A Contagious Smile Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Turning Trauma into Triumph BEST OF THE BEST WEBINAR PROUDLY PRESENTS KURT WARNER Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

What happens when life throws everything at you - traumatic brain injury, severe mental illness, chronic pain, and profound loss? Kurt Wagner's answer might surprise you: you become stronger.
After a catastrophic assault left Kurt with a broken vertebral artery, blood poured onto his brain for approximately eight hours. Doctors gave him last rites, believing he wouldn't survive. The injury destroyed 40% of his neurons, including the left side of his cerebellum. When Kurt miraculously woke from his coma, he couldn't walk, talk, or even reach for a cup. His left vocal cord was paralyzed. Doctors told his family he would never function normally again.
But Kurt's story was just beginning. With unwavering support from his parents, he embarked on an arduous journey of rehabilitation. His mother, despite her own social anxiety, refused to leave his hospital bedside, creating makeshift sleeping arrangements from hard chairs. This constant presence became Kurt's motivation to fight.
Beyond the brain injury, Kurt battled obsessive-compulsive disorder since age five and bipolar disorder since fifteen - conditions that repeatedly brought him to the brink of suicide. The bipolar disorder created a Jekyll and Hyde existence, with depressive episodes causing dramatic weight loss and manic phases feeling "godlike" but often destructive.
Rather than being crushed by these challenges, Kurt transformed them into purpose. He became a licensed clinical social worker, channeling his experiences into helping others overcome their struggles. "If I'm going to have to go through all this, maybe I could at least make somebody else's journey less difficult," Kurt explains, citing Matthew 7:12 as his guiding principle.
Kurt's philosophy - "learning from our ailments rather than running from them" - forms the core of his book "Victory in Every Fall," which codifies methods for overcoming seemingly impossible odds. He likens his journey to the Greek myth of Antaeus, who grew stronger each time he was thrown to the ground.
Ready to transform your own challenges into strength? Kurt's extraordinary story reminds us that our deepest struggles often contain the seeds of our greatest growth. Share this episode with someone fighting their own battles who needs to hear that victory can be found in every fall.

Support the show

She's Lost Everything But Her Smile, And She's Using It To Help Others TRIGGER WARNING Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

"You're not your diagnosis, you're not your condition." These powerful words come from Victoria, founder of A Contagious Smile and survivor of extreme domestic violence that has left her with titanium throughout her body, one arm amputated, and now facing complete deafness.
Victoria's story isn't just about survival—it's about transformation. After enduring over 100 surgeries resulting from brutal abuse during her pregnancy 19 years ago, she channeled her trauma into creating a platform that advocates for special needs families and domestic violence survivors. Despite ongoing medical interventions that would break most people's spirit, Victoria refuses to succumb to bitterness or self-pity. Instead, she asks the profound question: "How much more do I have to give?" not as a complaint, but as a testament to her resilience.
The newly launched Contagious Smile Academy represents the culmination of Victoria's mission—providing affordable and often free resources to those navigating similar challenges. With specialized tracks for special needs children (the "Stucco Squad"), parents seeking advocacy tools, abuse survivors, veterans, and even social media training, the academy embodies Victoria's belief that "healing shouldn't come with a price tag." Every $5 donation provides a scholarship for someone who desperately needs these resources.
What makes Victoria's message so compelling is her authenticity. She doesn't sugarcoat the physical and emotional toll of her journey, yet she maintains her sense of humor, asking her surgeon to install "USB ports" so she could charge her many prosthetic devices. Her greatest fear isn't losing more physical abilities—it's losing her family. This perspective shift challenges us all to consider: what truly matters in life when everything else is stripped away?
Join us for our upcoming webinar featuring remarkable speakers who've overcome incredible adversity, or visit acontagioussmile.mn.co to explore the academy and support our mission. Because as Victoria reminds us, we're not promised tomorrow, but we can choose how we spend today—and transforming pain into purpose is the most contagious smile of all.

