SOS - Stories of Survivors

Serina Dansker
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  • Mental Health

A podcast dedicated to resilience, healing, hope, and the power of the human spirit.

  1. 3d ago

    Ep. 64 | A Second Chance at Life: Bill Osbourn on Purpose, Priorities & What Really Matters

    What happens when the life you spent decades building suddenly comes to a stop—and you’re forced to ask what really matters? In this deeply personal episode of S.O.S. Stories of Survivors, Serina Dansker sits down with former Fortune 500 CFO Bill Osbourn, whose life changed dramatically after a serious medical event nearly took his life. For years, Bill’s career was more than what he did—it was part of who he was. Long hours, constant travel, late-night calls, and the pressure of corporate leadership had become normal. Work came first, while his health, relationships, and even his own well-being often came second. Then, at 55 years old, Bill began struggling to breathe while traveling to Puerto Rico. What he initially tried to brush off eventually led doctors to discover blood clots throughout his legs and numerous pulmonary emboli in his lungs. A doctor told him something that would forever change his perspective: he shouldn’t be here. But Bill survived. What followed wasn’t simply a physical recovery. It became a complete reevaluation of his life. Bill shares how he lost more than 100 pounds, rediscovered exercise and tennis, stepped away from corporate life, and began investing his time in something he had previously overlooked: people. He speaks candidly about regret—particularly the time he wishes he had spent with his parents and children—and the guilt that can accompany being given a second chance when others aren’t. He also shares the unexpected moments that made him realize just how much he had changed, including an old acquaintance telling him, years later, “You’re a nicer person.” Today, Bill measures success differently. It’s found in time with his wife and adult children, friendships, service to others, his faith, and experiences like walking portions of the Camino de Santiago alongside his daughter. His story carries a message for anyone consumed by work, stress, achievement, or the belief that there will always be more time: Don’t wait for something life-changing to remind you to live. Put down the phone. Take care of your health. Invest in your relationships. Be present. Bill may still be searching for the exact reason he was given another chance, but perhaps part of that purpose is found in what he’s doing now—sharing his story so someone else might make a change before they’re forced to. As Serina reminds us through the words of her late son Scott, we are all someone’s reasons why. To learn more about Serina Dansker, purchase her book S.O.S.: A Lesson on Love, Loss, & Survival, book her for a public speaking engagement, and discover more stories of hope, healing, and resilience, visit www.serinadansker.com. S.O.S. Stories of Survivors — Where Survival Sparks the Soul.

  2. Aug 9

    Ep. 63 | Healing Beyond the Symptoms: Christopher Gabriel on the Body, Mind & Spirit

    In this insightful episode of S.O.S. Stories of Survivors, Serina Dansker sits down with Christopher Gabriel, founder of Life Science Performance and author of The Three Aspects of Self: Fueling the Body, Mind, and Spirit, for a powerful conversation about what it really means to heal. After years of struggling with chronic hives and searching for answers, Serina began to recognize that health is rarely about one symptom or one solution. Stress, nutrition, sleep, trauma, lifestyle, emotional well-being, and even our relationships can all play a role in how our bodies respond. Christopher shares how his own journey into health and wellness began, why he became focused on identifying root causes rather than simply managing symptoms, and how he helps clients better understand the interconnected nature of their health. Together, they explore the impact of trauma and grief on the nervous system, the role of breathwork and nervous system regulation, the importance of nutrition and movement, genetics and epigenetics, intermittent fasting, sleep, community, and the remarkable ability of the human body to adapt and heal. Christopher also explains why feeling “stuck” can actually be a signal—an invitation to listen more closely to what your body and mind may be trying to tell you. This conversation is a reminder that healing does not always come from one medication, one diet, or one perfect answer. Sometimes it begins by becoming curious about your own body, advocating for yourself, and understanding that the body, mind, and spirit are not separate pieces—they are part of one story. And perhaps most importantly, it is never too late to begin again. To learn more about Serina Dansker, purchase her book S.O.S.: A Lesson on Love, Loss, & Survival, book her for a public speaking engagement, and discover more stories of hope, healing, and resilience, visit www.serinadansker.com. S.O.S. Stories of Survivors — Where Survival Sparks the Soul.

