Writing Your Own Story: The Inspiring Resilience of Laura Vosika

Writing Your Own Story with Resilience – A Conversation with Laura Vosika

In the latest episode of The Life Unscripted Podcast with Rosabel Zohfeld, I had the privilege of sitting down with the truly remarkable Laura Vosika. Laura is not just a mother of ten—yes, ten!—but also a talented author, musician, podcast host, publisher, and the dynamic force behind Glenmirril Farms. Her story beautifully illustrates what it means to reinvent yourself through resilience and determination.

A Life Reinvented Through Courage and Faith

Laura’s journey hasn’t been easy. Growing up in a challenging home environment with alcoholic family dynamics, she faced immense pressure at a young age. Rather than succumb to her circumstances, Laura chose to take charge. She put herself through college at the age of eighteen, determined to author her own narrative.

In our conversation, Laura openly discussed the role faith played in guiding her life choices, from embracing motherhood with ten children to pursuing her passions for music and literature.

From Music and Publishing to Farming

Laura’s vibrant career as a musician began unexpectedly after initially struggling with musical lessons. She humorously recounts her rocky start with organ lessons and the eventual discovery of her true musical passion: the trombone. Her musical journey has led to unforgettable experiences, like playing at historic events and participating in orchestras and jazz bands.

Laura's passion for storytelling eventually led her to establish Gabriel's Horn Press. Her publishing journey began as a cooperative effort among fellow writers, but soon blossomed into something much larger, becoming a significant part of her identity.

Most recently, Glenmirril Farms was born in the tumultuous year 2020, turning a period of uncertainty into an opportunity to cultivate life, learning, and sustainability. With sheep, rabbits, chickens, and flourishing gardens, Laura and her family are embracing the joys and lessons of farming life.

Healing Through Storytelling

Laura’s candid reflection on writing as a powerful tool for healing resonates deeply. After experiencing a difficult marriage, she found writing novels cathartic and empowering, providing an avenue for self-discovery, healing, and personal transformation. She emphasizes the importance of gratitude, resilience, and personal responsibility in rewriting our stories.

Practical Steps Towards Resilience

Laura’s advice for listeners who feel stuck or overwhelmed is simple yet profoundly impactful: practice daily gratitude, take personal responsibility, and believe in your capacity to change your circumstances. She embodies the powerful truth that we can shape our destinies, no matter how challenging our past or present.

Connect with Laura Vosika

• Books and Personal Website: www.lauravosika.com
• Podcast (Books and Brews): www.booksandbrews.net
• Publishing (Gabriel's Horn Press): www.gabrielshornpress.com
• Farm Life (Glenmirril Farms): www.glenmirrilfarms.wordpress.com

Follow Laura on social media:

• Facebook (Author)
• Facebook (Books and Brews)
• Facebook (Gabriel’s Horn Press)
• Facebook (Glenmirril Farms)
• Instagram: Search Laura Vosika, Books and Brews, Gabriel’s Horn Press, and Glenmirril Farms
• X (Twitter): @GabrielsHornBks

Stay Connected with Rosabel Zohfeld

If you enjoyed this inspiring conversation, please subscribe and follow me, Rosabel Zohfeld, and The Life Unscripted Podcast. Let's continue living and writing our lives courageously and unscripted!

"Remember: You are the author of your story. Choose to write it beautifully."

 

From Hidden Pain to Hidden Potential: Cari Rickabaugh’s Journey of Healing and Hope

In the latest episode of The Life on Scripted Podcast with Rosabel, I had the honor of sitting down with a woman whose story left me deeply moved and inspired—Cari Rickabaugh, a licensed massage therapist, master bodyworker, trauma healing life coach, and a living embodiment of resilience.

Cari's journey is one of profound pain transformed into purpose. For three decades, she endured emotional, verbal, and mental abuse from within her own family. Her life looked "perfect" from the outside, but inside her home and heart was a different reality. That internal turmoil eventually took a toll on her physical and mental health—causing seizures, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and more.

But everything changed when a miracle arrived in the form of a friend and a life coach who helped her confront and process the trauma she thought she had buried. At the age of 45, after decades of darkness, Cari began her path to healing—not just mentally, but physically and spiritually.

