Hello + Welcome! Your Story Matters Podcast is for story lovers + storytellers as we work through life from its perspectives, seasons of life, relationships + more. My hope for this show is that we will experience the power of storytelling + understand that we are the main characters in our own stories to break free from the false narratives.
#113 The Hidden Cost of Military Life No One Prepares Veterans For with Tanya Lakins
In this episode of Your Story Matters, Tanya Lakins shares her journey from growing up in a small Indiana town to serving 11 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. She discusses the challenges she faced as a woman in the military, including having to repeatedly prove herself despite holding the same rank as her male peers. Tanya speaks openly about the difficulty of transitioning back to civilian life. After leaving the Marines, she struggled with depression, isolation, alcohol use, anxiety, and the loss of structure and purpose. She explains that veterans are often expected to return to “normal life” without receiving enough support for the emotional and psychological changes that military service creates.
The conversation also explores Tanya’s experiences with military sexual trauma, PTSD, suicidal ideation, and the long process of healing through therapy, veteran programs, and community support. She describes how becoming a mother motivated her to change, seek help, and create a healthier life for her children.
Tanya’s Favorite Book: The Body Keeps the Score (https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZCWX71UMZ0X9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.l3LHXDXYB2gaj1o9YWu8sMFYR3MFINMzCvijZ9QAagu_9t3hnjnSLQaRxwFB8vYFj_LlNt1nqp8Zq1e09qFWUYv0Zs4HHdjr9YIFT2jSp7SUxxkvxCalQ4gdhNUe0BLs0siWdgiX2lIP55eDBzOVxJiaeFD7A0EgW64vvAD62WAAxmqPktVdrEYjBn_x2DZWPa19Yj6j4TQP_A7oPlZwxw2a1IJMG7IsR_FOyGataoc.61gIAgkM7_AeyMia4gncSRjCfA8hnvzdKVDh4i_KCqE&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Body+Keeps+the+Score+by+Bessel+Van+Der+Kolk&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1788272900&sprefix=the+body+keeps+the+score+by+bessel+van+der+kolk+%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1) by Bessel Van Der Kolk
Connect with Tanya: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lakins4missouri/) | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/tanya.lakins.1)
Connect with Michaela: Website (https://michaelaelizabeth.com) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/michaelaelizabethcoach) | Newsletter (https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1080068/130945676313888056/share)
14 Oct 2026
#112 Why Alignment Is the Only Assignment for Families with Ann Buoy
Ann Buoy shares how stepping away from her family’s expected path shaped her work with parents and children. After leaving college, traveling full-time with her family, and rethinking conventional homeschooling, she developed a values-led approach to education centered on freedom, self-trust, and helping children become capable, confident adults. At its heart, the episode helps families trade fear and conformity for connection, confidence, and a more intentional way of raising and educating children.
Ann’s Favorite Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear (https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KCCG60CFU51U&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aVjxsZgNHJ6wfgiZ01PPLLnBbPwFBhKA8deJ-gb2I-cGkHWHJJTJYurZrISjPA4C2rSSbrObJYzQ6v7U0QyAhHYc2XJizWhSI6PzF3UpzUvE4mxHRyIR4x7aRJmSYQjYzP_n3pKlFihBNiQfdLM6RXh50jOKmZShS6DwpcNGZU91JlQX7Qic4QWZrtVGH5DNrvInY3Onxmj6p5vMYCr9jREvM3GsRSx_h8EhOyAYNlg.fC3o7CgLAyFAVL6IPIUdmouHHOSjwwCyHp3wxCVfldY&dib_tag=se&keywords=atomic+habits&qid=1789659020&sprefix=atomic%2Caps%2C460&sr=8-1)
Connect with Ann: Website (http://www.thebscoach.com) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thebscoach/) | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/annbuoy)
Connect with Michaela: Website (https://michaelaelizabeth.com) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/michaelaelizabethcoach) | Newsletter (https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1080068/130945676313888056/share)
7 Oct 2026
#111 From Dance Dreams to Gun Violence Advocate: A Story of Resilience with Alicia Smith
Alicia Smith was a college dance star with her future mapped out—until one night in Tucson changed everything. Shot with an AK-47, she survived against less than a 1 percent chance and began the long process of learning how to live as someone new. In this raw conversation, Alicia discusses identity, trauma, resilience, forgiveness, and the difficult truth that healing isn’t about returning to who you were. She shares her experience with 17 abdominal surgeries, PTSD, anxiety, therapy, and the community that helped carry her family through crisis.
Alicia also explains how prison ministry led to a life-changing moment of closure and how she transformed her experience into a new purpose through survivor advocacy and gun violence awareness. This episode is a powerful reminder that trauma does not get the final word—and that healing can become a source of purpose, strength, and hope.
Alicia’s Favorite Books: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (https://www.amazon.com/Nightingale-Novel-Kristin-Hannah/dp/1250080401/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SP0OSS0NXTBC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.heMO3CBceROou-rNqtR4PmATtPZhvBVV-RF1gfE0ayDlazscVY8U8h6OarUmXGShBda_pNaz7KoqGfTgU9Kk0kHMpH_1s6bPJuSIAPjROV1EOwZxsMC768Ow9xSd3JnEh7U0MRythQHemsnxbhIeG6G77UB_ojqiOXBGjNeKGG6Wp_SxVhiJ4-FHb0EcY2jQWxNSNuGqOF9xjOLJ3es5xLxHDU9vAL8QsOzfihgrgo8._mI2I7wGdTEbUxhTXp2cPRMAtSNKd0IbA8IuXxBKkrE&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Nightingale&qid=1785160329&sprefix=the+nightingale%2Caps%2C238&sr=8-1) and The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck (https://www.amazon.com/Road-Less-Traveled-Timeless-Traditional/dp/0743243153/ref=sr_1_1?crid=E8PE0528PZR1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GJh_t_abfBetCo98A-kd8jfiKBBIu8HIDVLtz1Ce5_FDNzLvwogcgqx2lEZNuB_IvvZylWJnGGAtMyRb-N4kWN82VeDC7mn8fLaC9ViVvRkTa3j4jvw5LlMK60ky88txvcPjWsh7g8W4GrDL30EO4ThU8ynIf-mV0uyMEO0OAieJLtKhGyVIoksYXBDsZZMEfZTKe5GL6-zJ5v27uQuzblTyRzJiQukWrdgpyqZbEJ8.ADfSRlWd54wju1JA5XKj3y26owQ50fg3EGFy2_Yen_k&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+road+less+traveled&qid=1785160373&sprefix=the+road+less+traveled%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-1)
Connect with Alicia: Website (http://www.aliciasmithspeaks.com) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/aliciasmithspeaks/?hl=en#)
Connect with Michaela: Website (https://michaelaelizabeth.com) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/michaelaelizabethcoach) | Newsletter (https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1080068/130945676313888056/share)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
3.9 / 5
7 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
85
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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Guest appearances
Books guests
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Questions about Your Story Matters
Who hosts Your Story Matters?
Michaela host the show. Published by Michaela Elizabeth.
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The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
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