  3. Aug 2

    Ep. 62 | To Infinity and Beyond

    In this deeply moving episode of S.O.S. Stories of Survivors, Serina Dansker welcomes back her longtime friend and former colleague, Mike Seidenfrau, for an honest conversation about grief, healing, mental health, and the lasting legacy of his daughter, Jordyn. Jordyn died by suicide in 2021. Mike reflects on the little girl he and his family adopted from Moscow, the creative and charismatic young woman she became, the love she had for her family and friends, and the mental health struggles she faced throughout her life. Mike also opens up about his own grief journey as a father. He shares how he initially buried himself in work and responsibilities, the emotional crash that followed, and the role therapy played in helping him begin to feel like himself again. His story is a powerful reminder that strength does not mean hiding your pain and that healing often begins when we allow ourselves to feel, speak, and ask for help. That healing has now grown into a mission through the To Infinity & Beyond Halloween 5K, a community event created in Jordyn’s honor. Taking place at Rockland Lake, the event will bring families, runners, walkers, volunteers, and mental health advocates together to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and support organizations serving people affected by mental illness. Proceeds from the event will help create the Jordyn Seidenfrau Art Therapy Room, a permanent space where Jordyn’s creativity, kindness, and compassion will continue helping others. This conversation is about a father’s love, the reality of suicide loss, the importance of community, and the life-changing power of simply asking someone, “Are you okay?” To learn more about Serina Dansker, purchase her book S.O.S.: A Lesson on Love, Loss, & Survival, book her for a public speaking engagement, and discover more stories of hope, healing, and resilience, visit www.serinadansker.com. S.O.S. Stories of Survivors — Where Survival Sparks the Soul.

  4. Jul 26

    Ep. 61 | Your Twenties Don’t Come With a Manual: The Self-Love Club Next Generation

    In this candid episode of S.O.S. Stories of Survivors, Serina Dansker sits down with Lexi, Hannah, and Amanda for a special edition of the Self-Love Club: Next Generation—an honest conversation about what it truly feels like to navigate your twenties. Behind the polished social media posts, career announcements, college milestones, and seemingly perfect lives are questions so many young women quietly carry: Am I enough? Am I falling behind? Am I on the right path? Together, they open up about confidence, comparison, career uncertainty, friendships, dating, consent, boundaries, social media, self-care, and the pressure to have everything figured out. They also discuss the challenges of entering the workforce, using artificial intelligence in school and professional environments, outgrowing friendships, recognizing red and green flags in relationships, and learning how to put yourself first without feeling selfish. This conversation is a reminder that there is no perfect timeline and no single path toward becoming who you are meant to be. Your twenties can be chaotic, uncertain, emotional, and messy—but they can also be a powerful time of growth, resilience, responsibility, and self-discovery. Serina closes the episode with her son Scott’s poem, Still the Same, which reflects on identity, acceptance, the lasting impact of words, and the struggle to remain true to yourself in a world filled with pressure and judgment. To learn more about Serina Dansker, purchase her book S.O.S.: A Lesson on Love, Loss, & Survival, book her for a public speaking engagement, and discover more stories of hope, healing, and resilience, visit www.serinadansker.com. S.O.S. Stories of Survivors — Where Survival Sparks the Soul.

  5. Jul 19

    Ep. 60 | The Loneliness We Don’t Talk About: Scotty’s Words, a Mother’s Heart, and the Power of Connection

    In this deeply personal solo episode of S.O.S. Stories of Survivors, Serina Dansker shares one of the most honest conversations she’s ever had—not with a guest, but with you. Drawing from Chapter 4 of her book, S.O.S.: A Lesson on Love, Loss, & Survival, Serina opens her heart about loneliness, grief, belonging, and the invisible battles so many people fight behind a smile. Through memories of her son, Scotty, reflections on her own childhood, and one of Scotty’s most heartbreaking poems, I Got Nobody, she explores how loneliness can exist even when we’re surrounded by people who love us. This episode is a compassionate reminder that mental health struggles don’t always look the way we expect. Sometimes the brightest smile hides the deepest pain. Sometimes the strongest person in the room is carrying the heaviest burden. Serina also shares the powerful “Bucket Lesson”—a simple but life-changing reminder that every act of kindness has the power to remind someone they matter. Whether you’re grieving, struggling with loneliness, supporting someone you love, or simply trying to become a more compassionate human being, this episode will leave you with hope and a challenge to help fill someone else’s bucket today. If you have ever questioned your worth, wondered where you belong, or needed a reminder that your story is not over, this conversation is for you. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or feels overwhelmed, please call or text 988 in the United States to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You do not have to face your pain alone. To learn more about Serina Dansker, purchase her book S.O.S.: A Lesson on Love, Loss, & Survival, book her for a public speaking engagement, and discover more stories of hope, healing, and resilience, visit www.serinadansker.com. S.O.S. Stories of Survivors — Where Survival Sparks the Soul.

