Podcast
Strong Enough
Strong Enough is a podcast for survivors, advocates, and anyone who believes healing is possible.
Hosted by domestic violence survivor, former law enforcement officer, and crime analyst Claudia King, each episode features courageous conversations with survivors of domestic violence, violent crime, and extraordinary trauma. Guests share the truth about what happened, how they survived, and what it took to reclaim their lives.
These are honest stories of resilience, recovery, and hope. Whether you're navigating your own healing journey, supporting someone you love, or simply want to better understand the lasting impact of trauma, you'll find compassion, insight, and inspiration in every episode.
Because surviving is only the beginning. You are Strong Enough to heal, rebuild, and write your next chapter.
- Episodes
- 146
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 47 min
- On air since
- 2021
- Latest episode
- 1 month ago
Episodes
146 episodes, newest first
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42 min
Life of Lies
Episode 146
Show notes
What happens when the life you thought you knew turns out to be built on secrets?
This week on Strong Enough, Claudia King sits down with author Venus Morris Griffin to talk about her new memoir, The Other Side of Perfect: A True Story of Love, Lies, and Learning to Forgive.
Venus shares what inspired her to finally tell the full story of her marriage, the devastating discovery that her husband had been living a double life, and what it was like to watch the future she thought she had disappear as he ultimately went to prison.
But this conversation is about much more than betrayal.
Venus and Claudia talk about what happens after the crisis, when the headlines fade and you are left to figure out who you are, how you rebuild, and whether forgiveness is possible without excusing what happened. Venus opens up about moving forward, creating a new life for herself and her family, and learning that healing does not require pretending the past never happened.
This is an honest conversation about betrayal, survival, forgiveness, identity, and finding the courage to build a life that looks very different from the one you originally imagined.
Learn more about Venus and The Other Side of Perfect at VenusMorrisGriffin.com.
Topics include: betrayal trauma, infidelity, marriage, forgiveness, resilience, healing after betrayal, starting over, family trauma, surviving adversity, rebuilding your life, women’s stories, memoirs, and personal growth.
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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39 min
Rae Cline: Survivor And Storyteller
Episode 145
Show notes
What does it take to break cycles of domestic violence, generational trauma, and silence?
On this episode of Strong Enough, Claudia King is joined by author Rae Cline to discuss her powerful debut novel, Precious Ugly, available August 18, 2026. Set in 1985 Appalachia, the novel follows Clementine, a resourceful thirteen-year-old girl living in a van with her abusive, alcoholic father, a charismatic preacher who promises a miracle. As Clementine fights to protect herself and her mother, she must determine whether that promised miracle will save her or destroy her.
Rae shares the inspiration behind Clementine and explains how fiction can illuminate the complicated realities of domestic violence, poverty, addiction, coercive control, and generational trauma. Claudia and Rae also discuss the many ways abuse affects victims and survivors, including the lasting damage caused when children are forced to carry the consequences of adults’ choices.
Rae also introduces the Warm Words Project, her grassroots, community-based outreach initiative supporting people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. Through practical resources, personal connection, and judgment-free kindness, the project demonstrates how small acts of compassion can help someone feel seen during one of the most difficult moments of their life.
This is a conversation about survival, storytelling, empathy, and the courage it takes to imagine a life beyond abuse.
Connect with Rae Cline:
Website and Precious Ugly ordering information: https://raecline.com/
Learn about the Warm Words Project
Instagram: @raeclineauthor
Order through Books Are Magic
Order on AmazonPrecious Ugly, published by 7.13 Books, will be available August 18, 2026.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or visit https://www.thehotline.org/.
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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46 min
The Tepe Murders with Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee
Episode 144
Show notes
In this episode of Strong Enough, Claudia King is joined by Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee, the creators and hosts of The Murder Sheet podcast, to examine the shocking murders of Spencer and Monique Tepe.
