When the unthinkable happens, some people fall apart—and others become the light for the rest of us. Donna is that light. In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Donna—one of the 12 Warriors featured in Burn the Map —to talk about what it means to love without limits, to face heartbreak with open arms, and to stand strong even when your heart is breaking. We explore her journey through the addiction nightmare with her son, Anthony, the moment she prepared for what no mother should have to...
Jul 02, 2025•39 min
We’ve laughed in hospital rooms, funerals, courtrooms, and the middle of absolute chaos. Was it inappropriate? Maybe. Did it save us? Absolutely. In this episode, Sean and I share some of our funniest—and most embarrassing—stories. But this isn’t just a highlight reel of awkward moments. It’s a deep dive into why laughter is more than a coping mechanism. It’s a lifeline. When the world feels heavy and nothing makes sense, laughter can cut through the darkness and remind us we’re still alive. So ...
Jun 25, 2025•38 min
We spend so much of life trying to avoid the fire. But what if it’s the very thing shaping you into someone stronger? In this episode of Brave, Bold & Unfiltered , I talk about the pain, pressure, and heat that can feel unbearable—but often become the forge for our strength. You don’t become unshakable without going through some shaking. You don’t develop courage without walking through fear. If you’re in the fire right now, this one’s for you. Your story matters, so live it courageously! 📌...
Jun 18, 2025•15 min
In this episode—just one day after the release of Burn the Map —Sean and I sit down to talk about why we keep trying to follow plans that were never guaranteed, and how courage becomes our compass when life blows those plans to pieces. We dig into stories from the book and from our lives, including moments where the path disappeared completely—and how we kept moving anyway. This is the heart of the message: Life rarely goes as planned… but that doesn’t mean you’re lost. Sometimes, the most power...
Jun 11, 2025•50 min
Mona may live in a small village, but her story is anything but small. In this episode, she opens up about her chapter in Burn the Map —how she overcame early trauma, stopped chasing an outdated version of her life, and began walking with courage, clarity, and self-awareness. Her light is quiet, but it’s powerful—and this conversation will stay with you long after the episode ends. Your story matters, so live it courageously! 📌 Helpful Links & Resources ▶️ Watch the video version on YouTube...
Jun 04, 2025•41 min
When life throws you into a storm, you either sink—or you fight to find the lesson in the chaos. In this powerful episode, Sean and I talk through the recent health scare that turned our lives upside down. From ER visits and sleepless nights to emotional and physical pain, we faced it together—but not without fear, frustration, and a whole lot of prayer. This isn’t just a story about what happened—it’s about what it taught us. About control, compassion, perspective, and the courage to find grati...
May 28, 2025•36 min
We all want to reach the top—of the mountain, the healing journey, the next breakthrough. But life rarely hands us a smooth trail or a perfect view. In this episode, I share what my two-year-old great-niece, a stubborn friend in white shorts, and a few hard-earned mountain climbs taught me about the real point of it all: the climb. Whether you’re stuck at the trailhead or halfway up a messy slope, this episode is a reminder that the transformation happens step by step, not just when you reach th...
May 21, 2025•17 min
Let Go or Be Dragged: Why Releasing Control Is the Only Way Forward Letting go isn’t easy—it feels unnatural. We cling to people, expectations, and control because it gives us a sense of safety. But what if that white-knuckle grip is the very thing dragging us under? In this episode, I share how my son Sean’s innocent childhood words became a profound metaphor for how tightly we all try to hold on. I also open up about Shawnie’s loss and the illusion of control that shattered when tragedy hit. W...
May 14, 2025•17 min
When your worst fears start knocking on the door, it's easy to feel like you're losing your grip. In this raw and real episode, I talk about the terrifying possibility of losing my only child—and what it’s like when nothing seems to get better, no matter how hard you pray. I’ll walk you through how I handled two of the scariest weeks of my life: what I felt, what I did, and how I turned to bold prayers, miracle-level faith, and my gratitude box like never before. If you’ve ever felt completely s...
May 07, 2025•21 min
This week’s episode wasn’t planned — because life doesn’t always give us time to plan. Valerie shares from a raw place about fear, exhaustion, and the importance of rest. If you’re in the fight of your life, this is your reminder that it’s okay to pause… that resting is still fighting. The Beast wants you tired and discouraged. Don’t give him the win. Your story matters, so live it courageously! 📌 Helpful Links & Resources ▶️ Watch the video version on YouTube 🌐 Visit Valerie’s Website 💪 ...
