Bearing Scars

From homeless drug addict to the pinnacle of prominence

Michael Ertel — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:15:14 GMT

Today we revisit our discussion with Desmond Meade. The Nobel Peace Prize nominee and one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World discusses his two decade journey from homeless drug addict moments away from ending it all to sobriety, college, law school, and international prominence. Host Michael Ertel and Desmond delve into the heart of forgiveness and second chances.

Links from the show:

https://bearingscars.com/

https://www.desmondmeade.com/

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/653904/let-my-people-vote-by-desmond-meade/

https://floridarrc.com/

https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/

Please review our podcast on Apple or Spotify.

The man who couldn't be canceled

Michael Ertel — Wed, 27 May 2026 12:54:54 GMT

Tim Kelley had done everything right: MIT degree in mathematics, strong family life, Navy commanding officer, senior executive at Oracle, community leader.

Then, in the blink of an eye, two people independently set out to destroy everything he'd built. Their weapon: cancel culture.

Learn about how Tim battled the smears, emerged victorious, and used those lessons to teach others how to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the chaos.

Links from this episode:

https://www.BearingScars.com

https://www.CanceledLeader.com

Beyond the Amazon Documentary, the real Heather Rovet

Michael Ertel — Wed, 13 May 2026 21:27:34 GMT

In part two of our discussion with Toronto businesswoman Heather Rovet, we learn how her life after being scammed for more than $100,000 was simply more of the same -- another scam. This time it wasn't just her money that was stolen, it was her heart. While her life story has become an Amazon Prime documentary titled RomCon, Who the F is Jason Porter?, we go beyond the film to meet the woman behind the story.

Links from the episode:

https://www.BearingScars.com

https://www.amazon.com/ROMCON-Who-Jason-Porter-Season/dp/B0F7MG4GZ7

https://www.heatherrovet.com/

Please review our podcast on Apple or Spotify. You can also rate us on Podchaser at: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/bearing-scars-6266254

Her life became an Amazon Prime documentary (the first scam)

Michael Ertel — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:13:53 GMT

Heather Rovet was a Toronto businesswoman on the rise. She was one of the city's most successful realtors, and her vision for marketing had been getting her a lot of publicity. But her success may also have made her a target. In part one of our discussion with the woman whose story became an Amazon Prime documentary, we learn how Heather lost her six-figure life savings to a scammer.

Links from the episode:

https://www.BearingScars.com

https://www.amazon.com/ROMCON-Who-Jason-Porter-Season/dp/B0F7MG4GZ7

https://www.heatherrovet.com/

Please review our podcast on Apple or Spotify. You can also rate us on Podchaser at: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/bearing-scars-6266254

The Resilience Routines of three impactful leaders

Michael Ertel — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:55:45 GMT

Three of our past guests return to Bearing Scars to reveal their personal resilience routines -- those things which help them to get through the tough times and move forward. These tips aren't just helpful for them, though, as you can apply them to your own life.

Please review our podcast on Apple or Spotify. You can also rate us on Podchaser at: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/bearing-scars-6266254

The soccer mom who accidentally became her son's drug dealer

Michael Ertel — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:06:03 GMT

In the heartland of America, soccer mom Jennifer Chase was living the dream. A loving husband, two great kids, and a career. Until a trip to the hospital got her hooked on pain killers, and the cocktail prescribed by her doctors led her on a path of personal destruction. The impact of her addiction wasn't confined to her alone, as Jennifer discovered she had accidentally become her son's drug dealer. Listen to this episode of Bearing Scars to hear her story.

Links from the episode:

https://bearingscars.com

https://www.riseaddictionlc.com

https://al-anon.org

Please review our podcast on Apple or Spotify. You can also rate us on Podchaser at: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/bearing-scars-6266254

Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Desmond Meade

Michael Ertel — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 13:30:00 GMT

The premier episode of Bearing Scars features Nobel Peace Prize nominee and one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World discussing his two decade journey from homeless drug addict moments away from ending it all to sobriety, college, law school, and international prominence. Host Michael Ertel and Desmond delve into the heart of forgiveness and second chances.

