Beyond The Label

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. What if the thing you were told was holding you back… is actually your advantage? In Episode 36 of Beyond the Label, Jacob breaks down how ADHD, OCD, and dyslexia shaped his journey and how those same traits became tools in entrepreneurship, leadership, and growth. This is not about ignoring the struggles. It's about learning how to use them. From struggling in school to building companies, this episode challenges the way we look at labels and asks a bigger question: What if you're not broken… just built differently? What you will hear: • Growing up with ADHD, OCD, and dyslexia • Why traditional school systems don't fit everyone • How ADHD can feel overwhelming and exhausting • Turning hyperfocus into a skill • Why obsession beats motivation in entrepreneurship • The importance of discipline outside of work hours • How to use your "weakness" as a competitive advantage • Why some labels are just misunderstood strengths This episode is for anyone who has ever been told they couldn't focus, couldn't sit still, or couldn't succeed. 🎙 Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #ADHD #Entrepreneurship #Mindset #SelfGrowth

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. This is not a highlight reel. This is what actually happened. In Episode 35 of Beyond the Label, Jacob shares his personal cancer story. From starting a business and building a life to being diagnosed with one of the rarest cancers known at the time. This episode walks through the reality of what that experience looked like. The misdiagnosis. The weight loss. The moment everything changed. The surgery. The aftermath that doesn't get talked about. This isn't just about surviving cancer. It's about what comes after. What you will hear: • The moment symptoms started and were dismissed • Being diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma • The emotional impact on family and identity • Surgery, radiation, and long-term effects • Living with pain, trauma, and uncertainty • What people don't understand about cancer survivors • Why "at least you're alive" isn't always helpful • Choosing to keep going despite everything This episode is for anyone who has faced something life-changing or is supporting someone who has. 🎙 Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #Cancer #CancerSurvivor #Resilience #RealStories

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. Sometimes the person who changes your life isn't the one who goes easy on you. It's the one who refuses to let you stay the same. In Episode 34 of Beyond the Label, Monica shares her story and the impact she's had on people coming from the streets, the system, and environments where no one expects them to succeed. This conversation is about tough love, accountability, and what it really takes to help someone believe in themselves when they've never seen it before. It's also about identity. Letting go of labels. Learning to love yourself. And becoming someone you never thought you could be. What you will hear: • Monica's journey and background • The reality of growing up in difficult environments • Why tough love matters in mentorship • The role of accountability in real change • How labels can trap people in old identities • The importance of self-worth and self-love • What young people actually need but rarely get • Why one person believing in you can change everything This episode is for anyone who had someone push them when they didn't want to be pushed and for those still looking for that person. 🎙 Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #Mentorship #Recovery #Identity #Purpose

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. What does it really take to reach the highest level? In Episode 33 of Beyond the Label, Cherita shares her journey from elite athlete to Olympian, and how discipline, resilience, and mindset shaped not just her athletic career but everything that came after. This conversation goes beyond sports. It's about what happens when you hit the highest highs and the lowest lows at the same time. It's about rebuilding identity, navigating life after success, and continuing to grow when the spotlight fades. Cherita also shares her transition into entrepreneurship, the lessons she learned in sales and business, and why authenticity and consistency matter more than anything. What you will hear: • What it takes to become an Olympic-level athlete • The discipline required to perform at the highest level • The emotional highs and lows of achieving your biggest goal • How resilience is built through setbacks • Transitioning from athletics into entrepreneurship • Why authenticity matters in business and sales • How to build a reputation that speaks for itself • Lessons on relationships, growth, and self-awareness This episode is for anyone chasing something big and learning how to evolve when life changes. 🎙 Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #Entrepreneurship #Discipline #Mindset #Resilience

