A Contagious Smile Podcast

Send a text What if a simple “I love you” could steady someone on their hardest day? We open our hearts and our home to talk about building safety from the ground up—personally funding 480 academy scholarships, writing a child’s-eye-view book for noisy and unsafe homes, and speaking plainly about the harm that thrives when institutions deny, delay, or deflect accountability. The conversation moves from raw statistics to real stories, then lands on the everyday work of repair: quiet rituals, clear boundaries, and love spoken out loud. We take you inside the new Stucco Squad book, When Home Is Too Loud, where Tyler learns he’s not to blame and practices safe, concrete choices. It’s trauma-aware, shame-free, and designed for kids to read with caregivers—complete with activities and coloring pages that help slow down, name feelings, and plan ahead. The numbers behind domestic abuse are staggering, and we unpack why reported cases understate reality and how culture and power can frustrate the path to justice. We support good officers and service members; we refuse silence around cover-ups and coercion. That balance matters. Between the heavy pages, we protect space for joy: old-school gestures like opening doors and handwritten notes, putting phones away at dinner, and raising a daughter to be confident without being conceited. Our dogs show up as healers, too—sensing spasms before they hit, anchoring the room with quiet presence. We talk country dreams, a drama-free home, and the grace of telling people you love them now, not later. If you care about survivor support, children’s mental health, domestic violence awareness, and practical family resilience, this conversation is for you. If our work resonates, help us keep going—share the episode, sponsor a scholarship, or leave a review so others can find it. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations that trade shame for clarity and fear for action. Support the show

Send a text A mountain drive for “just one puppy” turns into two sleepy golden retrievers, a tour of a master blacksmith’s forge, and a sobering question we can’t ignore: why are survivors still punished for staying alive? We move from warm, funny moments in a whelping box to the hard edge of a case where a woman with documented abuse went to prison for self-defense. The contrast is intentional—joy reminds us what a safe home feels like, and why the fight for safety matters. We unpack the gaps that keep people unsafe: low conviction rates for sexual assault, cultural reflexes that ask “Why didn’t you leave?” instead of “Where can we walk with you?”, and the way children absorb every raised voice even when hands don’t land. From our years in law enforcement, we speak candidly about domestic calls, lazy shortcuts that erase victims, and what good policing looks like when minutes matter. We honor the officers and soldiers doing it right while naming the cost when they don’t. Then we offer tools. Our children’s series helps ages four to eight practice bravery with simple choices and gentle stories, while our trauma-lived academy gives survivors, parents, caregivers, and veterans practical courses they can take privately, often for five dollars or free when needed. Stucco the service dog even teaches math through cookie capers, because learning can be a bright place again. We also share updates on upcoming books, awards, and why community support keeps the lights on for families who can’t wait for help. If this conversation moves you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs strength today, and leave a review so more people can find real-world tools and a voice that won’t look away. And if you’re able, buy us a coffee to help keep the academy open for anyone who needs a safe start. Support the show

Send a text What if the loudest part of your healing is the quiet choice to keep going? We start with playful chaos—forgotten rolls, pajama days, and TV heroes—then step straight into the fire: how survivors bank strength in secret, how evidence dismantles gaslighting, and how family love can turn scars into story. Along the way, we celebrate the unexpected: a message from a Chicago PD favorite, a new book rolling out, and the steady belief that protection and loyalty aren’t just TV tropes—they’re skills we can learn and live. We dig into the craft of telling hard truths. Chapters written at midnight become anchors when critics hide behind masks. Receipts matter, so we talk about photos, texts, and emails that hold the line against revisionist spin. We also make space for the body’s narrative: a stairway-of-keys tattoo honoring grandparents who taught grit and grace, and a daughter’s phoenix with wounded wings that still rise. These aren’t decorations; they’re declarations. And the candid talk continues into body dysphoria, triggers that fade with patience, and why self-protection is both mindset and method. There’s a sobering detour through a serial killer exhibit—forty rooms of artifacts and evidence—reminding us what violence looks like when charm fades. Then we come home to old-school love: saved letters, opened doors, and the kind of everyday devotion that screens can’t replace. We end with a challenge that’s equal parts bold and careful: an open invitation for an abuser to speak on record, calmly, without theatrics. Not to platform harm, but to confront it with boundaries and truth. If you’ve ever tucked an earbud behind your hair just to feel less alone, this conversation is for you. If this resonated, tap follow, share it with someone who needs the reminder that today is not forever, and leave a review to help more survivors find us. Your words help carry the next person to safer ground. Support the show

