SH!T CREEK SURVIVORS

Why do some people fawn, freeze, flee, or fight when faced with trauma? And can something as unexpected as humor actually help us heal?

Licensed therapist Nicole Herway, LCSW joins Cam for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about domestic violence, the four trauma responses, and how humor, playfulness, and perspective helped her begin finding herself again.

Nicole shares her own experience surviving domestic violence and post-separation abuse, while explaining how trauma affects our responses, relationships, confidence, and sense of identity. We explore recognizing power and control, rebuilding after abuse, radical acceptance, and why survivors deserve compassion rather than judgment.

But there's another side to this conversation: humor. Nicole explains how laughter and playfulness can help create distance from painful experiences without minimizing what happened. We also explore improv's "Yes, and" philosophy, moving from "Why did this happen?" to "And now what?", and learning to embrace what comes next.

Whether you've experienced trauma, love someone who has, or simply want to understand people a little better, this conversation offers insight, compassion, and hope.

CONTENT NOTE: This episode includes discussions of domestic violence, physical assault, choking, threats, child safety, divorce, and trauma.

NEED SUPPORT?
National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7): 1-800-799-7233
https://www.thehotline.org

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988.
Utah HMHI Crisis Line: 801-587-3000.
If you're in immediate danger, call 911.

ABOUT OUR GUEST — NICOLE HERWAY, LCSW

Nicole is a licensed psychotherapist with more than 15 years of clinical experience. A survivor of domestic violence and post-separation abuse, she specializes in relationships and relationship trauma. Her training includes the Gottman Method and EMDR.

Herway Counseling:
https://www.herwaycounseling.com

ABOUT SH!T CREEK SURVIVORS

Hosted by Cam McKay, Sh!t Creek Survivors shares real stories of resilience, recovery, setbacks, and second chances. We believe the paddles we pick up along the way can help us navigate life's toughest challenges.

We All Have a Sh!t Creek Story, and Every Story Has the Power to Help Someone.

Because we all end up in Sh!t Creek sometimes. But no one has to stay there.

Website: https://shitcreeksurvivors.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @shitcreeksurivorspodcast
Facebook: Sht Creek Survivors

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
00:40 Meet Nicole Herway
02:49 Humor, therapy and feeling like herself again
03:13 The first lies and early signs of power and control
06:22 Fawn: the trauma response people don't talk about
08:24 Freeze, flight and fight explained
15:50 Why outsiders should lead with compassion
18:49 Nicole's story of freezing during an assault
22:18 Escalation and the cycle of abuse
29:30 Fear, isolation and others normalizing the behavior
33:01 How abuse erodes a survivor's sense of self
40:24 Calling the police and making a safety plan
44:29 Divorce and post-separation abuse
49:43 How humor helped Nicole feel like herself again
51:59 Using humor in healing: distance, not dismissal
55:52 Improv's "Yes, and" in trauma recovery
57:51 "And now what?" Building toward what comes next
1:00:52 Co-parenting and radical acceptance
1:05:45 Humor, emotional distance and forgiveness
1:08:30 Forgiveness versus reconciliation
1:12:16 Playfulness and absurdity in therapy
1:20:47 What humor means beyond jokes
1:21:38 Closing thoughts

What if surrender isn't quitting—but the first step toward healing? Rick Lobo, former Senior Creative Film Editor at NFL Network and Amazon #1 bestselling author of The Trifecta Code, joins Cam McKay to talk about family trauma, grief, shame, men's mental health, and turning life's biggest crises into purpose.

Rick shares how devastating loss, guilt, and years of carrying emotional pain changed his life. We explore why men bury their emotions, the importance of shadow work, sobriety, finding a trusted support system, and learning that asking for help is a sign of strength—not weakness.

This is an honest conversation about moving through pain instead of running from it, and discovering that your worst moment doesn't have to define your future.

Guest: Richard "Rick" Lobo, author of The Trifecta Code: When Crisis Becomes the Catalyst for Profound Change.

We all have a Sh!t Creek story. Every story has the power to help someone.

