Ep. 128 Debra Vines: From Mother of an Autistic Child to Advocate & CNN Hero
Debra Vines struggled to find resources and support when her son Jason was diagnosed with autism. After years of feeling helpless, Debra started The Answer Inc., a nonprofit that supports families impacted by autism. Debra has been acknowledged numerous times for her work, including being named one of the Top 10 CNN Heroes. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Debra shares the emotions that come with raising an autistic child and her hopes for everyone to open their hearts and minds.
Ep. 127 Christine Handy: From Model to Breast Cancer Disruptor
Christine Handy began modeling at age 11, working for brands like Guess, J. Crew, Pepsi and Target. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to flip her script when she underwent chemotherapy and eventually lost her breasts. Christine shifted from surviving to thriving and started modeling again for New York Fashion Week and Victoria's Secret. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Christine talks about the importance of sharing your story to help others understand they are not alone.
Ep. 126 Josh Meredith: From Mental Health Struggles to Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation
Josh Meredith was a queer youth growing up in West Virginia and struggled with his mental health. The hardships he faced helped him discover a passion for mental health advocacy. Josh is now the Chief of Staff for the Born This Way Foundation, co-founded by Lady Gaga and her mom. The foundation promotes kindness and conversations about mental health. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Josh shares how Lady Gaga changed his life and his passion for mental health and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Ep. 125 Kechi Okwuchi: From Plane Crash Survivor to America’s Got Talent
Kechi Okwuchi was only 16 when she and one other person survived a plane crash that killed 107 people. Throughout her recovery, Kechi was supported by her family, friends, faith and music. Kechi later became a finalist on America's Got Talent and received Simon Cowell's golden buzzer. She has continued to release her own music and wrote a memoir titled 'More Than My Scars’. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Kechi shares her inspiring story filled with courage, resiliency and hope.
Ep. 124 Amanda Burrill: From Undiagnosed Brain Injury to Fighting for Answers
Amanda Burrill has been a rescue swimmer in the Navy, a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, a copy editor for the New York Post and a sponsored triathlete and marathon runner. Through it all, she was living with an undiagnosed brain injury. It took a second brain injury for her to realize what was causing her health issues. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Amanda shares her experiences with a traumatic brain injury and how she is advocating for veterans and others with TBIs.
Ep. 123 J.R. Martinez: From Wounded in War to TV Star
J.R. Martinez was serving in Iraq when his Humvee hit a roadside bomb and exploded, leaving him with severe injuries and burns on more than one-third of his body. Now, after three dozen surgeries, J.R. travels the world to share his story and teaches people to adapt and overcome. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, J.R. shares his experiences as a burn survivor, Army veteran, actor, motivational speaker, New York Times best-selling author and Dancing with the Stars season 13 champion.
Ep. 122 Katie Evans: From Looking for Magic to Moving to Disney
Like any good Disney story, Katie Evans has had to overcome obstacles to find her happy ending. While struggling with postpartum depression, Katie moved her family to Disney World. She also wrote a book, The Magic of Hope, where she shares her personal struggles and triumphs and inspires others to always follow their dreams. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Katie talks about how the magic of Disney changed her life and her family.
Ep. 121 Finding Motivation & Inspiration: 2022 Year in Review
As 2022 comes to a close, we are reflecting on the past year and looking forward to a new chapter in all our stories. Over the past year, 44 people shared their inspirational Flip Your Script stories about finding the strength and motivation to turn the page. In this special Flip Your Script bonus episode, host Kristi Piehl unveils never-before-heard insights from some of our most popular guests of 2022 to help motivate and remind you that you are capable of more than you think in the new year.
Ep. 120 Rob Kenney: From Growing Up Fatherless to Becoming the Internet’s Dad
Rob Kenney's dad left when he was just 14. Without a father figure in his life, Rob had to navigate some of life’s challenges on his own. He started a Youtube channel called Dad, How Do I? by creating videos on how to tie a tie and unclog a sink. He now has more than 4 million subscribers who are drawn to his practical advice, how-tos and dad chats. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Rob shares how he moved on from his painful childhood to help and encourage people around the world.
Ep. 119 Eddie Swartzentruber: From Sheltered and Amish to Finding Freedom and Fame
Eddie Swartzentruber was just 17 years old when he ran away from the Amish community in rural Minnesota where he was raised. He grew up very sheltered, not knowing about simple things like electricity or cell phones. Eddie is now married, owns his own business and uses social media to share about his former life and answer questions about the Amish. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Eddie shares what it was like growing up Amish, why he left and what his life is like now.
