Defying The Odds

Defying The Odds

Abby Vaden's podcast, "Defying the Odds," is a compelling and empowering platform that offers a unique blend of personal experiences, practical advice, and inspiring stories. As a survivor of SKIDS, Abby's resilience and unwavering hope shine through in her storytelling, empowering listeners to find strength and courage in the face of adversity. By sharing her own journey of overcoming health challenges and embracing life's joys, Abby invites her audience to join her in a space of growth, connection, and inspiration.

Episodes

August 18, 2025 29 mins

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In this episode of Defying the Odds, Abby Vaden sits down with executive coach, author, and leader Kirk McCarley to explore what it really takes to unlock your full potential. With over 30 years of executive leadership experience, Kirk has dedicated his life to helping others discover the “ingredients” for success already within them.


Together, Abby and Kirk discuss how to build self-confidence, overcome setbacks,...

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In this powerful episode of Defying the Odds, host Abby Vaden sits down with Christina Prokos—renowned psychic medium, trauma healer, and soul guide—for a soul-stirring conversation about reclaiming your power and healing from within. Christina shares how shadow work, soul retrieval, and inner child healing can unlock deep emotional transformation and spiritual alignment.

From her bestselling book Embrace Your Sha...

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In this powerful episode of Defying the Odds, Abby sits down with Anna Love—Intuitive Empowerment & Leadership Coach and creator of The ALIGN Method. Anna shares how she helps visionary leaders break free from subconscious blocks, step into unshakable confidence, and lead from a place of deep alignment and authentic power. From spiritual insight to real-world leadership strategies, this episode is a must-list...

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From grooming sheep on a Mennonite farm to styling A-list celebrities, building an award-winning beauty empire, and launching global humanitarian efforts—Bobbi’s journey is powerful, raw, and inspiring.

You’re about to hear what it really takes to defy the odds and wear your crown—inside and out. Bobbi’s journey is anything but conventional. From growing up on a Mennonite farm in Pennsylvania to styling A-list celebrit...

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In this episode of Defying the Odds, host Abby sits down with Tina Wright, founder of The Heel Sling™—the innovative, doctor-endorsed shoe insert that’s redefining comfort and fit for women everywhere.


Tina shares her inspiring story of going from stay-at-home mom to startup founder after watching her daughter struggle with the same heel slippage that plagued her for years. What started as a DIY solution turn...

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This week on Defying the Odds, Abby sits down with Kirsten—Sheriff’s Deputy, Mrs. Knoxville, and fierce mental health advocate. Born in Africa and educated in England, Kirsten’s journey has been anything but ordinary. She learned to fly before she could drive and now serves her Tennessee community with strength and empathy.

In this powerful episode, Kirsten opens up about the emotional toll of being a first responder, ...

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This week on Defying the Odds, Abby reconnects with Kirsten following her crowning as Mrs. Tennessee America. From learning to fly in Africa to serving as a Sheriff’s Deputy in Tennessee, Kirsten’s path has been nothing short of extraordinary. Now, with the esteemed title of Mrs. Tennessee America, she brings even more attention to her mission: breaking stigma around mental health and empowering first responders.

In th...

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On this episode of Defying the Odds, host Abby sits down with Crystal Smith—a devoted wife, mother of two, and wellness enthusiast—as she opens up about her journey through transition, self-discovery, and emotional healing. After two decades of constant movement tied to her husband’s railroad career and working since the age of 14, Crystal shares what it’s been like to finally pause and reflect. From her love of sunse...

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In this episode of Defying the Odds, Abby sits down with the inspiring Hope Blanchard—a singer-songwriter who's been living out of her van for the past five years to fully invest in her music. With over half a million followers and a debut EP that earned her a feature in Cosmopolitan Magazine, Hope shares how choosing freedom over comfort led to her most authentic work yet.

We talk van life, vulnerability, viral m...

