Qualified - Lessons in Loss

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At the age of 13, Katherine made the choice to exclude her father from her life.  By going no contact with him, she hoped to rid herself of his toxic behavior and safeguard her own mental health.

Listen in to our conversation as Katherine shares about her emotional journey of stepping away from her father for 13 years and the impact it had on her adult life.  She also discusses the liberating force of forgiveness and its essential role in overcoming bitterness, anger, and the importance of praying for those not ready to mend fences.

https://leonfe.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/opportunitymade/
https://leonfoundation.thinkific.com/ - free leadership course

#nocontact #reconciliation #forgiveness #toxicbehavior #radicalacceptance

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While away from home on a business trip, Anne-Marie was informed that her husband suffered a brain aneurysm and died in their bedroom.  Nothing could have prepared her for the pain and grief she was about to experience and no one seemed equipped to come alongside her emotionally.

Listen in to this inspirational story of how one widow was determined to use her experience to help other grievers -ultimately becoming a grief specialist, 8-time award-winning author on grief,  and founder of The Grief & Trauma Healing Network, LLC.

Her website: Grief & Trauma Healing Network
https://griefandtraumahealing.com

Widow Retreat Information:
https://www.griefandtraumahealing.com/widows-grief-retreat/

Her free online grief support site: MyGriefCare.com
 https://www.mygriefcare.com

Your Grief Guides YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxXrACWW7qjFlQ1A26onCMQ

Anne-Marie’s 8-time award-winning book “When Their World Stops - The Essential Guide to Truly Helping Anyone in Grief”   https://amzn.to/3Sb2T2f

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Raising twin daughters with severe intellectual disabilities and autism, working full time and becoming an advocate for people with disabilities would keep Clay busy and challenged over the years.  But when his wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, he began to wonder why his family had been singled out for so much adversity in this life.

Listen in and hear how Clay Boatright eventually found purpose in adversity and how he learned to view life's challenges as blessings.

Purchase Clay's book here:
https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Plan-Our-Circus-Reinvention/dp/1955711224

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When a social media post informed her about a fatal shark attack at the very time and place her husband was surfing that day, Katie instinctively knew her worst fear had been realized.  Now widowed at the age of 27, her life had been shattered into a million pieces launching her into the unknown, unwanted journey of grief.

Listen in as I talk with Katie Kelly- an incredibly strong and resilient woman, and the founder of  Through It All - a newly established nonprofit foundation dedicated to helping those in grief and equipping churches and individuals with the tools to compassionately walk alongside people after the loss of a loved one.

Katie's Foundation - Through it All:
https://www.throughitall.com/

#widow #childlesswidow #traumaticloss #suddenloss #throughitall 

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Ten years after losing  her mom to cancer, Ceci was still healing but feeling stronger, restored and more grounded.  Then the news came that her father was ill and ultimately died in the hospital during the pandemic.    By age 30, she had lost both parents and was struggling with PTSD, suicidal ideation and a variety of somatic issues stemming from her intense grief. 

Listen in to this honest and inspirational conversation with Ceci Frost about her trauma, grief journey and the lessons she learned in her loss.

https://thehopecollective.net/?fbclid=IwAR3lVNvcQIKOjeyMYINTWOtMj8Go42hLr-AbqwCQm0CVicMvxwXFbnPeXYE

#parentloss #grief #examingmyfaith #PTSD #somaticissues #mindfulness

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Growing up in an alcoholic and abusive home made every day difficult for Suzy.  She endured painful emotional and physical abuse and failed to receive the nurturing and parental guidance that is so critical to a child’s healthy development.  But even after being raped at a very young age, and living in a home devoid of love, Suzy’s greatest loss would be the death of her younger brother, Bart, who died tragically by suicide.

Join me in this intimate conversation with Suzy Ryan, author, educator, Ironman athlete, and SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection) survivor. After twenty-plus years of teaching bright-eyed, enthusiastic pupils and tired-eyed, apathetic ones, and everything in between, Suzy realized each student had a story to tell—some even traumatic as her own.

