Rising to Resilience

Susan Snow: From Trauma to Resilience, Healing After PTSDWhat does resilience actually look like when life changes in an instant?In this episode of Rising to Resilience, Sharon Hujik sits down with Susan Snow to share a powerful story of trauma, survival, and healing.At just 17 years old, Susan’s life was forever changed when her father, a Los Angeles police detective, was killed in a targeted act of violence. In the aftermath, she was left to navigate grief, fear, and overwhelming emotional pain; without the support or understanding she needed.For years, Susan lived in survival mode.She masked her pain, pushed forward, and tried to build a life while quietly struggling with panic attacks, depression, and undiagnosed PTSD.It wasn’t until years later — after a breaking point triggered by another traumatic event — that she finally found the right help, the right language, and the beginning of true healing.In this conversation, Sharon and Susan explore:What unresolved trauma looks like over timeHow PTSD can affect your life years after the initial eventThe impact of not being seen or understood in your painWhy the right support can change everythingPractical tools for regulating the nervous system and beginning healingWhat resilience really means after traumaSusan’s story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible — even after years of struggle — and that resilience is not about avoiding pain but learning how to live and grow through it.Connect with Susan SnowWebsite:https://susansnowspeaks.comLinkedIn: Susan SnowInstagram: Susan SnowAbout Rising to ResilienceRising to Resilience is a podcast featuring real stories of women who have faced adversity and found strength, clarity, and growth on the other side.If you’re looking for stories of resilience, healing, and overcoming hardship, follow the show and share this episode with someone who might need it.

Joy Scott: Losing a Child, Finding Faith — Choosing Hope in the HardWhat do you do when life doesn’t just get hard… it breaks your heart?In this deeply moving episode of Rising to Resilience, Sharon Hujik sits down with Joy Scott, author of Flow: Keeping Your Heart Alive When Life Hurts, to talk about grief, faith, and the choice to keep going when everything inside you wants to shut down.Joy shares her story of walking through unimaginable loss, including the death of her four-year-old son after a brain tumor diagnosis, along with years of compounding trauma, betrayal, and a season of deep depression that followed.But this conversation isn’t just about loss.It’s about the moment everything could have gone a different way.The moment when Joy realized:“If you don’t open up and reach out… you’re not going to make it.”And the choice she made in that moment changed the course of her life.In this episode, Sharon and Joy explore:What it’s like to lose a child and still hold onto faithWhy grief doesn’t always show up immediately — and how it can surface years laterThe hidden battle of depression and emotional shutdownThe power of being seen, believed, and supported in your painThe difference between isolating and reaching outWhy forgiveness is a process — not a one-time decisionHow to “keep your heart alive” after repeated traumaJoy also shares her FLOW framework, a simple but powerful way to process pain, realign your thoughts, and move toward healing.This episode is for anyone who has walked through loss, faced overwhelming circumstances, or wondered how to keep going when life doesn’t look anything like you thought it would.Connect with Joy ScottWebsite:https://www.joyscott.meInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/joy_scott_

What happens when a highly analytical, systems-thinking engineer is forced to confront one of the most emotional experiences of her life?In this episode of Rising to Resilience, Sharon sits down with Karli Auble, founder of Life in Labor, systems engineer, and positive psychology graduate, to explore how a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy became the catalyst for a profound shift in how she understands resilience, mindset, and human flourishing.Karli shares how her analytical brain initially tried to push through trauma, minimize her experience, and return to work immediately after surgery. But the emotional aftermath forced her to confront something deeper, the inner wisdom that many high achievers ignore when they’re busy pushing forward.That moment of disruption led Karli down an unexpected path into positive psychology, mindfulness, and the neuroscience of resilience.Together, Sharon and Karli explore:How trauma can become a doorway to post-traumatic growthWhy high achievers often struggle to slow down and process emotionsThe neuroscience behind negative thought patterns and resilienceHow mindfulness can shift the brain’s pathways toward growthWhy motherhood often becomes a turning point for deeper self-awarenessHow positive psychology helps people move from surviving to thrivingKarli also shares her THRIVE framework, which helps people develop healthier thought patterns, habits, and environments that support long-term resilience.This conversation is especially powerful for high achievers, analytical thinkers, and anyone navigating a season where life did not go according to plan.Connect with KarliWebsitehttps://lifeinlabor.comLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/karli-auble/

