The Human Experience

Jennifer Peterkin

Can you pinpoint a moment in time when your life changed? Maybe it wasn’t a moment, maybe it was a complicated chain of events that led you to where you are today. Or maybe, it was a generational impact that started before you were even born. Regardless of what it contains, all humans have a story. And those stories are the building blocks of who we are, at our very core. Join host, Jennifer Peterkin - lover and collector of stories, as she interviews humans from all walks of life. Tune in every week to hear stories of love and loss, triumph and defeat, and all that exist in between.

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Top 10 The Human Experience Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Human Experience episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Human Experience for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Human Experience episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

The Family You Choose: Episode 4 - Joe’s Story (REPLAY)

The Human Experience

02/04/25 • 47 min

Next week, we’ll be bringing Joe, a former guest, back to the podcast to continue sharing more of his story. In the meantime, please enjoy listening to his first appearance on The Human Experience Podcast.

Content Warning: In this episode we discuss domestic violence, suicide, drug addiction, and childhood abuse. Please proceed with care.

In this deeply personal and moving episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin sits down with Joe, a close friend whose journey through family, trauma, and resilience takes unexpected turns. What started as a simple Ancestry.com DNA test led Joe to uncover a hidden chapter of his family history—one that brought him a sense of belonging he never knew was missing.

This conversation explores cycles of abuse, the power of compassion, and the meaning of true family. Joe shares raw and honest reflections on his past, the struggles of his childhood, and his decision to break generational trauma for the sake of his own children. He also opens up about taking in his abused and neglected niece and nephew, vowing to give them the love and stability they never had.

📍This episode was recorded near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Key Takeaways
Family isn’t just about blood. True family consists of the people who show up, support you, and love you unconditionally.

Breaking the cycle of abuse takes intention. Joe made the decision to raise his children differently, ensuring they never experience what he did.

Small acts of kindness can save lives. A single moment of compassion can be the difference between hope and despair for someone struggling.

Addiction is a disease, but it doesn't excuse abuse. While Joe has empathy for the struggles of his niece and nephew’s parents, he refuses to let their pain continue to harm the next generation.

Finding family later in life can be healing. Meeting his newfound relatives through Ancestry.com filled a void Joe didn’t realize existed.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline (US)
The Crisis Hotline (US)

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Episode 76: From Survival to Strength - Ethan’s Story

The Human Experience

02/18/25 • 71 min

In this episode of The Human Experience, Jennifer Peterkin sits down with Ethan Poetic, a self-published author, keynote speaker, and survivor of incredible adversity. Ethan shares his journey of growing up in a single-parent household, taking on responsibilities beyond his years, and surviving a near-fatal car accident that left him with a 99% chance of death. Through resilience, self-reflection, and a commitment to changing his narrative, Ethan has turned his pain into purpose—writing a book, mentoring young people, and advocating for mental health. His story is a powerful testament to perseverance and the impact of choosing to grow despite life's challenges.
📍 This episode was recorded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Key Takeaways
Adversity Doesn't Define You – Despite growing up in a challenging environment and taking on adult responsibilities as a child, Ethan found ways to rise above his circumstances.
Resilience After Tragedy – After surviving a devastating car accident with life-threatening injuries, Ethan fought through recovery and used his experience to inspire others.
Breaking Generational Cycles – Recognizing the impact of unhealed trauma, Ethan made the decision to break the cycle and redefine his future.
The Power of Storytelling – Writing his book allowed Ethan to reclaim his story, find healing, and connect with others facing similar struggles.
Mentorship and Community Matter – Positive role models helped Ethan along the way, and now he pays it forward by mentoring young people and advocating for personal growth.
Self-Publishing for Creative Control – Ethan turned down traditional publishing deals to maintain ownership of his story and create opportunities on his own terms.
Finding Purpose Through Pain – What could have been a life-ending event became the catalyst for Ethan’s mission: to help others, advocate for resilience, and create a lasting legacy of empowerment.

To support the Autobiography titled The Inspirational Story of Ethan A. Poetic: Chronicles of Adversities, Education, Sports, Relationships, & Resiliency.
Available print on demand, eBook, and Audio through Amazon, Audible, iTunes, Libro, Apple, Spotify, Target, Walmart, Kobo, Barnes & Noble.