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. Most people never see what actually happens inside prison. They see headlines. They see charges. They see labels. But they don't see the people. In Episode 32 of Beyond the Label, this conversation goes deeper into what it's like to sit across from individuals who have been incarcerated for years and hear their stories, their remorse, and their desire to change. This episode is about connection. About what happens when people are given space to be human again. And about the role community plays in real healing. It also explores the gaps in treatment, the need for long-term support, and why relationships matter more than programs alone. What you will hear: • What it's really like interacting with people inside prison • The emotional reality behind incarceration and long sentences • Why many people in prison are trying to redeem themselves • The role of remorse, accountability, and healing • Why connection and community matter in recovery • The gaps between treatment and real-life reintegration • The importance of purpose, family, and support systems • Why long-term recovery requires more than short-term treatment This episode is for anyone willing to look beyond the label and see the human being underneath it. 🎙 Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #Recovery #SecondChances #CriminalJustice #Community

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. What if recovery isn't about staying labeled forever? In Episode 31 of Beyond the Label, we explore a different way of thinking about recovery. Instead of identifying as broken, stuck, or permanently defined by addiction, this conversation introduces a powerful shift in perspective: "I got well." This episode challenges the idea that people must carry labels for life and instead focuses on recovery as a process of growth, identity, and self-directed change. We also dive into how recovery is managed beyond treatment, why connection matters after someone leaves a program, and how technology can support people in real time as they rebuild their lives. What you will hear: • What "I got well" really means in recovery • Why recovery is a process, not a permanent label • The difference between managing addiction and managing recovery • How identity plays a role in long-term recovery • Why relapse should be addressed within recovery, not outside of it • The importance of connection after treatment • How triggers and real-world environments impact recovery • How technology can help support recovery in real time This episode is for anyone who has ever felt defined by their past and is trying to build a new identity moving forward. 🎙 Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #Identity #MentalHealth

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. Entrepreneurship looks exciting from the outside. Freedom. Money. Flexibility. But the reality is very different. In Episode 30 of Beyond the Label, Jacob Spellers breaks down what it really takes to build something from the ground up. From sleepless nights and financial pressure to leadership, responsibility, and risk, this episode challenges the perception of entrepreneurship and replaces it with truth. This is not about hype. It's about what it actually costs to build something meaningful. At the same time, this episode speaks directly to people who feel overlooked, labeled, or counted out. Because entrepreneurship is not just a career path. For many, it's a way to rewrite their story. What you will hear: • The difference between social media perception and real entrepreneurship • The pressure of being responsible for employees and payroll • Why entrepreneurship can feel isolating and overwhelming • The risks most people don't talk about • Why passive income is often misunderstood • How to actually start learning business from nothing • Why people with records or difficult backgrounds can still build something • The role of discipline, sacrifice, and long-term thinking Entrepreneurship can change your life. But it will also test you in ways most people never see. 🎙 Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #Entrepreneurship #Business #Leadership #Mindset

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. Education can do more than open doors. It can start a revolution. In Episode 29 of Beyond the Label, Dr. Morris Jenkins shares his journey from Detroit to becoming a lawyer, professor, and leader in restorative justice. His work has focused on helping communities rethink crime, accountability, and how we support people returning from prison. This conversation explores how labels placed on people after incarceration can limit opportunity and how education, community engagement, and restorative justice can help repair relationships and rebuild lives. Dr. Jenkins also reflects on decades of research, his work with reentry programs, and why real change happens when the community gets involved in the solution. What you will hear: • How Dr. Jenkins went from Detroit to becoming a lawyer and professor • Why education can be a powerful tool for social change • The philosophy behind restorative justice • Why the community should play a bigger role in resolving conflict • The long-term impact of collateral sanctions after incarceration • How education can help break cycles of incarceration • Why young people and impacted communities must lead change • His message for people coming home from prison This episode is for anyone who believes people are more than the worst thing they've done and that real change starts with education, opportunity, and community. 🎙 Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #RestorativeJustice #CriminalJusticeReform #SecondChances #Reentry

