BumpInTheRoad

Pat Wetzel: Award Winning Author, Podcaster, Storyteller

Everyone hits a bump in the road. What do you do with it?  Be inspired as we explore the ways people experience, navigate and manage the ups and downs and twists and turns in this road trip called life. read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

Mark Steven Porro: From Bachelorhood to Bedside – A Son’s Journey
Today
Mark Steven Porro: From Bachelorhood to Bedside – A Son’s Journey
When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn: Embracing the Role of Caregiver   Imagine receiving a call that would turn your world upside down. For Mark Steven Porro, a carefree bachelor living in Los Angeles, that call came from his brother in New Jersey. Their mother was on her deathbed. Dropping everything, Mark flew home, not knowing that this trip would change his life forever. In the latest episode of ‘Bump in the Road,’ we hear Mark’s incredible story of transformation from an actor and entrepreneur to a devoted son and caregiver. His mother, once in a semi-comatose state, miraculously recovered after a rogue hospice nurse broke protocol, leading to Mark’s decision to move back into his childhood home and assume full-time care for his mother. Care often came down to the little things:   “One ​of ​the ​first ​things ​I ​did…She ​had ​these ​old ​drab ​day ​dresses ​and ​stuff ​like ​that. ​And ​I ​said, ​I ​don’t ​want ​my ​mom ​looking ​like ​an ​old ​lady. ​So I ​bought ​her ​a ​new ​wardrobe. And ​that ​cheered ​her ​up immensely.”   Mark’s narrative is not just a story of caregiving; it’s a journey of personal growth, humor, and empathy. He shares the challenges of changing diapers, learning to provide medical care, and even renovating the family home to make it more comfortable for his mother. Through it all, Mark maintains a sense of humor and a deep love for his mother, which he expresses in poignant, often hilarious anecdotes. The episode is a heartfelt exploration of what it means to care for someone at the end of their life. Mark’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the profound impact we can have on each other’s lives. It’s a narrative that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on the power of love and family.   It's an Amazon best selling book!   What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us   Follow Bump on: ➡️  Twitter ➡️  Facebook ➡️  Substack ➡️  Instagram ➡️  YouTube
Thom Walters: The Zen of Change
1w ago
Thom Walters: The Zen of Change
Tom Walters is the creator and host of the popular podcast Zen Communter. Thom is a long time meditator, meditation teacher and speaker with over 40 years of experience. In this podcast Thom shares  his thoughts and experiences on  the transformative power of meditation, from its ability to shift our perceptions to its role as a gateway to inner peace. Thom expresses his gratitude for his life and for his podcast guests:   “I’m just surrounded by love and wisdom every day.”    Join us as we explore how meditation can change not just our minds, but our entire approach to life, and how embracing change can lead to a deeper, more fulfilling existence. Listen in and find out why, despite life’s ups and downs, Tom wouldn’t change a thing about his journey. And for a special treat, the second half of the podcast, behind the scenes of the main podcast. This is usually available only for Bump II subscribers. Click here to access it. Enjoy, and if you can, please consider supporting this podcast!   It's an Amazon best selling book!   What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us   Follow Bump on: ➡️  Twitter ➡️  Facebook ➡️  Substack ➡️  Instagram ➡️  YouTube
Kevin Palmieri: Is There More Than Making Money?
10-04-2024
Kevin Palmieri: Is There More Than Making Money?
Have you ever wondered if there’s more to life than the pursuit of money? Kevin Palmieri tested the limits of success as he shares his remarkable story of leaving behind a six-figure job to chase a dream that many would consider a gamble—becoming a full-time podcaster. It seemed like Kevin had it all: the car, the girl, the income.   “Everything looked amazing. But truthfully, if you took a deeper look inside and you could see how I felt, I was super insecure. I lacked confidence. I had very little direction. I was afraid of my own shadow. I just was not well developed as a man.”   And then everything fell apart. Kevin talks about how he confronted his insecurities, overcame societal expectations, and ultimately found fulfillment not in his bank account, but in his daily actions and pursuit of growth. Kevin’s transformation from a high-earner to a passionate podcaster is not just about career change; it’s about redefining success on his own terms. It’s about the realization that self-worth isn’t tied to a paycheck and that fulfillment comes from growth, contribution, and purpose. This episode is a profound look at what it means to live consciously and make choices that align with your deepest values. If you’re ready to be moved, motivated, and possibly even reconsider what you’re chasing in life, then you won’t want to miss this conversation.   It's an Amazon best selling book!   What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us   Follow Bump on: ➡️  Twitter ➡️  Facebook ➡️  Substack ➡️  Instagram ➡️  YouTube
Dana Killion: Healing From Betrayal
03-04-2024
Dana Killion: Healing From Betrayal
