Change Happened, Then What? | Real Stories After Life Changes

Clear Space, Clear Mind: 4 Steps to a Better New Year

Guest Lisa Zerwotny (Positively Living) shares four simple, actionable steps to end the year well: reflect on the past, plan next-year intentions, review finances (use FSA/HSA and set budgets), and declutter physical and emotional spaces.
Short, practical, and compassionate guidance to create breathing room for the new year, plus resources and gentle encouragement to get started and ask for support if needed.
Connect with Lisa
Positively Living Website
Positively Living Podcast
Connect with Lisa On Facebook
Connect With Lisa On Instagram
Connect With Lisa on LinkedIn
Connect With Lisa on Pintrest
Connect With Lisa on YouTube
If you'd like to support the show, just click the link | Be a part of the Change Happened communityEnter to win the "What Changed Me Community Challenge" | Enter to Win! To join our mailing list and learn more our guests visit | Changehappenedpodcast.comReady to get your discount on Pure Energy Apothecary products Click the link below | 20% off PURE ENERGY NOWLooking for your customized Dear Sweet One lullaby find them here | Shop Now Dear Sweet One Follow along on Instagram @Change Happened for behind-the-scenes moments and updates. Got a story to share or just want to say hello? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a line at Changepodcast@yahoo.comand maybe your "Change Happened" moment will be next.

Sankta Lucia — A Nordic Winter Story of Light, Hope, and Protection

This Nordic winter story explores the legend of Sankta Lucia — a young woman crowned with candles who brings light, warmth, and protection during the darkest days of the year. Rooted in Swedish tradition, Lucia’s story blends history, folklore, and the deep human need for hope when daylight grows short. Through a tale of generosity, resilience, and returning light, this episode invites listeners into a timeless tradition that continues to inspire families across Scandinavia. A gentle, narrative retelling for the holiday season.
If you'd like to support the show, just click the link | Be a part of the Change Happened communityEnter to win the "What Changed Me Community Challenge" | Enter to Win! To join our mailing list and learn more our guests visit | Changehappenedpodcast.comReady to get your discount on Pure Energy Apothecary products Click the link below | 20% off PURE ENERGY NOWLooking for your customized Dear Sweet One lullaby find them here | Shop Now Dear Sweet One Follow along on Instagram @Change Happened for behind-the-scenes moments and updates. Got a story to share or just want to say hello? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a line at Changepodcast@yahoo.comand maybe your "Change Happened" moment will be next.

The First Hanukkah — A Story of Courage, Hope, and the Miracle of Light

This episode retells the story behind Hanukkah — a tale of courage, identity, and the miracle that became a symbol of Jewish resilience. Dedicated to Heather’s longtime friend Julie, who first introduced her to the warmth and beauty of Jewish tradition, this narrative explores the Maccabees’ fight to reclaim their sacred Temple and the tiny jar of oil that burned for eight days. Blending history, spirituality, and reflection, this gentle retelling invites listeners to consider the power of choosing hope even when the world feels dark.
If you'd like to support the show, just click the link | Be a part of the Change Happened communityEnter to win the "What Changed Me Community Challenge" | Enter to Win! To join our mailing list and learn more our guests visit | Changehappenedpodcast.comReady to get your discount on Pure Energy Apothecary products Click the link below | 20% off PURE ENERGY NOWLooking for your customized Dear Sweet One lullaby find them here | Shop Now Dear Sweet One Follow along on Instagram @Change Happened for behind-the-scenes moments and updates. Got a story to share or just want to say hello? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a line at Changepodcast@yahoo.comand maybe your "Change Happened" moment will be next.

Cracked Open to Heal — Sandra’s Journey of Trauma, Intuition, and Sacred Responsibility

What happens when your body forces you to stop—and listen?
In this deeply moving episode of Change Happened, Then What?, Heather Holt sits down with Sandra, an intuitive card reader and oracle deck creator whose life was forever changed by a devastating car accident. What followed was not just physical recovery, but a profound reckoning with trauma, grief, motherhood, and the quiet wisdom stored within the body.
Sandra shares her journey through heartbreak, loss, and healing—how creativity became medicine, how intuition requires consent and sacred responsibility, and how slowing down ultimately led her back to herself. This is a story about resilience, embodied healing, and trusting the unfolding—even when life cracks you wide open.
Link to Dancing Elk Woman
Link to Sandra on Facebook
Clevland Clinic on Chakras
The Intuitive Mindset
Donna Ashworth Poet
If you'd like to support the show, just click the link | Be a part of the Change Happened communityEnter to win the "What Changed Me Community Challenge" | Enter to Win! To join our mailing list and learn more our guests visit | Changehappenedpodcast.comReady to get your discount on Pure Energy Apothecary products Click the link below | 20% off PURE ENERGY NOWLooking for your customized Dear Sweet One lullaby find them here | Shop Now Dear Sweet One Follow along on Instagram @Change Happened for behind-the-scenes moments and updates. Got a story to share or just want to say hello? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a line at Changepodcast@yahoo.comand maybe your "Change Happened" moment will be next.

