The Soulful Project Podcast

The purpose of The Soulful Project, is to give YOU a platform to unravel layers of self discovery and share YOUR journey - the experiences that have made your soul- who YOU are. This is a safe haven meant to inspire others to reconnect with their own souls and discover additional aspects of identity-to be an influence in helping your friends and loved ones discover their mission in life. It includes topics of healing and faith, as well as passions, pastimes, adventure and relationships.

The Soulful Project Podcast is a religion podcast hosted by Samantha Madrid Dodge, with 66 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Samantha Madrid Dodge hosts The Soulful Project Podcast, a religion show with 66 episodes published.

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  Episode #17

  "Life Is Not Happening 'TO' You, It's Happening 'FOR' You" | The Incredible Perspective, Heart, and Soul of Marina Frolov

  Sep 27, 202644 minS2

  Send us Fan Mail What happens when life strips away the identity you thought you knew—and forces you to discover who you are underneath it all? Today's guest, Marina Frolov opens up about just that; about rebuilding her life after divorce, navigating single motherhood, and facing an unexpected stage two Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis that changed the way she sees herself, her purpose, and her future. If you’ve ever felt like life was happening "to" you, struggled with losing control, or found yourself facing a chapter you never expected, Marina’s story will remind you that even the hardest seasons can create space for a stronger, more honest version of yourself. In this episode, I sit down with Marina for a deeply honest heart-to-heart about vulnerability, resilience, motherhood, health, and learning to move forward when life changes without warning. From growing up in rural Canada to starting a photography business at just 17, Marina shares the experiences that shaped her into someone who learned to keep showing up through uncertainty. She opens up about how her cancer diagnosis shifted her perspective from “life is happening to me” to “life is happening for me,” why vulnerability helped her connect more deeply with others, and how she found new ways to care for and reconnect with her body after having to leave heavy lifting behind. Marina also shares what it was like balancing treatment, school, and being present for her son—and the simple motto that carried her through some of her hardest days: “It is what it is, and it’s going to be okay.” Together, we explore the power of community, the role that running played in Marina’s healing, and how social media can become more than a feed—it can become a lifeline for survivors, caregivers, and people navigating difficult health journeys in silence. Marina’s story is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to have everything figured out to keep moving forward, and that healing often begins when we stop trying to control every outcome. Her insights are perfect for anyone navigating a major life transition, rebuilding after loss, facing a health challenge, or simply needing encouragement to trust the next chapter. This conversation will leave you with a grounded reminder: sometimes the unexpected detours don't take you away from yourself—they lead you closer to who you were always meant to become. Support the show

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  Episode #16

  Finding Who You Are Beyond Your Performace and Embracing Seasons of Unexpected Change With Mia Thompson

  Sep 22, 202659 minS2

  Send us Fan Mail Who are you when the identity you built your life around suddenly changes? Have you ever found yourself standing at the end of one chapter with no idea what comes next? If so, this episode is for you. Mia Thompson shares the raw reality of leaving behind her identity as a student athlete, navigating an unexpected post-grad detour, and learning to trust herself when life doesn't go according to plan. Her story is a powerful reminder that your worth isn't defined by your performance, your career, or the plans you thought you had—and sometimes, getting lost is part of discovering who you're becoming. In this episode, I reconnect with an old friend, Mia Thompson who tunes in from Utah, for a deeply honest conversation about family, faith, mental health, grief, and starting over with grace. (TW: THERE IS DISCUSSION OF HOW SUICIDE HAS IMPACTED SOME PEOPLE IN HER LIFE.) Mia opens up about growing up with two brothers in a close-knit, Christ-centered family and how forgiveness became one of her family's greatest strengths. She reflects on how volleyball shaped her confidence, friendships, and future, what it felt like when sports ended and her identity had to evolve, and the unexpected signs that led her to walk away from one post-grad plan and toward another. Together, we explore the importance of vulnerability, emotional honesty, and checking in on the people around us—especially during seasons when life feels loud, uncertain, or overwhelming. We break down how to navigate identity shifts, rebuild confidence after major transitions, and stay grounded when the future doesn't look the way you imagined. Mia shares the personal experiences that deepened her empathy, strengthened her faith, and taught her that no one is ever truly alone. This episode is perfect for athletes, recent graduates, young adults, faith-driven listeners, or anyone standing at the edge of a new chapter. Mia's story will encourage you to embrace uncertainty, give yourself grace, and remember that changing direction isn't failure—it may be the very thing that leads you toward something better. Support the show

