A Contagious Smile Podcast

Victora Cuore; A Contagious Smile, Who Kicked First, Domestic Violence Survivor, Advocate, Motivational Coach, Special Needs, Abuse Support, Life Skill Classes, Special Needs Social Groups

Stop surviving and start thriving. A Contagious Smile is a globally ranked podcast providing a safe haven for abuse survivors and special needs families navigating the journey of trauma recovery. Whether you are healing from domestic violence, narcissistic abuse, childhood trauma, or the daily challenges of disability advocacy, our mission is to turn your pain into power. Each episode features raw, authentic conversations with survivors, mental health experts, and advocates who share actionable resources for PTSD healing, resilience building, and emotional wellness. We go beyond the struggle to highlight the triumphs of the special needs community, offering support for caregivers and individuals with disabilities who are rewriting their own narratives. Hosted by Victoria Cuore, an award-winning trauma advocate and survivor, this podcast delivers the "blueprints" for recovery—not just Band-Aids. Join our community to find hope, humor, and the unstoppable spirit needed to rekindle your inner light.

  1. 10h ago

    When A Hospital Visit Feels Like A Ticket Line

    Send us Fan Mail A six-hour ER wait time shouldn’t come with a text message like you’re waiting for a table, but that’s exactly where we found ourselves and what happened next still doesn’t feel real. After we send love to Jessie Tyler Williams as she shares the devastating loss of her daughter to overdose, we shift into a raw, unfiltered talk about addiction, grief, and what families carry when the worst call comes through. Then we tell the story of a hospital visit that turns into a front-row seat to chaos: process bottlenecks, overcrowded waiting rooms, and a moment where someone appears to fake a seizure to get seen faster. We don’t tell it for shock value. We tell it because emergency room wait times, triage breakdowns, and patient safety aren’t abstract when your child is sitting beside you and you’re trying to keep them calm, fed, and protected. We also get into the practical and scary side of healthcare failures: allergies that are clearly documented but still ignored, confusing communication from staff, and the exhaustion of advocating for yourself while managing chronic pain and a spinal cord stimulator recovery. Underneath the rant is a simple standard we keep coming back to: treat patients like human beings, explain what’s happening, and use basic common sense. If you’ve ever felt dismissed by the healthcare system, or you’ve supported someone through addiction recovery, grief, epilepsy fears, or chronic pain, you’ll hear yourself in this conversation. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review with the one change you’d make to ER care today. Support the show

  2. 4d ago

    We Break Down How Peer Support Builds Trust

    Send us Fan Mail We start with the kind of married banter you can only have when you know each other too well, then we turn toward something bigger: what it means to show up for people’s mental health in a way that is real, affordable, and grounded in lived experience. Along the way, we celebrate major milestones like an Evergreen Award for our contribution to the mental health space and exciting book news, but we also say the quiet part out loud about being taken advantage of and why boundaries are a form of self-respect. We get into the everyday stuff too because life is not lived in neat categories. One minute we’re explaining “whittling” and laughing about pet peeves, and the next we’re talking about surgery recovery, injections, and how vulnerable it feels to manage pain while still trying to keep a household running. That mix matters, because mental wellness is not just theory. It’s the daily choices, the honesty with your partner, and the courage to admit when something is not okay. The heart of the conversation is our peer-to-peer support directory and why peer support can be a game-changer for trauma recovery, domestic violence survivors, and anyone who needs judgement-free listening without the $150-an-hour barrier. We talk about why healing is not a competition, why empathy hits differently when someone has truly been there, and why men especially deserve spaces where they can speak without shame. We also touch on safety and responsibility, from family bonding at the range to firearm training, holster retention, and thinking beyond just “shooting dots on a target.” If you’ve been looking for mental health support that feels human, practical, and accessible, listen now, then subscribe, share the show with someone who needs it, and leave a review with what you want us to tackle next. Support the show

