Thank You, God, for One More Day: Claudine Contois on Family, Grit, Faith, and a Life Fully Lived | Conversations with a Chiropractor

Some conversations stop being content and become something closer to a keepsake. This is one of those.

In this episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier sits down with Claudine Contois for a conversation that moves through nearly nine decades of memory, family, hardship, humor, survival, and love. Since this interview was recorded, Claudine has passed away. Her presence is felt deeply throughout this episode, and for those who would like to read more about her life, her obituary can be found here: https://www.fassbenderswansonhansen.com/obituaries/Claudine-Ann-Contois?obId=47520137#/obituaryInfo

What makes this episode special is how fully Claudine shows up as herself. She talks about growing up in Kingsford between Italian and Swedish family roots, her deep bond with her younger brother, and the people who shaped her early life. She shares what it meant to raise four boys, leave an abusive marriage to protect them, build a second marriage that lasted more than 50 years, and create a life full of horses, snowmobiles, camping trips, card games, and unforgettable family stories.

She also speaks with unusual honesty about the final chapter of her life. After a sudden leukemia diagnosis, Claudine talks openly about fear, faith, readiness, family care, and her one simple wish, not to go alone. Even in the heaviest moments, she remains unmistakably herself: practical, funny, blunt, loving, and grateful for one more day.

This is a conversation about caregiving, resilience, marriage, mortality, and the memories that outlast everything else. It is also, now, a remembrance of a woman whose strength, humor, and warmth are all over every minute of it.

In This Episode, Discover

• Claudine's childhood in Iron Mountain and Kingsford, shaped by Italian and Swedish roots

• Her close relationship with her brother and the family stories that stayed with her

• How she left an abusive marriage and rebuilt life with four boys

• Meeting her second husband through dancing, and building a marriage that lasted decades

• Her adventurous life as a mother, from horses and camping to snowmobiles and lake memories

• Caregiving for her parents and husband, and what those years taught her

• Her sudden leukemia diagnosis and the honesty with which she faced it

• Why memory, family presence, faith, and gratitude became the center of her final season

Stay Connected & Explore

Follow Conversations with a Chiropractor on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro

Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness

Email for show-related inquiries and sponsorships: [email protected]

In Memory of Claudine Contois

Read Claudine's obituary here: https://www.fassbenderswansonhansen.com/obituaries/Claudine-Ann-Contois?obId=47520137#/obituaryInfo

Credits

Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing [email protected].

Chapters

00:00 Before we begin, a note about Claudine 00:39 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor 01:18 Meet Claudine and her early family roots 03:45 Her brother, childhood memories, and family closeness 05:25 Leukemia diagnosis and being told time was short 06:20 Raising four boys and living full-out with them 09:20 Fear, seizures, and not wanting to be alone 10:00 Leaving an abusive marriage to protect her children 12:00 Meeting her second husband through dancing 14:00 Marriage advice, communication, and caregiving strain 18:10 Horseback trips, camping stories, and Whitefish Falls 21:00 Raccoons, pigs, and Claudine's farm toughness 25:00 The sudden turn in her health and the ER visit 27:20 Faith, readiness, and gratitude for one more day 28:15 Caring for her parents at the end of their lives 30:10 Cribbage, late nights, and family routines 33:00 Walkers, wheelchairs, and learning to be cared for 39:00 Nicknames, ancestry, and family identity 42:00 Wine, farm life, and old family traditions 45:00 The fun she brought to other people's lives 49:00 Facing the ending, and what comes next 50:45 Closing condolence for Claudine and her family

My Heart Smiles: Diana Oman on Energy Healing, Lake Superior Roots, and the Power of Forgiveness | Conversations with a Chiropractor Episode Description

In this thoughtful and quietly powerful episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier talks with Diana Oman, a longtime healer, teacher, and author whose life has moved through more than one unexpected chapter.

Diana begins at Little Girls Point, near the Wisconsin border on the far western edge of Michigan's UP, where she grew up in a family that ran cabins, rented handmade wooden boats, sold agates, and fished Lake Superior. That childhood, shaped by water, weather, hard work, and isolation, gave her a deep relationship with nature and a sense that life held more mystery than most people were willing to name.

