Real Things Living

Afleveringen

• 
  Creativity is Survival / Antonio Michael Downing 04.08.2026 35min

  A cemetery at the end of a one-road village in Trinidad, a grandmother who couldn't read without help. This is where author, speaker, and musician Antonio Michael Downing learned that creativity isn't a talent, it's a survival tool.Antonio joins Real Things Living to share how his grandmother in Trinidad taught him to read and sing, not as hobbies, but as ways to cope with a hard life. It's the lessons that carried him through an unstable teenage years, a corporate tech career, and into becoming a published author (Saga Boy, Black Cherokee) and musician. The conversation explores creativity as a mindset, not just an output, and how art helps us process difficulty, find authenticity, and connect with others.3 Takeaways:(1) Creativity isn't reserved for artists — it's a life skill for coping, problem-solving, and reframing your story.(2) Art gives us practice for real life, helping us sit with ambiguity and hard emotions before we face them directly.(3) What connects people is more powerful than what divides them, and that connection builds resilience.Follow Antonio Michael Downing on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter/X @AntonioMichaelDowning, and pick up "Saga Boy" and "Black Cherokee" wherever books are sold.
• 
  Embracing Non-Traditional Paths to Motherhood / Leslie Lopez 30.07.2026 32min

  Six years of uncertainty, navigating a high-stakes third-party journey, and finding the courage to redefine motherhood on her own terms. In this episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall speaks with Leslie Lopez, founder and host of the Mothers in Arms podcast. Leslie opens up about her personal six-year journey navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, and the decision to leave her marriage to pursue motherhood through third-party reproduction. She shares the emotional, financial, and societal realities of using egg/sperm donors and surrogacy, dismantling myths around fertility statistics and highlighting the profound healing found in building a supportive community. Key Takeaways(1) Infertility affects 1 in 6 people worldwide, across every race and background. The "it doesn't happen to us" myths are just myths.(2) Surrogacy and donor conception are more accessible than people assume. Grants, loans, and even employer programs are opening the door beyond just the wealthy.(3) Get specialized legal and mental health support. A general therapist or a skipped notarized agreement can leave real gaps in a third-party journey.Connect with Leslie Lopez and listen to the Mothers in Arms podcast on YouTube, Spotify, TikTok, or Instagram (@mothersinarms.pod) to join a growing community advocating for fertility awareness and reproductive freedom.Links referenced:https://www.cryobank.com/https://www.tsonglaw.com/ivf-calculatorhttps://www.counselingwithjoey.com/https://www.get-carrot.com/https://seedsethics.org/https://www.thesurrogacyfoundation.org/
• 
  A Combat Marine's Faith-Driven Recovery / Keith Cole 27.07.2026 39min

  Surviving mortar rounds in Vietnam was only half the battle. The deepest healing began when a Marine veteran finally confronted the invisible weight of lifelong trauma.Keith Cole, a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran wounded three times in combat, joins Brigitte to talk about the invisible wounds that outlast the battlefield. Keith shares his journey from enlisting after his father's sudden passing to enduring multiple combat injuries and carrying the heavy emotional burden of notifying fallen soldiers' next of kin. He candidly discusses hitting rock bottom with alcohol, turning to his faith, and transforming his personal pain, memories, and redemption into his book, "Burnout: God's Recovery Plan." 3 Takeaways:(1) Unresolved Trauma Takes Many Forms.(2) Healing Demands Vulnerability.(3) Daily Structure and Faith Restore Peace.If you or someone you love is carrying trauma alone, don't wait like Keith did. Visit https://recoverybyfaith.com to get the book and learn about the 12-week recovery workbook. And reach out to someone you trust — a friend, clergy, or therapist. You don't have to go it alone.Enjoying these conversations? Don't forget to subscribe to Real Things Living on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs an encouraging reminder that hope and healing are always within reach.
• 
  Unsung Heroes and Final Redemption / Neil Adams 23.07.2026 29min

  He wasn't a doctor, but he talked his way past the barricades on 9/11 anyway — and spent the next 24 hours saving strangers' eyes.Author, Neil Adams, joins Brigitte Cutshall to talk about his book "From the Pile", written to honor his late best friend Michael Dorian — a veterinary technician who posed as medical personnel to help injured firefighters at Ground Zero on 9/11.Neil shares how Michael's selfless act ultimately cost him his health, the years-long fight to prove he was there, and the surprising twists (a lost news tape, a local Emmy, a Spike Lee documentary "Epicenters") that followed.Takeaways:(1) A civilian with no medical credentials talked his way into helping first responders on 9/11; and it changed the rest of his life.(2) Proving he was there decades later became its own story, complete with a rediscovered news tape and an Emmy win.(3) Michael's life became one of quiet redemption, using his final years to help others and leave a legacy through Neil's book.To learn more about Michael’s story, watch the Emmy-winning news footage, or order your copy of "From the Pile", visit https://readneiladams.com or request a copy of the book at your local brick-and-mortar bookstore today!
• 
  He Almost Lost His Son — Then Found His Purpose / Drew Norton 18.07.2026 29min

  A standard check-in call, an ambulance, and a mother's quick instincts changed everything for Drew Norton's family in a matter of minutes. That terrifying crisis became the ultimate wake-up call, completely reshaping how he leads, loves, and shows up for the people who matter most. In this episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall speaks with sales leader and founder of the Abundant Man Project, Drew Norton. Drew shares the harrowing story of his infant son's medical emergency and how his wife's split-second actions saved their son's life. He opens up with raw vulnerability about how that exact moment forced him to pivot, ultimately launching his mission to help men become better husbands, fathers, and leaders through intentional self-development. Key Takeaways:(1) Fix Yourself First: Real, lasting change in a marriage or team starts by looking in the mirror, not by trying to fix your spouse or the people around you. (2) The Growth Cycle: Belonging, believing, and becoming are deeply connected. The community you choose to surround yourself with directly dictates what you believe is possible for your life. (3) Ambition is Service: Wanting more for yourself isn't selfish. Elevating your own health, mindset, and career directly expands your capacity to serve and support others. Shift Your Perspective. Connect with Drew on Intagram - https://www.instagram.com/theeverydaysalesleader/Visit https://AbundantManProject.com to learn about coaching, retreats, and membership for men ready to grow in faith, family, fitness, and finances.
• 
  Living Beyond a Diagnosis / Nicholas Kelly 12.07.2026 24min

  Every obstacle is an open door for greatness, and staying in motion is exactly how you step through it.Nicholas Kelly is a registered dietitian, patient advocate, and TEDx speaker who has lived with cystic fibrosis for all of his 39 years. Nick shares how he turned his own health journey into a career helping others navigate chronic illness, why he calls passion his superpower, and the daily systems (like sorting 35–39 medications by shape) that keep him on track. Nick and Brigitte dig into the mind-body connection, the power of curiosity in patient care, and why he believes rest is a "necessary evil."3 Takeaways:(1) Be informed. The more you understand your own condition, the better you can communicate it, advocate for it, and manage it.(2) Build a routine. Simple systems create consistency and catch mistakes before they become problems.(3) Let others hold you accountable. You won't always have the energy to manage your health alone; a support system fills the gaps.Connect directly with Nick by visiting https://NicholasKellyRD.com Reach out to him across all major social media platforms at @NicholasKellyRD
• 
  Fueling the Human Machine / Axay Shah 08.07.2026 31min

  He turned 50, watched his energy crash, and instead of reaching for a pill, he threw out cooked food entirely — 16 years later he's run eight marathons and never taken a single medication.Axay Shah, author of "In Nature We Trust," joins Brigitte to explain why he ditched cooked food at 50 and hasn't looked back. His philosophy is simple: if Mother Nature didn't make it, it doesn't go on his plate. No more diabetes, no blood pressure issues, no doctor visits — just raw fruits, vegetables, and a mantra he built his life around. Brigitte and Axay swap notes on food intolerances, the myths around dairy and calcium, and why listening to your body beats listening to marketing.3 Takeaways:(1) Energy dips aren't always "just aging" — sometimes it's what's on your plate.(2) Pain and soreness aren't the enemy; they're your body asking for repair, not a painkiller.(3) You are the one responsible for your health — not your doctor, not your parents, not your spouse.Curious if raw living could work for you? Grab Axay's book "In Nature We Trust" on Amazon, or reach him directly at https://rawfoodiest.com
• 
  From Seizures to Self-Trust: Hannia Zanana's Journey 03.07.2026 28min

  Before she was a healer, she was numb—trapped under heavy medication for epilepsy and jumping out of airplanes just to feel a spark of life.Hannia Zanana, founder of Be HLTH, opens up about living with epilepsy and the six years she spent over-medicated and disconnected from her own body. She shares the turning point — a face-to-face encounter with a sperm whale — that cracked open her relationship with vulnerability, intuition, and healing. Now a certified health coach, Hannia helps women listen to what their bodies are trying to tell them, from emotional eating to unresolved childhood trauma.3 Takeaways(1) Your body keeps score, not a battlefield. (2) Suppressed emotion often shows up as appetite. (3) Trust beats trend. Connect with Hannia:Instagram -   / be.hlth  Her website - https://behlth.comLinkedIn -   / hanniazanana  
• 
  Your Mindset Is Your Business Plan / Joy Foster 29.06.2026 30min

  Women are launching businesses in record numbers — and most still won't charge what they're worth, show up online, or ask for the funding they need. Joy Foster has spent a decade figuring out why.Joy Foster, founder and CEO of Tech Pixies, joins Brigitte Cutshall on Real Things Living to explore why so many brilliant women hold themselves back from scaling their businesses and how neuroscience can unlock the confidence needed to break through income plateaus.3 Takeaways:(1) Your blocks are biological, not personal. (2) Mindset scales with revenue. (3) Forget grants and loans — learn to sell. Ready to stop letting fear run your business? Visit https://TechPixies.com to explore Joy's social media, life coaching, and business programs — and follow her everywhere at @TechPixies.
• 
  Reclaiming the Heart: Overcoming Trauma and Finding Joy / Lena Fein 24.06.2026 29min

  From a hyper-vigilant engineering career built on survival to a life anchored in pure, unadulterated joy—discover how one woman broke through a lifetime of shame to reclaim her authentic voice.Retired engineer turned author, Lena Fein spent decades outrunning a childhood shaped by relentless maternal criticism and hidden shame. She became a high achiever, a communicator, a marketing pro — all from her head, never her heart. It wasn't until her mother's death at 51 that Lena began a radical journey inward. Now at 68, she's reclaimed her voice, her joy, and her story — and published it in her memoir "Shattering the Mirror." Brigitte Cutshall and Lena dig into generational wounds, the courage it takes to face trauma, and why it's never too late to come home to yourself.Key Takeaways:(1) Healing requires facing the trauma. (2) It is never too late to reclaim yourself.(3) Embody kindness and presence.You can find Lena Fein's book, Shattering the Mirror, on Amazon (Kindle, paperback, and Audible) as well as Book Baby. Visit her website at https://shatteringthemirror.com
• 
  Remembering as an Act of Justice: Isabel Reddy on the Buffalo Creek Disaster 19.06.2026 26min

  A survivor's poem lived in Isabel Reddy's heart for a decade, and became the spark for a novel that refuses to let 125 forgotten lives stay forgotten.Isabel Reddy, scientific writer and author of "That You Remember", joins Brigitte Cutshall to unpack the real-life coal mining disaster that inspired her historical fiction novel. In 1972, a neglected slurry lagoon unleashed 130 million gallons of toxic black water on a Kentucky hollow community, killing 125 people — mostly women and children. KEY TAKEAWAYS(1) Remembering Protects the Future(2) Shun the Stereotypes(3) Truth Lives in the NuanceDiscover this gripping socioeconomic tour de force for yourself. Grab your copy of "That You Remember" on audiobook, hardcover, or ebook by visiting https://thatyouremember.com or your favorite local bookstore.
• 
  AWEtism: Rethinking Autism From the Inside Out / Dr. Theresa Lyons 15.06.2026 25min

  One diagnosis flipped a scientist's entire life upside down, and led her to research that's giving parents real hope.Dr. Theresa Lyons, scientist and autism mom, joins Brigitte Cutshall on Real Things Living to break down what autism actually is — a wide spectrum that can look completely different from one child to the next. She explains why autism is rooted in the nervous system, not "bad behavior," how nutrition and gut health can drive emotional outbursts and hyperactivity, and shares groundbreaking research showing autism isn't always lifelong. This is a conversation full of compassion, science, and hope for parents navigating a new diagnosis.3 Takeaways:(1) Autism is a true spectrum — from nonverbal kids with intense daily-living needs to highly verbal kids whose challenges show up mainly in social communication.(2) Behaviors like anger, hyperactivity, or meltdowns often trace back to the nervous system — infections, nutrition deficiencies, and gut health all play a role.(3) New 2023 research from Boston Children's Hospital found 37% of kids lost their autism diagnosis over time — proof that early, holistic support can change a child's trajectory.If you're a parent navigating an autism diagnosis, visit Dr. Teresa's Navigating AWEtism platform (yes — spelled A-W-E-T-I-S-M) for science-backed support, lab testing, and health coaching. https://awetism.co/work-together
• 
  Rewiring Pain: The Future Is Already Here / Dr Steven Falowski 11.06.2026 25min

