Some days, life doesn’t knock—you just wake up already on the floor. In this episode, I take you inside one of the hardest days of my life—the day I questioned whether I should even keep going. From the quiet of my mother’s kitchen to a rough, imperfect bar of soap that changed my trajectory, this is the story of how something small pulled me out of the dark.

I’ll share the Norse myth of Tyr and Fenrir, a tale of sacrifice and survival, and how it mirrors my own fight to keep moving after loss and betrayal. If you’ve ever been stuck, broken, or convinced you’ve got nothing left to give—this episode is for you.

Featured Song: Legacy in the Grain – written by Paul Freeland.

Calloused Hands, Divine Blood – written by Paul Freeland.

Nailed to the Bark – written by Paul Freeland.

In This Episode:

• The day I almost didn’t get back up—and what turned it around
• How one bar of soap became a lifeline
• The Norse story of Tyr’s sacrifice and what it means for survival today
• Three small steps to start moving forward when you feel stuck
• Why making something—anything—can save your life

Support the Show: Veteran-owned. Handmade in Kansas. Inspired by Norse mythology. Check out my work at Yggdrasil Industries.

Follow & Connect:

• Website: https://yggdrasil-industries.com
• Email: p.freeland@yggdrasil-industries.com

Closing Words: Sometimes, the smallest spark is all you need. Start small. Keep moving. Forge forward.

In this first episode of Forged in Silence, I lay it all out—the truth about where I’ve been, what I’ve lost, and why I refuse to stay down. I talk about my time as a Navy sailor, the betrayal that nearly broke me, and how I’m rebuilding my life one handmade product at a time through my business, Yggdrasil Industries.

This isn’t just a podcast about bath and body products. It’s about resilience, starting over when you’ve got nothing left, and finding purpose in the scars life leaves behind.

You’ll also hear how Norse mythology—specifically the story of Odin hanging from Yggdrasil—shapes my journey and my craft. If you’ve ever been knocked down and wondered if it’s worth getting back up, this episode is for you.

Featured Song: Legacy in the Grain – written and performed by Paul Freeland.

In This Episode:

• My unfiltered story—military service, betrayal, and the rebuild
• How Yggdrasil Industries was born from rock-bottom
• Why Norse myth fuels my work and mindset
• The connection between crafting and healing
• What you can expect from this podcast moving forward

Support the Show: If you want to see what I’m building, visit Yggdrasil Industries – veteran-owned, handmade bath and body products rooted in Norse mythology.

Follow & Connect:

• Website: https://Yggdrasil-Industries.com
• Email: p.freeland@yggdrasil-industries.com

Closing Words: This is just the start. Every week I’ll bring you stories, lessons, and real talk about the fight to keep going. Until next time—stay sharp, stand tall, forge forward.