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A Contagious Smile Podcast — Kids & Family
A Contagious Smile Podcast

Stop surviving and start thriving. A Contagious Smile is a globally ranked podcast providing a safe haven for abuse survivors and special needs families navigating the journey of trauma recovery. Whether you are healing from domestic violence, narcissistic abuse, childhood trauma, or the daily challenges of disability advocacy, our mission is to turn your pain into power.

Each episode features raw, authentic conversations with survivors, mental health experts, and advocates who share actionable resources for PTSD healing, resilience building, and emotional wellness. We go beyond the struggle to highlight the triumphs of the special needs community, offering support for caregivers and individuals with disabilities who are rewriting their own narratives.

Hosted by Victoria Cuore, an award-winning trauma advocate and survivor, this podcast delivers the “blueprints” for recovery, not just Band-Aids. Join our community to find hope, humor, and the unstoppable spirit needed to rekindle your inner light.

Latest Episodes:

Mediumship Without The Movie Magic Jul 02, 2026

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Your gut knows things before your brain can explain them, but how do you tell the difference between real intuition and a loud imagination? We sit down with Danielle Ribbon Clumber, an LCSW trauma therapist in Utah and founder of Willow Medella Wellness, and her husband Nganga Mr. Pishu, a medicine man and practitioner, to talk about mediumship as a lived reality: confusing, validating, and sometimes isolating. With Abby jumping in as our guest co-host, the questions are curious, direct, and refreshingly human.
We dig into the hardest part of being “gifted”, not the spooky moments, but the pressure to hide, second-guess, and feel ashamed because of culture, stigma, or fear of being labelled. Danielle shares how discernment grows through pattern recognition, self-trust, and nervous system regulation, plus why sensing energy in a room can be both ordinary and powerful. Nganga brings vivid haunted house stories, from unexplained footsteps and toys activating on their own to strange lights and experiences that seem tied to the land itself.
Then we get practical. We debate Ouija boards versus spirit boards, talk about EVP (electronic voice phenomenon), and explain why tools like tarot, pendulums, and boards don’t “do” anything without the user’s energy, boundaries, and integrity. We also explore dream interpretation through a grounded lens: snake dreams, teeth dreams, house dreams, and why nightmares may be your brain trying to solve a problem, not punish you. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re picking up something real, this conversation offers language, guardrails, and a lot of permission to trust yourself without drifting into fantasy.
Subscribe for more honest conversations, share this with a friend who loves the paranormal or psychology, and leave a review with the biggest question you still have about intuition or spirit communication.

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Surgery, Setbacks, And Self-Advocacy Jul 02, 2026

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One minute we’re hearing, “You can go home,” and the next we’re being warned that leaving in the wrong condition could mean paralysis. That whiplash sets the tone for a raw, honest update from Victoria and Michael after a major spinal surgery that turns into a week of complications, extreme pain, and a crash course in what patient safety really looks like when you’re the one in the bed.
We talk through the surgery and the aftermath: blood pressure dropping dangerously low, being flooded with monitoring and IVs, and the disbelief of being discharged without basic repositioning that protects skin and supports recovery. Then the plot twists again when the dressings come off and Victoria’s back is visibly, painfully raw in the exact shape of the materials used. The emergency room confirms a severe allergic reaction to medical adhesive and wound products, forcing a new plan with antibiotics, steroids, and topical treatment. If you’ve ever searched “allergic reaction to surgical tape,” “Dermabond irritation,” or “post-op rash,” you’ll recognize how fast this can escalate.
From there, we zoom out to the bigger issue: patient advocacy. We break down the surgical timeout process, why sedation like Versed can make it harder for patients to protect themselves, and what should happen when allergies are clearly documented. We also share the emotional side people do not warn you about, including who shows up, who disappears, and how to set boundaries when you’re recovering and still being asked to give more.
If this story hits home, subscribe, share it with someone facing surgery, and leave a review so more patients and caregivers can find these conversations. What’s one question you wish you’d asked before your last procedure?

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His First Pedicure Michael's Father's Day Jun 22, 2026

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A Father’s Day pedicure turns into a surprisingly tender milestone when my husband walks in convinced it “isn’t for men” and walks out admitting the hot rocks, paraffin, and toe rubs were the best part of his day. We laugh about gifts that are equal parts love and necessity, like replacing a ruined recliner and an air fryer that became a health hazard, then we pivot into the real wins: cutting sugar, making diabetes-friendly choices, and watching A1C move in the right direction.
We also talk about body image in a way that isn’t polished or performative. Weight loss can feel amazing and confusing at the same time, and a simple trip to try on clothes becomes a full-body experience when you’re carrying trauma, living with scars, and navigating the physical challenge of changing outfits with one hand. We share what it meant to finally wear something that fits, why a partly unbuttoned shirt can be a huge act of courage, and how a supportive partner can help without pushing too hard.
From there, the conversation gets blunt about domestic violence and coercive control. We unpack why “just leave” is often impossible when you’re being tracked, isolated, threatened, and terrorised, and we share the lasting impact of psychological abuse on self-worth and safety. With major spine surgery ahead, we also talk about the difficult choice to revisit the memoir “Who Kicked First” together, and why telling the truth still matters years later.
If you connect with honest stories about trauma healing, body dysmorphia recovery, diabetes progress, and rebuilding a life with real support, subscribe to A Contagious Smile Unstoppable, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.

