Healing, Loss, and Perception: Navigating Identity After TraumaIn this episode of the Real and Rooted Wednesday Dive-In, Lori Kendall explores the profound experience of grief, loss, and how traumatic events reshape our perception of ourselves and others. She offers compassionate insights on navigating the journey of rebuilding identity and recognizing the little things that matter in recovery.Key Topics:

• The concept of healing as stepping into who you've always been, not becoming someone new

• The emotional impact of losing a loved one and the importance of space to grieve

• How grief and trauma reshape identity, beliefs, and relationships

• The societal tendency to overlook or judge those experiencing loss

• The significance of small acts of kindness in the healing process

• Recognizing warning signs in loved ones and the importance of paying attention to subtle cues

• The role of perception versus truth and the power of slowing down

• The gift of lessons and growth found in every loss or challenging interaction

• Encouragement to find and use gifts bestowed by loved ones for personal and communal betterment

• Reflection questions on perception, truth, and the unique gifts of loved ones

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction to healing as embracing your authentic self 

00:51 - The emotional space for those grieving lost loved ones 

01:20 - Personal reflection on grief and identity 

04:32 - The complexity of tough conversations around loss 

04:42 - How we answer when asked how we are 

05:03 - The impact of hiding pain and the societal view of rawness 

05:49 - Understanding trauma and grief's effect on identity 

06:16 - How trauma causes us to lose ourselves in the situation 

06:52 - The meaning of military honors and the perception of sacrifice 

07:26 - Society’s failure to listen and understand genuine pain 

08:23 - The influence of societal perceptions of marriage and success 

09:15 - The personal experience of traumatic loss and feelings of being lost 

09:44 - The toll of surviving in fight or flight mode 

10:28 - The importance of understanding and giving space to others 

11:12 - Who we are walking into the future after loss 

12:02 - The timeless message: don’t judge a book by its cover 

12:31 - The slow process of rebuilding and appreciating small acts 

13:30 - The significance of noticing small things in others’ rebuilding journeys 

14:19 - The story behind the book "Missing Pieces" and warning signs overlooked 

15:10 - Recognizing the influence of perception versus reality 

15:34 - The importance of active observation and engagement with others 

16:21 - Lessons and gifts found through loss and interaction 

17:06 - Reflection on perception, truth, and the gifts from loved ones 

17:19 - Closing thoughts and invitation to journal and reflect

Resources & Links:

• [Missing Pieces: The Final Salute by Lori Kendall]

Visit Missing Pieces The Final Salute Group on Facebook

Missing Pieces Book Order 

Finding Gratitude in Hard Moments: A Reflection on the Sunday Shoreline

In this episode of the Sunday Shoreline, Lori Kendall invites listeners to slow down and practice gratitude, especially during challenging weeks. She shares personal stories of loss, hope, and legacy, encouraging honest reflection and recognizing small moments of relief and strength. Whether you're driving, walking, or relaxing at home, this episode offers gentle insights to help you root yourself as you prepare for the week ahead.

Key Topics

• The importance of gratitude for small, quiet moments during difficult times
• Personal story of losing a loved one and finding purpose through legacy
• The role of small gestures, like a shared smile or memory, in grounding us
• How gratitude can soften pain and help us gain perspective
• Listener stories about carrying loved ones' lessons forward
• Practical journaling prompts focused on gratitude to reflect on at home
• The nonprofit work inspired by loss, supporting military families and suicide prevention
• The significance of honoring both joy and hardship as part of healing

Timestamps

00:00 - Welcome to the Sunday Shoreline: taking a breath at the edge of the week
 01:08 - Setting the scene: reflection and compassion for yourself
 02:18 - Introducing the week's theme: gratitude in small moments
 03:47 - Personal story of loss and gratitude for a loved one's smile
 05:25 - Lessons learned from hardship and the winding road of transition
 06:12 - Recognizing gratitude in small, unexpected moments
 07:38 - The significance of small gestures like shaking keys or shared conversations
 08:01 - Navigating challenging moments with gratitude, including tough conversations
 09:12 - Finding signs and comfort in unexpected moments, music, and memories
 09:42 - Reflection: What moments brought relief or meaning this week?
 10:45 - Life's quiet whispers of gratitude and hope
 11:07 - Using gratitude to move forward and release unnecessary burdens
 12:20 - Introducing listener submissions and stories of gratitude in loss
 13:11 - Honoring a loved one through nonprofit work and legacy-building
 14:37 - The future goals rooted in purpose and community support
 15:55 - Listener story: how a grandfather's quiet love shapes today’s kindness
 16:54 - Invitation to share your stories and reflections
 17:22 - Journaling prompts for gratitude: small moments, strength, lessons
 18:16 - Closing reflection: noticing and carrying gratitude into the week
 18:53 - Take a deep breath and settle into gratitude
 19:02 - Final thoughts: be gentle with yourself and return to your shoreline

Resources & Links

• Kole T. Kendall Anchored Navigation Project

Connect with Lori Kendall

• Missing Pieces: The Final Salute Book
• Facebook

Remember, every small moment of gratitude shapes how we move forward, even amid life's hardships. Carry that sense of appreciation into your week, and be gentle with yourself on the journey. Until next Sunday, return to your shoreline whenever you need a moment to pause.

Visit Missing Pieces The Final Salute Group on Facebook

Missing Pieces Book Order 

Navigating Grief and Finding Your Emotional Shoreline

In this heartfelt episode of Real and Rooted, Lori Kendall shares honest reflections on grief, healing, and how life continues moving forward even when we're not ready. If you're quietly struggling with loss or life transitions, this episode offers compassionate insights and practical ways to stay grounded through your journey.

