The School of Hard Knocks with Darcie

In this episode, I hit record in my car after picking up dog food — because sometimes life doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. These last eight weeks have been one thing after another: losing my dad, losing Eric’s brother, our truck breaking down, being thrown straight into menopause, and trying to hold everything together while life keeps piling on. I talk about the compound effect of trauma — n...

Tonight, Eric and I watched the OG Grinch… and somewhere between Whoville and that tiny little heart growing three sizes, I realized something: We have it all backwards. Christmas doesn’t come in boxes and bags and bows and tags. It comes in moments… in prayers whispered with your family… in the way you slow down long enough to actually see the people you love. One day, my granddaughters won’t rem...

In this episode of The School of Hard Knocks, I sit down with Caryn, author of Beauty Within Divorce- A No BS Guide to Healing, Reinventing, and Loving Life Again, We talk about the raw, real process of going through divorce... grieving what was... and finally stepping into who you were always meant to be. Caryn shares the truth about: * Losing yourself in a marriage *The moment everything shifted...

In this heartfelt interview, Melanie opens up about the profound experience of losing both parents — a life-shaping grief that changed her emotionally, spiritually, and physically. She shares how her mother’s passing during the COVID era created layers of isolation around her grief, and how her father’s later passing — forced her to navigate yet another wave of loss. Instead of shutting down emoti...

Today’s episode shines a light on a woman with extraordinary strength. Meet Marty Robison — a mother, a cycle breaker, and someone who chose healing over repeating history. Marty walked through deep childhood trauma, the kind that forces you to grow up before you’re ready. And instead of allowing her past to define her, she built a life rooted in new traditions, emotional safety, and the kind of m...

In this short episode, I’m sharing how lowering the bar this Thanksgiving actually made it one of the best ones yet — paper plates, red solo cups, unfinished mac and cheese, and all. If you need permission to slow down, simplify, and breathe again… this one’s for you. You can reach me at darcie@theschoolsofhardknocks.com

Today didn’t go perfectly… but it also didn’t fall apart. I cried twice before anyone even arrived, felt my dad around me all day, and somehow made space for new memories in the middle of it all. This episode is simply about a holiday that was what it was — messy, tender, surprising, and survivable. You can reach me at darcie@theschoolsofhardknocks.com

Today we’re getting real about loving your kids more than you hate your ex. I share a raw piece of our co-parenting history — the messy, the awkward, the Cruella moment — and how choosing peace can heal wounds at any age. Your kids deserve that gift this Christmas. You can reach me at darcie@theschoolsofhardknocks.com

In today’s Sunday Soul Note, we chat about joy after grief!

I’m talking about my pre–New Year resolution: choosing positivity, healing, and healthy habits now — not January 1st. Every minute is a new chance to start again. You can reach me at darcie@theschoolsofhardknocks.com

Today we’re talking about the people who message you, don’t hear back in 3 minutes, and suddenly spiral into, “Are you mad at me?” This episode dives into guilt-driven communication, emotional projection, and how to respond with intention instead of pressure. Reach me anytime at: d arcie@theschool s ofhardknocks.com

In this Sunday Soul Note, you’ll hear a quick reminder of the importance of choosing your crowd wisely! You can reach me at darcie@theschoolsofhardknocks.com

I went to my book signing last night not knowing what to expect. For the first 45 minutes, not a single person walked in. Eventually five people came — and only two bought a book, because the others had already supported me before. But the truth is… I didn’t walk away discouraged. I walked away proud. Proud that I showed up for myself in the middle of heavy grief. Proud that I sat there, present,...

As we prepare for full-length interviews to drop on my subscription platform soon, I want to introduce you to one of the most powerful stories I’ve recorded so far. This is Angus — my brother. A successful recovering addict. Clean for over two years. A man of faith, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle… and a living example of what happens when God steps into your rock bottom. In this short clip,...

Sometimes it isn’t the food — it’s the fear. In this episode, I’m opening up about how my lifelong relationship with food began as a way to comfort my eight-year-old self in the middle of chaos and fear… and how I’m finally learning to break that cycle 38 years later. I talk about the moment I realized food had become my drug of choice, how grief reignited those patterns after my dad’s passing, an...

This week’s Soul Note is short, simple, and straight from the heart. Eric and I are tucked away in a quiet suite this weekend — a little escape to breathe, reset, and detach from the heaviness of the past few weeks. I was reminded how often we go through life trying to breathe through a straw… just surviving. But we don’t have to wait until January 1st or rock bottom to start taking care of oursel...

The holidays can feel heavy when the people we love aren’t here to share them with us. In this episode, I open up about what it means to find gratitude in the middle of grief. From favorite recipes to small traditions that keep memories alive, i remind you that even through loss, there’s still light — and that thankfulness can be both tender and transformative. If you’re walking through a hard sea...

Listen in as Amy shares the moment she knew it was time to make the final decision to move forward with divorce after such a short period of marriage. Her story is one of courage, reflection, and faith in what comes next. We’re excited to continue sharing Amy’s full interview with you once subscription options become available very soon. Please make sure you’re following The School of Hard Knocks...

This morning has been one of those “God, give me strength” kind of mornings. You know the ones — where the person you love drives you absolutely crazy, but deep down you know they’re your person. Today’s episode is all about the messy moments — the ones that test your patience, your love, and your peace — and how to fall together instead of falling apart when the world (or your partner) seems to b...

As the calendar turns to November, I find myself sitting in a wave of reflection — realizing just how quickly this year has passed. It feels like only yesterday Eric and I were ringing in the new year with my dad, kissing him on the cheek at midnight, and now here we are… just two months away from closing out another chapter. In today’s Sunday Soul Note, I’m talking about how time can slip through...

In this episode, I talk about the power of healthy confrontation — the kind that heals instead of harms. Too often we step into hard conversations just to defend our stance instead of truly seeking resolution. What if the goal wasn’t to be right, but to reach understanding? This is your reminder that growth lives in the middle of discomfort — and that real healing begins when we choose compassion...

Sometimes the deepest lessons come sealed in envelopes we never open. In this episode, I reflect on what happens when fractured relationships resurface—through unexpected gestures, old memories, or unopened cards. I share a moment from my own corporate-world past and how a similar experience recently surfaced for my husband, Eric, reminding us that healing doesn’t always require reopening every do...

When life knocks you down, stand back up and tell it it hits like…. Well you know the rest!

In this deeply personal episode, I reflect on navigating grief after the passing of my father — a journey filled with heartbreak, gratitude, and grace. Inspired by a song that reminded me not to spend too much time in sorrow, i share how even in loss, God’s blessings remain. From my dad’s strong hugs to the quiet moments of love that spoke louder than words, this episode is a gentle reminder that...

This week, I’m sharing something deeply personal — how I’m learning to give myself grace through grief. Just this morning, a moment with music brought me to tears. It reminded me of how much I miss my dad and how grief often shows up in the smallest, most unexpected ways. For years, I used to tell myself to get it together or be fine. But not this time. This time, I’m learning that it’s okay not t...