From there, the story widens. Diana shares the family lore around her grandfather, a "blood stopper" from Nordic tradition, and how that thread eventually reappeared in her own life through energy work, spiritual healing, and years of study with teachers across several traditions. What started as a professional detour into patient advocacy slowly turned into a full-body immersion in alternative healing, forgiveness work, and the idea that unresolved emotional pain has a way of surfacing in the body.

One of the most moving parts of the conversation centers on ho'oponopono, the Hawaiian forgiveness practice Diana learned during several trips to Hawaii. She and Stephanie talk about how humility, apology, and emotional clearing are not "extras" in healing, they are often the missing piece. And from there, the episode naturally turns to Diana's book, My Heart Smiles, an uplifting ABC-style affirmation book for all ages that grew out of a bedtime practice inspired by Abraham Hicks and went on to find readers far beyond the UP. The book was published in 2014, is 64 pages long, and was illustrated by Colleen O'Hara.

What makes this conversation land is that it never feels abstract for long. Diana's healing philosophy is rooted in real life: forgiveness, reflection, emotional honesty, daily practices, and remembering that even ten quiet minutes can begin to change the state of your mind, body, and spirit.

🎧 In This Episode, Discover

• What it was like growing up at Little Girls Point, with Lake Superior as both playground and teacher

• The story of Diana's grandfather and the Nordic "blood stopper" healing tradition

• How a sabbatical from teaching turned into a whole new life path in patient advocacy and holistic healing

• Diana's early experiences with energy work and the healer Rosalyn Bruyere

• Why forgiveness is central to Hawaiian healing traditions, and how ho'oponopono still shapes Diana's life today

• The common thread Diana sees in many healing modalities: unresolved emotional energy eventually shows up physically

• How My Heart Smiles was born from an alphabet gratitude practice and grew into a self-published book with a life of its own

• Why the book resonates with both children and adults, and how it can help people reconnect with joy, memory, and self-worth

Stay Connected & Explore

Learn More About Diana & Her Work:

• My Heart Smiles blog / author page: https://myheartsmilesblog.wordpress.com/author/dianaomanmyheartsmiles/

• My Heart Smiles bibliographic listing (Google Books): https://books.google.com/books/about/My_Heart_Smiles.html?id=lT7SnQEACAAJ

Related Projects Mentioned in the Episode:

• Yooper Wisdom documentary on Tubi (Wolf Vision Docs, Episode 1): https://tubitv.com/tv-shows/200094098/s01-e01-yooper-wisdom

• Wolf Vision Docs series page on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/series/300010940/wolf-vision-docs

• Yooper Wisdom podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yooper-wisdom/id1678546405

Connect with Conversations with a Chiropractor:

• Follow Us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro

• Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness

• Email for Show-Related Inquiries and Sponsorships: [email protected]

Credits: Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing [email protected].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor 00:41 Meet Diana Oman and Little Girls Point 02:10 Growing up on Lake Superior: cabins, boats, agates, and family business 06:20 Family roots and the mystery of Diana's grandfather the "blood stopper" 11:00 From teaching and coaching to patient advocacy 16:05 Discovering holistic healing and studying with Rosalyn Bruyere 19:15 Energy healing, spirit guides, and what "healing" actually means 23:00 Hawaii, kahunas, and learning ho'oponopono 30:00 Emotional pain, physical symptoms, and the body's deeper priorities 33:15 The accidental birth of My Heart Smiles 39:10 Hawaii, dolphins, and the "L is for Loving" story 42:30 Writing your own alphabet story and using memory as healing 45:00 Why people are starving for reflection, not just nervous system hacks 51:00 Yooper Wisdom, healing sessions, and what Diana wants people to remember 59:00 "Stay curious" and the plot twist perspective on life

Laser vs Red Light Therapy: What's Real, What's Marketing, and What Actually Works | Conversations with a Chiropractor Episode Description

In this solo episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier tackles a question she's hearing everywhere right now: "Are those at-home red light masks basically the same as laser?" A casual moment at the eye doctor turns into a clear breakdown of what's happening in the marketplace, where marketing claims are loud and the science is usually missing.

Stephanie explains the core difference in plain language. Most at-home "red light" devices are LED, meaning the light is non-coherent and scatters like a flashlight. A low-level laser is coherent, tightly focused, and built to deliver targeted energy with low beam divergence. That distinction matters because it impacts depth, precision, and what the device can realistically accomplish.

