“I was 26, pregnant with triplets, and suddenly a widow—but I knew I had to keep going.” In this deeply moving episode of Vulnerability Muscle, Reggie D. Ford sits down with Lesley Bowen, a yoga teacher, realtor, and powerful storyteller who turned unimaginable loss into a legacy of strength and grace.

Lesley shares how she navigated grief, solo motherhood, and spiritual healing after losing her husband while three months pregnant with triplets. With raw honesty, she opens up about survival mode, suppressed grief, and eventually allowing herself to feel the feels to heal. You’ll hear how yoga and mindfulness became her anchors, and how her inner wisdom—paired with radical self-compassion—helped her raise five grounded, emotionally intelligent children.

This episode also explores:

 * The difference between intuition and trauma response
 * What grief really looks like over two decades
 * The power of mindset in creating peace
 * Why it's okay to let your kids see you cry
 * Why every answer you need is already inside of you

Whether you're in the midst of loss, parenting through struggle, or learning to love yourself again, Lesley’s story is a lighthouse of hope and humanity. Don't miss this rich, resonant conversation about perseverance, presence, and parenting with purpose.

🔗 Connect with Lesley Bowen
Instagram: @LesleyD_Yoga [https://www.instagram.com/LesleyD_Yoga]

🔗 Connect with Reggie D. Ford
Instagram: @reggiedford
[https://www.instagram.com/reggiedford] Website: www.reggiedford.com [https://www.reggiedford.com/]

Tune in now to hear how one woman turned her deepest pain into her greatest strength—and why letting go of control may be the first step toward true healing.

065 - From Widow to Warrior: Finding Power in Pain with Lesley Bowen

In this deeply moving episode of Vulnerability Muscle, host Reggie D. Ford sits down with Ed Di Gangi, an adoptee who embarked on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery at the age of 69. Adopted at birth in New York City, Ed never sought out his birth family—until a visit to a cemetery changed everything.

Over eight years of DNA testing, archival research, and serendipitous discoveries, Ed uncovered a fascinating story of resilience, love, and identity. His birth mother, once an unknown figure, was revealed to be a renowned ice skater who traveled the world in the 1940s and ‘50s. Through meticulous research, Ed pieced together his birth mother’s emotional and physical journey, leading to his bestselling memoir, "The Gift Best Given."

Join us as Ed shares:

 * How a simple visit to a cemetery sparked a life-changing journey
 * The emotional revelations of uncovering his birth mother’s story
 * The challenges of reconciling identity as an adoptee
 * Why he believes adoption is often misunderstood and how it shaped his life
 * His inspiring perspective on gratitude, vulnerability, and resilience
 * The upcoming release of his second book, "Gliding Through Goodbye", chronicling his birth mother’s journey

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever questioned their roots, struggled with identity, or wants to understand the power of self-acceptance.

Contact Info: Website: www.digangiauthor.com  [https://www.digangiauthor.com/]

Email: edward.digangi.author@gmail.com 

Books:

 * The Gift Best Given: A Memoir – Available anywhere books are sold
 * Gliding Through Goodbye – Releasing June 2025

🎙️ Love This Episode?

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help us continue bringing inspiring conversations to Vulnerability Muscle!

064 - Unraveling Identity: Ed Di Gangi’s Search for His Birth Mother & The Power of Adoption Stories

“Never deny them the struggle.” That quote from her father shaped Daina Hughes' parenting—and her purpose. But what happens when the struggle itself becomes the sacred teacher?

In this powerful episode of Vulnerability Muscle, host Reggie D. Ford sits down with Daina Hughes, a soul coach, end-of-life doula, and co-author of Look Up, for a heart-expanding conversation about spirituality, grief, motherhood, and the sacred art of holding space.

Daina opens up about losing her best friend at 18 and how that grief became a catalyst for her spiritual awakening. She shares how she and her father—who's not only her mentor but also her business partner—discovered their spiritual paths together. We explore how Daina helps others navigate death with dignity as an end-of-life doula, and how she balances absorbing deep human emotion without letting it consume her spirit.

The episode also dives into:

 * Why scheduling your crying sessions might just save your sanity
 * How to raise resilient kids without recreating generational pain
 * What it means to be a “gifted” or intuitive child and how to nurture that
 * The emotional boundaries that protect healers from burnout
 * Reframing spirituality as a journey back to self-belief

Daina’s book, Look Up, offers a unique fusion of memoir and spiritual coaching, answering life's biggest questions through deeply personal storytelling.

If you’ve ever felt “too sensitive,” “too emotional,” or struggled to process grief, trauma, or even your spiritual curiosity—this episode will feel like a soft place to land.

