Tessa Belanger, who is half Algonquin and half Vietnamese, shares her journey of resilience and healing after experiencing childhood abuse. Tessa discusses her upbringing, the impact of her experiences on her mental health, and her journey to create 'Pass the Sage,' a platform for storytelling and healing. She emphasizes the importance of speaking out about trauma, the challenges of motherhood, and her commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices. Tessa's story is one of strength, transformation, and the power of community.

In this episode of Butler's Babble, host John Butler interviews Dr. Rob Kelly, a recovery expert who shares his incredible journey from a troubled childhood in Manchester, England, to becoming a successful doctor and entrepreneur in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Kelly discusses his early exposure to alcohol, the impact of addiction on his life, including homelessness and violence, and his eventual path to recovery. He emphasizes the importance of mindset in overcoming addiction and the need for open conversations about alcoholism. Dr. Kelly also highlights his current work helping others and the significance of family in his life.

Samantha talks about her tumultuous journey through childhood trauma, bullying, and addiction. She discusses her high school years marked by substance abuse and the challenges of motherhood in toxic relationships. Through her story, Samantha emphasizes the importance of healing, self-acceptance, and the ongoing journey of personal growth. she emphasizes the significance of seeking help, the power of sharing one's experiences, and the ongoing journey of healing and personal growth.

Dani shares her journey of addiction, starting with marijuana and alcohol in her early 20s. She discusses how her addiction escalated and affected her schooling, relationships, and mental health. Dani eventually sought help and found recovery through AA. Dani discusses her academic struggles, including being diagnosed with dyslexia and receiving special accommodations. She also opens up about her mental health challenges, including depression, self-harm, and an eating disorder.

Derrick McManus, a former South Australian police officer, shares his story of resilience and survival. After joining the police force, he eventually joined the special task and rescue group (also known as STAR). Derrick became a sniper, a diver, and trained with the SAS in counter-terrorism. He served with STAR for 11 years out of his 42-year police career. He shares his experience of being shot 14 times during a mission. He describes the events leading up to the shooting and the injuries he sustained. Despite being shot multiple times, McManus remained calm and focused on controlling panic and shock. After three hours, backup arrived and he was rescued.

Julia Pearce shares her personal journey of raising her son Dallin who had multiple disabilities. Sudden onset of his seizures, Dallin showed resilience and determination, relearning skills after each seizure. The cause of his seizures remains unknown, but Julia and her family continued to support him and celebrate his audacity to keep going. He lived his life to the fullest and inspired others with his strength and positivity until his untimely passing a month before his 22nd birthday. Original Video version of this podcast can be found at https://youtube.com/@butlersbabble

Christine Levesque shares her journey from a troubled childhood to becoming an advocate for autism awareness and support. Christine faced challenges in school due to language barriers. As a teenager, she experienced homelessness and couch-surfed to survive. Despite these hardships, Christine was determined to finish high school and pursue a better life. She eventually moved to Niagara Falls, where she faced a life-altering bus accident that left her bedridden and struggling with mental health issues. Christine's life took another turn when her son was diagnosed with severe autism, leading her to become an advocate for autism services and support. She overcame her own struggles with postpartum depression and isolation to fight for her son's rights and the rights of other families affected by autism.

Elizabeth shares her journey as a figure skater and the challenges she faced, including her coach's departure and personal struggles. She talks about the opportunity to train in Lake Placid and the difficult living conditions she experienced. Elizabeth opens up about her mental health issues and the stigma surrounding it. She discusses the intense training and loneliness she felt during that time. Elizabeth also shares a funny story from her experience at Nationals. In this conversation, Elizabeth Manley, an Olympic silver medalist in figure skating, shares her journey of overcoming mental health challenges and finding success. She discusses the cutthroat nature of figure skating and the rise of the sport's popularity. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of empowering and inspiring others, particularly in the context of mental health. She highlights the impact of mental health on performance and the need for support in the sports industry. Elizabeth also shares her personal experiences with online bullying and the power of words and support. She encourages individuals to pursue their passions and prioritize their mental health.