Shari Ross is the author of Senior Living Made S.I.M.P.L.E.™ and creator of the companion workbook and toolkit designed to help families take clear, practical steps through the senior living journey with a clear path forward. She is also the founder of the Senior Living Made S.I.M.P.L.E.™ brand, where she has built a reputation for simplifying complex decisions and leading families toward the right solutions with compassion and expertise. 

An award-winning senior living sales specialist, Shari spent over a decade guiding hundreds of families through the challenges of assisted living, memory care, and long- term planning. Her expertise has made her a frequent guest on national podcasts and a featured speaker for organizations and events dedicated to aging, caregiving, and family transitions.

A graduate of NYU and long-time Southern California resident with East Coast roots, Shari combines her professional expertise with her personal journey. She continues to guide her own aging parents through their next steps while raising two young adult children, giving her an authentic, empathetic perspective that resonates deeply with the families she serves. 

Her mission is to transform aging from overwhelming to empowering. Through her signature S.I.M.P.L.E.™ Method, she equips families with a framework to make informed senior living decisions, helping them move forward with a clear path forward, dignity, and peace of mind.

https://www.seniorlivingmadesimple.com/    Amaon Book  Amazon Workbook  

IG @seniorlivingwithshari

Connect with Kendra Rinaldi to be a guest on the podcast or to joing the newsletter

Show Highlights:

• The S.I.M.P.L.E. Framework: Shari breaks down her acronym designed to guide families through the maze of senior living: Support, Information, Matching, Preparation, Letting Go, and Engagement.

• Redefining Identity: We discuss the profound shift that occurs when you allow professionals to take over the caregiving duties, enabling you to step back into your original role as a son, daughter, or spouse.

• Navigating Guilt and "Stuff": Shari explains the two layers of "Letting Go": releasing the physical accumulation of a lifetime and releasing the emotional weight of guilt that suggests you aren't doing enough.

• Language Matters: Why words like "facility" or "institution" create fear, and how shifting our vocabulary to "community" or "apartment" can change the tone of the conversation.

• The Grief of Relocation: We acknowledge that moving brings legitimate grief over the loss of a home and independence, even when it leads to a gain in community, safety, and purpose.

• Proactive vs. Reactive: The importance of having these difficult conversations early—before a fall or medical emergen

Ken Miller is a speaker, coach, and author whose life story is a powerful testament to the human capacity for betrayal, breakthrough, and becoming. Born into difficult circumstances and raised in a home marked by both love and trauma, Ken's early life was anything but easy. Despite the odds, he excelled academically, becoming a National Merit Scholar and eventually graduating from an Ivy League university—achievements that reflected his immense potential.

But life took a dark turn. Struggles with addiction and a series of poor decisions led Ken into a cycle of homelessness, incarceration, and despair. He went from prestigious classrooms to prison cells, from hopeful beginnings to rock bottom. Through it all, he carried the weight of regret and the fear that his story might end in tragedy. Yet, in the depths of that darkness, Ken made a decision that would change everything: to rebuild his life, one small, intentional choice at a time.

Released from prison with nothing but a box of belongings and $28 to his name, Ken began the long, challenging road of reclaiming his life. That journey, fueled by courage, accountability, and an unrelenting commitment to growth, led him to become the man he is today—a thriving entrepreneur, mentor, and voice of hope for those who feel trapped by their past.

Ken now uses his story to inspire others, proving that where you’ve been doesn’t have to determine where you’re going. He speaks to schools, organizations, and individuals across the country, sharing a message of identity, transformation, and the power of choice. His mission is clear: to show that no matter how far someone has fallen, it is always possible to rise, rebuild, and thrive.

www.kenmillerspeaks.com

Show Topics:

• The Broken Scholar: How a violent upbringing led an Ivy League student into a 30-year spiral of alcoholism and addiction.

• Shame vs. Guilt: Understanding the difference between being "shame-based" (a state of being) and "guilt-based" (a verb of action), and how this distinction saves lives.

• The Four Pillars of Wellness: How Ken rebuilt his life by focusing on his physical, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional health.

• Taking Power from Secrets: The necessity of "walking through the doors" of past trauma and turning on the light to find forgiveness and healing.

• Redefining Masculinity: The 1998 turning point when Ken heard the phrase "today I am a kind and gentle man" and decided to make that his life’s mission.

