When Your Illness Doesn’t Fit the System

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/

The Power of Being Seen When the World Looks Away

Healing through storytelling begins when we take the time to truly see another human being. In this powerful conversation about mental health awareness, trauma, resilience, identity, and belonging, we explore how one person's story transformed an entire community. I sit down with psychologist and author Dr. Kirsten Harrison to discuss her award-winning book, I, Sean/a, and the extraordinary journey of Sean/a, an intersex woman who spent years experiencing homelessness before becoming an advocate, teacher, and inspiration to countless people. Together, we explore the intersection of trauma, mental health, identity, community support, and what happens when someone chooses compassion over judgment. Dr. Harrison shares what first drew her to Sean/a's story, the misconceptions surrounding homelessness, and the importance of creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and accepted. In this episode: • The story behind I, Sean/a • Homelessness and the human stories we often overlook • Mental health, trauma, and resilience • Understanding the intersex experience • The search for belonging and acceptance • How community can change a life • Healing through storytelling • What Sean/a taught an entire community about compassion Connect with Dr. Kirsten Harrison: https://soulwisesolutions.com/

From Suicide Attempt Survivor to Chaplain: How Faith Helped Him Heal

Grief and healing often begin with telling the truth about what we've been carrying. In this conversation, we explore mental health awareness, PTSD recovery, suicide prevention, addiction recovery, and how faith can help us find purpose after our darkest moments. I sit down with Chaplain Sy Alli, a suicide attempt survivor, veteran, author, mentor, and chaplain who shares his journey through depression, PTSD, alcohol addiction, grief, and ultimately healing. After losing key father figures in his life and struggling silently for years, Sy reached a breaking point that nearly cost him everything. Today, he uses his story to help others find hope and healing. Together, we discuss the hidden impact of unprocessed grief, why so many men suffer in silence, the mental health challenges facing today's youth, and how creating safe spaces can change lives. Sy also shares how faith, sobriety, and transparency transformed his life and led him to his work with schools, families, and communities. In this episode: • Surviving a suicide attempt and finding purpose • The connection between grief, depression, and PTSD • Why men often struggle to ask for help • Alcohol addiction, recovery, and healing • Mental health challenges facing today's youth • The impact of social media on emotional well-being • Creating safe spaces for honest conversations • How faith helped him rebuild his life Connect with Chaplain Sy Alli: https://phitsquad.com

Why Vulnerability Is a Strength for Men

Grief and healing often begin when we decide that our past does not have to define our future. In this conversation, we explore turning pain into purpose, overcoming generational trauma, mental resilience, and building a life beyond survival mode. I sit down with entrepreneur, real estate investor, and author Kevin "KAYR" Robinson to discuss his journey from growing up in poverty in West Philadelphia to building a multi-million-dollar real estate portfolio. Kevin shares how discipline, determination, mentorship, and community helped him break generational cycles and create a new path forward. Together, we discuss the emotional impact of survival mode, redefining Black masculinity, the power of vulnerability, building a personal board of directors, and practical steps anyone can take to begin creating financial stability and long-term success. In this episode: • How Kevin escaped survival mode and changed his life • The 3 D's: Desire, Discipline, and Determination • Why vulnerability became his greatest strength • The importance of mentors and community support • Redefining Black masculinity and emotional wellness • Building wealth one step at a time • Breaking generational poverty and trauma Connect with Kevin "KAYR" Robinson: Website: https://kayrmotivates.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayrmotivates/

A Mother's Fight for Child Safety After Unimaginable Loss

Grief and healing can take us down paths we never imagined. In this conversation, we explore healing through storytelling, child safety advocacy, mental health awareness, and how one mother transformed unimaginable loss into a mission to protect other families. I sit down with Hope Hooton, author of There's Still Hope: A Journey of Adversity, Tragedy, and Unshakeable Faith, founder of Voices Against Filicide, and advocate for the Alec and Lydia Act. Hope shares the lives and legacies of her children, Alec and Lydia, and the devastating day that changed her life forever. She opens up about navigating grief, leaning on faith, and turning heartbreak into action. Together, we discuss coercive control, domestic violence, warning signs that are often overlooked, and why filicide remains a silent crisis affecting families across the country. Hope explains how she is working with legislators to create meaningful change through the Alec and Lydia Act and why child safety must always come first. This is a conversation about grief, resilience, advocacy, and finding purpose in the midst of unimaginable loss. In this episode: • Honoring the lives of Alec and Lydia • Understanding filicide and coercive control • Warning signs families should know • The importance of child safety reform • Turning grief into advocacy and action • Faith, healing, and resilience after loss Connect with Hope Hooton: Website: https://voicesagainstfilicide.odoo.com/ [https://voicesagainstfilicide.odoo.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_in_the_pain/ [https://www.instagram.com/hope_in_the_pain/]