Episode 10: Overcoming Near-Death Experience with Kathy McDaniel

What if dying became the moment you truly learned how to live?

In this extraordinary episode of Overcoming Anything, host Anne Vryonides sits down with Kathy McDaniel, author of the memoir “Misfit in Hell to Heaven Expat,” to explore one of the most profound experiences imaginable — a distressing near-death experience that transformed her fear into faith and her suffering into purpose.

In 1999, while dying from lung failure, Kathy was placed on a ventilator and put into a drug-induced coma. During that time, she experienced what she later learned was a Distressing Near-Death Experience (DNDE) — a terrifying journey through darkness and despair that eventually transitioned into an indescribable experience of Heaven’s bliss and unconditional love.

Her story is not just about survival; it’s about awakening.

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Hell Is Not Forever — It’s a Mirror: Distressing near-death experiences are often self-created reflections of fear, guilt, or beliefs carried from life — and healing them begins with love and self-forgiveness.
2. The Power of “Be Loving and Kind”: Kathy’s simple mantra became her guiding light through darkness. Choosing love and kindness — even in pain — can transform every experience.
3. Purpose in the Pain: Every struggle carries meaning. The pain you’ve endured may be the very gift that allows you to help others heal.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: Kathy’s near-death experience and story
02:15 – The illness that led to lung failure
05:00 – Entering “The Void” and facing a self-created hell
08:20 – The turning point: remembering God through “Away in a Manger”
12:00 – Transition to Heaven and the feeling of unconditional love
17:45 – Returning to Earth and struggling to integrate the experience
21:00 – The 10-year journey before finding IANDS
26:30 – Healing through community and sharing her story
30:45 – What distressing NDEs teach us about God and love
34:20 – Advice for those afraid of death or suffering alone
40:00 – Life lessons: empathy, acceptance, and divine purpose
44:10 – Creating heaven on earth by being loving and kind
48:00 – Books that guided Kathy’s healing journey
50:00 – Closing reflections and how to connect with Kathy

Connect with Kathy McDaniel

Website: www.misfitinhelltoheavenexpat.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/KathyMcDaniel
Facebook: facebook.com/KathyMcDaniel.FoxIs
X (Twitter): @MKMcDaniel3
YouTube: Watch Here
Instagram: @kathymcdaniel.foxis

Books Kathy Recommends

• Misfit in Hell to Heaven Expat: Lessons from a Dark Near-Death Experience and How to Avoid Hell in the Afterlife — M.K. (Kathy) McDaniel https://a.co/d/7vaxNg5
• My Descent into Death — Howard Storm https://a.co/d/fbJAG8P
• Dancing Through the Dark — Nancy Evans Bush https://a.co/d/3Y7m1Bq

Credits

Host: Anne Vryonides
Guest: M.K. (Kathy) McDaniel

Disclaimer

The content of this episode is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, therapy, or coaching.

If you enjoyed this episode,

Episode 009: Overcoming Manic Depression with Benjamin "Bencasso" Barnes

In this powerful episode of Overcoming Anything, we sit down with Benjamin Barnes, also known as Bencasso—a musician, artist, author, entrepreneur, and nonprofit founder—who has faced the depths of manic depression and psychosis. From losing everything to finding resilience through creativity, community, and faith in his own healing, Benjamin’s story is a beacon of hope for anyone struggling with mental health challenges.

Key Takeaways

1. Resilience isn’t linear – recovery from manic depression involves setbacks, but persistence creates breakthroughs.

2. Creativity is medicine – music, art, and entrepreneurship can be transformative tools for healing and identity rebuilding.

3. Community support matters – surrounding yourself with people who uplift and believe in you is essential to overcoming hardship.