From there, she walks through laser classes, safety, and why not all lasers are the same. She also shares why she trusts Erchonia's approach, their research-backed model, and how different wavelengths (red, green, violet) have different biological effects. The big takeaway is simple: not everything that glows red is "laser," and not every claim deserves your money.

She also highlights an important caution: even "gentle" photobiomodulation tools can be contraindicated for active cancer, because the same energy that supports cellular activity can be a problem in the wrong context.

If you've been flooded with social media promises about the "fountain of youth" in a $75 mask, this episode will help you shop smarter, ask better questions, and understand what you're actually buying.

🎧 In This Episode, Discover

• The simplest way to tell LED red light from low-level laser therapy

• Why "flashlight vs laser pointer" is the best mental model for what's happening

• What coherence, beam divergence, and depth really mean, without the jargon

• Why "laser" doesn't automatically mean dangerous, and why class matters

• How Erchonia's FDA clearances and research approach separates it from hype

• What different wavelengths are commonly used for in low-level laser therapy

• A clear caution about active cancer and why stimulation-based tools may be contraindicated

• The bottom line: heat and light can be useful, but "useful" is not the same as "proven"

Stay Connected & Explore

Connect with Conversations with a Chiropractor: Follow Us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness Email for Show-Related Inquiries and Sponsorships: [email protected]

Credits: Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing [email protected].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor 00:41 Today's hot topic: the confusion between "red light masks" and lasers 01:12 What a laser actually is, and why most home devices are not lasers 02:20 LED vs low-level laser therapy, coherent vs non-coherent 03:10 Flashlight vs laser pointer, the easiest way to understand the difference 03:55 "Aren't lasers dangerous?", classes, safety, and everyday lasers you already use 04:35 Why Erchonia matters, FDA clearances, and research-backed claims 05:45 Low-level lasers in chiropractic: pain, inflammation, range of motion 06:25 Low-level lasers in aesthetics: body contouring and the "cascade effect" concept 07:10 Cancer contraindications, why stimulation tools are not one-size-fits-all 08:05 Wavelength basics, red laser and ATP support 09:10 Green laser overview, fat loss, collagen support, cellular regeneration 10:05 Why fat cell destruction can backfire, and why "gentle" matters 11:05 Violet laser overview, antimicrobial applications and nail fungus support 12:05 Final thoughts: don't buy hype, look for proof, know what you're buying

California to the UP: Valerie Whiteman on Community, Courage, and Full-Circle Life | Conversations with a Chiropractor Episode Description

In this warm, funny, and surprisingly moving episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier is joined by Valerie Whiteman, the familiar face and steady presence so many patients recognize the moment they walk through the door. Valerie is the kind of person strangers tell their life story to in the banana aisle, and in this conversation, you'll understand exactly why.

They start with a detail most people don't know: Valerie once won a game show. Not "kind of" won, actually won, walking away with $8,000 in 1986 and a story that still feels unreal. From there, the episode opens up into Valerie's roots, including the family history that runs from England to Montreal to California, and the adventurous streak she clearly inherited.

Valerie also shares the harder chapters: losing her dad at four, moving in with her grandparents, and being shaped by the kind of quiet love that changes your whole trajectory. And then, in a twist that surprises a lot of people who know her today, she talks about going through the police academy and serving as an officer in Southern California, including what she saw, what stayed with her, and how she learned to de-escalate with words.

The conversation lands right where it started: real-life connection. Valerie's mom "Grandma Betty" became part of Stephanie's family story, and the two reflect on the weird beauty of time, how life cycles around, and what it means to treat people the way you'd want to be treated. If you like episodes that feel like a front-porch chat with actual depth, this one sticks.

🎧 In This Episode, Discover:

• The behind-the-scenes story of Valerie winning Card Sharks and what that money meant in 1986

• Valerie's family roots from England to Montreal to California, including a candy shop chapter

• How early loss shaped her, and how her grandparents became a foundation

• What it was like to live in Hawaii, immerse in Polynesian culture, and carry that experience forward

• The surprising chapter: police academy, gang detail, and what law enforcement taught her about people

• Why Valerie's superpower is de-escalation, intuition, and making others feel safe

• How she landed in the UP, built a family, and became part of the Wautier Wellness "home base"

• The full-circle story of how Valerie and Dr. Stephanie met, and why it still matters 19 years later

• What gives Valerie the most joy now, and why family hits different as you get older

Stay Connected & Explore

Connect with Conversations with a Chiropractor: Follow Us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness Email for Show-Related Inquiries and Sponsorships: [email protected]

Credits: Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing [email protected].

