From Grief to Gold

In this episode, Alysse opens up about her journey through the ups and downs of grief after losing her fiancé, Rashad. She chats with Melissa about how she found her way from just getting by to truly living again. They dive into the unexpected twists life throws at us, the art of letting go of control, and the little joys that make each day brighter. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about healing, growth, and finding hope in the most surprising places.

Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Social Media Connections

02:53 The Life of the Party: Remembering Rashad

05:52 Finding Healing in Hobbies and New Experiences

07:36 Living in the Present and Avoiding Comparison

10:41 Navigating Dating and Sharing the Past

13:59 The Ongoing Process of Grief

29:07 The Evolution of Grief and Healing

33:35 Navigating Dating and Finding a New Partner

35:33 The Importance of Asking for Help and Accepting Support

41:25 Focusing on Gratitude and a Better Future

Follow Alysse:

https://www.instagram.com/lysseonlife/

https://lysseonlife.com/

Follow FGTG:

https://www.instagram.com/fromgrieftogold

Grab the show notes:

In this episode, I chat with Kris Searles about his journey from military life to becoming a trauma-informed coach for veterans. He opens up about what it was like coming home from combat, the struggle to adjust to civilian life, and how anger showed up in the process.

We talk a lot about the power of community and how the Veterans Talking to Veterans program is using storytelling as a way to heal. Kris brings up some important points around mental health for both veterans and first responders, and he’s a strong voice for women veterans too, sharing ideas for how we can better support them moving forward.

We also dig into the reality of veteran suicide, why connection matters, and how purpose beyond the uniform can make all the difference. Kris talks about the adventures and friendships that help veterans feel seen again, and we both reflect on how healing looks different for everyone, including the people standing beside them like spouses and families.

There’s a lot in this one about resilience, what it really takes to keep going, and how just taking that first step toward support can shift everything.

Some key mental health resources shared in this episode include:

https://www.overwatch6.com/

https://www.mentoragility.com/find-a-vttv-meeting

https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/mibh

https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/

https://ateasehorsemanship.org/

Navigating Personal Growth and Entrepreneurship

In this episode, Melissa reflects on her personal growth over the past year, discussing the intertwining of her personal and professional life, the importance of mental health, and the value of vulnerability in storytelling. She shares her journey of prioritizing self-care, navigating her master's program, and preparing for upcoming podcast episodes featuring guests who share their own stories of grief and resilience. Melissa emphasizes the significance of allowing oneself grace and understanding that growth is a process.

Takeaways:

• Prioritizing personal growth can lead to professional success.
• Healthy relationships require self-awareness and communication.
• Entrepreneurship demands significant internal work.
• Personal and business lives are often interconnected.
• Vulnerability in storytelling can aid healing.
• Self-care is essential for mental well-being.
• Education can be financially manageable with the right resources.
• Sharing stories of grief can help normalize the experience.
• It's important to honor one's own journey and pace.
• Growth is a continuous process that requires patience.

Chapters

00:00 Reflections on Personal Growth and Podcasting Journey

03:01 Interconnection of Personal and Professional Life

06:11 Navigating Mental Health and Education

08:55 The Importance of Vulnerability and Storytelling

11:52 Embracing Self-Care and Personal Time

15:00 Honoring Grief and Moving Forward

Today's episode is more of a quick check in to say hi, share about why I created this podcast, reference my book, and remember to shine your light authentically!

Catch the video version here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYQ7V9agg-U

It's my first episode for 2024 (third of season 3...) and today I wanted to share about people pleasing and the impact saying no has had on me so far this year (and since the last episode recording I made.)

From withdrawing from my masters program, saying no to certain relationships, and opportunities... having a successful start of the year business-wise. While trusting the process. Knowing that opportunities will be there when the time is right.

Sometimes life can be hard. It can be even harder to find the good in the storms. In this episode I wanted to briefly share the story behind my "never tell me the odds" tattoo, and how even though life can be really hard, we can still persevere and find good within.

Find more about From Grief to Gold here:

https://fromgrieftogold.com/

Apply for my accountability coaching:

https://fromgrieftogold.com/coaching/

In this episode we discuss childhood grief, reparenting, and overcoming mental illness everyday. My guest was the wonderful Kathryn Keefer. We share about issues that came up on our childhood and how they've affected us to this day. Working out of a victim mentality, and figuring out ways to heal, even if it means overcoming mental illness everyday. Enjoy!

"I don't even want to know where I would be if I hadn't have started that journey. And it just proves that you're always going to end up where you're supposed to be as long as you just keep going and show up every day. And even if you're having a terrible day and that means just getting up and showering, you've done something"

You can find her on instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/kathrynkeefer

We're starting season 3! I just turned 31 this week, and it is the start of a new season in life. On this episode I wanted to touch on some changes going on moving forward, mental health struggles, and suicide prevention month. Suicidal ideations aren't a foreign experience to me, and often is something people don't talk about.

I also wanted to share about some of the major updates (like a brand new website) to From Grief to Gold, and my official launch for my accountability coaching health and wellness program!

Website:

https://fromgrieftogold.com/

Accountability coaching form:

https://fromgrieftogold.com/coaching/

https://thebrandedacademy.com/the-startup-collective/

Today's episode is focused on being childless, not by choice. How that aspect has affected Laura and her husband's life. From corporate jobs to entrepreneurship, the numerous attempts with IVF (or ICSI for them) and the different stages of grief and processing emotions along this journey. Things you should and shouldn't say to those going through these variations of grief, and dabbling into the dangers of isolation when working towards recovery and healing. We also dive into legacy, and how to still leave a legacy when childless. Laura is my former business coach, and a truly amazing human being! I hope you enjoy today's episode.

Find out more about Laura Payne-Stanley here:

laurapaynestanley.com

View her Tedx Talk

Follow her on Instagram

Listen to Wielding Legacy Podcast

The Google definition of "grace" as a verb is: to do honor or credit to someone or something by ones presence

We're constantly told to give ourselves grace. With people saying thing's like "you're doing a good job, doing your best, give yourself grace."

Presence doesn't mean you're doing anything, it just means you're there.

Give yourself grace. It doesn't matter what you do, what you didn't do.. giving yourself grace is honoring your presence. Did you show up?

It doesn't matter what you did, or how much you did, but did you show up?

If you didn't show up well then.... you better start showing up.

But were you present?

Showing up can mean something so different for literally anyone that's listening.

Beating self up so much from an entrepreneurial aspect / motherly aspect because I could have done more, done better.. all the ways I could improve.

rather than look... I'm exhausted, this is all that I'm balancing, and this is all the energy I have to give.

We don't have to do all the cookie cutter - highlight reel.

If all the energy you have is "average" that's okay. Because there will be days when you can give so much more, and there will be days when you just don't have it.

Part of that grace is in being okay simply existing. Honoring that you simply being present can be enough.

Are you showing up the best that you can right now?

What you're doing right now is enough.

Because later on, that simply showing up will have a ripple effect later on in life. Whether it's "just showing up" for a networking event, or a therapy session, or a partner, child, friend.

Even the smallest pebble affects the water.

You matter.