Connecting with your Celebrant Calling.

Jen Boyes-Manseau is on the Faculty of the Natural Transitions Institute and is also their Academic Manager. Join us for this conversation as we unpack this notion of a 'calling' and how someone can be attuned to a calling to Celebrancy. Jen takes a deep dive into her story and journey as a Celebrant to flesh out how her own sense of calling has grown and evolved over the years.

Takeaways:

➡️ Celebrancy is a calling that can be unpacked and explored.

➡️ A calling can come from both inner resonance and external requests.

➡️ Personal experiences shape one's understanding of their calling.

➡️ Community plays a crucial role in the practice of celebrancy.

➡️ The evolution of celebrancy practices reflects changing societal needs.

➡️ Personalization in ceremonies should resonate universally.

➡️ Navigating family dynamics is essential in celebratory contexts.

➡️ Cultural differences impact how celebrancy is perceived and practiced.

➡️ Training and support are vital for celebrants to thrive.

➡️ Peer feedback fosters growth and professionalism in celebrancy.

Jen's website and Celebracy practice in Gatineau, QC:

https://www.lifecircleceremoniescercledevie.ca/

Check out the course offerings at Natural Transitions Institute:

https://www.naturaltransitions.org/

Nicole Sammut's work leans into the spaces we rarely acknowledge: closures, layoffs, and those sudden, quiet and emotionally charged workplace transitions that shape our professional and personal identities. In our conversation, Nicole shares candidly about her own experiences with workplace uncertainty and how she uses ritual—not to find answers, but to honour and move through the tough emotions that arise.

https://www.nicolesammut.com/

https://www.facebook.com/NicoleSammutCeremonies

https://www.instagram.com/unitedwithnicole/

~~ This conversation follows a workshop Nicole shared with Megan Sheldon at Be Ceremonial https://www.instagram.com/beceremonial/

Check out the Rituals & Job Loss session here, as well as other great sessions and future wokshops:

https://www.beceremonial.com/events/

We delve into queer joy at weddings and the profound impact of calling upon queer ancestors in a couples' ceremonies. My guest, Zachary Michaud of Old Ways Ceremonies (Maine) shares his unique approach to crafting meaningful and inclusive wedding ceremonies that resonate deeply with all involved.

https://www.oldwaysceremonies.com/

Welcome to this conversation with Karla Combres, a Legacy Guide and Celebrant, who helps people live fully and leave meaningful legacies by honouring life’s milestones, making everyday moments matter, and capturing timeless memories—from birth to earth.

Through personalized 1:1 guidance, transformative workshops, and custom ceremonies, she empowers individuals, families, and organizations to align their values with their actions and create lives of purpose and meaning.

At the heart of her work is the philosophy of memento mori—a gentle yet profound reminder of our mortality that inspires us to celebrate life in all its beauty and brevity.

Based in Saskatoon, Karla works with clients locally and globally to turn their lives into lasting legacies.

Website: www.karlacombres.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlacombrescelebrant/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarlaCombresCelebrant/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlacombres/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@karlacombres

A horse walked into a wedding!

Now that I have your attention ... welcome to this episode with special Guest, Rachel Edwards, of Owen Sound - Grey & Bruce County's in Ontario. This episode will feel like your eavesdropping on life-cycle celebrants discussing meaningful but unique ritual designs that lead to transformative rituals.

Get ready for an intriguing conversation that will take you on a journey through 2 distinct ceremonies. And yes, you will hear about a unique wedding featuring a majestic horse named Fleur.

https://racheledwardslifecyclecelebrant.ca/

Blog post:

https://lifecyclecelebrant.substack.com/

Check us out on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@herecomesthecelebrant

This episode is a masterclass! We're joined by Ben Martin, a seasoned celebrant and the Executive Director of the Natural Transitions Institute.

Ben’s transition from a career in software to becoming a Life-Cycle Celebrant was inspired by a profound desire to connect with people on a deeper, more meaningful level.

His unique approach involves a deep dive into the lives of those who have passed, creating a "soul sketch" - a vivid portrayal that brings the essence of the departed to life during the ceremony.

Ben's book of poetry:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CHL96DJK?ref_=cb_interstitial_us_ca_desktop_unrec_location_unk_dp_dp

More information about the Natural Transitions Institute:

https://www.naturaltransitions.org/

Welcome Life-Cycle Celebrant Molly Matheson from Alpenglow Ceremonies in beautiful Canmore, Alberta. Born and raised in the breathtaking Canadian Rocky Mountains, Molly shares her unique approach to celebrating life's precious moments, drawing inspiration from the magical phenomenon of alpenglow - that stunning light that illuminates mountain peaks just before sunrise or after sunset.

Today's episode features Jude Douglass, an extraordinary Life-Cycle Celebrant who brings a unique blend of adventure and storytelling to wedding ceremonies in British Columbia's Sea to Sky region. With a background in European tour guiding and a passion for personalized celebrations, Jude specializes in creating unforgettable wedding experiences that capture the essence of each couple's love story - from intimate mountain elopements to ceremonies that reflect the adventurous spirit of Squamish, BC.

Welcome to "Here Comes the Celebrant," a podcast dedicated to profiling and celebrating the role of Life-Cycle Celebrants™️ in our communities. Join us as we explore stories of those who guide individuals and families through significant life events with compassion and creativity. Through interviews and personal narratives, we highlight the work of Life-Cycle Celebrants™️ and how they handcraft ceremonies that enrich our shared human experience. Coming January 2025.

Theme music: Blue Claw Philharmonic (thanks, Thomas)