Embark on a transformative adventure with Inspiring Journeys (formerly Journey of the Rhode Runner), where every step is a story waiting to be told, and every tale sparks the flame of inspiration. Join our hosts, Paul Stroessner, Adriana Ferns, and Kerri Nelson, as we navigate the profound narratives of those who've conquered mountains, faced challenges head-on, and emerged stronger than ever.
Inspiring Journeys is not just a podcast; it's a celebration of the human spirit. We bring you real stories from real people who've navigated life's twists and turns, emerging victorious. From triumphs to tribulations, our guests share their inspiring tales, and our hosts provide insights that ignite the spark within.
Our mission is twofold — to share incredible stories that inspire and to encourage every listener to embark on their unique journey, discovering the paths they are meant to tread.
Join us weekly as we dive into the heart of inspiring journeys, leaving you motivated, empowered, and ready to embark on your own path of self-discovery. Subscribe to the "Inspiring Journeys" podcast, and let the stories of resilience, courage, and triumph fuel your own extraordinary journey.
Brace yourselves for a powerful episode! At the time of this recording, Tom Lyman has been sober for 26 months, and has started the massively growing non-profit organization, The Considerate Group.
Tom gets very vulnerable with us, talking about his dark days, going on the verge of losing everything, and rising out of the ashes to starting Joy Hour and The Considerate Group.
The aim of The Considerate Group is to create a culture of connection, providing a space of connection, healing, recovery and support. In addition of support classes and workshops, the centerpiece is organization is Joy Hour. What started as a group of 30 people gathering together for family fun, games, and activities, grew to over 200 people within a few weeks, and has been multiplying ever since. In just over 70 Joy Hour events, over 10,000 different people have attended!
And if that was not enough, Tom has created The Joy Hour Podcast, where Tom interviews guests about hope, resilience, healing, and transformation.
Tune in to hear about Tom's incredible transformation and inspiring journey!
Today we welcome the amazing Jessica Rae to the show! Jessica is a mentor/coach, author, creator, and speaker who helps women, especially single moms, break free and reclaim their life and independence. She is able to do this through the lessons she learned from her own experiences, which includes past toxic relationships and a scammer. Jessica not only survived, but has thrived, and is able to continue to be an awesome mom, and help others.
Today's guest, Kate DeCosta, is on an inspiring journey. Kate was having some major health issues that doctors couldn't figure out. But that wasn't going to stop her! Kate's passion for health led her on a path of over a decade of researching and studying different symptoms, ailments, and treatments which led her to go to school at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
Kate is now a certified health coach. If you are struggling with your physical or mental health, and know that you need to make changes, but don't know where to begin, Kate is here to facilitate your healing using a holistic approach that integrates your mind, body, and soul.
I hope you're all ready to be fired up and inspired today! Kerri and Paul welcome Jenn Gray to the show. Jenn has been on an adventerous and inspiring life journey. She is the proud single mom of 4 children, and an entreprenuer.
On this episode, Jenn gets vulnerable as we dive into her challenges as she has transformed her life by being her genuine, authentic self.
Despite what we see on social media, everybody has challenges to overcome. But we don't have to do it alone. So lets join our friend Jenn, and overcome our challenges together.
Today's 22 Too Many veteran is
Christopher Cooper
Jenn hosts the podcast, Be Genuine with Jenn, which can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and any other podcasting platform, including YouTube.
Inspiring Journeys welcomes our first guest, Misty Johnson! Misty had suffered from crippling anxiety. This anxiety contributed to Misty not being able to go to the gym for 7 years. But now she has returned stronger than ever!
Check out this episode to find out how she did it, and learn some advice for people who struggle from anxiety, and how to overcome it.
Misty has lived an incredible journey so far. Be inspired by her strength, resilience, and grit!
Also, this episode is dedicated to our 22 Too Many Veteran
Chuck Stayton
Charles Brandon “Chuck” Stayton, 29, died Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011, at his home. He was born Aug. 25, 1981, in Benton, IL. He was a 1999 graduate from Benton Consolidated High School. He joined the U.S. Army, serving from January 2000 to August 2003 with the 82nd Airborne Division, 307 Engineer Battalion. He earned an associate degree from Rend Lake College in 2006. Chuck was an avid hunter and fisherman. Chuck loved his family and friends. He was a wonderful father and husband.