For media inquires and speaking engagements visit https://ethanspeaks.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/EthanPoetic23
Instagram: @ethanpoetic23
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanapoetic1
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2FqLkM7n4iY8TVjfHZhMHg

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A WWII Story of Love and Legacy: Episode 22 - Susan’s Story (REPLAY)

The Human Experience

12/17/24 • 41 min

In this inspiring episode of The Human Experience podcast, host Jennifer Peterkin sits down with Susan, who shares an incredible story rooted in courage, resilience, and the enduring power of love. This episode reflects on Susan’s father’s harrowing experience as a World War II pilot and the profound legacy he left behind. Through their conversation, Jennifer and Susan explore themes of survival, generational impact, and the transformative power of storytelling to preserve memories and values for future generations.

📍This episode was recorded near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Key Takeaways

Courage in Adversity: Susan’s father’s story is a testament to the bravery and selflessness required in wartime, as well as the power of community in protecting and preserving life.

Generational Legacy: The love and resilience that Susan’s father embodied continue to impact her family, underscoring the importance of storytelling in preserving values.

Unconditional Love: The episode reminds us that love without conditions is one of the most valuable gifts we can pass on to others.

The Power of Forgiveness: As Susan beautifully articulates, "The unforgiver carries the weight." Her father’s lessons about forgiveness and self-reflection are profound reminders of how we can release pain and grow.

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Episode 67 - Amey’s Story

The Human Experience

11/12/24 • 53 min

In this episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin sits down with Amey to explore her journey of self-discovery and empowerment following the abrupt end of her 29-year marriage. Amey candidly shares the challenges of navigating life as a mother, wife, and professional, only to find herself grappling with an identity crisis after her divorce. Despite the initial pain and grief, Amey turned her circumstances into a catalyst for personal growth and transformation, eventually helping other women rediscover their authentic selves.

📍This episode was recorded in London, England

Key Takeaways
Turning Pain Into Power: Amey's divorce, though initially devastating, became a springboard for her greatest personal transformations.

Rediscovering Identity: From simple acts like learning what she liked to eat alone to exploring new passions such as travel, Amey slowly pieced together her true self.

Empowering Others: Today, Amey uses her journey to inspire and coach other women to reclaim their identities with courage and authenticity.

Finding Joy and Healing in Service: Volunteering played a key role in Amey’s healing journey, reinforcing that serving others can help mend a broken spirit.

Practical Steps for Growth: Amey emphasizes the importance of holding onto personal passions and giving oneself grace in times of transition.

Amey’s Links
Website: https://my-resilient-journey.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ameydeanne/?hl=en, https://www.instagram.com/resilient.tx/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amey.deanne/, https://www.facebook.com/amey.deanne

Chapters:
[00:00] – Introduction
[00:45] – Amey's Story & Her Transformation
[03:07] – Coping & Rediscovering Sense of Self
[05:25] – Navigating Societal Expectations
[12:23] – Working Through Divorce
[19:21] – Discovering New Passions
[25:56] – Amey’s Writing & Storytelling
[32:46] – Unexpected Challenges & Entering the Dating Scene
[37:26] – Cultivating Happiness
[41:47] – Coaching Women to Reclaim Their Identities
[48:13] – Amey’s Upcoming Work
[50:20] – Power of Compassion & Open-Mindedness

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Episode 64 - Saloni’s Story

The Human Experience

10/22/24 • 98 min

In this heartfelt episode, Saloni, a former HIV and sexual health physician, shares her transformative journey from a respected career in medicine to becoming a trauma coach, focusing on EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Saloni’s story highlights the devastating impact of workplace bullying and how it led her to leave a career she was passionate about. Through her own healing process, she discovered a new purpose in motherhood, coaching, and becoming a published author of children's and young adult fiction.

📍This episode was recorded in Chester, England

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Saloni’s Links
Website: salonisurah.com
Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/SaloniSurahAuthor
Instagram: https://instagram.com/salonibook
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@bedtimestoriesbysaloni
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Flora-Investigates-Case-Missing-Gold/dp/1739448405

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Episode 59 - Cathy's Story

The Human Experience

09/17/24 • 115 min

Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversations around mental health and suicide. Please proceed with care.

