Épisodes

  • Live Like Braun: A Mother’s Fight Against Drunk Driving

    Live Like Braun: A Mother’s Fight Against Drunk Driving
    Sep 30 2025
    In this deeply moving episode of Judging Meghan, I sit down with Jennifer Levi, a mother who is living every parent’s worst nightmare. Just months ago, Jennifer lost her son Braun, an 18-year-old student-athlete full of life, kindness, and joy, after he was struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver while walking home with friends. Jennifer shares both the ordinary and extraordinary moments she had with Braun, the ways she reminded him he was loved, the hours spent cheering him on, and the light he carried into every room. She opens up about the shock of that night, the painful phone call no parent should ever receive, and the reality of moving forward when the future you imagined is gone. In the midst of unimaginable grief, Jennifer and her family made the choice to honor Braun’s spirit rather than be destroyed by the tragedy. That decision became the heart of the Live Like Braun Foundation, a growing movement that encourages people to live with courage, joy, and kindness. Through scholarships, community outreach, and even a simple sunshine logo on a hat, the foundation keeps Braun’s legacy alive and has already begun to make waves on college campuses across the country. We talk about the devastating reality of drunk driving, the heartbreaking statistics, and Jennifer’s advocacy work with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to push for new technology that could prevent impaired drivers from ever starting their cars. Jennifer also shares the truth about grief, that it has no timeline, that some days are unbearable, and that healing is shaped by community, faith, and small acts of remembrance. Braun’s story, and Jennifer’s courage in sharing it, remind us to think twice before getting behind the wheel, to make safe choices, and to tell the people in our lives how much they mean to us every single day. Visit https://livelikebraunfoundation.org/ or follow @LiveLikeBraunFoundation on Instagram to learn more, donate, or get involved. Every step taken helps keep Braun’s light alive. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #LiveLikeBraun #BraunLeviLegacy #HonorBraun #DrunkDrivingAwareness #DUIPrevention #EndDrunkDriving #SafeRoadsSaveLives #StopDrunkDriving #MothersAgainstDrunkDriving #GriefAndHealing #GriefJourney #YouAreNotAlone #HealingTogether #FromGriefToAction #TurningPainIntoPurpose #HopeThroughLoss #LoveLivesOn #CommunitySupport #ResilienceInGrief #HonoringLovedOnes #ScholarshipsForChange #YouthEmpowerment #InspiringKindness #LegacyOfLove #KeepGoing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 min
  • Ruby’s Road to Resilience: How Drag, Humor, and Real Estate Led to Healing

    Ruby’s Road to Resilience: How Drag, Humor, and Real Estate Led to Healing
    Sep 23 2025
    In this episode I am joined by Ruby Dickulous, a realtor, developer, stand up performer, drag artist, and regular guest on Jeff Lewis Live who was featured on HGTV as America’s first drag queen realtor in the special The Queen of House Hunting in Austin, Texas. Ruby and I discuss what it was like to grow up gay in Texas, the painful messages she absorbed as a kid, and how a cross-dressing step grandfather and the fear of the AIDS era left her hiding parts of herself for decades. She explains why she created Ruby as a persona, why she was afraid to let clients see that side of her, and how shame, addiction, and alcohol slowly took over. Ruby does not hold back about the years she spent drinking, leading to dropping out of school, working just to survive, and hitting rock bottom during the pandemic. She shared what finally made her get sober, the moment she asked herself what she was doing with her life, and how therapy, faith, and community gave her a way back. We talk about the long road of recovery, the small signs that kept her going, and the courage it takes to keep showing up when the voice in your head is telling you to quit. Her journey is also one of creativity and resilience. Ruby turned a joke about “drag in real estate” into a groundbreaking career that challenged stereotypes and inspired copycats across the country. She went from being told she could never be taken seriously to proving that she could sell homes in heels and build trust with clients who loved her for her authenticity. Along the way she learned to set boundaries, to stop hiding, and to believe in her own worth. To learn more about Ruby you can visit her site: https://www.rubydickulous.com/ Get 15% off OneSkin with the code JUDGING at https://www.oneskin.co/ This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #oneskinpod #RubyDickulous #MentalHealthAwareness #PTSDRecovery #LGBTQVoices #DragRealtor #SobrietyStory #AuthenticSelf #ResilientLiving #RecoveryJourney #SuicideAwareness #SelfLoveJourney #OvercomingRejection #HealingTogether #JeffLewis #CreativityHeals #AddictionRecovery #LivingAuthentically #TrailblazerStory #HopeInDarkness #YourStoryMatters #LifeReclaimed #CommunityAndConnection #CourageToHeal #BreakingShame Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 min
  • Grief, Love, and the People Who Shape Us: A Heartfelt Conversation with Bruce and Donna Ellis