  6. Jul 12

    Ep. 059 | Finding Fabulous After Loss: Kristin Price Hocker’s Story of Survival, Grace, and Joy

    In this heartfelt episode of S.O.S. Stories of Survivors, Serina sits down with Kristin Price Hocker, host of Finding Fabulous, to share her powerful story of survival, transformation, and choosing joy after life-changing loss. Kristin opens up about losing her leg after a sudden battle with necrotizing fasciitis, surviving a near-death experience, navigating divorce, motherhood, body image, faith, and learning how to rebuild a life that looked very different than the one she once knew. With honesty, humor, and grace, Kristin reminds us that survival is not always clean or easy — but even after trauma, there can still be laughter, purpose, connection, and beauty on the other side.  To learn more about Serina Dansker, purchase her book S.O.S.: A Lesson on Love, Loss, & Survival, book her for a public speaking engagement, and discover more stories of hope, healing, and resilience, visit www.serinadansker.com. S.O.S. Stories of Survivors — Where Survival Sparks the Soul.

  7. Jun 28

    Ep. 058 | When Kindness Becomes Action: Stephen & Ahmad’s Extraordinary Journey of Hope

    What would you do if a simple Facebook message had the power to change someone’s life forever? In this deeply moving episode of S.O.S. Stories of Survivors, Serina Dansker sits down with Stephen Picard, whose compassion transformed into a life-changing mission after connecting online with Ahmad, a young Syrian teenager living through the horrors of civil war. Over the course of more than a decade, Stephen became far more than an online friend. He became a mentor, advocate, fundraiser, and unwavering source of hope as Ahmad endured imprisonment, torture, displacement, and unimaginable uncertainty. Together—with the help of an incredible community—they navigated countless obstacles to help Ahmad escape Syria and begin a new life in Vienna, where he pursued his dream of becoming a civil engineer. Today, Ahmad is thriving, earning one of only six prestigious internships from a pool of more than 600 students and proving that resilience, determination, and the kindness of others can change the trajectory of a life. This inspiring conversation explores compassion in action, the power of hope, the lasting effects of trauma, and the extraordinary impact that one ordinary person can have simply by refusing to give up on another human being. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the greatest heroes are the ones who quietly choose kindness, one act at a time. To learn more about Serina Dansker, purchase her book S.O.S.: A Lesson on Love, Loss, & Survival, book her for a public speaking engagement, and discover more stories of hope, healing, and resilience, visit www.serinadansker.com. S.O.S. Stories of Survivors — Where Survival Sparks the Soul.

  8. Jun 21

    Ep. 057 | Fathers, Forgiveness, and the Strength We Carry

    In this special Father’s Day episode of SOS Stories of Survivors, Serena is joined by the women of the Self Love Club for an honest and heartfelt conversation about fathers, father figures, love, absence, forgiveness, and healing. Together, they reflect on the fathers who showed up, the fathers who were absent, the relationships that were complicated, and the lessons that shaped the women they became. From stories of protection, hard work, faith, and family, to conversations about abandonment, emotional distance, trauma, and self-worth, this episode honors the many ways fatherhood can impact a person’s life. Through laughter, tears, reflection, and truth, the women explore how their relationships with their fathers influenced their choices, their healing journeys, their relationships, and the way they now teach love, boundaries, resilience, and self-respect to the next generation. This episode is a reminder that our worth is never defined by someone else’s ability to love us, and that healing can come through gratitude, forgiveness, release, and the courage to become whole. To learn more about Serina Dansker, purchase her book S.O.S.: A Lesson on Love, Loss, & Survival, book her for a public speaking engagement, and discover more stories of hope, healing, and resilience, visit www.serinadansker.com. S.O.S. Stories of Survivors — Where Survival Sparks the Soul.

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About

A podcast dedicated to resilience, healing, hope, and the power of the human spirit.

Information

  • Creator
    Serina Dansker
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 SOS - Stories of Survivors
  • Show Website
    SOS - Stories of Survivors