The Teaching Journeys Podcast

Host Dave Roberts introduces the Teaching Journeys podcast and interviews author, speaker, truth coach, and trauma-informed NLP solution-focused counselor Nattolie Chilton, a survivor of abuse, domestic violence, addiction, and deep trauma who describes a supernatural encounter with God that transformed her identity and helped lead to nearly 15 years of sobriety. Chilton shares how childhood neglect, lack of touch, and narcissistic family dynamics shaped feelings of worthlessness and later influenced her 35-year career in massage and creating safe spaces for others. Discussing her book Unsilenced, she emphasizes “where secrets end healing begins,” urging compassion for addicts and explaining how secrecy, including family sexual abuse kept hidden, perpetuates harm. She also discusses her Survivors Unite Club Facebook community, her Wednesday “Cup of Courage” Zoom, and a Freedom Legacy fundraising project.Nattolie's Bio and Contact InformationNattolie Chilton is a 3X author, speaker, Truth Coach, and trauma-informed NLP Solution Focused counselor whose message is clear: where secrets end, healing begins.After surviving abuse, domestic violence, addiction, and deep trauma, Nattolie experienced a supernatural encounter with God that transformed her identity—and even led to a name change. Nearly 15 years sober, she now lives as proof that restoration is real.Her TEDx-style talk, Return to Love, and her book Unsilenced: Use Your Voice, Words Hold Power (Dec 2024; audiobook Dec 31, 2025) share how childhood words and hidden secrets shaped a false identity—and how God rewrote her story. What was broken became beautifully restored.An International Amazon Bestselling co-author in The Ripple Effect of Impact Collaboration and featured in Resilience Anthology Two, Nattolie also founded Survivors Unite Club, a Facebook community for those ready to step forward to recover wholeness over serious life challenges.She hosts Cup of Courage every Wednesday at 3PM MST on Zoom, creating space for truth & bold healing in the community.Nattolie believes in miracles—and reminds others they are not beyond one.Connect with Nattolie:Website: breakupwithsecrets.comEmail: [email protected]: facebook.com/nattolie.chiltonFacebook: Survivors Unite ClubInstagram: @unsilencednattolieYouTube: youtube.com/unsilencednattolieTo find out more about Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com

Host Dave Roberts welcomes Janelle Miller Moravek, a nonprofit leader and mental health advocate who has served as executive director of Youth and Family Counseling (YFC) since 2009. Janelle describes coming from a culture that didn’t discuss feelings, recognizing her own anxiety later, and becoming committed to expanding access to care. She and Dave discuss barriers for emerging young adults including among other things, affordability, therapists not taking insurance, limited Medicaid providers and high out-of-pocket costs. Janelle advocates for reimbursement at cost, licensure reciprocity, prevention and behavioral health literacy, more recess and manageable school workloads, and urges listeners: don’t wait to seek help; get screened or assessed. Bio and Contact informationJanelle Miller Moravek is a nonprofit leader & mental health advocate. She has led Youth & Family Counseling as Executive Director since 2009, driving its growth and impact across Lake County, Illinois. With a deep commitment to increasing access to mental health services, she oversees strategy, programming, and operations while fostering strong partnerships throughout the community. Janelle plays a key leadership role in the region, serving on the board of the Lake County Alliance for Human Services and co-chairing the Lake County Behavioral Health Action Team. Her prior experience includes development roles at Carmel Catholic High School and Barat College. She holds a BA in French Studies from Wesleyan University and lives in Libertyville with her husband and three children.Connect with JanelleWebsite: CounselingForAll.org/ LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/janelle-miller-moravek-903a815b/ Janelle’s profile: accessspeakers.biz/speaker/janelle-miller-moravek-nonprofit-leader-mental-health-advocate/To find out more about Dave , go to davidrobertsmsw.com

