Learn From People Who Lived it
Navigating painful life circumstances would be easier if they came with a how-to guide. This podcast writes the book! Our show is all about transformation. Mathew Blades, a seasoned radio and television personality, uses his exceptional interview skills to guide individuals in sharing their challenging stories. With the support of our in-house psychologist and psychiatrist, we explore the patterns and strategies that enabled these individuals to transform their lives from a difficult phase to a thriving one.
Episodes

Monday Feb 17, 2025
Monday Feb 17, 2025
In this episode, you'll hear:
The physical and emotional toll cancer takes
The importance of mentors
How to react intelligently instead of emotionally
Tips to remember when going through tough times
The role of gratitude, honesty, and resilience
In this episode, Mathew and Ronnie sit down to discuss a remarkable journey of resilience and growth. Ronnie shares her experience as a Division 1 athlete and the mindset required for success, as well as the profound challenges of receiving a breast cancer diagnosis during the pandemic while living in the Middle East. Together, they explore how she approached cancer with intellect over emotion, embraced simplicity, and prioritized health through research, community support, and balanced habits. Ronnie also reflects on the pivotal role of faith in her recovery and how she now takes care of herself, embodying strength and perseverance.
Ronnie Laughlin is a breast cancer survivor, author, advocate, speaker, speech-language pathologist, and former Division I basketball player. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and faced treatment challenges living in the Middle East, far from her family. Drawing on her athletic determination, faith, and support from her "Tribe" of friends, she authored "An Atypical Journey: Facing Breast Cancer Alone in the Middle East with God and My Tribe," offering inspiration and guidance to others facing similar challenges.
“We’re always reinventing; and we’re not the same person we were yesterday, and we don’t know who we are going to be tomorrow.”
“You have a setback for a comeback.”
Follow the podcast:
Listen on Apple Podcasts (link: https://apple.co/3s1YH7h)
Listen on iHeart (link: https://ihr.fm/3MEY7FM)
Listen on Spotify (Link: https://spoti.fi/3yMmQCE)
Resources:
Ronnie Laughlin Website
An Atypical Journey: Facing Breast Cancer Alone in the Middle East with God and My Tribe by V Ronnie Laughlin
LFPWLI: Umar Kankiya
LFPWLI: Johann Hari
LFPWLI: Ken Honda
Jeddah Saudi Arabia
Color Commentator
Connect with Mathew Blades:
Twitter - twitter.com/MathewBlades
Instagram - instagram.com/MathewBladesmedia/
Facebook - facebook.com/mathewbladesmedia/
Website - learnfrompeoplewholivedit.com/
Additional Credits:
LFPWLI is managed by Sam Robertson

Monday Feb 03, 2025
Harness Resilient Thinking and Rewrite Your Story with Hope Kelaher
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Harness Resilient Thinking and Rewrite Your Story with Hope Kelaher
In this episode, you'll hear:
How to harness resilience in relationships, breakups, and career challenges
The power of reframing perspectives and finding a balance between letting go and caring
Techniques to deepen personal awareness and break free from limiting narratives
Practical framework for setting and achieving meaningful goals with confidence
Hope Kelaher is a licensed clinical social worker with a private practice in lower Manhattan, specializing in individual, couple, and family therapy. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Columbia School of Social Work, Hope brings over a decade of experience helping individuals and families navigate challenges like loss, addiction, trauma, and poverty. Her background includes roles at Children’s Aid and the Mental Health Association of New York City, where she worked extensively with children and adults facing serious mental health issues, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and relationship challenges. Hope has advanced training from the Ackerman Institute for the Family, as well as certifications in Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
In this episode, Mathew, Dr. Frank, and Hope discuss the transformative power of resilience, exploring how to build and resource it in the face of life’s challenges, including relationships, breakups, and career struggles. They discuss the importance of reframing perspectives, letting go without apathy, and gaining personal awareness to navigate adversity with strength. The conversation highlights how the narratives we tell ourselves can either propel us forward or keep us stuck, and introduces a practical framework for setting and achieving meaningful goals. Hope also shares insights from her new book, The Resilience Workbook for Women: A Transformative Guide to Discover Your Inner Strength, Conquer Adversity, and Achieve Your Goals, offering actionable strategies for growth and self-reliance.
“Fear and hope come from the same place, the unknown, and you get to choose.”
Follow the podcast:
Listen on Apple Podcasts (link: https://apple.co/3s1YH7h)
Listen on iHeart (link: https://ihr.fm/3MEY7FM)
Listen on Spotify (Link: https://spoti.fi/3yMmQCE)
Resources:
Hope Kelaher Website
Hope Kelaher Instagram
Dr. Frank Bevaqua
The Resilience Workbook for Women: A Transformative Guide to Discover Your Inner Strength, Conquer Adversity, and Achieve Your Goals by Hope Kelaher
Under the Tuscan Sun (Film)
Connect with Mathew Blades:
Twitter - twitter.com/MathewBlades
Instagram - instagram.com/MathewBladesmedia/
Facebook - facebook.com/mathewbladesmedia/
Website - learnfrompeoplewholivedit.com/
Additional Credits:
LFPWLI is managed by IMS LLC

