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Welcome, friend. I’m Portia Booker, storyteller, producer, and host of Groove with Portia. Groove with Portia is a storytelling podcast centered on one powerful question: how did you find your...
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Welcome, friend. I’m Portia Booker, storyteller, producer, and host of Groove with Portia.
Groove with Portia is a storytelling podcast centered on one powerful question: how did you find your groove through adversity?
If you’re here, chances are you’ve experienced grief. The loss of a loved one, a dream, or the version of yourself you once knew. Maybe you pivoted from corporate life into entrepreneurship, or maybe everything you worked for was suddenly stripped away.
Every Thursday, I sit down with everyday people, leaders, creatives, and visionaries who share how they turned pain into purpose, obstacles into opportunities, and grief into growth. These conversations are honest, soulful, and healing.
Groove with Portia is recognized as a top 10 percent global podcast, reflecting a growing community that believes in the power of storytelling to guide, teach, and restore.
If you’re navigating loss, faith, mental wellness, or a major life transition, you’re in the right place. Welcome to the groove.
show less
Groove with Portia is a storytelling podcast centered on one powerful question: how did you find your groove through adversity?
If you’re here, chances are you’ve experienced grief. The loss of a loved one, a dream, or the version of yourself you once knew. Maybe you pivoted from corporate life into entrepreneurship, or maybe everything you worked for was suddenly stripped away.
Every Thursday, I sit down with everyday people, leaders, creatives, and visionaries who share how they turned pain into purpose, obstacles into opportunities, and grief into growth. These conversations are honest, soulful, and healing.
Groove with Portia is recognized as a top 10 percent global podcast, reflecting a growing community that believes in the power of storytelling to guide, teach, and restore.
If you’re navigating loss, faith, mental wellness, or a major life transition, you’re in the right place. Welcome to the groove.
Episodes & Posts
Episodes
Posts
Transcribed
15 JAN 2026 · Chronic pain affects millions of people, yet many are told their tests are normal and their symptoms cannot be explained.
On this episode of Groove with Portia, I sit down with Dr. David Clarke, president of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms, to explore what happens when pain is generated by the brain rather than structural injury.
Dr. Clarke shares his personal and professional journey into neuroplastic medicine, including the moment that changed his career when he discovered that a patient’s severe gastrointestinal symptoms were rooted in unresolved trauma. We talk about how stress, anxiety, depression, and adverse childhood experiences can manifest as very real physical pain, even when scans and lab work appear normal.
We explore how neuroplastic symptoms show up in the body, why so many patients feel dismissed or misunderstood, and how validating someone’s experience is often the first step toward healing. Dr. Clarke explains his framework for identifying neuroplastic pain, the importance of looking beyond symptoms, and how emotional patterns can quietly drive chronic illness.
This episode also dives into groundbreaking research on neuroplastic recovery therapy, including long term studies showing significant and lasting pain reduction. We discuss why this work is gaining attention from healthcare systems, insurers, and medical schools, and why hope matters for people who have been told they must simply live with pain.
If you are navigating chronic pain, unexplained illness, grief stored in the body, or the emotional weight of not being believed, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and a new lens for understanding healing.
Connect with Dr. Clarke: https://www.symptomatic.me/
Transcribed
8 JAN 2026 · In this deeply nourishing episode of Groove with Portia, I sit down with the amazing Cornelia—a personal energy strategist and the creator of The Abundance Journal. Cornelia’s journey from electrical engineer to quantum thinker opened a portal to her own healing and now she’s here to share how her tools can help us all tune into the frequency of abundance.
We explore the powerful connection between gratitude and grief, how journaling can rewire our thoughts, and the importance of allowing ourselves to receive—especially when we’ve been conditioned to give. Cornelia breaks down the concept of personal frequency and how honoring our emotional states can help us shift our inner vibration.
As we discuss her new book and upcoming projects around feminine energy, Cornelia reveals the quiet but revolutionary strength in pausing, reflecting, and being present. She offers a 30-minute complimentary energy strategy session to help others reconnect with themselves, their intentions, and their deeper purpose. We also talk about how living in alignment with your feminine energy is not just soft—but powerful.
This episode is for anyone navigating grief, burnout, or seeking a softer, more supportive way to thrive.
Connect with Cornelia: https://www.corneliakawann.com/
Transcribed
30 DEC 2025 · On this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Becca Pierce, former CEO of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange and author of a powerful new book centered on self-worth, identity, and life after loss.
Becca opens up about two defining moments that changed everything. The first was a very public career loss that left her grieving the identity she had spent years building. The second came fourteen months later when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor and forced to slow down in ways she never had before. Together, these experiences led Becca into a deep season of grief, anger, faith questioning, and ultimately transformation.
