Kevin Polky - The Journey

Holidays and the Blues during COVID-19 Steve has been on the radio for 38 years. He shares about what has changed over almost 4 decades but more importantly what has stayed the same. A great conversation about how to cope with loss, depression, Seasonal Affect Disorder during the holidays and how this has been impacted due to COVID-19. Great conversation and some good ideas.

She is Walking with Them to Unravel their Past Daveda has a wonderful story of self-awareness and discovery. What she has learned along her journey she is now giving back to others. She specifically works with women unraveling their stories and to be their authentic self. But everyone can benefit from what she has learned throughout her life. Check out this conversation and go to Amazon.com and check out her book, “Unraveled”.

She Gives Back Because of the Obstacles in Her Life Laura shares her story of being born in Mexico City and traveling back and forth through her young life as her family attempted to create a better life for her and her two younger sisters. This is a great conversation about the struggles and difficulties of being an immigrant in the US. Laura thank you for sharing your story and making a difference in the Rockford community.

The Story of the Obstacle is the Way A few years ago, I was introduced to stoicism and the modern application of this ancient philosophy by Ryan Holiday in his book, “The obstacle is the way”. A couple of years ago, I created a program for educators and students regarding the development of resilience. Listen to a story by Jenn Nash and her student, Bunny and their adventures in the Obstacle is the Way.

Seven Steps to Develop Resilience On the 100th episode of The Journey, I decide to tell a story of some personal experiences in my life and what I learned from them. I have always loved and valued history. This episode about some of my life experiences and the gold that came from it. Take a listen as a share stories of the seven steps to developing resilience. Enjoy!

A Man Who is Giving Back Because He was Given To Josh is dynamic and energetic man. A poet, musician, real estate broker and entrepreneur is just a few of the hats Josh wears. He is a father of a beautiful 4 year old boy who is teaching him to be the man he wants to be. This is a rich conversation about politics, 2020, leadership and how to make difference in your community and in other. A blessed conversation. Hope you take a listen!

He is a Survivor so He Can Live Life! This is a great story of a man who has faced a lot adversity. He had his first heart transplant at 9 years old, second transplant 20 years later, he has survived a stroke and this year beat cancer. More importantly, he is a husband to Heather and a father of two beautiful sons. A wonderful story of perseverance, embracing life and listening to your body and advocating for your own health.

There is No Plan to Retire This is an absolute awesome conversation with Mr. Keith Irons. A wealth of knowledge and experience Keith has acquired over the past 90 years. He stated there is no need to retire. I enjoy what I do! Right before my eyes, Keith looked 20-30 years younger as he illuminated with joy when talking about his love for helping people. Such a rich conversation.

Gifted to Play Music, He Traveled a Spiritual Path to Find His Way I would encourage you to listen to this conversation as Matt shares about his journey of following his heart and his desire to know a different Jesus then he was taught. Listen to Matt share his journey of finding his own path in which he is living now.

Watching the Leaves Trying something different on this episode. I have been asked regarding my experiences with meditation and mindfulness. I share some my perspective on practicing mindfulness and introduce a very simple but foundational guided imagery. Please do not listen to this episode and attempt exercise while driving car or operating machinery. Enjoy!

Grieving the Losses of COVID-19 We have all been impacted in numerous ways in past 7 months. Delinda shares her observations and thoughts about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. She gives suggestions on how to honor yourself and allow yourself the opportunity to heal.

Through Her Loss, She Found Her Purpose and Profession Cody and her husband, Ethan were so excited to start their new family. And then everything came to a crashing haul. Not only once but twice did she lose babies to a rare prenatal disorder. Listen to this heart touching story of a mom speak of her loss, grief, healing and now her purpose of helping others through her profession as a counselor.

Fighting for Her Son’s Story to Be Heard Phyllis has an amazing story of how she has been an advocate for her son, Liam. And, now since Liam’s death she continues his legacy by fighting to break the stigma surrounding mental illness, suicide and the LGBTQ community. Listen to this wonderful conversation of this mom who is shattering the silence around these issues.

Her Son’s Story but now Her Story Xavier has experienced some of the worst things that came happen to a person: sexual and physical abuse, her husband dying tragical leaving her as young single mom and 17 years later finding her son when he died from suicide. But through all the pain she has found purpose. She shares intimately about her struggles and healing with trauma and anxiety. She talks about her purpose regarding breaking the stigma around suicide and mental illness.

Finding Her Way Out of the Darkness Laura has an amazing story! She was born in Mexico. Came to the US when she was in grade school not speaking or understanding any English. She taught herself English with help of her school within a year. She endured and left a domestic violent marriage. Raising her three children as a single mom, she received the horrible phone call. Her son died from suicide. In the midst of her grieving, she has found her purpose of helping other youth who are in the darkness. She started a non-profit, Marshmallow’s Hope and she wrote a book about her story, “Lost to Darkness; Enlightened by Grace”.

Bringing Light to Suicide in Central South Dakota Julie lives in a small community in Central South Dakota. At one time, Pierre, South Dakota was known for the highest amount of suicides per capita in the US. Also, shares her personal story of her own anxiety and depression and her brother’s attempt to take his life and the impact it had on her. She works tirelessly on bringing a message of hope to the schools focusing on suicide prevention and annual is in charge of suicide awareness walk.

A Social Worker Committed to the Students This is an awesome conversation! Nicole shares about her amazing mission trip to Africa. Her passion to make a difference in our schools. And, her personal mission to make sure all children are seen and heard. Thank you, Nicole for being a Light in the Darkness for these students.

A Mom Committed to Keeping Her Daughter’s Legacy Alive Twelve years ago, Diane got the phone call that all parents’ fear. Amanda, her teenage daughter, had been in an accident. She was hit by a drunk driver and died instantly. Please take a moment and listen to this powerful conversation about how Diane’s entire life had been building up to this time period and how she is keeping her beautiful daughter’s legacy alive.

A Renaissance Man who is Giving Back Will grew up being exposed to many different activities from sports to the arts. All these experiences have planted seeds which have impacted him today. For almost 30 years, Will has been active in fire services. He has experienced how the industry has changed for the better. Listen to this amazing conversation about Will’s different experiences with the fire department, founding the 9/11 Memorial Wall in Winnebago Co. to his latest venture Planet 3.

Discussion about the Impact of Social Media on Young Adults Recently, Zoe did a segment for Channel 23 on the impact of social media. During this conversation, we talked about the impact of Instagram and Facebook and the pressure for the “likes”. She talks about physiological and psychological effects regarding the lure of these platforms. And, more importantly she shared how it can be a useful tool to shine a Light on topics that are usually in the shadows of life. Very powerful conversation.