Overcomers Episodes

🎧 Episode Title: My Grief Is Not Like Yours: Theo Boyd on Layered Loss, Divine Signs & Radical Hope Guest: Theo Boyd – Author, Grief Educator, and Speaker Books: 📘 My Grief Is Not Like Yours 📗 Hope All The Way Grief Study Resource: Download the National Grief Study 💡 Episode Summary: What if grief didn’t just break you—it rebuilt you? In this deeply moving conversation, Theo Boyd shares how her life was upended by a string of heartbreaking losses: her mother in a tragic farm accide...

Send me a Text Message 💔 About This Episode What do you do when grief crashes into your life without warning? In this intimate and emotionally raw conversation, host Brian Smith sits down with Diandra Ford-Wing, an African-American author and sales director who made the courageous decision to pause her life and fully sit with her grief after her mother’s sudden passing. Together, Brian and Diandra—both of whom have experienced the devastating shock of sudden loss—open up about the moments tha...

Send me a Text Message In this unforgettable conversation, host Brian D. Smith talks with Kim Hodous, a speaker, author, and “shining light parent” who has experienced the unimaginable—losing not one, but two of her children. In her search for healing, Kim discovered something extraordinary: a way to continue her relationship with her son Rob, even after his passing. Raised in a religious household, Kim’s beliefs were shaken—and ultimately expanded—when grief became her teacher and spirit bec...

Send me a Text Message 🔍 Episode Summary: What if the stories we’ve buried hold the power to heal us? In this deeply personal and moving conversation, Brian D. Smith speaks with Kennerly Clay, author of Letters from East of Nowhere, about the long road to forgiveness, the wounds of parental abandonment, and the unexpected redemption found in decades of handwritten letters. Kennerly’s father, an alcoholic and long-haul truck driver, was largely absent from her life. But through raw honesty, ea...

Send me a Text Message What do you do when the person who caused your deepest pain is someone you once loved—and trusted? In this gripping and emotionally raw episode, Scott Stewart shares his incredible story of survival, healing, and transformation. Raised in a home of fear, manipulation, and emotional volatility, Scott’s life was forever changed when his father murdered his mother. But instead of staying locked in bitterness, Scott made a bold decision: to forgive—not for his father, but f...

Send me a Text Message What if your grief isn't just your own—but a wound passed down through generations? In this powerful episode, I speak with psychotherapist, author, and IFS lead trainer Tamala Floyd about the healing power of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and ancestral wisdom . Tamala breaks down how parts of ourselves—like the people-pleaser or the inner critic—form in response to trauma, and how they can be lovingly unburdened, not exiled. She also discusses how healing isn’t just person...

Send me a Text Message 🧭 Episode Overview In this powerful episode, Brian sits down with transformation coach Jocelyn Herman Saccio , who shares how to become unmessable with —a state of being where no trigger, obstacle, or stressor can shake your foundation. Jocelyn’s unique methodology, shaped by over 30 years of coaching and personal transformation, helps people move from “someday” dreams to TODAY breakthroughs. Whether you're feeling stuck in a job, overwhelmed by family dynamics, or simply ...

Send me a Text Message What happens when you spend your whole life taking care of others—and forget who you are? In this deeply moving conversation, Brian Smith talks with Debbie Weiss, a woman who’s worn many hats: caregiver, business owner, author, and now, a voice of possibility and hope. Debbie shares her incredible journey of caring for her father, her neurodivergent son, and her husband through terminal illness and mental health struggles. She opens up about anticipatory grief, the complex...

Send me a Text Message Episode Summary: How do you rebuild your life after profound loss? Caren Paskel was a thriving yoga studio owner when her world turned upside down—her husband, David, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. As his caregiver, she faced overwhelming challenges, but instead of breaking, she transformed . In this episode, Caren shares how she turned personal tragedy into a mission of empowerment, helping others find self-belief, resilience, and purpose after loss. 💡 What You...

Send me a Text Message What does it mean to truly live when faced with a terminal diagnosis? In this powerful episode, Dr. Wendy Slattery shares her remarkable journey from growing up on a North Dakota farm in the 1950s to becoming a top infectious disease doctor—only to have her career cut short by a cancer diagnosis. Joined by her daughter Jenny, Wendy reveals how she turned to storytelling as a way to leave a legacy, rediscover faith, and embrace the unseen world. With courage and humor, Wend...

Send me a Text Message What happens when life delivers blow after blow, taking everything you hold dear? Dr. Kimberly Harms knows this all too well. After losing her son to suicide, her husband to illness, her mother to tragedy, and even her career, Kimberly could have stayed in the depths of despair. Instead, she clawed out of the grief pit, finding purpose, resilience, and joy. In this deeply moving episode, Kimberly shares her remarkable story of surviving the unimaginable and how she’s now h...

Send me a Text Message Join Brian Smith on Grief 2 Growth as he welcomes Sheila Clemenson, a transition coach and author of "Over the Rainbow." Sheila shares her poignant journey through grief after losing her husband to ALS and how she transformed her personal tragedy into a mission to help others. This episode delves into the complexities of caregiving, the emotional roller coaster of grief, and strategies for finding purpose and growth after loss. Key Points: Sheila's journey from HR advisor ...