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How The Guardian Model Rebuilds Mental Health Care Jun 18, 2026

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The fastest way to break a person isn’t always the illness; it’s the system that treats them like a number and calls it “care.” We sit down with veteran attorney and nonprofit leader Michael Mackniak, a nationally recognized mental health advocate and the founder behind the Guardian Model and the Care Coalition, to talk about what actually changes outcomes for people who are stuck in high-need, high-risk cycles.
We get specific about care coordination: why the client has to be the captain, how a “bicycle wheel” team falls apart when communication is optional, and why a single, well-built timeline of hospitalizations, medications, crises, and what worked can become the key that unlocks better decisions. Michael also shares the hard math behind the cost of neglect, comparing proactive community-based support with the staggering price of repeated emergency room visits and inpatient psychiatric stays.
Along the way, we name the everyday failures listeners recognize: two-minute chart reviews, long waits for appointments, electronic medical records that don’t connect across networks, insurance barriers that crush hope, and families who get treated like a burden for speaking up. We end with practical ways to advocate without burning out, plus where to find Michael’s resources at carecoalition.org and his books on Amazon, including “Saving Melissa” and “The Seven C’s to Cure the Mental Health System.”
If you care about mental health reform, patient-centered care, and real-world healthcare navigation, hit subscribe, share this with someone who needs an ally, and leave a review so more families can find these tools. What’s one moment the system made you feel unheard?

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We Cannot Keep Pouring Into People Who Never Pour Back Jun 15, 2026

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Some people call you a friend, then disappear the second you stop being convenient. We get blunt about that kind of fake loyalty and what it does to your trust, your energy, and your peace. From old work “friends” who vanish to the constant drain of being the dependable one, we talk about how to spot the pattern early and set boundaries without turning cold.
Then we shift to what real love looks like when it’s lived out, not posted. We tell the story of our daughter Faith saving her change, going to the mall, and spending her money on a gift for her mom with layers of meaning, memories, and care. The Build-A-Bear details, the scents, the symbols, the voice message, all of it becomes a reminder that time and thought matter more than status, cars, or the number in a bank account. We also reflect on family traditions like movie nights and why presence is the thing you can never buy back.
We also go raw on trauma recovery, PTSD, scars, and body dysphoria after abuse. Trying on clothes can feel like a fight with a mirror, especially when old cruelty still echoes years later. Along the way, we share what’s going on at home too: chronic pain, an upcoming surgery, the everyday humor that keeps us grounded, and why we’re building Stronger Than a Mountain while continuing the work behind Contagious Smiles.
If any part of this hit home, listen, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one boundary you wish you’d set sooner?

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When A Medium Nails The Details with special guests Danniel Worthen Cullumber and Gvnage Mishipeshu Jun 14, 2026

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A stranger says one word that stops us cold: “hands.” Danielle Worthen Columber has never met us, never heard our backstory, and we give her nothing to work with. Then she describes what she’s sensing and I lift my arm and she realises I’m an amputee. That moment sets the tone for a conversation that’s equal parts psychic medium reading, trauma-informed care, and the kind of grief honesty most people avoid.
Danielle brings her lens as a licensed clinical social worker and trauma therapist who also practices mediumship, and her husband Ganonge Mishapeshu adds his perspective as an intuitive medium grounded in practicality, culture, and lived experience. We talk about how intuitive messages arrive as fragments, why trusting them is hard, and why the delivery matters when someone has a history of abuse, hypervigilance, or deep loss. We also share the story behind my amputation and what it means to mourn a body part that held my daughter through surgeries and held my grandparents’ hands at the end of life.
You’ll also hear about raising a child with complex medical needs, the resilience it takes to survive repeated ICU crises, and the surprising joy that shows up through pranks, dark humour, and family rituals. We touch on creativity and purpose, what “age 22” might signal for building a bigger future, and why accessibility matters if you want your books, messages, or healing work to reach more people.
If you’ve ever wondered whether psychic readings can be real, or you’re simply looking for a grounded conversation about grief, trauma recovery, and spiritual healing, press play and stay curious. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave us a review, then tell us: what would it take for you to believe?

