I Need Blue

One night on a dark New Orleans street, Ashley was held at gunpoint. But instead of panicking, she did something unexpected—she hugged the mugger. That moment of compassion wasn’t random; it was the result of a life shaped by trauma and healing. Ashley had learned that unhealed pain often repeats across generations, and she was determined to break that cycle—for herself and others.

With a Harvard background in data and AI, Ashley co...

Some heroes don't wear capes—they open their garage doors. 

Jason's bimonthly poker nights have become a sacred space for military personnel and first responders seeking something deeper than cards: genuine brotherhood. 

Behind the camaraderie lies Jason’s own battle—his service in the Coast Guard exposed him to trauma that embedded deep, leading to PTSD, and later, injuries during his time in the Army. Like many who serve,...

As a child, Adam watched police cars race past his window, dreaming of becoming an “ER car man.” That dream came true through military service and police work—until a call to Walmart on April 8, 2016, changed everything. Confronted by a woman with a hatchet, Adam made a split-second decision to use deadly force. Though cleared by investigators, the incident triggered a silent battle with PTSD. “I knew what I had done. I changed liv...

When tragedy struck Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, Laura—a licensed school psychologist—found herself on the front lines of grief and trauma. But amid the heartbreak, she witnessed something remarkable: therapy dogs offering comfort in ways words couldn't. That experience sparked the creation of Everyday Feathers Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to supporting families facing canine cancer while promoting menta...

When the unthinkable happens without warning, how do we find our way through the darkness of grief? Diane’s world shifted forever when her husband Harry passed away suddenly in January, just days after returning from what would be their final vacation. What began as minor indigestion on a cruise excursion turned out to be something far more serious. Despite zip-lining and horseback riding without complaint, Harry was unknowingly li...

From Grief to Action: Honoring Claudia, Preventing Tragedies

When Tim and Melanie lost their 33-year-old daughter, Claudia, to a drunk driver on February 7, 2021, their world was shattered in an instant. Claudia, adopted as a teenager from Guatemala, was a vibrant part of their blended family—full of love, complexity, and growth. In the wake of unimaginable grief, Tim and Melanie chose not to be silent. 

Supported by Mothers Against ...

What happens when you finally name the trauma that’s shaped your life?

Nicole’s powerful story of surviving childhood physical abuse reveals the journey from silence to truth. For 40 years, she carried the weight of her father’s violence—hit at age five, chased in fear, and witnessing her mother being choked—all while believing it was “normal.”

Even 1,100 miles away, a simple phone call from him could trigger panic. Her desperate nee...

From childhood trauma to becoming a fierce protector of young girls, Shala’s journey is a testament to healing and purpose. After losing the grandmother who raised her, she was thrust back into chaos—pregnant at 14, trapped in abuse, and raising two children alone. Yet somehow, she graduated high school on time.

“How did I do it?” she wonders. Her answer: boundaries, self-love, and an unshakable will to break cycles.

Shala founded Tr...

A single ride-along changed Jeff Otis’s life forever, launching a 26-year career in law enforcement marked by tragedy, trauma, and ultimately, profound healing. His journey began with heartbreak when a fellow officer and friend was killed during a routine call—while Jeff was still in training. From that moment, he lived under constant hypervigilance, navigating standoffs, officer-down situations, and countless traumatic crime scene...

When a desperate mother walked into a foster care group home asking for help, the psychologist's response, "until something bad happens, I can't help you," led her to say, "If you don't help me, something bad is going to happen." 

This moment sparked the creation of Safe Families for Children, an organization that now spans over 100 chapters across the U.S. and internationally. Safe Families addres...

Step into the incredible journey of Mika, a survivor who faced unimaginable trauma yet emerged with a message brimming with hope and resilience. Her story begins in a humble household, set against the backdrop of immigrant struggle and love. Micah shares how her upbringing instilled a sense of responsibility and a strong moral compass, shaping her into the empowered individual she is today.

But life took a dramatic turn wh...

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What happens when two people with the same rare genetic disorder fall in love? Chad and Allison's love story defies the challenges of Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), a condition that causes brittle bones.

Chad, born 20" long, overcame a grim doctor's prognosis, defying expectations with humor and determination. Growing up in Mississippi, he excelled in school and built a successful career as a government contractor.

Alli...

Meet Nicole, a resilient mother who shares her harrowing birth trauma experience while giving birth in Germany only to discover she would be fighting for her son Owen’s survival.

Birth trauma is a deeply personal and often overlooked experience that can stem from medical complications, lack of support, or feeling powerless during childbirth. The emotional and physical impact can linger long after delivery, affecting mental health, r...

Doug's inspiring journey highlights overcoming childhood bullying, finding purpose through sports, and serving in the Navy despite a near-drowning experience. After leaving the military in 1984, he battled depression, failed relationships, and two suicide attempts. Seeking direction, he re-enlisted, deployed to Iraq in 2004, survived an ambush and a life-threatening infection, and was later medically retired. Feeling abandoned...

Trish is a retired dentist, a devoted mother of two, and a loving wife. She built a successful practice in Charleston, South Carolina, before life took an unexpected turn. After selling her practice earlier than planned, she and her husband moved to West Virginia, where she was suddenly diagnosed with stage four uterine cancer. What was initially believed to be a terminal prognosis turned into an incredible journey of survival. Thr...

Ron Rapaport's journey from a pharmacy career to surviving male breast cancer twice is a powerful story of resilience. After retiring in 2016, he discovered a retracted nipple while on a trip to Spain in late 2018. Initially dismissing it, he later sought medical attention and, in early 2019, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following surgery and treatment, Ron’s life was changed, and he became a strong advocate for male brea...

Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition’s mission is to establish and support a local system of care that optimizes the health of moms, babies, and their families living in Indian River County.

In today's conversation with Megan McFall, CEO of Indian River County Healthy Start, we unpack the staggering statistics of infant mortality in our community and explore the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review process.  By a...

In this episode, Hayley shares the raw emotions of her pregnancy, recounting moments of boundless anticipation shattered by unforeseen complications. Her journey crescendos with a supportive delivery, followed by the fleeting joy of bringing her son, Lincoln, home. Yet, the bliss of those first days is cruelly interrupted by sudden medical emergencies, casting a shadow over what should have been a time of pure happiness. 

The anguis...