Narrative Podcast

When you grow up in abuse, neglect, and abandonment, it's easy to draw the conclusion Keegan Schaefer did. Keegan shared just a few of the injustices he suffered, as little as 2 years old. When he was 12 years old he weighed the pros and cons of continuing his Ritalin medication. It was one of the best decisions Keegan has made in his life. Keegan has since used his adversity to understand human behavior and the power we hold in making decisions in our lives. He shed light on how life was 6 generations ago and how our evolution through war, men working outside of the city they live in, and the Industrial Revolution, that life has really changed. In life, through watching the people that care for us, we draw three conclusions. And by age 18 we have confirmed these conclusions that we then use for the rest of our lives. We draw conclusions about ourselves We draw conclusions about others or groups at large We draw conclusions about life at large Now, Keegan encourages others to face adversity head-on! Listen as he explains where the American family has been, where we are now, and how to be thankful for adversity and grow. How can you be showing up as your best in your priorities so you can serve your mission? "This too shall pass" (for the great times or for the bad times) "You can have the best boat, the best crew, and best captain on the entire ocean, but without a destination, you are just going to float aimlessly!" -Arnold Schwarzenegger Three questions Coach Keeg uses and encourages others to ask themselves when faced with adversity. What is the lesson? What is the opportunity? How can I use this to help others? To Connect with Keegan Schaefer: LinkedIn: Keegan Schaefer Email: [email protected] To Work with Keegan Schaefer: [email protected], CKC.Coach, Tribal Stoics - Men’s Facebook Group LinkedIn: Tribal Stoics Check out Keegan Schaefer's book: Selfish to Selfless: 5 Pillars to Fulfillment Through Purpose To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

How do you turn into a nice guy? Adam Troy grew up bigger than the other kids his age so his mom warned him not to get upset and react physically because he could hurt them. After a traumatic evening of simply wanting mac and cheese, he got what he wanted but then his house blew up with arguing and emotions. Throughout life, Adam put others first so they got to be happy. Time and time again Adam had ot put others first so as to not let them get hurt. This proved to not be beneficial in his marriage either. Adam told the whole story including him finally acting out in anger from bottling up all his resentment about what he wanted. But then it was time to look in the mirror. He realized he did not have the power to change a room. He does not let his past define him but he does use his core values of protecting his family's physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual peace to make decisions now. He knows he was given a life and a purpose. Listen to how he is helping other men who experience what he went through in his marriage. To Connect with Adam Troy: IG @TheEpicLifeCoaching, Facebook Epic Life (Coach), LinkedIn Adam Troy or YouTube @TheEpicLifeCoach To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

One would think that growing up with two deaf parents was not fair. Betty Galligan, our guest today, never picked up on that attitude from her parents and never experienced it herself. Betty and her siblings didn't know there was anything wrong with their parents until the rest of the world pointed it out. Her large extended family focused on what they could do instead of what they couldn't. And Betty found out that she could do a lot of things. Listen as she shares her successes in life. Late 80's 90's culture was to work harder not smarter. She somehow found herself striving for perfection. That was until one day when a person who did not exude the image of perfectionism acted in a way that would dawn on Betty as perfect years later. It dawned on Betty that perfectionism didn't matter but listening and connecting with people is what mattered. Learn about her new business venture and how she helps people to connect. To Connect with Betty Galligan by email: [email protected] or online NewberryPR.com and ThePRFinishingSchool.com To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

On December 24th, 1995 Trunnis Goggins III was born and Trunnis Goggins II knew he needed to get his act together to provide and protect this little human who would be depending on him. Trunnis Goggin II, from Buffalo, NY, had been told from an early age that his dad's "empire" would be his. He felt like he lived in his dad's shadow. But Trunnis had no passion for managing businesses and refused to accept that he'd take over. While his peers dreamed of what they would do and then pursued it, Trunnis's future was planned. So he did what normal teens do, he rebelled. Not rebelled and paved his own path, he rebelled to the point of hurting himself and his future. But when he became a father, it all changed. Trunnis moved to Indiana and joined the Navy. There he was taught discipline, and accountability, found his identity, and developed a good mindset. He's written a book The 4P's of You. Listen to this episode to find out what the book is all about, how he helps inmates, and you gotta check out his podcast to learn about getting an accountability practice started in your life too! Connect With Trunnis Goggins II on his Podcast: The 4P's Podcast Check out his book: The 4 P’s of You To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

"No Skateboards, you'll hurt yourself. No climbing trees, I don't want you to fall and get hurt. No guns in the house!" These were the rules of Drew Deraney's mom while his dad was away working to provide for the family. Little did he know, it was because of an incident in their family, that Drew's mom sheltered him so much. Drew was taught not to take risks, do the right thing, and life will work out. This was not Drew's experience. He let loose in college, took himself too seriously when he entered the workplace, and then went rogue doing "the right thing" only to be fired. Listen to Drew explain how he resented "Do the right thing." at the same time as honoring "Do the right thing." He reasoned it's how you do the right thing. And what he has seen is that men don't get that permission. Learn about the opportunities he's pursuing to do the right thing and help men to be more authentically themselves due to life lessons he shared in this episode. To Connect with Drew Deraney: Get access to Drew's Free Webinar "Get Over Yourself" go to www.profitcompassion.com or email Drew to get on his calendar at [email protected] To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

