Advertise on podcast: Groove with Portia

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/

Domestic violence does not have a look. It does not belong to one income bracket, one zip code, one race, or one level of education. In this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Patricia Gordon-Stevens, licensed counselor and author of Madness in Memphis, for a deeply honest conversation about domestic violence, grief, identity transitions, and the strength of survivors. Patricia shares her personal connection to Memphis, her early marriage at 17, and the layered losses she endured, including the death of her son and sister. While her book is fiction, it reflects the lived experiences of women worldwide who have endured domestic violence as a normalized part of life. We discuss: • Why domestic violence crosses socioeconomic boundaries • Emotional abuse, physical abuse, and the normalization of control • Why women stay in abusive relationships • The impact of abuse on children and family systems • Listening to your intuition when something feels wrong • How friends and family can show up safely and persistently • Safe housing, church support, and community resources • The resilience of women who survive and rebuild Patricia speaks candidly about the writing process, producing thousands of words daily while reliving painful themes, because the story needed to be told. This episode is for women questioning their reality, for loved ones who sense something is not right, and for anyone who believes abuse only happens “somewhere else.” Tune in to learn why awareness must be paired with action and why silence protects no one. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, seek support through trusted friends, family, local community centers, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Because your safety matters. Your voice matters. Your life matters. Connect with Patricia: https://www.patriciagordonstevens.com/

What if the healing you are searching for is not outside of you, but already within you? In this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Christianna Carr, author of Begin Within, spiritual psychotherapist, and founder of Begin Within Gifts, Books, and Healing Services. Our conversation centers around personal healing, creative expression, and the courage it takes to tell your story. Christianna shares how the phrase “begin within” became the foundation of her life’s work after attending a conference in 2010. What started as a journaling practice evolved into poetry, business ownership, and a trauma informed approach to healing. We discuss: • How journaling supports trauma recovery • Processing grief and abuse through poetry • The importance of safe spaces for storytelling • Inner child healing and play as adults • Navigating relationship challenges and worthiness • Vulnerability and societal perceptions of strength • Why healing does not require proving anything to anyone Christianna speaks openly about how writing became a tool for maintaining clarity and sanity during difficult seasons. She reminds us that much of healing happens when our story is witnessed without judgment. This episode is for anyone navigating emotional abuse recovery, spiritual growth, creative healing practices, and trauma informed self discovery. Tune in to hear why all healing begins within and how your story has the power to ripple outward into community. Connect with Christianna: https://www.facebook.com/chrissiecarr

During Women’s History Month, we cannot celebrate strength without acknowledging the silent battles many women carry. In this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Shelby Azbill, CEO of Generations Behavioral Health, for an honest conversation about women’s mental health, behavioral health stigma, and what compassionate crisis care truly looks like. Shelby leads one of the few inpatient behavioral health hospitals in Northeast Ohio, supporting adults navigating suicidality, psychosis, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe anxiety, and trauma related crises. She shares what happens behind the doors of inpatient psychiatric care, why many people underestimate the severity of their own distress, and how stigma keeps women suffering in silence. We discuss: • Common misconceptions about mental health treatment • When it is time to seek professional help • The difference between crisis stabilization and long term therapy • Compassion fatigue among healthcare professionals • Leadership and mentorship in behavioral health • Supporting social workers and new clinicians through imposter syndrome • The importance of diverse perspectives in patient care • The role of AI in healthcare while preserving human connection Shelby also shares how Generations Behavioral Health is expanding services across Ohio, including inpatient hospitals and outpatient therapy clinics, while prioritizing both patient experience and staff wellness. Tune in to hear why no concern is ever too small to seek support and how collaborative leadership is shaping the future of mental health care. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, visit Generations Behavioral Health to learn more about their services, centralized intake process, and career opportunities in social work, nursing, and behavioral health support. Because seeking help is not weakness. It is courage. Connect with Shelby: https://generationsbehavioralhealth.com/

