Robert Don’s memoir explores what he knows of his mother’s teenage life as a Schindler’s List survivor. The book also confronts Intergenerational Trauma (“Second Generation) and holocaust survivor trauma, manifested in hatred as a form of racism—how it can begin, what it can do to us and how we can reconcile even amidst the reach of darkness. Rob had a second awakening when his mother made Shimmas (meaning peace in Yiddish) with his German stepmother whom she hated, when his stepmom became his Mom’s primary caretaker on his Mom’s death bed, Rob believes that intergenerational trauma due to the holocaust may impacts of millions of people and that we can't change behavior unless we have an awareness of the behavior. everyday to want the following. He says "That What Brings Us Together Can Overcome What Pulls Us Apart."

Glenn Nicholson has had the pleasure of working with adults with disabilities for 12 years and from them, he has learned gratitude and immeasurable resilience and what it means to be authentically happy despite personal challenges, both mental and physical. This has opened his eyes in an awakening of understanding of the gifts he has been given and an immense desire to share them with the world. Each of us is on a hero’s journey. Glenn’s current book, Mindful Illumination explores stillness, mindfulness, and kundalini awakening, In his book, Glenn shares some of his personal struggles with depression & anxiety, and uncovers many practical coping strategies to cultivate grounding and peace while facing challenges while on one’s hero’s journey. Mindful illumination is not just a book of WORDS; it is an inspirational game changer.

After the passing of her father in 2015, Liz Entin delved in to see if there was science based evidence of an afterlife, something as an atheist she never thought possible. She was stunned to discover there is a large amount of valid scientific evidence of an afterlife that does not require faith or belief. It was a long process that combined delving into the science and meeting the people behind the research, but she ended believing that consciousness continues after death. She has two books -Book One -WTF Just Happened?!: A sciencey-skeptic explores grief, healing, and evidence of an afterlife and Book Two WTF Just Happened?!: A sciencey skeptic investigates even more evidence of an afterlife and fights for justice with her dead dog. She is host of a podcast, WTF Just Happened?!: All about the afterlife. No woo.

Bryan Lee, known worldwide as Bullseye The Clown, has transformed his personal trauma of being bullied into a global mission of compassion. At age 47, he saw the movie Patch Adams and decided to join the real Patch Adams on a 14 day mission to Russia to hospitals, orphanages and more. There Bullseye had two other awakenings when he made an old lady be seen and brought laughter to a woman in hospice. He went from trying to be invisible when he was bullied to being as visible as possible as a clown. As the founder of Clowns On A Mission, Bryan serves vulnerable communities across continents, delivering resources and hope to those who feel forgotten. His journey from bullying victim to international advocate has resulted in the book "Bullseye On Bullying: Your Blueprint for Beating the Bullies".

Podcast Host Dan Cohen and his brother Dr. Ken Cohen discuss their Dad Herbie’s Awakening from late stage Dementia to closely resemble the man he was. He went from barely recognizing his family to being lucid and sharing the love he had for his wife, children and grandchildren. Remarkably, he remembered things that happened during his dementia when he had little awareness. He also shared a profound message that he still appreciates and wants to love life, giving hope to caregivers and family members of Alzheimer’s and Dementia sufferers

Holocaust survivor Sami Steigmann's awakening to educate about the holocaust. Sami Steigmann awakened later in life, after being inspired by a 6th grader, to make his life’s mission to educate children and society about the horrors of the holocaust and the dangers of Jew hatred today. Sami's life story is remarkable. From 1941 -1944, he and his parents were in Ukraine at Mogilev-Podolsky, a labor camp in Transnistria. Being too young to work, per his parents, Sami was subjected to Nazi medical experimentation but has no recollection of it. However, he still feels the side effects every day. He believes knowledge about the holocaust without action and bringing in the media can accomplish very little to stop jew hatred.

PREVIEW EPISODE LIVE- Podcasts drop January 13, 2026.

www.awakeningsinreallife.com

The “Awakenings In Real Life” podcast tells inspiring stories of transformation, meaning and hope. Host Dan Cohen will share stories of people awakening and then triumphing over bullying, addiction, disability, illness, trauma, loss, near death experiences and more

Host Dan Cohen is a dynamic entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience and a deep passion for brand building. The “Awakenings In Real Life” podcast tells inspiring stories of transformation, meaning and hope. The premier episode features his Dad’s awakening from his dementia and the message he sends that he still appreciates and lives life. While we typically think of an Awakening as a “Getting Up” or “Spiritual” or “Religious” in nature, an “Awakening” is also an awareness, recognition or realization of something. Dan will share stories of people triumphing over bullying, addiction, disability, illness, trauma, loss, near death experiences and more. He’s also written a companion book, and he hopes you will also find that, so you can hear awakenings from his family that involve stories of enlightenment, lessons learned, deep understandings, and personal growth. Dan is also a speaker and screenwriter.