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The night the house gets quieter, life gets louder. We open the door to Dad after he loses his wife and talk candidly about what it means to fold a parent into your daily rhythm—care, meals, jokes, horror-movie nights, and the steady work of making someone feel safe again. That warmth sits beside hard-won lessons on planning: why every family needs a last will and testament, a living will, and powers of attorney before the phone rings with bad news.

We unpack the human side of crisis management—how paperwork is an act of love that shields a grieving home from confusion and opportunists—and we wade into the psychology of control. Lies can wreck honest people; truth can rattle narcissists. We share plain-language tools for setting boundaries, staying grounded, and keeping your peace when others demand what isn’t theirs. Along the way, Dad’s background as a Marine and former law enforcement officer adds a calm, practical lens on service, safety, and doing the next right thing.

There’s levity too: Saturday horror traditions with Faith, sleep quirks, and a legendary unsweet-tea prank. We also read a listener’s moving letter about a brother who loses his mom the day his sister is born and grows into her quiet protector. His realization—from a swing set to a life’s purpose—reminds us that perspective can turn pain into fuel. We close by sharing our growing academy and community, designed to deliver trauma-informed courses at little to no cost, plus details on our upcoming book and how to submit your story.

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What if the most meaningful gift you give this year is your story? We’re opening our arms to two big projects fueled by real life and real heart: Beyond the Limb, a practical, compassionate course for new amputees, and Not Defined By My Diagnosis, a community-built book featuring unedited stories from parents and caregivers of special needs kids. Both efforts spring from lived experience—the weight of a prosthetic that doesn’t fit a rebuilt shoulder, the sting of public stares, the everyday work of turning overwhelm into agency—and from a stubborn belief that dignity is non-negotiable.

We dig into why the Hero Arm could be a game changer when insurance won’t budge, and how small adaptations add up: socket comfort, energy pacing, social scripting, wardrobe hacks, and mental health as a skill, not a side note. Then we invite you to write. The new book gathers honest snapshots—first diagnoses, IEP wins, meltdowns turned milestones, sibling love, mobility breakthroughs—kept unedited to honor each voice. Our aim is to publish before the holidays so families can wrap a keepsake that literally includes their child’s chapter, with proceeds funding caregiver and special needs courses through our academy.

Along the way we keep it human: laughter with the dogs at 4:59 a.m., a shoutout to Muck Sticky’s unapologetic joy, and a reminder that wealth is the people in your inner circle, not the things in your garage. You are not your diagnosis. You’re your name, your courage, your choices—and when you share that, someone else finds a way forward. Share your story, support a new amputee, and help us build a library of lived wisdom that anyone can open on a hard day and feel seen.

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Some stories crack you open in the best way. This conversation with Muck Sticky blends raw honesty, laugh-out-loud moments, and a deep well of heart—from Cookie’s courage through major dental surgery to a life lesson stitched into pajama pants that became a personal promise: be comfortable in your own skin and stop bending for strangers. We trace a DIY music career built on personal responsibility, boundary setting, and a belief that joy isn’t an accident—it’s daily work.

We go inside the pajama origin story, why shock can be a tool for healing when it’s guided by compassion, and how a song becomes a pressure valve for people navigating clinics, classrooms, and hard days. Muck talks about writing for himself first, trusting that authentic delight travels further than a perfectly engineered hook. He opens up about Cookie’s Williams syndrome, the real costs of “optional” dental care, and what it means to fight insurance red tape while guarding your spirit. There’s practical advice too: find your tribe, grow organically, look for grants and aligned sponsors, and lead with human connection instead of ads that miss the people who need help.

We also spotlight a grassroots learning academy designed for special needs families, with free and low-cost courses on adaptive learning, advocacy, caregiver resilience, and navigating insurance. The through-line is clear: set boundaries, love yourself enough to stay present, and let humor keep the air moving when life gets heavy. By the end, you’ll understand why a pajama creed can anchor a life, why Cookie’s smile could power a city, and why art that makes you laugh can also help you breathe.

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Truth doesn’t whisper—it arrives with fire, humor, and a plan. We kick things off with a preview of our upcoming conversation with Muck Sticky, whose out‑loud joy and off‑the‑wall songs remind us that laughter can be a lifeline. From there, we move into the hard, necessary talk so many of you ask for: how to spot narcissistic patterns, cut toxic ties without guilt, and build a home that stays drama‑ and trauma‑free. If you’ve ever been told you’re “too much” for telling the truth, you’ll feel seen here.

We read a searing piece from “Dear Silence, You Lost,” honoring survivor voices in their own words—unedited, unsoftened, and undeniable. We talk about why evidence matters when gaslighting tries to rewrite your memory, and how black sheep are often the bravest truth‑tellers in the room. This isn’t about labels; it’s about patterns: blame-shifting, lack of empathy, guilt trips, and control disguised as care. If those signs feel familiar, you are not imagining it—and you are not alone.

