Sick Burn Podcast
The Sick Burn Podcast "Explores the Bright Side to Life's Darkest Moments." 🔥🎙️
Aloha, I'm Thomas Craig. My journey from a life-changing plane crash to recovery revealed a powerful truth: resilience, positivity, and even humor can emerge from unimaginable pain. Here we focus on positivity, optimism, and humor in the face of trauma, depression, and pain. Together, with our incredible guests, we share stories of overcoming, finding hope, and sometimes laughing through the scars. Whether you’re facing your own challenges or seeking a little inspiration, this is your place for strength, transformation, and connection. 🤙🏽
Episodes
27 episodes
23. Redefining Normal — Neurodiversity, Eating Disorders & Advocating for Change w/ Dan Roth
Dan Roth (@danrothconsulting) has spent a lifetime learning how to navigate spaces that weren't built for people like him — and turning that experience into a mission to make the world more inclusive for everyone else. Diagnosed as ...
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What You Can Control | Mental Health & Acceptance w/ Will Craig
In this Instagram Live conversation with mental health advocate Will Craig, we explore acceptance — not as giving up, but as focusing your energy on what you actually control. When a plane crash survivor and a man living with a serious medical ...
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Bonus: One Piece of Advice for Your Hardest Moment? | The Sick Burn Final 2nd Question
Everyone hits a wall. A moment where you don't know how to keep going. I asked every guest on The Sick Burn Podcast the same final question — "What's one piece of advice you'd give to somebody going through their hardest moment?" — and what cam...
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Bonus: What Is Giving You Peace Right Now? The Sick Burn Final 1st Question
It’s been a little while since our last full episode, but we’re actively working on what’s next. In the meantime, I wanted to share something special. On every episode of The Sick Burn Podcast, I ask my guests the same two questions...
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22. Kody Schaffner: Powered by Resilience — Heart Failure, Hope & Fighting Back
Kody Schaffner’s life is powered by resilience — literally. Living with advanced heart failure, Kody (@justadudeonbatteries) relies on a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), a mobile life-support system that keeps his heart pumping and his fu...
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21. Miguel Jimenez Vergara: Pushing Beyond Limits — Racing, Resilience & Relentless Drive
Miguel Jimenez Vergara is a competitive adaptive athlete, wheelchair racer, and one of the most unstoppable humans you’ll ever meet. From a young age, Miguel felt a deep pull toward movement, competition, and testing both his body and his mind....
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20. Lydia Richard: Reclaiming Power After Trauma — From Wounds 2 Wealth
There came a moment when Lydia Richard (@wounds2wealth) chose to stop letting trauma dictate her life — it would become the beginning of her power. Lydia is a businesswoman, personal development coach, and mother whose journe...
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19. Geoff Real: Fighting for More — The One-Handed Fighter Redefining Possibility
Geoff Real has spent his life proving that strength isn’t defined by what you have — it’s built by what you refuse to give up. Born with one hand, Geoff refused to let circumstance define him. Through years of dedication, discipline...
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18. Abbey Alexander: Finding Joy After the Fire — Healing, Humor & Resilience
Five years ago, Abbey Alexander’s life changed forever. While teaching English abroad in Cambodia, she was caught in a sudden gas explosion that left her with severe burns across much of her body — and a journey that would test ever...
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Bonus: “I’m Me & It’s This Game’s Fault!” — Live From San Diego Comic-Con 2025!
This week on The Sick Burn Podcast, we’re bringing you special bonus episode: a live panel straight from San Diego Comic-Con 2025 — “I’m Me & It’s This Game’s Fault!” Hosted by Kurosh Jozavi of Savepoint Stories, this heartfelt,...
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17. G. Michael Hopf: Owning the Story — Author, Marine Veteran & Acceptance
At first glance, G. Michael Hopf is a USA Today bestselling author. But behind the shelves of books lies a life shaped by combat, childhood trauma, and the pursuit of identity. A former U.S. Marine, now husband and father, Michael’s story is on...
