Hi Everyone.. I just want to THANK YOU. Thank you for taking time for YOU and leaving your own struggles for a moment ... to hear about stories of someone's life that might be able to make YOURS feel a bit different tomorrow. Soooo with this being said, this one is a DOOZY. I promise you it's a story like you have NEVER EVER heard before .... get your popcorn, your coffee, your white claw ... and just sit back, relax, listen ... laugh... cry... and remember, Have HOPE!

Hey Guys - I am going to preface by saying this is the LONGEST episode I have done clocking at 50 minutes! So if you are looking for a quickie ... this isn't the one! But afterall, we can't be satisfied with Quickies ALL the time right??? (That's what she said lol) Okay - so ... in order to understand the name of this episode, "The Five People You Meet on Earth" - you need to listen to the WHOLE thing .. but I promise you, this one is worth it! Get ready for a lot of laughs ... NO tears this time I promise. Also wondering what you guys like better? Shorter or Longer check ins? I'll probably mix it up ... kind of like my personality - I'm basically a box of chocolates ... you never know what you are going to get! Have a great day guys.

Hey guys! This is a quick fun one! I hope you like it ... it's all about music and how much ONE song can just change the direction of your entire day. And that's what happened to me today.

I promised in this one that I would post the recommended playlist that I dare you all to make on your phone today ... BUT ... you will have to pause the episode and write them down ... because by the time I posted it, my vibe had totally changed, and the below list of songs is more of an inspirational, "I am so much better than I was" type of feel. Both playlists are on my Spotify ... just depends on my mood (and yes, I have moods... it's allowed! There is a difference between a person who is more of a "moody" personality - or someone that is not properly medicated/treated for Bipolar disorder). ANYWAY ... happy listening!

Survivor - Destiny's Child

Lose Yourself - Eminem

Rise Up - Andra Day

When I Look at You - Miley Cyrus

She Used to be Mine - Sarah Barellis (for me, this was me for the past 7 years...)

My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion

Overcomer - Mandisa

Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell

Tell your Heart Beat Again - Danny Gokey (THIS ONE??? OMG FULL TEARS EVERY TIME)

This one focuses on the sweetest 94 year old man I've ever met. My mom has been a caregiver to him for the past 3 years ... and she has changed his life, as he has changed hers.

Unfortunately he has been hospitalized and in rehab for months now, my Mom visits him as much as she can, and he just sobs on her shoulder, bc all he wants to do is go home. Today was the first day I went inside with her to say hello ... and what I experienced I was not prepared for.

This "gentle giant" as I would call him ... 6'4" ... muscular, strong old man ... was sobbing like a baby, as my mom had her arms wrapped around him.. and he just kept saying over and over "I'm broken .. they broke me." ... It was probably one of the most heart-breaking things I've ever witnessed in my life and has now become a core memory that I will never forget. As I was there, it dawned on me, that I might be able to help.

So listen with me ... and I hope you leave with the message ... sometimes, you can go from Broken ... to Blessed, if you just have H.O.P.E - Hang On Pain Ends.

I've never claimed to be a Yogi. Most of all because I think the word "Yogi" is annoying. But, today ... on the yoga mat, felt like the first time in a very long time ... where I knew why I was there. In that Moment "in time" ... I knew I was meant to be there. So whether you know what a downward dog is or not... I think this is a good one. Especially for those of us that know, deep down in our hearts, it's time for a fresh start.

Good Morning. I wanted you to know this one was recorded in the morning ... because sometimes mornings are hardest for me. When I was in depression, the minute I woke up, before I opened my eyes, I would feel, for just a split second, that the depression had lifted... and I would have HOPE. And then ... my eyes would open, and I was still in the darkness. Similarly, when my Dad passed, I would wake up ... and say "Oh Dad, thank God you are still here ... I had the worst dream" ... And then my eyes would open, and I would remember the truth, my Daddy was gone forever.

So ... this morning was one where my emotions ran high, and when I record something like this, where I am crying and feeling so deeply, I think to myself, I should not post this one. And then my heart whispers, "Alana, this is the only one." - So here it is... Raw and Real... and please share to anyone struggling with Depression or Anxiety, or just struggling with LIFE, as my only wish for sharing my story in this way .... is to save somebody, when they can't seem to save themselves. Love you Dad.

This one started as I was washing a mug that I never knew I had .... and then turns into making talking about Signs that help when you lose someone that you loved. Being open, and receptive to the idea that just maybe ... there is more out there then just this? And that just maybe... your loved ones will be able to guide you more from HEAVEN than they ever could when they were here on Earth. Maybe making the little change of looking around for a sign ... a song, a number, a phrase ... it could be anything that means something to YOU ... that makes you FEEL ... feel Something!

Yesterday ... the song "Wind Beneath My Wings" came on ... out of nowhere. Haven't heard that song since Middle School, but always a song that hit my heart (probably because of the movie Beaches that was probably the saddest movie I had ever experienced EVER at that age).

But as this song came on yesterday ... I listened to the words ... "Did you ever know that You're my Hero ... and everything I would like to Be ... I could fly higher than an Eagle... For you are the wind beneath my Wings. " - Dad ... you are giving me Wings ... just like you always told me "Zib .. you can do anything you put your mind to ... You can Fly." I love you so much Dada.

This one came to me while I was putting away the dishes .... just a thought about how different it is when you can hear someone's voice ... but not have to commit to an actual phone call, but when you need more than just a text message. Of course it also starts to go in many different directions ... but somehow it always finds its way back ... thank you for all hanging in there with me so far! Hope you are enjoying "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" .... (disney world reference) ... Dad used to use that one a lot lol. Anyway, thanks for listening!