#232 The Healing Power of Writing: Turning Your Story Into a Book With Deanne Welsh Part 2
Release Date: 12/19/2025
#243 Creating Safe Spaces Through Trauma Informed Design With Sarah Trop
Hanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J. and Karen B. welcome special guest Sarah Trop—award-winning designer, author, founder of Funcycled, and winner of Flea Market Flip—for a powerful and inspiring conversation. Sarah shares her journey into design, including how she won Flea Market Flip. She specializes in trauma-informed design and has partnered with nonprofits serving survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and homelessness—transforming their spaces into safe, welcoming environments. Together, they explore how elements like color, patterns, lighting, and layout can either trigger the nervous...
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#242 From Trauma To Rest: Ending Child Bedlessness With Luke Mickelson Part 2
Hanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J is joined by special guest co-host Mandy—one of our board members and a familiar voice from past episodes—for an inspiring and eye-opening conversation with Luke Mickelson, founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the largest child bed charity in the United States. In part one, Luke shares his powerful story of discovering purpose and what led him to begin building beds for children who were sleeping on the floor. What started as a simple act of service has grown into a nationwide movement with a mission that no child sleeps on the floor in their town. Luke brings awareness to...
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#241 From Trauma to Rest: Ending Child Bedlessness With Luke Mickelson
Hanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J is joined by special guest co-host Mandy—one of our board members and a familiar voice from past episodes—for an inspiring and eye-opening conversation with Luke Mickelson, founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the largest child bed charity in the United States. In this episode, Luke shares his powerful story of discovering purpose and what led him to begin building beds for children who were sleeping on the floor. What started as a simple act of service has grown into a nationwide movement with a mission that no child sleeps on the floor in their town. Luke brings awareness to the...
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#240 From Dropout to Doctorate: Breaking the Chains of Educational Injustice With Dr. Terence Lester Part 2
Hanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J. and Karen W. welcome Dr. Terence Lester to the show. Dr. Lester is an author, storyteller, public speaker, and community activist, as well as the founder and executive director of Love Beyond Walls. In this episode, we discuss his powerful book From Dropout to Doctorate: Breaking the Chains of Educational Injustice. This conversation becomes raw, honest, and deeply personal as Dr. Lester shares his journey and challenges us to think differently about educational injustice. In a surprising twist, he also turns the conversation around and asks Brenda and Karen a few thoughtful...
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#239 From Dropout to Doctorate: Breaking the Chains of Educational Injustice with Dr. Terence Lester
Hanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J. and Karen W. welcome Dr. Terence Lester to the show. Dr. Lester is an author, storyteller, public speaker, and community activist, as well as the founder and executive director of Love Beyond Walls. In this episode, we discuss his powerful book From Dropout to Doctorate: Breaking the Chains of Educational Injustice. This conversation becomes raw, honest, and deeply personal as Dr. Lester shares his journey and challenges us to think differently about educational injustice. In a surprising twist, he also turns the conversation around and asks Brenda and Karen a few thoughtful...
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#238 Red Rover SOS: The Universal Call To End Human Trafficking With Sherrie Cavalari
Hanging Onto Hope Podcast
As one of our featured podcasts for Night of Hope 8, one of the largest anti–human trafficking awareness events in Arizona, Brenda J and Karen B are honored to interview Sherrie Cavalari, founder of Red Rover SOS. One of the most powerful moments in this episode is a simple phrase that could save a life: “Red Rover SOS.” If someone is being trafficked or feels unsafe, saying those words can discreetly alert someone nearby to call for help. It’s strategic. It’s simple. And it could make all the difference. Sherrie brings over 40 years of experience in broadcast media and marketing....
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#203 Human Trafficking And Grooming Prevention With Sheri Lopez, Founder of Pearl At The Mailbox Part 2
Hanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J and Karen W interview Sheri Lopez, Founder of Pearl At The Mailbox, which works to end child grooming and exploitation in America through prevention, education, and awareness. Sheri is also an Author, Speaker, Prevention Educator, Law Changer, and Family Advocate for the trafficked. Sheri tells her story of how she was groomed and trafficked at age 15 while she was living at home with her parents. She announces her Grooming Prevention Hotline (number below) to call if you think your child is being groomed to help prevent trafficking. Sheri talks about the dark web and some horrific...
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#202 Human Trafficking and Grooming Prevention With Sheri Lopez, Founder of Pearl At The Mailbox
Hanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J and Karen W interview Sheri Lopez, Founder of Pearl At The Mailbox, which works to end child grooming and exploitation in America through prevention, education, and awareness. Sheri is also an Author, Speaker, Prevention Educator, Law Changer, and Family Advocate for the trafficked. Sheri tells her story of how she was groomed and trafficked at age 15 while she was living at home with her parents. She announces her Grooming Prevention Hotline (number below) to call if you think your child is being groomed to help prevent trafficking. Sheri explains how churches need to be more...
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#97 Human Trafficking Education and Prevention With Jessica and Ruth
Hanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J and Karen W interview Jessica and Ruth, both who work with human trafficking victims through their non profits. Jessica tells her story of how she escaped human trafficking and her mother was actually trafficked. Both women talk about how they help human trafficking victims and discuss the signs to look for to help put an end to this horrific form of abuse and trauma. National Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888
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#98 Part 2 of Human Trafficking Education and Prevention With Jessica and Ruth
Hanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J and Karen W interview Jessica and Ruth, both who work with human trafficking victims through their non profits. Jessica tells her story of how she escaped human trafficking and her mother was actually trafficked. Both women talk about how they help human trafficking victims and discuss the signs to look for to help put an end to this horrific form of abuse and trauma. National Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888
info_outlineIf today’s episode encouraged you, visit https://deannewelsh.com for a free copy of When God Calls a Writer: Moving Past Insecurity to Write With Confidence, and look for the private Unstoppable Writers group on Facebook.
Deanne has offered a free mini guide as a gift below:
https://whengodfeelsfarawayagracefilledguideforchristianwriters-z4g.plannerpack.co/
In this episode, Brenda J. and Karen B. welcome Deanne Welsh—spiritual coach, spiritual director, author, and founder of the Unstoppable Writers community.
She offers practical, faith-filled guidance for writers at every stage, including how to start when writing feels heavy from trauma or grief, how to move past perfectionism and shame, and how to break projects into small, doable steps. Deanne gives Karen helpful direction on shaping years of journals into a book, and encourages Brenda with simple tools for writing to heal. She explains the difference between writing to heal and writing to publish, and reminds us that support—whether from a counselor, a trusted friend, or a writing community—can make all the difference.
This episode is filled with encouragement and hope. Healing and creativity go hand in hand, and you don’t have to have it all figured out. Simply begin—one word, one page at a time.