4. Medication & therapy are strengths, not weaknesses – treatment plays a vital role in stability and long-term recovery.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & introduction

02:40 – What manic psychosis feels like: alternate realities & delusions

08:25 – The first episode of psychosis and diagnosis at 26

13:10 – Losing everything: career, relationships, and identity

20:05 – The turning point: friends and community support

27:15 – Struggles with addiction and relapse

33:00 – Finding love, stability, and recovery

40:20 – Key lessons: medication, persistence, and creativity as healing

48:55 – Advice for anyone facing psychosis or depression

53:10 – Upcoming projects & Benjamin’s nonprofit mission

Connect with Benjamin “Bencasso” Barnes

· Website: benjaminbarnes.com

· Nonprofit: culturescholar.org

· Email: info@benjaminbarnes.com, info@culturescholar.org

· Social Accounts: https://www.allmylinks.com/bencasso

Books & Resources Benjamin Recommends

· Loosened Associations: Jazz, Autism, Mischief, and Madness by Benjamin Barnes https://a.co/d/fLMe77L

· National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

· Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741

Credits

· Host: Anne Vryonides

· Guest: Benjamin “Bencasso” Barnes

Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are struggling with mental health, please seek support from a licensed professional. If you are in crisis, call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency number immediately.

Please follow, download, and rate Overcoming Anything so this podcast can reach the people who need it most.

❤️ Anne

Episode 008: Overcoming Career Transitions with Len Ward

What happens when the security of corporate America no longer feels aligned with your future? In this episode of Overcoming Anything, I sit down with Len Ward, entrepreneur and founder, who shares his journey of leaving a steady paycheck behind to step into the uncertainty of business ownership.

From the fear of supporting a young family, to losing his first business during the 2008 housing crisis, to rebuilding with resilience and scaling a successful digital agency, Len’s story is a powerful reminder that courage, action, and self-belief are the foundation of any entrepreneurial journey.

Len also shares why paying yourself first matters, how to manage imposter syndrome, and why AI-enabled small businesses will be the future.

Len Ward is the Managing Partner of Commexis, an AI consulting and product development firm helping businesses evolve into AI-native organizations. A former Wall Street VP at Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse, Len transitioned from finance into entrepreneurship during the dot-com boom, launching an e-commerce business and self-teaching digital growth. He went on to build and scale a full-service marketing firm and today leads a team creating AI-powered marketing engines, intelligent chatbots, and workflow automation tools.

Key Takeaways

1. Indecision will kill you- Success comes from taking action quickly and course correcting along the way, rather than staying stuck in fear or hesitation.
2. Pay yourself first- Even if it’s a small percentage, prioritizing your own paycheck from day one ensures sustainability and prevents the “vanity growth” trap many entrepreneurs fall into.
3. Failure fuels growth- Losing a business isn’t the end—it’s the training ground that equips you with the resilience, knowledge, and confidence to build something stronger.

Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome & introduction
03:10 — Len’s mantra: “Indecision will kill you”
07:00 — Leaving corporate America with a young family
11:20 — The challenge of paying yourself first
15:45 — Loneliness and self-reliance in entrepreneurship
20:00 — The 2008 collapse and losing his first business
24:30 — Starting again: free work, first clients, and the “unplugged phone” moment
30:00 — Scaling from solopreneur to 25 employees (and what broke)
37:00 — Key merger that changed everything
42:15 — Facing imposter syndrome and believing in yourself
48:30 — How AI will reshape small business and entrepreneurship
55:00 — Lessons learned, books that made a difference
01:02:00 — Where to connect with Len

Connect with Len Ward

Website: Commexis.com
LinkedIn: Len Ward
Twitter/X: @LenWardNJ

Books & Resources Len Recommends

• The E-Myth Revisited — Michael Gerber https://a.co/d/781knp4
• Purple Cow — Seth Godin https://a.co/d/5RpaepW
• The Untethered Soul — Michael A. Singer https://a.co/d/75Q2FMR
• Everyday AI podcast

Credits

• Host: Anne Vryonides
• Guest: Len Ward

DisclaimerDisclaimer

The content of this episode is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, therapy, or coaching.

Please follow, download, and rate Overcoming Anything so this podcast can reach the people who need it most.

❤️ Anne