Apr 30, 2025•7 min
What does it take to stand by someone as they navigate unimaginable loss, grief, and healing? My daughter-in-law, Nicki, joins me for a raw and powerful conversation about what it’s like to love and commit to someone who is walking through fire. When she met Sean, all she knew was that he had a sister deep in addiction and a lot of anger about it. Less than a year later, Jamie was murdered, and Nicki suddenly found herself inside a world of grief, justice battles, and healing that she never coul...
Apr 23, 2025•31 min
Uncertainty Is For Certain We crave certainty and security. We plan, we prepare, we try to get it all “right”—but the truth is, certainty is a lie. And sometimes it holds us back more than it helps. In this episode, I’m sharing what it looks like to move forward without clarity or guarantees—and why living courageously has never been about having all the answers. If you’ve been waiting for a sign… this might be it. Your story matters, so live it courageously. 📌 Helpful Links & Resources ▶️ ...
Apr 16, 2025•16 min
Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not afraid—it means you choose courage anyway. In this episode, Sean and I get real about what bravery looks like in everyday life. We talk about the moments that test us, the fears we don’t always admit out loud, and how courage is often a quiet, persistent choice—not a one-time act. Whether you’re facing something big or just trying to get through your day, this one’s for you. Your story matters, so live it courageously! 📌 Helpful Links & Resources ▶️ Watch...
Apr 09, 2025•21 min
Your perspective shapes everything—your mindset, your resilience, and even the way you navigate life’s biggest challenges. In this episode, we dive deep into how shifting your perspective can transform setbacks into stepping stones and struggles into lessons. 📌 Helpful Links & Resources ▶️ Watch the video version on YouTube 🌐 Visit Valerie’s Website 💪 Learn more about Warrior Freedom Mentoring 📘 Explore Valerie’s Books 💬 Stay Connected 📘 Facebook 📷 Instagram 🔗 LinkedIn...
Mar 26, 2025•29 min
🔥 Are you holding on to something that’s actually holding YOU back? In this episode of Brave, Bold & Unfiltered, I’m getting real about the moment I realized I had to burn it down to build again—and why sometimes the only way forward is to let go of what’s keeping you stuck. If you've ever felt guilty for walking away from something—even when you knew it was draining you—this episode is for you. Burning it down doesn’t mean you don’t care. It means you care enough to stop burning yourself o...
Mar 19, 2025•19 min
Life’s storms have a way of shaking our foundations—but they can also rebuild them. In this episode, Sean and I have an open, heartfelt conversation about faith. Sean shares his journey of finding faith again after losing it, while I talk about how my faith has been strengthened through life’s toughest battles. Whether you're questioning, searching, or holding onto faith with both hands, this conversation is for you. Your story matters, so live it courageously! 📌 Helpful Links & Resources ▶...
Mar 12, 2025•31 min
What if the strength you’re searching for is already within you? What if you are the one meant to rise, lead, and show others the way? In this episode, we’re talking about stepping into your strength—not just for yourself, but for those who need to see a warrior in action. The world needs more role models of courage and hope, and that starts with YOU. Your story matters, so live it courageously! 📌 Helpful Links & Resources ▶️ Watch the video version on YouTube 🌐 Visit Valerie’s Website 💪 ...
Mar 05, 2025•23 min
What happens when you’re thrown into the toughest game of your life with no playbook? In this episode, I sit down with Rhonda Gartner, a mother who found herself as the “quarterback” of her son’s addiction journey—trying to hold everything together while everyone looked to her for answers she didn’t have. Your story matters, so live it courageously! 📌 Helpful Links & Resources ▶️ Watch the video version on YouTube 🌐 Visit Valerie’s Website 💪 Learn more about Warrior Freedom Mentoring 📘 E...
Feb 26, 2025•36 min
In this powerful episode, Sean and I discuss how courage isn’t just reserved for heroes but is crucial for navigating the challenges of everyday life. While we often think of courage in terms of grand, heroic actions, it’s the everyday moments that truly require bravery. Join us as we explore how to tap into your inner courage to face the obstacles and uncertainties that come your way and live a life full of strength and resilience. Your story matters, so live it courageously! 📌 Helpful Links &...
Feb 19, 2025•32 min
What do you do when you know the inevitable is coming? How do you keep living when your heart is already breaking? In this deeply moving episode, Donna, one of my incredible Warriors, shares her story of standing strong in the face of losing her son. After years of addiction, her son developed a serious heart condition. Given a grim prognosis, he checked himself out of the hospital—and back into drugs. She knows what’s coming… but she refuses to stop living. Your story matters, so live it courag...