Links from the show:

https://bearingscars.com/

https://www.desmondmeade.com/

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/653904/let-my-people-vote-by-desmond-meade/

https://floridarrc.com/

https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/

Please review our podcast on Apple or Spotify. You can also rate us on Podchaser at: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/bearing-scars-6266254

Bearing Scars Preview: A minute with Desmond Meade

Michael Ertel — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:30:00 GMT

Are you ready to get inspired? Bearing Scars debuts in January with Nobel Peace Prize nominee and one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World, Desmond Meade. Desmond discussing his journey from homeless and drug addiction to his current status as one of the most respected men in the world.

WWE wrestler Matt Morgan reveals his toughest opponent, addiction

Michael Ertel — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Professional wrestler, American Gladiator and addiction counselor Matt Morgan is the next guest on Bearing Scars. Matt proves that sometimes the size of the man in the fight and the size of the fight in the man can both be imposing. He reveals his secrets to success in both WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and TNA (Total Nonstop Action) wrestling where he worked alongside superstars such as Hulk Hogan, John Cena, Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles, and Mark Henry, among others in his career. Yet through all his battles, Morgan discusses defeating his toughest opponent yet: addiction.

Links from episode:

https://www.wwe.com

https://www.tnawrestling.com

https://www.na.org

https://www.longwoodfl.org

https://www.orlandorecovery.com

https://www.bearingscars.com

Please review our podcast on Apple or Spotify. You can also rate us on Podchaser at: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/bearing-scars-6266254

The Quiet Man's Inner turmoil of childhood sexual abuse

Michael Ertel — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:45:00 GMT

Sometimes, it's the quiet man who has the most tumultuous past.

For three years in the early 1970's a pre-teen Ralph Park was sexually abused by a neighbor. After escaping his abuser, Ralph created a life which eventually included a multi-million dollar business, a ten acre mansion, and a loving family. Despite his inner demons, Ralph had seemingly achieved the American Dream.

Until one day, more than 40 years after his childhood sexual abuse ended; his abuser walked in to Ralph's office, and upended his life once again.

The next episode of Bearing Scars unwraps the spiraling downfall of a quiet leader and his fight to regain his own life's story.

Subscribe today to discover all the stories of those who have overcome.

Links from episode:

https://rainn.org

https://988lifeline.org

Please review our podcast on Apple or Spotify. You can also rate us on Podchaser at: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/bearing-scars-6266254

When the mafia is "The Family Business."

Michael Ertel — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:45:00 GMT

Growing up in Worcester, Massachusetts, John Carter knew he'd inherit "The Family Business." Unfortunately for John, his father's business was being the local boss for the mafia. On his way to taking the reigns, John was shot in the back of the head by a client. His recovery included a coma, prison, physical rehabilitation, and a life transformation he never expected.

Listen to all episodes at https://www.BearingScars.com

John's website: https://www.johncarterauthor.com

John's book, Triggered to Change: https://www.amazon.com/Triggered-Change-Life-Full-Turbulence/dp/B0DWLVRWW5

John's TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/s2-tcE-L0Lg?si=CojjHpu2XPCyogm_

John's business: https://www.titaniumhealthfitness.com/

Mobility Danes of New England: https://www.mobilitydanesofnewengland.com

Please review our podcast on Apple or Spotify. You can also rate us on Podchaser at: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/bearing-scars-6266254

Coming Soon: Bearing Scars

Michael Ertel — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 09:30:00 GMT

Rebounding with Grit, Grace and Growth

Bearing Scars hosts raw discussions with titans in their fields. But we won’t just be talking about the achievements with which you’re familiar.

There’s already a ton of fluffy podcasts about success, but Bearing Scars will peel back the visage and discover the real truth of those who admit to monumental missteps in life, and worked to rebuild themselves in the aftermath.

We’ll talk with those who have gone from prison to prominence, from debilitating addiction to public adoration, from youthful indiscretion to business dominance and from career-ending scandal to a redefining their life’s work.

Our tagline here is rebounding with Grit, Grace and Growth. We’ll learn from these leaders how they have stayed focused, continued to drive forward; maintained an inward and outward mental balance, and grown so their scars won’t define their legacy.

And you’ll hopefully learn from their resilience routines, which have helped them through the tough times.

