08 - The awakening to self-awareness

We look back on 23 amazing episodes with inspiring stories, wonderful people and a whole journey of figuring out how to be a Podcaster. Erin and Nora are wrapping up the first season of The Metamorphosis Podcast and are talking about their favorite episodes, emotional moments and what that journey looked like. The Metamorphosis Podcast will be back with a new season soon. 

In this week's episode, we are talking to Katie Mac about a very important topic: Sexual assault. 1 in 3 women around the globe experience some form of sexual violence. Katie as well as Co-Host Nora, both belong to those numbers. In this episode they are talking about overcoming this experience, how much hardship it is to go through the legal system in order to get justice and how Katie turned her experience into helping others. 

When Retha Charette went through a personal crisis, she turned to her love of the outdoors and adventure. She did not just flew to another continent but decided to climb the Kilimanjaro - the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain in the world. In this episode, Retha talks about battling the urge to give up, what it is actually like to go on an adventure like this and why women should think about joining a women's travel group. 
For anyone who is seeking adventure and missing travel in times like this -  you do not want to miss this episode. 

Bridgid Ruden went on a recreational bicycle ride in May of 2008, hit a slick spot of mud on a paved bike trail, and her life has never been the same. Unable to continue her work as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Bridgid has fought to not only relearn everything from talking and walking to navigating changed relationships, but also to find her purpose in her life after a traumatic brain injury.

Eric Slivoskey did what many are dreaming of: He packed up his things and moved his and his family to a whole new other country. As s football coach, he got hired by a Finnish team to become their coach. feeling like somewhat of a nomad anywhere, Eric did not think twice. Thus, he took family of 5 and moved to Finland. In this week's episode, Eric and Nora are discussing what it is like to move to another continent, what culture shock is all about and if he prefers living in America or Europe. 
If you every thought about that big step of starting new, you do not want to miss this wonderful story. 

A child of alcoholics and grandchild of Holocaust survivors, Carly Israel faced her own addictions and self-hatred over the years. After she embarked on a journey of healing, Carly realized that her own struggles had a lot to do with generational trauma. 
What it is like to grow up in a family that went through one of the most horrific, traumatizing events of the world? Almost all of her family on her mother's side died during the Holocaust, leaving the next generations to come with residual trauma. 
This week, the Metamorphosis Podcast goes deep, personal and truly emotional.  Carly, the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, sits down with Nora, a German girl who's family fought in WWII.  Joined by Erin, the three dive into the dark history of humanity. With the result of a story of recovery and thoughtful reflection on generational trauma, gratitude, and forgiveness. 

YOU Can PICK a deliciously juicy life! That is a promise, Cynthia D'Amour gives her clients when she coaches successful women on how to find love. One day, Cynthia woke up and had enough of always being the bridesmaid never the bride. That is why she decided to drastically change her life and go about this entire "love business" another way. In just under a year, she dated 300 men - only to end up marrying number 301. In this week's episode, Cynthia talks about what that was actually like, how she ended up with her dream guy and why she chose to help other women do the same. Join us in a fun and juicy episode, with a lot of great tips on finding love and more importantly - finding your self worth. 

Tommy Burke knows what it is like to be on the set of a movie and TV show. After all, he has spent decades on them. Early on, Tommy knew he wanted to be an Assistant Director - the foreman on every set. In the past 40 years, he worked on movies like Mermaid or shows like CSI Miami. His biggest and favorite job was Chicago PD, where he worked since episode one. But Tommy’s life is more than film industry glamour. For years, while working through 14 hour days of shooting, he spent his evenings getting chemotherapy. As if that wasn’t enough - after being remission - Tommy recently got his second earth shattering diagnosis: Parkinson’s.

In this episode, Tommy talks to us about the moments that changed everything, what the film industry really is like, why Chicago PD is different and how he turned his life towards helping others. 

Weight loss is not just encouraged in our society, but it is also widely celebrated. But what if weight loss is not bringing a happier, healthier life but instead actually makes you sick? That is exactly what happened to Courtney Lyons. When she lost weight rather rapidly, her body developed a rare condition that made her sick and went undiagnosed for years. In this weeks episode, Courtney talks about her journey of self diagnosis, advocating for her own health and the side effects of weight loss. 

Necrotizing fasciitis - also known as flesh-eating bacteria - is definitely something right out of a zombie apocalypse movie. The chances of actually getting infected with it are more than rare. Still, there are the few unlucky ones who are actually going through this terrifying disease. Chris Gordon was one of them. A tiny scratch that he got from his own home turned into him almost losing his limbs and his life. In this episode, Chris talks about the incredible scary moments of getting diagnosed and how he fought the disease with a great sense of humor and inspiring wit.