In this deeply moving episode of Hidden Gifts of Loss, Julie welcomes Adrienne Bender—author of The Almost Miracle Years. Adrienne 's story is one of unimaginable heartbreak, resilience, and ultimately, hope.

Adrienne became a mother at just 17, putting herself through university while raising her son, and later building a career as a registered psychiatric nurse. What unfolded in the years to come would test every ounce of her strength.

She shares openly about:

Navigating early motherhood, education, and career while raising two children.

Her daughter's AML leukemia diagnosis at age eight, and the grueling years of treatment, remission, relapse, and eventual loss to GVHD in 2018.

Her son's battle with addiction, his near-miraculous recovery, return to school, and devastating death from fentanyl poisoning in 2023.

Enduring the deaths of her father, grandfather, and uncle in quick succession—all while working full-time and being the caretaker for her family.

How grief brought her to her knees but also gave her moments of grace, resilience, and miracles worth remembering.

Why she wrote The Almost Miracle Years—a book about survival, the fleeting beauty of small victories, and finding joy in the darkest times.

Adrienne 's journey is heartbreaking yet inspiring, reminding us that even when “the overall big picture is not good,” it is still possible to notice the hidden gifts—the small mercies, the fleeting rainbows in the storm.

Learn more about Adrienne Bender and The Almost Miracle Years: https://a.co/d/7Ut8moz

In this episode of Hidden Gifts of Loss, Julie sits down with Jacqui Johnson, creator of The Magnificent Body Experience—a transformational 10-day program that invites women to reconnect with their bodies in unexpected and profound ways.

Jacqui's journey into this sacred work began after the sudden loss of her beloved mother, Ronnie. What started as grief unfolded into a calling: to help women stop seeing their bodies as projects to conquer and instead honor them as cherished companions.

Together, Julie and Jacqui explore:

How the loss of Jacqui 's mother awakened her life's purpose.

Why women struggle to accept compliments and live at odds with their bodies.

The role of storytelling in healing, resilience, and creating safe spaces for transformation.

How just 30 minutes a day for 10 days can shift how we see and inhabit our bodies.

The unexpected ways grief gifts us clarity, courage, and connection.

Jacqui 's story is one of legacy, love, and liberation. From her roots in Ghana to her decades-long career as a fashion designer, she now weaves together creativity, psychology, and deep compassion to guide women back to themselves.

Whether you're navigating loss, longing for a deeper connection with your body, or simply seeking inspiration to embrace life fully—this conversation offers wisdom, warmth, and hope.

Learn more about Jacqui Johnson and The Magnificent Body Experience: (coming soon)

In this episode of the Hidden Gifts of Loss podcast, the host welcomes Patty Hunt, the host of the RV Life podcast. Patty shares her inspiring journey from being a teacher to RVing full-time with her husband until his illness changed their path. She speaks about living without regrets, handling loss, and the adventures and community spirit of the RV lifestyle. Patty also dives deeply into personal stories of handling the loss of loved ones, particularly her grandmother and parents, emphasizing the importance of discussing death openly. She highlights the emotional, spiritual, and therapeutic benefits of these conversations and the peace found in fulfilling the wishes of those who have passed. Patty promotes the idea of living fully and cherishing memories, making this episode a profound listen for those navigating grief and seeking to live a life without regrets.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:52 Patty's RV Life Journey

05:35 Dealing with Loss and Grief

05:56 Early Experiences with Loss

09:32 Caring for Aging Parents

13:43 Final Conversations and Reflections

23:35 Navigating Conversations About Loss

24:03 Keeping Memories Alive for Children

24:43 Signs and Symbols from Loved Ones

26:51 Handling Funerals and Children's Grief

33:19 Living Life Without Regrets

40:54 The Importance of Surrender and Support

44:31 Final Reflections and Gratitude

Susan J. Schmitt Winchester is a distinguished innovative HR leader with over 36 years of corporate experience, and co-author of 'Healing at Work.' She is passionate about teaching people how to break through unconscious beliefs and patterns that lead to burnout, overwhelm, worry and stress in their workplaces and discover greater self-acceptance and fulfillment in both work and life. In this episode, Susan shares her incredible journey of overcoming personal trauma and professional challenges, including the devastating loss of her sister, Nancy, to cancer. She reveals how Nancy's passing and hidden family traumas shaped her mission to help others break through unconscious patterns that lead to workplace stress and burnout. Susan explains her transformative three-step process called 'Rapid Power Reclaim,' designed to help individuals manage emotional triggers at work through creating choice, elevating action, and celebrating and integrating new behaviors. The conversation highlights the profound connection between personal history and professional life, emphasizing the importance of emotional healing in achieving workplace fulfillment.

