From carnival midways to coding HTML blind, Maxwell Ivey’s journey is anything but ordinary.

In this powerful episode, Brian sits down with "The Blind Blogger" to explore how resilience, curiosity, and a refusal to make excuses transformed Max’s life. You'll hear how Max went from losing his family’s carnival business to becoming a digital accessibility expert and respected storyteller—one line of code, podcast appearance, and courageous “yes” at a time.

They discuss:

• The myth of the “self-made” success and the quiet strength of interdependence

• What businesses really lose when they ignore accessibility

• How to stop waiting for the perfect moment—and start with what you have

• The raw truth about self-doubt, comparison, and invisible barriers

Max’s wisdom isn’t about overcoming blindness—it’s about seeing possibility where others see limits. Get ready for a masterclass in self-leadership, grit, and the power of asking for help.

Connect with Max and dive deeper into his work:
🌐 theaccessibilityadvantage.com
📝 theblindblogger.net
🔗 linkedin.com/in/maxwellivey
📘 Check out his podcast, writings, and resources—and don’t forget to subscribe!

🎧 Ready for a fresh perspective on what’s possible? Hit play now.

📘 Episode Summary:🔥 Call to Action:

In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Brian R. King sits down with licensed professional counselor, author, and childhood trauma survivor Stacy Schaffer. With over 20 years of clinical experience and lived wisdom, Stacy opens up about her own early life adversity—including abuse, loss, and silence—and how those experiences shaped her path into mental health work.

From the impacts of silence and unmet emotional needs to practical tools for empowerment, this episode blends personal vulnerability with therapeutic insight. Stacy reminds us that healing is possible and that even the darkest nights eventually give way to sunrise.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Stacy’s childhood trauma and lack of emotional support

• How generational trauma affected her family

• Turning personal pain into purpose and profession

• The gap in mental health awareness and why therapy shouldn’t be a luxury

• Tangible tools for self-advocacy and speaking up

• Why there is a life beyond pain

• Compassion & Presence: Core values that guide Stacy’s life and work.

• Untold Trauma Matters: Silence buries pain; talking about it releases it.

• Voice & Advocacy: Learning to articulate needs—even in small ways—builds confidence and resilience.

• Therapy as Normal: Seeing counseling as support, not shame.

• Beyond the Pain: Healing is possible—“even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.”

Stacy is the author of With Love from a Children’s Therapist—a compassionate guide blending clinical insight with lived truth. You can download the first chapter for free on her website.

➡️ Explore Stacy’s work: Visit her site to get the free first chapter of With Love from a Children’s Therapist and learn more about her counseling practice and resources.

If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear that there is a beyond the pain. Then subscribe, rate, and leave a review—because helping one person reach healing can ripple outward.

What happens when life refuses to let you catch your breath?

In this soul-stirring episode, Brian sits down with Michele Kehrer—a resilient four-time cancer survivor, healer, and author of Brave Shift—for a candid conversation about living beyond diagnosis, confronting survival mode, and the radical act of self-care. From the chaos of clutter to the quiet clarity of a blooming rosebud, Michele reveals how she’s learning to coexist with her condition and reclaim joy through mindful healing.

They dive into:

• The hidden toll of chronic illness and unprocessed emotion

• Why "being strong" can be a trap—and how to let go of the "shoulds"

• What it really means to rest when you're wired for productivity

• The power of small shifts that can change everything

This isn’t just a story of survival—it’s a roadmap to transformation, told with honesty, wisdom, and humor.

Michele’s book Brave Shift is available now for pre-order! Visit michelekehrer.com or your favorite book retailer to grab your copy and start your own brave shift.

🎧 Ready to feel less alone and more empowered? Hit play now.

What do you do when life cracks you open- literally?

In this powerful and emotional episode, Brian R. King talks with brain injury survivor and mental health advocate Nicholas Ruchlewicz. After a traumatic motorcycle crash left him with a broken pelvis, crushed eye socket, and a traumatic brain injury, Nick could’ve chosen bitterness. Instead, he chose advocacy, empathy, and growth.

Together, they explore Nick’s transformation, from bullied “nerdy kid” to resilient survivor who now speaks with senators and supports fellow trauma survivors. This is an unfiltered look at trauma, healing, and what it really means to walk beside others in their pain.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• The invisible scars of trauma and how they shaped Nick’s early life

• His powerful use of D&D and music as healing tools

• The motorcycle accident that changed everything

• His path through rehabilitation, depression, and rediscovering self-worth

• Why he now says, “Why not me?” and fights to make others feel seen

• Trauma doesn’t define you—but it can refine you.

• Support systems don’t need to be big; they just need to be there.

• Gaming and music aren’t just hobbies—they can be lifelines.

• Empathy walks with you; it doesn’t talk down to you.

• Healing starts with the next right thing.

Want to hear more from Nick and support his advocacy? Visit his LinkedIn page and follow his work with the Trauma Survivors Network.

👉 If this episode moved you, share it with someone who feels invisible. Remind them they matter. Then subscribe, rate, and leave a review- because your voice helps more people find healing.

