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What if your deepest flaws aren't flaws at all, but simply fear responses in disguise? Emmy Award-winner Rhonda Britten takes us on a profound journey through the invisible ways fear controls our daily lives.

After witnessing her father murder her mother and commit suicide right before her eyes at age 14, Rhonda spent two decades battling alcoholism and suicidal thoughts while simultaneously seeking help. The transformation came when she realized she needed to apply knowledge rather than just collect it, starting with simple gold stars on a calendar for any positive action. This began her path to creating the Fearless Living Institute and helping others recognize their own patterns of fear.

Rhonda introduces us to her revolutionary concepts of the "Wheel of Fear" and "Wheel of Freedom" - personalized frameworks that explain how our core fears manifest as behaviors we typically beat ourselves up for. Those tendencies to procrastinate, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and overwhelm? They're not character flaws but fear responses stemming from deeper triggers. When we understand this, we can stop the self-punishment that actually keeps us stuck in fear.

The conversation takes fascinating turns through topics like perfectionism (only complete projects to 80% before releasing them), people-pleasing (are you prioritizing others' opinions over self-respect?), and how our values themselves can be filtered through either fear or freedom. Particularly powerful is Rhonda's insight about connection and belonging being our foundational human need, and how fear distorts our attempts to fulfill it.

Ready to break free from your wheel of fear? Rhonda leaves us with a powerful starting point: forgive yourself, recognize "it's not you, it's just fear," and remember you're here to live the life your soul intended, not your fear intended. Visit fearlessliving.org/risk for her free "Stretch, Risk or Die" class to begin your journey toward fearless living today.

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Have you ever wondered what it would take to completely reinvent yourself after losing everything? Richard Walsh, CEO of Sharpen the Spear Coaching, takes us on a breathtaking journey from United States Marine to champion boxer to successful entrepreneur who built—and then lost—a thriving business during the 2008 financial crisis.

The turning point came when Richard watched his four-year-old son chasing his truck down the driveway, crying as he drove away to work yet again. "If I stay on this course where business is first, my children are going to grow up and have failed marriages, broken relationships... because more is caught than taught with kids." This profound realization forced him to confront the uncomfortable truth: his identity had become completely entwined with his professional success.

Richard shares with raw honesty how he walked away from everything, literally burning his company uniforms in a backyard bonfire to break free from the "owner prison" he had built for himself. What emerged from those ashes was a completely new definition of success built upon five pillars: Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, and Friendships. His insights on the difference between "standard of living" (spending more as you earn more) versus "quality of life" (buying time) will challenge everything you thought you knew about wealth and achievement.

Whether you're struggling with work-life balance, feeling trapped by your business, or simply questioning if there's more to success than financial achievement, Richard's powerful story will inspire you to examine your own priorities and perhaps redefine what winning truly means in your life. As he powerfully states, "Every problem is an opportunity"—and sometimes losing everything might be the greatest opportunity of all.

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Ways to Join Us LIVE 👇
Live shows are on Thursdays at 8pm EST (unless it's a holiday or fifth Thursday of the month)

• Join us LIVE on your mobile phone
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• Apply to be a guest
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Affiliate links are used when possible to help support this podcast.

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What would drive a young teacher to contemplate ending his life? Scott Maderer's raw confession opens our conversation with shocking honesty—crushed by $50,000 of debt on a $40,000 salary, he believed his family would be better off with his life insurance money than with him alive. This powerful starting point sets the stage for a transformative discussion about purpose, meaning, and authenticity.

Scott's journey from financial crisis to finding his calling echoes what many of us experience—that feeling of being trapped in a cycle of busyness without meaning. His distinction between "vocation" and "career" illuminates why so many feel unfulfilled despite professional success. Whether you're questioning your path or simply feeling the weight of endless to-do lists, Scott's practical framework offers a way forward.

Later in the conversation Scott shares his three-column exercise for uncovering what truly energizes you, followed by his revolutionary advice to replace "I don't have time" with "that's not a priority for me." This simple language shift forces honest reflection about what we truly value. Perhaps most touching is his reminder that "nothing's little"—that recognizing a cashier by name or bringing up a neighbor's garbage can create ripple effects we can't begin to measure. Through Scott's four-part framework (invest in yourself, invest in others, develop influence, make impact), listeners gain both the inspiration and tools to move from merely working to truly living.

Ready to stop the endless cycle of busyness and start aligning your life with what truly matters? Listen now, then visit inspiredstewardship.com/horizons for free resources to begin your journey toward purposeful living.

Support the show

Ways to Join Us LIVE 👇
Live shows are on Thursdays at 8pm EST (unless it's a holiday or fifth Thursday of the month)

• Join us LIVE on your mobile phone
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• Apply to be a guest
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Affiliate links are used when possible to help support this podcast.