You can learn more about Susan's work here: https://healingatwork.com/

and listen to her inspiring TEDx talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY8WhA045iE

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:51 A Serendipitous Meeting

01:20 Susan's Personal Story: The Loss of Her Sister

05:34 The Impact of Childhood Trauma

10:36 Writing and Healing: The Journey to the Book

18:10 Workplace Dynamics and Emotional Healing

25:59 Understanding Bumper Car Moments

26:18 Recognizing Emotional Triggers

27:17 Understanding Neuroplasticity

27:51 The Rapid Power Reclaim Process

29:41 Processing Emotions Through Somatic Practices

31:04 Elevate Action: Changing Old Behaviors

33:16 Celebrate and Integrate: Reinforcing New Patterns

35:43 Personal Stories of Emotional Management

43:46 The Power of Vulnerability and Sharing

46:39 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

In this episode of the Hidden Gifts of Loss podcast, host Julie interviews Josea Crossley, founder of the Dark Woods of Grief. Josea has over 20 years of experience working with grief and trauma through practices rooted in somatic therapy, attachment theory, deep nature connection, craniosacral therapy, shamanic study, Tibetan Buddhism, and yoga. The discussion delves into the transformative power of grief work, the importance of community support in healing, and the impact of societal and historical factors on our grieving processes. Josea also shares insights into her online and in-person programs that provide guidance and ritual spaces for individuals to safely navigate their grief, fostering a sense of belonging and healing. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of personal grief and collective trauma, emphasizing the need for communal grieving practices to achieve holistic well-being. Listeners can learn more about Josea's work here:

https://www.instagram.com/darkwoodsofgrief/

https://www.facebook.com/darkwoodsofgrief/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/josea-crossley-0001622b/

https://darkwoodsofgrief.com/

00:00 Introduction to Jo Crossley and Her Work

01:18 The Dark Woods of Grief: A Metaphor and Practice

01:58 Community and Grieving: The Importance of Not Being Alone

02:51 Cultural Practices and the Stigma Around Grief

06:26 The Impact of COVID-19 on Grief Support

13:26 The Role of Rituals in Grieving

17:15 Understanding Grief and Its Layers

17:41 Collective Grief in Society

18:00 Recognizing and Naming Grief

18:09 The Importance of Grief Skills

18:41 The Impact of Political Events on Grief

20:43 Historical and Systemic Roots of Grief

22:43 Personal and Ancestral Grief

27:40 The Role of Community in Grief

31:17 Upcoming Grief Support Programs

34:02 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this heartfelt episode, the host welcomes Catherine Severance Avery, a celebrated author and founder of Rest Restoration Ranch, a 40-acre sanctuary for first responders. Catherine shares deeply personal experiences of loss, from her mother's tragic accident to her husband's untimely death in a traffic collision caused by criminals fleeing a robbery. Remarkably, she highlights the intertwining of intuition and grief throughout her life, emphasizing the importance of addressing and processing emotions rather than suppressing them. Catherine's story underscores the challenges faced by first responders and their families, advocating for better mental health support and appreciation. Her dedication led her to establish a nonprofit offering retreats for first responders to recuperate in solitude. The episode delves into societal attitudes towards grief, major losses, and the invaluable role of intuition in navigating life's toughest moments.

You can check out and support Kathryn's work here:

https://www.respondertv.com/guests/kathryn-severns-aver/

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

01:02 Catherine's Personal Grief Journey

02:19 Intuition and Closure

05:04 Struggles with Eating Disorders

06:39 Cultural Attitudes Towards Grief

09:00 Tools for Coping with Grief

14:26 Loss of a Nephew and Sister

24:51 Intuition and Family Losses

25:15 Tragic Loss of Husband

31:00 The Search Begins

32:44 The Realization

33:33 The Police Arrive

34:48 The Full Story Unfolds

35:55 Community Support and Acts of Service

36:47 Christmas Day Surprise

38:02 Turning Grief into Action

42:05 Starting a Nonprofit

46:21 Raising Awareness and Advocacy

48:39 The Cost of Incarceration vs. Victim Support

50:39 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

In this episode of 'The Hidden Gifts of Loss' podcast, host Julie Trainer welcomes Roxanne Hanneman, the end of life doula who helped her process the grief of losing her mother. Julie shares how Roxanne's support and encouragement inspired her to start the podcast. They discuss the role and importance of end of life doulas, shared death experiences, and the power of talking about loss and grieving openly. The episode delves into personal stories, the emotional and mystical aspects of death, and the comforting signs from loved ones who have passed. It also touches on how society's views on death are evolving and the importance of holding space for those who are grieving.