Have you ever felt like you're just not enough?

In this heartfelt episode, Brian R. King welcomes courage coach and author Bernice McDonald, who shares her powerful journey of overcoming fear, shame, and the long-held belief that she wasn’t good enough. With stories that span decades- from childhood classroom trauma to adult self-worth battles- Bernice invites listeners into the truth behind emotional eating, fear of judgment, and the courage it takes to heal generational pain.

Together, they unpack:

• How fear masks itself as protection but keeps us from growing

• The origin of the “not good enough” message and how it’s passed through generations

• Tiny Brave Steps: the tool Bernice teaches to reclaim courage one small decision at a time

• Parenting through legacy—what it means to model courage, not just talk about it

Bernice’s message is clear: you are enough. And you don’t need to take a leap—just one tiny brave step.

• “Not good enough” often starts with just a few defining childhood moments.

• Fear doesn’t leave—it just needs to be moved to the backseat.

• When you're stuck, progress begins with the smallest act of bravery.

• The legacy we leave is rooted in how we show up and support—even when it's hard.

💡 Ready to take your next brave step? Bernice created a free tool just for that: Tiny Brave Steps Generator. It’s personal, private, and designed to help you move forward—even if you’re scared.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode helped you remember your worth. Courage is contagious—pass it on.

🔑 Key Takeaways:🛎 Call to Action:

What does it take to transform personal crisis into a calling that helps others thrive?

In this compelling conversation, Brian sits down with Eric Headlee—former engineer turned longevity coach—to explore the journey from physical pain and alcohol dependency to holistic health and purpose-driven work. Eric shares how a seizure in Italy became a wake-up call that led him into the world of stem cell therapy, remote patient monitoring, and preventative care solutions.

From carrying emotional scars to carrying 40-pound dumbbells, Eric’s story is proof that even a spiral can become a springboard—if you choose to rise.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The life-altering moment that forced Eric to stop drinking—for good.

• The surprising medical technologies helping people live longer and better.

• Why movement and sleep are foundational for health at any age.

• How he's building a legacy business that’s transforming lives—starting with his own family.

• Movement and sleep are the most powerful (and free) longevity tools available.

• You don’t need to wait until you’re sick to start healing.

• Legacy isn’t just about money—it’s about values, service, and sustainable impact.

• Preventative care is the future of health, and Eric is paving the way.

Ready to invest in your healthspan—not just your lifespan? Explore what Eric’s doing at AriseElite.com and follow his journey on Facebook.

👉 Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder: it’s never too late to start over, and never too early to start healing.

What if the very thing that made you feel “out of place” your whole life finally had a name?

In this profoundly resonant episode, Brian welcomes Dr. Liz DeBetta—author, performer, and advocate—to explore themes of adoption, neurodivergence, trauma, and the healing power of storytelling. Liz opens up about her lived experience as an adoptee, her solo show Unmothered, and the emotional journey of reclaiming her voice.

This conversation is for anyone who's ever asked, “Where do I belong?”—and for those raising, loving, or supporting someone who has.

You’ll hear about:

• The obscure word that perfectly names the feeling of not belonging

• How early trauma can result in acquired neurodivergence

• The hidden challenges adoptees face—even in loving homes

• Why storytelling is not just healing, but revolutionary

• How Liz’s solo show became a catalyst for connection and change

• Monocopsis: a persistent feeling of being out of place—finally, a word for it.

• Early maternal separation can rewire the nervous system in lasting ways.

• Writing and art offer powerful tools to process grief, identity, and loss.

• The system often pathologizes trauma responses instead of addressing root causes.

• Healing begins when we name what we've been afraid to say out loud.

Feeling seen by Liz’s story? You’re not alone. Explore her solo show Unmothered and other work by visiting her website or following her journey online.

👉 Subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone who's still searching for their sense of belonging. Your story matters.

What happens when life throws you a challenge that seems insurmountable? Ken Kunken’s story is a living answer.

In this deeply moving episode, Brian sits down with Ken, a man whose journey began with a devastating spinal cord injury on the football field and transformed into a legacy of resilience, purpose, and service. From being told he might not live through the week to becoming a celebrated prosecutor and father of triplets, Ken’s life is a blueprint for defying limits and living with intention.

This conversation explores:

• The moment that changed everything- and how Ken responded.

• Returning to Cornell University before accessibility was a guarantee.

• His rise to a 40-year legal career as a quadriplegic prosecutor.

• The creation of lasting impact and inclusion through grit and advocacy.

• The power of identity, values, and support systems in overcoming adversity.

His memoir, I Dream of Things That Never Were, encapsulates his journey and continues to inspire change.

• Why accessibility is about more than just ramps—it’s about dignity.

• The role of mindset in navigating long-term disability and professional success.

• How a single act of accommodation can create ripples of inclusion.

• Insights on DEI from someone who lived its necessity every day.

Feeling inspired? Learn more about Ken’s story and grab your copy of his memoir at kenkunken.com. Prefer to listen? The audiobook is available, narrated by Ken himself, with production help from his son.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that limits are often just the starting line.