Uniquely Qualified

Brittany's life has never been "normal." Born to teenage parents, a father who struggled with a drug addiction and who was then sentenced to 25 years in prison when she was 10, her life experience has shaped her into the empathetic, driven, solution-oriented woman she is today.This episode centers on Brittany's experience as the child of an incarcerated person, what it was like for her, how it has impacted her, and how it informs how she shows up for her life now. We are honored to amplify her beautiful voice and shine a light on the experience of 1 in 28 children nationwide: the experience of having a person serving time in prison.

Before Brooke was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, she had never experienced intensive medical intervention. But when her chronic discomfort turned to pain, things quickly changed. Brooke's story highlights the mental and physical toll of living with a chronic condition, her journey to becoming her own best advocate, and the impact corporate food manufacturers have on the physical lives of Americans.As always, we hope that you'll leave feeling more aware, connected, and supported the human experience. You can follow Brooke's story on @crohnsmyway and the podcast @uniquelyqualifiedpod on Instagram.Links:Mayo Clinic on Crohn's Disease: Crohn's disease - Symptoms and causes - Mayo ClinicHopkins Medicine on Crohn's Disease: Crohn's Disease | Johns Hopkins Medicine

This week, Liz sits down with Cleo Childs to discuss hergrief journey in losing her mom to early onset Alzheimer’s when Cleo was just 28 years old. Cleo began caretaking for her mother while she was still in undergraduatestudies and was faced with the unexpected enormity of caring for one of her most precious relationships while her mother’s disease rapidly altered her. Cleo’s grief experiences center primarily on losing hermother, however Liz and Cleo discuss grief if in its many forms, dating experiences while in grief, corporations profiteering off grief, and above all, the deeply human connection that we all may experience when we are vulnerable and real with ourselves and others about the reality of our suffering.In her spoken word poetry album “Moving With” Cleo shows the path her grief took from having her mother, losing her mother, and the peace and acceptance she feels now. Her book “Moving With” will be released later this year.Learn more about Cleo and her the projects at cleochilds.com

In this, the final installation in Amanda's episode arc, Liz and Amanda celebrate the fact that both of Amanda's daughters are now in long term recovery, living lives that bring them fulfillment and purpose. Throughout this episode, Amanda and Liz relate to one another as fellows in recovery, sharing personal anecdotes from their life experiences.This three-part series is dedicated to all families suffering from the disease of addiction, especially those who have or have had children struggling with substance abuse. We see you, we support you, and we recognize the many ways a heart can break as a part of this vicious cycle.Show notes:Amanda mentions an educational film that was shown to her when her middle daughter was admitted into rehab and suggests it to listeners as an accessible way to learn about the brain science of addiction. The title of the film: Pleasure Unwoven

In the second part of Amanda’s story, Liz and Amanda discussthe experience of mothering two teen children during their struggles with addiction. Amanda recounts and celebrates her oldest daughter’s entrance into long term sobriety (almost three years sober!) and transition to adulthood. The remainder of the episode centers on her middle daughter’s tribulations with drug use. Chock full of tools and resources for folks in and out of recovery, Liz and Amanda share openly about the importance of therapy, support in addiction recovery, and loving people when they are in the depths of their suffering.This series is dedicated to all families impacted by theopioid drug epidemic sweeping the United States. Amanda and Liz see you, hear you, and are here to support you through this podcast and beyond. We encourage all listeners to challenge society’s stigmata around adolescent drug addiction as you listen. #WeDoRecover

In 2021, Amanda faced an unthinkable parenting situation: her teenage daughters were using drugs together, both suffering in active addiction. A woman with years of clean time herself, Amanda began doing everything in her power to protect her precious children from themselves.This episode is part one of three, where Amanda shares her story as a parent of adolescent addicts, the lengths she went to help her children find their way, and the community of people who supported her in this trying time.With both children now in recovery, Amanda celebrates their lives as drug free young women and is grateful that their lives were spared.This series is dedicated to all families who know the pain of seeing their children struggle with addiction. Amanda and I encourage all members of our community to challenge the cultural stigma around adolescent drug addiction. We wholeheartedly dispel any and all shame, judgement, or isolation that society projects onto suffering families. If you relate to Amanda's story, we see you and we are here for you. We do recover.

