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The Rollercoaster Podcast

Tyler Hall

Some things break you open in a way you never fully close back up. The Rollercoaster Podcast sits in that space — the aftermath of loss, trauma, and grief — and asks what it actually takes to keep living after everything falls apart.

Hosted by Tyler Hall, this show features unfiltered, deeply human conversations with people who’ve survived the unthinkable — the death of a loved one, sudden crisis, abuse, addiction, and the kind of pain that reshapes a life overnight. No polished takes, no tidy lessons. Just honest accounts of what grief actually feels like, and what it looks like to rebuild afterward.

Born out of a personal crisis that upended Tyler’s own life, The Rollercoaster Podcast has grown into one of the top trauma & grief podcasts globally, with nearly 200 episodes of raw, real storytelling.

If you’ve ever needed proof that people can survive what feels unsurvivable — that the climb back is possible — this is your show.

New episodes weekly. 🎢

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September 15 · 59 min
He Thought it Was a Stomach Ache - Now My Husband is Dead
In this episode, I sit down with Nick Rogers and his wife, Cassie, two people whose lives were shattered by the unimaginable loss of their spouses to cancer. Nick takes me through his wife Anna’s battle with aggressive breast cancer, the moment they thought she had beaten it, and the devastating reality of watching it return and spread. He also shares the impossible decisions he had to make as a father while trying to protect his two young daughters from losing their mom. Cassie’s story is different, but equally heartbreaking. Her husband Cody went from seemingly healthy to being diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer, and just 66 days later, he was gone. Before he died, Cody told Cassie something incredible: he was already praying for the man who would one day love her and help raise their children. In this episode: What it’s really like to lose a spouse to cancer The impossible decisions parents face while grieving How Nick and Cassie helped their children process loss The role faith played when life stopped making sense How they slowly found hope, healing, and love again And somehow, through grief, faith, and circumstances that are almost impossible to explain, Nick and Cassie found each other. This conversation is about losing the person you thought you’d grow old with, parenting through grief, trusting God when nothing makes sense, and slowly discovering that life, and even love, can exist after unimaginable loss. Key Moments: 00:00 Two spouses lost to cancer, one unexpected love story 03:18 The cancer diagnosis that changed everything 07:04 Finding faith through aggressive cancer treatment 10:19 When chemotherapy made death feel real 13:17 Cancer remission and a new beginning 16:32 The symptoms that revealed a brain tumor 20:07 When cancer came back even more aggressively 24:03 Facing the reality that Anna could die 28:26 The final months of Anna’s cancer battle 34:44 She fell asleep and never woke up 38:09 Telling two young girls their mom was dying 41:40 66 days from pancreatic cancer diagnosis to death 45:00 The scan that revealed a death sentence 49:32 Cody’s final message of faith 51:21 Why Cody prayed for Cassie’s future husband 54:28 Finding love after losing a spouse 56:48 Anna’s message to Cassie before she died Connect with Me: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/⁠ Connect with Nick & Cassie: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/rebuildingrogers/⁠
September 8 · 50 min
I Gave Him the Best Week of His Life - Now My Cousin is Dead
A few days before 16-year-old Landon took his own life, he spent what felt like one of the best weeks of his life with his cousin, Landon Ashworth. They ate way too much sushi, played golf, shot guns, laughed, talked about life, and dreamed about the future. When the week ended, Landon told him how much he needed it. He seemed happy. He seemed okay. Then came the phone call that changed everything. I sit down with filmmaker, actor, writer, and creator Landon Ashworth for an incredibly raw conversation about suicide, autism, grief, survivor’s guilt, and the things we sometimes don't see until it's too late. In this episode: Losing his 16-year-old cousin Landon to suicide The warning signs he wishes he had recognized sooner Growing up autistic, masking, bullying, and feeling misunderstood The survivor’s guilt he still carries after Landon’s death Turning grief into his deeply personal film Go On Landon opens up about experiencing suicidal thoughts himself and why he now isn’t afraid to directly ask someone if they’re thinking about taking their own life. We also talk about the painful reality of trying to help someone find their way out of the darkness, why emotional pain can feel impossible to escape, and the importance of finding something worth holding onto. This conversation is heavy. But more than anything, it’s about choosing to keep going. Key Moments: 00:00 The week before everything changed 03:03 When Landon’s future fell apart 06:25 The week that made him feel okay again 10:02 The phone call no one expected 13:43 The guilt of missing the signs 17:02 The suicide warning signs he missed 20:23 The reality of masking autism 24:00 Why other people’s opinions mean nothing 29:39 What an autistic brain can feel like 34:29 The Hollywood advice Landon couldn’t accept 38:00 Why vulnerable people started finding him 41:37 Turning Landon’s suicide into Go On 45:01 Finding a reason to stay alive 48:02 How to get out of emotional hell Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/ Connect with Landon Ashworth: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/landonashworthdirects/ #SuicidePrevention #AutismAwareness #SurvivorsGuilt