Spencer and Monique were devoted parents building a life together when they were found murdered inside their Columbus, Ohio, home. Their two young children were discovered unharmed inside the residence. As investigators began piecing together surveillance footage, vehicle data, ballistic evidence, and the couple’s history, the case led them to Monique’s former husband, Michael David McKee.
McKee, who has pleaded not guilty, is charged with four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary. Monique and McKee had been briefly married more than a decade before the killings and reportedly separated after approximately eight months.
Claudia, Áine, and Kevin discuss who Spencer and Monique were, what is currently known about the night they were killed, and how investigators identified McKee as the accused suspect. They also examine reports that he may have visited the area near the Tepe home weeks before the murders, raising disturbing questions about possible stalking, surveillance, and whether that earlier visit could have been a “dry run.”
How did the killer enter a home with no obvious signs of forced entry? Was the family being watched? And why can an abusive former partner remain dangerous years, or even decades, after a relationship ends?
This conversation goes beyond the evidence in one developing criminal case to explore coercive control, fixation, stalking, separation violence, and the lasting danger some survivors face long after they believe they have escaped.
Michael David McKee is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Listen to The Murder Sheet on Spotify
Listen to The Murder Sheet on Apple Podcasts
Follow The Murder Sheet on Instagram
Keywords: Spencer Tepe, Monique Tepe, Tepe murders, Michael McKee, The Murder Sheet, Áine Cain, Kevin Greenlee, Claudia King, Strong Enough Podcast, Columbus Ohio murders, Ohio true crime, domestic violence, stalking, coercive control, separation violence, ex-husband accused of murder, aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, true crime podcast, criminal investigation, surveillance footage, ballistic evidence, intimate partner violence
#StrongEnoughPodcast #TheMurderSheet #SpencerTepe #MoniqueTepe #MichaelMcKee #TrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #DomesticViolenceAwareness #StalkingAwareness #CoerciveControl #IntimatePartnerViolence #ColumbusOhio
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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34 min
Captain Kory Flowers: Behind the Badge
Episode 143
Show notes
What does the badge really cost?
Police officers train for danger. They expect difficult calls. But nothing truly prepares them for the emotional weight of losing a fellow officer, witnessing unimaginable tragedy, or carrying years of cumulative trauma.
In this episode of Strong Enough, host Claudia King, a former police officer, certified domestic violence expert, and legal analyst, is joined by Captain Kory Flowers, a 27-year law enforcement veteran currently serving in Vice Narcotics. As former squad mates, Claudia and Kory share an honest conversation about the realities of policing that few people ever see.
Together, they discuss:
How officers process trauma after critical incidents and line-of-duty deaths
Why policing is unlike any other profession
The importance of empathy and seeing people as individuals instead of stereotypes
The impact of social media on public perception of law enforcement
Why trusted friendships and a strong support system can save careers and lives
Whether you wear a badge, love someone who does, or simply want a deeper understanding of the people behind the uniform, this conversation offers insight, compassion, and hope.
Because none of us, police officers included, were meant to carry life's hardest moments alone.
Kory Flowers is a 27-year veteran Captain with the Greensboro Police Department. Captain Flowers trains law enforcement officers nationwide on various subversive criminal groups, leadership, tactical communication, and has written articles and conducted podcasts for publications including Police One, Police Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, and National Public Radio. He is a frequent guest on numerous law enforcement podcasts, and is a guest television host on On Patrol Live.
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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54 min
Kristi Gonçalves: Why DNA Matters
Episode 142
Show notes
When unimaginable tragedy strikes, some people choose to turn their pain into purpose.
In this powerful episode of Strong Enough: Survivor Stories, host Claudia King sits down with Kristi Gonçalves, mother of murdered University of Idaho student Kaylee Gonçalves, and Tracie Brocco, Executive Director of the Kaylee Gonçalves Foundation dba Murder Has a Name. Kristi and Steve Gonçalves, alongside Tracie and others, launched this foundation to help fill a gap in funding DNA testing in criminal cases.