Send a text Start with a Valentine’s greeting, end with a fire in your chest. We open warm and then drive straight into the hard truths about consent, courtroom trauma, and why too many survivors are punished by the very systems meant to protect them. From a 1960s case portrayed on screen to present-day stats that will stop you cold, we look at how disbelief, repetition, and composure theater stack the deck against people who report sexual assault. No is still no—marriage doesn’t cancel it, clothing doesn’t grant it, and momentum doesn’t override it. We share raw, lived experience from countless court appearances: the memory tests, the character hits, the way a survivor’s tears become “instability” while an abuser’s calm reads as “credible.” Then we pivot from outrage to action. Victoria walks through “Shielded,” a detailed, step-by-step safety plan: discreet finances, safe banking, a separate phone and charger, document copies, staged bags, camera-aware meeting spots, and layered exits for kids and pets. We spotlight hospital security that got it right—alias rooms, locked units, escorts, and photo alerts—showing how trauma-informed design can save lives. Michael brings an insider view from years working inside a jail. He breaks down how isolation really works, why certain offenders avoid general population, and how knowledge-sharing behind bars can worsen risk when people reenter society. We contrast that with what survivors actually get on release from terror: triggers that last for years, nervous systems wired for survival, and very little institutional support. Along the way we wrestle with the ethics of punishment, the possibility of reform, and the responsibilities communities carry to believe, protect, and document. To close, we share new resources: a guide for healing from narcissistic abuse, a body-dysphoria Q&A designed for teens and adults navigating scars and identity, and an upcoming series of children’s workbooks to help young minds name danger, seek help, and hold onto hope. If you care about consent, survivor advocacy, trauma-informed justice, and practical safety planning, this conversation brings clarity and tools you can use or share. Subscribe, leave a review to help others find it, and tell us: what change would make the biggest difference where you live? Support the show

Send us a text What if hope felt practical? We open with big news—a future celebrity co‑host, a magazine cover, and a wave of new faces in our academy—then pull the curtain back on why we do this: to help survivors leave, safely and on their terms. No scripts, no posturing, just real talk that trades judgment for strategy and turns fear into a plan. We walk through the hidden mechanics of control—surprise drop‑ins at work, receipt demands, caller ID checks—and explain why “just leave” ignores the most dangerous moment a survivor faces. From living through abuse while pregnant to using martial arts for de‑escalation, we anchor every point in lived experience. Then we map a safety plan you can actually use: create unrelated email accounts and recovery emails, upload injury photos to a dummy profile, rent a safe deposit box at a bank you don’t use, and build a small cash buffer through quiet cash‑back withdrawals. We share how to back into the driveway to cut exit time, hide a charged throwaway phone, and store documentation off‑site so evidence survives even when a phone or camera doesn’t. Along the way, we talk about community and confidentiality inside our academy, why some members choose anonymity, and how simple presence beats unsolicited advice—offer a meal, a room, a ride, or quiet company. We also push back on the cultural noise: stop blaming survivors, start listening for clues, and learn the micro‑habits that protect people under surveillance. The tone stays grounded: we’re grateful for growth, humbled by the reach, and committed to being exactly who we are—a family showing up for other families with heart, candor, and tools. If this conversation helps you or someone you love, share it with one person now. Subscribe for more survivor‑led guidance, leave a review to amplify this work, and tell us which tactic you’ll pass on today. Your voice might be the bridge someone needs. Support the show

Send us a text A bruised face, a polite traffic stop, and a business card offering the abuser a job. That moment anchors a raw conversation about how charm becomes control, how violence hides in plain sight, and how institutions can look away precisely when protection is needed most. We unpack the anatomy of grooming—promises of family, curated public images, and rules that turn daily life into performance. When the mask slips, de-escalation isn’t a script; it’s a gamble in a locked room. So we get practical: how survivors build evidence trails that outlast spin, why documentation matters more than debates, and where to find leverage when systems stall. The hard truth lands next—abuse rarely stays between adults. It travels to children and pets, often through intimidation, “discipline,” and custody games. We challenge the myth of “safe co‑parenting” with a violent partner and offer clear steps toward safety, boundaries, and trauma-informed support for kids. There’s hope threaded through the grit. Victoria reflects on writing Who Kicked First beside a NICU bed, and on the new, more graphic book that Michael could only read in bursts because it pulled him into the room—scents, sounds, split-second planning. We talk about scars as proof of survival, the courage to edit old pain for present purpose, and small moments of joy that keep a family’s center of gravity intact—ridiculous restaurant dares, shared music, a child’s unexpected hug that dissolves the room. If you’re looking for a story that names abuse, exposes cover-ups, and still insists on a future where love is safe and home feels earned, this conversation belongs in your queue. If our work helps, subscribe, leave an honest review, and share this episode with someone who needs a map out of harm. Your voice helps survivors find theirs. Support the show

