The Teaching Journeys Podcast

Dave Roberts
  • 5.0 (22)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Dave Roberts ,MSW, LMSW is an adjunct professor of psychology child life at Utica University, an author a bereavement support specialist, and a parent who experienced the death of an adult child on March 1,2003. He was inspired to create The Teaching Journeys Podcast by two of his former Utica University students. Dave strives to have meaningful conversations with individuals , young and old, whose life journeys, life skills and challenges ,can teach us about addressing our own challenges. It is Dave's hope that the teachings from these conversations live on in future generations. Weekly episodes have featured guests from all walks of life, with diverse experiences and life skills to share . Dave hopes that his guests ‘experiences resonate with all who listen, both young and old. We are all students and teachers...... let's learn from each other. To find out more about Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com

  1. Surviving Child Loss: Linda Henderson's Journey from Grief to Hope

    1D AGO

    Surviving Child Loss: Linda Henderson's Journey from Grief to Hope

    Host Dave Roberts introduces the Teaching Journeys podcast and interviews retired nurse and grief advocate Linda Henderson, who describes how her 37-year nursing career and the deaths of her mother and 27-year-old pregnant daughter Andrea shaped her path. Andrea and a coworker were killed instantly in a crash caused by a transport truck driver texting, and Henderson recounts her early, debilitating grief, a pivotal moment three months later when she considered ending her life, and her decision to “chip away” at grief. She discusses the trauma of a highly publicized case and court trial, the struggle to maintain contact with Andrea’s son Tristan and ultimately gaining access, and her book The Road of Love and Hope. Henderson explains her AAA Framework—Acknowledgement, Action, Appreciation—emphasizing small steps, community support, counseling, and the message to “embrace the moments,” and shares where to find her work. Linda’s Bio and Contact Information Linda Henderson is a retired nurse with 37 years of experience in compassionate care. After the profound loss of her daughter, she found her new purpose in helping others navigate the complex journey of grief. She holds certifications in Professional Grief and Bereavement, Coping with Child Loss, and Grief and Bereavement Counselling. Linda is the author of The Road of Love & Hope and the creator of the Triple-A Framework—Acknowledgment, Action, and Appreciation—offering guidance to those seeking hope after loss. She is a writer for “Open to Hope online grief support”,” Compassionate Friends” and contributed a chapter to the book “The Empowered Grief Journey: 23 Stories of Grief.” Her work focuses on grief education, navigating the Grief process, and creating safe spaces for healing. Through her speaking, writing, and advocacy, Linda ensures that no one walks the road of grief alone. She continues to honour Andrea’s memory by helping others integrate loss into purpose and transform hope into a legacy. · Facebook, Linda Wesley Henderson or Linda Henderson· TikTok, @lindawesleyhenderson· Instagram, lindahenderson5044· Website, authorlindahenderson.comTo connect with dave go to daverobertsmsw.com

    48 min
  2. Breaking Free from Toxic Relationships: Signs, Patterns & Healing

    3D AGO

    Breaking Free from Toxic Relationships: Signs, Patterns & Healing

    Host Dave Roberts welcomes Rania, host of The Healing Trained Podcast and founder of R2R Coaching, who supports women reclaiming power from toxic dynamics using talk therapy and energy modalities such as EFT and Reiki. They discuss how immigration, early curiosity about human behavior, and exposure to past-life concepts (including Brian Weiss’s work) shaped Rania’s path. Rania outlines signs of toxic relationships—tension, feeling drained, dismissed, constant arguments, boundary violations, manipulation and gaslighting—and emphasizes focusing on behavioral patterns rather than labels. They explore why people repeat toxic cycles, citing unhealed childhood trauma, cultural and religious pressures, people-pleasing, and lack of self-worth. Rania describes relationship grief as mourning lost dreams, identity, time, money, community, and the person imagined. She explains her coaching as “exploration” and “invitation,” and shares her key takeaway: trust your intuition and bodily signals. Rania shares where to find her work and affirmation products online. RANIA EFFAT BIO And Contact Information Podcast Host “THE HEALING TRAIN PODCAST WITH RANIA”, a certified Relationship Coach, EFT & Reiki Practitioner, Speaker, Author, and a passionate Change-Maker. As the Director and Founder of R2R Coaching, Rania specializes in guiding and supporting women to reclaim their power, heal from toxic dynamics and rise in self-worth. In her practice, she uses multiple energy healing modalities alongside talk therapy. Through her work, Rania aims to raise awareness about narcissistic behaviors across all relationship dynamics, equipping individuals with the tools they need to navigate and manage toxic situations. Born out of her own healing journey, she created an Affirmation Product Line, designed for practical daily use, with personalization options to encourage self-love, promote a positive mindset and elevate one’s vibration. Rania invites those ready to embark on a journey of healing and self-empowerment to reach out. Whether through coaching sessions, energy healing, intuitive readings, or personalized affirmation posters, Rania is here to equip you with the tools needed to rise. Connect with Rania: 🔗 Instagram: @r2rcoaching 🎙️ Podcast: The Healing Train Podcast with Rania 🌐 YouTube: @RaniaTheRisingCoach To Book a FREE Let’s Get Acquainted Call: https://linktr.ee/ready2rise 📍 Find all links: [Link tree in Instagram bio To connect with Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

