Intent on Purpose

Laura Hansen Breksa

Helping you invest your time, energy, and talents where they matter most.

  1. 1d ago

    Decarceration Fights Recidivism. Maryam Uloho's Program to Help Heal Prison Trauma

    Intentional Decarceration: How Maryam Henderson-Uloho Built Purpose from Pain & Reclaimed Her Humanity and Helps Others Do the Same   When institutions strip away your freedom, identity, and dignity, how do you align your time, energy, and talents toward what truly matters?   In this deeply moving encore episode of Intent on Purpose, Laura sits down with long-time friend Miriam Henderson-Uloho, founder of Sister Hearts Thrift Shop and the decarceration program, featured subject on Netflix’s Queer Eye (Season 7, Episode 6), and a true force of intentional living. Based on her experience and natural caring for others, Maryam turned profound suffering into an unwavering, laser-focused mission and channels every ounce of her energy into building a movement that restores dignity to formerly incarcerated people.   In this episode, we explore the power of: Institutionalism   Starting Fresh and Reclaiming What Was Taken   A Clear Vision   Practice Vocabulary   Sister Hearts and Radical Love   Investment of Energy   Listen in to learn how Maryam’s fierce focus, clarity of vision, and intentional action transformed deep hardship into a legacy of hope. More about Sister Hearts: From sisterhearts.org "SisterHearts is a supportive community network of compassionate people and organizations working towards dismantling a failing prison system that too often contributes to recidivism. SisterHearts, Inc. was founded in June 2014 as an innovative, community-driven response to the challenge of reducing recidivism and crime in New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 300 participants and one percent (1%) recidivism rate, SisterHearts has proven that its decarceration approach is transformational and a successful means to reverse the trauma of incarceration. SisterHearts serves as a bridge for inmates to cross into society and for the community to be supportive of disenfranchised individuals. Maryam Henderson-Uloho and her SisterHearts decarceration program have become internationally recognized. SisterHearts, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation under the IRS 501(c) (3) status operating in the State of Louisiana." #prisons #sisterhearts

    Decarceration Fights Recidivism. Maryam Uloho's Program to Help Heal Prison Trauma
  2. Aug 4

    How a Navy Veteran Invests His Time & Talents in Service | STARRS & Community Action

    In this episode, host Laura Hansen Breksa sits down with retired U.S. Navy Reserve Officer Steven Michaels. Steven shares how he applies his decades of military leadership, technical expertise, and passion for service in his post-military life—from his deployment in Afghanistan to serving as a neighborhood captain in Arizona. For Steven, supporting the military advocacy group STARRS is one of the primary places he chooses to direct his personal time, energy, and talents. He breaks down why this cause matters so deeply to him and how he works to educate his local community and support fellow service members. 👉 How are you investing your own time, energy, and talents where they matter most? Share your perspective in the comments below, hit the Like button, and subscribe to join the conversation! Get to Know Steven MichaelsMilitary Service: Served 29 years in the United States Navy Reserve as an engineering officer, retiring as a veteran who deployed as an Individual Augmentee (IA) to Afghanistan in 2009.Corporate Career: Spent decades working global engineering and leadership roles at major tech and defense corporations, including Motorola and Northrop Grumman.Roots & Values: Raised by parents who were both U.S. Army veterans (who met while serving), instilling in him a lifelong commitment to duty, community support, and country.Community Leadership: Active state leader for STARRS in Arizona and serves locally as a neighborhood captain, dedicating his time to helping neighbors and organizing community action.About STARRS (Stand Together Against Racism and Radicalism in the Services)During the episode, Steven shares his work as the Arizona State Leader for STARRS (Stand Together Against Racism and Radicalism in the Services). What is STARRS? Mission: An organization composed primarily of retired military officers, veterans, and concerned citizens dedicated to preserving merit-based standards, unity, and operational readiness within the U.S. Armed Forces and service academies.Core Focus: Advocating against what it views as divisive social agendas, political ideologies, and identity-based policies within the military. Key Initiatives:Gathering testimony, data, and affidavits from service academy cadets and military personnel.Offering legal support and advocacy for service members facing career disruptions over policy disputes or mandates.Educating the public and leaders on maintaining a mission-focused, meritocratic defense force. Connect & Resources: Learn more about STARRS: https://www.starrs.usSteven’s Blog: https://majorfoobar.wordpress.com 🔔 Subscribe to Intent on Purpose for weekly insights on putting your talents to work and investing your life where it counts! #IntentOnPurpose #MilitaryVeterans #STARRS #NavyReserve #CommunityLeadership #InvestYourTime #Leadership #VeteransInAction #PurposeDrivenLife

