How Lauren Scruggs Kennedy Turned Trauma Into Purpose, Love & the LSK Foundation (Ep 35)

In this powerful and emotional episode, Liat and MJ sit down with Lauren Scruggs Kennedy — author, entrepreneur, advocate, and survivor of a traumatic plane–propeller accident that changed her life at 23.

Lauren shares her journey from fashion blogger to survivor, how she rebuilt her identity, the creation of her foundation helping amputee girls, finding love with Jason Kennedy, motherhood, healing, and the spiritual lessons that reshaped her purpose.

This episode is honest, vulnerable, deeply inspiring — and an unforgettable reminder of resilience, faith, and the power of turning pain into purpose.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00–02:00
Opening reflections — gratitude, empathy & presence

02:00–10:00
Who Lauren was before the accident — her twin, her upbringing, early identity

10:00–20:00
Fashion school, New York internships, Gossip Girl, and growing her blog in the early influencer era

20:00–35:00
The night of the accident — intuitive fear, the plane ride, blackout, and the aftermath

35:00–45:00
Hospital recovery, brain injury, surgeries, relearning daily life, emotional awakening

45:00–55:00
Identity, appearance, body image, and the shift from external validation

55:00–01:05:00
Creating the LSK Foundation + partnering with Bethany Hamilton to support limb-loss survivors

01:05:00–01:15:00
Meeting Jason Kennedy, falling in love, long-distance, insecurities, vulnerability

01:15:00–01:23:00
Marriage, motherhood, how trauma shows up now, talking to kids about her arm/eye

01:23:00–01:30:00
Purpose, empathy, resilience, and what she learned spiritually

01:30:00–end
Books, her podcast The Kennedys, and closing gratitude

The LSK Foundation (Lauren Scruggs Kennedy Foundation)
The LSK Foundation provides customized, high-quality prosthetic limbs and ongoing emotional support to girls and women who have suffered limb loss.

The foundation’s mission:
Restore confidence, restore independence, restore identity.

Website:
https://www.lskfoundation.com

How to Support:
Donate

Sponsor a recipient

Attend the annual retreat

Nominate someone in need

LAUREN’S BOOKS
Still LoLo
Lauren’s personal story of survival, faith, identity, trauma, and rebuilding life after her accident.
Available on Amazon.

Your Beautiful Heart
A 31-chapter book for teen girls about self-worth, inner beauty, confidence, and identity.



LAUREN’S PODCAST
The Kennedys Podcast
Hosted by Lauren & Jason Kennedy
Real conversations on marriage, mental health, parenting, identity, faith, and the messy, honest parts of life.

CONNECT WITH LAUREN SCRUGGS KENNEDY
Website: https://www.laurenscruggskennedy.com

Instagram: @laurenscruggs

Foundation IG: @lskfoundation

Podcast IG: @thekennedyspodcast

Hosts: Liat Gerszt & Mercedes “MJ” Javid
Production: Sylvirgale Productions
Drops: Every Wednesday — subscribe for weekly releases