Monomyth Diaries: Real Stories of Transformation & Personal Growth

  1. 2d ago

    The Silence That Shaped Me | Heather Leon on Childhood Trauma, Shame & Finding Hope (part 1)

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! Can the wounds we never talk about quietly shape the person we become—or can healing begin when we finally bring them into the light? Every hero’s journey begins with an ordinary world, but sometimes the experiences that shape us are the ones no one else ever sees. Before Heather Leon found healing and freedom, she spent years carrying childhood trauma, shame, distorted self-worth, and silent pain that influenced nearly every relationship and decision she made. In Part One of Heather’s Monomyth, she shares what it was like growing up in a loving Christian home while hiding the effects of childhood sexual trauma. Heather speaks candidly about body image struggles, the fear of not being believed, abusive relationships, hypersexuality, alcohol, miscarriage, and the exhausting search for love and acceptance in places that could never truly satisfy. As her story unfolds, Heather begins to recognize how silence gave shame its power—and how reaching her breaking point became the beginning of surrender. Her journey reminds us that healing doesn’t begin when life becomes easier. It begins when we’re finally honest enough to ask for help. Whether you’ve experienced childhood trauma, struggled with your self-worth, carried shame for years, questioned God’s presence in your pain, or wondered if healing is possible, Heather’s story offers hope that no chapter is beyond redemption. ⚠️ Content Advisory This episode contains discussions of childhood sexual abuse, trauma, abusive relationships, miscarriage, alcohol abuse, sexual brokenness, and mental health. Some listeners may find portions of this conversation emotionally difficult. Listener discretion is advised. This Episode Is For You If… You’ve experienced childhood trauma or abuse.You’ve carried shame that feels impossible to escape.You’ve struggled with body image or self-worth.You’ve found yourself repeating unhealthy relationship patterns.You’ve questioned where God was during your deepest pain.You’re wondering whether healing is truly possible.What We Hope You’ll Take Away Silence often protects our wounds instead of healing them.Shame loses its power when truth is brought into the light.Childhood trauma does not have to define the rest of your story.Asking for help is not weakness—it’s the beginning of transformation.Even our darkest chapters can become part of a story of hope.Topics Covered Childhood traumaSexual abuseShameSelf-worthBody imageHypersexualityAbusive relationshipsAlcohol abuseMiscarriageFaithHealingPersonal growthHero’s JourneyContinue Your Journey Continue Heather’s story in Part Two, where she shares how surrender became the turning point of her life, the practical tools that helped her rebuild her identity, and how faith, forgiveness, healthy boundaries, and God’s grace transformed her marriage, ministry, and purpose. You may also enjoy: Melissa Villa — Finding healing, identity, and freedom after years of searching for love and acceptance. Nikki — Letting go of control and discovering faith through anxiety and surrender. 🔗 Links & Resources    Connect with Heather:    Verses referenced: leon.heather1102@gmail.com 1 Peter 5:7Genesis 1:28Genesis 25:21Psalm 127:3Mark 11:24Romans 12:12Luke 1:13–21Isaiah 54📢 Call to Action ✅ What part of Heather’s story resonated with you? Have you ever discovered that silence was shaping your life more than you realized? We’d love to hear your reflections at monomythdiaries.com. ✅ Follow Monomyth Diaries and subscribe for weekly conversations about healing, resilience, faith, personal growth, and the Hero’s Journey. 🌐 Learn more about The Cottages Coworking Space: https://www.coworkingcottages.com/ 📍The Cottages Coworking Space 23015 Colonial Pkwy, Building A, Suite A-108 Katy, TX 77449 Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  2. Sep 15

    How I Found Joy After Losing My Husband | Melissa Villa (part 2)

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! How do you find joy again after losing the person you’ve shared your life with for 27 years? Every hero’s journey includes seasons of unimaginable loss—but sometimes those seasons become the beginning of unexpected transformation. After the devastating loss of her husband of 27 years, Melissa Villa found herself asking the same questions so many grieving people ask: How do I keep going? Will life ever feel joyful again? In this heartfelt episode of Monomyth Diaries, Melissa shares what life looked like after loss and how she slowly discovered that grief and joy can exist together. She opens up about the role faith played in her healing, learning to embrace a new future without forgetting the life she cherished, and finding purpose in unexpected places. Melissa also shares her journey of adopting her daughter, Imani, finding freedom from years of shame and sexual brokenness, and discovering purpose after profound loss. Her journey reminds us that while suffering changes us, it doesn’t have to define us. Whether you’re grieving the loss of a spouse, navigating heartbreak, rebuilding your life after tragedy, or searching for hope in difficult circumstances, Melissa’s story offers compassion, encouragement, and the reminder that healing is possible. ⚠️ Content Advisory: This episode may contain sensitive topics and may not be suitable for minors. Topics may include honest conversations about family conflict, abortions, trauma and mental health challenges, addictions, alcoholism, suicide, sexual assault and violence, etc.  Some parts may feel heavy or triggering. Listener discretion is advised. This Episode Is For You If…You’ve lost a spouse or someone you deeply love.You’re walking through grief and wondering if joy will ever return.You’re trying to trust God after heartbreaking circumstances.You’re rebuilding your life after a major loss.You’re carrying shame from your past and longing for freedom.You need hope that your story isn’t over.What We Hope You’ll Take AwayGrief and joy can coexist.Healing doesn’t mean forgetting.Faith can provide hope when life doesn’t make sense.Our greatest pain can become part of our greatest purpose.There is life after unimaginable loss.Topics Covered Healing after losing a spouseGriefWidowhoodFaith during sufferingFinding joy againAdoptionFreedom from shameHealing from sexual brokennessPersonal growthPurpose after lossTransformationHero’s JourneyContinue Your Journey: Christina — Finding gratitude after the heartbreaking loss of her infant son.Nikki — Letting go of control and discovering faith through anxiety.Join us for part two of Melissa’s Monomyth as we explore how even in our darkest seasons, hope can still emerge and healing can still begin. 🔗 Links & Resources  If you want to know more:  Reach out to Melissa, you can email her.   📧 mlvilla20@yahoo.com ⸻ Explore the tools and books in this episode: 🌐Theophostic Prayer Ministry: 📢 Call to Action  ✅ What part of Melissa’s journey resonated with you? Have you ever experienced joy and grief existing side by side? Share your thoughts with us at monomythdiaries.com ✅ Follow Monomyth Diaries and subscribe for weekly conversations about healing, resilience, faith, personal growth, and the Hero’s Journey. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Hopeful for future 0:31 Intro 48:03 Welcome & Recap 1:31 Theophostic Prayer Counseling 5:25 Greatest Desire 7:17 Fighting Desire & Temptation 11:48 White Knuckling & Blame 14:00 Stay the course 16:40 Identity in Things 22:48 Healing & Heart Transformation 26:3- Gratitude 27:30 Another Unexpected Blessing 37:20 Moving to Texas 47:12 When Life Was Shaken Again 48:50 The Wedding Ring Makeover 50:50 Trips 57:50 Heartbreaking Loss 1:01:36 Grief & Healing 1:15:05 Wisdom, Knowledge & Understanding 1:19:00 Freedom 1:24:39 Favorite Scripture 1:25:29 Connect with Melissa 1:26:40 Uplifting Others 1:27:29 Ring Conclusion 1:29:29 Attitude of Graditutde Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream your favorite shows! Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  3. Sep 1

