The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff

SwagAbility Studios

The SwagAbility Show is a faith-rooted podcast sharing real, unfiltered conversations about resilience, disability, chronic illness, caregiving, and purpose after life-altering adversity. Hosted by Stephen Wagstaff, a C5 quadriplegic from a diving accident at age 19, the show speaks directly to individuals, caregivers, veterans, and families navigating disability, trauma, PTSD, mental health challenges, and burnout. Each episode explores adaptive resources, assistive technology, mobility, rehabilitation, health insights, and real-life stories that help listeners move forward with clarity and hope. Grounded in a Christ-centered, biblical worldview, The SwagAbility Show offers encouragement from lived experience—not theory. Our mission is simple: to help you thrive wherever life finds you. Want to be a guest on The SwagAbility Show? Send Stephen Wagstaff a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability

  1. 2d ago

    The Eldercare Conversation Most Families Have Too Late | Amy Friesen

    Most families do not make an eldercare plan until a fall, diagnosis, hospital stay, or late-night phone call forces them to act. By then, important choices may already be disappearing. Amy Friesen is a bestselling author, eldercare expert, and founder of Tea & Toast. For more than 20 years, she has helped older adults and their families navigate senior living, long-term care, caregiver burnout, and the emotionally difficult decisions surrounding aging. In this conversation, Amy explains why preparing for eldercare does not mean surrendering your independence. In fact, planning early may be one of the most effective ways to protect it. Stephen and Amy discuss: Why most families enter the eldercare system in crisis The warning signs of caregiver burnout Why burnout is a symptom of an overloaded caregiving situation How unaddressed caregiving pressure can affect a marriage Why caregivers sometimes begin resenting someone they deeply love How families can begin difficult aging conversations Why older adults should participate in creating their own care plans The documents and home-safety changes families often postpone Why grab bars and other supports must be installed before a fall How younger caregivers can find help and recognize they are not alone Amy’s book, Breadcrumbs: From Home Care to Care Homes Free eldercare planning resources available through Tea & Toast Chapters 00:00 Why families fail to plan for eldercare 00:18 The caregiving responsibility many families never expect 01:10 Welcome to The SwagAbility Show 01:25 Meet eldercare expert Amy Friesen 02:39 How losing her grandmother shaped Amy’s calling 03:50 Why Amy founded Tea & Toast 04:38 Caregiver burnout remains hidden 05:33 Why caregiver burnout can become dangerous 06:45 The meaning behind Tea & Toast 09:02 Why most families wait until a crisis 10:28 How planning protects independence and choice 10:53 Leadership during emotionally charged care decisions 13:24 Warning signs of caregiver burnout 14:26 Burnout is a symptom—not the underlying problem 15:49 How caregiving pressure can affect a marriage 17:30 The CARES program for overwhelmed caregivers 18:23 How to begin the aging conversation 21:15 When should families start planning? 22:48 Giving aging adults ownership over their future 24:19 Why staying at home still requires a plan 26:03 What younger caregivers need to understand 27:23 Amy’s book Breadcrumbs 29:37 Where to find Amy and her resources 30:26 You do not have to navigate caregiving alone 32:07 Final encouragement and SwagAbility closing Connect with Amy Friesen Visit TeaAndToast.ca to connect with Amy and her team, book a consultation, and access practical eldercare guides, checklists, downloads, and other resources. Learn more about Amy’s book, Breadcrumbs: From Home Care to Care Homes, and find ordering links for Amazon and Indigo at TeaAndToast.ca/ebook. Support SwagAbility SwagAbility exists to educate, encourage, and empower people whose lives have been interrupted by adversity, disability, illness, caregiving, or unexpected change. Visit SwagAbility.com to discover additional resources, learn about the mission, or support our work. Subscribe to The SwagAbility Show and share this conversation with a caregiver, aging parent, adult child, spouse, or family that needs to begin planning before a crisis takes away their choices. Are you a podcast guest with a meaningful story, message, or area of expertise? Discover opportunities to connect with podcast hosts through PodMatch. #PodMatch #SwagAbility #CaregiverBurnout #EldercarePlanning #FamilyCaregiving #AgingParents Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. 5d ago