In this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Cleveland artist, poet, and songwriter Vita Shields, known as Vitaologee, for a soulful conversation about grief, creativity, and healing through music. Vita shares her journey from a career in recruiting to fully embracing her calling as an artist, and how poetry and songwriting became the words she needed in her darkest moments. Tune in to hear Vita explain the meaning behind her name Vitaologee and how her creative process often begins with emotion, memory, and lived experience before becoming melody. We talk about how music can hold grief, honor legacy, and keep loved ones close even after they are gone. Learn how Vita’s song Doing You Proud resonates as a tribute to her mother and why lyrics about being seen, remembered, and witnessed beyond this life can be so powerful for those navigating loss. We also explore ethical conversations around AI in music, creative ownership, and why authenticity still matters in a rapidly changing industry. This episode is for anyone grieving a loved one, finding healing through creative expression, or learning how to turn pain into purpose without losing your voice. Vita closes by sharing how listeners can support her work by streaming her music, purchasing her album on Bandcamp, and following her creative journey. Connect with Vita: https://www.instagram.com/vitaologee/

What happens between the moment of an accident and the moment a family is notified? In this powerful episode of Groove with Portia, I sit down with Christine Olson, founder of T.I.F.F. To Inform Families First. After waiting six hours to learn that her daughter, Tiffiany, had been killed in a motorcycle accident, Christine realized there was a gap in the emergency notification system that no family should ever experience. Tiffiany was only 22 years old. She was an organ donor. In her passing, she saved seven lives. But before that gift could even be processed, her mother was left waiting. Christine shares how that devastating night led her to work with lawmakers, law enforcement, and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to create a voluntary emergency contact registration system connected to driver’s licenses. Today, millions of Florida residents have an emergency contact listed, allowing law enforcement to access critical next of kin information quickly instead of spending six to sixteen hours manually searching. We discuss: • How emergency contact registration works • Why notification delays happen • The emotional toll families experience during that gap • How T.I.F.F. has saved lives and protected families • What you can do in your state to advocate for adoption Tune in to hear how grief can become policy and how one mother turned heartbreak into protection for others. Learn why registering your emergency contact takes only minutes but can make all the difference in a crisis. Like, share, and contact your representatives to help bring T.I.F.F. to every state. Because you do not know you need it until you need it. How to Register Next of Kin: https://youtu.be/tnU5rmfKy68?si=PYxBlkuAIgTEgMBE Connect with Christine: https://toinformfamiliesfirst.org/

In this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Nicole for a deeply honest conversation about forgiveness, self-love, and healing after betrayal. Nicole shares her personal journey that began in 2013 after discovering her husband’s infidelity and how that moment changed the way she understood forgiveness, trust, and her own voice. Tune in to hear Nicole explain how her search for healing led her through certifications, practices, and personal exploration before she realized that forgiveness was not about excusing someone else’s actions. It was about freeing herself. She introduces the Hawaiian forgiveness practice of Ho oponopono and shares how the four phrases I love you, I am sorry, please forgive me, and thank you became tools for self-forgiveness and self-compassion. Learn why forgiveness is not a one-time decision but an ongoing process and how healing often shows up in the body through tears, release, and reflection. We talk about reclaiming your voice after emotional pain, taking small steps toward self-care, and why learning from experiences is more powerful than trying to forget them. This episode is for anyone navigating betrayal, loss of identity, or the long road back to themselves. Nicole also shares how embracing self-forgiveness led her to publicly share her story, build her brand, and begin writing a book on forgiveness that will include a workbook. We close with an invitation to continue the conversation and a reminder that healing and growth are lifelong practices. Connect with Nicole: https://nicoleharvick.com/

In this heartfelt episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome my former mentor, Dr. Lisa McGuthry-Gore for a deeply personal conversation about grief, faith, and finding love again after loss. Lisa shares her journey following the passing of her husband, Donald, after 32 years of marriage, and how she found herself unexpectedly remarried six months later to a man she once knew in college who also shared the same name. What may sound unbelievable to some is a powerful testimony of trusting God, honoring grief, and allowing joy to return without guilt. We talk about what it means to hold space for both love and loss at the same time. Lisa opens up about how she stays connected to her late husband through family traditions, memories, and daily reminders while embracing a new chapter of life. This conversation affirms that grief does not have a timeline and healing does not require comparison. We also explore signs of comfort and guidance after loss, including moments of reassurance that help us move forward when fear tries to hold us back. Lisa encourages listeners to trust their feelings, move at their own pace, and honor what feels right for them. Lisa also shares the work she is doing through the Sally Mae Thomas Entrepreneurship Foundation, which focuses on entrepreneurship education and training for youth and women. She invites those interested in connecting to reach out via email at [email protected]. This episode is for anyone navigating grief, widowhood, faith-based healing, and the courage to love again.

