When Sara Bottom was eight years old, she got her first job selling eggs at a local farmer's market. She knew she wanted to be "the person counting the money in the register," and her dream of becoming an entrepreneur developed from that moment on. But for Sara's dream to become a reality, she'd have to leave the only community she'd ever known and go out on her own.

Today I'm talking with Sara Bottom on Overcome With Auntie Anne. She's not only been a big part of my life but has been a part of the Auntie Anne's® pretzel family as well. We're talking about her journey towards becoming an entrepreneur after growing up as a little Amish girl and the importance of her finding help along the way.

Read the show notes here >>> auntieannebeiler.com/sara

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com 

Lauren Amber Nielsen is an accomplished actor, model, and opera singer who has performed in over 35 musicals. On top of that, she was named Miss Sarasota in and will be competing in the Miss Florida USA pageant later this year. But in the midst of all the accolades and success, Lauren is also an overcomer of eating disorders, having battled with both anorexia and bulimia throughout her lifetime.

Today on Overcome With Auntie Anne, I’m chatting with Lauren about these eating disorders, the struggles she’s faced both physically and mentally, how she eventually overcame and continues to overcome, and her inspiration to help others with the same struggles. This is the first conversation I’ve had with someone on the podcast around this topic, so I encourage you to listen to the podcast to listen to our entire conversation. 

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com 

When Kathleen's older brother passed away, she felt the need to step in and replace him for the sake of her parents. "I need to make up for this lost child," she says. "I need to be this person that they lost." But doing so caused an identity crisis as her world was wrapped up in being who she thought they wanted her to be rather than being who she, or God, wanted her to be.

This week on Overcome With Auntie Anne, I'm chatting with Kathleen Cooke about her journey towards stepping into her own identity and the struggles she faced along the way. Kathleen's experience is varied, wide, and deep, and I know it's something all of us can relate to. I'm sure many of us have asked at one point or another, "Who am I?"

Listen to the podcast to hear the entire conversation, or read the highlights >>> auntieannebeiler.com/kathleen.

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com 

Abandonment is a big issue in many of our lives, and many have experienced it. In fact, my daughter, Lawonna, grew up feeling abandoned by me, and the two of us recently had a candid conversation on a previous episode about that very thing (link). After that interview, I talked with Lawonna's daughter and my granddaughter, Trinity, about the impact of abandonment through generations. It took me to a level of understanding abandonment in a way I honestly never thought about before. 

It was such an interesting conversation that I really wanted to bring Trinity on the podcast to talk about it with her. So this week on Overcome With Auntie Anne, I'm talking with my granddaughter, Trinity Goedhart, about generational abandonment and its impact on her life. You might be surprised by what you hear. 

Listen to the podcast to hear our entire conversation, or read the highlights here >>> auntieannebeiler.com/trinity 

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com 

Dawn Hawkins describes her childhood life growing up in Colorado as rough. Not only did she grow up in a home with domestic violence and a terrible divorce, but she's also a survivor of sexual abuse. And being a survivor has given her a passion for standing up for human dignity around the world. 

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. And because of that, I wanted to bring on a guest that is closely connected with and very knowledgeable about sexual exploitation. So this week on Overcome With Auntie Anne, I'm talking with Dawn Hawkins about sexual exploitation — her experience of it, her fight against it, and what we all can do to see it end. 

I hope that this conversation encourages and inspires you, so listen to the podcast to hear the entire interview or read the show notes >>> auntieannebeiler.com/dawn

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com 

Jocelyn and Shane Sams weren't anticipating significant life changes as school teachers. They lived a pretty average American life with good jobs, a decent salary, and some security. But after finding out about a devastating situation involving their son at his preschool, the Sams decided to work towards change so they could take back control of their lives.

This week on Overcome With Auntie Anne, I'm talking with Jocelyn and Shane about "overcoming the norm" and the notion that we should do what everyone else says we should be doing. We talk about taking the path less traveled and how that's brought incredible freedom into their lives.