Chapters

00:00 Intro and why this show is more "fireside chat" than how-to 00:41 Meet Valerie Whiteman, the face everyone knows at the front desk 01:10 The secret story: Valerie won a game show 02:10 Card Sharks, auditions, and the "game of chance" reality 03:05 What $8,000 meant in 1986 and what she did with it 03:45 Family roots: England to Montreal to California 04:30 A candy shop in Montreal and a mother's adventurous bus trip 05:45 Grandma Betty, Stephanie's kids, and why Valerie's mom mattered so much 07:05 Why people tell Valerie everything, everywhere 08:15 Mattel, early Barbie-era stories, and being a "toy tester" 09:30 Valerie's dad, family history, and losing him at four 11:10 Living with grandparents and being shaped by quiet love 12:20 Hawaii, culture, and learning through immersion 14:35 Police academy and serving as an officer in Southern California 16:10 De-escalation, being a woman in law enforcement, and using words to lower the temperature 18:20 Marriage, the Air Force, and moving to the UP 19:35 Building a life in Gwinn, raising three daughters, and the gift of small-town community 21:05 Grandkids, time moving too fast, and full-circle reflections 24:10 How Valerie and Dr. Stephanie met, and why their story feels stitched together on purpose 26:00 Closing thoughts on purpose, people, and treating others well

Nervous System 101: What Chiropractic Really Does and How to "Reset" Stress Response | Conversations with a Chiropractor Episode Description

In this solo episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier tackles a question that still floats around out there: is chiropractic "scientific," and what does it really have to do with stress relief? It starts with a surprising grocery store comment and turns into a clear, practical breakdown of the nervous system, what chiropractors are actually assessing, and why the spine matters for both the central and peripheral nervous system.

Stephanie explains the difference between the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (the network of nerves leaving the spinal cord), then zooms in on the autonomic nervous system, the part most people are talking about when they say "fight or flight" and "rest and digest." She also clears up a common misconception: every chiropractor is working with the nervous system, regardless of technique, because the goal is the same, reduce interference and restore communication.

From there, this episode turns into a toolkit. You'll hear simple, doable ways to support a stressed-out system, including breathing patterns that cue safety, sensory grounding, rhythmic movement, vagus nerve stimulators like humming and gargling, and sleep habits that help your body actually power down at night.

🎧 In This Episode, Discover

• Why "nervous system health" usually means the autonomic nervous system, not the whole nervous system

• The difference between central vs peripheral, and somatic vs autonomic function

• Why chiropractic is about communication, not "chasing pain"

• What "fight or flight" is designed for, and why modern life keeps it stuck on

• Simple ways to support regulation: breathwork, rhythm, grounding, sleep cues, and naming emotions

• Easy vagus nerve activators you can do anywhere (yes, even humming in your car)

Stay Connected & Explore

Connect with Conversations with a Chiropractor: Follow Us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness Email for Show-Related Inquiries and Sponsorships: [email protected]

Credits: Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing [email protected].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor 00:48 The Nervous System and Chiropractic 02:12 Understanding the Nervous System 02:54 Autonomic Nervous System Explained 05:17 Balancing the Nervous System 07:17 Choosing the Right Chiropractor 09:21 Supporting Your Nervous System 10:00 Breathing Techniques for Nervous System Health 11:15 Grounding and Vagus Nerve Stimulation 11:54 Preparing for Restful Sleep 12:47 Final Thoughts and Closing

Beyond Pain to Purpose: Pastor Mike Walter on Ankylosing Spondylitis and Building PPIKids | Conversations with a Chiropractor

In this episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier sits down with local Marquette pastor Mike Walter for a conversation that moves from the most personal kind of struggle to the most practical kind of impact.

Pastor Mike opens up about being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis early in life, what it's like to carry an "incurable" label into adulthood, and the daily choices that became non-negotiable as he worked to stay functional, present, and hopeful. He also talks candidly about faith when the pain does not go away, the difference between knowing the right answers and actually living them, and how internal battles can show up even in people who look steady from the outside.

Then the conversation widens. Pastor Mike shares the story behind Prodigal Preacher International, including the moments and relationships that pulled him toward refugee support, safety for girls, school sponsorship, and hunger prevention work in East Africa. You'll hear what small donations actually do, why recurring giving matters, and how transparent, consistent support can turn into real protection and education for kids who need it most.

