Groove with Portia

When Your Illness Doesn’t Fit the System

Grief and healing don’t always come from loss through death—sometimes they come from losing your health, identity, and the life you once knew. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, healing through storytelling, and what it means to rebuild after everything falls apart. I sit down with Sondra Bailey, who shares her journey of becoming bed-bound, losing her career, her independence, and even custody of her child while searching for answers that no one could explain. Sondra opens up about the emotional toll of chronic illness, the frustration of being dismissed by the medical system, and the deep grief of watching your life change in ways you never expected. She also shares the turning point that helped her begin to reclaim her health, her identity, and her sense of purpose. This conversation is for anyone navigating chronic illness, emotional pain, identity loss, or searching for healing when the answers aren’t clear. You will hear: • The hidden grief of chronic illness • What happens when doctors don’t have answers • The emotional impact of losing your identity • How to find hope when everything changes • Turning pain into purpose through lived experience Connect with Sondra Bailey: https://www.shamansondra.com/

Social Media Is Quietly Destroying Relationships

Mental health awareness starts with understanding how social media, overstimulation, and emotional disconnection are affecting our relationships. In this episode, we explore healing through storytelling, betrayal trauma, and how intentional living can protect your peace. I sat down with Mr. Jay, a betrayal trauma practitioner and relationship coach, for a powerful conversation about how technology is shaping connection, trust, and identity. We discuss social media addiction, emotional neglect, cheating in the digital age, and why many people lose themselves while trying to stay connected. Mr. Jay shares why healthy relationships require ongoing communication, self-awareness, and building bridges with yourself first. We also talk about overstimulation, comparison culture, doomscrolling, and the importance of being present with the people who matter most. Connect with Mr. Jay: https://mrjayrelationshipcoach.com/

When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned

Grief and healing often show up in ways we never expected, especially when life doesn’t follow the path we planned. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, turning pain into purpose, and the emotional journey of raising a child with special needs. I sit down with Dr. Joe Ferrini and Cindi Ferrini, authors of The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life You Never Expected, to talk about how their lives, marriage, and faith were transformed after raising their son Joey over the past 45 years. They share the reality many families face but don’t always talk about—grief, guilt, shame, and the need to completely rewrite the “blueprint” of what life and parenting were supposed to look like. We also discuss the importance of community, practical support, and why inspiration alone is not enough for families navigating this journey. This conversation is for parents, caregivers, and anyone learning how to adapt, love, and grow through life’s unexpected challenges. You will hear: • How grief shows up in special needs parenting • The impact on marriage and family dynamics • Why faith and community matter during difficult seasons • Practical lessons from 45 years of lived experience • How to turn pain into purpose and support others Connect with Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini: https://cindiferrini.com/

Why Burnout Happens Even to High Achievers

Mental health awareness starts with recognizing when stress and overwhelm are taking over your life. In this episode, we explore grief and healing, burnout recovery, and how slowing down can help you reclaim your peace before your body forces you to stop. I sat down with Lane Kennedy, a stress management expert, to talk about the hidden cost of always saying “I’m fine.” Lane shares how years of overworking, people pleasing, poor boundaries, and nonstop responsibility led her to collapse and end up in the ER. We discuss the warning signs many people ignore, including sleep disruption, migraines, jaw tension, emotional exhaustion, and the pressure to always be available. Lane explains why burnout is not weakness, but often a signal that something deeper needs attention. Connect with Lane Kennedy: LaneKennedy.com

She Lost the Life She Knew and Found Joy Again

Grief and healing after divorce can feel overwhelming, especially when life changes without warning. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, healing through storytelling, and how small daily practices can help you rebuild after loss. I sat down with Hillary Peterson, creator of It Started With One Sticky Note, to talk about navigating an unexpected divorce, grieving the life she thought she would have, and finding hope through words written on simple sticky notes. What began as a personal healing tool became a source of strength, peace, and encouragement. Hilary shares the emotions people do not always talk about after divorce, including shame, loneliness, sadness, and the surprising freedom that can come with starting over. She also opens up about parenting through transition, learning to ask for help, and why being heard can be one of the greatest gifts during hard seasons. Connect with Hillary: https://www.instagram.com/itstartedwithonestickynote/