Host Dave Roberts interviews TJ, executive program director of the Safer Schools Foundation, about a program that evolved from a self-spotting exercise platform originally built to train military and law enforcement under extreme duress. After seeing strong youth engagement, the team developed a seven-tier, 15-week school program combining 30 minutes of group exercise to counter isolation and obesity with 30 minutes of mentor circles teaching situational awareness, safety/security, social media and cyber safety, anti-bullying, and suicide awareness, reinforced by weekly character traits and active challenges. TJ describes community-based youth events where the foundation flies in, fundraises, and donates equipment and manuals so schools can sustain the program, including an upcoming donated event in Uvalde, Texas honoring victims. He shares impact stories of isolated students gaining confidence and connection, discusses faith as a personal motivator while operating as a secular foundation, and highlights partners IdentityMax and the U.S. Women’s Grocery Association.TJ Bio and Contact InformationTJ is the executive program director of the Safer Schools Foundation training approximately 18 He has been blessed to train Law Enforcement , Pro-Athletes-Collegiate and HS athletes , First Responders of all levels on this program. TJ has been married 30 years in May of this year. He and his wife have three sons and four grandchildren.Contact the Safer Schools Foundation:Email: [email protected]: saferschoolsfoundation.orgTo find out more about Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

Host Dave Roberts welcomes equine professional and coach Michelle Holling-Brooks to the Teaching Journeys podcast. Michelle describes a life-threatening illness at 13 (equine eastern encephalitis and viral spinal meningitis) that left her in a coma, then deaf, light-blind, partially paralyzed, and without memory or sense of self, leading to functional freeze and disconnection from family. She recounts how returning to a barn and bonding with a horse named Schedule became the bridge back to engagement, communication, and physical recovery through connection and rhythmic movement, and how her “energy eyes” and intuitive senses emerged. After Schedule’s death and a suicide attempt, her German shepherd Baron helped spur a renewed healing journey. Michelle explains her nonprofit Unbridled Change (founded 2008), evolving from equine-partnered psychotherapy to broader heart-centered healing presence work, and discusses her books The Horse Cure and Trauma-Informed Enlightenment with an accompanying deck and guidebook, plus resources and offerings via unbridledchange.org.About Michelle Holling-Brooks:MICHELLE HOLLING-BROOKS has over 20 years of experience working as an Equine Professional and Coach in the field of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapy, specializing in working with clients to heal trauma, post-traumatic stress, and attachment issues. After a life-threatening illness at the age of 13 changed Michelle’s life, a horse named Schedule A helped her heal her body, mind, and soul. Michelle is passionate about sharing the lessons horses have taught her about healing and personal growth with her clients and other professionals. She believes that horses provide us all with the gift of awareness, the kindness of unconditional love, and an open challenge to us as humans to step into our own empowered voice.Connect with Michelle:Website: unbridledchange.orgSocial Media: @unbridledchangeTo find out more about Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

Host Dave Roberts welcomes USA Today bestselling author Cara Lockwood, who has written more than 35 books and whose romcom I Do, But I Don’t became a Lifetime movie starring Denise Richards. Lockwood discusses her 2023 breast cancer diagnosis, the shock of receiving the news by phone, and her treatment journey including a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, reconstruction, and remission in 2024. She explains how journaling, counseling, support groups, and acknowledging emotions like fear and anger helped her cope, and she critiques “toxic positivity” and phrases like “the good kind of cancer” or “everything happens for a reason.” Lockwood describes using humor and “pep talks” as tools for healing and perspective, explores body image after mastectomy, and shares that half of her memoir proceeds benefit breast cancer research.Bio and Contact InformationCara Lockwood is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 35 books, including the USA Today bestsellers “The Takeover” and “I Do (But I Don’t),” which became a Lifetime Original Movie starring Denise Richards. Her latest, "There’s No Good Book for This but I Wrote One Anyway: The Irreverent Guide to Crushing Breast Cancer" (Oct. 1, 2025), blends memoir, humor, and practical advice for navigating diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. A breast cancer survivor, Cara endured a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and reconstruction before going into remission in 2024. Half of all book proceeds benefit breast cancer research. A native of Texas, she lives in Chicagoland with her family and pets.Connect with Cara:🌐 Website: CaraTheAuthor.com📚 Book: "There's No Good Book for This" (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Audible)💗 A portion of all proceeds supports breast cancer researchTo connect with Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