What stood out most in our conversation was Cari’s unique understanding of trauma not just as an emotional experience, but as something that the body holds onto. As she shared, “When you start healing the mind, you can heal the body. And when you heal them at the same time, the changes are incredible.”

Cari’s healing has opened doors she never imagined—speaking at conferences, writing her story in the book A Journey of Riches: Unlock Your Hidden Potential, launching a mini podcast, and helping clients around the world rediscover their wholeness through a powerful combination of coaching, somatic work, and energy healing.

She reminded us that healing is not always linear. Sometimes, it means uncovering layers we didn’t know existed. Sometimes, it means doing it scared. And always, it means knowing that you are not too broken to be helped.

As Cari said so powerfully, “You can create—like I am—whatever life you want.”

Connect with Cari Rickabaugh

• 🌐 Website: ResilienceMindandBodyCoaching.com
• 📘 Book: A Journey of Riches: Unlock Your Hidden Potential
• 📲 Social Media:
  • Facebook – Cari Rickabaugh
  • Facebook – Resilience Mind and Body Coaching
  • Instagram, YouTube, TikTok – Search “Cari Rickabaugh” or “Resilience Mind and Body Coaching”

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Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

If Cari’s story moved you, I invite you to subscribe to The Life on Scripted Podcast with Rosabel, where we explore stories of resilience, raw truth, and transformation.

🧡 Follow me on social media for more empowering stories and behind-the-scenes content.

📚 And don’t forget to grab a copy of my book, The Courage to Succeed: A True American Dream—a story of grit, growth, and discovering the light within.

✨ Subscribe. Share. Heal.

Together, let’s keep writing our stories—one brave word at a time.

Coming Home to Yourself: A Journey Through Healing and Narrative Transformation with Annie Emprima

 

Coming Home to Yourself: A Journey Through Healing and Narrative Transformation with Annie Emprima

On this episode of the Life Unscripted Podcast, I had the profound honor of sitting down with Annie Emprima-Martin, the founder of One Emprima. Annie is a guiding light in healing and transformation; her story is as profound as her work. With over two decades of experience helping people reclaim their voice, reshape their narratives, and return to the sacred space of their own bodies, Annie’s approach is both revolutionary and deeply human.

From Disempowerment to Empowerment

Annie’s journey began in a place of personal struggle. Coming from a dysfunctional background and facing challenges in the military, she experienced trauma and betrayal that became the soil in which her spiritual awakening took root. Through those painful experiences, she discovered a calling to help others heal—both emotionally and spiritually and physically.

She legally changed her name to Emprima, a symbolic and intentional act of reclaiming her identity. “There’s only one of me, just like there’s only one of you,” she says. Her mission? To help others tap into their inner superpowers and find clarity, conviction, and peace.

The Mural Method and Inner Narrative Work

Annie’s Mural Method invites people to revisit their past from a higher perspective, allowing for healing through understanding and energetic transformation. Clients walk through the mural of their story, witnessing younger versions of themselves and releasing emotional pain that no longer serves them.

She also offers Story Alchemy coaching for those new to metaphysical healing, a safe space to explore limiting beliefs and gently connect with body and spirit.

Transformation in Action

Annie has helped clients reverse fibromyalgia, ease PTSD, and even regain vision. Though she humbly calls them "anomalies," the results speak for themselves. Her work emphasizes the body-mind-soul connection and complements traditional medical and mental health care.

The Power of Presence, Breath, and Community

“We need witnesses in our lives,” Annie said during our conversation. She explained that community acts as a natural antidepressant. She taught us about six layers of belonging and how physical presence and connection help us regulate our emotions.

And it all begins with breath. Mindful breathing, she explains, is one of the gentlest first steps toward healing. It’s free, simple, and always available.

Staying Grounded While Helping Others

To remain grounded, Annie practices hot yin yoga and long walks—activities that clear trauma stored in the body while calming the mind. She reflects on her own story with compassion and curiosity and meets herself with grace, just as she encourages others to do.

Final Words of Encouragement

“When we heal ourselves, we permit others around us to heal too.” That’s the heart of Annie’s message—and a powerful reminder that healing can be personal and communal.

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🌿 Let’s Stay Connected

To explore Annie's work and begin your own journey of healing, visit her website at OneEmprima.com.

