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Group Community Apply for a prosthetic eye here: www.intheblinkltd.com

    57 min

  6. 12/12/2025

    17. Gina Holtkamp | Beyond the Hospital Bed: A Caregiver's Story of Trauma, Love, and Healing

    The episode dives into the often unseen trauma caregivers carry, beginning with the shock of crisis and moving through the quiet, transformative moments of compassion, fear, and resilience. Meagan, together with Gina, explores how caregiving can be both wounding and healing, why setting capacity and boundaries matters, and how guilt, gratitude, and community shape the journey. Ultimately, it's a reminder that caregiving is an act of profound love that changes everyone involved — and that caregivers must also name and process their own trauma to truly heal.   "We have to process this trauma, release it. The other side of suffering is joy, you get to feel that extreme joy because you've seen the other side and how hard life can be." - Gina   Core points captured from this episode: Caregivers experience their own form of trauma, often overlooked, and must acknowledge it in order to heal in a healthy way. Capacity matters — caregivers should only give what they are able to give, based on their strengths, limitations, and support system. Intentional caregiving requires clear boundaries and communication, especially about what kind of support one can realistically provide. Guilt is common on both sides: caregivers may feel guilty for not showing up "enough," while patients may feel guilty for needing help or being unable to give back. Caregiving is an act of love without expectation of repayment — true support is given freely, not as a transaction. A caregiver's support system is essential, as caregiving affects the whole family and must be balanced with home responsibilities. Closure and post-traumatic care are vital, whether through rituals, celebration, grief work, or therapy, because trauma lingers if left unprocessed. Suffering is a universal human experience, and when met with compassion, it can lead to personal transformation, deeper connection, and a greater capacity for empathy. About Gina Holtkamp: Gina Holtkamp lives her faith through showing up wholeheartedly for her friends and family. She believes that stepping into the hardships of others and extending compassion to those in need is not a special role, but one we are all called to do. In her roles as a caregiver and supportive friend, she realized that carrying the weight of the traumas unfolding around her, often led to its own trauma that must be processed. She believes that an intentional approach to caregiving can keep not only the caregiver healthy and prevent burnout, but can help the relationship of the caregiver and person in need move beyond the trauma event. She loves celebrating those who have returned to health, and sometimes celebrating the lives of friends or family that have gone to heaven. Gina loves showing her three sons what faith looks like in action, and involves them in support roles while communicating about compassionate living and the heavy parts of life. Connect with Meagan: Apply for a prosthetic eye here: www.intheblinkltd.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meaganoberle/

    39 min

  7. 12/05/2025

    16. Kris Oberle | OCD Isn't What You Think: Living Inside the Reality of OCD

    In this powerful episode, Kris pulls back the curtain on a lifelong battle with misunderstood and often hidden OCD—sharing how intrusive thoughts, shame, misdiagnosis, and treatment-resistant depression nearly cost her everything, and how a combination of ERP therapy, TMS, partial hospitalization, and unwavering support brought her back from the edge. Her story is a raw, hopeful reminder that OCD is not a quirk but a debilitating disorder, that help does exist, and that one more try—one more treatment, one more honest conversation—can be life-changing. "I have the lived experience, and I realized I cannot keep hiding this and being so ashamed of everything, because it's only perpetuating this stereotype about what OCD is."-Kris Oberle Hear more about: OCD is deeply misunderstood — it's not about cleanliness or quirks, but intrusive, unwanted thoughts that cause intense fear, shame, and anxiety. Diagnosis often takes over a decade, and misinformed providers can worsen symptoms or reinforce fears, making proper OCD-specific care essential. ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) is the gold-standard therapy for OCD, while traditional talk therapy can unintentionally make symptoms worse. Treatment-resistant depression often coexists with OCD, requiring multi-pronged interventions like medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and medical treatments. TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) can be life-changing for treatment-resistant OCD and depression, offering hope when medications and therapy fall short. Support and openness save lives — sharing her struggles with trusted people became Kris' turning point, proving that connection, compassion, and "trying one more thing" can make recovery possible. Acceptance is a crucial part of healing — OCD doesn't simply "go away," and learning to coexist with it, rather than fight its existence, is a major step toward stability. Lived experience can be a powerful tool — Kris' journey inspired her to pursue counseling and work in a TMS clinic, showing how personal struggles can evolve into meaningful advocacy and support for others. About Kris Oberle: Kris Oberle is a Colorado State University graduate with BAs in History and Zoology, and is currently pursuing a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Adams State University. She entered the mental health field with the intention of drawing on her lived experience to bring authenticity and empathy to her future work as a counselor. Previously, Kris built a meaningful career in animal care—an experience that continues to shape her perspective today—and she hopes to integrate animal-assisted interventions into her future practice, blending her passion for helping others with a deep connection to animals. Kris works as a TMS Coordinator at Harmony Neurocare in Castle Rock, Colorado, supporting patients through innovative, evidence-based care. Passionate about challenging the stereotypes that too often surround mental-health discussions and reducing the shame that can keep people from seeking help, she is committed to creating spaces where people feel safe to ask for support and embrace their full story. Connect with Meagan: Apply for a prosthetic eye here: www.intheblinkltd.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meaganoberle/

    1h 2m

  8. 08/11/2025

    15. Perspective: Turning Pain into Purpose

    In this powerful episode, Meagan explores the profound journeys of individuals who have navigated extraordinary loss and trauma. The podcast weaves together deeply personal stories that reveal how people find resilience, perspective, and healing in the aftermath of devastating experiences. From Buck's transformative volunteering with amputees to Stacy's creation of Marlee's Smile nonprofit after losing her mother to ALS, each narrative demonstrates the human capacity to transform pain into purpose. The episode delves into raw emotional territories, highlighting how grief is not a linear process, but a complex, multilayered experience that requires compassion, connection, and sometimes unexpected pathways to healing.   "Loss has a way of knocking us sideways, pulling us out of everything we thought we knew, but sometimes what helps us find our footing again isn't more advice or more thinking, it's perspective." - Meagan Oberle   Key Points: Volunteering and service can provide perspective during personal trauma Grief is multifaceted and requires individual processing Connection with others who understand similar experiences is healing Small acts of kindness can shift mental attitudes during difficult times Sharing personal stories can be a powerful tool for collective healing Mental health recovery is a gradual, non-linear journey Gratitude can be a transformative lens for viewing personal challenges   Connect with Meagan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meaganoberle/

    19 min
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5
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

In The Blink is a podcast about resilience, healing, and the strength it takes to rebuild after life-altering experiences. Hosted by Meagan Oberle, this show dives deep into the realities of grief, trauma, and mental health, sharing personal stories of survival and transformation. Through candid conversations with experts, survivors, and those navigating their own journeys, In The Blink explores the resources, strategies, and support systems that help people heal. Because life can change in an instant—but so can the path to hope.

Information

  • Creator
    Meagan Oberle
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    In The Blink Podcast