Real Things Living

Brigitte Cutshall

Discover the real things that matter in life. Real Things Living explores resilience, connection, and navigating life’s challenges. Host Brigitte Cutshall shares her journey of surviving cancer twice and a rare brain tumor, offering insights to help you focus on what’s important and find strength. Each episode features practical tips and inspiring stories from Brigitte and her guests to help you overcome adversity, build resilience, and create a meaningful life.

  1. 20h ago

    He Asked Himself One Hard Question — Then Chose to Live / Devin Fish

    16 moves before he turned 18. Another 16 in the Army. Here's what it built. Devin Fish grew up in poverty, moving constantly and eventually joining the Army at 18 to escape instability at home. After a decade of service — including a mental health crisis that landed him in the hospital — he channeled his lowest point into his memoir, "Answering the Hard Questions." Devin talks with Brigitte Cutshall about resilience, faith, and why telling the truth about your story might be the thing someone else needs to survive theirs. 3 Takeaways (1) Instability builds capacity, not just damage. (2) The hardest chapter became the whole point. (3) Authenticity is the antidote to a fake world. Grab a copy of "Answering the Hard Questions" on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or as an ebook. Follow Devin's new YouTube channel, Answering the Hard Questions, for his daily reflections. https://www.youtube.com/@9d7fish Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/devin.fish.79/

    He Asked Himself One Hard Question — Then Chose to Live / Devin Fish

  2. 4d ago

    Why Your Mouth Might Be Driving Inflammation Everywhere Else / Dr. Eugene Antenucci

    Dr. Eugene Antenucci — dentist, LSU dental school instructor, and author of "A Journey of a Thousand Smiles" — joins Brigitte Cutshall on Real Things Living to break down the mouth-body connection most people never learn about. We cover gum disease and chronic inflammation, the blue zones' link between longevity, family, and movement, why sugar is a bigger threat than most realize, and how to find a doctor who actually listens. Key Takeaways: (1) Your mouth mirrors your whole-body health: Gum disease sends bacteria and inflammation straight into your bloodstream, quietly affecting your heart, immune system, and long-term vitality. (2) Longevity is built, not inherited: Blue zone research ties long life to daily nutrition, movement, and family/community connection. (3) Advocate for yourself: Persistence in finding a provider who truly listens, and getting second opinions, can change the trajectory of your health. Connect with Dr. Antenucci: Website - https://drgene.health/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eugene_antenucci/ Check out his book, "A Journey of a Thousand Smiles" - https://tinyurl.com/5j5jrduh

    Why Your Mouth Might Be Driving Inflammation Everywhere Else / Dr. Eugene Antenucci

  3. Aug 31

    Control-Alt-Delete: How Thayne Martin Rebooted His Life Using Neuroscience

    Can you actually rewire your nervous system to get unstuck? In this episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall speaks with transformation coach Thayne Martin to discuss trauma recovery, emotional intelligence, and how experiential neuroscience can reset your life. After surviving severe childhood trauma, over-medication, and a near-death drowning accident, Thayne experienced a total "control-alt-delete" reset. He discovered why traditional talk therapy alone wasn't keeping him from feeling stuck—and how simple, physical action retrains the brain far faster than reading or talking ever could. Key Topics Covered: Dealing with constant life changes and stepping out of fear The near-death experience that acted as a life reset button Experiential neuroscience: How doing physically rewires your brain Practical tools for managing anger, amygdala triggers, and emotional intelligence Metacognition: Moving from default mode to becoming the observer of your mind Connect with Thayne Martin and learn more about his work at https://itspurelove.com

    Control-Alt-Delete: How Thayne Martin Rebooted His Life Using Neuroscience

  4. Aug 26

    Unfiltered Truth: From Poverty and Pain to Blue-Collar Purpose / Denny LaVe

    Denny LaVe joins Brigitte to talk about a life defined by pivots — from a broken childhood in Montana, to a near-fatal heat stroke that ended his Marine Corps dream, to nearly taking vows as a monk, to marriage, fatherhood, and building a construction company from the ground up. He opens up about the "shame culture" he grew up in, the years of stoicism that quietly strained his marriage, and the therapy-fueled journey that led to his bestselling book, "Blue Collar Blessed." The conversation also digs into his run for U.S. Senate in Idaho, the state of the trades, and why he believes learning to love yourself is the real starting point for everything else. Key Takeaways (1) Self-Compassion Drives Healing. (2) Embrace the Power of Pivoting. (3) There is Dignity and Success in the Trades. Ready to rewrite your story? Pick up a copy of Denny LaVe's international bestseller, "Blue Collar Blessed", on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and visit https://NewLionofIdaho.com to learn more.