What Hannah Larrew gleaned from life, growing up, is that as a woman her priorities should be to get married, have kids, and then focus on herself and her career. We discussed the pros and cons of this reality. The gift of being a wife and mom with the other side of that being sacrifice. She always felt like what she wanted to do was not as important as what the person sitting next to her wanted to do. This led her into an abusive relationship. Hannah was vulnerable about how that relationship ended. She'd had enough and had to do something about it! She reminded us all that "No." is a complete sentence. She has taken her power back, and said she "feels the most 'me' I've ever felt." Hannah is married to a wonderful husband who treats her right and has recently become a mother. Her career is fulfilling as she is now a storyteller. She loves helping others tell their stories. She shared some daily practices. Hannah relishes in the little things daily to keep her positive spin on life. To Connect with Hannah Larrew: SpellboundPublicRelations.com To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

There are two different types of people in this world, Rob Fenstermaker pointed out. He used the example of the movie Shawshank Redemption. Two men were released from prison. One, Brooks, was so comfortable with the walls that had been around him that he didn't know what to do with himself. The other character, Red, was honestly a little lost too at first. But when someone showed him the way, he took action in his life. The most important thing we can do, Rob stressed, is take action. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. Drink people! Rob grew up in the 70's "all boy." He loved playing football but had a hunch the NFL wasn't going to be drafting him. As he got older he gained a reputation of being a punk. He made some bad choices but one of his other choices brought him to his wife. He learned about a whole new world of Catholicism. Rob questioned it at some point though and built the foundation that now he bases all of his choices. Hear how his church family surrounded them and solidified what Rob had been thinking when their son was given a grim diagnosis. And listen to what his wake-up call was and how he is intentional today guided with direction of focus for his legacy. To Connect with Rob Fenstermaker: Robfenstermaker.com or email [email protected] To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Growing up with two high-achieving parents, Kathy Izard, naturally thought that if she too worked hard then her life would be perfect like her parents. The harsh reality was that her mother suffered from bipolar and her dad spent a lot of time taking care of her and keeping the peace. To others and apparently their children, her parent's lives seemed perfect. Kathy and her husband spent a lot of time working towards achieving their goals too. Untill a little whisper wouldn't leave her alone. At 44, she found herself switching career roles to something she knew nothing about. And her husband facing a serious health diagnosis...you may not have heard about this before! Their goals shifted. Their Intentions shifted. And now Kathy encourages others to "Trust Your Whisper." Now at 60 Kathy is looking forward to more bends in the road as she strives for her aspirational expiration. She's an author, speaker, coach, and holds workshops to help other women listen to that inner whisper and fulfill thier purpose in this life. To Connect with Kathy Izard: KathyIzard.com or WomenFaithStory.com To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Imagine waking up in a psychiatric institution not knowing how you got there! Listen as Danny gives the accounts of his ex-wife’s cruel treatment to him. He’d been complacent and explained how he didn’t see things were taking a turn for the worst until it was too late. Had she ever loved him? But the final straw was the third gift she gave him. It was so great that he wrote a book about it! You gotta listen to find out what it was and why Danny sees it as a lesson learned that adversity is a gift with opportunity waiting on the other side. Danny shared a very sad realization one Thanksgiving after the divorce. He sat in his apartment all alone thinking how the holiday was carrying on as normal but without him. His family was celebrating and he was all alone. Holidays can be tough. It is so easy to romanticize what others are doing. But much to his surprise, he learned that his son had been on the defense all night. It’s important to In all this, Danny learned the battle is not his to fight. He’s placed God in the center of his life. Danny has redefined who he wants to be, found himself again, and established boundaries. He will not take peace for granted again. To Connect with JD McCabe: on Facebook: @TheThirdGift or https://thirdgift.com/ To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

“The life you live is a lie. I have plans for you.” Michael Williams Stover II heard as he was being attacked by 6 guys when he was 19. Michael had a cruel childhood living in section 8 housing, seeing cop cars drive by not to mention the gangs. Michael's mom spokes lies into him and he believed them. When Michael’s brother was born he assumed the protective role over him. His mom was here and there and the men floating in an out of their lives found the boys to be an inconvenience. His mom would often point out that people were right, she should have aborted Michael. She would manipulate him with harsh words. Michael saw his classmates with normal functioning homes and wondered why he didn’t have that and why he couldn’t just be a kid. Michael was fortunate enough to meet his dad who had matured and found God by the time they met. Unfortunately, Michael lost his dad when he was just 12. It was about this time too that he realized if he sought to make money that also got him out of his house. He had good people showing small acts of kindness. He knew it was God’s voice he heard at 19 while he was being attacked. And God wanted Michael to stop believing those lies so he could know his value and go on to help others find their value. You have got to listen to this episode to hear how the kind people he was exposed to while making money, meeting his dad, and learning his value turned his life around. “There is some good in this world and it’s worth fighting for.”-Lord of the Rings To Connect with Michael Williams Stover II: [email protected], LinkedIn @MichaelS. or Valor Media - Valor Media To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Where are all the listeners that grew up in the country? Were your siblings your best friends? For Robert Peterson that was the case. He and his sister played together a lot due to the nearest neighbor being over a mile away. When Robert was little he went by Bobby. Little Bobby got bullied and took to heart all the terrible things the other kids said. He never felt like he belonged. He felt alone like he was the only one going through this. Then, the end of eigth grade, he got news that his dad was laid off from his job. This meant the family would have to move. The sold their dream home, moved into a trailer, and started their new life 2 hours away from where home used to be. Life forever changed his freshmen year when Bobby now went by Robert. Listen to the full episode to learn about the shift in Robert’s narrative. Now Robert focuses on entrepreneurs not feeling alone. The entrepreneurial space can be lonely. He wants them to know other entrepreneurs have faced similar challenges. He focuses on his legacy and what that looks like. So naturally he helps others find the the same vision. He helps them to drill down to what that looks like financially but also with people in their lives. To Connect with Robert Peterson: LinkedIn @RobertCPeterson or BizLifeCoach.com or email: [email protected] Scripture Robert Sited: Proverbs 13:22 To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