September 1 · 42 min
I Found a Lump in the Shower - Now I'm Fighting for My Life
When I called Mya Ludwig a few weeks ago, I expected a hard conversation. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer, undergone a double mastectomy, and was halfway through chemotherapy. Instead, I hung up feeling like Mya had somehow helped me. So I knew I needed to bring her back to the podcast. Mya opens up about the moment she discovered the lump, what treatment has really been like, and how losing her hair challenged the way she saw herself. But what impacted me most was her perspective. She refuses to let cancer become her identity or allow fear about tomorrow to steal the life she still gets to live today. We talk about learning to put yourself first, finding joy in incredibly difficult seasons, and how a traumatic brain injury years earlier taught Mya lessons she never imagined she'd need again. And making this conversation even more special, Mya's brother Adam joins us again, bringing the same joy and personality we loved the first time. In this episode: The moment Mya discovered something was wrong Why she refuses to live in the "what ifs" What losing her hair taught her about identity How to support someone without making them feel helpless Finding one small reason to keep going on the hardest days This conversation reminded me that we don't always get to choose what happens to us. But we do get to choose how we show up through it. Key Moments: 00:00 The Lump Maya Knew Was Cancer 03:18 The Attitude Toward Cancer That Changed My Life 07:44 Why Cancer Forced Maya to Finally Put Herself First 11:02 Why Maya Refuses to Feel Sorry for Herself 14:44 Refusing to Let Cancer Take Over Her Life 18:02 What Someone With Cancer Actually Needs From You 21:04 Losing Her Hair Changed How Maya Saw Herself 25:40 The One Thing Maya Does on Her Darkest Days 29:26 Maya’s Brother Adam Returns to the Podcast 31:20 How Adam Reacted to Maya’s Cancer Diagnosis 34:01 The Joy Adam Brings Everywhere He Goes 38:19 Adam’s Unfiltered Take on the Raiders 41:29 Adam’s Message to Anyone Going Through a Hard Time Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/ Connect with Mya: IG: @minimamamya (https://www.instagram.com/minimamamya/)
August 25 · 1 hr 6 min
Most Heartbreaking Story I've Ever Heard
In this episode, I sit down with Matthew Griffin, who spent 21 years serving in the military and law enforcement. During those years, Matt saw things most of us will never see. But one call would stay with him for decades. As a young police officer, Matt responded to the accidental death of two-and-a-half-year-old Benny Jr., the son of a friend. Matt was the first officer on scene and performed CPR, but Benny didn’t survive. What followed was years of guilt, nightmares, drinking, and the belief that if he had reacted just seconds sooner, maybe he could have saved him. The trauma didn’t stay at work. Slowly, Matt began losing himself, his marriage, his identity, and eventually his desire to keep living. In this episode, we talk about: The call involving two-year-old Benny Jr. that changed Matt’s life forever The hidden reality of PTSD, trauma, and mental health among police officers and first responders How undercover police work consumed Matt’s identity and contributed to the breakdown of his marriage The moments that pushed Matt toward suicide and what ultimately kept him here Why simply checking on someone can be more powerful than we realize This conversation is about what happens when the people we expect to save everyone else are quietly falling apart themselves. And why sometimes surviving starts with giving life one more hour. One more day. Key Moments: 00:00 The Police Call That Changed Everything 03:03 Meeting Benny Jr. Days Before the Tragedy 10:24 The Guilt That Haunted Him for Years 18:02 The Hidden Mental Health Crisis in Policing 24:18 When Undercover Police Work Took Over His Life 27:31 Losing His Marriage, Home and Identity 32:14 Taking Accountability for Who He Became 36:04 His Chief Checked on Him, Then Died by Suicide 42:04 The Phone Call That Saved Matt’s Life 48:47 Why Checking In on Someone Could Save a Life 53:22 “If Today Is a Good Day to Die, So Is Tomorrow” 59:44 The Check-In Every Leader Should Be Doing 1:03:29 What Matt Would Say to Someone Considering Suicide Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormatthewgriffin/
August 18 · 42 min
We Were So Proud He Lost Weight - Now My Dad is Dead
