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.
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Episodes
Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
The topic my guest and I are discussing today is one I can’t EVER imagine experiencing which is child loss. Peggy Green is here to talk about the incredibly difficult loss of 2 of her 4 children, one at the age of 9 months old and then recently the loss of her son at the age of 24.
Peggy has taken the loss of her two kids and written a book titled “Life After Child Loss” which outlines 8 simple steps she took to survive and handle these deep losses. These steps can absolutely be used in the grieving process for other loved ones as well.
As a warning, this episode discusses suicide so 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 below.
You can reach Peggy by email at peggy.griefrecovery@gmail.com, and her website https://www.theegriefspecialist.com.
Distress Centre - 24-hour crisis line 403-266 - HELP (4357)
Crisis Services Canada - text or call - 833-456-4566 or text 45645
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Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
Does the thought of putting your face on video make your armpits start sweating and gives you a mild, or not so mild, case of anxiety?
You would think that because I do my podcast and have gotten MUCH more comfortable talking to people (including on camera over Zoom) that I would be fine creating videos or going LIVE on Instagram or Facebook…..but…..NOPE.
I absolutely LOVE putting all your beautiful faces in videos and showing how amazing you are, but the thought of having my face on a video is terrifying. And I don’t know why…..so that is why I was SO excited to have my guest Elsewine Rietveld on my podcast to give us some tips and strategies to get out of our heads and just DO IT ALREADY!!
Elsewine is a former deer in the headlights when it comes to making videos & speaking in public. She was so terrified to record her first video, that she walked straight out of the room where the camera was set up.
Over time, she has found an effective method on how to get comfortable on camera and is sharing techniques from her Confidence Creation Framework with you in her book. As well as a video strategy, a content plan that gives you at least 75 ideas and you can write in 30-60 minutes, and effective mindset techniques. Her P.I.R.A.T.E. technique of doing live videos is also included and lots of dos and don'ts.
Since 2013 she has been training professionals to speak with confidence in conversations, presentations and on video.
Check out her book “Get Comfortable On Camera” - such valuable content that you can implement immediately! https://getcomfortableoncamerabook.com/
You can find Elsewine on Instagram at www.instagram.com/elsewine.
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Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
Today on the podcast I have an incredible guest, Tyler Foley! He is an accomplished film and stage performer and has appeared in productions including Freddy Vs Jason, Door to Door, Carrie, and the musical Ragtime.
Tyler is passionate about helping others confidently take the stage and impact an audience with their stories. He is currently the Managing Director of Total Buy In and author of the #1 best-selling book The Power to Speak Naked.
This episode has some GREAT tips and strategies to be a more confident public speaker, and as many of my loyal audience knows, one of my BIG goals for 2021 was to begin speaking on more stages and building my confidence doing this. And just like that, Tyler appeared....crazy devine timing!
Be sure and check out Tyler at www.seantylerfoley.com.
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Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
On today's episode I had the opportunity to speak with Erin McCullough!
Erin is a thought leader, an in-demand speaker and an international teacher that helps people create IMPENETRABLE JOY so that they can be calm, have peace of mind and meaning in their life, NOW!
Erin had an Anxiety Disorder that had her holed up in her home for nearly a year. Through that experience she learned how and why that happened and developed strategies to overcoming and preventing it, which is what she now teaches. Erin vowed that when she found solutions to overcoming and preventing anxiety, she would do whatever she could to make sure that no one had that experience, so that has been her mission.
Erin spent a decade studying the Mind/Body connection, Visualization and ways to still the mind. Over the decade she has created simple strategies to Overcoming and Preventing Anxiety, Stress, Worry and Overwhelm so that all her clients live a life intentionally in Joy. She has been an entrepreneur for 21 years and consulting businesses and business leaders for 16 years. If you question who you are and what you are meant to be doing in this life, let Erin help you discover your own path to joy.
You can find Erin at https://www.erin-mac.com/bookings-checkout/step-1-to-joy-call/book and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/erinmacllc.
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Tuesday May 25, 2021
Tuesday May 25, 2021
I had the honor to speak with Shelley Buck and Kathy Curtis about the book they wrote called “Leave Your Light On”. This book is about Shelley’s son Ryder Buck. I read the book in about 3 hours, I couldn’t put it down and from the description I give now you will understand why:
Rarely does someone so joyfully authentic come along and flash a light so bright you can’t help but feel a rush of hope. Ryder Buck was such a guy.
He was charming and hilarious, ornery and aggravating, and he delighted in his love of music. Nothing more and nothing less than himself, his self-acceptance fueled his audacious dreams and taught him to have faith and just let go. Ryder lived a magical life, but he was also tested in ways many of us never will be. He endured the pain of a cancer diagnosis and the hardship of chemo treatment. And when the disease that should have beaten him didn’t, his unimaginable fate showed up on a dark highway.