In this week’s episode, Liz sits down with longtime friendSarah Burney, who listeners will also hear her affectionately call her Burn. A high school student involved in competitive dance, navigating emergence into puberty, Sarah was just 15 years old when an adult man sexually assaulted her. A random stranger at the park became the perpetrator of a crime that would fundamentally alter her life, her relationships, and her sense of safety in navigating the world.As we approach the 20-year anniversary of her assault, Sarahdiscusses not only what happened, but the incredible, inspiring journey of stepping into her power despite the justice system’s failure to deliver justice. From becoming a therapist and providing care for others, to discovering a community of friends where she is her most secure, safe, and actualized self, Sarah’s journey reminds us that what feels like the end is often not the end, that there are better days ahead, and that hope is real.This episode is dedicated to all victims of sexual assault,especially those living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If you or a loved one needs extra support on this topic, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.4673 or visit National Sexual Assault Hotline: Confidential 24/7 Support | RAINN for additional resources.

In this episode of Uniquely Qualified, host Liz Ficken sits down with Kate to talk about her unexpected experience with Bell’s Palsy. Kate courageously opens up about the physical and emotional impact of facial paralysis, as well as the inevitable fear and uncertainty that accompanied the onset of the condition. When onset occurred, she was not only in the final weeks of pregnancy with her second son, but moving houses, developing symptoms of preeclampsia, and caring for her toddler at home. The onset of Bell's Palsy made giving birth, postpartum, and life in general challenging in a way that no one could have seen coming. But despite the many hurdles in her way, with the love of her supportive friends and family, Kate took action to reclaim her health and identity. Through the episode, Kate shares what it was like to navigate day-to-day life with a visible condition, including how it affected her interactions with others and her internal dialogue. She also discusses the slow and non-linear healing process—both physical and emotional—and how she learned to embrace patience, self-compassion, and vulnerability.Kate’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength it takes to face the unknown, and the grace that can emerge when we allow ourselves to be seen—even in our most tender moments. Her journey offers hope and solidarity to anyone navigating unexpected health challenges.

In this episode, host Liz Ficken welcomes guest Roxanne, also known as Roxy, a Marin County native who shares her journey with scoliosis. Roxy opens up about her diagnosis, the physical and emotional challenges she faced, and how she navigated treatment and recovery.Throughout the conversation, Roxy discusses the impact scoliosis had on her daily life, from managing pain to undergoing medical interventions. She reflects on the resilience and determination required to cope with the condition and the support system that helped her along the way. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and raising awareness about scoliosis to help others going through similar experiences.The discussion also touches on broader themes of perseverance and self-acceptance, highlighting the mental and emotional strength needed to face a chronic condition. Liz and Roxy explore how overcoming physical challenges can lead to personal growth and a deeper appreciation for one’s body.By the end of the episode, listeners gain insights into navigating life with scoliosis and finding strength in vulnerability. The conversation reinforces the podcast’s mission of fostering awareness, connection, and support in the human experience.

In this episode of Uniquely Qualified, host Liz Ficken sits down with Mark Goldfinger to explore the profound journey of losing a parent and the lasting impact of grief. Mark lost his father to prostate cancer seven years ago, an experience that reshaped his perspective on life and initiated him into what he calls the “Dead Dads Club.” He reflects on the early days of grief, the surreal passage of time without his father, and the ongoing process of learning to live with loss.Rather than letting grief define him, Mark found purpose through marathon running. He has completed seven marathons, including the six World Major Marathons, dedicating each race to his father’s memory and raising awareness for prostate cancer. His journey highlights the reality that grief is not something to move past but something that evolves and remains a part of life.This episode offers a powerful reminder of the importance of cherishing relationships, finding healing in unexpected places, and transforming pain into purpose. Mark’s insights provide comfort and encouragement to anyone navigating loss or supporting a loved one through grief.

This week's episode is a powerful testament to resilience and reinvention. Sarah King is the founder of Aurora House, a creative community space dedicated to authentic expression, connection, and empowerment for women and non-binary individuals.Before creating this sanctuary, Sarah spent years in the high-pressure world of tech, working as a Chief Operating Officer at an AI start up based in Austin, TX. She led technical teams, while traveling constantly, fundraising, and navigating the relentless demands of the AI industry. But behind the scenes, she was also battling debilitating endometriosis pain and the mental toll of balancing her role with the impact of this chronic illness. In 2023, after finally receiving a diagnosis and undergoing an intense surgery removing stage 4 endometriosis from multiple organs throughout her torso, she knew something had to change.That turning point led her to step away from the corporate world and build something radically different. Aurora House is the manifestation of that shift—a place where people can slow down, reconnect with themselves, and tap into the creativity and community that so many of us crave.Today, we’re diving into Sarah’s story—what led to this transformation, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and what it truly means to create a life aligned with your values.