It's an encouraging and inspiring conversation, so listen to the podcast or read the show notes here >>> auntieannebeiler.com/flipped-lifestyle

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com 

Ladye Love knows about loss. At fourteen, she lost her closest sister. And as an adult, she lost a baby girl that, medically, she wasn't even supposed to have. But through it all, she's learned more about herself and God's love, and she loves to encourage others.

Today on Overcome With Auntie Anne, I'm talking with one of my favorite people in the world, Ladye Love Smith. We talk about the losses she's experienced and how, even in our overcoming, things don't always get tied up in a nice little bow. It's a conversation I'm sure you'll love, so head over to the podcast to hear the entire thing, or keep reading below for some of the highlights.

Read the show notes here >>> https://auntieannebeiler.com/ladyelove/

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com 

Monica took her first sip of alcohol at around ten years old. As time went on, her life started revolving around substance abuse, and to feed the addiction, she began selling herself. When she started dating one of her “clients,” she thought salvation was at hand, and she could finally be free of that lifestyle. But things only got worse when her new boyfriend forced her into the world of sex trafficking.

This week on Overcome With Auntie Anne, I’m talking with Monica Charles about her experience of being sexually trafficked. This is an important conversation because it brings to light the dark world of sex trafficking, a world of despair and destruction. We talk about how she was forced into it, how it paralyzed her, and how she eventually got out.

Some of the themes of today’s conversation are very mature, so please take note before listening to the podcast or reading the summary.

Read the show notes here >>> https://bit.ly/OWAA027

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com 

Gloria Gaither is a gospel music legend. She and her husband, Bill, have written more than 700 songs, and they've created hundreds of award-winning recordings and a dozen timeless musicals that have been sung for decades. And even though they were named ASCAP's Christian songwriters of the century in 2000, Gloria has had her struggles with communication with God.

This week on Overcome With Auntie Anne, I'm talking with Gloria about prayer, the struggles she's experienced with it, and how she eventually realized God was communicating with her all along. It's a story that many of us can relate to, and I know you'll find it encouraging and inspiring.

Read the show notes here >>> https://bit.ly/OWAA026

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com 

Isik Abla grew up in what she describes as a culture of shame. As a young girl, she was put down and made to feel worthless because of her gender and fell victim to physical and verbal abuse. This shame took root and created chains that held her in captivity for years, keeping her from experiencing true freedom.

This week on Overcome with Auntie Anne, I’m chatting with Isik Abla about shame — how it’s birthed, how it binds us and keeps us from freedom, and how we can ultimately overcome it. During our talk, Isik beautifully weaves her own story with what many of us experience and shows us how to be overcomers in the process.

Read the show notes here >>> https://bit.ly/OWAA025

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com 

In her high school yearbook, Nicole Hostetter said her goal was to be a mom. It was the one thing she always wanted, and the one thing she felt was her purpose in life. And after getting pregnant with her first child, it seemed as if her goal was being realized. But then she found out her son's chance of survival outside the womb was zero percent. It seemed as if the news threw everything into jeopardy.

Today on Overcome With Auntie Anne, I'm chatting with my long-time friend and former employee, Nicole Hostetter. She shares her story of losing a child, struggling to get pregnant again, and what she's learned along the way. As she says, "Life wasn't always easy. But I think that that makes where I am today even sweeter because I did go through the hardships."

Read the show notes here >>> https://bit.ly/OWAA024

Today’s episode is brought to you by Twist of Faith: The Story of Anne Beiler, Founder of Auntie Anne’s® Pretzels. In honor of Twist of Faith turning 14 years old this month, we’re offering 25% off the book plus free access to the first three modules of Anne’s digital leadership course, Overcome and Lead. Head to shop.auntieannebeiler.com to grab your copy and use the discount code TWIST for 25% off.

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com 

When Lawonna Goedhart's little sister was killed unexpectedly, she watched her parents and extended family go through the emotional trauma of losing a child. But in the midst of all that trauma and sadness, four-year-old Lawonna felt ignored, abandoned, and forgotten. And I, as her mother, still feel the hurt and the pain of what she went through.

This week on Overcome, I'm talking with my oldest daughter, Lawonna, about her experience around my daughter's death and her sister, Angie. She shares with me the feelings of abandonment she experienced, how she coped with those feelings, and how she eventually overcame them. It's Lawonna's first interview ever and what I believe to be a candid conversation between mother and daughter that I hope you find honest and refreshing.

