Hope Comes to Visit
Hope Comes to Visit is a soulful podcast that holds space for real stories, honest conversations, and the kind of moments that remind us we’re never alone.
Hosted by author, speaker, and former TV journalist-turned-storyteller Danielle Elliott Smith, the show explores the full spectrum of the human experience — from the tender to the triumphant. Through powerful interviews and reflective storytelling, each episode offers light, connection, and presence for anyone navigating the in-between.
Whether you’re grieving, growing, beginning again, or simply craving something real, Hope Comes to Visit will meet you right where you are — with warmth, grace, and the quiet belief that even in the dark, transformation can take root.
New episodes drop every Monday, so you can begin your week with a little light, reflection, and hope.
Episodes
59 episodes
S2 EP 15 When Love Has Four Legs: Grief, Connection, and Hope - A Conversation with Jean Alfieri (Ep 58)
There’s something about the love of a dog that feels both simple and profound. It grounds us, meets us where we are, and reminds us—often in the quietest ways—what connection really looks like.In this episode of Hope Comes to Visit
S2 EP 14 Choosing Yourself: Deborah Santana on Identity, Freedom, and Loving the Fire (Ep 57)
There are moments in life when choosing yourself can be one of the most courageous things you can do.In this deeply moving episode of Hope Comes to Visit, I was privileged to sit down with Deborah Santana—author, activist, and v...
S2 EP13 Laughing Through the Hard: Kelly MacFarland on Grief, Humor, and Being Fully Alive (Ep 56)
The people who make us laugh the hardest often carry the deepest stories.In this episode of Hope Comes to Visit, Danielle sits down with comedian and storyteller Kelly MacFarland for a conversation that moves seamlessly between ...
S2 EP 12 She Said Spirit Is Real… And Then Proved It - A Conversation with Medium Barbra Banner (Ep 55)
What if the signs you’ve been noticing… aren’t coincidence?In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Hope Comes to Visit, I am joined by Barbra Banner—a no-nonsense psychic, evidential medium, and transmedium known for del...
S2 EP 11 What Gives Me Hope About the Next Generation | A Conversation with Sydney Moore (Ep 54)
One of the most beautiful forms of hope arrives in shape of young people destined to make their mark on the world in a powerful way. This conversation shares just that form of hope.This week on Hope Comes to Visit, I sat down wi...
S2 EP 10 Different, Not Broken: Disability, Dignity, and the Power of Seeing People Fully with Dr. Stuart D. Jones (Ep 53)
There are stories that don’t just move us — they change the way we see the world.In this episode of Hope Comes to Visit, I was grateful to sit down with educator, speaker, and author Dr. Stuart D. Jones to explore a deepl...
S2 EP 9 Kelly Karavousanos on Grief, Support, and What It Means to Sit in the Dark With Someone (Ep 52)
Sometimes hope doesn’t arrive loudly.Sometimes it shows up in the quiet presence of someone willing to sit beside us in our hardest moments.This week on Hope Comes to Visit, I’m joined by Kelly Karavousanos — licensed...
S2 EP 8 It Only Takes One Yes: Julie Whitney on Reinvention, Resilience and Second Acts (Ep 51)
Some stories remind you that it’s not too late. Not for the dream you tucked away. Not for the creative spark you thought you missed. Not for the reinvention you quietly crave.In this episode I’m joined by Julie Whitney — a self-e...
S2 EP 7 Ann Imig on Rewiring Your Brain for Hope, Burnout Recovery & Mental Fitness (Ep 50)
What if hope isn’t a feeling… but a skill?This week on Hope Comes to Visit, I’m joined by my longtime friend Ann Imig — MSW, certified coach, and founder of the storytelling phenomenon Listen to Your Mother. Fifteen yea...
S2 EP 6 Learning to Love What You Don’t Like | Oneika Mays on Mindfulness, Rikers Island & Radical Loving Kindness (Ep 49)
What if you don’t have to like someone to love them?In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, I was honored to sit down down with mindfulness coach, yoga teacher, and master storyteller Oneika Mays to explore what it means ...
S2 EP5 Pancakes for Roger: Love, Service, and the Lessons Our Parents Leave Us — with Susan L. Combs (Ep 48)
Season 2, Episode 5A Missouri girl in a New York world on founding Combs & Company, honoring her father’s legacy, and why hope is the only thing greater than fear.This week I’m joined by Susan L. Combs—presiden...
