In this moving episode of Prevailing Through Pain, host Karen Cherry Brown sits down with Tasha Wesley—a sterile processing (SPD) manager in the Dallas–Fort Worth area—whose story begins in survival and blossoms into strength, leadership, and faith.

Tasha opens up about growing up without emotional safety, navigating domestic violence in her home, becoming pregnant as a teen, and being thrust into adult responsibilities far too early. She shares how motherhood matured her, why she chose a fresh start in Texas, and how discovering sterile processing gave her a purpose-driven career supporting safe surgery from behind the scenes.

Inside the industry, Tasha talks candidly about:

Why SPD is the starting point of patient safety (not “just sterilizing instruments”)

Educating the public and clinical teams on reprocessing standards

Transitioning from tech to leader—and setting boundaries when peers become direct reports

Raising a son and daughter with love and accountability (not coddling), and breaking generational cycles

The role of faith (the Book of Job) in enduring trials and finding the purpose in pain

Whether you’re an SPD professional, a healthcare leader, or someone pushing through a hard season, Tasha’s journey will remind you that the pain you’re facing can become the pathway to your purpose.

Highlights:

Surviving chaos and finding emotional safety

Teen pregnancy, hard choices, and starting over

Choosing sterile processing over surgical tech—and never looking back

Leadership lessons: professionalism, friendships at work, and “non-negotiables”

Encouragement for young moms and anyone fighting to change their story

If this helped you, please like, comment, and subscribe. Share this with someone who needs the reminder: what you don’t change, you’re choosing—and you can choose differently today.

#PrevailingThroughPain #SterileProcessing #SPD #HealthcareLeadership #Resilience #DomesticViolenceSurvivor #Faith #DallasFortWorth #WomenInHealthcare #PatientSafety

In this powerful episode of Prevailing Through Pain, host Karen Cherry Brown sits down with Michele Gomez Lafal — nurse, entrepreneur, and founder of Absolute Allied Health Academy.

Michele opens up about her childhood in Compton, growing up with parents battling addiction, and how those early struggles shaped her resilience. She shares her experience as a young mother facing misdiagnosis, domestic violence, and financial hardship — and how those painful seasons became the foundation for her career in nursing and, ultimately, her decision to build her own health academy.

Her story is one of perseverance, faith, and purpose. From working at a fish market as a teenager to creating her own “seat at the table” in healthcare education, Michele proves that no season of pain is wasted.

Learn more about Absolute Allied Health Academy: 402 W. Wheatland Rd, Suite 180, Duncanville, TX

Programs include Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy Tech, EKG Tech, Patient Care Tech, and more.

Watch now and be inspired to keep pushing through your own seasons of struggle — because your testimony might be the breakthrough someone else needs.

#PrevailingThroughPain #Perseverance #HealthcareLeadership #FaithAndResilience

In this powerful episode of Prevailing Through Pain, host Karen Cherry Brown sits down with Cynthia Thornton, author of Medical Mistakes Overcome by Miracles.

Cynthia’s journey is one of unimaginable trials and unshakable faith:

Surviving the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.

Enduring over 20 traumatic surgeries, including medical mistakes that could have cost her life.

Battling rejection, abandonment, obesity, and even a suicide attempt.

Finding healing through prayer, fasting, mentoring, and faith in God.

Cynthia’s story is not only about resilience—it’s about miracles, purpose, and the courage to rise again. Today, she is an author, mentor, and speaker inspiring others to trust God’s plan, no matter how broken life feels.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

What it was like to live through the Oklahoma City bombing.

How repeated medical errors shaped her belief that she was “broken”—and how God restored her.

The dark moments of childhood trauma, kidnapping, and rejection that tried to define her.

How she found strength, lost over 150 pounds, and reclaimed her life.

Why her book and faith-based message are helping others heal.

Connect with Cynthia:

Website: cynthiathornton.com

Her book is available wherever books are sold (Amazon, Walmart, etc.).

Want to share your story on Prevailing Through Pain?

Go to: karencherry.me/guest

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real stories of triumph, healing, and faith.

