All Episodes

June 24, 2024 87 mins

Send us a text

Join us for an inspiring episode of the Exemplar Effect Podcast featuring Faustine McDonald. Faustine shares her powerful transformation from a shy athlete with sickle cell anemia into an entrepreneur and motivational speaker. She reflects on the influential legacies of her late brother Creighton Casey and her mother, Victoria Casey McDonald, a beloved teacher in Sylva, North Carolina. This episode also touches on the community's efforts to honor Victoria Casey McDonald with a dedicated day and statue, organized by ACE (Aspire, Create, Elevate). Discover heartfelt stories of resilience, community engagement, and the significance of creating a lasting legacy.


Shop Faustine's Survivor's Journey Clothing, a collection of limited-edition, one-of-a-kind pieces. Each design reflects the unique journey of overcoming and resilience, just like Faustine's own. Embrace your story and find your perfect piece at https://www.survivorsjourneyclothing.com/



00:00 Introduction and Warm Welcome

00:29 Discovering Faustine's Impact

04:38 Faustine's Journey with Sickle Cell Anemia

08:35 Turning Points and Inspirations

20:06 The Legacy of Creighton Casey

29:37 The Influence of a Remarkable Mother

35:32 Community Engagement and Teaching Philosophy

42:52 Preserving History Through Writing

44:06 A Mother's Legacy in Education and Genealogy

48:42 Embracing Motherhood: Lessons from My Mom

54:49 The Importance of Heritage and Identity

01:00:55 Defining Your Own Legacy

01:12:15 Survivor's Journey: From Tragedy to Triumph

01:20:05 Returning Home and Future Projects


Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience

The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.