Behind The Smile with Vonnie Woodrick

In this special episode of Behind the Smile, Vonnie Woodrick is joined by beloved Grand Rapids radio personality Aly Mac as a guest host for the first in a heartfelt new series exploring the healing power of music.

Together, Vonnie and Aly open up about the moments when words weren't enough — when pain, grief, or overwhelm left them speechless — and how music became their refuge. Through candid conversation and shared vulnerability, they reveal the songs that served as lifelines during their darkest days, acting as anchors for resilience, reflection, and hope.

Listeners will not only hear the personal stories behind these meaningful tracks but also gain insight into how music can be a powerful tool for emotional expression and connection — especially in times of struggle.

Whether you're navigating your own grief, supporting someone through mental health challenges, or simply looking for a reminder that you’re not alone, this episode offers comfort, inspiration, and the universal language of music.

In this episode of Behind the Smile with Vonnie Woodrick, we sit down with Miss Michigan Petite, Dez Durden — a behavioral therapist, mental health advocate, and founder of When Roses Bloom, a 24/7 mental health hotline born from her personal journey of healing.

What began as a self-published poetry book has evolved into a deeply impactful mental health resource. Dez personally answers every call that comes through the hotline, providing around-the-clock support to individuals navigating emotional distress, grief, and mental health challenges. Through this work, she has cultivated a compassionate community she affectionately refers to as her “Rosebuds.”

Dez opens up about the experiences that inspired When Roses Bloom, the realities of holding space for others while managing her own healing, and the importance of accessible, human-centered mental health care. She also shares her current journey to the national Miss Petite USA stage — and the resilience it has taken to keep going after her entire competition wardrobe was recently stolen.

This episode is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, something beautiful can bloom.

In this companion episode to Nancy’s powerful story, we sit down with Cynthia Bailey, FNP — the compassionate and knowledgeable psychiatric nurse practitioner who played a pivotal role in Nancy’s journey to healing. As someone who has supported countless individuals navigating PTSD, anxiety, and other complex mental health challenges, Cynthia offers an informed perspective on what psychiatric care really looks like — beyond the stigma and misconceptions.

Together, we explore the importance of treating mental health with the same care and urgency as physical health, and what it means to create a space where people feel truly seen, heard, and safe. Cynthia also helps debunk common myths about psychiatric treatment, medication, and therapy, offering hope and clarity for those who may feel uncertain or afraid to reach out.

This episode is not just about clinical insight — it’s about the human side of healing, the power of a trusting provider-client relationship, and how lives can transform when we stop surviving and start seeking support.

If Nancy’s episode moved you, this one will deepen your understanding of the care that made her transformation possible.

“Behind the Smile,” a special collaboration between i understand and Corewell Health, uncovers the hidden stories we carry — and the healing that begins when we finally speak them aloud. In this powerful episode, we follow Nancy’s deeply personal journey through trauma, silence, and ultimately, transformation. For years, she bore the heavy weight of shame and guilt behind a brave face, believing she had to navigate her pain alone.

But everything changed when she found the courage to ask for help.

Through the support of Corewell Health’s Employee Assistance Program, Nancy began to peel back the layers of grief and guilt she had long kept buried. By sharing her truth, she discovered something extraordinary: that vulnerability is not weakness, but the gateway to healing. As Nancy tells her story, listeners will witness how the simple — yet profound — act of reaching out ignited a journey toward relief, self-compassion, and freedom.

This episode is not just about one woman’s resilience. It’s about the universal power of human connection, the importance of mental health support, and what becomes possible when we stop hiding and start healing. Whether you're navigating your own silent struggles or supporting someone who is, Behind the Smile offers hope, validation, and a reminder that you are never alone.

We are honored and excited to have lead singer and songwriter of The Verve Pipe, Brian Vander Ark, as our guest on the show.

Listen to the episode to learn about what the band has been up to, Brian’s solo career, and how music and songwriting serves as a cathartic experience for him.

Ben Aaron makes us smile! What an incredible conversation between Ben and Vonnie covering his journey from radio to TV, challenges with OCD and how he navigates through life. It was an absolute honor to have Ben in studio for the last episode of Season 2 of Behind the Smile. Listen and enjoy!

This episode’s guest is a former NHL hockey player (Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers), best-selling author, mental performance & life coach and the founder of I Got Mind – meet Bob Wilkie! Vonnie and Bob go behind the smile for a timely discussion about the pressure placed on athletes to succeed and how we need to change the mental/brain health conversation.

Have you ever seen someone tapping their pressure points and been curious ‘why’? Brad Yates from ‘Tap With Brad’ joins Vonnie for an engaging conversation about the benefits of tapping and his personal journey from actor to positive change agent and YouTube sensation. Listen and learn how you can feel better, do better and live better!

The power of sharing your own story is validated on this insightful podcast with Will Heininger and Abigail Eiler. The impact Athletes Connected, and the Eisenberg Family Depression Center are having at the University of Michigan is impressive. 

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be an International Fashion Designer? Join Vonnie for a behind the scenes view as she chats with her long-time friend, Pamella DeVos.