We talk honestly about what it means to grieve versions of ourselves that no longer exist, including the loss of professional identity, physical ability, and certainty about the future. Becca shares how recovery challenged her belief that success equals achievement, especially when healing plateaued and progress felt invisible. She reflects on anger as a messenger, grief as a teacher, and optimism as a choice that had to be practiced daily.
This conversation also explores faith, silence, and the courage to listen when life is asking us to change. Becca shares how community support after surgery reshaped her understanding of success, why setting boundaries became essential, and how choosing time with her daughter over career validation redefined her priorities.
We discuss self worth beyond productivity, grief integration, emotional resilience, and the truth that love does not need to be earned. Becca also shares the story behind her book and her mission to help others release the lie that achievement determines value.
If you are navigating grief, identity loss, burnout, or a life transition that forced you to pause, this episode will meet you right where you are.
To learn more about Becca, her book, and her speaking and coaching work, visit morebeccapierce.com.
Transcribed
18 DEC 2025 · Welcome back to Groove with Portia. In this powerful episode, I open up about a recent moment with a medium who reminded me that living authentically is the real path to healing. That message laid the perfect foundation for my conversation with Sarah Barnes-Humphrey—a globally recognized podcaster, community builder, and author of I Buried Her in a French Press.
Sarah joins me to talk about what it truly means to hit rock bottom and still rise with grace. She shares her journey from losing her job in a family business to launching Let’s Talk Supply Chain, building a 14-person team, and finding her purpose after grief. We discuss her grandmother’s passing, the symbolic meaning behind her memoir title, and how she used her voice to find healing in unexpected places.
We also explore how gratitude, identity, and letting go of perfection can help us rebuild. Sarah and I talk about the weight women carry—especially in leadership and male-dominated industries—and why reclaiming your power begins with self-awareness.
Whether you’re grieving a loved one, leaving a job, or just trying to rediscover your identity, this episode is your permission to evolve, to show up as you are, and to embrace progress over perfection.
Connect with Sarah: https://sarahbarneshumphrey.com/
Transcribed
11 DEC 2025 · This week on Groove with Portia, I open with a story close to my heart — a moment when unexpected jewelry reminded me of my uncle’s powerful words: “Let go. Let God.” It brought me back to gratitude, to presence, and to the divine ways signs show up in our lives when we need them most.
Then I sit down with Rachel Samani, founder of The Honest Jeweler, a woman who took her deepest personal struggles and turned them into soulful reminders of resilience. Rachel shares how her unique spinner rings helped her transform her inner critic into an inner coach, and how grief—especially walking through her daughter's loss of a best friend—became a bridge to deeper empathy, strength, and love.
Rachel’s brand isn’t just about jewelry. It’s about wearing your healing and remembering your power every time you look at your hand. From being present for her 14-year-old daughter in the depths of sadness, to learning that silence and holding space are often the most powerful responses—we talk about it all. We also touch on perfectionism, identity, leadership, and how grief reshapes your worldview.
She shares the inspiration behind her Naomi Ring, the process of engraving pieces on-site, and how every product she creates carries a story of overcoming. Whether you’re navigating loss, trying to build something meaningful, or learning to hear your inner voice again—this episode is your reminder that grief leaves us with gifts, too.
Connect with Rachel: https://thehonestjewelershop.com/
Transcribed
9 DEC 2025 · On this episode of Groove with Portia, I had the honor of speaking with Gladys DeClouet—executive powerhouse, author of A Layered Life, and a woman who truly knows what it means to lead during life’s darkest storms.
As I reflected on the wisdom passed down from my great-grandmother—whose birthday month I share—Gladys and I explored how our most personal pain can fuel our greatest purpose. Gladys opened up about a time when her world was crumbling: filing for divorce, her husband being diagnosed with colon cancer, and running a $2 billion business—all at once.
We talked about how so many Black women are conditioned to believe we have to “do it all,” and what it really means to let go, delegate, and trust others. Gladys shared the power of building strong, committed teams and why leadership is really about helping others grow—not doing everything yourself.
We also explored the intersection of grief and leadership, how AI is reshaping the workplace, and the mindset shift required to release control and embrace change. Gladys reminded me—and all of us—that delegation isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.
You can learn more about Gladys and her book A Layered Life at GladysDeClouet.com.
Transcribed
4 DEC 2025 · In this episode of Groove with Portia, I sit down with Arik Housley, father of Alaina Marie Housley, one of the victims of the 2018 Borderline shooting. Arik opens his heart and shares how he’s navigating life after unimaginable loss through his bestselling book Always November: Lessons in Loss, Love, and Resilience. We reflect on the bittersweet nature of holidays, memories that live on in the smallest gestures, and what it means to turn a day of tragedy into a movement of gratitude and grace.
