Stubbornly Positive with Craig Grossi and Nora Parkington

Turkey Day came with an extra helping of meaning this year for Nora and Craig. Listen in as they discuss gathering with Nora's big family and all the beautiful chaos they bring to the table. Plus Craig rockets off to Texas to appear on a major podcast hosted by former Force RECON Marine and author of SAVING AZIZ, Chad Robichaux. Hear all about his quick but eventful trip to the Lone Star State...

Pull up a chair for this heartwarming episode where Nora and Craig share some of their favorite and never before heard stories with Freddy. Hear all about their trip to the Pentagon and a different government agency that may or may not have made them redact some of this episode. Are they investigating the girl from cape cod who has never even had a speeding ticket? Plus, "buckle" up for...

Schmalls Fest 2025 is a wrap! Nora and Craig are home in Maine and they’re happily exhausted from planning, preparing and executing this powerful event. Listen in as they reflect on the origins of Schmalls Fest and all the beauty that this night has brought into their lives over the ten years it’s been in existence. Find out more about the John Purvis "Big Deal" Award and its first ever...

Master Sergeant (Ret.) Ysa Rubio returns to the podcast for this special Veterans Day episode! Put your ears at parade rest as this Special Operations veteran shares insights from his incredible career and his newest challenges that include: Ultra Marathon running, transitioning from active duty to active Dad, and reconnecting with himself after service. All this plus Craig and Ysa share funny boo...

Completing the Marine Corps Marathon has been a dream of Craig’s for years and on it's 50th anniversary he made it happen! Listen in as he and Nora reflect and laugh at the long road to this important race and all the emotional milestones and memories along the way. Plus, Craig responds to listeners questions, shares what worked and what didn’t and how he fueled up before and during the race....

Nora and Craig share their beautifully hectic week that included, the official launch of their nonprofit The Stubbornly Positive Project, a trip to Oklahoma for a speaking engagement for Craig where Nora received a standing ovation, and hosting two of Craig's oldest friends for the long weekend. Plus a trip to the Damariscotta Pumpkin Festival & Pumpkin Regatta and Three Truths and a Fib:...

It's a perfect fall day in Maine and Nora and Craig are thrilled to bring you along to one of their favorite places and introduce you to Ralph Hamill: an Oyster Farmer, a Cardiologist, a Hockey Player and an incredible example of Stubborn Positivity. Listen in as he shares his passion for our planet and the beautiful ways he's working to make life better, and more tasty, for all of us. He loves wh...

As the season changes our hosts are realizing that they can “sail through the changing ocean tides and handle the seasons of their lives”.  In this episode Nora and Craig discuss their takeaways from a surprisingly disheartening post-op appointment following their pregnancy loss. They reflect on the emotional and physical challenges they’ve faced and how they’ve regained their footing through Stub...

Open up and say, "AAAAmber The Oral Health Crusader"!! This week Nora and Craig are joined by Amber Lombardi IPDH: a Maine dental hygienist whose vision, passion, dedication and mobile dental clinic are “filling the gaps” for Maine’s veterans and most vulnerable populations. Hold on to your molars as she shares her incredible journey from navigating the healthcare system as a young mothe...

What are some self-care tips that Nora and Craig have picked up in the last week? Plus, hear the special story of how Fred sent them some new important friends and a new segment where they give advice to listeners who share a challenge they’re facing. This week Nora & Craig dive into: "How to handle extended family who really dislike how you think". Schmalls Fest Ticket Link! https:/...

In this episode Nora and Craig discuss what has helped them navigate the uncertain waters of grief after their pregnancy loss. Resident Stubbornly Positive therapist Jess Kwerel, LPC, LCPC, pays a visit to help respond to a very important listener question about vulnerability and provide important grief guidance. Plus an exciting announcement about a new project!  Find Jess on Instagram: @PetLossD...

Nora and Craig are back behind the microphones after learning over their break that they’d lost a long awaited pregnancy. This episode dives into the realities of miscarriage. 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss. While Nora and Craig are still very much processing this profound grief, they have found strength, gratitude, and inspiration through sharing their experience with their Fred Family. It is the...