In this episode, I sit down with Olivia Burnett, who lost her dad, Kevin, to stage four colon cancer at just 24 years old. He was her Superman, the person who gave her confidence, made her feel unstoppable, and always reminded her that she was “golden.” Within months of his death, grief pulled Olivia into a darkness she never expected. She tried therapy. Medication. Exercise. Friends. Family. Everything people tell you to do when you're struggling with depression. But nothing seemed to break through. Eventually, Olivia found herself sitting on her bed with a bottle of pills in her hand, believing suicide was the only way out. Then two words entered her mind: Hold on. That tiny piece of hope was enough. In this episode, we talk about: Losing her dad to stage four colon cancer at just 24 years old The delayed grief that sent Olivia into a devastating battle with depression The night she believed suicide was her only way out and the two words that stopped her How tiny, everyday decisions helped her slowly find hope, resilience, and purpose again Turning unimaginable pain into a reason to help others hold on through their darkest moments This conversation isn't about pretending everything gets better overnight. It's about what can happen when you hold on long enough to see what comes next. Key Moments: 00:00 My Dad Was Healthy Then Everything Changed 04:06 The Signs of Stage 4 Colon Cancer We Missed 08:02 The Night I Watched My Dad Die 11:12 The Future Cancer Stole From Us 15:03 How My Dad Faced Death Without Fear 19:03 Finding Yellow Socks in the Darkness 22:09 Why “Choose Happiness” Isn't That Simple 25:16 When Grief Turned Into Severe Depression 28:03 The Night I Almost Ended My Life 31:16 Turning My Pain Into Purpose 35:46 How I Finally Climbed Out of the Darkness 39:34 The Small Decisions That Saved Me 41:06 What My Dad Would Say to Me Today Connect with Me: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/⁠ Connect with Olivia: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/twentysomething_podcast/⁠
August 11 · 1 hr 5 min
We Were Just Setting up The Nursery - Now She's Dead
There are some stories you hear that stay with you long after the conversation ends. This is one of them. In this episode, I sit down with Nathan Wieser, a husband, father and author of We Did It, to talk about a journey through pregnancy loss, infant loss, miscarriage, PTSD, grief and a fight to become a father that lasted more than a decade. Nathan and his wife Lucy endured loss after loss. But nothing could prepare them for the day their daughter Mary died during birth, while Lucy herself was fighting to stay alive. Nathan remembers sitting alone in a hospital hallway waiting for one thing: to hear his daughter cry. The cry never came. What followed were years of grief, trauma and fear before they found the courage to try again. Then came Otto. Born at just 26 weeks and weighing only two pounds, Otto spent 121 days in the NICU fighting through emergency surgeries, sepsis and moments when his parents didn't know if he would survive. In this episode: Losing their daughter Mary during childbirth and nearly losing Lucy too The miscarriages, grief and PTSD that followed their devastating loss Finding the courage to try for another child after years of trauma Otto’s premature birth and the terrifying 121-day fight for his life in the NICU How loss changed Nathan’s perspective on fatherhood, marriage and what truly matters This is an incredibly raw conversation about losing children, surviving trauma, marriage, fatherhood and finding hope when life has given you every reason to stop believing things can get better. This conversation gave me a lot to think about as a father. I think it will do the same for you. Key Moments: 00:00 Waiting for a Cry That Never Came 06:22 The Diagnosis No Parent Is Ready For 12:38 The Moment Everything Went Horribly Wrong 18:04 Telling His Wife Their Baby Had Died 24:19 Could They Ever Try for a Baby Again? 28:17 Losing Their Twins Without a Heartbeat 31:12 The Phone Call That Saved His Life 36:45 Meeting His Two-Pound Son for the First Time 41:42 The NICU Nightmare Begins 47:25 His Heart Stopped Again 49:13 The Miracle Doctors Couldn’t Explain 52:06 They Finally Got Home... Then Lost Everything 54:15 Walking Through Hell to Find Their Miracle 58:28 The Best and Worst of the Medical System 1:00:36 Why He Gave Up Alcohol for His Son Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/ Connect with Nathan Wieser: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanwieser/ We Did It by Nathan Wieser (Author): https://www.amazon.com/We-Did-perspective-enduring-miscarriages/dp/B0FLVTTHPY/
August 4 · 1 hr 13 min
My Family Keeps Dying & I Can't Explain It
In this episode, I sit down with Jaclyn Rose, a mental health advocate whose life has been shaped by unimaginable loss. Jaclyn shares the heartbreaking story of losing her uncle to suicide, her father to addiction, and years later, her older brother to the very same battle. Rather than allowing grief to harden her heart, she chose to understand it. This conversation challenged the way I think about addiction, mental health, suicide, grief, and what it truly means to love someone who is suffering. We talk about the silence that often surrounds these struggles, why shame keeps so many families trapped, and how healing begins when we stop asking, “How could you do this to us?” and start asking, “What pain were you carrying?” In this episode: Losing her uncle, father, and brother to suicide and addiction The text message from her dad hours before he unexpectedly died Why shame and silence make grief even harder to carry What addiction taught her about love, forgiveness, and compassion How she