The Reinvention Project, From Rupture to Becoming

Nicole A Ringgold
  • 5.0 (25)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Weekly

The Reinvention Project: From Rupture to Becoming is a narrative interview podcast about what happens after life changes us. Hosted by writer, artist, and silversmith Nicole Ringgold, the series explores how people rebuild identity, meaning, and purpose after grief, trauma, violence, illness, injustice, addiction, displacement, or the quiet unraveling of a life that no longer fits. Through intimate long-form conversations, guests share not only what happened to them, but how they lived through it—what shifted internally, what support mattered, what had to be released, and what new version of self slowly emerged in the aftermath. These are stories of survival, accountability, healing, resilience, creativity, and the courage to begin again when there is no clear path forward. Featuring voices as varied as survivors, advocates, artists, former extremists, refugees, writers, and everyday people whose lives were altered in profound ways, The Reinvention Project moves beyond headlines and easy inspiration. It lingers in the more honest terrain of becoming: the grief that stays, the truths that surface, the identities that fracture and reform, and the small daily choices that shape a new life. At its heart, this is a podcast about transformation—not as a dramatic moment, but as an ongoing process. It is for anyone navigating change, carrying loss, questioning who they are, or trying to imagine what comes next. Because sometimes the most important story begins after everything falls apart.

  1. 1d ago

    Laura Niblack: A New Pine

    Laura Niblack built a life she loved. She was a metalsmith, the artist behind The Wild Pine, an avid outdoorswoman, a wife, and someone who had learned to live well with bipolar disorder. Then, within the span of a few months, her life changed profoundly. Just weeks after losing her mother, Laura gave birth to her daughter, Maeve. What followed was a collision of grief, new motherhood, severe sleep deprivation, and mental illness that culminated in postpartum psychosis and psychiatric hospitalization. In this conversation, Laura speaks about what it was like to lose her grip on reality, the terrifying experience of psychosis, and the long, uneven process of finding her way back. She also talks about ending breastfeeding in order to heal, the community that surrounded her family, returning to her metalsmithing bench, and the complicated truth that one of the most devastating periods of her life was also one of the most beautiful. Running through Laura’s story is a tiny silver hemlock cone—a conelet—that she wears around her neck. What began as a piece of jewelry has become something much more: a connection to her mother, her daughter, her art, and the self she feared she had lost. A conversation about motherhood and grief, mental illness and recovery, and what it means to discover that becoming someone new doesn’t necessarily mean leaving who you were behind. Content note: This episode includes discussion of bipolar disorder, postpartum psychosis, suicidal ideation, psychiatric hospitalization, hallucinations, and the loss of a parent. Please take care while listening.

    Laura Niblack: A New Pine

  2. Aug 17 ·  Bonus

    Nicole Ringgold: My Story Behind The Reinvention Project

    Before The Reinvention Project became a podcast, reinvention was already part of my own story. In this special bonus episode, I step out from behind the microphone to share the experiences that ultimately brought me here—from struggling to learn as a child and discovering that creativity was its own form of intelligence, to building a conventional career while quietly pursuing my dream of becoming an artist. Then, in 2014, a wildfire destroyed our home and my silversmithing studio, leaving my family with the question that would eventually become the foundation of this podcast: If we couldn't have the life we'd built, what did we want the next version of our life to look like? What followed wasn't a simple story of turning tragedy into triumph. It was messy, uncertain, and filled with false starts. I left my career in the nonprofit world, became a full-time silversmith, struggled to find my artistic voice, and eventually discovered it through an experiment involving thirty plants recreated by hand in silver. Years later, that journey led me to teaching, writing The New Silversmith, and ultimately creating The Reinvention Project. This is the story behind the podcast, and why I've spent this season asking others what happens when the life we planned is no longer possible—and who we become afterward. Next week, I'll return with one final episode of Season One of The Reinvention Project: From Rupture to Becoming.