"Edwina the Encourager" as she introduced herself, actually Edwina Adams. She hasn’t always been that way though. She grew up as a middle child - 8 years apart, on either end. She didn’t have much in common with them nor did she have cousins her age like her sisters did. This left her feeling alone often. And it’s funny because her family told her then and tell her now…it wasn’t like that Edwina has faced many significant adversities and learned “good things will come out of this adversity.” Edwina looks at her personal life and her work life similarly. She’s not God and she’s not in control so why does she think she is? She knows at work she’s not. She committed to showing up and doing her best. Once she was able to apply this to her personal life she “came out of her shell. This child, who once thought she was alone so she drew inward and was quiet. Now? Now Edwina is an author, public speaker, podcast host, and a resource for others. Her podcast is Let’s Make Some Noise. And to Edwina N.O.I.S.E. stands for something but you gotta listen to find out. We’ll give you N is for narrative! How cool is that?? To Connect with Edwina Adams: Edwinaadams.com or on linkedin.com/in/edwinaadams Check out her Podcast: Let's Make Some Noise To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Some people get to grow up with pretty normal childhoods. They get to see an example of a father who works hard as the Captain of the Fire Dept. who also became Mayor but maybe plays a little too hard too, a little mother with a beautiful voice to raise you, and 4 brothers and sisters to look up to. They may not have said “I love you” all the time but they all knew they were loved. Al Getler really had it all when he was 7. Imagine the family’s surprise when his parents announced baby #6 was on the way. And even more surprised when she was delivered with Down syndrome. He got to see his dad in 2.0 mode, a little softer around the edges and lots of love being expressed. Through the community they had built they soon found a lot of support and enjoyed the gift that Colleen was. Al was gifted a dummy for ventriloquism from his brother because of Al’s natural talent to entertain. A few years later around the age of 12 he started sharing that talent on the stage! Al naturally thought his adult life would mirror the life he knew growing up. It did slightly in that he got to also be dad 2.0 but differed in many other ways. When Al met his wife he really thought he’d do something in entertainment but she was desiring something more stable. The joke was on them when he started working for the local newspaper, they thought it would be stable but it proved otherwise. A common saying in Al’s house is “Man plans and God laughs.” Fast forward many moves and a few transitions, Al is the captain at his fire station and is very involved in his community. This also mirrored the example his parents set. The finest way to live in a community is to LIVE in your community. Hear all about Al’s involvement in the nonprofit Community Heart and Soul, in his community. So his adult life wasn’t exactly like he’d seen modeled in his childhood, but life is good as he looks at his wife, children, and grandchildren. Connect with Al Getler by email: [email protected] or on LinkedIn @AlGetler Check out the non-profit Al works with: www.communityheartandsoul.org, Check out his ventriloquism: AlGetler.com To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

"Pick their brains" was a phrase David's mother said to him once. This made him a curious person. He also knew he wanted to be a business owner. David was so impressed one day seeing a stack of his dad's business cards. But how was he going to get there? He also loved music so when he wasn't pursuing art, he was pursuing music. He worked with a business partner for quite some time until the day came when the business dissolved and David knew it was his time to become the business owner he wanted to be. David's story is one of following his gut, doing what his mom said not what she did, loss, love, and being very empathetic of others! Needless to say he was inquisitive and learned the business he now owns! To Connect with David Englund: 401-345-9036, [email protected] Work with David Englund: https://englundstudio.com/ To Hear David's Music: https://inlieuofflowersband.com/ To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

