A Contagious Smile Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Our hearts have been on a tumultuous journey, and we're finally ready to share the saga of our daughter Faith's harrowing medical battle. Picture the gripping emotions of a family huddled together, clinging to hope through a 14-hour surgery, and the aftermath that tested our resilience like never before. We lay bare the challenges, from the complexities of managing a chi...

Send us Fan Mail As our hearts spill over with the raw emotions of anticipation and longing, we gather around the mic, holding close the story of our daughter Faith's arduous medical odyssey. Navigating her 51st surgery, we're candid about the toll it's taken on us all, while still finding solace in the support of her incredible medical team and the strength of our family bond. Your...

Send us Fan Mail Join the kitchen party! Special guest Troy and his dad Terrance, with a dash of nostalgia and a pinch of wisdom, share his earliest culinary adventures that trace back to his father's kitchen. We start by stirring up childhood memories, from Logan's unique spicy instant ramen creation to Troy's ambitious attempts at baking a Neapolitan cake. Along the way, we serve...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating the healthcare system with a child affected by PTSD is a journey brimming with highs and lows, which we've experienced firsthand with our daughter Faith. This special 200th episode of Unstoppable is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the compassion that can shine through in trying times. We share the raw emotions and the stark contrasts we'v...

Send us Fan Mail As I sit down with the incomparable Dave Campbell, my podcasting mentor and friend, we're popping the champagne on our 200th show – a journey that's been nothing short of magical. Dave, a man of many passions, brings his eclectic mix of music, entrepreneurship, and his eco-conscious heart project, Upcycle Canada, to the table. Together, we reflect on the profound impact...

Send us Fan Mail When Dana first stepped into the sunlight after a long night of enduring the storm of narcissistic abuse, she knew her story could light the way for others lost in similar darkness. Her book, "Gaspin' for Air," isn't just a tale of survival; it's a roadmap for reclaiming your life from the clutches of a narcissist, and she brings her powerful insights to o...

Send us Fan Mail Words can be a balm or a weapon, and in the heartfelt spaces shared with my friend Dia, we unravel the profound ripple effects our utterances and deeds have in shaping lives. From the sting of a careless diagnosis to the quantum dance where thoughts mold the very essence of water and crystals, our exchange sheds light on the immense power of positive affirmations in healing. We di...

Send us Fan Mail Ever find yourself questioning the fanfare of Valentine's Day or pondering the true weight of love in our lives? I'm Ann Victoria, and in this special edition of the Unstoppable Podcast, I'm sharing my take on why February 14th might not fully encapsulate the spirit of love. We'll chat about moving beyond the conventional, celebrating relationships that are bui...

Send us Fan Mail When you meet someone like Faith, you know right away that she's not just a survivor but a true warrior. Her story isn't just about the battles she's faced with her health; it's about a young woman who stood at death's doorstep and pushed back, hard. Together with her mother, affectionately known as "Mama Shark" for her tenacious advocacy, they&a...

Send us Fan Mail When life's fragile thread nearly slipped from our grasp, the night we almost lost Faith became a haunting reminder of life's precious unpredictability. In this heart-to-heart exchange, Michael and I unveil the emotional whirlwinds that accompanied the near loss of our daughter, the sudden partings with cherished friends, and the invaluable lessons these pivotal moments...

Send us Fan Mail As the sun set on what seemed to be an ordinary evening, Faith's world was turned upside down, leading to a story of survival that defies the odds. Picture a family dinner abruptly interrupted, spiraling into an emergency that challenges a young girl's very existence. We recount how Faith, an extraordinary teenager, emerges from the shadow of multiple organ failure, with...

Send us Fan Mail When your world flips upside down in an instant, how do you cope? This episode is a raw and intimate portrait of our family's struggle and resilience as we faced our daughter Faith's life-threatening medical crisis. From the harrowing rush to the emergency room to the multitude of medical procedures that followed, we, Michael and Victoria, along with our indomitable Fait...

Send us Fan Mail Every family has their crucible moments, but few can compare to the journey of Faith, a young girl fighting for her life with the kind of tenacity that redefines the word 'miracle'. This episode takes you through the heart of a family's struggle, their endurance against overwhelming medical emergencies, and the profound impact of community support during the darkest...

Send us Fan Mail Every family has its crucible, and ours has been the fierce battle our daughter Faith is waging for her life. In a riveting narration of events that have unfolded over the past week and a half, we open up about Faith's generous soul, now fighting through a medical crisis that has thrown our lives into a tailspin. Through missed holidays and a string of critical surgeries, thi...

Send us Fan Mail When the echoes of a tragic past meet the harmonies of redemption, the resultant melody can be nothing short of powerful. Martin's journey stands as a testament to this truth, as he shares his transformation from a man haunted by a fatal DUI incident to a beacon of hope. Alongside my co-host Whitney Lee, we witnessed Martin's raw vulnerability as he narrated his life-alt...

Send us Fan Mail When you picture a family gathered around the holiday table, do you ever wonder about the untold stories, the laughter that binds, and the strength found in adversity? That's the tapestry we weave in this heartwarming episode of Contagious Smile, Unstoppable, where we, Victoria and Michael, join forces with Make-A-Wish to spread joy with our furry friends and share the resili...

Send us Fan Mail When life throws curveballs, some knock it out of the park with a story of resilience that commands attention. Meet Steve Wilson, our guest on Teen Talk Podcast, whose humor and old-school wisdom weave through his narrative of living with bipolar disorder—a tale that began in the shadow of childhood trauma. His journey to a correct diagnosis wasn't straightforward, and along...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what life is like for someone living with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)? As someone who has personally battled with CRPS, I invite you to join me, your host, and our expert guests in a raw and candid discussion about this mysterious condition. In this episode, we unpack my personal journey with CRPS, from diagnosis to numerous procedures, and even to...

Send us Fan Mail Ever caught yourself uttering self-deprecating words, then wondering why they seem to echo around inside? It's time to pay attention to that little voice inside your head that engages in non-stop self-talk, because it is shaping the very perspective we have of ourselves and our world. This episode pulls back the curtain on the detrimental effects of negative self-talk, often...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever met a person who, despite battling severe mental illness, radiates unwavering resilience and hope? Our guest today, Steve Wilson, is one such remarkable individual who gracefully navigates the complexities of bipolar disorder. Married for 50 years, a proud grandfather of three, and an advocate for mental health, Steve opens up about his journey through trauma, depres...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to a whirlwind episode of raw emotions and inspiring triumphs. Ever wonder how one can harness the power of a smile to overcome life's most daunting adversities? Join us as we explore the remarkable journey of Victoria, the resilient and ever-smiling force behind our podcast, "A Contagious Smile." With her infectious optimism, she shares her story of growing...

Send us Fan Mail We all have that one person in our lives who makes everything about them. You know the one - they spin every situation to their advantage, manipulate the truth, and leave you feeling like you're the one with the problem. It's time to pull back the curtain on these narcissists and shed some light on how their toxic behaviour affects our lives. Joined by Dana Diaz, who pen...

Send us Fan Mail From navigating the emotional minefield of holiday family dynamics to unearthing the joy amidst life-threatening childhood illnesses, we're taking you on an emotional roller coaster in this latest discussion. Tune in as we candidly share our personal experiences and offer some practical advice on handling family tensions during the festive season. We also open up the dialogue...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how your childhood memories shape your perspectives and relationships? Buckle in, because we're about to unearth the profound impact of self-talk, especially when we face trauma and challenging times. We're challenging the belief that we're responsible for others' problems, and we're stressing the need for compassion towards ourselves. This j...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating the intricate labyrinth of mental health isn't a solitary journey. It's a collective responsibility, one that necessitates understanding, compassion, and an open dialogue. Today, we're joined by guests Marla Thomas, Whitney Lee, and Victoria from the Contagious Minds podcast to dissect this pressing issue. We're going deep to unravel the complexities...