In this inspiring episode of "Groove with Portia," I'm joined by Alexis Albro, a Certified Trauma-Informed Coach and the Founder of Survivor Rising. Alexis begins by celebrating a deeply personal milestone - her father's one-year milestone of being cancer-free. Her journey from leaving her corporate job to embracing her authentic self opens a door to profound insights.

Our Trauma-Informed Coach shares invaluable wisdom on how to cultivate self-love amidst traumatic experiences. Instead of playing the blame game, she encourages us to embrace every version of ourselves, especially from those challenging times. Alexis reveals the power of education and the healing strength of sitting with our emotions during seasons of grief.

Alexis leaves us with a heartfelt reminder to stay present in every moment, understanding that healing is a continuous journey, not a final destination. She emphasizes the importance of finding safety as the key to rising above the odds.

Connect with Alexis
https://www.instagram.com/survivorising/
https://www.alexisalbro.com/

In this episode of Groove with Portia, I'm thrilled to be in conversation with Katie Rossler, a seasoned therapist and a guiding light through transformative grief. Katie dives deep into the delicate art of integrating grief into our daily lives without it becoming an overwhelming burden.

Katie sheds light on how neglecting self-care can amplify the weight of grief, emphasizing the vital role of self-nurturing during challenging times. Drawing from her extensive experience in couples therapy, she explores the intriguing influence of fictional characters, especially those from Disney movies, on our perception of life's "should-be" scenarios and how these perceptions can impact our grieving process.

Katie's wisdom extends an invitation to our listeners, encouraging them to find a balanced equilibrium within their grief journey and to acknowledge the unique grief that arises from our preconceived notions of how life should unfold. She advocates for a shift in focus, steering away from the uncontrollable aspects of life and redirecting attention towards what can be harnessed and reshaped.
Bonus: Katie and I share how our loved ones who have transitioned have connected with us on this physical plain.

Connect with Katie
https://www.instagram.com/katie.rossler/
https://katierossler.com/

On this episode of Groove with Portia, I am joined by Zoe and Iris, the Co-founders of Island Beats, and Kiara Smith from the American Lung Association Cleveland Chapter. A central theme of Groove with Portia is discovering the hidden gift in grief. Kiara shares finding strength through her grief journey. Iris opens up about how faith and belief in a higher power came to her through grief. Zoe shares a touching story of discovering purpose through Zumba which was sparked from the transition of her father in 2019 from lung cancer. Grief needs an outlet, and Zoe found hers through Zumba, leading her to partner with Iris in creating Island Beats. In support of lung health awareness, the American Lung Association is hosting a walk on October 1st, 2023, at the Cleveland Zoo. Zoe and Iris have a team for the walk and will also be hosting a Zumba Pop-up on September 24th, with proceeds benefiting the American Lung Association.

Connect with Iris and Zoe
https://www.instagram.com/island.beats.cle/
https://www.facebook.com/islandbeats.cle/

Connect with Kiara and learn about Lung Force Walk 2023 https://www.instagram.com/americanlungcleveland/
lungforce.org/cleveland

On this episode of Groove with Portia, I sit down with Judy Ben-Asher, an amazing individual who graced Oprah's stage and is the visionary behind Truthseeker Wellness. Judy's journey unveils the profound grief she endured upon discovering, through a DNA test, that her biological father differed from the man she believed to be her dad.

Adding a layer of complexity, Judy's mother had already passed away, leaving her with questions that could never be answered. We dive into the deep trauma that this revelation brought to her identity and how she eventually found herself sharing her story on Oprah's platform, focusing on the powerful theme of forgiveness.

Judy's wisdom shines through as she dismantles the societal belief that grieving equates to being a person in pain. She emphasizes the importance of accountability, the strength found in community, and the invaluable support we can give and receive from one another.

Connect with Judy
https://www.instagram.com/judybenasher/
https://truthseekerwellness.com/

On this episode of Groove with Portia, I am joined by Larry Penton Sr (LP), Founder of Penton Pending Consulting Solutions LLC. Larry opens up about the challenges of dealing with grief from the standpoint of being a first responder. Being a man, yet alone a man of color, a heavy stigma is placed around grief and mental wellness. Larry shares how men can learn to embrace vulnerability along with the role toxic masculinity plays in addressing grief. He offers men a blueprint to navigate complex emotions through professional help or another form of holistic wellness such as meditation to dismantle the stigma on mental health and grief.

Connect with LP
www.pentonpending.com
https://www.instagram.com/lpfiremedic/
https://www.instagram.com/penton_pending_cs/

In this episode of Groove with Portia, I had the opportunity to sit down with Crystal Crawford, an exceptional Legal Nurse Consultant, as she shared her transformative journey. Crystal's path is a testament to the incredible power of embracing change. She eloquently describes how she gracefully moved beyond a specific phase in her nursing career, embarking on a journey of exploration and self-discovery. Crystal unveiled the depth of emotions that come with transitions within familiar work environments. Her authenticity serves as a reminder that transformation comes hand-in-hand with a range of unique feelings and challenges. Crystal's insights encourage listeners to welcome discomfort as a catalyst for growth along with leaning into one’s own faith during seasons of grief.

https://www.crawfordlegalnurseconsulting.com

In this episode of Groove with Portia, I'm honored to welcome Career Reinvention Coach, Annette Garsteck. Annette dives into how she is navigating the grief that accompanies the entrepreneurial journey. Our Career Reinvention Pioneer shares how the limiting belief of doubt played a pivotal role in her transition from the corporate world to the path of entrepreneurship. Annette offers listeners permission to discuss career endeavors with others instead of keeping them a secret. Our Career Coach stressed the importance of support and finding or creating a network with nurturing at the forefront. Annette imparts the value of saying “yes” to a meeting with a potential employer as the door of possibilities opens from a single step.

annettegarsteck.com

On this episode of Groove with Portia, you are joined by none other than me, myself, and I. I'm excited to share a profound experience I had during my time in Canada that revolves around a powerful message of letting go.

In a truly vulnerable moment, I dive into the complex emotions of resentment and grief that have held me prisoner. My time in Canada acted as a catalyst for a transformative shift in my perspective on grief.

Through my personal lens, I hope to resonate with others who might be navigating similar emotions and offer them a glimmer of inspiration and healing.

On this episode of Groove with Portia, I am joined by Kacie Gikonyo, Certified Death Doula and Founder of End of Life Coaching with Kacie. Kacie opens the conversation by breaking down the role of a death doula. Holding over 12 years under her belt as a Registered Nurse in units where individuals were “making their transition”, Kacie found a passion for helping individuals have a beautiful death and wrap up any ounces of guilt or shame. Being in the face of both death and grief, she reveals her strategies for managing compassion fatigue while addressing her own personal sorrows. Our crossroad companion offers listeners answers to the common misconceptions about death, beginning with the definition that death is a labor out of this world.

Connect with Kacie:
https://www.instagram.com/endoflifewithkacie/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacie-gikonyo-3207b963/
https://www.coachingwithkacie.com/

On this episode of Groove with Portia, I have the honor of hosting Valerie Mayen, the Founder of Yellowcake Shop and Project Runway Alumni. Valerie shares her personal grief journey following her television debut on Project Runway. She “sews together” the significance of reminding ourselves why we started in the first place, especially during challenging moments in our careers. As a Project Runway Alum, Valerie offers listeners the chance to cultivate success by implementing powerful habits while also fueling their creativity through play and rest.

Connect with Valerie Mayen
https://www.instagram.com/yellowcakeshop/
https://www.facebook.com/yellowcakeshopcle
https://www.yellowcakeshop.com/