Beautiful Shifts

From Rock Bottom to Reclamation: Kellie Adams on Sobriety and Owning Her Story

In this heartfelt and candid conversation, Kellie Adams shares her journey through addiction and transformation to sobriety. From beginning to drink at a very young age to becoming completely dependent on alcohol, Kellie opens up about the turning point that led her to get sober in 2014—and how that decision changed everything. Her story is raw, relatable, and filled with both honesty and humor.
 
Much like her memoir Shit I Do Sober, this episode explores the real-life complexities of recovery—the struggles, the beauty, and the growth along the way. Kellie’s reflections on healing, identity, and embracing life without alcohol remind us that reclaiming your story is a radical act of self-love and strength.
 
We loved getting to know Kellie and are so grateful she came on the podcast to share her story and valuable perspective. 
 
Find Kellie and her book on Instagram @shitidosoberbook where she posts helpful and fun videos and thoughts about sobriety, and find Shit I Do Sober on Amazon here. 

How to Talk When You Don’t Agree with Brandie Paterakis

How can we stay grounded, compassionate, and open when navigating conversations around politics, religion, or other high-stakes topics? In this episode, we’re joined again by Brandie Paterakis—licensed therapist and founder of Blue Bee Counseling—for a conversation about how to have meaningful, and sometimes messy, discussions with friends, loved ones, and even our children and spouses. We talk about how she approaches interpersonal tension as a therapist, and tools for communicating when we fundamentally disagree. Brandie offers tips and steps to help us move through tough conversations with care. 
 
Thank you to Brandie for coming on our podcast and bringing her fun, lively, and practical perspective to this important topic! You can find Brandie's clinic online at bluebeecs.com
On Instagram @bluebeecounseling
Find Brandie's Podcast Therapist Table Talk here and on YouTube here.
 

Divorce, Growth, and Choosing Joy: Becki Andrus on Letting Go and a New Path

Becki Andrus shares the deeply personal story of how she came to the decision to end her marriage—despite doing everything “right.” With honesty and grace, she talks about what it was like to stay for years in a relationship that began strong but transitioned to one that looked great from the outside but left her feeling stuck, unseen, and spiritually conflicted on the inside.
 
In this conversation, Becki opens up about breaking free from perfectionism and finding clarity through emotional growth and spiritual realignment. She offers insightful reflections on conscious uncoupling and what it means to live a full, joyful life on your own terms—even when that means walking away from the life you thought you were supposed to live.
 
We’re so grateful Becki joined us on the podcast to share her story with such honesty and heart.
 
Becki recently began coaching, and you can find her on Instagram at@relationshipswithrebecca as well as @beckiann13 (personal account). 

Raising Three Kids with Down Syndrome – Kecia Cox on Adoption, Inclusion & Love

Kecia Cox is a mother of seven, including three incredible children with Down syndrome. In this heartfelt conversation, she shares her journey into special needs parenting, the unexpected paths that led to adoption, and the unique joys and challenges of raising twins. Kecia opens up about the mindset shifts she’s embraced along the way and the lessons she’s learned about inclusion, community, and love.
 
Her perspective on raising children with disabilities is both eye-opening and inspiring, and we couldn’t be more grateful for her willingness to share her story. We know you’ll walk away from this episode with a fresh appreciation for the beauty found in life’s unexpected turns.
 
Find Kecia and follow her family’s journey on Instagram: @lovemakesmiracles_ 
 
Watch the video they made in collaboration with @madewithlovethemovie on YouTube - Family adopts 2 kids with Down syndrome from Ukraine because of daughter with Down syndrome - watch here. The movie can also be watched as a 9 part series on @lovemakesmiracles. 

Radical Survivor: Finding Joy, Resilience, and Beauty in Life After Loss with Nancy Saltzman

Dr. Nancy Saltzman’s life is a testament to resilience, love, and the power of embracing joy despite unimaginable loss. A lifelong educator and award-winning principal, Nancy faced profound tragedy when she lost her husband and two sons in a small plane crash—after already battling cancer. In this heartfelt conversation, she shares her journey of survival, healing, and finding beauty on the other side of life’s hardest moments, as chronicled in her memoir, Radical Survivor.
 
With honesty, humor, and wisdom, Nancy offers insights into navigating grief, how to show up for people experiencing loss, and choosing joy even in the face of deep pain. She also speaks about her work with Soaring Spirits International, supporting widowed individuals worldwide. Whether you’ve faced loss or simply seek inspiration and insight on resilience and gratitude, this conversation is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit.
 
Nancy is one of the most delightful and inspiring people we’ve had the honor of speaking with. We absolutely loved getting to know her and are so grateful she shared her family and story with us.
 
