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The past two years have been relentless for creatives, and even in the first quarter of the year,, the losses keep piling up with no end in sight. Staying creative, hopeful, or even grounded feels harder than ever.

In this episode, I sit down once again with acclaimed grief counselor and bestselling author Christina Rasmussen to talk about navigating loss in times of crisis. She shares valuable insight on how to cope when back-to-back losses shake the foundation of our creative lives, leaving us questioning who we are and what’s left to hold onto. Instead of the usual “power through” mentality, Christina offers a different approach—one rooted in self-compassion, asking for help, and finding strength in community. Together, we explore how to apply these ideas in moments of uncertainty and what it means to stay true to ourselves even when the industry feels unrecognizable.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by it all, this conversation is for you. It’s a reminder that even in the hardest times, you’re not alone—and that your creative voice still matters.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

• How life’s changes often come with unexpected losses—and why they matter
• KEY TAKEAWAY: Without losses we’d have no way to measure the gains
• What “life re-entry” really means and how to move forward after grief
• The important lesson Zack learned from losing his dad
• Why community is essential—and why putting your head down and powering through isn’t enough
• How a lack of self-compassion can distort our perception of reality and keep us stuck
• What to do when losses start to feel overwhelming
• Overcoming the fear and reluctance of reaching out for help
• How to stay true to your creative self even when everything is falling apart
• Finding fulfillment and staying creative in times of deep uncertainty
• Christina puts me in the hot seat, challenging me to reflect on my own period of uncertainty

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Overcoming the Grief of “Invisible Losses” (Including Losing Your Job), and Getting Out of “Survival Mode” | with Christina Rasmussen

Christina Rasmussen’s website

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Ugly Truth About Burnout (Even When You’re Unemployed), and How to Build Immunity From It | with Dr. Kandi Wiens

The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone

Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression | with Dr. Edison de Mello

A New Approach to Relieving Stress & Anxiety (and Improving “Emotional” Health) | with Nick Wignall

Unemployed? Burned Out? Or Both? How to Manage a Career Break | with Laura Nguyen

How to Become Resilient In the Face of Change (and Manage an Identity Crisis) | with Brad Stulberg

Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

Pushing Yourself to Your Limits (When Quitting isn’t an Option) | with Evan Perperis

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

The Benefits of Mindfulness & Therapy (and How to Know Which One You Need) | with Seth Gillihan

The Mindful Editor | It’s Okay If You’re Not Ready to Be Productive

Guest Bio:

Christina Rasmussen

 

Christina Rasmussen is an acclaimed grief educator and bestselling author of Second Firsts (Hay House, 2013), Where Did You Go? (Harper One, 2018), and Invisible Loss (Sounds True, 2024). In 2010, four years after her thirty-five-year-old spouse passed away from Stage 4 colon cancer, she created the Life Reentry process, which launched her on a mission to bring compassion, grace, and validation to thousands, while simultaneously establishing an exit from what she termed the Waiting Room.

Christina holds a master’s degree in guidance and counseling (University of Durham). She is currently finishing her master of fine arts degree in painting and drawing (Academy of Art). Her grief work has been featured on ABC News and in Women’s World, the Washington Post, and the White House Blog.

In her spare time, she is learning to play the piano and planning her first trip to the edge of space. She works and lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Eric, and their two dogs.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zackarnold/exclusive-content