In this, the second part of John's episode, he delves into life after his spinal cord was severed, leaving him living with quadriplegia. John discusses the ongoing issues he experiences that are common for anyone with his condition. John also shares about becoming a father one month after his accident and eventually adopting five more children. In part one, John talked about how he never graduated high school; his grade point average was 0.8. In part two, John unpacks his decision to attend a local community college, then Pacific Lutheran University where he received his Bachelor of Science, and finally the University of Washington (Tacoma) where he earned his Master's in Social Work. We conclude by talking about John's career first as a social worker for the Department of Child and Protective Services, then as a social worker in the physical and medicine rehabilitation unit of a hospital, the same hospital where he received care immediately following the spinal injury that forever changed his life.John's episodes are a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit, the power of love, and the transformative influence in sharing our stories. John embodies the notion that "we never know how our experiences, surviving our worst days, may one day benefit others."

If everything had gone according to plan, John would have spent his life doing manual labor, installing carpet with his hands, and never spending another moment in a classroom. But in May 1994, John's best laid plans were irrevocably altered. What started as a friendly pick-up football game quickly turned into a medical emergency when John made a tackle that severed his spinal cord and shattered his C5 vertebra. He knew in that moment that he would never walk again. To add to the stress of the situation, John's wife was 8 months pregnant with their first child.In part one of this two-part episode, John shares about his childhood, addiction in his family system, his decision to leave behind his party lifestyle, and falling in love with the woman that would become the mother of his children. We delve into the specifics of his life altering accident, his recovery from spinal cord severance, and becoming a first-time father while also learning how to live life as a quadriplegic. John openly addresses the details of what it is like to live in a wheelchair, lessons learned in attaining his independent lifestyle, and how he has done more from a power chair than he ever imagined he'd do before his accident.Show Notes:Quadriplegia & Tetraplegia: Definition, Causes, Symptoms, and TreatmentQuadriplegia | Types of Paralysis | Brain and Spinal Cord Injury InformationGood Sam Regional Rehab Center in Puyallup marks anniversary | Tacoma News Tribune

27-year-old Emma sought her doctor's advice when a golf ball size lump appeared on her thyroid. Between her doctor's appointment and the CT scan, the lump went away, but Emma decided to keep her imaging appointment. The CT scan revealed stage three Hodgkin lymphoma. Additionally scary? Emma had zero symptoms for the blood cancer. This kicked off Emma's sudden battle with Hodgkin's disease, upending her life, and causing her to lean into the support of her family, community, and boyfriend like never before.Now officially in remission, Emma's story is one of bravery, strength, and connection. Tune in to hear this beautiful example of living life with strength and gentleness, reality and hope, acceptance and gratitude. Show notes:Hodgkin Lymphoma: Symptoms, Causes& TreatmentABVD –Bleomycin-Dacarbazine-Doxorubicin-Vinblastine Ver 1.2Hodgkin lymphoma (Hodgkin disease) -Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Colleen's relationship with hard drugs started in high school. Meth quickly became her drug of choice thanks to its incredibly addictive, toxic, chemical makeup. Troubles with employment, law enforcement, and damaged relationships were hallmark to her time in active addiction until March 18, 2005 when Colleen stepped into her power and reclaimed her life. Supported by the love of her family, a boss who saw her potential (and was also a recovering meth addict), plus her support network of friends, Colleen took daily action to rebuild her life after years of living in the depths of despair. Now approaching her 20th birthday meth free, Colleen lives a life filled with purpose, gratitude, connection, and strength. Her story reminds us that it's never too late to change, there's no wrong way to get clean, and that even in the most excruciating moments of hopelessness, hope is there whether we can see it or not.

Camille met the love of her life at a high school academic competition and from the start, their romance wasn't conventional. When Camille's husband decided to enlist in the United States Army while she was in college, their relationship continued to be on their terms, on their time. After getting married, Camille began what would be the first of seven moves over 12 years as a military spouse. She's held down the home front during three different deployments and grappled with navigating her own career aspirations while being married to someone whose job demands physical relocation every three years. Camille's story inspires us to contemplate what it's like to be among the current 1 million active-duty military spouses and how we might emulate the people in her life who supported and loved her during the most challenging of times. Show notes: -PCS: Permanent Change of Station (an official move required by the US military)- Deployment: A movement of armed forces to support a mission - Combat deployment: A movement of armed forces to an area where the US has engaged in combat/is fighting, etc.  - On base or on post: In reference to a military base for active duty. "We live on post" i.e. "We live on a military base."  - MOS: Military Occupation Specialist (what a service member does in the military)

