The Brave Files

Sean Spence: Everyday Activism

Sean Spence has spent his life helping others. He started activism young, and since then has continued trying to help make the world a better place, while still recognizing his privilege in life. He has done everything from organizing HIV testing days in the 80s, to raising money for public radio by breaking world records. This week’s episode is full of everyday bravery, choosing happiness, and the small things that everyone can do to make the world better.Top TakeawaysYou can be friends with someone without agreeing with them on everything.Helping others is sometimes the best way to help yourself.Failure can help as much as success, especially if the cause is worthwhile.Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here.ORDER YOUR COPY OF F*CK FEARLESS - MAKING THE BRAVE LEAP TODAY, Click Here!Check out The Brave Files Book Collection here! Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave on Purpose. Join here. Share your feedback by emailing heather@vickeryandco.comGrab your BRAVE AF and GRATEFUL AF swag now. 

Dana Heino: Braving The Unacceptable

Impact •  Believe • SupportDana Heino experienced every parent's nightmare when her two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a rare variety of brain cancer. Despite a long and painful battle, Avery did not survive. Dana now works to teach medical advocacy for parents and makes sure Avery remains a prominent part of her family. This episode, both beautiful and heart-wrenching, proves that family is truly one of the strongest bonds in the world but so is community. This is a story about love, faith, and believing in that which is not visible to keep going.Top TakeawaysAdvocate for what you and your family needs at all times.There are always ways to include loved ones that have passed into your family celebrations and rituals. There is a silver lining in everything, even in the absolute darkest moments.Faith can sometimes be the thing that saves us.Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here.PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY OF F*CK FEARLESS - MAKING THE BRAVE LEAP TODAY, Click Here!Check out The Brave Files Book Collection here! Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave on Purpose. Join here. Share your feedback by emailing heather@vickeryandco.comGrab your BRAVE AF and GRATEFUL AF swag now. 

Heather Vickery: Heather’s Brave Book Journey (Solo Episode)

Today on the Brave Files, Heather Vickery is her own guest. Having written just released her new book, F*CK FEARLESS - Making The Brave Leap, Heather is providing insights into her brave book journey including the writing process, publication, and even some sneak peeks into the well-anticipated book itself. Short and sweet, this episode of the Brave Files gives a little window into the behind-the-scenes of the Brave empire Heather has worked so hard to build.Top TakeawaysYou have to be honest about your fears in order to choose bravery.Fearlessness is not possible, but choosing to overcome your challenges is.Perfection isn’t what you should strive for.Deadlines are a necessary structure for achieving goals.Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here.PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY OF F*CK FEARLESS - MAKING THE BRAVE LEAP TODAY, Click Here!Check out The Brave Files Book Collection here! Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave on Purpose. Join here. Share your feedback by emailing heather@vickeryandco.comGrab your BRAVE AF and GRATEFUL AF swag now. Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.

Manuela Powell: Make a plan, but plan to change it!

Kindness • Connection • ExpansionPain is always something that helps you grow! Leaving a job you love to create a life you love even more is badass! That’s what this week’s guest, Dr. Manuela Powell did! Manuela is a powerhouse and a force who celebrates failure, loves herself fiercely, and helps others do the same! Through a hard but rewarding journey, Manuela has become a better mother, a better coach, and most importantly, a better ally to herself.Top TakeawaysWhen you stop looking for something, it may just appearTaking a break allows you to hone your craft and skill Knowing yourself doesn’t have to result in action, just knowing yourself more is helpful.Celebrate your failures! Mistakes are how you learn.Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here.PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY OF F*CK FEARLESS - MAKING THE BRAVE LEAP TODAY, Click Here!Check out The Brave Files Book Collection here! Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave on Purpose. Join here. Share your feedback by emailing heather@vickeryandco.comGrab your BRAVE AF and GRATEFUL AF swag now. Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.

Sonya Morton: Success Isn’t Always about Money

Reinvention • Unordinary • UnfinishedSonya Morton-Firth went from picked on kid to a cut-throat businesswoman making top dollar to jobless and burnt and, eventually, to hosting her own show. It was the hardest journey of her life, but she finally created her own version of success. Never let anyone tell you that you’re incapable, if there is a will, there is always a way. Top TakeawayNever let anyone tell you that you’re incapable, if there is a will, there is always a way.If there’s anything you’re doing right now, that you know you’ll regret later, change it.You have the ability to define your own success. Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here.Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave on Purpose. Join here. PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY OF F*CK FEARLESS: MAKING THE BRAVE LEAP HERECall 312-646-0205 to share feedback, ask questions, or tell us how you're choosing bravely!Grab your BRAVE AF and GRATEFUL AF swag now. Check out The Brave Files Book Collection here! Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.