Then we get practical. We lay out the exact documents that protect your family and help you avoid unnecessary probate: will, living will, medical and financial power of attorney, trusts when appropriate, property transfers like quitclaim or TOD, plus a simple system for passwords, safe codes, and where everything lives. One organized folder can save your loved ones months of chaos during the hardest week of their lives. We also share how to access our free Academy courses, scholarships, and tools built for survivors, special needs families, and anyone ready to rebuild with clarity.

If this resonates, hit follow, share this with someone who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review so others can find it. What’s the first step you’ll take today—setting a boundary, starting a folder, or sharing your story?

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A single phone call flipped our week, our plans, and our priorities—and taught us how “having a will” can still leave a family drowning in decisions. We open the door to our real-time experience of sudden loss: caring for Dad, sorting thirty years of collectibles, and navigating the awkward surge of relatives who appear for stuff but not support. From stocking a pantry to turning down sheets so a walker can slide in, we trace the small acts that bring dignity back, then get practical about the paperwork that actually reduces stress.

We break down the essentials: medical and financial powers of attorney, living wills, and clear beneficiary designations for accounts, cars, and property. We explain how probate gets triggered, why transfer‑on‑death (TOD) and payable‑on‑death (POD) tools matter, and how a simple conversation about cremation, ashes, and sentimental items can save months of conflict. The legal steps are straightforward once you know them; the relief of fewer forms and faster access is priceless when your family just needs time to breathe.

Our focus also turns to safety and resilience. October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we’re launching Dear Silence, You Lost—now we get the last word on Amazon, with proceeds funding scholarships for the Contagious Smile Academy. We share free survivor kits, Safe Home resources, and masterclasses you can download today, plus programs for caregivers, special needs families, and kids. Along the way we talk honestly about body image, confidence, and learning to ignore the stare that tries to shrink us. If you do one thing after listening, make a document, name a decision‑maker, or share a resource with someone who needs it. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s procrastinating on their paperwork, and leave a review to help more people find help when they need it most.

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Have you ever been silenced for speaking your truth? Join us for an intimate conversation about breaking through barriers and finding your voice even when others try to quiet it.

Victoria reveals the surprising backlash to her evidence-based book "Dark Dark Who's There," including a cease and desist letter despite her careful steps to change names and redact identifying features. As the black sheep in a narcissistic family system, she shares how speaking truth often makes you "the dangerous one" they try to silence - a reality many of our listeners will sadly recognize.

The conversation takes an uplifting turn as Victoria announces her selection as one of 100 influential women to be featured in "Her Story," broadcasting to 127 countries. This raw, makeup-free telling of her journey overcoming abuse demonstrates that healing is possible at any stage with proper support. We also celebrate the upcoming release of "Dear Silence You Lost" on October 1st - a powerful compilation of survival stories from hundreds of people worldwide who've broken their silence about abuse.

Michael reads one particularly moving letter from the book, written by a son to his abusive father, illustrating how recognizing toxic patterns can break generational cycles. The letter writer's determination to never become like his father resonates deeply with anyone who's witnessed or experienced family violence.

We take a vulnerable detour as Victoria shares her recent surgical experience resulting in hearing loss, including the heartbreaking moment of hearing "I love you" in her right ear for the last time. Her frustrations with medical professionals who made light of her condition highlight the importance of compassionate healthcare and proper advocacy.

Whether you're healing from trauma, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking to understand the journey better, this episode offers both practical wisdom and emotional resonance. Visit our academy through thecontagioussmile.com to access trauma-informed courses, many available for free or minimal cost, designed to guide others through their healing journey.

What truth have you been afraid to speak? Perhaps today is the day to break your silence.

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What happens when the world suddenly goes silent on one side? Victoria's recent ear surgery has left her completely deaf in one ear, forcing her to navigate a new reality where simple interactions become profound challenges. In this raw and emotional episode, we take you through the journey of adaptation and resilience that follows a life-altering medical procedure.

The moment hits hardest at a store checkout when Victoria can't hear the cashier speaking to her deaf side. It's a stark reminder of what life will be like moving forward—a reality made more poignant by the memory of asking loved ones to speak "one more time in my right ear" before surgery. With a cochlear implant priced at $300,000 and not covered by insurance, Victoria faces permanent unilateral hearing loss with remarkable courage.

Despite facing significant health challenges, both hosts refuse to succumb to bitterness. "We have the right to be absolutely bitter and the nastiest of people. But we're not," Victoria explains. This philosophy extends to their work helping others heal from trauma through their academy and free courses—efforts that have earned them five global awards yet still attract criticism from those who seem determined to "rain on their parade."

The episode offers beautiful glimpses into their family life, from their daughter Faith's touching pre-surgery gifts to their service dogs' intuitive adaptation to Victoria's recovery needs. Even while managing pain and adaptation, Victoria maintains her unstoppable spirit—cleaning kitchens at 4 am and baking muffins without pain medication.

Join us for this intimate look at maintaining humanity, humor, and hope when life changes in an instant. And if our work resonates with you, consider supporting our mission to make healing accessible to all through the donation button at acontagioussmile.com. Even $5 helps us continue offering free resources to those who need them most.

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