• From Survival to Service: Why Ken now focuses on being "good" rather than "great" and how he gives back through mentoring and speaking

Contact Kendra Rinaldi to be on the podcast or more information about the services she offers  and to  sign up for the newsletter. https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Natalia Varela, socia fundadora de ArteUmano, es una de las 230 instructoras internacionales certificada para llevar el trabajo del Dr. Joe Dispenza “NeuroChange Solutions” al mundo corporativo.

 Más de 25 años de experiencia en el mundo corporativo en las áreas de Recursos Humanos y Desarrollo Organizacional`. Está convencida que las organizaciones crecen de adentro hacia afuera. Por esta razón le apasiona ayudar a las personas en sus procesos de desarrollo, crecimiento y transformación. 

Por medio de conceptos y herramientas de neurociencia ayuda a las personas a comprender la conexión entre del cerebro con el cuerpo como parte fundamental para lograr cambios permanentes en cualquier ámbito de la vida.

www.arteumano.com
Intragram: arteumano_au

Puntos Destacados:

•Reprogramación Cerebral: El 95% de nuestros pensamientos son inconscientes y automáticos; a través de la neuroplasticidad, podemos "podar" conexiones antiguas y crear nuevos patrones de pensamiento.

• Acompañamiento en el Duelo: Natalia relata cómo la meditación junto a su padre en el hospital fue una herramienta sanadora que ayudó a ambos a reducir la ansiedad y encontrar paz antes de su partida.

• Ruptura de Adicciones Emocionales: El cuerpo se vuelve adicto a las hormonas del estrés (cortisol/adrenalina); la meditación permite observar y romper el ciclo vicioso de victimización o culpa.

• Supervivencia vs. Creación: Al meditar, pasamos del "modo supervivencia" (estrés persistente) al "modo creación", activando el sistema nervioso parasimpático para evitar enfermedades causadas por emociones atrapadas.

• Maternidad Consciente: Natalia utiliza la neurociencia para entender que los niños no tienen el cerebro totalmente desarrollado para controlarse; esto le permite ayudarlos a regularse en lugar de engancharse en sus conflictos.

• Herramientas Prácticas: Destaca el uso del "Diario de los 5 minutos" para iniciar el día con gratitud e intención, y la regla de los 90 segundos, que es el tiempo que tardan los químicos de una emoción en disminuir mediante la respiración.

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Si deseas mas informacion sobre los servicios que ofrece Kendra Rinaldi:

• Sesiones de Coaching de Duelo: Un espacio personalizado y seguro para trabajar en tu proceso individual.

• Eventos Virtuales: Talleres y encuentros diseñados para brindar apoyo y herramientas prácticas de sanación.

• Comparte tu historia: Este podcast es un espacio para la comunidad que hemos formado. Si sientes que tu testimonio puede ayudar a otros a transitar su dolor, me encantaría que fueras mi próximo invitado para relatar tu historia.

Puedes contactarme directamente [email protected]

https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Instagram: @griefgratitudepodcast

 Recuerda que, aunque el duelo es un proceso personal, no tienes que recorrerlo a solas.

Dr. Hugh A Jenkins  became both a Naturopathic and Chiropractic doctor after years of mentoring by Dr. Alvenia M. Fulton, ND, a pioneer of natural healing and the world authority on fasting. During his many years of practice and mentoring others he was able to assist many people through their journey to Health and Wellness.

Beginning in 2007, he wanted to write a book on fasting and prayer but felt that he did not have enough knowledge in his head to write a successful book. Since that time God has taken him through several life challenges of his body, mind, spirit and emotions to bring him where he is today.

One of his characteristics is that he is a master of Desert Dry Daddy Jokes. He consider  himself a sit-down comedian because he would not make it in stand-up.

https://www.facebook.com/hugh.a.jenkins

His Book on Amazon

From Grief to gratitude (his story of going from Grief to Gratitude)

Show Highlights

• The "Big G" Shift: A major highlight of the conversation is Dr. Jenkins’ philosophy of releasing the "little G" in grief to embrace the "big G" in gratitude. He argues that while chronic complaining creates a "poverty mindset," gratitude constitutes true riches and wealth.

• Healing from Within: As the author of Fasting and Prayer: God's Healing Therapies, Dr. Jenkins asserts that all diseases are "incurable" by external medicine alone; true healing is a spiritual process that occurs from the "inside out" when one connects with the "master healer" in the heart.

• Redefining Death as Ascension: Dr. Jenkins views the passing of his brother, David (DJ), not as death, but as "transcending" or "ascending". He shares a profound experience of meeting his brother’s spirit on a porch to receive the "spirit of philanthropy," which he defines as service to the community rather than just financial wealth.

