Real Things Living

Brigitte Cutshall

Real Things Living will encourage and inspire you to be more engaged with life and your health; this podcast focuses on real stories about resilience that empower active lifestyles. The host, Brigitte Cutshall, knows what it means to go from survivor to thriver just like many others. Between beating cancer twice with her intentional approach to health, she then found out she had a rare brain tumor. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brigitte-cutshall/support

  • 33 minutes 5 seconds
    Finding the Magic in the Movement: A Dialogue on Well-Being

    The conventional view of healthcare often starts with a problem, but Dr. Peter Kevorkian believes the true essence of health begins with removing the interference to your body’s own brilliance.

    As a renowned chiropractor and the President of Life Chiropractic College West, Dr. Peter joins Brigitte Cutshall to discuss why optimizing the spine is about much more than "cracking backs"—it’s about unlocking the potential of the human spirit.


    Key Takeaways:

    (1) The Nervous System as a Bridge: Your nervous system acts as the conductor, translating thoughts, sensations, and emotions into physical manifestations.

    (2) Intimate Relationship: Physiology and psychology are two sides of the same coin; an issue in one will always echo in the other.

    (3) Reclaiming Harmony: Understanding this connection is the first step toward clearing the "static" and allowing your body to function at its highest frequency.


    Ready to clear the static and tune into your body's natural frequency?

    You can connect with Dr. Peter Kevorkian at [email protected] or explore more about his leadership and philosophy at https://lifewest.edu

    31 March 2026, 5:01 pm
  • 31 minutes 43 seconds
    Oxygen Revolution: Reclaiming Your Health from Chronic Illness with Brad Pitzele

    "I walked out of that appointment freaked out... no one seemed to see it but me". Brad Pitzele was a young father losing his functionality to what doctors called "minor" issues—until it became a fight for his life.

    Brad Pitzele, CEO of 1000 Roads, shares his harrowing journey through "medical gaslighting," a $500 test that changed everything, and why he ultimately built his own medical-grade oxygen system in his garage. Discover how 15 minutes of "hijacking" your physiology can do more for your cells than hours in a traditional hyperbaric chamber.


    3 Takeaways:

    (1) The 1% Rule: Our oxygen levels drop 1% every year after age 25; learn how to reverse this "energy leak".

    (2) The "Third Path": Why you should never accept a binary choice in healthcare and how to stay curious enough to find a better way.

    (3) Mitochondrial "Feeding": How oxygen and red light therapy work together to "power up" your cells.


    Ready to be your own health advocate?

    Download Brad’s free protocol guide at https://BradTalksHealth.com

    26 March 2026, 3:21 pm
  • 55 minutes 26 seconds
    From Combat to Calm: How to Reclaim Your Energy with Tim Thomas

    A decorated Special Forces veteran nearly lost everything to the system that was supposed to save him—until he discovered the one tool the body has always had.

    In this episode, Brigitte Cutshall speaks with Tim Thomas, an ex-Australian Special Forces member dedicated to helping people reclaim their sense of self and energy. Drawing from his combat experience and his own journey with PTSD, Tim discusses the vital importance of breaking isolation and overcoming fatigue.

    He challenges the "economy of dysfunction" in mainstream medicine, advocating instead for natural healing modalities that integrate the body and mind to achieve permanent results.


    3 Key Takeaways:

    (1) The Power of Presence: Anxiety often stems from the mind traveling forward or backward in time; true power and "totality" are found by connecting the mind 100% to the current moment.

    (2) Breaking the Isolation Cycle: Intense physical or emotional pain often transforms into secret loneliness and isolation, which are the opposite of how humans are built to function.

    (3) The "P Test" for Success: Effective healing must be Powerful, Positive, and most importantly, Permanent—ensuring that the progress made actually sticks long-term.


    Connect with Tim Thomas and explore his resources below:https://breathworkinbed.com.au/

    https://www.instagram.com/breathworkinbed/

    https://www.facebook.com/breathworkinbed

    https://www.tiktok.com/@breathworkinbed

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/bettersleepbetterworld/

    20 March 2026, 12:56 pm
  • 29 minutes 55 seconds
    Joy is the Medicine: Reimagining the Dementia Journey with Marilyn Reichle

    Instead of a long goodbye, imagine a nine-year journey filled with newfound creativity, laughter, and deep connection.

    In this episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall talks with Marilyn Raichle, author of "Don't Walk Away: A Care Partner’s Journey." Marilyn shares how her mother’s late-life discovery of painting transformed their relationship from one of "caregiver and patient" to true "care partners".


    KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

    (1) Art as an Anchor: Marilyn discovered that while Alzheimer’s is scary, art is not; it allows the person living with dementia to be present and their true self to emerge.

    (2) The Power of Listening: Marilyn shifted from "being raised to win" to learning the art of listening, discovering that her mother always had something left to teach.

    (3) Living vs. Suffering: A central theme of the conversation is the importance of saying a person is "living with" dementia rather than "suffering from" it, acknowledging their ongoing value and humanity.

