Awakenings In Real Life

Shirley Buck is a severe trauma and abuse survivor, mindset transformation coach, Reiki Master, and international best-selling author of Sweet Freedom Whispered in My Ear. Her personal awakening didn’t come in a moment, it came in waves.She buried her pain under a mask of strength. But at 23, she hit a breaking point: a complete mental and emotional breakdown from the weight of everything she had repressed. That awakening turned into a purpose, helping others heal through bodywork, energy healing, and spiritual coaching. She is the founder of Red Leaf Alternative Healing and is passionate about showing others what it means to rise from the inside out. When she’s not working with clients, Shirley loves traveling (she’s been to 15 countries), spending time with her grandchildren, and sharing raw, inspiring stories about healing, faith, and freedom. She says that Awakening doesn’t come from avoiding the darkness, it comes from walking through it and discovering your own light.

In the journey of life, we often encounter individuals who have overcome adversity and emerged as beacons of inspiration for others. Craig Sotkovsky is one such individual whose life story is a testament to the power of resilience, self-discovery, and transformation. As a 9/11 Volunteer, a lung cancer survivor, Craig's journey is marked by both challenges and remarkable success.. His journey, marked by overcoming sexual abuse, addiction and personal trauma, showcases the extraordinary capacity of the human spirit to heal and grow. Today Craig is a speaker and mentor who shares his story to inspire and uplift others who may be facing their own challenges and seeking their true purpose in life.

Sophia DEMAS did not want to get married, have children, or write a book. The Universe, however, had other plans. And now she has written two books. In The Divine Language of Coincidence, Sophia chronicles the miracles she has experienced since the age of 19. After discovering the key in turning a coincidence into a potential miracle, she was propelled to share with the world how miracles are accessible to anyone. Her experiences related to death and after-death communication (ADC) are included in her second book, Consciousness Beyond Death, recently released. Sophia’s message is that since extraordinary things happened to her, an ordinary woman, then these events are accessible to everyone, it's just a matter of being aware and paying attention. She also created Living a Fearless Life, a twelve-workshop program designed to increase self-esteem in at-risk women.

Gary Pacelli is a Former Law Enforcement Officer, County Detective, DEA Task Force Officer/ FBI / Marine/Author/Speaker. His unique story— a harrowing blend of near-death experiences, physical recovery, and the unwavering determination to return to everyday life resonates deeply with audiences. He is the author of the best-selling book NOT MY TIME. He broke HIS neck skydiving and was paralyzed. he would rise from the ashes to speak about discovering his faith and his miraculous recovery, fighting his way back from being a quadriplegic to everyday life and the sport of Skydiving. His story is about losing all hope & fighting for his recovery.

For 20 years, Mary Beth Robinson has been working with people across the globe to discover their Superpowers. She uses her intuitive ability to help people deeply understand where their true genius and power reside. Mary Beth Robinson isn’t just a business coach – she’s a game changer for entrepreneurs who are ready to break free from self-doubt and tap into their true brilliance. Her method is a powerful blend of intuitive insight and practical strategy, designed to help individuals unlock their hidden strengths and take bold action.

Stephen Panus is a storyteller and mentor & coach at heart, one driven by purpose, resilience, and the unwavering belief that we can turn pain into positive change. As the author of the best-selling book “Walk On”, he shares his deeply personal journey following the tragic loss of his son, Jake, who was tragically and suddenly killed as a passenger in a reckless and senseless car crash at the tender age of sixteen in the summer of 2020. Stephen says: “Grief is his Shadow”. Through telling his story, inspirational speaking and leadership development training, Stephen inspires others to find strength, create meaning, and hold tightly onto hope in life’s most difficult moments.

Sherman Niamehr is an Italian-born American, former stockbroker, and memoir author whose life took a dramatic turn during a period of unexpected confinement at an IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) military base in Iran. His quiet act of inner defiance—refusing to march on the American and Israeli flags—led to brutal interrogations and a spiritual reckoning that shaped the rest of his life. His book called In The Shadows of the IRGC, is one of resilience, awakening, and the search for inner freedom amidst systems of fear and indoctrination. He’s now a family man building his life in the U.S., and he shares his story to encourage clarity, and freedom of thought in the face of oppression.

