Stronger After The Storm

Dougie Smith
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  • MENTAL HEALTH

You survived the heart attack — but now what?  Welcome to Stronger After the Storm, the podcast for men over 50 rebuilding their lives — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually — after a heart attack. I’m Dougie, and I know this road. At 50, I had a heart attack that changed everything. What came after wasn’t just physical recovery — it was fear, anxiety, silence, and a deep questioning of identity and purpose.  This show is for the men who lie awake wondering, “Am I going to die tonight?” “Will I ever feel like myself again?” “What do I do now?”  Each episode is real talk — no sugar-coating, no fluff. Just honest stories from a man who’s been there, still there, and still rebuilding. I’ll walk with you through the tough stuff: fear after heart attack, isolation, masculinity, emotional healing, connection, and reclaiming life on your terms.  We’ll explore topics like: - Anxiety and panic after heart surgery - Rediscovering identity and purpose after trauma - Mental health for older men - What strength really looks like now - How to reconnect when you're feeling alone - Honest reflections and conversations with other survivors  Some episodes are just me sharing my story and the lessons I’ve learned. Others will feature real men and heart professionals who understand what we’re up against. If you’re looking for hope, direction, or even just someone who understands — this podcast is for you.  You’re not broken. You’re rebuilding. Let’s do it together.  New episodes every week. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform — and head to StrongerAfterTheStorm.com to join the private newsletter for reflections, support, and updates.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 17 — The Voice Inside Your Head- Finding a Gentler Way to Talk to Yourself After a Heart Attack

    Episode 17 — The Voice Inside Your Head Finding a Gentler Way to Talk to Yourself After a Heart Attack After a heart attack, the noise around you often fades — and the voice inside your head becomes harder to ignore. In this episode of Stronger After the Storm, I reflect on the inner critic that grew louder during recovery, the pressure it created, and what began to change when I stopped fighting it and started responding with more honesty and less force. A quiet, personal look at self-talk, emotional recovery, and learning to live again without turning healing into another test. 💻 Visit StrongerAfterTheStorm.com — the home of the podcast and weekly Reflection Letters. 📩 Each week I write an honest letter for men rebuilding life after a heart attack. You can join in on the site. 🎧 Make sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss the next episode. ⭐ If something in this episode helped you, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify — it really helps more men find us. 🤝 And if you know someone going through the same storm, share this with him. It might be just what he needs today.

    5 min

  2. 12/30/2025

    Episode 16 Embracing These Early Changes After a Heart Attack- Adapting to a New Lifestyle

    Episode 16 Embracing These Early Changes After a Heart Attack- Adapting to a New Lifestyle. After a heart attack, the early changes don’t always arrive loudly or clearly. Often, they show up quietly — in how you move, how you feel, and how you begin to listen to yourself differently. In this episode of Stronger After the Storm, I reflect on those early shifts after survival. The physical adjustments, the emotional undercurrent, and the gradual process of adapting to a new lifestyle without rushing to label it or fix it. This isn’t about discipline or reinventing your life overnight. It’s about awareness, patience, and learning how to live differently at a pace that feels honest. If you’re in the early stages of recovery — noticing that things feel slightly “off,” uncertain, or unfamiliar — this episode offers space to reflect and feel less alone in that experience. 🎧 Stronger After the Storm — real talk for men rebuilding life after a heart attack. 💻 Visit StrongerAfterTheStorm.com — the home of the podcast and weekly Reflection Letters. 📩 Each week I write an honest letter for men rebuilding life after a heart attack. You can join in on the site. 🎧 Make sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss the next episode. ⭐ If something in this episode helped you, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify — it really helps more men find us. 🤝 And if you know someone going through the same storm, share this with him. It might be just what he needs today.

    5 min

  3. 12/23/2025

    EPISODE 15 — Building a Life Worth Living What a “second chance” really means — and why this time, it’s personal