Contact Info:
Website: angelichealing.ca
[https://angelichealing.ca/]Book: Look Up by Daina Hughes and Larissa Soren — available on Amazon
Social: @divinedainn on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook

Ready to explore the divine through your own vulnerability?
Hit play now and discover how your greatest pain can become your most powerful path to purpose.

063 - Lessons on Spiritual Awakening and End-of-Life Wisdom from a Soul Coach and Doula

In this powerful episode of Vulnerability Muscle, host Reggie D. Ford sits down with Dr. Mark A. Hicks—author, counselor, ghostwriter, and relationship coach—to unpack one of life’s deepest questions: How do we truly learn to love?

Drawing from his groundbreaking book, Learning Love: Building a Life That Matters and Healthy Relationships That Last, Dr. Hicks reveals the five core components of love that can transform romantic partnerships, friendships, family dynamics, and workplace relationships: grief, emotion, practicality, acceptance, and passion. These insights blend wisdom from ancient biblical texts with modern psychology to offer a holistic, teachable path to deeper connection.

Listeners will hear:

 * Why grief is the foundation of love and a gateway to healing
 * How emotional safety and expression create lasting bonds
 * The role of practicality in avoiding relational breakdowns
 * Why self-acceptance is essential to loving others
 * How passion brings joy and meaning to everyday life
 * Real-life stories of toxic love, healing, and rediscovery
 * Lessons from the Book of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs
 * Reflections on Brene Brown’s research and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
 * Candid conversations about childhood trauma, conditional love, and emotional resilience

This episode is an invitation to unlearn dysfunctional relationship patterns and embrace love as a learnable skillset. Whether you’re navigating heartbreak, rebuilding trust, or seeking deeper emotional intimacy, this conversation will equip you with actionable wisdom.

Contact Info: 

 * Website: www.markahicks.com [https://www.markahicks.com/]
 * Coaching, workshops, speaking inquiries, or to grab his free eBook: Use the contact form on his website
 * Book: Learning Love: Building a Life That Matters and Healthy Relationships That Last

062 - Learning Love: The 5 Components That Build Relationships That Last – with Dr. Mark A. Hicks

“What if your left side belonged to your father and your right side to your mother—down to your DNA?” 

That’s the haunting premise behind Split, a gripping novel inspired by a rare real-life diagnosis: chimerism. In this episode, Dr. Michael Swartz—a transplant and pediatric cardiac surgery researcher turned novelist—joins Reggie D. Ford to explore identity, science, and storytelling. From the quiet roar of unwritten stories in his mind to 100+ rejections on the path to publishing, Michael opens up about the challenges of switching from academic to creative writing and why fiction can be both a lie and a truth-teller. They dig into what it means to be shaped by genetics and environment, how small physical traits can carry deep psychological weight, and the liberating power of simply putting words on the page.

Call to Action:
If you’ve ever wrestled with the question “Who am I really?”, this episode is for you. Tune in now to discover how a rare diagnosis, a drive between cities, and a lifelong passion for helping others became a beautiful, bold exploration of identity and belonging.

Guest Contact Info:
Website: michaelswartzwrites.com
Book: Split available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million

Host Contact Info:
Website: reggiedford.com [https://reggiedford.com/]
Social: @reggiedford on all platforms

Key Quotes / Takeaways:

 * “Writing is like a game of chess. The story gets louder when the moves start to make sense.”
 * “A chimera is someone with two sets of DNA—often the result of one twin absorbing the other in utero.”
 * “Everybody’s different. Their biology, their upbringing, their path—and that’s something to celebrate.”

061  - One Body, Two DNA: Unraveling Identity, Nature & Nurture Through Fiction

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Vulnerability Muscle, host Reggie D. Ford sits down with Terry Tucker—former SWAT hostage negotiator, Division I college basketball player, motivational speaker, and 13-year cancer warrior. Terry shares his extraordinary journey of surviving a rare form of melanoma that led to the amputation of his foot and leg, and how that adversity revealed his life's true purpose.

Terry opens up about his career transitions—from business executive to police officer and hostage negotiator—detailing how his father’s expectations and his own calling led him to follow his purpose later in life. He introduces us to his personal philosophy called the Four Truths, including:

 1. Control your mind or your mind will control you.
 2. Embrace the pain and use it to grow stronger.
 3. What you leave behind is what you weave into the hearts of others.
 4. As long as you don’t quit, you can never be defeated.

