Season 8 of Girls with Grafts opens with a powerful and timely conversation following the recent Crans-Montana bar fire tragedy. In this special episode, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors CEO Amy Acton steps into the moderator’s seat, guiding a discussion that centers both the human impact of fire and the need for prevention.

Amy is joined by Lorraine Carli, Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy at National Fire Protection Association, along with Rob Feeney and Gina Russo, both survivors of The Station Nightclub Fire. Together, they reflect on the parallels between past and present tragedies, examine gaps in fire safety systems and accountability, and explore how complacency, policy decisions, and community action can mean the difference between life and loss. 💛

This episode goes beyond headlines—It’s a sobering but hopeful start to season 8, reminding us that prevention is possible, and that change begins when we choose to act. 🙏

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Lorraine Carli joined NFPA in 2006 and serves as Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy, overseeing media, public affairs, government affairs, advocacy, wildfire initiatives, and public education. She also leads NFPA’s U.S. and Canada regional operations and NFPA Journal®. Lorraine holds degrees from Northeastern University and the University of Massachusetts and serves in leadership roles with the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, the National Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation, the Electric Safety Foundation International, and The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.

Rob Feeney is a survivor of The Station Nightclub Fire and a dedicated fire safety advocate. He is a trained Phoenix SOAR Peer Supporter and Phoenix Advocate and received the Phoenix Society Advocacy Award in 2013 for his work on fire sprinkler legislation. Rob also serves as a firefighter and assistant fire prevention officer with the Onset Fire Department in Massachusetts and writes for the NFPA Fire Sprinkler Initiative.

Gina Russo is a survivor of The Station Nightclub Fire and a Phoenix SOAR Peer Supporter. After sustaining severe burns and losing her fiancé in the fire, she turned to storytelling and advocacy as part of her healing journey. Gina is the author of From the Ashes and is passionate about supporting new survivors as they navigate recovery and rebuild their lives.

• Learn more about NFPA’s “Safety Doesn’t Happen by Chance” campaign: https://www.dontchancesafety.org
• Read NFPA’s press release on the Switzerland bar fire: https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2026/01/02/new-years-day-fire-in-the-swiss-alps

Today’s podcast is powered by the National Fire Protection Association! NFPA is a nonprofit that seeks to save lives and reduce loss with information, knowledge, & passion. Learn more about fire safety and explore their educational resources by visiting www.nfpa.org.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

In the Season 7 finale of Girls with Grafts, Amber and Rachel sit down with physical therapist, burn survivor, and clinic owner Dr. Francisco Padilla for an inspiring full-circle conversation about healing, purpose, and the power of movement. 💛

Francisco begins by sharing the story of his accident and the long road through recovery, including the pivotal role physical therapy played in his healing. He opens up about the PT mentors who believed in him, encouraged him to return to school, and ultimately inspired him to earn his Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

The conversation then turns to his journey from patient to practitioner. Francisco reflects on opening his own practice, the importance of building strong, trusting relationships with clients, and what he’s learned about supporting people through some of the hardest chapters of their lives. 💪 He also offers practical tips for survivors who feel stuck in their healing journey and breaks down different PT strategies and modalities that can support mobility, confidence, and long-term recovery.

This episode wraps our season with a powerful reminder: healing isn’t linear, but with persistence, guidance, and community, transformation is possible! 🎉

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Francisco Padilla, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, is the owner of Padilla Physical Therapy and Fitness Incorporated in Wasco, California. In 2012, Francisco survived a severe car accident that left him with burns covering 80% of his body, necessitating 30 surgeries and a 10-and-a-half-month hospitalization. His extensive recovery journey inspired him to return to school, ultimately leading to his career as a physical therapist. Francisco is dedicated to helping others regain full function and is passionate about educating people on the benefits of health and wellness.

👉Follow Francisco on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franciscopadillapt/?hl=en

👉Follow Francisco’s Practice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/padillaphysicaltherapy/?hl=en

👉Visit Padilla Physical Therapy and Fitness Incorporated’s website: https://padillaphysicaltherapy.com/

Today’s podcast is powered by the supporters who empower Phoenix World Burn Congress and Phoenix Society’s work all year long. Organizations like the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation, the Akron Children’s Adult and Pediatric Burn Institute and the Bakersfield Firefighters Burn Foundation play a vital role by helping survivors and families attend Phoenix WBC through travel and financial assistance. Their generosity ensures that more people can experience the connection, support, and community that help us all rise together.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Amber and Rachel are joined by 19-year-old burn survivor and aspiring author and speaker, Lovely Bruce. Lovely shares her burn story, her experience growing up as a survivor, and the moments that taught her resilience, faith, and the courage to embrace her scars. 💪

Together, we explore how Lovely found confidence in her identity, the power of speaking with purpose, and why she’s passionate about helping others find strength in their own stories. 🫶 Lovely also reflects on her first-ever Phoenix World Burn Congress—what it meant to feel truly seen and supported by community, and why connection is such an essential part of healing.

This is a conversation filled with wisdom, heart, and the powerful voice of a young survivor determined to make an impact!

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Lovely Bruce is a nineteen-year-old Alabama native and a student at Alabama State University. She dreams of becoming a book writer, motivational speaker, and social media influencer. At the age of six, she survived a backyard fire that resulted in third-degree burns covering forty percent of her body. That life-changing experience shaped who she is today, teaching her resilience, faith, and the power of speaking with purpose.

As a burn survivor, Lovely is passionate about advocating for the burn community, spreading awareness, and helping others embrace their true selves. She loves encouraging people to find strength in their stories and to see their scars—whether physical or emotional—as reflections of endurance and hope.

👉Learn more about Phoenix World Burn Congress: https://www.phoenix-society.org/phoenix-wbc

👉Follow Lovely on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burntbae/?hl=en

👉Follow Lovely on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atlantis.love.16

Today’s podcast is powered by Johnson Controls! Johnson Controls is a global leader in fire safety and suppression technologies, helping to save lives and protect people around the world. Learn more about Johnson Controls by visiting their website: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.