You can also find her on:

• TikTok: @OneEmprima
• YouTube: One Emprima
• Instagram: @one.emprima

🎧 Subscribe to the Life Unscripted Podcast with Rosabel to hear more healing, growth, and transformation stories.

📖 Get your copy of my book, The Courage to Succeed: A True American Dream, on Amazon.

Hope Lives: A Conversation About Leadership, Resilience, and the Power of Presence

 

Hope Lives: A Conversation About Leadership, Resilience, and the Power of Presence

By Rosabel Zohfeld | Life Unscripted Podcast

In this moving episode of the Life Unscripted Podcast, I had the honor of speaking with Dan Shaker, the founder of HopeLives LLC, a certified behavioral analyst trainer, and a member of the John Maxwell Team. Our conversation unpacked what it truly means to lead with intention, live with courage, and show up with compassion—even when life gets hard.

From Setbacks to Service

Dan’s journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t born out of convenience but out of necessity and heart. After years of working with leaders worldwide, Dan saw how lonely the path to entrepreneurship can be. So he built HopeLives, a space for small business owners and visionaries to recharge, relaunch, and reconnect with their purpose.

Lessons from Near-Death Experiences

In 2001, Dan had a near-death experience while whitewater rafting that changed his life forever. A few weeks later, he witnessed the 9/11 attacks as a high school senior. Those back-to-back traumatic events sparked a life of service and a passion for helping others embrace the present and lead with authenticity.

Leadership, the HopeLives Way

Dan teaches three powerful rules of leadership based on integrity, commitment, and care:

• Do Right: Build trust through consistent actions.
• Do Your Best: Commit to excellence in everything you do.
• Show You Care: People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Through HopeLives, Dan offers workshops, coaching, and resources that help leaders reset, recharge, and relaunch—bringing humor and humanity into every step of the journey.

My Story: Courage in Every Chapter

During this episode, I also opened up about my journey from Colombia to the United States. I lost my mother at 17, moved to a new country with no family or English skills, and worked for over a decade to become a nurse practitioner. My book, The Courage to Succeed: A True American Dream, captures that story and the lessons I've learned about perseverance, identity, and creating a meaningful life.

Be Present, Not Perfect

Dan reminded us that presence is a gift. In a noisy, distracted world, giving someone your full attention is rare—and transformative. Whether it's your children, your business, or your dream, show up fully. That’s how we build trust. That’s how we lead.

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🎧 Listen to the Episode

Ready to dive into this robust conversation? Listen now:

• Spotify: Life Unscripted Podcast
• Apple Podcasts

📚 Get the Book

Feeling inspired? Grab your copy of The Courage to Succeed: A True American Dream on Amazon. Discover how courage, grit, and heart can shape a life beyond all odds.

📲 Connect with Dan Shaker

• Website: https://hopelivesllc.com
• Facebook: @danshaker
• LinkedIn: Dan Shaker

🙋🏽‍♀️ Let’s Stay Connected

• Instagram & Facebook: @RosabelUnscripted
• YouTube: Life Unscripted with Rosabel
• Blog: Rosabel Unscripted

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use a reminder that hope lives.

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💬 Final Thought

Even if your past is tainted, your future is spotless. Your story matters. Keep writing it with courage.

Just a Tad Bit Smarter: Real Talk with Tadd E. Lane

Just a Tad Bit Smarter: Real Talk with Tadd E. Lane

By Rosabel V. Zohfeld

Clarity can feel like a rare gem in a world filled with information overload, fast-paced healthcare visits, and overwhelming medical jargon. My guest on Life Unscripted brought exactly that—clarity, connection, and compassion.

Meet Tadd E. Lane, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, wound care specialist, and the host of Tadbit with Tadd: Just a Tad Bit Smarter. Tadd has walked the walk through hospitals, emergency rooms, homes, hospice, and beyond. But what sets him apart is how he brings warmth, humor, and real talk to health conversations—no white coat intimidation here, just genuine, grounded wisdom.

From Insomnia to Impact

Tadd shared that his podcasting journey began during long nights of insomnia and a constant stream of health questions from friends and acquaintances. Instead of sending a million texts, he thought, why not start a podcast? And so, Tadbit with Tadd was born—a space where listeners can become just a tad bit smarter about their health and life.

What started as simple health advice has grown into something deeper. His show now includes real stories and conversations about burnout, boundaries, and the emotional side of care. It’s a platform that reminds people that they’re not alone in their journey.