Born Before Christmas — A Mother’s Story of a December 18 Birthday

What does it mean to raise a December baby — especially one born just days before Christmas?
In this Smile Drop episode, Heather reflects on her son’s December 18 birthday and the lifelong journey that came with it. From sharing a birthday with his older cousin (and Stone Cold Steve Austin), to being born prematurely and coming home on Christmas Eve, this story traces the milestones that quietly shape motherhood.
Heather remembers first birthdays, school cupcakes, sleepovers, teenage rites of passage, learning to let go at sixteen, watching independence grow at eighteen, twenty-one, and twenty-five — and now celebrating twenty-six with gratitude and perspective.
This episode is a reflection on December birthdays, motherhood, family cycles, and how women grow alongside their children. It’s about holding on, letting go, and realizing that sometimes the greatest gifts aren’t wrapped — they’re lived.
Perfect for listeners navigating the holiday season with full hearts and full calendars.
If you'd like to support the show, just click the link | Be a part of the Change Happened communityEnter to win the "What Changed Me Community Challenge" | Enter to Win! To join our mailing list and learn more our guests visit | Changehappenedpodcast.comReady to get your discount on Pure Energy Apothecary products Click the link below | 20% off PURE ENERGY NOWLooking for your customized Dear Sweet One lullaby find them here | Shop Now Dear Sweet One Follow along on Instagram @Change Happened for behind-the-scenes moments and updates. Got a story to share or just want to say hello? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a line at Changepodcast@yahoo.comand maybe your "Change Happened" moment will be next.

The Shortest Day — A Winter Solstice Story of Light, Hope, and Returning Dawn

This Solstice story explores ancient winter traditions from Norse, Celtic, and early northern cultures who saw the shortest day of the year as a sacred turning point. The Winter Solstice — the longest night and the return of the sun — was marked by fires, rituals, and stories reminding communities that light always returns. Through legends of the Sun Child, the Oak King and Holly King, and protective northern spirits, this episode offers a reflective narrative about endurance, balance, and the quiet magic of midwinter. A gentle, timeless reminder that even in our darkest seasons, a sunrise is already on its way.
If you'd like to support the show, just click the link | Be a part of the Change Happened communityEnter to win the "What Changed Me Community Challenge" | Enter to Win! To join our mailing list and learn more our guests visit | Changehappenedpodcast.comReady to get your discount on Pure Energy Apothecary products Click the link below | 20% off PURE ENERGY NOWLooking for your customized Dear Sweet One lullaby find them here | Shop Now Dear Sweet One Follow along on Instagram @Change Happened for behind-the-scenes moments and updates. Got a story to share or just want to say hello? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a line at Changepodcast@yahoo.comand maybe your "Change Happened" moment will be next.

When Perfection Breaks: Peter Ho’s Story of Abuse, Loss, and Healing

In this episode Heather Holt interviews Peter Ho, a kinesiologist from Hawaii who moved to California and found himself in an abusive relationship that led to physical harm, financial ruin, and homelessness.
Peter shares how confronting perfectionism and his ego helped him reclaim self-worth and begin to rebuild. Today he works as a tennis coach and wellness practitioner, helping others restore balance and health.
His message: it’s okay to start over — use the lessons you’ve learned to write a new chapter.
Connect with Peter on Facebook 
National Domestic Violence Hotline
International Directory of Domestic Violence Agencies
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
If you'd like to support the show, just click the link | Be a part of the Change Happened communityEnter to win the "What Changed Me Community Challenge" | Enter to Win! To join our mailing list and learn more our guests visit | Changehappenedpodcast.comReady to get your discount on Pure Energy Apothecary products Click the link below | 20% off PURE ENERGY NOWLooking for your customized Dear Sweet One lullaby find them here | Shop Now Dear Sweet One Follow along on Instagram @Change Happened for behind-the-scenes moments and updates. Got a story to share or just want to say hello? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a line at Changepodcast@yahoo.comand maybe your "Change Happened" moment will be next.

A Visit from St. Nicholas — The Christmas Eve Story That Shaped Santa Claus

This Christmas episode explores the origin, mystery, and magic behind A Visit from St. Nicholas — the beloved poem better known as ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. For nearly two centuries, this poem has shaped how the world imagines Santa Claus: the sleigh, the reindeer, the twinkling eyes, the quiet wonder of Christmas Eve. Yet its authorship remains debated, caught between Clement Clarke Moore and Henry Livingston Jr. In this episode, Heather reads a lightly modernized narration of the full poem and reflects on why this timeless story still captures our imagination. A warm, nostalgic Christmas listen for families of all ages.
If you'd like to support the show, just click the link | Be a part of the Change Happened communityEnter to win the "What Changed Me Community Challenge" | Enter to Win! To join our mailing list and learn more our guests visit | Changehappenedpodcast.comReady to get your discount on Pure Energy Apothecary products Click the link below | 20% off PURE ENERGY NOWLooking for your customized Dear Sweet One lullaby find them here | Shop Now Dear Sweet One Follow along on Instagram @Change Happened for behind-the-scenes moments and updates. Got a story to share or just want to say hello? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a line at Changepodcast@yahoo.comand maybe your "Change Happened" moment will be next.

Ujima — A Kwanzaa Story of Community, Responsibility, and Collective Care

This episode shares a Kwanzaa story inspired by Ujima — the third principle of the Nguzo Saba — meaning collective work and responsibility. Created within African American communities, Kwanzaa honors culture, resilience, and the power of shared effort. Through a winter tale of a grandmother and child, this story explores how community becomes strength when storms arrive and resources grow thin. More than a lesson, Ujima is a lived practice — one that reminds us we are shaped not only by what we carry alone, but by what we choose to carry together. A gentle, reflective story about belonging, responsibility, and collective care.
If you'd like to support the show, just click the link | Be a part of the Change Happened communityEnter to win the "What Changed Me Community Challenge" | Enter to Win! To join our mailing list and learn more our guests visit | Changehappenedpodcast.comReady to get your discount on Pure Energy Apothecary products Click the link below | 20% off PURE ENERGY NOWLooking for your customized Dear Sweet One lullaby find them here | Shop Now Dear Sweet One Follow along on Instagram @Change Happened for behind-the-scenes moments and updates. Got a story to share or just want to say hello? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a line at Changepodcast@yahoo.comand maybe your "Change Happened" moment will be next.

I Lost My Father Twice: From Hidden Truth to Helping Others, Lisa's Journey

At ten, she was told her father had died of a heart attack. Thirty-five years later, a single question—and a mother's trembling answer—pull back a secret that rewrites a lifetime: he had taken his own life. This episode follows Lisa Sugarman as she confronts that fractured narrative, feels the rage and grief, and walks the slow path toward understanding.
Lisa's pain becomes purpose. Devouring research, listening to survivors, and refusing to accept stigma, she transforms her loss into lifelines—founding The Help Hub, counseling in crisis, and writing a book that brings her closer to the father she thought she knew. Through intimate memories, hard-won insights, and raw honesty, the story shows how truth, however late, can open the way to healing and fierce compassion.
Content warning: this episode discusses suicide and grief. Listen with care, and know you are not alone—there are people and resources ready to help. Tune in to hear a story of protection, revelation, and the unexpected work of rebuilding a relationship with loss.
The Help Hub
Connect with Lisa on YouTube
Connect with Lisa on Facebook
Connect with Lisa on Instagram
Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn
Buy Lisa's Books on Amazon
Listen to Lisa's Podcast - The Survivors Podcast
The Trevor Project
If you'd like to support the show, just click the link | Be a part of the Change Happened communityEnter to win the "What Changed Me Community Challenge" | Enter to Win! To join our mailing list and learn more our guests visit | Changehappenedpodcast.comReady to get your discount on Pure Energy Apothecary products Click the link below | 20% off PURE ENERGY NOWLooking for your customized Dear Sweet One lullaby find them here | Shop Now Dear Sweet One Follow along on Instagram @Change Happened for behind-the-scenes moments and updates. Got a story to share or just want to say hello? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a line at Changepodcast@yahoo.comand maybe your "Change Happened" moment will be next.