Jan Allen Ackley is an author, veteran, executive, and  storyteller. Jan grew up in the hills of Appalachia, without a father and where his prospects to succeed  were dim. His memoir, Searching for Change, is a deeply-human look at finding happiness in hardship and transforming adversity into purpose. His awakenings were meeting people that helped  give him the courage and inspiration to succeed.  With a voice that’s heartfelt with a touch of humor, Jan invites audiences to reflect, laugh, and ultimately believe in the power of personal change.  Jan’s mission is simple: help people see the possibility of change—in their personal life, their mindset, or their business. His blend of real-world experience, Appalachian storytelling, & insight make him a compelling guest WHO dives into resilience, leadership, or reinvention.

Franke James' latest book, which represents her biggest awakening, is Freeing Teresa: A True Story about My Sister and Me. The memoir is about choosing her sister’s freedom over her family. Franke helped her younger sister with Down syndrome get out of a nursing home after being improperly admitted.. Then all hell broke loose. The two sisters had to stand together—against their siblings, the medical system, and the police—to defend the right to be free. Franke and her husband, Billiam James, helped Teresa regain her decision-making rights and get a public apology from the Ontario Minister of Health. The memoir has won thirty-four book awards.

Julian Raven is a British-born, Spanish-raised American artist, author, entrepreneur, & First Amendment activist. After being a U.S. Missionary & Bible student, Raven’s journey went from the pulpit to the Supreme Court. Raven made news when his Trump portrait was rejected by the Smithsonian in 2016, launching an eight-year legal battle reaching the Supreme Court and resulting in his becoming an official Smithsonian reformer. Representing himself through 2 federal cases, Raven’s challenge to government overreach landed him #4 on President Trump’s list of reasons to fire Kim Sajet, then Director of the National Portrait Gallery. He tells that full story in his book Odious and Cerberus: An American Immigrant’s Odyssey and His Free Speech Legal War Against Smithsonian Corruption.

John E. Goralski is an award-winning journalist & photographer, a publisher, and the father of a son, named Jack,  with autism who was diagnosed in the early 2000’s. John’s book, "Parent in Crisis: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Special Needs Home" traces his journey from struggle to peace. The book explores what it feels like to be an overwhelmed parent, & he tries to offer insights into the unique insecurities, social problems, and obstacles that must be overcome by these families. The book explores the way his family navigated communication barriers, divorce, public education, vacations, puberty, love, & even the death   John’s unique ability to combine his real-life experience and education with introspective thought-analysis, helps provide a smart and creative road map for living a peaceful and purpose-driven life despite the inevitable emotional hazards that special needs parents face

Koya M. Bakare, U.S. Queens Ambassador 2025. Koya is a force to be reckoned with—an educator, state and national pageant queen, and sought-after guest speaker who captivates with her powerful blend of wisdom, grace, and charm. Her journey is one of triumph - a survivor of sexual assault, bulimia, and two suicide attempts - having graced the pages of Vogue, Essence.com, InStyle, and numerous other publications,  Koya will debut her first solo authored book, The Discipline of Love, a guide centered on intentional self-love and healing. Through her platform, she supports others to reclaim their stories with courage and grace. Her awakening began when she stopped hiding in silence and chose to stand fully in her truth. Koya no longer let her past define her; instead, she used it as a foundation for hope and healing. Her  favorite proverb is : "If there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can do you no harm". 

Robert Don’s memoir explores what he knows of his mother’s teenage life as a Schindler’s List survivor. The book also confronts Intergenerational Trauma (“Second Generation) and holocaust survivor trauma, manifested in hatred as a form of racism—how it can begin, what it can do to us and how we can reconcile even amidst the reach of darkness. Rob had a second awakening when his mother made Shimmas (meaning peace in Yiddish) with his German stepmother whom she hated, when his stepmom became his Mom’s primary caretaker on his Mom’s death bed, Rob believes that intergenerational trauma due to the holocaust may impacts of millions of people and that we can't change behavior unless we have an awareness of the behavior. everyday to want the following. He says "That What Brings Us Together Can Overcome What Pulls Us Apart."

Glenn Nicholson has had the pleasure of working with adults with disabilities for 12 years and from them, he has learned gratitude and immeasurable resilience and what it means to be authentically happy despite personal challenges, both mental and physical. This has opened his eyes in an awakening of understanding of the gifts he has  been given and an immense desire to share them with the world. Each of us is on a hero’s journey. Glenn’s current book, Mindful Illumination explores stillness, mindfulness, and kundalini awakening,  In his book, Glenn shares some of his personal struggles with depression & anxiety, and uncovers many practical coping strategies to cultivate grounding and peace while facing challenges while on one’s hero’s journey. Mindful illumination is not just a book of WORDS; it is an inspirational game changer.

After the passing of her father in 2015, Liz Entin delved in to see if there was science based evidence of an afterlife, something as an atheist she never thought possible. She  was stunned to discover there is a large amount of valid scientific evidence of an afterlife that does not require faith or belief.  It was a long process that combined delving into the science and meeting the people behind the research, but she ended believing that consciousness continues after death. She has two books  -Book One -WTF Just Happened?!: A sciencey-skeptic explores grief, healing, and evidence of an afterlife and Book Two WTF Just Happened?!: A sciencey skeptic investigates even more evidence of an afterlife and fights for justice with her dead dog.  She is host of a podcast, WTF Just Happened?!: All about the afterlife. No woo.

Bryan Lee, known worldwide as Bullseye The Clown, has transformed his personal trauma of being bullied into a global mission of compassion. At age 47, he saw the movie Patch Adams and decided to join the real Patch Adams on a 14 day mission to Russia to hospitals, orphanages and more. There Bullseye had two other awakenings when he made an old lady be seen and brought  laughter to a woman in hospice. He went from trying to be invisible when he was bullied to being as visible as possible as a clown.   As the founder of Clowns On A Mission, Bryan serves vulnerable communities across continents, delivering resources and hope to those who feel forgotten. His journey from bullying victim to international advocate has resulted in the book "Bullseye On Bullying: Your Blueprint for Beating the Bullies".

Podcast Host Dan Cohen and his brother Dr. Ken Cohen discuss their Dad Herbie’s Awakening from late stage Dementia to closely resemble the man he was. He went from barely recognizing his family to being lucid and sharing the love he had for his wife, children and grandchildren. Remarkably, he remembered things that happened during his dementia when he had little awareness. He also shared a profound message that he still appreciates and wants to love life, giving hope to caregivers and family members of Alzheimer’s and Dementia sufferers

Holocaust survivor Sami Steigmann's awakening to educate about the holocaust. Sami Steigmann awakened later in life, after being inspired by a 6th grader, to make his life’s mission to educate children and society about the horrors of the holocaust and the dangers of Jew hatred today. Sami's life story is remarkable. From 1941 -1944, he and his parents were in Ukraine at Mogilev-Podolsky, a labor camp in Transnistria. Being too young to work, per his parents, Sami was subjected to Nazi medical experimentation but has no recollection of it. However, he still feels the side effects every day. He believes knowledge about the holocaust without action and bringing in the media can accomplish very little to stop jew hatred. PREVIEW EPISODE LIVE- Podcasts drop January 13, 2026. www.awakeningsinreallife.com

The “Awakenings In Real Life” podcast tells inspiring stories of transformation, meaning and hope.  Host Dan Cohen will share stories of people awakening and then triumphing over bullying, addiction, disability, illness, trauma, loss, near death experiences and moreHost Dan Cohen is a dynamic entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience and a deep passion for brand building.  The “Awakenings In Real Life” podcast tells inspiring stories of transformation, meaning and hope.  The premier episode features his Dad’s awakening from his dementia and the message he sends that he still appreciates and lives life.  While we typically think of an Awakening as a “Getting Up” or “Spiritual” or “Religious” in nature, an “Awakening” is also an awareness, recognition or realization of something.  Dan will share stories of people triumphing over bullying, addiction, disability, illness, trauma, loss, near death experiences and more. He’s also written a companion book, and he hopes you will also find that, so you can hear awakenings from his family that involve stories of enlightenment, lessons learned, deep understandings, and personal growth. Dan is also a speaker and screenwriter.