Together, Kristi and Tracie share the remarkable story of how a friendship formed through heartbreak, the mission behind their newly launched nonprofit, and their determination to help bring justice to families still searching for answers.
They discuss why DNA evidence has become one of the most powerful tools in modern criminal investigations, how forensic genealogy and advanced DNA testing are helping solve cold cases across the country, and why so many cases remain unsolved simply because funding is unavailable.
This conversation goes beyond the headlines of the Idaho Four murders to explore victim advocacy, the lasting impact of violent crime on families, and how communities can help ensure every victim's story is heard.
In this episode:
• The creation of the Kaylee Gonçalves Foundation / Murder Has a Name
• How Kristi Gonçalves and Tracie Brocco became friends through tragedy
• The importance of DNA testing in criminal investigations
• Forensic genealogy and solving cold cases
• Why funding is critical for unsolved murder cases
• Victim advocacy and supporting families seeking justice
• The lasting legacy of Kaylee GonçalvesIf you're interested in true crime, victim advocacy, forensic science, criminal investigations, or the ongoing pursuit of justice, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
#KayleeGoncalves #IdahoFour #UniversityOfIdaho #BryanKohberger #DNAEvidence #ForensicGenealogy #ColdCase #TrueCrimePodcast #VictimAdvocacy #JusticeForVictims #MurderHasAName #StrongEnoughPodcast
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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33 min
Loren Vellucci: My Hardest Truth
Episode 141
Show notes
What happens when leaving an abusive marriage means risking the loss of your family, your faith community, and the people you thought would stand by you?
In this powerful episode of Strong Enough: Survivor Stories, I sit down with private investigator and domestic violence survivor Loren Vellucci to discuss her journey through an abusive marriage, the challenges of navigating deeply held religious beliefs, and the painful reality of family members who refused to support her decision to leave.
Loren shares how faith was sometimes used as a weapon against her, the emotional toll of spiritual pressure and victim-blaming, and the courage it took to choose safety and freedom despite criticism from those closest to her. Together, Loren and I explore the intersection of domestic violence, religious trauma, coercive control, family dynamics, and survivor resilience.
This episode offers hope, validation, and insight for anyone struggling to leave an abusive relationship or heal from the wounds left behind, even when you don't have the support of those seemingly closest to you.
Topics discussed:
• Domestic violence and abusive relationships
• Religious trauma and spiritual abuse
• Coercive control and emotional abuse
• Family rejection and victim-blaming
• Leaving an abusive marriage
• Healing after domestic violence
• Survivor empowerment and recovery
• Faith, forgiveness, and personal growthIf you or someone you love is experiencing abuse, know that you are not alone. Your story matters, and healing is possible.
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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1 hr 19 min
Nicole Arbour: I Believe You
Episode 140
Show notes
Nicole Arbour joins Strong Enough: Survivor Stories for a powerful and unfiltered conversation about the trauma and abuse she endured at the hands of other celebrities that she barely even knew.
From public lies and a relentless smear campaign designed to silence and destroy her reputation, to the hush money deal sent to her after years of pressure, Nicole shares how she refused to stay quiet and chose to protect her truth instead.
This episode dives deep into the emotional and psychological toll of betrayal by high-profile figures, the pain of having your experiences dismissed and twisted, and the strength it takes to stand up when powerful people try to rewrite your story. Nicole opens up about the lasting impact of this abuse, how it compounded her existing trauma, and the resilience she found in refusing to sign away her voice.
We also discuss women supporting other women (#GOTEAM) and new merch that Nicole will soon have available where net proceeds will be donated to organizations that help women through stalking and harassment.
If you've ever been targeted, gaslit, or pressured to stay silent after speaking your truth, especially when money, influence, and fame are involved, this episode will resonate deeply. Nicole's story is a raw reminder that survivors don't have to accept hush money or back down. You are strong enough to reclaim your narrative and heal on your own terms.