Learn more about Sh!t Creek Survivors at https://shitcreeksurvivors.com

00:00:00 Meet Rick Lobo
00:06:13 The Day Everything Changed
00:17:41 Turning Pain Into Purpose
00:28:04 Shadow Work and Healing
00:41:26 Surrender Isn't Quitting
00:53:23 The Oxygen Mask
01:05:04 Call Your Brothers

Guest: Richard "Rick" Lobo

Book: The Trifecta Code: When Crisis Becomes the Catalyst for Profound Change

Credentials: Amazon #1 bestselling author; former Senior Creative Film Editor at NFL Network, with 15 years of experience.

Framework: Foundational Alchemy — turning crisis into a catalyst for profound change.

Guest profile: https://talks.co/rick-lobo-the-trifecta-code/

Author Karen C.L. Anderson explains how shame and generational trauma shape your identity, why shaming yourself for feeling shame keeps you stuck, and how her Six Ns process can help you change your relationship with shame.

What if the shame you’ve carried for years doesn’t define who you are?

In this conversation, Cam sits down with Karen C.L. Anderson, writer, storyteller, coach, and author of You Are Not Your Mother: Releasing Generational Trauma & Shame. Karen shares her difficult relationship with her mother, the sudden loss of her father, and the painful beliefs she carried about herself. She introduces her “box of shame,” explains why “it makes sense” is the key to unshaming, and walks Cam through the Six Ns and how to build an intentional identity. Cam also opens up about how shame affected the way he saw himself in the mirror.

This isn’t about pretending the past didn’t happen. It’s about understanding what you’ve carried and learning a different way forward.

In this episode:

• Why shame makes us believe we’re the problem
• The “box of shame” and how to separate painful stories from who you are
• Why shaming ourselves for feeling shame keeps us stuck
• Karen’s Six Ns process
• How to build an intentional identity

If you’ve ever felt broken, carried shame from your past, or struggled with family relationships, this episode is for you.

Chapters:
0:00 Meet Karen: Shame and Generational Trauma
6:05 Her Mother and the 2010 Email
18:58 Brené Brown and the Box of Shame
22:05 Why Shame Exists
28:40 You Are Not Your Mother
39:09 The Shaming Witness
41:42 “It Makes Sense”: The Key to Unshaming
45:13 The Six Ns and the Rice Cooker Story
56:18 Intentional Identity and the Three Pillars
1:15:02 Final Thoughts

Connect with Karen: https://www.kclanderson.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/KCLAnderson/
Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Not-Your-Mother/dp/1684812666 | https://bookshop.org/p/books/you-are-not-your-mother-releasing-generational-trauma-and-shame-living-free-from-narcissistic-mothers-and-fathers-karen-c-l-anderson/1630c7755f7b542b?ean=9781684812660&bkshp-astro=t

If this conversation helped, please follow the show and leave a rating or review. It helps other people find us.

About Sh!t Creek Survivors: Hosted by Cam McKay, we share real stories of resilience, recovery, setbacks, and second chances, and the paddles that help us find our way forward. Everyone’s going through a Sh!t Creek, and no one has to stay there.
Website: https://shitcreeksurvivors.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shitcreeksurvivorspodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570405112621
Email: [email protected]

Content note: This episode discusses shame, family conflict, generational trauma, childhood abuse, grief, alcohol, and the emotional impact of a shooting. If you’re in crisis in the US, call or text 988.

What if the patterns shaping your adult life began long before you understood where they came from?

In this powerful episode of Sh!t Creek Survivors, host Cam McKay sits down with Kevin Bush, author of The Long Way Home, for an honest conversation about generational trauma, alcoholism, shame, marriage, and finding a new direction through faith.

For years, Kevin hid behind the mask of being the funny guy and the life of the party. He chased validation, struggled with alcohol, and tried to be the person everyone else wanted him to be. But beneath that mask were childhood wounds and emotional patterns he would eventually recognize in his own adult relationships.