    49 min
  3. From Teen Pregnancy to Advocacy: One Woman's Journey Through Adoption and Healing

    5D AGO

    From Teen Pregnancy to Advocacy: One Woman's Journey Through Adoption and Healing

    Host Dave Roberts interviews Tina Amoroso, former employee of Real Options, a nonprofit supporting people facing unplanned pregnancies and reproductive loss. Tina recounts growing up in a strict Catholic Filipino household, becoming pregnant at 15, hiding it, facing bullying, and attempting to obtain an abortion but being turned away due to gestational age and medical complications. Sent to relatives to give birth in secret and plan a closed adoption, she initially tried to parent, then placed her son, Eric, with adoptive parents she trusted; the adoption became open, leading to an ongoing relationship and shared family connection. Tina explains Real Options’ mission of prevention in schools, services for men and women (testing, counseling, prenatal support, supplies, insurance help, and hope/healing), and cites over 7,000 lives safeguarded in 2024. She emphasizes self-love, transparency, community, and offering resources. Tina’s Bio and Contact Information Tina Amoroso grew up in a loving family shaped by the courage and sacrifice of her parents, who migrated from the Philippines at the age of 15 in search of a better life and greater opportunities for their family in the United States. Their resilience and dedication deeply influenced Tina’s values and passion for serving others. Today, Tina works for a city in the Bay Area, and during her personal time, serves as a speaker using her story to inspire hope, compassion, and support for life and adoption. Connect with Tina via email : 1tina.amoroso@gmail.com To connect with Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

    46 min
  4. Where Secrets End, Healing Begins: A Survivor's Journey to Wholeness

    APR 10

    Where Secrets End, Healing Begins: A Survivor's Journey to Wholeness

    Host Dave Roberts introduces the Teaching Journeys podcast and interviews author, speaker, truth coach, and trauma-informed NLP solution-focused counselor Nattolie Chilton, a survivor of abuse, domestic violence, addiction, and deep trauma who describes a supernatural encounter with God that transformed her identity and helped lead to nearly 15 years of sobriety. Chilton shares how childhood neglect, lack of touch, and narcissistic family dynamics shaped feelings of worthlessness and later influenced her 35-year career in massage and creating safe spaces for others. Discussing her book Unsilenced, she emphasizes “where secrets end healing begins,” urging compassion for addicts and explaining how secrecy, including family sexual abuse kept hidden, perpetuates harm. She also discusses her Survivors Unite Club Facebook community, her Wednesday “Cup of Courage” Zoom, and a Freedom Legacy fundraising project. Nattolie's Bio and Contact Information Nattolie Chilton is a 3X author, speaker, Truth Coach, and trauma-informed NLP Solution Focused counselor whose message is clear: where secrets end, healing begins. After surviving abuse, domestic violence, addiction, and deep trauma, Nattolie experienced a supernatural encounter with God that transformed her identity—and even led to a name change. Nearly 15 years sober, she now lives as proof that restoration is real. Her TEDx-style talk, Return to Love, and her book Unsilenced: Use Your Voice, Words Hold Power (Dec 2024; audiobook Dec 31, 2025) share how childhood words and hidden secrets shaped a false identity—and how God rewrote her story. What was broken became beautifully restored. An International Amazon Bestselling co-author in The Ripple Effect of Impact Collaboration and featured in Resilience Anthology Two, Nattolie also founded Survivors Unite Club, a Facebook community for those ready to step forward to recover wholeness over serious life challenges. She hosts Cup of Courage every Wednesday at 3PM MST on Zoom, creating space for truth & bold healing in the community. Nattolie believes in miracles—and reminds others they are not beyond one. Connect with Nattolie: Website: breakupwithsecrets.com Email: nattolie.chilton@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/nattolie.chilton Facebook: Survivors Unite Club Instagram: @unsilencednattolie YouTube: youtube.com/unsilencednattolie To find out more about Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com

