SOS - Stories of Survivors

What would you do if a simple Facebook message had the power to change someone’s life forever? In this deeply moving episode of S.O.S. Stories of Survivors, Serina Dansker sits down with Stephen Picard, whose compassion transformed into a life-changing mission after connecting online with Ahmad, a young Syrian teenager living through the horrors of civil war. Over the course of more than a decade,...

In this special Father’s Day episode of SOS Stories of Survivors, Serena is joined by the women of the Self Love Club for an honest and heartfelt conversation about fathers, father figures, love, absence, forgiveness, and healing. Together, they reflect on the fathers who showed up, the fathers who were absent, the relationships that were complicated, and the lessons that shaped the women they bec...

In this meaningful episode of SOS Stories of Survivors, Serena sits down with Julie Blitzer, founder of Authentic Matters, to explore grief, healing, death, movement, writing, and what it means to live authentically. As a grief recovery method specialist, end-of-life doula, funeral celebrant, movement guide, and author, Julie helps others navigate life’s most difficult transitions with compassion,...

In this powerful episode of SOS Stories of Survivors, Serina sits down with Jean Gutierrez, also known as The Woke Widow, to share her extraordinary journey through unimaginable loss, betrayal, grief, and spiritual awakening. After losing her mother, her father, and then suddenly the love of her life, Jean’s world unraveled even further when painful secrets came to light. Through heartbreak, anger...

 In this powerful episode of SOS: Stories of Survivors, Serina Dansker sits down with Gregg Kirk — author, healer, Lyme disease advocate, and founder of the Tick Tock Foundation. Gregg shares his incredible journey through chronic Lyme disease, years of misdiagnosis, frightening medical experiences, a near-death moment, and the spiritual awakening that changed his life. What began as a fight to su...

In this heartfelt Mother’s Day edition of SOS Stories of Survivors, Serina is joined by Michelle Giorno and Eileen Carey for a powerful conversation about mothers, memories, grief, forgiveness, and the lessons that shape us long after childhood. Together, they reflect on the strength of their mothers, the complicated beauty of mother-daughter relationships, the pain of losing a parent, and the sig...

In this deeply moving and transformative episode, Serina Dansker is joined by Melissa Asare for a powerful conversation about worth, healing, and the journey back to self. Melissa courageously shares her story of growing up without feeling loved, and how those early emotional wounds led her into an abusive relationship-revealing how unhealed pain can shape the choices we make and the environments...

In this powerful episode of SOS Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker invites you into a space where healing goes beyond the physical and purpose is reborn through adversity. Featuring Lisa A. Labozzo, this episode reveals a deeply personal journey of resilience, spiritual connection, and transformation-reminding us that even in our darkest moments, healing, clarity, and purpose are always wit...

Step into the remarkable journey of The Unbreakable Spirit of a Warrior on Stories of Survivors with host Serina Dansker. In this powerful episode, Sifu Karl Romain—Martial Arts World Champion, Certified Master Trainer, Bestselling Author, and Speaker—shares his profound story of resilience and triumph. Discover how he transformed adversity into strength, inspiring countless individuals to rise ab...

In this deeply moving episode of SOS – Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker sits down with the extraordinary Dr. Mo Therese Hannah, Ph. D.—Professor of Psychology, author, and resilience expert—to explore the powerful journey of love, loss, and the indomitable human spirit. With warmth and wisdom, Dr. Hannah shares profound insights on navigating heartbreak, finding meaning in adversity, and...

In this deeply moving episode of Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker sits down with the Michelle Nelson Giorno— a sexual assault survivor, advocate, and motivational speaker, whose journey from trauma to triumph is nothing short of extraordinary. After enduring unthinkable abuse from a young age, Michelle carried the weight of her pain in silence for years. But when she found her voice, she...

On this episode of Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker sits down with Marleny Cruz, Founder of SOS Multi-Media Group, for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation about resilience, reinvention, and purpose. Marleny shares her powerful journey of overcoming adversity, turning challenges into stepping stones, and using her experiences to uplift and empower others. From navigating setbacks...

