What happens when the little boy who never had a steady dad decides to become the most intentional father on the planet?
In this warm, powerful Episode 76 of Hear Where You Belong, CPA & entrepreneur Paden Squires shares how growing up in rural Missouri with an in-and-out dad and a hustling single mom lit a fire in him—not just to build a successful tax-planning firm from his kitchen table, but to give his three kids (two daughters and a son) the presence, curiosity, and love he always craved.
You’ll hear:
Why being a dad tops every business win (and how having a son actually scared him at first)
The 4:50 AM miracle morning that changed everything
How he went from broke college kid to owning a thriving firm—without ever taking the “safe” corporate path
Why most adults have forgotten how to answer the simple question kids nail: “What do you want?”
The real reason work-life balance is a myth (and what he does instead)
If you’ve ever wanted to break a cycle, rewrite your family story, or simply remember how to dream like a kid again—this conversation is pure medicine.
Hit play and remember: the life you build tomorrow starts with the father (or mother, or human) you choose to be today.
#BreakTheCycle #IntentionalParenting #EntrepreneurDad #HearWhereYouBelong
Christmas has a way of stirring everything—joy and grief, gratitude and longing, connection and loneliness—all at once.
In this special solo Christmas episode of Hear Where You Belong, I sit with the quiet question so many of us carry this season:
Do I really belong?
Before the traditions, before the carols, before the wrapped gifts and full tables, Christmas was a declaration. A God who crossed every distance—heaven to earth, eternity to time—to make sure you would never again have to wonder if you have a place.
In this episode, I share:
Why Christmas isn’t about perfection, performance, or proximity
How the birth of Jesus answers our deepest belonging question
Why loneliness often shows up during the holidays—and what to do with it
A gentle reminder that you were seen, chosen, and welcomed long before you felt it
If December feels heavy… if you’re carrying grief, change, or unanswered questions… if you’re smiling on the outside but wondering where you fit—this episode is for you.
Pull up a chair. Take a breath.
This is your reminder that you belong—here, now, and always.
#HearWhereYouBelong, #BelongingMatters, #CreatingBelonging, #WelcomeHome, #HumanConnection, #EmotionalWellbeing, #AuthenticLiving, #PersonalGrowthJourney, #WholeheartedLiving, #Belonging, #YouBelong, #FindYourPeople, #ConnectionMatters, #CommunityOverEverything
What happens when the “successful” life you built starts to feel like a prison made of your own numbness?
In Episode 74 of Hear Where You Belong, Alexis Leigh courageously pulls back the curtain on a childhood shattered by her mother’s—she was sick, then addicted, then gone when Alexis was only 12. Like so many of us, Alexis did what kids do: she packed the grief away so she could survive.
But buried pain doesn’t stay quiet forever.
At 38, a voice in the woods whispered, “It’s time.”
Time to feel.
Time to dig.
Time to wake up the parts of herself that had gone to sleep with the pain—the writer, the singer, the dancer, the woman who could finally belong to herself.
In this raw, tender conversation you’ll discover:
✨ Why numbing pain also numbs joy (and how to get both back)
✨ The moment Alexis realized she was the community she’d been waiting for
✨ How facing decades of grief actually set her free from codependency and control
✨ The gentle Zen reminder “Not always so” that keeps her grounded in every season
If you’ve ever felt lonely in a crowded room, numb in a “perfect” life, or terrified that feeling the old pain will destroy you—this episode is proof that the opposite is true.
Pain isn’t the enemy.
It’s the portal.
Hit play and step through with us. Your fully alive life is waiting on the other side. ❤️
#PainIsAPortal, #HealingJourney, #ChildhoodTrauma, #BelongToYourself, #HearWhereYouBelong, #EmotionalHealing, #InnerChildWork, #NotAlwaysSo
Ever tried to keep Jesus at arm’s length… only to feel Him gently (or not-so-gently) pull you closer?
In this tender and powerful Episode 73 of Hear Where You Belong, ordained deacon and author Constance Hastings shares the story she never planned to live:
→ A happy English teacher who resisted church membership for 20 years
→ Giving up music for Lent… and hearing God say “It’s time”
→ Trading the classroom for faith-based counseling and a decade-long wrestle to write The Trouble with Jesus: Considerations Before You Walk Away
→ Choosing a skeptical editor on purpose (and discovering her own doubts staring back at her on the page)
Constance reminds us that following Jesus is not an easy-believer shortcut. It’s raw. It’s disruptive. It’s surrender. And yet, somehow, it’s exactly where we finally belong.
You’ll walk away understanding:
✨ Why “Thy will be done” is the hardest—and most freeing—prayer we can pray
✨ How God used a 10-year book-writing journey to heal the author’s own questions
✨ The stunning connection between water turned to wine and the blood poured out for us
✨ Why the real trouble with Jesus is that His stubborn, pursuing grace simply will not let us go
If you’ve ever doubted, drifted, or tried to outrun God’s love—this episode is your invitation home.