#PrevailingThroughPain #CynthiaThornton #Testimony #FaithOverFear #MedicalMiracles #SurvivorStory

In this powerful episode of Prevailing Through Pain, host Karen Terry Brown sits down with Yuvani “Yani” Lashley, President and CEO of a Dallas–Fort Worth hospital, to uncover her remarkable story of perseverance.

Born in St. Vincent and raised in a large family with limited resources, Yuvani shares candidly about her childhood struggles—walking to school hungry, navigating shame, and being sent home for unpaid tuition. Through faith, family support, and the kindness of strangers, she rose above countless obstacles to pursue higher education, earn multiple degrees, and ultimately lead in healthcare.

Yuvani’s journey is a testimony to God’s provision and the power of resilience. From teaching high school at 18, to receiving life-changing scholarships and support from unlikely places, to becoming a hospital CEO, her story reminds us that humble beginnings don’t define the future.

Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about leadership, faith, purpose, and why Yuvani believes the greatest gift a leader can give is helping others feel seen, valued, and empowered.

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In this inspiring episode of Prevailing Through Pain, we sit down with Fernando Lopez, the Perioperative Supply Chain Manager at a major hospital in the Midwest, to uncover the powerful story behind the position.

From humble beginnings in a bilingual household…

To overcoming a challenging language barrier in grade school…

To starting his healthcare journey in the mailroom…

Fernando’s story is one of resilience, curiosity, and unshakable faith.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The pressure and responsibility of being the oldest sibling

How early experiences with diversity shaped his ability to lead

His powerful testimony of meeting Christ during a season of personal darkness

Why pride in your work — no matter the role — is the foundation of growth

How he turned mail delivery into mentorship and mastery of supply chain systems

Navigating workplace dynamics as he rose through the ranks

The high-stakes world of perioperative support and patient-first leadership

Fernando’s story reminds us:

Where you start doesn’t define where you’ll finish — but how you serve along the way does.

“If I can help someone have a better day, I will.” – Fernando Lopez

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In this powerful episode of Prevailing Through Pain, we sit down with Stacey Law — a respected SPD Director from the East Coast — as she takes us on a deeply personal journey from humble beginnings to healthcare leadership.

From childhood memories in Bridgeport to the heartbreak of watching her niece and nephew battle cystic fibrosis, Stacey opens up about the moments that shaped her. Discover how a chance application to sterile processing led to a 20-year career filled with resilience, reinvention, and real leadership.

She talks openly about:

Losing her dream of becoming a nurse and pivoting to a new path

Working the night shift for over 15 years while raising her kids

Facing rejection for leadership roles and proving people wrong

Earning trust, leading teams, and transforming departments from the inside out

This is more than a healthcare story. It's a leadership blueprint built on grit, compassion, and the courage to keep rising — no matter the pain.

Know someone who needs to hear this? Share it.

Want to be a guest on the show? Visit karencherry.me/guest

#PrevailingThroughPain #SterileProcessing #LeadershipJourney #WomenInHealthcare #HealthcareLeadership #SPD #Inspiration #StaceyLaw #CysticFibrosis #Perseverance #CareerGrowth

In this powerful episode of Prevailing Through Pain, Dr. Christal Foster opens up like never before — sharing how her upbringing, her struggles with depression, and her journey through leadership shaped the woman she is today.

As a pastor’s daughter turned physician, entrepreneur, and civic leader, Dr. Foster dives deep into the real cost of being "the strong one" — and how unspoken battles nearly broke her.

This episode explores:

The pressure of growing up in a high-expectation, high-visibility household

The quiet battle with early adulthood depression — and how she learned to heal

How being a high-functioning woman in leadership can mask internal struggles

Why setting boundaries and saying "no" saved her career and her peace

The journey from humble beginnings to launching a successful restaurant

Her message is clear: You don’t have to suffer in silence to lead with impact.

Want to share your own story? Apply to be a guest: karencherry.me/guest

Switching schools is hard. Doing it without your built-in best friends? Even harder.

️ Follow & Subscribe for More Motivational Stories:

Subscribe for more episodes of Prevailing Through Pain

Like, Comment & Share to inspire others!

Join us for a thoughtful exploration of leadership, personal growth, and the unspoken challenges that come with wearing a new hat in the workplace.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more engaging discussions on leadership, life, and success!

Subscribe for more real, raw conversations about family, faith, and resilience.

Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!