    He Finished College Reading at a First-Grade Level | Russell Van Brocklen

    Russell Van Brocklen finished college while testing at a first-grade reading and writing level. After being removed from mainstream classes, placed in special education, underestimated by educators, and later given 15 failing credits despite earning a recommended A-minus, Russell decided he had experienced enough discrimination. He went to law school—and discovered that the same brain educators struggled to understand could become one of his greatest strengths. Today, Russell is known as the Dyslexia Professor. In this conversation, he explains why dyslexia is not an indication of low intelligence and introduces a writing-first approach designed to help dyslexic children and adults organize their ideas, strengthen their reading and writing, and build confidence. Stephen and Russell discuss: What Russell experienced after being placed in special education How he completed college with first-grade reading and writing kills Why traditional teaching methods can fail dyslexic students What dyslexia may look like inside the brain Why a student’s strongest interests can unlock learning How writing can help organize fast-moving ideas A practical exercise parents can begin at home Why dyslexic learners may possess extraordinary intellectual strengths How Russell’s approach can also support adults Chapters 00:00 Russell’s experience in special education 00:29 Welcome to The SwagAbility Show 02:20 Growing up with undiagnosed potential 08:07 Recognizing that he learned differently 10:14 Discrimination changed Russell’s direction 12:10 Understanding dyslexia and the brain 13:58 Russell’s writing-first approach 17:12 How one determined student transformed her reading 20:01 A learning strategy parents can try 25:12 Life beyond the special education classroom 26:34 Finding the brilliance inside a student’s interests 29:20 Dyslexia, career strengths, and artificial intelligence 30:45 Russell’s advice for overwhelmed families 32:07 Can this approach help adults? 33:47 Russell’s free guide and consultation 34:49 Closing thoughts and SwagAbility resources Connect with Russell Van Brocklen Visit DyslexiaClasses.com to download Russell’s free guide and request a complimentary 30-minute conversation. Support SwagAbility The SwagAbility Foundation exists to educate, encourage, and empower people whose lives have been interrupted by adversity, disability, illness, or unexpected change. Learn more about the mission, discover additional resources, or support the work at SwagAbility.com. Subscribe to The SwagAbility Show and share this episode with a parent, educator, adult learner, or family who needs to hear that struggling differently does not mean lacking intelligence or potential. Are you a podcast guest with a meaningful story, message, or area of expertise? Discover opportunities to connect with podcast hosts through joinPodMatch.com/swagability #PodMatch #SwagAbility #DyslexiaAwareness #LearningDisabilities #SpecialEducation #Neurodiversity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Jul 19

    Doug L Former Atheist Evidence for God Faith Science Christianity

    I Thought God Was a Myth… Until the Evidence Changed My Mind For years, Doug believed believing in God was irrational. As a former atheist, MIT graduate in mathematics and physics, and attorney, he trusted evidence above everything else. Then something unexpected happened. The more he studied science, philosophy, history, and Christianity, the more convinced he became that the evidence pointed toward God—not away from Him. In this episode of the Spiritually Starved Podcast, Stephen Wagstaff and Doug explore some of life's biggest questions: • Does science actually disprove God? • Can faith and reason coexist? • Why doesn't suffering eliminate God's existence? • What historical evidence exists for Jesus? • What changed Doug's mind? Whether you're skeptical, curious, questioning, or simply searching for truth, this conversation invites you to examine the evidence for yourself. chapters 00:00 — "Believing in God Was Irrational" 00:28 — Welcome to Spiritually Starved 01:10 — Meet Doug: Former Atheist & MIT Graduate 04:15 — Why Doug Began Questioning Atheism 11:20 — Can Science and Faith Coexist? 20:05 — Evidence for God's Existence 31:40 — The Historical Case for Jesus 43:15 — Why Suffering Doesn't Disprove God 53:10 — Christianity Compared to Other Worldviews 59:45 — Encouragement for Seekers 01:03:00 — Final Thoughts ✅ Faith is not the absence of evidence. ✅ Science and Christianity are not opponents. ✅ Honest questions can lead to deeper truth. ✅ Historical evidence for Jesus deserves serious consideration. ✅ Suffering raises difficult questions—but doesn't eliminate God. ✅ Christianity invites investigation, not blind belief. Have you ever wrestled with questions about God, faith, science, or purpose? What part of Doug's story challenged or encouraged you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments. Your story may help someone else who is searching for answers. If today's conversation encouraged you, challenged your thinking, or helped strengthen your faith, would you consider supporting the work of SwagAbility? Your generosity helps us continue creating conversations that point people toward hope, resilience, purpose, and truth. Together, we're helping people thrive wherever life finds them. Support the mission: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/swagabilitys-dollar5-to-thrive-drive Do you have a story of faith, resilience, overcoming adversity, disability, leadership, caregiving, healing, or purpose? We'd love to hear your story. Connect with Stephen Wagstaff through PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability SwagAbility is a faith-first nonprofit dedicated to helping people thrive wherever life finds them through authentic conversations about faith, resilience, disability, grief, trauma, leadership, healing, and purpose. Because your story still has power—and your life still has purpose. #PodMatch #SwagAbility #SpirituallyStarved #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndScience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Jul 14