The Power of Practicality

One of my favorite takeaways from our conversation was Tadd’s emphasis on small, practical shifts. Whether swapping out hash browns for fruit or being mindful about your soda intake, Tadd reminds us that transformation doesn’t always come from significant, flashy changes—it starts with the tiny, daily choices.

He also opened up about a listener from his own church who reached out after hearing his episode on weight management and diabetes. It was a powerful moment—proof that sometimes we’re helping people without even knowing it. That’s the beauty of podcasting: our voices go where we can't see.

A Raw Conversation on Health, Burnout, and Humanity

Tadd and I discussed everything from healthcare communication gaps to processed food and even Michelangelo memes! We laughed, nodded in agreement, and had one of those rare, unfiltered conversations that reminds you of the power of real connection.

And when asked what he’d want anyone feeling overwhelmed to know, Tadd said something that hit me deep: "You are not alone. Someone has walked your path before. Find your community and take it one breath at a time."

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🎧 LISTEN + CONNECT:

💬 Listen to our full episode:

Life Unscripted with Rosabel – YouTube

Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🎙 Follow Tadd’s Podcast:

Tadbit with Tadd: Just a Tad Bit Smarter

Available on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon.

📱 TikTok: @tadbit08

📘 Facebook: Tadd Lane

📌 Follow Rosabel:

Life Unscripted with Rosabel

Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

📚 Book: The Courage to Succeed: A True American Dream

If you felt seen, inspired, or just learned a bit more, share this article and the episode with someone who needs it, because health, hope, and healing all start with honest conversation.

Until next time,

Stay curious. Stay connected. Keep living life unscripted.

💛

Rosabel

Reclaiming Joy and Identity After Motherhood: A Conversation with Tori Whitaker

 

Reclaiming Joy and Identity After Motherhood: A Conversation with Tori Whitaker

Motherhood is often described as beautiful, messy, transformative, and sometimes overwhelming. On a recent episode of The Life Unscripted Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with the fierce and inspiring Tori Whitaker, founder of BeBetterAfterBaby.com. Her story is one of deep resilience, radical self-love, and a mission to help women rediscover themselves after one of life’s most intense transitions: becoming a mom.

From Surviving to Thriving

Tori’s journey began with unimaginable challenges—leaving her marriage when her baby was just six months old, surviving domestic abuse, and rebuilding her life from the ground up. With no family nearby and limited support, she found herself living in a battered women’s shelter with her infant in tow. But she didn’t stop there. She used every setback as fuel to rise.

Now, as a mindset coach and founder of Better After Baby, Tori empowers moms to reclaim their identity, prioritize their wellness, and live in what she calls “main character energy.”

Why Better After Baby?

Initially chosen for its catchy alliteration, “Better After Baby” has evolved into a powerful mantra for transformation. Tori created this platform not just for postpartum fitness or nutrition, but as a complete mindset reset. Through her signature 90-Day Rise and Thrive Program, she offers moms a holistic approach that includes:

• Simple, sustainable fitness routines
• No-calorie-counting nutrition guidance
• Weekly mindset coaching sessions
• Ongoing community support

The goal? To help women become stronger in their bodies, clearer in their minds, and unapologetically themselves again.

Breaking the Martyr Mom Myth

Tori challenges the cultural narrative that good moms must sacrifice everything. “You were her before the kids,” she says. “You’re still her now.” Instead of subscribing to martyrdom, she encourages moms to be visible examples of health, boundaries, and joy for their children, not just their caretakers.

Small Wins, Big Shifts

One of the key philosophies Tori shares is the importance of micro wins: small, daily acts of self-care that compound into major transformation. Whether eating a nourishing meal, walking, or simply enjoying a quiet moment alone, these seemingly simple actions can reshape how we see ourselves.

The results are real. Tori shared the story of a client who, just six weeks into the Rise and Thrive program, reignited her joy, rebuilt her confidence, and even began reconnecting in her marriage. “She went from barely functioning to glowing,” Tori said with pride.

Tori’s Message to Moms Everywhere

“You are worth it,” Tori reminds us. “You don’t have to choose between being a good mom and being a whole woman. You can be both.”

Whether you're navigating single motherhood, dealing with postpartum depression, or simply trying to rediscover your sense of self, Tori offers not just hope but real, actionable guidance.