Embark on a transformative adventure with Inspiring Journeys, where every step is a story waiting to be told, and every tale sparks the flame of inspiration. Join Paul Stroessner, Adriana Ferns, and Kerri Nelson, as we navigate the profound narratives of those who've conquered mountains, faced challenges head-on, and emerged stronger than ever!
We're more than a podcast. We're a movement. Our mission is twofold - share incredible stories that inspire, and encourage each listener to embark on their unique journey, discovering the paths they are meant to tread.
On this episode, the hosts introduce themselves, and talk about their own journeys so far.
We have arrived at the end of an era. This is the 100th and final episode of the Journey of the Rhode Runner podcast. We will be back next week as Inspirational Journeys. In the meantime, we have come full circle, as Paul welcomes Denny Krahe of Diz Runs Radio. Paul appeared on Episode 218 of this podcast in 2016 - 2 years before the Journey of the Rhode Runner podcast started. It is an honor to have Denny close out this era as we talk plenty of running. Not only is Denny a podcaster, but a running coach. We are also joined by Kerri Nelson, one of Denny's clients. Oh BTW, Kerri is now a permanent host of Inspiring Journeys!
Join us in this epic episode!
- Welcome Denny Krahe - Paul's episode on Diz Runs - Welcome Kerri Nelson. Co-host of the upcoming Inspirational Journeys podcast - Questions for Coach - When are you going to do a Spartan race? Heartrate training question. - Disney Marathon talk - Denny's start in coaching - Denny's start in podcasting - Coaching success stories - Denny's 2024 goals
22 Too Many
Brian Theobald
Brian was a true proud American. He had served a month shy of nine years in the U.S. Air Force. He also has served two tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. His ultimate dream and goal was to become a special agent in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. With Inspirations of his best friends and brothers, he accomplished his dream in 2014. During Brian’s life, he married his soul mate in 2010 and had a beautiful daughter later that year. His dedication and loyalty to his family was always top notch. TSgt Brian Theobald lost his battle with PTS on July 21, 2015. He was 27 years old.
On this solo episode, I present to you my 24 goals for 2024. I learned about this from Gretchen Rubin's podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin.
Next episode, we will be hosting our awesome guest, Denny Krahe, of Diz Runs Radio. Denny is also a running coach, so please drop any questions below for him.
Today's 22 Too Many veteran:
Christopher Boe
‘Sgt. Christopher Boe served from 1989 to 1994 as an armor. He loved his job serving in the Montana State Guard. He volunteered to go to Kuwait. My family is all military and Christopher served for 5 years. He was a strong man and a father to four amazing kids. We were both deployed for a long time. Drove big rigs for the rest of his life until the demon came – he couldn’t get past his deployment. My brother took his life December 24, 2015.’ Shared by his sister, Kaufi
Christopher was from Helena, MT and later lived in West Linn, OR
Happy New Year! Get ready for some huge changes! As we count down to Episode 100 of Journey of the Rhode Runner, we are preparing for a rebranding. Episode 100 will be the final episode of Journey of the Rhode Runner. Then the following week, Adriana and I will start Inspiring Journeys. We will also be partnered with a new co-host as well. This will be Adriana's final episode before the rebrand. So we reflect on some great times we had with all our awesome guests. So, please enjoy the show!
Adriana's upcoming book - How to Find a Personal Trainer
Adriana's appearance on the Rhody Strength Podcast
Adriana's one-word theme - EVOLUTION
Coming Soon...Inspiring Journeys
Roll Call and Reflections of all the previous guests
This will be the last episode of the year, and we are closing out with a great one! Kerri Nelson is back, and we have an incredible conversation about our one-word themes of the year. We honor veteran Abraham Cruz. Then Kerri turns the tables on me with her journalistic skills as she interviews me about my military background, and then we get some behind-the-scenes view of Kerri's experience as a journalist and photographer. We just keep getting better and better, folks! Enjoy this episode, and let us know what your one-word theme of 2024 will be!
Kerri Nelson, who you may know and love from Episode 82, is back! This time we talk about her challenges, tribulations, and triumph of completing her first New York Marathon. On Episode 82, we talked about her first Boston Marathon experience. Now this was the second major of the year that Kerri has completed!
On this episode, we talk about Kerri's entire NYC experience. Then we talk about this week's 22 Too Many veteran - SSG Andre Booker
Boys Town New England The Boys Town New England Wishlist project is up and running and they are short on about 40 gifts this year for the kids.