Her debut novel, Saving Summer, was born out of a desire to offer a bridge of hope for students, encouraging them to see themselves as victors rather than victims. Awarded Valley Middle School’s teacher of the year in 2020, Suzy now teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th grades at Carlsbad Seaside Academy. A Kansas native turned California girl, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three adult children.

https://www.Suzyryan.com

#abusesurvivor #sexualabuse #suicide #atriskstudents #teacher #compassion #rape #empathy #narcissisticparents #alcoholism #savingsummer #suzyryan #SCAD #trauma #faith #BartBradford #JackMunday 

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Following two miscarriages, Darrell and his wife were thrilled to learn that they would finally become parents.   As they arrived at the hospital prepared to experience their greatest joy, they also received devasting news that would trigger a mix of emotions they were completely unprepared for.

Listen in on my conversation with Darrell Williams, former white  house communications director to the vice president,  military veteran, pastor, speaker, facilitator, and certified life coach. Darrell's candid discussion on managing emotional turmoil while offering support to his spouse, and drawing strength from their faith, family and circle of friends is sure to touch your heart, inspire you, and give you hope!

#miscarriage #joyandsorrow #faith #grief

Darrell's Website:
https://speakerhub.com/speaker/darrell-williams

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During a family vacation in Colorado, Tara's 13-year-old daughter Taylor died suddenly when she struck a tree while skiing.  Still in shock, Tara and her husband were asked a question no parents ever think they will hear:  "Would you be willing to donate Taylor's organs?"

In our conversation, Tara opens up about the difficult journey of grief and how Taylor's passing impacted her family. However, amidst the pain, Tara found a sense of purpose in promoting organ donation, an act that truly embodies Taylor’s selfless spirit. She shares the admirable work of the Taylor's Gift Foundation, a beacon of support for grieving families across the nation, and the crucial role of organ procurement organizations.

Tara also recounts the incredible aftermath of Taylor's passing, including the emotional moment she read Taylor's poem, 'I Am', on the Ellen DeGeneres show. The inspiring stories of the five recipients of Taylor's organs highlight the life-altering power of organ donation.

Taylor's Gift Foundation:
https://www.taylorsgift.org/

Ellen Show clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU0_Joq0yRs

Good Morning America clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFx-TIE3zy8

#organdonation #lessonsinloss #taylorsgift #bereavedmom #losingadaughter #deathofachild #faith #adversity #loss 

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When her husband passed away suddenly, Debbie was widowed without warning at the age of 35 with 4 young boys.  In our discussion, she  weaves through the terror of losing Aaron,  the heartbreak of explaining the tragedy to her four young boys, and the struggle to keep her faith amidst the darkest storm she'd ever faced.

Debbie's story isn't just about loss and grief, it's one of resilience, hope, and faith that will challenge your perspective on life. With raw emotions and heartfelt wisdom, Debbie takes us along her journey navigating the unfathomable tide of grief while finding strength in her faith and community. She reminds us all that even though tomorrow is not guaranteed, we can trust our unknown future to a known God. Don't miss this episode. It's a testament to the human spirit's indomitable power to overcome adversity and keep pushing forward.

https://www.debbiewilkinsbaisden.com/

#widowedwithchildren #widow #suddenloss #grief #faith #deathofspouse

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Just before Thanksgiving in 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, a loving wife and mother of three would discover that her 17-year-old daughter had taken her own life.

In an incredibly touching conversation with author K. L .Gilchrist, we walk through her journey of sudden bereavement. Gilchrist paints a poignant picture of the initial shock and grief that accompanied her daughter's untimely passing and her struggle for closure. Yet, in this darkness, she found solace by leaning on her faith.  Gilchrist's perspective on trusting God amidst the storm is not only inspirational but also insightful.

https://www.klgilchrist.com

#childloss #suicide #radicaltrust #God #faith #grief