    PTSD Changed Everything Then a Service Dog Changed Her Life

    What if your greatest source of healing came on four legs? In this powerful episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with Lee Atherton, who shares her incredible journey through childhood trauma, PTSD, panic attacks, family rejection, and the remarkable service dog that helped change her life. For years, Lee lived with invisible emotional wounds that few people could see. Night terrors, anxiety, and overwhelming fear became part of everyday life—until an extraordinary service dog named Shadow entered the picture. Together, Stephen and Lee explore how PTSD affects far more than military veterans, why childhood trauma often remains hidden for decades, and how healing can come through faith, community, and unexpected relationships. This conversation isn't simply about surviving trauma. It's about discovering hope, reclaiming purpose, and learning that your past doesn't have to define your future. Whether you're living with PTSD, supporting someone who is, or simply searching for encouragement during a difficult season, this episode offers practical wisdom, compassion, and hope. CHAPTERS 00:00 – When Trauma Follows You Everywhere 01:15 – Welcome to The SwagAbility Show 02:00 – Meet Lee Atherton 03:00 – Childhood Trauma & Family Rejection 06:00 – PTSD Beyond the Military 08:00 – Living with Panic Attacks 12:00 – Remembering Childhood Abuse 18:00 – The Weight of Invisible Trauma 25:00 – Meeting Shadow 34:00 – How Service Dogs Change Lives 43:00 – Faith, Healing & Purpose 52:00 – Hope for Anyone Living with PTSD 59:00 – Final Encouragement KEY TAKEAWAYS ✅ PTSD affects millions of people—not just military veterans. ✅ Childhood trauma can remain hidden for decades. ✅ Service dogs can become life-changing partners in recovery. ✅ Healing doesn't always happen quickly—but it is possible. ✅ Faith, resilience, and community matter. ✅ Your story doesn't end with your trauma. Have you or someone you love experienced PTSD, childhood trauma, anxiety, or another invisible disability? What has helped you find hope? Leave your thoughts in the comments. Your story may encourage someone who needs it today. Help us continue sharing stories of resilience, disability, faith, healing, and hope around the world. https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today Do you have a story of overcoming adversity, disability, chronic illness, caregiving, resilience, faith, leadership, or purpose? We'd love to hear your story. Apply through PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability SwagAbility is a faith-first nonprofit dedicated to helping people thrive wherever life finds them through authentic conversations about resilience, disability, trauma, grief, healing, leadership, and hope. Because your story still has power—and your life still has purpose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jul 9

    When Your Body Stops Supporting Your Plans

    What happens when your body stops supporting the life you imagined? In this deeply honest episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with psychologist and chronic illness expert Dr. Jeff Bone, a man who spent decades helping others navigate chronic pain—before finding himself living through the very struggle he had spent his career treating. After becoming chronically ill himself, Dr. Bone discovered that healing isn't always about getting better. Sometimes it's about learning how to live well in the middle of uncertainty. Together, Stephen and Dr. Bone explore the emotional, psychological, and spiritual realities of chronic illness, identity loss, resilience, and hope. This isn't simply a conversation about pain. It's about learning how to build a meaningful life when life refuses to follow your plans. Whether you're living with chronic illness, supporting someone who is, or facing an unexpected season of adversity, this conversation will remind you that purpose isn't determined by perfect health. Chapters: 00:00 – Health Is a Crown Only the Sick Can See 00:26 – When Your Body Stops Supporting Your Plans 01:03 – Welcome to The SwagAbility Show 01:25 – Meet Dr. Jeff Boone 03:20 – The Values That Shaped His Life 09:10 – Helping Thousands Before Becoming the Patient 16:30 – Living with Chronic Illness Every Day 24:45 – Identity Beyond Health 33:15 – The Emotional Weight of Chronic Pain 41:10 – Finding Purpose in Uncertainty 49:30 – What Real Resilience Looks Like 56:15 – Practical Encouragement for Anyone Living with Illness 1:02:30 – Final Thoughts & Hope Moving Forward Adjust timestamps slightly after final export if necessary. ✅ Chronic illness changes more than your body—it challenges your identity. ✅ Healing and recovery aren't always the same thing. ✅ Hope is still possible when circumstances don't improve. ✅ Resilience grows through acceptance, purpose, and community. ✅ Your worth is never determined by your physical abilities. ✅ Every season—even illness—can shape a meaningful life. Have you ever had to rethink your life because of illness, disability, or unexpected adversity? What helped you move forward? Share your story in the comments. Someone else may need to hear it today. Help us continue sharing stories of resilience, faith, disability, healing, and hope with people around the world. https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today Do you have a story of overcoming adversity, disability, chronic illness, caregiving, resilience, faith, leadership, or purpose? We'd love to hear your story. Apply to be a guest through PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability SwagAbility is a faith-first nonprofit dedicated to helping people thrive wherever life finds them through authentic conversations about resilience, disability, trauma, grief, healing, leadership, and hope. Because your story still has power—and your life still has purpose. #PodMatch #SwagAbility #Disability #MentalHealth #Resilience #Healing #Faith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Jul 1