    37 min
  5. Janelle Miller Moravek: Building a Better Mental Health System For Our Kids

    APR 8

    Janelle Miller Moravek: Building a Better Mental Health System For Our Kids

    Host Dave Roberts welcomes Janelle Miller Moravek, a nonprofit leader and mental health advocate who has served as executive director of Youth and Family Counseling (YFC) since 2009. Janelle describes coming from a culture that didn’t discuss feelings, recognizing her own anxiety later, and becoming committed to expanding access to care. She and Dave discuss barriers for emerging young adults including among other things, affordability, therapists not taking insurance, limited Medicaid providers and high out-of-pocket costs. Janelle advocates for reimbursement at cost, licensure reciprocity, prevention and behavioral health literacy, more recess and manageable school workloads, and urges listeners: don’t wait to seek help; get screened or assessed. Bio and Contact information Janelle Miller Moravek is a nonprofit leader & mental health advocate. She has led Youth & Family Counseling as Executive Director since 2009, driving its growth and impact across Lake County, Illinois. With a deep commitment to increasing access to mental health services, she oversees strategy, programming, and operations while fostering strong partnerships throughout the community. Janelle plays a key leadership role in the region, serving on the board of the Lake County Alliance for Human Services and co-chairing the Lake County Behavioral Health Action Team. Her prior experience includes development roles at Carmel Catholic High School and Barat College. She holds a BA in French Studies from Wesleyan University and lives in Libertyville with her husband and three children. Connect with Janelle Website: CounselingForAll.org/ LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/janelle-miller-moravek-903a815b/ Janelle’s profile: accessspeakers.biz/speaker/janelle-miller-moravek-nonprofit-leader-mental-health-advocate/ To find out more about Dave , go to davidrobertsmsw.com

    52 min
  6. How The Safer Schools Foundation Fights Isolation and Bullying to Keep Students Safe

    APR 6

    How The Safer Schools Foundation Fights Isolation and Bullying to Keep Students Safe

    Host Dave Roberts interviews TJ, executive program director of the Safer Schools Foundation, about a program that evolved from a self-spotting exercise platform originally built to train military and law enforcement under extreme duress. After seeing strong youth engagement, the team developed a seven-tier, 15-week school program combining 30 minutes of group exercise to counter isolation and obesity with 30 minutes of mentor circles teaching situational awareness, safety/security, social media and cyber safety, anti-bullying, and suicide awareness, reinforced by weekly character traits and active challenges. TJ describes community-based youth events where the foundation flies in, fundraises, and donates equipment and manuals so schools can sustain the program, including an upcoming donated event in Uvalde, Texas honoring victims. He shares impact stories of isolated students gaining confidence and connection, discusses faith as a personal motivator while operating as a secular foundation, and highlights partners IdentityMax and the U.S. Women’s Grocery Association. TJ Bio and Contact Information TJ is the executive program director of the Safer Schools Foundation training approximately 18 He has been blessed to train Law Enforcement , Pro-Athletes-Collegiate and HS athletes , First Responders of all levels on this program. TJ has been married 30 years in May of this year. He and his wife have three sons and four grandchildren. Contact the Safer Schools Foundation: Email: tj@saferschoolsfoundation.org Website: saferschoolsfoundation.org To find out more about Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