Kevin shares a powerful realization about generational trauma: sometimes, it's not just about what happened to us. It's also about what was missing. The conversations that never happened. The emotions we learned to hide. The simple question he says his father never asked: "Are you okay?"

When his marriage began to fall apart, Kevin was forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about himself and the patterns he had inherited. Through writing, journaling, accountability, church, prayer, and baptism, he began working toward a different life.

Cam and Kevin explore what it means to stop living for other people's approval, confront shame, rebuild self-worth, and find purpose in the experiences that once felt overwhelming.

This isn't a story about having everything figured out. It's about being willing to face the truth, ask for help, and take the first step toward change.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Generational trauma and the emotional wounds passed down through families
• Childhood bullying and learning to hide behind a mask
• Alcoholism, blackouts, and the search for validation
• Marriage breakdown and recognizing destructive patterns
• Shame, isolation, and rebuilding self-worth
• Journaling and learning to recognize missed opportunities
• Faith, prayer, baptism, and finding a new purpose
• Breaking family cycles and choosing a different path

Kevin also shares a simple but powerful prayer that became part of his journey: "Lord protect me from myself."

Whether you're struggling with addiction, carrying childhood wounds, navigating relationship challenges, or searching for a deeper sense of purpose, this conversation is a reminder that your past does not have to dictate your future.

ABOUT KEVIN BUSH

Kevin Bush is the author of The Long Way Home, a memoir exploring generational trauma, alcoholism, relationships, and the difficult work of rebuilding your life. Through sharing his experiences, Kevin hopes to help others recognize destructive patterns and find the courage to move forward.

Learn more about Kevin and his book:
https://mylongwayhome.com/

ABOUT SH!T CREEK SURVIVORS

Welcome back to Sh!t Creek Survivors, where we believe one thing: we all have a Sh!t Creek story.

Hosted by Cam McKay, the show shares real stories of resilience, recovery, setbacks, and second chances. We talk honestly about trauma, addiction, mental health, faith, and the paddles that help us move forward — including sobriety, medication, meditation, fitness, therapy, and faith.

Our mission is simple: to remind people they're not alone, that there's hope, and that their worst chapter doesn't have to be their final chapter.

If we help one person, then that's enough.

🌐 Website: https://shitcreeksurvivors.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
📘 Facebook: SHT Creek Survivors
📸 Instagram: SHT Creek Survivors
▶️ YouTube: Sh!t Creek Survivors

Follow Sh!t Creek Survivors for more real conversations about recovery, resilience, and finding your way forward.

Because we all have a Sh!t Creek story. But no one has to stay there.

From severe childhood trauma and building an escort agency to facing a 7-year prison sentence and finding ultimate redemption—this is one of the most raw and unfiltered conversations we've ever had on Sh!t Creek Survivors.

In this episode, Cam sits down with author, Christian speaker, and recovery advocate Valerie Rosas. Valerie shares her incredible story of surviving childhood sexual abuse, addiction, organized crime, and incarceration, and how she found faith, grace, and a brand-new calling behind bars.

Valerie shares her path from foster care to sobriety, prison, and a new calling to help others get into treatment. Her story is both a survival testimony and a practical look at what it takes to break cycles of abuse and rebuild identity.

If you or someone you know is navigating trauma, addiction, or trying to rebuild their life from rock bottom, this conversation brings the hope and perspective you need.

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KEY TOPICS COVERED:

• Up Sh!t Creek: Why Valerie frames her life story around this phrase and how it reflects her childhood, addiction, and ultimate recovery.

• Overcoming Early Trauma: Growing up in foster care, surviving severe childhood abuse, and battling deep feelings of being unsafe and unlovable.

• The Illusion of Control: How entering the adult industry through a booking role and building her own escort business created a false sense of security after trauma.

• The Downward Spiral: Navigating addiction later in life with meth at age 26 and alcohol soon after to quiet inner chaos and panic.

• Confronting Shame & Secrecy: How family denial and being blamed reinforced the belief that she had to handle everything alone.

• The Turning Point in Jail: Facing severe charges, surrendering through prayer, the Holy Spirit, and experiencing unconditional love and grace behind bars.