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

01:28 The Role and Impact of an End of Life Doula

04:25 Personal Stories of Loss and Grief

11:59 Shared Death Experiences and Their Significance

19:46 The Evolving Conversation Around Death

29:05 Experiencing the Angelic Realm

29:45 The Importance of Confidentiality

30:43 Training and Skills of an End of Life Doula

32:03 Creating a Sacred Space for Grief

32:48 Personal Experiences with Angels

35:44 Signs and Symbols from Loved Ones

39:10 The Healing Power of Grief

44:14 Synchronicities and Mediumship

52:34 Finding an End of Life Doula

53:34 Final Thoughts and Farewells

In this heartfelt episode of the Hidden Gifts of Loss podcast, host Julie Trainer sits down with Rosa Montaño to delve into the life and legacy of her late father, Isidro Montaño Hernández. Rosa recounts her father's incredible journey from Guadalajara, Mexico, to America, emphasizing his tenacity and bravery despite a challenging childhood marked by a serious injury and familial hardships. She shares poignant memories, including his determination to uproot and better himself despite his maimed appearance, his fluent English skills, and the sacrifices he made to support his family. The episode captures how Isidro's spirit influenced his family's values and ambitions, Rosa's reflections on rediscovered love letters, enduring legacy, and the poignant impact of his passing. Julie and Rosa also explore the emotional resonance of letters, cultural identity, and unseen spiritual guidance, concluding with Rosa's plans to honor her father's memory in a unique and touching way.

00:00 Introduction to the Hidden Gifts of Loss Podcast

00:35 Rosa's Father's Early Life and Challenges

02:27 Journey to America and Family Life

03:21 The Power of Letters and Family Memories

04:06 Rosa's Childhood and School Experiences

10:55 Embracing Heritage and Identity

12:38 Reflections on Father's Legacy and Passing

16:52 Final Moments and Hospital Struggles

36:04 Patient Advocacy Challenges

36:47 A Month in the ICU

38:27 The Final Days

46:17 A Father's Legacy

49:52 Returning Home

52:40 Honoring His Memory

01:01:15 Final Reflections

In this episode of the Hidden Gifts of Loss podcast, host Julie welcomes Rita Black, a clinical hypnotherapist renowned for her work in smoking cessation and weight loss. Rita shares her fascinating journey from a Hollywood screenwriter to a transformative hypnotherapist, inspired by personal struggles and the loss of her mother, who was a perfectionist and life-long weight struggler. The conversation delves into the impact of emotional eating, the creation of the Shift Weight Mastery process, the importance of finding peace and self-worth through weight loss, and how grief can be a catalyst for profound transformation. Both Julie and Rita reflect on how their parents' lives and deaths inspired their healing work. They also discuss how both Julie and Rita released significant amounts of weight through the Shift Weight Mastery process and how you can too!

Link to Rita's free masterclass:

https://shiftmonthlymasterymembership.mykajabi.com/shiftevergreenwebinar?rootabl=jtgoddess

00:00 Introduction to the Hidden Gifts of Loss Podcast

00:27 Meet Rita Black: Hypnotherapist and Author

01:07 Personal Transformation Journey

03:35 Rita's Background and Career Shift

05:16 Life in Los Angeles and Career Challenges

08:16 Discovering Hypnosis and Its Impact

16:16 Creating the Shift Weight Mastery Process

21:34 Overcoming Perfectionism

22:54 The Shift and Personal Loss

25:54 Honoring Parents and Ancestors

28:57 Creating a Community and Legacy

37:41 The Shift Program Details

In this episode of the Hidden Gifts and Loss podcast, host Julie interviews Karen DeBonis about her book 'Growth', which chronicles her family's journey through her son's diagnosis and battle with a brain tumor. Karen discusses the challenges of advocating for her son's health amidst medical gaslighting and the personal growth she experienced from being timid to a stronger advocate. Karen's insights into parenting a child with a brain injury, the ongoing journey of personal empowerment, and her collaboration with her son's psychologist to teach advocacy are explored. The episode touches on the emotional and practical struggles faced by parents and writers, offering advice on speaking up, personal growth, and the perseverance required in writing memoirs. Karen's story is an inspiring testament to resilience and advocacy.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:42 Karen's Journey: From Timidity to Strength

04:48 The Diagnosis and Medical Struggles

06:27 Overcoming Medical Gaslighting

14:16 Matthew's Current Life and Reflections

16:16 The Surgery and Long-Term Recovery

21:20 Increased Awareness and Novel Treatments for Brain Tumors

21:41 Challenges in Diagnosing Brain Tumors

22:47 The Journey of Writing a Book

23:34 The Importance of Writing Communities

26:26 Advice for Parents and Writers

31:55 Encouragement for Aspiring Writers

33:31 Final Thoughts and Gratitude