Support the show

Confronting a Customer Service Nightmare Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

Ever wondered what happens when someone refuses to serve your child with a medical condition? Victoria and Michael share a raw, unfiltered account of standing up to a McDonald's manager who denied their daughter food despite knowing her medical needs. This powerful confrontation highlights the fierce advocacy that defines their approach to life and healing.
The couple dives deep into narcissistic relationships, particularly within families, revealing how narcissists view people as possessions rather than individuals with inherent worth. "The biggest fear a narcissist has is the truth," Victoria explains, "because the black sheep's truth unveils their lies." Their insights come from both personal experience and professional research that informs their acclaimed healing programs.
With 41 published books to her name and recognition in multiple magazines, Victoria channels this success into creating accessible healing resources through A Contagious Smile Academy. Most courses cost just $4.99, with many resources completely free - a testament to their belief that recovery should be available to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances. Their upcoming July 13th webinar features remarkable speakers sharing transformation stories that will inspire and equip listeners with practical healing tools.
What sets this couple apart is their genuine commitment - they've never taken a paycheck for their work despite its considerable personal cost. As Victoria poignantly reminds us, "September 7th, I had an arm and a hand, and September 8th, I didn't." Life can change in an instant, which is why they're passionate about making healing resources available today for those who might need them tomorrow. Ready to experience healing that doesn't break the bank? Join their webinar or explore their Academy - your journey to wholeness might just begin with a simple $5 investment.

Support the show

Ripples of Recovery: JJ's Journey from War to Sobriety Independance Day Special, Trigger Warning Jul 04, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

Some heroes wear uniforms, while others create sanctuaries for healing. In this powerful conversation, we meet JJ, founder of Ripple Retreat and a veteran with 27 years of military service who transformed his own trauma into a mission of recovery and hope.
After surviving four close calls during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, JJ faced another battle with alcoholism that nearly ended in suicide. Standing atop an Australian high-rise ready to jump, a sudden memory of his fallen friend Commander Murphy Sweet became the intervention that saved his life. Now six and a half years sober, JJ has built something remarkable - a non-alcohol retreat center where 75% of profits go directly back to the community.
The episode takes us through JJ's unforgettable "sock story," where seconds spent turning socks right-side out before laundry literally saved him from being killed by mortar fire in Baghdad. This thread of seemingly small moments creating life-changing impacts runs throughout JJ's philosophy: "Pause, love yourself, and be aware of your ripple."
We explore the challenging reality of military service, from writing death letters before redeployment to confronting PTSD after coming home. JJ's work with the Valor Circles program helps veterans navigate these emotional battlefields, while his weekly "Ripples of Recovery" meetings celebrate sobriety milestones rather than just focusing on the daily struggle.
As JJ prepares to begin teaching and leading men's support groups through the Academy, his vision becomes clear - creating spaces where authentic connection and vulnerability can flourish. His ambitious plan to open Ripple Retreat officially on the 20th anniversary of his friend's death speaks to the transformative power of honoring our pain by helping others heal.
What ripple will you create today? Listen, reflect, and perhaps discover how your own challenges might become someone else's salvation.

Support the show

The Launch of Contagious Smile Academy and The Best of te Best Webinar Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

We're thrilled to announce the launch of Contagious Smile Academy! This passion project represents years of experience transformed into over 100 practical courses designed to support trauma survivors, special needs families, veterans, and anyone seeking personal growth during challenging times.
The Academy features specialized collections including the Safe Haven Phoenix Center for trauma recovery, Stucco Squad for special needs support, Valor Circle for veterans, and our Social Media Playbook sharing how we've grown from zero to millions without a marketing team. What makes these courses unique is they're created by someone who truly understands - Victoria has undergone over 100 surgeries throughout her life and developed many courses while managing chronic pain, hearing loss, and the challenges of being an amputee with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
Our upcoming webinar on July 13th brings together remarkable experts and survivors including Susan, who established the first rape crisis center in the country after her niece was murdered by an ex-boyfriend on campus. You'll also hear from attorney Whitney Knoxley, whose comeback story will leave you inspired, and former detective/judge Chris Callahan. We're offering free tickets through Eventbrite (search "best of the best for July 13th"), with options at $2.50 and $5 that sponsor access for those who cannot afford it.
We believe deeply in accessibility - when leaving domestic violence, "you have what's on your back, what you can carry, and your kids." That's why we've kept courses affordable and offer scholarships to those in need. One in four women experiences abuse, and you never know when these resources might be needed by someone you love - or even yourself. Your support through "buying a coffee" on our website helps ensure no one is turned away.
Ready to explore courses that might make you laugh, cry, or see things in a completely new light? Visit acontagioussmile.com and click the Academy tab, or go directly to acontagioussmileMN.co. Join our community of resilience, healing and growth - where paying it forward today creates support for tomorrow.