Host Dave Roberts interviews Jim Boad on the Teaching Journeys podcast about starting, launching, and scaling sober living and group homes. Jim shares how growing up with alcoholic, drug-addicted parents shaped his passion, his Army service, 25 years in real estate investing, and his shift over the past four years to sober living homes and the past year to coaching others. He explains sober living as an underemphasized but crucial step after rehab, improving long-term sobriety through structured, well-run homes and supportive community. Jim describes his Group Home Accelerator program, delivered largely through group coaching with weekly Q&A, plus tools, templates, and strategies for evaluating local need, building referral pipelines with treatment providers, maintaining bed occupancy, and running quality admissions. They discuss community stigma, being good neighbors, job training initiatives via a nonprofit, and Jim’s focus on Washington with fewer homes but more beds, emphasizing imperfect action and a memorable resident success story.Bio and Contact InformationJim Boad is a no-nonsense, entrepreneur on a mission to transform lives through housing. As the founder of Shelton Housing First, he’s personally launched over 14 recovery homes in the last two years—with eight more on the way—and he’s committed to helping others follow that same path with his book, Group Home Accelerator.With a background in business and boots-on-the-ground experience in building both for-profit and nonprofit housing models, Jim blends strategy with heart. His step-by-step guide equips aspiring group home operators with the tools, mindset, and structure needed to create real impact—especially for those in recovery, reentry, or transition.Jim also leads a high-touch coaching program designed to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs open, fund, and fill their own sober living or transitional homes. Through his work, he’s helped hundreds break through fear, red tape, and financial barriers to launch homes that change lives.Faith and family are at the center of Jim’s mission. When he’s not building businesses or helping others do the same, he’s spending time with his wife, their kids, and their loyal pup, O’Malley. He’s known for saying, “This isn’t just real estate—it’s a calling,” and Group Home Accelerator is his roadmap for anyone bold enough to answer it.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16x6EKmA8U/?mibextid=wwXIfrInsta: https://www.instagram.com/ghaccelerator/Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-boad-aba962b5/X: https://x.com/JimBoadGHAYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClk94EgvIUVlVUzdkA7BZoQMy Book: https://a.co/d/aElyB5EWebsite: jimboad.comTo find out more about Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

Host Dave Roberts introduces the Teaching Journeys podcast and interviews Beth Lynch, a spiritual medium teacher, bestselling author, and founder of Inner Light Teachings, who has spent 30 years helping families heal grief and teaching heart-mind-body-spirit education. Lynch describes childhood sensitivity and the pivotal impact of her parents’ deaths, including hearing her mother’s reassuring voice after a fatal Amtrak crash, which propelled her into mediumship training, tarot study, meditation, and spiritual education. She and Roberts discuss intuition and empathy as strengths, evidential mediumship, humor and “signs” from loved ones, and spirituality as essential to mental and emotional wellness through compassion, creativity, coping, and connection to a higher self. Lynch shares an example reading for grieving parents, discusses end-of-life experiences, and explains Inner Light Teachings offerings and resources.Bio and Contact InformationBeth Lynch is a spiritual medium, meditation teacher, and best selling author. Lynch is founder of Inner Light Teachings and is a heart,mind, body, spirit educator. For over 30 years, she has helped families understand & heal grief. Her own personal experiences since childhood, death of her parents & her search for healing & higher understanding led her to understand her sensitivity was a strength. Her ability to connect to loved ones crossed has inspired & helped many understand life, death & the in-between. Showing the power of understanding intuition, creativity, communication, and eternal life.Lynch shows how spirituality is the missing link in mental and emotional wellness and has written several books on spirituality, meditation, healing and mindfulness. She is a graduate of Delphi University of SpiritualStudies, Arthur Ford School of Mediumship and Metaphysics and certified under Mark Ireland’s, respected mediums. She donates service for Helping Parents Heal and Helping Siblings Heal. Connect With BethFor more on speaking, services, classes and events visit www.innerlightteaching.com 888.271.4487 Social media YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/@BethLynchMedium444?si=oirE-0V5iCcuDKmTIG http://instagram.com/bethlynchmedium444Xhttps://twitter.com/italk2angelsLINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-lynch-0113b45TIKTOKtiktok.com/@bethlynch444To find out more about Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