  3. Jul 20

    What If The Real Boundary Is Love

    Send us Fan Mail Some people don’t just accept kindness, they consume it. We’re candid about what it’s like to be the kind of person who will give time, energy, money, and care without keeping score, and how easily that generosity can attract people who take advantage. We also wrestle with the protective side of love: as spouses, how do we shield each other from being used without hardening our hearts or turning into someone we don’t recognise?  Then the conversation turns to family, estrangement, and the moment our daughter decides she wants to speak directly to the biological relatives who have caused real harm. We walk through what the phone call sounds like when control is the only goal: disrespect, loud distractions, repeated “What do you want?”, paranoia about being recorded, and constant attempts to dictate the terms. If you’ve dealt with narcissistic family dynamics, emotional abuse, or the exhausting loop of chasing closure, you’ll recognise the pattern and the emotional hangover that follows.  We also zoom out to the bigger themes: generational trauma, the “black sheep” role, and why accountability threatens a family system built on image and denial. Along the way, we talk resilience, protecting your kids, and building boundaries that let you stay compassionate without staying available for manipulation. If this resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who needs stronger boundaries, and leave a review with the one line you wish you’d heard sooner. Support the show

  4. Jul 16

    This Is What It Takes with Michael Mackniak and Victoria Cuore with special guest Daniel Ryan Cotler. Healing Loudly After Narcissistic Abuse

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    This Is What It Takes with Michael Mackniak and Victoria Cuore with special guest Daniel Ryan Cotler. Healing Loudly After Narcissistic Abuse

  5. Jul 14

    Somebody Has To Say It Podcast: Are Our Words Making Us Meaner Than We Think with Mike Macknaik and Victoria Cuore

    Send us Fan Mail “Literally” might be the most abused word in the English language, but our real problem is bigger than a few annoying phrases. We start out laughing about the modern lexicon that drives us nuts, from “also too” to “no worries” to the oddly formal “have a great rest of your day,” and then we follow the thread to what’s underneath: when language gets lazy, our thinking gets sloppy, and our empathy can shrink right along with it. From there, we dig into the labels that people toss around like confetti. We talk about how “narcissist” became the go-to diagnosis for anyone who behaves badly, why clinical terms like narcissistic personality disorder are not synonyms for “a*****e,” and how casually saying “mentally ill” after violence can stigmatise people who are already misunderstood. We’re not trying to police every word, but we are asking for more care, more accuracy, and less diagnosis-by-vibe. We also get personal and practical: what a rude grocery store moment reveals about disability and respect, why phrases like “you people” can land as a loaded trigger even when the speaker thinks they’re being harmless, and why school policies spark so much fear and anger, from parent notification to corporal punishment to the constant presence of phones and tablets. We even wrestle with how social media and 24/7 news change our sense of safety, especially around school shootings and public violence. If you like honest conversation, a little heat, and a lot of truth-telling about culture, language, and everyday behaviour, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves debating words, and leave a review with the phrase you wish would disappear from daily speech. Support the show

    Somebody Has To Say It Podcast: Are Our Words Making Us Meaner Than We Think with Mike Macknaik and Victoria Cuore

  6. Jul 13

    What Legacy Are You Really Building

    Send us Fan Mail The scariest thing you can do in a family built on masks is tell the truth out loud. We sit down as Michael and Victoria and talk through a chain of stories that start with a simple change, Victoria’s hair after surgeries, and quickly turn into a deeper conversation about identity, grief, and what we refuse to chase anymore. Along the way, Victoria shares a Make-A-Wish memory where she handed scissors to a beautiful little girl who wanted to be a redhead, a moment that still shapes how we think about giving, letting go, and what actually matters. Then we get into the real heart of it: our daughter Faith is grown, brave, and ready to reach out to Victoria’s biological parents after years of no contact. We talk about closure vs reconciliation, why she feels she needs to say her piece, and how we support her even when we expect silence in return. If you are navigating narcissistic parents, family estrangement, or healing from toxic family dynamics, you will hear language for what you may have lived: the black sheep role, the way stories get rewritten, and how “respect” gets used as a weapon instead of something earned. We also zoom out to legacy. We talk about money, image, and the emptiness of performance when your home is cold, plus the hard reality of caregiving and hospital life where showing up is the only currency that counts. Victoria even shares a moment about book reviews for “Narc Narc Who's There” and why truth can feel like battery acid to people invested in denial. If this hits close to home, subscribe so you do not miss what’s coming, share the episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help others find us. What boundary are you ready to set this week? Support the show