    Searching for Love, Identity, and Healing | Melissa Villa (part 1)

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! Can childhood wounds and broken relationships shape the rest of your life—or can healing rewrite your story? Every hero’s journey begins with an ordinary world, but for many of us, that world is shaped by experiences we never chose. Before Melissa Villa found healing and freedom, she spent years searching for love, acceptance, and identity in places that could never truly satisfy. In Part One of Melissa’s Monomyth, she shares her early life, the experiences that shaped her understanding of love and relationships, and the painful patterns that followed her into adulthood. Melissa speaks openly about shame, sexual brokenness, the desire to be loved, and the internal struggles that left her feeling empty despite searching for fulfillment. As her story unfolds, Melissa begins to recognize that lasting transformation isn’t found through striving or perfection, but through surrender, truth, and a relationship with God that changes the heart from the inside out. Whether you’ve wrestled with shame, searched for your identity in relationships, struggled with temptation, or wondered if your past has defined your future, Melissa’s story is a reminder that every journey toward healing begins with one courageous step. ⚠️ Content Advisory: This episode may contain sensitive topics and may not be suitable for minors. Topics may include honest conversations about family conflict, abortions, trauma and mental health challenges, addictions, alcoholism, suicide, sexual assault and violence. Some parts may feel heavy or triggering. Listener discretion is advised. This Episode Is For You If… You’ve struggled to find your identity or self-worth.You’ve searched for love and acceptance in unhealthy places.You’re carrying shame from past choices or experiences.You’re battling temptation or destructive patterns.You’re longing for healing and lasting heart transformation.You’re wondering if freedom is truly possible.What We Hope You’ll Take Away Our past does not have to determine our future.Healing often begins by telling the truth.Lasting transformation starts in the heart.Shame loses its power when it is brought into the light.God can redeem even the most painful chapters of our story.Topics Covered IdentityShameChildhood woundsRelationshipsSexual brokennessTemptationHeart transformationFaithHealingFreedomPersonal growthHero’s JourneyContinue Your Journey Continue Melissa’s story in Part Two, where she shares how profound loss, grief, and unexpected blessings became some of the greatest boons of her hero’s journey. You may also enjoy: Tyler — Healing from trauma, shame, and addiction and finding faith.Nikki — Letting go of control and discovering faith through anxiety.🔗 Links & Resources  If you want to know more:  Reach out to Melissa, you can email her.   📧 mlvilla20@yahoo.com ⸻ Explore the tools and books in this episode: 🌐Theophostic Prayer Ministry: 📢 Call to Action ✅ What part of Melissa’s story resonated with you? Have you ever experienced a season where you searched for identity or love in the wrong places? We’d love to hear your reflections at monomythdiaries.com. ✅ Follow Monomyth Diaries and subscribe for weekly conversations about healing, resilience, faith, personal growth, and the Hero’s Journey. CHAPTERS: 0:00 God Said, “Fight” 0:52 Welcome to Monomyth Diaries 1:11 Meet Melissa Villa 1:38 Sponsored by The Cottages Co-Working Space 2:05 Related Episode: Cyndi Dinh 2:27 Monomyth Story Starters 2:53 The F4 Framework Explained 3:20 Weston’s Addiction & Recovery Story 10:49 Tara’s Healing Journey 11:20 Melissa’s Early Life 18:00 The Childhood Trauma That Shaped Her  22:35 Adolescence and Identity  23:53 When Life Changed Overnight  40:45 Marriage at a Young Age  47:00 Struggling to Hold It Together  49:00 Discovering Promise Keepers  54:00 The Pain of Betrayal  58:40 The Catalyst for Transformation  1:01:45 Closing Reflections Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  4. Aug 18

    Urgently Called: Doctors Couldn’t Explain Why She Was Alive | Borrowing Miracles with Regan

