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Get Obsessed : With Living Your Best Life - Near Death Experiences, Coffee with God and The Stroke That Saved A Life with Nancy Spano
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Near Death Experiences, Coffee with God and The Stroke That Saved A Life with Nancy Spano

Get Obsessed : With Living Your Best Life

05/08/25

35m

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Julie sits down with Nancy Spano, author of "Stroke of Love." Nancy shares her deeply moving story as a stroke and cancer survivor, wife, mother, and advocate. The episode dives deep into Nancy's near-death experience, her remarkable recovery, and the life-changing lessons she gained. Listeners will hear about the symptoms Nancy experienced before her stroke, the emotional impact on her family, and how her brush with death gave her a renewed sense of purpose.

Nancy Spano’s Story: www.strokeoflovebook.com

  • Nancy suffered a stroke at age 46 in 2019.
  • She describes the week leading up to her stroke, highlighting changes in her vision, behavior, and cognitive functions.
  • Nancy recounts her near-death experience, including a profound spiritual moment where she felt guided to return and share her story.

Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke (as experienced by Nancy). Recognizing stroke symptoms early is crucial. Nancy’s story highlights real-world warning signs that saved her life:

Vision Changes:

  • Nancy experienced loss of peripheral vision in her right eye. She noticed she couldn’t parallel park as usual (even referencing, “I couldn’t parallel park because I couldn’t. The peripheral vision in my right eye was gone.”).

Personality & Cognitive Changes:

  • Her personality shifted—becoming irritable, frustrated, and more detached than usual. Her husband noticed the change (“My personality was changing... I wanted to unzip myself from myself.”).

Difficulty with Everyday Tasks:

  • Nancy found herself unable to perform ordinary activities. She sat down to clean her vacuum but couldn’t remember how, leading to fear and frustration.

Confusion in Familiar Settings:

  • Grocery shopping became overwhelming—she forgot why she was there, what she needed, and became anxious when unable to process labeled aisles.

Sudden Physical Symptoms:

  • She lost control over the right side of her body, experiencing paralysis and an inability to use her right arm and leg.

Panic Attacks and Emotional Overwhelm:

  • Nancy describes a panic attack in the store, feeling the urge to curl up and cry.

Seizure and Loss of Awareness:

  • As her husband called 911, Nancy experienced a seizure and drifted in and out of consciousness.

Medical Causes

  • Nancy’s stroke was ultimately linked to high blood pressure exacerbated by a medication (Effexor). She notes she was not informed about the risk or need to monitor blood pressure on this medication.

Why Awareness Matters

Nancy’s journey underscores the importance of recognizing and acting on stroke symptoms, especially in younger individuals or those who might dismiss early warning signs. Quick response saved Nancy’s life.

Common Signs of Stroke to Watch For (based on Nancy's account and general medical advice):

  • Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg—especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding
  • Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Severe headache with no known cause

If you or a loved one experience these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Time is critical.

LEARN MORE HERE: Stroke Of Love

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🔥 Are you ready to become the best version of yourself? Tune into Obsessed with Humans on the Verge of Change — the life-changing podcast that explores healing, purpose, empowerment, and bold transformation. Each episode is designed to help you level up with real tools, real stories, and real conversations that matter.

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✨ What We're Obsessed With

We are OBSESSED with humans who are ready to break through fear, trauma, and limiting beliefs...

Previous Episode

Confessions of a Bad Mom and The Shame of Motherhood is a real thing. Listen to this intimate account of motherhood and the grief we all experience.

Welcome back to OBSESSED! In this heartfelt solo episode, your host Julie Loken opens up about the messy, magical, and meaningful journey of motherhood—specifically, what it’s like raising four boys. Julie takes us beyond “how-to” guides or stories of perfection, sharing an honest love story marked by exhaustion, growth, guilt, and ultimately, grace. She candidly explores the realities of parenting—grieving your old self, accepting imperfection, laughing at fart jokes, and loosening your grip as your kids grow independent. Whether you’re in the newborn trenches, navigating teenage chaos, or cheering your grown kids from afar, this episode is a raw, compassionate reminder that you’re never alone, self-care is essential, and you’re doing better than you think. Stay wild, stay true, stay obsessed—this one’s for every parent out there doing their best.

Time Stamps

00:00 Pregnancy Experiences and Expectations

06:38 "Embracing Change in Parenthood"

07:22 Embracing Imperfection in Parenthood

10:53 "Self-Compassion and Resilience Tribute"

💞CHECK OUT OUR FAVORITE SKINCARE LINE- THE ORGANIC SKIN CO. The Organic Skin Co

Your skin will thank you for it AND the world will thank you- as they plant a tree with each product bought!

Create a life you love and get Obsessed with doing things different with Julie Lokun, Mika Altidor and Tia Morell Walden.

We are your guides in personal development!

⭐Get OBSESSED with changing your life. We are all on a journey to do things better, consider us your guides to living your best life.

⭐Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website or most major podcast platforms.

⭐Visit our website and share your story! Home | Obsessedwith Life (getobsessedpodcast.com)

📩We want to know who you are obsessed with--Watch Us LIVE on YouTube Every Monday - @obsessedpodcast

⭐Join us as we interview thought leaders like Gary Vaynerchuk, Evan Carmichael, Dr. Laura Berman and MORE!

And learn about how we are changing the world every day: THE WOMEN OF OBSESSED

Get Obsessed with us. Collectively we are a nutritionist, a master certified life coach, an attorney, and a self-esteem expert. We dive into topics that uncover the essence of the human experience. Our stories are one of kicking fear in the face and taking a leap of faith.

We are equally obsessed with the works of Brene Brown and are inspired to study and understand the 30 core emotions. Each week we will explore another emotion, talk to experts in their field and inspire you to live the life you are meant to be living.

We are Julie Lokun, JD, Tia Morell Walden, Certified Holistic Nutritionist, and Mika Altidor, Certified Life Coach. Join us for the conversation, and more importantly be a part of the conversation. Reach out with a question or comment about an episode or suggest a personal development topic you are obsessed with. After all, the Obsessed Podcast is for you and about you.

Learn More About Your Hosts: Here

For More About Julie Lokun Check Her Out: Here

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Check Out Julie's Website: www.julielokunconsulting.com

Check Out Mika's Website: Home | Victor & Mika’s Bakery Vegan Food. Real Good. (victormikabakery.com)

JOIN US LIVE IN CHICAGO- www.cre8tivecon.com

Get Obsessed with your life. #obsessedpodcast #1percentbetter #motivation

motherhood, parenting, raising boys, mom guilt, identity in motherhood, grief in parenting, parental exhaustion, parenting challenges, self-care for moms, parenthood survival, embracing imperfection, parenting expectations, parenting community, asking for help, personal growth as a parent, letting go of perfection, love between mother and sons, parenting advice, emotional struggles in parenting, support systems, mothers of multiple children,


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This is a story of a strong woman. Not only an Oprah expert, Dr. Laura Berman understands the power of quantum love, loss and living on as a mother after the tragic death of her son, Sammy- due to a fentanyl related overdose.

In this deeply moving and inspiring Mother's Day special of the OBSESSED Podcast, hosts Mika, Tristan, and Tia sit down with the incomparable Dr. Laura Berman—Oprah’s renowned love and relationship expert, scientist, bestselling author, and podcast host. In a candid and intimate conversation, Dr. Berman reveals her secrets to staying connected with love, finding resilience through the most unimaginable losses, and how she honors her son, Sammy, after his tragic passing. This episode is a heartfelt tribute, packed with wisdom for mothers, families, and anyone moving through grief or personal transformation.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Quantum Love & Home Frequency: Dr. Laura breaks down the science of ‘home frequency’ from her book Quantum Love, and explains how emotional states shape your relationships—and your life.
  • Grief, Loss & Motherhood: Dr. Laura shares her raw journey after losing her son, Sammy, to a fentanyl-laced overdose. Hear her message to mothers and families: “love is the most powerful force there is.”
  • Practical Healing: Learn tools for healing, self-forgiveness, and resilience. Dr. Laura reveals her process for managing empathy, protecting your energy, and supporting others without depleting yourself.
  • Modern Parenting & the Social Media Threat: Powerful insights on social media’s role in teen drug exposure, and how to have honest, empowering conversations with your kids—plus advocacy tips for change.
  • Sex & Relationships: Why conversations about sex and intimacy matter in every stage of life—and how to drop shame for genuine connection.
  • Purpose, Grace, and Growth: Dr. Laura’s formula for turning heartache into purpose and healing, plus real-life practices for bringing more grace into your daily life as a mother, partner, and person.

Featured Guest:

Dr. Laura Berman

  • Oprah’s Love & Relationship Expert
  • Scientist, Bestselling Author (Quantum Love)
  • Host of The Language of Love podcast
  • Advocate for parent support, Fentanyl awareness, and healing in the age of social media

Links & Resources:

Why Listen to This Mother's Day Episode?

If you’re searching for the best Mother’s Day podcast episode, this conversation will move you, inspire you, and leave you with actionable steps to bring more meaning and connection into your life. Whether you’re a mother, daughter, partner, or simply someone seeking healing or hope—Dr. Laura’s vulnerability and wisdom offer the perfect Mother's Day tribute and an unforgettable reminder of the enduring strength of love.

💞CHECK OUT OUR FAVORITE SKINCARE LINE- THE ORGANIC SKIN CO. The Organic Skin Co

Your skin will thank you for it AND the world will thank you- as they plant a tree with each product bought!

🔥 Are you ready to become the best version of yourself? Tune into Obsessed with Humans on the Verge of Change — the life-changing podcast that explores healing, purpose, empowerment, and bold transformation. Each episode is designed to help you level up with real tools, real stories, and real conversations that matter.

💥 Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts and follow us on YouTube for LIVE episodes!

✨ What We're Obsessed With

We are OBSESSED with humans who are ready to break through fear, trauma, and limiting beliefs. Hosted by thought leaders ...

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