Carlos Adell: Drug Dealer to CEO: A Story of Reinvention

Belief • Faith • CommitmentCarlos Adell’s journey to turning his life around could be called a miracle, but in truth, it speaks to his hard-working nature and passion for helping others. From drug dealer to CEO of a renowned consulting agency, Carlos lives to embody his core values and live life knowing he’s helping make the world better. It isn’t always easy, but he knows that every minute of it was worth it.Top TakeawaysNever take life for granted, recognize you have limited time, and live to your full potential.Stand for something, or you’ll fall for everything.Happiness isn’t achieved with a high-paying job, or a lot of money, but instead by finding your own path.Faith and belief are required for dreaming but those dreams won’t come true without commitment.Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here.Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave on Purpose. Join here. Email us  with thoughts, feedback or to share your brave stories at heather@vickeryanco.comGrab your BRAVE AF and GRATEFUL AF swag now. Check out The Brave Files Book Collection here! Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.

Christine McAlister: A Legacy For My Daughter

Resilient • Genuine • Passionate On the outside, Christine looks like she has it all figured out - some might even say her life looks “perfect.” But inside, she holds the hurt of losing her daughter Maeve, who was stillborn. But she still works to live her best life and create a legacy for her daughter. An author, coach, entrepreneur, and mother, Christine knows that she is capable and willing to live life with no regrets.Top TakeawaysLife can change drastically in a single moment. Everyone deals with grief and trauma in their own way, and coping in a way that feels authentic to you is the only road to healing.Sometimes the most you can do for the people around you is to live your life for yourself.It’s not about ‘can’ you do something, it’s about are you willing to?Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here.Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave on Purpose. Join here. Grab your BRAVE AF and GRATEFUL AF swag now. Check out The Brave Files Book Collection here! Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.

Ali Goodman: There’s Nothing to “Fix” Here

Intuitive • Raw • ResilientParenthood is rarely the journey we imagine it to be but when Ali Goodman discovered her son was Autistic, she had to recalibrate and learn to embrace and honor him just as he was. The journey towards acceptance and removing shame has been life-changing. Tune in to hear her inspiring story of love and resilience. Top TakeawaysThe child you imagine will likely never be the one you get, but you have to accept your child for all they are.Autism is not something you have to fix, it’s just the brain working differently.Navigating motherhood will never be easy, but it will be rewarding.You have to take care of yourself in order to take care of the people around you.Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here.Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave on Purpose. Join here. email heather@vickeryandco.com to share feedback, ask questions, or tell us how you're choosing bravely!Grab your BRAVE AF and GRATEFUL AF swag now. Check out The Brave Files Book Collection here! Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.

Etai Nahary: Disabled and Strong: Creating A Life Of Hope

Gentle • Curious • ConnectionEtai is a funny, engaging, passionate heart-centered human. He’s compassionate, kind, and leads by example. He also has Cerebral Palsy. While his CP has dedicated a lot of his life, it hasn’t stopped him from making his mark on the world- and the people around him. Etai works to make the world a better place through understanding the people around him and even speaks 7-10 languages simply so he can communicate with as many people as possible. Though his thoughts sometimes get the best of him, he endeavors to never let his insecurities take over.TakeawaysYou cannot always control your body’s abilities, but you can work to create a mindset that leads to empowerment, even if it’s difficult at the moment.Cultivating empathy will always get you farther than bitterness. Work to understand the people around you.Follow your passions, even if it seems difficult, living your truth will create the best life possible.Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here.Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave on Purpose. Join here. email heather@vickeryandco.com to share feedback, ask questions, or tell us how you're choosing bravely!Grab your BRAVE AF and GRATEFUL AF swag now. Check out The Brave Files Book Collection here! Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.

Mike Cortes: I Didn’t Feel Brave At All: A First Responder Remembers 9/11 (Replay Episode)

Attacked • Intentional • Repurpose20 years ago, on September 11, 2001, the world changed forever. The attacks of 9/11 took the lives of thousands and forever altered the lives of millions all over the world. Mike Cortes, a 9/11 first responder, honors the victims of the tragedy by sharing his story. Mike continues to carry out the legacy of the fallen through living his life with purpose and intention and he has a request for you. Mike’s story is one you shouldn’t miss.Top Takeaways It's important to work together to build a healthier, more loving, welcoming, and accepting community.We think we're given 75, 80, 90 years to live, but our time is never guaranteed.We're all going to have different views, but we can love each other. We can find common ground. Start with a conversation.Everybody remembers exactly where they were and how they felt on the morning of September 11. We all experienced that trauma together.Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here.Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave on Purpose. Join here. Call 312-646-0205 to share feedback, ask questions, or tell us how you're choosing bravely!Grab your BRAVE AF and GRATEFUL AF swag now. Check out The Brave Files Book Collection here! Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.