What if talk therapy isn’t enough—because your trauma lives in your body? In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, world-record tap dancer turned trauma recovery coach Heather-Ann Ferri shares the raw story behind her work: childhood abuse, brain-level injury, and the long road from “performer with a mask” to a woman who uses her voice without apology. Heather-Ann explains why many survivors don’t remember early trauma, how perfectionism and people-pleasing take root, and the practical protocols that helped her heal when life fell apart: involuntary shaking, breath patterns rooted in Sanskrit, “medical-grade” hydration, and neurologically informed routines designed to calm a dysregulated system.

We also dig into shadow work, boundaries with family, and the difference between forgiving too soon and actually becoming whole. If you’ve ever felt stuck repeating patterns—or you’ve tried everything and nothing seemed to stick—this conversation offers a grounded way forward: simple tools, consistent practice, and the courage to tell the truth.

• [00:00] Becoming “spiritual people in physical bodies”; why language and behavior matter

• [03:00] Early home life, generational trauma, and the first cracks in the system

• [08:00] Abuse, dissociation, and how the body keeps score

• [12:30] Tap as first voice; when performance becomes protection

• [15:00] Why talk isn’t enough: shaking, breath, hydration, neurological protocols

• [19:00] Shadow work, ego death, and rebuilding discipline

• [22:00] Culture, religion, and the limits of “forgive and forget”

• [24:30] Addiction as unaddressed trauma; pioneers and influences

• [28:30] Kids, play, and screens: what the next generation needs

• [33:00] Past lives, programming, and widening the healing lens

• [40:00] PTSD in the body: feet, calves, and designing better protocols

• [42:00] The Guinness record—and when the healing made things look worse

• [47:00] No guru phase: listening within, then coaching others

• [49:00] Who shows up: common ages, patterns, and readiness

• [51:00] Boundaries vs. early forgiveness; becoming your own mother/father

• [58:00] Where to start: first-chapter download and next steps

• Website: Home - Heather Ann Ferri (first chapter download available)

• Books (upcoming): Three-part series on trauma healing with guided practices

• Influences mentioned: Alice Miller; Gabor Maté; body-based trauma modalities

What happens when the secret holding you back is one you’ve been keeping from yourself? In this raw, unguarded conversation, writer–producer Alan Katz (HBO’s Tales from the Crypt) traces the arc from early Hollywood wins to a two-decade spiral—then the moment truth became non-negotiable. We dig into the creative birth of the Crypt Keeper, how Tales helped change HBO’s culture, and the studio politics that turned a thriving franchise into the feature fiasco Bordello of Blood. Alan shares the near-suicide that forced him to confront a childhood trauma, the mood-stabilizer that “put the darkness in a box,” and how telling the truth—to himself first—unlocked a second act.

Today, he runs Costard & Touchstone Productions and makes story podcasts as activism: How NOT to Make a Movie, The Donor: A DNA Horror Story, The Hall Closet, and Just the Photographer. This episode is a masterclass in creative integrity, personal recovery, and building work that answers to your soul—not the system.

• [00:00] “The truth will set you free” — telling your story to yourself first

• [03:00] Early wins, New York to LA, and meeting producer Gil Adler

• [08:00] Tales from the Crypt: franchise building and the birth of the Crypt Keeper

• [16:30] “It’s not TV, it’s HBO” — culture shift and creative freedom

• [19:30] Feature deal at Universal; Demon Knight lands, Dead Easy dies

• [22:00] The Bordello of Blood pivot: impossible timelines, miscasting, and studio politics

• [31:00] Fallout: a burned-out crew, shelved integrity, and a friendship broken

• [33:00] Two decades of depression and the secret underneath it

• [34:30] Mood stabilizer, therapy, and the moment the rage “clicked off”

• [35:30] Naming childhood abuse; why truth changes everything

• [37:00] Podcasting as catharsis: How NOT to Make a Movie reunites old partners

• [41:00] Owning IP and flipping the Hollywood dynamic

• [44:00] The slate: The Donor, The Hall Closet, Just the Photographer

• [56:00] “How to Live Bullshit Free”: purpose, bliss, and helping others

• Costard & Touchstone Productions: Home

• Podcasts: How NOT to Make a Movie • The Donor: A DNA Horror Story • The Hall Closet • Just the Photographer

• Blog/Book: How to Live Bullshit Free (in progress)

Jack Kammer has spent over four decades asking the uncomfortable questions about gender, power, and fairness—and he’s not done yet. In this episode, the former social worker, parole officer, and longtime advocate for men’s issues joins A Joyful Rebellion to unpack what he calls a “Vitamin M deficiency” in modern life.