Ashlee knew that getting pregnant might not happen immediately, but she never dreamed her journey to motherhood would last five years. Armed with science and faith, Ashlee and her husband refused to surrender their dream of having a baby, despite what modern infertility cultured signaled about their choices. In this episode, Ashlee discusses her personal medical complexities, clashes with insurance companies, the variance in employer and state level support for families struggling to conceive, and the eventual joy of conceiving her daughter. Later in the episode, Ashlee also shares her experience in being pregnant after infertility, surviving a traumatic birth, and lessons she learned from the entirety of her path to motherhood. Show notes: “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” Job 9:10 Cleveland Clinic on Infertility: Infertility: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Uniquely Qualified welcomes its first anonymous guest, Chris. Chris is a successful, educated, solution-oriented, happily married individual, currently serving in the United States Army. Chris is also in long term recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. After starting his experimentation with addictive substances in middle school, Chris had a drinking career characterized by breaking the rules and (sometimes) getting caught. After multiple stays in residential treatment facilities, 18 year old Chris started taking his recovery one day at a time. 19 years later, Chris is in long term recovery, living the life that teenage Chris would have never dreamed of. In this episode, Chris and host Liz talk about their experiences with addiction, 12 step recovery, service to others, and embrace vulnerability in relating to one another's experience, strength, and hope.

In the fall of 2022, Rosie and her husband, Connor, received the surprise of a lifetime. With no family history of multiples, they learned that their one year old daughter, Luna, would soon have three brothers: spontaneous, identical triplets. Cruz, Mac, and Leo shared a single placenta. Mac and Leo shared an amniotic sac. The pregnancy was high risk for Rosie and all three babies, but especially for Leo. Leo was at highest risk because of not only his “living situation” with Mac, but because an anatomy scan showed that he had a shift in his heart placement.  After the boys were born at 30.5 weeks, Mac and Cruz stayed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for 52 days and Leo, two days after being born and in the NICU, was rushed to Seattle Children’s Hospital for an emergency surgery to correct an intestinal obstruction. This was the start of “Leo the Lion’s” 13-month rollercoaster hospital stay and his fight for his little life. In this week’s episode, Rosie shares her courageous journey of a mother’s love, shining a beacon of hope for families with medically fragile babies. She also describes the intense journey of mothering four children, living in three locations due to medical necessity. Rosie speaks truth to power in navigating the healthcare system, receiving support from her community, and her ongoing recovery from the trauma of her experiences. 

In this brief episode, published Christmas Eve 2024, host Liz Ficken breaks down the probability of life existing on earth, and the (un)likelihood of any of us even existing. The reminder is that we are all precious, special, and unique. Our stories are worthy of sharing and may help someone else in a way we couldn't anticipate. The call to action is this: care for yourself. You're the only one who will get the chance to live with you the entirety of your life, so honor what you need and take good care of yourself now and into the new year. References: Human generation times across the past 250,000 years | Science Advances Earth May Be a 1-in-700-Quintillion Kind of Place | Discover Magazine

Representative Phillip Ensler represents Alabama's 74th District. Born and raised in New York City, Phil's Jewish faith led him to early interest in civil rights and political activism. From service in President Obama's administration to Teach for America to law school to advocating for a better world for his constituents, Phil has spent a majority of his adult life giving back. In this episode, we learn about his career path and desire to follow in the footsteps of civil rights leaders in our modern era. Phil relates to many of our Uniquely Qualified community members in recently becoming acquainted with deep grief. In 2023, Phil's father Stefan passed away. At the close of this episode, we discuss death and mourning traditions in the Jewish faith while Phil fondly remembers the special bond he had with his dad. Representative Ensler's website: Home - Phillip Ensler Representative for Alabama House District 74

Taylor waited her whole life to meet her sweet son. After a healthy pregnancy, Taylor experienced an unexpected, traumatic, life changing birth. Between 52 hours of labor, medical complications, and well-intentioned medical professionals making in appropriate remarks, Taylor is among the 45% of births considered traumatic. In this episode, Taylor shares her story hoping to generate awareness on the prevalence of birth trauma. She also outlines how to be kind to traumatized postpartum parents and access compassionate community as a part of the healing process. March of Dimes, traumatic birth fact sheet: FINAL VERSION - Birth Trauma Fact Sheet See all other show notes on our Instagram page @UniquelyQualifiedPod

