A Contagious Smile Podcast

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...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a traumatic past meets sheer resilience? Join me as I sit down with my friend and guest, Magic Barclay, who shares her inspiring journey from a disturbing childhood to a transformative pathway of healing and personal growth. We navigate through her struggle with anorexia and alcoholism, the consequences of her unhealthy lifestyle, and her relentless pursuit of a...

Send us Fan Mail Ever found yourself lost in the labyrinth that is America's health insurance and medical system? Ever wished someone would shine a light on the Kafkaesque puzzle that prioritizes money over the well-being of its citizens? That's precisely what we're doing in this episode, and we have Victoria, an insurance advocate and a resolute voice for change, to guide us throug...

Send us Fan Mail Ever stop to wonder about the shifting dynamics of gender identity and bullying in today's world? Join us as we explore these complex issues with our special guest, Logan. A Yankee with a unique cologne collection and a knack for insightful conversation, Logan bravely shares his personal experiences with school bullying and navigates us through the labyrinth of modern gender...

Send us Fan Mail Picture the colorful kaleidoscope of human experience that comes together in Sarah's book series, Forgotten Children - a heart-tugging anthology spotlighting critical issues plaguing our children today. As our prominent guest, Sarah unravels the journey of crafting this masterpiece, weaving in diverse perspectives from an array of contributors, each confronting problems they...

Send us Fan Mail Life can be chaotic - misplacing car keys, scrambling to make lunch, coping with chronic pain. But what if you can manage all these stressors and emerge with resilience, a sense of humor, and a fresh perspective? Join me as we journey with our guest who shares her personal experiences and strategies for managing life's complexities.  Our conversation begins with simple and ef...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine the terror of rushing your child to the hospital, only to battle a deluge of hurdles, from securing a wheelchair to feeling utterly invisible to the medical staff. This was the grueling experience my wife, Victoria, and I had when our daughter Faith needed urgent medical attention. Despite Faith being awarded the highest medical priority, we still found ourselves lost in a...

Send us Fan Mail Discover, as we do, the transformative journey of our guest, Bullseye the Clown. From his beginnings as a stand-up comedian to his heartwarming experiences as a full-time clown, Bullseye's life is a testament to the healing power of kindness and humor. Brace yourself for an exploration of his personal struggles, including the loss of his father, a past riddled with bullying,...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a person is tossed into a swirling storm of emotional and physical abuse by their own family? How does one navigate through the damaging effects of narcissistic abuse, and more importantly, find the strength to break free? Today, we have Dana with us who takes us through her unnerving journey of survival and healing. From a young age, Dana faced emotional detachm...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever pondered the sheer complexity of decision-making that a police officer has to navigate in a heartbeat? We're inviting you to share the journey with us as we dissect a high-speed chase incident that has sparked controversy online. Our analysis of the video footage and the ensuing altercation between the officer and driver gives an unfiltered view into the stressf...

Send us Fan Mail Meet Liz, a woman whose life story isn't for the faint-hearted but serves as a beacon of hope and resilience for countless others. Today, we journey with her as she unfolds her harrowing tale of surviving childhood abuse, the profound betrayal from her mother, and an unjust system that seemed bent on further victimizing her. Through it all, she remains unbroken, refusing the...

Send us Fan Mail Strap in for an engaging conversation with the remarkable Allison Graham. Not only is Allison an author of four books, but she applies her wisdom as a coach and speaker, assisting individuals in navigating life's challenges and identifying disruptive patterns. We unpack her unique perspective on designing the perfect morning routine, managing family chaos with an 'angst...

Send us Fan Mail What if the system designed to protect you only served to revictimize and break you further? Unfortunately, too often victims of domestic abuse find themselves grappling with this grim reality, with the legal system failing them over and over. Our guest today, Dee, a survivor turned advocate, sheds light on this issue. She bravely shares her 11-year experience of being stuck in a...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to challenge the way you think about self-defense, gun violence, and family safety? This episode promises to do just that. We're unearthing the truth about the survivors of abuse who are often penalized for safeguarding themselves. We're asking the tough questions - why are there laws that seem to punish those defending their families? How does one react in an acti...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for a journey filled with raw emotion, resilience, and redemption. We're sitting down with the dynamic duo, Marla and Dave Thomas, who are widely recognized from the world of entertainment. Amid the glitz and glamour, they've faced an invisible battle: mental health. In our conversation, they bare their souls, sharing their experiences of mental health stigma, bo...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when we sit down with Margaret Senior, star of the Real Housewives of New Jersey? We dive deep into her world, where she navigates the rollercoaster of reality TV drama with grace and authenticity. Margaret reveals the powerful bond that exists off-screen among the bravo men, and opens up about a heart-wrenching moment when her daughter's life hung in the balance...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for this vibrant episode of the Contagious Smile podcast where we traverse a wide spectrum of human experiences. Our guests are as diverse as their stories - from Ocean, a teen designer crafting his own clothing line, to the brave son of a serial killer sharing his remarkable survival journey. Don't miss this rollercoaster of emotion as we chat with the lively Real Ho...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how the choices we make in the education system can impact lives in the most profound ways? Ponder this as we share the riveting journey of Miss Liz, a beacon of resilience and a tireless advocate for children. Be inspired by the brave students in a Pennsylvania school, standing up against new gender-friendly bathrooms, and engage in the pressing discussion about New...

Send us Fan Mail On this whirlwind episode, we're thrilled to have Frank King, a writer for the Tonight Show and a bodybuilder at 66 years old, to chat with us and share some insights on dealing with depression. This incredible personality brings a dash of humor and honesty to the conversation, making it a must-listen for everyone. We're also buzzing with excitement about the upcoming Po...

Send us Fan Mail Picture yourself in a hospital room, feeling helpless as your pleas for essential medication for your loved one fall on deaf ears. Could you advocate for their care in the face of such disheartening incompetence? This episode unfolds our personal battle advocating for our daughter's care during a life-threatening medical emergency, providing vital insights into the importance...