From stories of fatherlessness and male dropout to the overlooked emotional needs of boys, Kammer offers a perspective that challenges dominant gender narratives—without rejecting the value of feminism. We explore the male and female “power structures,” the cost of being excluded from emotional spaces, and how society might benefit from men reinventing their roles—not with rebellion, but with reintegration.

If you’ve ever questioned how we got here—or how we get out—this conversation might just shift your lens.

[00:00:00] Introduction to Jack Kammer and his lifelong work [00:03:00] Challenging the myth of universal male privilege [00:05:30] American vs. French Revolutions as metaphors for gender progress [00:07:00] Jack’s origin story: co-ed softball and aha moments [00:10:30] “The Misfortune 5 Million” and redefining power [00:16:00] The invisible female power structure and the Big Red Heart [00:21:00] The original radio show and what men called in about [00:24:00] Divorce, fatherlessness, and societal bias [00:30:00] Are we struggling because we’ve lost purpose? [00:34:00] Men’s opportunity to reinvent themselves (IBM analogy) [00:39:00] Raising kids, deserving vs. needing, and Vitamin M [00:46:00] Responsible motherhood and fatherhood—what’s missing [00:50:00] Reclaiming the value of masculinity and presence [00:55:00] The need for balance, not backlash [01:00:00] What men and boys are facing today [01:02:00] Final thoughts and the call for shared respect

• Male Friendly Media: Jack Kammer’s platform

• National Fatherhood Initiative: https://www.fatherhood.org

• Book: No More Mr. Nice Guy by Dr. Robert Glover

• Book references: The End of Men, Are Men Even Necessary?

Sometimes the most unexpected stories aren’t about what happens—but how someone chooses to live through it.

In this powerful episode of A Joyful Rebellion, disability advocate and author Jennifer Gasner shares what it’s like to receive a life-altering diagnosis at 17—and then keep going. Diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare degenerative disorder, Jennifer was told she’d be in a wheelchair by 20 and gone by 25. She just celebrated her 51st birthday.

We talk about her memoir My Unexpected Life, the difference between the medical model and the social model of disability, and how Jennifer learned to embrace her identity and advocate for others. She shares stories of visibility, vulnerability, and an unexpected friendship with Dave Matthews that changed her life.

Whether you’re navigating disability or just want to better understand the world around you, this conversation is a powerful reminder that value isn’t tied to ability—it’s about being fully human.

• [00:00] Medical model vs. social model of disability

• [01:30] Meet Jennifer Gasner and My Unexpected Life

• [03:00] Diagnosed at 17: The moment that changed everything

• [05:00] A grim prognosis—and why it didn’t come true

• [07:00] From broadcaster dreams to reimagined purpose

• [09:30] Turning 25 and realizing: “I’m still here”

• [11:00] Why Jennifer wrote the book—and who it’s for

• [13:00] Structuring a memoir—and choosing what to include

• [14:30] Embracing the social model of disability

• [16:00] Vulnerability, visibility, and reader response

• [18:00] Judy Heumann, Rebecca Taussig, and other influences

• [20:00] FA’s wide spectrum—and how connection heals

• [22:00] Book events, disability orgs, and imposter syndrome

• [24:00] The Dave Matthews story: friendship and generosity

• [26:00] What nondisabled people often miss—and how to do better

• [28:00] Fear, socialization, and why low expectations persist

• [30:00] Changing the narrative—and being part of the shift

• [32:00] Final thoughts: Worthiness, identity, and perspective shifts

• Website: jennifergasner.com

• Book: My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis

• Instagram: @‌jennygwriter

• Facebook: Jennifer Gasner, Author

• Recommended Books:

  • Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau

  • Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig

  • Being Heumann by Judy Heumann

  • The Anti-Ableist Manifesto by Tinu Abayomi-Paul

What if the hard season you’re in isn’t a detour—but the actual path?

Steven Zeller is a serial entrepreneur, technologist, and futurist who’s built and lost businesses, found clarity in discomfort, and never stopped chasing what’s next. In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, Steven shares how being broke, unsupported, and underestimated became the foundation for his most innovative work.