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This Is What It Takes with special guest Daniel Ryan Cotler, Psychological Warfare In Intimate Relationships Jun 11, 2026

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The most dangerous abuse is often the kind nobody can photograph. We talk with Daniel Ryan Cotler, author of *Voiceless No More* and founder of the Heal Loudly movement, about the reality survivors describe as narcissistic psychological warfare: coercive control, gaslighting, charm in public, cruelty in private, and the slow collapse of self-trust that makes you question your own reality.
We also get precise about language. We’re tired of every bad partner being labelled a narcissist, because that buzzword culture makes the people living through true psychological abuse easier to dismiss. Daniel explains why a behaviour-based lens helps more than armchair diagnosing, and how early “love bombing” can function as indoctrination, information gathering, and a setup for trauma bonding. If you’ve ever wondered why leaving can feel impossible even when the relationship is clearly unsafe, this part connects the dots without shaming the survivor.
From there, we go into what happens after the breakup. Post-separation abuse can play out through smear campaigns, police calls, restraining order threats, and drawn-out court battles where the calm abuser looks credible and the traumatised target looks unstable. Daniel shares why so many survivors feel erased by friends, family, first responders, and institutions, and why he’s pushing legislative ideas like the Voiceless Justice Act and the Frankie Initiative to bring accountability and recognition to psychological abuse patterns.
If this conversation helps you put words to something you’ve been living through, share it with someone who needs that language. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what topic you want us to tackle next.

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Amir Arison: The Kind of Human the World Needs More Of Jun 10, 2026

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A kid who has endured more surgeries than most adults can fathom sits beside a mother who refuses to let trauma be the last word. Then our guest, an actor best known for his work on The Blacklist, steps in with a mix of warmth, honesty, and wildly curious detours that somehow land exactly where they need to: on resilience, meaning, and the small choices that keep you alive.
We talk about Faith’s tattoos as a living record of survival, how adoption became a deliberate break from domestic violence, and why “choose your destiny” is not a slogan but a hard-earned practice. The conversation goes deep into domestic violence recovery, chronic medical complexity, caregiving, disability, and the unseen cost of always being the strong one. If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on fumes while still showing up for everyone else, you’ll hear yourself in this.
Our guest shares what it really takes to build a long acting career, why landing a series regular role can feel like stacked miracles, and how leaving The Blacklist for a Broadway lead reshaped his view of purpose and success. We also explore the science of faith and meditation, the “faith muscle” in the brain, and the idea that luck can be created through preparation, mindset, and persistence.
We end with a challenge that hits home: find one small, selfish-in-a-healthy-way pleasure that keeps your devotion sustainable. If this moved you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs a flicker of hope, and leave a review telling us what helped you survive your worst days.

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Amir Arison Beyond The Blacklist: Why Faith's Poetry Touched His Heart Jun 10, 2026

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A few lines of poetry can hit harder than a whole hour of advice, and that’s exactly how we choose to end this one. We wrap up by reading a poem from Faith Cure Solomon that puts a mother-daughter relationship into plain, vivid words: shared humour, shared pain, and a love that doesn’t disappear when life gets messy. If you’re drawn to spoken word, emotional storytelling, and real family bonds, this closing is built to stay with you.
Faith’s poem moves from warmth to truth without flinching. She talks about being “like my mother… to the core,” about the highs and lows, and about the kind of support that shows up day after day. The message isn’t perfect-family fantasy. It’s loyalty, resilience, and the quiet power of knowing someone is there “every step of the way.” Along the way, we reflect on what makes a bond strong: presence, admiration, and the decision to have each other’s backs when it counts.
We also take a moment to thank Amir for coming on and sharing time with us, because community is part of the story too. This is a short listen, but it’s packed with heart and it’s an easy share for anyone who loves their mum, misses their mum, or is still figuring out what family means. If it moves you, subscribe, share the episode with someone you ride for, and leave a review telling us the line that hit you most.

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Care Coalition Caregiving Guests of Kellan Fluckinger Jun 09, 2026

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When you’re trying to keep a loved one safe, get the right diagnosis, or survive a crisis, the healthcare system can feel less like support and more like a test you did not study for. We sit down with attorney and systems advocate Michael Magniak and domestic violence advocate and therapist Victoria Cure to talk about what gets lost between insurance rules, rushed appointments, and the real lives happening outside the exam room. We keep coming back to one sharp idea: people deserve dignity, and care should not depend on your ability to fight through red tape on your worst day.
We dig into why modern care can default to quick fixes, including how medication gets used as a band-aid when grief, trauma, and situational stress are not properly heard. Victoria explains what frontline advocacy looks like in courtrooms, clinics, and family systems, and why “take an extra minute and listen” is not a slogan but a practical intervention. Michael shares what it takes to “bust up systems” at the policy level, how institutional culture has shifted over the last 25 years, and why teaching families and providers to collaborate can change outcomes.
You also get hands-on tools for self-advocacy and caregiving, including how to build a care binder style snapshot that saves time, reduces errors, and helps specialists actually see the whole person. We introduce the Care Coalition journal, built for caregivers, patients, case managers, therapists, and providers who need a clear care navigation system in one place. If you care about patient advocacy, mental health resources, caregiving support, and better healthcare communication, this conversation gives you a grounded starting point.
Subscribe, share this with a caregiver who needs relief, and leave a review with one thing you wish every provider asked you at the start of an appointment.

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