In the last episode we talked about false narratives holding us back from our goals. In example, if your narrative is that you don't deserve love, then when you find it you will likely end up self-sabotaging it. Jeff Wickersham knows this "game." His false narrative was that he didn't matter. He really struggled to identify his self-worth. So when he got close to taking the next step toward success he would hit the brakes, back away, or take his foot off the gas pedal. Jeff's mother was always a great source of positivity. When she was passing she shared that her fear was that she would be forgotten. Then and there Jeff changed the course of his life. He went from someone who was pointed out as the biggest whiner in high school and remembered for being negative in college to now running a successful business that encourages men to be positive energetic forces in their families. He wanted to continue her legacy. He quit his corporate job and started down the entrepreneurial path with a gym. His wife thought he was crazy but supported him. We had a conversation about his transparency with his boys. He wants them to know that his wife financially supported them while Jeff's business was growing. He wants them to know they can ask for help as he has had to. Jeff leads by example. Listen to how Jeff's morning and night-time regiments set him up for success. Why does this man take cold showers and how is he stacking three wins, in less than 5 minutes, after he wakes up? Jeff's legacy is the source of his drive for repetitive consistency. I think his mom is smiling down impressed with her son and the impact he is making! To Connect with Jeff Wickersham: The Warrior Dad, email him [email protected], or Linkedin: @JeffWickersham To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Steve Gohl and I, Tim Croll, sat down to talk about the Narratives that have been shared so far. It's funny how we craft these false stories in our heads as truth. Somewhere along the way, our guests have found holes in those narratives and are now forming new narratives that actually positively serve them. What false narratives have you created? We discussed the trends, we have noticed, in how these narratives were formed. We agreed there are three common ways we form narratives in our formative years. We form them through something someone said to us, good or bad, we form them by watching our parents and thinking our lives will be similar, and by traumatic events or big events. And we talked about how these false narratives act as self-sabotage. If you think you don't deserve to be thin of course you will keep eating the Oreos! If you don't think you deserve love then you may never see your soul mate standing right in front of you! You have to change the narrative to be in control. Keep sharing your stories with us as we keep exploring other's narratives, because stories matter! To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

It was great growing up so close to Grandma and Grandpa. They were such a great example of a loving relationship. It was also a place a kid like Mark Copeland could score a sweet treat and escape to when things were tough at home. Mark spent a lot of time with his grandpa and learned a lot. He explored nature and asked Grandpa lots of questions. But then Grandpa made him find the answers. Mark learned to be curious and look for unique experiences. Before Mark headed to high school he and his grandfather did a sabbatical in Alaska! Yeah, with glaciers and a tent! He also knew his grandfather expected him to go to college. But Mark was wrapped up in living for today. He didn’t have money or desire to attend college. Among many other things he took away from his time with his grandfather was something he said “You will become the person you become from the people you meet and the books you read.” And Mark took some time to explore who is Mark? Today though, he is crafting a different narrative. He wants to impact others through his actions. He is more interested in satisfaction of life rather than success, or the world’s definition of success anyway. His wife, children, grandchildren, and staff know they can come to him. He has set the example. To Connect with Mark Copeland: [email protected] or [email protected] To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

It’s funny how our children desire relationships but due to our personalities or our circumstances, sometimes the way we show love is through providing for them. Dave Myers's dad worked hard to provide for his family, but Dave really wanted more from his relationship with his dad. So he ended up writing a narrative to fill in the gaps in his heart with applaudable acts. Dave’s ego grew. The more praise he got the more he strived to be the best. One day his girlfriend pointed out that they were going in different directions. She desired a strong Christian life and it wasn’t Dave’s priority. Sometimes it’s big life events like that that make you see a little more clearly. Once Dave had kids he shifted all the focus from him being the best to his kids. And he intentionally was part of their life. This crossed into his work as a teacher and coach. He strives to make a positive impact on their lives. Listen to hear how Dave is now crafting his story! To Connect with Dave Myers: email: [email protected] website: www.davemyersbooks.com click on “contact me” to chat or check out his books: Swim Upstream & Breaking Camp To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

With a strong Military male presence in his father, Fred Young too wanted to be a strong male as a pilot. But once he got to college his ambition died a little and grades got the better of him. He fell into broadcasting and realized he had a talent for it. He was collecting accolades but still felt something missing. One day in Missouri, it all changed when he was invited by his wife to church. On top of that, she was now expecting. The focus shifted from how great am I to the child on the way. He realized God was not mad at him and wanted to shoulder Fred's burdens. His boss and Fred realized the person he was becoming no longer served the station he had been at. But God has a plan and opportunity came seeking Fred to still do radio but at a Christian station. Fred now gets to encourage others daily and live a new narrative crafted by God! To Connect with Fred Young: on social @fredlyradio or by email [email protected] To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

To hear her speak, you will not agree with her false narrative as a small child. She believed she had nothing to say because she was of no significance and she felt her voice was too deep. She believed this for a while and it made it difficult to cultivate friendships. But when you get a new pair of shoes and decide to tackle the hill in your neighborhood, life changes. Karen ran up that hill and her lungs filled with air, the blood ran faster in her veins, and she felt her heart pumping! She felt alive! She wondered how could she make others feel alive too? She has completely changed her life with running and caring for others. Listen to the full episode to hear how and attend her free live event coming up. Connect with Karen Loaiza-Wulff: FB: @KarenLoaiza-Wulff or IG:@klowulff To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

As children, we aren't given road maps for this thing called life. As Robert (Bob) Saul was growing up he was bullied, didn't "fit in", and often had stomach issues. He was lucky enough to have a childhood psychologist see him and help him figure a few things out. That Dr. had such an impact on Bob that he wanted to go into medicine. In his junior year of college is when he felt a strong pull to pediatrics. He felt this was the space he could have the greatest impact. He finally knew his path. Bob learned a lot from his patients. Bob had experienced a lot in his personal life with a disabled daughter and foster children he and his wife had cared for. In 93' he was heard a speaker share "I am the problem. I am the solution. I am the resource." Yes, Bob had found his identity in the pediatric medical world but now in his community. He has established 5 steps to community Improvement that he explained, they are Learn to be the best parent you can be Get involved Stay involved Love for one another Practice Forgiveness With these principles in mind, he has written multiple books. Writing for Bob started with letters to the community, actually intended for himself. He starts his days excited for work. He still loves what he does and encourages us all to forgive each other - continue to evolve in your forgiveness journey. Connect with Dr. Robert (Bob) Saul: [email protected] Check out Dr. Robert Saul's Books: MyChildrensChildren.com To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