Then his light began to shine even brighter. It led his mother out of the dark tunnel of her grief. It cradled a family, heartbroken by his silent guitar, to find healing together. It has given people throughout the world the encouragement to be who they really are, to discover their own purpose- to wake up to the magic in their own hearts.
Ryder’s story will inspire you to see your own light – no matter what life or death throws your way.
The book can be found on Amazon & Barnes & Noble or at www.leaveyourlightonbook.com, Ryder's music can be found at www.ryderbuckmusic.com and the Facebook account is www.facebook.com/RyderBuck.
Shelley can be found on Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelraebuck/ and Twitter www.twitter.com/shelbuckeroos5
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Tuesday May 18, 2021
Tuesday May 18, 2021
There are two things I hope to come from this episode….the first is that you will get so much value from it for you and your family and the second is that you will SHARE it with as many people as humanly possible.
This episode is a “lighthouse” and I don’t know about you, but lighthouses have always signified safety and comfort….Gena Peth is back for the third instalment of our 3 part series to talk about the incredible program that she has developed to help families work together to set up social and emotional support systems, provide social technology training, and implement the right technology strategies that will help build a positive online experience and encourage open family communication.
She will also talk about an amazing collaboration that she has started with my friend and previous guest Craig Gustafson. You’ll want to hear about this!
Join Gena in her Facebook Group to learn more about Conversational Parenting. Her links are:
https://informationalimpact.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2699345530310116/
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Thursday May 13, 2021
Thursday May 13, 2021
Today on the show I have Gena back to continue her story and she is joined by her step-son Bradly.
They are here to talk about the step-family dynamic they experienced including some very difficult circumstances. But they will also share some of the triumphs that have also come out of their journey.
I am so honored that they have chosen to share their Hard Beautiful Journey with me and my audience. It isn't easy to talk about some of these hard times but I know it brings so much healing when you do.
Join Gena in her Facebook Group to learn more about Conversational Parenting. Her links are:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2699345530310116/
https://informational-impact-2aae.mailchimpsites.com/?fbclid=IwAR0Um7Hd-x9mB61QBEseEeBo812C37awhrmATF3L4FPAG3Z4kN3IoCjmow4
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Tuesday May 04, 2021
Tuesday May 04, 2021
I have been wanting to share this story with you for about 8 months!
My friend Gena is here - I first heard her story back in August 2020 and knew that it needed to be shared with the world. When she told me her story I was left speechless (and for me that’s hard)….but it also made me realize how having perseverance and a faith in God, you can survive and thrive in ways you didn’t believe was possible.
This story is about escaping something in your life that you thought defined you and coming out the other side stronger than ever.
Certain people are placed in your life at the exact moment that they are needed for your journey - and I thank God and the universe for putting this woman, this friend, in mine.
Join Gena in her Facebook Group to learn more about Conversational Parenting. Her links are:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2699345530310116/
https://informational-impact-2aae.mailchimpsites.com/?fbclid=IwAR0Um7Hd-x9mB61QBEseEeBo812C37awhrmATF3L4FPAG3Z4kN3IoCjmow4
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Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
Today on the podcast I have my good friend Craig Gustafson on the show and I am so grateful that he is here to share his story and his message. I met Craig last year in the Made To Do This program and he was in the mini pod group that met on a weekly basis. He is such an amazing human, I can’t find words to adequately describe his spirit and the love he always shows for his friends and family.
Craig identifies as a social misfit and someone that grew up in an environment with high functioning autism, Aspergers and bi-polar. He has a beautiful message and mission and I can’t wait for more people to hear about it.
You can find Craig on Facebook here and at his website which is https://www.escapingsocialawkwardness.com/.
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Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
It's Season 3 KICKOFF!! Thanks for being here for Episode 36!
A personal goal of mine for 2021 was to give a speech - so I enrolled in a program called Shine Bootcamp, which is an 8 week program that teaches you the skills to build and deliver a speech in front of real humans - however, due to Covid this took place over a Zoom screen.
You are given a speaking coach and put in pods to practice your talk and I absolutely loved meeting these other women and my coach Marie. The nerves were REALLLL….oh my gosh. The lead up to the day I gave my talk, I was a nervous wreck! But I knew I wasn’t alone in feeling like this and in some ways that comforted me!
My talk title was “Your Mess Is Your Message” and I am going to play a recording of it on today’s episode!
I hope to one day be able to be invited to speak on more stages and share my story and inspire others to share theirs….to Use their Voice.
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