The Human Experience

Show Notes:
In this powerful and deeply heartfelt episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin sits down with Minister Jalisa Hardy, also known as The Golden Child, for a courageous conversation about generational trauma, resilience, and healing.

Jalisa shares her story beginning from her miraculous conception and birth — a pregnancy filled with medical challenges and a prognosis that doctors believed she would not survive. Through her mother’s unwavering faith and spiritual encounters, she entered the world against all odds.

From there, Jalisa opens up about her early exposure to trauma, cycles of abuse, dysfunction, and secrecy that ran through generations of her family. She breaks down how therapy became a lifeline, helping her confront internalized shame, unhealthy relationship patterns, and the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community and the church.

Her journey through forgiveness, faith, and self-acceptance illuminates what it means to reclaim your narrative and discover freedom from within. Through transparency and vulnerability, Jalisa offers hope, empowerment, and inspiration to anyone navigating their own healing process.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of childhood trauma, abuse, pornography exposure, and mental health struggles. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Key Takeaways:
● Jalisa’s story begins with her miraculous birth and the medical challenges surrounding her pregnancy.
● Her mother’s faith played a crucial role in defying medical predictions.
● Early childhood trauma shaped Jalisa’s self-perception and emotional development.
● Generational cycles of abuse and dysfunction formed patterns she later fought to break.
● Therapy became a pivotal part of her healing journey.
● Jalisa discusses stigma around therapy within the Black community and church culture.
● She explores difficult truths about parenting, forgiveness, and redefining family roles.
● Her experiences with unhealthy relationships highlight the importance of self-worth and boundaries.
● Sharing her story is part of her mission to inspire hope, healing, and empowerment in others.

Interview recorded in Maryland.

Minister Jalisa Hardy’s Bio:
Minister Jalisa Hardy, known as The Golden Child, is a single mother, survivor, and transformative healer based in Maryland. She is a Board-Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Healer, Self-Discovery & Alignment Coach, Human Design Expert, Trauma of Money Certified Professional, and self-published author.

Through her signature Freedom Framework featured in her book It’s All in Me!: My Journey to Freedom & Living Abundantly, and her C.A.L.M. Method from the 30-Day C.A.L.M. Life Planner, Jalisa empowers women to embrace purpose, pleasure, and peace. Her mission is to cultivate a community of women who lead fully aligned, liberated lives.

Her mantra encapsulates her philosophy: “Whatever you need to truly heal, it’s all in you.”

In this heartfelt episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin welcomes Angela Harvey, who opens up about her profound journey through codependency, depression, and rediscovering her self-worth.

Angela shares candid reflections on her lifelong search for validation, the pain of unmet expectations, and the transformative process of learning to nurture herself from within. Through honesty and vulnerability, she explores how grief, accountability, and creative expression have shaped her path toward healing.

Her story is a reminder that transformation is always possible—at any stage of life—when we learn to set boundaries, care for ourselves deeply, and embrace our truth with radical transparency and self-love.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of depression, suicidal thoughts, and emotional trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

Key Takeaways:
● Angela’s experience with codependency and how it affected her identity and relationships.
● The importance of self-awareness and healing from depression and suicidal ideation.
● Self-care and boundary-setting as essential practices for well-being.
● Breaking free from external validation and redefining self-worth.
● The pressures women and mothers face around productivity, identity, and emotional labor.
● The role of accountability and radical honesty in personal growth.
● Navigating grief in its many forms—loss of people, identity, and expectations.
● Learning to self-soothe and manage emotional triggers with compassion.
● Embracing vulnerability and transparency as tools for lasting healing.
● Finding freedom through creativity, self-acceptance, and storytelling.

Interview recorded in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Angela Harvey’s Bio:
Angela Harvey is a compelling author and poet whose work captures the depths of human emotion and resilience. Based in Wake Forest, North Carolina, she has spent over 25 years facilitating workshops and hosting personal growth retreats that help others reconnect with their authentic selves.

Her debut poetry self-help book, Poetic Alchemy: Seven Intentions for Healing, Growth, and Transformation, grew out of her own experiences with heartbreak and self-discovery—transforming pain into art and insight.

Angela serves as the Director of Black Rainbow Love and is a columnist for SWERV Magazine. Through her writing, speaking, and teaching, she continues to empower others to embrace their potential, practice self-love, and heal through creativity and connection.