Ep. 118 Sharon McMahon: From High School Teacher to America's Government Teacher
You might know Sharon McMahon by her Instagram handle, @sharonsaysso. With more than one million followers on social media, Sharon shares her expertise as a high school government teacher to battle political misinformation. She uses social media and her podcast to answer questions and share nonpartisan facts about the government and democracy. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Sharon talks about how she went from teaching in the classroom to educating the country through social media.
Ep. 117 Amalia Moreno-Damgaard: From International Banking to International Cuisine
After making the difficult decision to leave her international banking career, Amalia Moreno-Damgaard harnessed her passion for culture and cuisine to launch her own business. Today, Amalia is an award-winning author, speaker and chef entrepreneur. Her mission is to help people understand Latin American culture through culinary experiences and storytelling. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Amalia shares her experiences growing up in Guatemala and how she is using her passion today.
Ep. 116 Renee Seevers: From Family Home to Tiny Nomadic Living
Renee Seevers sold her 3,300 square foot, five bedroom, four bathroom house and moved into an 87 square foot home on wheels. Renee is the CEO and Founder of TinyFest, a tiny home and nomadic living festival that started in Iowa before expanding across the country. TinyFest is the celebration of sustainability, human connection, adventure and freedom. In this episode of Flip Your Script with host Kristi Piehl, Renee shares what it's like living in a tiny home and how it’s impacted all aspects of her life.
Ep. 115 Chaz Sandifer: From Domestic Abuse Survivor to Health and Wellness CEO
After an abusive relationship and difficult divorce, Chaz Sandifer hit a low point. She set out on a journey of healing, wanting to become the best version of herself. Chaz is passionate about health and wellness and is building a community around those passions as the founder of theNEWmpls. In this episode of Flip Your Script with host Kristi Piehl, Chaz shares how her life experiences, the pandemic and racial reckonings impacted everything from her career to her friendships.
Ep. 114 Bob Dahm: From Toxic Chemicals to Organic Lawn Care
Bob Dahm grew up on a farm and watched his dad, grandfather and many others die of cancer; he knew that toxic agricultural chemicals had to be the culprit. As a grounds manager at a children's hospital, Bob watched as chemicals were applied to the playground where immunocompromised children played. He knew there had to be a safer way. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Bob shares how his early love and respect for the farm inspired him to start his own business, Organic Bob.
Ep. 113 Desmond Blair: From Embracing Differences to Inspiring Others with Art
Desmond Blair is an artist who is missing one tool nearly every other artist has: hands. Despite the challenges, he is creating art and inspiring others. As a child, his mom and grandma encouraged Desmond to find his own way of doing things. He taught himself how to write with a pencil and how to use crayons with his wrists. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Desmond talks about how he is using art to overcome challenges and share some of the life lessons he's learned along the way.
Ep. 112 Andrew Barnes & Charlotte Lockhart: From 9-5 Mindset to Four-Day Workweek
A hundred years ago, we moved from working six days a week to five, and now Andrew Barnes and Charlotte Lockhart are preaching the positive effects of shifting to a four-day workweek. They are the founders of the nonprofit organization, 4 Day Week Global. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Andrew and Charlotte talk about how the pandemic shifted work-life balance and how the four-day workweek increases productivity and decreases stress.
Ep. 111 John Kriesel: From Near Death Experience to New Life Perspective
John Kriesel lost two of his best friends and both legs when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle on military patrol in Iraq. His life flashed before his eyes as he lay on the sand, thinking he wouldn't survive. Determined to make the most of his second chance at life, John is now an author and motivational speaker who shares his story with positivity and humor. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, John talks about everything from war to a difficult divorce to his stint in politics.
Ep. 110 Quintina Sonnie: From Escaping Exploitation to Healing and Helping
Quintina Sonnie’s difficult childhood included abandonment, sexual assault, abusive relationships and domestic sexual exploitation. She is a lived experience expert now living in Ghana, Africa, using her trauma and experiences to teach women how to heal so they can experience joy and love. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Quintina shares her personal story and the importance of healing trauma to make conscious choices.
Ep. 109 Faatemah Ampey: From Celebrity Hairstylist to Community Beautifier
Faatemah Ampey is an award-winning hair stylist, salon owner and Bravo TV reality star who has found a new purpose. Following the murder of George Floyd, the streets near her salon were vandalized. With pain and destruction happening in Minneapolis, it became her mission to bring beauty back to the community. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Faatemah talks about the impact George Floyd's murder had on her community and why she is challenging others to think differently about beauty.