She Lost the Life She Knew and Found Joy Again

The Emotional Prison So Many People Never Escape

Grief and healing don't always begin after the loss of a loved one. Sometimes they begin when we decide to let go of shame, forgive ourselves, and rewrite the story we've been carrying for years. In this episode of Groove with Portia, I sit down with Matilde Hernandez, author of Beyond These Walls and founder of Dare 2 Lift It. After experiencing incarceration, separation from her children, and the difficult journey of rebuilding her life, Matilde now helps others move beyond survival and into intentional living. Together, we explore what it means to release the labels that keep us emotionally imprisoned, why healing takes time, and how resilience is built one decision at a time. We also discuss the stigma surrounding incarceration, rebuilding family relationships, forgiveness, faith, and finding purpose after life's hardest chapters. In this episode, we discuss: • Healing after incarceration • Breaking free from shame and limiting beliefs • Rebuilding life after adversity • The grief of separation from family • Why an "incarcerated mindset" affects more people than we realize • Self-forgiveness and emotional healing • Finding purpose after trauma • Turning pain into purpose through storytelling No matter what chapter you're in, this conversation is a reminder that your past may shape your story, but it doesn't have to define your future. Connect with Matilde Hernandez https://www.dare2liftit.com https://www.instagram.com/dare2liftit

What My Daughter's Brain Surgery Taught Me About Gratitude

Grief and healing often begin with the smallest daily choices. In this heartfelt conversation about gratitude, mental wellness, resilience, and healing through storytelling, we explore how one mother's darkest season became the inspiration for helping families build hope together. In this episode of Groove with Portia, I sit down with Katie Wood, author of A Simple Seed, to discuss how her daughter's life-saving brain surgery transformed the way she viewed gratitude, parenting, and emotional resilience. Together, we explore how gratitude became an anchor during uncertainty, why creating meaningful moments with our children matters more than ever, and how parents can help kids build confidence and emotional strength in a world filled with distractions. In this episode, we discuss: • Katie's daughter's life-saving brain surgery • Finding gratitude during life's most difficult seasons • Helping children build emotional resilience • Parenting in the age of technology and social media • Creating magical mornings as a family • The inspiration behind A Simple Seed • What children can teach adults about gratitude • How small daily habits create lasting change Whether you're navigating grief, raising children, or simply looking for ways to bring more peace into your everyday life, this conversation is filled with practical encouragement and hope. Connect with Katie Wood Grab a copy of the book: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Seed-Five-Minute-Gratitude-Goodness/dp/B0DT3Y5RP5 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiewood_simpleseed/

What Happened After Her Grandfather Said, "Nothing Is Impossible"

Healing through storytelling often begins with the people who leave an imprint on our lives. In this heartfelt conversation about grief, legacy, resilience, and turning pain into purpose, we explore how one grandfather's influence inspired a mission to bring creativity back into childhood. In this episode of Groove with Portia, I sit down with Kaz Shiomi, founder of the sustainable toy company kiko+ & gg, to discuss how her late grandfather's craftsmanship and belief that "nothing is impossible" became the foundation of her life's work. Together, we explore why imagination matters in a world filled with screens, how meaningful relationships shape the people we become, and why honoring those we've loved can inspire future generations. In this episode, we discuss: • Honoring the legacy of a loved one through meaningful work • How grief can inspire creativity and purpose • Why imagination is essential for childhood development • The impact of technology on today's children • Building confidence through play • The importance of sustainability and mindful design • Why the people who raise us continue to shape our lives Whether you're a parent, educator, entrepreneur, or someone navigating grief, this conversation is a reminder that the people we love continue to leave fingerprints on our lives long after they're gone. Connect with Kaz Shiomi: https://www.instagram.com/kazshiomi/ https://www.us.kikoandgg.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kikoandgg

They Lost Their Daughter at Age 2. This Is How They Found Their Way Forward.

Grief and healing often change the direction of our lives in ways we never expected. In this conversation, we explore child loss, healing through storytelling, resilience, and how one family transformed heartbreak into purpose and advocacy. I sit down with Dr. Matt Goldstein and Myra Sack to discuss the life and legacy of their daughter, Havi, who passed away from Tay-Sachs disease at the age of two. Together, they share how they navigated unimaginable grief, preserved their marriage, and found ways to honor Havi's impact on the world through storytelling, movement, community, and service. Myra shares insights from her book Fifty-Seven Fridays, while Matt discusses the inspiration behind JScreen, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to genetic testing and preventing hereditary diseases. Together, they offer a powerful perspective on grief, healing, public health, and the importance of living fully in the face of uncertainty. In this episode: • Honoring the life and legacy of Havi • Healing through storytelling and shared experiences • Preserving a marriage after the loss of a child • The role of movement, community, and ritual in grief • Turning pain into purpose and advocacy • Expanding access to genetic testing and healthcare • What families should know about preventive genetic screening • Finding meaning after profound loss Connect with Dr. Matt Goldstein and Myra Sack: JScreen: https://jscreen.org E-Motion: https://emotion-mc.org

When Caregiving Becomes a Sacred Goodbye

Grief and healing often begin in the quiet moments we are never fully prepared for. In this conversation about end-of-life care, caregiving, anticipatory grief, and healing through storytelling, we explore how love carries us through the final hours with someone we cherish. In this episode of Groove with Portia, I sit down with filmmakers Dana White and Christopher Knoblock, directors of the short film Turning Blue. Based on a true story, the film follows a mother and daughter during the mother’s final hours before death, capturing the tenderness, fear, humor, denial, and love that often live inside the caregiving journey. Together, we discuss Dana’s relationship with her mother Carol, the promise she made to care for her until the end, and how the film honors the emotional complexity of watching a loved one transition. We also explore the role of sound, shadow, humor, hospice support, and storytelling in helping audiences better understand grief and end-of-life care. In this episode, we discuss: • The true story behind Turning Blue • Honoring Carol’s life, humor, and legacy • Caregiving during terminal illness • Anticipatory grief and end-of-life decisions • The emotional reality of hospice and comfort care • The symbolism of sound, breath, shadows, and light • How film can create space for grief conversations • Why caregivers need community and support Whether you have cared for a parent, sat beside someone at the end of life, or are learning how to hold space for grief, this conversation is a reminder that love does not end when life does. Connect with Dana White and Christopher Knoblock: https://www.chrisdanafilms.com/