Send us a text The laughter starts with old-school cologne and a running joke about who’s the “sapphire,” then takes a deliberate turn into what those small rituals really mean. We talk about flipping the switch from smelling good for strangers to making it a daily love language at home—tiny habits that say “you matter” without a single grand gesture. That warmth sets the stage for a deeper journey through fidelity, boundaries, and the work it takes to rebuild trust after harm. We open up about loyalty the hard way. Michael owns a past he’s not proud of and outlines the signs partners often miss—tactical avoidance, wardrobe tricks, and shifting timelines—so more people can protect themselves. Victoria brings the counterweight: healing after narcissistic abuse, how survivors reclaim identity, and why planning an escape is not paranoia but survival. The system comes under scrutiny too. Shielded, her upcoming book, exposes good‑old‑boy networks, intimidation, and the courtroom dynamics that interrogate victims instead of protecting them. It’s critical, but it’s also constructive, mapping out tools, language, and mindset for real recovery. There are bright anchors throughout—dad–daughter movie nights, pizza runs in freezing weather, and the quiet power of tucking kids into a home that never confuses love with fear. We share a parking-lot moment that shows how advocacy can begin with one sentence and a reflection in a window. If you’re searching for steps forward, you’ll find practical insight on safety planning, survivor support, trauma-informed healing, and breaking generational cycles so children learn a different normal. Search for Victoria Cuore and Faith Cuore Solomon on Amazon, or drop by ContagiousSmile.com to explore the books and resources we mention. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help others find these tools. Your peace is worth the plan, your story is worth the work, and your future is worth the courage to begin today. Support the show

Send us a text Start with a laugh, stay for the lifelines. We open the door on a raw, hope-forward conversation about healing from narcissistic abuse, breaking generational trauma, and keeping a mission alive without selling its soul. From landing the cover of Podcasters International to launching VictoriaCure.com, we’re celebrating wins while staying grounded in the work that matters most: practical tools for survivors, special needs families, and anyone ready to end cycles of harm. You’ll hear how a 1001-question recovery workbook became a daily map for clarity, how a 500-page draft on breaking the cycle is shaping into an accessible guide, and why our trauma-informed academy—recognized internationally and packed with free or low-cost classes—remains the backbone of our outreach. We get real about funding the platform out of pocket, why we choose service over ad spend, and how community support keeps doors open for families seeking safety and medical care. Between the serious notes, there’s heart: our service dog Stucco guarding bedtime kisses, the joy of a soon-to-arrive white golden puppy, and the kind of married banter that reminds us humor heals too. We also talk about public figures who model compassion—Johnny Depp’s quiet hospital visits, Keanu Reeves’ philanthropy—and how small acts of humility can recalibrate a culture obsessed with surfaces. If you’ve ever felt judged for what you wear, the scars you carry, or the season you’re in, you’ll find company here and a few tools to reclaim your space. Explore the resources at VictoriaCure.com and AContagiousSmile.com, take a free class, share the academy with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help others find these conversations. Subscribe to catch our two new episodes each week and tell us what topic you want us to unpack next. Your story belongs here. Support the show

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Send us a text Two golden retrievers at our feet, a heavy topic on the table. We dive straight into addiction’s messy reality: the slow drift from “I’m fine” to morning liquor in coffee, the way denial dresses up as control, and the brutal truth that love alone can’t outmuscle a substance. We talk openly about losing a close friend to drugs after a toxic on-again relationship, and how survivors shoulder the weight of unanswered questions long after the funeral. If you’ve ever tried to save someone who didn’t want to be saved, you’ll recognize the heartbreak and the hard-won lessons here. We also get practical. What boundaries actually help a family survive addiction? We share concrete strategies: no-cash policies, essentials-only support, rides to treatment not to dealers, proof-of-program attendance, and clear relapse plans. A trip to the ER becomes a conversation about avoiding pain med triggers, while a smart speaker’s near 911 call turns into a safety tip for anyone facing abuse—configure emergency phrases, document everything, and keep an exit plan ready. It’s not cold; it’s compassionate structure designed to protect your sanity while keeping a door open to recovery. Beyond substances, we map the terrain of narcissistic abuse and generational trauma—and how to heal without losing your voice. Writing projects become tools for reflection, helping you spot manipulation, rebuild boundaries, and trust your memory over someone else’s narrative. Between tough subjects, we keep room for light: a new puppy on the way, community hugs in checkout lines, and playful jabs that remind us joy can live beside pain. If you’re navigating addiction, caregiving, or recovery from toxic dynamics, you’ll find clarity, candor, and a few tools you can use today. If this resonated, subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your support keeps these conversations going and the resources flowing. Support the show

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Send us a text Support the show

Send us a text Support the show

Send us a text Support the show

Send us a text A bathroom mix-up in the ER shouldn’t become a masterclass in patient advocacy—but ours did. What starts as a comic detour with a “pee hat” turns into a sharp look at chain-of-custody, contamination risk, and the maddening silence that can stretch for hours in emergency care. We talk honestly about how to ask better questions, push for timely results, and document what matters without turning confrontational. The details might be small, but the stakes are not: a compromised sample can shape a diagnosis, and a clear voice can change a plan. From there, we open up about cycles of narcissistic control—how constant criticism rewires your sense of normal, how long it can take to recover, and why documentation becomes a lifeline for survivors trying to reclaim their truth. We unpack real family dynamics, the way fear lingers in the body, and the slow, practical work of rebuilding safety. Along the way we share what helped us: rituals of commitment, humor that resets the nervous system, and a fierce insistence on kindness paired with boundaries. We also confront a gut-punch of a case out of Oklahoma, where brutal assaults met bewildering leniency. It’s a window into a justice system that often prioritizes an offender’s “potential” over a survivor’s reality. We explore why that keeps so many people from reporting, how courts can retraumatize, and what meaningful accountability should look like. It’s heavy, but it’s necessary—and we keep it grounded with stories, tangible takeaways, and moments of levity. If this resonates, share it with someone who needs backup in a hospital, courage in a courtroom, or hope in a hard season. Subscribe, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell us: what’s one boundary you’re setting this week? Support the show

Send us a text Some nights turn into a tug-of-war between chaos and clarity. We start with the mess that hits after a loved one passes—addresses, wills, medical directives, and the million tiny decisions no one wants to make while grieving. Getting your documents in order isn’t morbid; it’s merciful. We walk through what to set up now so you’re not scrambling later: living will, durable and medical power of attorney, beneficiaries, and a simple system that keeps paperwork from becoming a second storm. From there, we pull back the curtain on narcissism. We talk about masks and scapegoats, why the black sheep gets blamed, and how evidence can be twisted into “betrayal.” If you’ve ever felt invisible while telling the truth, you’ll recognize the pattern. We share how to hold steady: document everything, stop feeding the fire, and use language that protects your self-respect without inviting more harm. There’s a reason calm works—narcissists need fuel, and we don’t have to supply it. Safety is a plan, not a slogan. We break down realistic steps for leaving abuse with children and pets in mind: trusted allies, copies of key documents, code phrases, transportation, and timing. We also explore how to model respect for kids through de-escalation, because what they witness becomes their script. To balance the heavy, we share a moving story from our special needs community—proof that resilience lives in small moments, not just big milestones—and yes, a few laughs about ravioli standoffs and household pranks, because humor keeps the heart open when life gets sharp. If this conversation helps you breathe a little easier, subscribe, share it with someone who needs courage tonight, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Your story might be the lifeline someone else is waiting for. Support the show

Send us a text The night the house gets quieter, life gets louder. We open the door to Dad after he loses his wife and talk candidly about what it means to fold a parent into your daily rhythm—care, meals, jokes, horror-movie nights, and the steady work of making someone feel safe again. That warmth sits beside hard-won lessons on planning: why every family needs a last will and testament, a living will, and powers of attorney before the phone rings with bad news. We unpack the human side of crisis management—how paperwork is an act of love that shields a grieving home from confusion and opportunists—and we wade into the psychology of control. Lies can wreck honest people; truth can rattle narcissists. We share plain-language tools for setting boundaries, staying grounded, and keeping your peace when others demand what isn’t theirs. Along the way, Dad’s background as a Marine and former law enforcement officer adds a calm, practical lens on service, safety, and doing the next right thing. There’s levity too: Saturday horror traditions with Faith, sleep quirks, and a legendary unsweet-tea prank. We also read a listener’s moving letter about a brother who loses his mom the day his sister is born and grows into her quiet protector. His realization—from a swing set to a life’s purpose—reminds us that perspective can turn pain into fuel. We close by sharing our growing academy and community, designed to deliver trauma-informed courses at little to no cost, plus details on our upcoming book and how to submit your story. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with someone who needs a nudge to prepare, and leave a review so others can find these conversations. Your story might be the one that helps a stranger take the next step. Support the show