Boys Town is a verified impactful nonprofit organization, so you can be rest assured that it is a 100% responsible donation.
If you would like to help make some kids very happy this Christmas, there are a couple of ways you can donate.
Here is another Journey of the Rhode Runner RERUN! This was Episode 79 with Kate Champion, and was originally released in audio form on March 21, 2023.
Kate is a writer and a mental health professional who has recently published two books that you will enjoy – Never Too Late and You Are Limitless. In these books you will find real-life stories from everyday people who are beating the odds, determined to live full rich lives.
On this episode, Kate will inspire you with some of the amazing people she has featured in her books, showing that it is never too late to achieve your dreams and goals. We are all truly limitless in what we achieve.
We discuss ways to up your physical and mental game, which includes getting out in nature.
You can get Kate’s books on Amazon. And if you have Kindle Unlimited, they are free!
Welcome to our first Journey of the Rhode Runner RERUN. I have some exciting news. The Journey of the Rhode Runner podcast will now be available on YouTube!
Our first episode will be a classic - Episode 81 with Crystal Bui, which was originally posted in audio form on April 17, 2023. There may be some listeners who may not have caught that one yet. So, you can listen to the audio version here, or go to The Rhode Runner YouTube channel and watch the video version there.
And don't forget to subscribe, and if you subscribe on YouTube, hit the bell so you'll be notified when a new video drops. Thank you all so much for listening and watching. Now on with the show.
Crystal Bui, who Rhode Islanders may remember as a report from Channel 10 News, joins us for a powerful episode. Crystal was a reporter in Minneapolis, Minnesota, covering the George Floyd murder and the civil unrest that followed.
Crystal has just released a memoir, More to Tell. She tells the story of George Floyd’s murder, as well as facing sexism and racism while covering the story.
In this episode, we talk about Crystal’s experience in a toxic work environment, the George Floyd murder, and literally getting caught in the crossfire between police and protestors. We also talk about racism, and sexual harassment.
Although we get into some deep, difficult topics, we also manage to have a lot of fun and laughs. And of course we talk about Crystal’s amazing book.
You can purchase More to Tell at https://www.moretotellbook.com/ And you can use the checkout code RUNNER for special listener’s discount
We are thrilled to introduce you to Colette Brown! Colette is a personal wellness advocate. Her passion for wellness came from her own experience with being "unwell" for over 20 years. Once she found the solution to her health issues, she embraced a new lifestyle and is passionate about sharing her knowledge in helping others with radical transformation. On this episode, Colette shares her story of healing and resilience, and gives amazing tips that can change your life.
Alex enjoyed everything about the ocean, the way it smelled to the way the waves crashed onto themselves. He even enjoyed the sound of a boats engine far off in the distance. He had a dog he forever loved and never stopped talking about named King. Prior to becoming an officer in New Jersey, he was also a border patrol agent. As an officer, he upheld the notion of protecting those who could not protect themselves, and it carried over into his personal life for those he cared deeply about. Alex had a superb memory and was full on information from the important to the funny and useless. He was always drawn to NY and enjoyed taking the ferry. He was a role model for many of his friends’ kids, as he cared for them as if they were his own. He was the guy you would want by your side when in battle or if things started looking down.
This is a very special episode as our own Adriana Ferns is now a published author. Her memoir, Fitness to Freedom: Find Health and Self While Incarcerated is now available on Amazon.
In this episode we talk all about the book - from the events leading to Adriana's incarceration, falling down to rock bottom, then working her ass off to get physically and mentally fit, and inspiring others to do the same, as well as Adriana's thought process in publishing her book.
This is Adriana's origin story, going from substance abuse and self-destruction to using her prison time to grow into a successful Personal trainer and productive member of society. Not only is this book about personal growth, it's also a self-help for Women in Prison. Women are so underserved in the prison system and with female incarceration numbers growing, this book offers relatable real-life advice for women incarceration as well as anyone who feels they are trapped in their own personal prison.
Adriana is truly an inspiration, showing that no matter how low you are feeling, you can pull yourself up and become both physically and mentally fit. Adriana gives great advice by using herself as an example that you can do anything you set your mind to.
On Saturday, August 26, 2023, I completed State #12, of my 50-state journey, in North Carolina. Run for Their Lives took place in a nice town called Sanford. In this episode, Eva Rogers joins me once again, along with Adriana, and we recap the race as well as my weekend experience in Sanford.
