One moment changed everything.

A motorcycle accident left Air Force veteran Kijuan “Kiwi” Jones blind, battered, and full of questions. But not for long.

He didn’t just survive—he thrived.

In this episode of Persistence U with Lizbeth, Kiwi shares how he built a new life through faith, therapy, and fierce determination—and even wrote a book: Don't Focus on Why Me. https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Focus-Why-Me-Motorcycle/dp/1737036614

Connect with Kiwi at https://ameymotivation.com/

#ThrivingNotJustSurviving #BlindMotivator #KiwanJones #resilienceandcourage #airforce #blind

Lizbeth’s links

Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth's latest podcast episodes, books, and appearances at https://lameredith.com

What if 10 minutes a day could help you process tough emotions, release perfectionism, and rediscover joy?

Today’s Persistence U guest, Susan Hensley, shares her surprising journey from news anchor to corporate executive to resilience coach—and how a brown, messy painting at a friend's house opened the door to a powerful new life practice: art journaling.

Susan takes us through:

• How a simple, playful activity helped her heal from burnout and perfectionism.
• Why tapping into childlike creativity builds emotional resilience—especially during chaos.
• How art journaling can help you hold space for tough feelings and spark real joy.
• Why resilience isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about learning how to turn the page.

Plus, Susan offers encouragement for busy women, perfectionists, and anyone craving a simple way to reset their mindset in stressful times.

🎨 Her book, Art for Your Sanity: How to Manage Chaos and Unleash Joy, offers science-backed practices anyone can try—no fancy tools or artistic experience needed.

Tune in to learn how resilience, creativity, and self-compassion are much closer than you think.

Today's interview is compliments of PodMatch

Learn more about Susan Hensley and get your free Art Journaling Starter Guide at susanhensley.com.

Lizbeth’s links

Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth's latest podcast episodes, books, and appearances at https://lameredith.com

What happens when your life is blown apart by betrayal? If you're Tzara Attwater, you build a van from scratch, drive it solo across Australia, and reassemble your sense of self along the way.

In this gripping and often hilarious episode, Lizbeth sits down with Tzara to talk about her epic 2.5-year solo road trip around the Australian continent after a devastating breakup. From falling into snake-infested waters and breaking her tibia and fibula to rebuilding confidence through travel, vanlife, and connection, this episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered if it’s too late to change course—or to start over.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How betrayal led Tzara to rediscover her strength
• The healing power of solo travel, even after 40
• The wildest thing that happened on her journey (spoiler: it involves snakes)
• Her surprising van-build journey using YouTube tutorials
• What she learned about resilience, courage, and human kindness

Tzara also shares practical takeaways, including a free confidence bundle and a quiz to discover your attachment style.

Resources & Links:

• Tzara’s website: https://myconfidencecoach.com.au
• Get your free confidence bundle:https://myconfidencecoach.com.au/confidence-bundle/
• Take the attachment style quiz on Tzara's website!
• Submit your travel story for Lizbeth’s upcoming anthology: https://lameredith.com/mostlysolo-travel-adventures-with-lizbeth

Lizbeth’s links

Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth's latest podcast episodes, books, and appearances at https://lameredith.com

In this gripping and emotional episode of Persistence U with Lizbeth, Elishaba Doerksen joins from Alaska to share her extraordinary journey from unimaginable trauma to fierce independence. Born into a secluded, abusive family cult with 14 siblings and a father who claimed spiritual authority to justify horrific abuse, Elishaba was raised without education, freedom, or safety.

At 29, she found the courage to escape, risking everything to save her life—and eventually, her siblings’. Elishaba shares the pivotal moment that gave her the strength to flee: a Bible verse, a glimmer of hope, and the belief that she was not forsaken. She recounts the challenges of adjusting to the outside world with no formal education, no job experience, and no understanding of basic life skills.

Now a speaker, survivor, mother, and author of Out of the Wilderness, Elishaba talks about the emotional cost of leaving an abusive marriage, co-parenting with courage, and raising her children with the tools and freedom she never had. Even while undergoing treatment for stage 4 brain cancer, she continues to share her story to light the way for others.

If you’ve ever felt silenced by shame, isolated by abuse, or unsure how to start over—this episode will remind you that your past does not define your future.

You Will Learn:

• How Elishaba found the strength to escape a dangerous family cult and start a new life
• Why coercive control can happen inside families—not just intimate partnerships
• How reclaiming your voice is possible, even after trauma, poverty, and illness

🔗 Relevant Links:

• 📘 Order Elishaba's book: OutoftheWildernessBook.com
• 🌐 Learn more: Elishaba.com
• 🎤 Invite Elishaba to speak: Contact Page on Elishaba.com

Lizbeth’s links

Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth's latest podcast episodes, books, and appearances at https://lameredith.com

In this episode of Persistence U, Maggie Parr joins us to explore the often overlooked topic of self-harm in adulthood.

