Hard Beautiful Journey
Welcome to Hard Beautiful Journey, where vulnerability is our strength and courage is our compass. Hosted by Tiff Carson, who has walked a difficult path of her own, this podcast is a beacon of healing and hope. My mission? To create a space where we can talk openly about life’s hardest moments and the incredible strength it takes to move through them. If you’ve seen my podcast cover, you’ll notice a heart that’s broken, covered in ashes—but also healing. That heart represents the journey we all face. It’s through the cracks that the light shines in, and it’s in that light we find our way out of the dark. On this journey, I share my 7 pillars that guide us through healing: 1. Use Your Voice – Speak your truth and break the silence. 2. Love Your Story – Embrace your past, your pain, and your power. 3. Ignite Your Gratitude – Find the light even in the darkest moments. 4. Honor Your Body – Care for the vessel that carries you through it all. 5. Awaken Your Joy – Seek out the moments of laughter and joy, even when it feels hard. 6. Find Your Tribe – Build your community and lean on others. 7. Nurture Your Soul – Feed your spirit with what heals and uplifts you. Here, we dig into stories of grief, trauma, addiction, resilience, and overcoming loss, as well as the beautiful parts of life—like discovering inner strength, finding joy, and connecting with others in deep, meaningful ways. You’ll hear from people who’ve faced incredible challenges and emerged stronger, as well as those who are still in the process of healing. Together, we’ll explore what it means to rebuild after life knocks you down, and how to rise again, more whole than ever before. This community is for anyone on their own hard and beautiful journey. It’s for those who want to learn, grow, and feel less alone in the process. The Hard Beautiful Journey isn’t just a podcast—it’s a shared experience, built on these 7 pillars, and I’m so grateful to have you along for the ride.
Listen on:
Episodes
Sunday Jul 24, 2022
Sunday Jul 24, 2022
This was a very hard interview to prepare for and record. Please listen....everything on my heart is in this episode. To read the blog post, please go to https://www.hardbeautifuljourney.com.
Tiff xx
Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
Today we are talking about a topic of addiction that we haven’t touched on yet so I’m really looking forward to exploring this as I know it is an addiction that deserves just as much awareness as any other. The topic today is porn addiction and I couldn’t think of a better guest to start this conversation with than Jeremy Lipkowitz.
Jeremy is a mindfulness and emotional intelligence facilitator, and porn addiction recovery coach for men. Jeremy overcame his own addiction to pornography in his early twenties with the help of mindfulness meditation and Buddhist philosophy, which not only helped him let go of his destructive behaviors, it also allowed him to connect with deeper meaning and purpose in his life.
For the past 11 years Jeremy has been teaching mindfulness and emotional intelligence practices at universities, recovery centers, and companies throughout Europe, Asia and the US. He has been featured in places like Men's Health and Livestrong Magazine for his work in helping people overcome compulsive behaviors and addictions.
He holds a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Genetics and Genomics, and spent several years at Duke University working towards a PhD in Genetics & Systems Biology before he turned full-time to teaching and coaching.
I'm so grateful for Jeremy being open and real about the hard beautiful journey he had with porn addiction. Today he has given many people some comfort to know they are not alone and that they too can hopefully speak their truth and reach out for support.
To contact Jeremy and learn more about how he can help support you on your own journey please check out https://www.jeremylipkowitz.com/ or on Instagram at this link.
I want to remind all my listeners that I have a private Facebook group called “Finding Hope Through Your Siblings Addiction”. I would love if you would let anyone know that is dealing with this that there is a place of support for them as well and I would love for you to join. This hard beautiful journey is much easier with someone to walk it with. We weren’t meant to do any of this alone. Again the name is “Finding Hope Through Your Sibling’s Addiction” and can be found at this link.
Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts. While there, please leave a 5-star rating and review; it would mean so much to me!
I would love to connect with you on social, so please give me a follow on:
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
LinkedIn
Thanks for listening,
Tiff
Tuesday Jul 12, 2022
Tuesday Jul 12, 2022
Today on the podcast I have someone I have wanted you to hear from for about a year. A beautiful soul named Rhonda Watt is here to talk about the loss of her BEAUTIFUL son Erik to an accidental, recreational use of drugs when he was 19 years old.
