Still Standing With Valerie Silveira

The big fat lie we’ve all believed? That courage is reserved for the obviously brave. In reality, courage is built in the middle of fear and uncertainty—and it belongs to everyone.In Episode 4 of the Burn the Map series, Sean and I sit down to talk about Chapter Three of the book and why courage isn’t about being fearless or perfect. We dive into the messy, raw moments where real bravery is born and share how this chapter’s Warriors redefined what courage looks like in their own lives.In this episode (with Sean):

Fear isn’t just an emotion—it’s a thief. It steals dreams, relationships, and opportunities. In Episode 3 of the Burn the Map series, I dive into Chapter Two of the book: Fear Is Killing Us.This episode is about recognizing the Beast of fear, how it shows up in your life, and how it silently convinces you to settle for less. In this episode, Sean & I share:Fear isn’t just an emotion—it’s a thief. It steals dreams, relationships, and opportunities. In Episode 3 of the Burn the Map series, I dive into Chapter Two of the book: Fear Is Killing Us.This episode is about recognizing the Beast of fear, how it shows up in your life, and how it silently convinces you to settle for less. I’ll also share how I learned to call fear out, stop letting it control me, and lean into divine backup when my own strength wasn’t enough.In this episode:How fear disguises itself as logic or safetyWhy you can’t “wait” for fear to disappear before actingThe Beast of fear—and how to name yoursWhere I found strength when fear felt ov

What happens when the life you planned suddenly burns to the ground—or when you realize you lit the match yourself?In Episode 2 of the Burn the Map series, I dive into Chapter One of the book and the moments that change everything. From the first time my daughter Jamie was shot… to Sandy’s wake-up call… to the kind of fear that paralyzes you when the map disappears—this episode explores the fires we don’t ask for and the ones we start without realizing.We don’t always choose the fire—but we can choose what happens next.Some maps burn slowly, and others disappear in a flash. Sometimes we unknowingly or purposely set fire to the plan. No matter how you got here, you are standing on foreign territory. It's all about what you choose to do next. Your story matters, so live it courageously!

Discover the real story behind Burn the Map—and what it means to live with unbreakable courage when life doesn’t go as planned.In this kickoff episode of the 14-part Burn the Map podcast series, I share why I wrote the book and what I hope it unlocks for you. I’ll take you inside the slow unraveling of my life, my daughter Jamie’s addiction and murder, and how I found the strength to keep going—not with a plan, but with raw, imperfect courage.You'll also get a preview of what’s ahead in the series and meet some of the Warriors whose stories are woven into the book.In this episode:Why Burn the Map had to be writtenThe power of courage, even when it’s messyHow your story—no matter where you’re starting—is still being writtenWhat to expect in upcoming episodesYour story matters, so live it courageously!

Coming Soon: The Burn the Map Podcast SeriesStarting this Wednesday, join me for a 14-week series built around my new book, Burn the Map—starting with an introduction, diving into each of the 12 chapters, and closing with a powerful final reflection.This isn’t just a chapter-by-chapter breakdown. It’s the raw, behind-the-scenes truth—the unfiltered stories, the deeper insights, and the moments that didn’t make it into the book. You’ll also hear from some of the people featured in the pages, including my son Sean and my husband Rich.Whether you’ve read the book or not, this series is for anyone who’s had life go completely off-script—and still found the courage to keep walking.Your story matters, so live it courageously!

In this special episode, I answer the questions people ask me most about my personal journey through heartbreak, addiction, grief, and ultimately—healing.I share the lessons I learned as I tried to navigate my daughter’s addiction, the unimaginable loss that followed, and how I found the courage to choose hope and growth, even when fear tried to take over.If you’ve ever felt like your map burned and you didn’t know where to go next, this one’s for you.Your story matters, so live it courageously!

When the unthinkable happens, some people fall apart—and others become the light for the rest of us.Donna is that light.In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Donna—one of the 12 Warriors featured in Burn the Map—to talk about what it means to love without limits, to face heartbreak with open arms, and to stand strong even when your heart is breaking.We explore her journey through the addiction nightmare with her son, Anthony, the moment she prepared for what no mother should have to, and how she now uses her voice to create change and lift up others.Donna’s story will move you, inspire you, and remind you: courage is contagious.Your story matters, so live it courageously!

We’ve laughed in hospital rooms, funerals, courtrooms, and the middle of absolute chaos. Was it inappropriate? Maybe. Did it save us? Absolutely.In this episode, Sean and I share some of our funniest—and most embarrassing—stories. But this isn’t just a highlight reel of awkward moments. It’s a deep dive into why laughter is more than a coping mechanism. It’s a lifeline.When the world feels heavy and nothing makes sense, laughter can cut through the darkness and remind us we’re still alive. So yes, we probably shouldn’t have laughed… but we’re so glad we did.Your story matters, so live it courageously!

We spend so much of life trying to avoid the fire.But what if it’s the very thing shaping you into someone stronger?In this episode of Brave, Bold & Unfiltered, I talk about the pain, pressure, and heat that can feel unbearable—but often become the forge for our strength.You don’t become unshakable without going through some shaking.You don’t develop courage without walking through fear.If you’re in the fire right now, this one’s for you.Your story matters, so live it courageously!

