What happens when someone loses everything and still finds a reason to fight?

In this deeply personal episode of Listen Bitch Presents: Tell Me Why You’re Special, Branden sits down with Brian Blackman, founder of Crab Crew Life, to discuss his journey through addiction, homelessness, recovery, and ultimately helping others find hope.

Brian shares the moment that changed everything—a rock-bottom experience where he looked in the mirror and saw no light left inside himself. What followed was a painful but transformative journey through sobriety, healing childhood wounds, rebuilding his identity, and discovering a purpose greater than himself.

The conversation explores addiction, shame, homelessness, resilience, faith, recovery, personal responsibility, and what separates people who recover from those who remain trapped in destructive cycles. Brian also shares the inspiring story of Elaine, the woman who took him in when no one else would, and how that act of compassion became part of his recovery story.

Listeners will learn about the Crab Crew philosophy and its four pillars: resilience, adaptability, belief, and personal responsibility. Most importantly, they’ll hear a message that anyone struggling needs to hear:

You are not too far gone.

This episode is for anyone battling addiction, supporting someone in recovery, overcoming trauma, or searching for proof that redemption is still possible.
Bryan left Texas for California chasing a dream — and ended up homeless, sleeping in his car, drowning in alcohol and addiction. Then an 85-year-old landlord named Elaine changed everything. She didn't just give him a room. She gave him a reason to rise.
Now sober, viral, and on a mission — Bryan built Crab Crew Life to prove that no matter how deep you've dug your hole, you can claw your way back out.

https://crabcrewlife.com/

https://crabcrewlife.com/

What happens when a twelve-year-old refuses to let pain have the final word?

In this powerful episode of Listen Bitch Presents: Tell Me Why You’re Special, Branden sits down with bestselling young author and anti-bullying advocate Shanti Hershenson to discuss how writing transformed her life and helped her find her voice during one of the most difficult seasons of her childhood.

Shanti shares how bullying, identity struggles, and feeling misunderstood led her to discover a passion for storytelling that would eventually result in dozens of published books before adulthood. She opens up about the healing power of writing, the realities of social media bullying, the challenges young people face today, and how creativity can become a path toward purpose.

The conversation explores overcoming fear, trusting yourself before the world validates you, building an audience online, balancing authenticity with growth, and why so many aspiring writers never finish their first book.

Whether you’re a writer, entrepreneur, parent, student, or someone who has ever felt invisible, this episode is a powerful reminder that your story matters and your voice deserves to be heard.
Shanties first two novellas were published when she was in the sixth grade, although her writing journey started long before then. Ever since she could hold a pencil, marker, or crayon, she was creating stories. They started from pictures, mere scribbles, and eventually, turned into captivating tales.

​She lives in California with her parents, sister, and furry friends. Besides writing, she enjoys skateboarding, fencing, being a regular teenager, and of course, reading.

She writes in a variety of genres, including Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Contemporary, although she mostly sticks to Sci-Fi.

As an anti-bullying advocate, you may find her volunteering or performing powerful poetry at open mic nights.
​
Shanti is eighteen years old and a senior in high school. She plans to study Creative Writing at Bryn Mawr College.

https://www.amazon.com/Shanti-Hershenson/e/B08QRF5LP4?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1645593351&sr=8-1

http://shantihershenson.com/

What if your story is part of something much bigger than you realize?

In this powerful episode of Listen Bitch Presents: Tell Me Why You’re Special, Branden sits down with Air Force Academy graduate and author Terrence Rotering to discuss faith, spiritual warfare, purpose, and the incredible journey behind his massive Chronicles book series.

Terrence shares how a military career that included flying jets and working at NORAD eventually led him into writing an expansive science fiction and fantasy universe spanning multiple worlds, thousands of characters, and a battle between good and evil that ultimately points readers back to biblical truth.

The conversation explores spiritual warfare, the reality of evil, God’s purpose in our lives, faith in modern culture, and the challenge of communicating truth without becoming preachy. Terrence also shares several remarkable “God wink” moments that strengthened his conviction that he was called to write these stories.

Branden and Terrence dive deep into Christian responsibility, sharing your testimony, overcoming fear, the nature of heaven, and why every individual has a unique role to play in God’s larger story.

Whether you’re a reader, writer, believer, creative, or someone searching for deeper purpose, this episode will challenge you to see your life through a much bigger lens.

Terrence graduated from the United States Air Force Academy. He retired from the United States Air Force after twenty years of service as a weapon systems officer on fighter aircraft worldwide and fifteen more years at North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Author of the ten book Chronicles Series, Terry gives readers an epic adventure of fantasy, science fiction, and spiritual warfare; following in the footsteps of the giants in all three genres.

https://chroniclesoftrinian.com/