What happens when life forces you to slow down? In this episode of Notable Peeps, Thomas “Tommy” Carchidi shares what life has looked like after being diagnosed with stage four lymphoma cancer. He opens up about the years of unexplained pain that led to his diagnosis, the realities of treatment, and what it truly means to be in remission while still carrying lingering physical and emotional effects. While undergoing treatment, Tommy was already attending law school, continuing his studies alongside hospital stays and recovery, after years working in law enforcement in places like Baltimore, Brooklyn, and Montgomery County. He also reflects on faith, identity, and why he chose to write and self-publish his memoir, A Life in Law Enforcement: A Police Memoir, The Good, The Bad, The Corrupt, as he continues moving forward with discipline, faith, and purpose.Buy Tommy's Book: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/52044525.Thomas_Carchidi

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-carchidi-653345331

Email: tcarchidi@hotmail.com

If life is starting to feel a little too predictable, Melissa Rodway is your reminder that you can choose a new challenge on purpose. In this episode, Melissa shares why she signed up for a stand-up comedy class just for fun (and how much work it really takes to earn a laugh), plus what it was like to self-publish her travel memoir built from the weekly emails she wrote during a four-month trip through Southeast Asia. She also talks about why the best part of doing hard things is the people you meet along the way, and what she’s going after in 2026.

You don’t hear this side of military life very often: it’s the everyday whiplash of going from a world where everything is decided for you (even your socks) to a civilian life where every tiny choice suddenly feels huge.

Tanya Lakins shares how growing up in a small town as a preacher’s daughter led her to join the Marine Corps, serve for 11 years, and then hit a wall when civilian life felt strangely harder than military life. She opens up about decision fatigue, losing built-in purpose and community, why so many veterans feel “lost” after separation, and how getting support through the VA helped start her recovery. You’ll also hear how she went from struggling to hold a job to building a wellness business that serves others (including veterans), and why she’s stepping into Missouri politics next to push for better veteran support where it’s needed most.