• Spiritual Signs in Nature: To maintain a connection with his brother, Dr. Jenkins looks for signs from "God’s  creatures"  in nature. He identifies a dragonfly  as a spiritual messenger that guides him and has even visited him inside his home

Disclamer:  This episode of Grief, Gratitude, and the Gray in Between includes personal stories and perspectives on topics such as grief, health, and mental wellness. The views expressed by our guest  are his own and reflect individual experiences and professional philosophies—including his work with naturopathic medicine, fasting, and spiritual healing—which are not meant as medical advice.

As the host, I hold space for diverse voices and holistic perspectives, but this does not imply an endorsement of every viewpoint shared. Discussions regarding the "incurability" of disease or the use of fasting and prayer as "healing therapies" should be viewed as personal and spiritual insights rather than a substitute for professional medical consultation. Please listen with care and take only what resonates with you. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen or medical treatments

Get in touch with f Kendra Rinaldi https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Rev. Kate J. Meyer, LPC, is an ordained minister and licensed professional counselor who has worked in both private practice and hospice care. She is passionate about bringing grief into the light so that all grievers know how to move forward in a healthy, life-giving manner. Kate is the author of the newly published Navigating the Waves of Grief and its predecessor Faith Doesn’t Erase Grief, along with The Red Couch and The Yellow Dress, the first two novels in her fiction series Lake Harbor Chronicles. Kate is a dog mom living with her husband in Western Michigan.

Facebook: @katejmeyer1  Instagram: @kate.j.meyer.author  TikTok:@katejmeyerauthor www.katejmeyer.com

 Show Highlights

• Finding the "Soul Spot": Reverend Kate Meyer shares how her path led her through youth ministry and seminary to healthcare chaplaincy and hospice, finally landing in bereavement care, which she recognizes as her "soul spot" where she feels truly energized.

• Faith Doesn't Erase Grief: Meyer discusses her book, Faith Doesn't Erase Grief, which addresses the guilt and conflict experienced by believers who feel they are "supposed to simply rejoice that my person is in heaven" instead of feeling sorrow. She emphasizes that grief is a "whole being experience" that must address physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects.

• Spirituality vs. Religion: The interview explores the difference between religion and spirituality, noting that grief significantly impacts spiritual topics like connection, meaning, purpose, and identity, regardless of religious affiliation.

• Grief is Non-Linear: Discussing her most recent book, Navigating the Waves of Grief, Meyer offers an active, non-linear framework structured by the broad themes of Connection, Emotions, Identity, and "Through". She cautions against using prescriptive models like the stages of grief, which were written for the dying, not the grievers.

• The "Both and" of Loss: Meyer explains that grief is a "both and" experience, meaning it is natural and okay to move forward, find happiness, and still miss the person who "was supposed to be at that event".

• Advice for Helpers: Meyer offers concrete advice for those supporting grievers, urging them to name the deceased person, avoid using the word "still," and make concrete offers of help, as the "grieving brain just can't handle" vague offers.

Get in touch with Kendra Rinaldi https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Follow on Instagram and send me a message about what takeaways you had from listening to this episode.

Danny Lesslie is a widower, devoted father of two daughters, and an entrepreneur whose life and work are deeply rooted in storytelling, resilience, and faith. As a coach, speaker, and writer, Danny brings authenticity and hope to audiences navigating life’s most difficult transitions.

He and his late wife, Raffaella Dobles, co-authored Thank You, Cancer, a powerful memoir that chronicles their shared journey through Raffaella’s five-year battle with Stage 4 cancer. Woven from Raffaella’s journal entries during her illness and Danny’s reflections after her passing, the book is both a tribute to a remarkable woman and a testament to the enduring strength of love.

https://dannylesslie.co/

Instagram @momentumwithdanny

Show Highlights

• Love and Humor as a "Safe Home": Danny shares how his wife, Raffaella, immediately caught his attention with her "lightning fast wit," a humor that became a "safe home" for them throughout their whole relationship, even to the "very, very end".

• Navigating Stage Four Cancer: Danny recounts the five-year battle with stage four vulvar cancer. Despite being "diametrically opposed" on treatment paths when the disease recurred, they chose unity, realizing that supporting Raffaella's choice was the most "powerful thing in our marriage".

• Miracles Through Sharing: The couple's financial resources were constantly "drained," forcing them to "swallow your ego" and share their story. Danny describes the "mind blowing" support they received, including a GoFundMe that raised over $50,000, which meant they could continue treatment and "make it through the next... years of struggle" [51, 20:34].

