This is the story of Mick Manhattan. Mick is the founder of the Scene Snobs Network , the network we are newly & proud members of. Mick though isnt just a figure head in the network, he's an active podcaster as well with several of his own shows that he hosts. 

We have a deep discussion about Mental Health, why Men have such a hard time with accepting help with Mental Health, and how his backstory in life affected his outlook. There are stories about alcohol, and alcohol abuse, family issues, and reconciling it all. 

You can find out more about Mick Manhattan and his shows by looking him up on IMDb.com or going to scenesnobs.com 

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We speak with Darell about his daughter. His young daughter is clearly the apple of his eye. We also speak about the custody dispute between his daughters mother and himself. He talks about the challenges of being a single parent and how he is working to make a better future for him and his daughter as well. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

Our guest this week is Mark Halberg, one half of the show called The Fandom Effect, a podcast that talks about all the things you can be a fan of. We talk to Mark and his cohost Devon McVettie about Mark’s recent struggles with anxiety, what’s brought it to the surface and what Mark is working on so that he can be Focused on Forward. You can find out more about The Fandom Effect on your favorite podcast destination. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

The greatest sports story you’ve never heard. Dave was born without legs and went onto accomplish great things in the world of sports, despite being limb different. Listen as Dave tells his story of overcoming, and never believing he COULDN’T do something. For more information about Dave, check out DaveStevensSpeaks on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

Today we are talking to Ceceilia about her daughter Delilah, and her condition called Rett Syndrome. According to the website rettsyndrom.org - "Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurological disorder that occurs primarily in girls and more rarely in boys. Rett syndrome leads to severe impairments, affecting nearly every aspect of the child’s life."

Ceceilia tells us how she and her husband not only deal with this condition, but what they have learned as special needs parents and how much she loves her daughter. But she also tells us how taking care of her is now more difficult with her recent personal diagnosis of Multiple sclerosis or MS. 

But despite these challenges, the Baker family as a whole, is focused on moving forward. Oh and if you can - blast some Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars for Delilah .... she LOVES it! 

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In this episode we talk with mental health advocate and military infantryman, Dylan Sessler. If you aren’t already following him on TikTok, you should be. Dylan openly talks about his father taking his own life when he was 6 years of age, the impact that had on him, and how it set a chain of suicidal ideation into effect for him. Listen to how Dylan became focused on moving forward in his life and be sure to check his podcast - The Dylan Experience. You can also find out more about Dylan at - www.dylansessler.com

Our guest today, we call her “Vicky” at her request, suffered through years of sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of her step father. She talks about the process of healing, the importance of speaking up and telling someone who will listen, and how she became Focused on Forward. If you or someone you love is suffering from or recovering from sexual abuse, please know there are resources out there to help you. One such resource is RAINN.ORG - you can call them (800) 656-4673 - OR - you can chat live on their website with a qualified counselor, and both are anonymous. You are not alone. There are people to help you. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

In this episode we talk with Chris Johnson, or Official Anime Pops, as he’s known on TikTok. We talk about his wife getting sick with cancer, her fight and how he lost his soul mate Wendy. But he also talks about hope, and how he hopes this story can help someone else going through the grieving process and fighting for the life of their loved one. Listen closely to the love and emotion he clearly feels for HIS Wendy, but have some tissues handy... you’ll need them. I certainly did. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

We are talking with Shannan Wilson, the singer, actor and author of a wonderful book called "The Littlest Peanut". Shannan wrote this book for other parents of premature born children. Since both of Shannan's children were born premature and required time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, also referred to as the NICU, she unfortunately had plenty of personal experience to draw from. We discuss her personal experiences, and how they affected her both mentally and emotionally. We also discuss how she was able to become Focused on Forward and what role her book plays in her recovery. We are happy to say that both of her children are growing up and doing well. You can buy this book at www.thelittlestpeanut.com and find out more about Shannan Wilson - www.shannanwilson.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support

To start Season 2 - we have the pleasure of talking with Liz Priestley. She’s starring in a movie soon to be released on Netflix called Concrete Cowboy, co-starring Idris Elba. But also, we have a very genuine and enjoyable conversation about the challenges she has had on the way to seeing her dream come true. Enjoy the conversation and be sure to watch Concrete Cowboy! You can find more information about Liz Priestley on IMDB.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/focused-on-forward/support