Show Notes:
In this profound episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin and guest interviewer Linda explore the extraordinary story of a woman whose Hungarian refugee parents survived World War II and the Holocaust.

The guest recounts the shocking discovery of her hidden Jewish heritage within a family that had long believed they were Catholic. Through years of research, recovered letters, and family documents, she uncovers her mother’s recognition as “Righteous Among the Nations” and her father’s harrowing survival in Nazi labor camps.

This conversation weaves together personal storytelling and historical truth, illuminating the weight of inherited trauma, the courage to confront silence, and the power of remembrance. Linda’s journey serves as a moving reminder that uncovering our histories—no matter how painful—connects us to our humanity and shapes the stories we pass forward.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of war, genocide, and trauma related to the Holocaust. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Key Takeaways:
● Exploration of personal and family identity across generations.
● The guest’s discovery of hidden Jewish roots within a family who believed they were Catholic.
● Her mother’s recognition as Righteous Among the Nations for protecting Jews during the Holocaust.
● Her father’s survival through Nazi labor camps and the brutal conditions of Auschwitz.
● The discovery of family documents and how they revealed a hidden legacy.
● Insights into Hungarian Jewish experiences during World War II.
● The importance of preserving memory and confronting silence among survivors.
● The enduring impact of repression and trauma on post-war identity.
● The guest’s efforts to educate others through The Politzer Saga book and museum exhibition.
● A call to listeners to uncover and share their own family stories of resilience and truth.

Interview recorded in Great Falls, Virginia.

Linda Ambrus Broenniman’s Bio:
Linda Ambrus Broenniman grew up in Buffalo, New York, as the middle child of seven born to Catholic Hungarian physicians who survived World War II and began a new life in the United States in 1949.

After earning her BA in Psychology from Swarthmore College and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, Linda left corporate America to pursue her passion for entrepreneurship, founding companies in technology and biotechnology. Her curiosity and drive to uncover hidden potential led her on a personal quest to uncover her own hidden family history.

Through years of research, Linda pieced together the remarkable story of her Jewish ancestors—the Politzer family—and their lives lost to her father’s silence. Her book, The Politzer Saga, brings their stories to life and forms the foundation of The Politzer Saga Exhibit, a permanent exhibition housed in the newly renovated Rumbach Synagogue in Budapest, Hungary.

Linda lives in Great Falls, Virginia with her husband, Ed, of 30 years.

Show Notes:
In this thoughtful episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin visits John (Jonathan Heaslet) at his North Carolina home to reflect on a remarkable life of service, transformation, and storytelling.

John shares his early years growing up near San Francisco, his studies in mathematics and economics, and his first career as a health economist before answering the call to ministry. He recounts candid experiences from serving as a pastor in rural Ohio—including supporting an AIDS patient at a time of deep stigma and navigating the complex truths within Amish communities.

The conversation explores themes of vulnerability, empathy, inclusion, and the challenge of fostering change in diverse American communities. Now retired, John reflects on his transition into writing and creative pursuits, bringing the same compassion and curiosity that guided his ministry into his fiction.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of illness, community exclusion, and sensitive cultural topics. Listener discretion is advised.

Key Takeaways:
● Vulnerability and courage are central to authentic storytelling.
● John’s personal journey spans health economics, military service, and pastoral ministry.
● Rural and urban communities offer stark cultural contrasts that shape ministry and daily life.
● Ministry required navigating inclusion, compassion, and difficult truths.
● He shares experiences supporting marginalized individuals, including an AIDS patient.
● Religious and societal systems impact personal safety, autonomy, and belonging.
● Secrets within communities can carry heavy consequences, both individually and collectively.
● Empathy and community resilience are vital in creating more inclusive spaces.
● Retirement opened a new chapter for John—writing fiction inspired by lived experiences.

Interview recorded in Charlotte, NC.

Jonathan Heaslet’s Bio:
Jonathan (John) Heaslet is a retired Army Captain, health economist, and ordained minister. In retirement, he has turned to writing fiction, publishing two novels: EAST OF APPLE GLEN (2023) and HAWKS NEST CHRONICLES — GOOD NEWS FROM OSCEOLA, IOWA.

Drawing from a life of service, faith, and curiosity, John’s writing continues his lifelong commitment to storytelling, empathy, and reflection. He lives in North Carolina with his wife, Linda.