In this episode of Teaching Journeys, host Dave Roberts speaks with author and journalist Ashley Jordan about her transformative journey through grief and self-discovery.The Story:Ashley lost her childhood sweetheart Daniel at age 13—literally on her 13th birthday. Growing up in the Midwest with a culture of "nice on the outside," she buried her grief for 24 years. At 37, while living what appeared to be a perfect life, a spontaneous visit to a psychic medium triggered a tsunami of repressed grief that changed everything.Key Themes:Grief & Loss: How traumatic loss at 13 shaped her entire life trajectoryThe Triggering Event: A medium's connection with Daniel reopened 24 years of buried painUnbecoming vs. Becoming: Deconstructing a life built on external achievements to rebuild one rooted in authentic loveShadow Work: Embracing darkness to find light and true alivenessUnconditional Love: Daniel's legacy taught her that love exists by virtue of being, not doingThe Transformation:Ashley walked away from her "picture perfect" life—the degrees, accolades, marriage, and material success—to follow her heart. Today she lives a life built on love rather than achievement, sharing her story through her book "Unhappy Achiever" and her journalism.Core Message: You are worthy of love simply by existing. Grief never goes away—it just gets different. And sometimes you have to unbecome everything you thought you should be to remember who you truly are.Ashley’s Bio and Contact InformationAshley Jordan has done many things throughout her life. She’sbeen a feminist activist, licensed attorney, public speaker, anda stay-at-home mother. Most notably, however, she’s a well-published journalist with her works appearing in The New YorkTimes, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and HuffPost, amongothers. Today, she lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with herthree children.Connect with Ashley:• Website: ashjordan.com• Book: unhappyachiever.com• Instagram: @msashjordanTo find out more about Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

Host Dave Roberts welcomes Martha Glory Kartaoui—author, speaker, mentor, Let Glory Shine TV host, and trauma-informed event facilitator and coach—to The Teaching Journeys Podcast. Martha shares that she was born into a religious cult in Shawano, Wisconsin, experienced years of isolation from extended family, and endured physical, mental, sexual, emotional, and spiritual abuse. At 26, motivated by reconnecting with her sister and learning she was pregnant, Martha escaped with help from an outside supporter she calls “Papa,”. Martha explains spiritual abuse as fear-based control tied to salvation requirements that continually escalate.S he describes her trauma-informed coaching approach and emphasizes the power of group community for healing.. She discusses her book, “Glory Going All In: Cult Survivor to Courageous Warrior,” encouraging readers not to be defined by trauma and to choose healing.The link to her bio is : https://lnk.bio/MarthaGloryKartaouiConnect with Martha:• Book: "Glory Going All In: Cult Survivor to Courageous Warrior" (available on Amazon)• TV Show: Let Glory Shine (YouTube - Thursdays at 7 PM)• Follow on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok• Learn about trauma-informed coaching and the Unbound eventsTo find out more about Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com

