Relentlessly Resilient Podcast

Rowena Montoya didn’t let a harsh childhood hold her back; instead, she chose to seek the better. And even when her life seemed to fall apart decades later, she chose to create something delicious in that darkness. She created “JulieAnn Caramels,” using a recipe and the namesakes her aunts had given her. Now, her award-winning sweets can be found across the Intermountain West and online at JulieAnnCaramels.com. Her premium caramels were first introduced to our hosts when our guest, Aimee Snow, brought them into the studio for her recording. They have immediately become a hit worthy of discovering their story today.  Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Presented by Minky Couture, makers of the most luxurious and soft blankets with a mission to share comfort and love during the special moments of life. Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

One of the most uncomfortable things in life is facing the faults, and strengths, we have within our individual selves. But this self-awareness can truly be a key to understanding your body, brain, heart, and soul. In this cohost conversation episode of Relentlessly Resilient, Host Michelle Scharf applies her life coaching skills to teach us “Six steps to better self-awareness.” Simplifying self-awareness is as easy as slowing down to breathe correctly, sitting in a quiet place, and reflecting on how you are feeling. Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Presented by Minky Couture, makers of the most luxurious and soft blankets with a mission to share comfort and love during the special moments of life. Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform: kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

When Holly Hall’s husband passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack in early 2023, she turned to others for comfort and care. In her pain, she remembered the story of Jennie Taylor’s loss and found our Relentlessly Resilient podcast. Hearing other’s stories of widowhood, perseverance, and their tools of resilience helped her face her first year of loss. Now, she joins host Michelle Scharf to share her journey, along with a unique perspective from a family trip to the Grand Canyon just before her husband's death.  Even though we live in challenging times, we can become 'Relentlessly Resilient' as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Presented by Minky Couture, makers of the most luxurious and soft blankets with a mission to share comfort and love during the special moments of life. Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Gary R. Harter is a retired Army Colonel who spent 25 years on active duty and retired from the military in 2005. He has continued to serve his fellow veterans in various governmental roles and is now the director of the Department of Veteran and Military Affairs for Utah. He joins this episode of Relentlessly Resilient to show how forward-thinking and cascading planning can help unlock better human potential. A surprise weapon in his resiliency toolbox is continual creativity, which he has learned while volunteering with productions of the Timpanogos Valley Theatre in Heber, Utah. Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Presented by Minky Couture, makers of the most luxurious and soft blankets with a mission to share comfort and love during the special moments of life. Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

On December 7, 2023, our host Michelle’s grandson was rushed to the hospital in an emergency situation; unbeknownst to his family, the ten-year-old had a circulatory malformation in his brain. This arteriovenous malformation (AVM) had burst, bringing him dangerously close to death as blood flooded his brain; after multiple surgeries and a 40-day hospital stay, he is now home recovering. Michelle turned to TikTok to learn about the issue and seek guidance from others and found Kristi Kelley. Kristi’s AVM ruptured while she was gardening in her 40s. Now, years later, she might have partially lost her eyesight, but in that struggle, she has gained a positive attitude, gratitude for the life and the time she has, and a passion for connecting with others struggling with the impacts of AVM. She joins this episode of Relentlessly Resilient to share her story, guidance, and comfort.  Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Presented by Minky Couture, makers of the most luxurious and soft blankets with a mission to share comfort and love during the special moments of life. Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major Garrad Johnston served in Iraq with Brent Taylor in the early 2000s and continued to serve in the military for some three decades total. Now, as he has retired from the army, he puts on a different uniform to serve his community. This time as a police officer in the Lindon Utah Police Department. Johnston joins this episode of Relentlessly Resilient to discuss his military service, addressing post-traumatic stress disorder, and finding purpose, resilience, and light while serving in uniform.   Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Presented by Minky Couture, makers of the most luxurious and soft blankets with a mission to share comfort and love during the special moments of life. Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

On this episode of Relentlessly Resilient, our hosts, Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf, tackle many ways to celebrate Feb. 14th and beyond. Whether you celebrate Valentine’s, Galentine’s, Singletine’s, or any other sentimental holiday, you can find a way to celebrate whatever your relationship status or mood may say. Our hosts offer their experiences and tips to celebrate, or not to celebrate, in ways you feel comfortable. From crafting with kids, an evening of self-care, or treating the 14th like any other weekday. Producer KellieAnn even joins them for her input as a “forever single” adult and joyful aunt.  Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Presented by Minky Couture, makers of the most luxurious and soft blankets with a mission to share comfort and love during the special moments of life. Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Wendy Paul has a busy life as a mother, business owner, and plentiful cookbook author. But when she and her husband Brian caught Covid in January 2022, she never could have known how the virus would change her life. While Wendy recovered well, her husband struggled with Long-Covid complications, including insomnia, psychosis, arthritis, and symptoms that mimicked immunodeficiency disorders. For months, Wendy advocated for Brian’s care with medical professionals, therapists, specialists, and fighting insurance companies, citing “responsibility of duty of care.” Sadly, the Covid Psychosis was too much for Brian to handle, and in September 2023, he completed suicide. Wendy joins our Relentlessly Resilient hosts to discuss the lesser-known dangers of post-covid problems, advocating for care, and breaking the stigma by calling suicide by its name.  Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Presented by Minky Couture, makers of the most luxurious and soft blankets with a mission to share comfort and love during the special moments of life. Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Host Jennie Taylor met Karen Mojecki as they both participated in the Army’s, “Survivor Advisory Working Group.” Jennie as a Gold Star Widow and Karen as a Gold Star Mother, having lost a husband and son, respectively. As the group strives to address issues of surviving military family members, Karen has focused on military mental health and suicide prevention. Her son, Major Wesley J. Hinkley, completed suicide on April 4, 2011, while serving in the U.S. Army in Baghdad, Iraq. Karen shares his story, the lessons she has learned and taught from LivingWorks ASIST suicide first aid program, and finding meaning in helping others suffering from suicidal ideation. If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. If you are a military veteran,  press 1 so you can talk to another veteran.  Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Presented by Minky Couture, makers of the most luxurious and soft blankets with a mission to share comfort and love during the special moments of life. Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen. 

