Plot Twist

Michelle Steiner is on a mission to Educate, Empower, and Encourage people with and without disabilities. She is a Paraeducator, writer, and photographer who lives with an invisible disability.

Michelle's plot twist happened after she was told she would never get her bachelor's degree because of her learning disability. In this episode, she shares how she was able to defy doubt and pursue her dreams despite obstacles.

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"Bet on yourself. Trust yourself. You will figure it out. And when you don't have a safety net and you are feeling lost like you've made the biggest mistake of your life that means you've probably made the right decision." -Anna Spitzinger

When Anna Spitzinger thought about spending another 40 years doing the same thing, she realized she wanted a more flexible, joy-filled life. So she quit her banking job to pursue entrepreneurship. Anna is now an Online Business Manager and certified Dashboard Designer for coaches. She shares how she was able to build her business and the lessons she's learned along the way.

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When the pandemic hit Natalie Katona was laid off from her "dream" job. She began to reflect and realize that while it had its moments, there were times that she had been taken advantage of. This experience caused Natalie to have a huge priority re-evaluation. Now, Natalie is the host of the podcast "To All the Men I've Tolerated Before."

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With a toddler on her hip, in the fall of 2021, Ashley DeLuca walked away from her abusive marriage and within 6 months, completely rebuilt her life from scratch using her business as her foundation.

Through her journey, Asley believes truly betting on yourself is one of the most impactful decisions you'll ever make.

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Roger Williams is an author, podcaster, adventure, and head crosser offer of his bucket list.

In this episode, Roger talks about the decision he made to take an adult gap year to prioritize a life in which he finds his own personal joy through living out his bucket list. Now he's even inspiring others to cross stuff off their own bucket lists. 

My guest today is not just an extraordinary individual, but also my best friend, Christine Manika.

Christine faced a plot twist she hadn't anticipated–being let go from her first news job.

Instead of letting this negatively affect her, she found the strength to bounce back and redefine her path.

Have a plot twist you want to share on the podcast? Email me: plottwiststory@gmail.com

Thanks for listening! I'd appreciate it if you rated and reviewed the podcast.

Corrie Collins is a former sports journalist. He now lives in South Korea where his husband is stationed and works as an administrative professional at the on-base school.

In this episode, Corrie talks about what it's like navigating change as a military spouse. Including the intricacies of changing careers and adjusting to life in a different culture

Twitter: @cococorycollins Instagram: @corycollinsfitness

Have a PLOT TWIST you want to share on the podcast? Email me: plottwiststory@gmail.com

Thanks for listening! I'd appreciate it if you rated and reviewed the podcast.

It's been a year since we last caught up with my brother, Parker.

In today's episode, he shares his journey of moving to Chicago to pursue being a comedian.

He talks about the challenges of trying to find a job and how a health scare forced him to momentarily step away from comedy.

I'm finally sharing my story on the podcast!

**Please note that there are a few audio glitches throughout, unfortunately. I hope you still enjoy hearing my story. I poured my heart into the conversation, so I didn't want to re-record it.

BIG thank you to my brother, Parker for being my guest host.

Have a PLOT TWIST you want to share on the podcast? Email me: plottwiststory@gmail.com

Thanks for listening! I'd appreciate it if you rated and reviewed the podcast.

Kristina Johnson was a bartender for 11 years. In 2018, she decided to change her relationship with alcohol and has been on a sober journey ever since. She shares her story, sober tips, and zero-proof cocktail recipes on her Instagram account "Zero Proof My Sober Journey."

In this episode, she talks about some of the negative effects drinking had on her life including getting fired from her job and ending up in the ER. She shares tips for anyone who is sober curious or looking to drink less alcohol.

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Today's guest is Elizabeth Pearson Garr. She currently hosts and produces a podcast called "What It's Like To..." where listeners get to walk in someone else's shoes. In this episode she talks about a few plot twists in her life including working in the TV industry, transitioning to motherhood, and starting her own podcast.

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Olivia (Fecteau) Hiltbrand talks about two BIG plot twists that have happened in her life. Olivia is a former journalist who has decided to switch careers and go to law school. In October 2020, she was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive blood cancer, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. She talks about how it's never too late to make a change and try something else in life.

On today's episode, Brooke Happe talks about how her family found happiness by becoming a full-time RV family. She travels across the US with her husband, three kids, and two dogs. She also runs her brand, B.E. Happe where she sells hats that she crochets and knits. 