  Sixty thousand people a year get a procedure that could change their pain forever...and most have never heard of it.In this episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall sits down with Dr. Steven Falowski, a neurosurgeon with nearly 20 years of experience who is helping lead the charge against chronic pain — without opioids. Dr. Falowski breaks down how spinal cord stimulation has evolved from bulky external battery packs to quarter-sized implants that quietly re-train your nervous system to stop feeling pain. From spine injuries and arthritis to migraines and post-surgical recovery, this conversation opens the door to a world of solutions most patients don't even know exist.3 Takeaways:(1) Pain is more common than heart disease, cancer, and diabetes combined — yet the tools to treat it effectively remain largely unknown to the public.(2) Spinal cord stimulators don't just block pain anymore — they re-register nerves to stop perceiving pain altogether.(3) New research is putting stimulators in at the time of spine surgery to prevent chronic pain before it even starts. If you or a loved one is silently navigating chronic pain, look beyond the pill bottle and research local pain specialists who utilize modern spinal cord stimulation. Explore trusted resources through the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) at https://aspnpain.com/Learn more about Dr. Falowski’s practice at https://www.asclancaster.com/physicians/steven-m-falowski-md/
• 
  Ease, Grace, and the Power of "I Am Willing" / Dr. Maria Nemeth 06.06.2026 33min

  Most people are exhausted not because they're doing too much, but because they're doing it wrong.Dr. Maria Nemeth, psychologist, master certified coach, and founder of the Academy for Coaching Excellence (ACE), joins Brigitte Cutshall on Real Things Living to share a deceptively simple definition of success — and the four-part framework that makes it possible for anyone to live with more intention and less chaos.3 Takeaways:(1) Success has a new definition. It's not achievement at any cost — it's doing what you said you would do, consistently, with clarity, focus, ease, and grace. (2) "Nevertheless, I am willing." Those four words are a practice. You don't have to feel ready, fearless, or motivated — just willing. (3) Gratitude isn't just feel-good advice — it's neuroscience. Focusing on what you're grateful for literally calms the amygdala, the brain's threat center, and research shows it's the actual driver of happiness.Ready to lighten up and live the life you know you wantConnect with Dr. Maria at https://marianemeth.comCheck out The Energy of Money PodcastOr reach out directly at maria@mariaNemeth.com to explore coaching
• 
  From a Jungle Village to Healing Cancer Patients Across America / Dr Fazlur Rahman 01.06.2026 34min

  A boy who nearly died after losing his mother at age seven grew up to become one of West Texas' most pioneering oncologists — and he's now telling the full story.Dr. Fazlur Rahman joins Brigitte Cutshall on Real Things Living for his second visit, this time diving into his newly republished memoir "Temple Road." It's a book about the literal jungle path he walked from his small Bangladesh village to school, and the metaphorical roads that carried him from there to medical school in Dhaka, residency in New York, and decades of groundbreaking cancer care in rural West Texas. 3 Takeaways:(1) Your origin story is your fuel. (2) Wisdom doesn't require a diploma. (3) Find your temple roads. Pick up Dr. Rahman's books — "Our Connected Lives: Caring for Cancer Patients in Rural Texas" and the newly republished "Temple Road" — available on Amazon. Visit him at https://fazlurrahmanmd.com If this story moved you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that it's never too late to find your purpose.
• 
  Lost in the System: Connecting the Dots with Sam Yeruva 27.05.2026 27min

  Imagine waiting ten days for important biopsy results only to discover the patient sample was entirely lost; meaning someone has to go under the knife all over again. In modern medical systems, this chaotic scenario is more common than you think. Sam Yeruva, Founder and CEO of PyCube, sat down with Brigitte Cutshall on Real Things Living to discuss how modernizing and digitizing the workflows behind the scenes can dramatically reduce medical errors, lower provider burnout, and save lives. "When your processes are not digitized... you can't improve. You just have to look at things from the outside. When [healthcare workers] know that they can solve and take care of a patient better, their eyes get lit up." — Sam Yeruva Key Takeaways:(1) Solutions Sell, Not Just Technology(2) The Necessity of a "Curiosity Quotient" (CQ)(3) Digitize before you can optimizeVisit https://PyCube.com to explore their latest case studies. Connect directly with Sam Yeruva on LinkedIn to join the conversation on modernizing patient care - https://www.linkedin.com/in/srikarpycube/
• 
  Move Better, Feel Better: Tyler Bramlett on Rebuilding from the Ground Up 22.05.2026 33min

