Groove with Portia

This week, I’m joined by Fran Pitre—a singer, author, and twin mom six times over—who opens up about a grief journey many experience but few speak about: infertility.

Fran takes us into the private, silent moments where grief grows: the tests, the waiting, the strain it puts on a marriage, and the ache of feeling betrayed by your own body. She speaks candidly about how depression, anger, and isolation showed up in the midst of her struggle to become a mother—and how she and her husband learned to give each other space, communicate with honesty, and protect their relationship through it all.

Her memoir, TWINS x3, began as a journal and became a blueprint of hope and faith. Over the years, it’s resonated with countless women navigating infertility, NICU struggles, and what it means to carry grief while keeping your heart open.

Fran also shares her creative process—writing while on three months of bedrest, remastering the book for its 10-year anniversary, and now turning that story into an audiobook. As a lifelong musician, Fran reminds us that healing comes in many forms—sometimes through music, sometimes through storytelling, and sometimes through quietly reminding someone else that they’re not alone.

This episode is for anyone who has ever carried invisible grief, questioned their faith, or felt like no one else could understand.

Connect with Fran: https://www.franpitresings.com/

There’s something powerful about a woman who’s been shot—and chooses to keep her heart light.

On this episode of Groove with Portia, I sit down with Janine Powell Reid, a survivor, leader, and founder of Jones House of Refuge. Janine opens up about surviving a traumatic shooting that changed her life forever, her long road to recovery, and what it meant to fight for her independence again. But her story doesn’t stop there.

She shares how she moved through failed marriages, stigma around mental health, and the deep need to rediscover herself. Through her faith and a commitment to personal growth, Janine transformed her pain into purpose—creating a transitional home that helps single mothers rebuild their lives.

We explore what healing looks like when no one is watching, how community support becomes a lifeline, and why financial literacy and entrepreneurship matter deeply to her mission. Janine also shares her plans to expand Jones House of Refuge to support more families and children with long-term resources.

This episode is for anyone who needs a reminder that their story is still unfolding. Janine’s strength is a testament that your past doesn’t define your future—and every scar holds a lesson that can be passed on.

Connect with Janine: https://www.joanshousedc.com/

What happens when your life changes in an instant—and your confidence vanishes with it?

On this episode of Groove with Portia, I’m joined by Terry Healy, a speaker and upcoming author who opens up about his journey of rebuilding confidence after a disfiguring surgery at age 21. From feeling like the “elephant man” to developing unwavering faith and purpose, Terry shares the mindset and habits that helped him reclaim his life.

We also explore the power of unexpected moments—from strangers offering prayer in hospital rooms to parking lot encounters that shift perspective. Terry gives us a sneak peek into his upcoming book The Resilience Mindset, which dives deep into how adversity can strengthen individuals, teams, and leaders.

We wrap the conversation by reflecting on the importance of journaling, choosing positivity, and leading with empathy in diverse environments. This episode is a reminder that healing begins when we choose to face our pain with courage—and share our stories with the world.

Connect with Terry: https://terryhealey.com/

Welcome back to Groove with Portia.

Today’s episode is about reclaiming power, purpose, and voice after unimaginable loss.

I’m joined by Lisa Council, a woman who has taken her grief and built a movement in honor of her sister, Linda, who was tragically murdered in a domestic violence incident over 30 years ago. For two decades, Lisa lived in a cycle of denial, anger, and survivor’s guilt—until she made a conscious decision to do grief differently.

Lisa shares how her healing began when she gave herself permission to transform the pain into purpose. From starting a nonprofit and hosting a podcast, to creating monthly community events and honoring her sister’s memory through action, Lisa has chosen to shift the narrative around grief—especially for Black women.

We talk about what it means to process loss over decades, how cultural expectations can silence our anger, and why healing is both intentional and deeply personal. Lisa also opens up about attending seven parole hearings for her sister’s murderer, and what it felt like when he was finally released this past September.

If you’ve ever questioned what justice looks like, or wondered how long it really takes to heal, this conversation is for you. Lisa reminds us that we can honor the past without staying trapped in it—and that healing isn’t about forgetting, but transforming.

Connect with Lisa Council: https://shiftinc.org/

Welcome back to Groove with Portia.

I’m joined by Dr. Cristi Bundukamara, known as Dr. B., who shares one of the most profound stories of pain, survival, and spiritual evolution I’ve ever witnessed. Dr. B. has endured the unimaginable—the loss of three children and her husband—and yet she still shows up in the world with purpose, compassion, and a fire to help others heal.

We talk about her “Mentally Strong Method,” born out of necessity when faith alone wasn’t enough to hold the weight of grief. Dr. B. opens up about how her spiritual beliefs have evolved, how she wrestled with anger, and why grief and trauma must be treated separately. She speaks from both lived experience and clinical expertise as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

We also get real about the self-help industry’s anti-medication bias, the silence around spiritual conflict in therapy, and the way women often internalize pain—especially when navigating anger, depression, and the crushing expectations of faith communities.

