Groove with Portia

Grief and healing don’t always come from loss through death—sometimes they come from losing your health, identity, and the life you once knew. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, healing through storytelling, and what it means to rebuild after everything falls apart.

I sit down with Sondra Bailey, who shares her journey of becoming bed-bound, losing her career, her independence, and even custody of her child while searching for answers that no one could explain.

Sondra opens up about the emotional toll of chronic illness, the frustration of being dismissed by the medical system, and the deep grief of watching your life change in ways you never expected. She also shares the turning point that helped her begin to reclaim her health, her identity, and her sense of purpose.

This conversation is for anyone navigating chronic illness, emotional pain, identity loss, or searching for healing when the answers aren’t clear.

You will hear:
• The hidden grief of chronic illness
• What happens when doctors don’t have answers
• The emotional impact of losing your identity
• How to find hope when everything changes
• Turning pain into purpose through lived experience

Connect with Sondra Bailey: https://www.shamansondra.com/

Mental health awareness starts with understanding how social media, overstimulation, and emotional disconnection are affecting our relationships. In this episode, we explore healing through storytelling, betrayal trauma, and how intentional living can protect your peace.

I sat down with Mr. Jay, a betrayal trauma practitioner and relationship coach, for a powerful conversation about how technology is shaping connection, trust, and identity. We discuss social media addiction, emotional neglect, cheating in the digital age, and why many people lose themselves while trying to stay connected.

Mr. Jay shares why healthy relationships require ongoing communication, self-awareness, and building bridges with yourself first. We also talk about overstimulation, comparison culture, doomscrolling, and the importance of being present with the people who matter most.

Connect with Mr. Jay:
https://mrjayrelationshipcoach.com/

Grief and healing often show up in ways we never expected, especially when life doesn’t follow the path we planned. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, turning pain into purpose, and the emotional journey of raising a child with special needs.

I sit down with Dr. Joe Ferrini and Cindi Ferrini, authors of The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life You Never Expected, to talk about how their lives, marriage, and faith were transformed after raising their son Joey over the past 45 years.

They share the reality many families face but don’t always talk about—grief, guilt, shame, and the need to completely rewrite the “blueprint” of what life and parenting were supposed to look like. We also discuss the importance of community, practical support, and why inspiration alone is not enough for families navigating this journey.

This conversation is for parents, caregivers, and anyone learning how to adapt, love, and grow through life’s unexpected challenges.

You will hear:
• How grief shows up in special needs parenting
• The impact on marriage and family dynamics
• Why faith and community matter during difficult seasons
• Practical lessons from 45 years of lived experience
• How to turn pain into purpose and support others

Connect with Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini: https://cindiferrini.com/

Mental health awareness starts with recognizing when stress and overwhelm are taking over your life. In this episode, we explore grief and healing, burnout recovery, and how slowing down can help you reclaim your peace before your body forces you to stop.

I sat down with Lane Kennedy, a stress management expert, to talk about the hidden cost of always saying “I’m fine.” Lane shares how years of overworking, people pleasing, poor boundaries, and nonstop responsibility led her to collapse and end up in the ER.

We discuss the warning signs many people ignore, including sleep disruption, migraines, jaw tension, emotional exhaustion, and the pressure to always be available. Lane explains why burnout is not weakness, but often a signal that something deeper needs attention.


Connect with Lane Kennedy:
LaneKennedy.com

Grief and healing after divorce can feel overwhelming, especially when life changes without warning. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, healing through storytelling, and how small daily practices can help you rebuild after loss.

I sat down with Hillary Peterson, creator of It Started With One Sticky Note, to talk about navigating an unexpected divorce, grieving the life she thought she would have, and finding hope through words written on simple sticky notes. What began as a personal healing tool became a source of strength, peace, and encouragement.

Hilary shares the emotions people do not always talk about after divorce, including shame, loneliness, sadness, and the surprising freedom that can come with starting over. She also opens up about parenting through transition, learning to ask for help, and why being heard can be one of the greatest gifts during hard seasons.

Connect with Hillary:
https://www.instagram.com/itstartedwithonestickynote/

Grief and healing after losing a child to addiction and mental health struggles can feel impossible, but these conversations are necessary for awareness and change. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, grief, and healing through storytelling in a deeply personal and honest way.

I sat down with Erik Thureson, father of the late musician Jacob “Hella Sketchy,” to talk about his son’s life, his struggles with depression and anxiety, and the impact of his passing. Erik shares memories of Jacob’s creativity, intelligence, and kindness, while also opening up about the warning signs, the challenges of navigating mental health, and the weight of grief after loss.