    Nicole Ringgold: My Story Behind The Reinvention Project

  3. Aug 10

    Debby Montgomery Johnson: Beyond the Smile

    After the sudden death of her husband, Debby Montgomery Johnson found herself balancing grief, motherhood, and the responsibility of running the business he left behind. Looking for companionship during one of the loneliest seasons of her life, she joined an online dating site and began what she believed was a genuine relationship—one that would ultimately become a devastating two-year romance scam. In this episode, Debby shares the emotional and psychological realities that made her vulnerable to manipulation, the heartbreak of discovering the truth, and the shame and self-doubt that followed. She reflects on the complicated intersection of grief, trust, and human connection, while offering an unflinching look at the tactics scammers use to exploit their victims. More importantly, Debby reveals how she transformed profound loss into purpose, becoming an advocate for survivors of financial fraud and a voice for those who are too ashamed to speak up. This conversation explores grief, resilience, forgiveness, and the ongoing process of rebuilding a life after betrayal.

    Debby Montgomery Johnson: Beyond the Smile

  4. Aug 3

    David Susillo: Emerging from the Patchwork

    What allows one person to emerge from childhood trauma and build a meaningful life while another, shaped by many of the same circumstances, struggles to find a way forward? In this episode of The Reinvention Project: From Rupture to Becoming, Nicole Ringgold sits down with neuroscientist and author David Sussillo to explore that question. Born in Albuquerque to parents struggling with heroin addiction, David spent much of his childhood moving between foster care, group homes, relatives' houses, and boarding schools. Amid neglect, instability, and profound loss, he discovered refuge in books, video games, computers, and the belief that his mind might offer a path toward a different future. Decades later, that curiosity led him to a career studying the brain, artificial intelligence, and the science of emergence—the idea that complex systems arise from simple beginnings. Together, Nicole and David discuss the emotional legacy of childhood neglect, the mentors and friendships that helped shape his life, and the role that nearly thirty years of psychotherapy played in helping him understand himself and manage the anger and anxiety he carried into adulthood. They also explore the central question at the heart of David's memoir, Emergence: why do some people survive extraordinary circumstances and thrive, while others, given many of the same starting conditions, do not? Throughout the conversation, David returns to the metaphor of a patchwork quilt: the idea that none of us is shaped by a single event or a single person, but by countless relationships, moments of luck, acts of kindness, and the stories we tell ourselves along the way. As he reflects on his own journey—from group homes to Stanford—he offers a powerful reminder that healing is rarely linear, and that becoming who we are is often a collective act.

    David Susillo: Emerging from the Patchwork

  5. Jul 26

    Michael Breinig: Delete. Block. Walk.

    When most people hear the words romance scam, they assume it could never happen to them. Michael Breinig thought the same. A married father of three nearing retirement, Michael wasn't looking for love. In fact, he wasn't even on social media until a coworker encouraged him to join to keep up with current events. What began as an ordinary online conversation slowly evolved into a carefully orchestrated relationship built on trust, shared dreams, and emotional manipulation. By the time the deception was revealed, Michael had lost nearly two million dollars. But this conversation isn't simply about financial fraud. It's about how trust is earned, how emotional attachment can override logic, and the profound shame that follows when everything you believed about yourself is called into question. Michael speaks candidly about the impact the scam had on his marriage, his family, his identity, and the months when he questioned whether he wanted to keep living. Rather than remaining silent, Michael chose to understand what had happened. Through years of research and lived experience, he developed what he calls the Attachment Override Model and now dedicates his work to helping others recognize the warning signs of manipulation before it's too late. This is a conversation about trust, grief, responsibility, and the difficult work of reinventing yourself after believing you've lost everything. Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of financial fraud, emotional manipulation, infidelity within the context of an online scam, suicidal thoughts, and shame. Learn more about Michael, his books, podcast, and educational resources at: https://michaelbauthor.com/

    Michael Breinig: Delete. Block. Walk.