Connect with Tori

You can find Tori at BeBetterAfterBaby.com, where she offers personalized coaching programs and resources for moms at every stage of their journey.

• 📲 Follow her on Instagram: @torikwhit
• 💬 Join the conversation on Facebook groups
• 🧠 Learn more about her Rise and Thrive program here

🎧 Don’t Miss the Episode!

If this conversation inspired you, please subscribe to The Life Unscripted Podcast wherever you listen.

👉 Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts SubscribeYouTube 

✨ Leave us a review and share this episode with another mom who needs to hear that she’s still her—and she can be even better after baby.

Until next time, keep living boldly, keep living unscripted. 🌟

Rewiring Addiction and Reclaiming Life: A Conversation with Dr. Robb Kelly

Rewiring Addiction and Reclaiming Life: A Conversation with Dr. Robb Kelly

In a world where second chances often feel out of reach, Dr. Robb Kelly’s story is a reminder that transformation is always possible, no matter how deep the pain or how dark the path. On this deeply moving episode of The Life Unscripted Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Robb Kelly, a world-renowned neuroscience coach and author, and living example of what it means to rewire your life from the inside out.

From sleeping on the cold streets of Manchester to transforming thousands of lives through the power of brain science and compassion, Dr. Kelly's journey is one of resilience, redemption, and radical honesty.

From Rock Bottom to Recovery

Dr. Kelly bravely shared the raw details of his past—growing up in an alcoholic household, drinking by the age of nine, losing everything to addiction, and hitting rock bottom when he found himself homeless and hopeless. But one desperate cry to the sky—“If there is a God, I can’t do this on my own”—marked the beginning of his transformation.

Trauma: The Hidden Root of Addiction

One of the most eye-opening aspects of our conversation was Dr. Kelly’s insight into trauma as the actual gateway drug. He explained how unresolved childhood trauma, even when it seems insignificant or forgotten, can shape a person’s entire emotional and behavioral landscape. “Trauma is patient,” he said. “It waits in the subconscious until life begins to unravel.”

His message? Healing is possible—but only when we confront and release those buried wounds.

Healing Through the Body and Brain

Dr. Kelly introduced us to some of the groundbreaking modalities he uses with his clients, including:

• Somatic experiencing helps the body release stored trauma.

• 9D therapy and brain spotting to rewire thought patterns and emotional responses.

• Red light therapy to support gut health, which is crucial for producing serotonin and dopamine—the brain’s happy chemicals.

He emphasized that healing addiction isn't just about quitting the substance; it's about changing the entire environment, internally and externally.

Busting the Myths of Addiction

In our conversation, Dr. Kelly dismantled some of the most damaging myths about addiction, including:

• “Once an addict, always an addict.” False.

• “You can’t get better overnight.” False.

• “Medication alone can fix it.” False.

He argues that a holistic approach involves neuroscience, personal accountability, spiritual connection, and real community support.

A Vision for the Future: The Robb Kelly Foundation

Dr. Kelly's mission extends beyond coaching. He and his wife are building a 100-bed facility through the Robb Kelly Foundation. They will offer free recovery support that includes children, revolutionizing how families heal together. This initiative is a full-circle response to a profoundly broken system, from housing assistance and job training to trauma-informed schooling.

And guess what? He hires felons, supports the homeless, and gives generously because, in his words, “I got a second life in one lifetime—and I want others to have the same.”

Words That Heal

One story that stuck with me deeply was about a man who wrote a suicide note saying he’d jump off the Golden Gate Bridge unless someone smiled at him on the way there. No one did. That heartbreaking moment fuels Dr. Kelly’s mission to ensure no one feels unseen, unheard, or unloved.

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💬 Final Thoughts

Dr. Robb Kelly’s story is not just about addiction recovery—it’s about the power of choice, healing through neuroscience, and remembering that it’s never too late to start again. Whether you’re struggling or know someone who is, this episode is a beacon of hope.

✨ Now it's your turn—take that small step:

• Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

• Subscribe to The Life Unscripted Podcast for more raw, honest, and inspiring conversations.

• Connect with Dr. Kelly through robbkelly.com or support his vision at robkellyfoundation.org (remember: it’s Robb with two Bs!).

Let’s change lives—one conversation at a time.