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community.   Not long ago David Allmon was homeless, addicted to heroin, and overdosing regularly.   Today he is a tech entrepreneur building software designed to help people in recovery.   In this episode of Beyond the Label, David shares his journey from living on the streets of Kalamazoo to developing HOPELINX, a recovery housing platform built from firsthand experience in addiction treatment.   His story includes jail, a phone call to his mom that changed everything, and the structured recovery program that helped him rebuild his life.   What you will hear:   • Living homeless while addicted to heroin • Multiple overdoses and a turning point in jail • Calling his mom and asking for help • Starting recovery through the Salvation Army program • Working in recovery housing and seeing the gaps • The moment that inspired HOPELINX • Building software to support sober living programs • Using AI as a tool without becoming dependent on it • Helping people in recovery build careers in tech • Why mistakes shape the person you become   David's journey shows how pain can become purpose and how lived experience can create solutions that save lives.   🎙 Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST.   #BeyondTheLabel #DavidAllmon #HOPELINX #Recovery #SecondChances

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community.   ADHD isn't a weakness. It's misunderstood power.   In this episode of Beyond the Label, we talk about growing up labeled, struggling in school, and realizing that the very traits that caused problems early in life can become strengths later.   This conversation dives into entrepreneurship, risk, loneliness, identity, and what it really takes to build something from nothing.   What you will hear: • Growing up with ADHD and feeling different • Why traditional school did not fit • Leaving a stable career to build something of your own • The loneliness of entrepreneurship • Wearing every hat in the business • Why authenticity matters more than views • The pressure of payroll and leadership • Turning labels into leverage   Entrepreneurship looks exciting from the outside.   But behind the scenes it is discipline, risk, sacrifice, and betting on yourself when no one else can see the vision yet.   If you have ever felt misunderstood, labeled, or called too much, this episode will challenge how you see yourself.   🎙 Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST.   #BeyondTheLabel #Entrepreneurship #ADHD #Identity #Growth

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. There are no bad kids. Only kids who needed help sooner. In this solo episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob Spellis challenges one of the most damaging labels in our society. The idea of the "bad kid." He explains how trauma, family instability, learning differences, and broken systems shape behavior long before a child has the tools to cope. He also shares his own experience being labeled early in school and how that label followed him into adulthood. This episode asks a hard question. What if we treated youth behavior like a health issue instead of a character flaw? What you will hear: • Why millions of kids drop out every year • How labels change how kids see themselves • The connection between trauma and behavior • Why punishment often makes things worse • How schools and systems miss root causes • Why confidence matters more than compliance • How parents and adults pass down labels • What it means to truly inspire the next generation • Why kids deserve room to fail and grow • How language shapes identity for life If you were ever labeled, misunderstood, or written off, this episode will remind you that you were never broken. You were growing. 🎙️ Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #JacobSpellis #Youth #Trauma #Growth

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. Motivation fades. Discipline builds results. In this solo episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob Spellis explains why waiting to feel motivated keeps people stuck and why discipline is what actually creates change. He shares how structure, consistency, and clear boundaries helped him rebuild his life and why writing down your vision matters just as much as writing down what you need to stop doing. What you will hear: • Why motivation comes and goes • How discipline creates momentum • The importance of structure and routine • Why writing your goals down works • How to remove habits that hold you back • Building consistency when life feels chaotic If you feel stuck or frustrated with your progress, this episode will help you focus on what actually moves the needle. 🎙️ Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #JacobSpellis #Discipline #Growth #Consistency

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community.   Behind every founder is a partner carrying weight most people never see.   In this episode of Beyond the Label, Nicole Spellis shares her journey from moving to Ohio at eight years old without speaking English to becoming a partner in building Vital Health alongside her husband.   She opens up about growing up on food stamps, being labeled early in school, building a marriage while building a company, supporting Jake through cancer, and grieving the loss of a child.   This conversation is about resilience behind the scenes.   What you will hear: • Moving from Puerto Rico to Ohio without speaking English • Growing up on assistance and being labeled early • Building a marriage while building a business • Supporting a spouse through cancer • Losing a child and learning to live with grief • Leading quietly inside an organization • Slowing down and choosing family • What strength looks like when no one is watching   If you have ever supported someone through illness, built something together, or carried pain quietly, this episode will resonate.   🎙 Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST.   #BeyondTheLabel #NicoleSpellis #Marriage #Resilience #VitalHealth