turned unimaginable loss into a mission to help others heal If you've ever lost someone to suicide or addiction, love someone battling mental illness, or are carrying grief that still feels too heavy to name, I hope this episode reminds you that you are not alone. Key Moments: 00:00 The Text Message That Changed Everything 05:12 Seeing Her Uncle After Suicide at Just 9 Years Old 09:08 Why Silence Makes Grief Even Worse 16:17 The Birthday That Changed Her Relationship with Her Dad 20:01 The Truth About Her Father's Addiction 24:03 Reuniting With Her Dad One Week Before He Died 31:00 How Grief Turned Into Anxiety, Addiction & Survival 34:19 Why Time Doesn't Heal Trauma 36:05 Can You Love Someone Who Keeps Hurting You? 43:03 What Addiction Really Feels Like 46:41 Her Brother Started Following the Same Path 50:10 Loving Someone Without Enabling Them 54:08 "I Got My Son Back"... Or So We Thought 59:20 The Second Phone Call That Broke Her Heart 1:02:00 Saying Goodbye Without Shame 1:07:48 The Biggest Gaps in Mental Health Treatment 1:10:04 Why We Need to Change the Way We Talk About Grief Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/ Connect with Jaclyn Rose: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswithjac/
July 28 · 1 hr 18 min
We Thought She Was Just Struggling With Friends, But It Was Something Much Worse
As a parent, there are certain things you never think you’ll have to face. Watching your child fight for their life is one of them. In this episode, I sit down with Jheri South, a mother of seven whose story is filled with heartbreak, addiction, mental health struggles, suicide attempts, and an unbelievable determination to keep fighting. Jheri shares how her seemingly picture-perfect life unraveled when her husband’s crystal meth addiction tore their family apart. Years later, she would face every parent’s worst nightmare when her daughter Grace attempted to take her own life and collapsed into her arms having seizures. What follows is a raw conversation about suicide, autism in girls, ADHD, neurodivergence, parenting teenagers, and what our children may be carrying without us ever knowing. In this episode: Addiction tearing apart Jheri’s family The warning signs she never saw coming The night she almost lost her daughter Discovering undiagnosed autism and ADHD How parents can truly connect with struggling teens This conversation gave me a lot to think about as a father. I think it will do the same for you. Key Moments: 0:00 I Thought My Daughter Was Dying 6:36 Leaving Home at Just 15 10:02 When My Kids’ Mental Health Changed 16:01 The Loneliness Nobody Saw 23:26 The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything 29:16 The Suicide Attempt That Haunts Me 35:22 The Night My Daughter Tried to Die 40:02 “Are We in Heaven?” 47:32 Parenting vs. Connecting With Your Teen 54:22 The Hidden Damage of Seeking Approval 58:02 Are You Borrowing Your Self-Confidence? 1:04:02 Your Thoughts Aren’t Always True 1:06:57 Breaking Free From External Validation Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/ Connect with Jheri: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jherisouth/
July 21 · 34 min
He Thought it Was a Stomach Ache - Now My Brother is Dead
In this episode of the Roller Coaster Podcast, I sit down with Rebecca Doyle, who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her only brother, Edward, to an unexpected complication from cancer treatment at just 28 years old. What started as stomach pain quickly became a Stage 3 cancer diagnosis, months of chemotherapy, and a phone call that changed her life forever. Rebecca opens up about watching her brother die over FaceTime, the grief she buried to stay strong for her young daughter, and how years of unresolved trauma, postpartum depression, and unimaginable loss eventually pushed her to the brink of suicide. This is an honest conversation about grief, survival, faith, and finding a reason to keep living when life feels impossible. In this episode: Losing her only brother to cancer just days after doctors said he was close to remission The FaceTime call where she watched her brother die and how that moment changed her forever How buried grief, postpartum depression, and trauma led her to two suicide attempts The moment she chose to ask for help, entered psychiatric care, and began healing Finding hope through therapy, faith, and rebuilding a life she never thought she'd want to live again If you've ever lost someone you love, struggled with suicidal thoughts, or wondered if healing is possible after tragedy, I truly believe this conversation will remind you that you're not alone. Key Moments: 00:00 The Phone Call That Changed Everything 03:39 "Edward Is Going to Die Today" 06:12 Why Her Brother Meant Everything 09:38 The Stage 3 Cancer Diagnosis 11:57 The Chemo Complication That Killed Him 16:02 When Grief Became Suicidal Thoughts 19:44 The Night She Tried to End Her Life 21:40 Her Second Suicide Attempt 24:51 How Does Someone Reach That Breaking Point? 27:55 Why She Couldn't Stop Blaming Herself 30:30 What Her Brother Would Say Today 33:28 The Truth About Therapy No One Wants to Hear Connect with Tyler : Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/ #SuicidePrevention #GriefRecovery #HealingAfterLoss
July 14 · 1 hr 8 min
I Was at a Sleepover When I Got the Worst Call of My Life...
