A Contagious Smile Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Some nights turn into a tug-of-war between chaos and clarity. We start with the mess that hits after a loved one passes—addresses, wills, medical directives, and the million tiny decisions no one wants to make while grieving. Getting your documents in order isn’t morbid; it’s merciful. We walk through what to set up now so you’re not scrambling later: living will, durable and medi...

Send us Fan Mail The night the house gets quieter, life gets louder. We open the door to Dad after he loses his wife and talk candidly about what it means to fold a parent into your daily rhythm—care, meals, jokes, horror-movie nights, and the steady work of making someone feel safe again. That warmth sits beside hard-won lessons on planning: why every family needs a last will and testament, a liv...

Send us Fan Mail A quiet Thanksgiving gave way to a jarring delivery that raised a bigger question: what’s the line between personal freedom and public safety at our front doors? We walk through the moment a driver cut across our lawn, tossed a package, and left a thick marijuana smell seeping into our living room—then unpack why that matters in a home that must stay scent‑free for medical reasons...

Send us Fan Mail What if the most meaningful gift you give this year is your story? We’re opening our arms to two big projects fueled by real life and real heart: Beyond the Limb, a practical, compassionate course for new amputees, and Not Defined By My Diagnosis, a community-built book featuring unedited stories from parents and caregivers of special needs kids. Both efforts spring from lived exp...

Send us Fan Mail Some stories crack you open in the best way. This conversation with Muck Sticky blends raw honesty, laugh-out-loud moments, and a deep well of heart—from Cookie’s courage through major dental surgery to a life lesson stitched into pajama pants that became a personal promise: be comfortable in your own skin and stop bending for strangers. We trace a DIY music career built on person...

Send us Fan Mail Truth doesn’t whisper—it arrives with fire, humor, and a plan. We kick things off with a preview of our upcoming conversation with Muck Sticky, whose out‑loud joy and off‑the‑wall songs remind us that laughter can be a lifeline. From there, we move into the hard, necessary talk so many of you ask for: how to spot narcissistic patterns, cut toxic ties without guilt, and build a hom...

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Send us Fan Mail A single phone call flipped our week, our plans, and our priorities—and taught us how “having a will” can still leave a family drowning in decisions. We open the door to our real-time experience of sudden loss: caring for Dad, sorting thirty years of collectibles, and navigating the awkward surge of relatives who appear for stuff but not support. From stocking a pantry to turning...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever been silenced for speaking your truth? Join us for an intimate conversation about breaking through barriers and finding your voice even when others try to quiet it. Victoria reveals the surprising backlash to her evidence-based book "Dark Dark Who's There," including a cease and desist letter despite her careful steps to change names and redact identif...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the world suddenly goes silent on one side? Victoria's recent ear surgery has left her completely deaf in one ear, forcing her to navigate a new reality where simple interactions become profound challenges. In this raw and emotional episode, we take you through the journey of adaptation and resilience that follows a life-altering medical procedure. The momen...

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Send us Fan Mail Three years after losing her limb, Victoria marks her "FU anniversary" with a raw, unfiltered conversation about survival, resilience, and finding your voice after trauma. This special edition podcast takes listeners on a deeply personal journey through narcissistic family dynamics and the challenging path of the family "black sheep." Victoria shares exciting n...

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Send us Fan Mail What would you do if you witnessed a violent attack in public? Would you step in to help, or freeze in the moment? This raw, unfiltered conversation begins with Michael and Victoria discussing a disturbing video of a random stabbing at Walmart, questioning why bystanders failed to intervene when they had the power to stop the threat. The couple doesn't shy away from difficult...

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Send us Fan Mail When doctors told us to call a priest because our daughter wouldn't make it through the night, we refused to accept that fate. Through dozens of surgeries, kidney failure, and countless medical interventions, we fought alongside Faith as she battled for her life. Today, she's not only thriving but hitting bullseyes at the shooting range during her recent birthday celebra...

Send us Fan Mail When we talk about domestic violence, the most damaging question survivors hear is "Why didn't you just leave?" In this raw and powerful episode, Victoria and Michael pull back the curtain on this misconception, sharing stories from their upcoming book project "Dear Silence, You Lost." Victoria reveals a particularly moving submission from a child who once...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when survivors of domestic violence finally break their silence? In this raw, powerful episode, we unveil "Dear Silence," our groundbreaking international book project launching this October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This collection will feature letters from survivors who've endured the unimaginable—giving voice to those who were told to st...

Send us Fan Mail The scars of domestic violence often remain long after the abuse ends. Victoria's story reveals the staggering physical toll—over 120 surgeries in nearly two decades with more to come—including an upcoming radical ear procedure that will leave her completely deaf in one ear. Yet despite never experiencing a pain-free day in almost twenty years, her positivity remains unshaken...

Send us Fan Mail When Victoria speaks of making a deal with the devil to protect her unborn child, you understand immediately this isn't an ordinary story of survival. Having endured over 100 surgeries resulting from brutal domestic violence, Victoria Cure has transformed unimaginable trauma into a mission that defines resilience in its purest form. "How much more do I have to give?&quot...

Send us Fan Mail The "We Built This" global summit created a powerful space where survival transforms into thriving. Hosted by Victoria Cure, domestic violence survivor and founder of A Contagious Smile, this event brings together an extraordinary collection of voices who've turned their deepest wounds into wisdom. Susan O'Mallan introduces her groundbreaking Thriver's Own...

Send us Fan Mail The anticipation is palpable as Victoria Coure and Michael dive into their latest episode, announcing that their upcoming webinar has generated remarkable interest, and their global speaking opportunities have sold out in record time! This success comes alongside features in over 50 media publications, including two fresh magazines that arrived just that day: Podcastars and Equuba...

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Send us Fan Mail What happens when life throws everything at you - traumatic brain injury, severe mental illness, chronic pain, and profound loss? Kurt Wagner's answer might surprise you: you become stronger. After a catastrophic assault left Kurt with a broken vertebral artery, blood poured onto his brain for approximately eight hours. Doctors gave him last rites, believing he wouldn't...