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.
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Surviving Family Abuse: Challenges and Healing
*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering. Episode Summary In this episode, Lisa and Natasha discuss the complexities of family abuse, particularly within polygamous communities. Natasha shares her personal experiences growing up in the FLDS polygamy cu...
Grieving During the Holidays: How to Navigate Thanksgiving After Loss
In this episode, Lisa and Natasha explore how grief and gratitude collide during the holidays, especially when an empty chair changes everything. This honest conversation offers support, validation, and healing for anyone navigating loss during Thanksgiving.
Surviving Sexual Abuse: The Hidden Reality Behind Closed Doors
A powerful, real conversation about surviving childhood sexual abuse and the lifelong impact it has on survivors. Natasha shares her story of trauma, healing, and what it truly takes to rebuild your life after abuse.
Choosing Life: Natasha’s Story Part 2 — What Survival Really Looks Like After Trauma
In Episode 3: Natasha’s Story Part 2 — Choosing Life, we explore what it means to wake up every day and choose to keep living after deep trauma, abuse, and loss. This raw and honest conversation reveals the strength it takes to survive the hardest moments and find hope again.
Surviving the Unthinkable: Natasha’s Story of Suicide Loss, Abuse, and Life After the FLDS
*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering. Episode Summary In this episode of The Survivors, Lisa Sugarman introduces her new co-host Natasha J. Layton, who shares her harrowing story of sexual abuse, religious trauma, domestic abuse, and survival after...
The Survivors Season 3 Premiere with Lisa Sugarman & Natasha J. Layton: A New Chapter of Survival
n the powerful Season 3 premiere of The Survivors, Lisa Sugarman and Natasha J. Layton share real, unfiltered stories of loss, resilience, and rebuilding life after trauma. Join them for raw, honest conversations that remind us we don’t just survive what breaks us—we grow through it.
The Survivors Podcast Season 2 Recap: Powerful Stories of Suicide Loss, Healing & Resilience
In this heartfelt season finale, Lisa and Gretchen reflect on 15 powerful episodes covering suicide loss, grief, mental health advocacy, and healing through lived experience. Join them as they unpack the most transformative moments of Season 2 and share what’s ahead for Season 3 of The Survivors Pod...
Caregiver Burnout: How To Support Others Without Losing Ourselves
Discover the hidden toll of caregiver burnout as Lisa and Gretchen share raw stories of exhaustion, guilt, and the struggle to balance empathy with self-care. This episode of The Survivors Podcast explores practical tools, boundaries, and support systems to help caregivers protect their mental healt...
Social Media, Suicide Prevention & Mental Health
This episode explores the powerful and often conflicting impact of social media on mental health and suicide prevention. Lisa and Gretchen unpack how digital spaces can offer connection and healing—but also contribute to comparison, misinformation, and emotional burnout.
World Suicide Prevention Day: Global Solutions & Local Actions to Save Lives
This World Suicide Prevention Day episode of The Survivors Podcast explores the global impact of suicide, its ripple effect on millions of lives, and the importance of breaking stigma through open conversation. Hosts Gretchen Schoser and Lisa Sugarman share survivor stories, practical prevention too...