• The Work of Recovery: Why sobriety wasn't an overnight fix, but required repeated effort, 12-step programs, church, sober living, and strong boundaries.

• Grace & A New Path: Being released on probation instead of serving a seven-year sentence and using that second chance to rebuild her life and family relationships.

• Her Current Mission: Helping people get into treatment, speaking publicly, writing, and taking her message of hope into prisons and jails.

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Welcome back & Episode Framing

05:00 - Up Sh!t Creek: What the Phrase Means to Valerie

08:15 - Childhood Trauma, Foster Care & Fighting for Safety

14:30 - Entering the Adult Industry & Building an Escort Service

21:10 - The Downward Spiral: Meth, Alcohol & Quieting the Chaos

28:45 - Secrecy, Family Denial & Carrying the Weight Alone

35:00 - Facing 7 Years in Prison & The Turning Point in Jail

42:10 - Experiencing Grace, Surrender & Faith Behind Bars

48:30 - The Reality of Recovery: AA, Church & Setting Boundaries

55:20 - Rebuilding Family, Finding Purpose & Taking the Message into Prisons

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CONNECT WITH VALERIE ROSAS:

• Book: From Hustler to Holy: A Journey of Pain, Purpose, and Redemption

• Website: https://ValerieRosas.net

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: https://facebook.com/ValerieRosas

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/valerierosass

• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ValerieRosasMinistry

• TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@valerierosass

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CONNECT WITH SH!T CREEK SURVIVORS:

Welcome back to Sh!t Creek Survivors—where we believe one thing: we all have a sh!t creek story, and this is where we share them. Hosted by Cameron McKay, our mission is to share stories of resilience and practical tools for healing, proving that survival is only the beginning.

• Website: https://shitcreeksurvivors.com

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 314-650-3132

• YouTube: Sh!t Creek Survivors

• Facebook: SHT Creek Survivors

Welcome to Sh!t Creek Survivors, where we believe one thing: we all have a shit creek.

In this special vault re-release episode, host Cam McKay sits down for a raw, deeply moving conversation with Sherry Lynne Williams—author of "Not Your Average Drug Addict Whore, A Life So Wrong, It Went Right."

Sherry’s journey is living proof that no matter how deep into the darkness you go, your past never has to define your worth. After surviving childhood trauma, severe drug addiction, prostitution, and life in a Nevada brothel, Sherry made a pivotal choice to reclaim her life. She went on to earn a college degree in biological science, build a successful career, work in high-level federal government roles, and ultimately earn a Top Secret security clearance—proving that honesty, resilience, and self-compassion can completely rewrite your trajectory.

In this episode, Cam and Sherry discuss:

• How surviving high-risk situations forces a pivotal point of change

• Finding safety and structure in unexpected places while repairing your nervous system

• Developing an "inner observer" to question destructive choices in real-time

• Transitioning from survival mode into professional success and federal government work

• Why earning a Top Secret security clearance required radical honesty about her past

• Transforming deep-seated shame into genuine pride and reclaimed identity

• Why you were never "broken"—and why nothing about your core self needs fixing

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Hospital Update & Intro (Cam McKay)

01:15 - Introducing Sherry & The "Golden Thread" of Her Life

02:47 - From High School Dropout to Biological Science Degree

03:36 - Addiction, Prostitution, and the Chaos of Survival Mode

04:35 - Escaping a Dangerous Situation in Las Vegas

05:03 - Finding Safety & Structure in a Nevada Brothel

06:02 - Developing the "Inner Observer" to Question Destructive Choices

07:59 - Rebuilding Her Life: Federal Work & Earning Top Secret Clearance

09:15 - "You Were Never Broken": Transforming Shame Into Pride

13:18 - Closing Advice for Anyone Currently in Crisis

RESOURCES & CONNECT WITH SHERRY:

📖 Sherry's Memoir: "Not Your Average Drug Addict Whore, A Life So Wrong, It Went Right"

CONNECT WITH SH!T CREEK SURVIVORS:

• Official Website: https://shitcreeksurvivors.com

• Email Us: [email protected]

• Follow on Facebook: https://facebook.com/SHTCreekSurvivors

• Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShitCreekSurvivors

If this episode spoke to you, please take a moment to rate, review, and follow Sh!t Creek Survivors on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Your support helps us reach more people navigating their own healing journey.