If you've ever wondered how someone keeps going with chronic pain, or how to make generosity feel real instead of abstract, this one lands.

🎧 In This Episode, Discover:

• Pastor Mike's early diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis and what helped him cope day to day

• The ways pain and faith collide, and what he learned in the hard seasons

• His journey to becoming a pastor, including seminary life and the road that shaped him

• How his connection to African culture began and why it became personal

• The danger and fear along the border, and the harsh realities of trafficking

• Real success stories, including refugees who went on to graduate college

• How PPI supports safety and education for girls, plus feeding programs that meet basic needs

• Why "small" donations can create outsized impact, especially through Giving Tuesday matches

• How to help, and what transparency looks like when you give

Stay Connected & Explore:

Support Pastor Mike Walter's Work (Prodigal Preacher International / PPIKids): PPI Website: https://www.ppikids.org/ Donate (one-time or monthly): https://www.ppikids.org/donate PPI on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ppikids.org/

Connect with Conversations with a Chiropractor: Follow Us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness Email for Show-Related Inquiries and Sponsorships: [email protected]

Credits: Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing [email protected].

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor 00:41 Mike's Early Life and Diagnosis 01:55 Coping with Ankylosing Spondylitis 04:17 Faith and Personal Struggles 05:52 Journey to Becoming a Pastor 07:30 Life in Colorado and Seminary Experiences 13:10 Connection to African Culture 20:03 The Danger and Fear Along the Border 20:27 Success Stories: From Refugee to College Graduate 21:21 The Harsh Realities of Human Trafficking 21:42 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Africa 22:27 Providing Safety and Education for Girls 23:49 The Impact of Small Donations 26:26 The Power of Giving Tuesday 27:44 How to Help: Education and Feeding Programs 30:41 Personal Commitment and Transparency 34:41 The Emotional Burden and Call to Action 36:14 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

"Please Be Kind": Life After 19 Days – Everyday Philanthropy, Second Chances, and Showing Up - Paul Meese 2 | Conversations with a Chiropractor

What does life look like after the hospital, after the funeral, after the book?

In this follow-up episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier reconnects with Paul Meese, author of 19 Days: One Man's Journey Through Grief, to talk about the next chapter: leaving his HR career, taking his family to Hawaii for Christmas, navigating the isolation of COVID, finding love again, and building a life that quietly runs on generosity.

Paul shares how retirement wasn't an escape so much as a reckoning, why he chose a Christmas trip over trying to recreate old traditions, and how donating, decluttering, and "just helping where I can" turned into a pattern of everyday philanthropy. From supporting women's education and animal rescue, to stocking community resources and donating airline miles so families can say goodbye in person, he shows how small choices can carry big weight.

If the first conversation was about surviving 19 days of crisis, this one is about what you build in the years that follow—and how "Please be kind" becomes a daily practice, not just a nice phrase.

🎧 In This Episode, Discover:

• How Paul's grief journey continued into retirement—and why he knew he couldn't stay in his old role forever

• What a healing Christmas in Hawaii looked like for his family, and why changing tradition mattered

• How the COVID years pushed him toward decluttering, donating, and living with a lighter grip on "stuff"

• The story of finding love again, and what it means to build a second chapter without erasing the first

• Practical acts of kindness: scholarships, food support, community resources, senior dog rescue, and more

• Why Paul believes time, skills, and attention can be just as valuable as money

• How to show up for grieving people in real life—what to say, what not to force, and why simple presence matters

• The ongoing heartbeat of his life after loss: "Please be kind. It's really not that hard."

🔗 Stay Connected & Explore:

Learn More About Paul & 19 Days:

Paul's Website – 19 Days: One Man's Journey Through Grief: https://20daysandbeyond.com

Support Ruth's Legacy:

Ruth M. Meese Memorial Scholarship – Front Range Community College (info via Paul's site): https://20daysandbeyond.com/scholarship/

Paul M. Meese '82 Music Endowed Scholarship – Lakeland University (gifts via Lakeland's giving page): https://lakeland.edu/give

PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS TO GIVE DIRECTLY TO PAUL'S SCHOLARSHIP: On the Lakeland giving page above, click the GIVE NOW button and fill out your information. For the "Please direct my gift to:" section, select "Endowed/Specific Scholarship (Specify in Comments)". Continue filling out the form, and at the bottom in the COMMENTS box, specify: "Paul M. Meese '82 Music Endowed Scholarship" as your chosen endowment/scholarship.