This episode goes beyond surface-level inspiration. Reggie and Terry dive deep into the psychology of vulnerability, how empathy was key to Terry's success as a negotiator, the neuroscience of communication (the 7-38-55 rule), and how faith, family, and friends sustained him through his darkest days. Terry also shares practical tools from his book Sustainable Excellence, including how to reframe suffering and align with your purpose.

Whether you’re facing physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges, this episode will leave you feeling empowered to take control of your mindset and embrace your own journey.

Contact Info: 

Website & Blog: motivationalcheck.com
[https://www.motivationalcheck.com/]Book: Sustainable Excellence: Ten Principles to Leading Your Uncommon and Extraordinary Life

060 - Living with Cancer, Leading with Purpose: The Four Truths That Keep Terry Tucker Going

In this deeply moving and motivational episode of Vulnerability Muscle, host Reggie D. Ford sits down with transformational leader and founder of Freedom for Life, Mark Collins, to explore the power of vulnerability, identity, and intentional living. As the author of Life Mastery: Living by Design, Not by Default, Mark has guided hundreds through his signature framework to unleash their purpose, heal from limiting beliefs, and master the life they were truly created for.

 * Together, Reggie and Mark dive into
 * Why vulnerability is discomfort—and why that’s a good thing
 * How your thoughts, words, and actions shape your reality
 * The four pillars of Life Mastery: Identity, Experience, Meaning, and Emotion
 * How to break free from performative success and imposter syndrome
 * The “I Am” statement and celebration list that transform self-perception
 * Mark’s personal story of grief, healing, and overcoming inner criticism
 * How faith and inner work create sustainable, soul-aligned transformation
 * Why living from identity—not for identity—is the key to fulfillment

This conversation is more than inspirational—it’s instructional. Whether you’re at a crossroads or already on your growth journey, Mark’s wisdom will help you reconnect with your true self, reframe past experiences, and master your life by design, not default.

Guest Contact Info

Email: mark@freedom-for-life.net

Website: https://freedom-for-life.net
[https://freedom-for-life.net/]Book: Life Mastery: Living by Design, Not by Default available on Amazon and his website
Course: Life Mastery suite available at freedom-for-life.net [https://freedom-for-life.net/]

059 - Life Mastery Starts Within: Identity, Transformation & Living by Design with Mark Collins

“I had my gun in my hand… and my kids were right there.” In one of the most raw and riveting episodes yet, Anthony Wilson opens up about the moment he hit rock bottom—and what pulled him back. From ADHD misdiagnosis and childhood trauma to a 911 call that saved his life, Anthony’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, transformation, and self-love. He takes us through his journey from self-destruction to healing: yoga at sunrise, journaling on ayahuasca in the Colombian mountains, and a spiritual awakening that led him to sobriety and purpose.

This isn’t just a story about mental health—it’s about reclaiming your identity, rewriting the narrative of masculinity, and redefining what success really means. Whether you’re healing from trauma or searching for deeper meaning, this episode reminds us that the love we’re looking for often starts within.

Call to Action:
Listen now to hear how Anthony turned pain into power—and why vulnerability just might be your greatest strength.

Contact Info:
Guest: Anthony Wilson
Instagram: https://instagram.com/nashville_n_foodiehttps://www.instagram.com/nashvillianfoodie/

Host: Reggie D. Ford
Website: https://reggiedford.com
[https://reggiedford.com/] Socials: @reggiedford [https://instagram.com/reggiedford] on all platforms

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

 * “If you listen to your fears, you'll never know the great person you're meant to be.”
 * “Ayahuasca didn’t let me run from my trauma. It made me sit in it—and heal from it.”
 * “I had the house, the car, the money—but I felt so small inside. Now I live in a camper with my mom and I’ve never been happier.”

Healing Trauma While Living with ADHD: Breathwork, Ayahuasca, and the Fight to Feel

"I try to show up and show love—even in business." 

In this soul-stretching episode of Vulnerability Muscle, Reggie D. Ford is joined by culture curator and leadership consultant Darius E. Moore for a conversation that blends storytelling, emotional truth, and practical wisdom. Together, they explore how early life experiences, especially Darius’ deeply personal family history marked by tragedy and healing, shaped his approach to relationships, leadership, and fatherhood.

From breathing through trauma to curating workplace cultures rooted in love, this episode shows how real power comes from showing up as your whole self—scars, stories, and all. They discuss the importance of seeing others not as data or problems to solve but as people to love. They also dive into what it means to parent with presence, the grief of a lost childhood, and why every child—and adult—deserves to be seen as a star.

Darius shares stories from his upbringing in a military household, how his therapist wife helped him discover emotional regulation, and what his daughter taught him about living in the moment. This episode is a tribute to collective kinship, vulnerability as a practice, and leadership through love.