    1h 4m
  7. The Day a Horse Remembered Me When I Couldn't Remember Myself

    APR 2

    The Day a Horse Remembered Me When I Couldn't Remember Myself

    Host Dave Roberts welcomes equine professional and coach Michelle Holling-Brooks to the Teaching Journeys podcast. Michelle describes a life-threatening illness at 13 (equine eastern encephalitis and viral spinal meningitis) that left her in a coma, then deaf, light-blind, partially paralyzed, and without memory or sense of self, leading to functional freeze and disconnection from family. She recounts how returning to a barn and bonding with a horse named Schedule became the bridge back to engagement, communication, and physical recovery through connection and rhythmic movement, and how her “energy eyes” and intuitive senses emerged. After Schedule’s death and a suicide attempt, her German shepherd Baron helped spur a renewed healing journey. Michelle explains her nonprofit Unbridled Change (founded 2008), evolving from equine-partnered psychotherapy to broader heart-centered healing presence work, and discusses her books The Horse Cure and Trauma-Informed Enlightenment with an accompanying deck and guidebook, plus resources and offerings via unbridledchange.org. About Michelle Holling-Brooks: MICHELLE HOLLING-BROOKS has over 20 years of experience working as an Equine Professional and Coach in the field of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapy, specializing in working with clients to heal trauma, post-traumatic stress, and attachment issues. After a life-threatening illness at the age of 13 changed Michelle’s life, a horse named Schedule A helped her heal her body, mind, and soul. Michelle is passionate about sharing the lessons horses have taught her about healing and personal growth with her clients and other professionals. She believes that horses provide us all with the gift of awareness, the kindness of unconditional love, and an open challenge to us as humans to step into our own empowered voice. Connect with Michelle: Website: unbridledchange.org Social Media: @unbridledchange To find out more about Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

    1h 2m
  8. Breast Cancer Survivor Cara Lockwood: How To Find Humor and Hope During Cancer Treatment

    MAR 31

    Breast Cancer Survivor Cara Lockwood: How To Find Humor and Hope During Cancer Treatment

    Host Dave Roberts welcomes USA Today bestselling author Cara Lockwood, who has written more than 35 books and whose romcom I Do, But I Don’t became a Lifetime movie starring Denise Richards. Lockwood discusses her 2023 breast cancer diagnosis, the shock of receiving the news by phone, and her treatment journey including a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, reconstruction, and remission in 2024. She explains how journaling, counseling, support groups, and acknowledging emotions like fear and anger helped her cope, and she critiques “toxic positivity” and phrases like “the good kind of cancer” or “everything happens for a reason.” Lockwood describes using humor and “pep talks” as tools for healing and perspective, explores body image after mastectomy, and shares that half of her memoir proceeds benefit breast cancer research. Bio and Contact Information Cara Lockwood is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 35 books, including the USA Today bestsellers “The Takeover” and “I Do (But I Don’t),” which became a Lifetime Original Movie starring Denise Richards. Her latest, "There’s No Good Book for This but I Wrote One Anyway: The Irreverent Guide to Crushing Breast Cancer" (Oct. 1, 2025), blends memoir, humor, and practical advice for navigating diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. A breast cancer survivor, Cara endured a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and reconstruction before going into remission in 2024. Half of all book proceeds benefit breast cancer research. A native of Texas, she lives in Chicagoland with her family and pets. Connect with Cara: 🌐 Website: CaraTheAuthor.com 📚 Book: "There's No Good Book for This" (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Audible) 💗 A portion of all proceeds supports breast cancer research To connect with Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

    48 min
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5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Dave Roberts ,MSW, LMSW is an adjunct professor of psychology child life at Utica University, an author a bereavement support specialist, and a parent who experienced the death of an adult child on March 1,2003. He was inspired to create The Teaching Journeys Podcast by two of his former Utica University students. Dave strives to have meaningful conversations with individuals , young and old, whose life journeys, life skills and challenges ,can teach us about addressing our own challenges. It is Dave's hope that the teachings from these conversations live on in future generations. Weekly episodes have featured guests from all walks of life, with diverse experiences and life skills to share . Dave hopes that his guests ‘experiences resonate with all who listen, both young and old. We are all students and teachers...... let's learn from each other. To find out more about Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com

Information

  • Creator
    Dave Roberts
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    243
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Teaching Journeys Podcast 2023
  • Show Website
    The Teaching Journeys Podcast