In part two of this conversation, Mason talks with Brandy about navigating her first year of grief after losing her son Riley. She shares the daily struggle of simply surviving, the exhaustion of carrying grief, and the lessons she’s learned from others walking the same road. Brandy reflects on the importance of finding “your people,” creating rituals like Monday night poker to keep community close, and giving herself permission to not be ready yet. She also opens up about her son Hunter’s accident and brain tumor diagnosis, and the resilience it takes to keep moving forward while carrying so much pain.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Brandy Smith and her younger sister Amanda about the life and loss of Brandy’s son, Riley. Riley was diagnosed with cancer at just five years old, and his family’s unwavering love helped him beat it. Years later, at 17, Riley tragically passed away in a dirt bike accident. Brandy and Amanda reflect on Riley’s spirit, his love for the outdoors, and the deep bonds he shared with his family. Through tears, laughter, and sisterly support, they honor Riley’s life while showing the strength it takes to talk about grief, trauma, and the daily fight to keep moving forward.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Brian Docobo about the devastating loss of his 4-year-old son Ethan to Coats Plus syndrome, and the ongoing fight to save his 8-year-old son Liam, who battles the same rare genetic disease. Brian shares the pain of losing a child, the mental discipline it takes to stay present, and his relentless drive to push science forward through stem cell treatments and groundbreaking gene therapy research. This is a story of grief, hope, and a father’s refusal to give up.

In this epsisode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Jessica McInnes.  Jessica lost her seemingly healthy 15 year old son to an undiagnosed brain tumor. She sat down to tell us about Rayce, the shocking process she went through with him the day he passed, and her journey as a grieving mom over the past 3 years. They discuss the rare connection between bereaved mothers, the unfiltered realities of grief, and the ongoing effort to keep Rayce’s memory alive.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason sits down with Michael and Chris Craven to honor the life of their son, Wyatt Leroy Craven, who passed away from acute myeloid leukemia at just five years old. They reflect on Wyatt’s light, his courage, and the brutal realities of pediatric cancer, grief, and healing. Through pain, dark humor, and raw honesty, the Cravens share how they’ve navigated life, faith, parenting, and love in the aftermath of devastating loss.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason welcomes Anna as she shares the story of her younger brother, Alex Calvo. This episode is a little different, as it covers a topic rarely discussed but one that weighs heavily on many hearts and minds: suicide.

Anna lost her little brother, Alex Calvo, at just 33 years old. She received the call no one ever wants to get, from the county sheriff’s department. That moment is etched vividly in her memory; those words are scarred into her heart. She then had to deliver the devastating news to her parents.

Alex struggled with mental illness, something he hid incredibly well. On August 31, 2024, he lost his battle. He was found lifeless in a hotel room. Anna has wrestled with the loss of her brother, left with countless questions and very few answers.

He was the youngest of five siblings, a certified electrician, and a dog lover. His loss has deeply shaken their entire family. There were no signs, no red flags, no warnings. He functioned as if everything was perfectly normal. Overnight, Anna’s world changed.

In this episode, Anna opens up about a topic many keep private in order to preserve the image of their loved ones. She steps out of the shadows surrounding suicide in hopes of making a difference in the life of someone who may be struggling or grieving a similar loss. Anna speaks to the stigma surrounding suicide and shares her experience with honesty and vulnerability. This conversation comes from the heart -- raw, real, and genuine.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Matt Fielding about his stage four cancer diagnosis, the slow loss that came with it, and the brutal honesty that living with death forces on a person.

Matt was handed a prescription for hospice the day he was diagnosed. Since then, he's been fighting through constant pain, rounds of chemo, blood clots, and the weight of knowing his time is limited. He opens up about what it’s like to be treated like you’re already gone, how cancer isolated him from friends and family, and the mental toll of living minute to minute.

This conversation isn’t about a silver lining. It’s about the truth. Matt talks openly about fear, anger, God, love, and the one regret he has before he dies. It's hard, honest, and human—exactly what this podcast is about.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Tyson Ballard about losing his dad at 11, his brother at 17, and his sister in his mid-30s. Tyson shares how those losses shaped his life, from feeling pressure to stay strong to realizing there was never a safe space to talk about it. They talk about how funerals feel like the only time it’s okay to grieve, how quickly people move on, and how therapy helped Tyson finally stop and process decades of loss. A real conversation about grief, identity, and learning how to actually live again.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason sits down with Dustin Diefenderfer, founder of Mountain Tough, for a raw conversation on mental toughness, grief, and the illusion of control. They reflect on Viktor Frankl’s philosophy, the spiritual fallout of tragedy, and the struggle to find meaning after unimaginable loss. Mason opens up about life after losing his wife, kids, brother, and nephew, and how helping others, talking honestly, and embracing vulnerability has been key to survival. This is a deeply emotional and unfiltered episode about suffering, acceptance, and showing up for the life that’s still here.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Dustin Diefenderfer, founder of Mountain Tough, about mindset, mental toughness, and the idea of false finishes—those moments in life when you think you’ve made it through, only to find out there’s more ahead. They talk about the challenges of grief, the value of long-form conversations, and why building resilience starts with doing hard things consistently. Dustin also shares lessons from his time in Uganda, the shift from corporate life to purpose-driven work, and why simplifying life can lead to more meaning and fulfillment.