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. 2d ago

    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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Jun 14

    Ep. 056 | Walking Each Other Home: Grief, Healing, and Living More Fully

    In this meaningful episode of SOS Stories of Survivors, Serena sits down with Julie Blitzer, founder of Authentic Matters, to explore grief, healing, death, movement, writing, and what it means to live authentically. As a grief recovery method specialist, end-of-life doula, funeral celebrant, movement guide, and author, Julie helps others navigate life’s most difficult transitions with compassion, grace, and honesty. Together, Serena and Julie discuss the many forms grief can take, how loss impacts the mind, body, and spirit, and why healing is not about “getting over” loss, but learning how to carry it with greater understanding and self-compassion. From legacy projects and end-of-life conversations to movement, creativity, and the power of authentic connection, this heartfelt conversation offers wisdom, comfort, and hope for anyone experiencing grief, change, or a major life transition. If you’ve ever wondered how to honor loss while continuing to embrace life, this episode is a gentle reminder that healing is possible, love never truly leaves us, and every ending can teach us something about living more fully. 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. ✨ 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 7

    Ep. 055 | The Woke Widow: Turning Grief, Betrayal, and Loss Into Healing

    In this powerful episode of SOS Stories of Survivors, Serina sits down with Jean Gutierrez, also known as The Woke Widow, to share her extraordinary journey through unimaginable loss, betrayal, grief, and spiritual awakening. After losing her mother, her father, and then suddenly the love of her life, Jean’s world unraveled even further when painful secrets came to light. Through heartbreak, anger, and deep healing, she found her way back to herself through spirituality, sound healing, hypno breathwork, and self-love. Jean’s story is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, healing is possible, purpose can be found, and survival can truly spark the soul. 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. May 31

    Ep. 054 | The Gratitude Curve: Gregg Kirk’s Journey Through Lyme Disease, Healing & Spiritual Awakening

    In this powerful episode of SOS: Stories of Survivors, Serina Dansker sits down with Gregg Kirk — author, healer, Lyme disease advocate, and founder of the Tick Tock Foundation. Gregg shares his incredible journey through chronic Lyme disease, years of misdiagnosis, frightening medical experiences, a near-death moment, and the spiritual awakening that changed his life. What began as a fight to survive became a deeper journey of healing, purpose, energy work, and gratitude. This conversation is a moving reminder that healing is not always linear, pain can become purpose, and sometimes the most difficult chapters of our lives can lead us to the work we were meant to do. 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
    61
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 SOS - Stories of Survivors
  • Show Website
    SOS - Stories of Survivors