Bump In The Road

Pat Wetzel: Award Winning Author, Podcaster, Storyteller

Everyone hits a bump in the road. What do you do with it? Every week my guests share their stories about how they've navigated their life's bumps and what they've learned along the way.

  1. Stories From A Life of Amazing Adventure

    1D AGO

    Stories From A Life of Amazing Adventure

    Substack subscribers can dive into exclusive, extended conversations from this podcast! To join the adventure, head to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com. Follow Bump on YouTube @BumpInTheRoadPodcast! "Paris is always a good idea." -from Sabrina And so it was that Margie Goldsmith headed to Paris to pursue her passion for writing and filmmaking. Add in a bit of romance, and you have an adventure for all times. But most importantly, Paris set the stage for a lifetime of adventure and recognition in music, writing and film, pushing her boundaries for personal transformation. Margie went on to write for Business Jet Traveler, Wine, Dine & Travel, and Food and Travel contributor has published over 1,000 articles for Forbes.com, O the Oprah Magazine, Bloomberg Pursuits, Robb Report, Saturday Evening Post, Travel and Leisure, The Wall Street Journal, The Globe & Mail and many others. She's won 101 writing awards including the coveted Lowell Thomas SATW Gold Award, Lowell Thomas Bronze Journalist of the Year Award, four Eddie and Ozzie Folio Awards, and multiple honors from ASJA, NATJA, the Solas Award, Travel Classics Award, and OWAA. She's produced movies and music, and so much more. Margie's accomplishments are many, but perhaps her favorite tales are from travel where she learned valuable lessons about compassion and humanity. Margie exemplifies one of my favorite sayings: "Always have a good tale to tell." My paid Substack subscribers can watch a special behind the scenes conversation with this amazing woman. Subscribe here. It's an Award Winning, Amazon best selling book! What they're saying: "This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road." –Pragito Dove "Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth." –Gary Hensel Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us Follow Bump on: ➡️ Twitter ➡️ Facebook ➡️ Substack ➡️ Instagram ➡️ YouTube

    33 min
  2. Using AI For Emotional Healing

    APR 15

    Using AI For Emotional Healing

    John Kammer started his career in cybersecurity, protecting data, privacy, and trust in the digital world. But his path took a deeply personal turn into the world of grief. Today, he's a grief support innovator using AI to build tools that honor loss with care—prioritizing dignity, privacy, and human vulnerability over shortcuts or exploitation. Substack subscribers can dive into exclusive, extended conversations from this podcast! To join the adventure, head to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com. Follow Bump on YouTube @BumpInTheRoadPodcast! In this episode, we explore how John's security background shapes his approach to protecting people in their most fragile moments, and how AI can support grief without ever replacing real human connection. We also dive into how his lived experience—marked by profound loss—led him to create technology that meets people in the quiet space between pain and expression. John is the founder of Guardian [AI]ngels, a platform designed for private, meaningful conversations with those we've lost. Born from his own struggle after losing close friends, the tool offers a way to say what was left unsaid. This conversation touches on grief, masculinity, trust, and the future of ethical, compassionate technology—designed not just to function, but to truly serve the human soul. It's an Award Winning, Amazon best selling book! What they're saying: "This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road." –Pragito Dove "Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth." –Gary Hensel Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us Follow Bump on: ➡️ Twitter ➡️ Facebook ➡️ Substack ➡️ Instagram ➡️ YouTube

    28 min
  3. Greg The Hydrogen Man

    APR 7

    Greg The Hydrogen Man

    Substack subscribers can dive into exclusive, extended conversations from this podcast! To join the adventure, head to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com. Follow Bump on YouTube @BumpInTheRoadPodcast! Greg has faced multiple health challenges, including autoimmune diseases and chronic illness. Part of what helped Greg pull through was simple-or not so simple-gratitude as he was forced to recognize and appreciate the "small things", like the ability to walk or breathe. In an effort to heal, many people find answers outside of traditional medicine. So did Greg, and his explorations took him to Japan and an unusual set of healing modalities: hydrogen therapy and truly clean water. If you're seeking inspiration or guidance on your own health journey, this episode offers valuable insights into finding happiness and healing through gratitude and self-awareness. And of course, hydrogen. It's an Award Winning, Amazon best selling book! What they're saying: "This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road." –Pragito Dove "Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth." –Gary Hensel Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us Follow Bump on: ➡️ Twitter ➡️ Facebook ➡️ Substack ➡️ Instagram ➡️ YouTube

    36 min
  4. Healing Begins Within

    MAR 31

    Healing Begins Within

    Substack subscribers can dive into exclusive, extended conversations from this podcast! To join the adventure, head to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com. Follow Bump on YouTube @BumpInTheRoadPodcast! The journey of personal evolution can be both daunting and liberating. In this episode, we delve deep into the experiences of individuals navigating the challenges of chronic illness, resilience, and self-discovery. Our guest, Heidi, shares her powerful story of transformation, beginning with her battle against chronic illness that started in 2011. After years of feeling trapped by her illness and the limitations it imposed, Heidie Blackie reached a turning point. In a moment of introspection, she recognized that her beliefs about healing were holding her back. 'If I don't believe, I can't heal,' she realized, marking the beginning of a profound shift in her mindset. This story is about the importance of self-awareness and the courage it takes to confront our beliefs. Small actions add up and mindset is everything. And along the waits often discomfort that catalyzes our evolution and transformation. Heidi personifies the path of turning your struggles into strength. Whether you're navigating your own challenges or seeking inspiration, this episode offers valuable insights into the journey of becoming your best self. It's an Award Winning, Amazon best selling book! What they're saying: "This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road." –Pragito Dove "Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth." –Gary Hensel Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us Follow Bump on: ➡️ Twitter ➡️ Facebook ➡️ Substack ➡️ Instagram ➡️ YouTube