In this episode of Teaching Journeys, host Dave Roberts welcomes Dr. Kate Lund, a clinical psychologist and resilience expert, for an insightful conversation about building family resilience and thriving through life's challenges.Dr. Kate shares her personal journey, beginning with her childhood diagnosis of hydrocephalus at age four and the bullying she faced for looking different. These early experiences shaped her passion for understanding people and helping families develop resilience.The conversation explores Dr. Kate's broad definition of resilience as a lifestyle—integrating daily tools and strategies to optimize wellbeing rather than simply overcoming obstacles. She introduces practical techniques to help families manage stress and shift their perspective.She discusses her two books: Bounce, which outlines seven pillars of resilience for children, and Step Away, focused on resilient parenting strategies.A highlight of the episode is Dr. Kate's heartwarming work with her therapy dog, Wally, at Seattle Children's Hospital. She shares touching stories of how Wally brings comfort to children facing serious medical challenges, demonstrating the powerful role animals play in healing and resilience.The episode concludes with Dr. Kate's key message: always focus on the possibility on the other side of every challenge, both for yourself and your children.Dr Lund’s Bio and Contact InformationDr. Kate Lund is a clinical psychologist, keynote speaker, published author, and resilience expert dedicated to helping individuals and families thrive within their own unique contexts. With advanced training from three Harvard-affiliated hospitals and decades of experience in clinical practice, Dr. Lund specializes in emotional intelligence, stress resilience, and sustainable well-being for parents, athletes, and high performers.She is the author of Bounce: Help Your Child Build Resilience and Thrive in School, Sports, and Life and Step Away: The Keys to Resilient Parenting. Dr. Lund also hosts Resilient Parenting with Dr. Kate, a podcast that explores the science and lived experience of resilience through conversations with parents, educators, clinicians, and leaders.Known for her relatable, evidence-based approach, Dr. Lund blends clinical expertise with personal insight as the mother of twin boys and while working as a volunteer with her dog Wally as part of the animal assisted therapy program at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Whether on stage, in session, or on the air, she empowers people to step away from overwhelm and step into clarity, connection, and confidence.Connect with Dr. Kate Lund:Website: www.katelundspeaks.comNew Podcast: Resilient Parenting with Dr. Kate (launches March 5th)To find out more about Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

Host Dave Roberts welcomes Karl Pontau to the Teaching Journeys podcast. Karl, host of the Human Connection Podcast, describes how a brain tumor diagnosis at age 15 and the support he received shaped his commitment to helping others. Karl states that sustainable business success depends on combining mutually beneficial transactions with personalized connections, especially amid rising AI use and declining trust. He discusses how leaders can improve employee engagement, morale, and retention through curiosity, active listening, psychological safety, and avoiding superficial perks, Karl explains his view that “Humanity + AI = exceptional and sustainable growth” by using AI to remove busy work so people can invest more in relationships. He also explains storytelling’s power to drive emotion and behavior and strengthen connection.Karl’s Bio and Contact InformationKarl is a super connector who loves to catalyze genuine human to human relationships. He uses active listening, empathy, and his understanding of human behavior to authentically connect with people. Karl is excited by creating personalized experiences that build lasting trust, building communities, innovating business development strategies that lead to sustained growth, and mentoring others in their professional journeys. Karl is the host of The Human Connection Podcast, a thrice-weekly show that helps business leaders accelerate their growth by building relationships with customers, employees, and stakeholders. Because, no matter if your business is B2B or B2C, it’s really H2H, Human to Human.Links:https://www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com/ https://karlpontau.substack.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpontauhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUbf_bDWwB9KVrFn5Sj3u2w?sub_confirmation=1To find out more about Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

In this episode of the Teaching Journeys podcast, host Dave Roberts converses with Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, a zen priest, author, professor, and founder of the international NGO, the MISS Foundation and Selah Care Farm. Dr. Cacciatore shares her insights on grief, particularly focusing on her personal experiences and the role of animals in the healing process. They discuss societal issues around grief avoidance and the rise of AI in depersonalizing emotional support. Highlighting the powerful presence and empathy animals provide to grieving humans, Dr. Cacciatore recounts the inspirational story of Chamakoh, a rescued horse that became central to the therapeutic work at Selah Care Farm. The episode underscores the importance of emotional support and authentic presence in the healing journey of grievers, while also detailing the various services provided by Selah Care Farm. Dr. Cacciatore concludes with the message that feelings should be treated as a superpower in the journey through grief.Dr Jo’s Bio and Contact InformationDr. Joanne Cacciatore is a Zen priest, the founder of the international NGO the MISS Foundation, author of the award-winning best seller, Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and The Heartbreaking Path of Grief, professor at Arizona State University, and a bereaved mom since the death of her daughter, Cheyenne in 1994. She is also the founder of Selah Carefarm, the first carefarm for the traumatically bereaved in the U.S. and a haven for animals rescued from abuse, neglect, and torture. She is an acclaimed public speaker and provides expert consulting services in the area of traumatic loss. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as The Lancet, Social Work and Healthcare, and Death Studies, among others.Resources Mentioned:📖 Book: Bearing the Unbearable by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore🎬 Documentary: A Sacred Pause (premiering at Sedona Film Festival)🌐 Selah Care Farm: selahcarefarm.org🌐 The Miss Foundation: missfoundation.org🌐 Center for Loss and Trauma: centerforlossandtrauma.comTo find our more about Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

