What happens when a child grows up surrounded by instability, trauma, addiction, and uncertainty, but someone finally says, “I see you. You matter. I’m here”?

In this powerful episode of Grit & Grace, host Dana Lyons sits down with Angie Newton, Executive Director of Salem Angels, to discuss childhood trauma, foster care, trauma informed care, addiction, resilience, healing, mentorship, motherhood, and the transformative power of consistent relationships.

Angie shares her deeply personal story of growing up in chaos, navigating difficult childhood experiences, loving a mother who struggled with addiction, and ultimately rebuilding their relationship before losing her to cancer. Through heartbreak, healing, and perseverance, Angie discovered that one safe, supportive relationship can change the course of a person's life.

Together, Dana and Angie explore how childhood adversity impacts development, why foster care support matters, how trauma affects families, and what it takes to break generational cycles. They also discuss the importance of mentoring youth, showing up consistently, and creating environments where children feel seen, valued, and safe.

Whether you are a parent, foster parent, mentor, educator, caregiver, or someone on your own healing journey, this conversation offers hope, wisdom, and practical insight into overcoming adversity and building resilience.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How childhood trauma shapes emotional and relational development

• Why trauma informed care is essential for children and families

• The lasting impact of addiction on families and relationships

• How foster care support and mentorship can change lives

• The role resilience plays in healing from difficult experiences

• Why one caring, consistent adult can alter a child's future

• How compassion, connection, and community help people heal

If you are passionate about personal growth, mental health, healing from trauma, foster care advocacy, parenting, mentorship, or inspiring stories of resilience, this episode is for you.

Subscribe to Grit & Grace on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that healing is possible and that showing up for others truly matters.

Follow Grit & Grace ⬇️
🌐 Website: https://www.gritandgraceenterprises.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritandgraceenterprises/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gritandgraceenterprises
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grit&graceenterprises

Connect with Angie Newton & Salem Angels

Salem Angels Website
https://www.salemangels.org/

Follow Salem Angels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salemangelsnonprofit

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salem_angels/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Salem-Angels

Connect with Angie Newton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angie.newton.9

Book Link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RH0E84

What happens when a man finally stops blaming everyone else and starts doing the hard work of facing himself?

In Episode 20 of the Grit & Grace Podcast, Dana sits down with author and speaker Paul Carlson for a powerful conversation about marriage, addiction, healing, identity, accountability, therapy, codependency, and the long journey of personal transformation.

Paul shares his deeply personal story of reaching a breaking point, watching his marriage struggle, and realizing that true change wouldn't happen until he took ownership of his own healing. Through honesty, hard work, counseling, and self-reflection, he began rebuilding his life from the inside out.

Together, Dana and Paul discuss:
• Marriage restoration and rebuilding trust
• Addiction recovery and emotional healing
• Codependency and unhealthy relationship patterns
• Personal accountability and growth
• Therapy, counseling, and self-awareness
• Communication in marriage and relationships
• Faith, grace, and second chances
• Finding hope during difficult seasons

This episode is especially meaningful for wives praying for restoration, couples working through challenges, individuals navigating recovery, and anyone seeking healthier relationships emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Paul Carlson's story is not about perfection, it's about progress.
It's a reminder that healing is possible, relationships can be rebuilt, and lasting change begins when we stop pointing fingers and start doing the work ourselves.

If you're struggling in your marriage, supporting someone through addiction recovery, working through codependency, or pursuing personal growth, this conversation offers practical wisdom, encouragement, and hope.

🎙 Subscribe to the Grit & Grace Podcast for honest conversations about faith, relationships, emotional wellness, healing, and living with purpose.

Connect with Paul Carlson
Website:
https://www.carlsontx.com/
Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/4400676890248075
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/paulcarlsontx/
Featured Book:
Where Are My Feet? Searching for My Path Through Addiction, Recovery, and Life
Available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Where-Are-My-Feet-Searching/dp/B0GH8Y2Q18

Be sure to connect with Paul online and check out his book to learn more about his journey and the lessons he's gained through recovery, accountability, and personal growth.

Follow Grit & Grace ⬇️
🌐 Website: https://www.gritandgraceenterprises.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritandgraceenterprises/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gritandgraceenterprises
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grit&graceenterprises

#PaulCarlson #MarriageRestoration #AddictionRecovery #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalHealing #RelationshipAdvice #CodependencyRecovery #MarriageHelp #Therapy #MentalHealth #FaithAndHealing #Accountability #ChristianMarriage #GritAndGracePodcast

Grit & Grace is packed with powerhouse women, hilarious stories, and the kind of real talk every woman needs to hear.
Host Dana Lyons sits down with Jackie Ellerbrock and Lori Haraldsen for a conversation that somehow includes community leadership, career pivots, penguins, honey badgers, accidental self-tasering, and a homeless woman chase scene straight out of a sitcom.
Jackie shares how she traded retail life at Office Depot and Babies R Us for purpose-driven leadership with Chamber Business Women (CBW), proving it’s never too late to build a legacy instead of just collecting paychecks. Lori opens up about her passion for supporting law enforcement through nonprofit foundations and why “Do It Anyway” has become her life motto.
Together, these women dive into:
✨ Midlife career reinvention
✨ Empowering women without the awkward spotlight
✨ Taking scary leaps toward fulfillment
✨ Community, leadership, and leaving a legacy
✨ Why women need friends who answer the phone immediately
✨ And exactly how many volts are too many volts
Between laugh-out-loud moments and deeply honest reflections, this episode is a reminder that purpose doesn’t expire with age — and neither does your ability to completely change your life.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, searching for more meaning, or just need a good laugh from three women who keep it painfully real, this episode will leave you inspired, empowered, and maybe slightly afraid of tasers.

👉 Hit subscribe for more real conversations, encouragement, and a whole lot of laughter!

Follow Grit & Grace ⬇️
🌐 Website: https://www.gritandgraceenterprises.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritandgraceenterprises/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gritandgraceenterprises
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grit&graceenterprises

#podcastforwomen #funny #womenempowerment #friends #story #shortsfeed #women