The Journey Begins – A Story of Survival and Hope. In the premiere episode of Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker takes us behind the scenes of her own journey through pain, loss, and resilience. With raw honesty and heartfelt reflection, she shares the challenges she has faced, the lessons she has learned, and her mission to create a space of healing and empowerment. This episode sets the t...

In a deeply moving episode of ASCEND, we were honored to host Serina, a former Financial Advisor who has transformed her grief into a mission of hope and healing. After the tragic loss of her 16-year-old son to suicide, Serina found herself on a new path, one that led her to become a Mental Health Advocate dedicated to empowering young adults. During the episode, Serina shared her son’s life story...

In this profoundly moving episode of SOS: Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker sits down with Lisa Pinney-Keusch, founder of Rock The Walls Foundation, for a raw and inspiring conversation that speaks to the heart of resilience and reform. Titled “Breaking Chains and Changing Laws,” this episode takes you on Lisa’s powerful journey from personal trauma to purposeful advocacy—turning pain into...

In this heartfelt and transformative episode of Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker welcomes the courageous and creative Jessie Spellman, co-creator of Recess Grove. Together, they explore how deep personal grief can become a catalyst for healing not only the self—but an entire community. Jessie opens up about her journey through loss, and how it inspired her to co-create a space where art,...

In this deeply moving episode of Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker shares an illuminating conversation with life coach and motivational speaker Luzk Cuellar, whose journey through grief led her to a higher calling. Awakened by Loss, Guided by Light explores how even the most painful experiences can spark personal growth, spiritual insight, and a renewed sense of purpose. Luzk opens her hea...

In this powerful and necessary episode of Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker opens a courageous space to explore a subject too often left in silence: men’s mental health. Joined by special guest Mike Cawley—a devoted yogi, meditation instructor, and quiet pillar of healing—this episode invites listeners into an honest, grounded, and deeply human conversation about the emotional journeys men...

In this deeply personal and soul-stirring episode of Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker gathers with three of her dearest friends—Michelle Giorno, Christine Johanson, and Joanne Tierney—for a heartfelt conversation rooted in honesty, sisterhood, and self-discovery. Together, they form The Self-Love Club, an intimate circle where they open up about the challenges and triumphs of balancing li...

In this deeply moving episode of SOS – Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker sits down with Bill Magid to explore a personal journey marked by profound love and devastating loss. With honesty and grace, Bill shares the intimate story of his late wife, the challenges of navigating grief, and the quiet strength it takes to keep living—and loving—in the aftermath. Together, Serina and Bill reflec...

Parenting is one of life’s most profound journeys—and one of its most challenging. In this transformative episode of SOS – Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker welcomes Michelle Robertson, a life coach with expertise in parenting, communication, and life transitions, for a candid and empowering conversation. Together, they explore how parents can learn to silence the relentless inner critic a...

In this powerful and soul-stirring episode of SOS: Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker welcomes the remarkable Annamarie Mazabras Kealy—a devoted mother, tireless caregiver, and fierce cancer advocate—whose story redefines courage and compassion. Annamarie opens her heart to share the emotional journey of standing beside a loved one through the trials of cancer. From late nights in hospital...

In this deeply informative episode of SOS – Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker sits down with Linda Stephens, M.S. Nutritionist, for an intimate and inspiring dialogue on the evolution of self-image and identity through midlife. Linda shares her personal and professional journey of navigating body image, healing, and transformation—offering a raw, honest look at what it means to rediscover...

In this powerful episode of SOS – Stories of Survivors, host Serina Danker sits down with a true innovator and life-saver, Arthur Lih—Founder, Inventor, and CEO of LifeVac. Arthur’s journey began with humble roots as a truck driver and logistics expert, but his story took a profound turn after hearing about the tragic loss of a young child to choking. Refusing to accept that such heartbreak had no...

In this heartfelt episode of SOS – Stories of Survivors, host Serina Dansker sits down with Michele Litt, Executive Director of HangTime, for an inspiring and transformative conversation about healing, hope, and the power of second chances. Michele shares her powerful journey of rebuilding from the inside out—highlighting how personal adversity became the foundation for a mission that now impacts...