Monday Jan 20, 2025
My Journey with Reiki and Emotion Code
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Hey friend! Join me on a deeply personal journey as I explore some fascinating healing modalities. This episode, we're diving into my recent Emotion Code and Reiki session with the wonderful Teresa Porter. She's an expert in this field, and I've trusted her with my healing process for a while now.
Through this session, I tackled some heavy emotions like depression, failure, and pride, all linked subtly to chronic shoulder pain I've been battling. This isn't just about physical relief—it's about letting go of burdens that aren't mine to carry anymore, affecting everything from how I feel inside to how I interact with the world around me.
You'll get a behind-the-scenes listen to the session itself, from the grounding exercises to the nerve-calming Reiki, and how these alternative methods might just be the key to unlocking some emotional weight you didn’t even know you were holding onto. So, if you're curious about how Emotion Code works or just want to explore new ways to heal and grow, come hang out with me in this episode!
Mathew
Follow the podcast:
Listen on Apple Podcasts (link: https://apple.co/3s1YH7h)
Listen on iHeart (link: https://ihr.fm/3MEY7FM)
Listen on Spotify (Link: https://spoti.fi/3yMmQCE)
Resources:
Teresa Porter on LinkedIn
Teresa Porter on Instagram
Teresa’s Sirrine Yoga
Connect with Mathew Blades:
Twitter - twitter.com/MathewBlades
Instagram - instagram.com/MathewBladesmedia/
Facebook - facebook.com/mathewbladesmedia/
Website - learnfrompeoplewholivedit.com/
Additional Credits:
LFPWLI is managed by Sam Robertson

Monday Jan 06, 2025
"Breaking Generational Chains with Monie Wilder: Transitional Character
Monday Jan 06, 2025
Monday Jan 06, 2025
Hey there! Get ready to be inspired by our incredible guest, Monie Wilder, a transformational powerhouse who believes in breaking free from the chains of the past to embrace the future fully.
In this episode, you'll hear:
The power of learning to trust yourself
The strength you can gain from listening to your thoughts and allowing yourself to problem solve
What can happen when you decide to stop being a victim
Tips for parents on changing generational trauma for their children
In this episode, Mathew, Dr. David Leicken, and Monie examine a transformative journey of self-discovery and resilience. They discuss lessons learned through childhood play, long-distance running, and fitness, highlighting how these experiences shaped a commitment to breaking generational cycles of dysfunction. The conversation explores the profound impact of parental decisions on addressing generational trauma and provides actionable tips for creating an expansive and empowering future for your children. They emphasize the power of voicing your truth, rejecting resentment, and the transformative influence of having a supportive partner who uplifts you.
Monie Wilder's journey is one of resilience, transformation, and determination. Growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, she developed a strong sense of discipline and perseverance through long-distance running, traits that would shape her future. Her path took her through careers in public administration and fitness before she found her true calling in real estate. Along the way, Monie faced challenges that pushed her to grow, ultimately becoming a transitional figure in her own life and lineage. Now a devoted wife, mother, and entrepreneur, Monie’s story is a testament to the power of self-belief, hard work, and the courage to embrace change to build the life she once dreamed of.
“Change can be hard, but it can also be transformative.”
Follow the podcast:
Listen on Apple Podcasts (link: https://apple.co/3s1YH7h)
Listen on iHeart (link: https://ihr.fm/3MEY7FM)
Listen on Spotify (Link: https://spoti.fi/3yMmQCE)
Resources:
Monie Wilder Website
Dr. Dave Leicken
Sailor Moon
CrossFit
Connect with Mathew Blades:
Twitter - twitter.com/MathewBlades
Instagram - instagram.com/MathewBladesmedia/
Facebook - facebook.com/mathewbladesmedia/
Website - learnfrompeoplewholivedit.com/
Additional Credits:
LFPWLI is managed by Sam Robertson