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The Survivors Podcast

The Survivors Podcast

Written by: Lisa Sugarman & Natasha J. Layton
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About this listen

Survival isn’t just about staying alive—it’s about finding the strength to rebuild, reclaim, and rise.

That’s the foundation of The Survivors Podcast, where three-time suicide loss survivor, author, crisis counselor, and mental health advocate Lisa Sugarman joins Natasha J. Layton—a multiple suicide attempt and loss survivor, advocate, sexual abuse survivor, and former member of the FLDS polygamy cult—to change the way we talk about suicide, survival, and mental health.

Through raw, unfiltered conversations, Lisa and Natasha explore the realities of surviving trauma, grief, abuse, mental illness, and everything in between—with honesty, hope, and humanity. Their unique perspectives—one shaped by profound loss, the other by unimaginable adversity—create a space where the hardest stories are told with compassion, courage, and vulnerability.

By opening up the conversations we’ve been taught to bury, The Survivors invites listeners into a safe, stigma-free community to reflect, connect, and heal. Together, Lisa and Natasha push past stigma, challenge everything we think we know about survival, and reveal that life after darkness can be filled with meaning, connection, and hope.

Subscribe now and join the conversation about surviving life, death, trauma, and everything in between.

2025 Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Compound Grief: When Loss Keeps Piling On

    Compound Grief: When Loss Keeps Piling On
    Feb 18 2026

    *WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.

    Episode Summary

    In this conversation, Lisa and Natasha explore the complexities of compound grief and the layers of trauma that we all face in today's world. They discuss the importance of acknowledging personal and collective grief, the impact of external stressors, and the necessity of setting boundaries for self-care.

    The dialogue emphasizes the significance of community support and the need for open conversations about mental health, ultimately highlighting the journey of healing and hope amidst overwhelming challenges.

    Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™ Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.

    Takeaways

    • Compound grief is a layered experience that can feel overwhelming.
    • Disassociation and brain fog are common responses to trauma.
    • It's important to acknowledge the collective stress affecting everyone.
    • Setting boundaries is essential for self-preservation and mental health.
    • Finding grounding techniques can help navigate overwhelming emotions.
    • Engaging with supportive communities can foster healing.
    • It's okay to take a step back from consuming news and information.
    • Prioritizing grief can be challenging but necessary for healing.
    • Emotional release, such as crying, can be therapeutic.
    • Hope and connection are vital for moving forward in difficult times.

    Chapters

    00:00 Navigating Heavy Conversations 03:01 Collective Grief and Emotional Exhaustion 05:58 The Impact of Political and Social Divisions 08:51 Personal Boundaries and Self-Preservation 11:59 Finding Balance in Information Consumption 14:53 Raising Empathetic Children 18:03 The Role of Community and Activism 20:46 Understanding Different Perspectives 23:52 The Importance of Emotional Safety 26:34 Hope for Humanity's Resilience 39:21 S4 E2 Compound Grief

    Mental Health Resources

    • If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help.
    • The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/
    • The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/
    • National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)

    Follow & Connect With Us

    📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast

    🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast

    🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

    🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast

    See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • When the World Feels Too Heavy: Surviving Collective Grief

    When the World Feels Too Heavy: Surviving Collective Grief
    Feb 11 2026

    *WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.

    Episode Summary

    In the Season 4 kick-off episode of The Survivors, Lisa and Natasha get candid about the overwhelming emotional weight of current global events, the importance of personal boundaries, and the need for self-preservation amidst collective grief.

    They explore how political and social divisions affect personal relationships and the significance of raising empathetic kids. The dialogue emphasizes the necessity of curating information consumption and finding hope in community and activism, while acknowledging the diverse perspectives that shape individual experiences.

    Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™ Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.

    Takeaways

    • Collective grief is impacting everyone right now.
    • Emotional exhaustion is a common experience.
    • Political and social divisions create challenges in relationships.
    • Setting personal boundaries is essential for mental health.
    • Curating news intake can help manage emotional well-being.
    • Raising empathetic children is a priority for many.
    • Community involvement can provide a sense of purpose.
    • Understanding different perspectives is crucial for dialogue.
    • It's okay to disengage from overwhelming information.
    • Hope for humanity is essential for moving forward.

    Chapters

    00:00 Navigating Heavy Conversations 03:01 Collective Grief and Emotional Exhaustion 05:58 The Impact of Political and Social Divisions 08:51 Personal Boundaries and Self-Preservation 11:59 Finding Balance in Information Consumption 14:53 Raising Empathetic Children 18:03 The Role of Community and Activism 20:46 Understanding Different Perspectives 23:52 The Importance of Emotional Safety 26:34 Hope for Humanity's Resilience

    Mental Health Resources

    • If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help.
    • The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/
    • The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/
    • National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)

    Follow & Connect With Us

    📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast

    🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast

    🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

    🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast

    See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Season 3 Finale: Raw Confessions & Hard-Won Hope

    Season 3 Finale: Raw Confessions & Hard-Won Hope
    Feb 4 2026

    *WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.

    Episode Summary

    In this reflective episode, Lisa and Natasha recap the emotional journey of Season 3 of The Survivors. They reflect on their origin stories, the various types of trauma and survival stories shared throughout the season, and the importance of storytelling in healing. The conversation touches on themes of gratitude amidst grief, navigating domestic abuse, holiday expectations, and the complexities of joy and loss. They also look ahead to Season 4, sharing their excitement for new voices and interactive engagements with their audience.

    Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™ Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.

    Takeaways

    • It's been a whirlwind, absolutely.
    • The podcast has provided a platform for diverse survivor stories.
    • Sharing personal experiences can help others heal.
    • Gratitude can coexist with grief.
    • Navigating domestic abuse is a shared struggle.
    • Holiday expectations can be overwhelming.
    • Life in a polygamy cult shapes unique survival stories.
    • Financial stress during holidays is a common burden.
    • Parenthood while grieving presents unique challenges.
    • Complicated joy is a valid emotional experience.

    Chapters

    00:00 Season Three Reflection and Connection 02:57 Origin Stories and New Beginnings 06:03 Diving Deep into Trauma 09:01 The Power of Sharing Stories 11:46 Gratitude Amidst Grief 14:45 Breaking the Silence on Domestic Abuse 17:55 Holiday Expectations and Realities 20:50 Life in a Polygamy Cult 23:58 Financial Pressures During Holidays 25:02 Navigating Parenthood and Personal Identity 26:35 Grieving While Parenting: A Unique Challenge 28:38 The Impact of Grief on Family Dynamics 29:53 Burnout After the Holidays 31:53 Understanding Complicated Joy After Trauma 34:11 Grieving the Life You Thought You'd Have 38:31 Finding Community and Connection in Grief

    Mental Health Resources

    • If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help.
    • The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/
    • The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/
    • National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)

    Follow & Connect With Us

    📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast

    🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast

    🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

    🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast

    See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
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