What does resilience really look like when life changes in ways you never expected?In this powerful episode of Rising to Resilience, Sharon Hujik sits down with speaker, pastor, and author Laura Bratton, who lost her vision as a teenager after being diagnosed with a rare retinal disease at age nine.By the time she finished high school, Laura was completely blind. The years that followed included severe anxiety, panic attacks, and the difficult process of grieving the life she once imagined. But through that journey, Laura discovered something profound about resilience: it isn’t about pretending everything is okay - it’s about acknowledging the pain and still choosing to move forward.Today, Laura helps others navigate major life changes using what she calls the balance of grit and gratitude - practical tools for moving through grief, rebuilding confidence, and finding strength in the middle of uncertainty.In this conversation, Sharon and Laura discuss:• What it was like losing her eyesight during high school• The mental and emotional impact of sudden life-changing loss• Why our culture struggles to allow space for grief• Panic attacks, anxiety, and learning to sit with difficult emotions• The moment Laura made a very literal choice to keep living• How gratitude can become a practical resilience tool• How personal adversity prepared Laura to help others facing crisisLaura’s story is a moving reminder that resilience isn’t about bouncing back - it’s about moving forward, one moment and one choice at a time.If you’ve ever faced grief, unexpected change, or overwhelming circumstances, this conversation will encourage and strengthen you.Learn more about Laura BrattonWebsite:https://www.laurabratton.comLaura’s book:https://www.amazon.comAbout Rising to ResilienceRising to Resilience features honest conversations with people who have faced adversity and discovered unexpected strength on the other side. Each episode explores the mindset, tools, and life lessons that help us navigate life’s hardest seasons.Subscribe so you never miss a story of courage, growth, and resilience.

What happens when your identity collapses - your health fails, your marriage ends, and your future feels uncertain?In this powerful episode of Rising to Resilience, Sharon sits down with Nancy Langevin, former international elite gymnast, brain aneurysm survivor, lupus warrior, and founder of Unbound Synergy Academy.Nancy shares her journey from breaking her back as a young athlete, to being diagnosed with systemic lupus, to facing emergency brain surgery at age 49 while raising two teenagers. In the midst of recovery, she also navigated the end of a 25-year marriage - forcing her to rebuild her life from the ground up.But this isn’t just a story of survival.It’s also a story of surrender.Nancy opens up about the 3 a.m. moment that changed everything - when she stopped trying to control the outcome and chose faith over fear. From that turning point, she began redefining resilience, purpose, and what it means to be given a second (and even third) chance at life.In this episode, you’ll hear:How to find hope after divorce and major life transitionsWhat resilience really looks like during chronic illnessHow to move forward after a brain aneurysm diagnosisThe power of surrender and faith in rebuilding your lifeWhy small “baby steps” create lasting transformationIf you’re walking through loss, health challenges, or the end of a chapter you didn’t choose, Nancy’s story will remind you: you are not done. There is still something beautiful on the other side.Connect with Nancy Langevin:Website: https://www.unboundsynergyacademy.comBook: The Flip Side of Despair Fitness & Coaching: https://www.unboundsynergy.comIf this episode encouraged you, please share it with someone who needs hope today — and subscribe to Rising to Resilience so you never miss a story of courage and post-traumatic growth.