    EPISODE 15 — Building a Life Worth LivingWhat a “second chance” really means — and why this time, it’s personal After a heart attack, people love to say things like “You’ve been given a second chance.” But what does that actually mean when you’re the one waking up every day trying to piece your life back together? A second chance isn’t about becoming some perfect version of yourself.  It’s not about pretending you’re suddenly grateful or fearless or full of purpose.  It’s about choosing — slowly, quietly — to build a life that feels meaningful, honest, and true to who you are now. In this episode, we explore what it really looks like to rebuild a life worth living after everything has been shaken. In this episode: – Why the idea of a “second chance” can feel strange or heavy – What changes inside you after a close call – How your priorities, boundaries, and relationships shift – The pressure men feel to “get it right” this time – What rebuilding actually looks like day to day – Why meaning grows slowly — and why that’s ok A second chance isn’t a performance.  It’s a direction — one that you shape moment by moment. Next week: Episode 16 — Courage in the Quiet Moments: Why the real breakthroughs happen when no one is watching. 💻 Visit StrongerAfterTheStorm.com — the home of the podcast and weekly Reflection Letters. 📩 Each week I write an honest letter for men rebuilding life after a heart attack. You can join in on the site. 🎧 Make sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss the next episode. ⭐ If something in this episode helped you, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify — it really helps more men find us. 🤝 And if you know someone going through the same storm, share this with him. It might be just what he needs today.

    6 min

  4. 12/16/2025

    Episode 14: Gratitude isn't Weakness - How Thankfulness Turns Survival into Strength.

    EPISODE 14 — Gratitude Isn’t WeaknessHow thankfulness turns survival into strength A lot of men hear the word “gratitude” and think, Aye right… that’s no’ for me. It can feel soft, forced, or completely out of place after a heart attack. But real gratitude isn’t weakness — it’s awareness.  It shows up quietly in the small moments you used to rush past: a steady breath, a warm voice, a cup of tea you actually taste, or the nudge from the dog that reminds you you’re still here. In this episode, we explore how gratitude becomes part of recovery — not because you’re trying to be positive, but because your perspective has changed. In this episode: – Why gratitude can feel uncomfortable for men – How it arrives in tiny, unexpected waves – The shift from survival mode into meaning – Why anger and gratitude often sit side by side – The everyday moments that stitch your life back together – Why gratitude doesn’t mean pretending you’re fine Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard bits — it helps you make sense of them. Next week: Episode 15 — Building a Life Worth Living: What a “second chance” really means — and why this time, it’s personal. 💻 Visit StrongerAfterTheStorm.com — the home of the podcast and weekly Reflection Letters. 📩 Each week I write an honest letter for men rebuilding life after a heart attack. You can join in on the site. 🎧 Make sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss the next episode. ⭐ If something in this episode helped you, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify — it really helps more men find us. 🤝 And if you know someone going through the same storm, share this with him. It might be just what he needs today.

    6 min

  5. 12/09/2025

    Finding Joy Again-Relearning laughter, music, and the small things that bring back life.

    Episode 13 — Finding Joy AgainRelearning laughter, music, and the small things that bring back life Joy doesn’t always return in big ways after a heart attack. More often, it arrives quietly — through tiny sparks you might not even notice at first. A familiar song. A sudden laugh. A calm morning. A small moment that feels… lighter. In this episode, I share how joy slowly found its way back into my own recovery — not in dramatic bursts, but in gentle reminders that life was still worth leaning into. Here’s what we cover: • why joy returns quietly, not with a fanfare • why men think they need everything “sorted” before they can feel good • how laughter sneaks back in when you least expect it • how music can reconnect you to the person you were before • the tiny moments that show healing is happening • why joy isn’t forgetting — it’s recovering If you’ve felt even the smallest lift — a smile, a calmer breath, a lighter moment — that’s not random. That’s healing. And it’s worth paying attention to. If you’ve noticed wee lifts here and there — a smile, a calm breath, a lighter moment — they’re not random.  They’re part of your recovery. And you’re further along than you think. Next week: “Gratitude Isn’t Weakness — How Thankfulness Turns Survival Into Strength.”  Listen to Episode 13: https://strongerafterthestorm.com/episodes 💻 Visit StrongerAfterTheStorm.com — the home of the podcast and weekly Reflection Letters. 📩 Each week I write an honest letter for men rebuilding life after a heart attack. You can join in on the site. 🎧 Make sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss the next episode. ⭐ If something in this episode helped you, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify — it really helps more men find us. 🤝 And if you know someone going through the same storm, share this with him. It might be just what he needs today.