    (4) Innovation in Care: As Executive Director of the Maudes Awards, Marilyn highlights how they provide $100,000 in annual gifts to individuals and organizations finding innovative ways to bring joy to those with memory loss.


    Insights for Care Partners:

    (1) The Five-Minute Rule: If you are struggling to connect, find one simple thing you both enjoy—a walk, a song, or a sunset—and do it for just five minutes.

    (2) Emotional Memory: Even if a loved one cannot remember the specifics of a visit, they retain the positive emotion and "joy" that the interaction provided.


    Resources

    Website: https://dontwalkaway.net

    The Maude's Awards: https://maudesawards.org

    14 March 2026, 8:45 pm
  • 50 minutes 46 seconds
    Beyond Coping: The Science of Higher Consciousness

    Is your life running on an outdated operating system?

    Brigitte Cutshall sits down with enlightened master Dahryn Trivedi to challenge the modern definition of resilience. Backed by 6,000+ scientific experiments, they explore why "coping" is actually a sign of failure and how to move into a state of effortless flow and "spiritual immunity."

    Key Takeaways:

    • Why the $4 trillion wellness industry indicates a lack of true healing.

    • Data-backed results: How consciousness affects everything from crop yields to inflammation.

    • Moving from survival mode to authentic transformation.

    Visit https://divineconnection.org/realthingsliving for an exclusive discount to try a divine blessing for the first time.If this episode helped you rethink your own resilience, hit the 'Follow' button and share this with a friend who's tired of just 'coping'.

    10 March 2026, 12:19 pm
  • 26 minutes 35 seconds
    Permission to Launch with Chanda Coston

    You've poured into everyone else — your career, your family, your community. Now it's your turn. But where do you even start?

    Brigitte Cutshall sits down with Chanda Coston, a business coach and strategist who helps women in midlife build businesses that actually fit their lives.

    Chanda shares how losing her brother to gun violence led her to discover her passion for mentoring, and why she believes women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s are uniquely positioned — and urgently ready — to bet on themselves.

    From overcoming overwhelm to building personal brands, Chanda brings both military discipline and heartfelt coaching to help women stop waiting and start living.


    3 Key Takeaways:

    (1) Structure and boundaries are the cure for overwhelm. If you're constantly saying yes to everyone else, there's nothing left for your own dreams — and that has to change first.

    (2) All of your experiences are your greatest asset. Nothing was wasted. Your career, your seasons of life, even your failures are human capital that no employer will ever fully compensate you for.

    (3) Accountability is a multiplier. Telling someone your goal makes you 65% more likely to achieve it — having someone hold you to it pushes that to 95%.

    Stop waiting for the "perfect" moment to prioritize your dreams.

    Visit https://Chanda-co.com to explore how a 12-week strategic plan can help you scale your business without sacrificing your well-being.

    https://www.instagram.com/chanda__co/



    3 March 2026, 4:14 pm
  • 39 minutes 1 second
    Laughing Through the Unthinkable with Teresa Baglietto

    Four cancers, three strokes, two brain aneurysms, a divorce, and 27 surgeries — and she came out on the other side with a book, a podcast, and a whole lot of laughter.

    Teresa Baglietto joins Brigitte Cutshall on Real Things Living for a raw and deeply relatable conversation about surviving the unsurvivable. From her first cancer diagnosis in 2008 through a decade of medical crises, Teresa shares how she leaned on her faith, her village of friends, and her sense of humor to keep going.

    She opens up about raising three boys through it all, writing her book, The Ripple Effect, and launching her podcast In Shock — both rooted in the belief that our hardest moments don't have to define us, but they can absolutely shape us.


    Takeaways:

    (1) Laughter is medicine. Teresa credits her community of funny, loving friends as one of her most powerful healing tools. Giving yourself permission to laugh — even in the darkest moments — releases stress, shifts your energy, and brings moments of joy when you need them most.

    (2) Suppression creates disease. Teresa and Brigitte both emphasize that keeping your struggles hidden can catch up with you. Being vocal and open about what you're going through isn't weakness — it's a survival strategy.

    (3) Your anchors matter. Rather than just talking about resilience, Teresa's book, The Ripple Effect, focuses on the anchors — the specific habits, people, and mindsets that actually carry you through. Resilience is the outcome; the anchors are the practice.


    Check out Teresa's book "The Ripple Effect" - https://www.amazon.com/Ripple-Effect-Teresa-Baglietto/dp/B0G2SXSLXG

    Her podcast "In Shock" on YouTube and all major platforms https://www.youtube.com/@inshock.podcast

    Connect with her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/inshock.podcast/

    Visit her website at https://teresabaglietto.com


    And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who needs a reminder that joy is always worth fighting for.

    28 February 2026, 1:06 pm
  • 25 minutes 19 seconds
    Navigating the Rare: Empowerment and Inclusion with Kelly & Avery

    Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD) is an ultra-rare diagnosis that often requires a long, complex journey toward answers.

    In this episode, Brigitte Cutshall sits down with Kelly Berger and Avery Roberts, hosts of the Wheel Talk with Kelly & Avery Podcast, to explore their lives with the same rare subtype of CMD.

    From meeting on a Zoom call to becoming close friends and collaborators , they share how they navigated the transition to mobility devices for independence and safety , the frustrations of a world not built for them , and their mission to amplify disabled voices through female empowerment.


    3 Key Takeaways

    (1) Diagnosis is a Spectrum: Avery was diagnosed at age seven after extensive testing , while Kelly lived with a misdiagnosis until her late 20s ; their experiences highlight that CMD is a spectrum disorder where every individual's journey is unique

    (2) The Difference Between Compliance and Access: The ADA provides only a "bare minimum" for public spaces , but many private or older venues, such as New York theaters, remain inaccessible , forcing those with disabilities to perform exhausting "pre-planning" just to run basic errands.

    (3) The Power of Allyship and Unlearning: Being a supportive ally starts with a willingness to "unlearn" misconceptions and assumptions about the disability community , understanding that there is power in collective action to enact meaningful, lasting change.


    Action items:

    - Support and listen to people with disabilities

    - Advocate for accessible environments

    - Stay informed about genetic testing and health


    Check out Kelly and Avery’s stories on the Wheel Talk with Kelly & Avery Podcast—available on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube—and follow their mission to uplift and empower rare voices.

    24 February 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 27 minutes 58 seconds
    Kevin Rice on Leading with Intent AND Purpose

    "I was in robot mode: high productivity, zero emotional connection."

    Kevin Rice built a company from his garage to 250 employees and $40M in revenue, but the "success" felt hollow. In this episode, we dive into how to break out of survival mode, redefine "balance" through intentionality, and lead your family with the same passion you bring to your career.

    Key Takeaways

    (1) Move from Balance to Intentionality: True work-life balance may be unrealistic for high performers, but intentionality is achievable by planning family time with the same focus and purpose as a business meeting.

    (2) Beware of "Robot Mode": Leaders often default to "robot mode"—a state of high productivity without emotional connection—during intense stress. While this helps business survival, it prevents you from feeling the joys and highs of your achievements.

    (3) Lead by Example, Not Compliance: Parenting is less about enforcing chores and more about modeling values like grit and initiative. Children are more likely to contribute to the household naturally when they see their parents working for something they believe in.

    Visit the CEO's and ABC's podcast - https://www.ceosandabcs.com/

    Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmrice/


    20 February 2026, 2:00 pm
  • 32 minutes 36 seconds
    Rising From the Ashes with Robin Ferguson

    The journey to finding your true self often requires leaving behind the stories that no longer serve you.

    In this episode of Real Things Living, host Brigitte Cutshall sits down with Robin Ferguson—an executive leader, coach, and author of "The Phoenix Effect."

    Robin shares how her background as a nurse and minister shaped her understanding of resilience and self-acceptance. They discuss the "Phoenix Effect," a transformative process of breaking down old personas to ignite a more authentic version of yourself, and how "positive disruptors" can help anyone break free from a stagnant routine.


    3 Takeaways:

    (1) Self-Awareness is a Superpower: Understanding the stories and cultural messages that shaped your history allows you to consciously choose who you want to be today.

    (2) Embrace Positive Disruptors: Stepping into uncomfortable territory—whether by taking a new class or simply changing your commute—breaks rote patterns and opens the door to new possibilities.

    (3) The Power of Curiosity: Staying endlessly curious keeps the mind young, aids in navigating change, and serves as the heart of creativity.


    Pick up a copy of Robin’s book, The Phoenix Effect, available on Amazon https://bit.ly/3Md4lkN

    Barnes & Noble https://bit.ly/4rgLuUX

    Connect with her at https://robin-ferguson.com

    16 February 2026, 1:01 pm
  • 35 minutes 5 seconds
    From Ivy League to Homeless: The Art of the Comeback with Ken Miller

    If you think your past defines your future, this story of Ivy League success, 20 years of homelessness, and ultimate redemption will change your mind.

    Ken Miller joins Brigitte Cutshall to share his powerful journey from being a National Merit Scholar at Dartmouth to spending two decades battling addiction, homelessness, and incarceration.

    Now 21 years sober and a successful business owner, Ken discusses the "internal problem" behind addiction, the courage required to face childhood trauma, and how he transitioned from a life of "negative secrets" to becoming a kind, gentle mentor for the next generation.


    3 Key Takeaways

    (1) Own Your Truth, Lose the Power: Healing begins by "turning the lights on" in the rooms of your past. By speaking his "big secrets" aloud, Ken stripped them of their power to cause him pain or shame.

    (2) The Myth of the "Why": While trauma and environment are factors (antecedents), Ken emphasizes that rationalizing bad behavior through past pain prevents true recovery. Accountability is the first step toward change.

    (3) Service as Self-Care: One of the fastest ways to build self-worth is to get "outside of yourself." Helping others—whether through formal mentoring or simply calling a lonely relative—creates the value you might feel you're lacking.


    Grab a copy of Ken Miller’s book, Becoming Ken, on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4tDHdwA

    12 February 2026, 7:39 pm
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