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  Episode #15

  "Your Emotions Are Your Teachers" | How To Use Your Emotions As Data- Raw Life Lessons With Nate Vanderkolk

  Sep 6, 20261h 2mS2

  Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt like you were coasting through life, hiding difficult emotions, or wondering why you still feel lonely even when you’re surrounded by people? In this episode of The Soulful Project Podcast, we sit down with Nate Vanderkolk, tuning in from Toronto Canada, for a raw and hopeful conversation about vulnerability, faith, mental health, and learning to live with greater intention. Nate shares how growing up in a complicated blended family shaped his sense of identity, connection, and fear of judgment. He opens up about his church mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in England, the mentors who helped him ask, “What is your why?”, and the powerful shift from living out of fear to living out of love. As you listen, you'll hear Nate talk honestly about recognizing his depression and anxiety, learning to process overwhelming emotions, and discovering that vulnerability can become a bridge to deep connection. Together, we explore how our struggles can give us greater compassion for others—and why becoming the person you once needed can be a powerful purpose. We break down the profound lesson that emotions are like waves: we can’t eliminate them, but we can learn how to surf. Whether you’ve ever felt stuck in survival mode, overwhelmed by your emotions, or unsure how to move forward when life doesn’t go according to plan, this conversation will meet you there. This episode is an invitation to stop coasting, choose faith over fear, and discover what it means to become truly alive in every season of life. Support the show

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  Episode #14

  How To Take Care Of YOU In A High-Performance Driven World | Exploring Deeper Meaning In Life's Chapters & Seasons With Valerie Guha

  Aug 30, 202649 minS2

  Send us Fan Mail What if sports could teach you more than how to win? What if the lessons you learn as an athlete could help you build confidence, regulate your emotions, navigate major life changes, and discover who you are beyond your sport? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Valerie “Val” Guha to explore athlete identity, mental health, emotional resilience, personal growth, and the challenges of navigating new seasons of life. From leaving home and moving across continents to building a life far from everything familiar, Val’s story is a reminder that growth often begins when we learn how to get comfortable with discomfort. Valerie Guha is a German-born goalkeeper who grew up in rural Germany, played four years of collegiate soccer at New Mexico State University, and now continues her soccer career with Red Bulls Atzbook in Austria. What started as a conversation mainly about soccer quickly evolved into a deeper discussion about identity, emotional regulation, resilience, confidence, and life transitions. Val shares how journaling, honest conversations, and learning how to release and express have become important tools for processing emotions and staying grounded. She opens up about the pressure athletes face to perform, the lessons she has learned from travel and living abroad, why she believes “pain is temporary,” and how looking back at past challenges can provide powerful evidence of your own resilience. We also explore how sports can become a lifelong toolbox for leadership, communication, self-awareness, discipline, and mental strength—and why “movement creates momentum” when you feel stuck. Together, we unpack coping skills, emotional regulation, performance pressure, and the process of rebuilding confidence during periods of change. Perfect for athletes, college students, young adults, former athletes, and anyone navigating a major transition, this episode will leave you with practical mindset tools and a powerful reminder: you don't lose yourself when the season changes—you have the opportunity to discover who you're becoming. Support the show

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  Episode #13

  How to Create Momentum in Life- Even When You Don't Have It All Figured Out | A Deep Dive on Navigating Life As a Young Adult with Ricky Quinlan

  Jul 7, 202651 minS2

  Send us Fan Mail Navigate the seasons of young adulthood and discover your true purpose in this reflective conversation with Ricky Quinlan, on The Soulful Project Podcast . Growing up as the youngest of seven siblings in small-town Arizona, Ricky has navigated a path through college and a mission, and is now managing a major life transition as he prepares for medical school and builds a life with his wife, Cassidy—proving that you can create meaningful momentum without having every step of your future mapped out. In this episode, Ricky reveals how shifting your focus away from chasing achievement and financial freedom can propel you toward a life centered on service, family, and steady personal growth. We break down his powerful perspective on making meaningful decisions, overcoming the intense pressure to "figure it all out," and his proven strategies for staying grounded. You will learn the importance of protecting your energy, establishing consistent daily habits, and avoiding the extremes of overdrive and burnout. Whether you are a student, a young professional, or someone simply feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to have a perfect plan, this conversation challenges you to embrace your calling and invest in what truly matters. If you are hungry for practical wisdom and a grounded perspective on navigating transitions, prepare to be inspired to live with steadiness, grace, and purpose—no matter where your path may lead. Support the show

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