Read the show notes here >>> https://bit.ly/OWAA023

WE’RE MAKING A MOVIE!!! 🎬  🎥  🍿
In this episode, we announced that our story is being turned into a movie! We’re so excited and cannot wait to watch it with all of you. I know you’ll have lots of questions, but we’re in the very early development stages and I just don’t have the answers yet.

However, we’re creating a Movie Insiders Club that you can sign up for to learn all the details as they become available. Plus, I’ll send you a discount code for 20% off anything in our book shop just for joining the club.

Join the Movie Insiders Club today >>> auntieannebeiler.com/movie

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or you're scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com

Michelle Schaffer is a faith-driven leader and female business owner who has overcome some devastating losses in business. Not only did she and her husband have their new business venture ripped from under them after moving their lives all the way across the country, but they also were then forced out of another business they helped to create and grow. But like a true overcomer, Michelle has bounced back from losing everything.

Michelle is a woman who inspires me with her influential combination of determination, courage, and passion. I chatted with her about the losses she's experienced and the growth that occurred as a result. I know her story will bless you.

Read the show notes here >>> https://bit.ly/OWAA022

This episode is brought to you by Girl Power Alliance, a faith-based learning community with the highest quality education through mini-courses, live training, and highly qualified coaches. Through their monthly membership, you will have instant access to highly sought-after leaders in a variety of fields and professions sharing strategies and techniques to take your business, your company, and yourself to the next level. Join me at their conference Activate April 7th - 9th, 2022 for a transformative experience!

===============>>>

Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com

In her formative years, Catherine Schiffer fell victim to daily sexual, verbal, and physical abuse. Through her teens and into her thirties, she fought to survive, battling drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and two failed marriages with many dysfunctional relationships in between. In her forties, she knew it was time to change or die, and that's when her life took on an entirely new and profound meaning.

This week on Overcome With Auntie Anne, I'm talking with Catherine Schiffer about how she went from victim to survivor, to thriver, and how walking through the doors of recovery began the daunting journey of undoing all the wreckage in her life. It's a story you don't want to miss, so listen to the podcast to hear our entire conversation.

Read the show notes here>>> https://bit.ly/OWAA021

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com 

When Lori Champion’s dad died, she went numb and could no longer feel the God she’d always known and loved. And then after getting cancer, while pregnant with her first child, she doubted whether she’d actually live and feared the cancer might take her. 

This week on Overcome With Auntie Anne, I’m chatting with Lori Champion about how she found purpose through her pain and encouragement in her darkness. We talk about the ups and downs of her life—family, church, death, and cancer—and how God remains her focal point. 

Read the full show notes: https://bit.ly/OWAA020

Grab Anne’s free StoryStarter Guide: auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter
Follow Anne on Instagram: instagram.com/auntieanneb
Follow Anne on Facebook: facebook.com/auntieannebeiler

When Lisa Michelle was a little girl, she would spend the weekends at a neighbor’s house to get away from the abuse that was happening in her home. Her neighbor was a trusted individual in the community who ran the local mortuary. What no one knew, though, was that this trusted neighbor was actually a pedophile who sexually exploited Lisa and others.

I first met Lisa at a women's event in San Antonio, TX, called Fear Into Faith, and when I heard her story, I knew at that moment I had to have her on the podcast. So this week on Overcome With Auntie Anne, I’m talking with Lisa Michelle about her remarkable story of survival, healing, forgiveness, redemption, and the love of God in action.

Read the full show notes: https://bit.ly/OWAA019

Grab Anne’s free StoryStarter Guide: auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter
Follow Anne on Instagram: instagram.com/auntieanneb
Follow Anne on Facebook: facebook.com/auntieannebeiler

Brittney Moses grew up in a home with loving parents. But their divorce in her pre-teen years upended the life she knew, and she fought to get by. As one struggle after another continued to pile on, her life became about simply surviving.

This week on Overcome With Auntie Anne, I’m talking with Brittney about how she went from surviving to starting over, rebuilding, and beginning again.