Support the show

Healing Trauma Through Connection Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

The raw power of lived experience drives everything behind A Contagious Smile, and in this candid episode, Victoria and Michael reveal exactly why they've dedicated their lives to supporting abuse survivors. Fresh off receiving three prestigious awards—including Best Transformative Trauma Advocate for Domestic Violence from Insider Weekly—the couple shares how their platform continues to expand through media features in the New York Times and Good Morning US.
Victoria delves into the darkest moments of her abuse survival story with unflinching honesty. "I can tell you that from someone who lived on a floor in the bathroom because I wasn't allowed to have an ice pack, when I had a shattered face, broken nose, dislocated shoulder... it is so ungodly frightening to do that and feel like I'm going to die here." This visceral understanding of what survivors experience at 1AM when frantically searching for help drives their commitment to being available whenever someone reaches out—even in the middle of the night.
The episode delivers a bombshell announcement: Victoria's biological father, whom she refers to as her "sperm donor" and has been no-contact with for years, will be appearing as a special guest on an upcoming episode. For listeners familiar with Victoria's books "Who Kicked First?" and "Nart Nart, Who's There?", this promises to be an extraordinary conversation addressing deep family trauma.
Beyond personal stories, Victoria and Michael announce the launch of their comprehensive Contagious Smile Academy featuring over 100 courses designed for survivors, supporters, and even those who cause harm but want to change. Through their scholarship program, they ensure financial barriers don't prevent access to healing resources. As Victoria powerfully states, "Those scars are not your success stories—those are your failures," directly addressing abusers while offering pathways toward accountability and transformation.
Have you been searching for voices that truly understand the journey from victim to survivor? Listen now and discover why this podcast has become a lifeline for those who've felt alone in their darkest moments. Then visit acontagioussmile.mn.co to explore their academy and join a community where healing happens every day.

Support the show

Survivor's Escape Plan TRIGGER WARNING Jun 22, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

After Victoria's powerful interview about surviving domestic violence became the podcast's most popular episode ever, Michael and Victoria return with this crucial follow-up discussion diving deeper into practical escape strategies that saved her life.
Victoria shares the harrowing reality of living with a violent narcissist while pregnant with her daughter. "He testified that if he hit me once, he hit me 200 times," Victoria reveals, explaining how she made the agonizing choice not to defend herself—despite having two black belts in martial arts—to protect her unborn child. The daily terror included being woken by punches to the face, having every text message monitored, and being denied even basic medical care after brutal assaults.
The heart of this episode centers on Victoria's ingenious survival tactics that anyone in danger can implement immediately. She outlines specific methods for secretly saving money (getting cash back during regular shopping trips), hiding evidence (using photo printing services to store screenshots of threatening texts), and "abuse-proofing" a home (replacing glass items with plastic versions that cause less damage when thrown). Victoria also details how she documented the abuse without leaving electronic traces, opened a safe deposit box under her maiden name, and kept a burner phone hidden for emergencies.
Beyond the practical advice, this conversation reveals the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit. Victoria describes how her daughter became her lifeline—literally kicking in the womb whenever Victoria contemplated giving up. Years later, after escaping her abuser and building a new life, Victoria and Michael have created the Contagious Smile Academy, offering courses to help others navigate similar situations with scholarship options ensuring no one is turned away for financial reasons.
This episode isn't just for those currently experiencing abuse—it's for anyone who wants to understand how to support loved ones in dangerous situations or recognize early warning signs in their own relationships. Join us for this raw, powerful conversation that proves survival isn't just possible, it's the first step toward a thriving future.
Check out contagioussmileacademy.com to access resources and courses designed to help anyone escape abuse and begin healing. Remember, you are never alone.