The name of this series is Bearing Scars. Because those marks will never disappear, especially in this hyper-toxic, everything online forever atmosphere, but we can work to turn those scars into reminder to keep fighting for our own American Dream, and inspiring others to do the same. Let's learn.

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A child actress finally finds her own voice

Michael Ertel — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:45:00 GMT

For generations worldwide, Hilary Momberger welcomed the holidays as the voice of Charlie Brown's little sister Sally.

After her child fame ended, Hilary had to find her own voice. And, in typical Hollywood fashion, the script is all-too-familiar. The voice who welcomed our holidays, for years would spend her own holidays buying drugs, sacrificing her body, avoiding jail, and attempting suicide.

Now, after years of silence and quiet despair, Hilary is finally speaking out.

Tune in to this episode of Bearing Scars to hear this remarkable story of the child's voice we thought we knew, and the woman who struggled for years to find her true voice.

Links from this episode:

https://BearingScars.com

https://HilaryMombergerPowers.com

https://ChurchillStrategyGroup.com

https://RAINN.org

https://AA.org

Please review our podcast on Apple or Spotify. You can also rate us on Podchaser at: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/bearing-scars-6266254

Bearing Scars Preview: A minute with Bridget Lake

Michael Ertel — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT

We all have secrets. Our next episode of Bearing Scars features someone you may have thought was a typical Navy veteran who became a chamber of commerce president, and then a nationally known veterans advocate. But what you haven't known is the secret Bridget Lake has kept for years. She reveals the full story for the first time on the next episode of Bearing Scars. Her journey from the military to addiction, to the deadly consequences of her life spiral will move you. But her fight to becoming the successful community leader she is today will inspire you. If you have a daughter, son, friend or neighbor who needs to be inspired and reminded the American Dream doesn't have an expiration date, then the next episode of Bearing Scars is a must-listen.

Bearing Scars Preview: A minute with Matt Morgan

Michael Ertel — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Professional wrestler and addiction counselor Matt Morgan is the next guest on Bearing Scars. In this one minute preview of his full episode, Matt proves that sometimes the size of the man in the fight and the size of the fight in the man can both be imposing. Full episode debuts Jan. 21, 2026 on all major podcast platforms and at BearingScars.com.

Bearing Scars Preview: When the mafia is "The Family Business."

Michael Ertel — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Bearing Scars Preview: The quiet man's inner turmoil

Michael Ertel — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Sometimes, it's the quiet man who has the most tumultuous past.

Until one day, more than 40 years after his childhood sexual abuse ended; his abuser walked in to Ralph's office, and upended his life once again.

The next episode of Bearing Scars unwraps the spiraling downfall of a quiet leader and his fight to regain his own life's story.

Subscribe today to discover all the stories of those who have overcome.

A deadly secret revealed; Navy veteran Bridget Lake discusses sexual assault, prison, addiction and redemption.

Michael Ertel — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:45:00 GMT

We all have secrets. This powerful episode of Bearing Scars features someone you may have thought was a typical Navy veteran who became a chamber of commerce president, and then a nationally known veterans advocate. But what you haven't known is the secret Bridget Lake has kept for years. She reveals the full story for the first time on Bearing Scars. Her journey from the military, to addiction, to the deadly consequences of her life spiral will move you. But her fight to becoming the successful community leader she is today will inspire you. If you have a daughter, son, friend or neighbor who needs to be inspired and reminded the American Dream doesn't have an expiration date, then this episode of Bearing Scars is a must-listen.

Links from episode:

https://bridgetlake.com/

https://rainn.org/

https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

https://www.camaraderiefoundation.org/

https://www.mccormick.us/

Bearing Scars Preview: A child actress finally finds her voice

Michael Ertel — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 13:30:00 GMT

For generations worldwide, Hilary Momberger welcomed the holidays as the voice of Charlie Brown's little sister Sally. After her child fame ended, Hilary had to find her own voice. And, in typical Hollywood fashion, the script is all-too-familiar. The voice who welcomed our holidays, for years would spend her own holidays buying drugs, sacrificing her body, avoiding jail, and attempting suicide.

Now, after years of silence and quiet despair, Hilary has finally found her voice.

Tune in to the next episode of Bearing Scars to hear this remarkable story of the child's voice we thought we knew, and the woman who struggled for years to find her true voice.