What does it take to rebuild your life after unimaginable loss — and turn your deepest wounds into a source of strength for others? In this powerful episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts sits down with author, blogger, storyteller, and mental health advocate Diana "Dinky" Smith for a deeply honest conversation about grief, resilience, healing, and the courage it takes to keep moving forward. After losing her daughter Lily to a drunk driving accident on her own birthday, Diana faced years of anger, depression, and isolation. But instead of letting tragedy define her, she chose to transform her pain into purpose — raising her granddaughter, writing books, and building a mission to help others feel less alone in their struggles. In this episode, you'll hear: • The heartbreaking story of losing Lily and its aftermath • How Diana raised her grieving granddaughter through trauma and self-harm • The "Scratches to Scars" framework for building emotional resilience • Why grief has no timeline — and what healthy, integrated grief really looks like • How creativity, storytelling, and kindness can be powerful tools for healing • Details on Diana's upcoming fantasy series Viridian and her brand, My Talking Eye Whether you're navigating child loss, grief, low self-worth, or simply looking for inspiration to keep going, this episode delivers raw honesty, hard-earned wisdom, and genuine hope. Diana Bio and Contact Information Diana “Dinky” Smith is an author, blogger, storyteller, and mental health advocate whose work is dedicated to helping people navigate grief, personal growth, and life's unexpected challenges with honesty, compassion, and hope. After spending more than 22 years as a successful realtor in Colorado, Diana's life changed forever following the tragic loss of her daughter, Lilly. The years that followed led her through a profound journey of grief, depression, healing, and self-discovery. Rather than allowing that experience to define her, she chose to transform it into a mission to help others feel less alone in their own struggles. Drawing from lived experience, extensive personal study, and a deep passion for understanding the human condition, Diana writes about resilience, emotional wellness, grief, purpose, and self-mastery. She is the author of multiple books, including works focused on personal transformation and healing, as well as Veridien, an epic fantasy series that explores themes of courage, sacrifice, redemption, and hope through a richly imagined world. She is also preparing for the future launch of Grief, Unfiltered, a new program under her My Talking Eye brand that will feature candid conversations about grief, healing, mental health, and the realities that many people face but few openly discuss. Known simply as "Dinky" to friends, readers, and listeners, Diana brings authenticity, warmth, humor, and hard-earned wisdom to every conversation. Diana lives in Colorado with her husband, Rick, and continues to write, create, and advocate for stronger emotional health through storytelling, education, and honest dialogue. Her message is simple: no matter what you've been through, your story is not over, and there is still purpose to be found in the chapters ahead. Connect with Diana Smith: 📧 dinkysmithauthor@gmail.com 📘 Facebook: Dinky Diana Smith 📸 Instagram: Dinky Diana Smith 🎙️ Podcast: My Talking Eye (available on Apple Podcasts) Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear that their story is not over. The Teaching Journeys Podcast | Hosted by Dave Roberts | New episodes available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