Healing From Betrayal   In the shadows of a seemingly perfect life, Dana Killian found herself grappling with a reality she never expected. Married to a high-functioning alcoholic, Dana’s world was one of confusion, betrayal, and silent suffering—a story that many share but few dare to tell. Dana offers a candid look into the heart-wrenching journey of being the sober partner to an addict. From the initial denial and confusion to the painful acknowledgment of her husband’s addiction and infidelity, Dana’s story is one of raw honesty and vulnerability. Dana’s account is ultimately one of immense personal growth and healing. Her resilience inspires as she talks about transforming her pain into a source of strength, learning to trust herself again, and ultimately finding a newfound sense of self-worth and happiness. This story  is not just for those who have experienced the pain of addiction in their lives. It’s a universal story of overcoming adversity, the power of self-reflection, and the human capacity for change. Dana’s journey teaches us that even in our darkest moments, there is hope, and healing is possible.   Libsyn     It's an Amazon best selling book!   What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us   Follow Bump on: ➡️  Twitter ➡️  Facebook ➡️  Substack ➡️  Instagram ➡️  YouTube
June Edward: An NDE and A Journey Beyond the Veil
27-03-2024
June Edward: An NDE and A Journey Beyond the Veil
Psychic Journeys and a Near Death Experience (NDE)   Have you ever wondered what lies beyond the veil of our physical world? June Edward’s journey may offer a glimpse into that mystery. Born with innate psychic abilities, June’s childhood was filled with otherworldly experiences.  A near-death experience (NDE) at 27 changed the course of her life. She returned to her body with a renewed sense of purpose to help people connect with lost loved ones. As a medium, June finds answers that only someone with her experience can provide. She also delves into the concept of karma, past lives, and the Akashic records, providing a fascinating perspective on the continuity of our souls.   "Your book of life is kept in the Akashic record room, which is the lowest level of heaven int he fifth dimension."   June’s life has not always been easy and her path is a reminder that often it’s the most challenging paths that lead to the greatest growth. Her story is not just about psychic phenomena; it’s about the human condition, the search for meaning, and the interconnectedness of our experiences. Be moved, inspired, and perhaps even transformed. June Edward’s journey is a reminder that there is more to this life—and the next—than meets the eye.   Libsyn     It's an Amazon best selling book!   What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us   Follow Bump on: ➡️  Twitter ➡️  Facebook ➡️  Substack ➡️  Instagram ➡️  YouTube
Nicole Byars: Personal Transformation for Inner Peace
28-02-2024
Nicole Byars: Personal Transformation for Inner Peace
Have you ever wondered what it truly means to transform your life?  Meet Nicole Byars, a woman whose journey epitomizes the essence of personal transformation and the power of self-discovery. Nicole’s story begins in the familiar corridors of high achievement and people-pleasing. Raised in a family that valued success, she followed a path that many of us know all too well: striving for academic excellence, attending a prestigious university, and landing a job in corporate America. Yet, beneath the surface of her seemingly perfect life, Nicole grappled with an eating disorder and a marriage that left her feeling lost and alone. This episode is an invitation to reflect on our own lives. Nicole’s experiences prompt us to ask ourselves: Are we living in alignment with our hearts? Are we taking care of ourselves as we should? And most importantly, are we open to the changes that life inevitably brings? #personaldevelopment #yoga #anorexia     It's an Amazon best selling book!   What they're saying: “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us   Follow Bump on: Twitter Facebook Substack Instagram YouTube
Jessica West: An Accident, An Injury and A Purpose
14-02-2024
Jessica West: An Accident, An Injury and A Purpose
An Accident, An Injury and A Purpose   Jessica’s life was transformed when her car was t-boned in a horrific accident. Waking up in the hospital with a broken neck, multiple pelvic fractures, and a severe brain injury, she was faced with a prognosis that spelled a lifetime of dependency and limitations. But Jessica’s narrative doesn’t end there; it’s where her true journey begins. Jessica’s story is not just about physical recovery; it’s about the mental and emotional metamorphosis that occurs when one is pushed to the edge. It’s about rediscovering oneself, overcoming deep doubt, and learning to create a new life.   “Imagination is really the start of being able to create the life that you want and really create anything in life.”   In spite of a grim prognosis that projected Jessica’s days of independence were over, Jessica healed and completed her bachelor’s degree. She lives independently and runs her own business. This conversation is about self-awareness and empowerment. Jessica’s insights into the power of thought, the importance of self-love, and the art of imagination offer a roadmap for anyone looking to transform their life from within. Join us in a remarkable discussion of self awareness and empowerment that can come from a bump in the road.   It's an Amazon best selling book!   What they're saying: “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us   Follow Bump on: Twitter Facebook Substack Instagram YouTube
Chuck Price: Left Brain/Right Brain
07-02-2024
Chuck Price: Left Brain/Right Brain
