Parenting comes with countless unknowns — but for Patrick Powell, father of two medically fragile daughters, those unknowns are magnified by the absence of a clear diagnosis. In this candid conversation, Patrick shares the joys and challenges of raising children with special needs, the strain and resilience it brings to family life, and how moments of compassion — from Disney’s Make-A-Wish trip to everyday acts of kindness — reshape what it means to belong. As a Senior Development Officer at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation, Patrick also brings perspective on the support networks families need and deserve.

💡Learn more about Make-A-Wish.

💡Learn more about Bert's Big Adventure.

🍊Learn more about the Melissa's Leadership Fund at the University of Tennessee.

🎧 Subscribe to hear real patient stories and healthcare conversations that matter.

📝 A Transcript of this episode is available on Patreon.

📘 Want to go deeper? Melissa’s memoir Facing Inward is available wherever books are sold.

In this powerful episode of Facing Inward, Melissa Carter speaks with Dr. John A. King—author, poet, TEDx speaker, and trauma recovery advocate—about his journey from childhood abuse to becoming a leader in resilience and identity restoration. Together, they discuss the high-profile cases of Jeffrey Epstein, Peter Nygard, and Sean “Diddy” Combs—not to sensationalize them, but to spotlight the often-overlooked voices of survivors. Dr. King explains why healing requires redefining identity, building tools to face inevitable triggers, and empowering both children and adults to protect themselves. He also introduces the Phoenix Collective, his initiative providing long-term, structured support for trauma recovery.

👉 Dr. King's FREE Download – Keeping Kids Safer Online Without Losing Your Mind

🎧 Subscribe to hear real patient stories and healthcare conversations that matter.

📝 A Transcript of this episode is available on Patreon.

📘 Want to go deeper? Melissa’s memoir Facing Inward is available wherever books are sold.

In this premiere episode of Facing Inward, host Melissa Carter shares her personal journey through chronic illness, identity, and transformation. Diagnosed at a young age and later undergoing a life-saving kidney transplant, Melissa reflects on the challenges, insights, and resilience that shaped both her health journey and her purpose as a storyteller.

This self-interview explores the inspiration behind Facing Inward—a podcast dedicated to elevating patient voices, exposing the emotional truths of the healthcare experience, and celebrating the strength found in vulnerability. Whether you're navigating illness, caregiving, or advocating for change, this episode invites you into a space of reflection, connection, and shared wisdom.

🎧 Subscribe to hear real patient stories and healthcare conversations that matter.

📝 A Transcript of this episode is available on Patreon.

📘 Want to go deeper? Melissa’s memoir Facing Inward is available wherever books are sold.