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What would you do if a doctor told you there was no medical explanation for why you were alive? Sometimes one extraordinary story becomes the miracle someone else needs to keep believing. In this special Borrowing Miracles episode of Monomyth Diaries, we sit down with Regan Caruthers—author of Tragic Magic, spiritual teacher, and founder of Aset Yoga Center—to explore the miraculous turning point that changed the course of her life. After decades of building a beautiful life in California, Regan received an unmistakable message during meditation: leave everything and return home to Missouri. Months later came another urgent prompting—to see a doctor immediately. What followed was a shocking diagnosis of a life-threatening congenital heart defect that physicians believed should have taken her life years before it was ever discovered. Regan shares how intuition, faith, and radical obedience led her through open-heart surgery and into a deeper purpose of serving others. She also tells the remarkable story of a student who later revealed that meeting Regan may have saved her own life—a reminder that miracles rarely stop with the person who experiences them. Whether you’ve questioned your intuition, wrestled with faith, survived the impossible, or simply need hope today, Regan’s story reminds us that sometimes another person’s miracle can strengthen our own belief. Join us for this Borrowing Miracles bonus episode as we explore intuition, faith, survival, and what it means to borrow belief from someone else’s story. ⚠️ Content Advisory: This episode may contain sensitive topics and may not be suitable for minors. Topics may include honest conversations about trauma, serious medical diagnoses, grief, spiritual experiences, mental health struggles, suicidal thoughts, and life-altering events. Some parts may feel heavy or triggering. Listener discretion is advised. This Episode Is For You If… • You’ve ever wondered whether intuition or spiritual guidance is real. • You’re facing a frightening medical diagnosis. • You’re searching for hope during an impossible season. • You believe miracles still happen—or want to believe they do. • You need someone else’s story to strengthen your own faith. What We Hope You’ll Take Away • Miracles often begin with simple acts of obedience. • Intuition and faith can guide us through life’s biggest decisions. • Sometimes we never know how our story will impact someone else. • Hope grows when we borrow belief from another person’s journey. • One miracle can create a ripple effect that changes countless lives. Topics Covered MiraclesNear-death experienceCongenital heart defectOpen-heart surgeryMedical miracleIntuitionSpiritual guidanceFaithMeditationHealingHopeBorrowing MiraclesContinue Your Journey If Regan’s story inspired you, continue listening with these conversations: • Melissa Villa — Finding joy after profound loss. • Christina — Finding gratitude after unimaginable grief. 🔗 Links & Resources — If you want to know more: 🌐 Regan Caruthers Official Website 📖 Tragic Magic 📰 Substack: @ReganCaruthers1 📷 Instagram: @ReganCaruthers 📢 Call to Action ✅ Has there been a moment in your life that defied explanation? We’d love to hear your story at monomythdiaries.com. ✅ Follow Monomyth Diaries for weekly conversations about healing, resilience, faith, hope, and the Hero’s Journey. Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream your favorite shows! CHAPTERS: 0:00 A Miracle That Defied Medical Explanation  0:35 Welcome & Story Starters  3:45 Housekeeping  4:13 Subscribe on YouTube  4:28 The Story Behind Tragic Magic 4:52 What Is Borrowing Miracles? 5:07 Meet Regan Caruthers 6:23 HeartMath & Intuition 9:35 The Joshua Tree Experience 12:20 A Doctor’s Unexpected News 14:05 No Medical Explanation 15:40 The Cross Miracle 17:50 Choosing Obedience 20:44 Founding Aset Yoga Center 23:03 Mentoring Others 26:25 Writing Tragic Magic 29:01 A Message of Hope 30:42 Connect with Regan 32:15 Closing Reflections Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  5. Aug 4

    What Happens After Redemption? | The Next Chapter with Donnell Mann

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! Can a person really change—and what happens after they do? In this special follow-up episode, Donnell returns to Monomyth Diaries to share what life looks like years after his transformation. After overcoming incarceration, violence, and a past that once seemed impossible to escape, Donnell reflects on Can a person really change—and what happens after they do? Every hero’s journey has a turning point, but transformation doesn’t end when the credits roll. Real change is lived out one day, one decision, and one relationship at a time. In this special follow-up episode of Monomyth Diaries, Donnell Mann returns to share what life looks like years after his remarkable transformation. After overcoming incarceration, violence, addiction, and a past that once seemed impossible to escape, Donnell reflects on the ongoing journey of faith, leadership, marriage, fatherhood, and living a life of purpose. Together, we explore what redemption looks like beyond the breakthrough. How do you remain grounded after life changes? What new challenges emerge after healing begins? And how do you transform yesterday’s pain into today’s purpose? Donnell also shares the incredible work he and his wife, Vianey, are doing through Your Story Church, where they are creating a community centered on belonging, healing, grace, and the belief that every person’s story matters. From pastoring to mentoring others, Donnell offers an honest look at what it means to continue growing long after the miracle. Whether you’re rebuilding your life after addiction, incarceration, trauma, or simply wondering if lasting transformation is really possible, this conversation is a reminder that redemption isn’t the end of the journey—it’s the beginning of a new one. ⚠️ Content Advisory: This episode may contain sensitive discussions related to incarceration, addiction, violence, trauma, family conflict, and faith. Some topics may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. This Episode Is For You If… You’re rebuilding your life after addiction or incarceration.You’ve experienced a life-changing transformation and want to keep growing.You’re wondering what redemption looks like in everyday life.You’re seeking purpose after overcoming a difficult past.You’re interested in faith, leadership, marriage, or mentoring others.You need hope that lasting change is possible.What We Hope You’ll Take Away Redemption is the beginning—not the end—of transformation.Lasting change requires daily choices.Your past can become one of your greatest tools for helping others.Healing continues throughout every season of life.Every person’s story has the power to create hope.Topics Covered RedemptionLife after prisonAddiction recoveryLasting transformationFaithMarriageFatherhoodLeadershipMentorshipPersonal growthPurpose after painBuilding communityYour Story ChurchHero’s JourneyContinue Your Journey If Donnell’s story inspired you, continue listening with these conversations: • Donnell Mann’s original three-part Monomyth journey—from prison to purpose. • Melissa Villa — Finding joy after profound loss. 🔗 Links & Resources   Donnell Mann is the co-founder and pastor of Your Story Church, a community built on the belief that every story matters. With deep roots in Houston’s west side, Donnell is passionate about sharing the transformative power of Jesus and helping people see that their story is still being written. Alongside his wife, Vianey, he leads with authenticity, faith, and a heart for empowering others to live out their purpose.  https://yourstorychurch.com/ 🔗 Learn more about Donnell Mann & Your Story Church:  📲 Follow Your Story Church on social media   📢 Call to Action ✅ What part of Donnell’s journey resonated with you? What does redemption look like in your own life today? We’d love to hear your story at monomythdiaries.com. ✅ Follow Monomyth Diaries for weekly conversations about healing, resilience, faith, personal growth, and the Hero’s Journey. 🌐 Learn more about The Cottages Coworking Space: https://www.coworkingcottages.com/ 📍The Cottages Coworking Space 23015 Colonial Pkwy, Building A, Suite A-108 Katy, TX 77449 Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  6. Jul 28

