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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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We're back after a three-week hiatus, and there's a good reason for our absence. Victoria has undergone two additional surgeries, including a spinal implant for her Complex Regional Pain Syndrome that has miraculously reduced her pain by over 80%. As she puts it with characteristic humor, "I really should get free HBO at this point with all these things I have to plug in and out."

But just as life seemed to be settling into a healthier rhythm, we experienced what we can only describe as a "tsunami of toxicity" – multiple estranged family members suddenly reaching out from both sides after years of no contact. The timing wasn't random. These reconnection attempts came after these individuals experienced health crises or deaths that shifted their perspectives about mortality and relationships. Yet the painful patterns quickly re-emerged, revealing the self-centered nature of these renewed connections.

What struck us most profoundly was how these same family members never reached out when our daughter was critically ill in organ failure, yet they didn't hesitate to repost about her condition on social media for sympathy. This brought us to the central question that survivors of narcissistic relationships often wrestle with: Can narcissists truly change? Our professional experience and personal journey suggest that while they might adjust their presentation temporarily, fundamental transformation is exceedingly rare.

The conversation takes a deep dive into what drives narcissistic behavior, exploring the calculated nature of how they manipulate and harm others. We discuss the impossibility of imagining life without empathy – the inability to comprehend how someone could go about their daily activities without genuine concern for a loved one in crisis. For those dealing with toxic family relationships, we offer a powerful starting point: ask yourself why someone would derive satisfaction from causing others pain, and why anyone would choose drama and negativity when unconditional love offers so much more fulfillment.

Whether you're currently navigating complicated family dynamics or healing from narcissistic abuse, this raw, heartfelt discussion offers validation, perspective, and practical wisdom. Join us as we explore how to protect your peace while setting appropriate boundaries with those who've caused harm. Life's too short for toxicity – choose joy, authenticity, and genuine connection instead.

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The overwhelming response to our podcast has shown us just how many people are silently struggling with the aftermath of narcissistic family dynamics. This episode dives deep into what it truly means to be the "black sheep" in a narcissistic family – not a flaw, but a superpower of truth-seeing that threatens those who rely on facades and manipulation.

We share a particularly moving story from a high school listener who reached out after realizing, through our podcast, that she wasn't broken or worthless as she'd been conditioned to believe. Her journey from suicide attempts to seeking therapy while still living in her difficult home situation highlights the critical importance of recognition and validation when navigating these toxic relationships.

Throughout our conversation, we explore common manipulation tactics like the silent treatment, strategies for fostering empathy within impossible family dynamics, and the challenging path of breaking generational cycles when becoming parents ourselves. We address the fear many survivors share: "Will I become like my narcissistic parent?" The answer lies in conscious choice and awareness – the very fact you're worried about this suggests you're already on a different path.

Dana shares insights from her therapeutic journey, while Victoria opens up about her experiences of physical trauma alongside emotional abuse. Together, we emphasize that healing isn't about changing the narcissist (an unlikely outcome) but about reclaiming your own identity and worth despite their influence.

Whether you're currently trapped in a narcissistic family, healing from past wounds, or supporting someone on this journey, this episode offers validation, perspective, and hope. The most beautiful flowers grow from dirt – your painful past doesn't determine your future. Connect with us, share your questions and wins, and remember you're part of a community that understands.

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