  6. Jul 21

    Melissa Monroe: Holding Alice

    In 2013, Melissa Monroe's life changed forever when her two-year-old daughter, Alice, died unexpectedly in her sleep. What followed was not only unimaginable grief, but PTSD, profound uncertainty, and the difficult work of learning how to live in a world that no longer made sense. In this conversation, Melissa shares what it means to survive the loss of a child, why healing can sometimes feel like a betrayal, and how trauma and grief intertwine in ways that are often misunderstood. She reflects on the transformative role of writing, EMDR therapy, and the importance of allowing grief to move through us rather than trying to control it. She also offers thoughtful guidance for anyone hoping to better support a grieving friend or family member. Melissa is an acupuncturist, educator, and the author of Mom's Search for Meaning: Grief and Growth After Child Loss. Throughout this conversation, she reminds us that grief is not something we overcome—it is love that continues after loss. Her story is one of extraordinary heartbreak, but also of compassion, resilience, and the quiet courage to keep becoming after life is forever changed.

    Melissa Monroe: Holding Alice

  7. Jul 10

    Zyon Johnson: Love, Rewritten

    In this episode of The Reinvention Project: From Rupture to Becoming, Nicole Ringgold sits down with survivor and advocate Zyon Johnson to explore what happens when a child's search for love and belonging is exploited—and what it takes to reclaim a life afterward. Born with serious medical complications and raised amid instability, Zyon experienced profound loss at an early age. After surviving sexual violence as a young teenager, she was drawn into the world of human trafficking, where manipulation masqueraded as love and survival became her daily reality. With remarkable honesty, Zyon shares the circumstances that led her into "the life," the people who helped her find a way out, and the long, nonlinear journey of healing that followed. Together, Nicole and Zyon explore the lasting impact of trauma, the complicated process of rebuilding trust, redefining love, and learning to believe in one's own worth. More than a story of survival, this is a conversation about identity, resilience, and the courage to become someone who is no longer defined by what happened to them. If Zyon's story resonates with you, she welcomes you to connect with her through her Facebook page, Zy Zy, linked in the show notes. Content Note: This episode contains discussion of child sexual abuse, human trafficking, sexual assault, exploitation, addiction, and trauma that may be difficult for some listeners. Please listen with care.

    Zyon Johnson: Love, Rewritten

  8. Jul 3

    Sasha Galitzki: Embers

    When a wildfire tore through Jasper, Alberta, in July 2024, aerial artist Sasha Galitzki lost not only her home, but the sense of place and belonging she had spent years building. In this episode of The Reinvention Project, Sasha reflects on the shock of watching the disaster unfold from halfway around the world, the grief and displacement that followed, and the long, uncertain process of rebuilding a life after profound loss. Drawing from her experience as an aerial performer who has spent years working among glaciers and mountain landscapes, Sasha shares how she transformed heartbreak into purpose through her award-winning short film, Embers. Together, we explore grief, community, climate change, creativity, and the role of art in helping us make meaning from difficult experiences. This is a conversation about loss, resilience, and the search for hope when the future feels uncertain. Content Note: This episode contains discussion of wildfire, loss of home, grief, displacement, and climate-related disasters. Some listeners may find portions of the conversation emotionally challenging. Embers: https://www.wild-aerial.com/embers

    Sasha Galitzki: Embers
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About

The Reinvention Project: From Rupture to Becoming is a narrative interview podcast about what happens after life changes us. Hosted by writer, artist, and silversmith Nicole Ringgold, the series explores how people rebuild identity, meaning, and purpose after grief, trauma, violence, illness, injustice, addiction, displacement, or the quiet unraveling of a life that no longer fits. Through intimate long-form conversations, guests share not only what happened to them, but how they lived through it—what shifted internally, what support mattered, what had to be released, and what new version of self slowly emerged in the aftermath. These are stories of survival, accountability, healing, resilience, creativity, and the courage to begin again when there is no clear path forward. Featuring voices as varied as survivors, advocates, artists, former extremists, refugees, writers, and everyday people whose lives were altered in profound ways, The Reinvention Project moves beyond headlines and easy inspiration. It lingers in the more honest terrain of becoming: the grief that stays, the truths that surface, the identities that fracture and reform, and the small daily choices that shape a new life. At its heart, this is a podcast about transformation—not as a dramatic moment, but as an ongoing process. It is for anyone navigating change, carrying loss, questioning who they are, or trying to imagine what comes next. Because sometimes the most important story begins after everything falls apart.

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