Bonus Episode: Creating Community from Loss – Our First Face-to-Face Conversation

This bonus episode marks a major milestone—our very first time recording together in person!
We open up about trauma, healing, advocacy, and how one unexpected connection turned into a powerful, life-changing friendship.

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🎥 Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube:

A video version of this episode is available here:
YouTube: @TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

 

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🎙️ Episode Sponsored by TheHelpHUB.co

This episode is proudly brought to you by https://www.thehelphub.co

Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just… alone? Well, you're not.
Welcome to TheHelpHUB—your online destination for mental health resources, content, and tools to help you navigate whatever mental health challenges you face.

At TheHelpHUB, we offer individualized resources tailored to your unique needs and community, with over 16 different categories to find exactly the kind of personalized help you need when you need it most.

So, whether you're looking for crisis support, downloadable resources, or an archive of mental health-related articles and videos—we’ve got you.

From episodes of The Survivors Podcast for suicide loss survivors and lived-experience blogs to interactive tools and professional support, The Help Hub meets you where you are—and helps you move forward.

💙Because your mental well-being matters.💙
Visit: https://www.thehelphub.co

 

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🔍 Episode Summary

Lisa and Gretchen are finally in the same room—and recording this bonus episode from Salem, Massachusetts.
Together, they explore the real-life impact of trauma bonding, vulnerability, and the unexpected joy that comes from community and shared survival stories.

 

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✨ Lessons Learned

• Shared trauma can become a bridge to deep, meaningful connection.
• You don’t need a crowd—just one person who truly understands.
• Even in pain, there’s space for joy, laughter, and purpose.
• Advocacy, vulnerability, and storytelling help others heal—and ourselves too.

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⏱️ Chapters

• 00:00 – Episode intro & trigger warning
• 00:21 – Meeting in person for the first time
• 01:35 – The gift of friendship after trauma
• 04:36 – How The Survivors Podcast began
• 06:58 – The importance of shared understanding
• 08:10 – Supportive partners and healing through connection
• 10:00 – Why community changes everything
• 13:25 – Vulnerability, grief, and survivor guilt
• 17:51 – Shared pain sparking purpose
• 20:00 – Building something beautiful from something horrible
• 21:31 – Closing reflections & mental health resources

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📚 Resources for Mental Health & Support

• The Survivors Podcast Website
• The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks
• Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions – Mental wellness coaching & support
• Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads – A raw, award-winning mental health podcast

📲 Follow & Connect With Us

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

_________________________________________________ 🗳️ A Shameless Plug for Our Sister Podcast!

Our incredible sister podcast, Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads, has been nominated for two People’s Choice Podcast Awards—the Adam Curry Award and the Health Award! 🏆

Let’s help them bring it home! Here's how:

• 👉 Go to: https://www.podcastawards.com
• 👉 Register with a valid email address (they do verify emails)
• 👉 Vote for Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads in both categories
• 🗓️ Deadline to vote is July 31st, 2025

Thank you for supporting their powerful mission to normalize mental health conversations through raw, real, and relatable storytelling! 💬💙

 

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#TheSurvivorsPodcast #EndTheStigma #MentalHealthMatters #SuicidePrevention #YouAreNotAlone #BreakTheSilence #GriefSupport #988Lifeline #SurvivorStories #HealingTogether #PodMatch #MentalHealth #SuicideAwareness #Podcast #Community #Hope #Grief #Stigma #MentalIllness #Support #LisaSugarman #GretchenSchoser

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🎙️ See You Next Week!

Stay strong, keep going, and remember: You are enough. 💜