When you grow up as the baby of 6 kids in your family you have a lot of people to watch as you are growing up and forming your values. Evan Van Dyke was doted on by his family and told he was going to grow up and be successful. So naturally Evan thought he needed to do something that his family would be impressed with, enough to sing his praises. Evan equated success with money. His mom was the epitome of positivity. Evan wasn't sure it was ok to be negative. There came a time when Evan started to question the need for success, money, praise, and his Mormon upbringing. Once he did his due diligence researching Mormonism, he decided it wasn't the life for him anymore. But when you take your name out of the Book of Mormon you can expect to lose those that were once close to you. You lose their praise too. When that happened Evan had to decide that he was enough. He decided he could have negative emotions but to always practice gratitude. He is still very positive but admits life has it's problems. Through his gratitude, he's learned to shift his thinking about solving problems. To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

"You're gonna be defeated." Maybe this wasn't a struggle for Kelley Tyan when she was younger but it really played a role in her adult life. In her younger years, Kelley watched her mom struggle with rheumatoid arthritis. She saw her mom rely on her faith, push through pain, and show up. Kelly knew she could too. But as she got older and bad things happened and she started playing the comparison game, that negative voice in her head got louder and louder. She's a breast cancer survivor, her daughter has been in two very serious accidents, and more. Then she lost her mom. That was her person. They were very close and alot of value was held in their relationship. Now Kelley had to face this world on her own. But that ended up being ok. Kelley bets on herself these days! She relies on her faith and trusts what God says about her. She's addicted to the climb (the journey to being your own courageous leader. ) There are two voices in your head, which one will you let speak the loudest? Kelly's Mantra: "I will not be defeated by my negative inner voice." Connect with Kelly Tyan: LinkedIn or @KelleyTyan on Instagram To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

When you grow up around successful people and your friends are highly successful, you see their glamorous lifestyle. You start to think things matter. The car. The house. The trips. The impact. That's what Ian Garlic used to think, in order to have great impact you have to have great wealth! Until one day he realized, he'd rather enjoy the journey than worry about the ultimate conquest which wouldn't result in satisfaction. He'd seen his parents lose everything and pick themselves back up. This example about mindset. When things get hard you have to push through. He learned too that if he did it once he could do it again. This mindset has served him well. He identified two types of successful people. The people that are in it for the money and the people that are in it for the impact. Success depends on your definition. Listen to hear Ian's definition and how he impacts others. To Connect with Ian Garlic: Ian Garlic on LinkedIn or @Ian.Garlic on Instagram Ian's Book: Video Testimonials: How to Land the Big Fish Book referrals: Man’s Search for Meaning by Vickor Frankl How to Be Like Walt by Pat Williams To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Somehow Dr. Sara Whedon established a picture of perfection that she strived for daily. Around age 16 she knew she could not keep up this perfect life. In her 20’s, she questioned “When did I start thinking ‘I should be ___ by now’”? But she couldn’t figure out how to let it go of the norms she believed and what a perfect life looked like. But when her mom was diagnosed with cancer she had to fall into being present and problem solving and that did not reflect perfection. That opened a whole new chapter of life where she decided she did have value! She thought to herself, “Clearly, there are things I don’t know. I want to move forward. And the only way to move forward is to do something different.” She got help because she knew someone who had value deserved help. Now she helps others do the same. She lets them know you can do hard things when you are scared, suffering, don’t know the outcome, and even when you don’t want to. To Connect with Sara Whedon: www.drsarawhedon.com or [email protected] To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Through the eyes of a child, Lynn Catalno compared her parents to Ward and June Clever. But at 12, she realized something was off about her father and his behavior. Her mother was an enabler and enabled him to act like a narcissist. Lynn finally addressed how she felt about her father, as an adult. She had such clarity over what had happened. She decided for herself that she had value and deserved unconditional love. She had not received that from her father but knew that's what she deserved going forward in other relationships. Immediately after her mother's passing his narcissistic behavior continued and ultimately was the demise of their relationship. Listen now to see how she has used this pain to heal others. Gloria Steinem Quote: "The final stage of healing, is using what happens to you to help other people." To Connect with Lynn Catalano: TikTok @‌lynncatalanospeaks Instagram - @wreckingballrelationships LinkedIn - Lynn Catalano, Esq. Facebook – Lynn Catalano Speaks Lynn's Book: Wrecking Ball Relationships: How to Identify, Live With, or Leave the Narcissist in Your Life To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

"I spent so long not doing anything, I didn't learn how to do anything!" Travis Curnutte, our guest today, shared this realization. This became clear to him as he knew he needed a course correction in his career and life. Travis grew up with a successful father and he knew he wanted to be in business one day too despite having Tourretts. Many years later, Travis was in business just not the tech world he wanted to be in. He wasn't actually ok with doing the bare minimum there was just no challenge and no one was asking for more out of him. But when he lost everything, his very supportive wife agreed to invest in their futures by taking a risk, before he could even complete his thought. The risk paid off and now Travis is successful, in tech, where he has to learned to hire people who challenge him, invest in personal growth, and transparency to avoid demise again. Connect with Travis Curnutte on LinkedIn: @TravisCurnutte or X @travisCurnutte To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