    30 min
  5. Adversity as a Teacher

    MAR 24

    Adversity as a Teacher

    Substack subscribers can dive into exclusive, extended conversations from this podcast! To join the adventure, head to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com. Follow Bump on YouTube @BumpInTheRoadPodcast! Sometimes hardship allows what's most important to surface. For Debra Palmer, some bumps in the road led her to cultivate her own emotional intelligence. Feelings, she says, are messengers that merit listening to, for guidance and purpose. In a society that prioritizes linear logic over emotion, Debra stresses that it's emotional intelligence that fosters personal growth and understanding. Debra's professional journey led her to nursing where she eventually transitioned from traditional medicine to a more holistic approach that recognized the power of cultural beliefs and family systems in creating both health and disease. She advocates for a more compassionate, patient-centered approach to healthcare, one that considers the whole person rather than just the symptoms. And she recognizes the importance of neuroplasticity, particularly in trauma related situations This is a conversation full of challenge and joy. Debra's journey is about the power of resilience, the importance of self-discovery, and the continuous cycle of healing. And it highlights how Debra's personal philosophy of looking for joy in adversity is a behavioral role model for all of us. It's an Award Winning, Amazon best selling book! What they're saying: "This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road." –Pragito Dove "Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth." –Gary Hensel Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us Follow Bump on: ➡️ Twitter ➡️ Facebook ➡️ Substack ➡️ Instagram ➡️ YouTube

    31 min
  6. Finding Personal Growth in Mid-Life

    MAR 18

    Finding Personal Growth in Mid-Life

    Subscribers can dive into exclusive, extended conversations from this podcast! To join the adventure, head to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com. Follow Bump on YouTube @BumpInTheRoadPodcast! And on YouTube @BumpInTheRoadPodcast The world rewards our external achievements-titles, conforming to norms, possessions. But does our personal authenticity align with such a viewpoint? Bridget Beldin achieved the "American dream"-a good job, a loving family, and even a Volvo station wagon! But she felt an unshakeable emptiness. Something was missing. So she embarked on a journey to uncover her true self. 'What are the keys to navigating such a life shaking transition? For Bridget, it meant discovering the importance of being value-driven and staying true to oneself. Learning to listen to one's intuition is vital, particularly in the face of fear. But the fear can also be a catalyst for change. Leaning into it by cultivating mindfulness and creating a space for stillness, answers from our inner wisdom can emerge. Bridget's journey is a reminder that joy comes from within and is a choice we make every day. As she navigates her own mid-life, she inspires us to find our own joy as well. It's an Award Winning, Amazon best selling book! What they're saying: "This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road." –Pragito Dove "Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth." –Gary Hensel Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us Follow Bump on: ➡️ Twitter ➡️ Facebook ➡️ Substack ➡️ Instagram ➡️ YouTube

    28 min
  7. Going Menopausal!

    MAR 17

    Going Menopausal!

    Subscribers can dive into exclusive, extended conversations from this podcast! To join the adventure, head to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com. Follow Bump on YouTube @BumpInTheRoadPodcast! More than half the medical care we get in the US may not be "based on or supported by adequate evidence," according to the US National Academy of Medicine—but the single most patient-betraying area is medical care for menopause and perimenopause. And Amy Alkon is tackling the subject head on. Her book GOING MENOPOSTAL What You (and Your Doctor) Need to Know about THE REAL SCIENCE of Menopause and Perimenopause is eye opening for women of all ages. Amy dispels myths, tackles the medical establishment and provides assurance and hope for women facing this natural evolution of their life cycle. Amy is a passionate advocate and storyteller with a key message for anyone facing the medical establishment. Educate yourself and take charge. You are your best advocate. It's an Award Winning, Amazon best selling book! What they're saying: "This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road." –Pragito Dove "Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth." –Gary Hensel Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us Follow Bump on: ➡️ Twitter ➡️ Facebook ➡️ Substack ➡️ Instagram ➡️ YouTube

    22 min
  8. Clarity As A Precursor To Change

    MAR 10

    Clarity As A Precursor To Change

    Subscribers can dive into exclusive, extended conversations from this podcast! To join the adventure, head to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com. Prefer video? Follow Bump on YouTube @BumpInTheRoadPodcast! Would you like to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing? Riana Malia shares her incredible story, illustrating how life's challenges can lead to profound personal growth. From navigating the tumultuous waters of divorce to the painful experience of familial estrangement, Riana's narrative is one of resilience and empowerment. Part of her journey is about discovering how to clear out old narratives that no longer serve. From there, clarity and intuition, guided by core values and non-negotiable, pave the path for meaningful change and personal evolution. This episode serves as a reminder that healing is possible, and that we all have the power to rewrite our stories. If you're ready to let go of the past and step into a brighter future, this story is a must-listen. Tune in and discover how you can transform your life, one step at a time. It's an Award Winning, Amazon best selling book! What they're saying: "This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road." –Pragito Dove "Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth." –Gary Hensel Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us Follow Bump on: ➡️ Twitter ➡️ Facebook ➡️ Substack ➡️ Instagram ➡️ YouTube

    38 min
5
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

Everyone hits a bump in the road. What do you do with it? Every week my guests share their stories about how they've navigated their life's bumps and what they've learned along the way.