Key Takeaways & Quotes:

 * “Discipline and punishment aren’t the same thing. I wasn’t punished; I was prepared.”
 * “Breathing is how I regulate. I believe every inhale is the breath of God.”
 * “If you want to build better cultures—at home, at work, in the world—start by loving people right where they are.”

Call to Action:
This episode will change the way you think about love in leadership, parenting, and personal growth. Listen now to discover why vulnerability is the key to healing and connection—and how we build a better world through radical, consistent love.

Contact Info:
Connect with Darius E. Moore:
darius.e.mmore@gmail.com
Instagram: @GenesisThought [https://instagram.com/genesistthought]
LinkedIn: Darius E. Moore
🎙Podcast coming soon: Let’s Build Something

Connect with Reggie D. Ford:
reggiedford.com [https://reggiedford.com/]
@reggiedford on all platforms
Subscribe to the Vulnerability Muscle podcast wherever you listen

057. Leading with Love: Building a Culture of Human-Centered Leadership

"I was just a kid trying to survive, and they called me a murderer."

In this unforgettable episode of Vulnerability Muscle, host Reggie D. Ford sits down with Ashlee Sellars, a powerhouse advocate for restorative justice whose life journey defies everything you thought you knew about crime, punishment, and healing. At just 17 years old, Ashlee was sentenced to 25 years in prison under Tennessee’s felony murder law—despite never pulling a trigger. But this isn’t just a story about incarceration. It’s about survival. It's about trauma, accountability, and ultimately, transformation.

Ashlee shares a jaw-dropping account of how the criminal legal system failed her at every turn, how she discovered the power of restorative justice through a life-altering meeting with her victim’s parents, and how she now leads community healing efforts at the Raphah Institute. With raw vulnerability and unapologetic truth, she challenges us to redefine what justice really means—and who deserves redemption.

Key Takeaways / Social Highlights:

 * “Incarceration is not accountability. It’s removal from the conversation.”
 * “Some of the worst behaviors in our communities come from the most beautiful intentions—like trying to protect our families.”
 * “I was never given a chance to speak my truth. So now, I create space for others to speak theirs.”

Call to Action:
You won't hear a story like this anywhere else. Listen now to understand why true justice means more than punishment—and why vulnerability just might be the most powerful force for change. Share this episode, leave a review, and flex your own Vulnerability Muscle.

Contact Info:
Guest: Ashlee Sellars
🔗 Website: https://www.raphah.org/
📱 Social: @RaphahInstitute on all platforms

Host: Reggie D. Ford
🌐 Website: https://reggiedford.com
[https://reggiedford.com/] 📱 Social: @reggiedford on all platforms

056 - Imprisoned for a Murder She Didn't Commit - Now She Fights for Restorative Justice

Welcome to "Vulnerability Muscle with Reggie D. Ford," the empowering podcast that challenges societal norms and invites you to explore the transformative power of vulnerability. Hosted by bestselling author and motivational speaker Reggie D. Ford, this show is your guide to finding strength, connection, and personal growth through embracing vulnerability.

In a world that often portrays vulnerability as a sign of weakness, Reggie D. Ford believes it is a source of tremendous strength and authenticity. Through insightful conversations and thought-provoking interviews, "Vulnerability Muscle" aims to redefine vulnerability and help listeners develop a new perspective on their own lives.

Reggie D. Ford, renowned for his bestselling book "Perseverance Through Severe Dysfunction" and his captivating motivational speeches, brings his unique expertise and personal experiences to the forefront. With a deep understanding of the impacts of trauma, the importance of mental health, and the power of vulnerability, Reggie inspires and empowers his audience to embrace their own vulnerabilities as catalysts for growth and change.

Each episode of "Vulnerability Muscle" delves into a variety of topics, such as mental health, social issues, and mindset shifts. Reggie and his guests explore the power of vulnerability in healing, building resilience, and fostering meaningful connections. They provide practical tools and strategies to navigate life's challenges, overcome adversity, and create more inclusive and just environments for all people.

Whether you're seeking personal growth, struggling with your mental health, or looking to create a positive impact in the world, this podcast offers a safe space for deep exploration and transformation. Reggie's compassionate and engaging style invites you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace vulnerability as a path to personal empowerment.

Join Reggie D. Ford and his inspiring guests on "Vulnerability Muscle" as they illuminate the path toward self-discovery, authenticity, and true strength. Prepare to be inspired, uplifted, and equipped with the tools to unlock your full potential through the power of vulnerability.

@reggiedford

Shows