Often with a New Year comes new beginnings. It’s a great time to think about where and how we want to start over. And I believe Brittney’s story will encourage you as you start this New Year and think about where you might want to begin again.

Read the full show notes: https://bit.ly/OWAA018

Grab Anne’s free StoryStarter Guide: auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter
Follow Anne on Instagram: instagram.com/auntieanneb
Follow Anne on Facebook: facebook.com/auntieannebeiler

When Ben Isaacs met his future wife, Mindy, he had no idea the extent of her drinking problem. What appeared to be a drink here or there was actually full-blown alcoholism that went unnoticed at first. Mindy says, “I couldn’t imagine my life with alcohol. I couldn’t imagine my life without it. Awful, awful stuff.” 

This week on Overcome With Auntie Anne, we’re finishing up our Isaacs Family themed month and talking with Mindy and Ben Isaacs. Every member of this family has their unique story and their own struggles that they’re very open to talking about, which is one reason I love them. And as I said before, I want you to hear from all of them.

Ben is the lone son of the Isaacs family who plays bass and sings with the group, and Mindy, Ben’s wife, is not someone you’ll see on stage with the Isaacs. She’s a massage therapist by trade. She has a beautiful heart and her own story to tell. 

Read the full show notes: https://bit.ly/OWAA017

Grab Anne’s free StoryStarter Guide: auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter
Follow Anne on Instagram: instagram.com/auntieanneb
Follow Anne on Facebook: facebook.com/auntieannebeiler

Although she’s an accomplished musician, singer, and songwriter who’s performed in front of people since she’s been a young girl, Becky Isaacs Bowman suffers from panic attacks while on stage. Add to that a terminal illness making the anxiety worse, and it’s easy to see why Becky has spent a good portion of her life overcoming.

Today on Overcoming With Auntie Anne, we’re continuing with our Isaacs Family-themed month. Each member of this family has their own unique story for sure. They all have their own struggles, and I want you to hear from all of them. And today, we’re chatting with my good friend, Becky Isaacs Bowman.

Becky is a guitar player and vocalist for the Isaacs and an accomplished songwriter in her own right. She started writing songs as a teenager and earned her first number one with Stand Still. And her vocals can be heard in the background on projects by Paul Simon, Alabama, Dolly Parton, and Jason Crabb.

Read the full show notes: https://bit.ly/OWAA016

Grab Anne’s free StoryStarter Guide to help you learn how to share your story even if you don’t know where to start, don’t think you have a story, or are scared to share: auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne on Instagram: instagram.com/auntieanneb
Follow Anne on Facebook: facebook.com/auntieannebeiler

Sonya Isaacs Yeary’s dream was to get married and have a family. But she surrendered these dreams to God, saying, “If it’s not your will for me to ever have a family or children, I want what you want for more than what I want for me.” After a divorce and then a pregnancy that ended unexpectedly, it seemed like what God wanted may not be what she had dreamed. 

This week on Overcome With Auntie Anne, we’re continuing our Isaacs Family-themed month and chatting with my very good friend, Sonya Isaacs Yeary. Each member of this family truly has their own unique story and struggles. And I wanted you to hear from all of them. 

Sonya is not only a member of the Isaacs singing group, she’s a country and Christian hit songwriter who also sings background vocals for the stars like Dolly Parton, Reba Mcentire, and Vince Gill. She has a sweet spirit and a kind heart, and I can’t wait for you to hear her story.

Read the full show notes: https://bit.ly/OWAA015

Grab Anne’s free StoryStarter Guide: auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter
Follow Anne on Instagram: instagram.com/auntieanneb
Follow Anne on Facebook: facebook.com/auntieannebeiler

Sometimes our personal stories of overcoming are part of a line of stories about overcomers who have come before us—you could say we have a heritage of overcoming. And oftentimes, remembering that heritage gives us strength. Lily Isaacs is one of those people whose heritage is one of overcoming. 

She was born in Germany after WWII to two Polish Jewish parents and immigrated to the United States when she was two years old. Given what Lily's parents endured during the war, it’s a wonder they met and she was born. But because of their continued persistence, and a couple of miracles along the way, Lily is here today and is now the matriarch of the family award-winning bluegrass Southern gospel group, The Isaacs. 