  7. Jul 9

    BRAND NEW PODCAST SOMEBODY HAS TO SAY IT WITH VICTORIA CUORE AND MIKE MACKNIAK

    Send us Fan Mail Electronic medical records were supposed to make healthcare simpler. Instead, we’re watching patients get buried under repeated intake forms, duplicated medication lists, and “pre-check” paperwork that seems to disappear the moment you walk through the door. We say what a lot of people are thinking: if the chart is electronic, why are we answering the same questions at every visit, sometimes while we’re in pain, dizzy, or just trying to get basic care?  Michael Macnack and Victoria Cure dig into what this does to trust and safety, from the everyday frustration of MyChart-style portals that do not talk to each other, to the bigger issues of HIPAA, privacy, and accountability. Victoria shares a raw, specific post-surgery experience that raises tough questions about allergy documentation and surgical timeouts. We also debate pain management head-on: when “just take the meds” helps healing, when it can create risk, and why personal history, trauma, and caregiving responsibilities change the decision completely. Along the way, we get practical about patient advocacy, including what you can ask for in the ER and how to push for clearer answers without getting brushed off.  Then the conversation takes a hard turn into the online world, where a cyberbullying tragedy ends in a lawsuit that feels upside down, and we ask what accountability should look like when harm spreads through social media. If any of this has ever made you want to scream in your car, you’re in the right place. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s fed up with the system, and leave a review so more people can find the show, then tell us what topic you want us to take on next. Support the show

    BRAND NEW PODCAST SOMEBODY HAS TO SAY IT WITH VICTORIA CUORE AND MIKE MACKNIAK

  8. Jul 9

    When The Likes Fade, The Truth Stays

    Send us Fan Mail A seven-hour surgery is one thing. The days after can be the real test, especially when your body reacts, your pain is off the charts, and you’re trying to get medical people to listen while you’re still healing. We share what spinal surgery recovery looks like in our house, why Victoria refused to use a pain pump, and how a “simple” allergy oversight can turn into swelling, skin reactions, and a scary infection concern that sends you looking for a second set of eyes. Then we get into the part nobody likes to admit: support is easy when it’s public. We read a line that stops us cold, “A woman dies, and 300 people react… The funeral is attended by twelve,” and we talk about what it exposed for us during recovery. We unpack the difference between friends who check in because they care and people who only show up when they want something, plus how to set boundaries without letting cold people change who you are. The conversation also turns serious as we discuss cyberbullying, teen suicide, and a mother who speaks out and gets sued, raising hard questions about accountability, parenting, and what justice should look like when online cruelty has real-world consequences. We also share a personal win around body dysphoria, scars, and learning to feel safe being seen again, and why we’ll choose peace, love, and laughter over money and appearances every time. If this hit home, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What part of the conversation do you want us to go deeper on next? Support the show

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4.8
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

Stop surviving and start thriving. A Contagious Smile is a globally ranked podcast providing a safe haven for abuse survivors and special needs families navigating the journey of trauma recovery. Whether you are healing from domestic violence, narcissistic abuse, childhood trauma, or the daily challenges of disability advocacy, our mission is to turn your pain into power. Each episode features raw, authentic conversations with survivors, mental health experts, and advocates who share actionable resources for PTSD healing, resilience building, and emotional wellness. We go beyond the struggle to highlight the triumphs of the special needs community, offering support for caregivers and individuals with disabilities who are rewriting their own narratives. Hosted by Victoria Cuore, an award-winning trauma advocate and survivor, this podcast delivers the "blueprints" for recovery—not just Band-Aids. Join our community to find hope, humor, and the unstoppable spirit needed to rekindle your inner light.

Information

  • Creator
    Victora Cuore; A Contagious Smile, Who Kicked First, Domestic Violence Survivor, Advocate, Motivational Coach, Special Needs, Abuse Support, Life Skill Classes, Special Needs Social Groups
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    415
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A Contagious Smile Podcast
  • Show Website
    A Contagious Smile Podcast