A Journey of Resilience: Stephanie’s Story

This episode may contain content that may be triggering to some audiences.

It was produced from a Space on X Saturday February 8, 2025 at 8:00pm EST.

The featured guest is Stephanie, who is a survivor of a horrible car crash caused by a drunk driver. The discussion is hosted by Billy Dees and cohosted by Kristy Mickelsen. There are numerous speakers who contribute to the conversation and ask questions. 

A Journey of Resilience: Stephanie’s Story 

In a world where normal days can suddenly turn into life-altering events, Stephanie’s story resonates deeply. This EP, “How a Drunk Driver Changed Stephanie’s Life Forever” takes a hard look at the devastating impact one decision can have—not just on the victim, but on whole families.  

Imagine living your ordinary life, filled with routines—work, family, all the familiar joys—only to find that in a blink of an eye, everything changes. That’s the reality Stephanie faced after an accident caused by a repeat offender driving under the influence. In her own words, the experience shaped her understanding of trauma, pain, and ultimately, resilience.  

What’s in it for you? 

Empathy and Understanding: Gain insight into the emotional journey of crash survivors as Stephanie shares her battle with feelings of confusion after the accident.  

Real Talk about Accountability: Explore the discussion around forgiveness and whether it equals healing. You might find yourself questioning your own beliefs around these complex topics.  

Advocacy for Change: Learn about the consequences of impaired driving and how it affects not just the victims but also families and communities. 

Inspiration Beyond Trauma: Listen to how Stephanie transformed her pain into purpose, becoming an advocate for crash survivors and sharing her story with others. Her determination and courage may inspire you to find strength in your own challenges.  

Don’t miss an opportunity to hear a powerful narrative that will make you reflect, understand, and possibly motivate you to take action.  

Join us as we delve into Stephanie’s journey, the reality of living with chronic pain, and the ongoing quest for healing and purpose.  

Thank you for being a part of our community, and we look forward to sharing this important story with you.  

To find out more about MADD or contribute to the cause, please follow the link.

You can find Stephanie on X @bionicwomen1.

Wishing you strength and resilience,  
The Billy Dees Podcast Team

00:02 – Life before the crash 
08:18 – Facing the legal aftermath 
14:50 – Emotional struggles of recovery 
26:08 – Finding forgiveness and healing 
34:06 – Understanding PTSD and recovery 
41:03 – Hope and future aspirations 

Stephanie’s Story – How a Drunk Driver Changed Her Life Forever

In the latest episode of the Billy Dees Podcast, we bring you “Stephanie’s Story – How a Drunk Driver Changed Her Life Forever.” Join us in listening to Stephanie’s powerful account of surviving a devastating accident caused by a drunk driver.

Stephanie Ronan

Picture a warm night in North Carolina, September 29, 2018. Stephanie was on her way home when her life literally took an unexpected turn. Struggling to recall the events, she woke up in the ICU, only to learn that she had to be cut out of her vehicle by the jaws of life and airlifted to a trauma center. Her injuries were extensive, including broken ribs, femur, tibia, and neck.

Stephanie shares her journey of recovery, the emotional toll of understanding she was hit by a drunk driver, and her newfound mission to raise awareness and advocate for stricter DUI laws. Her inspiring resilience and dedication to making a difference will leave you moved and motivated.

Stephanie was lucky to survive the first night.

Join Billy Dees in this poignant episode as we dive into Stephanie’s story of trauma, healing, and advocacy. Tune in to gain insight, perspective, and perhaps a renewed sense of responsibility towards ending drunk driving.

Don’t miss out on this impactful episode. Together, let’s raise our voices and work towards a safer road for everyone.

Catch the episode on your favorite platform and follow us on X (Twitter) @BillyDees for more engaging content. Your support means the world to us.

This episode was produced in-studio Friday August 30th, 2024, during Labor Day Weekend. This weekend punctuates what is often referred to as the “100 Deadliest Days” for impaired drivers.

You can find Stephanie on TikTok therapywithstephanie1 and Instagram therapywith.stephanie

The Billy Dees Podcast is available on all major podcast platforms and apps.

For your convenience the full podcast interview is below on Spotify and the webcam version is available on Rumble.

Preview: