PODCAST · health
The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff
by SwagAbility Studios
About The SwagAbility Show The SwagAbility Show is a faith-rooted podcast where real stories become hope for people navigating life's interruptions. Hosted by Stephen Wagstaff—keynote speaker, resilience educator, nonprofit founder, and host of The SwagAbility Show—each episode features honest conversations about resilience, disability, chronic illness, caregiving, leadership, faith, mental health, adaptive living, and discovering purpose when life doesn't go according to plan. After a diving accident at age 19 left Stephen a C5 quadriplegic, he learned firsthand that adversity may change your circumstances—but it doesn't have to define your future. Today, through StephenWagstaff.co and the SwagAbility movement, he helps individuals, caregivers, leaders, veterans, athletes, families, and organizations discover resilience, hope, and purpose through authentic conversations and practical encouragem
Episodes
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Why One Addiction Often Becomes Another | Rose Ann Forte
Why does one addiction often become another—even after we believe we have finally broken free? Rose Ann Forte spent years appearing successful on the outside while privately struggling with cigarettes, alcohol, shame, and the feeling that she should have enough self-control to stop. When she...
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Why Pushing Through a Concussion Can Make Things Worse
Kelly Tuttle thought she could shake off her concussion and return to normal life. She even went back to work the day after the car crash. But her brain was not fine. Before the accident, Kelly was a cardiology nurse practitioner, mother, martial artist, Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor, and...
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Has New Age Spirituality Entered the Church? | Tom Snow
Has New Age spirituality entered the Christian church under new names? Practices such as manifestation, visualization, divination, spiritual guides, and the pursuit of secret revelation may promise peace, healing, power, or spiritual enlightenment. Returning guest Tom Snow believes some of these...
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Is Your Church Keeping You Spiritually Captive? | Tom Snow
Can a person sincerely follow Christianity while remaining trapped by religious expectations, controlling leadership, and beliefs they have never examined for themselves? Author Tom Snow believes some Christians are living in what he calls spiritual captivity—following religious systems without...
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The Urinary Health Questions Nobody Wants to Ask | Dr. Jill Hudson
Millions of people have questions about bladder leakage, urinary urgency, kidney stones, sexual health, prostate screening, recurring infections, and catheter care—but embarrassment often prevents them from asking for help. Dr. Jill Hudson is a urologic surgeon and the first woman to practise...
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He Survived Iraq—Then One Phone Call Changed Everything | Neil Jurd
Neil Jurd survived daily mortar attacks in Iraq. But nothing in his military training could prepare him for the phone call that changed everything. Just weeks after leaving the British Army, Neil learned that his wife, Michelle, and their two young daughters had been involved in a serious car...
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Unlocking Hope: A Non-Surgical Approach to Chronic Pain with Dr. William Moyle
Unlocking Hope: A Non-Surgical Approach to Chronic Pain with Dr. William Moyle Life can change in a moment — through illness, disability, trauma, or burnout — and when it does, too many people are left feeling unseen and unheard. In this episode, Dr. William Moyle shares his groundbreaking...
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ECMO Survivor Becomes Champion Boxer & Cancer Researcher | Nick Akosa
Nicholas "Nick" Akosa wasn’t just placed on life support — he was placed on ECMO, one of the most advanced and invasive life support systems used when the body can no longer sustain life on its own. After being put into a medically induced coma due to an unknown illness, his future was uncertain....
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The Eldercare Conversation Most Families Have Too Late | Amy Friesen
Most families do not make an eldercare plan until a fall, diagnosis, hospital stay, or late-night phone call forces them to act. By then, important choices may already be disappearing. Amy Friesen is a bestselling author, eldercare expert, and founder of Tea & Toast. For more than 20 years, she…
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He Finished College Reading at a First-Grade Level | Russell Van Brocklen
Russell Van Brocklen finished college while testing at a first-grade reading and writing level. After being removed from mainstream classes, placed in special education, underestimated by educators, and later given 15 failing credits despite earning a recommended A-minus, Russell decided he had...
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I Thought God Was a Myth… Until the Evidence Changed My Mind | Former Atheist Doug Ell
I Thought God Was a Myth… Until the Evidence Changed My Mind For years, Doug believed believing in God was irrational. As a former atheist, MIT graduate in mathematics and physics, and attorney, he trusted evidence above everything else. Then something unexpected happened. The more he studied...
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PTSD Changed Everything—Then a Service Dog Changed Her Life
What if your greatest source of healing came on four legs? In this powerful episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with Lee Atherton, who shares her incredible journey through childhood trauma, PTSD, panic attacks, family rejection, and the remarkable service dog that helped...
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When Your Body Stops Supporting Your Plans
What happens when your body stops supporting the life you imagined? In this deeply honest episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with psychologist and chronic illness expert Dr. Jeff Bone, a man who spent decades helping others navigate chronic pain—before finding himself...
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Living With Chronic Pain: A Silicon Valley CEO's Incredible Story
In this inspiring episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with former Silicon Valley CEO Nancy Deyo to explore an extraordinary journey of resilience. After years of success leading in the corporate world, Nancy's life changed forever following an injury while climbing Mount...