Tune in for an honest discussion on trauma recovery, setting boundaries against abuse of power, and why speaking out matters—even when the cost feels enormous.
Guest Bio: Nicole Arbour is a Canadian comedian, singer, actress, former NBA cheerleader, and bold content creator known for her viral videos and unapologetic truth-telling. Through chronic pain, industry battles, and a public ordeal with Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO, she continues to use her platform to expose what she's experienced and encourage other survivors to find their strength.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of trauma, emotional and psychological abuse, smear campaigns, and the pressure of hush money offers.
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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49 min
Toxic or Trendy?
Episode 139
Show notes
When is your relationship truly a problem, and what can you do to fix it or realize it's time to walk away? In this episode of Strong Enough, author and licensed professional therapist Kate King discusses all things toxic relationship: from when to know if your relationship really is toxic, or if you're simply using yet another "buzz word" to describe something that has room to heal. Kate and I also chat about family relationships, and why it's not just okay, but highly recommended, to set boundaries and create space in toxic familial relationships. Kate also shares about her new book, Mend or Move On. Relationships are meant to nourish us―but what happens when they cause harm instead? In Mend or Move On, Kate offers a bold, compassionate guide to breaking free from toxic dynamics and reclaiming a life rooted in self-respect and happiness.
So, if you've been feeling like some of your relationships are pushing past their expiration date, this episode can help you figure out if it's really time to move on or if there could be a chance to put things back together and rediscover a place of healthiness and happiness in your relationship.
About Kate:
Kate King is a multi award-winning author with nearly twenty years of clinical experience as a licensed professional counselor and board-certified art therapist. Her unique approach to inner work and personal growth expertly integrates science, psychology, creativity, and spirituality. With Kate's groundbreaking books, readers learn to heal trauma, transform relationships, reclaim personal power, and radically improve life. Kate is a big fan of feeling inspired, exploring nature, creating with vivid color, and building a meaningful life with her family in Denver, Colorado.
theradiantlifeproject.com
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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49 min
Intimacy and Shame
Episode 138
Show notes
When it comes to intimacy, have you ever felt like you aren't normal? Maybe you've experienced trauma, and that's left you with shame, embarrassment, and fear. Now, it feels easier to just go through the motions, forgetting about any enjoyment for yourself, because you don't think you're worth it, or you're too embarrassed to discuss the topic with your partner.
Leah Carey is a Relationship and Intimacy Coach who specializes in helping people release the fear and shame so they can reclaim their power when it comes to intimacy. Leah experienced abuse as a child and the devastation of losing her mother to cancer. She decided it was time to heal: learn that she was worthy and deserving of good things. She took quite the path to find healing, and now she helps other people release the barriers that prevent them from feeling whole when it comes to intimacy.
From her website, leahcarey.com:
Growing up, my father’s abuse taught me two things: 1) I was undesirable in every way, and 2) since I was never good enough, I was the problem.
It took me 42 years, a lot of heartache, and so much unpleasurable s*x to realize that being a “good girl” who doubted her worth wasn’t actually working. When my mother passed away from cancer, I was devastated. But she was also the final tether to the old story of myself as the “good girl.” With both my parents gone, I could finally find out who I am.
I got rid of everything but the essentials, threw all my possessions in the car, and drove away from the familiar life I had known. I planned to spend a year traveling the United States in search of adventure and the next place I wanted to live.
What I found was a s*xual awakening and healing I could have never known was coming. I sought out s*xy experiences I’d never allowed myself to have before, took classes on consent, boundaries, s*xual communication, and more.
I stared straight into the face of the beast and dared to ask: “Am I really broken? Is it true that I’m undesirable? Am I actually meant to go the rest of my life without pleasure or true companionship?”
The answer to every one of those questions came back loud and clear: NO.I no longer believe that “good girls” are quiet and docile and take care of everyone else’s needs before their own.