    5 min

  6. 12/02/2025

    Episode 12: The Anger Nobody Talks About — Hidden Frustration, Grief, and the Slow Process of Forgiveness

    Episode 12: The Anger Nobody Talks About — Hidden Frustration, Grief, and the Slow Process of Forgiveness  Anger isn’t something men talk about after a heart attack — but it shows up more than we admit.  Not the shouting, explosive kind… but the quiet frustration, the short fuse, the “why me?” moments, and the resentment that no one sees. In this episode, I’m talking honestly about the anger that creeps in during recovery: the hidden grief behind itthe frustration of feeling changedthe guilt that comes with snapping at the wrong momentsand the slow, uncomfortable process of learning how to forgive yourselfThis isn’t about pretending everything’s fine.  It’s about understanding where the anger really comes from — and how to move through it without shame. If you’ve felt that edge in yourself lately, you’re not alone.  This episode might help you make sense of it. 🎧 Listen now: https://strongerafterthestorm.com/episodes/ 💻 Visit StrongerAfterTheStorm.com — the home of the podcast and weekly Reflection Letters. 📩 Each week I write an honest letter for men rebuilding life after a heart attack. You can join in on the site. 🎧 Make sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss the next episode. ⭐ If something in this episode helped you, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify — it really helps more men find us. 🤝 And if you know someone going through the same storm, share this with him. It might be just what he needs today.

    3 min

  7. 11/25/2025

    Episode 11 — The Loneliness Men Feel

    The Loneliness Men Feel — the quiet kind that doesn’t look like loneliness at all. In this episode, I talk about the subtle, hard-to-explain moments of loneliness that showed up during my recovery — even though I had people around me, support, and check-ins.  It’s not about being physically alone… it’s about that feeling of being slightly “out of sync” with the world. I share: why men often hide this feelinghow loneliness shows up in tiny, everyday momentsthe difference between contact and real connectionthe small steps that helped me feel part of life againIf you’ve experienced that quiet sense of disconnection during recovery, you’re definitely not alone — and there’s nothing wrong with you.  This episode might help you feel understood, seen, and a little less isolated in the process. 🎧 Listen now and take the next step in your emotional recovery. 💻 Visit StrongerAfterTheStorm.com — the home of the podcast and weekly Reflection Letters. 📩 Each week I write an honest letter for men rebuilding life after a heart attack. You can join in on the site. 🎧 Make sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss the next episode. ⭐ If something in this episode helped you, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify — it really helps more men find us. 🤝 And if you know someone going through the same storm, share this with him. It might be just what he needs today.

    7 min

  8. 11/18/2025

    Episode 10 — When the Panic Comes Back

    Episode 10 — When the Panic Comes Back That moment when the panic hits again — out of nowhere — is one of the hardest parts of recovering after a heart attack. You think you’re doing better… and suddenly your chest tightens, your breathing changes, and your mind jumps straight to fear. In this episode, I’m talking honestly about those moments: What they feel likeWhy they happen (even months after your event)What I’ve learned about managing themAnd the tools that help me calm my system before it spiralsIf you’ve ever felt ashamed, embarrassed, or frustrated when the fear comes back, this one’s for you. You’re not going backwards. And you’re definitely not alone. Take a breath. Tune in. Let’s walk through it together. 🎧 Listen now and share it with someone who needs to hear this. 💻 Visit StrongerAfterTheStorm.com — the home of the podcast and weekly Reflection Letters. 📩 Each week I write an honest letter for men rebuilding life after a heart attack. You can join in on the site. 🎧 Make sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss the next episode. ⭐ If something in this episode helped you, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify — it really helps more men find us. 🤝 And if you know someone going through the same storm, share this with him. It might be just what he needs today.

    4 min
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About

You survived the heart attack — but now what?  Welcome to Stronger After the Storm, the podcast for men over 50 rebuilding their lives — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually — after a heart attack. I’m Dougie, and I know this road. At 50, I had a heart attack that changed everything. What came after wasn’t just physical recovery — it was fear, anxiety, silence, and a deep questioning of identity and purpose.  This show is for the men who lie awake wondering, “Am I going to die tonight?” “Will I ever feel like myself again?” “What do I do now?”  Each episode is real talk — no sugar-coating, no fluff. Just honest stories from a man who’s been there, still there, and still rebuilding. I’ll walk with you through the tough stuff: fear after heart attack, isolation, masculinity, emotional healing, connection, and reclaiming life on your terms.  We’ll explore topics like: - Anxiety and panic after heart surgery - Rediscovering identity and purpose after trauma - Mental health for older men - What strength really looks like now - How to reconnect when you're feeling alone - Honest reflections and conversations with other survivors  Some episodes are just me sharing my story and the lessons I’ve learned. Others will feature real men and heart professionals who understand what we’re up against. If you’re looking for hope, direction, or even just someone who understands — this podcast is for you.  You’re not broken. You’re rebuilding. Let’s do it together.  New episodes every week. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform — and head to StrongerAfterTheStorm.com to join the private newsletter for reflections, support, and updates.

Information

  • Creator
    Dougie Smith
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Stronger After The Storm
  • Show Website
    Stronger After The Storm