In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Brandon Crozier about losing his father in a car crash at age 12 and how that trauma led him into addiction, gang involvement, and over a decade in prison. Brandon shares his journey through grief, the realities of incarceration, and the turning point that led to his sobriety. Now several years clean, he’s building homes, mentoring others in recovery, and using his story to help people find purpose after pain.
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43:08
#135 - Garrett George Part 2: Service Became My Survival
In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Garrett George about the loss of his best friend Chad, and how that tragedy led him into years of addiction. Garrett shares his experience surviving abuse, the shame that kept him silent, and the moment he finally chose to speak out. They discuss the weight of grief, the grip of drug dependency, and the power of forgiveness. Garrett reflects on how service, faith, and connection have helped him heal. His story is a raw look at resilience—and what it means to keep getting up when life knocks you down.
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53:48
#134 - Nikita Schio
In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Nikita Schio about the sudden loss of her brother Dylan, who died from an aggressive cancer at just 26. Nikita shares what it was like to watch his body shut down in real time, the helplessness she felt navigating hospitals, and the guilt that hit her after he passed. She opens up about her battles with anxiety, the hard work of going to therapy, and how volunteering in Dylan’s name helps her stay connected to him. This is a raw conversation about sibling loss, showing up for family, and trying to make sense of life after everything changes.
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1:28:48
#133 - Russ McKell
In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Russ McKell about the loss of his brother Steve McKell. Russ shares how he’s learned to cope by celebrating life instead of fixating on death anniversaries. He also opens up about working with at-risk youth, and how that work shapes his views on grief, emotional intelligence, and healing. They talk about the power of living in the moment, using music and art as therapy, and close out with a shared love for Metallica—and how music can carry us through hard times.
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1:39:28
#132 - Taylor Potter
In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Taylor Potter about the tragic loss of her sister, Katelyn Self, and sister-in-law, Amanda Self, after her father, battling severe depression and anxiety, deliberately drove his car into a restaurant where their family was dining. Taylor shares how she and her family have faced the aftermath—coping with grief, navigating forgiveness, and leaning on faith. She opens up about maintaining a relationship with her father, who is now in prison, and how she continues to work through survivor’s guilt while finding the strength to move forward each day.
Mason Sawyer, originally from West Jordan, Utah, is a devoted father and advocate for resilience. He enjoyed a successful basketball career, highlighted by achievements such as Utah All-State, winning a State Championship, and playing college ball at Utah Tech, formerly known as Dixie State.
Mason married his high school sweetheart, Kortni Atkinson, whose warm spirit and commitment to family made her the heart of their home. An incredible mother and dedicated nurse, Kortni worked as a home and hospice caregiver in her final months, always trying to comfort others.
Together, they raised three children: Riggins, who mirrored his mother’s positivity and had a knack for making friends wherever he went. His infectious enthusiasm and heartfelt approach to life meant that he lived fully in each moment, often claiming that each day was either the best or worst of his life. Franki, their adventurous daughter, was just two years old but packed her short life with joy and excitement. Known for her powerful scream and the adorable wrinkle in her nose when she smiled, she brought boundless energy and laughter to their family.
Tragically, on July 25, 2021, Mason’s life changed forever when he lost Kortni, Riggins, and Franki in a devastating car accident. He also lost his older brother, Race, and his nephew, Rider. Race was an amazing father, husband, and role model to Mason, while Rider was a talented actor and performer with a remarkable sense of empathy for his age.
Now focused on raising his surviving son, Blue, Mason draws strength from the 10/90 Principle, emphasizing that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond. He shares his journey and message of resilience through his podcast, The10ninety, and as a public speaker, inspiring others to find hope and purpose in adversity.
Mason’s story is one of love and perseverance, honoring the beautiful legacy of Kortni, Riggins, Franki, Race, and Rider as he builds a life filled with meaning and positivity.
USA