Show Notes:
In this heartfelt episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin sits down with Maria Teresa Pratico-Swanson, a shamanic healer, artist, and speaker whose life story is one of resilience, hope, and transformation.

Maria opens up about her personal journey through trauma, addiction, and domestic violence, sharing how she overcame struggles with self-worth and found her path to healing. Through sobriety, holistic practices, and shamanic wisdom, Maria discovered the importance of self-love, boundaries, and spiritual connection.

Today, she helps others navigate their own healing journeys—using movement, dance, writing, and light language as tools for transformation. Her testimony highlights the power of vulnerability, resilience, and faith in creating a life of authenticity and purpose.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic violence, addiction, and trauma. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Key Takeaways:
● Maria shares personal stories of trauma, addiction, and recovery.
● Her journey includes experiences with domestic violence, substance abuse, and eating disorders.
● A spiritual awakening led her to embrace holistic and shamanic practices as tools for healing.
● Self-love, healthy boundaries, and resilience were key in her transformation.
● Creative expression—through dance, writing, and spoken word—helped her reclaim her voice.
● Healing is an ongoing process that requires courage, community, and faith.
● Intuition and spiritual connection play an essential role in daily life.
● Maria’s story is a testament to the transformative power of love and vulnerability.

Interview recorded in Port St. Lucie, FL.

Maria Teresa Pratico-Swanson’s Bio:
Maria Teresa Pratico-Swanson is a woman walking the journey of life guided by the healing power of love. A heart-centered healer, Maria is a practicing master shamanic healer and under her brands Emotional Musings and The Musing Shaman, she works with clients all over the world, both in-person and virtually.

Her poetry and Light language inspire others on their healing journeys and stand as living proof of her motto, “Triumphing over Trauma.” Maria has overcome abuse, addiction to drugs and alcohol, and an eating disorder. She is also a three-time triathlete, a master of movement medicine, and a spoken word artist.

Today, Maria speaks to audiences of all ages as a motivational speaker and healer, helping others strengthen the mind-body-spirit connection and step into higher consciousness and self-love.

In this episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin travels to Clermont, FL and welcomes Derek Newborn, who shares his raw and inspiring journey from abandonment, trauma, and self-destruction to transformation, healing, and purpose.

Growing up in Fort Myers, Florida, Derek faced the pain of parental incarceration, single-parent struggles, and a deep sense of abandonment. Becoming a father at 16 and navigating hardships such as divorce, narcissism, and a suicide attempt, Derek reveals how he reached rock bottom and began the hard process of rebuilding his life.

Through deep vulnerability, self-reflection, and a spiritual awakening, Derek learned to take ownership of his story. His journey of resilience offers listeners valuable insight into self-compassion, accountability, and the power of rewriting one’s narrative.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide and trauma. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Key Takeaways:
● Childhood experiences and family dynamics shape adult struggles and emotional development.
● Derek shares the impact of parental incarceration and the challenges of being raised by a single parent.
● Abandonment and isolation influenced destructive patterns in relationships and self-worth.
● His journey of self-discovery highlights the importance of accountability and rewriting one’s story.
● Trauma is subjective—its impact depends on how it’s carried and processed.
● Community support, vulnerability, and self-compassion are vital to healing.
● Forgiveness is powerful but doesn’t always mean reconciliation.
● Derek describes the shift from narcissism and self-centeredness to authentic connection.
● A spiritual awakening redefined his purpose and ability to help others.

Interview recorded in Cleremont, FL.

Derek Newborn’s Bio:
Once named one of Florida’s “Top Personal Trainers” and a published fitness model, Derek Newborn appeared to have it all. But beneath the surface, he was unraveling. Multiple suicide attempts, destructive relationships, and narcissistic behaviors nearly cost him everything.

Instead of ending his life, Derek chose to end the version of himself that was destroying it. Through resilience, accountability, and faith, he rebuilt his life brick by brick. Today, Derek helps women escape toxic relationships with narcissists, reclaim their worth, and reconnect with their authentic selves—mentally, spiritually, and physically.

Having lived many lives—teenage father, construction worker, trainer, model, business owner, and survivor—Derek proves it’s never too late to rewrite your story. His mission is clear: no matter how far you’ve fallen, you can rise again—and thrive.