  Getting hit by a car cracked Tyler's femur — and shattered everything he thought he knew about fitness.Tyler Bramlett, co-founder of WeShape, joins Brigitte Cutshall on Real Things Living to flip the fitness script. After a cycling accident forced him to relearn movement from scratch, Tyler discovered that the industry's obsession with intensity is exactly what keeps people stuck — or injured. His approach starts at the foundation: quality of movement, foot mechanics, and the self-worth that makes healthy habits actually last. WeShape's smart algorithm builds daily, personalized workouts based on how you're actually feeling that day — no cookie-cutter routines, no shame spirals.3 Key Takeaways:(1) Quality before intensity. If you don't learn how your body is supposed to move first, the method doesn't matter — you'll get hurt.(2) Your body is one system. Flat arches can cause shoulder pain. Fix the root, not just the symptom.(3) Shame doesn't stick. Lasting change comes from valuing your body, not punishing it. Head over to https://weshape.com/realthings to take their movement quiz and start your free two-week trial today!
• 
  Finding Your Voice in the Chaos with Hannah Turner 18.05.2026 29min

  She woke up to a video of her drunk self begging her sober self to change — and that was the moment everything shifted.Hannah Turner is a poet, author, and coach whose debut poetry collection, The Clarity of Chaos, was born in the most unlikely place: a Paris apartment, a year into sobriety, in the middle of writing a graduate thesis. In this conversation with Brigitte Cutshall, Hannah opens up about how writing became her lifeline — from silencing her inner critic to processing the raw edges of addiction and finally asking for help. With honesty, humor, and a whole lot of heart, she shares how poetry helped her find her voice when alcohol had been doing the talking.3 Takeaways:(1) Humor is a coping skill. (2) Writing heals what words can't always say. (3) Connection over perfection.If Hannah's story resonated with you, grab a copy of "The Clarity of Chaos" on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZTFQHVVConnect with her at https://www.hannahturner.net/Follow her on Instagram at @TheClarityOfChaos
• 
  How Roberta Samuels Turned a Life Pivot into a Page-Turner 13.05.2026 29min

  After a 30-year marriage ended, most people wouldn't buy a house alone in rural France. Roberta Samuels did and then wrote four books about it.Roberta is an author, painter, and lifelong Francophile who studied at the Sorbonne, led small-group tours through the hidden corners of France, and ultimately traded her old life for a medieval townhouse in the southwest. In this conversation with Brigitte Cutshall, Roberta shares how a COVID-era writing course unlocked a creative second act, why her mystery novels are packed with real-world issues like immigration and stolen art, and the one mindset shift every aspiring writer needs.3 Takeaways:(1) Reinvention is a choice.(2) The richest stories come from real life.(3) Start with patience, not perfection.Inspired by art, travel, and the courage to start over? Visit https://RobertaSamuels.com to explore her books and artwork, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Reach out. She'd love to hear from you.
• 
  Carrying Love Forward with Enya Flack 08.05.2026 33min

  Grief doesn't ask you to move on. It asks you to carry love forward.Brigitte Cutshall speaks with Enya Flack, an actress, reporter, and Infinity Garden advocate for an honest, heartfelt conversation about navigating loss. Drawing from personal experience — including losing her husband in 2018 — Enya shares how grief reshaped her perspective on healing, remembrance, and connection. Together, they explore why grief doesn’t follow a schedule, how the words we use around loss can either isolate or comfort, and how Infinity Garden is helping fill the quiet gap that often comes after the casseroles stop coming and the calls fade out.3 Takeaways:(1) Grief has no timeline — healing looks different for everyone.(2) Small acts of remembrance can create comfort, connection, and peace.(3) Kindness and human connection help carry us through loss.If you or someone you love is navigating loss, check out Infinity Garden at https://infinitygarden.org — a gentle digital space to remember, reflect, and heal on your own timeline. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it.