    Intangible Blessings: The Gifts We Can’t Wrap

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What’s the most meaningful gift you’ve received this year—and what if it wasn’t something you could unwrap? In this reflective Monomyth Diaries conversation, Mandi, Rachel, and Angie explore the intangible blessings that have shaped their journeys in unexpected ways. From forgiveness and faith to healing, friendship, and personal growth, they share the unseen gifts that often create the deepest transformation. Sometimes the things that change us most never come with ribbons or wrapping paper. What if the greatest gifts in life aren’t the ones we hold in our hands—but the ones that reshape our hearts? Join us for a conversation rooted in gratitude, reflection, and the powerful reminder that some of life’s most meaningful blessings can’t be wrapped. We’d love to hear from you: What’s an intangible gift that changed your life this year? 🔗 Links & Resources • Live Free with Josh Howerton https://www.youtube.com/@LakepointeChurch • F4   https://f4tx.com/ 📢 Call to Action ✅ What’s your “gift you can’t wrap” this year? Share it with us at MonomythDiaries.com or tag us on Instagram! Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  7. Jul 21

    Your Story Matters: From Redemption to Purpose | Donnell, part 3

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What does it really take to change your life? In part two of Donnell’s journey on Monomyth Diaries, he shares the painful and transformative season that forced him to confront who he was and who he wanted to become. After being sentenced to 18 years in prison, Donnell reached a place that felt like rock bottom—a place where the past could no longer be avoided and difficult questions demanded honest answers. But transformation doesn’t happen all at once. Donnell opens up about the moments that challenged everything he believed, the role of faith in his journey, and the first steps that led him from violence and incarceration toward purpose, healing, and redemption. Can people truly change? And what happens when you begin learning to love the parts of yourself—and others—that once felt impossible to accept? If you’ve ever wondered whether hope can exist in the darkest places, Donnell’s story is a powerful reminder that no past is too far gone and no life is beyond redemption. Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream your favorite shows!🎙✨ *Donnell Mann is the co-founder and pastor of Your Story Church, a community built on the belief that every story matters. With deep roots in Houston’s west side, Donnell is passionate about sharing the transformative power of Jesus and helping people see that their story is still being written. Alongside his wife, Vianey, he leads with authenticity, faith, and a heart for empowering others to live out their purpose.  https://yourstorychurch.com/ #herosjourney #embraceyourstory #personalgrowth #illuminatingpodcast #MonomythDiaries #transformativejourney #Takewhatyoulikeandleavetherest Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  8. Jul 14

    Learning to Love the Unloveable | Donnell, part 2

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What does it really take to change your life? In part two of Donnell’s journey on Monomyth Diaries, he shares the painful and transformative season that forced him to confront who he was and who he wanted to become. After being sentenced to 18 years in prison, Donnell reached a place that felt like rock bottom—a place where the past could no longer be avoided and difficult questions demanded honest answers. But transformation doesn’t happen all at once. Donnell opens up about the moments that challenged everything he believed, the role of faith in his journey, and the first steps that led him from violence and incarceration toward purpose, healing, and redemption. Can people truly change? And what happens when you begin learning to love the parts of yourself—and others—that once felt impossible to accept? If you’ve ever wondered whether hope can exist in the darkest places, Donnell’s story is a powerful reminder that no past is too far gone and no life is beyond redemption. Links & Resources: Donnell Mann is the co-founder and pastor of Your Story Church, a community built on the belief that every story matters. With deep roots in Houston’s west side, Donnell is passionate about sharing the transformative power of Jesus and helping people see that their story is still being written. Alongside his wife, Vianey, he leads with authenticity, faith, and a heart for empowering others to live out their purpose.  https://yourstorychurch.com/ 🔗 Learn more about Donnell Mann & Your Story Church:  📲 Follow Your Story Church on social media   Call to Action: ✅ What part of Donnell’s journey spoke to you? Let us know!  Send us a message through our website: monomythdiaries.com ✅ Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that transformation is possible. Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream your favorite shows! 🎙✨ #HerosJourney #EmbraceYourStory #PersonalGrowth #IlluminatingPodcast #MonomythDiaries #TransformativeJourney #TakeWhatYouLikeAndLeaveTheRest Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  9. Jul 7

