Life Warriors
Two authors who have survived domestic violence share their honest and unfiltered conversations about trauma, grief, loss, and heartache. They discuss how they navigate daily life, choose strength and resilience, and empower others facing adversity. Each episode brings authentic discussions, real-life experiences, expert insights, and hope. The podcast aims to inspire healing and create meaningful conversations that change lives.
Episodes
You've Survived 100% of Your Darkest Days: The Power of Mental Resilience with Guest Fernanda Reed
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.What if the key to overcoming life's challenges isn't eliminating stress, anxiety, or fear, but learning how to navigate them with strength, compassion, and a different mindset?In this inspiring episode of Life Warriors, Teresa and Mary welcome licensed clinical social worker Fernanda Reed for an honest, insightful, and sometimes humorous c
“It’s More Than a Bruise: The Truth About Domestic Violence”
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.What does domestic violence really look like?In this raw and deeply personal episode of Life Warriors, Teresa and Mary challenge the misconception that domestic violence is only physical. They explore the many ways abuse can appear—including physical, emotional, mental, verbal, sexual, financial, digital, social, pet-related, and workplace
“Forged by Fire: From Doctor to Patient to Life Warrior”
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.In this deeply personal episode of Life Warriors, Teresa and Mary sit down with author, artist, and former physician Liz Casper, whose life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 54. Liz shares what it was like to go from treating patients to becoming a patient herself, including multiple psychiatric hos
“Find the Glitter: Turning Triggers Into Glimmers”
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.In this heartfelt episode of Life Warriors, Teresa and Mary talk about grief, healing, triggers, and the unexpected glimmers that remind us there is still beauty in life after loss and difficult experiences.They explore how memories, places, songs, and everyday moments can unexpectedly bring both tears and smiles—and how something that once
“Changing Lanes: You’re Never Too Old to Start Over”
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.In this inspiring conversation, Teresa and Mary welcome Cheryl Killilea, certified life coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Changing Lanes Wellness. Cheryl shares her personal journey from a successful corporate career to entrepreneurship, divorce, and ultimately helping women navigate major life transitions.The conversation explores what i
“Put Fear to Bed: Live the Life You Were Meant to Live”
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Richard joins Teresa and Mary to share the unconventional journey that took him from Philadelphia to Costa Rica, where a temporary break from his life turned into a completely new chapter. What began as an opportunity to teach English eventually led him to learn the call-center business from the ground up and ultimately build his own compan
. “The Darkness Wasn't the End — It Was the Beginning”
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Amanda MacPherson joins Teresa and Mary to share an extraordinary story of survival, transformation, and healing. A survivor of domestic violence and a near-death experience, Amanda opens up about an experience at age 22 that profoundly changed the way she understood life, consciousness, and her own purpose.Amanda explains how she eventuall
Be Weird: Why Being Different Is a Good Thing
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Mary and Teresa dive into what it really means to “Be Weird.” They talk about breaking out of the box, embracing the things that make us different, and letting go of the fear of what other people think. From being judged for appearance, personality, creativity, ambition, or simply being unapologetically yourself, they remind listeners that
“When the Streetlights Came On” The Freedom, Fun & Memories of Growing Up
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Mary and Teresa take a nostalgic trip back to growing up in the ’60s and ’70s, sharing funny and heartfelt memories of riding bikes for miles, neighborhood communities, school, music, fashion, technology, and childhood adventures. They reflect on how much more independent and connected they felt growing up, while comparing that experience w
You Survive. You Rise. You Thrive.- learning about Teresa's book MY ROCK MY HARD PLACE. Her journey through Domestic Violence.