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After Losing Her Son, She Discovered an Unexpected Path to Hope
She Lost Her Son… Then God Met Her in the Grief On January 1, 2019, Lisa Espinoza's life changed forever when her youngest son, Chandler, suffered a traumatic brain injury and passed away. No parent ever expects to face that kind of loss. In this deeply moving episode of The SwagAbility Show…
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The Truth About Love When You Have a Disability
Have you ever been surrounded by people and still felt invisible? In this powerful conversation, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with relationship expert, counselor, and disability advocate Cathy O'Connell to explore one of the deepest human needs we all share: the desire to be truly seen, known, and...
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Cancer, Debt & Losing Almost Everything… But He Refused to Quit
What happens when your spouse is diagnosed with cancer, financial pressure is mounting, and it feels like everything you've worked for is slipping away? In this powerful episode of The SwagAbility Show, Dick King shares his remarkable story of faith, resilience, and perseverance through one of…
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When Chronic Illness Becomes a Third Wheel- How To Win The Battle
70% of Americans live with at least one chronic condition. But almost nobody talks about what chronic illness can do to a marriage, a family, or the emotional connection between two people trying to survive it together. In this deeply honest and emotionally important episode of The SwagAbility...
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Can This New Football Invention Prevent Cervical Neck Injuries?
Football has long focused on protecting the head. But what about the vulnerable area just below the helmet? In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen sits down with Brian Williams to discuss the TriAxis football safety invention — an innovation designed to help reduce devastating cervical...
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The Weight Of Being Unwanted
The Weight Of Being Unwanted What does it feel like to carry the belief that you were never meant to be chosen? In this deeply honest conversation, we unpack the silent weight so many people carry — rejection, identity, and the search for worth in a world that often overlooks pain. This episode...
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Disabled Gamers Are Being Left Behind — How AbleGamers Is Changing That
What if something as simple as playing a video game was taken away from you? For millions of people living with disabilities, that’s the reality. In this powerful episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen sits down with Zach Runyan from AbleGamers, an organization dedicated to making gaming...
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MS Doesn’t Define Me: Patti Bevilacqua on Resilience, Identity, and Purpose
What if the thing you thought would break your life became the very thing that gave it meaning? In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with Patti Bevilacqua for a powerful conversation about mindset, resilience, identity, and purpose. Patti was a young athlete,...
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From Top-Ranked Rodeo Roper to Fighting for His Life | The Tim Malm Story
At one point, he was at the top of his game. Ranked, focused, and doing what he loved. And then… everything changed. In this conversation, Tim Malm shares the journey from life in the rodeo arena to a moment that forced him to confront something far bigger than competition. This isn’t just a…
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I Broke Up with Coffee… and Everything Changed | Steve Frazier
For a lot of people, coffee isn’t just a drink—it’s a ritual. A routine. A daily necessity. So what happens when you walk away from it? In this conversation, Steve Frazier shares what led him to break that habit, what he discovered on the other side, and why something so normalized might not be…
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The Truth About Hydration, Health, and Healing | Dr. Paul (Echo Water)
What if the foundation of your health wasn’t as complicated as you’ve been told? In this conversation, Dr. Paul breaks down something most of us overlook—how the quality of the water we drink affects how our bodies function, recover, and heal. Not from a trend perspective…but from a physiological...
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Veteran-Built: The Nulu Knife Story
What happens when real-world experience turns into something you can hold in your hand? In this episode, we hear the story behind the Nulu Knife — a product built not in theory, but through lived experience. FOLLOW PODCAST From military service to innovation, this conversation with Doug Kratz...
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He Had the Scholarship… Then Everything Changed | Hakeem’s Story of Purpose
He had the opportunity. The future. The scholarship. And then… everything changed. In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen sits down with Hakeem to talk about what happens when life takes a turn you never saw coming. From athletic promise to unexpected setbacks, Hakeem shares how his...
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She Could Have Quit… But Didn’t | Julie Barth on Resilience and Purpose
She could have quit… but she didn’t. In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen sits down with Julie Barth to explore what it really means to keep going when life gets difficult. Julie shares her journey through adversity, the mindset that helped her push forward, and how resilience is…
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Why Do We Whisper “Disability”? Changing the Way We See Inclusion
Have you ever noticed how people lower their voice when they say the word disability? As if it’s something fragile… something to fix… something to avoid. But what if disability isn’t a limitation at all? In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen sits down with Jenna Udenberg, founder of...
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The Woman Behind the NFL: Trauma, Recovery & Real Leadership
What does it take to go from playing guitar in a dive bar… to negotiating stadium naming rights inside the NFL? In this powerful episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with Megha Perik, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for the Jacksonville Jaguars. A...
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Facing Dementia and Fighting Back: Brain Health, Trauma & Recovery — Rob Renee
What happens when your brain begins to fail you—and no one can explain why? In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with Rob Renee to explore the deeply personal journey of facing cognitive decline, neurological dysfunction, and the fear surrounding conditions like...