    How Does a Life of Chaos Become a Story of Change? | Donnell, part 1

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What happens when a life shaped by hardship, violence, and incarceration begins moving toward an unexpected turning point? In part one of Donnell’s journey on Monomyth Diaries, he shares his early years growing up in a turbulent environment and the struggles that shaped his path. Surrounded by chaos and facing difficult circumstances, Donnell navigated violence, incarceration, and choices that would dramatically impact the course of his life. But before transformation came the struggle. Before redemption came the chaos. Join us as Donnell opens up about the experiences that shaped him, the moments that forced him to question everything, and the early sparks that would eventually become the catalyst for change. How do the hardest parts of our story shape who we become? And what happens when we begin to imagine a different future? Links & Resources: Donnell Mann is the co-founder and pastor of Your Story Church, a community built on the belief that every story matters. With deep roots in Houston’s west side, Donnell is passionate about sharing the transformative power of Jesus and helping people see that their story is still being written. Alongside his wife, Vianey, he leads with authenticity, faith, and a heart for empowering others to live out their purpose.  https://yourstorychurch.com/ 🔗 Learn more about Donnell Mann & Your Story Church:  📲 Follow Your Story Church on social media   Call to Action: ✅ What part of Donnell’s journey resonated with you? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Send us a message through our website: monomythdiaries.com ✅ Share this episode with a friend who could use some encouragement on their own journey. Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream your favorite shows! 🎙✨ #HerosJourney #EmbraceYourStory #PersonalGrowth #IlluminatingPodcast #MonomythDiaries #TransformativeJourney #TakeWhatYouLikeAndLeaveTheRest Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  10. Jun 30

    The Weight of “Should”: Expectations We Put on Ourselves and Others

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! How often do you catch yourself saying: I should be further along. I should have known better. They should act differently. That one small word—should—can quietly carry a lot of pressure, shame, and expectation. In this reflective Monomyth Diaries conversation, Mandi and Karen explore the ways we place expectations on ourselves and others, and how those judgments can keep us disconnected from curiosity, growth, and compassion. At Monomyth Diaries, we intentionally live by “no advice, no experts.” Not because we don’t care, but because we believe some of life’s deepest wisdom comes from listening to lived experiences rather than being told what we should do. If you’ve ever felt weighed down by expectations—your own or someone else’s—this episode offers a different perspective: What if we replaced judgment with understanding? We’d love to hear from you. Have a question, reflection, or story to share? Reach out and help us continue building a community rooted in honesty, connection, and growth. Links & Resources: 🌐 Explore more episodes and stories at monomythdiaries.com Call to Action: ✅ What’s one “should” you’ve let go of recently? We’d love to hear from you.  ✅ Share this episode with someone who values gaining wisdom from another's experience over advice. Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  11. Jun 23

    The Making of a Mission | Tyler part 2

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What does it take to begin healing after a lifetime of pain? Tyler walks us through the turning point that changed her life forever. After decades of addiction, homelessness, incarceration, and trauma, she emerged from her incarceration with a determination to live differently. This episode explores Tyler's decision to do life differently, her journey of deep inner work, and the unwavering faith that helped her rise from the ashes. She opens up about forgiveness—of others and herself—and how healing can begin even in the darkest places. What sparked her transformation? How did she begin to believe she was worthy of love and change? Join us as Tyler shares the emotional labor of healing and what it means to rewrite your story. Links & Resources: ✨ Learn more about the Hiding Place and Misfits Mission ✨ Follow Tyler on Instagram ✨ Watch the Testimony Video Call to Action: ✅ Did Tyler’s story inspire you to reflect on your own turning points? Let us know at monomythdiaries.com. ✅ Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that it’s never too late to heal. 🎧  Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream your shows! #TransformationStory #HealingFromWithin #MonomythDiaries #WomenWhoInspire #FromDarknessToLight #AddictionRecovery #RedemptionStory #MisfitsMission Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  12. Jun 16

    The Streets to Surrender | Tyler part 1

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What happens when survival becomes your only option? In this powerful first episode, Tyler Smith takes us back to where it all began—her childhood, marked by abuse, instability, and survival. She opens up about the early trauma that shaped her identity, her descent into addiction and street life, and how incarceration became both a consequence and an unexpected turning point. Tyler’s story is raw, honest, and eye-opening.  How does a young girl find herself in a cycle of pain and survival? What does it take to keep going when the odds are against you? Join us as Tyler shares the beginning of her hero’s journey, from childhood chaos to the streets, and the first signs that transformation was possible. Links & Resources: ✨ Learn more about the Hiding Place and Misfits Mission ✨ Follow Tyler on Instagram ✨ Watch the Testimony Video Call to Action: ✅ What part of Tyler’s early journey moved you most? Share your thoughts at monomythdiaries.com. ✅ If this episode touched your heart, send it to someone who might need to hear it. 🎧  Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream your shows! #MonomythDiaries #HerosJourney #TakeWhatYouLikeAndLeaveTheRest #PersonalGrowth #HealingJourney #TransformativeStories #MisfitsMission Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  13. Jun 9

    If You Could Sit Next to Anyone… Whose Story Would You Choose?

