Rising Above Podcast

Scott Miller is an incredible artist and ice sculptor here in the Lansing area. Scott has made a living by forming a business "Miller Ice Sculptures". One of the most incredible things about Scotts story is sculpting was something he just kinda learned by working in a kitchen and decided one day that he wanted to try it. # risingabovepodcast #risingabovemedia

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube.

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service.

Claude is a member of our local community who suffers from mental illness. He talks about what exactly he suffers from and how he has managed it into his adulthood. Claude also shares with us what inspires him to do his digital art. #risingabovemedia #risingabovepodcast

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube.

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service.

Kristine Davies is from Alberta Canada. In this episode Kristine talks about what led her to getting involved with drugs and the wrong crowd at a very young age and what ultimately led her going to jail and later on prison. Kristine has since became an advocate for individuals who were just like her and is on a mission to use her story to make a difference. #risingabovepodcast #risingabovemedia

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube.

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service.

Katie Anderson is a certified mental health coach. In this episode Katie talks about her personal journey of healing and what it took for her to get to the point of being able to helping others. #risingabovepodcast #risingabovemedia  

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube. 

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service. 

Moony Thinker is an individual in our community who conducts interviews with artist and those alike. In this episode Moony shares his personal story of living a wild lifestyle at a very young age and how he manage to exit that lifestyle. This was an extremely funny and humorous podcast and I enjoyed every minute of it! #risingabovepodcast #risingabovemedia

Tune In!

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube.

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service.

Tk Willow is a volunteer for Saved By Zade. Tk is an individual in our local community who is very passionate about saving animals and providing them with the necessities for them to live a healthy and fulfilling life. Tk works a full time job as well is a volunteer at Saved By Zade a non profit dedicated to helping animals in (517) Greater Lansing Area. #risingabovepodcast #risingabovemedia

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube.

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service.

Ryan Kelley is a Michigan native from the Grand Rapids area. Ryan is many things from a business owner, husband, a father of 6 to a man willing to take on the task of running for governor here in the great state of Michigan.

In this episode we talk about so many things from the educational system, roads, inflation to what he would like to accomplish in his first 100 days in office.

If you are an individual who lives in Michigan I would highly recommend listening to this episode. Even if you don’t find yourself agreeing with what he says it’s important to have those discussions. #risingabovepodcast #risingabovemedia

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube.

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service.

Kasey Hadd is a Legacy Pain advocate. Kasey shares with us what chronic pain is like for her on a daily basis. She also talks about what the struggle is like finding doctors who are understanding of the conditions people like her struggle with. She came on the podcast to help bring more awareness around the faults in our medical system and to help normalize people who also struggle with chronic pain. 

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube.

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service.

Morgan Underwood is a local entrepreneur and business woman. Ganja Girl is a cannabis and lifestyle brand that focuses on community. Morgan shares what got her started in the cannabis business over 10 years ago and where she would like to see it go. She also shares what upcoming events Ganja Girl has planned for 2022. 

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube. 

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service. 

Luisa Wiewgorra is a Germany Native. In this episode she talks about the difficulties of coming to America in pursuit of chasing her dreams of being a reporter/ news Anchor. Luisa breaks down some of the difficulties she had to overcome when she first came to the United States such as the language barrier and many other obstacles. This episode is filled with great Information but most importantly Luisa's story is very inspirational for those who might think their dream is a far fetched idea. You really can accomplish anything you put your mind too with hard work and dedication. Luisa is now a reporter for a local news station (Fox47) here in Lansing Mi. #risingabovepodcast #risingabovemedia

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube.

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service.

Wendy Day is a woman of many backgrounds and talents. She is a former career politician she currently works in the real estate industry and is an American Author. In this episode she breaks down what her writing process is like and how she manages to fit writing into daily schedule. #risingabovepodcast #risingabovemedia

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube.

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service.