    How a Navy Veteran Invests His Time & Talents in Service | STARRS & Community Action
  3. Jul 29

    Hope and Help to Hop Hurdles with Sean A. Wilson

    What do you do when you come across a hurdle to where you want to go? In this episode of Intent on Purpose, I sit down with Sean A. Wilson—Mayor of Waynesville, Missouri, retired U.S. Army First Sergeant, Bronze Star recipient, licensed professional counselor, pastor, author, and CEO—to discuss what it really takes to move beyond the hurdles that keep us stuck. Drawing from his experiences in military service, counseling, leadership, and faith, Sean shares why our greatest growth often lies on the other side of fear. Together, we explore how hope gives us traction when life feels overwhelming, why asking for help is a sign of strength rather than weakness, and how every hardship can prepare us for the future God has planned. Whether you're facing discouragement, navigating a difficult season, or simply looking for encouragement to keep moving forward, this conversation offers practical wisdom and lasting hope. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why avoiding obstacles keeps us from peace and fulfillment. • How hope becomes the "traction" that helps us move forward. • The importance of counseling, community, and asking for help. • How God uses life's challenges to prepare us for what's ahead. • Why patience is essential for building strong, meaningful relationships. If this conversation encourages you, please like, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a little hope today. Connect with Intent on Purpose Helping you intentionally invest your time, energy, and talents in what matters most. #IntentOnPurpose #SeanWilson #MentalHealth #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndMentalHealth #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #Counseling #Hope #OvercomingObstacles #Leadership #Discipline #ChristianLiving #Purpose #Healing #Relationships

    Hope and Help to Hop Hurdles 
with Sean A. Wilson
  4. Jul 22

    Saving Energy Through Knowing How to Respond to What We Can't Control

    What if the quality of our lives is shaped by the quality of our thoughts? In the newest episode of Intent on Purpose, I sit down with Dr. Wayne H. Bowen to explore how our thoughts, choices, and education influence the way we navigate life. Drawing from the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius and the Stoic philosophers, we discuss a powerful reminder: we cannot control everything that happens around us—but we can choose how we respond. This conversation invites us to reflect: 💭 Are we focusing our energy on what we can control? 💭 How are our thoughts shaping our happiness? 💭 How can education expand our perspective and prepare us for change? Dr. Bowen shares how education is about more than career preparation. It helps us understand ourselves, see the world with greater perspective, adapt to change, and become lifelong learners. In a world that is constantly changing, perhaps one of the greatest skills we can develop is the ability to think well, choose intentionally, and keep growing. Listen to the latest episode of Intent on Purpose and consider: What thoughts are you choosing today—and where are they leading you? Get to know Dr. Bowen: Wayne H. Bowen is Professor of History and Interim Dean for the College of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Central Florida. He received a B.A. in History from the University of Southern California, an M.A. and Ph.D. in European History from Northwestern University, and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. He has authored eleven books, seven on Spanish history, and more than two dozen journal articles, work that has been published in ten countries and translated into Spanish, Polish, French, and Turkish. Bowen served 30 years in the Army Reserve, retiring as a colonel. #IntentOnPurpose #PersonalGrowth #LifelongLearning #Leadership #Mindset #Education #PurposeDrivenLife

    Saving Energy Through Knowing How to Respond to What We Can't Control
  5. Jun 29

