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.
Episodes
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
Today we welcome Dr. Jody Carrington, who provides some valuable insight on disconnection; and the emotional dysregulation that our adolescents face as a result of the pandemic.
Dr. Jody Carrington's approach is authentic and often hilarious. In this episode, she speaks passionately about how reconnection is the answer to so many of the root problems. She says we are wired to do hard things but never meant to do it alone.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
- Dr. Jody Carrington explains why we're more disconnected than ever.
- Discover why adolescents are the ones paying the highest price following the pandemic.
- Get some great advice as a teenager's parent during these challenging times.
Full Show Notes Here
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:
Thanks for listening,
Tiff
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
Today we welcome Crystal Partney, who, the day before her 32nd birthday in 2019, received the devastating news that her sister had taken her own life.
After this tragedy, Crystal needed the steps to begin the healing process. She discovered that the first 30 days are often the most critical steps for healing after suicide.
*** As a warning, this episode discusses suicide, so if you are feeling vulnerable, please consult with a doctor or mental health professional. Or call one of the Suicide Prevention numbers listed below in the resources.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
- Crystal shares her journey of losing her sister to suicide and the aftermath of the devastating loss.
- Find out about her healing journey and the prompting on her heart to help others which birthed her two companies.
- She discusses how the concept of subscription boxes aims to give someone hope for a brighter tomorrow.
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:
Thanks for listening,
Tiff
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
What does health look like for you?
Health is a broad term that can mean many things to many different people. What might be an important area of health for me might not be a priority to someone else.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the complete episode:
- Discussing the areas of health that I am working on daily
- I share an exciting activity I will be participating in with my family.
- I share the activities and practices that help me in each area of health.
I would love to connect with you on social, so please give me a follow on:
Hard Beautiful Journey Website
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.
Thanks for listening,
Tiffany
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
Life has been a struggle for me lately. In this solo episode, I get vulnerable, sharing my hard beautiful journey and the importance of having the courage to get in the arena.
We are all living in challenging times right now. There's so much uncertainty with the ongoing pandemic and the war in Ukraine. As many of you may know, I lost my brother to a tragic drug overdose, and I've been missing him like crazy.
Today, I want to share something that has been on my mind lately. One of my therapists reminded me of its importance, and I hope that it inspires you and has the profound impact that it's had on my life.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the complete episode:
- I share the speech from Theodore Roosevelt and talk about the impact it's had on my life, both personally and professionally.
- I've had mental health challenges over the years, and I speak about my choice to get in the arena and fight for my life.
- Discover my journey of deciding to love my brother through his addiction, despite giving up on him many times.
Full Show Notes Here
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 socials, so please give me a follow on:
Hard Beautiful Journey Website
Thanks for listening,
Tiffany
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Today we welcome Emily Johnson, who shares her beautiful story of the gift she received following the passing of her beloved mother.
The story behind Bird of Paradise, Emily's first novel, is unique. Her mom began writing Bird of Paradise when she was diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer. She passed away in 2012, leaving the novel unfinished for Emily to complete.
The ability to delve into her mother's written words was the gift of a lifetime and gave her the strength to overcome the grief she felt at the loss of her mother. She'd come to realize it to be a roadmap from her mom to guide her through life.
This is a story that will touch your heart, so be sure to tune in.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the complete Episode:
- Emily opens up about the ultimate gift from her mom, a letter, and a copy of her unfinished manuscript.
- Learn about the journey of how Emily's mom outlived the doctor's initial prognosis by over a decade.
- Discover her eight-year journey of fulfilling her mom's last wish.
Full Show Notes Here
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 socials, so please give me a follow on:
Hard Beautiful Journey Website
Thanks for listening,
Tiff
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Today I welcome Mikaela Brewer who openly shares her journey as a high-performance athlete and how it brought her immense joy and complex challenges.
**A gentle warning, this episode discusses suicide. If you are feeling vulnerable in this area, please consult with a doctor or mental health professional in your area. Or call one of the Suicide Prevention numbers listed in the resources.**
Mikaela Brewer is a writer, speaker, researcher, mental health advocate, and the author of The Sifting Project, her first novel. She is also a proud Stanford Women's Basketball alumnae and a former member of Team Canada.
Mikaela believes in the voice of change, unique to stories, and the way fiction feels like people's lyrics. These beliefs are braided into the backbone of The Sifting Project, a story that seeks to challenge beliefs, motivate and comfort.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
- Mikaela discusses the mental health challenges that young athletes face.
- She shares about her struggles with OCD, depression and her attempted suicide.
- As a mental health advocate, she discusses the importance of finding the language for young athletes to verbalize their mental health challenges.
Full Show Notes Here
Connect with Mikaela Brewer
Hoops, Mental Health and Sharing Stories
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 socials, so please give me a follow on:
Hard Beautiful Journey Website
Thanks for listening,
Tiffany
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
Today I welcome Charlene Madden, who admittedly spent most of her life living in a state of darkness.
**A gentle warning, this episode discusses suicide. If you are feeling vulnerable in this area, please consult with a doctor or mental health professional in your area. Or call one of the Suicide Prevention numbers listed in the resources.**
After she experienced over nine years of sexual trauma, a decade of domestic violence, more than three decades of mental illness, and suicidal ideology, she was two days away from committing suicide when she attended a women's workshop that saved her life.
She authentically shares the struggles that she has experienced in a way that reaches into the hearts of listeners in a profound and relatable way. By discussing topics of childhood sexual violence, domestic abuse, and mental illness, she is on a mission to shatter the stigma surrounding these topics.
She began her healing journey and found her purpose by turning her darkness into a message of hope. Believe me when I say that her story and vulnerability will impact you!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the complete episode:
- Charlene shares her story of sexual trauma, domestic violence, mental illness, and suicidal ideology.
- Find out how a women's workshop saved her life just two days before her planned suicide.
- Discover her journey of hope and purpose through self-love and overcoming fear.
Connect with Charlene Madden
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 and visit the website.
I would love to connect with you on socials, so please give me a follow on Instagram and Facebook.
Thanks for listening,
Tiff
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
This episode has been a LONG time coming. I did something that went against my intuition in regards to social media. And it was the catalyst for me deciding to take an extended break from all social media platforms. Find out what that was on this episode of Hard Beautiful Journey.
I would LOVE if you'd check out my new websites!
Hard Beautiful Journey website can be found at hardbeautifuljourney.com.
Mstiffvaughan website can be found at mstiffvaughan.com.
Your Title
This is the description area. You can write an introduction or add anything you want to tell your audience. This can help potential listeners better understand and become interested in your podcast. Think about what will motivate them to hit the play button. What is your podcast about? What makes it unique? This is your chance to introduce your podcast and grab their attention.