Organizations Paul Cares About:

Give A Mile – Donate miles to help families see loved ones in critical or palliative care: https://giveamile.org

Albert's Dog Lounge – Senior & special-needs dog rescue: https://www.albertsdoglounge.org

Connect with Conversations with a Chiropractor:

Follow Us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro

Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness

Email for Show-Related Inquiries and Sponsorships: [email protected]

Credits: Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing [email protected].

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor 00:41 Meet Paul Meese: Author and Philanthropist 01:26 Paul's Journey Through Grief and Retirement 04:25 A Healing Trip to Hawaii 07:23 Navigating Life During COVID-19 12:40 Finding Love Again 16:34 Acts of Kindness and Philanthropy 25:52 Discovering Community Resources 26:45 Supporting Animal Welfare 27:14 Give a Mile: Reuniting Families 29:05 Volunteering Time and Skills 32:33 Coaching and Community Involvement 45:47 Spreading Kindness and Final Thoughts

19 Days and Beyond: How Paul Meese Turned Grief into a Legacy of Kindness | Conversations with a Chiropractor

What happens when the person you built your life with is gone in less than three weeks?

In this deeply human episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier talks with Paul Meese, author of 19 Days: One Man's Journey Through Grief, about the sudden loss of his wife Ruth, the chaos of hospital systems, and what grief actually looks like when you stop trying to be "strong" and start being honest.

Paul walks through the 19 days from Ruth's stroke to her passing, the conversations no one wants to have with doctors, and why power of attorney, clear wishes, and real advocacy matter long before crisis hits. He also shares how anger, exhaustion, and loneliness eventually gave way to road trips, counseling, writing, and a choice to keep giving in Ruth's name.

From scholarships for women in machining to senior dog rescue and donating airline miles so families can say goodbye in person, Paul shows how grief can grow into something active, grounded, and quietly powerful.

If you've lost someone, love someone, or know you'll someday have to step into that advocate role, this conversation will stay with you.

🎧 In This Episode, Discover:

• How 19 days in the hospital changed everything for Paul and Ruth

• Why power of attorney, clear medical directives, and asking blunt questions can literally shape someone's final days

• What grief really looked like for Paul in the first year, including anger at "normal problems" and walking away from his HR career

• How a solo back-roads road trip and a counselor's suggestion turned into the book 19 Days: One Man's Journey Through Grief

• How book sales now help fund scholarships in Ruth's honor at Front Range Community College and Lakeland University

• Why Paul supports causes like Give A Mile and Albert's Dog Lounge, and how small acts of generosity became part of his healing

• The simple phrase Paul carries forward from Ruth's life and his own journey: "Please be kind."

Stay Connected & Explore:

Learn More About Paul & 19 Days:

• Paul's Website – 19 Days: One Man's Journey Through Grief: https://20daysandbeyond.com

Support Ruth's Legacy:

• Ruth M. Meese Memorial Scholarship – Front Range Community College (info via Paul's site): https://20daysandbeyond.com/scholarship/

• Paul M. Meese '82 Music Endowed Scholarship – Lakeland University (gifts via Lakeland's giving page): https://lakeland.edu/give PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS TO GIVE DIRECTLY TO PAUL'S SCHOLARSHIP (on the linked page above) click the *GIVE NOW* button, fill out the information. for the *Please direct my gift to:* section be sure to select "Endowed/Specific Scholarship (Specify in Comments)", continue to fill out the information, and then at the bottom where you find the COMMENTS box, please specifiy the "Paul M. Meese '82 Music Endowed Scholarship" as your chosen endowment/scholarship.

Organizations Paul Cares About:

• Give A Mile – Donate miles to help families see loved ones in critical or palliative care: https://giveamile.org

• Albert's Dog Lounge – Senior & special-needs dog rescue: https://www.albertsdoglounge.org

Connect with Conversations with a Chiropractor:

• Follow Us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro

• Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness

• Email for Show-Related Inquiries and Sponsorships: [email protected]

Credits: Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing [email protected].