S2 EP4 Laugh, Cry, Cuss, Evolve: Practical Hope for Divorce with Jessica Ashley (Ep 47)
This week on Hope Comes to Visit, I’m joined by my long-time friend Jessica Ashley—the Divorce Coach for Moms (CDC Certified Divorce Coach®), award-winning writer, and pink-haired powerhouse helping women move through divorce wi...
S2 EP3 When Love Stay: Showing Up for your Partner Without Losing Yourself with Tina Hamby (Ep 46)
Season 2, Episode 3What does it look like to love someone through addiction—without losing yourself? My dear friend Tina Hamby shares the messy middle of her marriage: the years her husband Adam was drinking, the boundaries that kept her...
S2 Ep2 From Marriage to Team: Our Co-Parenting Playbook with my ex-Husband Jeff Smith (Ep 45)
When the marriage ends but the season isn’t over, what does it look like to stay on the same team? In this candid conversation, I sit down with my ex-husband (and friend) Jeff Smith to share the co-parenting playbook that’s worked for us...
Season 2 Ep 1- Light, Audacity, and Showing Up- My Word (and Work) for 2026 (Ep 44)
This year, my word of the year is Audacity—not the loud kind, the tender kind that says: I’m still here, and I’m going to live like it.If you are here right now and/or planning to press play today, thank...
When the Paint Chips: Finding Light After Unthinkable Loss with Theo Boyd - Episode 43
Content note: This episode includes candid discussion of traumatic loss, suicide, and grief.In this final Hope Comes to Visit episode of 2025, I sit down with award-winning Texas author, grief educator, and podcaster Theo Boyd....
From Guilt to Guidance: How to Talk About Senior Care with Shona McIntyre - Episode 42
Content note: This episode includes candid conversation about aging, dementia, and caregiver stress.What’s the right time to talk about senior care—and how do you even begin? In this episode of Hope Comes to Visit, I sit ...
Kleptomania, Consequences, And Hope: A Conversation with Kelli Bauer - Episode 41
This episode includes honest discussion of addiction and legal consequences.What does recovery look like when the compulsion won’t let go? In this conversation, I am privileged to sit with Kelli Bauer, who lives with klep...
A Life Bigger Than Grief: Melissa Hull on Grace, Forgiveness and Choosing Joy - Episode 40
Gentle note: we talk honestly about grief and child loss—please listen with care and kindness for yourself.What does healing look like when the unthinkable happens? In this episode, I’m sitting with Melissa Hu...
Start Anyway: K.T. Jay on Grief, Courage, Indie Publishing, and Imagination - Episode 39
Gentle heads-up: mentions of grief and loss.If you’re new—welcome, I am so grateful you are here. If you’re back again for hope to visit—welcome home. In this episode, I'm delighted to be chatting with K.T. Jay—t...
Ep 38 Hustle, Heart, Hot Dogs & Hope: Danni Eickenhorst on Feeding a City
I love conversations that make you want to show up for people. This is one of them.Today’s guest is Danni Eickenhorst, the heartbeat behind Hustle Hospitality and some of St. Louis’ most beloved spots:
EP 37 Hope, Hustle & Tiny Tags: Melissa Clayton on Building a Beloved Brand & Hitting Dream Milestones (Like Making Oprah's Favorite Things!)
If you’re new—welcome. If you’re back—welcome home. Today I’m sitting down with my friend Melissa Clayton, founder & CEO of Tiny Tags—the personalized jewelry brand born at a kitchen table and now beloved by moms, worn by Megh...
EP 36 From Panic to Peace: Everyday Practices for Anxious Hearts with Amanda Willson
If you’re new here—welcome. If you’re back—welcome home. Today I’m sitting with my dear friend of 12+ years, Amanda Willson, a life coach and anxiety expert who has walked this road and now teaches the rest of us how to find steadier gro...
The Night Laughter Saved My Life: Ron Blake on PTSD, Community, & 522 Boards of Hope - Episode 35
A gentle heads-up: In this conversation, we name some hard things — including suicide and sexual assault. If that’s tender for you today, please listen with care, skip ahead,...
When “Try Again” Isn’t Enough: Sam Bonizzi on Missed Miscarriages, IVF & Finding Community - Episode 34
Hope isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the light that keeps you moving when fear won’t leave. In this tender, no-fluff conversation, I sit with Sam Bonizzi, co-author of The Losses We Keep, as she shares how two misse...