    Unfiltered Truth: From Poverty and Pain to Blue-Collar Purpose / Denny LaVe

  5. Aug 22

    Rewiring Trauma from the Inside Out / Dr. Judith Swack

    A biochemist accidentally became a pioneer in trauma-clearing therapy—and it all started when she couldn't figure out her own dating life. Dr. Judith Swack was told repeatedly by mentors that she had a "research mind" and belonged in a lab, leading her to earn a PhD in biochemistry and neurochemistry. However, personal struggles in her dating life introduced her to Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) and the power of the unconscious mind. After an insistent social worker pushed her to expand her focus beyond simple phobias, Dr. Judith mapped the biological structure of trauma, identifying it as the hidden root of most physical and emotional struggles. Key Takeaways: (1) Trauma is a physical reflex, not just a mental state. (2) Tapping activates the body's natural "off switch". (3) True healing addresses root causes rather than identities. Pick up a copy of Dr. Judith Swack's book, "Clear Trauma Now" (available in paperback and eBook on Amazon) and visit https://hblu.org to claim a free consultation or register for her upcoming live trauma-healing webinar series!

    Rewiring Trauma from the Inside Out / Dr. Judith Swack

  6. Aug 17

    NIL & Mental Health: The Real Cost of Winning / Jay Paterno

    College sports used to be about the love of the game. Now the money, the betting, and the pressure are rewriting what it means to be a young athlete. Brigitte Cutshall sits down with author, coach, and commentator - Jay Paterno - for an eye-opening conversation on the shifting landscape of college athletics. From the financial pressures of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and rampant sports gambling to the mental health strains on young athletes, Jay breaks down why human connection and authentic leadership are more critical now than ever. He also discusses his novel "Blitzed" - which offers a candid, reality-based look at the hidden challenges facing modern coaches and players. 3 Main Takeaways: (1) Money changes everything. NIL deals and sports betting have introduced pressures — from family expectations to online harassment — that didn't exist a few years ago, even trickling down to high schoolers. (2) "A want-to, not a have-to." The healthiest athletes are the ones playing because they love it — research shows kids just want their parents to say "I enjoyed watching you play," not critique their performance. (3) Human connection is the antidote. As technology isolates young people, mentors, coaches, and team communities play a critical role in keeping kids grounded and supported. Know a young athlete or sports parent navigating this new landscape? Share this episode with them, and find more from Jay Paterno at https://www.jayvpaterno.com/

    NIL & Mental Health: The Real Cost of Winning / Jay Paterno

  7. Aug 12

    The Guy With Stage 4 Breast Cancer / Jake Messier

    Less than 1% of breast cancer diagnoses belong to men—leaving Jake Messier on a mission to demand representation in a system that often forgets they exist. Jake Messier, a former Marine and marketer turned patient advocate living with stage IV male breast cancer, joins Brigitte Cutshall to talk about finding a lump while putting on deodorant, navigating the isolated reality of a traditionally female-centered diagnosis, and confronting the reality that male breast cancer cases have gone largely unstudied for decades. Jake shares how he turned his diagnosis into advocacy, becoming the first male patient appointed to a Susan G. Komen board, and opens up about vulnerability, finding daily joy, and making every moment count. 3 Takeaways: (1) Male breast cancer is rare (about 1 in 726 men) but under-researched — there's never been dedicated funding comparing male vs. female cases. (2) Social stigma, not disease severity, drives higher mortality in men — most boys are never taught to check for lumps the way girls are. (3) Saying your scariest fears out loud — to a partner, a doctor, anyone — takes away their power. Follow Jake on TikTok and Instagram @theguywithstage4breastcanceror visit theguywithstage4breastcancer.com for resources and direct support. Don't forget to subscribe to Real Things Living for more authentic, unfiltered conversations on living with purpose!

    The Guy With Stage 4 Breast Cancer / Jake Messier

  8. Aug 8

    Just Keep Tri-ing: James Logan's Stage 4 Cancer Comeback

    He was given six months to live. Twenty-five months later, he's training for the Ironman World Championship. James Logan was 59, in the best shape of his life, and training for triathlons when a stage four cancer diagnosis gave him six months to two years to live. In this episode of Real Things Living, James opens up about the six-month mental shift from "worrying about dying to worrying about living," how he kept training through 24 rounds of chemo and major surgeries, and why he wrote his book, "Just Keep Tri-ing", to bring hope to others walking the same road. His story is proof that a terminal diagnosis can become the start of the most purposeful chapter of your life. 100% of proceeds support the Ironman Foundation! 3 Takeaways: (1) The mindset shift is the real battle. James says the turning point wasn't physical — it was surrendering the fear of dying and deciding to focus only on today. (2) Purpose fuels healing. Training for Ironman Kona and writing his book gave him something to move toward, and he credits that pursuit with helping his recovery. (3) You measure a life by impact, not time. James's guiding question — how many people can I positively impact before I go — reshaped how he spends every day. Follow James on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stage42025/ Grab his book to help support the Ironman Foundation - https://justkeeptri-ing.com/

    Just Keep Tri-ing: James Logan's Stage 4 Cancer Comeback
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5
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

Discover the real things that matter in life. Real Things Living explores resilience, connection, and navigating life’s challenges. Host Brigitte Cutshall shares her journey of surviving cancer twice and a rare brain tumor, offering insights to help you focus on what’s important and find strength. Each episode features practical tips and inspiring stories from Brigitte and her guests to help you overcome adversity, build resilience, and create a meaningful life.

Information

  • Creator
    Brigitte Cutshall
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    293
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Brigitte Cutshall
  • Show Website
    Real Things Living