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In this inspiring episode of "Defying the Odds," host Abby Vaden sits down with Rebekah, the founder of Golden Growth Vitamins. Rebekah shares her personal story of overcoming hair and health challenges, leading her to develop the Hair Growth + Immune Support Vitamins that have changed her life and helped many others achieve remarkable results.

Rebekah opens up about her struggles with thinning hair, fa...

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Episode Description: In this inspiring episode, guest speaker Kayla Matthews shares her incredible journey from a small town in Illinois to embracing a whole new life at the beach. She recounts her story of hard work, determination, and following her heart, guided by her faith. Despite facing numerous challenges along the way, Kayla's resilience has led her to experience the highest of highs and feel immensely bl...

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Guest: China Allen, 2024 Ms. Queen of the World

In this inspiring episode, host Abby sits down with the remarkable China Allen, whose journey from Cave Creek, Arizona to international pageant success is nothing short of extraordinary.

China's ascent to the title of Ms. Queen of the World in 2024 was a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite the challenges she faced, including being a full-time mother...

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Join Abby in a captivating interview as she sits down with Rose Campbell, a renowned celebrity and pageant publicist known for her work with notable reality TV personalities like Carol Baskin and contestants in the Mrs. World pageant. Beyond her impressive achievements in the entertainment industry, Rose is the visionary founder of RiseUp Womenpreneurs, a dynamic networking group empowering women entrepreneurs.

Discove...

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Embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment as Abby engages in a heartfelt conversation with Shing, the dynamic founder of Body Balance Lifestyle. Explore the profound wisdom and transformative journey behind Body Balance Lifestyle as Shing shares her insights on holistic wellness, mindful movement, and the power of finding balance in every facet of life.

Join us for an enriching dialogue that delves deep int...

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 In this episode, Abby sits down with Lindsey Kaszuba, a certified health coach, mother of three, and the founder of Lindsey Kaszuba Health. Lindsey shares her personal journey towards simplifying wellness and empowering women to unlock their most energized and confident selves beyond the scale. Through candid storytelling and insightful experiences, Lindsey discusses her struggles with self-care and the pressures of ...

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 Join Abby as she sits down with Chelsey Albert, a transformational healer, to delve into the intriguing world of intuitive hypnotherapy. Drawing from her personal journey and experiences, Chelsey shares insights into how she helps her clients overcome anxiety, panic attacks, and self-sabotaging patterns through her unique approach. In this enlightening conversation, Chelsey also discusses the challenges and triumphs ...

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November 18, 2024 28 mins

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 Join Abby as she sits down for an insightful and candid conversation with @theordinarymom17. Known for her unfiltered take on motherhood, The Ordinary Mom shares raw and real experiences, offering a refreshing perspective on the highs and lows of parenting. Tune in as Abby and The Ordinary Mom delve into the challenges, joys, and meaningful moments that come with raising children, delivering honest and relatable insi...

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In this episode, Abby opens up about her personal struggles with endometriosis, shedding light on this often misunderstood condition. She shares her journey of pain, diagnosis, and treatment, emphasizing the importance of breaking the silence and stigma surrounding endometriosis. Join us as Abby bravely confronts her challenges and advocates for open conversations about this common yet often overlooked health issue.

Su...

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Join host Abby as she interviews the remarkable survivor and advocate, Elaine Mingus, on the "Defying the Odds" podcast. Elaine's journey of overcoming profound challenges, including childhood sexual abuse, battling an eating disorder, and conquering heroin addiction, is a testament to her resilience and unwavering faith in God. Today, Elaine is a proud mother of seven, running a successful vintage furn...

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Join us on a transformative journey as we delve into the remarkable story of Abby, a true embodiment of resilience and strength. In this special episode titled "Resilience Redefined: The Abby Story," we uncover the challenges, triumphs, and unwavering determination that have defined Abby's inspirational journey. From battling SCID and undergoing chemotherapy to navigating the communication field as a wo...

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