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. You are not stupid. You are misunderstood. In this solo episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob dives into one of his most personal topics. The label of being "stupid," ADHD, dyslexic, or misunderstood. He shares how school labels followed him, how he struggled with reading and traditional systems, and how those same traits later became strengths in leadership and entrepreneurship. This episode explores how what we call a weakness might actually be misapplied strength. What you will hear: • Why labels stick longer than behavior • How ADHD can be a strength in entrepreneurship • The difference between diagnosis and identity • Why obsession can become focus • How dyslexia shaped communication skills • Why schools reward conformity over uniqueness • The danger of calling yourself stupid • How to remove self imposed barriers • Why your past may be preparing you • How to turn a curse into a blessing If you have ever been labeled, misunderstood, or written off, this episode will challenge you to rethink the story you tell yourself. 🎙️ Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #JacobSpellis #Identity #Growth #Purpose

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community.   You never recover from losing a child. You learn how to live with it.   In this episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob sits down with Earl Mack, founder of the Buffalo Soldiers, to talk about grief, youth violence, and what it really takes to protect the next generation.   After losing his ten year old son to a gunshot, Earl chose to dedicate his life to educating kids, supporting families, and building safer communities. He shares why behavior is shaped long before trouble starts, why kids need structure and self respect, and how showing up early can change everything.   What you will hear: • Losing a child and learning how to live with the pain • Why education and repetition save lives • The difference between punishment and discipline • How community involvement reduces violence • Why kids need positive adults who stay consistent • The mission and impact of the Buffalo Soldiers   If you care about kids, community, and real solutions, this conversation matters.   🎙️ Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST.

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community.   People deserve a voice in the system that governs them.   In this episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob sits down with Travis Misurell, founder of the Future Is Now Coalition, to talk about power, representation, and why so many people feel disconnected from politics today.   Travis explains how money and influence have pulled politics away from everyday citizens, and how digital democracy could help people see clearly who politicians serve and why that matters.   What you will hear: • Why most people do not trust politics anymore • How money and power distort representation • Why left versus right keeps people divided • What digital democracy actually means • How transparency can change accountability • Why citizens deserve tools to make informed choices • How the Future Is Now Coalition is building a new system   If you feel frustrated with politics or unsure how to make a difference, this episode will help you see that change is possible when people work together.   📱 Learn more and get involved: Website: https://futureisnow.org Social media: @futureisnow   🎙️ Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST.   #BeyondTheLabel #TravisMisurell #DigitalDemocracy #PeopleOverPower #CivicEngagement

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community.   You can rebuild your life from anywhere.   In this episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob sits down with Ivan Smith, owner of Serenity Realty and Serenity Property Management. Ivan shares his journey from addiction and brokenness to building one of the top real estate brokerages in Ohio and Michigan.   From losing everything during the market crash, to waiting tables while trapped in addiction, to restarting his career with a clear vision and a servant heart, Ivan shows what is possible when you stay honest, stay hungry, and stay connected to purpose.   What you will hear: • How addiction pulled Ivan away from real estate • What pushed him to rebuild his life at 34 • How Serenity Realty grew from 8 agents to over 200 • Why people in recovery make powerful leaders and salespeople • How to get started in real estate with no background • The importance of mentorship and self education • Why authenticity matters more than image   If you feel lost or stuck in your past, this episode will remind you that your story can still become something good.   📱 Learn more or connect with Ivan: Serenity Realty SerenityRealty.com His contact information is available directly on the site.   🎙️ Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST.   #BeyondTheLabel #IvanSmith #SerenityRealty #RecoveryJourney #SecondChances #FromLabelsToLegacy

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community.   Grief changes your life, but it does not end your story.   In this episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob sits down with Dawn Duhaime, a longtime social worker, school-based clinician, and Executive Director of Spring Green. Dawn shares her heart for kids, the trauma she walked with them through, and the loss of her son that changed her life forever.   Her story is painful, honest, and full of hope. She explains the difference between pain and suffering, why connection matters, and how showing up for others can also heal you.   What you will hear: • Why Dawn was drawn to kids who carried the heaviest challenges • How trauma shapes behavior in the classroom • Why suspension and punishment often make things worse • The hardest part of working with hurting kids • Losing her son and learning how to grieve with truth and compassion • The difference between pain and suffering • How Spring Green began and why their workshops are so powerful • Why every child deserves someone who will not give up on them   If you are grieving, caring for kids, or working in mental health, this episode will remind you that healing is possible and your story still has purpose.   📱 Follow Spring Green and learn more: Website: SpringGreen.org Facebook: Spring Green   🎙️ Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST.   #BeyondTheLabel #DawnDuhaime #SpringGreen #Healing #Grief #YouthSupport #FromLabelsToLegacy

