The Survivors Podcast

Season 4 Recap: Real Stories, Raw Survival

*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.   Episode Summary In the Season 4 Recap, Lisa & Natasha blast through the season’s standout moments — from compound grief to breaking mental health taboos, body-centered trauma, women and suicide, and powerful guest interviews with family members and long-time friends. We also mark personal milestones: honest talks about suicidal ideation, a 100-pound weight-loss journey, and the launch of Lisa's memoir about surviving suicide loss, Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss [https://a.co/d/05ziKgxL](Familius Books). Resources, crisis guidance, and invitations to keep the conversation going are shared throughout. Thanks for being part of the Survivors community — keep surviving with us.   Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™  Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.   Topics * Different ways of surviving grief and trauma * The impact of collective grief and societal division * Breaking mental health taboos and sharing personal struggles * The power of storytelling and community in healing   Chapters 00:00 Season Four Recap Introduction   02:30 Exploring Different Types of Survival   03:56 The Weight of the World: Collective Grief   07:36 Understanding Compound Grief   10:37 Breaking Mental Health Taboos   14:04 The Impact of Stress on the Body   16:20 Women and Suicide: A Critical Conversation   19:08 Personal Stories of Loss and Healing   21:59 Surviving Trauma: Caleb's Story   24:14 Weight Loss as a Form of Survival   27:36 The Lasting Changes of Grief   29:05 Launching a Book on Suicide Loss   31:46 Navigating Mother's Day and Mental Health Awareness   34:10 Final Reflections and Looking Ahead to Season Five   Mental Health Resources * If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help. * The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/ * The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/ [https://www.thehelphub.co/] * National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)  * Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss (Familius Books) [https://a.co/d/00Zthp5f] Follow & Connect With Us 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast] 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast] 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel [https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel] 🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast]   See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.

Mental Health Awareness Month: When Awareness Isn't Enough

*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.   Episode Summary In this heartfelt episode, Lisa and Natasha explore the realities of mental health, the stigma around seeking help, and practical ways to support those in crisis. They share personal stories, debunk myths about crisis hotlines, and emphasize the importance of honest conversations and action during Mental Health Awareness Month.   Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™  Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.   Topics * The disconnect between awareness and action in mental health * Personal stories of mental health struggles and recovery * How crisis hotlines work and debunking myths * The importance of honest conversations and support * Practical steps to help someone in crisis   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mental Health Awareness   02:53 The Loneliness Epidemic   07:18 Breaking the Silence on Mental Health   10:44 Navigating Crisis Conversations   16:15 The Importance of Seeking Help   20:29 Understanding Crisis Hotlines   25:11 Bridging the Gap in Mental Health Awareness   Mental Health Resources * If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help. * The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/ * The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/ [https://www.thehelphub.co/] * National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)  Follow & Connect With Us 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast] 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast] 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel [https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel] 🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast]   See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.

When Mother's Day Hurts: No Contact, Trauma, and Reclaiming Joy

*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.   Episode Summary In this week's episode of The Survivors, Natasha & Lisa explore the complex emotions of Mother's Day — one celebrating a close relationship with her mother, the other navigating no contact after a polygamous, abusive family upbringing. They talk candidly about grief, boundaries, healing, and parenting through trauma, and share practical compassion and resources for anyone facing similar struggles.   Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™  Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.   Topics * The emotional complexity of Mother's Day * Natasha's background in the FLDS cult * The impact of family trauma on relationships * The importance of boundaries and self-care * Building healthy relationships with children   Chapters 00:00 Navigating Mother's Day Emotions   02:09 Contrasting Mother-Child Relationships   06:29 Understanding Natasha's Complex Family Background   11:18 The Impact of No Contact on Relationships   14:49 Grieving and Thankfulness on Mother's Day   18:28 The Pain of Living with No Contact   23:49 Finding Strength in New Family Dynamics   30:25 Celebrating Mother's Day with New Traditions   Mental Health Resources * If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help. * The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/ * The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/ [https://www.thehelphub.co/] * National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)  Follow & Connect With Us 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast] 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast] 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel [https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel] 🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast]   See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.

Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss — Lisa's New Book Drops Everywhere

*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.   Episode Summary In this episode of The Survivors, we celebrate Lisa’s long-awaited book launch, Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss [https://a.co/d/0e9adfuS](Familius Books). Lisa reveals learning decades later that her father died by suicide, and describes how writing the memoir—now featuring her mother's voice and a built-in resource directory and toolkit—became a healing journey. Lisa & Natasha discuss grief, stigma, therapy, crisis counseling, and practical supports like 988 and The HelpHUB™, and invite listeners to the launch event on Saturday, May 2 at Shubie's Marketplace, 16 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead, MA, while encouraging anyone struggling to seek help and community.   Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™  Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.   Takeaways * Sharing personal stories can help break the taboo around suicide and mental health. * Understanding that mental illness is an illness like any other fosters compassion and reduces stigma. * Creating a support network and resources is crucial for survivors of suicide loss. * Healing is a process that involves revisiting pain, seeking support, and finding hope. * Open communication within families can strengthen bonds and aid in collective healing. * Lisa's upcoming book launch event in Marblehead, MA on May 2.   Chapters 00:00 Book Launch Celebration   01:36 The Journey of Writing a Memoir   03:11 Revisiting Grief and Loss   06:11 Changing Perspectives on Suicide   08:21 Incorporating Family Voices   12:52 The Urgency of Mental Health Awareness   18:18 Healing Through Shared Stories   22:22 Creating Safe Spaces for Conversations   29:25 The Impact of Sharing Experiences   32:02 A Message of Hope and Resources   Mental Health Resources * If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help. * The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/ * The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/ [https://www.thehelphub.co/] * National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223) * Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss (Familius Books) [https://a.co/d/00Zthp5f]  Follow & Connect With Us 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast] 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast] 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel [https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel] 🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast]   See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.

When Grief Rewires You: Surviving After the Unthinkable

*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.   Episode Summary In this episode Lisa & Natasha talk about how grief permanently rewires who we are — how loss changes identity, priorities, and relationships. The hosts share personal stories of multiple suicide losses, how friendships shifted, and what it feels like to carry grief day to day. They offer practical ways to show up for someone who is grieving (just show up, bring meals, mention the person who died) and discuss coping strategies like compartmentalizing, scheduled grieving, and learning to live alongside the pain. For immediate support, listeners are reminded that the 988 Crisis & Suicide Helpline and The HelpHUB™ are available.   Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™  Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.   Takeaways * Grief is a permanent rewiring of our emotional landscape. * Loss can change our relationships and reveal true friends. * Time does not heal all wounds; it changes our relationship with grief. * Grief can feel isolating, especially when others don't know how to respond. * Childhood grief often goes unacknowledged, leading to feelings of isolation. * Living alongside grief means accepting it as a part of life. * Education on grief can help others support those who are grieving. * It's important to talk about lost loved ones to keep their memory alive. * Grief can be an invisible companion that we learn to coexist with. * Surviving grief is about holding both the pain of loss and the joy of life.   Chapters 00:00 The Transformative Power of Grief 02:56 Navigating Relationships Through Loss 06:02 The Ebb and Flow of Grief 08:59 The Impact of Time on Grief 12:00 Who Shows Up in Times of Grief? 14:58 The Isolation of Grief 17:52 Childhood Grief and Isolation 22:00 Living Alongside Grief 25:00 Educating Others on Grief 28:10 The Ongoing Nature of Grief   Mental Health Resources * If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help. * The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/ * The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/ [https://www.thehelphub.co/] * National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)  Follow & Connect With Us 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast] 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast] 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel [https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel] 🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast]   See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.