• Honoring the Legacy: Danny fulfilled their shared dream by writing the book, Thank You, Cancer, which intertwines his perspective with Raffaella's "original unedited words" and powerful moments of divine grace, ensuring that her remarkable story is told.

Connect with Kendra Rinaldi either for coaching or to be a guest on the podcast https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Debra Meyerson was previously a tenured professor at Stanford University, where she studied, wrote, lectured, and taught about diversity, gender, identity, and organizational change. In September 2010, her life and career were derailed by a severe stroke that initially left her paralyzed on the right side, and completely mute. Years of intensive therapy and a relentless work ethic enabled Deb to regain her independence, but she still lives with physical limitations and speech challenges. She wrote Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves After Stroke to help other survivors and those closest to them navigate an emotional journey that she found very difficult—and rewarding.

Steve Zuckerman is Debra’s husband and life partner since 1988, and her care partner since her stroke in 2010. He had a successful first career as a business leader and then launched West Coast operations for Self-Help, a nationally recognized economic justice nonprofit. After co-founding Self-Help Federal Credit Union and serving as president for 12 years, Steve stepped out of his leadership role in 2020 to cofound and build Stroke Onward with Debra – working to catalyze change in the system of stroke care.

• Links:  To learn more about some of the things discussed in this podcast, please see the links below: Stroke Onward website: Stroke Onward Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves After Stroke:  Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves After Stroke Stroke Onward Community Circle (SOCC): Sign in | Stroke Onward Stroke Onward Gatherings: Stroke Onward | Gatherings WCNY Documentary:  Inclusive Sports | Stroke Across America: Trauma, Adaptation, Purpose | PBS

Episode Highlights

• The "Second Trauma": Debra discusses the identity crisis she faced when her university medical leave ended, forcing her to realize she could not return to her life as a tenured Stanford professor.

• Stroke as a Family Illness: The couple shares how trauma shifts family roles, including how their daughter learned that vulnerability is a form of strength rather than weakness.

• Toxic Positivity vs. Action: Steve and Debra explain why "sugary positivity" can be harmful and how practical help—like a friend volunteering to walk their dog—offers true support.

• Rehabilitation vs. Recovery: Steve highlights the gap in the medical system between physical rehabilitation (fixing function) and emotional recovery (rebuilding a rewarding life).

• Combatting Isolation: The hosts discuss their cross-country cycling trip, where they connected with some of the 7 million U.S. stroke survivors who often feel deeply isolated.

• New Tools for Aphasia: The discussion covers the second edition of their book, Identity Theft, which explores how AI voice technology can assist survivors.

Contact Kendra Rinaldi if you'd like more information about coaching with her, having her as a guest speaker  or being a guest the podcast. https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Tim's debut novel, Alice the Cat (Fitzroy Books) was chosen as an American Book Awards 'Best Book' Finalist for 2023, received a Bronze Medal in the 2024 Feathered Quill Book Awards, and is a Finalist in both the 2024 National Indies Excellence Awards for Teen Fiction and the Independent Author Network's Book of the Year Awards. His second novel, The Lightning People Play (Black Rose Writing) in the summer of 2025.  He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University Los Angeles and a BFA from NYU/Tisch School of the Arts. He has appeared in 200+ projects across theatre, film, television, voice-over, and new media. Recent publications  include F(r)iction, Scare Street, Lunch Ticket, MeowMeow PowPow, From Whispers to Roars, Drunk Monkeys, Hare's Paw, Lit Angels, The Wax Paper, Excerpt,  and Critical Read/RAFT, for which he won the ‘Origins’ contest for his essay, "You Have Changed Me Forever." Tim is an octopus and spider enthusiast. He goes wild for anything with eight legs. He recently discovered he is a masterful hula hooper and can whirl nonstop for eons. He possesses enviable collections of stickers, labradorite, night-sky projector lights, vintage vinyl, and rare first-edition hardcover copies of some of his favorite novels. No one has ever made a better vat of chili, and his lasagna is infallible. He teaches writing for UCLA Extension Writers' Program, The Townies Inc. in Ojai, runs private workshops, and coaches authors.

https://www.timcummings.ink/ https://www.instagram.com/octospark/

Storytelling as Service

• Tim Cummings, UCLA instructor and author of Alice the Cat and The Lightning People Play.
• Writing as a “time machine” to reconnect with younger selves.
• Transforms trauma into light, using storytelling as service.

Art as Lifeline & Found Family

• Acting became a lifeline after losing his mother at 16.
• Theater community offered belonging after bullying.
• His work champions marginalized voices and underdogs.