Rhonda so willingly shares her Hard Beautiful Journey with us to remind us that the people with addictions are real people who truly want connection and compassion. Rhonda is working hard on the front lines, in the trenches to help these people and remind them that they are important and loved. Such a beautiful way to honour the memory of her son Erik.
Rhonda also has a Facebook Group named "Grief Warrior" that is there for other Momma's who have lost children in any manner find community and support. That group can be found at this link. Please reach out if you need to talk, they are there to listen and support.
Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts. While there, please leave a 5-star rating and review; it would mean so much to me! Also, if you haven't done so already, join the Hard Beautiful Journey community to connect with other like-minded people.
I would love to connect with you on social, so please give me a follow on:
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
LinkedIn
Thanks for listening,
Tiff
Tuesday Jun 28, 2022
Tuesday Jun 28, 2022
Today on the podcast I have a beautiful soul named Taija McLuckie.
Taija describes herself as a middle class, white female, born and raised in BC with lived experience. She was in and out of illicit substance misuse for 3+ years and prescribed substance misuse for 4+ years. Taija is here to talk about her lived experience in addiction and how she now does work as a support and outreach worker in various settings and her thoughts on how our Canadian government is handling the drug crisis in our country.
Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts. While there, please leave a 5-star rating and review; it would mean so much to me! Also, if you haven't done so already, join the Hard Beautiful Journey community to connect with other like-minded people.
I would love to connect with you on social, so please give me a follow on:
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
LinkedIn
Thanks for listening,
Tiff
Thursday Jun 23, 2022
Thursday Jun 23, 2022
Welcome back for the follow-up to episode 70 and the conclusion of my interview with Corey Gauthier.
In our last episode, Corey discussed his journey into plant medicines and psychedelic therapies after realizing that his "live fast, die young" lifestyle had some deep-rooted trauma. For those who missed it, I strongly encourage you to check it out first!
Today, we're going to continue along on our journey with him.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
Listen to Corey's personal experience with an African Rites of Passage ceremony, as well as the incredible story that gave me goosebumps.
Discover why the Sacred Soul Center closed its doors.
Hear Corey's recommendations for plant medicine clinics.
Are you enjoying the Hard Beautiful Journey podcast?
Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts. While there, please leave a 5-star rating and review; it would mean so much to me! Also, if you haven't done so already, join the Hard Beautiful Journey community to connect with other like-minded people.
I would love to connect with you on social, so please give me a follow on:
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
LinkedIn
Thanks for listening,
Tiff
Tuesday Jun 21, 2022
Tuesday Jun 21, 2022
Today, Corey Gauthier joins me for the first part of our conversation about how he began his journey into plant medicines and psychedelic therapies after realizing that his "live fast, die young" lifestyle had some deep-seated trauma attached to it.
This journey would lead him to a world he had never known existed and eventually to his new career as a plant medicine entrepreneur.
Come back on Thursday, June 23, to hear the episode's conclusion, where Corey tells a story about a trip to Africa that gave me goosebumps. You won't want to miss it.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
Corey wanted to devote his life to the powerful healing properties of plant medicines.
Learn how this journey led him down a path that expanded his world in ways he never imagined possible.
Discover how, once the stigma surrounding "modern recreational drugs" is removed, they have a powerful place in our modern-day on a micro-dosing or therapeutic purpose.
Full Show Notes Here!
Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts. While there, please leave a 5-star rating and review; it would mean so much to me! Also, if you haven't done so already, join the Hard Beautiful Journey community to connect with other like-minded people.
I would love to connect with you on social, so please give me a follow on:
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
LinkedIn
Thanks for listening,
Tiff
Thursday Jun 16, 2022
Thursday Jun 16, 2022
Today we continue our conversation with Eric Kussin. The founder of the organization #SameHere, a global mental health movement.
Eric previously shared his personal story of battling a severe mental health crisis, his misdiagnosis, the missing piece of the puzzle, and what led him to find #SameHere. If you missed it, I highly recommend you go back and check out Episode 68 first.
In this episode, we openly discuss suicide and suicidal ideation. If you're vulnerable to this right now, please check out the resources in the show notes where you can reach out for help.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
It's time to talk about the root of the mental health crisis.