We explore the tenderness of father-daughter connection, the last moments they shared, and how Alaina’s light continues to shine through stories, signs, and service. Arik shares how he and his wife Hannah leaned into each other through grief, emphasizing presence, communication, and the decision to focus not on gun control—but on healing, love, and ending hate. If you've ever lost someone suddenly or felt your way through public pain, this episode will remind you that love always leaves a trail, and you don’t have to walk grief alone.
Connect with Arik: https://arikhousley.com/
Transcribed
25 NOV 2025 · In this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Claire M. Schwartz—grief and trauma healing expert, author of Putting Out the Fire, and Reiki master—to explore grief beyond death.
We talk about the heartbreak of grieving relationships that never existed the way we hoped. Claire opens up about losing her mother in her mid-20s, the emotional weight of estrangement, and how she turned pain into purpose.
Together, we talk about the generational ripple effects of trauma, the power of setting boundaries, and why sometimes healing means choosing distance. Claire also offers insights into creating grief-inclusive workspaces and shares resources for those navigating complex losses.
If you’ve ever struggled with the grief of “what could’ve been,” this episode is for you.
Connect with Claire: https://www.youcanhealyourgrief.com/
Transcribed
20 NOV 2025 · In this episode of Groove with Portia, I’m joined by Rachel Corbett—CEO and co-founder of SupportGroups.com—for a deeply human conversation about tech, trauma, and emotional transformation. We explore the intersection of AI and empathy in mental health services, and how technology can expand—not replace—the reach of support and community.
Rachel opens up about her personal journey through mental health and addiction, the power of peer support, and why she created an AI avatar to bridge the gap between access and human care. From challenges in the behavioral health industry to solutions for burnout and compassion fatigue, this episode offers inspiration for mental health professionals and anyone seeking healing.
We also discuss the evolving landscape of mental health tools—from text-based crisis lines to virtual group therapy—and the courage it takes to show up for yourself and others.
If you’re navigating grief, burnout, or craving more connection in your healing journey, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.
Connect with Rachel: supportgroups.com
Transcribed
13 NOV 2025 · Welcome back to Groove with Portia.
This episode holds a mirror to something many of us experience in silence—what it means to rediscover joy while living with grief. I open up about finding old footage of myself anchoring the news and how that moment unlocked a portal to joy I had tucked away. My guest, Hélène Caniac—a certified professional coach and former fraud investigator—joins me to share her own transformation after losing her mother and leaving a structured career.
We talk about navigating identity shifts, honoring grief through curiosity, and embracing sustainable pleasure without shame. Hélène invites us to challenge the belief that healing means “moving on” and instead shows us how to move through with grace.
We also dive into love languages, childlike wonder, and why community is crucial when walking through grief. Whether you're navigating the holidays after a loss or seeking a deeper sense of alignment in your life, this conversation will leave you inspired to reclaim joy and reconnect with the parts of you still waiting to dance.
Connect with Hélène: https://www.instagram.com/helenecanhelp/
Welcome, friend. I’m Portia Booker, storyteller, producer, and host of Groove with Portia. Groove with Portia is a storytelling podcast centered on one powerful question: how did you find your...
show more
Welcome, friend. I’m Portia Booker, storyteller, producer, and host of Groove with Portia.
Groove with Portia is a storytelling podcast centered on one powerful question: how did you find your groove through adversity?
If you’re here, chances are you’ve experienced grief. The loss of a loved one, a dream, or the version of yourself you once knew. Maybe you pivoted from corporate life into entrepreneurship, or maybe everything you worked for was suddenly stripped away.
Every Thursday, I sit down with everyday people, leaders, creatives, and visionaries who share how they turned pain into purpose, obstacles into opportunities, and grief into growth. These conversations are honest, soulful, and healing.
Groove with Portia is recognized as a top 10 percent global podcast, reflecting a growing community that believes in the power of storytelling to guide, teach, and restore.
If you’re navigating loss, faith, mental wellness, or a major life transition, you’re in the right place. Welcome to the groove.
show less
Groove with Portia is a storytelling podcast centered on one powerful question: how did you find your groove through adversity?
If you’re here, chances are you’ve experienced grief. The loss of a loved one, a dream, or the version of yourself you once knew. Maybe you pivoted from corporate life into entrepreneurship, or maybe everything you worked for was suddenly stripped away.
Every Thursday, I sit down with everyday people, leaders, creatives, and visionaries who share how they turned pain into purpose, obstacles into opportunities, and grief into growth. These conversations are honest, soulful, and healing.
Groove with Portia is recognized as a top 10 percent global podcast, reflecting a growing community that believes in the power of storytelling to guide, teach, and restore.
If you’re navigating loss, faith, mental wellness, or a major life transition, you’re in the right place. Welcome to the groove.
Information
| Author | Portia The Producer |
| Organization | Portia Booker |
| Categories | Health & Fitness , Society & Culture , Religion & Spirituality |
| Website | - |
| portiatheproducer@gmail.com |
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