#206 - David Ferrugio

Content note: This episode includes candid discussion of suicide, child loss, and trauma. In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast Mason sits down with Janell Myrick to remember her son Anthony, a talented musician who died by suicide at just 16. Through stories of backyard saxophone concerts, jam sessions with friends, and a kid who never missed a chance to play, Janell shares who Anthony was—and why his life should never be defined by how he died. Together, Mason and Janell have an honest conversation about the guilt and unanswered questions that follow suicide loss, the fear of losing another child, and the heartbreak of watching younger siblings reach milestones their older brother never will. They also discuss counseling, the importance of talking openly about grief, and Janell's desire to see schools support grieving students without erasing the friends they've lost. Janell shares how her family is carrying Anthony's love of music forward through scholarships, instruments for young musicians, and a custom motorcycle fundraiser to support a local high school music program. It's a conversation about finding connection when you feel broken, making room for small moments of joy, and honoring a life by giving something back. In Anthony's words: "Just keep playing."  

Grief brings people together… like in this episode with Colin Campbell and Pieter Kort. Two men I admire and unfortunately two men who have a lot of brutal things in common. We have had them both on the podcast before.  Colin in episode: 91 June 12, 2019, Colin Campbell was driving with his wife Gail, 17-year-old daughter Ruby, and 14-year-old son Hart. They were hit by a drunk driver. Ruby and Hart were killed, Colin and Gail survived.  and Pieter in episode 177.  Pieter Kort from Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Pieter lost two of his daughters—Madeleine "Maddie" Kort (13) and Joni Kort (10)—in a March 2022 in a rear end collision with a 70,000-pound cement truck while on vacation in Florida. It was great having them on together ❤️

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason sits down with Aubrie Flynn to talk about losing her mother, Julie, to alcohol addiction at just 55. Together they revisit Julie's obituary and explore the two sides of a woman who lit up every room she entered. Julie hosted every pool party, welcomed every neighborhood kid, and squealed with joy at anyone's good news, all while quietly fighting an addiction no one talked about for years. Aubrie opens up about the guilt of feeling angry at her mom in her final days, the harrowing scenes at the hospital, and the impossible decision to remove life support. She also shares how grief became her superpower, teaching her to face hard things instead of hiding from them. It's a raw conversation about the complexity of the people we love, the weight of family secrets, and why talking about them changes everything.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast Mason sits down with his son Blue Sawyer and girlfriend Sami Leonard for a lighthearted change of pace. Instead of the usual heavy topics, theye trade questions from silly to philosophical—debating whether you'd rather fight a wolf or a horse, who wins between Batman and Santa Claus, and whether you'd burp bubbles or fart glitter. Blue weighs in on what makes a person good, why people get old, and what happens after we die. They wrap up with Halloween costumes, favorite movies, and a reminder that it's okay to be happy.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast Mason sits down with Michelle Rivera, a mother from Lowell, Massachusetts, who shares the story of losing her 16-year-old son Louis to appendicitis complications in 2009. She opens up about her journey through guilt, anger, and poor coping mechanisms, ultimately finding healing through faith and prayer. The conversation explores the difference between happiness and joy, the power of letting go, and how grief transforms into enduring love.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Maddi Sorenson, whose fiancé, Trent, died just six weeks into her pregnancy. He was found in his trailer with Metallica's "One" playing on repeat, and Maddie is still left with a question she may never be able to answer: was it an accident, or did he take his own life? Maddi shares what came after: being left out of Trent's obituary, being mocked at his funeral, and raising a daughter whose paternity his family has refused to acknowledge. It's an honest conversation about complicated grief, family rejection, living with unanswered questions, and learning how to find your own 90%.

In this episode of the 10 Ninety Podcast Mason sits down with Matt Smyth to share the heartbreaking story of losing his wife Carli and their unborn son Liam to a hidden condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension. Matt opens up about his journey from high school sweethearts to sudden widower, the loneliness of grief, and how he's choosing to live with purpose—honoring Carli through his podcast, charity runs, and a commitment to help others facing loss. A raw conversation about love, faith, and the resilience it takes to keep going when your whole world is on the other side.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast Mason sits down with David Ferrugio, host of the Dead Talks podcast. David was just twelve when his father was killed on 9/11 in the North Tower at Cantor Fitzgerald. They discuss the last memory shared with his dad—a Yankees game two days before—the unique weight of grieving a loss constantly replayed globally, and how watching 9/11 footage became an accidental form of exposure therapy. The conversation also covers David's journey into podcasting, his book, and his philosophy that grief and living aren't mutually exclusive.

In this episode of the 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason sits down with Jerry Glover, a grieving father who lost his 14-year-old son Dexton to what he believes was an accidental suicide. Jerry opens up about the guilt, anger, and overwhelming weight of losing a child, the difficulty of navigating family dynamics after tragedy, and why men need to break the silence around grief. He shares the story of the morning he got the call, the spiritual moment he felt his son's presence on a foggy mountain road, and what keeps him here for his other children. A raw, vulnerable conversation about love, forgiveness, and survival.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast Mason sits down with Chelsea Blackledge.  Chelsea opens up about the loss of her father, Arthur Francis Saunders, to suicide on January 14, 2024 — her birthday. Chelsea shares the story of their complicated relationship, the boundaries she set after a painful text, and the six years of silence that preceded his death. She speaks candidly about grief, guilt, the aftermath with family, and the unexpected ways healing shows up — through her husband, her daughters, and a growing commitment to suicide awareness. It's a raw conversation about love, distance, and the questions that never get answered.