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Doreen Padilla talks about the challenges she faced as a young single mom. And how she was able to overcome adversity and create the life she wanted. 

Doreen grew up in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado, where she currently lives with her husband and two children. She is honored to be the first in her family to graduate from college and go on to earn a graduate degree. 

She is also the author of “Outsiders: A Journey to Belonging,” which tells the true story of a DREAMer’s persistence, love, and triumph on the journey through the United States immigration system. Doreen is dedicated to the communities around her and is consistently advocating for positive change.

At 30 years old, Ryan Crain was content with his life. He had a steady career, budding relationship, and lived in a high-rise apartment in downtown Oklahoma City. Then an unexpected phone call changed everything. Ryan ended up traveling around the world for a year to help heal from his grief. 

In today's episode, Ryan talks about what led to him traveling and the lessons he learned. 

Where are they now? Are you curious about what has happened to some of my guests since being on the podcast? Today I update you on four previous guests who have some exciting new developments/ plot twists in their life. 

This is a quick bonus conversation I had with MacKayla Greene about her stranger photo session in Hawaii. 

After getting out of a toxic relationship, love was the last thing on MacKayla Greene's mind. Then her friend invited her on a trip to Hawaii where she met her soul mate.

In today's episode, MacKayla talks all about how she unexpectedly met the love of her life. She also shares what it was like to be in and leave an emotionally abusive relationship. As well as what it's like to now be in a healthy relationship. MacKayla also talks about some career plot twists she's had along her journey. 

Happy New Year! In today's episode, I reflect back on 2022 and share my 2023 goals, habits, and plot twists. 

Law of Attraction Changed My Life Podcast: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/law-of-attraction-changed-my-life/id1517137653

Atomic Habits by James Clear: 

https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299

Workout Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@HASfit

Have a plot twist you want to share on the podcast? Email me: plottwiststory@gmail.com

Leslie Draffin spent 15 years in the TV news industry and left to save her mental health. Now she is a period and menstrual cycle coach and is building a business that lights her up and allows her to help others. In today's episode, Leslie discusses the importance of putting mental health first, even before a job. As well as the importance of advocating for yourself. 

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In today's episode, Lisa David Olson talks about her tough childhood and how humor saved her life. She also has an inspiring message about living life to the fullest and "going for all the things." 

Follow Lisa: 

https://instagram.com/lisadavidolson  

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stranger-connections/id1516167809  

 http://linkedin.com/in/lisa-david-olson-80376612  

https://www.facebook.com/lisa.olson.improv  

Phun on the Phone by Lisa David Olson https://music.apple.com/us/album/phun-on-the-phone/1547231243  

http://www.lisadavidolson.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnxiousArtistLDO?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1343012684

https://www.amazon.com/Laughs-Wry-Lisa-David-Olson-ebook/dp/B07C2QPGSG

Have a plot twist you want to share on the podcast? Email me: plottwiststory@gmail.com

You never know where life can take you, which is the case with Nova. In today's episode, Nova talks about moving from the United Kingdom to the United States. He's also had a few career plot twists. He toured as a musician, playing piano with his band Scars on 45, hosted live sporting events, and continues to produce a video interview series called "#NovaMeets." Recently he's also become a TV lifestyle host, which he never imagined he'd be doing. Throughout Nova's journey, he's dealt with people doubting him for not following a traditional career path. He says what's kept him going is passion, drive, and perseverance

Follow Nova: @novameets

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100037531986518

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novameets/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPHsAgw7qZDWhiannaVnHzA?view_as=subscriber

Have a plot twist you want to share on the podcast? Email me: plottwiststory@gmail.com

Change can be difficult, but I believe gratitude can make it easier. Today I'm trying something new and doing a solo episode all about gratitude. Gratitude has been an integral part of my plot twist and overall self-growth. In this episode, I talk about how I learned about gratitude. As well as how it can help transform anyone's life.

**Let me know if you like these shorter solo episodes. If so, I can sprinkle them in every now and again when I feel inspired. 

Law of Attraction Changed My Life Podcast that I love listening to: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/law-of-attraction-changed-my-life/id1517137653

The Magic Book: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Secret-Rhonda-Byrne/dp/1451673442

Have a plot twist you want to share on the podcast? Email me: plottwiststory@gmail.com

In today's episode, Brittany Ann Ealey talks about leaving her dream career as a lifestyle TV host for another dream getting married and building a family. Her journey to becoming a mom hasn't been easy and she's run into really hard hurdles along the way. She talks about the struggles she's faced and how a  positive mindset and yoga helped her through one of the toughest years of her life.