Some stories leave you speechless. This is one of them. In this episode, I sit down with Kelle Bott for one of the most raw, emotional, and unforgettable conversations we've ever had on the Rollercoaster Podcast. At just 18 years old, Kelle watched her father take his final breath. In a matter of seconds, the person she believed was invincible was gone, and the grief that followed completely changed the course of her life. What started as a way to numb the pain through alcohol quickly became a devastating addiction filled with withdrawal, hallucinations, relapse, isolation, and the belief that she would never be okay again. But Kelle's story doesn't end there. She courageously shares her journey through addiction recovery, entering treatment, losing a baby through miscarriage, becoming pregnant again, and making the heartbreaking decision to place her son for adoption so he could have the life she dreamed of giving him. This conversation is about grief, alcoholism, sobriety, recovery, trauma, motherhood, open adoption, healing, and finding hope when life feels impossible. Kelle's vulnerability is extraordinary, and her story is one that will stay with you long after this episode ends. In this episode: Watching her father take his last breath in the ICU How grief turned into a life-threatening alcohol addiction Losing herself after the death of the person she loved most Why she almost chose abortion with her second pregnancy The heartbreaking decision to place her son for adoption Finding sobriety, healing, and hope after unimaginable loss If you've ever experienced loss, struggled with addiction, questioned your worth, or wondered if life could ever get better, this conversation is for you. Key Moments: 00:00 The Last Night I Ever Had With My Dad 04:27 COVID Took My Dad So Fast 09:00 The Impossible Decision to Let Him Go 14:00 The Promise My Dad Never Got to Keep 19:10 When Grief Turned Into Alcoholism 24:15 Alcohol Took Control of My Life 29:35 Detox Saved My Life 35:20 The Wake-Up Call I Couldn't Ignore 40:40 I Got Pregnant 90 Days Sober 45:30 I Almost Chose Abortion 49:20 Hiding My Pregnancy From Everyone 52:05 The First Time I Held My Son 53:30 His Father Overdosed in My Hospital Room 55:45 My Final Night With My Baby 58:10 The Hardest Goodbye of My Life 1:03:40 How I Found Hope Again 1:07:00 If You're Struggling, Hear This Connect with Kelle Bott: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellebott/ Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/
July 7 · 1 hr 12 min
We Had the Perfect Family - Now My Husband & Daughter Are Dead
Some stories stay with you long after the conversation ends. This is one of them. In this episode, I sit down with Julie Garlock to hear the unimaginable story of losing her husband, Troy, and their young daughter, Elsie, in a devastating car accident that changed her life forever. What followed wasn't just overwhelming grief, it was a journey through trauma, addiction, healing, faith, survival, and finding purpose when everything seemed lost. Julie opens up with incredible honesty about the years she and Troy spent battling addiction, the unconventional healing modalities that transformed their lives, the heartbreaking phone call that shattered her world, and the miraculous survival of their daughter, Mabel. We also have a deeply vulnerable conversation about suicide, meditation, grief, plant medicine, trauma, and the powerful role gratitude has played in helping Julie continue moving forward. Whether you agree with every perspective shared or not, I believe you'll walk away challenged, encouraged, and reminded that hope can still exist in the darkest moments. If you've ever lost someone you love, struggled with addiction, questioned your faith, or wondered if healing is possible after unimaginable pain, I hope Julie's story reminds you that you're not alone. In this episode: The final FaceTime call she'll never forget The phone call that changed her life forever Losing her husband and daughter in a devastating crash The miraculous survival of her daughter against all odds The addiction battle that nearly destroyed their family Julie's own suicide attempt and the lessons that saved her life The healing practices that gave her hope again This is a conversation about heartbreak, resilience, healing, and discovering that even after unimaginable tragedy, hope is still possible. Key Moments: 00:00 The Last FaceTime Before Everything Changed 03:00 How Addiction Nearly Destroyed Their Family 06:05 The Family Trip That Changed Everything 08:14 The Goodbye She Didn't Know Was Goodbye 13:20 Four Missed Calls Changed Everything 17:39 The Second Devastating Loss 21:15 The Miracle Doctors Couldn't Explain 27:00 The Father-Daughter Bond That Lives On 30:02 The Healing Tools That Changed Everything 33:17 Does Grief Ever Really Go Away? 36:52 Her Suicide Attempt During Addiction 41:12 How Plant Medicine Changed Troy Forever 46:45 The Ceremony That Gave Her Hope Again 50:28 What Really Led to Her Suicide Attempt 55:15 The Moment Everything Changed 1:00:05 Finding Hope After Unimaginable Loss 1:03:10 The Truth About the Fatal Crash Connect with Julie Garlock: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lettertomyloves/ Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/
June 30 · 39 min
We Put Seatbelts on Everyone Except My Daughter...