Music licensed through Soundstripe.

Welcome to Sh!t Creek Survivors where we believe one thing: we all have a sh!t creek story.

In this episode, Cam sits down with Paul Booth—author of Ethos, Pathos and Alcohol, seasoned addiction counselor, and psychotherapist. For four decades, Paul battled active alcoholism under the deceptive belief that so many of us fall into: "I can handle this on my own." It wasn't until he recognized that our best thinking had only gotten him deeper into the storm that he finally opened the door to help, faith, and true awakening.

Whether you're currently in the thick of active addiction, white-knuckling your way through recovery, or trying to figure out how to support a family member or friend you love, this episode was recorded directly for you. Together, Cam and Paul dive into the weight of trying to fix yourself in isolation, how hidden shame fuels the cycle of addiction, and what it really takes to rebuild a life from the ground up after 40 years in the storm.

ABOUT THE GUESTPaul Booth is a psychotherapist, addiction counselor, and author of the memoir Ethos, Pathos and Alcohol. After spending 40 years trapped in active drinking, Paul entered recovery and dedicated the second half of his life to guiding others out of the same darkness. Combining deep personal experience with professional clinical expertise, Paul helps individuals and families navigate addiction, process trauma, break free from shame, and build lasting resilience.

ABOUT SH!T CREEK SURVIVORSSh!t Creek Survivors is a podcast hosted by Cameron McKay—a shot-in-the-face, alcoholic, Complex PTSD-having survivor who is 11 years out from being shot in the line of duty as a police officer and 9 years sober. The podcast was built on a simple, universal truth: we all find ourselves up sh!t creek at some point in life. Through raw, unfiltered conversations with trauma survivors, recovery experts, and resilient individuals, Sh!t Creek Survivors provides real-world tools, hope, and perspective to help you navigate your own paddle through the storm.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Paul Booth03:15 – "I Thought I Could Do It Myself": The trap of self-reliance in active addiction12:40 – Realizing our best thinking got us here: The turning point and accepting help21:10 – Ethos, Pathos and Alcohol: Storytelling, memoir, and confronting shame31:05 – Why recovery requires rebuilding the mind and spirit, not just stopping a behavior41:30 – Lessons from decades as an addiction counselor and psychotherapist52:00 – Finding hope at any age & Paul's core "paddles" for resilience

CONNECT WITH PAUL BOOTH• Book: Ethos, Pathos and Alcohol (Available on Amazon and major booksellers)

CONNECT WITH SH!T CREEK SURVIVORS• Website: https://shitcreeksurvivors.com• Email: [email protected]• Phone: 314-650-3132• Facebook: SHT Creek Survivors• YouTube: Sh!t Creek Survivors

When life dumps you right into the middle of "Sh!t Creek," it's easy to start believing that the hardship defines who you are. In this episode, Cam sits down with Reverend Dr. A'Shellarien Addison—a spiritual clinical trauma-informed practitioner, military chaplain, and history-making leader—for a deeply moving conversation on surviving rejection, trauma, betrayal, and spiritual confusion.

Rev. Dr. Addison shares her journey through childhood housing instability, navigating conflicting religious traditions, processing the loss of her son at 39 weeks, and confronting deep relational betrayal in her marriage. Together, they explore how childhood wounds follow us into adulthood, why hardship isn't a personal defect, and how retraining your internal voice allows you to move from shame into self-grace and purpose.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The "Sh!t Creek" framework: Why hardship is unavoidable, but doesn't define your identity

• Growing up across AME, Catholic, and Hebrew Israelite traditions and overcoming religious shame

• Processing profound grief after losing a child at 39 weeks

• Navigating betrayal, infidelity, and pressure from church leadership

• Her father’s powerful turning point: "You are an eagle, not a chicken"

• Practical tools to retrain your internal voice, set boundaries, and shift from "I am that" to "I did that"

Episode Chapters / Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction & preferred forms of address(03:18) Meet Rev. Dr. Addison: History-maker in the Delaware Army National Guard(04:17) Childhood rejection, housing instability, and school as a safe haven(05:15) Navigating AME, Catholic, and Hebrew Israelite faith traditions(06:48) Rejecting early messages that limited girls(09:07) Recognizing patterns of choosing emotionally unavailable relationships(12:10) Processing grief after losing her son at 39 weeks(13:32) Resisting the call to preach and discovering womanist theology(15:47) Facing marriage betrayal, infidelity, and church pressure to stay(21:32) The powerful healing moment: "You are an eagle, not a chicken"(24:37) Rebuilding a new life, establishing boundaries, and stepping into purpose(27:02) The "Sh!t Creek" mindset: Normalizing hardship without taking on shame(31:33) Retraining thought patterns and healing the inner child's voice(42:44) Recognizing that growth never truly stops

About Our Guest:Rev. Dr. A’Shellarien Addison is an Army Chaplain, spiritual clinical trauma-informed practitioner, prolific author, publisher, adult and pediatric hospice chaplain, international speaker, host of A Healing Moment With Dr. A’Shellarien on REACH Gospel Radio, and CEO of Desakajo’s Flo. She is an ordained Itinerate Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the first woman to serve as Chaplain in the 240+ year history of the Delaware Army National Guard.

Connect with Rev. Dr. A'Shellarien Addison:

• Website: https://www.desakajosflo.com

• Booking: https://drashellarien.expert

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drashellarien

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revdrashellarien

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drashellarien

• Featured Books: Does Love Cover...THAT?: The Healing Process of the Fruit of the Spirit, A Conversation With Myself: Healing the Internal Voice, Going Back For Me: Reconciling Pain and Peace When Trauma Collides With Faith, and No More Pieces: Holding on To Me After Emotional Trauma.

About Sh!t Creek Survivors:Sh!t Creek Survivors is dedicated to sharing real stories of resilience and practical tools for navigating life's hardest moments. Hosted by Cam, we dive deep with incredible guests who have survived the storms of life, reframed their trauma, and found strength on the other side.

• Website: https://shitcreeksurvivors.com

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 314-650-3132

• YouTube: Sh!t Creek Survivors

• Facebook: SHT Creek Survivors

Tom Adams was driving drunk, the wrong way down a four-lane highway—with his wife and kids in the car.

That moment changed everything.

Tom found recovery and has now been sober for more than 45 years. But his recovery journey went far beyond alcohol. It led him through compulsive eating, work addiction, shame, family struggles, emotional sobriety, spirituality, meditation, and learning what it really means to surrender.

In this episode of Sh!t Creek Survivors, Tom shares how Alcoholics Anonymous changed the direction of his life and how recovery helped him move from trying to earn God's love to understanding a deeper, more loving relationship with a higher power.

Tom also shares the story behind his book, A Marriage That Changed the World: Lois and Bill Wilson and the Addiction Recovery Movement, which explores the lives and legacy of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon.

We talk about addiction in its many forms, the physical, emotional, and spiritual sides of addiction, family systems, burnout, work addiction, self-forgiveness, community, prayer, meditation, and the ongoing process of surrender.

Tom's story is a powerful reminder that sometimes getting out of Shit Creek starts with realizing you're going the wrong way.

About Tom Adams

Tom Adams, MSW, is an author, speaker, nonprofit leader, and longtime participant in the Twelve Step recovery movement. With more than 45 years of sobriety, Tom has spent decades exploring recovery, spirituality, leadership, emotional sobriety, and personal growth.

He is the co-author of A Marriage That Changed the World: Lois and Bill Wilson and the Addiction Recovery Movement, written with Joy Jones. The book explores the lives, marriage, spirituality, and lasting influence of Bill and Lois Wilson and their impact on the recovery movement.