Jennifer Benson is a local business owner and a podcaster. She is the owner of Healing Thyme Massage a massage company that values its self in helping other through chronic pain. As well as running a business Jennifer manages to find time to host the podcast The Naughty Mystic. Her podcast is a platform to have free open dialogue discussing things that society would consider "taboo". Check her podcast out of Anchor, Stitcher, Spotify and Google Podcast. #risingabovepodcast #risingabovemedia

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube.

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service.

Maranda Houston is the CEO of Houston Legacy Of Enlightenment. Maranda is a certified Trauma Specialist & life coach.  Maranda is very dedicated to helping the youth in the community by offering many services from mental health coaching to offering career advancement opportunities. Maranda is setting out to create a new Legacy within our community! Check out her website for more info, link is provided below. 

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube.

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service.

Allison Spooner is a local Flash Fiction writer here in the Mid Michigan region. Along with being an accomplished writer, yoga instructor and mentor for the creative community. We talk about what inspires her as an artist and how she finds creativity. Overall it was a great conversation and I enjoyed getting to know Allison. 

Please Check out all of Allison's content the links are listed below.

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube.

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service.

 I kick off the Rising Above Podcast by vulnerably sharing my story of overcoming adversity. I wanted to create a platform for individuals who have been "othered" by society because of something that has happened end to them to have a place to share how they manage to not become a victim of their environment but rather was able to Rise Above.   Please leave a rating or comment and follow the journey!  

Social Media: 

In this episode Cepriano & Anthony  come on to just talk and have a good time. We talked about so many things from fitness, work life and balance to pop culture. Overall this episode was just a fun conversation. 

Be sure to check out Two Brothers On Mic on your favorite podcast streaming services.

Jade is a therapist in Baltimore Maryland aside from helping others she is also an international adoptee from China. In this episode, she talks about her personal story of how she went up for adoption and what life was like for her growing up in the United States. She share's alot of her personal struggles and what ultimately lead her into a career helping those who were like her. 

The video portion of this episode is now available on Spotify, Youtube. 

The audio portion of this episode can now be found on all your personal favorite podcast streaming service. 

I talk with my friend cheeku. Who is a local DJ making waves in the 517 community. We talk about all sorts of things from mental health, his past shows and even about his upcoming show this Friday at the The Fledge.

In this episode I had the privilege of talking with Angela Maradiaga. She shared with us what difficulties life has brought her way such as sexual abuse, rape, becoming a run away. Angela has an absolutely beautiful story of overcoming. She expressed how difficult it was confronting all her emotions in the process of writing her book " Chasing Black Butterflies".  #risingabovepodcast

Please consider buying her book!

In this episode I had the privilege of talking with Prettyeastvan. She shares with us her personal journey of growing up in the foster care system in Canada and what ultimately lead her to living in the streets. Prettyeastvan has an incredible story of overcoming trauma, neglect, abuse, and a rough lifestyle. She is a great example of someone who made a choice to not let her circumstances define her or the rest of her life. #risingabovepodcast

This episode's video interview can be found on Spotify and YouTube. The audio portion of the podcast can be found on all your favorite streaming services.

In this episode I had the opportunity to sit down with my friend Jeremy Hurt. He is the owner of Red Bike Delivery here in Lansing MI. We cover so many subjects from what business is like here in Lansing, the Gm battery plant that will be built here in Lansing MI to our fears of snakes, spiders and bats. #risingabovepodcast

This episode's video interview can be found on Spotify and YouTube. The audio portion of the podcast can be found on all your favorite streaming services.

In this episode we had the privilege of sitting down with Sarah Robinson. Sarah came on to share how drastically her life has changed over the last few years and what positive impact settling down getting married and starting a family has had on her life. We had so many good discussions and laughs in this interview. Anything from the educational system, the impact VR technology will have on future generations and how to manage change. #risingabovepodcast

This episode's video interview can be found on Spotify and YouTube. The audio portion of the podcast can be found on all your favorite streaming services.