What do you do when you grew up in a conservative Christian home? You are taught to follow the rules. You watch and respect your elders. When Becky went to church functions she'd see all the women being of service in the kitchen. Naturally, she thought she was supposed to serve in this way too. That didn't sit well with Becky. She knew what she believed but for some reason felt there was a need to reel in her fun and crazy side. This feeling was always there. When the Captivating Conference in Colorado came up, she knew she needed to attend. The message she heard directly from God was that she was purposely made the way he needed her for his purpose. He didn't want her to tone it down. Now Becky serves others, just not from the kitchen. She has found a way to be disciplined to refine her purpose of making an impact on others and being of service. To Connect with Becky Mason: [email protected] or on FB: @Becky Mason and IG: @BeckyMasonBAM Books Mentioned: Wild at Heart by John Eldredge Captivating by Stasi Eldredge Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Coooome-a, Come-a, Come-a, Come-a, Come-a, Chameleon...Alex Pauls growing up felt like he had to behave like a chameleon and fit in. He finally had enough and decided to be OK with who he was, regardless of his desire to have everyone like him. He found the spark of "I'm special" again he felt when he was 3 or 4 years old. Alex worked on himself and became "The Character." Not choose the character that he felt like he had to be around each person. He lost some friends as he found himself and his worth. Catch the full story of growth, adventure, learn more about Alex's book, and the successful business he and his wife have! To Connect with Alex Pauls: [email protected] or LinkedIn: @Alex Pauls Check out KPDesigns.ca and ConquerYourBusiness.com Our Book: Partners in Everything on Amazon To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Discover the journey of Tucker Nielsen, a young computer science master's student at Michigan Tech, as he shares the power of embracing his uniqueness. At 15 he was diagnosed with a form of autism called pervasive developmental disorder. Tucker recounts his transformative journey from uncertainty to clarity. Tucker harnessed his superpower of intense focus and empathy. From battling depression and anxiety to finding purpose and fulfillment, Tucker's story is empowering for anyone struggling to find their path in life, when you don't feel like others. Listen as he shares his passion for writing, teaching, and using Lego bricks to empower college students in their learning journey. He has learned he is like others he is just uniquely created but with so much purpose. To Connect with Tucker Nielson: [email protected] To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

A pension? Who gets a pension these days? But when Erika Andresen was a child she heard her parents talk about them. She just assumed she'd follow in their footsteps until she went to tour a college with her sister. At 10 years old Erika changed her path. Erika was determined to get into NYU! She did get there. She did graduate. But she has learned along the way how to reinvent herself. She keeps refining her path as she learns about what lights her up from different Lawyer niches to joining the Army, and now an entrepreneur! Erika shows her family through her actions that it's never too late! Never too late to pivot. Her guiding light in her life's journey has been what would 10 year old me think. This is a beacon we could all use to evaluate where we are and what we want to be next. To Connect with Erika Andresen: [email protected] or on LinkedIn @Erika-Andresen **Must send a message to connect with Erika. Straight friend requests will be rejected. To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Do you switch masks depending on what group of people you are around? Larado Bulkley found him in this situation but it was to manipulate. There was so much dysfunction at home. Larado needed a way to get his needs met. He shared manipulation in school, marriage, and home. He didn't care who he hurt. He remembers caring more about animals than people at this time in his life, so to hurt them or disappoint them didn't matter to Larado. Despite his abusive childhood and low self-esteem, he just had a hunch there was something more to this life. Now when he looks around he is surrounded by successful people helping him to grow the beliefs that have been in him all along...but how did this transformation take place? Where have the masks gone? Gotta listen to hear how he got to where he is now and the narratives he believes today! To Connect with Larado Bulkley: [email protected], CleaningUpHunger.org, ACSfacilities.com To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Chase Winslow grew up in an extremely poor family. At 13, his family began falling apart, which made him turn to drugs to escape from his problems. After high school, he got an exhausting job which fueled his drug use even more. He ended up quitting his job to sell drugs, but with a twist of fate, he met his wife, and slowly things changed. Funny how a baby on the way makes you rethink life. He began his work journey of trial and error, trying to figure everything out on his own through Google and online courses. All this while taking care of his family. Now instead of trying to run away from his problems, he faced them. It took Chase 7 years of failure for things to start going his way. Find out what it feels like when your 10-year-old son tells you to go to bed or how he was betrayed by his business partner that felt like a brother to him. And most of all, discover how none of that stopped Chase from going forward and rewriting his false narrative that “money is everything.” He now relies on forgiveness and positivity! Connect with Chase: https://www.facebook.com/ChaseWinslow To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Find out how David Guyor crafted his own narrative by making a DRASTIC change from the false narrative about I will never be invited into the company of other men to a reality where he is actually doing the inviting of other men to come into his company/presence. A genuine dreamer since early childhood, and an idealist by temperament, David was both the person who once said God, I never hear from you, you're just a concept, I think all this is a joke. To God, if you keep doing what you're doing, I can't bare it, please stop talking to me. In a deep and emotional conversation, Tim and David discuss how not only the church but also the society demeaned the part of men that holds the emotional desire and the passion men have inside of them and skipped right over it. Is joy just a clichè, or is it a severely underrated movement of the heart where there's purpose and you find out who you are by embracing how you've been made? Listen to the latest episode of Narrative, and find out! Books mentioned: Wild at Heart - John Eldredge Email: [email protected] Coaching/Speaking: http://www.davidguyor.com Professional Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidguyor To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Andrew Dibble shared his life’s story full of twists and turns, life-changing events, and personal development. Growing up, he developed a strong relationship with his grandmother, whom he lived with, by helping her at the farm. At 17, with military lineage in his family, he joined the Marine Corps. After spending 8 years as a Marine, he decided to quit, which is when life first hit him hard. He struggled with the change of dynamics going from military to civilian. Trying to cope with that, he turned to high-adrenaline sports and suffered an injury that made him rethink his life path. He was ready to step up, out of his rebellious phase, and support his expanding family instead of risking his life. After a few years of exhausting work, sometimes 16-hour workdays, he lost connection with friends and family. That pushed him to pursue happiness in his life. Checkout Andrew Dibbles - DNB Media here: https://www.instagram.com/dnbmediadesigns/ Check everything related to Kalkaska Battlers - Hockey Team here: https://linktr.ee/kalkaskabattlers To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Hang on tight for a vulnerable tale of perseverance. When the discussion starts with Keith Kalfas accounting he has had 32 homes (one being his car for 3 months), attended 14 schools, more cars than you can count, and multiple jobs (some seasons working 94 hours), you know you will walk away learning one of his many lessons learned so far! Keith's mom was single, manic, and struggled with drugs. Keith became a successful self-made man by the age of 19. But, he crashed under the pressure and basically had a mental breakdown at 21! If you met him today you would not guess this though. Keith has been through it all but now appreciates all the trials that brought him to two, 6 figure, companies! That's right, he recovered at his grandma's, after the breakdown. When she knew he was ready, she kicked him out and Keith landed on his feet! Keith is now married and often finds grounding in her! Find out what he's up to these days and get motivated! Books Keith mentioned: The Parable of the Pipeline, Cashflow Quadrant, Personlity Plus, and The Hero's 2 Journeys Connect with Keith Kalfas: [email protected] or keithkalfas.com/influence - You too can become a highly paid influencer Check out Keith's Podcast: Untrapped Podcast To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