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Why Your Home Might Be the Most Dangerous Place You Live | Accessibility Expert Greg Cantori
Every year, more people are injured in their own homes than in car accidents. Not because they’re careless. Not because they’re clumsy. But because most homes were never designed with accessibility in mind. In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, host Stephen Wagstaff sits down with Greg…
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Breaking Free from Chronic Pain with Dr. Alex Halario
More than 50 million Americans live with chronic pain, and back pain remains the number one cause of disability worldwide. Even more alarming, one in four patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain struggles with addiction. Stephen Wagstaff sits down with Dr. Alex Halario, founder of…
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October 31st, 1970 : The Hit That Changed Ken Kunken’s Life
One moment can change everything. At just 20 years old, Ken Kunken was a college football player at Cornell University with a bright future ahead of him. But during a game on October 31, 1970, a devastating spinal cord injury left him paralyzed from the neck down. Most people would have believed...
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Rock Bottom to Real Freedom with Andrew Drasen
For some, rock bottom is a metaphor. For Andrew Drasen, it was a jail cell. After seven felonies, eight treatment programs, and a near-fatal overdose, Andrew’s life looked beyond repair. What followed wasn’t just sobriety — it was transformation. In this powerful conversation on The SwagAbility...
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Breath to Business — The Assistive Tech Helping Quadriplegics Text, Work, and Live Independently
What if the ability to text, run a business, surf the internet—or even play Xbox—could be restored using nothing more than your breath? For individuals living with high-level spinal cord injuries, even the smallest daily tasks can become overwhelming barriers to independence. But today’s episode...
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When Everything Falls Apart: From Single Mom to Braille Teacher — Gail Showalter
Sometimes life doesn’t just change your plans — it changes everything. In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, I sit down with Gail Showalter, a former high school teacher who found herself raising three children alone after losing the marriage, the security, and the future she thought she had...
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Why Diets Fail: Trauma-Informed Nutrition, Metabolism & Healing with Lisa Franz
Most diets fail — and it’s not your fault. In this powerful episode of The Swagability Show, trauma-informed nutritionist Lisa Franz explains how diet culture, trauma, and metabolism intersect, and what true healing with food can look like. Why do diets fail so often — and why does the blame…
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Redefining Identity After Disability—What No One Prepares You For
Disability can change more than your body — it can redefine your identity, your community, and your place in the world. In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with Peter Torres-Fremlin, founder and editor of Disability Debrief, a global publication featuring…
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When Life Changes Overnight—Finding Strength After Diagnosis, Loss, and Uncertainty
Everything can change in a moment—and no one prepares you for that.A raw conversation about diagnosis, resilience, and rebuilding life after uncertainty. In this powerful episode of The Swagability Show, Louise Twardowski shares her deeply human experience of navigating sudden life changes…
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Osteogenesis Imperfecta: 500 Broken Bones and One Unbreakable Mission — Katherine Klimitas
What does resilience look like when your bones break before your dreams even begin? In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with Katherine Klimitas, an advocate, speaker, and changemaker living with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) — also known as Brittle Bone Disease....
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When Life Forces a Reset: Leadership Resilience and Rising Through Adversity — John Fela
Sometimes life doesn’t just challenge you — it forces a complete reset. In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with John Fela to talk about what happens when adversity disrupts your plans, challenges your identity, and forces you to rebuild your life from the ground…
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From the Battlefield to Purpose: Military Mindset Leadership and Life After Service
What happens when the mission ends — but the mindset remains? In this episode of The SwagAbility Show, Stephen Wagstaff sits down with a military coach to explore the challenges and opportunities that come with transitioning from life in uniform to life beyond service. Together, they discuss how...
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Start Here: Thriving When Life Is Interrupted | The SwagAbility Show Trailer
If your life has ever been interrupted by disability, illness, trauma, caregiving, or an unexpected diagnosis, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place. I’m Stephen Wagstaff, a C5 quadriplegic since a diving accident at age 19. For over 10,000 days, I’ve been learning what it means to adapt...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
About The SwagAbility Show
The SwagAbility Show is a faith-rooted podcast where real stories become hope for people navigating life's interruptions.
Hosted by Stephen Wagstaff—keynote speaker, resilience educator, nonprofit founder, and host of The SwagAbility Show—each episode features honest conversations about resilience, disability, chronic illness, caregiving, leadership, faith, mental health, adaptive living, and discovering purpose when life doesn't go according to plan.
After a diving accident at age 19 left Stephen a C5 quadriplegic, he learned firsthand that adversity may change your circumstances—but it doesn't have to define your future. Today, through StephenWagstaff.co and the SwagAbility movement, he helps individuals, caregivers, leaders, veterans, athletes, families, and organizations discover resilience, hope, and purpose through authentic conversations and practical encouragem
HOSTED BY
SwagAbility Studios
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff have?
The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff currently has 44 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff about?
About The SwagAbility Show The SwagAbility Show is a faith-rooted podcast where real stories become hope for people navigating life's interruptions. Hosted by Stephen Wagstaff—keynote speaker, resilience educator, nonprofit founder, and host of The SwagAbility Show—each episode features honest...
How often does The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff release new episodes?
The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff has 44 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff?
You can listen to The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff?
The SwagAbility Show -With Stephen Wagstaff is created and hosted by SwagAbility Studios.
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