Hit play and remember: You don’t find belonging by walking away… you find it when you finally let Him catch you. ❤️
#TheTroubleWithJesus #ChristianDoubt #GodsGrace #FaithJourney #HearWhereYouBelong #SkepticsWelcome #YouBelongHere
What if the life you’re living feels safe… but completely wrong for your soul?
In this powerful Episode 72 of *Hear Where You Belong*, Jennifer Mecham (owner of Elevated Thinking with the Coal Miner’s Daughter) shares her raw journey from growing up in Utah coal-mine poverty, marrying at 19, earning advanced degrees, and still waking up every night knowing she didn’t belong, to finally breaking free during the COVID lockdown when a dusty old DVD of *The Secret* (a gift from her late father) changed everything.
Inspired by Bob Proctor and the principles in *Think and Grow Rich*, Jennifer doubled her income in months, left a marriage that wasn’t right, stepped into her true purpose, and now coaches others through the exact 6-month *Thinking Into Results* program that transformed her life.
You’ll hear:
- Why dissatisfaction is actually a creative state (and why you should never settle)
- The danger of the “artificial comfort zone” society sells us
- How to set a terrifyingly big, hairy, audacious goal that forces you to become the person you were born to be
- The Maya Angelou quote that changed everything for Jennifer and her daughters
- The eagle-in-the-chicken-coop story that will make you question everything you’ve accepted as “normal”
If you’ve ever felt like a square peg in a round hole, like you’re living someone else’s script, or like there has to be MORE to your life, this episode is your wake-up call.
Stop pecking in the chicken coop. It’s time to spread your wings and soar.
Hit play and discover where YOU truly belong. 🦅
#PersonalGrowth, #FindYourPurpose, #ThinkAndGrowRich, #BobProctor, #Belonging, #LifeTransformation
Do you struggle to connect authentically? This is the conversation you need to hear.
Scott Maderer, certified human behavior consultant, pulls back the curtain on the most vulnerable parts of his journey, revealing the commitment that fundamentally changed his life:
The Power of Unconditional Commitment: Growing up in an alcoholic household, Scott only remembered his father saying "I love you, son" once—and it was prompted. When his own son was born, Scott resolved that his child "is not going to go a day without hearing me say, I love you". He shares how being a good father and a good husband became his greatest accomplishment, transferring unconditional love from his marriage to his son.
The True Cost of Misalignment: Scott reveals that financial strain nearly led him down the road of suicidal thoughts, which he notes is the number one cause of male suicide. He explains that money issues are often just the symptom of a greater problem: cognitive dissonance and misalignment with our true values.
Why You Must Belong to Yourself First: Before you can understand anyone else, you must understand yourself. Scott compares a lack of self-awareness to trying to repair a car engine while being blindfolded and having cotton in your ears. Learn to "clean the window" so you stop running the world through "colored glasses" and preconceived notions.
Influence vs. Manipulation—The Critical Difference: Drawing inspiration from Zig Ziglar’s famous quote (you can have anything you want if you help enough other people get what they want), Scott clearly defines how to influence others authentically:
• Manipulation is using your communication skills for your benefit (e.g., selling lawnmowers in the Sahara Desert).
• Influence is using those exact same skills to help someone do something because it is to their benefit.
Find out why achieving this balance requires true contentment—holding life with an open hand to allow both flow-in and flow-out.
Plus: Scott discusses the need for unity but not uniformity in groups, explaining how diversity acts as sandpaper to polish off our thinking.
Don't miss this profound dive into authenticity, family, and purpose!
#SelfAwareness #Belonging #InspiredStewardship #InfluenceVsManipulation #ZigZiglar #LeadershipDevelopment #PodcastLife #UnconditionalLove #FamilyGoals #MentalHealthMatters #FinancialWellness #PersonalGrowth #UnityNotUniformity #ScottMaderer #HearWhereYouBelong
What does it mean to truly belong—after a childhood marked by loss, trauma, and constant change? In this powerful episode, T.J. Johnson, a former foster child turned faith-filled leader, opens up about his journey from brokenness to belonging.
T.J. shares how his early years in the foster system shaped his understanding of love and identity, and how God used his pain to prepare him for purpose. Today, as a consultant, screenwriter, and advocate for foster care families through Agape of North Carolina, T.J. brings hope and healing to others walking similar roads.
This conversation explores redemption, resilience, and the kind of belonging that only grace can give.