A celebrated artist and longtime Disney Imagineer, Maggie shares her deeply personal journey from childhood trauma and relapse in midlife to recovery through art, therapy, and self-love. She candidly discusses how self-harm was once her survival tool, and how she eventually learned to listen to the inner child driving the behavior—and love her back to life. Maggie’s message is clear: healing is possible at any age, and creativity can be a vital tool on that path. Thank you, Maggie, for your courage, your artistry, and your commitment to helping others find light through darkness.

You Will Learn:

• Why self-harm isn’t just a teenage issue—and why adult experiences deserve more attention.
• How childhood trauma and high achievement can intertwine with self-destructive coping mechanisms.
• Why embracing all parts of ourselves, even the ones we fear, can lead to lasting healing.

Call for Entries:

Are you a woman who used solo travel to heal or increase resilience after the age of 40? Would you like to write about it? Consider submitting an essay for my forthcoming anthology! Details HERE

Lizbeth’s links

Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth's latest podcast episodes, books, and appearances at https://lameredith.com

When life throws unimaginable challenges—raising four kids, one with special needs, and then losing your husband to cancer—what comes next?

For author and advocate Julie Barth, the answer was purpose.

In this moving episode, Julie shares her journey from family chaos to crisis and ultimately to the creation of CJB Outreach, a nonprofit named for her late husband, Colin James Barth. The organization supports women-led households in crisis, offering assistance before families lose everything. Julie also discusses her books (Notes from a Blackberry and the upcoming From Blackberries to Thorns), and how her daughter Tatum, born with primordial dwarfism, found her voice through art—with proceeds now benefiting the nonprofit.

A beautiful conversation about love, legacy, motherhood, and resilience.

🎧 You Will Learn:

• How Julie turned profound grief into purposeful giving.
• Why some families in crisis need help before they lose everything.
• How one daughter’s art became a family movement for healing and hope.

🔗 Resources + Links:

• Julie’s Website + Books + Outreach: www.juliebarthauthor.net
• Nonprofit: CJB Outreach (via her site)
• Tatum’s Art Business: Hope for Tayt

Book (Audio + Print): Notes from a Blackberry

Lizbeth’s links

Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth's latest podcast episodes, books, and appearances at https://lameredith.com

Dr. Tolia discusses the challenges of transitioning from a structured medical career to the creative freedom of art, how she merges her passion with purpose by supporting charities, and the therapeutic benefits of art for the brain.
You Will Learn:
1. How Dr. Tolia transitioned from medicine to art and found new meaning in life.
2. The connection between art, neuroscience, and mental health.
3. Why prioritizing creativity can strengthen resilience and improve well-being.


Connect with Dr. Vasu Tolia:

Grab your brain relaxation freebie HERE
• Website: www.vasutolia.art
• Newsletter Signup: Stay updated on her art releases, shows, and competitions.
Connect with Lizbeth Meredith:
• Website: www.lameredith.com
• Podcast Updates & Contact: Join the mailing list or connect via the contact form.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review, subscribe, and share it with others who might be inspired by Dr. Tolia’s story.

Lizbeth’s links

Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth's latest podcast episodes, books, and appearances at https://lameredith.com

In this heartfelt episode of Persistence U with Lizbeth, Emily Moon, a therapist and high-conflict divorce specialist, shares her personal and professional journey of resilience. From navigating her own challenges to helping families and individuals redefine their identities after loss or crisis, Emily provides actionable insights on how to rebuild your life with grace and purpose.

Emily discusses how embracing gratitude, exploring new experiences, and learning to let go can help anyone facing major life transitions. Whether you’re navigating a divorce, recovering from a loss, or simply seeking clarity in a new chapter of life, her wisdom is sure to inspire.

You Will Learn:

1. How to rediscover yourself: Why exploring your likes and dislikes can help you rebuild your identity after a crisis.
2. The role of gratitude in resilience: How practicing gratitude, even during tough times, shifts your mindset from scarcity to abundance.
3. Navigating relationships post-divorce: Tips on fostering healthy boundaries and supporting children during high-conflict separations.

For More on High Conflict Divorce Info, check out episode 41 with Liz Merrill HERE

Connect with Emily Moon:

• Website: EmilyMoon.life (divorce support and resilience resources)

Lizbeth’s links

Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth's latest podcast episodes, books, and appearances at https://lameredith.com