 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. You are not the label on your record. In this solo episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob Spellis speaks directly about what it took to rebuild his life after incarceration. He shares the years of rejection, the struggle to find work, and the pressure of being judged by a label that did not reflect who he was becoming. He also breaks down the practical steps and mindset shifts that helped him heal, grow, and build a career, a family, and a purpose driven life. What you will hear: • Why a criminal record does not define your identity • How to rebuild your life when nobody will hire you • Why probation is the best time to get educated and prepare • The difference between a job and a career • How to protect your mindset from shame and rejection • The importance of changing your circle and finding people who celebrate you • Why discipline, counseling and accountability matter • How to combine street knowledge and book knowledge to stand out If you feel stuck under a label or past mistake, this episode will remind you that you can rebuild your life one honest step at a time.  Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #JacobSpellis #Reentry #Hope #FromLabelsToLegacy  

 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. Purpose is found in the process. In this episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob sits down with Dr. Atkins, a physician and youth educator whose journey took decades, multiple setbacks, and countless moments of faith. From failing college classes to joining the AirForce to a life changing moment on a park bench, Dr. Atkins shows that nothing is wasted and every step teaches you something that prepares you for what comes next. What you will hear: • How a childhood prophecy shaped his vision • Why he kept applying after multiple med school rejections • How the Air Force and mentorship changed his path • What pushed him to build clinics for underserved youth • The heart behind Life Storyz, his program for teaching and empowering kids • Why trusting the process matters at every stage If you feel behind or unsure of your direction, this episode will remind you that timing, faith, and perseverance shape the journey.  Follow Dr. Atkins on TikTok: @adatkins1  Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #DrAtkins #LifeStoryz #TrustTheProcess #YouthEmpowerment #FromLabelsToLegacy  

 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. Leaders feel pressure that most people never see. In this solo episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob Spellis shares what leadership really feels like behind the scenes. From running a company to making quick decisions that impact families, Jacob opens up about stress, mindset, and the emotional weight leaders carry. What you will hear: • Why leaders often feel alone even when surrounded by people • The mindset traps that block growth and emotional health • How to block out noise and make sound decisions • The importance of self awareness and naming your feelings • Why rest, gratitude, and structure matter for long term success • How to stay grounded while carrying big responsibility If you feel pressure to always be strong or in control, this episode will help you breathe, slow down, and find a healthier way forward.  Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11 AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #JacobSpellis #Leadership #MentalHealth #FromLabelsToLegacy  

---  Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. Leadership starts with caring about your community. In this episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob sits down with Ed Beczynski to talk about leadership, community, and his vision for the city of Toledo. From growing up as the son of an immigrant to building small businesses and now running for City Council, Ed shares the lessons that shaped his work ethic and his belief in service. What you will hear: • How being the son of an immigrant built his foundation of hard work and faith • Why family and community are central to everything he does • His vision for revitalizing Toledo neighborhoods and empowering small businesses • The importance of mentorship, opportunity, and investing in youth • Why he believes leadership starts with compassion, not politics If you live in Toledo, get out and vote. Every voice matters, and every small act of leadership makes a difference.  Learn more about Ed's campaign: edfortoledo.com  Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #EdBeczynski #Toledo #Leadership #CommunityImpact  

     Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. Discipline can turn chaos into purpose. In this episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob sits down with Matt Goode to talk about discipline, recovery, and faith. Matt shares how he went from living without direction to learning that accountability and consistency are what truly lead to freedom. What you will hear: • How growing up without discipline shaped his early struggles • The connection between addiction, recovery, and accountability • Why he believes discipline is the root of lasting change • How spirituality and structure can work together in recovery • What he's learned about leadership, honesty, and personal growth If you've ever struggled to find direction or stay consistent, this episode will remind you that discipline is not punishment. It's freedom.  Follow Matt on Instagram: @jamattican_n  Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #MattGoode #Discipline #RecoveryJourney #FaithAndFocus