This episode is a safe space for anyone who’s ever been told to “just pray through it,” for anyone navigating grief layered with spiritual conflict, and for those who feel like they’re barely holding it together.

If that’s you—this one’s for you.

Connect with Dr. B: https://mentallystrong.com/

On this episode of Groove with Portia, I’m joined by grief recovery mentor, photographer, and author Helen Fernald, whose book Love, Helen: Letters to My Mother came from years of pouring her heart onto the page. After losing her mother, father, and experiencing two miscarriages, Helen turned to writing as a way to release what couldn’t be said out loud. And through that process, she found her voice—and her healing.

We dive deep into how creativity can be a lifeline through grief. Helen shares what it was like to cry while writing, wrestle with anger, and find peace in remembering. We also talk about the pressure to hide our pain, especially as women, and the importance of making space for real emotion—without shame.

This conversation is an invitation to be honest with yourself about where you are in your grief and to trust that expression—whether through tears, writing, or silence—is powerful. Grief isn’t the enemy.

Sometimes, it’s the teacher.

Connect with Helen: https://helenfernald.com/

What Grief Really Looks Like | Lynn Lewis on Losing Her Son to Suicide and Learning to Live Again

Welcome back to Groove with Portia. Today’s conversation is one I’ve held close for a long time.
I’m joined by Lynn Lewis, a grief educator, author, and mother who knows the depths of loss too well. In 2019, Lynn’s world changed forever when her son, Daniel, died by suicide. Since then, she’s made it her mission to break the silence around grief, mental health, and the taboo that still surrounds suicide.

We talk about what it really means to live with this kind of loss—the kind that never truly goes away, but transforms you. Lynn shared how she went from nearly drowning in sorrow to declaring she would live in honor of her son, not in shame. She gets honest about the dark moments, the nonlinear journey, and the grief bursts that still show up unexpectedly—even now.

Lynn also shares the metaphor that helped her process it all: navigating grief is like walking through a jungle—you never know when a lion (or a memory) might come charging in. But you keep walking.
We explore how crying is not weakness but a sacred release, and how important it is to give yourself permission to grieve in your own way, on your own timeline.

This episode is a safe space for anyone who’s ever been told to “move on,” anyone who’s hidden their pain behind a smile, and anyone who’s trying to make sense of life after loss. Whether you're grieving the loss of a loved one or supporting someone who is, this conversation will leave you with more compassion, more understanding, and more courage to simply be where you are.

Grief is not a linear path. But you don’t have to walk it alone.

Connect with Lynn: https://www.destinedtothrivegriefcoaching.com/

Welcome back to Groove with Portia—and welcome to Episode 200! I never imagined this milestone would be shared with such a powerful voice for change, but the universe always aligns what’s meant to be.

In this episode, I sit down with country music artist Matt Rogers, whose new song Camouflage goes beyond entertainment—it's a lifeline. Co-written with his longtime guitarist and Army combat veteran Nick Reed, the song tackles the invisible wounds many veterans carry long after the war ends. What started as a form of therapy between two friends has become a movement to raise awareness about veteran suicide.

We get raw about the heartbreaking statistic that 22 veterans die by suicide daily—and that number climbs to 50 when factoring in substance-related deaths. Matt doesn’t hold back when sharing how frustrating it is to see veterans fall through the cracks after serving this country. And he’s not just writing songs—he’s giving back. All proceeds from Camouflage go directly to the Brothers Keeper Veteran Foundation.

We also talk about what “camouflage” really means—beyond fatigues and uniforms, it’s the mask we wear to hide the pain. One lyric that hit both of us deeply: “Everybody knows soldiers aren’t allowed to cry.” That line alone says so much about the stigma around emotional expression in military culture—and the cost of staying silent.

Matt reminded me that healing isn’t just for the artist—it’s for every person who hears the message and feels seen. And when you feel powerless to make a difference? Matt’s advice: Just start climbing.
This episode is a reminder that music can be medicine, that grief can fuel change, and that sharing your voice can be the start of someone else’s survival.

Listen. Reflect. Share. Because someone in your world may be silently carrying the weight of it all.

Connect with Matt: https://www.mattrogerscountry.com/

Attend the Watch Party: https://give.bkvf.org/event/matt-rogers-x-bkvf/e651973

Welcome back! I'm glad to see my voice didn't scare you off for good!

On this episode of Groove with Portia, I touch on the invasion of Rump Roast (my inner critic) and how I managed to step out of my comfort zone by saying yes. 

You will also hear how I believed my story of going through a series of trials (my mental health earthquake, my dream career and loss) lacked any meaning until today.

What's the name of your inner critic? Let me know!

Why, hello there! For those who forgot about me, I'm Portia, your Host and Founder of Groove with Portia.

Believe it or not, my last episode escaped the womb in 2023 (yes, the shop has been closed).

On today's episode, I bring you with me to the lobby as I go for testing. How many of you see the check engine light on your body yet continue to push through another day? 

You will also learn the depth of my gratitude practice and the way it came in handy when I needed support. 

Spoiler Alert: You may change your perspective on lemons, cereal and mustard after hearing this episode!