Episode 192: Laugh, Cry, Heal with Erica Campbell

On this episode of The Corelink Solution, host James Rosseau Sr. aka Trig sat down with the powerhouse Erica Campbell—six-time Grammy Award–winning gospel artist, radio host, author, first lady, and one-half of the legendary duo Mary Mary. While many know her for her music and voice on Get Up, Mornings with Erica Campbell, this conversation revealed a deeper side of Erica—her heart for healing and her mission to create spaces where women can laugh, cry, and heal together. https://youtu.be/JQ731SkNUDc

Stepping Into New Territory

Despite her many accolades, Erica admitted something surprising: she still gets nervous before stepping into new assignments. Whether it’s hosting Laugh, Cry, Heal, acting in a film, or taking on an unfamiliar project, she finds herself asking, Am I equipped for this? Can I handle it? That vulnerability keeps her grounded and reminds her to rely fully on God.

“New territory means unknown,” she explained. “It means I don’t have my normal comforts. When we ask God to enlarge our territory, we have to be ready to step into the unfamiliar and let Him show up.”

Why “Laugh, Cry, Heal” Was Born

Erica created Laugh, Cry, Heal out of a personal realization: women need more than surface encouragement. Growing up, she was proud of not being overly emotional—“I’m not an emotional chick like that,” she recalled. But she later realized that true healing required space for both laughter and tears.

“Laughter is beautiful, but it can’t cover brokenness. You need healing first to laugh fully,” she shared. The event was designed as a safe space where women could be real about their struggles, release hidden pain, and walk away with tools to grow. Last year’s debut was a success, with packed rooms and women traveling from across the country. For Erica, it confirmed the need: “If I needed this, other women needed it too.”

Building a Team with Heart

While putting on an event of this scale is no small feat—booking venues, selling tickets, managing partners—Erica emphasized that her team is built not on flashy names but on genuine heart. “I don’t need super influencers with millions of followers. I need people with passion and purpose who care about women,” she said.

This authenticity shows in her speaker lineup. For the Birmingham stop, she brought together thought leaders like Dr. Love McPherson, Dr. Sarita Lyons, and Love McPherson to deliver not just sweet encouragement but also the hard truths that help women confront pain, apologize, and release burdens. “It’s not about my brand,” Erica said. “It’s about creating a space for healing.”

Honest Healing in the Room

One of the most powerful aspects of Laugh, Cry, Heal is the honesty it cultivates. Erica grew up in a culture where pain was often brushed aside with, “Just pray about it.” But she believes healing requires digging deeper—acknowledging trauma, facing the choices that hurt us, and recognizing God’s presence even in the pain.

In the room, that looks like safe conversations, vulnerable Q&A sessions, and even putting phones away so women can share freely. “We’re not hiding the pain,” she told Trig. “We’re meeting it with laughter, with truth, and with healing.”

A Movement Beyond the Stage

This year, Laugh, Cry, Heal is hitting Birmingham (October 3–4), Phoenix (October 24–25), and Chicago (October 31–November 1). Each stop offers a mix of speakers, worship, and real conversation designed to leave women equipped with practical tools for life. Beyond these events, Erica and her sister Tina will also bring a special Laugh, Cry, Heal: Sister Edition to the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage, celebrating 25 years of Mary Mary.

For Erica, this isn’t about building fame or promoting a brand. “I’m already good,” she said plainly. “This is about helping people heal.”

Final Thoughts

What makes Erica Campbell’s vision so impactful is its honesty. She isn’t afraid to admit her nerves, her past cynicism, or her ongoing need for healing. And in doing so, she creates space for others to do the same. Laugh, Cry, Heal is more than an event—it’s a movement of women finding freedom in faith, laughter, and truth.

As Trig put it, “This is preventative care for your soul.”

For tickets and more information, visit loveerica.com/laughcryheal

Holy Culture Radio is operated by The Corelink Solution, a non-profit organization that aims to create a safe space for healing, foster unity in our communities and empower the next generation of creatives and leaders through spreading the gospel.

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – Intro: Who is Erica Campbell? 06:40 – Erica opens up about nervousness before new opportunities 08:15 – The birth of Laugh, Cry, Heal 09:45 – Lessons from the first year of the event 11:35 – Building a team with heart over brand 13:15 – The speaker lineup and why honesty matters 17:15 – “We’re not hiding the pain”—what healing looks like in practice 19:00 – Creating safe spaces: Q&A and VIP experiences 20:30 – Expanding Laugh, Cry, Heal to multiple cities and the Tom Joyner cruise 21:45 – Preventative care for your soul 22:35 – Erica on cynicism, hope, and healing 23:30 – Letting go of pain and trusting God’s plan 24:45 – Closing thoughts and how to get tickets