 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. True leadership starts with love, faith, and consistency. In this episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob sits down with Dr. Carnel Smith to talk about leadership, education, and faith. Dr. Smith shares how growing up as the oldest child of a single mother taught him responsibility, how coaching led him into education, and why he believes every child deserves a chance to thrive. What you will hear: • How his mother's work ethic and faith shaped his leadership • The lessons he learned through coaching and mentoring students • Why education and opportunity can change entire communities • How faith and service guide every decision he makes • What it means to lead with compassion, not titles If you've ever felt like your circumstances were too hard to rise above, this conversation will remind you that purpose and persistence can rewrite any story.  Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #DrCarnelSmith #EducationMatters #FaithAndLeadership #FromLabelsToLegacy

   Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. Pain does not have to define you. It can refine you. In this episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob sits down with Juan Duarte III to explore recovery, spirituality, and men's health. Juan shares how a family support meeting woke him up, why he stopped running from pain, and how he now builds community through Soul Path. What you will hear: • The moment he looked at his mother and knew he had to change • Why recovery and spirituality grow together • How to face pain instead of numbing it • Building Soul Path, Lion's Den for men, and Rooted for women • Why community, honesty, and meaning help us heal and grow If you feel stuck or tired of running, this talk will help you take a brave step toward purpose.  Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11AM EST. #BeyondTheLabel #JuanDuarteIII #SoulPath #RecoveryJourney #FaithAndHealing

Judge Nicole Khoury on Labels, Justice and Community Change | Beyond the Label Ep. 11    Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. ⸻ "If you trust me, I'll trust you. You respect me, I'll respect you." In this episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob sits down with Judge Nicole Khoury, a Toledo judge and community leader who's been called everything from a "bleeding-heart liberal" to a "conservative activist." She refuses to accept either label. Judge Khoury talks about: • The stigma and blame judges face in the justice system • Creative sentencing that balances accountability and opportunity • How she's helped hundreds of people regain their driver's licenses • Why personal responsibility and honesty matter most in her courtroom • The story behind Acoustics for Autism and raising over $1.2M for families • How community and compassion can create lasting change This is a powerful conversation on breaking stigma, rethinking justice, and leading with integrity.  Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real, unfiltered conversations on healing, identity, and purpose.  Learn more about Judge Nicole Khoury: • Acoustics for Autism: www.acousticsforautism.com • Event info: First Sunday in March, Maumee, OH  Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11AM EST. – #BeyondTheLabel #JudgeNicoleKhoury #JusticeAndCompassion #AcousticsForAutism #FromLabelsToLegacy  

"Hardship doesn't have to define you. It can refine you." In this solo episode of Beyond the Label, host Jacob Spellis opens up about his own story — the struggles, setbacks, and defining moments that shaped his mission. From incarceration and addiction to surviving a rare cancer diagnosis, Jacob shares why he believes dreams are the starting point for transformation. In this episode Jacob talks about: • Why labels like "addict," "dropout," or "crazy" don't define you • The moment he dreamed of impacting the justice system from a bunk bed • Starting Vital Health and the vision behind it • Facing a rare cancer diagnosis and choosing purpose over despair • Why your dream should be so big that people doubt it • The power of persistence, faith, and writing your goals down This is a raw and inspiring reminder that no matter your background, you can turn the page, chase your dream, and live beyond the label.  Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real, unfiltered conversations on healing, identity, and purpose.  Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11AM EST. – #BeyondTheLabel #JacobSpellis #VitalHealth #DreamBig #FromLabelsToLegacy