We talk about building your first million (and losing it fast), navigating entrepreneurship without a safety net, and how failure became his best mentor. Steven opens up about growing up without support, learning business in real time, and why your inner circle matters more than your pitch deck. Then we shift into the future: AI, genetic engineering, wearable tech, deepfakes, and the fine line between human potential and transhumanism.

This episode is a rare peek into the mind of someone who sees the future clearly—and isn’t afraid to walk straight into it.

• [00:00] Opening question: Is technology making us dumber—or just more reliant?

• [01:00] Meet Steven Zeller: serial entrepreneur, tech futurist, self-made risk-taker

• [03:00] From Midwest middle child to forging his own path—without college

• [06:00] Choosing neurosurgery… or entrepreneurship?

• [08:00] Breaking generational expectations without a support system

• [11:00] Early mistakes, bad influences, and learning business by doing

• [13:00] Making a million—and losing it fast

• [15:00] The “woe is me” moment, and what he did differently the second time

• [18:00] Why iteration matters more than perfection

• [21:00] Version 3.0 of your life—and why reinvention is your best strategy

• [24:00] AI, robotics, and why humans were built for more than monotony

• [28:00] The distinction between usable and distraction tech

• [33:00] How we think with tools—and why that isn’t always a bad thing

• [36:00] Deepfakes, disinformation, and the need for AI fact-checkers

• [39:00] What Steven’s most excited about: genetics, organ regeneration, and life extension

• [43:00] The ethics of editing embryos—and the danger of designer babies

• [45:00] Medical disruption vs. medical monetization

• [47:00] The idea of “downloading a cure” in the not-so-distant future

• [50:00] Transhumanism, identity, and what makes us human

• [52:00] Final thoughts: Better tech, better humans, and drawing the line

• Connect with Steven on LinkedIn

• Topics mentioned: ChatGPT, Sora, Quantum Computing, Human Genome Project, IPS cells, Brain-computer interfaces

What if the thing holding you back isn’t laziness, procrastination, or perfectionism—but fear wearing a clever disguise?

In this unforgettable episode of A Joyful Rebellion, Emmy Award-winner and Fearless Living founder Rhonda Britten shares the unthinkable story of what happened to her at age 14—and the decades-long journey that followed. After witnessing the murder-suicide of her parents, Rhonda spiraled into guilt, addiction, and self-destruction. But a failed suicide attempt became the moment she decided to start over. And she did.

Today, she’s helped thousands reclaim their lives using the Wheel of Fear and Wheel of Freedom, tools that help people stop trying harder and start transforming. We talk about emotional fear vs. physical fear, why most self-help doesn’t stick, and how real change comes through awareness, not willpower. Whether you’re overwhelmed, people-pleasing, or perfectionist-ing your way through life, this conversation will shift how you see yourself—and what you do next.

• [00:00] What fearlessness really is (it’s not skydiving)

• [02:00] Rhonda’s backstory: Emmy-winner, coach, and trauma survivor

• [04:30] The worst day of her life—and the guilt that followed

• [07:30] Alcohol, suicide attempts, and the turning point

• [09:00] The gold star calendar that changed everything

• [11:00] Why knowledge doesn’t equal transformation

• [13:00] What fear actually looks like in daily life

• [14:30] The fear quiz (and how you probably passed it 100%)

• [17:00] Reframing “problems” as fear responses

• [19:00] Identifying your core fear—and how it runs the show

• [22:00] The Wheel of Fear vs. Wheel of Freedom

• [25:00] How shame melts when fear is named

• [28:00] Healing, regret, and radical self-forgiveness

• [31:00] Rhonda’s essential nature: authenticity

• [34:00] Generational trauma and fear in your DNA

• [36:30] Why your worst behavior doesn’t define you

• [38:00] Age, awareness, and how fast change can happen

• [40:00] The #1 fear people don’t talk about

• [43:00] Coaching that actually works—and why

• [46:00] Stretch, Risk, or Die: tools for transformation

• [49:00] Fear as your outdated protector (and how to retrain it)

• [52:00] The difference between venting and complaining

• [55:00] Building sovereignty and agency—one choice at a time

• [58:00] What healthy people really look like—and how to find them

• [01:00:00] Final takeaway: There’s nothing wrong with you. It’s just fear.

• Website: fearlessliving.org

• Free Video Class: Stretch Risk or Die | Fearless Living

• Book: Fearless Living by Rhonda Britten

• Instagram: @‌rhondabritten

How do you build a family when the system is designed to tear it apart?