Follow Brittany:

@britt.ealey.yoga (Professional Yoga Instagram & Facebook)

@brittany.ann.ealey (Personal IG) 

Have a plot twist you want to share on the podcast? Email me: plottwiststory@gmail.com

Why fit in, when you were born to stand out?  In today's episode,  Kristina Lucia talks about struggling to belong,  which led her toward careers such as working on Wall Street. Along her journey, she realized that it was okay to do what she wanted and to be true to herself instead of doing what others wanted or expected her to do.  She's even found communities that do support what she's now doing.

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In today's episode, Christina Santiago shares her story of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  How she lost everything, got diagnosed, then rebuilt her life. She also talks about her new book called "You Can Go to Hell and Back," which is a poetic memoir about her journey. Towards the end of the episode, she reads one of the poems from her book. 

Sometimes we don't choose our plot twists. And sometimes those plot twists can create really difficult challenges in our life. But Christina says you can go to hell and back. And that that's just one chapter in our lives. She says we all need to give ourselves a chance to see what the next chapter is going to be like. 

Buy Christina's Book: https://www.laresistenciapress.com/p/hellandbackbook/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084158816137

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christina.santiago.tv/

Have a plot twist you want to share on the podcast? Email me: plottwiststory@gmail.com

Alexandra Elich-Burr transitioned from TV news to the public relations field.  Her career became her identity, but it was affecting her mental health. She talks about how scary it was to leave TV news and try something different. She's also created her own professional women's network group called "NetworkQueen." She talks about the importance of networking and gives tips on how to be successful at it. 

Follow NetworkQueen here:

https://www.instagram.com/networkqn/

https://www.facebook.com/networkqn

https://twitter.com/networkqn

Melissa Stern talks about two big plot twists that have happened in her life. First, during the pandemic, Melissa was diagnosed with cancer. She talks about her battle and has advice for others who've received a scary diagnosis. Melissa is also a former TV news reporter who now does corporate communications. She talks about her career change. As well as what it was like telling her own cancer story during her time as a news reporter. 

Team Maggies Dream: https://www.teammaggiesdream.org/

Melissa's blog posts and photos from her cancer journey on the plot twist story website: 

Melissa's news story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3WvI3CAxSM

Have a plot twist you want to share on the podcast? Email me: plottwiststory@gmail.com

In this episode, Emily and I talk about her and her husband Cole's exciting new journey. As well as the importance of living life to the fullest even if that means making a scary change. 

Emily Kinzer is a former TV news reporter and morning show anchor. She's originally from Columbia, Tennessee. Her TV news career has taken her to three different cities throughout Indiana and Florida.  She started her career in South Bend, Indiana where she worked as an MMJ. She later moved to Indianapolis to work as an MMJ and fill-in anchor for WISH-TV’s six-hour morning newscast. She then moved to Sarasota, Florida to take her dream job as a full-time anchor, and that's where she discovered a love of the water—and the love of her life, Cole. 

She's now trading the teleprompter for a tiller and is taking her storytelling skills to the sea. Emily and Cole have purchased a sailing catamaran which they plan to sail all throughout the Caribbean.  As Cole and Emily prep their boat and obtain captains’ licenses, they have already launched their YouTube travel blog and website,  "The Adventure Crews."  Emily plans to highlight incredible places and the stories of the people who live there. 

You can follow the Adventure Crews here: 

Nellie Neeman is the author of the critically-acclaimed Jon Steadman Thriller Series. Her debut novel, Spree, was published in 2020. Duplicity, the fourth book in the series, launched earlier this summer.

In this episode, I talk with my brother Parker McHodgkins who is no stranger to change. He talks about everything from his weight loss journey where he lost over 150 pounds, to what it was like coming out as bisexual. As well as his newest venture, moving to Chicago to pursue a career as a comedian. 

Change can be uncomfortable and it can be scary. Parker talks about how he is overcoming his fear and anxiety to become his most authentic self and how you can do the same. 

Miranda Paige is a recovering reporter turned podcaster. On this podcast, she shares people's plot twists and their motivational stories that will inspire all of us to live life to the fullest.