    There is Help to Teach Your Child with Dyslexia to Read at Home, Faye Casell

    What happens when someone discovers a problem and sets out to develop their talents to solve it not only for one person but for many? In this episode of Intent on Purpose, Laura Hansen Breksa sits down with dyslexia therapist and Certified Academic Language Therapist Faye Casell, who has devoted her talents, time, and energy to helping children experience the life-changing gift of reading. Faye explains why dyslexia is not a measure of intelligence, why many bright children are overlooked, and why waiting until third grade to seek help can have lifelong consequences. After years of working with struggling readers—and navigating learning differences in her own family—she created affordable tools that empower parents to help their children learn to read at home. This conversation is about far more than reading. It's about recognizing a need, using your gifts to serve others, and giving children the confidence to believe, "I'm not broken. My brain just learns differently." In this episode you'll learn: The remarkable strengths many dyslexic thinkers possessWhy early intervention mattersHow parents can become confident reading coachesWhy reading struggles never define a child's intelligenceHow one educator transformed decades of specialized training into a mission to serve thousands of families If you've ever wondered how your talents could make a lasting difference in someone else's life, this conversation will inspire you. Connect with Faye Casell • https://homereadingcoach.com/ • Teach My Child to Read (YouTube) • Free Dyslexia Roadmap for Families If this episode encouraged you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a parent, teacher, grandparent, or friend who loves helping children succeed. Intent on Purpose is a podcast about investing your time, energy, and talents where they matter most—and learning from people who are doing exactly that. Meet Faye: Faye is a Dyslexia therapist and Certified Academic Language Therapist. Through e-courses, parent coaching, socials & You Tube, Faye empowers parents to teach their dyslexic child to read at home. #Dyslexia #ParentingTips #TeachYourChildToRead #ReadingHelp #SpecialEducation

    There is Help to Teach Your Child with Dyslexia to Read at Home, Faye Casell
  6. Jun 24

    Forget About Being a "Good Girl,” Become an Awesome Woman with Isha Julka

    Are you living by your own version of success, or are you operating on "borrowed beliefs"? In this episode of Intent on Purpose, host Laura Hansen Breksa sits down with women's advocate and mindset coach Isha Julka to discuss how women over 35 can reclaim their voice, agency, and self-trust. After leaving a career that looked perfect on paper but felt empty on the inside, Isha had to completely repaint her identity on a blank slate. She shares her powerful journey of breaking free from cultural and parental "good girl" conditioning, unlearning the habit of silencing her voice to make others comfortable, and shifting from survival mode to thriving. Tune in to learn how to retrain your nervous system for safety, break old neural pathways, and use energy embodiment to literally step into the future you want to create today. ✨ Connect with Isha: Instagram: @theemboldenedvoiceLinkedIn: Isha Julka (Search by name)Keep an eye out for Isha’s upcoming book and soul-searching PDF guide!⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction: Reclaiming your voice and agency after 35 0:53 - The illusion of outward success & feeling empty at the top 2:30 - Losing a corporate identity and facing the "blank slate" 4:00 - Performance vs. Love: Overcoming the need to prove your worth 5:10 - What are "borrowed beliefs"? 6:44 - Why we silence our voices to make others comfortable 7:59 - Embracing the "difficult woman" label 8:35 - Cultural conditioning, fear vs. respect, and the "operating system" of the mind 11:32 - What is nervous system safety and how to build it 13:14 - The neuroscience of breaking old habits and forming new neural connections 15:10 - How to shift from survival to thriving using the mind-body connection 16:05 - What is "Energy Embodiment" and our 29 senses? 19:06 - Giving your body a taste of the future today 21:20 - The power of a daily gratitude practice 24:00 - Where to find Isha, her upcoming book, and coaching options Intent on Purpose Podcast, Laura Hansen Breksa, Isha Julka, Mindset Coach for Women, Reclaiming Your Voice, Nervous System Regulation, Mind Body Connection, Energy Embodiment, Good Girl Conditioning, Personal Growth After 35, Corporate Burnout, Rewriting Your Identity, Overcoming People Pleasing, Women Empowerment.

    Forget About Being a "Good Girl,” Become an Awesome Woman
with Isha Julka

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5
out of 5
2 Ratings

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Helping you invest your time, energy, and talents where they matter most.