Kari Wells: From Trauma to Gratitude — Surviving Robbery, Addiction Loss While Finding Purpose

In this powerful episode of the Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts sits down with Kari Wells — Bravo TV personality, actress, entrepreneur, and author of From Attitude to Gratitude: 15 Practices for Transforming Pain into Power — for a deeply moving conversation about survival, loss, and the radical power of gratitude.Kari opens up about the night she was held at gunpoint during a violent armed robbery, the PTSD that followed, and how her sense of safety was shattered. She also shares the heartbreaking loss of her sister Jackie to an accidental overdose — and the 20-year journey of grief that ultimately became her greatest source of empathy and purpose.Together, Dave and Kari explore:Surviving trauma and overcoming PTSDThe stigma of addiction and how to separate behavior from identityWhy grief is not linear — and how to move through the pain cavesThe neuroscience of gratitude and its effect on the brainPractical gratitude habits to shift your mindset dailyHow to move from victim to student after tragedyThe power of near-death experiences and spiritual belief in healingWhether you're navigating personal loss, supporting a loved one through addiction, or simply seeking more joy and resilience, this episode offers profound wisdom and actionable tools.Kari’s Bio and Contact InformationElegant, articulate, and effortlessly charming, Kari Wells is a British-born television personality, actress, and entrepreneur admired for her signature poise both on and off the screen. Best known as the breakout star and fan favorite of Bravo’s Married to Medicine, she was christened “The Queen of Class” by Andy Cohen—a title she carries with warmth and humor. But behind her polished presence lies a story forged in fire. After losing her sister to a tragic overdose and surviving a violent armed assault, Kari found herself shattered and searching. Refusing to let trauma define her, she turned inward and began cultivating a life anchored in gratitude, presence, and radical healing. What emerged was a profound personal transformation—one she now shares with others seeking peace, resilience, and emotional renewal.Kari’s career spans continents and creative disciplines. Formally trained in film and television in both the U.K.and the U.S., she has appeared in national commercials, independent films, and series including Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the HaveNots and the Ghostbusters web series. 📖 From Attitude to Gratitude is available wherever books are sold.📲 Connect with Kari Wells:🌐 KariWellsOfficial.com📸 Instagram: @KariWells_ Website : KariWellsOfficial.comSubscribe, share, and leave a review — your support makes all the difference.Keywords: trauma recovery, gratitude practice, grief and loss, addiction stigma, PTSD, Bravo TV, Kari Wells, Dave Roberts, Teaching Journeys Podcast, personal growth, resilience, healing, near-death experiences, mental health, mindset shift