In this powerful episode, Jacquie sits down with Darcy Allen, a well-known local strongman whose story goes far beyond physical strength. Darcy opens up about living with a permanent disability, the emotional toll it took, and how he found healing through self-awareness, vulnerability, and support from his community.

From his days competing in strength sports to the life-altering moment that changed his trajectory, Darcy shares how he’s learned to embrace softness and redefine what it means to be strong. This episode is a raw look at masculinity, identity, and learning to ask for help when you’ve always been the one others turn to.

Hold on to your heart and listen in!

In this deeply honest and healing conversation, Jacquie sits down with Emily—therapist, mother, and community leader—to explore the silent struggles of postpartum depression, intrusive thoughts, miscarriage, and the impossible expectations placed on mothers. Emily opens up about her own journey through early motherhood, including the emotional aftermath of a traumatic birth, the quiet suffering behind closed doors, and the loneliness that can come even when you're surrounded by love.

Together, they unpack what it really means to “hold on to your heart” through seasons of grief, guilt, and growth. Emily shares how her personal experiences not only shaped her as a parent but also transformed the way she supports others in her private practice. From burnout to breakthroughs, this episode is a reminder that no matter how much you “should” have it all together—even as a professional—you still deserve compassion, connection, and care.

Whether you’re a parent, a helping professional, or someone navigating their own healing, this conversation will meet you where you are and help you feel less alone.

In this deeply moving episode of Hold On To Your Heart, Jacquie sits down with Richard, a retired community counselor and recovery advocate who brings 42 years of sobriety and a lifetime of hard-won wisdom to the conversation.

Born in wartime Chicago to alcoholic parents, Richard opens up about growing up in a home where he felt invisible, rejected, and out of place—experiences that planted the early seeds of addiction. By age five, he was already sneaking alcohol and cigarettes, craving connection and attention in a chaotic world.

He shares the gripping story of how addiction stole nearly everything—home, dignity, and hope—until one fateful moment in a freezing cabin, when the light of recovery quite literally shone down on him. From that spiritual turning point to a life rebuilt through AA and service, Richard’s story is one of heartbreak, transformation, and profound grace.

This is a conversation about the weight of generational trauma, the power of belonging, and the miracle of finding purpose after devastation.

🔸 Key Themes: generational addiction, early childhood trauma, belonging, recovery, AA, spiritual awakening, community healing
🔸 Trigger Warning: discussions of addiction, childhood neglect, and suicidal ideation