Groove with Portia

Healing through storytelling often begins with the people who leave an imprint on our lives. In this heartfelt conversation about grief, legacy, resilience, and turning pain into purpose, we explore how one grandfather's influence inspired a mission to bring creativity back into childhood. In this episode of Groove with Portia, I sit down with Kaz Shiomi, founder of the sustainable toy company kik...

Grief and healing often change the direction of our lives in ways we never expected. In this conversation, we explore child loss, healing through storytelling, resilience, and how one family transformed heartbreak into purpose and advocacy. I sit down with Dr. Matt Goldstein and Myra Sack to discuss the life and legacy of their daughter, Havi, who passed away from Tay-Sachs disease at the age of t...

Grief and healing often begin in the quiet moments we are never fully prepared for. In this conversation about end-of-life care, caregiving, anticipatory grief, and healing through storytelling, we explore how love carries us through the final hours with someone we cherish. In this episode of Groove with Portia, I sit down with filmmakers Dana White and Christopher Knoblock, directors of the short...

Healing through storytelling begins when we take the time to truly see another human being. In this powerful conversation about mental health awareness, trauma, resilience, identity, and belonging, we explore how one person's story transformed an entire community. I sit down with psychologist and author Dr. Kirsten Harrison to discuss her award-winning book, I, Sean/a, and the extraordinary journe...

Grief and healing often begin with telling the truth about what we've been carrying. In this conversation, we explore mental health awareness, PTSD recovery, suicide prevention, addiction recovery, and how faith can help us find purpose after our darkest moments. I sit down with Chaplain Sy Alli, a suicide attempt survivor, veteran, author, mentor, and chaplain who shares his journey through depre...

Grief and healing often begin when we decide that our past does not have to define our future. In this conversation, we explore turning pain into purpose, overcoming generational trauma, mental resilience, and building a life beyond survival mode. I sit down with entrepreneur, real estate investor, and author Kevin "KAYR" Robinson to discuss his journey from growing up in poverty in West Philadelp...

Grief and healing can take us down paths we never imagined. In this conversation, we explore healing through storytelling, child safety advocacy, mental health awareness, and how one mother transformed unimaginable loss into a mission to protect other families. I sit down with Hope Hooton, author of There's Still Hope: A Journey of Adversity, Tragedy, and Unshakeable Faith, founder of Voices Again...

Childhood trauma is deeply connected to mental health awareness, addiction recovery, and long-term healing—but most people never learn how it truly impacts their lives. In this episode, we explore grief and healing, turning pain into purpose, and the hidden role trauma plays in shaping behavior and health. I sit down with Michael J. Menard, author of Greater Than Gravity: How Childhood Trauma Is P...

Grief and healing often come with moments we can’t fully explain—but we feel them deeply. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, healing through storytelling, and the connection many people experience with loved ones after they’ve passed. I open this conversation by sharing a personal moment from my mother’s transition—one that I knew was real, even if I couldn’t explain it. From the...

Grief and healing don’t always come from loss through death—sometimes they come from losing your health, identity, and the life you once knew. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, healing through storytelling, and what it means to rebuild after everything falls apart. I sit down with Sondra Bailey, who shares her journey of becoming bed-bound, losing her career, her independence, a...

Mental health awareness starts with understanding how social media, overstimulation, and emotional disconnection are affecting our relationships. In this episode, we explore healing through storytelling, betrayal trauma, and how intentional living can protect your peace. I sat down with Mr. Jay, a betrayal trauma practitioner and relationship coach, for a powerful conversation about how technology...

Grief and healing often show up in ways we never expected, especially when life doesn’t follow the path we planned. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, turning pain into purpose, and the emotional journey of raising a child with special needs. I sit down with Dr. Joe Ferrini and Cindi Ferrini, authors of The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life You Never Expected, to talk abo...