Key Topics Covered:

•  Understanding the emotional shoreline: what it is and how to reach it
•  The paradox of grief moving at its own pace, unlike societal schedules
•  How grief waves resemble the ocean—overwhelming at times, calmer over time
•  The importance of grounding practices, like water and nature, in healing
•  Reflection questions to identify where you feel stuck or moving forward
•  The myth of linear grief and embracing your own pace
•  Building honesty and community in your healing process
•  Practical steps to honor love and loss simultaneously
•  Encouragement to find small moments of hope and joy amidst grief

 Timestamps: 

 00:00 - Welcome and overview of honest conversations about grief and healing
 00:28 - Introduction to the emotional shoreline concept
 01:46 - Lori's grounding exercise: taking a deep breath to reset
 02:29 - What makes grief a "quiet" and often unspoken journey
 04:02 - The experience of noticing others life moves forward after loss
 05:00 - Personal story of grief during Thanksgiving and societal pressures
 06:12 - The pace of grief versus the pace of culture and expectations
 07:16 - The unpredictability of grief triggers and how it arrives unexpectedly
 08:07 - Moving forward with grief while carrying the loss like a stone
 09:00 - Reflective journaling prompts for honesty about your grief process
 10:21 - Recognizing where you feel stuck or left behind
 11:20 - The importance of understanding that grief isn't linear or fast
 13:38 - Physical grounding practices: water, nature, and finding your personal space
 14:27 - Grief as the ocean: waves, tide shifts, and reaching the shore
 15:12 - The significance of small moments in healing (laughter, hope)
 16:46 - Living fully while still honoring love and loss
 17:30 - Allowing your grief to flow at your own pace
 18:44 - Creating a safe space for honest conversations and community support
 20:09 - Recognizing signs of healing in small moments and new beginnings
 21:21 - Moving forward step by step, with honesty and courage
 22:14 - Final thoughts: healing is about carrying love forward, not leaving it behind

Resources & Links:

• Reflective Roots — Support for navigating grief

• Missing Pieces: The Final Salute

Connect with Lori Kendall:

• Instagram

• Facebook

Remember: Healing is a non-linear process. Embrace your unique timeline, be gentle with yourself, and let small moments of hope find their place in your journey.

Visit Missing Pieces The Final Salute Group on Facebook

Missing Pieces Book Order 

Finding Calm on Your Sunday Shoreline: Reflect, Reset, Recharge

In this episode of the Real and Rooted podcast, Lori guides listeners through a calming reflection practice designed to help you find your emotional shoreline amidst life's waves. Perfect for Sunday evenings, this episode offers tools to pause, process, and prepare for the week ahead with intention.

Key Topics:

•  Creating a peaceful ritual for Sunday evenings to manage stress and overwhelm
•  Using the metaphor of the shoreline to understand emotional resilience
•  Reflection prompts to identify meaningful moments, emotional impacts, and personal strength
•  Practical daily breathing exercises to anchor yourself during challenging times
•  Encouragement to write a kind word or affirmation as your weekly anchor
•  The importance of honoring your feelings, grief, and moments of joy
•  How to develop a consistent practice of pause and reflection to manage life's waves

  Journaling: 

• What moment this past week mattered most to you? 
• What felt heavy this week? 
• Where did you show strength?
• One moment you are grateful for this past week was...
• One weight you are ready to release is...
• One small root for the coming week - a kind word or a piece of encouragement for the week ahead would be...

 Timestamps: 

 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to the Sunday Shoreline concept
 00:41 - The importance of creating a quiet space for reflection
 01:18 - Recognizing the emotions carried from the past week
 02:01 - Inviting listeners to settle into presence and reflection
 03:08 - Setting intentional reflection questions for the week
 04:08 - Remembering small moments that matter
 05:08 - Recognizing personal strength in overcoming challenges
 06:14 - Explanation of the emotional shoreline metaphor
 07:23 - Life's waves and finding your grounding spot
 08:15 - Introducing reflection as a weekly ritual
 08:38 - Choosing a kind word or encouragement for the upcoming week
 09:10 - The simple act of taking daily moments to breathe
 10:11 - The shoreline as a safe place amidst life's chaos
 10:41 - Writing an encouraging sentence for your heart
 11:06 - Invitation to connect and share in the community
 11:29 - Closing thoughts and encouragement to stay rooted

Resources & Links:

•  Missing Pieces: A Mother's Journey Through Service, Sorrow, and Survival — Order your copy on Amazon - March 17, 2026 or at missingpiecesbook.com
•  Real and Rooted Podcasts — For more stories of resilience and healing

Connect with Lori:

• Facebook | Website | LinkedIn

Remember: This practice isn't about fixing everything overnight—it's about creating a sustained space for reflection, grounding, and emotional resilience. Return to your shoreline whenever life feels overwhelming to reconnect with your strength and calm.

Visit Missing Pieces The Final Salute Group on Facebook

Missing Pieces Book Order 

In this opening episode of Real & Rooted, Lori invites listeners into a space of honesty, gentleness, and grounded reflection. She shares the heart behind the podcast — why it exists, who it’s for, and how slowing down to tell the truth about our lives can become a pathway to healing, resilience, and deeper connection. This is the beginning of a community rooted in compassion and real conversation, where we honor what’s been broken and nurture what’s becoming. 

Visit Missing Pieces The Final Salute Group on Facebook

Missing Pieces Book Order