Hashtags: #HearWhereYouBelong, #BelongingPodcast, #FaithJourney, #FosterCareAwareness, #RedemptionStory, #ChristianPodcast, #PurposeAndBelonging, #HealingThroughFaith, #CommunityAndConnection, #TJJohnson, #DeaIrby, #AgapeNC
What if freedom from food, addiction, and self-condemnation starts not with willpower—but with surrender? In Episode 69 of Hear Where You Belong, I sit down with Dr. Laurette Willis, cognitive behavioral therapist and founder of Weight Loss Without Willpower, to explore how neuroscience meets Scripture in the fight for lasting change. Laurette opens up about her battles with overeating, alcoholism, smoking—and the day she heard God’s voice and chose to surrender. She now helps women renew their minds, rebuild their bodies, and reclaim belonging in spirit, soul, and body. Join us as we discover how true health begins when we stop striving and start trusting.
#HearWhereYouBelong, #DrLauretteWillis, #WeightLossWithoutWillpower, #FaithBasedHealing, #NeuroscienceAndFaith, #OvercomingAddiction, #BelongingInChrist, #MindRenewal, #PodcastInterview, #SurrenderToGod, #ChristianHealth, #TransformYourMind, #FaithJourney
What if belonging didn’t end when life does? In this deeply moving episode, host Dea Irby welcomes Holly Lux-Sullivan, founder of Heartwood Death Doula and Bereavement Care and former hospice chaplain, to explore how compassion and presence transform the way we face death—and live life. Holly’s journey from journalism to chaplaincy to death care reveals how courage, humor, and heart can soften fear and strengthen faith in humanity. Discover how being seen, heard, and held in our full humanity—right up to our last breath—reminds us that we all belong.
#HearWhereYouBelong, #HollyLuxSullivan, #DeathDoula, #HospiceCare, #EndOfLifeCare, #GriefSupport, #FaithAndBelonging, #LifeAndDeath, #CommunityOfCare, #BelongingPodcast, #DeaIrby, #HeartwoodDeathDoula, #SpiritualCare, #CompassionInAction, #PodcastCommunity
What happens when faith meets obedience—and doubt gives way to divine direction? In this episode of Hear Where You Belong, Dea Irby welcomes Dan Parr, publisher of the Easy to Understand Read Bible and a passionate follower of Jesus Christ. From his miraculous birth to his mission to simplify Scripture, Dan shares how surrendering to Christ transformed his life. Hear how a calling to record the Bible became a four-year journey of trust, perseverance, and purpose. Dan’s story is a reminder that belonging begins when we surrender—and faith grows when we obey.
#HearWhereYouBelong, #FaithAndBelonging, #RedBible, #ChristianPodcast, #BibleInspiration, #PurposeThroughFaith, #GodsPlan, #ObedienceAndFaith, #ChristianCommunity, #SpiritualGrowth, #SimplifyingScripture, #FaithJourney, #PodcastForBelievers, #DeaIrbyPodcast, #BelongingThroughChrist
At 72, retired attorney and Vietnam combat veteran Rand Timmerman hiked the Appalachian Trail—nearly 1,500 miles of reflection, resilience, and rediscovery. In this episode, he shares his journey through war trauma, sobriety, and the healing power of nature, faith, and service.
What does it mean to belong when your story begins in an orphanage? In this powerful episode of Hear Where You Belong, Pat Welsh shares his extraordinary journey—from being abandoned at three days old in Dublin, Ireland, to adoption, faith, and a 40+ year career as a lawyer, police executive, and criminal justice trainer. Pat opens up about resilience in the face of tragedy, the faith that carried him through losing a son, and the love that has sustained a 45-year marriage. His story is raw, real, and deeply inspiring—reminding us that belonging isn’t just about where you start, but the legacy you choose to build.
From corporate accounting to purpose-driven entrepreneurship, Sherrika Sanders shares how faith guided her leap into business, the lessons she learned transforming the “GAAP,” and what belonging means when you’re walking in your calling. Join host Dea Irby for a powerful conversation about courage, identity, and trusting God’s plan—one step of obedience at a time.
#FaithDriven, #Entrepreneurship, #ChristianBusiness, #PurposeDriven, #Belonging, #LeapOfFaith, #WomenInBusiness, #TransformTheGAAP, #PodcastInterview, #FaithAndWork
In this uplifting episode of Hear Where You Belong, host Dea welcomes author, podcaster, and lifelong entrepreneur Jessica Danel—a woman whose life proves that faith and grit can turn even the hardest chapters into triumph. From her small-town beginnings and personal trauma to reinvention and healing, Jessica’s memoir Bucket List from a Redneck Girl and her Jess Saying with Jessica Danel podcast celebrate courage, motherhood, and the freedom of living your own story. Laugh, reflect, and discover why you already belong—exactly as you are.