    Living With Chronic Pain A Silicon Valley CEOs Incredible Story

    In this inspiring episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with former Silicon Valley CEO Nancy Deyo to explore an extraordinary journey of resilience. After years of success leading in the corporate world, Nancy's life changed forever following an injury while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. What followed was nearly fifteen years of chronic pain, countless medical appointments, opioid dependence, and the painful process of rebuilding an entirely new identity. Together they discuss: • Life after chronic pain begins • Recovering from identity loss • Leadership during adversity • Navigating chronic illness • Opioid recovery and healing • Finding purpose after unexpected life changes • Faith, perseverance, and resilience Chapters 00:00 – What Happens When Success Stops Working? 00:00:54 – Meet Nancy Deyo: From Silicon Valley CEO to Mountain Climber 03:40 – The Drive to Achieve: Life Before Kilimanjaro 08:05 – Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro: The Adventure Begins 12:05 – The Injury That Changed Everything 17:30 – Living with Chronic Pain Every Day 20:05 – When Pain Becomes Your New Reality 24:10 – Searching for Answers and Finding None 26:45 – The Hidden Impact of Chronic Pain on Family and Relationships 30:15 – Identity Loss: When Your Career No Longer Defines You 33:20 – The Mental and Emotional Battle of Long-Term Pain 37:40 – Opioids, Hope, and the Road to Recovery 40:40 – Stephen Shares His Journey with Life-Altering Injury 46:45 – Finding Purpose After Everything Changes 51:10 – Faith, Perspective, and Choosing Hope 55:30 – Advice for Anyone Living with Chronic Pain 59:00 – Final Thoughts: Resilience, Healing, and Moving Forward 1:01:15 – Closing Remarks & How to Connect Whether you're living with chronic pain, supporting someone who is, or facing a season where life doesn't look the way you imagined, this conversation offers hope, encouragement, and practical wisdom. Connect with SwagAbility 🌐 https://swagability.com Interested in sharing your story? Become a guest on The SwagAbility Show:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability #PodMatch #SwagAbility #ChronicPain #Resilience #Leadership #Hope #Healing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Jun 25

