In this raw and deeply moving episode of The Phoenix Table, Trygve Olsen opens up about his painful decision to become estranged from his parents after years of alcoholism, denial, and one traumatic event that changed everything.

He shares the story of setting boundaries to protect his son, the heartbreaking realities of gaslighting and family pressure, and the quiet strength it takes to walk away when reconciliation feels impossible. Together, we explore how estrangement reshapes identity, how generational patterns of pain carry forward, and what it means to choose healing—even when it hurts.

But this isn’t just a story of separation. Together, we explore the two sides of estrangement: what it means for the person stepping away and what it means for the people around them.

How do you support a friend or colleague when they’re navigating a rift in their closest relationships? How do you sit with the discomfort, the grief, and the not-knowing without pulling away?

This episode is both a window into one man’s lived experience and a guide for anyone who wants to show up better for the people they love.

Trigger warning: This story depicts themes of alcoholism and estrangement, and includes a retelling of a dog attack on a child which may feel heavy for some listeners. Please take care as you listen and take a step back if you need to. Thank you to our guest for courageously sharing this story.

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This week’s episode of The Phoenix Table is one of my rawest yet. Just two weeks ago, my husband’s depression reached a breaking point, and for the first time I had to face the reality that I couldn’t “fix it.”

What followed was one of the scariest and most transformative experiences of my life — navigating the helplessness of loving someone through a mental health crisis while realizing my own limits. I talk about what it felt like to be powerless, why asking for help is the bravest thing we can do, and how allowing others to show up changed everything for us.

This is not a story wrapped in a bow. It’s an open letter to anyone carrying the weight of someone else’s struggle, or battling silently themselves. You are not alone. And it’s okay to not be okay.

If you or someone you love is in crisis, please know that you can dial 988 for immediate support.

Support the show

🎙️ Subscribe for New episodes every Wednesday.

🔥 Stay Connected:

The Phoenix Table is where raw stories rise from the fire. If today’s episode moved you, consider subscribing and leaving a review — it helps others find this space.

• Subscribe to the newsletter for reflections and behind-the-scenes content.
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thephoenixtable/
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In this episode of The Phoenix Table, Sam Anderson sits down with Meg Duffy, a Principal Professor at HubSpot Academy, who shares her powerful journey from running the Tokyo Marathon to facing an unexpected cancer diagnosis just two weeks later.

Meg opens up about the shock of hearing the word “cancer,” the guilt and denial that followed, and what it was like to navigate treatment while still showing up in life and at work. She talks about the invisible toll of thyroid cancer, how she found ways to let her community support her, and the hidden gifts that emerged through the process.

This is a story about endurance, resilience, and learning how to keep going — even when life knocks you flat. Whether your own burnout feels like a dramatic collapse or a quiet unraveling, Meg’s honesty will remind you that you are not alone in the messy middle.

🎙️ Subscribe for New episodes every Wednesday.

🔥 Stay Connected:

The Phoenix Table is where raw stories rise from the fire. If today’s episode moved you, consider subscribing and leaving a review — it helps others find this space.

• Subscribe to the newsletter for reflections and behind-the-scenes content.
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thephoenixtable/
• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanderson41/