Finding Your Second Wind with Nitya Shekar | Ep 25

In this powerful episode, Regina Lawless sits down with author and speaker Marial Dhal to explore how resilience, hope, and education helped him survive the trauma of being a child soldier in South Sudan. This conversation dives into healing after war, overcoming childhood trauma, and reclaiming your life after unthinkable adversity.Marial shares his extraordinary journey from being abducted as a young boy during the South Sudan civil war to finding healing, family, and purpose through education and basketball. His story is a profound reminder that your circumstances do not define your destiny.If you're interested in resilience, trauma healing, human rights stories, or personal transformation, this episode will move and inspire you.✨ What You’ll LearnWhat resilience looks like in the face of life-altering traumaHow education can become a lifeline and motivator for changeThe reality of child soldiers and the impact of war on youthHow basketball became Marial’s therapy, structure, and healingThe role of family, community, and culture in recoveryWhy hope and humility remain central to Marial’s journeyHow your story—and your suffering—can become a source of purpose🕊️ About Marial DhalMarial Dhal is an author, speaker, and survivor of the South Sudan civil war. Forced into the life of a child soldier as a young boy, he escaped unimaginable violence and rebuilt his life with courage and hope. Today he uses storytelling to educate and inspire others about resilience, displacement, and the power of healing.🔖 Chapters00:00 Introduction to Resilience and Hope 03:01 Life in South Sudan: Culture and Community 10:28 The Journey to Education: A Desire to Learn 18:47 Abduction into War: The Reality of Child Soldiers 26:24 Coping with Trauma: The Psychological Journey 31:33 The Reality of Being a Soldier 34:05 Indoctrination and Identity in Warfare 36:47 Coping with Trauma and Acceptance 38:05 The Journey to Escape 40:26 The Kindness of Strangers 41:52 Discovering Basketball in Refugee Life 46:03 Basketball as Therapy and Opportunity 52:49 Family and Joy in the Present 54:13 Sharing My Story Through My Book📚 Connect with Marial Dhal✨ Book: Where is the Boy?: Escaping My Time as a Child Soldier 📧 Publicist Contact: Ni Ema Baptista | [email protected]🌿 Connect with Regina LawlessWebsite: https://www.reginalawless.com Book: Do You — https://www.amazon.com/Do-You-Journey-Learning-MeaningFULL/dp/1639080783 YouTube: Soul Signal with Regina Lawless Podcast: The BlissFULL Life Social: @reginalawless across platforms

In this heartfelt episode of The BlissFULL Life, Regina Lawless speaks with licensed clinical social worker and author Ameshia Arthur about her powerful new book, You Are Not Selfish. Together, they unpack the deep-rooted pressures women face to give endlessly—and the liberation that comes from reclaiming joy, setting boundaries, and choosing self-care without guilt.Ameshia shares wisdom from her late mother, insights from her work in mental health, and practical tools for balancing empathy with personal well-being. This conversation is a reminder that caring for yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential.🔗 Connect with AMESHIA: [email protected] | IG: @ameshiaarthur | LinkedIn: Ameshia Arthur🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.

In this inspiring episode of The BlissFULL Life, Regina Lawless sits down with Lynne Walker—former banking executive and founder of Connect Consulting—to explore what it truly means to lead with heart. Lynne shares powerful lessons on resilience, mentorship, and navigating corporate spaces as a woman of color. From overcoming bias and loss to building meaningful relationships and embracing faith, her story is a testament to courage, grace, and gratitude. Tune in for wisdom on career growth, spiritual grounding, and finding laughter—even in life’s toughest moments.🔗 Connect with LYNNE: https://connect-consultingllc.com/ | LinkedIn: Lynne Walker 🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.

In this episode of The BlissFULL Life, Regina Lawless sits down with Ali Greenberg, creative entrepreneur and co-founder of Capitalize on the Differentiator Rooted in YOU, for a heartfelt conversation about the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and emotional intelligence. From writing a musical to co-parenting a dog, Ali shares how embracing creativity and self-awareness can unlock peace, purpose, and joy in everyday life.🔗 Connect with ALI: https://www.suckytosoulful.com | LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisongreenberg4/🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.

In this episode of the BlissFULL Life, coach and former HR leader Nitya Shekar joins Regina Lawless to explore the power of creativity, improv, and inner child work in personal and professional growth. Together they unpack how reconnecting with joy, play, and autonomy can help you find your second wind in life and work.🔗 Connect with NITYA: https://www.secondwindgroup.co/ | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nityashekar/🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.

In this episode of the Blissful Life series, Regina Lawless interviews Adrienne Barrett, a Senior Manager at Intuit and co-leader of the Global Women's Network. They discuss Adrienne's journey into public speaking, the importance of mindset in professional growth, and the significance of self-care and coaching. Adrienne shares her insights on embracing the second chapter of life, where retirement is redefined, and how individuals can pursue their passions and purpose beyond traditional career paths. The conversation emphasizes the power of community, connection, and the courage to say yes to opportunities that can lead to personal and professional transformation.🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.

In this episode of the Blissful Life, Regina Lawless speaks with Astrid Daniela Galvez, a tax and accounting professional who shares her journey into the world of finance and education. Astrid discusses her passion for empowering the Hispanic community through financial literacy and the importance of education as a tool for overcoming challenges. The conversation also touches on the significance of community support in public speaking and the need for building sustainable business legacies. Astrid emphasizes the validity of fears and insecurities in personal and professional growth, leaving listeners with a message of hope and determination.🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.

In this conversation, Regina Lawless interviews Lynette Oss Connell, who shares her transformative journey from being a burnt-out CPA to becoming a coach and speaker. Lynette discusses the complexities of burnout, the importance of self-awareness, and the need for intentionality in life choices. She emphasizes the significance of taking agency in one's life and the power of storytelling in overcoming personal challenges. The discussion also touches on the neuroscience behind burnout and the importance of compassion and support in personal growth.🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.

In this engaging conversation, Regina Lawless interviews Marit Burmood, known affectionately as "The Extroverted Accountant" who transitioned from traditional accounting to holistic business coaching and public speaking. Marit shares her journey of discovering her passion for helping business owners navigate the complexities of taxes and mindset. She emphasizes the importance of mindset in achieving success and introduces her 'Blueprint to Bloom' exercise, which encourages individuals to dream big and take actionable steps towards their goals. The discussion highlights the significance of self-belief and the power of dreams in shaping one's reality.

In this engaging conversation, Regina Lawless and Nancy McClellan explore the unique journey of Nancy as a CPA and the founder of the Dancing Accountant. They discuss the importance of community, the challenges faced by women in accounting, and the initiatives Nancy has created, including the She Counts podcast and Ask a CPA. The conversation delves into the concept of imposter syndrome, the significance of finding one's voice in leadership, and the empowerment that comes from recognizing and overcoming self-doubt. Nancy's passion for helping others and creating supportive spaces for women in the industry shines through, making this a truly inspiring dialogue.🔗 Connect with REGINA: www.reginalawless.com | IG: @regina.lawless | LinkedIn: reginalawless✨ Don’t miss this soulful dialogue on The Blissful Life. Hit subscribe and join us each week for more wisdom on living and leading with authenticity, healing, and joy.