A Contagious Smile Podcast
Psychology & Relationships
About
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.
Episodes
- A Life Built On Miracles, Work Ethic, And Showing Up with Very Special Guest, Amir Arison
Amir Arison joins "A Contagious Smile Podcast" to discuss resilience through domestic violence recovery, medical trauma, and caregiving. He also shares insights from his work on "The Blacklist" and reflects on faith, science, anxiety, and…
- Brave Conquer Fear Interview with Cheryl Preheim of NBC 11Aive and Faith
NBC journalist Cheryl Preheim and Faith discuss choosing courage in the face of adversity, drawing from personal experiences and professional work in journalism and children's literature. They touch upon topics like trauma-informed parenti…
- This Is What It Takes with Michael Mackniak and Victoria Cuore. People Stop Seeking Help When The System Stops Listening
In this episode of A Contagious Smile Podcast, Michael Mackniak and Victoria Cuore discuss the shortcomings in mental health and hospital care systems, focusing on how negative experiences can discourage patients from seeking help. They ex…
- Why We Go Off Script And Talk Real Life
Michael and Victoria discuss their unscripted approach to the A Contagious Smile Podcast, covering mental health for first responders, autism in crisis situations, and the challenges of special needs parenting. They also address personal h…
- Why Families Get Lost In Healthcare Systems And How To Fight Back with Michael Mackniak and Victoria Cuore
This episode discusses the challenges families face navigating fragmented healthcare systems, including uncoordinated providers, communication barriers, and financial pressures. It explores how to advocate for better coordinated care and p…
- Launching A Mental Health Support Network With Real Resources
This episode discusses the launch of a mental health support network that offers real resources. The creators encourage listeners to support the show and send fan mail.
- Building A Free Mental Health Resource Network For Caregivers with Michael Mackniak
Michael Mackniak discusses the creation of a free mental health resource network designed for caregivers. The episode encourages listener support for the show and welcomes fan mail.
- A Mother Remembers Her Son And Rebuilds Life After Opioid Loss with Katie Rizzo
Katie Rizzo discusses the opioid addiction and loss of her son Nicholas, detailing the challenges of bereaved parenthood, the stigma of substance use disorder, and her personal framework for navigating grief.
- Ripple Retreat with guest JJ Holley, A Veteran who lives to pay it forward
JJ Holley discusses Ripple Retreat, an alcohol-free wellness and event space in West Paris, Maine. The retreat, opening April 7, 2027, will offer holistic healing, affordable stays, and host sober events, with a commitment to returning 75%…
- A New Partnership For Trauma-Informed Mental Health Support with Michael Mackniak
In this episode, Michael Mackniak discusses a new partnership focused on integrating care coordination with trauma-informed recovery for mental health. They explore challenges in the healthcare system, effective crisis response, and strate…
- Leaving An Abusive Relationship Starts With A Safety Plan
This episode of A Contagious Smile Podcast addresses why people stay in abusive relationships by detailing barriers like isolation, finances, and fear, emphasizing the critical need for a safety plan. The hosts, including Victoria with cli…
- TikTok Toilets And A Very Bad Diastat Day
This episode covers a parent's experience with a school-reported medical emergency for their child, discussing topics like generational trauma, social media's impact, healthcare system challenges, and advocating for special needs education…
- What If Overworking Is A Trauma Reflex
This episode discusses how overworking can be a trauma reflex, moving beyond productivity to explore trauma recovery, body dysmorphia, and coping mechanisms. It also touches on diabetes management, GLP-1 medications, marriage, and advocacy…
- Five Packs Of Grits And A Side Of Reality
This episode addresses Michael's A1C of 9, discussing diabetes, cravings, lifestyle changes, and GLP-1 medications like semaglutide. It then shifts to domestic violence awareness, victim behavior, intervention strategies, and gun access. P…
- Friending: A Real-World Cure For Loneliness
This episode addresses adult loneliness, discussing how modern connectivity can increase isolation. Gaborg, co-founder of Friending, explains how their app facilitates real-world connections through in-person activities and safety features…
- The Man Behind the Badge joins us with special guest Eric Robinson
Former FBI agent Eric Robinson shares candid insights on the personal toll of law enforcement, discussing his experiences with SWAT, major investigations, and the challenges of maintaining humanity while facing the worst of human behavior.…
- Coffee Beans, Misheard Words, And A Very Honest Marriage
A Hollywood powerhouse discusses authentic confidence and influence with Michael and Faith, exploring sensitive topics like teen dating videos and consent. The episode also highlights resources from the Contagious Smile Academy for empower…
- Arim Arison Tells Michael about how great he is at Podcasting
Arim Arison discusses his podcasting skills with Michael on A Contagious Smile Podcast. The episode also mentions options for sending fan mail and supporting the show.
