What happens after the moment that changes everything?
Surviving a traumatic event is often seen as the end of the story. But for many, it’s only the beginning. How to Survive Survival explores what comes next—the uncertain space where pain, identity, and purpose collide.

Hosted by bestselling author and survivor Jessica Buchanan, this podcast dives deep into the lived experiences of people who have endured the unimaginable and chosen to turn their suffering into service, impact, and meaning. Each episode reveals what survival really requires—not just in the moment of crisis, but in the long, relentless aftermath.

www.jessbuchanan.com

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder. Her latest book, How to Survive Survival: A Guide for Turning Life’s Hardest Moments Into Meaningful Contribution for the World was released in 2025.  Jessica is also the author of Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six, published in 2014, which became a New York Times Bestseller. 

Jessica is the founder of Soul Speak Press, a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on stories from women who have been through something, now they know something and can teach us something.

When she’s not writing or speaking, Jessica is traveling the world with her Swedish husband and two “half Vikings.” She aims to lead a life shaped by curiosity, culture, and a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

Katie and Dawn Simmons are a mother and daughter from South Louisiana who turned unimaginable loss into a mission to save lives. After losing three members of their family, Lindy, Christopher, and Kamryn Simmons, to an impaired driver in 2021, they founded Simmons 3, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing impaired driving and encouraging young people to make life-giving decisions.

Together, Katie and Dawn travel across Louisiana and throughout the country sharing their family’s story with students, athletes, medical professionals, and communities. Their presentations focus not only on the dangers of impaired driving but also on personal responsibility, character, and the power each person has to shape their own future.

What began as a grieving family searching for purpose has grown into a mission that has reached tens of thousands of students and community members. Through school presentations, community partnerships, and advocacy efforts, Simmons 3 continues working to ensure that Lindy, Christopher, and Kamryn’s legacy lives on by helping others choose a different path.

Katie and Dawn believe that even in the darkest circumstances, purpose can rise from pain. Their work today is rooted in one simple hope: that by sharing their story, another family might be spared the heartbreak they carry.

www.simmons3.com

Facebook: Katie Joy DeRouen, Dawn Hebert Simmons, Simmons 3
Instagram: katiederouen

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder. Her latest book, How to Survive Survival: A Guide for Turning Life’s Hardest Moments Into Meaningful Contribution for the World was released in 2025.  Jessica is also the author of Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six, published in 2014, which became a New York Times Bestseller. 

Jessica is the founder of Soul Speak Press, a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on stories from women who have been through something, now they know something and can teach us something.

When she’s not writing or speaking, Jessica is traveling the world with her Swedish husband and two “half Vikings.” She aims to lead a life shaped by curiosity, culture, and a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

Hilary Phelps is a holistic performance coach, speaker, advocate, and founder of The Right Room—a platform devoted to guiding high-achieving women through life’s most pivotal transitions.

Once the fastest swimmer in the nation for her age, Hilary’s early promise was eclipsed by a 15-year battle with addiction that began at just 14. At 29, she made the courageous decision to enter recovery, not just to put down the substance, but to reclaim her identity, rebuild from within, and begin the work of lasting transformation.

After quietly celebrating 15 years of sobriety, Hilary chose to share her story publicly in 2022, recognizing that vulnerability, when shared with intention, becomes a form of leadership. Her voice now serves as a lifeline to others navigating what she calls the quiet collapse—that often invisible moment when outward success no longer aligns with inner truth.

Through her private mentorship, group programs, and podcast The Right Room with Hilary Phelps, she creates spaces where women can reconnect with their voice, redefine their power, and live from a place of alignment and wholeness.
Hilary lives in Arlington, Virginia with her son, Alexander and partner, Greg, and brings her lived experience, somatic training, and deep empathy to everything she does—blending success with soul to support women who are ready to rise differently.

www.hilaryphelps.com

Instagram: @hilaryphelps_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-phelps-6143695/

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder. Her latest book, How to Survive Survival: A Guide for Turning Life’s Hardest Moments Into Meaningful Contribution for the World was released in 2025.  Jessica is also the author of Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six, published in 2014, which became a New York Times Bestseller. 

Jessica is the founder of Soul Speak Press, a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on stories from women who have been through something, now they know something and can teach us something.

When she’s not writing or speaking, Jessica is traveling the world with her Swedish husband and two “half Vikings.” She aims to lead a life shaped by curiosity, culture, and a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

Sam Goodwin is an inspirational keynote speaker, bestselling author and founder of SGI Ventures. He has delivered hundreds of corporate keynotes all around the globe, from Fortune 500 giants to industry-leading organizations. 

As one of the few people to have traveled to all 193 countries in the world, Sam’s global journey took an unexpected turn in 2019 when he was taken hostage and wrongfully imprisoned in Syria. His bestselling memoir, Saving Sam, recounts this harrowing experience and reveals the hard-earned wisdom he discovered through the ordeal. Today, these lessons form the foundation of SGI’s signature program, “Winning Through Uncertainty.” 

