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What would you do if a doctor told you that you had a year to live?

For most people, a diagnosis of glioblastoma—the most aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer—would feel like the end of the story.

For Jody Mayo, it became the beginning of a new chapter.

In this powerful and deeply inspiring episode of Joy of the Hang, Sharon sits down with Jody to discuss the moment her life changed forever, the fear and uncertainty that followed, and the mindset that carried her through one of life's greatest challenges.

Together, they explore what happens when hope collides with impossible odds, how we find strength when the future feels uncertain, and why resilience is often built one day at a time.

This conversation isn't just about surviving cancer. It's about choosing to live fully, finding meaning in adversity, and discovering what truly matters when everything else falls away.

Whether you or someone you love has faced a serious illness—or you're simply navigating a difficult season of life—Jody's story is a powerful reminder that hope can exist even in our darkest moments.

In this episode:

• What it felt like to receive a glioblastoma diagnosis
• The emotional toll of facing a life-threatening illness
• How Jody found hope when the statistics weren't in her favor
• The role of mindset, resilience, and support during recovery
• What surviving cancer taught her about life, purpose, and gratitude
• Why none of us should wait to live the life we want

If this episode inspires you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs a little hope today.

#Glioblastoma #BrainCancerSurvivor #CancerSurvivor #Hope #Resilience #JoyOfTheHang #SharonStevenson #Inspiration #OvercomingAdversity #LifeAfterCancer

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What happens when the people shaping our youngest minds are overworked, underpaid, and unsupported?

In this eye-opening episode of Joy of the Hang, host Sharon Stevenson sits down with entrepreneur, former preschool teacher, and Ratio Staffing founder Paul Buckley to unpack the growing childcare and early education crisis happening across America.

After nearly 20 years working directly in preschool classrooms, Paul saw firsthand how broken the traditional staffing model had become—for teachers, schools, parents, and ultimately, children. So he built a platform designed to change it.

Together, Sharon and Paul explore:

• The hidden challenges facing early childhood educators
• Why teacher burnout and staffing shortages are reaching critical levels
• How traditional staffing agencies fail schools and educators
• The importance of flexibility, transparency, and fair pay
• Why supporting teachers directly impacts childhood development
• The future of preschool education and childcare in America
• How better systems create better classrooms—and better outcomes for kids

Before launching Ratio Staffing, Paul spent years in biotech manufacturing leadership, earning a Six Sigma Green Belt and leading global training initiatives. Now, he’s combining operational excellence with deep compassion for education to build a more sustainable future for schools and educators alike.

This conversation is powerful, timely, and deeply human—because behind every classroom is a teacher trying to make a difference.

If you care about education, parenting, leadership, workforce culture, or the future of children, this episode is a must-listen.

https://ratiostaffing.com/about-us

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What if one encouraging voice could change the trajectory of a child’s life?

In this heartfelt episode of Joy of the Hang, I sit down with educator, author, and storyteller Bridget Gengler, whose work has impacted generations of students over more than 30 years in education.

From the classroom to the pages of her children’s books, Bridget’s mission is simple but powerful: help people recognize their worth, find their voice, and believe in their own story.

We talk about:

• What today’s children are truly struggling with emotionally
• Why confidence and kindness must be intentionally taught
• The lasting impact teachers can have on a child’s identity
• Rediscovering yourself after divorce and major life changes
• How storytelling helps both children and adults heal, grow, and connect
• Why every person — no matter their age — has a story worth telling

Bridget is the author of Hold Your Head Up and Walk with Grace, You Have a Story to Tell!, Rediscovering You: A Guide to Life After Divorce, and her upcoming children’s book You Can Do Anything!

This conversation is uplifting, wise, and filled with reminders we all need — especially in a world where so many people feel unseen.

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📲 Share this episode with a teacher, parent, friend, or anyone who needs to be reminded that their story matters.

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What happens after the introduction?
After the networking event ends?
After you finally get a seat at the table?

In this episode of Joy of the Hang, I sit down with entrepreneur and community builder Coreena Breazeale to talk about the skill nobody teaches women: how to turn connection into real opportunity.

Coreena is the founder of multiple purpose-driven companies helping women lead, grow, and scale with more clarity, confidence, and intention. Through The Collective and Revive Connects, she’s helping founders move beyond surface-level networking and build relationships, systems, and strategies that actually create momentum.

