Nancy Pleger Samaritan Center

Mental wellness touches every single one of us, yet finding compassionate, accessible support is often one of life’s hardest hurdles. How can a community step up to make sure no one has to walk through life's heaviest moments alone?In this thoughtful episode of Podcast with Mandy, Mandy welcomes Nancy Pleger, Development Officer at the Samaritan Center. Nancy shares an inside look at the heart behind Samaritan’s mission: fostering hope, healing, and emotional well-being for individuals and families across the community.Together, Mandy and Nancy dive into the vital importance of mental health awareness, destigmatizing the conversation around seeking help, and removing the financial and social barriers that keep care out of reach. Nancy highlights what it looks like when a mission-driven organization meets people right where they are—providing a steady, compassionate presence and mobilizing community generosity to transform lives.Whether you are looking to better understand the mental health resources in your community, passionate about nonprofit advocacy, or seeking encouragement for your own emotional wellness journey, this conversation is an inspiring reminder of the profound impact we can make when we care for one another.In This Episode, We Discuss:The Samaritan Center Mission: How the center provides accessible, compassionate mental health and relational counseling.Shining a Light on Mental Wellness: Breaking through stigma and normalizing the decision to ask for help.Removing Barriers to Care: The power of community support, donor generosity, and subsidized care for neighbors in need.Meeting the Community Where They Are: Creating a safe, steady harbor for individuals and families facing life’s transitions and hardships.Getting Involved: How listeners can advocate for mental health and support local mission work.Connect with the Samaritan Center:Website:samaritanlancaster.orgLearn More & Support the Mission:samaritanlancaster.org/who-we-are/about

Every successful business begins with a story and the reason to build.On the latest episode of Podcasts with Mandy, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Estela Nascimento, Founder of ByEla (byela.com).We dive into:The origins of ByEla and the transition from concept to executionKey lessons in brand-building, resilience, and maintaining creative integrityActionable takeaways for founders navigating today's marketTune in for an insightful conversation about purpose-driven entrepreneurship and what it takes to bring an intentional vision to life.Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Sharon Lemoine, MSN, ARNP, is a Nurse Practitioner, entrepreneur, public speaker, and advocate for a new model of healthcare that integrates faith, science, and personal responsibility.With more than 25 years of experience in emergency medicine and over 30 years in healthcare, Sharon has dedicated her career to helping patients move beyond symptom management and reclaim ownership of their health through hormone optimization, functional medicine, preventative care, and faith-based wellness principles. As a Type 1 diabetic herself, Sharon brings a deeply personal perspective to the healthcare conversation. Her own health journey has included surviving thyroid cancer, navigating surgical menopause, and making the difficult decision to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy at a young age due to a significantly elevated risk of breast cancer. These experiences have given her a firsthand understanding of the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges that many patients face.Rather than simply treating disease, Sharon understands what it means to live through life- altering medical decisions, making her highly relatable to the patients, providers, and audiences she serves. Her story is one of resilience, faith, and determination, and it has shaped her passion for helping others take control of their health and future.Today, Sharon is the founder and owner of Gig Harbor Concierge Medicine and Gig Harbor Medical Spa, one of the Pacific Northwest's fastest-growing practices focused on hormone optimization, medically guided weight loss, primary care, peptide therapy, functional medicine, and preventative wellness. She is especially passionate about helping women understand the profound impact hormones have on quality of life, longevity, and overall health.Having spent decades on the front lines of emergency medicine, Sharon offers a unique perspective on the growing challenges facing modern healthcare. Through her concierge medicine practice, she is pioneering a patient-centered approach that restores meaningful provider-patient relationships while helping patients navigate an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.Sharon is also a passionate advocate for healthcare providers who aspire to build businesses of their own and practice medicine with greater autonomy and purpose. She encourages clinicians to think beyond traditional employment models and embrace entrepreneurship as a way to better serve their communities while protecting the integrity of patient care.At the heart of Sharon's work is her Christian faith. She believes true wellness cannot be separated from spiritual wellness and advocates for a healthcare model that honors the connection between body, mind, and spirit. Her message resonates with audiences seeking a more holistic approach to health and with providers looking to practice medicine with greater meaning and conviction.Whether speaking about faith-based medicine, women's health, hormone optimization, healthcare innovation, entrepreneurship, or overcoming personal adversity, Sharon brings authenticity, clinical expertise, and a powerful personal story that inspires audiences to take ownership of their health and live with greater purpose. Her commitment to faith, family, and service continues to guide both her personal life and professional mission as she works to transform the way people think about health, healing, and healthcare.instagram.com/theconciergenp_ www.youtube.com/@SharonLemoine-ARNP www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-lemoine-arnp-fnp-a2529070 Recent Podcast links: https://youtube.com/shorts/RmxFeL82Vzk?si=cGGxqTyuasI8lih0 https://www.youtube.com/live/mQRhOhRXrak?si=jB7OMnrA3GTHUcP

In this deeply moving episode of Podcasts with Mandy, Mandy sits down with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach realtor Nick Marotta for a raw, unfiltered conversation about rock bottom, radical transformation, and finding true purpose.Nick opens up about the defining moments of his life: confronting his alcoholism, admitting he needed help, and coming face-to-face with just how fragile life really is. He shares how surrendering his battles led him to discover a deep, steadfast faith in God—a turning point that restored not only his spirit, but his heart. Listeners will hear how faith paved the way for him to reconnect with the love of his life and build a future rooted in intention, family, and gratitude.Today, Nick channels that same relentless drive and hard-earned perspective into serving his community as a dedicated realtor in Ocean City, New Jersey. Whether you are fighting your own personal battle, looking for the courage to start over, or simply love an inspiring story of human resilience and redemption, Nick’s journey is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to turn your life around.Website:foxroach.com/bio/nickmarottaIf you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol, drugs, or addiction, immediate, free, and confidential help is available 24/7.Official Alcohol Anonymous Site & Meeting Finder: aa.orgOfficial Narcotics Anonymous Site & Meeting Finder:na.org

In this episode of Podcasts with Mandy, Mandy welcomes Jonathan Milkovich, Army veteran, endurance runner, and founder of Operation Warrior Fit (OWF).Operation Warrior Fit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders navigate the after-service transition. By providing access to athletic events, tactical wellness resources, and a community grounded in shared struggle, OWF uses fitness as a lifeline to rebuild mental health, combat post-service isolation, and remind warriors that they still have a mission worth fighting for.Jonathan shares his personal journey through the post-service fog, the heartbreak of losing brothers-in-arms to suicide, and how endurance racing gave him back his discipline and drive. We also talk about his ambitious endurance challenges—including setting out to run hundreds of miles across North Carolina—to shatter the stigma around mental health and prove that it’s okay to not be okay.In this episode, we discuss:The founding mission of Operation Warrior Fit and the R.E.A.D.Y. core values (Resilience, Endurance, Accountability, Dedication, You)Why fitness and community are critical lifelines for veteran and first-responder mental healthNavigating the loss of identity and routine after stepping away from the uniformJonathan’s endurance feats and raising awareness one mile at a timeHow veterans and first responders can get involved and claim sponsored race entriesIf you or someone you know is a veteran or first responder in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (Press 1) or text 838255.www.operationwarriorfit.comInstagram: operationwf https://www.instagram.com/operationwf?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&rpxt=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Today, we’re talking with Rachel Herr-Musselman. She is a proud Lancaster County native who has turned her passion for health, wellness, and her community into something truly meaningful.Rachel discovered her superpower in helping people move, feel, and function better. Through her education and clinical experience in physical therapy, she developed a unique approach to functional fitness—one that goes beyond exercise and focuses on helping people live stronger, healthier lives.Her journey has taken her from the classroom and clinical setting to opening her own clinic at Rockvale Outlets. Along the way, she got married, became a mom of two, continued advancing her education, and kept finding new ways to better serve both her clients and her community.Through her work, she continues to gather resources, expand her knowledge, and empower her patients.Rachel’s sharing her story to encourage others to recognize their own strengths, pursue their purpose, and create something that serves the people around them.We discussed  family, wellness, entrepreneurship, community, and the courage to do it all.To visit Rachel for a conversation or complimentary screening email: [email protected] Go to: https://ivyrehab.com/physical-therapy-location/lancastereastpa/Call: 717-208-8262Reach out and share how these stories inspired you. Email [email protected] or DM on Instagram TrainingWithMandyLLC. To learn more about Mandy go to www.TrainingwithMandy.com

Today, we welcome back Kaitlin Tordoff.Kaitlin joined us a few months ago to share her story of chronic pain, childhood struggles, and the challenges of learning to live with a diagnosis while navigating life and aging with grace. Today, we continue that conversation as Kaitlin opens up about her battle with endometriosis and what it has taught her about resilience, purpose, and finding a way forward.We talk about pivoting when life takes an unexpected turn, walking through the fire, and allowing the pressure of difficult seasons to shape and guide us toward our greater purpose.I feel incredibly blessed to have witnessed Kaitlin’s journey—from lost to found, from broken to rebuilding, and from the depths of struggle to new peaks of strength and purpose. Along the way, she has discovered that some of our greatest hardships can become the very places where we find our calling.Today, Kaitlin uses her experiences to help others. She offers a listening ear, a voice of encouragement, a prayer when it’s needed, and a hand of hope to those who may feel like they’re walking through the darkness alone.If you or someone you know is navigating a diagnosis of endometriosis, please reach out to Kaitlin at @gardenspotgardener or by email at [email protected] don't have to navigate this journey alone. There is support. There is hope. And there is a way through this.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with James J. "Jim" Logan, author of the memoir Just Keep TRI-ING, Endurance Athlete, Husband, Father, Entrepreneur, and Stage IV colorectal Cancer Survivor.Given just six months to two years to live, Jim refused to let his diagnosis define the life he had left. Now, 28 months after receiving his terminal diagnosis, Jim shares a remarkable journey of resilience, faith, and triumph. In this podcast, Jim relays messages of hope and possibility as he opens up about his path and the lessons learned along the way. Through honest conversations and inspiring stories, Jim explores what it means to pursue an ambitious goal while using the journey itself to create meaningful change.Competing in the 2026 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii is more than a performance goal for Jim—it’s a motivating destination and a powerful platform for transforming a health journey. All profits from his memoir are donated to the Ironman Foundation, helping turn a personal crossing of hope into an opportunity to support others.In this conversation, Jim discusses the faith-fueled message behind his written words in Just Keep TRI-ING, his determination to offer grit to others, and the lessons he has learned about purpose, pain, and being fully present. Jim and I explore how finding God transformed his perspective, why he lives by the words, "Take care of today, and tomorrow will take care of itself," and how his outlook shifted from "F*** Cancer" to "Thank you, Cancer."This is more than a story about surviving cancer - it is a reminder that even in life's darkest moments, we can choose faith, gratitude, and the courage to keep moving forward.You may connect with Jim and his purpose:Instagram: Stage42025Website: Just Keep TRI-ING | James J Logan Donate to IRONMAN Foundation: Jim Logan - Fundraising For IRONMAN FoundationPurchase the inspiring memoir: Amazon.com: Just Keep TRI-ING: The Faith-Fueled Formula to Push Through Pain, Face Your Fears, and Finish Your Race eBook : Logan, James J: Kindle Store

Today's guest is Dr. Jane Horan, a globally recognized leader in creating inclusive workplaces and helping organizations thrive across cultures. Her work has taken her around the world—from Asia and North America to Europe and the Middle East—advising multinational companies on leadership, cultural intelligence, and organizational development.As the founder of The Horan Group, Dr. Horan has spent more than 25 years helping organizations build stronger, more inclusive teams. She is also the author of four books and has worked with countless global corporations, leaving a lasting impact on leaders and workplaces alike.I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Horan to hear her remarkable story—her journey, the lessons she's learned along the way, and her insights on what it takes to lead with empathy and create environments where everyone can succeed.I think you're going to enjoy this conversation.Dr. Jane Horan is available for guidance. Reach out through her website: https://thehorangroup.com/Reach out and share how these stories inspired you. Email [email protected] or DM on Instagram TrainingWithMandyLLC. To learn more about Mandy go to www.TrainingwithMandy.com

Margie has been working in the nonprofit industry for almost 30 years. At CASA of Lancaster & Lebanon she works alongside dedicated staff and volunteers to represent children in the court system. Margie shares her experience and hopeful tales of serving non-profits in Lancaster, PA. We talk of charity, community and upcoming fundraising opportunities. Join the mission by reaching out to CASA of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. Accept our invitation to the upcoming gala at the Lancaster Marriot on Saturday, September 19th, 2026.Reach out and share how these stories inspired you. Email [email protected] or DM on Instagram TrainingWithMandyLLC. To learn more about Mandy go to www.TrainingwithMandy.com