Veronica Sterling shares insights on supporting friends through grief, emphasizing the importance of connection, presence, and empathy, set against the backdrop of her trip to Death Valley National Park.

Keywords

grief support, emotional connection, friendship, empathy, mental health, personal growth

Key topics

Steps to support a grieving friend

The importance of listening and following the lead

The role of being a witness in healing

Common pitfalls like saying 'at least'

Practical actions to show support

Takeaways

Start before you're ready to connect.

Follow the griever's lead and listen.

Be a witness to their pain without trying to fix.

Avoid minimizing phrases like 'at least.'

Actions speak louder than words—offer practical help.

Sound bites

"Avoid phrases like 'at least'—they dismiss pain."

"Apologize if you misspoke or feel you took a misstep."

"When unsure, make the connection through actions."

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Death Valley's Unique Landscape

06:14 Supporting a Grieving Friend: Practical Steps

09:00 MASTER OUTRO.mp4

Resources

www.veronicasterling.com

In this heartfelt interview, Christopher Littrell shares his personal journey through grief, recovery, and the power of human connection. He discusses how courage, faith, and community have helped him navigate life's peaks and valleys, offering insights for those facing their own challenges.

GUEST

Christopher Littrell is a retired law enforcement officer with almost 20 years of experience serving in the Pacific Northwest, including time on a regional SWAT team. He is also a U.S. Air Force veteran, where he served in Security Forces, building a foundation in leadership, discipline, and service.

Throughout his career, Chris specialized in critical incident response, investigations, and officer wellness, gaining firsthand experience in high-stress environments that shaped his approach to leadership and resilience.

Today, Chris is the founder of Gravity Consulting and Training, where he equips leaders and organizations with practical tools in leadership development, emotional intelligence, communication, and wellness. He is also the host of the Gravity Podcast and the author of Echoes from the Street: A Police Officer’s Journey Through Trauma, Recovery, and Redemption, where he shares powerful lessons from his career and personal journey of growth.

KEYWORDS

grief, recovery, human connection, courage, faith, mental health, resilience, loss, healing, life lessons

KEY TOPICS

The importance of human connection in healing

The role of faith in coping with grief

Courage as a contagious force

Navigating peaks and valleys of life

The impact of community support during trauma

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Importance of Human Connection

06:00 Courage and Its Contagious Nature

11:25 Navigating Grief and Joy

17:22 The Journey of Change and Surrender

23:21 Supporting Grievers: The Role of Friends

29:07 Navigating Grief and Community Support

37:39 The Importance of Presence in Grief

41:07 Faith and the Struggle with Loss

45:55 Finding Strength in Endurance Sports

52:28 The Power of Apology and Connection

RESOURCES

Christopher Littrell, MBA | LinkedIn

Chris Littrell Facebook

Echoes from The Street Book on Amazon

Gravity – Captivating audiences

Veronica shares her journey of traveling through national parks in her vintage Airstream, exploring themes of pursuing dreams, embracing change, and the power of connection.

keywords

Travel, Dreams, Change, Connection, Inspiration, National Parks, Airstream, Personal Growth

key topics

Pursuit of dreams and personal growth

The role of disruption and change in life

The importance of connection and starting before you're ready

guest name

sound bites

"This desert is a wild wilderness."

"Believe your dream is worth the leap."

"There is so much more to explore."

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Mojave National Preserve

05:56 Navigating Life's Changes and Dreams

06:40 MASTER OUTRO.mp4

resources

National Park Service - https://www.nps.gov/

Veronica Sterling's Website - https://veronicasterling.com

We realize a need for change, but how do we get started? How do we tackle self-doubt? In this conversation, Matt shares his story as he navigates growth through sobriety, wellness pursuits, and building a business that fulfills a purpose.

Matt McManus was born and raised in Cincinnati. He went away briefly to attend Mississippi State University and majored in marketing.  After he graduated, he worked as a golf professional for 4 years before turning to the financial services industry.  Eventually he helped co-found and is currently one of the partners at Triplecrown Wealth Management.  His focus is on working with first responders and delivering actionable financial advice viewed from a lens of wellness.  He lives on the west side of the city with his wife Sarah and their 4 kids. 

Matthew McManus RICP Friend to 1st Responders | LinkedIn

Triplecrown Wealth Management

Veronica's Interview on Pension Protectors Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pension-protectors-s3e10-life-lessons-from-hospice/id1731409954?i=1000754833552

• Matt’s story of addiction and recovery
• The relationship between mental, physical, and financial wellness
• Techniques for overcoming self-doubt and cravings
• The importance of setting clear goals with a "start ugly" mindset
• Building resilience through faith, purpose, and community

Veronica shares her reflections on hope, disruption, and the journey of healing during her travels through New Mexico. She explores how hope acts as a guiding lantern in difficult times and offers practical ways to activate hope in our lives.

Keywords

hope, healing, disruption, personal growth, motivation, mental health, journey, inspiration

Key topics

The role of hope in navigating disruption

Practical ways to activate hope

The paradox of pain and hope in healing

guest name

Sound bites

"Hope is like holding up a lantern in the dark"

"Hope is a decision to activate"

"I am moving forward anyway"

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Bandelier National Monument

10:12 MASTER OUTRO.mp4

10:40 Valles Cauldera Forest Hike_ Birds_Wind_Footsteps 05.19.26.mp3

Resources

Bandelier National Monument - https://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm

Los Alamos National Laboratory Museum - https://www.lanl.gov/about/visiting/index.php

Valles Caldera National Preserve - https://www.vallescaldera.gov/

I am talking to Amy Scalia. She is a Cincinnati-based entrepreneur, founder of Local Creator Studio, and co-founder of PS Never Give Up. She’s built her work around storytelling - not just as a creative tool, but to help people feel seen, connected, and less alone in the messy middle of their experiences.