We talk about:

• Why networking alone often fails women
• What successful women do differently once they’re “in the room”
• The importance of communication, follow-through, and visibility
• Building businesses without losing yourself in the process
• Why authentic connection is still one of the most powerful currencies we have

This conversation is honest, empowering, and deeply practical for women navigating leadership, entrepreneurship, growth, and reinvention.

If you’ve ever wondered why some conversations change lives while others go nowhere, this episode is for you.

🎙️ Follow Joy of the Hang on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
📲 Share this episode with a woman who’s ready to stop simply showing up — and start truly stepping into her power.

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Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang
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What if the pain you’ve been told to “live with” isn’t inevitable at all?

In this powerful episode of Joy of the Hang, Sharon sits down with Bruce Phelps—creator of the Stretch n’ Release Technique, founder of The Muscle Repair Shop, and author of Stretch n’ Release—to challenge everything we think we know about chronic pain, aging, and healing.

With a background in Aging Sciences and over two decades of hands-on experience, Bruce has helped thousands of people move beyond pain without relying on prescriptions, injections, or surgery. But what makes his story even more compelling is that his breakthrough didn’t begin in a lab—it began in his own body. While carrying an extra 135 pounds and battling severe back pain, Bruce set out to solve a problem most people are told to accept.

Together, Sharon and Bruce explore:

• Why pain is often misunderstood—and misdiagnosed
• The difference between managing pain and actually fixing it
• What your body is trying to tell you (and why most people miss it)
• How the Stretch n’ Release Technique works in real life
• What it really takes to reclaim mobility, strength, and confidence at any age

This conversation isn’t just about physical pain—it’s about reclaiming ownership of your body, challenging limiting beliefs, and realizing that what you’ve accepted as “normal” may not be normal at all.

If you’ve ever been told, “that’s just part of getting older,” this episode may change everything.

https://a.co/d/0gS8fdAS

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Some stories don’t just inspire you—they change you.

In this deeply moving episode of Joy of the Hang, Krystal Geist opens up about her journey through trauma, survival, and ultimately, transformation. As the founder of Her Warrior Heart, she’s on a mission to help women rediscover their strength and reclaim their lives.

Together, we explore what it means to heal emotionally, rebuild self-worth, and find connection after pain. This is a conversation about resilience, courage, and the kind of strength that doesn’t just survive—but rises.

If you’re on a healing journey or walking alongside someone who is, this episode is for you.

https://krystalgeist.com

https://shadowwarriorsproject.org/the-founders/

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Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang
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What does it truly mean to lead from the front—not just in combat, but in life?

In this powerful episode of Joy of the Hang, Sharon sits down with retired Brigadier General Remo Butler, a trailblazer, leader, and the first Black man to achieve the rank of Brigadier General in his division. With decades of military service and leadership at the highest levels, General Butler shares the principles that shaped his journey—and the personal battles he faced after the uniform came off.

We explore his newly released book, Lead from the Front, and the deeper meaning behind leadership, resilience, and responsibility. General Butler also opens up about the unseen cost of service, including his struggle with PTSD after retirement—and the pivotal role his wife played in helping him recognize it and begin the path to healing.

This is a conversation about courage, identity, and what it takes to lead when no one is watching.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What “leading from the front” really looks like beyond the battlefield
• The responsibility that comes with breaking barriers and making history
• The transition from military leadership to civilian life
• The hidden toll of service—and the power of asking for help
• Lessons from Lead from the Front that apply to all of us

https://a.co/d/07fKuWMZ

Support the show

Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang
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If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.

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What’s the secret to living a long life—and more importantly, a meaningful one?

At 101 years old, Olga Genersich has lived through over a century of change, challenge, love, and growth. In this powerful episode of Joy of the Hang, she shares her perspective on longevity, healthy aging, life lessons, and what truly matters in the end.

This isn’t about quick fixes or longevity hacks. It’s about the kind of wisdom that only comes from living—fully, deeply, and over time. Olga reflects on love, loss, resilience, relationships, and the small everyday choices that shape a life well-lived.

Her words are simple, honest, and unforgettable.

In this episode, we explore:
-How to live to 100 (and beyond)
-Longevity secrets from a 101-year-old woman
-Life lessons you can apply at any age
-The truth about happiness, resilience, and aging
-What really matters at the end of life
-How to live a meaningful, connected life

If you’ve ever wondered how to live longer—or how to live better—this conversation will stay with you.

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💛 Share this episode with someone you love—because the best conversations are the ones we pass on

Support the show

Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang
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If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.