What do you do when your child’s health declines so severely that you fear for their life?In this deeply honest conversation, Katie Tramonte shares her family’s journey through PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), a rare neuroimmune disorder that presents as severe OCD and restrictive eating.After watching her son rapidly decline, Katie and her husband sold their home, left their community, and moved across the country in search of healing. What followed was not a tidy story of resolution — but a gritty story of survival, anger, faith, and flexibility.In this episode, we talk about:What PANS is and how it affects familiesParenting through severe childhood illnessMoving across the country in crisisHow faith holds — and stretches — in unresolved sufferingWhy lament mattersThe survival principle of a “future memory”What resilience really looks like when life doesn’t resolveKatie shares candidly about being angry with God, learning to bend without breaking, and finding comfort in small daily rituals when nothing feels stable.If you are walking through crisis - whether medical, relational, spiritual, or emotional - this episode offers practical wisdom and permission to be honest in the dark.Connect with Katiehttps://www.instagram.com/seeing.inthedark(@seeing.inthedark)Recommended PANS resource mentioned in this episode:Lucy | Parenting PandasInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/parenting_pandas(@parenting_pandas)

What does grief really look like after losing a child?What happens when you lose your spouse just months later?And how do you survive when your entire world has been shattered?In this deeply honest and powerful conversation, grief educator and coach Kym Hinchey shares her story of unimaginable loss - the accidental overdose death of her son Adrian, followed just three months later by the sudden heart attack of her husband, John.After becoming intimately familiar with grief, Kym discovered something that changed everything: Almost everything we’ve been taught about grief is wrong.In this episode, we talk about:What grief after child loss and widowhood actually feels likeWhy the five stages of grief don’t reflect real lifeHow PTSD shows up after traumatic lossThe myth of “getting over it”What post-traumatic growth really meansThe difference between surviving grief and being stuck in itWhy you are not grieving wrongThis is not a conversation about toxic positivity, quick healing, or tidy timelines. It’s about truth. It’s about resilience. And it’s about learning how to keep living inside grief without losing yourself.If you are grieving the loss of a child, spouse, parent, or loved one — or walking alongside someone who is — this episode will remind you that what you feel is normal. You are not broken. You are grieving.Connect with Kym HincheyWebsite: https://agriefsupport.comBook: Then and Now: The Evolution of GriefAvailable on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Then-Now-Evolution-Kym-Hinchey/dp/B0G51RSPQ1You can find Kym on social media under @agriefsupportIf this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who may need to hear it.

When Kristi Hujik opened her MRI results alone in her car, everything she believed about her health (and her life) shattered in an instant.The diagnosis was multiple sclerosis. The fear was overwhelming. And the uncertainty felt paralyzing.But that moment also marked the beginning of something she didn’t expect - healing, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose.In this powerful episode, Kristi shares her journey from fear to agency, from spiraling uncertainty to nervous-system healing, and from judgement to a life that finally feels like her own. She opens up about how functional medicine, emotional regulation, community, and faith helped her rebuild physically, mentally, and spiritually.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by a diagnosis, stuck in fear, or unsure how to move forward, Kristi’s story will give you hope and practical tools for taking your next step.CONNECT WITH KRISTIWebsite: kristihujik.comInstagram: @wholehealthkristi

For years, Katherine Phelps did what many women do when life feels confusing and painful: she smiled, pushed through, and prayed.From the outside, everything looked fine. On the inside, she was quietly unraveling; an emotionally abusive marriage that left her feeling small, silenced, and ashamed.In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Katherine shares the moment she finally admitted the truth to herself, the moment she realized, “I’m not okay, and I can’t fix this alone.”What followed was a season of courage, heartbreak, and holy rebuilding as God invited her to lay down the life she had created… and pick up the life He always had for her.Katherine opens up about what it felt like to be a Christian woman walking away from a marriage, why she stayed so long, and the surprising freedom she found on the other side. She talks about rebuilding her identity, and the internal battle of feeling “behind” while watching everyone else move forward, and the work she's done to heal.Her story is one of compassion, clarity, and deep spiritual courage and a reminder that sometimes healing begins the moment we tell the truth.In this episode, you’ll hear:The subtle signs of emotional abuse Katherine didn’t recognize at firstWhy her “good Christian girl” identity made it harder to leaveThe moment she finally chose truth over appearancesHow God rebuilt her confidence and identity step-by-stepWhat she wants women to know if they feel stuck, scared, or deeply aloneWhat it means to move from stuck to striving again with purposeHer story is for anyone who has stayed too long, carried too much, or wondered, “Is this really my life?”You are not behind. You are not broken. And there is hope for your journey.Connect with Katherine:WebsiteInstagramBuy the Devotional