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What if you had one open seat next to you on a three-hour flight… and you could fill it with anyone in the world? Who would you choose—and more importantly, what story would you want to hear? In this fun Monomyth Diaries conversation, Karen and Mandi answer a listener question that goes deeper than celebrity picks. They explore the people they’d most want to sit beside, the journeys they’re curious about, and the powerful stories hidden behind public lives. Now we’re turning the question to you: Who would be in the seat next to you—and why? We love hearing from our listeners. Share your questions, insights, and personal reflections with us as we continue building a community rooted in connection, curiosity, and the stories that remind us we’re not alone. Your question might even inspire a future episode. Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  14. Jun 2

    Finding Beauty from Ashes | Stephanie part 2

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! Can healing begin where everything once felt broken? In the second episode of Stephanie’s monomyth, we witness her powerful emergence from a season of grief, regret, and disconnection. After her unraveling, Stephanie shares how she began the brave work of rebuilding her life. From strenghtening her faith to reexamining her choices and rediscovering her purpose, Stephanie opens up about the tools, mentors, and mindset shifts that helped her find strength in surrender and wisdom in hardship. What does it mean to forgive yourself and start again? Through vulnerability and grace, Stephanie reveals how she turned her pain into purpose and why she now encourages others to turn to the Lord. Her journey reminds us that even from the ashes, beauty can rise. 🔗 Links & Resources Stephanie Treml is the owner of Belle Âme Esthetics and host of Beyond Beauty with Stephanie, where she offers support and insight to women. Through honest and uplifting conversations, this podcast inspires women to find strength, practice self-care, and discover the beauty of life's messy moments. 🌐 Website Belle Âme Esthetics 📸 Instagram 🎙 Beyond Beauty with Stephanie – Podcast Apple Podcasts  ORm Spotify 📧 steph@belleameesthetics.org 📢 Call to Action ✅ Are you in a season of rebuilding? Share how you’re finding your way forward at monomythdiaries.com ✅ Send this episode to someone who needs to hear that it’s never too late to start over. Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  15. May 26

    Searching for Stability | Stephanie part 1

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What happens when the foundation you’ve built suddenly begins to shift? In this heartfelt first episode with Stephanie, we explore her journey from a joyful, stable life to the emotional upheaval brought on by unexpected change. Stephanie shares how she built a loving home with her husband and children, embraced her daughter’s teenage pregnancy with strength, and found deep fulfillment in becoming a grandmother. But when her daughter and grandson moved away—and perimenopause set in—Stephanie began to unravel. The quiet of an empty nest and hormonal chaos collided, leaving her feeling lost and alone for the first time in years. What do we do when our version of “stable” no longer fits who we are becoming? Join us as Stephanie bravely unpacks the unraveling, the questions, and the quiet desperation that many face but few talk about. Her story is tender, relatable, and a reminder that even the most grounded lives can be shaken—and rebuilt with grace. 🔗 Links & Resources Stephanie Treml is the owner of Belle Âme Esthetics and host of Beyond Beauty with Stephanie, where she offers support and insight to women. Through honest and uplifting conversations, this podcast inspires women to find strength, practice self-care, and discover the beauty of life's messy moments.  🌐 Website Belle Âme Esthetics 📸 Instagram 🎙 Beyond Beauty with Stephanie – Podcast Apple Podcasts  ORm Spotify 📧 steph@belleameesthetics.org 📢 Call to Action ✅ Have you experienced a shift in your identity during a season of change? Share your story with us at monomythdiaries.com ✅ Know someone in the middle of a midlife transition? Send them this episode—it might be the reminder they need that they’re not alone. Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  16. May 19

    Take What You Like: The Meaning Behind Our Motto

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! In this episode, Karen and Mandi unpack the meaning behind “Take what you like and leave the rest.” It’s all about keeping an open mind, focusing on the good, and knowing that not everything will resonate with everyone—and that’s totally okay! No judgment, no pressure, just an invitation to listen, learn, and take away what speaks to you. Join us and see what sticks! Originally Published: May 6, 2025 Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  17. May 12

    How Do You Rebuild After Losing a Child? | Christina part 2

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! How do you rebuild when everything you love feels lost? In part two of Christina’s journey on Monomyth Diaries, she shares the heartbreaking loss that changed the course of her life—the devastating grief of losing a child to SIDS—and the quiet, courageous steps she took to begin again. With honesty and vulnerability, Christina opens up about what healing looked like after unimaginable loss, how grief reshaped her relationships, and the ways pain ultimately became a turning point that awakened deeper purpose, strengthened her bond with her son, and transformed her future. What does healing look like when the pain never fully disappears? How do you honor the ones you’ve lost while still finding the courage to keep moving forward? If you’re navigating grief, walking through heartbreak, or trying to rediscover yourself after tragedy, Christina’s story offers a powerful reminder that love, resilience, and hope can still exist alongside loss. Links & Resources: Christina is a gifted photographer and the founder of WDR Imagery, where she captures raw, authentic moments through a lens of love and lived experience. 🔗 Learn more about Christina’s photography: https://www.wdrimagery.com/ 📸 Follow WDR Imagery on social media Instagram and Facebook Call to Action: ✅ What part of Christina’s story resonated with you? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out through our website: monomythdiaries.com ✅ Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that healing is possible—even after the deepest losses. Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  18. May 5

