They Tried to Bury Us: Finding Strength, Identity, and Healing Through Story

Some conversations stay with you long after the recording ends. This was one of them.

In this episode of The Alignment Show, I talk with Mia Godfrey—life coach, speaker, and author of Buried, Not Broken: A Memoir of Survival, Sisterhood, and Starting Over. Mia grew up in Romania during the communist regime, immigrated to the United States, and later walked through the devastating loss of her sister.

What began as a promise between two sisters eventually became a memoir about resilience, healing, and the courage to reclaim your voice.

We talk about grief, identity, and the surprising ways writing can help us process life’s hardest moments. Mia shares how her sister’s encouragement led her to write their story, even though she initially resisted the idea. Along the way, we explore how painful experiences can sometimes become the soil where new growth begins.

One of the ideas that struck me most was something Mia’s mother used to say:“They tried to bury us, but they didn’t know we were seeds.”

That image captures the spirit of this conversation perfectly.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your hardest chapters might someday become part of a meaningful story, I think you’ll find Mia’s journey worth hearing.

Resources Mentioned

* Buried, Not Broken: A Memoir of Survival, Sisterhood, and Starting Over by Mia Godfrey

* Creating While Caring by Donn King

* Toastmasters International

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