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Sharon Collins never intended to become an artist or author. Yet her remarkable journey from sketching on cocktail napkins to publishing devotional books with accompanying paintings reveals how God works through our most unexpected talents to address our deepest struggles.

The New Horizons podcast welcomes Sharon to discuss how unwanted thoughts—those persistent worries, anxieties, and mental distractions that rob us of peace and joy—can be transformed through creative expression and spiritual practice. Her story begins in 2017 when two friends made suggestions she initially resisted: "You should take art lessons" and "You should write devotionals." Those reluctant beginnings evolved into a divine calling that has touched many lives through her "Becoming His Masterpiece" series.

Sharon shares profound wisdom about gaining perspective on our thought lives. Just as she sometimes places her paintings on the mantle to view them from a distance, we too must step back from our problems to see them clearly. "Sometimes you're so into whatever's your problem that you can't seem to solve the problem. You need to regain perspective," she explains. This practice of mental distancing allows God's truth to reshape our thinking.

Sharon's artistic process offers a beautiful metaphor for personal growth. Using acrylics and collage techniques, she creates works with multiple layers—some messier than others. "Our lives have layers of hard times, good times, all sorts of things that happen to us," she explains. "Those layers give us authenticity." Rather than presenting ourselves as perfect Christians, acknowledging our struggles makes us relatable and real.

For those feeling called but unqualified for new endeavors, Sharon offers reassurance: "God typically doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called." Her own journey proves this truth. The woman who once laughed at the suggestion of writing devotionals now has multiple published books. If you're wrestling with unwanted thoughts or feeling drawn to an unexpected path, this conversation reminds us we're all works in progress—masterpieces still being painted one layer at a time.

You can learn more about Sharon, read recent devotionals, view artwork, and find links to booksellers if you are interested in buying books at https://becominghismasterpiece.com/

Support the show

Ways to Join Us LIVE 👇
Live shows are on Thursdays at 8pm EST (unless it's a holiday or fifth Thursday of the month)

• Join us LIVE on your mobile phone
• Buy your own VR headset & earn some reward points from Meta!
• Apply to be a guest
• Join us on Instagram

Affiliate links are used when possible to help support this podcast.

• Get Your Own Podcast on BuzzSprout

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BobbyGQ steps into The Studio to share a profound journey of healing from childhood trauma. With remarkable courage, he reveals how suppressed memories of sexual abuse affected his entire life without his conscious awareness, creating a pattern of reactivity, anxiety, and instability that left him feeling like "damaged goods."

The transformation Bobby has experienced through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy shines as a beacon of hope. He articulates the science behind trauma in accessible terms, explaining how our brains protect us by burying overwhelming experiences in our subconscious, while our bodies continue to react to triggers we don't consciously recognize. Through EMDR, these memories move from the "lower brain," where they cause immediate emotional reactions, to the "upper brain," where they can be processed rationally without emotional distress.

What makes this conversation particularly important is Bobby's focus on male survivors of sexual abuse. With statistics showing one in six men experience sexual abuse, yet far fewer men report or seek help, Bobby's vulnerability creates space for others to recognize their own trauma and seek healing. His journey from disability and depression to hope for the future demonstrates that healing is possible, even after decades of suffering.

The practical tools Bobby shares, like the "butterfly technique" for managing anxiety, offer immediate help to listeners experiencing similar struggles. His vision to become a trauma-informed coach who might someday bring EMDR techniques into The Metaverse shows how healing can transform pain into purpose.

Whether you're a trauma survivor yourself or know someone who is, this episode offers vital understanding about how trauma affects the mind and body—and more importantly, how effective treatment can create pathways to freedom. Reach out to Bobby through the Meta Horizon app if you're struggling. As he says, "There's hope, there's help, and you don't have to be alone."

Support the show

Ways to Join Us LIVE 👇
Live shows are on Thursdays at 8pm EST (unless it's a holiday or fifth Thursday of the month)

• Join us LIVE on your mobile phone
• Buy your own VR headset & earn some reward points from Meta!
• Apply to be a guest
• Join us on Instagram

Affiliate links are used when possible to help support this podcast.

• Get Your Own Podcast on BuzzSprout

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What experiences have you had that you later realized were deeper wounds? What happens when the pain that shapes your life remains invisible to you? John Jarman's story offers a powerful glimpse into the journey of recognizing and healing from "unknown pain"—trauma so deeply embedded that it directs our lives without our awareness.

Growing up with an alcoholic, abusive father led John to a pivotal moment at age 12: pulling a knife and threatening to kill his father if he didn't stop beating his mother. For decades afterward, John believed he had "escaped" the abuse, not realizing how profoundly it shaped his decisions, relationships, and spiritual journey.