I learned how to embrace my true s*xual identity, and I can guide you to do the same.Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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41 min
Autism Education
Episode 137
Show notes
Have you ever had what you thought was a fantastic idea, but you let fear and insecurity convince you it wasn't so fantastic? One day, Christina Collura decided to create what she thought was a simple educational toy for her autistic son. It was a huge hit, and she thought maybe she should let others have access to her new creation. But then, fear crept in and convinced her that no one else would find it as useful as she did. However, with the help of her trusted support system, she had the courage and confidence to build Creative Beginning, the company that now provides education toys that provide specialized educational approaches for children and adults all over the world.
Christina will share why educational empowerment for all and inclusivity are at the center of her mission, and she'll talk about her work to ensure all children have access to appropriate learning tools that will help them succeed. While Christina has a special place in her heart for helping those with autism, she has found her educational toys are benefitting children and adults of all ages and backgrounds!
Don't let fear and insecurity stop you in your tracks. Your dreams are within your reach!
From Christina's LinkedIn:
With over 20 years of dedicated experience in education, my journey as an Elementary School Teacher at the Toronto District School Board has been deeply enriched by my role as CEO and Founder of Creative Beginning. At the heart of my mission is the empowerment of every child through specialized educational approaches, leveraging my expertise in special education and kindergarten pedagogy. Our team at Creative Beginning, fortified by my recent certification as a Certified Autism Resource, is committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment that honors diverse learning needs. My entrepreneurial spirit and passion for nurturing young minds are at the core of my professional ethos, aligning seamlessly with the values and mission of both my ventures.
https://www.creative-beginning.com/
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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38 min
Finding the Will to Live
Episode 136
Show notes
Have you ever felt like life has thrown so many curve balls your way, you just don't want to keep dodging them? Amy Thurman felt that way. She dealt with a broken neck, sheared brainstem and TBI for over ten years (that went undetected for over six months!). Amy was bedridden, a shell of her former self. It would have been so easy for Amy to give up; Instead she decided to turn her pain into purpose to prove that sometimes the most difficult journeys can bring you to the most beautiful destination.
Amy will share how she was able to push aside the victim mentality and find a space where she truly thrived. If you've felt that life is simply too tough to handle, Amy's got some advice for you.
From her website, getamyshelp.com:
For over a decade, Amy Thurman lived with a broken neck, a sheared brainstem, and a traumatic brain injury, undiagnosed for six months. That experience almost shattered her and caused her to end her life. Instead, it became a doorway. Not just to healing, but to something deeper: a calling she couldn’t ignore.
After spending nearly a year bedridden and battling hopelessness, Amy made a life-altering decision: To stop trying to become who she used to be, and start uncovering who she was always meant to be.
Through that journey of radical resilience, reinvention, and healing, she created the Polish the Mirror™ Framework, a transformational path designed to help others release fear, reconnect with their truth, and live with deep authenticity.
Today, Amy doesn’t just inspire people, she reintroduces them to themselves. She has a gift for helping others see through the noise, the roles, and the expectations, to reconnect with the version of themselves they’ve forgotten. She holds up a mirror, not to reflect who they’ve become, but to remind them of who they’ve always been.
Amy is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, educator, and visionary known for helping individuals, teams, and communities move from fear-based survival to authentic, purpose-driven living.
Through her groundbreaking frameworks, Polish the Mirror™ and the S.P.A.C.E. Method, Amy guides people back to themselves through the radical, healing power of Holding Space. First, she models it. Then, she teaches it. Because true transformation begins when you stop trying to fix yourself, and finally start meeting yourself with compassion, clarity, and presence.
Her work empowers people to uncover their worth, lead with confidence, and create meaningful, lasting impact, personally and professionally.
Known for her out-of-the-box thinking, heart-centered strategies, and mirror-like presence, Amy’s mission is both simple and powerful: To help people remember who they are, reclaim their voice, and lead lives of deep authenticity and joy.