    She Had to Grow Up Before She Was Ready | Christina part 1

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What does it take to grow up before you’re ready—and still find your way back to yourself? In this episode of Monomyth Diaries, Christina shares her journey of becoming a mother at just 14 years old, stepping into adult responsibilities while still navigating childhood herself. Faced with family conflict, poverty, loss, and overwhelming circumstances, she learned to survive long before she had the chance to simply be young. But Christina’s story doesn’t end there. Through heartbreak, resilience, and the devastating loss of a child to SIDS, Christina shares what it means to keep moving forward, rebuild after unimaginable grief, and discover strength through life’s hardest moments. What happens when life asks more of you than you feel prepared to give? And how do you begin again after loss changes everything? If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by responsibility, faced seasons of grief, or wondered whether healing and reinvention are possible, Christina’s story is a powerful reminder that even through adversity, hope and growth can still emerge. Links & Resources: Christina is a gifted photographer and the founder of WDR Imagery, where she captures raw, authentic moments through a lens of love and lived experience. 🔗 Learn more about Christina’s photography: https://www.wdrimagery.com/ 📸 Follow WDR Imagery on social media Instagram and Facebook Call to Action: ✅ What part of Christina’s journey spoke to you? Let us know!  ✅ Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that healing and hope are possible—even when life starts in chaos. Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  19. Apr 28 ·  Bonus

    Season 2 Finale - Moments That Mattered

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What happens when you pause long enough to look back at how far you’ve come? In this Season 2 finale of Monomyth Diaries, Mandi and Rachel sit down for an honest, heartfelt conversation about moments that defined this season—both behind the scenes and on the mic. From unexpected personal growth to the stories that stayed with them long after recording ended, they share a glimpse into how these conversations have shaped not only listeners, but their own lives as well. What surprised them most this season? Which guest stories stayed with them? And how has being part of these conversations changed them? Together, they revisit favorite guests, meaningful takeaways, and the small but powerful shifts that have carried into their everyday lives. As they share what they’re bringing into the summer season—rest, intention, and a slower pace—they also invite you to reflect on your own journey. As the podcast takes a short summer pause, you’ll hear some of the most loved and impactful episodes replayed—stories that resonated deeply, sparked conversation, and reminded us all of the power of shared experience. And this isn’t the end—it’s a turning point. Season 3 is on the horizon, bringing new voices, and conversations that will challenge, stretch, and inspire in unexpected ways… plus a few fun surprises along the way. Content Warning: This episode contains sensitive topics and may not be suitable for minors. Listener discretion is advised. 📢 Call to Action - Before we go, we want to hear from you: ✅  What has this season stirred in you? ✅  Which story stayed with you? ✅  What conversations do you want to hear more of? Share your reflections with us at monomythdiaries.com. Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  20. Apr 21

    It takes G.R.I.T. To Break Generational Curses | Keeley part 2

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What does real transformation actually take? In this episode, Keeley Bell shares the journey that followed rock bottom—how sobriety, faith, discipline, and accountability helped him rebuild his life from the inside out. From daily practices and mindset shifts to repairing relationships and breaking generational cycles, Keeley reveals the wins that came from doing the work. This episode offers hope, practical insight, and proof that testimony is born through perseverance. ⚠️ Content Advisory - This episode contains discussions of: Trauma and mental health challengesFamily conflictSuicide🔗 Links & Resources If you want to know more: 🌐 G.R.I.T.  📧 keeley@silverbackgrit.com 📸 Facebook 🔗 LinkedIn 📸🌈 Instagram ⸻ Explore the tools and books shared in this episode: How to Make Shit Happen by Sean Whalen Dark Side of the Light Chasers by Debbie Ford  Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey Your World Within Podcast with Eddie Pinero  75 Hard by Andy Frisella Andy Frisella Podcast HTL Athletics Your Story Church Pastor Donnell Mann, Monomyth Diaries Podcast, episodes 18-20 Paul Leslie, Monomyth Diaries Podcast, episodes 41 and 42 📢 Call to Action ✅ What part of Keeley’s journey resonated with you most? Share your reflection with us at MonomythDiaries.com ✅ Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that change is possible. Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  21. Apr 14

    Hovering Above Rock Bottom | Keeley part 1

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What happens when you spend years hovering just above rock bottom—saved again and again, but never truly changing In this episode, Keeley Bell shares his raw and unfiltered story of growing up in a home marked by abuse and alcoholism, losing both parents before adulthood, and turning to substances to survive unbearable pain. He opens up about the patterns he carried into marriage and fatherhood—and the moment his wife leaving forced him to finally confront himself. This episode offers deep insight into generational trauma, unresolved grief, and the wake-up call that precedes real transformation. What if the real danger isn’t hitting rock bottom—but hovering just above it for decades? ⚠️ Content Advisory - This episode contains discussions of: Trauma and mental health challengesFamily conflictSuicide🔗 Links & Resources If you want to know more: 🌐 G.R.I.T.  📧 keeley@silverbackgrit.com 📸 Facebook 🔗 LinkedIn 📸🌈 Instagram ⸻ Explore the tools and books Keeley shared in this episode: How to Make Shit Happen by Sean Whalen Dark Side of the Light Chasers by Debbie Ford  Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey Your World Within Podcast with Eddie Pinero  75 Hard by Andy Frisella Andy Frisella Podcast HTL Athletics Your Story Church Pastor Donnell Mann, Monomyth Diaries Podcast, episodes 18-20 Paul Leslie, Monomyth Diaries Podcast, episodes 41 and 42 📢 Call to Action ✅ Reflect: Where are you hovering just above rock bottom instead of doing the work? ✅ Share this episode with someone who might need permission to face their truth. Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  22. Apr 7

