In Episode 37 of the Resilient Now Podcast, host Liliana Brown speaks with multi-artist Radmila Lolly — a Russian-American singer, composer, fashion designer, and creative visionary who transforms life’s deepest pain into powerful artistic expression. Originally from Moscow and now based in the United States, Radmila expresses herself through music, fashion, film, and literature, blending multiple art forms into a unique creative voice. She is an internationally recognized artist whose music has appeared on Billboard charts and whose work has been performed on major stages such as Carnegie Hall, reflecting her growing influence across the arts. But behind her artistic success is a deeply personal story of grief and resilience. Radmila shares the emotional story of losing her beloved uncle, a veteran of the Afghanistan war who carried many scars from the difficult life he had lived. When he died on the streets of Moscow, the loss deeply affected her. To honor him, Radmila wrote a song called “October 1st,” the day he passed away. Before that moment, Radmila was not someone who played instruments. She loved singing, but composing music had never been part of her life. Yet after his passing, something unexpected happened — she felt an overwhelming urge to create music, as if her hands were suddenly drawn to instruments. Since then, Radmila has composed over 500 musical pieces, often feeling as though the music flows through her rather than from her. In many ways, she feels her uncle’s spirit continues to live on through the music. She describes it as if, after passing, he became the uncle he may have always wanted to be — almost like a guardian angel guiding her creative journey. Radmila believes that when loved ones pass away, they sometimes leave us unexpected gifts — strengths, talents, or inspiration that help us move forward. For her, resilience also means working on ourselves. She believes we all carry scars from life, but those scars can become invitations to grow, heal, and become stronger. Her approach to grief is unique. While she believes in honoring pain internally, she also believes in getting up, moving forward, and continuing to create. Staying stuck in sadness can feel overwhelming, but transforming pain into something beautiful can eventually lead to joy. Radmila has also experienced other tragic losses, including loved ones lost in sudden accidents, which has left her carrying emotional wounds and even elements of PTSD. Through faith, spirituality, and gratitude for the people God has placed in her life, she continues to move forward. Through music, fashion, film, and literature — with a book soon to be published — Radmila is building a legacy that honors the people she has loved and lost. Her story reminds us that resilience doesn’t mean avoiding grief. Sometimes resilience means taking life’s most painful moments… and transforming them into something meaningful and beautiful.