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Teresa shares the raw and powerful story behind My Rock, My Hard Place—a journey through severe domestic abuse, survival, healing, and ultimately finding purpose. What began as journaling during one of the darkest periods of her life eventually became a book and the foundation for her mission to help others. She discusses how abuse extends
Living Life to the Max: Your Struggles Are Part of Your Growth with Special Guest Maxine Fredericks
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Maxine Fredericks shares her powerful journey from surviving an abusive marriage to building a life centered on faith, resilience, service, fitness, and personal transformation. She explains how her painful experiences eventually became part of her purpose and inspired her to write Living Life to the Max. A major theme of the conversation i
Walk a Mile in Your Life Shoes: Lessons, Loss & Living Fully
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.This episode has a wonderful Life Warriors message about learning from life, finding the courage to take chances, and remembering that even through grief, loss, trauma, and difficult seasons, we are not alone. Mary shares the story behind her book Your Life Shoes and how the different “shoes” in our lives can represent the people, experienc
Sit Down, Stand Out: Defying Expectations
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.This episode is a powerful and refreshingly honest conversation with Benen Dykstra, a 28-year-old storyteller, voice-over artist, audiobook narrator, and creator of the Sit Down, Stand Out Show. Born prematurely and living with spastic cerebral palsy, Benen shares his journey of navigating physical challenges, independence, accessibility, a
Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: Protect Your Peace
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.In this episode of Life Warriors, Teresa and Mary have an honest and relatable conversation about the true meaning of self-care. They explore why so many of us feel guilty about putting ourselves first and remind listeners that self-care is not always a spa day or expensive getaway. Sometimes it means taking a walk, sitting quietly with a c
The Ocean of Grief: Love, Loss & Learning to Live Again
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Mary and Teresa have a heartfelt and deeply personal conversation about grief, loss, caregiving, and finding the strength to keep moving forward. Mary shares her journey of caring for her husband, Chuck, through his battle with esophageal cancer—from the initial diagnosis and countless hospital stays to the emotional roller coaster of treat
Broken Beautiful: Finding the Gold in Our Scars
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.What if your greatest pain could become your greatest strength? In this uplifting episode, Mary and Teresa explore the Japanese art of Kintsugi—the practice of repairing broken pottery with gold—and how it mirrors our own healing journeys. From grief and abuse to loss, resilience, and hope, they share deeply personal stories that remind us
96 Years of Wisdom: Life Lessons from Mama Louise Blinn
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.What can 96 years of life teach us? In this heartwarming episode, Mary and Teresa welcome a very special guest—Mary's mother, Louise Blinn. Together they explore decades of history, remarkable changes in technology, raising a family, enduring love, and the simple values that never go out of style. Filled with laughter, unforgettable stories
Remember When? The Life Lessons We Learned Growing Up.
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Take a walk down memory lane with Mary and Teresa as they reflect on the childhood experiences that shaped who they are today. From drinking out of garden hoses, catching lightning bugs, and selling Girl Scout cookies to learning respect, responsibility, and the value of hard work, this heartfelt conversation explores how the lessons of yes
Sometimes your greatest pain becomes someone else's hope...
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.n this unforgettable episode of Life Warriors, Teresa and Mary welcome their very first guest, author of "Always Inspired: Practical Ways to be Inspired Through this Madness We Call Life" and host of the Tell Me SumpinGood podcast, Travis Patton. Through powerful stories of childhood adversity, faith, forgiveness, and resilience, Travis sh
I lost my job but I didn't lose myself...Rebuilding after job loss!
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Losing a job can feel like losing part of your identity—but it doesn't have to define your future. In this heartfelt episode of the Life Warriors Podcast, Teresa and Mary share their personal experiences with unemployment, grief, resilience, and rebuilding after unexpected life changes. From navigating rejection and the emotional toll of jo
Are our loved ones still with us? Signs, spirits and second chances...
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.In this emotional episode of Life Warriors, Mary and Teresa explore the mysteries of intuition, signs from loved ones, guardian angels, and the power of positive energy. Through deeply personal stories of grief, healing, faith, and unexpected moments that seem too meaningful to be coincidence, they encourage listeners to stay open to life's
The Two Most Powerful Words: "I Am" How changing your self-talk can transform your healing journey.
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.In this raw episode of Life Warriors, Teresa and Mary share their personal experiences with surviving abuse and discuss why success—not revenge—is the most powerful response. They explore the lasting impact of emotional, verbal, physical, and financial abuse, the importance of rebuilding self-worth, and how healing begins by focusing on you
Who really rescued WHO? The unbreakable bond between humans and animals
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.In this heartfelt episode of Life Warriors, Teresa and Mary share the profound impact animals have had on their lives, especially during times of trauma, grief, and healing. Through touching personal stories about their rescue dogs and cats, they discuss the unconditional love pets provide, the realities of animal rescue, and the heartbreak
The voices behind the LIFE WARRIORS PODCAST
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Meet Mary McMichael and Teresa L'Heureux, the voices behind Life Warriors Podcast. They are two chicks that have walked through life's darkest moments and come out the other side as survivors. Join them as they have REAL talk. About REAL struggles with REAL people. Learn what this will be all about and why it is so important for you to joi
