Life's Worth Living Podcast

Big Budah has been making us smile for years in Utah. You know him from his time as a DJ on the radio, and his time on the AM News, as a feature reporter. Budah felt this was his calling bringing happiness to us his viewers. Then COVID-19 hit, and things got real. It was during this time that things began to unravel with his mental health. When it started, he felt it was harder and harder to bring himself out of the darkness he felt. Inside he knew everyone was against him, but that was just what his mind was telling him. One night he borrowed a gun, and took a drive on I-80 West to Wendover, NV. Somewhere along the way he pulled to the side of the road and he decided it was over. Hear Budah tell his experience, and the reason he is here telling you this story rather than reading it as a headline. Budah has joined with LWLF, and is taking part on our 7th Annual 100 Mile Walk to Wendover this month. Come join us on this life changing event. Register at Walk to Wendover or just come for the after party at the Peppermill Concert Hall for a Linda Ronstadt Tribute Concert with a special guest appearance by current Voice contestant EJ Michels. Together they will give you a night you won't soon forget. Get your tickets at Peppermill Concert Hall

Today's guest is my buddy Joe Hall. Joe has suffered with depression, and suicide ideation for nearly 15 years. During the pandemic, he lost a long time job, and was involved in a motorcycle accident that nearly took his life. This brought Joe the closest he's ever come to taking his life. After multiple surgeries, he made a commitment to himself to run a marathon. One thing led to another, and Joe found himself raising awareness for suicide and mental health, by walking across the United States of America. 3,100 miles. What was his why, and what about this walk has changed him? Listen to hear his story. I had the privelege of meeting Joe as he walked through Tooele County, Utah on his way to San Francisco, California. 

Guys my guest today is none other than my buddy Nate Webb. Nate tells about his personal struggles with being bullied. We talk all things bullying, and why the bully bullies. Nate is the Founder of the movement, Bullies Be Gone. We have an open and honest chat about social media, and our children. We talk about how if you don't teach your children, their electronics will. You can literally be replaced as a parent by something you purchased them. I hope this hits home to you parents and that we can change the way we are handling it.

Todays guest is none other than my buddy, rock sensation Ofi. When this podcast aires we will have just completed our Annual 100 Mile Walk to Wendover for suicide awareness. Ofi has agreed to perform a private concert at our after party. Ofi cares so much about suicide prevention, and he has his own personal story. You will only hear it here. Hopefully for many of you, you had the chance to see this mega talent in person. For those of you who didn't attend the walk look him up. Everytime I get the chance to hang out with Ofi, I am impressed with his presence. He really cares. Don't miss this episode.

Get your tickets today. http://veteransuicidebenefitconcert.eventbrite.com

My guest this episode is my good friend Dustin Rykert. Many of you know him from his days playing football for BYU. Some of you remember him being drafted into the NFL, to the Oakland Raiders. Today you will hear his story from the beginning. He will tell you his struggles with addiction, that he has stuggled with for a lifetime. Addiction ended his NFL career, and he spiraled down. At one point he worked as Dennis Rodman's bodyguard, which didn't help someone who struggled with addiction. He then lost a very close friend to an overdose, and this stopped Dustin in his tracks. He found sobriety, but like many the path wasn't without pitfalls. Dustin has made it this far, because he still has things to accomplish. One of which is sharing his story, which is full of vulnerability and success. I think his words are going to be helpful to many of you. Enjoy.

My guest this week is my buddy Therapist Jed Thorpe. Well here we are again starting a new year, 2022. The last couple years have been plagued with a pandemic, and it seems to be going no where. Jed is here to talk about how to prepare for a rough year, regulating emotions and normalizing anxiety. We may jump off course and go other places as well. If you are like me, your mind takes you places and Jed was happy to go there.

Today my guest is my good friend Maria Howard. Maria is the Jr High Cross Country Coach. She lost a student to suicide that affected her greatly, and because of that she was driven to look in the mirror at herself, and work on her own mental health. This set her on a healing journey running 3000 miles. The journey all together was approx. 30 full days running. She will tell you about the why, and how it brought her healing. You aren't going to want to miss this.

My friend Dr. Christy Kane and I discuss brain development and the effects of electronics on our youth. The effect of social media being developed to make us addicted through shots of Dopamine, and how too much can cause anxiety. We talk about trauma, and how it effects our mental health. We chat about PTSD, ACE's and how soon one should seek a mental health professional. We talk about how to stop the stigma of mental health and how to break down those barriers through compassion and empathy. We discuss how trauma will find its way out whether through processing it, or through illness or shortened lifespan. We chat about suicide. I think this discussion was fascinating, and I hope you agree.

I am excited to share a conversation with my good friend Dean Adams a former Marine for this special Veterans Day Edition of the podcast. Dean talks about growing up with a strong work ethic ranching in Salmon, Idaho. His family came to Tooele but later returned to Idaho when Dean was a teenager. They ran the family gold mine from a one bedroom cabin in the mountains. After high school, Dean enlisted and his journey began as a Marine. Hear how he was uniquely prepared for this life, and what he learned along the way. Dean brings everything back to family. Thank you Dean for your service, and for what you continue to do for our community.