In this episode of the Human Experience Podcast, host Jennifer Peterkin welcomes Alexandra Catalina Guitza, also known as Cathy, for a profound conversation about her life journey, spanning different cultures, mental health challenges, and the pursuit of a global identity. Cathy reflects on her upbringing in post-communist Romania, her extensive travels through Germany, India, Thailand, and her current life in Prague. She opens up about her struggles with mental health, including depression, anxiety, and a psychotic episode, and how medication played a critical role in her recovery. Cathy shares insights from her "Eat, Pray, Love" journey of self-discovery and discusses her current focus on building a life rooted in mental wellness, authenticity, and compassion.

📍This episode was recorded in Bucharest, Romania

Cathy’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wordywitness
TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/wordywitness

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The Truth About Foster Care & Adoption: Episode 75 - Joe’s Story Part 2

The Human Experience

02/11/25 • 76 min

Show Notes:
Content Warning: This episode contains discussions about drug use, abuse, and neglect. Please proceed with care.

Two years after his first appearance on the podcast, Joe returns to share the incredible and often painful journey of adopting his niece and nephew. In this raw and honest conversation, he details the struggles of navigating a deeply flawed foster care system, the emotional toll of parenting children with trauma, and the ongoing challenges of healing as a family.
From dealing with corrupt social workers to searching for the children's fugitive parents, Joe takes us inside the reality of stepping up when no one else would. Now, with the adoption finalized, he and his wife continue to work through behavioral struggles, the lack of mental health resources, and the weight of carrying a story that is far from over.
Despite everything, they remain committed to giving these kids a future filled with safety, stability, and love.

📍This episode was recorded in Westchester, Pennsylvania

Key Takeaways
The System is Failing Vulnerable Kids – Despite numerous reports of abuse and neglect, authorities failed to intervene for years. When they finally did, the support promised to foster families was unreliable or nonexistent.

The Adoption Process Was a Bureaucratic Nightmare – Joe and his wife faced months of delays, missing paperwork, and even attempted theft from caseworkers.

The Reality of Parenting Children with Trauma – From severe emotional outbursts to difficulties with social skills, the long road to healing requires constant patience, structure, and therapy.

What Needs to Change – Joe calls for better vetting of social workers, more support for foster families, and real consequences for those who neglect and abuse children—including within the system itself.

Would He Do It Again? – Joe doesn’t sugarcoat the struggles but remains firm in his commitment to his family.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline (US)
The Crisis Hotline (US)

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Finding Strength In Vulnerability - Laurel’s Story

The Human Experience

01/28/25 • 116 min

In this deeply moving episode of The Human Experience with host Jennifer Peterkin, Laurel opens up about her incredible life story filled with resilience, heartbreak, and humor. From being placed in foster care at just two years old, to experiencing multiple homes, adoption, and reconnecting with her sister and extended family, Laurel’s journey is a testament to the power of adaptability and healing. She reflects on the pivotal moments in her life, the emotional aftermath of her childhood trauma, and how she found herself through counseling, self-awareness, and the pursuit of authenticity.

Laurel also shares how her experiences have shaped her as a mother, her thoughts on adoption, and the complexities of overcoming societal stigmas around trauma and divorce. This conversation is raw, heartfelt, and filled with moments of profound insight.

📍This episode was recorded in Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

Key Takeaways

The impact of childhood trauma: Laurel discusses how unprocessed trauma can resurface unexpectedly and affect adult relationships and identity.

The importance of boundaries and structure: Growing up in foster care and two very different homes taught Laurel the significance of stability and boundaries.

Healing through therapy: How discovering counseling helped Laurel navigate unresolved trauma and reshape her identity.

The nuances of adoption: Laurel provides a compassionate perspective on adoption, discussing its complexities and emotional impact on adoptees.

Living authentically: Her journey to breaking free from people-pleasing, embracing vulnerability, and showing her children what strength and love look like.

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Building Greenhouses of Hope - John’s Story

The Human Experience

01/21/25 • 108 min

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Jennifer Peterkin sits down with c, founder of the Greenhouse Project in Chester, Pennsylvania. John shares his incredible journey from addiction and incarceration to living out his faith through radical community-building. He unpacks the mission behind the Greenhouse Project, a ministry rooted in transforming lives by building relationships and fostering spiritual growth within his community.