Feb 12, 2025•48 min
Are you stuck in the cycle of overthinking but never taking action? In this solo episode, Valerie Silveira dives into the crucial balance between thinking and doing—and why action is the key to reclaiming your life. She explores how waiting for change to happen keeps you stuck, why your thoughts alone won't break the cycle, and what you can do today to move forward with courage. If you've been feeling overwhelmed by fear, worry, or uncertainty, this episode will help you break free and take the ...
Feb 05, 2025•19 min
🔥 Anger is a natural emotion that can serve as both a motivator and a destructive force. In this episode, Sean and I dive deep into the dual nature of anger—when it can help us set boundaries or fight for what matters and when it becomes toxic and holds us back. Your story matters, so live it courageously! 📌 Helpful Links & Resources ▶️ Watch the video version on YouTube 🌐 Visit Valerie’s Website 💪 Learn more about Warrior Freedom Mentoring 📘 Explore Valerie’s Books 💬 Stay Connected 📘...
Jan 29, 2025•24 min
In this deeply reflective episode, Sean shares how a single, life-altering incident with Jamie during the early days of her addiction forever changed his perception of safety, family, and life itself. This pivotal moment shattered his once-blissful view of the world and caused him to wrestle with emotions that shaped his journey moving forward. We dive into how these moments—though devastating—can offer profound insights and opportunities for growth. Together, we unpack how to find strength in t...
Jan 22, 2025•49 min
In this episode of Warriors in Hope, Valerie Silveira addresses mothers dealing with children in addiction, emphasizing the critical role they play as the emotional heartbeat of their families. She shares her personal journey through the struggles of addiction, the feelings of guilt and helplessness, and the importance of self-care and empowerment. Valerie encourages mothers to reclaim their lives, take action, and find hope amidst the chaos, reminding them that their stories matter and can insp...
Jan 15, 2025•21 min
Happy New Year! In this special episode, I’m sharing two powerful TV interviews that highlight my journey through unimaginable challenges and the courage it took to keep standing. 💜 In the first interview, recorded two years ago, I shared the story behind my book Still Standing After All the Tears and what it was like to navigate life after Jamie was shot and survived. 💜 In the second interview, recorded two years later, we focused on my grief after Jamie’s murder and how I’ve continued to ris...
Jan 01, 2025•15 min
The holidays can be a time of mixed emotions—joy, love, togetherness, stress, grief, and longing for what could have been. In this special Christmas episode, I share a heartfelt message to help you find peace amidst the chaos and light in even the darkest moments. Whether facing the holiday with a heavy heart or simply seeking a moment of reflection, this message is for you. Your story matters, so live it courageously! 📌 Helpful Links & Resources ▶️ Watch the video version on YouTube 🌐 Vis...
Dec 25, 2024•12 min
Life’s challenges can feel overwhelming, but even in the midst of the toughest storms, it’s possible to keep moving forward. In this episode, I share 7 practical and powerful ways to stay inspired when life feels heavy. Whether you’re facing grief, addiction, or life’s unexpected twists, these strategies will help you find the courage to keep going and the hope to thrive. Your story matters, so live it courageously! 📌 Helpful Links & Resources ▶️ Watch the video version on YouTube 🌐 Visit ...
Dec 11, 2024•16 min
In this, I explore two powerful ideas that can transform how we experience life’s challenges. First, I’ll dive into the common tendency to say that others “made us feel” a certain way—but the truth is, no one has that power over us. We get to decide how we feel and what we think. Then, I’ll look at a deeper question: when life hands us major challenges or painful losses, could they be happening for us rather than just to us? As difficult as it may seem, perhaps these experiences are opportunitie...
Nov 27, 2024•16 min
In this episode, I reflect on an important realization in my journey—the distinction between being selfless and losing oneself. It’s noble to be selfless, but when we lie down in the muck and mire with others, we risk our own well-being. Through my story and insights, I’ll explore how to walk the line between compassion and self-destruction, and why the world needs each of us to stay strong. We are proof that resilience is possible, and our strength can be the light that keeps us—and others—movi...
Nov 20, 2024•13 min
📣 Our first-ever Video format for the Warriors in Hope Podcast! 📣 In a world that feels more challenging than ever, courage seems to be in short supply. But true warriors aren’t gone—they’re just waiting to be awakened. In this first video episode, we’re diving into what it means to reclaim courage, rise up, and bring out the warrior within each of us. 🔥 In a world 🌎 where strength 💪🏼 to be fading, we’re left wondering: Where have all the warriors gone? In this episode of Warriors in Hope,...
Nov 13, 2024•20 min
