Finding Strength in Struggles: Susan’s Mental Health Story (Part 1 of 3)

Welcome to Season 13 of Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads, the award-winning podcast that normalizes mental health conversations with raw honesty, laughter, and connection.  This episode kicks off a robust three-part conversation with Susan Snow, a courageous and heartfelt speaker whose story embodies resilience, forgiveness, and hope in the face of trauma. At just 17, Susan’s world was forever changed when her father, LAPD Detective Thomas C. Williams, was ambushed and murdered. She faced PTSD, grief, and unimaginable loss, but ultimately chose to transform her pain into purpose.

We’re proud to be the 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner for Health and the 2024 Women In Podcasting Award Winner for Best Mental Health Podcast, with over 2 million downloads worldwide.

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Mental Health Quote
"I feel like that night I lost my dad, I lost my mom too—but in the end, I chose not to live as a victim. I chose to live with hope." – Susan Snow

What This Episode is About

In this first part of Susan’s journey, we explore the lasting impact of sudden loss, the invisible weight of PTSD, and the survival instincts that shaped her teenage years. Susan’s story highlights the importance of mental health awareness, resilience after trauma, and the lifelong pursuit of healing. This episode serves as a potent reminder that life can change in an instant, but recovery and hope are always attainable.

Keywords for SEO: Susan Snow, mental health podcast, PTSD recovery, resilience after trauma, grief and healing, LAPD, forgiveness, empowerment, emotional resilience, mental health awareness, hope after loss

Meet Susan Snow

Susan Snow is a courageous and heartfelt speaker whose life story shines as a beacon of healing and hope.

At 17, Susan’s life was torn apart when her father, LAPD Detective Thomas C. Williams, was ambushed and murdered. In the years that followed, she faced PTSD, loss, and the long road of rebuilding her life. Rather than staying in the shadows, Susan found her strength in vulnerability and turned her pain into purpose.

Today, Susan is the Author of a profoundly moving book and a nationally recognized speaker. Through her signature talks—“Other Side of the Gun: Hope Through the Journey of Grief, PTSD, and Empowerment” and “Forgiveness vs. Forgetting”—Susan shares her story to help others discover resilience, forgiveness, and the power of choosing hope.

• Website: https://susansnowspeaks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susan_snow1
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/SusanSnow
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@susansnow1lifecoach
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/susansnowspeaks2023

Key Takeaways

1. Trauma can reshape our lives, but healing is always possible with the proper support.
2. Vulnerability and honesty are powerful tools for recovery and connection.
3. Choosing hope and resilience over victimhood creates space for forgiveness and growth.

 

Actionable Items from This Episode

1. Write down one way you can create a safe space for someone in your life who may be grieving or struggling.
2. Consider seeking therapy or support if you’ve experienced trauma—healing begins with asking for help.
3. Practice one act of forgiveness this week, whether toward yourself or someone else.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 – Welcome to Season 13: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles kick off with energy and purpose.
• 01:00 – Introducing Susan Snow: Susan shares her background and the tragic event that shaped her life.
• 05:00 – The Day Everything Changed: The night her father was ambushed and murdered.
• 12:00 – Navigating Trauma in Silence: Growing up with PTSD in a time when mental health wasn’t discussed.
• 20:00 – Coping, Masking, and Survival: How Susan built an emotional mask to get through her teenage years.
• 30:00 – Breaking Cycles and Finding Purpose: Susan’s determination to parent differently and rewrite her story.
• 40:00 – Closing Reflections: Lessons from pain, resilience, and the ongoing process of healing.

References

• Susan Snow’s Website: https://susansnowspeaks.com/
• Book & Speaking Engagements: Available via her website
• Mental Health Resources: https://988lifeline.org

Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

Don’t miss the rest of Susan’s powerful story in this three-part series. Subscribe to Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads for more inspiring conversations.

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#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #GriefRecovery #PTSDRecovery #HealingJourney #Resilience #Forgiveness #HopeAfterLoss #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #PodcastCommunity #AwardWinningPodcast #TraumaHealing #SusanSnow #MentalHealthSupport #PodcastSeason13 #BleavNetwork #HealingThroughStories #ShitThatGoesOnInOurHeads

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If You Need Support, Reach Out

If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.

• United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
• Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
• Worldwide: Find a Helpline
• Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub

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