The Need To Rewire The Professional Brain   Chuck Price is a lawyer by trade, but a wisdom seeker by nature. His openness and curiosity led him down a most unusual path, a path towards greater personal authenticity, presence, and awareness. He’s written a book called Rewiring the White Collar Mind. Now he talks to other professionals about finding your way in a linear, left brain profession while holding on to your humanity along the way. Chuck talks about the value of creating a balanced life and of learning the art of being present. Why is presence important?   "We're never taught to live right now."   Our professional schools emphasize left brain learning, crucial to mastering a lot of information.   "What you're actually learning to do is to have an extremely unbalanced life, totally left brain and totally based on what you're going to accomplish."   But what about the things you might experience? Join us for a thoughtful discussion of what creates a good life.   It's an Amazon best selling book!   What they're saying: “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us Follow Bump on: Twitter Facebook Substack Instagram YouTube
Zya Be: The Conundrum of Retirement
31-01-2024
Zya Be: The Conundrum of Retirement
Zya ​B ​Built ​a ​successful ​corporate ​career ​in ​organizational ​change ​consulting, ​including ​starting ​her ​own ​company. She’s ​traveled ​the ​globe ​solo, ​contributed ​to ​a ​best ​selling ​book ​on ​creativity, ​and ​now ​she ​has ​her ​own ​podcast, ​Your Hell Yes Life where ​she ​tells ​the ​stories ​of ​other ​fearless ​women.  But fearlessness isn’t the only component of living a “Hell Yes Life”. The path comes with some bumps in the road. "So I semi-retired, but I was 48 at the time and people at 48 are not around. So I was actually quite bored for a year." She realized that what she was looking for was a deep ​inner ​yes. ​Zya reflects: "That one that I yearned to follow all those years when I was doing what I thought I should do, when I was just following the money instead of my heart. I finally made it out." Which ​raises ​the ​question ​of ​what ​does ​your ​soul ​yearn ​to ​do? ​And ​what’s ​holding ​you ​back?   It's an Amazon best selling book!   What they're saying: “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Follow Bump on: Twitter Facebook Substack Instagram YouTube
Tonia Winchester: Neurolinguistic Programming and Your Health
24-01-2024
Tonia Winchester: Neurolinguistic Programming and Your Health
Tonia ​Winchester ​is ​a ​treasure. ​She’s ​a ​naturopathic ​doctor ​who ​helps ​people ​heal, ​but ​her ​interest ​in ​healing ​goes ​way ​beyond ​bodily ​health. ​She ​uses ​neurolinguistic ​programming, ​or ​NLP, ​to ​help ​people ​change ​their ​subconscious ​beliefs ​and ​their ​patterns ​of ​behavior ​to ​change ​their ​lives. ​Tonia ​talks ​about ​this ​in ​her ​book, ​Breakthrough ​the ​Insomnia ​Cycle, ​how ​to ​sleep ​deeply, ​wake ​rested, ​and ​enjoy ​happy, ​energized ​days. ​• This ​podcast ​is ​about ​discovery. ​It’s ​about ​finding ​a ​path ​to ​healing ​your ​emotional ​memories ​and ​experiences ​to ​realize ​your ​very ​best ​life. As Tonia notes: "Most patients come to me as a naturopathic doctor because they have tried everything medically, and there's no options for them. They're fine on paper and they feel like garbage. So there's nothing that western medicine can do for them."  And that is where Tonia comes in.   It's an Amazon best selling book!   What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Follow Bump on: Twitter Facebook Substack Instagram YouTube
Jacklyn Ryan: Scary Stories from Hiring a Caregiver
10-01-2024
Jacklyn Ryan: Scary Stories from Hiring a Caregiver
Caring for a loved on is a rocky road both financially and emotionally. Add in a hired caregiver, who may or may not pass a background check, and you have a situation that can go haywire quickly. Jacklyn learned this the hard way. In her book, she shares stories about caregiving and reveals an industry that is sloppy in its hiring practices and rife with opportunities to financially take advantage of the very people they’re hired to care for. From first hand experience, she notes that "a common problem with the caregivers is the financial exploitation." “There’s also mental exploitation,” she explains.  Jacklyn’s stories will scare you. And they should. Caregiving situations are something most of us will face and Jacklyn’s experiences and insights might just save you. Her book is called  Caregivers ScareTakers. "Talk with your loved ones before a crisis happens," she warns. And in this podcast she shares some real life stories about the hazards of hiring a caregiver.   It's an Amazon best selling book!   What they're saying: “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”  –Gary Hensel   Follow Bump on: Twitter Facebook Substack Instagram YouTube
Melissa Foote: Where Do Risk and Reward Come Together?
27-12-2023
Melissa Foote: Where Do Risk and Reward Come Together?
What is a risk to you? For most of us, it’s anything outside our comfort zone. And Melissa Foote stepped right outside those boundaries when she left an 18 year teaching career behind to start her own business. Melissa’s love of teaching had gotten bogged down in many of the group think and administrative aspects of the career. Her last decade of life had been consumed by family, work and school. There was no time left for her. She notes:   "I think as women, we just start our families and then our wholelife evolves around family life and we forget to take care of ourselves. And so ten years went by and I was just on autopilot livng mylife. It was like groundhog day." Visiting a women’s business conference snapped her out of her rut. "I would rather be surrounded by that positive energy that's just so full of life and excietment than living eh next 10-15 years of my life in an environment where everybod's just kind of getting by." That conference made her realize there is so much more, And with that realization, she changed her life.   It's a book!   What they're saying: “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.”  –Pragito Dove, author of #1 Amazon best-selling Lunchtime Enlightenment: Expressive Meditations for Manifesting Peace, Prosperity, and Passion   Follow Bump on: Twitter Facebook Substack Instagram YouTube