The breakthrough came when John recognized patterns of self-destruction in his life and sought counseling. Working with a Christian counselor for years, he began peeling back layers of armor he'd constructed to protect himself, eventually discovering that vulnerability - not strength - would be his path to freedom. Through prayer, spiritual mentorship, and confronting what his mentor called "strongholds," John experienced a complete transformation that he describes as now seeing "the world through God's eyes."

John's book "Broken and Redeemed" chronicles this journey, written in just four weeks after a spiritual awakening despite his dyslexia and past academic struggles.

Whether you're carrying pain you can name or suffering from wounds you haven't yet identified, John's story offers hope that healing is possible, but only by becoming vulnerable enough to let others truly see you. What invisible pain might be shaping your choices? How might complete surrender transform your perspective?

Support the show

Ways to Join Us LIVE 👇
Live shows are on Thursdays at 8pm EST (unless it's a holiday or fifth Thursday of the month)

• Join us LIVE on your mobile phone
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• Apply to be a guest
• Join us on Instagram

Affiliate links are used when possible to help support this podcast.

• Get Your Own Podcast on BuzzSprout

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What happens when you seemingly have it all—money, a dream relationship, fitness goals achieved—yet feel completely empty inside?

In this episode of New Horizons, we’re joined by Kevin Palmieri, founder and host of the Next Level University podcast. Kevin opens up about the moment he discovered that rock bottom has a basement, how he faced suicidal thoughts in a lonely hotel room, and what ultimately pulled him out of the darkest chapter of his life.

Kevin, now a successful podcaster with over 2,000 episodes under his belt, shares the real story behind the scenes—the self-doubt, the toxic internal record playing on repeat, and the life-changing moment when a friend’s belief became the lifeline he didn’t know he needed.

We dive deep into:

• The illusion of success and why achievement doesn’t always equal fulfillment
• The importance of re-writing your internal narrative and “changing the record”
• The state-proof-self-assign method to rebuild self-worth
• What it means to define your own version of success
• The power of vulnerability, community, and authentic connection
• Why fulfillment may burn slower than happiness—but lasts longer

Whether you’re feeling stuck, on the edge of burnout, or just searching for deeper purpose, Kevin’s story will remind you that healing, growth, and meaningful success are not only possible—they’re within reach.

Powerful Quote from Kevin:

“The pain you’re experiencing right now will eventually become a superpower that no one can take away from you.”

Links Mentioned: (affiliate links used when possible)

• Kevin Palmieri’s Podcast: Next Level University
• Book: The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy
• Podmatch platform
• Quest 3 Mixed Reality Headset

Need Help?

If you’re struggling with dark thoughts or emotional pain, please don’t go through it alone. Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional. You can also visit:

• 988lifeline.org or call/text 988 for free, confidential support.

Support the show

Ways to Join Us LIVE 👇
Live shows are on Thursdays at 8pm EST (unless it's a holiday or fifth Thursday of the month)

• Join us LIVE on your mobile phone
• Buy your own VR headset & earn some reward points from Meta!
• Apply to be a guest
• Join us on Instagram

Affiliate links are used when possible to help support this podcast.

• Get Your Own Podcast on BuzzSprout

Text Brian & Shawna (Fan Mail)

Why is being part of a close-knit community so valuable, even in virtual spaces? In this warm and heartfelt episode, we dive into the incredible connections we make in virtual spaces and how they can truly transform our lives. We spotlight Deeenr's inspiring journey, which highlights the true meaning of friendship and support during challenging times, including her battle with cancer. As she opens up about her experiences, we take you behind the avatars of the metaverse, where real people share their unique stories and the valuable lessons they've learned through both struggles and triumphs.

Join Brian, Shawna (Mr. & Mrs. KillerB), and Deeenr in their engaging discussion about the special series, "Behind the Avatar." They'll share how the community in Horizon Worlds goes beyond simple interactions, creating deep, trusting bonds among its members. Deeenr recounts her journey from being an introverted newcomer to becoming a cherished part of this tight-knit community, revealing how her faith and friendships provided comfort during her health challenges.

Whether you're looking for inspiration or a sense of connection in your own life, this episode brings you insights into the healing power of community and the importance of maintaining positivity during tough times. Tune in to discover how virtual spaces can help cultivate meaningful relationships and spark the desire to share your own story. We'd love for you to subscribe, share your thoughts, and leave a review to help our community continue to grow!

Links to Check Out:

• Deeenr's Favorite Worlds to Check Out Facebook Group
• The Creators Spotlight on YouTube

Support the show

Ways to Join Us LIVE 👇
Live shows are on Thursdays at 8pm EST (unless it's a holiday or fifth Thursday of the month)

• Join us LIVE on your mobile phone
• Buy your own VR headset & earn some reward points from Meta!
• Apply to be a guest
• Join us on Instagram

Affiliate links are used when possible to help support this podcast.

• Get Your Own Podcast on BuzzSprout