    Storms Don’t Define You: Sam's Lessons from Hurricane Harvey

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What do you hold on to when the waters rise? In this episode, Sam Golubic shares her experience of losing her home in Hurricane Harvey and the lessons the storm left behind. From the shock of flooding to the resilience of rebuilding, she reveals how loss reshaped her perspective on what truly matters. How do you find strength when everything familiar is washed away? And what unexpected gifts can rise from the wreckage of disaster? Join us as Sam opens her heart about her experience and the surprising boons that came from one of the hardest chapters of her life. 🎧 Listen now on your favorite platform. Call to Action: ✅ Have you faced a storm—literal or figurative—that changed your perspective? Share your story with us on our website. ✅ Send this episode to someone rebuilding after loss—sometimes the reminder that light can rise from the wreckage makes all the difference. 🔗 Links & Resources Sam Golubic is an entrepreneur and a seasoned massage therapist with over 34 years of experience helping others heal through mind, body, and spirit. She is also  professional travel planner and passionate travel enthusiast who helps her partners and travel insiders fulfill their travel dreams— all while staying within budget. 📞 (281) 772-3971 📧 samhands@sbcglobal.net  🌐 Travorium - Helping Hands 🔗 Facebook Profile Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

    Storms Don’t Define You: Sam's Lessons from Hurricane Harvey

  23. Mar 31 ·  Bonus

    Embracing the Monomyth (Originally recorded on the Good Morning Minute)

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! This episode originally aired on Good Morning Minute with host Angelina Mojica. In this special conversation, Mandi—the host of Monomyth Diaries—steps into the guest seat to share her personal journey of healing through Al-Anon, her commitment to faith-centered growth, and the purpose behind creating a space for others to embrace their own hero’s journey. ----------- Embracing the Monomyth: Mandi’s Journey of Growth & Transformation (December 10, 2025)Good Morning Minute with Angelina Mojica Meet Mandi, a woman whose life story reflects courage, reflection, and the power of rewriting your own narrative. Living in Katy, Texas with her amazingly supportive husband and son — her greatest cheerleaders — Mandi has poured her heart into creating The Monomyth Diaries, a space inspired by her own path of healing and self-discovery. Growing up in a home touched by alcoholism shaped her early life, but it didn’t define her future. Over the past two decades, Mandi has committed herself to deep personal growth, turning generational pain into purpose. Today, her mission is simple yet profound: ✨ keep growing, keep serving, and help others embrace the hero’s journey within themselves. Her story is a reminder that transformation isn’t a single moment — it’s a lifelong monomyth of courage, reflection, and becoming. 🔗 Links & Resources The mission behind GMM is to bring encouragement, hope, and beauty into a world that may not always see opportunities by providing a holistic approach. Angelina Mojica wants to be an inspiration and of encouragement to individuals seeking a new approach to live a well balance life.  🔵 Facebook 📸 Instagram 📢 Call to Action ✅ Explore more conversations like this by listening to Good Morning Minute and supporting the voices creating space for honest healing. ✅ Follow & subscribe to Monomyth Diaries  Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  24. Mar 24

    Redeemed for a Reason | Paul part 1

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! How do you rebuild after losing everything? In Part Two of Paul Leslie’s journey, we explore the transformation that followed his breaking point. From seeking forgiveness from everyone he ever wronged to witnessing miracles at work, finding love again, and stepping boldly into ministry — Paul’s story is a testimony to what can happen when a person chooses full surrender. What does freedom look like on the other side of obedience? Join us as Paul shares the tools, divine moments, and unexpected blessings that rebuilt his life from the inside out. ⚠️ Content Advisory - This episode contains discussions of: ViolenceAbortionTrauma and mental health challengesFamily conflictSuicide🔗 Links & Resources Connect with Your Story Church: Paul@yourstorychurch.comWild at Heart by John Eldredge📢 Call to Action ✅ What part of Paul’s story stood out to you? Share your reflections with us at monomythdiaries.com. ✅ Follow & Subscribe so you never miss an episode of transformation. ✅ Learn more about Your Story Church  ✅ Learn more about Thrive Church Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!

  25. Mar 17

    Collapse Before Calling | Paul part 2

    SEND US A TEXT, we’d love to hear from you! What happens when the pain you never healed finally catches up with you? In this gripping episode, Paul Leslie takes us back to a childhood marked by trauma, addiction, instability, and the kind of emotional wounds that don’t go away just because you grow up. From a devastating family tragedy to parents battling darkness, to joining the army at 19, and hidden addictions, Paul spent years trying to outrun a storm that lived inside him.  But what happens when everything you’ve tried to hold together finally falls apart? And what moment pushes a man to confront his demons? Join us for Part One of Paul’s story — a look at how unhealed wounds shape us, and how transformation often begins in the very place we break. ⚠️ Content Advisory - This episode contains discussions of: ViolenceAbortionTrauma and mental health challengesFamily conflictSuicideListener discretion is advised. 🔗 Links & Resources Connect with Your Story Church: Paul@yourstorychurch.comWild at Heart by John Eldredge📢 Call to Action ✅ What part of Paul’s story stood out to you? Share your reflections with us at monomythdiaries.com. ✅ Follow & Subscribe so you never miss an episode of transformation. ✅ Learn more about Your Story Church  ✅ Learn more about Thrive Church Support the show Thank you for listening to Monomyth Diaries —a take-what-you-like-and-leave-the-rest podcast where everyday people share extraordinary journeys of healing, resilience, recovery, faith, grief, and personal transformation. Through honest conversations, we explore the universal Hero’s Journey and discover the tools, wisdom, and unexpected gifts that emerge from life’s greatest challenges. New episodes every first and third Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you-  • Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform  • Share this episode with someone who may need it  • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.  You can also go directly to our website to learn more and review us.   Connect with us:  Instagram • YouTube  • Facebook Have a story, reflection, or question? We’d love to hear from you! Explore more episodes - www.monomythdiaries.com  No advice. No experts. Just real people sharing real journeys. Join us every other Tuesday, and together, let’s continue the journey!