Her testimony has been an inspiration to people around the world, and her love for Jesus has brought her through every single chapter of her life. And she loves to sing about and share this love with others. 

Read the full show notes: https://bit.ly/OWAA014

Grab Anne’s free StoryStarter Guide: auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter
Follow Anne on Instagram: instagram.com/auntieanneb
Follow Anne on Facebook: facebook.com/auntieannebeiler

When my husband, Jonas Beiler, and I recited our vows 53 years ago, his only real goal in life was to get married and have a family. But the death of our 19-month-old daughter and the subsequent sexual abuse I experienced at the hands of our pastor put his dream in jeopardy.

However, as we’ve both learned together over the years, we may not be able to change our past, but love and forgiveness will, in fact, truly change our future.

In this episode, I’ve asked Jonas to share what he experienced and went through in those moments. And as you’ll see, his willingness to embrace love and forgiveness is why we’re still together today. 

Read the show notes here =>> https://bit.ly/OWAA013

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com 

When Yoli Origel found out she may have cancer, the first question out of her mouth was, “Oh my gosh. Am I going to die like my mom?” 21 years earlier, when Yoli was just ten years old, her mother passed away from cancer and thoughts of suffering the same fate ran through her head. But now 14 years later she’s still surviving and thriving and using what she’s learned and overcome to help others battling the same thing.

Yoli’s life mission is to support newly diagnosed cancer patients and survivors through programs and services offered by her organization, Cancer Kinship. I met her just a few months ago and have come to learn that she has an enthusiasm for life that’s palpable. On this episode of Overcome With Auntie Anne, I talk with Yoli about her “cancer storm,” the way it’s played out in her family, and the impact it’s made on her throughout the years. You don’t want to miss it!

Read the show notes=>> https://bit.ly/OWAA012

===============>>>
Download Anne's free StoryStarter Guide and learn how to share your story when you aren’t sure where to start, don’t think you have one, or are scared to open up. You can grab that at auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne
Instagram.com/auntieanneb
facebook.com/auntieannebeiler
www.auntieannebeiler.com 

When Chantell and her family were at the lowest of lows, they were living in a run down, falling apart camp house for free—because they couldn’t afford to pay rent—and had no food left. Fast forward to today, and Chantell and her family are founders of Columbia Southern University, an active university with 31,000 students. So how does someone go from no food to university founder?

On this episode of Overcome With Auntie Anne, I talk with author and speaker, Chantell Cooley. Chantell is a woman of perseverance who has lived through and overcome her own obstacles to become the influential person of leadership she is today. And she’s passionate about empowering others to reach their ideal level of success by persevering through their own obstacles. 

Read the full show notes=>>https://bit.ly/OWAA011

Grab Anne’s free StoryStarter Guide: auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter

Follow Anne on Instagram: instagram.com/auntieanneb
Follow Anne on Facebook: facebook.com/auntieannebeiler

Have you ever heard a song or read a poem only to later hear the story behind it and have it take on so much more meaning? There’s a gospel song I love called God Of The Mountain and the lyrics go like this: For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley / When things go wrong, he’ll make them right / And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times / The God of the day is still God in the night.

No matter how often I hear this song, I feel the life and truth and power of it. And I never get tired of it. But after talking with my good friend who performs the song, Lynda Randle, and after hearing her story of overcoming, that song has taken on a whole new meaning for me.

Lynda Randle is a Dove Award-winning singer and songwriter who has used music as a way out of the pain and heartache she’s experienced. Until my conversation with her on Overcome With Auntie Anne, I didn’t know her “valley” that the song mentions. But now I understand why she sings it. She sings about what God has done in her life—through all the struggles, the pain, the abuse, the heartaches, the bullying—and she sings it so well.

Read the full show notes: https://bit.ly/OWAA010

Grab Anne’s free StoryStarter Guide: auntieannebeiler.com/storystarter
Follow Anne on Instagram: instagram.com/auntieanneb
Follow Anne on Facebook: facebook.com/auntieannebeiler