Support the show

One Hand, One Heart, All Courage Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when parents face the unexpected challenge of raising a child with different abilities? While some choose to run, others discover the most beautiful journey imaginable—one filled with unconditional love and unexpected lessons.
In this raw and honest conversation, Victoria and Michael tackle the painful reality of abandonment in families with medically complex children. Victoria doesn't mince words about fathers who leave when faced with a child's medical diagnosis: "You're beyond a coward, you're beyond a piece of shit for leaving that mother, your newborn baby, just because you don't want to deal with the challenges." Having experienced life with a daughter who required a tracheostomy, Victoria shares how she didn't hear her child's voice until she was two and a half years old—yet these moments became all the more precious because "we don't take one minute for granted."
The conversation takes a deeply personal turn when Victoria opens up about her own physical challenges, including significant hearing loss in both ears and adapting to life with one arm. Her perspective is powerful: "If anybody has the right to be absolutely bitter and nasty, I would hands down say me," yet she chooses resilience instead. From tying shoes to washing her waist-length hair one-handed, Victoria demonstrates how limitations can lead to innovation rather than defeat.
Between reflections on a joyful Father's Day celebration and exciting professional news about Victoria's upcoming speaking engagement for Roku television, the hosts share their passion for making trauma recovery resources accessible to everyone. Their academy offers affordable courses with a scholarship program that allows those in need to access healing resources for just $5—"not even the cost of a Starbucks coffee."
Every smile tells a story, and sometimes the most beautiful stories emerge from our greatest challenges. Join us in celebrating the courage of those who stay, adapt, and discover unconditional love against all odds.
Want to help someone access healing resources? Visit acontagioussmile.com to learn how you can contribute to our scholarship program and make a difference in someone's healing journey today.

Support the show

PTSD, Paper Cups, and Frozen Waffles TRIGGER WARNING Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

The weight of trauma is perhaps best explained through a powerful metaphor: imagine holding a paper coffee cup. For a minute, it's nothing—lightweight, manageable. After an hour, it feels heavier. After days without putting it down, your muscles lock in place, exhausted from carrying something that initially seemed insignificant. This is precisely how trauma, fear, and resentment function in our lives.
June marks PTSD Awareness Month, and we're unveiling our new online academy featuring courses specifically designed for trauma survivors, veterans, domestic violence survivors, and others on healing journeys. Some courses are free; others cost less than a cup of coffee. We've created these resources because we understand the journey firsthand.
For military veterans and law enforcement officers, PTSD might mean waking in the night, reacting to shadows that aren't there—a brain still on high alert. For survivors of domestic violence, it might manifest as body dysphoria—hiding behind baggy clothes, avoiding mirrors, seeing a distorted reflection that others don't see. These aren't weaknesses; they're normal responses to abnormal situations.
The statistics are sobering. According to Veterans Affairs, one in three women and one in fifty men have experienced military sexual trauma. Meanwhile, one in four women experiences some form of abuse. Behind each statistic is a person carrying that invisible weight, growing heavier by the day.
Recovery means finding safe people and places where you can occasionally set down that metaphorical cup. Every scar represents not how many times someone tried to break you, but how many times they failed. You survived 100% of your worst days, even when you thought dying would hurt less than living.
Visit our website and check out the Academy section to explore our courses. If you can't afford them, reach out for a scholarship—there's no judgment. Because everyone deserves access to healing resources, regardless of their circumstances.

Support the show

Breaking Free: Stories of Domestic Abuse Survival TRIGGER WARNING Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

https://acontagioussmile.mn.co/

Breaking free from the chains of domestic violence takes more than courage—it requires strategy, support, and hope. This raw, powerful episode features survivors sharing the methods they used to escape abusive relationships while living under the constant surveillance of their abusers.
From creative financial independence strategies to secret documentation methods, listeners will hear firsthand accounts of how survivors navigated seemingly impossible situations. "I would take documents to school," one participant reveals, describing how she gradually built her escape plan while maintaining a facade of normalcy. Another explains the psychological tactics that helped her rebuild her shattered self-worth: "You're going to have to start talking to yourself differently."
These aren't just stories of trauma—they're practical roadmaps for others who might be seeking their own path to freedom. Survivors detail how they used gift cards purchased during regular shopping trips to build emergency funds, created secret email accounts that could be quickly deleted from browser histories, and found ways to document abuse without detection.
The emotional journey from victim to survivor shines through as participants describe their recovery process. "I wasn't ever alone," one woman reflects, acknowledging the support network that ultimately made her escape possible. These accounts highlight that leaving isn't just a physical act but also a psychological journey requiring tremendous resilience.
Whether you're currently in an abusive situation, know someone who might be, or simply want to understand the complex reality of domestic violence, this episode offers valuable insights into both the challenges and possibilities of finding safety. Help is available, and as these brave survivors demonstrate, a different life is possible.

Support the show

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

A Contagious Smile Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected