From Survivor to Thriver Erik DaRosa & Marc Fernandes

Have you ever struggled with addiction? 
If you have, you know that it can be incredibly challenging to journey through sobriety, especially if you don’t have a community to support you through the hard days. 
In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Sonia Kahlon to talk about her journey as a high-functioning alcoholic and how she now works to destigmatize asking for help when you are struggling with alcoholism. Sonia knows the power of having someone to turn to and she now gives people the support and community they truly need through her business EverBlume. 
Sonia Kahlon is the founder of EverBlume, a service that provides small group recovery meetings in which members are matched into groups based on their struggles. The goal is for members to find connection through conversation and to receive meaningful support and feedback from each other. 
Sonia is an orthodontist who both built and sold a successful multi-location practice in 2016. In 2017 she embarked on her sobriety journey. 
Since then, she has become a recovery coach and has dedicated her life to making a difference with social impact investing, volunteering with the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated, and victims of sex trafficking. 
These days she hopes to create her biggest impact by leveraging the power of peer support to create community for those on their recovery journeys.  
In today’s episode, we cover: 
The use of alcohol as a coping mechanismSonia’s experience with alcoholism and when she realized it was time to stopThe importance of talking about the struggles you are havingHigh-functioning alcoholicsHow anxiety can impact drinking habitsThe true meaning of happiness and contentmentLearning to appreciate the little things in lifeHow Sonia started her business to help people struggling with sobrietyThe difference between physical and emotional sobrietyWe hope you enjoyed our conversation with Sonia! If you are interested in joining EverBlume, you can visit her website and follow her on Instagram to learn more. 
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 
Links: 
Follow Sonia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joineverblume/
Visit Sonia’s website: https://www.joineverblume.com/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brushcreekthrivers
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brushcreekthrivers/
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromsurvivortothriver
Get in touch: amgits.reverse@gmail.com
“People that have seen the dark things  realize that it’s the little things in life that can bring us the most joy.” -Erik 
“You can’t work toward a strong value system when you’re using.” -Sonia 
“I really believe in community and leaning on people.” -Sonia 
“It’s one thing to have someone who is there for you. But you can feel completely lonely if you don’t let them in.” -Marc 

Experiencing a trauma can be very isolating. You go through something that changes you massively and it’s easy to assume that no one understands you anymore because they haven’t been through what you have been through. However, that is not the case. 
In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Linda Spellman. She experienced a trauma that she thought would end her life, but instead, it changed it forever.  After interviewing many trauma survivors, she discovered that she really wasn’t alone and that healing was possible. 
Linda Spellman earned her MBA and spent years as a successful marketing executive for high-profile national retailers from Southern California to Atlanta. She was enjoying a thriving career when a sexual assault changed everything.  
A silent survivor of sexual abuse since childhood, Linda’s life began to take a series of unexpected, sometimes devastating, other times remarkable turns. Not the least of which was the unexpected appearance of spiritual gifts, including an ability to communicate with those who have passed. Her curiosity about this development led her to seek out other trauma survivors, and learn about their experiences, paths to healing, and the spiritual gifts they developed after trauma.  
Linda is now an author, speaker, and burgeoning subject matter expert on trauma from a survivor's perspective.  She is also a gifted psychic medium with clients around the world, including a growing roster of celebrity clients. Her self-described purpose in life is to “give people hope.”  
In today’s episode, we cover: 
The massive impact trauma has on your lifeHow your self-awareness expands when you are going through the process of healingThe traumas Linda experienced and how it changed her lifeThe five main areas of the reveal and release stage of trauma healingThe fear you experience as a trauma survivorThe power of having a support system while you’re healingWhen Linda started experiencing her spiritual gifts The triangle of healing from trauma A simple trick for empaths that struggle with taking on other people’s emotionsWe hope you enjoyed our conversation with Linda! If you want to learn more from her, you can visit her website and follow her on Instagram. We also highly recommend you check out her book Trauma-Inspired. If you are interested in a reading, you can learn more about them here. 
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 
Links: 
Get a copy of Linda’s book
Learn more about her readings
Visit Linda’s website
Connect with Linda on LinkedIn
 Follow Linda on Instagram
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Get in touch: amgits.reverse@gmail.com


“Trauma can be very isolating. You feel like, okay, nobody understands me, nobody else is going through this, so I'm ju

What is the true impact of trauma on caregivers who don’t prioritize nursing their own wounds? 
In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Dr. Omar Reda to talk about the intense trauma you can experience as a wounded caregiver and what happens when you don’t address it. We also discuss the journey of refugees traveling to a foreign land, the mental health of immigrants, collective trauma, burnout, and soul care. 
Omar has some profound insight into life as an immigrant and what it truly is to be human and he shares why we all need to look deeper and seek care for our soul when we need it. 
Dr. Omar Reda is a world-renowned, Harvard-trained trauma expert, the author of several books, including his most recent book, The Wounded Healer: The Pain and Joy of Caregiving, and the founder of Untangled, a healing initiative that aims to break the cycles of trauma-related dysfunction through connection, support, education, empowerment, and the mastery of healthy coping skills.  
In today’s episode, we cover: 
What ignited Omar’s passion to be the voice of the voicelessHow trauma impacts our lives and the impact of human connectionThe impact of Islamophobia on the mental health of immigrantsThe importance of dropping the labels and embracing curiosityWhat happens if you don’t nurse your own woundsWhy we have to prioritize soul careSigns and symptoms of a wounded healerWe hope you enjoyed our conversation with Dr. Reda! If you want to learn more from him, we highly recommend you get a copy of his book Get a copy of The Wounded Healer: The Pain and Joy of Caregiving. We know you’ll love it! You can also follow him on LinkedIn.
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 
Links: 
Connect with Dr. Reda  on LinkedIn
Visit the Healing Trauma Institute website
Get a copy of The Wounded Healer: The Pain and Joy of Caregiving
Get in touch with Dr. Reda at dromarareda@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
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Get in touch: amgits.reverse@gmail.com
“We need to look for beauty everywhere that we can.” -Omar
“There is no way to create a gap across the human experience, especially in regards to culture, without questions.” -Marc
“We can all coexist together, but we can still have our own unique identities. We don't have to take on the identity or the religion of all of those that are around us.” -Erik

What does music mean to you? 
There is something powerful about how healing and cathartic the act of creating or listening to music can be. In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we had the privilege of sitting down with the hosts of our sister podcast, The Rocky Road Podcast, Kristin Ransom and Mandy Siess to talk about the healing power of sharing stories, the science behind our deep connection with music, and the catharsis found in melodies. 
Kristin Ransom and Mandy Siess are the proud co-hosts of The Rocky Road Podcast, a space for others to share their stories of growth and resilience. Between the two of them, Kristin and Mandy's life chapters include divorce, intimate partner violence, church hurt, single parenthood, adoption, and a bevy of other experiences that have shaped them into the still-healing but always-helping women they are today. 
Nowadays, Kristin is a music therapist and Mandy owns a mobile coffee trailer. The two have been friends for years and hope to continue along the journey of helping others through the rocky roads of life by providing space to heal together through storytelling.  
In today’s episode, we cover: 
The healing power of sharing your story with othersThere’s no right way to healThe truth about “oversharing”The catharsis you can experience with musicThe science behind why we have such a connection with musicHow our words impact other peopleLetting go of perfection when creating musicThe differences between rehearsal and performanceSome of the music that impacts us the most (plus a playlist for you!)Some music can be hard, and that’s okayWe hope you enjoyed our conversation with Kristin and Mandy and that it inspires you to lean into the healing power of music. If you want to hear more from them, we highly recommend you check out The Rocky Road Podcast. You can also reach out to them at therockyroadpod@gmail.com. Plus, don’t forget to check out their playlist! 
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 
Links: 
Follow Kristin and Mandy on Instagram
Check out The Rocky Road Playlist  
Listen to The Rocky Road Podcast
Check out The Rocky Road Podcast on YouTube
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brushcreekthrivers
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brushcreekthrivers/
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromsurvivortothriver
Get in touch: amgits.reverse@gmail.com
Quotes: 
“Everytime you tell your story, you heal a little more.” -Mandy
“Yes, hard things happen to good people, and that's how we grow.” -Kristin
“There is so much power in having a community and support from others.” -Marc
“As we move through our healing journeys and we start to share that story more we can actually put the whole puzzle together.” -Erik

Do you have an emotional support animal?
We live in a world where it can feel exceedingly difficult to connect. For some people that are struggling with things like depression or anxiety, animals provide a sense of love and connection that can actually be life-saving. 
In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Dan Maigler to discuss the power of emotional support animals and how they can help you through your darkest times. 
Dan has seen firsthand how impactful these animals can be on the lives of anyone struggling and he is here to share some of the benefits of having emotional support animals as well as a great resource for anyone looking for their own emotional support animal. 
Dan Maigler is the mental health advisor for Paws for Patrick, host of the Not Allowed to Die Podcast, and a school social worker, and therapist in private practice.  He is a husband, a father to two boys and a 3 toothed Patterdale terrier named Mariska, and a podcast addict who is subscribed to over 100 podcasts including his obvious favorite, From Survivor to Thriver.  
In today’s episode, we cover: 
How there’s not one right way to heal your mental healthThe healing power of emotional support animalsWhat emotional support animals are and how they impact your mental healthThe bond that we form with animals and how it can improve our livesThe challenges you have to watch for with emotional support animalsWhy caring for another living being is so crucial for human existenceThe impact emotional support animals have on suicide ratesHow these animals help reduce the mental health stigmaWe hope you enjoyed our conversation with Dan! If you’d like to learn more about him or Paws for Patrick, visit the website and check out his podcast here! 
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 
Links: 
Follow Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maigler/ 
 Follow Dan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notallowedtodiepod/ 
 Visit the Paws for Patrick website: https://www.pawsforpatrick.org 
Tune in to Dan’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-allowed-to-die/id1574038556 
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brushcreekthrivers
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brushcreekthrivers/
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromsurvivortothriver
Get in touch: amgits.reverse@gmail.com

Quotes:
“There are those times when it feels like it's not worth it. And that emotional support animal can be the reason why we give it one more day.” -Dan 
“In my most recent journey back in the late fall and early winter of 2021 when I was in a really deep and dark place, my emotional support animal was there for me every step of the way.” -Erik
“There's no cleaner way for a human to find a little bit of meaning and love around themselves than to go help someone else.” -Marc

Times are always changing, but even in 2023, there is still a stigma around being queer, particularly as a teenager. 
In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we had the honor of engaging in a heartfelt conversation with Willow – an inspiring queer teenager who has embarked on a transformative journey of championing the LGBTQ community.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of generational hate and fear directed at the LGBTQ community. Willow stands as a beacon of resilience, dedicated to breaking down barriers and fostering an environment where people can really embrace their authentic selves. 
While it took her until the age of 16 to come out, Willow bravely opened up to her mom who couldn’t have been more supportive. Today, she is an 18-year-old, openly gay "coder" who volunteers for Planned Parenthood. She lobbies for human rights, for the LGBTQ community, and for children and teens, who, like her, may feel that they “don’t fit in.”  
In today’s episode, we cover: 
The evolution of the way we use the word “queer”What it was like for Willow growing up realizing she was not like other girlsThe societal pressures on women to become wives and mothersThe topic of untangling gender and sexualityThe mental health impact of having to deny who you truly are How coming out can change your life and mental health for the betterThe generational hate and fear around the idea of being gayThe importance of being supportive of the gay people in your lifeFinding friends that let you be who you are Willow’s advice to anyone who has bullied kids who are different What we all need to understand about sex educationWe hope you enjoyed our conversation with Willow! If you want to learn more about the services available at Planned Parenthood, you can check it out here. 
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 
Links: 
Learn more about Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brushcreekthrivers
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brushcreekthrivers/
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromsurvivortothriver
Get in touch: amgits.reverse@gmail.com
Quotes: 
“It’s been a scary and intimidating process of self-acceptance.” -Willow 


“Just because you grew up with a group of people, doesn't mean you have to stay friends with them. Find the people that let you be you, and that you don't feel like you have to hide a little bit or all of who you are.” - Willow 


“If you're not surrounded by people who reflect your values and what is important to you in life, find your community.” -Marc


“This generation is different and this generation is really willing to step up and to speak up and to speak out about mental health issues and all of the surrounding issues that then impact one's mental health.” -Erik