Brave, Bold & Unfiltered with Valerie Silveira
Life is messy, unpredictable, and sometimes downright brutal. So how do you keep going when everything falls apart? That’s exactly what we talk about on Brave, Bold & Unfiltered. This isn’t your typical “feel-good” podcast—it’s raw, real, and unfiltered. My son Sean and I have honest conversations about courage, resilience, grief, faith, and navigating life’s unexpected twists. Why do I care so much about this? Because I’ve lived it. My daughter Jamie was shot at 18 and miraculously survived—but that moment led to a 15-year battle with addiction that nearly destroyed both of us. Then, 12 years and 12 days later, it happened again. This time, it was fatal. Now, nearly a decade later, I’m still fighting for justice, but I refuse to let my story end in tragedy. That’s why we’re here—to talk about what it really takes to stand back up when life knocks you down. And we don’t stop at the tough stuff. Sometimes, we dive into everyday challenges, big questions, or even the occasional random topic—because life isn’t just about the hard stuff. It’s about finding meaning, humor, and the guts to keep going. Expect hard truths, real talk, and maybe even some laughter along the way. Because if we’re going to take down our Beasts, we might as well have a little fun doing it. 💜 Listen or watch now on YouTube and your favorite podcast platform.
Episodes
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
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...
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
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...
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...
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 s...
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...
🔥 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 Freed...
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 opportu...
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...
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...
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 Lin...
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 ...
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 diff...
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,...
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