Send us a text A quiet Thanksgiving gave way to a jarring delivery that raised a bigger question: what’s the line between personal freedom and public safety at our front doors? We walk through the moment a driver cut across our lawn, tossed a package, and left a thick marijuana smell seeping into our living room—then unpack why that matters in a home that must stay scent‑free for medical reasons. This isn’t pearl‑clutching about legality; it’s about responsibility, impaired driving, and the real health stakes for families managing respiratory sensitivities during peak cold and RSV season. Michael draws on years in law enforcement to break down how on‑shift impairment slows reaction times and raises risks in neighborhoods where kids and pets move unpredictably. We connect that to a broader pattern: porch piracy, tossed parcels, and a culture of excuses that erodes basic courtesy. When companies rely on contractors, who sets the standard for safety? We look at what employers can do—clear policies against on‑shift intoxication, training for scent‑sensitive environments, better route support—and what customers can expect without being labeled “fussy” for wanting clean air and intact deliveries. We also highlight the power of positive feedback and community norms. Most drivers are pros who deserve recognition for doing it right. Equal parts story and stance, this conversation calls for common sense on our doorsteps: respect the home, respect the health needs inside it, and keep the roads safe. If you’ve faced similar delivery issues or have ideas for raising the bar, we want to hear from you. If this episode resonates, tap follow, share it with a friend who relies on home deliveries, and leave a quick review. Your feedback helps us keep the conversation going and the standards rising. Support the show

Send us a text What if the most meaningful gift you give this year is your story? We’re opening our arms to two big projects fueled by real life and real heart: Beyond the Limb, a practical, compassionate course for new amputees, and Not Defined By My Diagnosis, a community-built book featuring unedited stories from parents and caregivers of special needs kids. Both efforts spring from lived experience—the weight of a prosthetic that doesn’t fit a rebuilt shoulder, the sting of public stares, the everyday work of turning overwhelm into agency—and from a stubborn belief that dignity is non-negotiable. We dig into why the Hero Arm could be a game changer when insurance won’t budge, and how small adaptations add up: socket comfort, energy pacing, social scripting, wardrobe hacks, and mental health as a skill, not a side note. Then we invite you to write. The new book gathers honest snapshots—first diagnoses, IEP wins, meltdowns turned milestones, sibling love, mobility breakthroughs—kept unedited to honor each voice. Our aim is to publish before the holidays so families can wrap a keepsake that literally includes their child’s chapter, with proceeds funding caregiver and special needs courses through our academy. Along the way we keep it human: laughter with the dogs at 4:59 a.m., a shoutout to Muck Sticky’s unapologetic joy, and a reminder that wealth is the people in your inner circle, not the things in your garage. You are not your diagnosis. You’re your name, your courage, your choices—and when you share that, someone else finds a way forward. Share your story, support a new amputee, and help us build a library of lived wisdom that anyone can open on a hard day and feel seen. Subscribe for more conversations that mix practical tools with unfiltered heart. Share this with someone who needs hope today, and leave a review to help others find the show. Support the show

Send us a text Some stories crack you open in the best way. This conversation with Muck Sticky blends raw honesty, laugh-out-loud moments, and a deep well of heart—from Cookie’s courage through major dental surgery to a life lesson stitched into pajama pants that became a personal promise: be comfortable in your own skin and stop bending for strangers. We trace a DIY music career built on personal responsibility, boundary setting, and a belief that joy isn’t an accident—it’s daily work. We go inside the pajama origin story, why shock can be a tool for healing when it’s guided by compassion, and how a song becomes a pressure valve for people navigating clinics, classrooms, and hard days. Muck talks about writing for himself first, trusting that authentic delight travels further than a perfectly engineered hook. He opens up about Cookie’s Williams syndrome, the real costs of “optional” dental care, and what it means to fight insurance red tape while guarding your spirit. There’s practical advice too: find your tribe, grow organically, look for grants and aligned sponsors, and lead with human connection instead of ads that miss the people who need help. We also spotlight a grassroots learning academy designed for special needs families, with free and low-cost courses on adaptive learning, advocacy, caregiver resilience, and navigating insurance. The through-line is clear: set boundaries, love yourself enough to stay present, and let humor keep the air moving when life gets heavy. By the end, you’ll understand why a pajama creed can anchor a life, why Cookie’s smile could power a city, and why art that makes you laugh can also help you breathe. If this conversation lifted you, share it with someone who needs a grin, hit follow for more human-first stories, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your words help our tribe grow. Support the show