- How Narcissistic Parents Lose Control When You Heal
This episode of A Contagious Smile Podcast features Victoria and Michael discussing narcissistic parents, the challenges of healing and breaking free from control, and the complexities of infidelity and rebuilding trust. They also touch on…
- You Can Rebuild Safety With Small Daily Steps with Guest Joshua Hess
This episode discusses rebuilding safety through small daily steps, focusing on what medical teams can observe in patients unable to speak freely. It covers strategies for privacy, risk reduction, and personal recovery, including sleep hea…
- We Tried To Help His Dad And Uncovered A Nightmare
A Contagious Smile Podcast episode details a personal crisis involving a family member
- Teaching Responsibility Without Shame
This episode explores teaching responsibility to teens by facing challenges and following through, contrasting it with avoiding difficult truths and narcissistic behavior. It also touches on survivor resilience, parenting strategies, and r…
- How A Couple Protects Joy From Outside Drama
This episode discusses protecting marital joy by setting boundaries against external drama and family patterns. It covers rebuilding trust, healing from infidelity and narcissistic abuse, and navigating challenges like special needs parent…
- From A Scare To A Smile With Lessons On Health Love And Healing
This episode details a surprising trip to the emergency room, the joys and challenges of welcoming new golden retriever puppies, and a frank discussion about infidelity and its impact. It also covers domestic violence advocacy, survivor su…
- From Picture Books To Magazine Covers With A Survivor Advocate
This episode discusses a children's book series focused on social emotional learning, advocacy work including a magazine cover feature for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and upcoming book projects. The hosts also share parenting insigh…
- What If Healing Is Control You Take Back
This episode discusses narcissistic exploitation by grandparents, emphasizing boundary setting and the damage caused. It explores healing after abuse, including survivor overworking and regaining safety, and highlights the importance of jo…
- What Protects A Victim When Power Looks The Other Way
This episode discusses the importance of trauma-informed systems in protecting survivors, including security measures within a dedicated academy. The host also examines narcissistic parenting dynamics and shares insights from upcoming work…
- A Near-Miss At The Range Sparks A Candid Conversation About Parenting, Predators, And Protecting Kids
This episode discusses practical parenting safety measures, starting with a near-miss at a shooting range that leads to conversations about risk and response. It covers online predator awareness, digital monitoring, identifying potential s…
- We Confront Sexualized Media, Unequal Pay, And Who Really Runs The House
A Contagious Smile Podcast addresses topics including sexualized media, the gender pay gap, and domestic power dynamics. The episode encourages listener support.
- Inside Our Fight Against Abuse, Cover-Ups, And Silence
A Contagious Smile Podcast discusses combating abuse, cover-ups, and silence, highlighting personal efforts like funding scholarships and creating a children's book. The episode addresses domestic abuse statistics, institutional accountabi…
- Puppy Love And Tough Truths
This episode contrasts the joy of acquiring puppies with the serious issue of punishing abuse survivors, discussing gaps in safety, law enforcement experiences, and available resources like children's series and trauma training.