In this episode—just one day after the release of Burn the Map—Sean and I sit down to talk about why we keep trying to follow plans that were never guaranteed, and how courage becomes our compass when life blows those plans to pieces. We dig into stories from the book and from our lives, including moments where the path disappeared completely—and how we kept moving anyway.This is the heart of the message: Life rarely goes as planned… but that doesn’t mean you’re lost. Sometimes, the most powerful version of you is found in the detours, the dead-ends, and the decision to keep going when you have no clue what’s ahead.

Mona may live in a small village, but her story is anything but small. In this episode, she opens up about her chapter in Burn the Map—how she overcame early trauma, stopped chasing an outdated version of her life, and began walking with courage, clarity, and self-awareness.Her light is quiet, but it’s powerful—and this conversation will stay with you long after the episode ends.Your story matters, so live it courageously!

When life throws you into a storm, you either sink—or you fight to find the lesson in the chaos.In this powerful episode, Sean and I talk through the recent health scare that turned our lives upside down. From ER visits and sleepless nights to emotional and physical pain, we faced it together—but not without fear, frustration, and a whole lot of prayer.This isn’t just a story about what happened—it’s about what it taught us. About control, compassion, perspective, and the courage to find gratitude in the middle of uncertainty.This is a conversation for anyone who’s been blindsided by life—and is trying to find their way forward.Your story matters, so live it courageously!

We all want to reach the top—of the mountain, the healing journey, the next breakthrough. But life rarely hands us a smooth trail or a perfect view.In this episode, I share what my two-year-old great-niece, a stubborn friend in white shorts, and a few hard-earned mountain climbs taught me about the real point of it all: the climb.Whether you’re stuck at the trailhead or halfway up a messy slope, this episode is a reminder that the transformation happens step by step, not just when you reach the summit.If you’ve been waiting for it to get easier—this one’s for you.Your story matters, so live it courageously!

Let Go or Be Dragged: Why Releasing Control Is the Only Way ForwardLetting go isn’t easy—it feels unnatural. We cling to people, expectations, and control because it gives us a sense of safety. But what if that white-knuckle grip is the very thing dragging us under?In this episode, I share how my son Sean’s innocent childhood words became a profound metaphor for how tightly we all try to hold on. I also open up about Shawnie’s loss and the illusion of control that shattered when tragedy hit.We talk about:Why letting go is often the most courageous thing we can doThe 4 things you actually have control overHow holding on might be keeping you from healingThe peace that comes when we stop trying to fix what’s not ours to carryWhether you're dealing with grief, someone else's destructive choices, or just trying to navigate life’s chaos—this message is for you.

When your worst fears start knocking on the door, it's easy to feel like you're losing your grip.In this raw and real episode, I talk about the terrifying possibility of losing my only child—and what it’s like when nothing seems to get better, no matter how hard you pray.I’ll walk you through how I handled two of the scariest weeks of my life: what I felt, what I did, and how I turned to bold prayers, miracle-level faith, and my gratitude box like never before.If you’ve ever felt completely scared, shaken, and unsure how you’ll get through—this episode is for you.Your story matters, so live it courageously!

This week’s episode wasn’t planned — because life doesn’t always give us time to plan. Valerie shares from a raw place about fear, exhaustion, and the importance of rest. If you’re in the fight of your life, this is your reminder that it’s okay to pause… that resting is still fighting. The Beast wants you tired and discouraged. Don’t give him the win.Your story matters, so live it courageously!

What does it take to stand by someone as they navigate unimaginable loss, grief, and healing? My daughter-in-law, Nicki, joins me for a raw and powerful conversation about what it’s like to love and commit to someone who is walking through fire.When she met Sean, all she knew was that he had a sister deep in addiction and a lot of anger about it. Less than a year later, Jamie was murdered, and Nicki suddenly found herself inside a world of grief, justice battles, and healing that she never could have imagined.This is an emotional conversation about love, commitment, courage, and standing beside someone even when you don’t fully understand their pain. Nicki shares what it was like to step into our family, how Sean’s healing journey impacted her, and what she’s learned about holding space for someone while also standing strong in her own identity.If you’ve ever loved someone through loss, grief, or hardship, this episode is for you.

Uncertainty Is For CertainWe crave certainty and security. We plan, we prepare, we try to get it all “right”—but the truth is, certainty is a lie. And sometimes it holds us back more than it helps.In this episode, I’m sharing what it looks like to move forward without clarity or guarantees—and why living courageously has never been about having all the answers. If you’ve been waiting for a sign… this might be it.Your story matters, so live it courageously.

Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not afraid—it means you choose courage anyway. In this episode, Sean and I get real about what bravery looks like in everyday life. We talk about the moments that test us, the fears we don’t always admit out loud, and how courage is often a quiet, persistent choice—not a one-time act. Whether you’re facing something big or just trying to get through your day, this one’s for you.Your story matters, so live it courageously!

Your perspective shapes everything—your mindset, your resilience, and even the way you navigate life’s biggest challenges. In this episode, we dive deep into how shifting your perspective can transform setbacks into stepping stones and struggles into lessons.