Mandi Leigh is a Canadian singer-songwriter blending folk, country, and rock into her own Americana sound. With soulful vocals and honest storytelling, she brings songs of love, loss, growth, self reflection, and life’s messy moments to the stage. You can learn more about Mandi at mandileigh.com. Make sure to listen to the end of the episode to hear one of our favorite songs, Emotional Highs!

Rebecca (Becky) Faye Smith Galli is an author and columnist who writes about love, loss, and healing. Surviving significant losses—her seventeen-year-old brother’s death; her son’s degenerative disease and subsequent death; her daughter’s autism; her divorce; and nine days later, her paralysis from transverse myelitis, a rare spinal cord inflammation that began as the flu—has fostered an unexpected but prolific writing career. In 2000, The Baltimore Sun published her first column about playing soccer with her son—from the wheelchair that launched her From Where I Sit newspaper column. Her website (BeckyGalli.com) houses over 400 published columns. Her books, Rethinking Possible – A Memoir of Resilience (2017) and Morning Fuel – Daily Inspirations to Stretch Your Mind Before Starting Your Day (2024) reflect what she believes: “Life can be good—no matter what.” She continues to write Thoughtful Thursdays—Lessons from a Resilient Heart, a column for her subscriber family that shares what’s inspired her to stay positive. A Morehead-Cain Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she was formerly employed by IBM, where she was the recipient of the Golden Circle award for marketing excellence. Becky resides in Lutherville, Maryland, outside of Baltimore.

Tim began his career at Howe-Peterson in 1988 as a Funeral Service Associate. Following his graduation from the Wayne State University Mortuary Science Program in 1989, he completed his residency and became a licensed funeral director in 1990. Tim became the Taylor Location Manager in 1994, was named Vice-President Director of Operations in 2005 and became COO in 2011.After working for three generations of the Peterson family, in 2015 Tim began an ownership transition and in 2017 became the owner and CEO of Howe-Peterson Funeral Homes.Tim currently serves as Commander of MI-MORT (Michigan Mortuary Operations Response Team) and is a DMORT-Team VIC (Disaster Mortuary Operations Response Team – Victim Information Center) Victim Advocate. Tim currently serves as a Trustee for the Funeral Service Foundation (FSF), Wayne State University (WSU) Alumni Association Board of Directors, WSU-EACPHS Board of Visitors and WSU Mortuary Science Program Advisory Board. Tim is also Past-President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association and the Michigan Mortuary Science Foundation. Tim is also a spokesperson for the National Funeral Director Association (nfda.org). You can learn more about planning and finding a funeral to help with questions at https://www.rememberingalife.com/.

Darnell Lamont Walker is a successful writer for children's tv, an adventure seeker and the author of Never Can Say Goodbye. Since childhood, Darnell has helped others who are at the end of their lives and became a death doula to continue to support them. You can learn all about Darnell's speaking engagements, work, and how to contact him at https://www.darnellwalker.com/.

We know from your questions and comments that our first episode and discussing the grief that comes with infertility was something you wanted to hear more about, so we welcome Racquel Hill, who shared her own journey through infertility, multiple miscarriages, and grieving through each step of that process. Her story is one of resilience and hope. Keep sharing the topics that would be beneficial for you. We love bringing you authentic stories.

Jennifer Chase is a survivor of generational trauma, sexual assault and addiction. Her story and telling it has enabled her to help others. You can find more about her and set up time to connect wit her at www.riseaddictionlc.com.

Dr. Dale Atkins is a psychologist and a relationship expert with 40 years experience. She is based out of New York City and also is a writer of many popular books. Most recently, she penned our new favorite children's book, The Turquoise Butterfly which delves into the important relationship between a grandparent and grandchild and the impact that grandparents leave. For more information about Dale, please visit www.drdaleatkins.com.

John Dedakis is an award-winning novelist, a writing coach, and a manuscript editor and public speaker, as well as a former editor on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer" and a former White House Correspondent.John is also a bereaved parent and has had numerous losses in his life that has shaped his writing and speaking today. You can learn more about John, his books, and upcoming events and workshops at https://johndedakis.com/.

We know that art, theater, and music have the power to make change in so many ways. That's why we invited Kira Lace Hawkins, the Outreach and Education Director for the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, and Sam Engle, who serves as the theater's Communications and Donor Relations Coordinator. To learn more about Kira and Sam, visit https://wagonwheelcenter.org/about/staff-and-board/. For more information about the Wagon Wheel, you can find everything at wagonwheelcenter.org and find them on Instagram and Facebook.

Avonley Lightstone is the author of Strength of Scars, a raw and redemptive autobiography that takes readers through a childhood marked by tragedy, trauma, and abuse — and the unwavering faith that helped her rise from it all. At just three years old, she tried to save her mother from a house fire. Tragically, her mother didn’t survive, and shortly after, her father placed her up for adoption.What followed was a journey through emotional, physical, and mental abuse — but also a path toward healing, resilience, and forgiveness. Through her book, her speaking, and her bold transparency, Avonley helps others find beauty in brokenness and strength through their scars.She’s here today to share her powerful testimony, how God carried her through the darkest valleys, and how listeners can find freedom and purpose — no matter what they’ve been through. You can learn more about Avonley and get a copy of her book at https://avonleylightstone.com.