In this Thanksgiving episode of the Stay Mentally Strong Podcast, founder Gina Oliverson sits down with her youngest daughter, Josie — a 10-year-old with a wisdom far beyond her years.
Josie was only eight when her dad, Sean, passed away. The two were inseparable — fishing buddies, Star Wars buddies, golf partners, wrestling in the living room, playing outside with their dog… they did everything together. Losing him so young changed her world forever. But Josie shares the one thing that's helped her keep going: gratitude. Long before her dad passed, Josie kept a gratitude journal. And even now, she writes down the good things in her life — big or small — and looks back on them when the world feels heavy. It's her way of staying connected to him and reminding herself that there is still light.
In this conversation, Josie talks about:
• What it's like to lose a parent at such a young age
• How she stays thankful even through grief
• The memories that mean the most to her
• Why gratitude helps her stay mentally strong
• How being outdoors, tumbling, and spending time with her dog bring her peace
This episode is gentle, raw, and incredibly inspiring — a reminder that gratitude is one of the strongest tools we have. On a holiday built around thankfulness, Josie invites us all to slow down, look around, and notice the good. Thank you for listening — and for helping us continue the mission to support men's mental strength and honor Sean's legacy.
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