178. Breaking Free and Finding Peace: Jennifer Kenny Smith’s Journey to Healing and Surrender
Release Date: 02/25/2025
193. Finding Faith on the Side Road: Link Forester on Fatherhood, Loss, and Loving What Matters Most
Warriors Unmasked
What if the unexpected turns in life weren’t detours—but the actual path to everything that matters? In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with financial advisor, husband, father, and author Link Forester to talk about the moments that redefined his life. From becoming a father while still in college, to taking a leap of faith and leaving a stable career, to enduring every parent’s worst nightmare—the loss of a child—Link’s story is one of resilience grounded in faith, family, and a healthy dose of humor. Link shares how he and his wife Carla...
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192. From Chaos to Clarity: Dr. Lisa Nezneski’s Path to Healing, Resilience, and Mindful Living
Warriors Unmasked
What happens when your entire life crumbles in a matter of months? When the people you trust betray you, your health gives way, and you're left staring into a future you never expected? For Dr. Lisa Nezneski, that wasn’t a hypothetical—it was her reality. In this powerful episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Dr. Lisa—pharmacist, poet, mindfulness teacher, and shamanic healer—to explore her extraordinary journey from heartbreak and upheaval to deep healing and transformation. Lisa opens up about the moment she learned her wages were being garnished, how that shock...
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191. The Truth About Alzheimer’s: Caregiving, Cognitive Decline, and Compassion with Lisa Skinner
Warriors Unmasked
In this deeply educational and heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Lisa Skinner — a behavioral expert in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. With decades of experience as a community counselor, senior care director, and author of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s: Its Secret Faces, Lisa brings powerful insight to one of the most complex and misunderstood diseases of our time. As someone who has helped thousands of families — and cared for eight of her own family members with dementia — Lisa offers compassionate, practical advice...
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190. The Power of Intention and Human Performance with Dr. Toper Taylor
Warriors Unmasked
In this thought-provoking episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Dr. Toper Taylor—a seasoned executive, media innovator, and now, intention researcher—on a mission to explore the scientific potential of human thought. With a career rooted in global brand building and entertainment leadership, Dr. Taylor now turns his curiosity toward how our minds shape reality and how intention can impact human performance, mental health, and our overall experience of life. Chuck and Dr. Taylor dive deep into what intention truly is—beyond casual goals—and how it exists as energy that can...
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189. Healing from Infidelity: A Conversation with Dr. Talal H. Alsaleem
Warriors Unmasked
In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Dr. Talal H. Alsaleem—founder of The Infidelity Counseling Center and creator of Systematic Affair Recovery Therapy (SART™)—to explore why infidelity happens, how it impacts both partners, and practical steps couples can take to heal and prevent future betrayal. Through candid anecdotes and evidence-based insights, Dr. Alsaleem walks listeners through the emotional aftermath of an affair, emphasizing the importance of empathy, self-reflection, and structured therapy. He delves into the nuances of rebuilding trust,...
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188. Why Coaches Need Mental Health Support Too with Carly Baker
Warriors Unmasked
In this important and timely episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Carly Baker, head coach of the Women's Rugby program at Endicott College and Assistant Director of the Graduate Sport Leadership Program. Carly brings a powerful and honest voice to a topic that often goes overlooked—the mental health and wellbeing of coaches. As a former multi-sport athlete turned professor and coach, Carly shares a unique, dual perspective. She opens up about the pressure to win, the relentless expectations placed on coaches, and the emotional toll it can take behind the scenes—even in...
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187. How Somatic Stillness Can Heal the Mind with Will Johnson
Warriors Unmasked
In this deeply moving episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes author, teacher, and embodiment pioneer Will Johnson—founder of the Institute for Embodiment Training and author of Breathing Through the Whole Body. Will shares his groundbreaking approach to meditation, one that breaks from rigid posture and invites the full sensation of the body and breath into the practice of stillness. Together, Chuck and Will explore how awakening to the body can help quiet the mind, heal anxiety, and bring us into greater alignment with our truest selves. Will explains the importance of...
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186. Adrenaline Dominance: The Root Cause of So Many Health Issues with Dr. Michael Platt
Warriors Unmasked
In this jaw-dropping episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with internationally known wellness physician Dr. Michael Platt, author of Adrenaline Dominance. What starts as a conversation about adrenaline quickly becomes a transformative discussion that challenges everything we’ve been told about modern medicine, mental health, and the real causes behind conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and even weight gain. Dr. Platt explains how adrenaline dominance is an often-ignored root cause behind many chronic health and emotional issues—and how simple, natural...
