Recounting Life Lessons
...because someone else's story might hold the lessons you didn't know you were missing. The show for purpose-driven individuals who are ready to grow through what others have gone through, so you can show up wiser, more empowered, and better equipped for your life and the people you feel called to serve. Join Sione and Alana as they sit down with people from all walks of life to unpack the transformational experiences that shaped them and the life lessons they've learned along the way...including the lessons that may be easy to miss. As alchemists of life's experiences, Sione and Alana extract the golden nuggets, success principles, and real-life practices that you can use to level up in your life, avoid unnecessary pain and setbacks, and become the person you're meant to be. We're all about living as empowered heroes who make progress and have a positive impact on the world on purpose. And someone else's story might hold the lesson you didn't know you were missing to do that. If you're ready for inspiring stories and mindset shifts that lead to transformational breakthroughs, you're in the right place!
Episodes
In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we’re sitting down with Paul Cooke—a writer, academic, and former cult member who spent nine years in the Children of God, a group he later recognized as dangerously manipulative and deceptive. After a 40-year journey of reflection, healing, and writing, Paul recently completed a memoir about his experience and now shares his story to help others recognize how easily any of us can be misl...
What if your deepest regret could become the very thing that heals you—and helps someone else heal too?
In this raw and unforgettable episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we sit down with actor, artist, and soon-to-be debt author Sean Hemeon, who just celebrated 20 years of sobriety. Sean's real-life story reads like a Hollywood script—complete with addiction, cartel connections, federal agents, and undercover work—but what makes it...
Do you want to feel more alive? Are you comfortable with your own thoughts and feelings? When's the last time your really felt something?
In this episode of Recounting LIife Lessons, Sione and Alana sit down with Bente Vosteen—a sensory coach, visionary educator, and founder of a movement bringing sensory-based learning into schools and leadership spaces. After a powerful spiritual awakening in 2019, Bente began helping overwhelmed...
What if the life you're craving is just one bold step away—even if you don't have it all figured out yet?
In this powerful episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we sit down with Mina Satori—a transformational business consultant, ontological coach, and advocate for visionary women looking to step into their true power and purpose. From a chaotic and unstable childhood, the impact of an elementary school teacher, losing her job in the...
How do you stay grounded when someone you love is unraveling?
In this powerful episode, Sione and Alana are joined again by Craig Williamson, author of Regarding Substance Abuse & Addiction, who shares what he learned during a 17-year-long journey supporting and loving his son through addiction—a journey that ended with his son's passing at age 29.
In this raw and deeply personal conversation, Craig opens up about the emotional tol...
What if true freedom isn't about changing your life circumstances—but transforming how you experience them?
In this episode, Sione and Alana sit down with Gilbert Mane, a former headmaster, philosopher, and author of 7 Steps to Freedom—to explore how inner freedom can be cultivated through mindful responses, intentional speech, and creative presence.
Whether you're an overwhelmed achiever or someone seeking clarity and peace, Gilbe...
Mistakes can end up being our greatest catalysts for growth.
In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Alana sits down with Trish Saemann—truth-teller, no-fluff marketer, founder of GoBeyondSEO.com, co-host of the Break Even Better podcast, and author of Get More Clients You Love.
With a refreshing mix of transparency and hard-won wisdom, Trish shares some of the behind-the-scenes experiences that helped her grow both as a busin...
Limiting thoughts and doubts aren't based in truth Read more
In this powerful episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Sione and Alana are joined by Robert Cassidy, a lifelong seeker of wisdom who has worked with everyone from Hollywood elites to Zen monks. Through years of spiritual exploration and personal growth, Robert discovered that the most valuable answers don't come from outside of us—they come from within.
He's the author of The Self-Discovery Journal, a transformative guide designed to...
What if the key to future-proofing your career and personal growth isn't about mastering more, but in learning how to adapt?
In this episode, Sione and Alana sit down with Becky Heidesch, a career strategist, author, and creator of the S.T.E.E.P. Method—a practical and powerful framework for navigating career growth, transitions, and self-development in a world that's constantly changing.
Whether you're starting something new, cons...
What if the key to personal peace and professional success is hidden behind unresolved resentment?
In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we sit down with Kory Livingstone—musician, author, and coach—who shares his deeply personal journey of forgiveness, emotional healing, and growth. Kory opens up about the strained relationship with his father, the walls that were built from years of pain, and the breakthrough that happened when...
Find out why Authentic Intelligence matters more than ever...
Artificial Intelligence is advancing rapidly, transforming the way we work, think, and interact. But while A.I. can process vast amounts of data, it can't replace human wisdom, intuition, or emotional intelligence—the things that truly drive success and leadership.
In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we sit down with Dr. Jan Schwartz, a forensic researcher, psych...
What if the key to your biggest transformation was simply listening?
In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we sit down with best-selling author, Marko Petrovic, who shares his extraordinary journey of trusting intuition, embracing stillness, and surrendering to life's calling. From running a 40-acre farm in Australia to selling everything and moving to Mexico for 9 months of complete silence, Marko's story is a powerful testa...
Are limiting beliefs and self-doubt holding you back? Have you ever felt like you didn't belong or questioned your own worth? You're not alone.
In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Hailima Yates—mindset coach, transformational speaker, and author of Dissolving the Anchor—shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming feelings of unworthiness, battling suicidal thoughts, and ultimately transforming her mindset to reclaim he...
Have you ever been told that your dreams were impossible? That what you want just isn’t for you? Well, today’s guest, Kofi Douhadji, knows exactly what that feels like—but instead of accepting limitations, he used them as a launchpad for success. If you’ve ever felt stuck, doubted yourself, or needed a mindset shift to push forward, this episode is for you.
In this episode, we sit down with Kof...
What if illness isn't just something to fight—but a message from our body calling you to heal?
In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we sit down with Ayla Shepherd, trauma-informed therapist, midlife transformation coach, and author of The Truth Trip.
After receiving a shocking cancer diagnosis, Ayla had to make a life-changing decision: follow the conventional medical path alone or uncover the deeper emotional and psycholog...
Are your own psychological biases secretly working against you when it comes to money? In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we sit down with John Joseph De Goey—a portfolio manager, author, and financial expert—to uncover the hidden forces shaping our financial decisions.
In this episode, we'll explore how our biases shape our money decisions, why awareness of these psychological quirks is a game-changer, and how mastering y...
This conversation with Craig Williamson goes beyond surface-level discussions about addiction. It’s a deeply human exploration of what it means to navigate life’s hardest challenges while finding ways to grow and inspire others. Whether you’ve been personally affected by addiction or are seeking actionable insights for personal development, this episode is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss.
In this episode, Sione and Alana sit down with Brian Curtis, entrepreneur and author of There Is Only One Heart, to explore the profound lessons he’s learned from over 25 years of white-water rafting. Brian shares the harrowing story of a near-death experience when he was anchored to the riverbank and stuck underwater, a moment that taught him the importance of surrender and going with the flow.
Through engaging anecdotes, Brian re...
Sometimes the things we are reluctant to participate in end up laying a foundation for our success in the future.
In this episode, Sione and Alana sit down with Julie Cropp Gareleck, the author of Dare to Become and CEO and founder of Junction Creative.
They discuss leadership, motherhood, the pros and cons of having a family business, the benefits of journaling, entrepreneurship, and more.
If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, yo...
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