Discover what it means to be vulnerable and open.
Learn about # SameHere's revolutionary apps.
Full Show Notes Here
Connect with Eric Kussin:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
Resources:
https://samehereglobal.org/
Suicide Prevention Hotline
Ep 68: #SAMEHERE Global Mental Health Movement with Eric Kussin
Are you enjoying the Hard Beautiful Journey podcast?
Please leave a 5-star rating and review; it would mean so much to me! Also, if you haven't done so already, join the Facebook Community to connect with other like-minded people.
I would love to connect with you on social, so please give me a follow on:
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
LinkedIn
Thanks for listening,
Tiff
Tuesday Jun 14, 2022
Tuesday Jun 14, 2022
Today on the show is Eric Kussin who is the founder of the organization #samehere Global Mental Health Movement.
Eric shares his personal story of fighting against a severe mental health crisis, how he was misdiagnosed for years, the missing part of the equation, and what led him to founding a global mental health movement.
A big fan of marketing, psychology, and sport, Eric combined all three and began reaching out to his contacts to discuss how they could attack the mental health epidemic strategically and differently than had ever been done before. He had to bring purpose to his own experience and believed he must have gone through that horrific period for a reason.
With suicides at a 30-year high, and drug/opioid abuse out of control, he knows something major must change with the messaging if we’re to reverse these negative trends. And I couldn't agree with him more.
Check out Eric's Resources at:
https://samehereglobal.org/
Follow me on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardbeautifuljourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hardbeautifuljourneyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNMiFbzcn5Xz7aPGQWI8ZMgTwitter: https://twitter.com/hardbeautifulj1LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hardbeautifuljourneyWebsite: https://hardbeautifuljourney.com/Thanks so much for listening,
Tiff
Tuesday Jun 07, 2022
Tuesday Jun 07, 2022
Aaron Huey is the founder of Parenting Teens That Struggle and the host of the number one parenting podcast "Beyond Risk and Back". He is also a Family Consultant, a teen coach and an addiction interventionist. He facilitates powerful parenting events and is a very happy husband and father of two young adults.
Aaron is an internationally known lecturer on archetypal imagery, body language and martial arts and the founder and President of Fire Mountain Programs. In 2009, he and his wife Christine opened a residential mental health and dependency recovery treatment center for teens ages 12 to 17 in Colorado. Fire Mountain Residential Treatment Center was in 2019 named one of the top 50 healthcare providers in the United States and in 2020 named one of the top 100 Innovators in Healthcare. His new online parenting Masterclass has just been awarded a Telly!In this episode, you will learn the following:1. The importance of understanding and addressing the root causes of struggles, rather than just reacting to the symptoms or results.2. The idea that addiction is not just about the substance, but also about the human being and their relationship to the substance.3. The importance of parents taking care of themselves and doing the "inner work" in order to best support their struggling teen.Full Show Notes Here!Check out Aaron's Resources at:https://brabapp.com/
Follow me on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardbeautifuljourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hardbeautifuljourneyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNMiFbzcn5Xz7aPGQWI8ZMgTwitter: https://twitter.com/hardbeautifulj1LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hardbeautifuljourneyWebsite: https://hardbeautifuljourney.com/Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/hard-beautiful-journey-loved-ones-with-addiction/id1521381641
Thanks so much for listening,
Tiff
Tuesday May 31, 2022
Tuesday May 31, 2022
Welcome back for the first episode of Season 5!!!
On this episode you will hear about the pivot I am making with my podcast and everything HARD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY related :)
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
You'll find out why May 31 is such an important day
You'll learn about my podcast's pivot
You'll also hear my thoughts on why talking about addictions, mental health, and unresolved trauma is so vital
Full Show Notes Here!
Are you enjoying the Hard Beautiful Journey podcast?
Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts. While there, please leave a 5-star rating and review. It would mean so much to me! Also, if you haven't done so already, join my private Facebook Group called "Finding Hope Through Your Loved One’s Addiction - Addiction Support Group".
I would love to connect with you on social, so please give me a follow on:
Instagram
Facebook
Thanks for listening,
Tiff