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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48 min
Too Late to Change?
Episode 135
Show notes
Have you ever felt stuck in your job or career and weren't happy, but you felt like it was too late to change? Dr. Theresa Skaar is here to talk about how, at the age of 41, she decided to take a chance on pursuing the career about which she was truly passionate. She and her family moved to a new state so she could go back to school, and now, Theresa is in her mid-50's, and her work makes her happy and leaves her feeling fulfilled while helping others.
If you ever thought it was too late for you to make a positive change in your life, Theresa is here to tell you that if you are motivated and determined, you can make it happen.
From her website, theresabskaar.com:
"It is never too late to be what you might have been."
I love this quote by George Eliot so much that I included it in my personal statement when I applied to grad school as an older adult student.
My life's journey has been quite the adventure, full of twists and turns. And I've learned that it's never too late to chase your dreams or heal a part of your life. Whether you're seeking support for yourself or looking to collaborate professionally, I am here to help. My approach is warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental, providing a safe space for exploration and growth. Together, we can navigate life's challenges, embrace change, and find the inner strength to thrive.Guest Information: Dr. Theresa Skaar
theresabskaar.com
Strong Enough features stories of healing and hope to remind you that you are strong enough to conquer the challenges you face in life. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You are strong enough, and you are worth it.
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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56 min
The Truth About Delphi
Episode 134
Show notes
If you're a devoted true crime fan, then you've heard about the Delphi case involving Abigail Williams and Liberty German. The case went unsolved for several years, and in 2024, Richard Allen was convicted of their brutal murders. While many journalists and podcasters covered the crime and the trial, no two individuals were more dedicated than Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee of The Murder Sheet podcast. Áine and Kevin followed the Delphi case from the beginning, attended every day of the trial (which proved challenging on its own), and wrote the recently-released book, Shadow of the Bridge, providing the only definitive account of the entire investigation.
Áine and Kevin sat down to talk about the case as a whole, as well as why they were drawn to write a book, what surprised them the most during the trial, and who the real heroes of the case are. We also discuss vicarious trauma and how people can reduce the negative effects they may feel when learning about or discussing another person's trauma.
If you followed the Delphi case, love the The Murder Sheet, or want to learn more about vicarious trauma, don't miss this episode!
Guests:
Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee
murdersheetpodcast.com
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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1 hr 5 min
Is Shame Holding You Back?
Episode 133
Show notes
Shame...hopelessness...guilt...helplessness...when we experience these, it can turn our worlds upside down. We feel alone, sometimes afraid to ask for help or seek community. We isolate ourselves and fall deeper and deeper into a place that consumes us. Can you ever escape? Or will you become a statistic?
Dr. Carter Check believes that moral injury is a wound that we can't see, and it's one that can leave us feeling more alone than ever before, because we aren't able to grieve the loss that goes along with it. But we aren't alone, and there are ways that we can heal the trauma and rebuild the parts of ourselves that we feel we lost. In this pivotal episode, Dr. Carter talks about his work as a suicide prevention specialist - why he chose this path for himself and why he knows that we can save more people if we work together as a community and are willing to ask for a helping hand.
From his website, drcartercheck.com:
Moral injury is the unseen wound that takes lives in silence.
Dr. Carter Check has made it his mission to change that.
A former Army Cavalry Scout turned Healthcare Ethicist and Board-Certified Chaplain with a specialty competency in Suicide Prevention, Dr. Carter Check is a national voice in moral injury care, ethical leadership, and upstream suicide prevention. His work is both professional and personal, having walked his own journey through moral injury, he now works to ensure that others never have to walk it alone.