Navigating Grief

• Tim has endured profound family loss.
• Writing and movement (like dance aerobics) became healing practices.
• His advice: feel your feelings — they are the way through.

Contact Kendra Rinaldi to be a guest on the show or to inquire about  grief coaching  sessions

https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/ 

Email : [email protected]

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Rebecca (Becky) Faye Smith Galli is an author, columnist, and advocate who writes about love,
loss and healing. Surviving significant losses—her seventeen-year-old brother’s death; her son’s
degenerative disease and subsequent death; her daughter’s autism; her divorce; and nine days later, her paralysis from transverse myelitis, a rare spinal cord inflammation that affects one in a million—has fostered an unexpected but prolific writing career. Her website (BeckyGalli.com) houses over 400 published columns. Her books, Rethinking Possible – A Memoir of Resilience (2017) and Morning Fuel – Daily Inspirations to Stretch Your Mind Before Starting Your Day(2024) reflect what she believes: “Life can be good—no matter what.” She continues to write Thoughtful Thursdays—Lessons from a Resilient Heart, a column for her subscriber family that shares what’s inspired her to stay positive.

Contact Rebecca Faye Smith Galli  https://rebeccafayesmithgalli.com/

 List of Topics:

• Author Introduction: Rebecca Faye Smith Gali (Becky) is introduced as an author, columnist, and advocate who writes about love, loss, and healing. Discussion includes her books: Rethinking Possible, a Memoir of Resilience and Morning Fuel, Daily Inspiration.

• Early Loss and Resilience: Discussing the death of her 17-year-old brother, Forrest, in a water skiing accident when Rebecca was 20, and observing the vastly different ways her parents grieved (one public, one private).

• The Power of Structure: How structure (like college classes) and avoiding isolation helped her move through initial grief, noting that resilience is a muscle that requires work and mindfulness.

• The Parallel Paths Concept: Learning about the powerful concept of pursuing parallel paths (e.g., hoping her son would outgrow seizures while also preparing for the reality that he might not) to manage the "immobility of uncertainty".

• Navigating Complex Family Dynamics: Discussing her son Matthew's epilepsy and subsequent death at age 15, raising her daughter Madison with autism, and consciously deciding to pursue an "amazing divorce" after three years of intensive counseling.

• Sudden Illness and Acceptance: Being paralyzed from the waist down by transverse myelitis and using the parallel paths concept in her health journey. She recounts her "big toe moment," realizing acceptance meant reinvesting the energy spent on hope into "living fully in the life I had".

• Three Tools for Navigating Grief: The essential strategies Rebecca uses: being honest about feelings (including anger and chronic disappointment), seeking resources (professional help, nature, support), and keeping moving by finding one small thing to be grateful for.

• The Importance of Perspective: The reminder that "life can be good no matter what".

• Avoiding Comparison: Using the analogy of the Dalmatian and the Chihuahua in the mud to illustrate that everyone's grief journey is different, and comparison should be avoided.

Contact Kendra Rinaldi for coaching  or to be a guest on the podcast https://www.griefgratitudeandthegrayinbetween.com/

Diane Namm is a book author with over 65 titles (children's, YA, and non-fiction adult). Her most recent picture book What Happens After? is about losing someone you love, respecting the grieving process, and finding a way forward. Kirkus Reviews describes it as “A simple, emotionally effective exploration of loss.

https://www.instagram.com/dianenamm/

https://www.amazon.com/What-Happens-After-Diane-Namm/dp/B0DNF5988R

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221620126-what-happens-after

https://www.dianenamm.com

• Children's Author Perspective: Diane Namm, author of over 65 titles, shares her journey from working as a children's book editor in New York to writing full-time in Los Angeles.
• Dual Audience Approach: Her picture book, What Happens After, is written for the "dual audience response" of both children and adults, serving as a "hug" and a conversation starter.
• The Power of Direct Language: The book intentionally avoids common euphemisms (like "passed on") and uses the clear word "dies" to address the "elephant in the room" directly, providing a clear springboard for discussion.
• Validating Grief: Diane used the writing process as a cathartic experience to validate big feelings for children and emphasize that there is no timeline or deadline for mourning.
• Honoring Legacy: The discussion focuses on how to keep the person in your life by incorporating memories into holidays and routines, stressing the real value in not forgetting them.
• Pre-Loss Reading: A key takeaway is the value of reading the book with loved ones before they die to gather information (like favorite songs or memories) that helps children know how to honor the loved one later.

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To contact Kendra Rinaldi email her at [email protected]