Find Nancy's book Radical Survivor here. 
Find Nancy online at nancysaltzman.com and on Instagram @nancysaltzman

Faith, Trauma & Brainspotting: Healing LDS Religious Trauma with Ashley Buckner

Raised in a small-town LDS community, Ashley moved away in 2008 and thought her faith transition was behind her, until opening her therapy practice in 2022 led her to an unexpected specialization: religious trauma, particularly within Mormonism. In this episode, Ashley shares her personal journey growing up in an inactive LDS family, leaving the church, and ultimately returning to Utah as a therapist now helping others navigating faith transitions and trauma. We also dive into what Brainspotting is, how it works to regulate the nervous system, and how somatic therapies are powerful tools for healing. 
 
Whether interested in the intersection of trauma and religion, exploring therapy and brainspotting, or both, this conversation offers insights into the healing process. Thank you to Ashley for sharing her story and therapeutic expertise in this thoughtful conversation!
 
Find Ashley online at ashleybucknerlmft.com and on Instagram @ashleyb_therapy. 

Turning Loss into Purpose: A Journey into Functional Medicine and Nutrition with Andrea Nakayama

In this episode, Andrea shares about the profound loss of her young husband to brain cancer in 2002 and how it reshaped her life. As a new mother navigating grief, she found herself on an unexpected path—one that led to a deep passion for functional nutrition and using food as medicine. What began as a personal search for healing became a calling to help others, changing the course of her career and life. 
 
Now a Functional Medicine Nutritionist, educator, and former CEO of Functional Nutrition Alliance, Andrea has guided countless individuals and trained thousands of practitioners in root-cause methodology and systems biology. In this heartfelt conversation, she shares how loss, motherhood, and purpose intersected to shape her work and how she now empowers others to take control of their health.
 
Find Andrea on Instagram @andreanakayama and online at andreanakayama.com. 

Parenting with Intention – Supporting Neurodiverse Kids and Ourselves with Cheryl Cardall

Parenting neurodivergent kids can come with unique challenges and opportunities for growth. In this episode, we sit down with Cheryl Cardall, a passionate mental health advocate, educator, and host of the Fight Like a Mother podcast. As a mother of five, Cheryl understands the complexities of raising children with extra challenges and neurodiversity such as ADHD and anxiety. After experiencing a lack of support and resources for families like hers, she created a welcoming community for parents seeking connection and guidance.
 
We delve into parenting, discussing how it's not just about our kids’ behavior but about our own actions and emotional regulation. Cheryl shares valuable insights on re-parenting ourselves, helping kids recognize self-regulation skills, and managing anxiety. We have a conversation about practical strategies for fostering emotional well-being and creating a supportive environment for both parents and children. Join us for this conversation that encourages intentional, compassionate parenting!
 
Find Cheryl on Instagram @cherylcardall

Finding Peace Through Embracing LGBTQ+ Children and LDS Faith Transition - Vickie Walker's Journey (Part 2)

In this continuation of Vickie Walker's story, she shares how her journey took another transformative turn when her children came out as LGBTQ+. Her oldest son, Jeremy, was the first to come out, followed by her son AJ - who survived the Trolley Square mass shooting - and later, her daughter, Alex. Having been deeply rooted in her LDS faith, these experiences led Vickie through a faith transition.
 
In this episode, Vickie opens up about the challenges and growth she experienced, the peace she found in embracing her children, and the sense of community she discovered through supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Her story is one of love, resilience, and finding healing through acceptance. 
 
Join us as we explore Vickie's path to peace, purpose, and unconditional love. 
 
Find Vickie on Instagram @vickiewalkers

Finding Healing After Tragedy: Vickie Walker's Journey Through Trauma and Resilience

In this episode, we sit down with Vickie Walker, founder and executive director of Circles of Comfort, to hear her deeply personal story of loss, trauma, and healing. Vickie's life changed forever on February 12, 2007, when her husband, Jeff Walker, was killed in the Trolley Square mass shooting, and her 16-year-old son, AJ, was critically injured. Vickie shares her journey through grief, the impact of trauma, and how she found healing through EMDR therapy. She also discusses the importance of being trauma-informed and how Circles of Comfort provides support to those affected by violent crime and sudden trauma. Her resilience and dedication to helping others have led to her being recognized nationally including features in People Magazine and Good Housekeeping. 
 
Join us for a heartfelt conversation about turning pain into purpose and finding light after darkness. 
 
Find Vickie on Instagram @vickiewalkers
Find Circles of Comfort at circlesofcomfort.org/.