What happens when a Navy Commander becomes one of the world’s most trusted spiritual mediums?

In this deeply moving conversation, host Kelly Buckley welcomes Suzanne Giesemann — spiritual teacher, medium, and author named on Watkins’ list of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People.

Together they discuss grief, signs from spirit, practical tools to connect with loved ones, and Suzanne’s journey from military leadership to becoming a guide for millions seeking comfort and healing.

✨ Topics in this episode:

• Signs from loved ones after death

• How “The Sip of the Divine” can open you to spirit in just 3 minutes

• The Awakened Way: Living from love and interconnectedness

• The story of Wolfe’s Message documentary

• Finding meaning through grief and discovering wholeness at the soul level

📚 Learn more about Suzanne’s books, classes, and events: SuzanneGiesemann.com

💜 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Broken Beautiful Me.

How do you survive unimaginable loss — and even find healing through it?

In this emotional and inspiring episode of the Broken Beautiful Me Podcast, host Kelly Buckley talks with John DeDakis — award-winning novelist, writing coach, and former CNN journalist — about turning pain into purpose.

John opens up about losing his sister and his son, and how writing became his lifeline. Together, Kelly and John dive deep into:

✨ Writing as a path to healing and self-discovery

✨ How men and women grieve differently in relationships

✨ Why gratitude and resilience matter in grief

✨ The power of storytelling to transform pain into hope

✨ Lessons from John’s career in journalism and fiction writing

This conversation is raw, real, and filled with wisdom for anyone who has faced loss — or wants to better understand the healing journey.

👉 Learn more about John DeDakis & his books: https://johndedakis.com

👉 Explore Kelly Buckley’s work & books: https://kelleybuckley.com

💬 What’s helped YOU heal in your grief journey — writing, art, music, community? Share in the comments so we can support each other.

📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to join us for more healing conversations.

In this powerful episode of Broken Beautiful Me, host Kelly Buckley sits down with Malisa Hepner — a social worker, author, and host of the Emotionally Unavailable podcast — to explore her raw, unfiltered story of surviving extreme childhood trauma, battling shame, and reclaiming her life through radical self-love and authenticity.

Malisa’s journey began in the chaos of neglect, foster care, and the devastating loss of both parents. She shares how years of perfectionism and emotional unavailability led her to a breaking point — and the turning point that inspired her to choose life, leave a secure job, and start a podcast and private practice dedicated to helping others heal.

This episode dives deep into:

• Overcoming childhood trauma and the lasting impact of the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) score

• The truth about shame archetypes and how they shape our relationships

• Shifting from perfectionism to authentic, messy humanity

• Why gratitude and presence are essential for surviving life’s “dark nights”

• Practical tools for ending the cycle of overthinking and reconnecting with your true self

• How Malisa’s affordable workbooks are helping people worldwide heal from shame and emotional disconnection

Malisa’s story is proof that even in our most broken moments, we have the power to rewrite our narrative. Whether you’re struggling with your past, battling self-criticism, or learning to love yourself for the first time, this conversation offers hope, practical wisdom, and a reminder that you are already enough.

Resources & Links:

• Malisa Hepner’s Website & Workbooks: empoweredwithmelissahepner.org

• Follow Malisa on Instagram: @melissa.hoeppner

• Listen to the Emotionally Unavailable Podcast

• Connect with Kelly Buckley: kellybuckley.com

In this unforgettable episode of Broken Beautiful Me, Kelly sits down with Barry Adkins, a father who turned unimaginable loss into a mission to save lives. After losing his 18-year-old son Kevin to alcohol poisoning on the day he moved out on his own, Barry faced a defining choice: become a victim or use his pain to help others. He chose the latter.

What followed was an epic 1,400-mile journey on foot, carrying Kevin’s ashes from Arizona to Montana. Along the way, Barry stopped at schools, churches, and treatment centers to share his son’s story, raise awareness about the dangers of binge drinking, and challenge people to make better choices.