John discusses how his past shaped his calling, the challenges of ministering in an underserved area, and the profound importance of reconciliation, both with others and within oneself. This episode is an uplifting reminder of the power of love, compassion, and living intentionally for the greater good.

📍This episode was recorded in Chester, Pennsylvania

Key Takeaways

The Greenhouse Concept: Like a physical greenhouse fosters growth, John believes environments rooted in love, faith, and community nurture spiritual and personal transformation.

The Power of Reconciliation: Owning past mistakes and working toward reconciliation brings healing for both individuals and relationships.

Community-Centric Ministry: Greenhouse Project programs are designed in response to the needs expressed by Chester residents, including education, recovery support, and community cleanups.

Living Love and Compassion: True compassion is about sitting with others, seeing their value, and understanding their story without judgment.

John’s Links:
Website: https://www.ghproject.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-clifford-493635175/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jclifford634/

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Episode 66 - Vanessa’s Story

The Human Experience

11/05/24 • 98 min

Welcome to another episode of The Human Experience! In this episode, host Jennifer Peterkin sits down with Vanessa, a former television producer who, at the height of her career, faced a life-altering illness. Vanessa's journey of unexpected blindness and paralysis, and her arduous path to recovery, reveals the extraordinary power of resilience, self-compassion, and the mind-body connection.

📍This episode was recorded in London, England

Key Takeaways:

Transforming Trauma into a Journey of Discovery: After an illness left Vanessa blind and paralyzed, she channeled her producer instincts to approach her recovery like a project, recording daily progress and setting small but meaningful goals. Her journey underscores how trauma can become a powerful catalyst for self-discovery.

Rediscovering Vision and the Mind’s Role in Recovery: Vanessa designed her own vision exercises, challenging the brain’s adaptability and creating daily “experiments” to help retrain her sight. Her recovery experience reveals the intricate relationship between the mind and body and the importance of patience in physical and mental healing.

Collaboration with Science to Understand the Brain: Vanessa’s curiosity led to collaborations with neuroscientists, resulting in art-science projects like visualizing mindfulness with brainwave data. Her story highlights how community and interdisciplinary partnerships can support individual healing and inspire larger scientific insights.

Mind-Body Practices as Healing Tools: Through breathing exercises, visualization, and hypnotherapy, Vanessa found powerful methods to manage PTSD and anxiety. Her experience shows the value of exploring various mindfulness practices and finding personalized methods that resonate, especially during recovery from trauma.

Nature as a Gateway to Self-Care: Vanessa’s advocacy for forest bathing—a slow, sensory-focused walk in nature—reflects her belief in nature’s restorative power. She encourages this accessible practice to help people connect with their senses, reduce stress, and find emotional balance.

Compassion as a Superpower: For Vanessa, compassion was a skill she had to rediscover, not only as self-kindness but as a transformative power that enables resilience. She highlights that compassion often grows stronger through adversity and can become a profound source of inner strength.

Flexibility in Healing: Customizing Mind-Body Practices: Vanessa encourages a flexible approach to healing, suggesting people try different practices (like mindfulness, nature connection, and body-based practices) to discover what best supports them. Her story champions a personalized journey in wellness and self-care.

Embracing a New Normal and Giving Back: Rather than returning to her previous life, Vanessa embraced a new purpose, dedicating herself to developing wellness programs, community-led nature therapy, and science-based initiatives that inspire others to reclaim their health and well-being.

Vanessa’s Links
Website: https://vanessapotter.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessapotterwrites, https://www.instagram.com/parkbathe/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VanessaPotterWrites/, https://www.facebook.com/parkbathe
X: https://x.com/patienth69, https://x.com/park_bathe

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Show more best episodes

The Human Experience

Jennifer Peterkin

Top 10 The Human Experience Episodes

The Family You Choose: Episode 4 - Joe’s Story (REPLAY)

Episode 76: From Survival to Strength - Ethan’s Story

A WWII Story of Love and Legacy: Episode 22 - Susan’s Story (REPLAY)

Episode 67 - Amey’s Story

Episode 64 - Saloni’s Story

Episode 59 - Cathy's Story

The Truth About Foster Care & Adoption: Episode 75 - Joe’s Story Part 2

Finding Strength In Vulnerability - Laurel’s Story

Building Greenhouses of Hope - John’s Story

Episode 66 - Vanessa’s Story

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