Mental health awareness starts with recognizing when stress and overwhelm are taking over your life. In this episode, we explore grief and healing, burnout recovery, and how slowing down can help you reclaim your peace before your body forces you to stop. I sat down with Lane Kennedy, a stress management expert, to talk about the hidden cost of always saying “I’m fine.” Lane shares how years of ov...

Grief and healing after divorce can feel overwhelming, especially when life changes without warning. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, healing through storytelling, and how small daily practices can help you rebuild after loss. I sat down with Hillary Peterson, creator of It Started With One Sticky Note, to talk about navigating an unexpected divorce, grieving the life she thoug...

Grief and healing after losing a child to addiction and mental health struggles can feel impossible, but these conversations are necessary for awareness and change. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, grief, and healing through storytelling in a deeply personal and honest way. I sat down with Erik Thureson, father of the late musician Jacob “Hella Sketchy,” to talk about his son’s...

Grief and healing after loss, trauma, and addiction can feel overwhelming but they can also become a pathway to purpose. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, addiction recovery, and healing through storytelling in a deeply personal conversation. I sat down with Kari Wells, author, actress, and storyteller, to talk about the loss of her sister to addiction, surviving a traumatic ass...

Grief and healing after suicidal thoughts and mental health struggles can feel overwhelming, but there is always more to life than your current circumstance. In this episode, we explore mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and healing through storytelling in a deeply personal and honest conversation. I sat down with Kevin Hines, a suicide attempt survivor who jumped from the Golden Gate Br...

Healing from pain, grief, and life’s challenges isn’t about ignoring what hurts—it’s about learning how to move through it with intention. In this episode, we explore resilience, mental health awareness, and how to turn pain into purpose through storytelling and lived experience. I sat down with resilience coach Rick Cram to talk about his journey through chronic pain, multiple surgeries, and the...

What happens when you reach the point where you cannot pretend anymore? In this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Shannan Kym, TEDx speaker, life coach, and author of Find the Answers Within You: 10 Pathways Toward Self Discovery. Shannan shares the pivotal moment on August 17, 2019 when she made the decision to speak her truth and leave behind an unhealthy marriage. What began as a breakin...

Domestic violence does not have a look. It does not belong to one income bracket, one zip code, one race, or one level of education. In this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Patricia Gordon-Stevens, licensed counselor and author of Madness in Memphis, for a deeply honest conversation about domestic violence, grief, identity transitions, and the strength of survivors. Patricia shares her pe...

What if the healing you are searching for is not outside of you, but already within you? In this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Christianna Carr, author of Begin Within, spiritual psychotherapist, and founder of Begin Within Gifts, Books, and Healing Services. Our conversation centers around personal healing, creative expression, and the courage it takes to tell your story. Christianna s...

During Women’s History Month, we cannot celebrate strength without acknowledging the silent battles many women carry. In this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Shelby Azbill, CEO of Generations Behavioral Health, for an honest conversation about women’s mental health, behavioral health stigma, and what compassionate crisis care truly looks like. Shelby leads one of the few inpatient behavio...

In this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Cleveland artist, poet, and songwriter Vita Shields, known as Vitaologee, for a soulful conversation about grief, creativity, and healing through music. Vita shares her journey from a career in recruiting to fully embracing her calling as an artist, and how poetry and songwriting became the words she needed in her darkest moments. Tune in to hear Vi...

What happens between the moment of an accident and the moment a family is notified? In this powerful episode of Groove with Portia, I sit down with Christine Olson, founder of T.I.F.F. To Inform Families First. After waiting six hours to learn that her daughter, Tiffiany, had been killed in a motorcycle accident, Christine realized there was a gap in the emergency notification system that no famil...

In this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Nicole for a deeply honest conversation about forgiveness, self-love, and healing after betrayal. Nicole shares her personal journey that began in 2013 after discovering her husband’s infidelity and how that moment changed the way she understood forgiveness, trust, and her own voice. Tune in to hear Nicole explain how her search for healing led her...