Some stories leave you speechless, and this is one of them. In this episode, I sit down with Janairy Quintero, whose life changed forever after what should have been a simple family camping trip. When an ATV accident left her hand hanging by only a few veins, she made one split-second decision that likely saved her daughter's life. What followed was nearly two years of reconstructive surgeries, relentless infections, unimaginable pain, and ultimately the heartbreaking decision to amputate her hand. But this conversation isn't about tragedy. It's about resilience. It's about perspective. It's about refusing to let life's hardest moments define who you become. Janairy shares what it was really like to relearn everyday tasks with one hand, how she navigated the emotional weight of losing part of herself, why she never blamed her husband for the accident, and the mindset that allowed her to find gratitude even in the middle of unimaginable suffering. Whether you're facing trauma, loss, chronic illness, disability, or simply walking through a difficult season, I believe Janairy's story will remind you that your circumstances don't have to determine your future. In this episode: The family camping trip that changed everything in seconds The terrifying ATV accident that nearly cost her life Enduring 20+ surgeries before making the decision to amputate Learning to write, eat, work out, and parent with one hand Why your greatest setback doesn't have to define your future Key Moments: 00:00 The ATV Crash That Changed Everything 03:45 My Hand Was Hanging by a Few Veins... 07:16 Why I Chose to Amputate My Hand 10:29 The Split-Second Decision That Saved My Daughter 12:25 Why I Never Blamed My Husband 14:21 Living Through 20+ Surgeries 16:35 Learning to Live With One Hand 18:18 The Everyday Things You Never Appreciate 20:39 What Everyone Takes for Granted 23:01 Did This Happen for a Reason? 25:10 Helping Other Amputees Find Hope 27:09 Why Losing a Limb Made Me Stronger 29:04 The Mindset That Changed My Life 31:17 Helping My Husband Let Go of the Guilt 33:19 Working Out Without a Hand 35:45 When Your Injury Becomes Your Identity Connect with Janaira Quintero: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janairy_q/ Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/
June 23 · 1 hr 14 min
Life Was Perfect, But I Was More Sick Than I Could Ever Imagine
What makes someone throw away everything they've spent 10 years rebuilding? In this episode of the Rollercoaster Podcast, I sit down with Corey Warren, a recovery advocate, business owner, and former addict whose life was shaped by addiction, prison, relapse, and ultimately redemption. Corey shares how a single decision at a high school party led to a 20-year battle with heroin and alcohol addiction. He opens up about the armed robbery that nearly cost him 30 years of his life, the alcoholism that left his organs failing, and the devastating relapse that happened after he had seemingly beaten the odds, 10 years sober, a thriving business, a loving family, and everything he once dreamed of. But this conversation goes far beyond addiction. Corey reveals the deeper struggle that fueled it all, the desperate need to belong, be accepted, and find his identity in the approval of others. We talk about recovery, relapse, faith, purpose, and the dangerous lie that success alone can heal what's broken inside. If you've ever battled addiction, lost your way, or wondered if it's possible to rebuild after hitting rock bottom, Corey's story is proof that your darkest chapter doesn't have to be your final one. In this episode: How one decision at a high school party led to a 20-year battle with heroin and alcohol addiction The armed robbery that nearly cost him 30 years in prison and changed the course of his life forever Why building a successful business, loving family, and dream life still wasn't enough to stop a devastating relapse The deeper struggle with identity, belonging, and validation that fueled his addiction for decades How faith, recovery, and a second chance helped him rebuild after losing everything Key Moments: 00:00 The Beer That Cost Him Everything 06:15 Chasing Acceptance Through Drugs 11:30 The Day He Injected Heroin for the First Time 15:20 Funding Addiction With Stolen Money 20:40 Dopesick, Desperate & Out of Options 24:25 Facing 30 Years in Prison at 18 28:20 Why Getting Clean Didn't Fix the Real Problem 33:00 The Seizure That Should Have Saved His Life 36:30 The People Who Paid for His Addiction 40:05 The Brutal Reality of Early Sobriety 44:30 The Sobriety Strategy That Actually Works 47:20 Building a New Life After Addiction 50:45 Success Nearly Destroyed His Recovery 55:30 One Beer Became a Nightmare 59:10 The Relapse That Changed His Life Forever 1:02:30 The Unexplainable Moment That Shook His Faith 1:06:00 Why He Finally Surrendered to God 1:09:30 The Biggest Lie Addiction Tells You Connect with Corey Warren: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icoreywarren/ Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/
June 16 · 36 min
I Was Living the Dream, Then Everything Changed
Support the Show & Shop DayxDay Apparel Here: https://dayxdayapparel.com/ What happens when you've achieved everything the world tells you should make you happy but you still feel completely empty inside? In this episode of the Rollercoaster Podcast, I sit down with Keith Hale, entrepreneur, author, and men's mental health advocate, who shares the story of the day he attempted to take his own life. From the outside, Keith looked successful. He had built businesses, accumulated wealth, and lived the life many people dream about. But behind closed doors, he was battling feelings of unworthiness, loneliness, and a deep sense that no one truly saw him. Keith takes us inside the moments leading up to his suicide attempt, the spiritual experience he had while sitting in that garage, and how surviving that day completely transformed his relationship with God, himself, and his purpose in life. We also dive into the identity crisis facing so many men today, the dangers of tying self-worth to success, and why vulnerability may be the key to healing. If you've ever struggled with your mental health, questioned your purpose, or felt like you had to carry the weight of the world alone, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends. In this episode: The breaking point that led him to attempt taking his own life Why success, money, and achievement couldn't fill the emptiness he felt inside How a neighbor unknowingly helped save his life Why so many men suffer in silence and never ask for help The powerful spiritual experience that stopped him from ending his life How faith, vulnerability, and surrender helped him rebuild his identity Key Moments: 00:00 The Success That Hid the Pain 04:05 The Fear of Looking Weak 08:03 The Moment God Showed Up 11:25 Why God Let It Happen 14:23 The Pain Behind Success 18:11 The Voice That Lies to You 22:01 Buying 10 Luxury Cars 25:31 Who Are You Really? 28:28 Life After the Suicide Attempt 30:04 How God Answers Prayers 32:29 A Message for Anyone Suicidal 35:12 What He's Grateful He Didn't Miss 36:03 The Purpose He Almost Lost Forever Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/
