The Survivors Podcast
Surviving Life, Death and Everything In Between
Survival isn’t just about staying alive—it’s about finding the strength to rebuild, reclaim, and rise.
That’s the foundation of The Survivors Podcast, where three-time suicide loss survivor, author, crisis counselor, and mental health advocate Lisa Sugarman joins Natasha J. Layton—a multiple suicide attempt and loss survivor, advocate, sexual abuse survivor, and former member of the FLDS polygamy cult—to change the way we talk about suicide, survival, and mental health.
Through raw, unfiltered conversations, Lisa and Natasha explore the realities of surviving trauma, grief, abuse, mental illness, and everything in between—with honesty, hope, and humanity. Their unique perspectives—one shaped by profound loss, the other by unimaginable adversity—create a space where the hardest stories are told with compassion, courage, and vulnerability.
By opening up the conversations we’ve been taught to bury, The Survivors invites listeners into a safe, stigma-free community to reflect, connect, and heal. Together, Lisa and Natasha push past stigma, challenge everything we think we know about survival, and reveal that life after darkness can be filled with meaning, connection, and hope.
Subscribe now and join the conversation about surviving life, death, and everything in between.
- All
- season 2
- season 1
- bonus episodes
Invisible Labor, Invisible Pain: Mothers, Burnout, and Suicide
*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering. Episode Summary In this conversation, Lisa and Natasha dive into the complexities of women's mental health, particularly focusing on the often-overlooked issues of suicide rates among women, the invisible emoti...
When Stress Shows Up: Mental Health, Isolation & the Power of Vulnerability
*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering. Episode Summary In this conversation, Lisa and Natasha explore the themes of mental health, vulnerability, and the impact of stress and isolation. They discuss the importance of sharing our struggles, the role ...
Saying the Quiet Parts Out Loud: When Survival Feels Heavy
*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering. Episode Summary In this heartfelt conversation, Lisa and Natasha delve into the complexities of mental health, exploring themes of isolation, vulnerability, and the importance of communication. Natasha shares h...
Compound Grief: When Loss Keeps Piling On
*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering. Episode Summary In this conversation, Lisa and Natasha explore the complexities of compound grief and the layers of trauma that we all face in today's world. They discuss the importance of acknowledging persona...
When the World Feels Too Heavy: Surviving Collective Grief
*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering. Episode Summary In the Season 4 kick-off episode of The Survivors, Lisa and Natasha get candid about the overwhelming emotional weight of current global events, the importance of personal boundaries, and the ne...
Season 3 Finale: Raw Confessions & Hard-Won Hope
*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering. Episode Summary In this reflective episode, Lisa and Natasha recap the emotional journey of Season 3 of The Survivors. They reflect on their origin stories, the various types of trauma and survival stories shar...
When Life Doesn’t Turn Out the Way You Expected: Mourning the Life You Expected
*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering. Episode Summary In this conversation, Lisa and Natasha explore the complexities of family dynamics, grief, and the unexpected paths life can take. They reflect on their personal experiences of having a child mo...
Permission to Feel: Finding Joy After Trauma
*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering. Episode Summary In this episode, Lisa and Natasha explore the complex relationship between grief and joy, particularly after experiencing trauma and loss. They talk openly about the feelings of guilt that often...
January Burnout: Surviving the Post-Holiday Crash
*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering. Episode Summary In this conversation, Lisa Sugarman and Natasha J. Layton discuss the emotional and mental toll of post-holiday burnout, reflecting on how the transition into the new year can feel overwhelming....
Parenting Through Grief: How to Show Up When You’re Shattered
*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering. Episode Summary This conversation delves into the complexities of parenting while grieving, exploring personal experiences of loss and the impact on family dynamics. Lisa & Natasha share their stories of na...