The Survivors Podcast
The Survivors Podcast
Podcast Description
The Survivors Podcast was born out of a serendipitous connection between Gretchen and Lisa—two individuals with powerful, lived experiences in mental health and suicide survival. Gretchen, co-host of the award-winning Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads met Lisa through PodMatch while searching for podcast guests. What was meant to be a short pre-call turned into a two-hour conversation that revealed a shared mission: to change the narrative around suicide, mental illness, and grief.Together, they created The Survivors to bring honest, unfiltered conversations about mental health into the mainstream. This podcast offers a unique dual perspective—one of surviving the loss of loved ones to suicide and the other of surviving one’s mental health challenges.By tackling topics often considered taboo, The Survivors provides a safe, empathetic space where the complexities of mental health, grief, and loss are explored with authenticity and hope. Join Gretchen and Lisa as they break down barriers, challenge stigma, and empower listeners to survive life, death, and everything.Subscribe now and be part of the conversation.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
This podcast covers various critical topics within the realm of mental health, including suicide survival, grief, and stigma. Episodes often focus on personal narratives, such as Lisa’s impactful story of losing three loved ones to suicide and the discussion around how trauma affects individuals, as well as the importance of open dialogues to promote healing and reduce stigma.
The Survivors Podcast was created by Gretchen Schoser and Lisa Sugarman—two women brought together by chance, bonded by lived experience, and united by a shared mission: to change the way we talk about suicide, mental illness, and grief.
They met through PodMatch, a podcast matchmaking platform that connects hosts with guests based on aligned interests and expertise. And what was meant to be a quick intro call turned into a 2+ hour conversation that uncovered an undeniable connection and shared purpose.
Lisa, a three-time survivor of suicide loss, author, and longtime mental health advocate, and Gretchen, co-host of the award-winning podcast Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads and a suicide attempt survivor, decided to create something more—a space for honest, unfiltered dialogue about the human experience.
Together, they launched The Survivors Podcast, offering a rare dual lens: one from someone who’s lost loved ones to suicide, and one from someone who’s fought to survive herself.
Through deeply human storytelling, The Survivors challenges stigma, explores the nuances of mental health and grief, and empowers listeners to survive life, death, and everything in between.
Subscribe now and join the 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
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🗳️ 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. 💜
Disclaimer
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