In this incredibly heartfelt episode, Amy Atkinson opens up about navigating the impossible—the loss of her daughter Delaney to a rare genetic disease called Danon Disease. Amy shares what it was like to juggle being a real estate agent, caregiver, and advocate, all while raising three kids and fighting for her daughter's care. From the devastating day Delaney had a stroke at just 11 years old to the whirlwind of hospital visits, advocacy efforts, and founding a national nonprofit—this conversation is both emotional and inspiring.

Steph and Amy talk candidly about grief, healing, and how the memory of Delaney continues to fuel a mission to educate others and create systemic change around rare diseases and genetic testing. You’ll also hear stories about Delaney’s fearless personality, her cookie-selling charm, her love of theater, and how she inspired everyone around her.

Topics Covered:

• What Danon Disease is and why genetic testing is essential

• The emotional journey of losing a child after a transplant

• How grief transformed Amy’s life and led to the creation of the Danon Foundation

• Advocating for policy change around insurance and genetic testing

• Delaney’s personality and impact on others, from real estate open houses to singing at hospitals

• The healing power of support groups and community

• Advice for those in the thick of grief or facing their own impossible moment

Resources Mentioned:

• • Danon Foundation: http://www.danonfoundation.org/

  • Bradley Center: http://www.bradleycentergrief.org/ Local grief support for children and families

  • Intermountain Healing Hearts: http://ihhearts.org/ Parent-led support network for children with heart conditions

  • Comfort Zone Camp: http://comfortzonecamp.org/ A camp for kids navigating grief and loss

  • Amy Atkinson Real Estate: http://www.amyatkinsonrealestate.com/ Amy’s real estate business rooted in compassion and community

  
  

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In this powerful and raw episode, Laura Richards opens up about her divorce after 33 years of marriage and the unexpected journey that followed. What started as a separation for irreconcilable differences turned into an emotional uncovering of narcissistic abuse, betrayal, and manipulation that had quietly shaped her life for decades.

Now a coach, author, and podcast host, Laura helps women recognize and recover from narcissistic abuse, especially when it hides behind the mask of “a nice guy.” She shares what covert narcissism looks like, how to begin healing after leaving a toxic relationship, and why journaling, community, and boundaries changed everything for her.

Topics Covered:

• The difference between covert and overt narcissism

• How to spot red flags and manipulative patterns in relationships

• Why the label doesn’t matter—your mental health does

• Healing through journaling, therapy, community, and curiosity

• Setting and enforcing healthy boundaries

• Rebuilding your identity after narcissistic abuse

• Finding joy and power in life after divorce

Laura’s Book:
"Married to a Nice Guy: Getting Over Narcissistic Abuse"
Read Laura’s story, journal entries, and healing insights in her powerful memoir.
Available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Married-Nice-Guy-Getting-Narcissistic/dp/B0D73PT1GB

Where to Find Laura:

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thatswhereimatpodcast

• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thatswhereimatpodcast

• TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@thatswhereimatpodcast

• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@thatswhereimatpodcast

• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/laurarichpod/

• Listen to her podcast: http://podfollow.com/thats-where-im-at/view

This episode of Notable Peeps, highlights Melissa Winger—an author, speaker, and nationally recognized patient experience advocate whose story is rooted in deep personal experience.

Melissa became a mom at just 18 years old. Her son was born with a rare, unnamed chromosome disorder that affects every organ system in his body. He’s nonverbal, has undergone more than 100 surgeries, and lives with complex medical needs—including a feeding tube, brain aneurysms, and severe developmental disabilities. And yet, every day, he wakes up, puts on a costume, and finds joy in music, movement, and Sesame Street.

In the early years, Melissa was often dismissed by the medical system due to her age. She was sent home from the hospital with a newborn in critical condition and told he would "figure it out." After countless ER visits and being repeatedly ignored, it was only through the intervention of a mentor that her son finally received a proper diagnosis and urgent care.

Since then, Melissa has turned her lived experience into a mission—working on national boards, developing tools now used by EMS teams across all 50 states, and authoring a book to spark awareness and change. Her story is about more than survival; it’s about stepping up to improve the system for the next family.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What it was like to become a parent while still a teenager—and how that shaped Melissa’s advocacy

• The national tool she helped develop that’s now used in EMS to better communicate with patients with disabilities or language barriers

• The heartbreaking but empowering decision to transition her son into a group home—and how he surprised her with his independence

• Why she wrote Who Cares: A Real Look at Patient Experience during the pandemic

• The gaps she sees in long-term care and why we still don’t talk enough about how people with disabilities were treated during COVID

Melissa shares how years of navigating the system gave her a voice—and how advocacy turned pain into purpose. “You can't complain about it if you're not willing to step up and do something about it,” she says. And step up, she has.

Connect with Melissa:

• Website: https://www.whocaresbooks.com/
• Book on B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/who-cares-the-real-patient-experience-melissa-winger/1144045649
• Book on Amazon: Click Here
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissajwinger
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwinger

On this episode of Notable Peeps, Jerilyn Brunson shares her extraordinary story of resilience, faith, and determination. In 2024, just five days after finalizing her divorce, Jerilyn was diagnosed with breast cancer and learned she would need a double mastectomy. As a single mother with young children and no job, her future felt uncertain, but her response to these challenges is nothing short of inspiring. Jerilyn’s Story:

Jerilyn’s journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, she leaned into her faith, built a supportive community, and discovered new opportunities amidst the chaos. From organizing a fundraiser that brought her community together to building a business that supports her family, Jerilyn turned adversity into opportunity through action and hope.

She reflects on the financial worries that once consumed her and how asking for help became a turning point. Miracles happened—unexpected checks arrived, friends stepped up, and support poured in. Jerilyn emphasizes that moving forward, even when life feels impossible, creates momentum that leads to solutions.

Key Takeaways:

• Resilience in Action: When faced with adversity, taking action can open doors you never imagined.
• The Power of Community: Leaning on friends, family, and neighbors creates a network of support in challenging times.
• Faith and Gratitude: Trusting in miracles and expressing gratitude can shift your perspective, even in the darkest moments.
• Asking for Help: There is strength in vulnerability; people want to help when given the opportunity.
• Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Life’s toughest moments can lead to growth, transformation, and new beginnings.

Connect with Jerilyn:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/in.her.m.era

Tune In:

Listen to Jerilyn’s incredible journey and be inspired to face life’s challenges with courage and determination. This episode is a powerful reminder that, no matter how dark the moment, there is always hope and a path forward.

Don’t miss this moving and empowering conversation on Notable Peeps!

Are you feeling stuck or held back by societal expectations? In this inspiring episode of Notable Peeps, Steph sits down with Emily Cheney, a life coach dedicated to helping women transform their lives. Emily shares her personal journey from feeling limited by external pressures to discovering her true potential through coaching.

This conversation dives into themes of self-worth, overcoming perfectionism, and the power of shifting your mindset. Emily explains how coaching differs from therapy by focusing on future possibilities rather than past traumas. Whether you’re looking to take your first steps toward personal growth or seeking inspiration to keep going, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice.

Key Takeaways:

• Coaching empowers individuals to pursue their dreams and embrace their full potential.
• Self-worth is a constant that cannot be diminished by external factors.
• Overcoming perfectionism involves recognizing your inherent value.
• A positive mindset is key to personal growth and achieving goals.
• Building a healthy relationship with yourself can transform your life and relationships.

About Emily Cheney:

Emily Cheney is a life coach passionate about empowering women to live authentically and build confidence. Her coaching focuses on helping clients uncover their potential, shift their mindset, and take meaningful action toward their goals.

Learn More and Connect:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/cheneycoaching/
• Newsletter: Sign up for Emily’s updates and resources at cheney-coaching.kit.com/2d9dd38167

On this episode of Notable Peeps, Steph and Kayla Shoell share a heartfelt conversation with Kayla's grandmother, Sheila Lorraine Stangy—affectionately known as “Mama.” Mama opens up about her remarkable journey of losing her hearing completely in 2023 and the life-changing moment she regained it through cochlear implants.

From the silence of total hearing loss to the emotional experience of hearing again, Mama reflects on the blessings, miracles, and faith that carried her through. She shares the challenges of living without sound, the support she received from her family, and how technology transformed her life. With wisdom and grace, Mama reminds us of the beauty in everyday sounds and the power of gratitude.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Mama’s Journey
03:05 - The Miracle of Hearing Loss and Recovery
05:53 - Navigating Life with Hearing Loss
09:04 - Cochlear Implants: The Path to Hearing Again
11:54 - Blessings and Miracles During Surgery
15:02 - The First Sounds: A New Experience
17:51 - Adjusting to Cochlear Implants
20:47 - Reflections on Hearing and Life
23:50 - Everyday Miracles and Gratitude
26:12 - The Impact of Hearing on Daily Life
28:47 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement
42:31 - Notable Peeps YouTube Ending

Mama’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and gratitude, inspiring us to find joy in life’s simplest yet most profound gifts.

In this heartfelt episode, Steph reconnects with her friend, Matthew Webster, to dive into his inspiring journey of resilience, faith, and self-discovery. From health struggles and divorce to finding a deeper connection with Christ, Matthew shares the moments that have shaped him and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Together, they explore the importance of living authentically, embracing gratitude, and creating a personal relationship with the Savior.

Through open and vulnerable conversation, Matthew discusses how rejection can sometimes be God’s protection, the power of compassion, and how art has helped him connect more deeply to his faith. This episode is a reminder to find gratitude in every moment and build a strong foundation of faith.

Topics Covered:

• Embracing authenticity and living without shame
• Finding personal connection to Christ
• Creative expression as a path to healing

Memorable Quotes:

• “Live your best life as you see fit, and you don’t need to justify your actions.”
• “I went back to church for Christ, not an organization.”

In this engaging conversation, Kimberly Erni shares her journey of finding joy amidst life's challenges, including her experiences in a male-dominated software engineering field, the importance of community and understanding, and the struggles of comparison. She emphasizes the need for grace, both for oneself and others and reflects on how her younger self would view her current life. The discussion highlights the significance of personal growth, faith, and the pursuit of happiness in the face of adversity.

Takeaways

• Finding joy is a conscious choice, especially during tough times.
• Slowing down can lead to deeper connections with loved ones.
• Comparison can steal joy; understanding others is key.
• Grace is essential in the journey of personal growth.
• Community support can help navigate life's challenges.
• Career aspirations can shift based on personal circumstances.
• Women have unique strengths that should be celebrated.
• It's important to recognize and appreciate one's journey.
• Healing relationships can lead to greater happiness.
• Faith plays a crucial role in finding purpose and joy.