Ryan Capliger's story begins with darkness but transforms into a brilliant testament to human resilience. Growing up in Hamilton, Ohio amidst what he simply describes as "nothing but trauma," Ryan's journey illustrates how profoundly life can change when someone finally recognizes your potential.

The conversation takes an unexpected turn as Ryan reveals a harrowing near-death experience. While celebrating his friend Shawn's birthday, an innocent shot of Jägermeister went terribly wrong, sending Ryan into respiratory distress. After Shawn performed life-saving CPR, Ryan spent three days in a coma, during which he experienced a profound vision of Jesus telling him, "you're never going to talk again." Rather than taking this literally, Ryan interpreted this message as a calling to express himself through writing and creative pursuits – a divine redirection that sparked his creative renaissance.

Since that pivotal moment, Ryan has channeled his experiences into multiple creative ventures. His novella "The Darkness From Within" explores themes of pain, abuse, and trauma, while his children's book series "Frankie Frog" demonstrates his versatility as a creator. For each book, Ryan writes accompanying songs available on streaming platforms, with merchandise including coloring books and soon-to-be-released plush toys. His creative spirit extends to songwriting collaborations with local artists, including his friend Shawn, whose quick action saved Ryan's life and gave him the chosen family he never had.

Ryan's powerful message resonates throughout the conversation: "We're born innocent and people take that innocence away, but you have that inner light somewhere inside of you to fight all that darkness and do anything and everything you want in life." His story reminds us that transformation is possible even from the darkest circumstances, especially when someone finally sees the potential within us that we couldn't see ourselves. Discover Ryan's creative works at FrankieFroggg.com and RyanCaplinger.com, and remember – the only person who can stop you from achieving your dreams is yourself.

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What happens when the ghosts of relationships past come knocking? When an ex-boyfriend from 1972 sends photographs capturing a beautiful 25-year-old version of yourself, it's natural to reminisce—but dangerous to romanticize. Today, I'm sharing a deeply personal journey through my relationship history and the wisdom that only 77 years of living can provide.

Those vintage photographs transport me back to a time when I left my first marriage seeking something better—not realizing the security I was walking away from. Young, gorgeous, with "a body to die for" and riding high on newfound freedom, I made choices that seemed exciting at the time. One boyfriend even introduced me to Quaaludes, part of a lifestyle that eventually led me to nearly 40 years of sobriety.

Against this backdrop, I read you a powerful cautionary tale written by Diane Berent Guth about "detonating" her life—abandoning a 20-year marriage, two children, and suburban stability for a handsome widower who quickly revealed himself as controlling and abusive. Her Hollywood fantasy rapidly descended into trauma, false imprisonment, and regret. The parallel to my own youthful choices isn't lost on me, though thankfully my story took a different turn.

Now, after 23 years with my current husband, I've found something worth holding onto. The stability of a committed relationship—imperfections and all—outshines any fleeting excitement or nostalgia. When I declare "I will never, ever leave him," it comes from a place of genuine appreciation for what matters most. Remember, as TikTok Bubbie always says: don't detonate your life over a fantasy. Take it from someone who's been there and learned the hard way—sometimes staying put is the wisest move of all. Have you ever been tempted to throw away something good for something that merely seemed exciting? Share your thoughts and let's talk about making choices we won't regret.

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Pope Francis's recent passing has left a profound void in our world—a spiritual leader whose environmental teachings transcended religious boundaries and offered a unifying vision when we needed it most. Reflecting on his legacy this Earth Day, I'm struck by how this "people's pope" embodied the values of simplicity, compassion, and stewardship that resonate deeply with me, despite my Jewish background.

Francis chose his papal name to honor St. Francis of Assisi, whose devotion to both Christ and the natural world established a powerful connection between spirituality and environmental consciousness. Through his landmark encyclical "Laudato Si," Francis questioned whether profit-driven societies could truly prioritize nature's rhythms and future generations' well-being. "Where profits alone count," he wrote, "there can be no thinking about the rhythms of nature." His message feels especially potent now, when short-term gains often overshadow long-term sustainability.

What makes Francis's environmental advocacy so powerful is its universal appeal. While Americans remain deeply polarized politically, clean air, clean water, and nature conservation have the potential to unite people across divides. His call to "leave behind our divisions" and emerge from the "dark night of environmental devastation" speaks to our shared humanity and collective responsibility. This philosophy extends beyond environmentalism into his broader teachings on acceptance, love, and peace—values that defined my generation before cultural shifts in the 1980s changed our priorities. As Francis famously asked about LGBTQ+ individuals, "Who am I to judge?" His simple question encapsulates a radical philosophy of acceptance that could transform our world. Because truly, what could we lose by giving peace and love a chance?

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