Living Louder
Living Louder

Living Louder

Portia Louder

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Episodes

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Portia spent four and a half years of her life in federal prison and her life was transformed. This is an account of kindness, faith and enduring friendships discovered in federal prison. Her story is told with the passion and insight of one who lived it. Portia opens our eyes and hearts to the real challenges and struggles that people in prison face.

Recent Episodes

Jail Saved my Life. An Advocate, Destiny Garcia
DEC 19, 2025
Jail Saved my Life. An Advocate, Destiny Garcia
https://www.cleanslateutah.org/In this powerful episode of the Living Louder podcast, host Portia Louder sits down with Destiny Garcia, an inspiring advocate, community leader, and mother who has overcome incredible odds. From a childhood marked by violence, abuse, and trauma, Destiny shares her deeply personal story of addiction, homelessness, and the journey to recovery. She candidly discusses her experiences with abusive relationships, her struggles with opiate and meth addiction, and her time spent cycling in and out of jail. Despite these hardships, Destiny’s resilience and determination led her to find hope, purpose, and a new life through advocacy, education, and community support.Destiny recounts the pivotal moments that transformed her life, including her participation in Operation Rio Grande, her efforts to seek treatment, and her eventual role as the executive director of Clean Slate Utah — a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals clear their criminal records and rebuild their lives. She emphasizes the importance of sharing her story openly and loudly, not only to heal herself but to inspire others who feel trapped in the cycle of addiction, violence, or incarceration. Her journey from homelessness and addiction to working with local government and advocating for systemic change exemplifies the power of second chances.Throughout this episode, Destiny talks about the importance of mental health, the impact of trauma, and the significance of community support and belief. She highlights how her life changed when people in her community, including the mayor of Salt Lake City, believed in her and gave her opportunities she never thought possible. Destiny’s story underscores that everyone deserves a chance at redemption and that honest, open conversations about addiction and recovery can foster understanding and change.Join us as Destiny Garcia shares her heartfelt story, her advocacy work, and her hopes for the future. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for inspiration to overcome your own struggles, this episode offers hope, encouragement, and a reminder that transformation is possible — no matter how deep the wounds.Tune in to be inspired by Destiny’s resilience and learn how community, faith, and perseverance can help turn pain into purpose.#LivingLouder #RecoveryJourney #TraumaHealing #SecondChances #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #Inspiration #EndTheStigma #WomenInRecovery #CommunitySupport
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47 MIN
Can Prison be Charming? Mistakes and Miracles.
DEC 12, 2025
Can Prison be Charming? Mistakes and Miracles.
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Living Louder, hosts Portia Louder, Oaks Hendershot, and Michael Moyle dive deep into their personal journeys of faith, resilience, and transformation. From navigating the challenges of growing up in Utah to serving missions abroad, and from life in prison to finding divine purpose, these incredible young men share authentic stories that will uplift and motivate you to see God's hand in every aspect of life.Discover how Oaks's childhood in India and Utah shaped his perspective on service and compassion, and learn about Michael’s profound experiences with love, forgiveness, and understanding the Savior’s atonement. They openly discuss spiritual experiences, overcoming mental health struggles, and the importance of listening to the Spirit in everyday decisions—especially during life’s most difficult moments. This episode also explores the power of friendship, the significance of belonging, and how divine guidance can lead us through life's trials and mistakes. Whether you're seeking encouragement, spiritual insights, or just a reminder that you're never alone, this conversation will leave you feeling inspired to live louder and love deeper.Join us as we talk about divine miracles, the importance of service, the role of the Holy Ghost, and the incredible ways God’s love manifests in our lives—sometimes in the most unexpected ways. Don’t miss this uplifting episode filled with real stories, honest reflections, and powerful lessons on faith and perseverance.Tune in and be reminded that no matter your circumstances, you are loved, guided, and capable of overcoming anything through Christ.#LivingLouder #FaithJourney #DivineGuidance #MiraclesHappen #SpiritualExperiences #OvercomingTrials #MissionLife #MentalHealthAwareness #JesusChrist #InspiredLiving #DivineLove #PersonalGrowth #FaithOverFear #GodsPlan #AuthenticStories
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72 MIN
The Wilcox Family Shares: When your Daughter Goes to Prison
DEC 5, 2025
The Wilcox Family Shares: When your Daughter Goes to Prison
Welcome to the Living Louder podcast, where we dive deep into inspiring stories of resilience, love, service, and personal growth. In this episode, we are joined by the incredible Wilcox family—parents, grandparents, and grandchildren—who share candid, heartfelt conversations about their life's journey. From overcoming childhood traumas to navigating the challenges of Vietnam war, prison, loss, and family struggles, this episode is a testament to the power of perseverance and unconditional love.Meet Cliff Wilcox, a Vietnam veteran who survived intense conflict, two Purple Hearts, and a series of health challenges including kidney failure and strokes. Cliff’s story is one of courage, determination, and transformation. Despite a tumultuous youth filled with risks and adventures, he turned his life around, embodying resilience and the spirit of a survivor. His reflections on his military service, the importance of choosing to be the best soldier he could be, and the value of having mentors who helped him through dark times serve as powerful lessons for all.Portia’s mother, Chris, shares her story of motherhood, loss, and unwavering faith. Her childhood was filled with unique experiences, growing up in a free-spirited, no-rules environment that fostered creativity and independence. She recounts her journey of raising seven children in the country, providing them with a childhood full of adventures, outdoor fun, and life lessons. Her compassionate heart shines through as she discusses her love for children, her service to neighbors and community, and how her faith has helped her weather life's storms, including the heartbreaking loss of a child and her own struggles with addiction and healing.Portia herself offers a powerful perspective on transformation, redemption, and the importance of working on oneself to influence positive change in others. She shares her personal journey of overcoming incarceration, battling addiction, and finding strength through faith and family. Her story underscores that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself and that hope and love can lead to profound healing.Together, this family embodies the true meaning of living louder—embracing life’s challenges with compassion, humor, and resilience. Their stories are a source of inspiration for anyone facing difficult circumstances, reminding us that no matter how tough life gets, love, service, and perseverance can guide us toward a brighter future.Join us for this heartfelt, real, and uplifting conversation that will inspire you to reflect on your own life, appreciate the legacy of your family, and find strength in your personal journey. Whether you're interested in family stories, overcoming adversity, or simply looking for meaningful inspiration, this episode of Living Louder is sure to resonate deeply.Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review if these stories touch your heart. Let’s celebrate the power of family, resilience, and living louder than ever before!#LivingLouder #FamilyStories #Resilience #Inspiration #OvercomingHardship #VietnamVeteran #FamilyLegacy #PersonalGrowth #Hope #Healing #FamilyJourney #Motivation #FaithInAction
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63 MIN
Resilience in the Face of Adversity: A Mother’s Story of Love and Forgiveness
NOV 28, 2025
Resilience in the Face of Adversity: A Mother’s Story of Love and Forgiveness
Episode Title: From Chaos to Clarity: A Mother’s Journey Through Addiction, Prison, and RedemptionDescription:In this heartfelt and honest episode of the Living Louder podcast, Portia and her daughter Shelby share their powerful story of resilience, love, and transformation. This episode takes you on a deep journey through a family’s struggles with addiction, the chaos of growing up in an unpredictable environment, and the path to healing and forgiveness.Portia opens up about her tumultuous past, including her battles with addiction, her time in prison, and the profound lessons she learned through her experiences. She describes how her addiction began at a young age, how she navigated the legal system, and the traumatic experiences she faced during incarceration, including illegal treatment and the emotional toll it took. Despite these hardships, she emphasizes the importance of faith, accountability, and the power of God's grace in her recovery journey.Shelby offers her perspective as her mother’s daughter, recounting her upbringing in a home filled with love but marked by a lack of structure. She shares how her childhood was filled with adventure, independence, and moments of chaos, but also how she developed a desire for stability and structure as she grew older. Shelby reflects on her own struggles with addiction avoidance, her admiration for her mother’s strength, and her feelings about her father’s love and adoption process.Throughout the conversation, they discuss the impact of Portia’s incarceration on their family, how it changed their views of justice and compassion, and the importance of facing the truth. They also talk about the significance of boundaries, accountability, and forgiveness in fostering healing within their family.This episode is a raw, emotional, and inspiring story of overcoming adversity, embracing vulnerability, and finding hope in the midst of hardship. Whether you're facing your own challenges or seeking insight into family dynamics, this conversation offers valuable lessons on love, resilience, and personal growth.Join us as we explore these candid moments, and discover how love and faith can transform even the darkest experiences into opportunities for growth and redemption.Tune in for a powerful story of hope, healing, and the strength of family.Hashtags:#FamilyHealing #Resilience #AddictionRecovery #Forgiveness #PersonalGrowth #FaithJourney #MotherDaughter #RedemptionStory #MentalHealthAwareness #HealingJourney #LivingLouderPodcast
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24 MIN
Overcoming Hardship: Chad & Portia Share Their Journey of Faith and Forgiveness
NOV 21, 2025
Overcoming Hardship: Chad & Portia Share Their Journey of Faith and Forgiveness
Welcome to a deeply honest and inspiring episode of the Living Louder podcast! Today, Chad and his spouse open up about their incredible journey through life's most difficult trials, sharing insights, struggles, and lessons learned along the way. From the chaos of addiction, the pain of legal battles, and the weight of incarceration, to rebuilding a marriage rooted in faith, forgiveness, and resilience — their story is a powerful reminder that no matter how hard life gets, we can find hope, purpose, and transformation.In this episode, you’ll hear firsthand how Chad’s perspective on personal accountability and focusing on the “end game” helped them weather some of their darkest days. They talk about the importance of owning your part in any relationship or challenge, and how living by principles has been a guiding force through adversity. Their honest conversation covers the importance of emotional discipline, the power of forgiveness, and the strength it takes to choose love over anger—even when everything feels overwhelming.They reflect on the early days of their marriage, the different worlds they came from, and how they navigated the adjustments and sacrifices necessary to build a life together. You’ll learn about the role of faith, prayer, and intentionality in healing wounds and fostering growth. Their story highlights that true change is possible at any stage of life, and that vulnerability and honesty are essential tools for personal and relational transformation.This episode isn’t just about overcoming individual struggles — it’s about the power of community, support, and seeing the good in others, regardless of their past. They emphasize the importance of humanizing people who have made mistakes and the need for society to cheer on those who are working hard to rebuild their lives. From their experiences, they offer practical advice for couples facing challenges, as well as encouragement for anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed.Whether you're battling your own hardships, seeking to strengthen your marriage, or simply looking for authentic stories of redemption and hope, this episode will inspire you to live louder and embrace the principles that lead to lasting happiness and growth. Their journey is a testament to the fact that no matter what life throws at you, you can choose to come back stronger, more compassionate, and more committed to your values.Don’t forget to subscribe for more real conversations, heartfelt stories, and actionable tools to live your best life. Together, let’s build a community that uplifts, encourages, and inspires us all to live louder with purpose!#MarriageJourney #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #FaithAndForgiveness #PersonalGrowth #LivingLouder #RelationshipGoals #Resilience #MentalHealthAwareness #Inspiration #LifeTransformation #MarriageStrength #Healing #Accountability #HopeInAdversity
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42 MIN