As we continue our conversation on Alzheimer's disease and dementia, Jeremy Cunningham, Public Policy Director of the Alzheimer's Association Utah Chapter, discusses what families and caretakers of patients need to know. Issues from the causes and contributions to cognitive decline and medications, to the legal/scam protections and policy, as well as Adult Protective Services. Even if you do not have a loved one with Alzheimer's, it is important to learn about this ‘Silver Tsunami’ issue of public health.  Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Presented by Minky Couture, makers of the most luxurious and soft blankets with a mission to share comfort and love during the special moments of life. Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Wendy Farr with the Utah Alzheimer's Association is fighting for a world without Alzheimer’s and dementia, and for now, she is on a mission to teach people about the brain disorder. She joins this episode of Relentlessly Resilient to educate listeners on the many facets of understanding Alzheimer's and dementia, supporting patients and caregivers,  warning signs of Alzheimer's, risks, preventive measures, and the many resources available online at ALZ.org and your local chapter of the Alzheimer Association. She reminds us that you can find hope amid the struggle with dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline, 800-272-3900,  is available around the clock, 365 days a year.  Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Presented by Minky Couture, makers of the most luxurious and soft blankets with a mission to share comfort and love during the special moments of life. Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

In the second of a two-part series, attorney Erin Preston continues to share the hard-earned lessons and tools of resilience she has learned from the unexpected passing of her husband Bryan Robert Thatcher. The grief over his death in 2018 was compounded by other tragic losses among her family and friends, including our Relentlessly Resilient hosts’ husbands. Together, they discuss their journey of loss, communicating grief, and the choice to use loss to springboard into growth.   Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Presented by Minky Couture, makers of the most luxurious and soft blankets with a mission to share comfort and love during the special moments of life. Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Attorney Erin Preston reluctantly learned to deal with death as she advocated for better mental care for youth in schools when a rash of suicides broke out in her school district. Amid the battle to help students feel loved and seen, her husband was a rock in life. Sadly, amid that fight, the Draper fire marshal passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack. In this part one of a two-part series, Erin shares the story of her beloved husband Bryan Robert Thatcher’s passing and how her family and friends, like our Relenteslsly Resilient hosts, rallied to support each other in their loss.  In the second of a two-part series, attorney Erin Preston continues to share the hard-earned lessons and tools of resilience she has learned from the unexpected passing of her husband Bryan Robert Thatcher. The grief over his death in 2018 was compounded by other tragic losses among her family and friends, including our Relentlessly Resilient hosts’ husbands. Together they discuss their journey of loss, communicating grief, and the choice to use loss to springboard into growth.   Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Presented by Minky Couture, makers of the most luxurious and soft blankets with a mission to share comfort and love during the special moments of life. Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Luannah Victoria Arana is a healer and an author who has spent decades of her life cultivating healing and trauma recovery techniques around the world. Now, in her book, “Resilience, Grace and the Art of Showing Up: A Spiritual Journey of Empowerment Against All Odds,” she shares these resiliency tools and how they helped her reclaim her own life from trauma. Using examples from nature, her Hawaiian heritage, her healing center, Serenity By the Sea, and her SoulSpecives Institute, she shares her insightful insights with Relentlessly Resilient host Michelle Scharf. Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

The Children’s Justice Centers (CJC) in the state of Utah are established to provide a neutral, comfortable place for coordinated services during the child abuse investigative process. These centers are even more important when you consider that nationally, 1 in 7 children have experienced abuse or neglect in the past year, and even fewer accounts are reported to authorities. On this last part of a three-part series on the stories and services of CJCs, our Relentlessly Resilient hosts have a crucial conversation on issues surrounding child physical and sexual abuse and human trafficking. In this episode, a mother shares the story of when she turned to her local CJC’s services after a family member had abused her young daughters.  Zumi’s life was turned upside down when her husband had a tragic accident, and she turned to an adult nephew to help take care of her three and four-year-old daughters. Sadly, their situation was made worse when she returned home to one of her daughters disclosing sexual abuse from that nephew. Zumi carefully took the steps she could to protect her daughters, remove them from the situation, and get the authorities involved. She used the medical, investigative, and therapeutic services of her local Children’s Justice Center, even as others wanted to sweep the allegations under the rug. Justice is served as the attacker is sentenced to decades in prison.  Listeners are encouraged to educate themselves on the signs of child abuse, the responsibility of reporting, how to report, and the carefully coordinated services provided by Utah’s local CJC as part of the investigative process. Great care and research have been given into the development of the process and services in order to provide a comfortable, neutral, child-friendly atmosphere for children and their families receiving care. This includes accreditations from the National Children’s Alliance and a multidisciplinary team trained to minimize trauma and facilitate improved coordination with investigators, as well as resources for survivors of any age.  While a CJC cannot accept child abuse reports directly, please report suspected abuse by contacting one of the following: Utah Division of Child & Family Services at 1-855-323-3237, your local police department or sheriff’s office, and if it is an emergency; call 911.   Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.