16. Joe Dimeo: Beyond the Burn – Love, Survival & a Historic Face and Double Hand Transplant
Joe Dimeo’s life changed forever after a devastating car crash at just 18 years old that left him with burns over 80% of his body. In 2020, he became the first person in the world to survive a face and double hand transplant — a true medical mi...
15. Kevin Mokuahi: Pedaling Through Parkinson’s
Kevin Mokuahi’s story is a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t about never falling — it’s about getting back up, again and again, with more heart, more humor, and more hope than ever before. As a Parkinson’s advocate, endurance cyclist, and...
14. Daniel E Kennedy: 10 Minutes 2 Live - Stories That Save Lives
Dr. Daniel E. Kennedy’s work is proof that storytelling can be a lifeline for people in their darkest moments. As a Doctor of Social Work, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, and award-winning filmmaker, Daniel has dedicated his career to ...
13. Gabe Estrada: From Humble Beginnings to a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Gabe Estrada’s story is proof that passion and perseverance can take you farther than you ever imagined. After immigrating from Mexico, Gabe built a life rooted in family, drive, and creativity. By day, he’s an attorney and business owner. By n...
12. Danny Lesslie: Stripped Down, Still Standing — Grief, Faith, & the Road Forward
After losing his wife to cancer, Danny Lesslie found himself in a season of unlayering—grief, job loss, financial hardship, and the weight of fatherhood all hitting at once. But instead of shutting down, Danny chose to move with meaning. In thi...
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11. Garrison Redd: No Limits — Paralympics, Powerlifting, Team USA Climbing & Finding Purpose
At just 17 years old, Garrison Redd’s life changed in an instant. But that moment didn’t stop him — it became the beginning of a new mission. Today, Garrison is a Paralympian, elite powerlifter, Team USA adaptive climber, motivational speaker, ...
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10. The First Three Months: Gratitude, Growth & What’s Next
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and to celebrate three months of The Sick Burn Podcast (Yee!), host Thomas Craig VIII takes the mic solo to reflect on the journey so far. From sharing stories of resilience and healing to laughing thro...
9. Rebecca Koltun: Life After the Fall
In March 2021, Rebecca Koltun’s life changed in an instant. A catastrophic skiing accident left her paralyzed from the neck down—but that’s not where her story ends. From hospital beds to speaking stages, Rebecca has become a living testament t...
8. Thomas Craig: Plane Crash Survivor In the Hot Seat with Cristina Craig
Aloha and welcome to The Sick Burn Podcast, where we explore the bright side of life’s darkest moments. Today’s episode flips the script as Cristina Craig takes over the mic to interview her husband—our very own host, Thomas Craig. From survivi...
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7. Marshall Hugh - Revolution Rooted In Love
Marshall Hugh isn’t just the frontman of the Marshall Law Band—he’s a movement. From uplifting protestors with music in Seattle’s CHOP zone to crafting a genre-blending hip-hop album that evolved into a Pulitzer-nominated project, Marshall’s st...
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6. John Pendleton: Spark of Hope - Surviving a Deadly Shock
In this powerful episode, we're honored to welcome John Pendleton, a burn survivor and beacon of resilience. Once a blue-collar worker who faced a life-threatening electrical accident, John now inspires others with his journey from harrowing ad...
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5. Julian Williams: Paddling through barriers - Surfing, Creativity, and Community
In this episode of the Sick Burn Podcast, we're thrilled to introduce Julian Williams, a Native Hawaiian pro surfer, creative spirit, and community volunteer who champions diversity in the surfing world. Julian's journey is a testament to resil...
4. Neil Karstetter: Soaring Above Setbacks - Comeback from a Deadly Crash
Today, we’re honored to welcome Neil Karstetter—a paragliding pilot, devoted husband, badass videographer, and inspiring survivor. Neil’s life took a dramatic turn following a catastrophic paragliding accident that nearly left him permanently d...
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3. Jenny Messing - The Recipe for Reinvention
Today, we’re delighted to have Jenny Messing with us—a culinary artist, deeply caring mother, loving wife, and an all-around badass. Jenny is the creative force behind @thelittlejemkitchen, known for its popular lunch pop-ups. This was a stark ...