My guest this week is Debbie Moline. We met a few weeks ago, and after a brief visit with my wife, Tracy told me you need to have her on your podcast. Debbie has had her fair share of challenges and trials. Debbie lost her 4 year old little girl to an accident, she has had cancer twice, a brain aneurysm and 44 surgeries. She struggled with thoughts of suicide after losing her little girl, but yet she is still here fighting. She believes she is a strong woman because of what she has lived through. She now can have empathy no sympathy because of the life she has experienced. She is amazing and believes in small acts of kindness, because we never know what others are going through.

My guest this week is Jen Deveraux. Jen is a #1 national best selling author and motivational speaker. She survived a horrific car accident. A fifty ton truck hit her at speeds of 60 mph. She struggled with infertility, adoption and divorce. She has now married the love of her life and together they are raising her tow children. Jen says, "I have endured, I have been broken, I have known hardship, I have lost myself. But here I stand, still moving forward, growing stronger each day. I will never forget the harsh lessons in my life. They have made me stronger. The only way out is through." I know we can all learn and be inspired by her story. Then I challenge each of you to go on Amazon and pick up a copy of her book. "Thrive in the Journey" 

Listen in as I chat with one of my best friends, Becca Brown. Becca and I co-founded Life's Worth Living Foundation in February 2014, after the death of her brother Jed by suicide. She goes back and remembers that day, and the loss. We talk about drug addiction, and the results. She shares happy memories of her brother, and we chat about trying to turn this tragedy into something that would help others not have to go through what she went through. Since that day the Foundation has impacted thousands. None of it would have been possible without Becca wanting to make a difference. I can't wait to share our conversation. 

My guest today is Amberley Snyder. Amberley is a barrel racer and inspirational speaker who fought her way back from tragedy. She was in a rollover accident which left her a paraplegic. Amberley is now inspiring thousands across America by telling her inspirational story and competing in rodeos across the Western United States. She has let the challenges she faces refine her not define her. She has a Netflix movie of her life, called "Walk Ride Rodeo" It is also available in book form on Amazon. I am so excited for you to hear more about Amberley, her dark days, and her triumphs.

I am so excited to introduce you to my good friend Box Elder County Commissioner Stan Summers. I don't think you will meet anyone so empathetic. Find out why, as he shares his childhood with us, including the death of his mother when he was only 19. Stan and his beautiful wife Jennifer have had an amazing life, but not one without its challenges. Stan shares his story vulnerably about the loss of their first child, miscarriages and difficulties. He is my hero for the way he lives his life, the way he loves people and how he faces hard things with optimism. They have been blessed beyond measure with their son Talan, who was diagnosed with IGG4 Systematic Schlorisis, and a beautiful daughter Jandie and her husband Matt. They have two incredible grandchildren Huxleys  and Lachlan. Listen as he shares what these hard lessons have helped him learn. You will be amazed by this incredible man. 

October 16th from 6:30-9pm at the Box Elder County Fairgrounds LWLF will be hosting an evening of dinner and dancing, catered by the Dutch Oven Shoppe. Listen to outlaw country music by Veteran and Hollywood Icon Tom Proctor as you enjoy dinner. Then get up and dance to the music of Charley Jenkins. You will be hard pressed to find entertainers that love our Veterans more. Help us raise money for Veteran Suicide Prevention, by having the time of your life at this event. Get your tickets today at - https://lifesworthlivingveteran.eventbrite.com 

Today my guest for the podcast is one of my friends since childhood, Diane Sykes Bartholomew. Diane agreed to come on the show and share her personal story of dealing with mental illness, depression and bi-polar 2. She shares about her dealing with suicide ideation, and a 72 hour involuntary hold in a mental health facility. I some of you will relate to what she went through, and for others it may give insight to what people feel when placed on a 72 hour hold. My hope is that this will give us ideas to better serve those who are seeking treatment. Thank you Diane for sharing your vulnerable truths.

I am so excited for you to hear the last episode of Suicide Prevention month, with my interview with country music star Matt Kennon. Matt's song "The Call" stopped me in my tracks when I first heard it. His message of prevention hit me hard, and brought me to tears. He summed up what I have been teaching for the past 8 years in three and a half minutes. I knew that I needed to feature him on the podcast. Not only does he share that song with us, but also two others, "My Last Prayer" & "You Had to Pick on Me". You will absolutely connect with him and the messages he has felt inspired to share from suicide prevention, addiction recovery to anti-bullying. He's left his mark in country music, and his music has definitely helped many. He has a message for all of you.

So excited to share a real, and vulnerable conversation with my dear friend Ganel Lyn Condie about all things suicide. I believe this conversation will help so many. Ganel Lyn lost her 40 year old sister to suicide, and since then it has become her passion. She is a popular inspiring speaker, and author. She is the popular host of TALK CFM and THE MIDDLE. What an honor it was for me to sit down with her for an hour and just talk. I hope you enjoy.

ganellyn.com