After surviving childhood trauma, decades of people-pleasing, and years of physical and emotional pain, Vikki Lange decided to take her life back — one brave, determined choice at a time.Two and a half years ago, Vikki hit a breaking point. Carrying an extra hundred pounds and even more emotional weight, she realized something had to change. That moment of surrender became a powerful turning point that transformed her body, mind, and spirit.Now, Vikki has lost over 100 pounds, reclaimed her voice, and built a thriving online community of women who are committed to becoming stronger, healthier, and more self-loving.In this episode of Rising to Resilience, Vikki shares her remarkable story of healing from trauma, letting go of people-pleasing, and discovering a new definition of resilience — one rooted in boundaries, joy, and self-worth.In this episode, you’ll hear:How Vikki turned her “lowest moment” into a defining breakthroughThe difference between self-care and selfishnessWhy setting non-negotiables became her key to freedomHow she’s helping thousands of women live healthier, more empowered lives“How would you feel if you knew every morning when you woke up that you already lived your hardest moment? That’s how I get to open my eyes every day.”🔗 Connect with Vikki LangeWebsite: vikkilange.comInstagram: @lifeafterlosing100pounds

For seventeen years, Parker Dunlavey wrestled with shame, striving, and the need for control. On the outside, she looked like she had it all together — but inside, she was fighting an exhausting battle she couldn’t win on her own.Everything changed when she encountered the love of Jesus in a small church service and realized she was never meant to carry the weight alone. That moment marked the start of true healing - body, mind, and spirit.In this episode of Rising to Resilience, Parker shares her story of transformation: from bondage to freedom, from perfectionism to peace, and from shame to unshakable faith.In this episode, you’ll hear:The moment Parker surrendered control and found healingHow faith and grace broke the cycle of shameThe difference between striving for love and living from itEncouragement for anyone ready to let go and begin againListen to Episode 6 — Beauty for Ashes: Finding Freedom and Identity in ChristConnect with Parker DunlaveyWebsite: beautyforashesbyparker.comInstagram: @beautyforashesbyparker

When life breaks you open, what do you do with the pieces?In this powerful episode of Rising to Resilience, speaker, author, and advocate Mal Wrenn Corbin shares her remarkable journey from a turbulent childhood and generational trauma to healing, education, and purpose.At fourteen, standing on a bridge, Mal made a life-changing decision: “I have to change my life.” That moment of courage began a lifelong commitment to growth, forgiveness, and transformation.Today, as the author of Raising Wrenns and an inspiring voice for resilience, Mal reminds us that even when life feels shattered, we can rebuild into something stronger and more beautiful.In this episode you’ll hear:The pivotal moment that set Mal’s transformation in motionHow she found healing through writing, education, and familyWhat forgiveness really means, and how it frees youWhy resilience is built in “a thousand small choices”Listen now to discover how beauty can rise from brokenness, and why your scars might just be the most powerful part of your story.Connect with Mal Wrenn Corbin:Website: malwrenncorbin.comInstagram: @malwrenncorbinBook: Raising Wrenns on Amazon

Have you ever felt like your body was trying to tell you something—but you kept pushing through anyway?Licensed therapist and burnout recovery coach Ashley Skinner shares how her pursuit of “doing it all” led to physical and emotional collapse—and how learning to rest, listen, and name her needs became the turning point toward healing.In this candid conversation, Ashley opens up about postpartum struggles, discovering she’s a highly sensitive person (HSP), and reframing her perfectionism into compassion. Together, we explore what it really means to be a “human being, not a human doing,” and how resilience often begins with awareness and acceptance.You’ll hear:What happens when burnout goes uncheckedHow sensitivity can be a strength, not a flawPractical ways to listen to your body before it breaks downWhy connection and community are vital to recoveryIf you’ve ever found yourself exhausted, overextended, or questioning whether you can keep going, this episode will remind you: your worth isn’t in your productivity—and rest is not failure.Connect with Ashley:ashleyskinnercounseling.com — Licensed therapy in Georgiaashleyskinnercoaching.com — Coaching for women across the U.S.