We also talk about Erik’s journey into advocacy and the upcoming documentary Two Weeks Notice The Departure of Hella Sketchy, which aims to create safe spaces for open conversations around mental health. This project is about removing stigma, choosing compassion, and encouraging people to speak up.

If you are navigating grief, supporting someone through mental health challenges, or trying to make sense of loss, this conversation is a reminder that your voice matters and healing begins with honest dialogue.

Connect with Erik: https://2weeksnoticedoc.com/

Grief and healing after loss, trauma, and addiction can feel overwhelming but they can also become a pathway to purpose. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, addiction recovery, and healing through storytelling in a deeply personal conversation.

I sat down with Kari Wells, author, actress, and storyteller, to talk about the loss of her sister to addiction, surviving a traumatic assault, and how those experiences reshaped her life. Kari shares how grief is not linear, how trauma does not have to define you, and why empathy matters more than judgment.

We also talk about her book From Attitude to Gratitude and her approach to starting each day with intention. Kari shares practical ways to build gratitude into your life and explains why pain can be a teacher instead of something that breaks you.

If you are navigating grief, loss, trauma, or addiction, this conversation is a reminder that your story still has meaning and healing is possible.

Connect with Kari: https://kariwellsofficial.com/

Grief and healing after suicidal thoughts and mental health struggles can feel overwhelming, but there is always more to life than your current circumstance. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and healing through storytelling in a deeply personal and honest conversation.

I sat down with Kevin Hines, a suicide attempt survivor who jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge and lived, to talk about the reality of what happened in the moments before and after his attempt. Kevin shares the immeasurable emotional pain that led him to the bridge, the instant regret he felt the moment he let go, and the miracle that kept him alive.

He reflects on living 26 years beyond the day he thought his life would end and what it means to see life as a gift. Kevin speaks about faith, purpose, and the importance of continuing forward even in the midst of pain. He reminds us to think about the moments, people, and experiences we would miss, and how those possibilities can anchor us in difficult times.

We also talk about the power of storytelling and speaking up. Kevin shares how opening up about his experience has impacted others, with many people sharing that his story helped them choose to stay. He emphasizes that giving to others, sharing truth, and creating space for honest conversations can change lives.

This episode is a reminder that suicidal thoughts are not the truth, pain does not have to be the end, and with time, effort, and support, things can get better.

Attend Kevin’s talk: tri-c.edu/kevinhines
Connect with Kevin: https://kevinhinesstory.com/

Healing from pain, grief, and life’s challenges isn’t about ignoring what hurts—it’s about learning how to move through it with intention. In this episode, we explore resilience, mental health awareness, and how to turn pain into purpose through storytelling and lived experience.

I sat down with resilience coach Rick Cram to talk about his journey through chronic pain, multiple surgeries, and the mindset shifts that helped him reclaim his life. Together, we unpack what it really means to heal—not by avoiding pain, but by reframing it, feeling it, and growing through it.

Rick shares his “Plan to Be Your Best” framework and breaks down the three steps of resilience: tuning in, planning, and following through. We also talk about gratitude during difficult seasons, how to stay grounded in the face of adversity, and why intentional living is key to long-term healing.

If you’re navigating grief, mental health challenges, addiction recovery, or simply trying to make sense of your story, this conversation will meet you where you are.

Connect with Rick: https://rickcram.com/about-rick-cram/

What happens when you reach the point where you cannot pretend anymore?

In this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Shannan Kym, TEDx speaker, life coach, and author of Find the Answers Within You: 10 Pathways Toward Self Discovery.

Shannan shares the pivotal moment on August 17, 2019 when she made the decision to speak her truth and leave behind an unhealthy marriage. What began as a breaking point became an awakening.

We talk about:
• Reaching rock bottom and choosing life
• Breaking free from toxic relationships
• Taking responsibility without self blame
• Understanding why we attract certain partners
• Setting boundaries with narcissistic personalities
• Forgiveness as an ongoing personal practice
• Why forgiving does not require forgetting
• Protecting sobriety and protecting your children
• Finding your personal why
• Living as a role model through authenticity

Shannan speaks candidly about addiction, vulnerability, stillness, and the courage it takes to sit with yourself long enough to uncover truth. Her book outlines 10 pathways toward healing and self discovery, offering guidance for anyone navigating trauma, people pleasing, unhealthy relationships, or identity loss.

This conversation is for the listener who feels stuck, who knows something needs to change, and who is ready to begin within.

Give yourself grace. Protect your peace. And remember that answers often live within you.

Connect with Shannan: https://www.shannankym.com/