    Lisa Espinoza on Grief, Faith, Healing and Hope After Child Loss

    She Lost Her Son… Then God Met Her in the Grief On January 1, 2019, Lisa Espinoza's life changed forever when her youngest son, Chandler, suffered a traumatic brain injury and passed away. No parent ever expects to face that kind of loss. In this deeply moving episode of The SwagAbility Show, Lisa shares her journey through unimaginable grief, how faith sustained her when nothing made sense, and why healing doesn't begin with having all the answers—it begins with taking the very next step. As the author of First Brush Your Teeth, Lisa offers practical wisdom for anyone walking through loss, trauma, heartbreak, or life's darkest seasons. Her story is both honest and hopeful, reminding us that even in overwhelming grief, God is present and purpose can still emerge. Whether you're grieving the loss of a loved one, supporting someone who is, or simply searching for hope in difficult circumstances, this conversation will encourage your heart. 00:00 — The Day Everything Changed 00:18 — Why Healing Doesn't Begin with Hope 00:32 — Welcome to The SwagAbility Show 00:50 — Meet Lisa Espinoza 01:48 — Remembering Chandler 07:30 — Living Through Unimaginable Grief 14:10 — Where Faith Meets Heartbreak 21:45 — Practical Steps Toward Healing 30:15 — Why "First Brush Your Teeth" Matters 38:40 — Helping Others Walk Through Loss 46:20 — Family, Grandchildren & Finding Joy Again 49:35 — Final Words of Hope (Adjust slightly after upload if YouTube shifts timestamps.) ✅ Healing begins one small step at a time. ✅ Faith doesn't remove grief—it helps carry it. ✅ There is no timetable for healing. ✅ Remembering loved ones can become part of living well. ✅ God remains present even in life's darkest moments. ✅ Purpose can grow from profound pain. Have you experienced a season of grief that changed your life? What helped you take your next step? Share your story in the comments below. Your words may encourage someone who needs hope today. Help us continue sharing stories of faith, resilience, and hope with people facing life's greatest challenges. https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today Do you have a powerful story of resilience, faith, overcoming adversity, disability, caregiving, healing, leadership, or purpose? We'd love to hear your story. Connect with Stephen Wagstaff on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability SwagAbility is a faith-first nonprofit dedicated to helping people thrive wherever life finds them through authentic conversations about resilience, disability, trauma, grief, healing, leadership, and hope. Because your story still has power—and your life still has purpose. #PodMatch #SwagAbility #GriefRecovery #Faith #HopeAfterLoss Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Jun 21

    The Truth About Love When You Have a Disability

    Have you ever been surrounded by people and still felt invisible? In this powerful conversation, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with relationship expert, counselor, and disability advocate Cathy O'Connell to explore one of the deepest human needs we all share: the desire to be truly seen, known, and loved. Together they discuss disability, dating, vulnerability, belonging, authentic connection, identity after adversity, and why so many people struggle to feel understood in today's technology-driven world. Drawing from her decades of counseling experience and lived experience with disability, Cathy shares powerful insights about inclusion, emotional connection, communication, resilience, and what it means to move beyond being noticed to genuinely being seen. Whether you are navigating disability, relationships, loneliness, trauma, caregiving, or simply searching for deeper human connection, this conversation will encourage you to embrace who you are and recognize that you belong. CHAPTERS: 00:00 The Deepest Human Need 00:31 Why So Many People Feel Invisible 01:08 Welcome to The SwagAbility Show 01:22 Meet Cathy O'Connell 02:10 Why Disability Often Makes Others Uncomfortable 03:30 Vulnerability and Human Connection 04:05 The Difference Between Being Noticed and Being Seen 05:45 What Changes When People Feel Seen 06:45 Authentic Connection Beyond Disability 07:55 Dating, Disability, and Relationship Challenges 09:20 Has Technology Made Us More Isolated? 10:50 The Lost Art of Listening 12:45 Building Meaningful Relationships 13:20 Identity After Injury, Illness, and Trauma 14:55 How Adversity Deepens Empathy 16:05 Why Vulnerability Is So Difficult 17:40 Brené Brown and the Power of Vulnerability 18:00 How to Create Emotional Safety 18:20 The Secret to Belonging 19:15 SwagAbility Mission and Community 20:00 Final Thoughts LEARN MORE ABOUT CATHY O'CONNELL Cathy O'Connell is a relationship expert, counselor, author, and advocate helping individuals and couples build authentic relationships and meaningful connections. SUPPORT SWAGABILITY https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today BE A GUEST ON THE SWAGABILITY SHOW https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability Support the SwagAbility mission: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-today Send Stephen Wagstaff a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability #PodMatch#SwagAbility#DisabilityAdvocacy#Belonging#Relationships #AuthenticConnection Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The SwagAbility Show is a faith-rooted podcast sharing real, unfiltered conversations about resilience, disability, chronic illness, caregiving, and purpose after life-altering adversity. Hosted by Stephen Wagstaff, a C5 quadriplegic from a diving accident at age 19, the show speaks directly to individuals, caregivers, veterans, and families navigating disability, trauma, PTSD, mental health challenges, and burnout. Each episode explores adaptive resources, assistive technology, mobility, rehabilitation, health insights, and real-life stories that help listeners move forward with clarity and hope. Grounded in a Christ-centered, biblical worldview, The SwagAbility Show offers encouragement from lived experience—not theory. Our mission is simple: to help you thrive wherever life finds you. Want to be a guest on The SwagAbility Show? Send Stephen Wagstaff a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/swagability

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