June 9 · 53 min
I Was a Psych Student, Then I Was Stuck in an Ab*sive Relationship
What happens when the very things you swore you'd never become are the things that slowly take over your life? In this episode of the Rollercoaster Podcast, I sit down with Natalie Stavola, a recovery coach, filmmaker, and survivor whose life was shaped by childhood trauma, abusive relationships, addiction, and years of self-destruction. Natalie shares the harrowing moments that changed her forever, including having a gun held to her head by a man she loved, battling alcoholism and cocaine addiction, and finding herself trapped in cycles of abuse she never thought she would tolerate. Despite studying psychology and criminology, she discovered firsthand that understanding trauma and escaping it are two very different things. Together, we explore how childhood wounds can shape our adult relationships, why addiction is often rooted in pain, and what it really takes to heal after years of running from yourself. Natalie also opens up about the spiritual awakening that helped her get sober and the work she now does helping others find hope in their darkest moments. If you've ever struggled with addiction, experienced abuse, battled your inner demons, or wondered whether healing is possible after trauma, this conversation will stay with you. In this episode: Growing up in a home marked by emotional abuse The relationship that ended with a gun to her head Alcohol, cocaine addiction, and hitting rock bottom Why trauma keeps us returning to toxic people The moment she knew she needed help Sobriety, healing, and rebuilding her life Finding meaning in the pain she survive How she now helps others heal from trauma and addiction Key Moments: 00:00 The Moment He Put a Gun to My Head 05:05 When I Became My Own Worst Enemy 08:12 Why I Never Fit In Anywhere 12:15 Looking for Good in a Broken World 15:06 Why Pain Can Become Your Purpose 18:07 The First Drink That Changed Everything 24:06 The Dangerous People We Choose 26:49 Why Some People Never Ask for Help 31:32 Can You Save Someone From Addiction? 35:04 The Relationships That Nearly Destroyed Me 37:20 He Put a Gun to My Head 40:13 Why I Went Back to Him Anyway 45:01 The Day My Healing Finally Began 47:44 The Protest That Broke Me Open 50:10 When I Could No Longer Hide My Trauma Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/ Connect with Natalie Stavola: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nataliestavola/⁠
June 2 · 45 min
The Worst Day of My Life
What do you do when the person you've loved for 20 years decides they no longer want to live? In this episode of the Rollercoaster Podcast, I sit down with Tommy O'Mara to talk about the day that changed his life forever. After two decades together, Tommy came home expecting an ordinary morning with the woman he loved. Instead, he found Cynthia unconscious on the floor after she had intentionally taken her own life. Tommy shares the heartbreaking moments of performing CPR on his partner, watching paramedics fight to save her, and the crushing guilt that followed after her death. In the months that followed, he found himself carrying her medications in his car and questioning whether he wanted to keep living himself. But this conversation isn't just about loss. It's about surviving the unimaginable. It's about learning to live with grief, finding support after suicide, overcoming guilt, and discovering that life can still hold joy after tragedy. We also explore addiction recovery, mental health, spirituality, healing after suicide loss, and Tommy's belief that love continues long after death. If you've ever lost someone you love, struggled with grief, or wondered whether life can get better after heartbreak, this episode is for you. Key Moments: 00:00 - I Thought She Was Sleeping, But She Was Already Gone 03:42 - The Brutal Assault That Started Her Downward Spiral 06:04 - "I'll Never Be Pretty Again" 08:21 - The Woman Who Saved My Life 12:15 - Finding Hope After Unimaginable Loss 16:08 - The Morning I Found Her Unconscious 18:09 - The Moment They Covered Her Face 21:33 - Why I Still Talk to Her Every Day 24:49 - Can We Communicate With Loved Ones After Death? 27:03 - Why I Started Believing in More 30:19 - My Journey Through Addiction and Recovery 33:10 - Was Her Death Part of a Greater Purpose? 38:35 - The Truth About Suicidal Thoughts 41:27 - What To Do When You Want to Give Up 43:16 - The Power of Grief Support Communities Connect with Tyler: IG: @tyler.hall (https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/)
May 25 · 37 min
We Were About to Get Married, Now My Fiancée Is Dead
Every morning at 6:45am, Baylee would get the same text from her fiancé, Jared. He would meet her in the parking garage before work, walk her inside, give her a hug, a kiss, and remind her that she was loved. It was a simple routine they never thought twice about. Until one morning, that text never came. In this episode of the Rollercoaster Podcast, I sit down with Baylee Barnes as she shares the heartbreaking story of losing her fiancé to suicide and the phone call that changed her life forever. Just weeks before this conversation, Baylee was planning a future with the man she loved. Then, without warning, everything changed. Together, we talk about grief, suicide loss, men's mental health, faith, healing, and the invisible battles so many people fight behind closed doors. Baylee courageously opens up about the signs she never saw, the guilt so many loved ones carry after loss, and how she's finding the strength to keep moving forward one day at a time. If you've ever lost someone, struggled with mental health, or wondered how to support someone through unimaginable pain, I hope this episode reminds you that you're not alone. In this episode: Coping with suicide loss and grief Men's mental health and hidden struggles Finding hope after tragedy Faith, healing, and resilience How to support someone who is hurting Key Moments: 0:00 - The Morning Everything Changed 3:06 - The 6:45am Text That Never Came 7:30 - "Bailey... He's Gone" 12:43 - Why She Shared This Story So Soon 16:04 - A Video That Changed Everything 20:45 - Their Final Vacation Together 23:27 - Feeling Defeated vs Finding Hope 28:24 - Crying in the Sauna & Cold Plunge 31:27 - The Powerful Note Everyone Should Write 34:27 - A Message for Anyone Considering Suicide 36:14 - The Three Words That Could Save a Life 37:18 - The Reason to Stay One More Day Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/ Connect with Baylee Barnes: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baylee0821/