Tom's website: https://thadams.com

Tom's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSLFXW6V

About Sh!t Creek Survivors

Welcome to Sh!t Creek Survivors, where we believe one thing: we all have a Sh!t Creek story.

We share real stories of resilience, recovery, setbacks, second chances, and the paddles that help people get out.

Because no one has to stay there.

If we help one person, then that's enough.

Hosted by Cameron McKay.

Website: https://shitcreeksurvivors.com

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHTCreekSurvivors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SHTCreekSurvivors

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SH!TCREEKSURVIVORS

Follow, subscribe, and share the show with someone who might need to hear a story of recovery, resilience, and hope.

#AddictionRecovery #Recovery #Sobriety #AlcoholismRecovery #Spirituality #12StepRecovery #ShitCreekSurvivors

Her Daughter Had Cancer. Then Something Extraordinary Happened | Sarah Tolson

What happens when your child gets cancer—and the experience changes everything you thought you knew about life?

Sarah Tolson's seven-year-old daughter, Ella, began having seizures. What followed was a terrifying medical journey involving repeated hospitalizations, autoimmune encephalitis, and eventually a diagnosis of Burkitt's lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Sarah watched her daughter endure months of chemotherapy, painful complications, and moments when she feared she could lose her.

But when Ella became cancer-free, Sarah discovered something unexpected: the crisis wasn't over for her.

After months of living in survival mode, Sarah was dealing with hypervigilance, anxiety, and the challenge of learning how to feel safe again.

Her search for healing led her to meditation and Reiki—and eventually to experiences that changed the way she understood spirituality, intuition, and life after death.

Today, Sarah Tolson is a Reiki practitioner, intuitive medium, and wellness guide. Through Grounded Harmony, she helps people explore meditation, nervous system regulation, energy work, intuitive practices, and emotional resilience.

But this conversation isn't simply about Reiki or mediumship.

It's about what happens when your child becomes seriously ill. It's about becoming your child's advocate when you know something isn't right. It's about the psychological impact of medical trauma, the people who show up when your family is at its breaking point, and finding your way back after living in survival mode.

In this episode, Sarah shares:
• Becoming a mother at 17
• Years of family loss and difficult experiences
• Her brother's life-changing trucking accident
• Her mother's aneurysm and stroke
• Ella's first seizure at seven
• The search for answers and autoimmune encephalitis
• The discovery of Ella's cancer
• Burkitt's lymphoma and months of chemotherapy
• Becoming a fierce medical advocate
• The people who showed up when they needed them most
• Living in survival mode and hypervigilance
• Meditation and nervous system regulation
• How Reiki entered Sarah's life
• The experiences that led Sarah toward mediumship
• Her spiritual awakening
• Whether trauma can become a catalyst for transformation
• Breathwork, yoga, meditation, and emotional regulation
• Using complementary practices alongside conventional medical care
• Why Sarah offers Reiki to parents of children undergoing cancer treatment
• How her daughter's illness changed her priorities and perspective on life

Ultimately, Sarah's story is about more than cancer. It's about resilience, advocacy, healing after trauma, and what can happen when one of the worst experiences of your life forces you to reconsider what matters.

If you're currently in your own "shit creek," you're not alone.

We all have a shit creek story.

ABOUT SARAH TOLSON

Sarah Tolson is a Reiki practitioner, intuitive medium, and wellness guide specializing in nervous system regulation, energetic healing, and spiritual connection. After her daughter's cancer journey transformed her life, Sarah experienced what she describes as a profound spiritual awakening that led her toward mediumship.

Sarah is the founder of Grounded Harmony, where she offers Reiki, group mediumship events, and intuitive education.

Grounded Harmony: https://www.groundedharmonywellness.com/
Instagram: @Grounded.harmony.wellness
Brigham City, Utah

SH!T CREEK SURVIVORS

SH!T CREEK SURVIVORS features real stories of resilience, survival, transformation, and finding a way forward when life gets messy.

Because we believe one thing: We all have a shit creek story.