“Everything is a gift or an opportunity”…But Evan Mestman didn’t always think this way! Evan was a sickly child and didn’t think he was deserving of love. He regularly saw a chiropractor that poured into him. She was speaking into him, non directly, words of love, support, and encouragement! The faith she shared with him broke down all the walls he’d built up. He looks back and can see how much love she gave him but he didn’t realize it at the time. Through his faith and life journey of weight loss Evan now pours into others. He exercises his “attitude muscle” daily in his personal life and with those he pours into. Even believes that life is about happiness and happiness comes from pouring into others. He practices what he preaches “Everything in life is a gift or an opportunity.” Connect with Evan Mestman by email: [email protected] or proattitudes.com. Evan’s book: The Habits of Healthy Eating Join my Facebook Group "Living the B3 Way to Wellness": https://www.facebook.com/groups/proattitudestheb3way Follow ProAttitudes on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn DO YOU WANT TO ESCAPE THE DIET TRAP? Click here: https://proattitudes.com/escape-the-diet-trap-vsl-entry/ To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

When you grow up in small-town Iowa, you don't realize how big the world really is. As Tiffany Mason grew up she watched her mom and observed her being a good mom and wife. Like a lot of us, we think we'll grow up to be similar to our parents. Tiffany learned her lot if life was to be a supportive mom and wife. Until a few years ago, that's what Tiffany did. Her husband was successful and was recruited for new opportunities which meant multiple moves. Six years ago, they settled in Florida and the kids were old enough; she knew it was her time to go back to full-time work. After a few flops, she has settled into being a successful Podcast Manager. She now knows differently: the "American Dream" is out there for anyone and it's none of your business what others think of you! Connect with Tiffany Mason: virtuallyyouva.com Tiffany's Podcast: Memories with a Beat (Apple link but available on all popular podcast platforms) One of the Good One's Episode: 28 Happy Early Valentine's Day! To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