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May 19 · 46 min
I Thought Mold Was Making Me Sick, But It Was Something Much Worse
What do you do when a doctor tells you that you have 15 months to live and less than a 10% chance of surviving the next two years? In this episode of the Rollercoaster Podcast, I sit down with Doug Cartwright, a sales coach, entrepreneur, and one of the most spiritually grounded people I've ever met, who was diagnosed with Grade 4 Glioblastoma, the deadliest, most aggressive form of brain cancer, just weeks before we recorded this conversation. Doug walks us through the symptoms that were dismissed as anxiety, the emergency brain surgery that saved his life, and the vision he had that completely changed how he sees death, faith, and what it means to truly live. If you've ever faced a moment that shattered your sense of the future, this conversation will stay with you. Please consider supporting Doug’s GoFundMe linked below: https://gofund.me/27a96d9ed Key Moments: 0:00 “I Thought I Was Going to Die Today” 5:38 Waves of Panic & Impending Doom 9:03 He Thought He Had DPDR Disorder 14:09 The Phone Call That Saved His Life 18:45 “My Life Will Never Be the Same” 21:36 Living Like Every Day Could Be His Last 25:18 The Power of Saying I Love You 29:12 Brain Cancer Became His Greatest Test 33:10 Can You Keep Your Heart Open in Hell? 38:32 How to Change Without Trauma 41:14 The Experimental Cancer Vaccine in Germany 43:02 The Truth About Death Nobody Talks About 44:13 The Message He Wants to Leave Behind Connect with Me: IG: @tyler.hall (https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/) Connect with Doug Cartwright: IG: doug_cartwright (https://www.instagram.com/doug_cartwright/)
May 12 · 1 hr 27 min
She Was My Best Friend, Now My Sister is Dead
What happens when the person trained to save lives loses someone they couldn’t save? In this episode of the Rollercoaster Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Marlon Rollins for one of the most powerful conversations we’ve ever had about suicide, grief, trauma, mental health, and healing. Dr. Rollins spent years working as a crisis director and mental health professional helping people through suicidal crises, until the unthinkable happened. His sister, Amber, took her own life, leaving behind a 13-year-old daughter who was the first person to find her. This conversation explores the devastating reality of suicide loss, survivor’s guilt, depression, addiction, firearms, trauma, parenting, social media, and why so many people suffer in silence. We also discuss suicide prevention, warning signs, purpose, connection, and the urgent mental health crisis impacting children, teens, veterans, nurses, and families around the world. If this episode moved you, please share it with someone who may need it. Key Moments: 0:00 The Call That Changed Everything 6:02 The Coroner Called Me Next 12:48 The Suicide Prevention Grant 18:40 His 13-Year-Old Niece Found Her 23:35 “Losing My Sister Was a Gift” 30:31 Learning to Heal Himself 36:11 The Suicide Myth We Believe 42:42 She Heard the Gunshot 49:19 Did His Sister Plan Her Suicide? 56:32 Suicide in Kids Is Exploding 1:00:54 Why Community Saves Kids 1:07:24 Find a Bigger Why 1:14:13 Do People Regret Suicide? 1:20:17 Why Suicide Keeps Increasing 1:24:39 Mental Health Is Finally Changing Connect with Me: IG: @tyler.hall (https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/) Connect with Dr. Marlon Rollins: IG: @drmarlonrollins (https://www.instagram.com/drmarlonrollins/)
May 5 · 45 min
The Worst Day of My Life...
Nothing prepares you for the moment your parents call screaming that your little brother is gone. In this episode of the Rollercoaster Podcast, I sit down with twin brothers Jake & Joe Sharp as they relive the night their 16-year-old brother Sam died by suicide while they were serving church missions in Mexico. What followed was a pain neither of them knew how to survive. The phone call, the confusion, the anger, the guilt, and the devastating reality of returning home to a family forever changed. But this conversation is about more than loss. It’s about mental health, teenage depression, shame, hope, and the reminder that the people smiling the most are sometimes hurting the deepest. Jake & Joe share who Sam really was beyond his struggles: a light, a comedian, a brother, and someone deeply loved. If you or someone you love is battling suicidal thoughts, please know this episode was made for you. If this story moved you, share it with someone who needs hope today. Key Moments: 00:00 The Call That Changed Their Lives Forever 05:04 They Were in Mexico When It Happened 09:04 The Panic Before the Phone Call 13:23 Who Sam Really Was Behind the Smile 17:00 Why His Death Still Makes Them Angry 19:18 The Morning After Everything Changed 22:05 Why Teen Suicide Is Exploding 27:13 The Dangerous Lies Teens Believe 30:35 The Note Sam Left for His Brothers 34:24 The Suicide Prevention Message Everyone Needs 38:36 The Happiest People May Be Hurting Most 41:05 Their Message to Teenagers in Darkness Connect with Me: IG: @tyler.hall (https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/) Connect with Jake & Joe Sharp: IG: @jduofit (https://www.instagram.com/jduofit/)

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