Hang out with your favorite Stubbornly Positive hosts as they celebrate their Anniversary and 80th Episode by revealing some surprising and fascinating facts about each other during their version of the Newlywed Game. Plus a pop-tastic candy review!  AND Nora admits that Craig is the better driver and always parks in the best place and never drives too fast, also he can do so many pull ups (who wr...

Is there a trip you've been planning for years? Have you been wanting to catch up with that old friend for weeks? Is that new restaurant you've been meaning to try always getting deferred to "next time"? Well in this episode Nora and Craig make a strong case for embracing the opportunities for joy that we too often pass on in the name of practicality. Inspired by a visit from som...

Something epic is brewing on this week's episode! Nora and Craig are joined by a Beer-y special guest whose story has more twists and inspiring turns than a bourbon barrel aged stout! Ryan McCullough is the General Manager at Allagash Brewery in Portland Maine but his road to this prestigious role was full of wild tales and examples of Stubborn Positivity. Listen in as he shares how he and his fam...

Summer is in full swing and Nora and Craig have been busy making the most of it! On this smile-filled episode they reflect on their adventures with friends Nathan and Miranda and their two fun loving boys during their trip to Maine. What was the most meaningful activity they did together? The answer might surprise you. Plus, the story behind their newest family member… Theodore The Tractor! All th...

Nora and Craig celebrate the Fourth of July by sharing their traditions, family memories, and the joy their dogs bring to their lives. They look back on Fred’s life and the incredible ways he connected with the world and the people he met. All this plus a critter update and another vintage candy review to chew on!  Visit our Website : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.fredtheafghan.com/stubbornlypositive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

What does it mean to find your "why"? On this week's episode, Nora and Craig sit down with Mellissa Martone, a 6th Grade English Language Arts Teacher from New Jersey with a very important question for all of us. For this daughter of a NYPD Detective, cancer survivor and accomplished athlete, it involves embracing the challenges life throws at her by working through them in a way tha...

Nora and Craig recap their busy weekend in Boston while trying another iconic candy named after the city's favorite supper. Plus an unexpected visit from Frank,  a very special Frugal Fairy who is working to make their tractor dreams come true! And a Stubbornly Positive look back at the failed relationships and heartaches that lead us to one another. All this and an extra sweet version of 3 Tr...

This week Nora and Craig are joined by Ryland Chapman, Firefighter/EMT in Fairfax County, Virginia and one of Craig's closest friends since their high school days. He shares fire safety tips and incredible stories from his impressive 22 year career. Including: responding to the Nepalese earthquakes in 2015 as part of a USAID crew of highly trained urban search and rescue specialists. Ryland al...

Lace up your hiking boots and grab your binoculars for this National Park themed episode that is sure to PEAK your interest! Nora and Craig reflect on the amazing memories they've made over the years in National Parks across the country. Fred's love of exploration continues to inspire them to seek out these diverse and beautiful places whenever they can. Plus, more weird candy, (Freeze Dried what?...

Fresh back from 2 months on the road, Nora and Craig have a lot to unpack on this episode! Listen in as they share their biggest takeaways and lessons as well as some heartfelt letters from young readers from Winslow Jr. High that were waiting in their mailbox. All this plus Spicy or Frosty Travel Edition and Nora tries "burnt peanuts" candy for the first time! Visit our Website : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week is all about showing up in big ways and small. Nora and Craig reflect on their last week in South Carolina and the lessons they've learned from the recently departed John W. Purvis Jr., Craig's brother-in-law and loving father of four. With Memorial Day approaching it is all the more important to understand how precious our time together is and John demonstrated that by above all...

This week on the Stubbornly Positive Podcast, Nora and Craig are joined by two extraordinary guests, their Moms! From Craig's Mom's house on Hilton Head Island SC they dive into stories from the women who raised them and even put their knowledge to the test in Mom themed trivia! These two ladies have a lot to say about motherhood, family and getting the most out of life. All this, plus a very spec...

Coming to you from South Carolina, Nora and Craig reflect on their recent travels from Maine, Virginia, DC, Raleigh, Lake Oconee, and Hilton Head. They examine how reconnecting with their pasts has given them a new appreciation for the present. Plus, the story of how Nora got bamboozled by a bougie Beagle, Bingo's first groom session with recent guest Haley Easthom, and a romantic revelation f...