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184. Societal Dropout & the Power of Stillness: A Conversation with D.C. Copeland
Warriors Unmasked
In this deeply reflective episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with poet, playwright, and soon-to-be author D.C. Copeland. Known for her literary achievements and her fierce voice for mental health and self-expression, D.C. shares a candid and powerful conversation about what it means to truly find yourself—especially in a world that expects conformity at every turn. From her early days writing poems as a child to becoming a Yale-educated writer mentored by Harold Bloom, D.C. takes us on a journey through creativity, personal awakening, and deep healing. Her upcoming book...
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183. Behind the Badge: Captain Adam Meyers on Trauma, Recovery, and Speaking Out
Warriors Unmasked
In this deeply personal and courageous episode, Chuck welcomes Captain Adam Meyers, a law enforcement veteran with over two decades of service. Adam shares his powerful story — from dreaming of becoming a police officer as a young boy to the critical incident in 2016 that changed everything. After using deadly force in a life-threatening situation, Adam faced years of mental health struggles, addiction, and eventually, an identity crisis that nearly cost him everything. What makes Adam’s story so compelling is not just the tragedy he endured, but the triumph that followed. Through raw...
info_outlineIn this episode of Warriors Unmasked, host Chuck Thuss welcomes Jennifer Kenny Smith, a powerhouse in executive sales leadership turned transformational life coach. Jennifer’s story is one of burnout, survival, and ultimately, surrender—learning to let go and let God guide her toward true healing.
For years, Jennifer thrived in her corporate career, but behind the success was a woman struggling with trauma, toxic relationships, addiction, and self-doubt. In this deeply personal and inspiring conversation, she opens up about the cycles of self-abandonment she endured, how she found the strength to leave an unhealthy marriage, and the unexpected journey that led her to radical transformation through faith, yoga, and self-love.
Jennifer’s story is raw, real, and a testament to the power of surrender. If you've ever felt stuck, questioned your worth, or wondered how to finally break free from the past, this episode is for you.
The Road to Rock Bottom—and the Climb Back Up
Jennifer’s journey began with years of striving for external validation—the perfect career, a stable income, and an image of success. But inside, she was crumbling. From an emotionally and physically abusive marriage to seeking escape in work, alcohol, and relationships, she was doing everything possible to numb the pain.
Then came the moment that changed everything. After a volatile final confrontation in her marriage, Jennifer made the terrifying decision to leave. She knew she deserved better—but breaking free wasn’t the end of the battle; it was just the beginning.
Panic attacks. Anxiety. A relentless search for purpose. Jennifer found herself completely lost until she discovered yoga—not as a fitness routine, but as a spiritual awakening. One moment on the mat, a deep sobbing release, and a sudden realization—healing starts from within.
Lessons in Surrender and Faith
Jennifer shares the powerful lessons she learned on her journey to healing:
- Surrender is not weakness; it’s the strongest choice you can make.
- Pain doesn't mean you’re broken—it means you’re growing.
- Control is an illusion—peace comes from letting go and trusting God.
- True transformation happens when you stop running from yourself.
- You are worthy of love, and it starts with how you love yourself.
Through her work as a transformational coach, yoga instructor, and speaker, Jennifer now helps others reclaim their power, heal past wounds, and step into the life they were meant to live.
Finding Strength in Your Story
Jennifer and Chuck discuss the importance of facing our pain head-on, embracing faith in moments of darkness, and realizing that we don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re battling past trauma, struggling with self-worth, or feeling like you’re just surviving instead of thriving, this episode will remind you that:
- There is hope.
- There is healing.
- You are never alone.
Listen now for a deeply moving conversation on letting go, embracing faith, and stepping into the love and light you were made for.
GUEST LINKS:
LINKS:
- www.thecompassionateconnection.com
- www.warriorsunmasked.com
- Join Chuck’s Text Community: 251-418-7966
Episode Minute By Minute:
- 00:00 – Welcome to another inspiring episode of Warriors Unmasked
- 02:19 – Jennifer’s journey from executive sales leader to transformation coach
- 03:34 – The toxic marriage that nearly destroyed her self-worth
- 05:14 – The terrifying moment that pushed her to finally leave
- 07:29 – The struggle with identity, addiction, and seeking validation
- 12:42 – The breaking point: Panic attacks, anxiety, and a loss of control
- 14:00 – Discovering yoga and the moment everything shifted
- 18:20 – Healing through surrender and faith in God
- 25:00 – How control kept her trapped—and how letting go set her free
- 30:10 – Learning to choose love over suffering
- 35:42 – The power of self-love and how Jennifer transformed her life
- 42:14 – Jennifer’s mission today: Helping others step into healing
- 47:48 – Final words of encouragement for anyone feeling stuck
- 50:35 – Chuck’s Challenge: Choose love, surrender, and step into your power