Phoenix Lessons

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Wills and trusts attorneys sit at a rare intersection of law, family, and mortality. They see the practical realities of what happens when someone dies—but also the emotional, often messy human side of it. From that vantage point, someone like Amelia Heath can offer remarkably grounded wisdom about both grief and planning. 

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It’s incredibly painful when your grief is still raw but the world around you seems to have moved on. That mismatch—between your inner reality and others’ expectations—can make you feel isolated, defective, or misunderstood. But nothing is wrong with you. Grief is not linear, it does not follow schedules, and it certainly does not obey other people’s comfort levels.

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Debbie has spent much of her life untangling the knots of shame and blame—trying to understand what truly belongs to her and what never should have. While the answers might seem obvious to some, they become far more elusive when you’re raised in a toxic spirituality that insists you’re always at fault. From the clothes she wore to the abuse she endured, the cult-like faith of her upbringing constantly turned the blame inward. But in the ashes of that pain, Debbie did the hard work—learning to lay down what was never hers to carry and, at last, breathing in the deep, healing air of freedom.

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Mindi Rivin spent much of her adolescence searching for herself on the streets, navigating instability and hardship. Eventually, she found safety and a sense of purpose at a local community college, where she began to rebuild her life. As a young adult, she became engaged—only to be confronted with the unexpected: her fiancé announced they would be living under the strictest tenets of Orthodox Judaism. Faced with yet another extreme, Mindi had to reckon with the chaotic forces of her past and the rigid expectations of her future. Through this journey, she discovered how to burn away those extremes and carve a path toward balance, family, and a deeper sense of wholeness.

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What happens when women walk away from extreme religion?
Beyond Belief, edited by Cami Ostman and Susan Tive, shares powerful, personal stories from women who left rigid faith communities. These narratives reveal not only the control and misogyny often embedded in religious orthodoxy, but also the deep allure—belonging, purpose, and spiritual meaning. Honest, raw, and reflective, this collection explores the courage it takes to leave—and the complexity of what’s left behind.

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Ronna Russell is a two-time author (The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher’s Kid, Scold's Bridle) and visual artist. Ronna talks with Cami and Amanda about her multiple times through the phoenix cycle finding her faith, her fire, and ultimately her freedom. View her art and follow Ronna on Instagram @scrapartcrone.

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Why is it so hard to talk about sex? And if it’s such a struggle, why do we keep coming back to it? This universal experience often leaves us questioning ourselves, our desires, and our relationships. What messages did we absorb as children that now keep us silent—afraid, ashamed, and stuck in the dark? It’s time to flip the switch, break the silence, and find some real freedom.

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Kyle Firstenberg has lived through a series of Phoenix moments—periods of profound transformation where life demanded he rise from the ashes and reinvent himself. Each chapter forged a stronger, more intentional version of who he is. The result? A man who now chooses his path with clarity and courage. Today, Kyle lives life on the road—traveling, seeking adventure, and helping others experience the fullness of life through their own moments of discovery and reinvention.

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Amanda and Cami explore how stepping out of your comfort zone can open your eyes to new possibilities, help you get unstuck, and move through the ashes of what’s no longer serving you. One of their favorite tools for transformation? Travel—not the vacation kind, but real, perspective-shifting travel. Tune in to hear how shaking up your surroundings can help you shake things loose and move ahead with clarity and purpose.

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Jennifer Drennan is a 23-year critical care nurse and the mother of a special needs,
disabled and autistic teenage child. When Jennifer’s daughter, Caitlyn, was born in 2010 with congenital, stage 4 cancer, Jennifer was unexpectedly thrust into on the other side of the healthcare spectrum, a totally unfamiliar world of having to learn how to parent and advocate for her medically complex child. Jenn had to navigate through the grief, anger and guilt-ridden resentment of the ashes, eventually discovering that, in order to find peace and joy again, she must ask for help, and surrender to the unknowns while navigating this mysterious and lonely wilderness. Jenn is now a passionate advocate for the disability community, both as a parent and healthcare professional. Follow her journey at https://www.instagram.com/jendrennanrn/

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