Send me a Text Message In this profoundly impactful episode of the Grief 2 Growth podcast, I sit down with Alexandra Stevenson, a beacon of hope and resilience in the dark world of human trafficking. Alexandra's journey from a childhood advocate to surviving the depths of being trafficked herself is nothing short of remarkable. Her candid storytelling and academic insights offer a unique perspective on the complexities of human trafficking, gender socialization, and the power of resilience. I wa...

Send me a Text Message What if you could find strength amidst your deepest grief? This provocative question is at the core of our conversation with Alexandra Wyman, a fearless advocate for suicide awareness and prevention. Alexandra's life was forever changed after her husband's tragic suicide in 2020. Now, she courageously shares her journey in her bestselling memoir, The Suicide Club, offering invaluable insights and inviting listeners into her world of sorrow, resilience, and hope. The journe...

Send me a Text Message I've been asked, "Did she suffer when she was murdered?" by parents of children who have died. But no matter how our child passes, parents ask, "Was she scared?" Did she die alone?" Did he suffer? Ana Christina had an experience that answered all those questions, at least for her. Ana called her death a "sweet" experience, even though it occurred at the hands of a loved one. Ana says the Holy Spirit, or "The Comforter," never left her side. Ana says not only is death sweet...

Send me a Text Message Keisha Blair has the wisdom of a woman who became a widow at an extremely young age. Keisha, an up-and-coming career woman, found herself with small children and many decisions to make about her life, career, raising her children, and finding purpose again. On this heartfelt episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith welcomes Keisha Blair, a remarkable strength and resilience woman who turned her profound loss into a platform for growth and purpose. Enduring the tragic lo...

Send me a Text Message In this inspiring interview, I speak with Patricia Crisafulli, an accomplished author, speaker, and entrepreneur, about her life experiences and the lessons she has learned. Patricia shares with us her journey through grief after her sister's untimely passing and how it has changed her life forever. She believes that grief is a process, not a state, and that grief often runs parallel to joy in our lives. Patricia also discusses her novel, published just as her sister passe...

Send me a Text Message Susan L. Combs is President of Combs & Company, a full-service insurance brokerage firm based in New York City. Susan started the company at twenty-six years old with a drive to “Do more, better.” This internal mantra has resulted in numerous successes and firsts, like being named the youngest National President in the over eighty-five-year history of Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS) and the first female Broker of the Year winner for BenefitsPro. Susan is “a ...

Send me a Text Message When Jan Warner's husband died, she felt an intensity of grief she had not anticipated. Her husband was a recovering alcoholic who spent his sober life being available to other alcoholics and addicts. In order to honor him, she decided to make herself available to other grieving people, thinking if she reached one person that would be enough. Jan started a blog, Stop Thief Don’t Steal My Grief which, even though she doesn’t write new posts, still often has 2000 or more hi...

Send me a Text Message Alessandra Sagredohas a fascinating story. She grew up as an adopted, ¼ black bi-sexual female mystic in a household of strict Salvation Army ministers. She left an abusive marriage and went through a divorce and subsequent bankruptcy, only to face a walnut-sized inoperable tumor growing inside her brain. These are just some of the things that have made her who she is today, at the age of 44, completely healthy, free, and living a life of bliss. In this interview, we disc...

Send me a Text Message Camille Dan is the Shining Light Mother of Aaron, who transitioned into spirit at an early age. Camille and I discuss what Aaron was like before he passed. But, we really focus on her surprising relationship with Aaron since then. In a short span of time, Camille has written a book, come out with the second edition of that book, and put together an incredible anthology in a third book. Camille has regular communication with Aaron and credits him for the incredible work she...

Send me a Text Message Clarissa Moll had four young children when her husband Rob suddenly died. Clarissa had to re-establish her faith, be mother and father suddenly, and deal with the darkness of grief. This is not what she and Rob were expecting. In this interview, she tells us what her coping skills were and how being in the darkness of grief can be a good thing. 🔗 https://www.clarissamoll.com 🔗 All my links and contact info: https://pages.grief2growth.com/profile 👛 Toss me a tip: https://ww...

Send me a Text Message Celine O’Donovan is a native of Salthill, Galway. Following an international career in marketing for over 25 years she is now a published author. This change in direction was accelerated by personal lessons Celine learned after her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2016 and its aftermath. Her message; nothing happens by chance and all life events are sent to spur spiritual growth and enable us to fulfill our individual gifts. This re-framing of how we see our lives now shapes ...

Send me a Text Message 💰 to make a one-time donation visit to help cover my costs: http://www.grief2growth.com/tipjar Adam and are alike in that we both suffered from anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. When Adam hit bottom, he turned to athletics to pull himself up. He went from being out of shape to competing in a 2 mile swim, 100 mile bike ride, 26 mile run in the Ironman championship in Kona, HI Adam Hill is the author of the book, Shifting Gears: From Anxiety and Addiction to a Triathlon Wo...