S4E54 | Joshua T Berglan - The 'Death' of a Survivor & the Birth of a Warrior: A Secondary Testimony

The Imagination

Today I am honored to introduce to you: Survivor, devoted husband, actor, podcast host of ‘The World’s Mayor Experience’ on YouTube, 2-time international best-selling author of the book “The Devil Inside Me”, entrepreneur and business owner, film and TV producer, talk show host, and HIV and mental health advocate, Joshua T Berglan!
In case you haven’t read Josh’s book or heard his testimony on his YouTube channel and podcast, here’s a short summary to catch you up: Josh’s story takes us through a maze of abuse, sex and drug addiction, jail, bankruptcy, divorce, homelessness, losing his children, and almost losing his life… It is the ultimate story of redemption, true love and in taking the pain he suffered for so long and turning it into an important purpose that now serves as being a voice for the voiceless. Josh’s memoir, “The Devil Inside Me” is a phenomenal first-hand account of overcoming what was meant to destroy him and his podcast, “The World’s Mayor Experience” - that I encourage all of you to go subscribe to which features a plethora of amazing guests and topics focused around bringing awareness to HIV, mental health, healing, and so much more. He’s founded multiple businesses and has an innate passion for helping impart media literacy to the youth, and lends his voice and resources to support individuals and survivors battling mental illnesses, HIV, challenges related to sexual identity, trauma from abuse, and the many systemic injustices that plague our society. Josh’s story is a testament to what happens when we decide to slay the devil inside of us and what is possible on the other side of pain and trauma. His beautiful wife, Jessica Linn is a hero in his story and also serves as a reminder of the power of love.
I’m so thrilled to have Josh back on again and I know all of you will be too after all the incredible and touching feedback we got in his last episode. In case you missed his incredible first episode - I will have that in the shownotes for you all to check out. In that first episode, we had an incredibly healing and inspirational discussion about becoming and being the person you were made to be and how to overcome trauma in order to use your story to create something that makes the world a better place. And if anyone understands how to do this at a core level, it’s Josh. Having created multiple business entities, platforms, podcasts, and more, Josh has brought forth so many projects that have touched the hearts of everyone who stumbles on his content. Even in moments of immeasurable suffering, he keeps a smile on his face and shows up to inspire others. This was evidenced recently when Josh began experiencing health issues that were impacting his daily life.
On today’s episode, Josh is going to - for the first time - give an extension to his already incredible testimony, a ‘Part 2’ - if you will, where he will be expanding on the harrowing autobiography he gave to us in his book, “The Devil Inside Me”. You see, a survivor’s testimony never truly ends as they continue with life. It just expands and grows. A survivor is constantly overcoming the tests of their testimony and in the midst of constantly overcoming obstacles - another miracle happens to the survivor - they become a warrior. An unstoppable warrior. And that is exactly the version of Josh you are going to see today. The version that never stops fighting, never stops inspiring, and never stops his unrelenting passion to help others. Josh is the walking definition of ‘being the change you want to see in the world’ and we are all so lucky to get to learn from this amazing man. I ask you all to put away everything you are doing and give Josh your full attention as you listen to this brave warrior share how the devil - despite the name of his book - never actually stood a chance.

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