Beyond The Storm with Salena

08/10/2026

Bobby was incredibly open about his journey through addiction, the impact it had on the people who loved him, and what it took to eventually build a life with purpose on the other side.

Watch the full episode on YouTube. Beyond The Storm with Salena. https://youtu.be/U8hgmV9oRi8?is=yZ__MVXqQpMFW6BL

08/10/2026

I had the opportunity to sit down with Bobby Cross for an incredibly honest conversation about addiction, the places it took him, the people who loved him through it, and the life he has built on the other side.

Bobby did not shy away from the hard parts of his story, and I am incredibly grateful to him for being willing to have this conversation so openly.

There is something powerful about hearing someone tell the whole story, not just where they ended up, but what it took to get there.

Thank you, Bobby, for trusting me with your story and for being willing to share it with all of us.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube, Beyond the Storm with Salena. Click the links https://youtu.be/U8hgmV9oRi8?is=GoEjPAmv-lxKWxRl

08/02/2026

Sometimes people don't lie because they're trying to deceive you. Sometimes they lie because they're terrified of what you'll think if they tell you the truth. Shame has a way of making people hide the very thing they need help with the most

06/30/2026

Every person struggling with addiction has a story that started long before the drugs.

In this week's episode of Beyond the Storm, I sit down with Bri Cross, whose life was shaped by experiences no child should ever have to endure. From growing up around organized crime through her father's connections, to being exposed to violence, trauma, and adult situations far beyond her years, Bri shares how those early experiences influenced the path her life would take.

This conversation isn't about making excuses. It's about understanding how childhood trauma, exposure, and survival can set the stage for addiction and, ultimately, recovery.
If you've ever wondered what happens when a child grows up in a world they were never meant to see, Bri's story is one you won't forget.

🎙️ Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel. Click the link in my bio to hear Bri's entire story.

What happens when chaos is the only life you've ever known?In thi...

06/11/2026

It was an honor to sit down with Jennifer. Her childhood was shaped by addiction, mental illness, trauma, and loss. Those experiences, including her relationship with her stepbrother Steven, helped shape the compassionate social worker she is today.

In this powerful conversation, Jennifer shares how lived experience influences the way she responds to people in crisis while serving alongside a local police department, proving that some of life's hardest lessons can become our greatest purpose.

Watch the full episode on YouTube:https://youtu.be/gncczhaihhE?is=I7-1F3M2rPYLxRrX

In this profound conversation, Jennifer opens up about growing up i...

05/04/2026

Alan’s episode is a straight shot of grit, honesty, and proof that pain can be turned into purpose.
It was an honor to sit down with Alan and listen to his journey.

To watch the entire episode:
https://youtu.be/-qPhRCItxUs?si=9C-5nxL8edjGl5MG

03/16/2026

This season we also sit down with Desmond, whose story reminds us just how quickly life can change.

One day he was a young man heading to work like any other day. The next, his life was forever altered when an accident left him paralyzed.

I met Desmond shortly after his injury, at a time when everything in his world had been turned upside down. Since then, I have had the privilege of watching his journey unfold. The strength it takes to rebuild a life you never asked for. The determination to keep moving forward when the path looks nothing like the one you planned.

His story is not about what was lost. It is about resilience, courage, and learning how to live again.

And it is an honor to share that story with all of you this season on Beyond the Storm.

https://youtu.be/nHkegA-0Ny8?si=m9PonK05BiwzgA_0

03/16/2026

One of the most special moments in this new season was having Nina come sit down with us and give an update on her life.
Many of you remember Nina and the chapter of life she walked through with Steven.

Those years were complicated, painful, and deeply human for everyone involved. But life keeps moving forward, and growth is possible even after the hardest chapters.

Hearing her story, where she is now, and the strength it took to rebuild was powerful. Sometimes the people who walked through the storm with us have their own healing journey to tell.

And I’m grateful she trusted us enough to share it.
Season 2 is already bringing some incredibly real conversations.

https://youtu.be/JGOVP_cbryc?si=P1rEwm06QfOqhBJF

03/16/2026

Season 2 of Beyond the Storm has officially launched.

This podcast was never meant to be just another show. It was born out of loss, out of love, and out of the reality that families walking through addiction and recovery often feel like they are navigating a storm alone.

Season 2 goes deeper.
More real conversations.
More stories of survival.
More voices from people who have lived it.

Addiction, grief, recovery, resilience, and the families standing in the middle of it all.
If you have ever loved someone in addiction, fought for someone's recovery, or tried to rebuild after loss, this space was created for you.

The storm is real.
But so is the strength that comes after it.

🎙️ Season 2 of Beyond the Storm is now live.

https://youtube.com/?si=v9_H2XXN4Iq9n-3r