From long-haul truckers to lipstick and leadership, Jean MacDonald has built a life of daring reinvention. A communication and business strategist, corporate sales trainer, and author of Be Wild, Be Crazy, Be You, Jean shares how she left a thriving insurance agency to chase joy—and wound up earning ten Mary Kay career cars, including five iconic Pink Cadillacs. In this conversation, Jean reveals how persistence, mentoring, and fearless follow-up create lasting connections, empower women, and turn hidden opportunities into extraordinary legacies.
What does it mean to belong when life takes you across continents, through the military, and into unexpected adventures?
In this episode of Hear Where You Belong, host Dea Irby sits down with Andy Dietrich, first-generation immigrant, U.S. veteran, and author of Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes. Andy shares his journey from Berlin to Alaska, the Marine Corps to Las Vegas, and the lessons learned along the way.
Through humor, mishaps, and heartfelt reflections, Andy explores how belonging is less about where you are and more about how you show up — in friendships, communities, and even in the middle of mistakes. From military service to fraternity life, from blackjack tables to unexpected wisdom from his mom, Andy reminds us that life’s detours can still lead us home.
If you’ve ever wondered how to turn adventures (and misadventures) into belonging, this episode will make you laugh, think, and see connection in new ways.
#HearWhereYouBelong #BelongingMatters #AndyDietrich #PlayStupidGames #LifeLessons #HumorAndHeart #VeteranVoices #StorytellingPodcast #PersonalGrowthJourney #CommunityAndConnection
In this episode of Hear Where You Belong, host Dea Irby sits down with Christine Sadry—award-winning author, speaker, and fierce advocate for resilience.
Born behind the Iron Curtain in Poland, Christine endured 13 years of silence and hardship before making her way to America at just nine years old. She faced abuse, isolation, and the devastating loss of her family connection—yet through determination, education, and courage, Christine built a life of meaning and service.
Her story spans from her early struggles as a young immigrant, to a career with the United Nations, to her deeply moving memoir, 13 Years Lost, honored with the Literary Titan Gold Award. Today, Christine reminds us all that while pain may shape us, it does not define us.
In this episode of Hear Where You Belong, host Dea Irby sits down with Christine Sadry—award-winning author, speaker, and fierce advocate for resilience.
Born behind the Iron Curtain in Poland, Christine endured 13 years of silence and hardship before making her way to America at just nine years old. She faced abuse, isolation, and the devastating loss of her family connection—yet through determination, education, and courage, Christine built a life of meaning and service.
Her story spans from her early struggles as a young immigrant, to a career with the United Nations, to her deeply moving memoir, 13 Years Lost, honored with the Literary Titan Gold Award. Today, Christine reminds us all that while pain may shape us, it does not define us.
Tune in for an unforgettable conversation on resilience, healing, and the power of belonging.
#Resilience, #HealingJourney, #OvercomingTrauma, #FaithAndHope, #FromSilenceToStrength, #FindingBelonging, #GlobalPeace, #CourageToHeal
What does it mean to leave a lasting legacy of impact? In this inspiring episode of Hear Where You Belong, I sit down with Dennis Szymanski, a leader, mentor, and visionary who has dedicated his life to building communities that thrive.
Dennis shares his journey of leadership—both the triumphs and the challenges—and reveals how intentionality, compassion, and belonging have shaped his path. From lessons learned in personal growth to the influence he’s had on countless lives, Dennis invites us to think deeply about how each of us can make a difference.
Whether you’re a leader, mentor, or simply someone who wants to live with greater purpose, Dennis’s story will encourage you to lean into your calling, invest in others, and create ripples of lasting change.
🎧 Tune in and discover how you, too, can live a life of impact.
#Leadership, #Mentorship, #Community, #Belonging, #HearWhereYouBelong, #Podcast, #PersonalGrowth, #Legacy
At 67 years old, Diane Gansauer laced up her boots and finished walking 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. But this wasn’t just a hike—it was a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and redefining what it means to belong.
In this deeply moving Hear Where You Belong episode, host Dea Irby sits down with Diane, a Master Life-Cycle Celebrant and interfaith minister who has honored over 400 lives through storytelling and ceremony. Diane shares how she transitioned from a high-powered conservation career—where she no longer felt she belonged—to guiding families through grief and celebrating life’s milestones with authenticity and heart.
From letting go of emotional burdens to traveling lightly (both on the trail and in life), Diane’s story will inspire you to face fears, embrace your unique path, and discover belonging in nature, community, and yourself. Whether you’re drawn to the wild beauty of the outdoors, the sacred art of ceremony, or the courage to start over at any age—this episode will leave you in awe.
#HearWhereYouBelong, #DianeGansauer, #LongDistanceHiking, #ContinentalDivideTrail, #LifeCycleCelebrant, #InterfaithMinister, #StorytellingMatters, #CelebratingLife, #GriefHealing, #TravelLightly, #SelfDiscoveryJourney, #FindYourBelonging, #WildernessHealing, #WomenWhoHike, #Over60AndThriving, #NatureConne