For nearly a decade, Carter has served on an integrated suicide prevention team within the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a co-developer of one of the VA’s first structured group interventions for moral injury—REAL (Reclaiming Experiences and Loss)—which supports trauma recovery through companioning, grief integration, and meaning reconstruction. While REAL was co-developed within a VA context, Carter’s broader work builds on these foundations with his own original frameworks for healing, including CareFrontation, Translucent Chaplaincy, and HunTherapy.
A bestselling author, speaker, and researcher, Carter’s reach extends beyond clinical systems. His book Healing in the Wild introduced outdoor therapy as a tool for moral clarity and post-traumatic growth. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Moral Injury at Oral Roberts University and is completing a Ph.D. in Healthcare Ethics at Duquesne University. His academic focus centers on moral health: the alignment of identity, values, and responsibility in the wake of trauma.
Carter’s ethical leadership framework—Translucent Chaplaincy—equips leaders to embody moral clarity, relational ethics, and presence-based decision-making. His work supports Veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals who face ethical pain, burnout, and spiritual exhaustion.
Beyond the classroom and clinic, Carter finds healing in wild places. As a PGA HOPE Ambassador, competitive 3D archer, and whitewater guide, he uses nature immersion, ritual, and story to help others reclaim purpose. His nonprofit, HunTherapy.org, supports outdoor healing for Veterans and first responders, including annual rafting pilgrimages on the Ocoee River—where rapids become metaphors for resilience, surrender, and strength.
“Every day, Veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals silently carry wounds no one can see. My life’s work is to ensure they don’t have to carry them alone.”Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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46 min
Does Your Life Have Purpose?
Episode 132
Show notes
Do you ever feel like your life has no purpose? Have you ever been in such a deep, dark despair that made you feel like if you just disappeared, no one would even notice? Today's guest, Angie Hawkins, felt exactly this. She felt so disconnected from everyone and everything that she did the unthinkable. And then she realized, she had so much more to do in this world, and her purpose became crystal clear. In this episode, you'll hear what led Angie down a path she almost couldn't come back from and how she was able to do a complete reset on her life and start living the purpose she knows was meant to be.
From her website: Angie Hawkins is a passionate Inner Glow Coach and Authorwho transforms high-achieving, spiritual women from chasing love and approval to radiating fierce confidence so they can finally feel happy, free, and loved for who they are. Angie moved from Chicago to Hawaii solo to align her life with purpose and joy. Her adventurous spirit has led to some pretty incredible moments – from skydiving and bungee jumping to running 16 marathons. She’s even jumped out of a helicopter, Navy SEAL-style. In her free time, Angie loves to surf, dance, and practice fingernail art. But her true joy shines when she’s on stage speaking at local empowerment events about vulnerability, healing, and the themes in her memoir, Running in Slippers. Whether it’s through her writing, coaching, or storytelling, Angie’s mission stays the same: to help women stop dimming their light and start shining from the inside out.
Guest Information:
Angie Hawkins
runninginslippers.com
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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1 hr
Why Therapy Isn't Working
Episode 131
Show notes
Have you ever wondered why it feels like therapy isn't working for you? Do you fear that you just can't be fixed? Today's guest, Joan Peters, felt exactly the same way. Instead of giving up, she decided to dig even deeper, and she tried something unconventional: psychoanalysis. The results she experienced were so impactful that Joan decided to write a book: Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis. In Untangling, Joan not only detailed her experience, she also dispelled scary myths about psychoanalysis.
From her website: Joan K. Peters was born in New York City and educated in Chicago (she holds a B.A. degree from the University of Chicago as well as a Ph.D. in comparative literature). She has published several books on the subject of women and work, and now teaches English at the California State University (Channel Islands). She lives in Ojai California with her husband (Peter Passell), her 13-year-old daughter Lily, her dog Frodo and six pet chickens.
Strong Enough is more than a podcast; It's a movement. We're here to empower women everywhere to truly believe that, when it comes to navigating the tough things in life, you are strong enough, and you are worth it.
