What happens when a restless teen obsessed with learning Spanish turns her determination into a lifelong adventure? Meet Regina Winkle-Bryan, founder of Bold Spirit Travel, a company that helps women confidently take their first solo journeys in community with others.

Regina shares how failing Spanish 101 didn’t stop her—it fueled her. From immersive travel and early stumbles to building a successful women-centered travel company, Regina’s story is a masterclass in persistence, creativity, and believing in your inner voice—even when it feels out of sync with everyone around you.

We also talk about the transformative power of travel later in life—especially after divorce, retirement, grief, or illness—and why solo travel (or “solo-ish” travel) can help us reclaim independence, courage, and joy.

Whether you're dreaming of Spain’s Camino de Santiago, struggling to give yourself permission to go alone, or just need a boost of encouragement—this one’s for you.

Connect with Regina at https://www.boldspirittravel.com/journeys.

You Will Learn:

• How failing at a goal (like language learning) can still lead you exactly where you need to go
• Why solo travel often creates community, not isolation
• Ways travel helps midlife women build resilience, especially after major life transitions

🎙️ Tune in wherever you get your podcasts or visit lameredith.com

Lizbeth’s links

Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth's latest podcast episodes, books, and appearances at https://lameredith.com

What happens when a family secret rewrites everything you thought you knew? In this heartfelt and powerful conversation, author and mental health advocate Lisa Sugarman joins Persistence U with Lizbeth to share her story of losing her father—twice.

Told as a child that her father died of a heart attack, Lisa didn’t discover the truth about his suicide until 35 years later. That revelation not only reshaped her personal narrative but became the catalyst for a career shift toward suicide prevention and mental wellness. Lisa shares how grief changed her, the importance of breaking the silence around suicide, and how she’s now helping others through her work with The Trevor Project, NAMI, Samaritans, and her own platform, The Help Hub.

You Will Learn:

• How delayed grief and truth-telling can reframe our stories
• The impact of high-functioning individuals who suffer in silence
• Practical tools and resources for suicide prevention and survivor support

Resources Mentioned:

• National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial or text 988
• Lisa Sugarman’s resource platform: The Help Hub
• The Trevor Project: thetrevorproject.org
• Samaritans SafePlace Support Groups
• NAMI’s Storytelling Program

Lizbeth’s links

Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth's latest podcast episodes, books, and appearances at https://lameredith.com

How do you keep going after unimaginable loss? In this heartfelt episode of Persistence U, grief educator, podcaster, and writer Lisa Ellison Cooper shares how the devastating death of her younger brother launched her into a journey of deep grief, self-exploration, and ultimately, healing.

Lisa discusses how writing became a lifeline—first as a way to process pain, and then as a tool to connect with others. Today, she uses her experience to support fellow writers navigating difficult personal narratives, offering workshops and coaching rooted in empathy and resilience.

Whether you're grieving, supporting someone who is, or learning to write through your pain, this conversation offers both comfort and clarity.

You Will Learn:

• Why grief often disrupts the writing process—and how to work with it, not against it
• How community and mentorship play critical roles in healing and creative growth
• Practical tips for writing your personal story with emotional safety and power

More About Lisa Ellison Cooper:

Connect with Lisa at lisaellison.com.

Lisa is a grief educator, essayist, and speaker whose work has appeared in Hippocampus, Kenyon Review, and The New York Times. She teaches writing classes on grief, healing, and resilience and believes storytelling can bridge the deepest divides.

Join Lisa's upcoming class, Free Your Writing Voice, Fuel Your Motivation, which will begin on September 18, 2025: https://lisacooperellison.com/free-your-writing-voice-find-your-motivation/

Lizbeth’s links

Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Wanting great guests for your podcast, or to be a great guest on someone else's show? Join PodMatch here!

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X

Sign up to stay in the know on Lizbeth's latest podcast episodes, books, and appearances at https://lameredith.com