- Rising From The Ashes; Love, Knives, And Courage
This episode discusses the quiet strength in healing and choosing to continue, using examples from playful chaos to confronting hard truths with evidence. It highlights how family love, personal symbols like tattoos, and learning self-prot…
- A Hard Look At Consent, Courts, And Courage
This episode of A Contagious Smile examines the difficult realities of consent, courtroom trauma, and the systemic issues that disadvantage survivors. It discusses the legal system's handling of sexual assault cases, offers a detailed safe…
- Rising Strong From Domestic Violence
This episode of A Contagious Smile Podcast focuses on empowering domestic violence survivors with practical strategies for leaving safely. It covers identifying subtle control tactics, developing a robust safety plan including digital and…
- Surviving Abuse, Exposing Cover-Ups, Rebuilding A Life
This episode features a raw conversation about recognizing and surviving abuse, exposing institutional cover-ups, and rebuilding one's life. It details the tactics of grooming, the importance of documentation for survivors, the impact of a…
- Scent, Love, And Starting Over
This episode delves into scent rituals as a love language, exploring themes of fidelity, boundaries, and rebuilding trust after harm. It features discussions on healing from abuse, systemic issues, and practical tools for recovery and brea…
- We Share How Writing, Healing, And Community Keep Our Mission Alive
A Contagious Smile Podcast explores how writing, healing, and community keep their mission alive, detailing their work with survivors of narcissistic abuse and generational trauma. They highlight resources like a recovery workbook, an upco…
- How Caregivers Cope When A Loved One Won’t Admit An Addiction
This episode of A Contagious Smile Podcast discusses the challenges caregivers face when a loved one has an addiction they don't acknowledge. Listener support is encouraged through fan mail.
- Addiction, Love, And The Weight We Carry
This episode of A Contagious Smile Podcast discusses the harsh realities of addiction, the complexities of love and loss within toxic relationships, and the weight carried by survivors. It offers practical boundary-setting strategies for f…
- Inside The OR: Infection, Accountability, And Self-Advocacy
This episode discusses infection control, accountability, and self-advocacy within the operating room setting.
- Christmas, Scars, And Standing Up For Ourselves
This episode of The Contagious Smile Podcast is titled "Christmas, Scars, and Standing Up For Ourselves." Additional details about the episode content are not available in the provided metadata.
- Holiday Chaos, Hard Truths, Real Love
This episode of A Contagious Smile Podcast is titled Holiday Chaos, Hard Truths, Real Love. The description indicates that listeners can send fan mail and support the show.
- Home Depot Dad Moment
This episode of The Contagious Smile Podcast is titled "Home Depot Dad Moment". The description provides information on how to send fan mail and support the show.
- My Husband, A Pee Hat, And A Plot Twist
This episode explores how a bathroom mix-up in the ER turned into a lesson on patient advocacy, chain-of-custody, and emergency care navigation. It also delves into cycles of narcissistic control, recovery processes, and failures within th…
- Protecting Your Peace From Narcissists
This episode discusses practical steps for organizing legal and medical documents after a loss, and offers strategies for dealing with narcissistic behavior, including documenting evidence, setting boundaries, and planning safe exits from…
- Welcoming Dad Home
This episode discusses the practical and emotional aspects of welcoming a father into a home after the loss of his wife, covering caregiving, essential legal planning like wills and power of attorney, and setting boundaries. It also touche…
- Smoke, Safety, And A Package On The Porch
This episode discusses a personal experience with a package delivery that left a marijuana smell, linking it to concerns about public safety, impaired driving, and health risks for those with respiratory sensitivities. It explores employer…
- Beyond The Limb And Beyond Labels: A Family’s Mission To Uplift Amputees And Special Needs Kids
This episode discusses two projects: Beyond the Limb, a course for new amputees, and Not Defined By My Diagnosis, a book of stories from parents of special needs children. It highlights practical tips and the importance of sharing personal…
- How Muck Sticky Turns Grit Into Joy And Advocacy Into Action
This episode features Muck Sticky discussing his journey through music, personal responsibility, advocacy for his son Cookie, and navigating challenges like dental care and insurance, emphasizing self-acceptance, resilience, and finding jo…
- Silence loses when truth finds a microphone
This episode discusses identifying narcissistic behaviors, ending toxic relationships, and creating a peaceful home environment. It also covers essential legal documents for family protection and resources for survivors.