The 10 Ninety Podcast

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Tyson Ballard about losing his dad at 11, his brother at 17, and his sister in his mid-30s. Tyson shares how those losses shaped his life, from feeling pressure to stay strong to realizing there was never a safe space to talk about it. They talk about how funerals feel like the only time it's okay to grieve, how quickly people move on, and...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason sits down with Dustin Diefenderfer, founder of Mountain Tough, for a raw conversation on mental toughness, grief, and the illusion of control. They reflect on Viktor Frankl's philosophy, the spiritual fallout of tragedy, and the struggle to find meaning after unimaginable loss. Mason opens up about life after losing his wife, kids, brother, and nephe...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Dustin Diefenderfer, founder of Mountain Tough, about mindset, mental toughness, and the idea of false finishes—those moments in life when you think you've made it through, only to find out there's more ahead. They talk about the challenges of grief, the value of long-form conversations, and why building resilience starts with doing hard t...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Haley Garrison about the heartbreaking loss of her daughter Ellie, and the emotional rollercoaster of 41 days in the NICU. As a school psychologist, Haley opens up about the internal conflict of knowing coping tools but struggling to use them, and what it's like to grieve while raising another child. This episode explores medical trauma, g...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast , Mason talks with Brittainy Moala about her daughter Revie and the gut instinct that told her something was wrong—even when doctors said otherwise. What followed was years of misdiagnosis, hospital stays, and learning how to advocate in a system that often dismisses the parents of medically complex kids. Brittainy shares the weight of that fight, how it's...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason sits down with Weston Brandon, whose wife Lauren died unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism just days after giving birth to their son at 26 weeks. Weston shares raw memories of performing CPR, holding his newborn son alone in the NICU, and how he found love again while carrying deep grief. This conversation covers trauma, healing, remarriage, and ch...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast , Mason sits down with Phil Lewis, a retired police officer and current detective, to talk about life in law enforcement, grief, and healing after loss. They kick things off with lighthearted conversation about speeding tickets, favorite cop movies, and stories from Phil's early career. The episode then shifts as Phil shares the story of his son Hunter, who...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast , Mason, Matt, and Keisha talk about the upcoming July 25th memorial event honoring Kortni, Riggins, Franki, Race, and Ryder. Held at West Jordan High—the site of their funeral—the event blends storytelling, IFS therapy, and a healing yoga session. The team opens up about grief, identity, and how moving toward pain is the only way through it. All proceeds g...

In this two-part episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Nick and Susie Shaw about the tragic loss of their 9-year-old son, William, who died in a ski accident while on vacation in Montana. Nick shares the events of that day in vivid detail, including the moment he had to tell his wife what happened—and the powerful words she offered in return: "It's not your fault." Susie then shares h...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Cristin Almeida shares the heartbreaking story of losing her son Tyler to undiagnosed epilepsy, brought on by a traumatic brain injury from a snowboarding accident. She reflects on the days leading up to his death and the emotional toll that followed—grappling with guilt, anger, and the struggle to redefine her identity without him. Cristin also talks abou...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason Sawyer and Ryan Garner announce the launch of The 10 Ninety Foundation—a 501(c)(3) non-profit created to support families navigating the loss of a loved one. The foundation will help cover funeral expenses and other costs tied to grief. Mason and Ryan share what it took to turn their podcast and speaking efforts into a formal non-profit, opening up a...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Brittney Obray about the unimaginable grief of losing her son Dexton to suicide. Brittney speaks candidly about the absence of clear warning signs, the role social media played in Dexton's mental health, and the moment her world shifted forever. The conversation highlights the importance of having honest discussions around mental health, b...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Vince Vargas about life after military service, healing from moral injury, and the long journey of finding purpose again. Vince shares his story of going from serving as an Army Ranger to acting in Mayans M.C. , opening up about survivor's guilt, PTSD, and the hidden battles veterans face when they return home. This conversation is a raw l...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Brandon Crozier about losing his father in a car crash at age 12 and how that trauma led him into addiction, gang involvement, and over a decade in prison. Brandon shares his journey through grief, the realities of incarceration, and the turning point that led to his sobriety. Now several years clean, he's building homes, mentoring others...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Garrett George about the loss of his best friend Chad, and how that tragedy led him into years of addiction. Garrett shares his experience surviving abuse, the shame that kept him silent, and the moment he finally chose to speak out. They discuss the weight of grief, the grip of drug dependency, and the power of forgiveness. Garrett reflec...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Nikita Schio about the sudden loss of her brother Dylan, who died from an aggressive cancer at just 26. Nikita shares what it was like to watch his body shut down in real time, the helplessness she felt navigating hospitals, and the guilt that hit her after he passed. She opens up about her battles with anxiety, the hard work of going to t...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Russ McKell about the loss of his brother Steve McKell. Russ shares how he's learned to cope by celebrating life instead of fixating on death anniversaries. He also opens up about working with at-risk youth, and how that work shapes his views on grief, emotional intelligence, and healing. They talk about the power of living in the moment,...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Taylor Potter about the tragic loss of her sister, Katelyn Self, and sister-in-law, Amanda Self, after her father, battling severe depression and anxiety, deliberately drove his car into a restaurant where their family was dining. Taylor shares how she and her family have faced the aftermath—coping with grief, navigating forgiveness, and l...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast , Mason talks with Adam Schroeder about the loss of his son, Gage, and his path through grief. Adam shares how embracing vulnerability, especially among men, has been key to his healing. They discuss the impact of trauma, emotional intelligence, and the role of compassion. Adam also reflects on internal family systems therapy, overcoming addiction, and the...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast , Mason sits down with high school basketball players Boston Lamborn and Isaiah Reiser to talk about their personal experiences with grief and loss. Boston opens up about losing his mother and sister in a tragic drowning accident at age ten, while Isaiah shares how he lost his father to cancer when he was eight. Together, they reflect on how these losses ha...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast , Mason sits down with Jessica and Mike to discuss their journey through grief after losing their daughter, Maggie, at 22 weeks. They share how they transformed their loss into a mission to support other bereaved families through Jessica's work as a certified child life specialist and author. The conversation explores the impact of play-based therapy for gr...

In part two of this conversation on The 10 Ninety Podcast , Mason talks with Rachel Coffey about the immense grief she faced after losing her husband, Joe, to COVID-19 and her son, Jace, to suicide. Rachel opens up about the emotional and mental health struggles that come with such devastating loss, highlighting the ripple effects of suicide and the urgent need for open discussions about mental he...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason hosts Rachel Coffey, who shares her profound journey through grief after losing her husband Joe to COVID-19 and a month later, her son Jayce to suicide. Rachel recounts Joe's battle with COVID-19 pneumonia, the heart-wrenching moments leading up to his passing, and the abrupt and devastating loss of her son Jayce. They explore the complex emotions an...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast , Mason sits down with Katherine Lazar as she shares her heartbreaking journey through the grief of a full-term stillbirth. Katherine opens up about the devastating experience of delivering her son, Brody, who was born still at 37 weeks. She reflects on the initial shock, the physical and emotional toll, and the societal challenges of navigating loss. Throu...

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast , Mason talks with Melanie Hill, who shares the devastating story of losing her daughter, Macie, during a Fourth of July parade in 2022. They read Macie's obituary, reflecting on her vibrant spirit and the deep love her family holds for her. Melanie opens up about her battle with PTSD, the emotional weight of grief, and the physical and mental toll of losin...