Discover the real story behind Burn the Map—and what it means to live with unbreakable courage when life doesn’t go as planned.

In this kickoff episode of the 14-part Burn the Map podcast series, I share why I wrote the book and what I hope it unlocks for you. I’ll take you inside the slow unraveling of my life, my daughter Jamie’s addiction and murder, and how I found the strength to keep going—not with a plan, but with raw, imperf...

Coming Soon: The Burn the Map Podcast Series

Starting this Wednesday, join me for a 14-week series built around my new book, Burn the Map—starting with an introduction, diving into each of the 12 chapters, and closing with a powerful final reflection.

This isn’t just a chapter-by-chapter breakdown. It’s the raw, behind-the-scenes truth—the unfiltered stories, the deeper insights, and the moments that didn’t make it into the book. You...

In this special episode, I answer the questions people ask me most about my personal journey through heartbreak, addiction, grief, and ultimately—healing.

I share the lessons I learned as I tried to navigate my daughter’s addiction, the unimaginable loss that followed, and how I found the courage to choose hope and growth, even when fear tried to take over.

If you’ve ever felt like your map burned and you didn’t know where to go next...

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, Antho...

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 ca...

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...

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 planne...

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!

📌 Helpfu...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ab...

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 gr...

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

▶️ Wat...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 C...

🔥 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...

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 matt...