A former Division I hockey player, Sam spent six years living in Singapore working for a tech startup and an NGO. He completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees before earning a doctorate in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins University in Washington DC. Away from the keynote stage, Dr. Goodwin is a private pilot, Ironman triathlete and an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Washington University in St. Louis. He and his wife, Natasha, make their home in Tampa, Florida, where Sam balances coaching leaders, logging flight hours and playing in a weekly men’s league hockey game.

https://www.samrgoodwin.com/

https://www.instagram.com/samrgoodwin/

Saving Sam: The True Story of an American’s Disappearance in Syria and His Family’s Extraordinary Fight to Bring Him Home 

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder. Her latest book, How to Survive Survival: A Guide for Turning Life’s Hardest Moments Into Meaningful Contribution for the World was released in 2025.  Jessica is also the author of Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six, published in 2014, which became a New York Times Bestseller. 

Jessica is the founder of Soul Speak Press, a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on stories from women who have been through something, now they know something and can teach us something.

When she’s not writing or speaking, Jessica is traveling the world with her Swedish husband and two “half Vikings.” She aims to lead a life shaped by curiosity, culture, and a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

Aron Ralston's extraordinary story of survival after an 800-pound boulder trapped him in a remote Utah canyon captured global headlines in 2003. In his New York Times best seller, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, the Oscar-nominated film, 127 Hours, and on stage, Ralston takes audiences vicariously through those six days without water, means of communication, or hope of escape, to the ecstatic moments when he freed himself by severing his own arm.

Following a miraculous rescue spearheaded by his mom and with the aid of prosthetics he helped design, Aron returned to his outdoor passions, completing elite mountaineering projects which remain unrepeated even to this day. He has interviewed with Tom Brokaw, David Letterman, and Jay Leno, and received standing ovations and industry-leading testimonials from over five hundred groups around the world. Attendees credit Ralston's story with encouraging them through disease, disability, and loss, even saving their lives from suicide and depression. 

Aron's incredible triumph in the face of insurmountable odds inspires audiences to harness the power of their deepest motivations, relationships, and mindset to transform personal and professional "boulders" into their blessings. Today, Ralston continues to pursue high-altitude adventures, advocates for wilderness protection, and tries to keep up with his two spirited children, Leo and Elisabetta.

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder. Her latest book, How to Survive Survival: A Guide for Turning Life’s Hardest Moments Into Meaningful Contribution for the World was released in 2025.  Jessica is also the author of Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six, published in 2014, which became a New York Times Bestseller. 

Jessica is the founder of Soul Speak Press, a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on stories from women who have been through something, now they know something and can teach us something.

When she’s not writing or speaking, Jessica is traveling the world with her Swedish husband and two “half Vikings.” She aims to lead a life shaped by curiosity, culture, and a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

Marcus Aurelius Anderson is a Bestselling Author, TEDx Speaker and International Keynote Speaker, and Leadership Coach to Founders, CEO’s, and entrepreneurs. He’s also the host of the top rated Acta Non Verba Podcast. 

While preparing to deploy with the U.S. Army, Marcus suffered a severe spinal injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down. 

After dying on the operating table twice, the surgeons saved his life, but told him he'd never walk again. 

Having no other option, Marcus started doing some brutally honest soul searching, looking for the lesson to be learned from his injury. Once he started seeing his Adversity as a gift instead of a curse, something miraculous began to happen...

Marcus now speaks, writes, inspires and coaches others to overcome their own Adversities to actualize their personal definition of success in business and every aspect of life. 

His message teaches us how we can leverage Adversity to make us into better leaders, parents, spouses, and human beings to create a better world. 

www.marcusaureliusanderson.com

www.actanonverbapodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-aurelius-anderson?trk=author_mini-profile_title

Instagram: marcusaureliusanderson

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder. Her latest book, How to Survive Survival: A Guide for Turning Life’s Hardest Moments Into Meaningful Contribution for the World was released in 2025.  Jessica is also the author of Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six, published in 2014, which became a New York Times Bestseller. 

Jessica is the founder of Soul Speak Press, a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on stories from women who have been through something, now they know something and can teach us something.

When she’s not writing or speaking, Jessica is traveling the world with her Swedish husband and two “half Vikings.” She aims to lead a life shaped by curiosity, culture, and a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

Alycia Anderson is a globally recognized keynote speaker, corporate accessibility consultant, host of the Pushing Forward with Alycia podcast and leadership expert who helps organizations transform culture, elevate performance, and lead at scale through the power of inclusion and human potential. 

As a disability advocate and accessibility strategist, she brings a distinctive, disability-forward lens that challenges conventional thinking and unlocks innovation across today’s most competitive organizations.

Alycia is a trusted partner to Fortune 500 companies and global brands, delivering high-impact keynotes & workshops for corporate all-hands, executive leadership teams, and international conferences. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, women’s empowerment, and disability inclusion, equipping organizations to build future-ready cultures where people and performance thrive together.

A wheelchair user since birth, Alycia combines lived experience with executive leadership expertise. She holds a Master’s Degree in Adaptive Physical Activity and serves on California’s Insurance Diversity Task Force as the inaugural Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise (PDBE) Representative, helping shape inclusive policy and systems at scale.

She has partnered with 200+ organizations including Microsoft, Netflix, Etsy, Uber, and the International Paralympic Committee. Her company has been named one of America’s Top 100 Small Businesses by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and her programs consistently deliver an industry-leading 88 Net Promoter Score.

Her story has been featured in TEDx, AT&T and Planet Fitness campaigns, and covered by the Los Angeles Times, CNBC, Chicago Tribune, and Authority Magazine’s “Female Disruptors” series

Alycia’s authenticity and charisma help her connect deeply with audiences, breaking down barriers and reframing perceptions of disability in powerful, business-relevant ways.

And that’s how she rolls!

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder. Her latest book, How to Survive Survival: A Guide for Turning Life’s Hardest Moments Into Meaningful Contribution for the World was released in 2025.  Jessica is also the author of Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six, published in 2014, which became a New York Times Bestseller. 

Jessica is the founder of Soul Speak Press, a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on stories from women who have been through something, now they know something and can teach us something.

When she’s not writing or speaking, Jessica is traveling the world with her Swedish husband and two “half Vikings.” She aims to lead a life shaped by curiosity, culture, and a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

Brad Craven is the founder of Warriors for African Wildlife.

Born in Denver in 1982, Brad grew up in a loving family whose life changed after his younger brother Sam was born with cerebral palsy and autism. Watching his parents sacrifice everything to give Sam a future shaped his resilience, sense of duty, and belief in service. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he experienced the intensity of war, loss, and the struggle of coming home.

Healing came through service. He helped train Sam to become an internationally decorated Paralympic athlete and later found renewed purpose in Africa, working alongside conservationists and anti-poaching units. In 2015, Brad travelled to Africa to volunteer at a lion sanctuary. These lions were rescued from the canned hunting industry. After his first trip he wanted more!  He kept going back once or twice a year. Listening learning from Africas Wildlife Conservation and Antipoaching experts how he could get further involved with respect and understanding. On Brad's third trip he trained with an anti-poaching unit. The mission in Africa had brought him back to himself. Brad thought to himself if this can do this for him it can do it for other Veterans. Brad founded Warriors for African Wildlife, a nonprofit that brings U.S. combat veterans to Africa to train with local rangers—helping veterans rediscover purpose while supporting wildlife conservation and local communities. 

Last year on Brad's last tour to Africa to train Africa's Antipoaching Rangers in South Africa his father, mother, and brother came to South Africa to see his mission first hand. Brad's father served as an US Army Lt. and has been a big motivator of Brad's mission. Sadly, Brad's Father passed in Africa after seeing the mission Brad has created. Brad's Father was 82 with congenital heart failure, but was not going to miss this trip. 

His work is dedicated to honoring his family, fallen friends, and the belief that trauma can be transformed into service and hope.

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder. Her latest book, How to Survive Survival: A Guide for Turning Life’s Hardest Moments Into Meaningful Contribution for the World was released in 2025.  Jessica is also the author of Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six, published in 2014, which became a New York Times Bestseller. 

Jessica is the founder of Soul Speak Press, a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on stories from women who have been through something, now they know something and can teach us something.

When she’s not writing or speaking, Jessica is traveling the world with her Swedish husband and two “half Vikings.” She aims to lead a life shaped by curiosity, culture, and a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

Martin Lockett is the Director of Cultural Engagement at Lines for Life, a substance abuse counselor, author, public speaker, and advocate for reducing DUI fatalities. He spent 17.5 years in prison for a DUI fatality that claimed two lives and severely injured another. In an impassioned vow to his victims’ families and friends at his sentencing, Lockett devoted the rest of his life to honoring his victims’ legacies by helping others who struggle with substance abuse issues and warning of the dangers of drinking and driving. 

While incarcerated, Martin earned a BS in sociology, MS in psychology, and served as a mentor and role model to other inmates. He acquired state certification as a substance abuse counselor, published two books (Prison to Purpose Pipeline and My Prison Life), and began sharing his story at DUI victim impact panels all within the prison setting.

Now released, Lockett continues his mission and message by helping those in need of counseling services for mental health and substance abuse issues, while providing hope by sharing his powerful story of redemption at DUI victim impact panels, alcohol highway safety classes, high schools, colleges and conferences across the country. 

This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder. Her latest book, How to Survive Survival: A Guide for Turning Life’s Hardest Moments Into Meaningful Contribution for the World was released in 2025.  Jessica is also the author of Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six, published in 2014, which became a New York Times Bestseller. 

Jessica is the founder of Soul Speak Press, a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on stories from women who have been through something, now they know something and can teach us something.

When she’s not writing or speaking, Jessica is traveling the world with her Swedish husband and two “half Vikings.” She aims to lead a life shaped by curiosity, culture, and a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.