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor 00:41 Meet Paul Meese: A Multifaceted Life 01:06 The Tragic Passing of Ruth 01:43 Medical Struggles and Advocacy 05:45 The Final Days and Power of Attorney 11:03 Navigating Grief and Retirement 19:18 A Love Story: From Neighbors to Life Partners 23:31 Ruth's Career and Legacy 25:36 Crafts and Playgroups in Delaware 25:55 Moving to California and Colorado 26:49 Ruth's Role in the Machining Program 28:40 Establishing a Scholarship in Ruth's Honor 29:43 Writing and Publishing the Book 31:22 Supporting Grieving Men 33:20 Charitable Contributions and Volunteering 47:43 Final Thoughts and Legacy

"You Are Welcome": One Woman's Experience with Solo Travel, Food Adventures, and the Kindness of Strangers | Conversations with a Chiropractor

Episode Description What actually happens when you travel the world alone—on purpose? In this warm, high-signal episode, Dr. Stephanie Wautier sits down with a dear friend, a seasoned solo traveler who's collected stories from San Francisco to Morocco, Palau, Vietnam, and Greece. You'll hear how one spontaneous weekend changed everything, why a great meal can open doors, and how culture, safety, and serendipity weave together when you give yourself permission to go.

She shares her simple starter plan for first-time solo travelers, the "prop" that makes dining alone easier, and the mindset that turns awkward moments into invitations. From sharing a table with strangers who became friends to a full picnic waiting atop an Atlas Mountain summit, this conversation is a reminder that most people, most places, are better than the headlines. As one Moroccan shopkeeper told her: "You are welcome."

🎧 In This Episode, Discover

• The four-day San Francisco trip that set a lifelong travel rhythm

• How food became a passport to conversation—and unexpected invitations

• Why many countries treat meals as time, not a task

• Scuba in Palau, giant clams, and ocean awe moments

• A practical playbook for solo women: micro-adventures, simple itineraries, and social "props"

• Getting locked inside a Greek castle—and rescued by strangers

• The line between freedom and fear, and how to stay on the right side of it

Stay Connected & Explore

• Follow Us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro

• Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness

• Email for Show-Related Inquiries and Sponsorships: [email protected]

Credits: Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing [email protected].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor 00:41 Meet our Guest: The Solo Traveler 01:10 The First Solo Trip to San Francisco 04:24 Memorable Moments in San Francisco 08:30 Dining Adventures Around the World 19:55 Cultural Differences in Dining 21:28 Scuba Diving Adventures in Palau 22:10 Advice for Solo Female Travelers 24:14 Embracing Solo Travel 25:01 Unexpected Encounters While Traveling 30:35 Travel Bucket List and Future Plans 32:00 Locked in a Castle in Greece 36:17 The Beauty of Human Kindness 38:18 Final Thoughts on Solo Travel

Breast Phluffing, Lymph, and Self-Love: A Gentle Guide to Breast Care | Conversations with a Chiropractor Episode Description

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Dr. Stephanie is going tender and practical. This solo episode isn't medical advice—it's a heartfelt walk through our relationship with our breasts, how the lymphatic system supports breast health, and a simple self-care practice you can start today: breast "phluffing."

Stephanie unpacks cultural pressure and self-talk, then shifts into clear, accessible basics on lymph flow (what it is, where it goes, why movement, hydration, posture, and deep breathing matter). She also introduces PHLUFF—Personal Hand Lymphatic Undulation Flow Facilitation—a light, loving technique popularized by nurse-educator Cheryl Chapman. You'll learn gentle tapping under the armpit and soft circular motions upward toward the axilla—no digging, no pain—just mindful care.

This one's about kindness, body literacy, and giving your chest the love it deserves. Long live the tatas. 💗

🎧 In This Episode, Discover

• Why so many women link confidence to breast appearance—and how to soften the inner critic

• Lymph 101: vessels, nodes, and the role of movement, water, posture, and breath

• Why raising your arms overhead and regular walking help lymph flow

• Breast phluffing (PHLUFF): what it means, where it came from, and how to do it gently

• A compassionate reminder: awareness and self-care matter, and grief is part of the story for many

🔗 Stay Connected & Explore

• Follow Us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro

• Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness

• Email for Show-Related Inquiries and Sponsorships: [email protected]

🎙️ Credits: Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing [email protected].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor 00:51 Breast Cancer Awareness Month 01:08 Self-Esteem and Breast Size 02:26 Breast Care and Self-Love 05:49 Understanding the Lymphatic System 10:07 Breast Fluffing Explained 12:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts