Warrior Words | Stories of Hope | Finding Beauty After Battles & Thriving After Surviving Trauma

171. Seeking Help & Becoming Who God Created You to Be | Tresa Rolando Salters

Welcome to Episode 171 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
This week's guest, Tresa, shares her story of how another's alcohol abuse led to abuse of another kind. And also led to a downturn in her own physical health.
But she was raised in faith, and she started to see threads God was weaving through her life.
She recognized that she needed help, and she sought it.
Then, after she was on the other side, she sought more help. She actively participated in improving her own health, and in so doing, she learned skills that are not only helping her, but also helping so many women she has encountered.
Listen in to hear how God spoke to her, and how she was obedient, and subsequently rewarded.
 
Tresa's Pain Assessment: https://www.livewellwithtresa.com/upsell-6791
 
Learn more about Tresa:
Website: https://www.livewellwithtresa.com/
Substack: https://substack.com/@tresarolandosalters
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tresa.rolando.salters
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livewellwithtresa/
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
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IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
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Warrior Words Amazon Store (aff): For items I use, recommend, or love! https://a.co/d/06usyTGd
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

170. How Can We Bear Both Burdens & Fruit? | Heather Gaffney

Welcome to Episode 170 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
This week, I talk about another quote I heard! I learned so much at the Women's Retreat I attended earlier this year! If you have the opportunity to attend one, I highly recommend it.
This time, I heard a comparison between the phrases "bearing burdens" and "bearing fruit."
It's an important connection and relates very well to the mission of this podcast.
Burdens = Suffering
Fruit = Beauty
Can you have the beauty/fruit without the suffering/burdens?
What did our speaker say?
What does Jesus say in the Bible?
 
You can find Sr. Jude Andrew at https://openlightmedia.com/
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
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Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
Warrior Words Amazon Store (aff): For items I use, recommend, or love! https://a.co/d/06usyTGd
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

169. Lessons for Us & Our Friends with Autism | Heather Gaffney

Welcome to Episode 169 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
I was blessed to have an amazing conversation with a woman who is doing great work with families living with autism. While I didn't record our conversation, I wanted to share some of the things we discussed.
We talked about what she is doing with her organization and about where we go from here.
What is needed in the autism community? What's next?
Even if you don't personally know anyone on the spectrum, there is still valuable information in what she's doing.
I am hoping to be able to connect with her further for a recorded conversation, but in the meantime, I invite you to have a listen to hear why. 
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
Warrior Words Amazon Store (aff): For items I use, recommend, or love! https://a.co/d/06usyTGd
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

168. See the Beauty, not the Ugly | Heather Gaffney

Welcome to Episode 168 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
Is your tendency to see only the ugly in certain situations?
Or, are you able to discover beauty in even the ugliest of circumstances?
Learning to discover beauty can be hard.
But it's also so important.
I heard a smart young woman say something so profound, yet so simple. It was her quote that inspired this episode.
It's not a long episode, but she inspired me to take a look at how I viewed a few situations in my life. 
Listen in to hear an insight I discovered.
 
Here's where you can get to know Chika: https://www.chika.church/
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

167. Praying Them Home: When Loved Ones Leave the Church | Kristine Bruce

Welcome to Episode 167 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
Do you have a loved one who has fallen away from the faith? Maybe they've started to just "go through the motions," or maybe they've stopped going to church altogether.
There's a story in the Bible about this, with which we are all likely familiar: The Story of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15.
That story doesn't tell us if anyone did anything to try to get the son to return. But do you think his father actually did nothing?
My guess is he was likely doing some or all of what my guest, Kristine Bruce, is talking about in this episode. She shares four pillars she discovered when trying to help the prodigals in her own life.
Hint: None of them involves nagging anyone.
Listen in as Kristine describes how you can participate with God - not do God's job - to help your loved ones.
 
Resources Mentioned (aff):
Jeff Cavins Timeline Old Testament: https://amzn.to/4cHJ3F9
Jeff Cavins Timeline New Testament: https://amzn.to/4swPhNZ
Diary of St. Faustina: https://amzn.to/4egYPsJ
 
Learn more about Kristine:
Website: https://prayingforourprodigals.com/
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

166. Friendship, Grief, and a Tribute | Heather Gaffney

Welcome to Episode 166 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
Happy Easter ~ He is Risen!
Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we, too, have hope in our own salvation and resurrection. We now have hope of Eternal Life after death.
Death is not the end.
It does not have the final say.
Jesus conquered death.
And so, when our loved ones pass on from life on this earth, we have hope that we will see them again, and more importantly, that they will be with Jesus in eternity.
So Eastertide is the perfect opportunity to share a story about a friend who ended her battle with cancer recently. I share with a little of my own selfish sadness, but I also share with hope, joy, and lessons learned.
There is beauty in the suffering she gracefully endured, and there is beauty in my grief as her friend.
So I share the blessings of friendship, as well as some lessons from this specific friendship that I think are applicable to many of our relationships.
Get to know people and love them well!
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

165. Your Purpose: A 1 in 73 Trillion Chance | Heather Gaffney

Welcome to Episode 165 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
Do you know that God loves you?
I'm guessing you probably said, "Yes."
But do you really know it, I mean with conviction?
Maybe a smaller number of you said, "Yes" to that. I would have probably put my hand down between the first question and the second.
That is, until recently.
I have struggled with a self-defeating attitude most of my life. If you look at the Winnie-the-Pooh gang, I've always been the Eeyore of the group.
But a recent encounter in confession and my experience at a retreat made me see things differently. That doesn't mean I'll never feel down on myself or a situation again, but it does mean I see myself differently.
I'm no longer one in a million. Listen in to hear why.
Then please share this episode with someone you know who doesn't know how much he or she is loved by God.
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

164. The Anger I Didn’t Know Was There | Heather Gaffney

Welcome to Episode 164 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
Do you ever experience emotions that seem to come out of nowhere? Emotions that surprise you because you didn't even know they were lurking beneath the surface?
That's exactly what happened to me recently.
There was a death that occurred in my circle, and after news of this person's death, I discovered feelings of anger.
I had no idea that at some point during the time I knew this person, I was angry about something.
The anger only surfaced as I examined the relationship we had, but at that point, it was too late for either of us to actually resolve the situation.
Listen to this short episode to learn what I did with my anger, and then reply to this email and let me know if anything like this has ever happened to you.
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/
Podbean Podcast Hosting (aff): https://www.podbean.com/WarriorWords
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

163. Serving Others: Peace in the Chaos | Heather Gaffney

Welcome to Episode 163 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
One of the practical tips Lynn Donovan shared in last week's episode was a way to get out of your own head during chaos: helping someone else.
I recently had the opportunity to volunteer for an event. In this episode, I called my reaction stupid and selfish. And it's true, but it's also silly (I love alliteration!). It truly is a way to shift the focus from your mess to helping someone else with theirs.
While I was serving, I wasn't thinking about the stuff going on in my own life. I was sharing with other people and having conversations - one even made someone consider something opposite to her beliefs.
My participation encouraged others and made people smile.
Serving is designed to help others, but it also helps us as we serve.
Enjoy this story of selfishly silly serving that left me and others smiling.
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
 
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/
Podbean Podcast Hosting (aff): https://www.podbean.com/WarriorWords
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
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Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

162. The Lord’s Presence is in the Peace | Lynn Donovan

Welcome to Episode 162 of the Warrior Words podcast!
 
In 2025, Lynn Donovan was on the podcast to talk about being in a spiritually mismatched marriage (episode 134). We left that episode at a bit of a cliffhanger.
So she agreed to come back!
This week, she is sharing what came after her husband was baptized, and doing a little myth-busting!
The truth is, sometimes switching to Team Jesus puts a proverbial target on our back. But that doesn't mean there aren't blessings.
Join us this week as we discuss some of the chaos and a lot of peace that showed up after her husband's conversion.
 
Learn more about Lynn:
Website: https://lynndonovan.com/
Website: https://spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynndonovan/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirituallyunequalmarriage
 
Marching Around Jericho: https://amzn.to/3WPvQCk
 
Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild
 
Armor Up.
Fight the Good Fight.
Seek Beauty.
Make Your Words Warrior Words.
Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com
 
Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/
 
People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air!
Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24
Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/
Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/
1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e
Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/
 
NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical.
* Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.