In this episode of Groove with Portia, I open a heartfelt conversation about grief, memory, and embracing the inner child. Inspired by my own memories of watching Hocus Pocus with my mother, we begin by exploring how childhood moments can become anchors of comfort after loss. I’m joined by Karena, as we share our personal experiences of losing our mothers and navigating the transition period that follows. Karena reflects on the passing of her mother, Charlene, and how grief has shifted from something heavy into something that allows both remembrance and joy to coexist. We talk about granting ourselves permission to move forward while still honoring the love that remains. Our conversation expands into how grief and memory can live together without canceling each other out. We discuss staying connected to loved ones through dreams, intuition, family, and intentional practices that offer comfort and grounding. I also share a vivid dream involving my mother’s voice and presence, and how those moments continue to guide me. We then explore the evolution of witchcraft, moving away from mystical ideas and toward a practice rooted in self-empowerment, daily intention, and nervous system regulation. Karena shares the inspiration behind The Witch’s Inn, which was born from her mother’s hospice room and her desire to create a warm, inviting space where women feel full permission to trust themselves. We close with a conversation about everyday magic, finding gratitude in small moments, and creating meaning after loss. Karena also shares details about upcoming Tarot Coven gatherings, Reiki sessions, workshops, and the Devoted Woman Collective, a program focused on nervous system regulation and intentional living. This episode is for anyone navigating grief, memory, inner child healing, and the courage to create meaning after loss. Connect with Karena: https://www.instagram.com/thatwitchkarena/

In this powerful and necessary episode of Groove with Portia, I honor Human Trafficking Awareness Month with a conversation that many families live, but few feel safe enough to share. I’m joined by Monica Estevez, a mother whose daughter survived human trafficking. Monica shares her family’s journey after her daughter was trafficked following connections made in New York in 2022. Despite widespread social media efforts and community support, her daughter was missing for over a year before finally being located and brought home. Monica speaks openly about the reality that survival does not mean healing is complete. She shares the signs of exploitation many people overlook, the severe trauma her daughter experienced upon returning home, and the challenges families face when mental health care is refused or unavailable. We talk about hallucinations, violence, drug use, and the emotional toll placed on parents who are desperately trying to protect their child while honoring their autonomy. This episode also explores the role of social media in reuniting families, the dangers young women face in certain environments, and the grooming tactics used to control victims. Monica emphasizes that awareness alone is not enough. Survivors need proper mental health care, medication, and long-term support, and families need education and community resources. Throughout our conversation, Monica returns to faith as a source of strength and hope. She shares how prayer and persistence have helped her witness a slow but meaningful turnaround in her daughter’s life. Monica also speaks about using social media to connect with other parents and caregivers walking a similar path. This episode is for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone who wants to better understand the hidden realities of human trafficking and the long road to healing that follows.

In this deeply moving episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome John Stewart Hill, founder of the Good Contractors List, for a raw conversation about grief, surrender, faith, and purpose. John takes us back to 2011, a season marked by financial collapse, hopelessness, and a desire for life to end. What followed was a massive heart attack during one of the worst freezes in Dallas-Fort Worth history and a moment in the ICU that changed everything. As he was wheeled in, John heard a clear voice asking if he wanted to stay or go. That question became the turning point that reshaped his life, his faith, and his calling. We talk about what it means to truly surrender when grief has stripped everything away. John shares how choosing to stay alive came with three simple prayers. To be remembered for doing good. To truly live. And to touch as many lives as possible. From that surrender, the Good Contractors List was born, a faith-led mission to protect homeowners, restore trust, and bring integrity into a broken industry with a 25000 dollar guarantee. John also opens up about receiving a heart transplant in 2022 and meeting his donor’s family. The donor’s name was Christian Wachal, which means Watchman. A moment, John believes, confirmed his purpose as a protector and servant leader. This episode is for anyone navigating grief, loss, depression, faith crises, or life after rock bottom. It is a reminder that purpose can rise from pain and that surrender is not weakness but the beginning of transformation. Connect with John: https://thegoodcontractorslist.com/