In this episode I had the privilege of talking with Noah Galloway. Noah is a former American Soldier, motivational speaker and an athletic fanatic! He wasn't always that person though. Noah shares with us the very real struggles he had endured mentally and emotionally after having to have his left arm above the elbow and left leg above the knee tragically amputated from an accident that occurred overseas. Having to come back and try to live a normal life but not have the ability too, left him in a state of denial. Until one day he decided that he needed to make a change not for just him but his family. His hard work and dedication to himself and his loved ones landed him a spot on Dancing With the Stars, an appearance on Ellen and on the cover of Mens Health Magazine. #risingabovepodcast

Check out his website! Also be sure to buy his book "Living With No Excuses"

In this episode I talk with Rebecca Gillmore. Rebecca is the wife of UFC fighter Micheal Gillmore. She shares the struggle of what it is like being the wife to a professional athlete and all the struggles that surround it. She also shares with us her personal journey of learning how to cope with anxiety and panic attacks. She found that getting physically fit has had a profound influence in the way she feels not just physically but mentally. 

This episode's video interview can be found on Spotify and YouTube. The audio portion of the podcast can be found on all your favorite streaming services.

In this episode I sit down with Shamus Smith. Shamus is the President of The League Of Enchantment. The League Of Enchantment is a 501c3 Non profit dedicated to bringing hope, and smiles to children and the community through the power of Cosplay. Shamus shares what traumatic event happened in his life that led him to getting involved with The League. #risingabovepodcast

This episode's video interview can be found on Spotify and YouTube. The audio portion of the podcast can be found on all your favorite streaming services.

In this Episode I sit down with my friend Cepriano for a Live interview to discuss all things fitness. Cepriano has been training for the Life Time Marathon in Miami. He shares what his training regimen has been like and how he thinks things will shake up on race day. Cepriano is one of the most dedicated people I personally know and its people like him that keep me feeling like I am never doing enough. #risingabovepodcast. 

Please consider becoming a supporter of the Rising Above Podcast

In this episode I talk with my friend Julianna Blain, who you probably know by her nickname Juji. Much like myself, Juji grew up in an extremely fundamental Christian-Baptist household, that was characterized by stifling rules and severely controlled environments. In this episode she talks about what life looked like growing up within her religious cult, how she left it and the impact it has in her adult life. After hearing her story, it’s easy to see what inspired her career path of being a future licensed professional mental health counselor.

I’ve known Juji for a long time and she has always been outgoing, and a fun person to be around. I am truly inspired to see someone go from being deeply oppressed in their life to come out on the other side not as a victim; but as stronger, healthier, and fierce individual.

#risingabovepodcast

Social Media:

In this episode I talk with Brittany Sanzo. Brittany is a social worker and handles cases amongst the homeless population. She is also an adoptee and shared personal story on the podcast. She also shares her story and the work she does on TikTok. I hope you enjoy. ( Also I am sorry about the way my mic sounds in this episode). 

Social Media: 

In this episode I sit down and talk with Anthony Sarigianopoulos. He shares some of the ups and downs of working for General Motors as well as his fitness journey and what led him and his brother Joe into starting "Two Brothers One Mic" podcast. His passion is to help people create a better version of themselves to ultimately become THE BEST YOU!!

This episode's video interview can be found on Spotify and YouTube. The audio portion of the podcast can be found on all your favorite streaming services.

In this Episode I talk with Anna who is the owner of Better Than Ur's Design. We talk about what led her to starting the business and what has helped her maintain and keep things running for her its having the support of her family. We had a great conversation! #risingabovepodcast

This episode can now be watched on Spotify as well as YouTube and is also available on all audio platforms as well. 

Social Media:

Instagram: dave_hess28

Facebook: Rising Above Podcast

Youtube: Rising Above Podcast

Email: risingabovewithdavidhess@gmail.com

Anna's Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aescobedo2

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/betterthanursdesigns