In this conversation, Amy shares what it feels like to live through heartache without losing hope – and she shows us how hope can help build our life into something bigger than we ever expected.

KEYWORDS

storytelling, entrepreneurship, fertility, chronic illness, hope, community, vulnerability, personal growth

KEY TOPICS

• Amy's journey from media to entrepreneurship
• The importance of vulnerability and sharing the messy middle
• How hope sustains us through challenges
• The intersection of chronic illness and fertility
• Building community and support through storytelling

SOUND BITES

"Always choose hope because until it's over, it's not over."

"I didn't think I could be this much of a family person."

"Finding purpose through pain helps you move forward."

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Birth of a Podcast Dream

02:01 Amy's Journey into Media and Entrepreneurship

04:30 The Power of Storytelling in the Digital Age

07:03 Embracing the Messy Middle

09:04 Navigating Fertility Challenges

16:34 Choosing Hope in Difficult Times

19:31 Self-Care and Expanding Capacity

33:01 Embracing Health and Longevity

36:01 The Journey of Motherhood

42:00 Finding Purpose Through Pain

RESOURCES

Amy's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amy_scalia/

Local Creator Studio - https://localcreatorstudio.com/

PS Never Give Up Foundation - https://psnevergiveup.org/

Vega, Texas I-40 West bound to our next destination. We’ve been driving for two full days and have covered over 1100 miles. I’m sharing my reflections from my travel diary on uncertainty, exploring how it influences our perceptions of safety, control, and growth. I hope you feel encouraged to reconsider the role uncertainty plays in our life and embrace it as a landscape of possibility and curiosity.

KEY TOPICS

The nature of uncertainty and how our brains react to it

The illusion of control and its impact on our lives

Turning uncertainty into a landscape of possibility

The role of curiosity in personal growth

Practical ways to embrace uncertainty in daily life

KEYWORDS

uncertainty, growth, curiosity, travel, life lessons, control, predictability, adventure, mindset, resilience

TAKEAWAYS

Uncertainty is the space between what we know and what we cannot see.

Our brains are wired to predict and protect, but life is rarely predictable.

Control is an illusion we cling to for safety.

Embracing uncertainty can open up new possibilities and growth.

Curiosity is a powerful tool for navigating the unknown.

SOUND BITES

"Will this risk become regret?"

"Control is an illusion we cling to."

"Let curiosity be your guide in the unknown."

RESOURCES

www.veronicasterling.com

IG: @veronicasterlingspeaks

FB: https://www.facebook.com/VeronicaSterlingSpeaks

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicasterlingspeaks/

Today I am talking to Kenny Schroeder. He has 30 years in fire service and is currently a Lieutenant with the Fort Mitchell, Kentucky Fire Department. Kenny is also a dedicated advocate for first responder wellness and peer support, working to make sure others have access to resources and don’t have to face their hardest moments alone.

In this conversation, Kenny shares what happened after he stepped away from the career that had shaped so much of his identity – and how that transition and the stress form the job led him into a deeply personal struggle with his mental health.

He speaks candidly about what it means to reach a breaking point and the courage it takes to keep going and choose a different path forward.

This is a meaningful conversation. I learned so much from Kenny. I’m really glad you’re here for it.

Kenny Schroeder | LinkedIn

First Responder Health and Wellness Services | KYFRPST

Tri-State First Responder Peer Support Team - Home

SAVE A WARRIOR™ – We Came Back For You

Details about adding stellate ganglion block (SGB) to standard trauma treatment:

Who Doesn’t Want to Feel Better Faster? - JAMES LYNCH, MD

KEYWORDS

firefighter mental health, trauma recovery, Save a Warrior, peer support, resilience, mental wellness, first responder culture

KEY TOPICS

Kenny's journey into firefighting and mental health

The impact of trauma and burnout on first responders

The role of Save a Warrior in recovery

Importance of vulnerability and peer support

Strategies for ongoing mental wellness and resilience

SOUND BITES

"It's okay to not be okay."

"We can just be ourselves."

"You're not alone."

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Firefighting Dreams

05:13 The Journey to Becoming a Firefighter

08:01 Retirement and Identity Crisis

10:42 Struggles with Mental Health

13:36 Seeking Help and Finding Resources

16:51 The Impact of Save a Warrior Program

19:29 Transformation and Personal Growth

22:47 Present and Future Aspirations

29:58 Transformative Journeys: From Brokenness to Healing

37:31 Daily Practices: Building a New Life

45:40 Resources and Support: Finding Help

50:51 The Human Experience: Embracing Vulnerability

In this trailer episode of Compass Stories, host Veronica Sterling introduces the heart behind the podcast and the journey ahead. A former hospice CEO, keynote speaker, and traveler, Veronica shares why stories matter and what it means to navigate disruption with purpose, courage, and connection.

You’ll hear what to expect from upcoming episodes, including meaningful guest conversations and personal reflections recorded during a cross-country Airstream journey. If you are navigating change, searching for direction, or longing for more meaningful conversations about life, growth, and resilience, this podcast is for you.