In this powerful and emotionally charged episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin sits down in Boynton Beach, FL. with Michael W. Allison, MBA—U.S. Marine, Purple Heart recipient, award-winning keynote speaker, and best-selling author—to explore a remarkable life story shaped by trauma, transformation, and purpose.

From a challenging immigrant childhood in Jamaica and Miami marked by poverty, bullying, and abuse, Michael shares his road to redemption through military service, leadership, and healing. He opens up about his combat experiences in Iraq, including surviving a VBIED car bomb, and the lasting psychological impact of war.

Michael also discusses how he rebuilt his life after service—founding The Adversity Academy, helping Fortune 500 companies and federal agencies unlock performance through resilience, and stepping onto stages around the world to inspire others to lead with identity, strength, and courage.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of child sexual abuse, suicide, and violence. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Key Takeaways:

 ● Michael’s early life in Jamaica was shaped by poverty, natural disasters, and trauma.

 ● After immigrating to Miami, he faced bullying, family struggles, and cultural challenges.

 ● Joining the U.S. Marine Corps gave him a sense of direction, discipline, and brotherhood.

 ● Boot camp and military service taught him adaptability, leadership, and mental toughness.

 ● He recounts intense combat experiences in Iraq and the emotional toll of war.

 ● The unbreakable bonds between Marines and their shared resilience are a central theme.

 ● Michael explores how trauma shaped his personal life and how healing became a mission.

 ● Today, he is a global speaker and resilience coach for elite clients including Microsoft, Netflix, and Amazon.

 ● His frameworks—Break The Bottle™, Protect The House™, and Leadership Re-Entry™—are used by leaders worldwide to overcome adversity and perform under pressure.

Interview recorded in Boynton Beach, FL.

Michael W. Allison’s Bio:

 Michael W. Allison, MBA is a U.S. Marine Purple Heart recipient, 2x Navy & Marine Achievement Medal honoree, INC 5000 entrepreneur, and award-winning internationally recognized keynote speaker. He is the founder of The Adversity Academy Leadership Development Group, where he helps Fortune 500 brands, federal agencies, and industry leaders unlock performance through resilience and identity-driven leadership.

Michael is the creator of the Break The Bottle™, Protect The House™, and Leadership Re-Entry™ frameworks—trusted globally to develop high-performing executive teams. A TEDx speaker and best-selling author of Overcoming Adversity: Getting Your Life Back on Track, Michael draws from his combat survival and trauma recovery experience to guide others toward clarity, conviction, and cultural transformation.

He believes that breaking personal barriers is not just for oneself—but for everyone still watching and wondering if they can.

Connect with Michael Allison:

Matt Gilhooly, host of The Life Shift podcast, shares the story behind his own pivotal life shift—the sudden death of his mother when he was just eight years old. In a deeply moving conversation, Matt reflects on the fallout that followed, the perfectionism that took hold, and how it took him 20 years to finally face the grief he had buried. He opens up about processing trauma in therapy, learning to live intentionally, and the radically different way he was able to say goodbye to his grandmother. Matt’s story is one of heartbreak, healing, and learning to hold space—for himself and others.

Interview recorded in Orlando, FL.

Key Takeaways:

• Matt’s life changed forever when his mother died in a motorcycle accident while he was visiting his father for the summer.
• That moment led to a perfectionist mindset, rooted in fear of further abandonment.
• It took Matt 20 years to begin processing his grief—and therapy helped him understand how much of his life was driven by the fear of not being enough.
• He learned from that experience how to grieve differently when his grandmother—the most consistent maternal figure in his life—passed away.
• Starting The Life Shift podcast became a healing outlet, helping him connect with others through their pivotal life stories.
• Matt’s story highlights how grief can be delayed, repressed, or misunderstood—and how compassion begins with truly listening.

Matt’s Bio:

Matt Gilhooly is the creator and host of The Life Shift Podcast, where he shares candid conversations about the moments that change everything. With nearly 200 episodes and counting, Matt’s built a space where everyday stories are treated with the care and depth they deserve.

He’s also a creative producer and communications strategist with a background in higher education, brand storytelling, and internal communications. But at his core, Matt’s a meaning-maker – someone who believes that honest, human connection is where the real magic happens.

You can learn more at www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com or find The Life Shift wherever you listen to podcasts.

Connect with Matt: