Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we carry—and the ways we learn to move through it—can define who we become. We asked community members from a broad array of industries to reflect on their defining wounds and have shared the responses below.

Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch

I am being called to publish my book “The Story Within You” 30 Day Devotional that shares my personal story and healing journey as a childhood cult survivor. This is a big step forward in my healing and helping others who read my book heal from childhood trauma and abuse to move forward in their God given purpose. Read More>>

Eyvaine Walker

When you ask, “What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?” In my new release book Born to Die are heartfelt truths that many people carry silently. We are all born with a beginning and an end but what lies in between is where meaning lives.

Born to Die is not a book about death. It is a book about living with intention, healing through grief, and discovering purpose even in the face of unbearable loss. Through my 0personal journey as a mother who lost her daughter on the day she was born and died January 16, I invite you to explore the quiet struggles we rarely speak of: the fear of dying without purpose, the silence of grief, and the aching search for peace.  Read More>> 

Douli

Recently, winning a championship game in my hometown. This was a great moment for the city. The joy was mainly from witnessing the peace and smiles on everyone in the building. The unity and energy was beautiful. Read More>> 

Dr. Tiesha Bryant

Two moments that stand out are when my daughter started nursing school and when I released and curated Petals of Love: Chronicles of the Imperfectly Perfect Mother. Watching my daughter take that step made me reflect on my journey from teen mom to college mom, and it filled me with gratitude and pride. Seeing Petals of Love become an international bestselling motherhood anthology was equally powerful because it brought together voices from around the world to celebrate the beauty and strength in our stories. Read More>> 

Sir Woods

I believe I’m being called to stand up for those who are marginalized, To be a voice for people whose stories are often drowned out by the noise of the world. We’re using the platforms we’ve built at SWC to amplify those smaller voices, because just because they’re smaller doesn’t make their message any less important. Read More>> 

steve samuelian

I am very proud of my family. Family comes first and

My wife and I could not be more proud of our two sons. Both of our sons are recent graduates of the University of Southern California. Their hard work and determination was instrumental to their academic success at USC. They both also were very involved in on campus activities and made life long friendships during their time at USC. Read More>> 

INGRID KINDREDZ

I have always felt loved by my partner in life, my husband. We are celebrating 28 years of marriage on August 14th. We have been through so many things that life has thrown at us and we have managed to carve out a wonderful life. Read More>> 

Dino Jones

Currently, I’m writing a sequel to my first novel, ‘Born From A Wish’. I completed the first draft of ‘BFAW’ in late October 2019. It was immediately after that when ideas for a continuation of the story began to form. The initial idea developed quite fast but I wanted to take some time to rest after completing ‘BFAW’ and figure out what I wanted to do with this story publishing wise. I decided upon self-publishing via Amazon in mid-2020. During that time, I decided to pursue another idea that was screaming to be written, which became ‘Some Things Last…’, my second novel. It’s a companion novel to ‘BFAW’. Read More>> 

Emily Wingfield

In the first 90 minutes of my day I wake up, get ready, and immediately make myself a cup of tea. I used to be a coffee drinker, but recently I’ve gotten into tea. I wonder if it’s because I just spent a week in London. Who knows. Then I’ll drive to work and listen to my playlist. Lately it’s a lot of Sam Fender and Chance the Rapper’s new album! Then I get to work and the first thing I do is go find some friends to talk to in the morning. It’s great to start my day off with some great conversation. Then I spend the first 30ish minutes of my day just checking emails and getting prepped for the day (to-do lists, filling in my planner, those sorts of things).  Read More>> 

Elizabeth Colazo

What brings me the most joy right now outside of my work is the connection with nature, my early walks, listening to the birds and enjoying the green, take me to a state of active meditation, calming my nervous system. I couldn’t live without the healing power of nature. Read More>> 

Harrison Trần

I recently visited my brother, parents, and our dogs back home. Being together with all of us was so joyful, and every time I get to see my family nowadays, I feel like I have so much more clarity and fulfillment in our interactions. Part of it is because I’m maturer, but the other piece is that I’m increasingly drawn to my Vietnamese heritage and want to learn more and come back to my roots. This has, in so many ways, brought me closer to my parents and allowed me to understand them better. So it was super joyful to be with the people that I love most and feel a greater sense of unity and understanding. Read More>>