 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. ⸻ "Rock bottom is where you get to rebuild." In this episode of Beyond the Label, Jacob sits down with James, who turned his recovery into a canvas for healing. What started as sketches in high school became a powerful tool to process emotions, build self-worth, and find freedom from addiction. James opens up about: • Using art to sit with emotions instead of running from them • How music and creativity inspired healing in recovery • Struggling with self-image, self-worth, and internalized shame • Learning to be honest in recovery and why it matters • Why creative expression can be a safer path to tell your story This conversation is a reminder that you are not just a label — and that healing can be found in the most creative places.  Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real, unfiltered conversations on healing, identity, and purpose.  Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11AM EST. – #BeyondTheLabel #RecoveryJourney #HealingThroughArt #RealStoriesRealImpact #FromLabelsToLegacy

 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. ⸻ "Do not suffer in silence." Lashanna Alfred's journey has taken her from the pain of losing both parents to violence, to incarceration in a foreign country, to building a counseling center and becoming a published author and speaker. In this episode of Beyond the Label, Lashanna shares: • Growing up after both parents were murdered • Her experience of being incarcerated and giving birth in Trinidad • Why she wrote Behind Bars: A Chance to Change and her mission to break stigma • Building UChange into a counseling and wellness center • The importance of faith, resilience, and refusing to let labels define you Her story is one of survival, transformation, and purpose, and a reminder that no one has to go through life's hardest moments alone. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real, unfiltered conversations on healing, identity, and purpose. Learn more about Lashanna Alfred: Website:  uchangellc.com lashannaalfred.com Books: Behind Bars: A Chance to Change and more on Amazon Podcast: Six Figure Social Worker

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community. ⸻ "Recovery isn't a place you go — it's the life you decide to live." David Nalls' story is one of pain, rebellion, and redemption. From a childhood marked by rejection and anger, to incarceration and addiction, to facing decades in prison — his journey could have ended there. But instead, David found faith, responsibility, and a new vision for life. Now, as the founder of Reconciliation Recovery, he helps others integrate spirituality, accountability, and healing into their recovery journey. In this episode of Beyond the Label, David shares: • Growing up without a father and the pain of rejection • How anger and addiction led him into incarceration • The moment of faith that changed everything • Why responsibility is at the core of lasting recovery • How he's helping others rebuild through Reconciliation Recovery This episode is a powerful reminder that no matter how far you've fallen, transformation is possible. 👉 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real, unfiltered conversations on healing, identity, and purpose. 📱 Learn more about David Nalls: Facebook:   / david.nalls.3   Website: https://www.igotwell.org/ 🎙️ Beyond the Label airs Thursdays at 11AM EST.

🛒 Support the mission through the Vital Health Store: www.vitalhealthmerch.com Every purchase helps us break barriers and support families in our community.  ⸻ "Sometimes being hardheaded is the only way forward." Dr. Celia Williamson grew up in Toledo surrounded by limits, labels, and redlined neighborhoods. She was told she wouldn't make it past her block — but she refused to listen. T oday, she's recognized as one of the top social workers in the world, a University of Toledo professor, and a leading voice in the global fight against human trafficking. In this episode of Beyond the Label, Dr. Williamson shares: Her journey from failing basic writing to becoming a professor and global advocate, The realities of human trafficking — from manipulation to survival sex to exploitation, How trafficking really happens (and what most people get wrong),  Why collaboration and community matter in protecting vulnerable youth, How resilience and purpose can turn labels into legacy This is more than a story. It's a blueprint for change. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real, unfiltered conversations on healing, identity, and purpose. 

"Every child deserves a chance." Over 30 years ago, Dr. Rachel founded the Sophia Center with a mission: to make counseling and testing accessible for children, adolescents, and families who couldn't always afford care. What started with three staff members has grown into a community resource serving thousands — built on faith, compassion, and trauma-informed care. In this episode of Beyond the Label, Dr. Rachel shares: • The story of starting the Sophia Center with just three staff members • Why balancing mission with resources is always a challenge in behavioral health • The impact of early testing and intervention for kids with learning differences • How trauma affects the brain and why it must be addressed early • Lessons from three decades of serving the uninsured, underinsured, and underserved Whether you're a parent, educator, or community leader, this conversation is a reminder that healing is possible when we come together to meet people where they are. 👉 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real, unfiltered conversations on healing, identity, and purpose. 📱 Learn more about Sophia Center: Website: https://sophia.center/