Jessi's profound grief and joy were activated by losing two close family members while also being a new, first-time mom to a beautiful, healthy son, born with hearing impairment. Jessi's story is one of resilience, the importance of community, and the transformative power of love and connection. From learning American Sign Language (ASL), to immersing herself in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) community, to discovering the complexities of parenting in a world that often overlooks the needs of differently abled children, Jessi is a powerful example of the limitlessness of a mother's love and a rally cry for us all to be kind, curious, and aware. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Uniquely Qualified Podcast 00:59 Jessi's Family Dynamics and Loss 03:54 Navigating Joy and Grief 08:07 The Birth Experience and Initial Concerns 12:07 Hearing Tests and Diagnosis 20:10 Coping with the Diagnosis and Learning ASL 36:43 Navigating Parental Fears and Emotional Struggles 39:02 The Importance of Community and Communication 42:41 The Weight of Expectations and Self-Compassion 45:13 Understanding Hurtful Comments and Their Impact 51:21 The Reality of Hearing Loss and Parental Awareness 55:20 Language Acquisition and the Importance of ASL 01:00:26 Empowering Choices and Identity in Deaf Culture 01:10:15 Navigating Resources and Advocacy for Deaf Children 01:12:28 Building Community for Children with Hearing Differences 01:15:00 Navigating Educational Choices for Hearing Impaired Children 01:22:31 The Importance of Communication and Awareness 01:30:09 Embracing Technology for Better Communication 01:35:23 Understanding Deafness and the Brain 01:37:23 Encouragement for Parents of Hearing Impaired Children

Host Liz Ficken discusses her motivation to start Uniquely Qualified, normalizes holiday grief, and provides some suggestions for how we might care for ourselves during the 2024 holiday season.

Happy go lucky Jenna never wanted to be a burden to anyone. She spent years suppressing grief, a grief almost no one new she carried. But when Jenna's grandmother passed away in 2023, she knew she couldn't continue to suffer at the expense of her own quality of life any longer. Jenna leaned into discomfort, contacted a therapist, and opened herself to the grieving process. In this episode, Jenna embraces the dissonance of the human experience by sharing the unconditional love of her family while acknowledging her father's addiction, harmful choices, and his accidental fatal overdose in 2007. Jenna embodies the spirit of Uniquely Qualified in embracing grief, "doing the work" in therapy, and reminding fellow children of addicts that they are not alone. SPOILER ALERT: Spoilers from the Harry Potter and A Court of Thorns and Roses are a topic of discussion in this episode.

High achiever Emily internalized the prevalent toxic diet culture of the early 2000s. Starting when she was a sophomore in high school, Emily's eating and exercising served one purpose: keeping her body as small as possible. But when Emily off to college and saw how toxic diet culture harmed many of her peers, she started to wonder if maybe health and fitness didn't have to be so all consuming. Seeing other women at her gym enjoying their lives in a non-controlling way, Emily experienced an internal shift and wanted to help other people reject society's damaging messaging and embrace their own strength. with significant industry experience and education and hand, Emily founded HeartMyBody Fitness LLC in 2018 with the goal of helping women love their bodies. Emily embodies the spirit of Uniquely Qualified in embracing vulnerability, walking the talk, and empowering clients in all phases of their fitness journeys. Helpful Links: Emily's company site: HeartMyBody Fitness, LLC HeartMyBody Instagram Glamour Article If You Survived the Early 2000s Without Body Issues Congratulations by Michelle Konstantinovsky National Eating Disorders Association

After a typical, healthy pregnancy and the birth of her first daughter, Shannon’s world turned upside down when she suffered back-to-back miscarriages, experiencing unexpected loss and grief. After publicly and authentically sharing her grief journey on Instagram, Shannon realized just how many women are impacted by miscarriage and how few openly acknowledge the often acute, disenfranchised grief that can accompany pregnancy loss. Shannon embodies the spirit of Uniquely Qualified in embracing grief, living out loud, and making herself available to other women navigating the same loss. Episode links: American Psychological Association, The Hidden Grief of Miscarriage March of Dimes, Miscarriage Support Institute of Reproductive Grief Care As a Woman Podcast Episode (YouTube): Miscarriage and Loss Books we refer to: The Starts with the Egg, by Rebecca Fett It's Ok to not be Ok, by Dr. Marker Lerner

Andrea watched her mother and best friend Darlene battle acute myeloid leukemia 3 separate times. In 2015, the disease ultimately took Darlene’s life, forever altering the course of Andrea’s.From seeing a loved one navigate the medical system as a cancer patient, to years of grief and constant change, to eventually deciding to pursue a graduate degree in clinical mental health, Andrea courageously turned her pain into purpose and is now a practicing therapist.Andrea embodies the spirit of Uniquely Qualified in navigating grief, “doing the work” in therapy, and empowering her clients to heal and grow. Episode Links: American Cancer Society Be The Match NAR Anon Groups