God has a funny way of slowing you down when you won't! Analisa Woods shared how she was a responsible second oldest sister, growing up in a family with 7 children. She got things done. As she got older she started to believe that if it was going to get done she had to do it, from previous experiences. Analisa was always busy completing to-do lists that others ideally should have been helping to complete. People relied on her and knew she'd get it done! Till one day when God slowed her down. She was in a terrible car accident and had a long recovery...in bed. She saw things will still get done in her absence. She saw others step up to the plate. But there are two lessons you gain from this conversation! In the 80's, there was this charismatic movement of leaders of the church. Little did Analisa's parents know but they were exposing their family to a cult! She realized something was off in the teachings. And her parents soon saw the light too. A valuable lesson was learned through this unfortunate exposure...to seek the truth. No longer will Analisa believe because someone spoke it or she read it on social media. She now goes to credible sources like the Bible to get facts. Do not blindly accept what man says...get factual proof that it is in fact truth. To Connect with Analisa Woods: Email: [email protected] or Analisa Woods on Facebook To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Screaming your wife's name, dripping sweat, after waking up from a nightmare! This was where my guest Tim Woods found himself after hearing from, what he believed was God, saying "You've been taught right from wrong, and if you died now, you'd be here, in hell!" You don't know what you don't know. Or you only know what you are taught, right? Tim was raised in a Christian home being taught the "right" way to look, dress, and act! Tim knew the life he was living wasn't on track with what he'd been taught but he'd seen some holes in what he'd been taught that took him off the beaten path. You have to listen to all the signs that were there guiding his path but he was resistant. He was hard-headed! He has gone back to his Christian background and has gained the confidence to teach the Word of God according to The Bible not his childhood teachings. He's "staying on the wall" To Connect with Tim Woods: www.TWBricksstudio.com, YouTube: TWBricks, and IG: TW_Bricks Don't forget to check out the Ultimate Brick Show To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Wes Grant’s life was a rough start. He had a single mom who married into an abusive marriage. Wes experienced abuse too. Soon, Wes found himself hanging around with the wrong crowd doing the wrong things. Wes’s story is that of falling in and out of trouble. When he felt he had hit his lowest point, in Nicaragua, his old friend Luke offered him somewhere to stay and food in his belly. On his first night, Luke looked at him and said “You’ll be all alone in the world unless you find God.” Listen in as Wes explains how that piece of advice would come back to haunt him till he made a decision to go all in. If you are finding yourself in a similar situation and would like to connect with Wes feel free to call him at his personal number (619) 518-1908 and business is (858) 433-5001 www.ascensionhomeservices.com To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

After Kathleen was adopted, she learned to pretend everything was ok. Who did she learn this from? Her mom, as she put Kathleen in ice skating even though they couldn’t even pay their bills. Then Kathleen lost her dad and pain set in. She found herself turning to drugs for the second time. See Kathleen had learned the game of pretending everything was ok all the while it was a mess under the surface. She knew how to put on the perfect facade. Kathleen hid her drug addiction pretty well until she didn’t. Her world changed when she was at the center of a serious car accident. God saved her life and Kathleen knew it. She knew there were lessons waiting for her to learn. Find out what happened at the top of the mountain when she realized her pack was too heavy to carry. She definitely has a new narrative and a successful business because of it! To Connect with Kathleen: [email protected] on Facebook KathleenGrant and IG KathleenGrant7920 To learn more or to Connect with Tim and Steve: WWW.Narrative.Live or on LinkedIn

Many people also believe the false narrative of "Go to college so you can be successful!" Ian quickly realized this wasn't HIS path. Ian opened the Iron Pig in MI to start the path of entrepreneurship. When the pandemic hit, his curiosity to challenge authority and government gave way. Ian felt it was important to take a stance, be honest about it, and keep money flowing during the pandemic, going against the emergency order to shut down. This choice came with backlash. By failing his way to the top by "risking it for the brisket" he has gained more knowledge than desired due to fighting his way through the judicial system! He's currently waiting on a verdict! But his narrative has changed for good. Follow the Iron Pig on all social platforms @ironpigsmoke and www.ironpigsmoke.com Check out the podcast at www.murphyslawpodcast.com and all streaming services @murphyslawdcast. To learn more or to Connect with Tim and Steve: WWW.Narrative.Live or on LinkedIn

Tim Croll grew up in a legalistic Baptist home. He was put in charge of his younger siblings. This made Tim feel responsible for all his sibling's safety and their actions. "I have to take care of everyone." Through empty promises from his parents, he too learned he couldn't trust anyone. As an adult, Tim followed the other false narrative of "Just get a job and everything will be ok." But it wasn't! Now Tim leans on mentors for authentic conversations and perspectives. To learn more or to Connect with Tim and Steve: WWW.Narrative.Live or on LinkedIn

Once Corey Samz had earned his way into the Magnet Program in high school (he was selected due to his artistic talent) a teacher shared with Corey that if he didn't get out of his own way, he'd never see his potential. When his employer, whom he was loyal to, despite others saying he could do more, laid him off, Corey realized his potential. This was an open door to explore and his wife supported him. Due to his severance package, he had the freedom to explore that potential. There was an opportunity to teach about what he loved! To Connect with Corey Samz: www.samzbrego.com or on social media To learn more or to Connect with Tim and Steve: WWW.Narrative.Live or on LinkedIn

As Steve watched his dad growing up he absorbed two narratives. First, if you work hard you will get promoted. And the other was that your career was your identity. When life didn't seem to be playing by those rules, Steve took note. He decided to change his narrative. He would not be defined by his career. Everything was there for the taking. He also found the value of an infrastructure of having people he trusted to talk to. Listen now to Steve's story To learn more or to Connect with Tim and Steve: WWW.Narrative.Live or on LinkedIn Connect with Steve Gohl: WWW.Narative.Live

Co-Hosts Tim Croll and Steve Gohl are excited to bring this podcast to you about real people, real struggles, and real victories! Tim and Steve started to ask "What if?" Through authentic conversations with others, Tim and Steve got to know them. Tim and Steve share their stories and heard others' stories. Now they do life with these people and know it's a safe space to vent, troubleshoot, and celebrate. They are not alone. This stoked a passion in their souls. Here are some of those real stories...because real stories matter. To learn more or to Connect with Tim and Steve: WWW.Narrative.Live or on LinkedIn