In this episode of the Teaching Journeys podcast, host Dave Roberts interviews Diane Kahn, an educator with over 20 years of experience, including work at San Quentin State Prison. Diane discusses her involvement with the Academic Peer Education Project, which focuses on using education as a tool for personal transformation for incarcerated learners. She co-founded Humans of San Quentin, a storytelling platform featuring over 3000 stories of incarcerated individuals from all 50 states and globally. Diane shares insights into the struggles and traumas faced by incarcerated individuals and emphasizes the importance of compassion, rehabilitation, and breaking stereotypes. The episode also explores the transformative power of storytelling and restorative justice efforts.Diane’s Bio and Contact InformationDiane Kahn is an educator with over 20 years of teaching experience, including inside San Quentin State Prison, where she led the Academic Peer Education Project. Her work centers on the power of education as a tool for agency, critical thinking, and transformation. She co authored the effort that brought Rehabilitative Achievement Credits to California, expanding access to educational opportunities for incarcerated learners. In 2017, Diane co-founded Humans of San Quentin to amplify lived experience through storytelling, a platform now featuring more than 3,000 stories from all 50 states and globally. She holds a Master’s degree from the University of San Francisco and is deeply committed to reimagining education as a pathway to dignity, purpose, and lifelong learning.Social Media Links and Contact Informationhttps://humansofsanquentin.org/https://www.instagram.com/humansofsanquentinhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/humans-of-san-quentin/https://www.facebook.com/humansofsanquentin.org/https://www.youtube.com/@humansofsanquentin9582https://www.tiktok.com/@humansofsanquentinEmail: [email protected] on PatreonTo connect with dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com

In this episode of the Teaching Journeys podcast, host Dave Roberts interviews Dr. Robb Kelly, an expert in addiction recovery who focuses on treating the root causes rather than the symptoms. Dr. Kelly shares his personal experiences with addiction, homelessness, and recovery, highlighting the influence of childhood trauma and family dynamics. The conversation also touches on the importance of nutrition, the limitations of traditional medication, and the role of neuroplasticity and innovative techniques like neurolinguistic programming in recovery. Dr. Kelly emphasizes the significance of family involvement in treatment and the impact of environmental factors on addiction. Listeners are encouraged to consider the broader implications of their actions and how small positive gestures can make a significant difference.ABOUT DR. ROBB KELLY:Dr. Robb Kelly rewires brains from addiction and trauma..Dr. Robb Kelly, PhD is a sought-after recovery expert who believes in treating the causes of addiction and not the symptoms. Dr. Kelly has appeared on such shows as The Doctors, Eye Opener, Good Morning Texas, and Kens5 morning news. A frequent contributor to radio and print interviews including The Jim Bohannon show, Miracles in Recovery, USA Today, and participated in McLean Hospital’s (Harvard Medical School) study on the stigma associated with mental illness. Dr. Kelly hosted Sober Celebs show on KLIF radio in Dallas, and currently hosts the Breaking Through Addiction podcast featuring special guests discussing a variety of mental health issues.📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:• The Robb Kelly Recovery Group: RobbKelly.com• Breath Box Software (brain rewiring technology)• Free book offer: Mention "Dave Roberts" on the websiteTo find out more about dave, go to daverobertsmsw.com