    Grief, Love, and the People Who Shape Us: A Heartfelt Conversation with Bruce and Donna Ellis
    Sep 16 2025
    In this very special episode I celebrate five years of sharing my story and the stories of so many others by sitting down with Bruce and Donna Ellis, who have been like second parents to me. This episode is a heartfelt conversation about family, love, resilience, and most of all about Julie Ellis, their daughter and my soulmate, my best friend since childhood, whose life was tragically cut short. Julie was kind, wise beyond her years, full of humor, and a light in everyone’s life. She had a way of making ordinary moments extraordinary, and her presence shaped my life in ways that continue to this day. We remember Julie through stories that made us laugh until we cried, through the pranks, and traditions that filled the Ellis household, and through the small signs and moments that remind us she is still with us. Bruce and Donna share memories of Julie’s warmth, her intelligence, her caring nature, and the ways she looked out for others even at a young age. Together we hold space for grief, for the pain of losing a loved one, and for the ways faith and community can help carry us through life’s hardest moments. The conversation also touches on Bruce’s late twin brother, the remarkable love story Bruce and Donna have shared for more than fifty-six years, and the humor that has kept them grounded even in dark times. From family vacations and traditions to silly pranks and shared laughter, we celebrate the ordinary and extraordinary moments that make a life full and meaningful. This episode is about the importance of speaking openly about loss. It is about love in all its forms, the family we are born into, the family we choose, and the friends who become anchors in our lives. Most of all, it is a tribute to Julie and a reminder that even in loss, connection, memory, and love carry us forward. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #GriefAndHealing #MentalHealthMatters #RememberingJulie #FamilyLove #FriendshipAndLoss #HealingTogether #LifeStories #LoveAndLoss #FindingHope #EverydayMoments #LaughterAndTears #LifeLessons #FamilyFirst #FaithAndConnection #HeartfeltStories #CopingWithLoss #SupportAndCommunity #CelebratingLife #CherishedMemories #StoriesThatMatter #EnduringLove #KindnessCounts #LoveLivesOn #SoulfulConversations #LifeReflections #HopeAndHealing #LifeAfterLoss #ComfortAndCare #SharedMemories #GriefSupport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 min
  • Turning Pain Into Purpose: Christine Magiera’s Story of Survival and Drunk Driving Awareness

    Turning Pain Into Purpose: Christine Magiera’s Story of Survival and Drunk Driving Awareness
    Sep 9 2025
    In this emotional episode I am joined by Christine Magiera, a mother of three, advocate, and survivor, who shares the devastating story of a drunk driving crash that changed her family’s life in an instant. What started as a simple ice cream outing ended in tragedy when their minivan was struck just minutes from home, leaving her youngest son critically injured. Christine recalls the chaos of that night with shattered glass, the blaring horn, and the fear of watching her son airlifted to the hospital. She also speaks of the extraordinary strength of her oldest son, a paramedic in training who stepped in without hesitation, and her husband, a local fire chief who suddenly found himself responding to his own family’s nightmare. She takes us beyond those terrifying moments into the painful aftermath. Her son faced a long recovery, she was left with broken bones and scars, and she lost the career she had built as a transcriptionist. Christine also shares the injustice her family endured when the woman who caused the crash, the wife of a Michigan State Police trooper, was shielded from accountability the night of the accident and refused a breathalyzer. It took months before charges were filed, and reliving the trauma in court, confronting a woman who never apologized, and finally hearing the guilty verdict brought both pain and a small measure of relief. Christine’s story is also about resilience and advocacy. She reminds us that drunk driving is one hundred percent preventable, that one drink can change everything, and that we must start having real conversations with our children about safe choices. We also talk about the promising technology being developed with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to help stop impaired driving, and why accountability, compassion, and community are essential in the healing process. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code JUDGING at https://www.oneskin.co/ This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #oneskinpod #ChristineMagiera #ChristineMagieraStory #DrunkDrivingAwareness #LifeAfterTrauma #ChildSafetyMatters #PTSDRecovery #FamilyStrength #PersonalResilience #HealingJourney #SafetyFirst #AdvocateForChange #RoadSafetyAwareness #EmpowerThroughStory #TraumaAndRecovery #InspirationFromAdversity #FamilyFirstAlways #MakingADifference Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 min
  • Stronger Immunity, Better Sleep, Longer Life: The MyVitalC Breakthrough with Chief Scientist and Co-Founder Chris Burres

