In this Let's Get Naked episode, Anne opens with raw vulnerability, inviting listeners to share how the show impacts them before diving into a powerful conversation on grief, addiction, and radical courage. Anne is joined by Valerie Silveira who recounts her daughter Jamie’s near-fatal shooting at 18, the spiral into opioid and heroin addiction, and Jamie’s murder years later—tracing a mother’s journey from crippling guilt and secrecy to boundaries, faith, and the real F-Word: Forgiveness. Together they unpack living with a “hole in the heart” without crawling inside it, the cost of being tethered to addiction, the difference between Justice vs. Forgiveness, and how judgment of others mirrors self-judgment. They also reflect on parenting in today’s high-potency, social-media world, surrendering what you can’t control, and transforming pain into purpose through story. This episode offers a lifeline for anyone navigating loss, shame, or the long road from blame to grace—and reminds us that courage can rewrite the map when life burns the plan.

Valerie Silveira is an award-winning author, speaker, mentor, and host of Brave, Bold & Unfiltered, whose story of tragedy and resilience inspires courage worldwide. After losing her daughter Jamie—just twelve years after Jamie survived a gunshot wound at 18—Valerie faced her “Beast” and chose to rise, asking one powerful question: What now? Her latest book, Burn the Map, challenges readers to stop waiting for life to get easier and instead build a path forward through trauma, loss, and setbacks by embracing courage, hope, and transformation. Known for her raw truth, faith, and humor, she speaks unfiltered on forgiveness (even of the man who killed her daughter), trauma recovery, grief, and leading through adversity, making her a sought-after voice on resilience, mental health, spirituality, and personal growth. Extending her mission to younger generations, she founded Winglight Studios and created Lubadoos™, a magical world helping kids embrace bravery, truth, and identity. Living in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband Rich, Valerie loves escape rooms, hiking, cooking, and time with family, always leaving audiences laughing, crying, and rethinking what’s possible when life burns the map.

https://valeriesilveira.com/

https://facebook.com/valeriesilveira

https://www.instagram.com/valerie_silveira/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriesilveira/

https://braveboldunfiltered.com

This podcast dives deep into real, raw topics—think vulnerability, triggers, and childhood trauma. But just so we're super clear: I’m not a licensed therapist, mental health professional, or anything close. I’m just a human sharing stories, lessons, and life hacks based on personal experience and a whole lot of curiosity.

So, while you might find some golden nuggets here, this is not therapy and should never replace professional mental health care. If you or someone you love is going through it, please—seriously—reach out to a licensed therapist or healthcare provider. You deserve the real deal.

Need Help Now?
Here are a few amazing resources:

· 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988
· NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or nami.org/help
· Therapy Directory: psychologytoday.com
· Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

The opinions expressed on this show are ours and ours alone—no official organizations are responsible for what we say (or how much we overshare).