Guest Information:
Joan Peters
joankpeters.com
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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48 min
Why You Can't Heal
Episode 130
Show notes
Dr. Natalie (Nat) Green is a trauma therapist, coach, podcast host, and author. She is known for her expertise in trauma healing and her personally-created and innovative Accelerated Breakthrough Strategies (ABS) Method®. Dr. Nat has authored books including "Key to Freedom: The 7-Step Model to Triumph Over Trauma" and "Break Your Trauma Cycle: The 7 Archetypes of Transformation". She is also the proud host of podcast "Growing Tall Poppies".
In this Strong Enough, Dr. Nat talks about her own trauma healing and the frustration she felt when she wasn't getting the results she expected. When most people would give up and just settle for a life less happy, Dr. Nat pushed forward and created her very own trauma-healing tools. Once she tested out her new system on herself and felt massive success, she decided to share her method with others.
Dr. Nat was shocked to find that her trauma went back even further than she imagined - all the way back to the womb! And while she knows it sounds a bit crazy, she healed those early wounds using her ABS Method. Dr. Nat wants you to know that if healing early trauma has been a struggle for you, there truly is hope! Don't give up on yourself until you are living the life you truly deserve.
Strong Enough talks about the challenges and celebrates the triumphs of people from all walks of life. You are strong enough, and you are worth it.
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Strong Enough!
Guest Information:
Dr. Nat Green
IG: @drnatgreen
Podcast: Growing Tall Poppies
Drnataliegreen.com.au
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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47 min
When Shame Takes Over
Episode 129
Show notes
Bronwyn Schweigerdt knows a thing or two about shame. She is a licensed psychotherapist and anger expert, and she helps her clients and podcast listeners come back to life by integrating with their inner child, dislodging shame, and healing their relationship with anger. She has found that when people allow shame and anger to run their lives, they experience both emotional and physical setbacks that can prevent happiness and healthiness.
In this episode of Strong Enough, Bronwyn shares how anger and shame come into our lives and more importantly, how we can push them right back out. And, she shares what can happen when we allow shame and anger to take control.
Guest Information:
Brownwyn Schweigerdt
https://angryattherightthings.com/
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Strong Enough. Remember, you are strong enough, and you are worth it.
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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1 hr
Does Faith Really Matter?
Episode 128
Show notes
Cheryl Salto is an award-winning chocolatier and counselor who believes that traumatic times require relying on her faith. As life has taken her through challenges, she looks towards her faith to find solutions. She believes so strongly in this that she started counseling other women who have been through trauma.
Working through trauma also helped her find her own creative passions, and she now find herself out of the busy hospitals as an RN treating patients and back in the kitchen as an award-winning chocolatier. There is one constant through all of Cheryl's traumas, challenges, and changes: her reliance on her faith to get her through.
You'll love hearing Cheryl talk about finding passion she never knew she had and living the life she loves alongside her family.
#faith #passion #trauma
Guest Information:
Cheryl Salto
IG @candyundercover2
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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45 min
Risa August: Making Her Voice Matter
Episode 127
Show notes
Following a life-altering diagnosis, Risa made it her mission to draw attention to rare Pituitary diseases by sharing her own personal journey. Little did she know, this diagnosis would teach her to live. Along with her mission, she continues to explore ways of experiencing life more fully by challenging her limiting beliefs and refocusing her perspective. This has further led her to guide others through their own limiting beliefs and toward their biggest and best life.
In this episode, Risa shares the difficulty she experienced in getting a diagnosis and how she finally advocated for herself to get the tests she needed. Once she was diagnosed, she found the right treatment providers and shifted her mindset. She'll talk about not only crossing things off her bucket list once she dug it out and knocked off the dust but also adding to it as she continues to up the ante on fulfilling her dreams.
Don't miss Risa's inspiring story of perseverance, strength, and mindset.
Guest Information:
Risa August
risaaugust.com
Strong Enough
@strongenoughpod
strongenoughpod@gmail.com
strongenoughpod.com
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