    Stronger Immunity, Better Sleep, Longer Life: The MyVitalC Breakthrough with Chief Scientist and Co-Founder Chris Burres
    Sep 2 2025
    In this episode I welcome back Chris Burres, chief scientist, co-founder of MyVitalC, and host of the podcast Live Beyond the Norms. Since Chris first joined me last December, I have been taking MyVitalC every single day, and nine months later I have not gotten sick once. For someone who usually catches everything from colds to bronchitis, especially when traveling or when my kids bring home school germs, this has been life changing. I am not a paid advertiser, I just believe in this product and want to share what has worked for me. Chris and I discuss the science behind the esss60 molecule, how it supports immunity, reduces oxidative stress, and promotes better sleep, energy, joint health, and even healthier hair and skin. He explains the groundbreaking Nobel Prize winning discovery, the longevity studies with incredible results, and new research showing its powerful effects on liver health and cellular protection, sometimes up to 172 times stronger than vitamin C. We also talk about how modern stress impacts our bodies on a cellular level, why supporting mitochondria is critical for resilience, and how nutrition and muscle maintenance play a role, especially for those on weight loss medications. Chris addresses skeptics with transparency about safety studies, long term use, and why his company is committed to making this science available to everyone rather than keeping it locked behind big pharma. If you have ever wondered how to better protect your health on a cellular level, strengthen your immune system, or simply feel your best as you age, this episode will give you both the knowledge and the motivation to get started. Start your journey to wellness today with MyVitalC and experience the benefits for your energy, immunity, and overall health: https://www.myvitalc.com/ Listen to Chris Burres on Live Beyond the Norms on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #ChrisBurris #MyVitalC #Longevity #WellnessJourney #HealingJourney #HealthAndWellness #PodcastCommunity #Biohacking #TraumaSurvivor #MentalHealthAwareness #MindBodyHealing #SelfCareMatters #EnergyBoost #BetterSleep #Resilience #InnerStrength #LifeAfterTrauma #ImmuneSupport #NaturalHealing #StressRelief #esss60 #HealthyLifestyle #SelfHealing #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalWellness #MindsetShift #CellularHealth #LiveLonger #Wellbeing #HealingTogether #DailyWellness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 min
  • Circles of Collaboration: Building Authentic Connections for Growth with Executive Coach and Author Leslie Grossman

    Circles of Collaboration: Building Authentic Connections for Growth with Executive Coach and Author Leslie Grossman
    Aug 26 2025
    In this episode I sit down with executive coach, professor, and four-time author Leslie Grossman to talk about the themes of her newest book, Circles of Collaboration. Drawing from her decades of experience in leadership and her upbringing in a family that modeled the power of community, Leslie shares why genuine connection is more essential than ever in our families, friendships, careers, and beyond. We discuss the unique ways women balance caregiving, connection, and career, and how these skills can become powerful strengths when used with intention. Leslie explains why women need trusted circles of support, how empathy and communication make us natural leaders, and why curiosity and authenticity always matter more than ego or desperation. She also shares practical strategies for building strong, reciprocal relationships—whether you are reentering the workforce, navigating career setbacks, or trying to avoid burnout in a world dominated by screens. From reaching out with sincerity, to moving conversations beyond surface-level exchanges, to finding balance by stepping away from technology and reconnecting with nature, this episode is filled with guidance for both personal healing and professional growth. This heartfelt conversation reminded me that none of us succeed alone. True resilience, purpose, and joy are born from connection, curiosity, and community, and small, sincere actions can change not only our lives but also the lives of those around us. Want to find out more? Get Leslie’s newest book Circles of Collaboration here: https://www.amazon.com/Circles-Collaboration-Christine-Merser/dp/B0FKGQD1V2 This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #Collaboration #Connection #AuthenticRelationships #Curiosity #Community #WomenSupportingWomen #LeadershipJourney #Balance #BurnoutRecovery #PersonalGrowth #ExecutiveCoaching #ThrivingWomen #WorkLifeHarmony #EmpoweredLiving #MeaningfulConnections #Resilience #Mindfulness #WomenInLeadership #InnerStrength #SelfAwareness #LeslieGrossman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 min
  • No Longer That Girl: Stephanie Maley on Surviving Trauma and Reclaiming Her Voice