When breast-cancer survivor Laura Reutter faced the loss of her health and her sense of womanhood, she had to decide what beauty really meant.An unexpected infection changed her surgical plan — and her identity — but instead of despair, Laura found courage, creativity, and faith. Through her journey, she discovered that beauty isn’t something we lose; it’s something we rebuild.Like the Japanese art of kintsugi, Laura’s story is one of repair — filling life’s cracks with strength, hope, and even gold.Today, as a patient navigator who has guided hundreds of women through treatment, she helps others rediscover their worth and wholeness.Listen as Laura shares how she turned scars into symbols of resilience — and found joy and purpose beyond the battle.Show NotesIn this episode you’ll hear about:How breast cancer reshaped Laura’s identity and her definition of beautyThe infection that changed everythingFinding strength through faith, art, and humorChoosing kintsugi — rebuilding with grace and goldEncouragement for women walking through loss and healingConnect with Laura ReutterLinkedIn: Laura ReutterWebsite: UnbrokenCourage.comBreast Cancer Resource Center of Austin: bcrc.orgEpisode Highlights00:00 – Cold open “You’ve already taken my breasts, but you’re not taking my power.”03:45 – Diagnosis and the day everything changed11:30 – The infection and loss of reconstruction20:40 – Redefining womanhood and beauty28:15 – The tattoo and reclaiming her power33:00 – Finding hope and purpose as a patient navigator40:00 – Laura’s encouragement: “Celebrate every step.”If You Loved This Episode🌷 Share it with a friend who needs encouragement.⭐ Follow Rising to Resilience for more stories of hope and healing.🗣️ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — your words help others find hope too.#RisingToResilience #Kintsugi #HopeAfterCancer #BodyPositivity #FaithAndHealing #ResiliencePodcast #BreastCancerAwareness #PostTraumaticGrowth

When your dream of family and future falls apart, how do you find the courage to keep going?In this powerful episode, artist and entrepreneur Vallie Pate shares her story of heartbreak, single motherhood, and faith that refused to quit. After walking through infidelity, loss, and exhaustion, Vallie faced a choice — to live in bitterness or rise again with hope. Her sister’s challenge became her turning point: “You can’t live there. You can’t marinate in it. You have to keep going.”Through honesty and humor, Vallie opens up about rebuilding her life, rediscovering her creativity, and learning to see beauty in broken seasons. Her story will inspire anyone who’s faced disappointment, divorce, or the weight of doing life alone — and remind you that resilience isn’t about avoiding pain; it’s about refusing to stay stuck in it.Connect with Vallie:Website: www.valliepate.comInstagram: @valliepatedesignsMentioned in this episode:Faith and perseverance through hardshipFinding purpose in unexpected placesHow creativity and community can healIf this story encouraged you:Share it with a friend who needs a reminder that joy is still possible after heartbreak; and don’t forget to follow Rising to Resilience for more stories of hope, healing, and the radical choice to rise.

In this episode of 'Rising to Resilience', Sharon Hujik shares her personal journey through struggles, grief, and the transformative power of resilience. She emphasizes that resilience is not merely about bouncing back but about the profound changes that occur within us as we navigate life's challenges. Through authentic conversations, she aims to provide hope and encouragement to those facing their own hardships, illustrating that growth can emerge from pain.

Rising to Resilience is the podcast for women who feel stretched thin, discouraged, or stuck in life’s storms, yet long for joy, purpose, and hope.In this trailer episode, host Sharon Hujik shares the heart behind the show and what you can expect each week: real conversations with women who have faced profound challenges - loss, illness, heartbreak, burnout, and unexpected detours - and discovered the radical choice to rise.These aren’t just stories of hardship. They’re stories of courage, resilience, and post-traumatic growth. You’ll hear how ordinary women found hope in impossible places, and you’ll discover tools and encouragement to help you navigate your own hard seasons.If you’ve ever asked, “Can I really make it through this? Is there purpose in my pain?” this podcast is for you.