"Mental health is the most important part of your quality of life." With over 25 years of experience as a psychiatrist, professor, and addiction medicine specialist, Dr. Singh has worked with children, adolescents, and adults to help them find better emotional health and long-term recovery. In this episode of Beyond the Label, Dr. Singh shares: • The difference between treating mental health in the U.S. and abroad • Why prevention matters most for children and adolescents • How addiction takes hold in the brain — and why early intervention is key • The role of culture in treatment and recovery • How stigma and privacy barriers keep people from seeking help From the science of brain chemistry to the power of prevention, this conversation offers valuable insight for anyone working in — or touched by — mental health and addiction. Follow Vital Health: Instagram: @vitalhcare Website: https://vitalhealthtoledo.com –  #BeyondTheLabel #VitalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #AddictionRecovery #ChildAndAdolescentPsychiatry #BreakingStigma #QualityOfLife #FromLabelsToLegacy #MentalHealthMatters #RealStoriesRealImpact

"You're not going to make it. You won't be anything." That's what Dr. Michael Carter was told growing up. He proved them all wrong. In this episode of Beyond the Label, Dr. Carter opens up about growing up in Detroit, the labels placed on him from a young age, and how mentors, faith, and resilience shaped his journey into leadership. Now a respected speaker, advisor, and board leader, he's helping others break cycles and build legacy. He shares real stories about: • Growing up with systemic stigma and racial barriers • The mentors who saw more in him than his circumstances • Why connection and compassion matter more than credentials • Creating community impact through faith and service • How business and belief can co-exist in the mental health field This conversation is about ownership — of your identity, your healing, and your purpose.  📱 Follow Dr. Carter: IG, TT, FB: @drmecarter LinkedIn:   / michael-carter-dmin-74b5665a   Website: carterdevelopmentsystems.com 🎙️ Beyond the Label drops Thursdays at 11AM EST. – #BeyondTheLabel #VitalHealth #LeadershipPodcast #FaithAndHealing #BreakingTheCycle #FromStigmaToStrength #RealStoriesRealImpact #MentalHealthEquity #LabelsDontDefineYou

What if the labels they gave you were never yours to carry? In this episode of Beyond the Label, JD Krenk shares his journey from jail and addiction to becoming a father, mentor, and leader who helps others break cycles of pain and stigma. He opens up about: • Meeting Jacob during a jail outreach program • Holding onto hope when everything felt lost • Working with kids through Challenge Day • Healing from childhood trauma while raising his own children • Why vulnerability is the beginning of real leadership  Whether you're in recovery, raising a family, or trying to find your way beyond what the world says you are — this one's for you. 👉 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real, unfiltered conversations on healing, identity, and purpose. 📱 Follow JD on social: Instagram: @jd_krenk Tiktok: @jd_krenk LinkedIn: Justin Krenk — #BeyondTheLabel #VitalHealth #AddictionRecovery #RealStoriesRealImpact #ChallengeDay #FromJailToHope #YouthMentorship #BreakingTheCycle #LivedExperienceMatters #HealingIsPossible

What if the pain you hide is the thing that makes you a great leader? In this episode of Beyond the Label, Dustin Dale shares how childhood trauma, corporate burnout, and a near-death health crisis led him to become a servant leader — rooted in faith, vulnerability, and purpose. He opens up about: • Growing up without a present father • How ego nearly cost him his team • The moment he realized he didn't love himself • Why leadership starts with healing • Writing his first book from a hospital bed Whether you're a CEO, a parent, or someone still healing from old labels — this conversation is for you. 👉 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real, unfiltered conversations on identity, healing, and purpose. 📱 Follow Dustin on social: • Instagram: @thespeakerdustindale • LinkedIn: Dustin Dale • Facebook: Beyond the Horizon Consulting 📖 Books by Dustin Dale: • Learn to Lead by Serving – Available on Amazon • All books: Search "Dustin Dale" on Amazon or visit: amazon.com/stores/Dustin-Dale/author/B09XN7HV63 — #BeyondTheLabel #VitalHealth #MentalHealthPodcast #LeadershipHealing #ServantLeadership #FaithAndPurpose