    No Longer That Girl: Stephanie Maley on Surviving Trauma and Reclaiming Her Voice
    Aug 19 2025
    Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of assault, grooming, and trauma that may be difficult for some listeners. In this powerful episode, I sit down with author, nurse, and survivor Stephanie Maley, who bravely shares her story of trauma, survival, and healing. From childhood medical trauma and abandonment to cycles of grooming, and the silence that followed, Stephanie opens up about the hidden scars that shaped her life and the long journey of finding her voice. She describes how growing up in dysfunction and secrecy left her carrying guilt, shame, and fear, while faith and spirituality became both a source of comfort and confusion. We talk about how she sought escape and strength through sports, how therapy and self-discovery became her lifelines, and how her husband’s steadfast love gave her the safety to finally begin healing. Stephanie also reflects on the transformative process of writing her memoir, “No Longer That Girl: Retracing the Scars of Past and Present”, and how movements like #MeToo gave her the courage to confront her past and break cycles of silence. By reconnecting with her younger self, she was able to finally say the words she once couldn’t: “I’ve got you. You are safe.” This conversation is raw, emotional, and deeply human. It is about resilience, courage, and the power of telling your story. Not just to survive, but to reclaim your life. Stephanie’s message is clear: You are not alone. Healing is possible. And no matter how heavy the past feels, there is hope. Stephanie's book “No Longer That Girl” releases November 4th but you can pre-order now at your local bookstore or online through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code JUDGING at https://www.oneskin.co/ This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #TraumaRecovery #HealingJourney #oneskinpod #StephanieMaley #PTSDRecovery #EmotionalResilience #SelfLoveJourney #SurvivorStrong #HealingThroughStories #FaithAndHealing #BreakTheSilence #EmpowerSurvivors #NoLongerThatGirl #TraumaAwareness #InnerStrength #HopeAfterTrauma #TraumaSurvivorStories #HealingIsPossible #RiseAboveTrauma #AssaultSurvivor #ReclaimYourStory #SurvivorSupport #Faith #PersonalGrowthJourney #HealingHeart #YouAreNotAlone TraumaToHealing #MindBodyHealing #SafeSpacesMatter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 1 min
  • Reclaiming Your Life: Healing Trauma with Patience, Boundaries, and Self-Kindness with Licensed Psychotherapist, Podcaster, and Fellow Survivor Nikki Eisenhauer

    Reclaiming Your Life: Healing Trauma with Patience, Boundaries, and Self-Kindness with Licensed Psychotherapist, Podcaster, and Fellow Survivor Nikki Eisenhauer
    Aug 12 2025
    In this episode I sit down with Nikki Eisenhauer, licensed psychotherapist, mental health podcaster, and fellow survivor, to explore the complex realities of healing from childhood trauma and complex PTSD. Nikki shares her courageous story of growing up in fear and chaos, carrying the impossible burden of protecting her younger sisters, and facing the painful truths of family estrangement. She opens up about how trauma reshapes our nervous systems, why healing is not linear, and the radical patience and self-kindness it takes to reclaim peace. Together, we talk about the necessity of setting boundaries, not just with others, but within our own minds to silence the relentless critical voice that keeps us stuck. Nikki reveals why finding the right therapist is vital, why sampling different therapeutic approaches is part of the process, and how no contact can be a profound act of self-love and protection. This conversation is a testament to resilience, and the unshakable belief that we can rise above our past. Nikki also introduces her transformative Boundaries Intensive, a six-week course designed to equip you with practical tools for creating healthy boundaries, especially during challenging family dynamics and holidays. You can listen to Nikki’s podcast “Emotional Badass” on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Find out more about Nikki’s courses or schedule an appointment through her site: https://www.nikkieisenhauer.com/ This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #oneskinpod #HealingTrauma #MentalHealth #Boundaries #SelfKindness #TraumaRecovery #ComplexPTSD #TherapyJourney #SurvivorStrong #EmotionalWellness #SelfCareTips #NervousSystemHealing #PatienceInHealing #EmotionalBadass #MentalHealthPodcast #TraumaInformed #InnerStrength #SelfLove #Mindfulness #EmotionalHealing #TraumaSurvivor #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #TraumaAwareness #BreakTheCycle #HealingIsPossible #SelfCompassion #Resilience #MentalWellness #NikkiEisenhauer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 32 min