In this powerful episode of A Joyful Rebellion, writer, professor, and father Lane Igoudin shares the deeply human story behind his memoir A Family, Maybe: Two Dads, Two Babies, and the Court Cases That Brought Us Together. Lane and his husband Jonathan were among the first openly gay couples to adopt through the foster system in Los Angeles County. What followed was a three-year legal and emotional rollercoaster that tested their resolve, their relationship, and their sense of justice.

We talk about the failures of the child welfare system, the invisible labor of parenting under legal threat, and what it really means to create family—not just legally, but spiritually and emotionally. Lane opens up about raising two daughters, navigating stigma, building community, and the quiet strength it takes to hold your family together when others have the power to pull it apart.

• [00:00] Grafting onto a new family tree: How love can create roots

• [01:00] Meet Lane Igoudin: Writer, father, and accidental memoirist

• [03:00] The first chapter: curbside delivery and becoming instant parents

• [06:00] Birth, sepsis, and a cooler bag full of formula

• [08:30] Parenting under legal threat: Living through uncertainty

• [10:00] Two babies, no safety net, and a perfect storm of life transitions

• [12:00] Why Lane always knew he wanted to be a father

• [14:00] The landscape of early LGBTQ+ adoptions in the 2000s

• [16:00] Legal limbo: Being married in one state, single in another

• [18:00] Parallel paths: Parenting, career change, and teaching

• [20:00] The emotional cost of parenting through a courtroom

• [23:00] Denied status, silenced voices, and fighting for your family

• [25:00] The problem with “best interests” being decided 30 miles away

• [27:00] What true attachment looks like—and what disruption could do

• [30:00] Building bridges: Allies, moms, and chosen community

• [32:00] Identity, culture, and raising bicultural kids with care

• [34:00] What the girls know, and what they want to know, about their past

• [36:00] Reactions to the book—from readers, family, and adoptees

• [39:00] Why Lane wrote the story he never planned to write

• Lane’s Website: http://laneigoudin.com

• Book: A Family, Maybe (Available via Amazon, Bookshop, and his website)

• Publisher: Ooligan Press, Portland State University

• Instagram: @laneigoudin

• Facebook: Lane Igoudin

What do you do when life hands you a story you never asked for?

Ray Hartjen is a writer, musician, father, and cancer patient who didn’t just survive a diagnosis—he rewrote the narrative. After learning he had multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, Ray chose to reframe instead of retreat. In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, we explore how a routine blood test cracked his world open—and how he rebuilt it with music, meaning, and the mantra, If not now, when?

We talk about the emotional toll of illness, the power of perspective, and the roles we take on when everything changes. Ray shares what it means to show up fully, how support groups shaped his recovery, and why he believes in “punching the day in the face.” Whether you're facing a life detour or just waiting to start the next chapter, this conversation is a powerful reminder that clarity often follows chaos—and it’s never too late to begin again.

• [00:00] Opening reflection: Clarity after crisis

• [01:00] Meet Ray Hartjen: writer, musician, father—and cancer patient

• [03:00] A routine blood test leads to a life-changing diagnosis

• [06:00] What 90% bone marrow cancer looks like when you feel “fine”

• [08:00] Reframing the story: Same roles, new lens

• [10:00] The “mixing board” model of healing: mind, body, spirit

• [12:00] The timeline exercise that redefined his urgency

• [15:00] “If not now, when?”—and the motto that lit a fire

• [17:00] Book 1: Immaculate and the Steelers’ role in Pittsburgh’s revival

• [20:00] Why big dreams require small steps

• [22:00] Advice for anyone with a full journal and an unfinished dream

• [24:00] What support groups reveal about the healing journey

• [26:00] From patient to advocate: reaching back to pull others forward

• [28:00] Hesitations, control, and why vulnerability builds strength

• [30:00] What not to say—and what to say instead when offering help

• [33:00] Book 2: The Indy 500 and chasing long-held passions

• [35:00] Making music, dreaming bigger, and playing Vegas

• [37:00] The hardest conversation: telling his daughter

• [40:00] Grace, grit, and why the world needs your story

• [43:00] Final encouragement: “You are stronger than you think”

• Website: rayhartjen.com

• Book: Me, Myself, and My Multiple Myeloma

• Book: Immaculate: How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh

• Book: The Indy 500: A Year-Long Quest… (coming soon)

• Connect on social: @‌rayhartjen (except TikTok: @‌rayhartjen5)

• Email: rayhartjen@gmail.com