In this powerful episode, Regina Lawless sits down with author and speaker Marial Dhal to explore how resilience, hope, and education helped him survive the trauma of being a child soldier in South Sudan. This conversation dives into healing after war, overcoming childhood trauma, and reclaiming your life after unthinkable adversity.

Marial shares his extraordinary journey from being abducted as a young boy during the South Sudan civil war to finding healing, family, and purpose through education and basketball. His story is a profound reminder that your circumstances do not define your destiny.

If you're interested in resilience, trauma healing, human rights stories, or personal transformation, this episode will move and inspire you.

• What resilience looks like in the face of life-altering trauma
• How education can become a lifeline and motivator for change
• The reality of child soldiers and the impact of war on youth
• How basketball became Marial’s therapy, structure, and healing
• The role of family, community, and culture in recovery
• Why hope and humility remain central to Marial’s journey
• How your story—and your suffering—can become a source of purpose

Marial Dhal is an author, speaker, and survivor of the South Sudan civil war. Forced into the life of a child soldier as a young boy, he escaped unimaginable violence and rebuilt his life with courage and hope. Today he uses storytelling to educate and inspire others about resilience, displacement, and the power of healing.

00:00 Introduction to Resilience and Hope

03:01 Life in South Sudan: Culture and Community

10:28 The Journey to Education: A Desire to Learn

18:47 Abduction into War: The Reality of Child Soldiers

26:24 Coping with Trauma: The Psychological Journey

31:33 The Reality of Being a Soldier

34:05 Indoctrination and Identity in Warfare

36:47 Coping with Trauma and Acceptance

38:05 The Journey to Escape

40:26 The Kindness of Strangers

41:52 Discovering Basketball in Refugee Life

46:03 Basketball as Therapy and Opportunity

52:49 Family and Joy in the Present

54:13 Sharing My Story Through My Book

✨ Book: Where is the Boy?: Escaping My Time as a Child Soldier

📧 Publicist Contact: Ni Ema Baptista | niema@niemabaptista.com

Website: https://www.reginalawless.com

Book: Do You — https://www.amazon.com/Do-You-Journey-Learning-MeaningFULL/dp/1639080783

YouTube: Soul Signal with Regina Lawless

Podcast: The BlissFULL Life

Social: @reginalawless across platforms

In this heartfelt episode of The BlissFULL Life, Regina Lawless speaks with licensed clinical social worker and author Ameshia Arthur about her powerful new book, You Are Not Selfish. Together, they unpack the deep-rooted pressures women face to give endlessly—and the liberation that comes from reclaiming joy, setting boundaries, and choosing self-care without guilt.

Ameshia shares wisdom from her late mother, insights from her work in mental health, and practical tools for balancing empathy with personal well-being. This conversation is a reminder that caring for yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

🔗 Connect with AMESHIA: arthurlcsw@protonmail.com | IG: @ameshiaarthur | LinkedIn: Ameshia Arthur

🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless

✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.

In this inspiring episode of The BlissFULL Life, Regina Lawless sits down with Lynne Walker—former banking executive and founder of Connect Consulting—to explore what it truly means to lead with heart. Lynne shares powerful lessons on resilience, mentorship, and navigating corporate spaces as a woman of color. From overcoming bias and loss to building meaningful relationships and embracing faith, her story is a testament to courage, grace, and gratitude. Tune in for wisdom on career growth, spiritual grounding, and finding laughter—even in life’s toughest moments.

🔗 Connect with LYNNE: https://connect-consultingllc.com/ | LinkedIn: Lynne Walker

🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless

✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.

In this episode of The BlissFULL Life, Regina Lawless sits down with Ali Greenberg, creative entrepreneur and co-founder of Capitalize on the Differentiator Rooted in YOU, for a heartfelt conversation about the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and emotional intelligence. From writing a musical to co-parenting a dog, Ali shares how embracing creativity and self-awareness can unlock peace, purpose, and joy in everyday life.

🔗 Connect with ALI: https://www.suckytosoulful.com | LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisongreenberg4/

🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless

✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.

In this episode of the BlissFULL Life, coach and former HR leader Nitya Shekar joins Regina Lawless to explore the power of creativity, improv, and inner child work in personal and professional growth. Together they unpack how reconnecting with joy, play, and autonomy can help you find your second wind in life and work.

🔗 Connect with NITYA: https://www.secondwindgroup.co/ | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nityashekar/

🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless

✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.

In this episode of the Blissful Life series, Regina Lawless interviews Adrienne Barrett, a Senior Manager at Intuit and co-leader of the Global Women's Network. They discuss Adrienne's journey into public speaking, the importance of mindset in professional growth, and the significance of self-care and coaching. Adrienne shares her insights on embracing the second chapter of life, where retirement is redefined, and how individuals can pursue their passions and purpose beyond traditional career paths. The conversation emphasizes the power of community, connection, and the courage to say yes to opportunities that can lead to personal and professional transformation.

🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless

✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.

In this episode of the Blissful Life, Regina Lawless speaks with Astrid Daniela Galvez, a tax and accounting professional who shares her journey into the world of finance and education. Astrid discusses her passion for empowering the Hispanic community through financial literacy and the importance of education as a tool for overcoming challenges. The conversation also touches on the significance of community support in public speaking and the need for building sustainable business legacies. Astrid emphasizes the validity of fears and insecurities in personal and professional growth, leaving listeners with a message of hope and determination.

🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless

✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.

In this conversation, Regina Lawless interviews Lynette Oss Connell, who shares her transformative journey from being a burnt-out CPA to becoming a coach and speaker. Lynette discusses the complexities of burnout, the importance of self-awareness, and the need for intentionality in life choices. She emphasizes the significance of taking agency in one's life and the power of storytelling in overcoming personal challenges. The discussion also touches on the neuroscience behind burnout and the importance of compassion and support in personal growth.

🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless

✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.