THE ONES WHO DARED

Have you ever said yes to something that stretched you beyond your capacity? 

In a few weeks, I’ll be hiking 67 miles on the Appalachian Trail with two of my  friends, Lauren and Stef. Both are marathon runners. It’s not just for the adventure (though it’s definitely going to be one). It’s to honor my grandmother, Tasia.

At 16, she was forced by Nazi soldiers to walk nearly that same distance—67 miles—with nothing but a letter from h...

Living for over a century gives a unique lens on what truly matters. In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Drick, a radiant 103-year-old who shares her extraordinary journey and the powerful simplicity behind her long, fulfilling life. From milking cows at six years old to sewing thousands of unipads for women in developing countries—her story is one of resilience, purpose, and everyday joy.

Key Takeaways from Rebecca’s 103 Year...

Betty Baker, a 101-year-old, shares her joyful journey through life, engaging in activities like crossword puzzles, reading, and painting despite physical limitations. Key points include:

• Approaching 102, she remains mentally sharp and active.
• Everyday she pushes herself to stay engaged rather than sedentary.
• A 63-year marriage highlighted the importance of shared values.
• Caring for her husband with Alzheimer's 
• Her experience ...

Mary Morantz shares her journey from a single-wide trailer in rural West Virginia to Yale Law School, exploring how growing up without resources creates deeply ingrained patterns of self-doubt and self-sabotage that follow us into adulthood. She reveals surprisingly simple shifts to break free from limiting beliefs and stop playing small, even when we feel simultaneously called to something greater while doubting we'll ever ge...

Saundra Dalton-Smith is a Board-Certified internal medicine physician and work-life integration researcher. She founded Restorasis, which promotes workplace wellbeing through the 7 Types of Rest Framework™ aimed at burnout prevention and work-life balance. As a busy physician, author, and mother, she helps high-achievers address work-rest imbalances and achieve a thriving lifestyle. 

An international wellness expert, she has been fe...

Dr. Chris Palmer serves as the Dean of Ministry and Theology at Southeastern University. He earned his PhD from Bangor University in Wales, UK, and has authored eight books. His research focuses on the Book of Revelation, the concepts of suffering and theodicy. In this episode, Dr. Palmer sheds light on the enduring question of suffering: If God is good, why does He permit good people to endure suffering?

Dr. Palmer in this episode:

...

Harrison Scott Key—winner of the Thurber Prize, bestselling author of How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever Told, and a viral TEDx speaker whose work has been featured in The New York Times and McSweeney’s. Harrison shares his raw, humorous journey through love, betrayal, and healing, revealing how his personal experience with infidelity reshaped his understanding of marriage and community.

In this episode, we cover:<...

Chris Janssen, MA, BCC, is the author of "Grace Yourself" and a performance and mindset coach. With over 25 years of experience, she has guided athletes, entrepreneurs, and creatives in achieving their goals. Trained with Tony Robbins, Chris helps high-achieving perfectionists manage performance pressure and overcome self-sabotage through her Living All In methods. 

She emphasizes the importance of reframing personal narra...

What does it take to leave behind everything you’ve ever known and build something entirely new? Ezra Smucker’s journey from growing up Amish to becoming a successful entrepreneur is a story of courage and transformation. Raised in an Amish community, Ezra stepped into the unknown during Rumspringa, trading tradition for entrepreneurship. By 17, he was running his own business, navigating construction, real estate, and the challeng...

Mary Ann Stoltzfus shares her experience from the strict confines of the Amish community to rediscovering a new way of living life. She discusses the challenges of questioning her upbringing, leaving her community, and building a new life centered around authenticity and community. 

• Childhood experiences of the Amish upbringing 
• Early spiritual questions and navigating fears around salvation 
• The courageous d...

Jake Beiler shares his transformative journey of leaving the Amish community, highlighting the contrast between his upbringing and current life as a real estate investor. His story sheds light on the complexities of shunning, emerging technology use in the Amish culture, and the importance of community ties while seeking personal authenticity.

• Jake's life on a dairy farm and the work ethic developed 
• Contradic...

What would you do if leaving your community meant losing your family, your identity, and everything you’ve ever known? For those who step away from the Amish way of life, this choice is life-altering.

Mary Esh recounts her transformative journey from the Amish community, highlighting the struggles and complexities of traditional living. Her story emphasizes the importance of personal choice and courage in overcoming a restrictive up...

Ever wondered how deeply ingrained patterns of pain can transform into a life of purpose? In this heartfelt episode Tori Hope Peterson—author, advocate, and a beacon of hope for vulnerable children. Tori takes us through her inspiring journey from navigating the foster care system to breaking generational cycles of trauma.

Drawing from her latest book, Breaking the Patterns that Break You, Tori shares powerful insights into recogniz...

Why would anyone willingly go without food for 7 days? In this episode, I share why I kicked off 2025 with a water fast—and why it turned out to be less daunting than I expected.

Through this experience, I discovered that our bodies are capable of far more than we give them credit for—not just in fasting, but in so many areas of life. As Thomas Edison once said, “If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound...

Teliee Popov shares his remarkable journey from a struggling musician to a thriving entrepreneur, highlighting the resilience, creativity, and determination that have driven his success. Through failures, setbacks, negotiations, and opportunities, Teliee encourages listeners to embrace their entrepreneurial spirit and persist in the face of obstacles.

• Teliee's early experiences ignited his entrepreneurial aspirations
• Th...

In the latest episode of the Once We Dare podcast, psychotherapist and a holistic coach Ionica Bazna shares insights on overcoming negativity and fostering personal growth. She discusses her journey from writing a transformative book to understanding the link between negative thought patterns, body chemistry, and emotional resilience. Key topics include:

• Roots of Negativity: Negative thoughts are part of our survival mechanism b...

Dr. Victoria Khiterer an esteemed historian and professor at Millersville University, joins us to share her compelling journey from the Soviet Union to the United States, defying the oppressive policies that aimed to silence her voice. Her personal stories of resilience bring to life the harsh realities faced by those living under Soviet rule. From her experiences with Perestroika to witnessing the collapse of the Soviet regime, Dr...