Barry’s story is about grief, yes—but also about forgiveness, courage, and the quiet strength it takes to turn pain into purpose.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The devastating moment Barry learned Kevin had died from alcohol poisoning

• The powerful spiritual message Barry received in the days after Kevin’s death

• How Barry walked 1,400 miles to honor his son—with his ashes in his backpack

• What it was like speaking to over 150,000 students about Kevin’s story

• The impact of his talks, including a student who saved a life after hearing Barry speak

• The 3 core takeaways Barry leaves with every audience:

• The power of decision-making

• How adversity defines your life

• The deep, personal work of forgiveness

• Barry’s reflections on faith, fatherhood, grief, and growth—20 years later

🔗 Connect with Barry Adkins & Kevin’s Last Walk:

🌐 Website: https://kevinslastwalk.com

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevinslastwalk

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-adkins-89384b29/

For Grieving Parents or Anyone Facing Loss:

Barry shares that forgiveness—especially of yourself—is the first step. Whether your path forward is small or epic, what matters is making something very good come from something so painful.

Listen to This If You’re Interested In:

• Real stories about grief and resilience

• Binge drinking awareness and prevention

• Parenting through loss

• Faith after tragedy

• Turning pain into purpose

• Youth education and school speaking

📲 Subscribe & Share:

If Barry’s story moved you, please share this episode. You never know who might need to hear it.

📣 Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.

Learn more at https://kellybuckley.com

In this deeply moving episode of Broken Beautiful Me, host Kelly Buckley welcomes Michelle Bishop—Master Certified Life Coach and author of Choose You First—for a heartfelt conversation about healing, resilience, and self-love.

Michelle shares her powerful journey from a childhood of abuse and trauma to reclaiming her voice and building a life rooted in purpose and peace. She opens up about the tragic loss of her husband, her near-death experience with COVID-19, and the profound spiritual awakening that led to her signature Silent Warrior Technique.

This episode is a raw and real exploration of what it means to choose yourself first, even in the aftermath of grief, adversity, and societal expectations. Michelle’s words are a lifeline to anyone seeking hope, clarity, and transformation.

Whether you’re navigating loss, rebuilding after hardship, or simply craving deeper self-connection—this episode will move you.

🔹 What You’ll Learn:

• The impact of childhood trauma on adult relationships

• Breaking the cycle of abuse

• How to live with radical self-worth

• The Silent Warrior Technique for managing anxiety

• Why self-love is not selfish—it’s essential

📘 Grab Michelle’s Book: Choose You First on Amazon

🌐 Learn More: https://bishoplife.com

📲 Follow Michelle on Instagram: @MichelleBishopLife

📩 Sign up for her newsletter, blogs, and events: https://bishoplife.com

✨ Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring conversations about hope, healing, and resilience.

#ChooseYouFirst #MichelleBishop #BrokenBeautifulMe #TraumaHealing #LifeCoach #WomenEmpowerment #PodcastForWomen #Resilience #SelfLove #GriefHealing #SilentWarriorTechnique

In this deeply moving episode of Broken Beautiful Me: Stories of Hope, Gratitude & Resilience, host Kelly sits down with Cathy Studer, a survivor of long-term childhood abuse turned passionate mental health and child abuse prevention advocate. Cathy shares how her painful past became a powerful catalyst for change—not only in her own life but in the lives of others.

In this episode, we explore:

• Cathy’s transformation from silence to storytelling

• The six healing attributes that changed her life and now help children build emotional strength

• The inspiration behind her memoir Broken to Beautifully Whole

• Her children’s book series The Adventures of Gus and Pasha and its impact in schools

• The emotional and psychological weight of forgiveness, and why it took her 30 years to get there

• Her work with law enforcement, educators, and advocates to prevent child abuse and promote healing

This episode is a must-listen for anyone impacted by trauma, grief, or emotional hardship—and for those who work with children and communities in need of hope and healing.

If you’ve ever felt broken, this conversation will remind you that you can become beautifully whole.

📚 Books by Cathy Studer:

• Broken to Beautifully Whole

• The Adventures of Gus and Pasha (children’s series, 6 books)

🔗 Connect with Cathy Studer:

Website: https://www.cathystuder.com

Email: cathystuder4@gmail.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07V21HCM9

❤️ Subscribe for more real-life stories of healing, growth, and resilience.

👍 Like | 🔁 Share | 🔔 Hit the bell to never miss an episode

#cathyStuder #BrokenBeautifulMe #TraumaHealing #ChildAbusePrevention #MentalHealthAdvocate #ForgivenessJourney #ResilienceBuilding #SelfCompassion #GratitudePractice #HealingBooks #SurvivorStories #EmotionalWellness #PodcastInterviews #Inspiration #HopeAfterTrauma